Dooly County GaArchives Biographies.....Andrew Harp August 20 1834 - October 15 1905
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Olivia Terjesen terjesen@adelphia.net January 30, 2004, 3:24 pm

Author: Olivia Terjesen
Andrew Jackson Harp was born on August 20, 1834 in Hardin County Kentucky.  He 
came to Dooly County Georgia and worked on the farm of John Sidney Taylor.  

Andrew Jackson Harp married Matilda T. Taylor (daughter of John Sidney Taylor)
on October 7, 1858 in Houston County Georgia.

He enlisted in the Confederate Army at the start on August 14, 1862, and he 
fought in many battles from Georgia to Virginia. A. J. Harp was severely 
wounded at the battle of Antitem in Sharpsburg, Maryland, September 17, 1862. 
While recovering in the makeshift hospital, A.J. contracted diphtheria.  Since 
diphtheria was very contigious and usually fatal, the doctor ordered A.J. to be 
placed in the "dead pile" away from the other patients.  His friend, from 
Georgia discovered him in the "dead pile."  AJ Harp had apparently groaned and 
had moved his hand slightly, this is what drew attention to him.  His friend 
nursed him back to health. The diphtheria had eaten a hole in his throat and 
neck.  He grew a long beard to cover the hole.

As I understand it he was in the Georgia Brigade, General Toombs commanding, 
left 400 Georgian men to defend the old stone bridge AKA Burnside Bridge . If 
you read the historic accounts about this engagement you will see that this was 
one of the deadliest of the entire Civil War. The Georgia 400 held off the 
attacking U.S. Army for over 3 hours, while sustaining heavy casualties.  He 
fought through out the Civil War, including the campaigns at Gettysburg, 
Antitem, Fredericksburg, The Wilderness, Manassas (Bull Run)  and numerous 
other ones in and around Virginia. 

His surrender occurred on April 9, 1865 at Appomattox, Court House, Virginia.  
From there he walked home to Dooly County, Georgia, arriving at the Taylor 
homestead sometime around September of 1865.  His wife, Matilda, was at the 
farm when A.J. came walking across the field; his family did not recognize him 
because he was so emaciated. Thereafter, he needed crutches to aid him with 
walking.  A. J. went back to farming and did so till his death on October 15, 
1905.

He died in Dooly County Georgia, and is buried at Harmony Baptist Church 
Cemetery in Unadilla,GA.

Andrew J. Harp (First_Last) 
Regiment Name 21 Georgia Infantry. 
Side Confederate  
Company  H  
Soldier's Rank_In  Private  
Soldier's Rank_Out  Private  
Alternate Name   
Notes  
Film Number M226 roll 26 

HISTORICAL NOTES: 
The 21st was one of the first regiments formed in 1861. It lost 76% of the 242 
engaged at Second Manassas and about 10% of the 287 at Gettysburg. Only 7 
officers and 50 men surrendered in April, 1865.
 
You can track his Civil War activities through the Confederate Order of Battle 
for the 21st Georgia Infantry. It will show engagements, battles, commanders, 
etc. Or you can look up the 21st Georgia Infantry history and get the 
information.


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