Baldwin County GaArchives History .....History of Baldwin Co. - Baldwin Blues 1861 1925
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1861

    What an eventful year was that, and who that lived then can ever forget that
vivid wonderful time. The younger portion of our population, those who have been
born since, cannot realize or even dream what our people had to endure. Yet they
bore it cheerfully, grandly with a spirit of self-sacrifice that showed of what
mettle they were made.

    The gallant Blues through their noble young Captain had already tendered
their services to the state. At length came marching orders, and on the 26th day
of April, 1861, they took up their line of march to the depot, to take the train
for Virginia. The Governor's Horse Guards, under Capt. Dubignon, and the Baldwin
Blues Junior, commanded by Capt. Charlie Conn, were their escort. Their
departure for the seat of war is thus described by the Southern Federal Union of
30th April, 1861:

    "The most touching and impressive scene of our whole life was enacted at the
depot in this city on Friday morning last. Over a thousand people were assembled
to bid adieu to friends and kindred and pay the respect of the citizen to the
high patriotism and valour of the soldier. At 8:30 A. M., the train arrived from
Eatonton, bearing the Brown Rifles, Capt R. B. Nisbet. Their arrival was
welcomed with the firing of cannon and the hearty huzzas of the immense throng.
The Blues then marched up accompanied by their escorts and followed by hundreds
of friends and relatives. Lieutenant Caraker bore a beautiful wreath of flowers
in front. At the depot they formed into line to recive the last good bye—and
then such tears were shed. Old men and young men, women and

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p. 60

children poured forth the deep and earnest tear as if their heads were a
fountain of water. Rev. Mr. Flynn made a short address and offered a most
feeling prayer in behalf of the soldier boys about to leave their home, kindred
and friends. At length the last kind word was spoken—the last 'God Bless you my
boy.' from mother and father died upon the balmy air; the word of command was
given by Capt. Doles to march and the gallant Blues were lost to our sight. The
busy note of preparation was ended—the shrill whistle of the engine was heard,
and as the cannon boomed forth the signal for departure, the precious freighted
train moved slowly away. The very air was rent with shoutings of the immense
crowd and with the waving of hats and handkerchiefs and the booming of cannon,
the scene closed."

    Mr. Joseph Staley furnishes the following roll which comprises the names of
those who went with the Company on that memorable day, and those who joined it
at Camp Jackson, near Norfolk, Va. Besides these, during the four years, there
were over a hundred recruits, but unfortunately there is no record of them now
extant.

    Captain—Geo. Doles; promoted to Col. of the 4th Ga., May 8th, 1861.
    1st Lieut.—J. M. Caraker, promoted to Captain, May 8th, 1861.
    2nd Lieut.—Sam McComb, promoted to 1st Lieutenant, May 8th, 1861.
    1st Sergeant—Joseph Staley.
    2nd Sergeant—C. Kramer.
    3rd Sergeant—J. B. Fair.
    4th Sergeant—B. R. Herty.
    5th Sergeant—F. Shoenbein.
    Corporals—E. P. Lane, R. V. Jones, A. J. Cone, Jas. Nelson, R. E. Gardner.
    Privates: Butler, W. R.; Butler, J. F.; Boutwell, Jas.; Beasley, F. A.;
Bagley, C.; Bradbery, W. J.;

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p. 61
Brand, T. M.; Byington, C.; Butts, J. W,; Babb, J.; Babb, J. W.; Butts, H. M.
E.; Campbell, R. M.; Cash, J. M. ;Cushing, W. B.; Callaway, E.; Callaway, R. C.;
Cooper, M. A.; Collins, J. R.; Compton, J. C.; Dickson, Jas. A.; DeLauney, E.
W.; Daniels, W. L.; Edwards, A. M.; Ellington, J. F.; Elder, J. G.; Fowler,
John; Freeney, E.; Forsyth, H. E.; Griffin, J. A.; Gurlinger, P.; Gibson, A. J.;
Gillespie, T. E.; Green, J.; Green, T. F., Jr.; Geeks, H. T.; Hall, R. B.; Haug,
Fred; Hanft, Fred; Holcombe, E. D.; Hall, J.; Hall, D. M.; Hawkins, E. A.;
Hawkins, W. G.; Hawk, T. H.; Haygood, Y. J. M.; Huff, R.; Jenkins, T.; Johnson,
J. L.; Kirkpatrick, J. D.; Kirkpatrick, S. W.; Lawler, P. H.; Lane, W. H.;
Lipsey, W.; Mahler, H.; Mathies, R.; Mappin, W. T.; Maye, T. G.; McMillan, A.;
Mullar, D. E.; McComb, Fred; Mimms, J. P.; Moseley, W.; Mitchell, H. R.; Moran,
Jesse; Orme, H. S.; Palmer, B. F.; Reanney, J. S.; Roberts, S.; Roberts, B. F.;
Roberts, W.; Respass, L. M.; Robinson, W. H.; Russell, F. M.; Russel, W.;
Sheppard, J.; Sheppard, J. B.; Sanford, J. W. A.; Sanford, T. G.; Stephens, J.
R.; Smith, Joe; Snead, J. W. W.; Speights, W. M.; Smith, E. P. Smith, J. R.;
Tinsley, W. D.; Torrence, W. H.; Tuttle, G.; Vaughn, W.; Vinson, H. C.;
Williamson, W. T.; Williams, W. A.; Williams, J. H.; Walker, S.; Worsham, J.;
Walls, W.; West, E. R.; Williams, Jr.; Williams, E. J.; Wiggins, J. J.;
Whitaker, W. G. 

    Capt. J. M. Caraker, being wounded and disabled at the bloody battle of
Sharpesburg, Wallace Butts, one of the "bravest of the brave," was elected as
Captain. He continued such until April, 1864, when he was desperately wounded,
in Barley's raid, in sight of Washington City, at the battle of Blair's Farm,
losing a leg and falling into the hands of the enemy. Bernard R. Herty was then
in command of the Company until the surrender at Appomattox.

    Upon the evacuation of Norfolk the Blues, now Co. H." of the 4th Ga.
Regiment, with all the troops

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p. 62

around that city, were ordered to Richmond, and became a part of the grand army
of North Virginia, under Robert E. Lee. It was as glorious an army as the world
ever saw. The Blues were in all the great battles commencing around Richmond and
shared in all the glories of its campaign in Maryland, Pennsylvania and
Virginia. On the banks of the Rappahannock, the Rapidan, in the Wilderness, in
the seiges of Richmond and Petersburg; upon a hundred battle fields, they
illustrated the valor of their native State. Many died upon the field of battle.
The gallant Doles, who had become Brigadier General, was killed at Cold Harbor,
but his remains were brought back, and are now resting quietly in our cemetery
here. Many died from disease in hospital and in prison, and we know not where
they may be buried, but their memory is a priceless heritage to our people—worth
"more than gold—yea than much fine gold."


Additional Comments:
From: 

Part I

HISTORY of BALDWIN COUNTY GEORGIA
BY MRS. ANNA MARIA GREEN COOK

ILLUSTRATED
ANDERSON. S. C.
Keys-Hearn Printing Co.
-1925—


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