Joseph Addison Crocker: Joseph was born Jan 2, 1840, near Coldwater in Elbert County, Georgia. Joseph spent his early years hired out as farm help or mill work. While working at a saw-mill in Anderson, South Carolina, he married Rachel Hembree and started a family.
On Jun 2, 1861, Joseph joined the CSA at Pendleton, SC, leaving his wife and two small children behind. On June 7, Joseph was mustered into the 4th SC Inf. Co K, also known as the "Fort Hill Guards". Company K was commanded by Captain Julius L
Shanklin and the Regiment was commanded by Colonel John B. E. Sloan. A month and a half later the 4th was at Manassas Va. There on July 21, 1861, under the command of Col Nathan G Evans, the 4th engaged the Union Army in the first "Battle of Manassas". Out numbered 3 to 1, the 4th fought near the stone bridge and on Matthews Hill. Joseph was shot in the left jaw that day. His diary states "was carried off the Field by 1 Lt. John Daniels. The main part of the ball was taken out, but a piece of it split off the jawbone and remained several weeks before it came out, my jaw nearly rotted."
Joseph was hospitalized and then sent to Richmond, Virginia. His diary states "was taken off the train at Lanesa Va. by the depot agent. Was taken care of at his house. He wanted all the wounded South Carolinians, and found one besides myself. We both had measles while there and started them in town by going out to a dinner that was prepared by the ladies of the town in honor of the wounded soldiers. It seemed that town was very much secessionist." Joseph left that family and made his way back to his unit where he was furloughed home in late 1861.
On Feb 15, 1863 Joseph joined Co B 1st SC Inf. (Col Butler's) also known as the 3rd Heavy Artillery. He spent the next two years at Charleston SC on Sullivan Island, James Island, and Ft. Sumter. On Feb 17, 1865, the Confederates evacuated Charleston and headed to North Carolina. Joseph was in the Battle of Averasboro and then at Bentonville, where he was again wounded. Joseph was hospitalized, captured and then paroled after the surrender.
Joseph‟s diary states "I arrived home in Anderson County SC about the 10th of May 1865, without anything to live on or anything that buy it. I had 50 cents in silver that I brought home in my shoes, but the same crowd that captured me in North Carolina, came along and ransacked my house, found my 50 cents and carried it off with them. Everything is demoralized, the negroes set free, and committing all kinds of depredations, and a great many white people committed crimes that were laid on the negroes."
Joseph and Rachel added six more children to the family after the war. Rachel died in 1879 and Joseph moved the family to Pickens County Ala in the early 1880s.
In 1911, Joseph applied for and received a Confederate pension. His application (20389) lists his assets as: 1 small dwelling house, 1/2 interest in mill property in Gordo Ala, 1 horse or mule, 1 firearm, and 1 watch, for a net worth of $904.00.
Joseph Addison Crocker went to heaven Jun 6, 1919. His headstone is in the city cemetery of Gordo Alabama. Joseph Addison Crocker is the ancestor of Camp Member Kelly Crocker.