In mid-war all major industrial facilities, cities and railroads formed local guard units. The idea for most was to protect local infrastructure from destruction by small cavalry raiding parties. They elected officers, were given arms and drilled frequently. Most units that saw service were used in conjunction with home guard, militias and the recovering sick/wounded and furloughed soldiers in the local area.2nd Lieutenant Joel C. Armistead (usually listed as "Armstead") was an officer in Capt. James H. Porter's Local Defense company. Porter (and presumably Armstead) were employees of the Georgia Railroad. The company was formed September 28, 1863 for six months, and then re-enlisted February 1 1864 for the duration of the war.
The officers were:
- Capt. James H. Porter
- 1st Lt. A. M. Eddleman
- 2nd Lt. Joel C. Armstead
- 3rd Lt. W. C. Anderson
Paging @DaveBrt for more information.
Nope. I never even heard of the GA Railroad Guards before. Thanks.I came across this looking at FAG I haven't seen one before. I like it because he's a Georgia Railroad guard. Anyone come across one of these?View attachment 539444
David would these men be eligible for similar tombstones with Richmond Factory Guards?In mid-war all major industrial facilities, cities and railroads formed local guard units. The idea for most was to protect local infrastructure from destruction by small cavalry raiding parties. They elected officers, were given arms and drilled frequently. Most units that saw service were used in conjunction with home guard, militias and the recovering sick/wounded and furloughed soldiers in the local area.
For the railroad units, the Superintendent was usually the Company Commander. There was frequent friction between the railroads, especially the main lines, and the officers that called out the guards, since a non-operating railroad stopped all food, troop and munitions movement -- how serious did the threat have to be to shut down the RRs and their shops?
The summer of '64 saw the most use of the guards -- the defense of Macon against Sherman, the Richmond guards (including the government clerks) against several cavalry raids, etc. The scheme did not cost much and did provide additional point defense manpower without drawing troops from the field armies.
This is Joel's brother, he has an interesting CW career.Survived Vicksburg then wounded at Resaca.I came across this looking at FAG I haven't seen one before. I like it because he's a Georgia Railroad guard. Anyone come across one of these?View attachment 539444
@DaveBrt comes through again.In mid-war all major industrial facilities, cities and railroads formed local guard units. The idea for most was to protect local infrastructure from destruction by small cavalry raiding parties. They elected officers, were given arms and drilled frequently. Most units that saw service were used in conjunction with home guard, militias and the recovering sick/wounded and furloughed soldiers in the local area.
For the railroad units, the Superintendent was usually the Company Commander. There was frequent friction between the railroads, especially the main lines, and the officers that called out the guards, since a non-operating railroad stopped all food, troop and munitions movement -- how serious did the threat have to be to shut down the RRs and their shops?
The summer of '64 saw the most use of the guards -- the defense of Macon against Sherman, the Richmond guards (including the government clerks) against several cavalry raids, etc. The scheme did not cost much and did provide additional point defense manpower without drawing troops from the field armies.
I have no idea. One of our cemetery or genealogy folks might know.David would these men be eligible for similar tombstones with Richmond Factory Guards?
My relatives are Duvall's Hack's Burch's and Barney's.
View attachment 539496
Wonder if he has any connection to Lo Armistead.I came across this looking at FAG I haven't seen one before. I like it because he's a Georgia Railroad guard. Anyone come across one of these?View attachment 539444
Found this on FAG , who knew they had Jefferson Davis day in Ohio.
I was there over spring break! NOT on Jefferson Davis Day, though.