SCHLEY COUNTY, GA - Civil War Letters - Charles Womack Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Harris Hill Table of Contents page: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/schley.htm Georgia Table of Contents: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm Schley Cty. Geo. Apr 12th 1861 Brother David I believe I wrote to you last but as it takes a letter so long to go I will write without waiting for an answer. The reason why I have not written sooner was that the latter part of last week Warren Battle's mill dam broke and I was a seining. We caught more fish than I ever saw at one sight before. The first day I got a trout that weighed eight pounds and a half and so many pirch(perch) as the negroes could not eat at three meals. The second day I got a trout that weighed about eight pounds and as many pirch(perch) as the day before. I expect there was two thousand pounds (of) fish caught since the dam has broken. Warren Battle is building one of the finest mills in South Western Georgia. He will have it ready to grind by the middle of May or first of June. I have got one of the best fish ponds in Georgia. I put 400 or 500 fish in it out of Battle's pond but I think most of them are dead though i can see a few live ones. Wheat crops never looked more promising than they do now, from all parts of Georgia the same tale comes that the wheat crop is excellent. The war excitement is still prevailing. We are listing (listening) every day to hear that the war has commenced at Pensacola. There was fifteen companies passed through Macon enroute to Pensacola. There is now 218 companies in Georgia which could whip half of the north and they are still making up more companies. If the north does not intend to fight--- she is acting very strange by not withdrawing the troops from Forts Sumter and Pickens(Pensacola). I believe the withdrawing the troops from Fort Sumter is all a farce. The Federal Government has been withdrawing the troops from Fort Sumter for the last month and there is no more probability of their withdrawal than there was then. I beleive by acting so they thought they would get the South off of her watch then they would come down upon her. All that helps the North from fighting is the Southern bordering states she knows well enough that when the fight begins there those bordering states the most of them will brake lose(loose) the fetters that now bind them to the Federal Government and join with the Conferate States. Then it will be the greatest nation upon the globe and then we will dare the North to attempt to fight us. We can then stand our hand with any of them so long as we have cotton on our side. In your last letter you stated that you thought I was a stronger secessionist than you were. Well I am just this much of a secessionist--that I saw that there was no other remedy for the South but to disrupt the ties that bound her to the Union and assume her independance at all hazards. If there had been a compromise made or the constitution had been amended so as to satisfied(satisfy) the South, why the North violated the constitution once and she would do it again. There was no confidence to be placed in her under no consideration. The North was determined that if she remained in the Union she the North ahving the majority in congress would vote the South out of all her rights. Indeed there has been no Union between the North and South before the secession movement went into effect. When I get to writing about politics I do not (know) where to stop. I have just began planting cotton. I was afraid to begin any sooner for fear of frost--due some of our corn has been bit by frost and the rest of it looks well to the age of it. I put a new enclosure around it and broke it up well. We have got a good many vegetables planted. I planted two bushels of Irish potatoes and Amanda has got the finest English peas I ever saw. A good garden will pay very well. This year Mr. Kelly is teaching school near Friendship and has a poor school. Amanda is very anxious for Billie to go to school to him but Mr. Powell and sister were down there not long ago and said that he his(has) kitchen and smoke house in the same house he lived in. You know what sort of a man he is. All the family are well. I will have to close as I have no further time to write. Yours ______ Charles Womack Notes: Charles Womack enlisted in Co. G, 5th Ga. Inf., C.S.A. not quite one month after he wrote this and was himself marching to Pensacola within a few weeks. Friendship at this time was in Schley Co. in the extreme SW portion of the county. Because of the constantly shifting lines due to county formatations, etc. it was back in Sumter Co. by 1883 and is yet today. The Billie mentioned would be Wm. Kelley, age 7, shown in the census below and Mr. Kelley, the school teacher was his father. William F. Kelley married Charles' sister Caroline December 19, 1850 in Marion Co. Since Caroline is absent on the 1860 census, one might presume she has died. I have thus far been unable to find a cemetery record. I welcome information on this aspect. The Amanda that is mentioned is Charles Jr.'s older sister. That brings us to trying to identifying the addressee of this letter. Charles had other siblings that are not listed in these two censuses, but none of them are named David. So who's Brother David? I believe and will strive to prove that "Brother David" is actually Charles' brother-in-law David Marion Phillips who married Charles' sister Lucinda who married David Phillips August 18, 1840 in Monroe Co. Ga. They moved to Lousiana in about 1860 and are found on the 1870 Lousiana Census index in Claiborne Parish. The family who donated the letters to the Univesity is from Claiborne Parish, La. I welcome any information about this connection. I would like to thank Roger Womack who provided additional information about the family of Charles Womack. Much of the information shown in the notes above was based on this data. Thank you Roger. 