CS Hillyer, George

George Hillyer​

Born: March 17, 1835

Birthplace: Athens, Georgia

Father: U.S. Congressman Junius Hillyer 1807 – 1886

(Buried: Oakland Cemetery, Atlanta, Georgia)​

Mother: Jane Selina Watkins 1807 – 1880

(Buried: Oakland Cemetery, Atlanta, Georgia)​

Wife: Ellen Emily Cooley 1839 – 1930

(Buried: Oakland Cemetery, Atlanta, Georgia)​

Brother: Confederate Surgeon Dr. Eben Hillyer 1832 – 1910

(Buried: Myrtle Hill Cemetery, Rome Georgia)​

Children:

Edith Elizabeth Hillyer Coker 1868 – 1906

(Buried: Oakland Cemetery, Atlanta, Georgia)​

​

Minnie Hillyer Comer 1869 – 1972​

(Buried: Oakland Cemetery, Atlanta, Georgia)​

​

Marian Jean Hillyer Wolff 1871 – 1963​

(Buried: Oakland Cemetery, Atlanta, Georgia)​

​

George Hillyer Jr. 1872 – 1931​

(Buried: Oakland Cemetery, Atlanta, Georgia)​

​

Ellen Martha Hillyer Newell 1874 – 1959​

(Buried: Westview Cemetery, Atlanta, Georgia)​

​

Hollis Hillyer 1878 – 1878​

(Buried: Oakland Cemetery, Atlanta, Georgia)​

Education:

1854: Graduated from Mercer University​

Occupation before War:

1855 – 1861: Attorney in Monroe Georgia

​

1857 – 1859: Georgia State Representative​

​

1859 – 1860: Clerk of Georgia State House of Representatives​

​

1860: Georgia Delegate to Democratic Party National Convention​

​

1860: Supporter of Howell Cobb for Democratic Party Nomination​

Civil War Career:

1861: Raised the "Hillyer Rifles" in Walton County, Georgia​

​

1861 – 1863: Captain of Company C, 9th​ Georgia Infantry Regiment​

​

1862: Served in the Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia​

​

1863: Served in the Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania​

​

1863: Served as temporary regimental commander at Gettysburg​

​

1863: Fought in the Wheatfield at the Battle of Gettysburg​

​

1863: Resigned as Captain in the 9th​ Georgia in November​

​

1863: Auditor of Western and Atlantic Railroad Company​

​

1864: Organizer of Georgia State Road Battalion​

​

1864: Placed in command of Railroad in Georgia as Major​

​

1864: Served against Cavalry raiders in the Atlanta Campaign​

​

1865: Surrendered to the Union Army on May 10th​​

Occupation after War:

1865 – 1877: Attorney in Atlanta, Georgia​

​

1871 – 1875: Georgia State Senator​

​

1876: Georgia Delegate to Centennial Commission​

​

1877 – 1883: Judge of Fulton County Georgia Superior Court​

​

1885 – 1887: Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia​

​

Member of board of trustees of Spelman Baptist Seminary​

​

Vice Chairman of Georgia Railroad Commission​

Died: October 22, 1927

Place of Death: Atlanta, Georgia

Age at time of Death: 92 years old

Burial Place: Oakland Cemetery, Atlanta, Georgia

 

[Pollaco]

Hillyer authored a book titled "My Gettysburg Battle Experiences". it tells of the actions of the 9th Georgia (and himself) during that battle.

 

[Pollaco]

The Companies of the 9th Georgia were mustered into the Confederate Army on June 13, 1861 and sent by train to Virginia. There it was attached to George "Tige" Anderson's brigade. He briefly commanded at Fredricksburg then again took command at Gettysburg when all of the senior officers were either killed or wounded.

 

[MasonDixon]

I am trying to find a copy of his Gettysburg book. Hard to find. Any ideas? He is a relative and part of my research into a area of the war regarding the Railroads.

 

[Pollaco]

I am trying to find a copy of his Gettysburg book. Hard to find. Any ideas? He is a relative and part of my research into a area of the war regarding the Railroads.

That would depend if you're wanting to purchase a copy for yourself or just read it. The local library should be able to locate a copy for the Inter Library Loan program (ILL).

 

[MasonDixon]

That would depend if you're wanting to purchase a copy for yourself or just read it. The local library should be able to locate a copy for the Inter Library Loan program (ILL).

Looking to purchase the copy

 

[astronomer10]

I might have a copy, as you know it's very rare. George Hillyer took over the CSA Georgia Railroad as Major. And the 1926 Movie "The General" was in part based on his exploits retaking the train from the yankees, history calls that event The Great Locomotive Chase.

 

[DaveBrt]

I might have a copy, as you know it's very rare. George Hillyer took over the CSA Georgia Railroad as Major. And the 1926 Movie "The General" was in part based on his exploits retaking the train from the yankees, history calls that event The Great Locomotive Chase.

I can find no record of a Maj. Hillyer in the Great Locomotive Race, nor is he in the records as "taking over" the CSA Georgia Railroad. I think you mean the Western & Atlantic RR, but even there he is only listed as the Auditor (ie the one who verifies that a payment is proper for payment) and definitely did not "take over" the W&A.

 

[MasonDixon]

I found a reprint on Geo. Hillyer adventure at Gettysburg. Now there were three Major Hillyers... Eben, George and Shaler. All were brothers.

 

[Louisiana Tiger]

I am trying to find a copy of his Gettysburg book. Hard to find. Any ideas? He is a relative and part of my research into an area of the war regarding the Railroads.

I bought a copy at the visitors center at Gettysburg about three years ago. Maybe you can try getting a copy from their bookstore. They may still carry it. Hopefully you may be able to order it on line from them. It was published by Thomas publications. I hope this helps you.