39th Georgia Infantry, Newsletter #1, January 2001
Happy New Year to all! Welcome to my first attempt to keep those
of you who do not check the web site on a regular basis on the recent
additions and news.
The past two months have seen numerous items of interest to come in
that will be of interest. There is literally so much that I can hardly
find the time to consolidate the information down to a digestible size
for the web site. We have heard from many new friends of the regiment
that will be added to the "Friends" page over the next couple of weeks.
We were named the Web site of the month by the Chattanooga Civil
War Roundtable for the month of December 2000. I consider this a great
honor since the President of the Roundtable is also the Chief Historian
at the Chattanooga-Chickamauga National Military Park.
I have had good luck in D Company descendants contacting me about
their ancestors. One was a descendent of Captain James W. Cureton who
himself is today an Infantry officer in the United States Army. My two
Daniel Lieutenant ancestors in D Company were his Lieutenants. I myself
am an Armor officer in the United States Army. Curious how service in
the military unknowingly is passed down through the generations.
Lieutenant Allison's descendants have also contacted me too. We get
very many more responses from D Company we will probably have to call a
formation.
I had the pleasure to lead what we call in the 21st Century Army a
"Staff Ride" in November in the Chattanooga area. We focused on the
right wing of the Army of Tennessee (where the 39th Georgia was at) and
Sherman's failed attempt to turn its right flank. It was a success and
interesting to study. I posted one of the pictures from that training
event on the "Pictures" page. It is of the picture of the tunnel in
Missionary Ridge's Tunnel Hill. I have several more photos that I will
post later. If you desire any let me know. They are an average of 200
kb apiece.
I have added several names to the "Crossing Over Jordan" page. In
doing research, I have come across several names for soldiers that have
died in prisoner of war camps. These soldiers are buried in northern
states. Since that posting several days ago I have come across several
more. Hopefully this will help the descendants solve any possible
question were their loved one's final resting place is at.
January is a month of new beginnings for a new year but let us not
forget the great sacrifices that our ancestors made in defense of their
homes, family, state, and county. January was not known as a month that
was particularly easy for the 39th Georgia. The first January of the
war for the regiment (1863), found the regiment on the move. They had
just crossed the Tennessee River the previous day and were moving up
Sand Mountain enroute to Vicksburg, Mississippi. The month was spent
marching through Alabama and Mississippi to Vicksburg where it would
march, counter march, and be besieged in its defense until capitulation
on July 4, 1863.
January 1864 would find the regiment in winter camps in and around
Dalton, Georgia. Although near their home counties, the regiment had
defeat and recuperation on their minds. The previous two months had
been taxing on the Army of Tennessee. Defeat at Missionary Ridge and
attempt at regenerating combat power at Dalton would take a toll on the
leadership and soldiers. December found desertions, resignations of
officers, and sickness running wild throughout the force. On Christmas
Eve, Company F would hold elections to replace its Orderly Sergeant
(First Sergeant) and Christmas morning would find several company
commanders arrested for allowing their soldiers to go home for a few
days. Adding insult to injury, small pox began to sweep the ranks of
the Army of Tennessee. Strength in the regiment had dropped from its
original strength of over 1,100 men to a reported strength on December
14, 1863 of 236 effectives, 243 present for duty, 811 present and
absent, and 202 weapons.
Having been appointed the new commander of the Army, General Joe
Johnston arrived to restore the Army's dignity and respect from an all
time low. Rations were increased, the supply flow was restored to a
more consistent level, an amnesty was extended to all deserters and
soldiers absent without leave. To help eleviate boredom, members of
Company F, as many companies and regiments, formed debating societies.
Private Robert Magill (Company F) stated that their debating society
ended up trying Private R.H. Fox for "encouraging" Private Reuben L.
Harris to desert. Fox was sentenced to be shot with a wad of rope. Not
enough to kill him but probably enough to put a sting on him. Religious
revivals broke out in the camps and many in the Army repented of their
sins. The soldiers also entertained themselves with division sized
snowball fights and theater productions. In an attempt to facilitate an
Army espirit de corps, General Johnston ordered the Atlanta Clothing
Depot to produce a standardized regiment battle flag for each regiment.
As a result the regiment received its second battle flag (see Battle
Flags page on the web site).
January 1865 found the regiment retreating from the Army of
Tennessee's failed attempt to retake Nashville, Tennessee in the
Tennessee Campaign of 1864. The regiment had fought a hard courageous
rear guard for the Army of Tennessee and no doubt helped keep it from
being destroyed in detail. One-Fourth of the Army is reported as having
no shoes. Blood smears could be seen where shoeless feet moved over
frozen, jagged ground. The weather was raining and cold. The soldier
were practically in open mutiny. Only after persuading by the company
officers did the men drill and then only for short periods of time.
After marching to Meridian, Mississippi the soldiers boarded trains and
began moving east toward Columbus, Georgia. On January 19, 1865 the
strength of the regiment was reported at 134 effective, 177 total
present, 197 aggregate. On the 27th, at Opelika, Alabama many soldiers
in the regiment left for home. Private Magill said that twenty-four,
eight of Company F, eleven of Company H, one of Company E, and four of
the 56th Georgia got off the train and left for home. The remnant of
the regiment would make its way east to join the rest of the Army to
reform and fight on for four more months.
I appreciate any feedback you may have about the web site or this
monthly email update. If you do not desire to receive this please let
me know. Thanks for your support and patience. Continue to send your
comments and information.