1850 Marion County Census shows the folowing Womack children at home. Nancy age 32 Amanda age 24 Caroline age 19 Martha age 16 Charles Jr. age 14 Elizabeth(Ann E on 1860) age 11 also in the HH is William F. Kelly age 22(school teacher) William Bailey age 19 student Henry Bailey age 24 student 1860 Schley Co., Ga, page 7, taken June 1860. 42 WOMACK, Charles 72 Amanda P 32 Charles 24 Ann E 21 KELLEY, Wm C 7 Asa 5 James 3 ============================================= Schley Cty. Geo. Apr 19th 1861 Brother David In attempting to write to you tonight I am at a loss to know what to write about unless it is concerning the war and the condition of our country. Everything has a warlike appearance. The excitement of war is prevailing all over the country like a contagious epidemic with the old as well as the young. The old men say if we fail that they are willing and ready to take our place. We all (southern men) have a common interest at stake and we will strike for our rights which we have not had for a good many years and we are fighting in the defensive. They may call us rebels as the British did in the revolutionary war or by any name they may choose so we come out conquerers in the end. A Southern man understand how to enjoy freedom while the Northern men that is a great many of them are oppressed and in bondage and they will not fight with the same resolution as a Southern man. from that reason I believe we can whip the yankees. All we like is a navy. We have got the material and there is no doubt but they will be used advantageously. If they show a disposition every where in the seceded states to meet Lincoln and his forces as they do here we can thrash Lincoln and all the aid he can get from the north since Virginia has seceded and she will bring more of them out. When I heard of Virginia's seceding today I could scarcely keep from whooping. It done me so much good. It is reported that Lincoln has ordered two hundred and fifty thousand then South and it becomes us as Southerners to meet him with a similar force to repel his attack. The company from Buena Vista is ordered out and will start tomorrow for Savannah passing through Ellaville where we will give them a cordial reception. Our company is looking for orders tomorrow to be stationed at some point. Their destination not being known and if we are this will be the last letter you will receive from (me) at home. Probably we will not meet again this side of the grave if not I am in hopes we will on the other side in glory. It will be a trying time to Pa, Amanda and Bess but I know it is my duty to serve my country. Why should I refuse. I have no time to write more about the war. All the family are well except some complaint among the negroes as usual but nothing serious. A piece of bone came out of Billie's leg tonight. I wanted to write to you how I am getting along farming but I have no time now. I hate to leave home for I have got everything in excellent fit. I bid you all farewell but I am in hopes not a final one. Give my love to all. Yours _____ Charles Womack http://www.rootsweb.com/~gaschley/g5th.htm ===================================================== Camp Stephens June 2nd 1861 Dear Father, This makes the fourth letter that I have written to you since I left home and have not received but one from you if you knew how glad I am to receive a letter from home you would write oftener. I look for a letter from home every day but alas all in vain I know it is a task for you to write, but a few lines from home would be gratifying to me. I would be glad to receive a letter from home every day. I did not know that home was such a dear place before I have been off from home longer at a time before but have never wanted to see home worse in my life before. I have almost forgotten how every thing looks at home. We are confined down here in a sand bed where we cannot see anything of importance. The greatest show to me now would be a nice plantation of corn and cotton if it was not for a few stalks of corn in gardens I would entirely forget how it does look. If it does not rain any oftener at home Than it does here every thing is parched up. The next day after we arrived here we had a fine rain and have not had one since. We have to detail forty men one company every day for the purpose to guard Pensacola and out com-pany was detailed yesterday and I was one of the number. I was stationed at a lumber yard where I was treated with the greatest kindness. Some of the ladies sent us ice water and coffee in the morning with cream. I (End of page 1,begin page 2) could not refuse. One of the "Clinch Rifles" was proj-ecting with a ground rattle snake and he bit him two or three times on the hand in the morning on Friday last at 7 o'clock and he died about 2 o'clock in the evening He was our chief musician. On yesterday in Pensacola one of the new carrier boys went into the camps of a company and one of the men took a musket and told him to mark time the gun was loaded and it went off and hit the boy in the forehead shooting off half his head. He had in a ball and three buck shot. There is a few days dying in the Southern army. We hear that there is a good many dying at Ft. Pickens