Obituary for John H. Martin, Decatur Co., GA, 1913 http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/decatur/obits/jhmartin.txt ==================================================================== USGENWEB PROJECT NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Project Archives to store this file permanently for free access. This file was contributed by: Judy Penrod Purcell ==================================================================== September 2001 Obituary of Judge John H. Martin, Decatur Co., GA, Pulaski Co., GA As it appeared in the CONFEDERATE VETERAN, November 1913, 21st Year, 11th Number. Judge John H. Martin was born on April 10, 1842, in Decatur County, Ga.; and died on September 14, 1913, in Hawkinsville, Ga. He left his studies at Oglethorpe University, Ga., in May, 1861, to aid in the organization of the Decatur Guards, which became Company D of the 17th Georgia Infantry. He was elected orderly sergeant of the company, was promoted on the 20th of January, 1863, to first lieutenant, and in August, 1863, he was made captain of the company. Judge Martin participated in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged, except when absent because of wounds or illness. In the desperate games of battle he received eleven wounds--three at Second Manassas, one at Gettysburg, two at Chickamauga, one at the Wilderness, and the others in smaller engagements. Frequently in battle he sheathed his sword and grasped a rifle and the equipments of some dead or wounded soldier, entered the firing line, and served as a private. At Danville, Va., Captain Martin commanded a provisional company gathered from various commands and aided in repelling Federal raiders who were trying to capture the Confederate Cabinet and the President. On April 14, 1865, he was ordered by Gen. John C. Breckinridge, Secretary of War, to report to Maj. Gen. A.R. Wright at Augusta, Ga. He successfully worked his way through Sherman's lines to General Wright at Augusta, and was then directed to report to Col. William Barden at Albany, Ga. McCook's Federal brigade took possession of Albany before Captain Martin could reach there, so he returned home. Of the many adventures in which Captain Martin participated, one deserves special mention. After a large force had captured Fort Harrison, near the James, on September 29, 1864, they fiercely assaulted the intermediate line of intrenchments defended by about 1,250 troops under General Gregg, of Texas. General Gregg sent Captain Martin down to the line to see if any of the troops had been left in the trenches they had vacated. Returning, a comrade, George Medlock, of the 15th Georgia, hailed him and asked his help in getting off the field, as he was seriously wounded. While attempting to aid him the advancing enemy made prisoners of them both. Permission was given Captain Martin to take his wounded comrade to the shade of a tree in front. While at the tree Captain Martin asked Medlock if he could run, saying he intended to try for his freedom. Medlock agreed to try also, and they started on the run, but Medlock gave out after four or five steps. Captain Martin then got him on his back and made for the Confederate line. The enemy at once opened fire. The bullets flew thick and fast around them, but they reached the Confederate line in safety. After the enemy had been repulsed in their assault on Fort Gilmer, following the capture of Fort Harrison, there lay piles of dead and wounded negroes in and before the trenches. A white officer of one of the negro regiments was mortally wounded and begged piteously for water. Captain Martin heard the cry and went beyond the line to a well which was exposed to the fire of the enemy and got water for the wounded Federal officer. The Yankees opend a severe fire upon him, but he persisted until he had drawn the water and fulfilled the scriptural injunction, "Give thine enemy drink." With the close of hostilities Captain Martin taught school in Decatur County, Ga. In April, 1866, he moved to Texas, where he remained until July, 1869, when he returned to Georgia. he resumed his former occupation and taught for three years, then studied law and entered upon that profession in Hawkinsville, Ga., where he ever afterwards resided. He was a close student of the law, and soon won an enviable reputation and a lucrative practice. Captain Martin was first married to Miss S.E. Winn, of Liberty County, Ga., August 12, 1869. Four children were the offspring of this union, but only one of them, Miss Lillie Martin, survives him. Mrs. Martin passed away in December, 1881. In January, 1863, he married Miss Ammitie S. Curry, of Decatur County, Ga., who also survives him. At the Athens State Reunion, U.C.V., Captain Martin was elected Brigade commander for his brigade, and in october, 1910, was unanimously chosen Division Commander for Georgia at Columbus. He served two terms as Mayor of Hawkinsville, and in 1905 was elected superior court judge of the Oconee circuit, serving until January, 1913. His remains rest beside his first wife and children in beautiful Orange Hill Cemetery, Hawkinsville, Ga. (Sketch sent by Maj. George N. Saussy.)