Georgia:  Coweta County:  Biography of ROBERT H. WOODS

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ROBERT H. WOODS, one of Coweta county's leading citizens, is the grandson 
of Robert Woods, a native of Ireland, who came to America and became one 
of the first settlers of Madison county, Ga., about the year 1800. His 
son, Francis A., married Phoebe Wood, like himself a native of Madison 
county, and to them on Christmas day, 1827, was born Robert H. The father 
was a soldier in the Indian war of 1836. Robert was born and reared in 
Pike county, and owing to the limited opportunities of those days and the 
early death of his father, when he was but nine years of age, received 
only such an education as could be obtained in the old log school house 
of that time, prior to his father's death. After this event the brave lad 
worked not only to obtain his own living, but to aid in the support of 
the family. The courage displayed in boyhood continued to develop, and 
ere he reached manhood's estate, upon the declaration of war with Mexico, 
he was one of those who, with patriotic ardor, rushed to arms, enlisting 
on June 10, 1846, in the regiment commanded by Col. Henry R. Jackson, of 
Savannah, Ga. He was in the company of Capt. H. J. Sargent, who with 
himself are the only members of the company now living in Coweta county. 
These troops were among the forces landed by Gen. Scott on March 9, 1847, 
at Vera Cruz, and among the exploits of that famous investment 
this company not only bravely bore its own part but has the credit of 
doing more hard marching than any other. In recognition of his service to 
his country in those momentous days, Mr. Woods draws a pension from the 
United States government. In 1849, on Dec. 22, Mr. Woods was married to 
Miss Mary E. Brooks, a native of Pike county, the daughter of Hillary and 
Nancy (Anderson) Brooks, and they have two children: Hillary A. and John 
C. Upon the outbreak of the war, Mr. R. H. Woods enlisted as a private in 
Company I, of Col. Neeley's regiment, but was soon elected lieutenant. 
Having served in this position for six months he formed another company, 
of which he was made captain, and later a second company was organized 
through his efforts. He was engaged in several very hard battles as that 
before Richmond, and was in command of the company at the battle of 
Malvern Hill, during the terrible four days and nights of the Wilderness, 
at Sharpsburg, Gettysburg and Knoxville, and also in many skirmishes. He 
was with Gen. Lee when this great chieftain surrendered at Appomattox, 
being then in command of the Fifty-third Georgia regiment. Mr. Woods was 
also in command of the last line ever formed by Gen. Lee, being the 
Celand line, ordered to charge a Yankee battery on the morning of the 
surrender. On May 6, Capt. Woods paroled his men, seventy-five being left 
of his regiment, the others having been killed, wounded or captured. 
After the war he returned to Coweta county and began farming; although 
his means in the beginning were but small, his prudence and diligence in 
the management of his affairs increased his business and now he is very 
well to do, one of the best and most respected of the citizens of 
Coweta county. 

Transcribed from MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA published by the Southern Historical 
Association, 1895.