and on the ships. It is reported that seven hundred Federal troops landed at Ft. Pickens last week. One thing I expect you do not know that is that there is a number of tents on Santa Rosa island. That Island is in possession of Lincoln. When we arrived here there was six or seven vessels and now there is only two or three to be seen. They say that they have dismounted all the guns but one off the top of fort and put them on a sand battery by the side of the wall. The south is do ing her part towards the preparation of war. There is scarce-ly a train come here but what brings a cannon and bomb? shells. Our regiment is building two small batteries on the beach, while we were digging a trench to day we dug out a number of grape shot and come across an old fort about one foot under ground. By this time you know that there was three or four regiments ordered from here to Virginia consisting of first Georgia regiment fifth (End of page 2, begin page 3) Alabama regiment and the New Orleans. And it is reported that we will leave soon for Virginia but it has been reported so often that we were going until I do not know (crossed out) put any confidence in at all, but for fear that we may leave you need not send any clothes yet. James Snipes, Berry Good son and John Little requested me to write to you to inform their parents not to send them any clothes, you will attend to it im mediately as they do not wish them sent as we cannot car-ry any clothes but what the law allow us, but if we re-main here all the? we will want some more clothes. There is a company of "Texas Rangers" in Pensacola with a woman in uniform from Texas she is quite a show to the boys. I would write more but have no further time you must write soon. Terry Carter is in good health. There is a little sickness in camp. I will have to close Yours & C Charles Womack NOTES for June 2, 1861 Letter Snipes, James J. James Jefferson Snipes was born 18 April 1837. Known as "Jimpsy" Snipes, James J: 3d Corporal May 11, 1861. Wounded at Mis sionary Ridge, Tenn. November 25, 1863. Elected 2d Lieutenant October 1864. Transferred to Co. K. Surrendered Greensboro, N. C. April 26, 1865. Schley County Georgia Census 1860 342 SNIPES, James G. 59 M farmer NC Letticia 47 F GA James 23 M farming GA Martha P. 21 F GA Robert H. 18 M farming GA Benjamin F. 17 M farming GA Mary A. 14 F GA Young C.C. 13 M GA Zachry T. 11 M GA Sarah F. 8 F GA Schley Co. Marriages Snipes, J. J. to Smith, Sallie Mrs. 13 JAN 1897 Schley Death Index 1920 SNIPES, James J. 15 Jul 1920 Schley 21549-B Hopewell Methodist Church Cemetery Snipes, James J. 2nd Lt. Co. 5 Ga. Inf. C.S.A. No dates ____________________________________________________________________________________ Goodson, Alexander Asbury Goodson, Alexander Asbury- private May 11, 1861. Died of disease July 9, 1863. Schley County Georgia Census 1860 199 GOODSON, Alexander 57 M farmer Hannah 59 F Alexander A. 22 M farming Martha J. 20 F WOOD, Thomas 20 M farm laborer Schley Co. Marriages Goodson, Alex A. to Snipes, Martha 24 JAN 1861 had one child, Asbury Goodson, of Doerun, Ga. Hopewell Methodist Church Cemetery Goodson, Martha Snipes 1837 1924 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Little, John M. Little, John M: -private May 11, 1861. Died at Cumberland Gap, Tenn. March 17, 1862. Schley County Georgia Census 1860 32 LITTLE, Willis 49 farmer Nancy M.B.C 43 John M. 23 m Joseph H 19 m Edward O. 17 m James T. 15 m Sarah F. 13 Susan R. 11 Amand C 8 Willis T 5 Effie L 2 f Notes: Clinch Rifles- named for General Duncan L. Clinch who served in the Seminole Indian Wars. They were formed in Augusta, Ga. and in 1861 became Co. A, 5th Ga. Inf. They were a sharpshooters outfit. For more on the "Clinch Rifles" see http://www.angelfire.com/ma4/handsonhistory/civil_war/cw_clinch_rifles.htm Notes: Kevin Jones K_L_Jones@email.msn.com With the comment "quite a show for the boys" I am 99% certain I am correct though I she is not from Texas. The "Texas Rangers" is actually the "Palmer Guards". The are a group of twenty men who splintered off from Capt. H.H. Black's "Marion Rifles" naming themselves the "Texas Volunteers" and left Jefferson Texas for New Orleans to find "the seat of the war" on April 28, 1861 lead by H. E. Decatur. > They traveled by steamboat arriving in Algiers Louisiana which just across the river from the city of New Orleans. Algiers was a real sailor's town (if you know what I mean.) and the Algiers newspapers from the era were published in French. There they met a prominent New Orleans business man named A.G. Dickinson who was also raising a company for the war. H. E. Decatur combined with A. G. Dickinson to form a company. Dickinson and Decatur traveled to Montgomery Alabama to apply for Confederate service. They returned to New Orleans where they were mustered into service on May 19, 1861 naming themselves the Palmer Guard after the famous Reverend Benjamin Palmer. On May 23 the departed New Orleans traveling apparently Eastward to Pensacola, rather than north via Jackson as all other Texas units had done. There A. G. Dickinson was married to his fiancée and also recruited six more men. This Texas-Louisiana- Florida unit traveled north to Virginia probably with the units mentioned in your letter. They were spotted in Atlanta Georgia which prompted the article below describing your mystery woman. Upon arrival in Virginia they became Company C, 1st Texas of the famous Hood's Texas Brigade. My guess is that your mystery woman was a French floozy from Algiers. A. G. Dickinson knew all the best women in New Orleans but I doubt they would enage in this type of behavior. Until now I believed A. G. Dickinson was married in Pensacola prior to the war and the Pensacola men had travel to New Orleans possibly with A. G. Dickinson because their enlistment dates were May 19th. It is apparent now that these records, which were reconstructed thirty years after the war, maybe in error and Dickinson had eloped with his wife which is why the girl's family had no more record of her. After the war Dickinson became a Spanish knight and founded a major insurance company well known today but that you will have to wait until I publish my book to hear that story. I would be happy to answer any question you have about the Palmer Guard here is the article. SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY [Atlanta, GA] June 8, 1861, p.1, c.2 TEXAS TROOPS - The "Palmer Guards", company C, Texas Battalion, Capt. A.G. Dickinson - 80 men - passed through here yesterday morning on their way to Virginia. They are well armed and drilled, and are capable of doing the best of service. Capt. D. was accompanied by his beautiful and accomplished bride, who is the daughter of Ex-Congressman Coleman, formerly of Kentucky, but now president of the Vicksburg & Shreveport Railroad. They were married just a few days since. The patriotic lady says she enlisted for the war and will share the destinies of he gallant husband, whatever they may be. The company also had a pet along that attracted no little attention. It was a standard bearer, in the person of Madmoeselle Jennette Warde from New Orleans - dressed a la bloomer, or soldier fashion, and belted with revolver, bowie knife &c. She was sprightly, shared and seemed to enjoy a soldier fare. - The beautiful flag which she carried in her hand was much admired. The Barbour Grays, Captain Blackford - 105 men - from Alabama, also passed through en route to Virginia. ====================================================== Charles Womack Letter 6-22-1861 This letter appears to be almost a different person, in that the grammer is worse than all the preceeding ones. Also, it seems words were omitted. It is possible that he was writing by moonlight which could account for much of this. I would like to thank Keith Hill for all his help and eye strain on this letter. It was most appreciated. Harris. Camp Stephens June 22, 1861 Brother David, I wrote to you sometime since from this place and have waited until now for an answer, but have not received one yet. The mail has go such around about that it is impossible that it has been miscarried and you did not receive it. I hear where I should be glad to receive letters at anytime more especially as came from home. We all are enjoying very good health to be so many men together in a sickly portion of country. I find here that it is more pleasant in the shade but in the sun I believe that it is better. I cannot give you any information con- cerning the war at this place that is when it begin at this place. All preparations for war are being executed with the same dispatch as it has been all this time. Every train that comes to this point for the last few brings cannon five or six daily. Some things that there will be no (end page 1, begin page 2) fight until after the fourth of July. For the last week they have been practicing with their large guns over at the navy yard and when they first commenced the boys thought that the fight had begun. They were eating dinner at the time and they were so excited that they did not finish their dinner. I told them that it might be the last dinner that I should get soon and I would eat a plenty. On Wednesday Gen Bragg Came over to review this regiment and said that it was very well drilled for the time they have been in service. We have four companies out of the regiment which only leaves six com- panies in the regiment. I received a letter from home with a letter from your. They stated that the crop was pretty good. I know if they have seasons the crop ought to be good for I put it in good order before I left home. Excuse this letter for there is a perfect moon around me all the time but I was determined to write you Direct-- 5th Regiment Ga Volunteers Schley Guards, Pensacola Fla Charles Womack ============================ Pensacola Florida July 11th 1861 Dear Sister Your letter of the 5th just was receive today and its contents were carefully read which gave me much pleasure fore there is nothing that gives me more pleasure than to receive a letter from any of my friends more especially when they can give me anything concerning home. You wrote in your letter that you were of the impression that we had been fighting I am sorry to inform you that it is not true for if we have to fight – we do not care how soon it does come off. We do not wish to stay here all the year and then have to fight often all when we shall not be any better prepared at the end of the year than we are now. The longer we give them the better prepared they will be for fighting. About the time you thought we were fighting it was the general impression here that the fight would begin at most any hour. Now everything is as quit as it every has been since we have been here, awaiting I suppose to see what course the Federal Congress will pursue whether they will determine upon war or peace. I am hopes that they will take the latter course. If they do continue the war we hall have many a good man kill because our army is made up the majority of the best men we have, while theirs {Federal army} is made up of cut throats and such men as they are glad to get out of the way. When we have one man killed he is worth half a dozen of theirs. I have no idea that peace will be made permanently until it is sealed with blood, even peace was made now it would be some time before we would be discharge for the South is not going to put up with any kind of a concern for they are determined to have fixed to suit themselves and I do not think the North will give the South all she asks for. I think that every thing has gone too far for either party to retaliate now and I know that the South never will back an inch from what she has already said When the fight does begin here it will not be any child’s play there will be a great deal of blood spilld and a good many lives lost. I cannot give any more concerning the war. We are not allowed to go to the Navy Yard and we cannot hear anything of any interest. The health of the regiment is very good to be so far South and Florida is considered a very sickly State. Our situation is at a high elevated place where we get the breezes continually This bay is one of the prettiest body of water I expect anywhere. I have no doubt when peace is made but what this will be a place of considerable note. There is already some very nice buildings here. You wrote that you would be glad if I would get some shells and send them by someone that was passing from Schley to this point I will do so by the first opportunity. Putnam Stevens is here now and if I can get them ready by the time he leaves I send them by him. We have been mustered into service two months today and have not received any money yet but expecting to get some every day. We shall receive twenty one dollars for clothing which is half of our clothing money. I thought I would close my letter last night but I have jogged my memory and found that I have not wrote all. I have been standing guard in town and am in the custom house and the boys keep so much noise that it is impossible to write anything where they are. You have no idea how lively the boys are. After changing this (scratched out) a life of pleasure for one of hardships. If we only had the right kind of commissioned officers we all would be very well pleased, but I am sorry to say that we have the poorest officers in the regiment. We the majority of us became dissatisfied with Burton (fn) as our captain and we had politely requested him to resign by a petition with our names signed to it and he politely refused. He never another office in Schley for he is entirely dead in the estimation of most of the company. Charles Hudson (fn) is our second lieutenant and he is the most unpopular I ever saw. The boys say that he is holding the last office he will every hold. I ought not to write about our officers but then I want you to know how they stand. You know the men and that is enough I got a nice box provisions from home which was the most welcome guest that has arrived since I have been here. I am sorry that so many eggs spoilt, it will not do to send them in the summer the climate is so hot that they will keep no time, all we need is butter and hams I am very sorry that they have not had enough at home while we have enough here on this poor land to make two or three crops. We had a rain that covered the rail road track over and the train came along that night and was thrown the track with no accidents. I must close as my time is about out look over all mistakes for I wrote in a hurry. Be sure and write soon. Give my respects to all my friends. I am enjoying excellent health. Your affectionate brother, Charles Womack P.S. Tell Mrs. McDuffie that James Sealy is in good health. ============== More information about the battle: http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/38pickens/38facts1.htm ========= Womack Family Letter 5 August 1861 I believe this letter to have been written by Charles Womack's older sister Nancy. She married James Powell in Marion Co. on Sept. 21, 1852. It would seem that she is writting Mrs. Lucinda Phillips, another older sister of Charles, who would be, by now, with her husband David in Claiborne Parish, La. Bud/Bird could be any number of individuals who is in the Confederate army in Pensacola at this time. It could have been a nickname for Charles or perhaps Bird Womack. There was one known to be in Greene county in about 1820. The Ester mentioned here is most probably a slave. Marion County 5 of August 1861 Dear Sister I received your kind letter in due time and would have replied to it but thought I would wait for Pa to see Buds letter as I got a letter from Bud at the same time that I did from you and thought I would send Bud's to you and yours to him. I have nothing of interest to write about. Times are all very pull(?) here. There is nothing but war, that is all that is talked about. Mr. Carr near Pa and Mr. French both are ready to start with company for war soon & I think there are more a going from here than ought to go. Some of them had better stay at home. They are all well at Pa and doing well. They had a drought that injured there corn crop but they think they will make enough to do. There bottom looks well but they have so much rain that it looks like it will ruin everything. Bud says he has written to the Phillips two or three times and don't get answer from. He would like to hear from you and Pa and Amanda and me. We would go out to see if Bud could get home by mule. I would go if I had any one to go with me. If James White or any of your friends were going I would go with them if I knew of it in time. __ Williams and Ruben Phillips have gone to Virginia. They seen hard times since they left Pensacola though Bud wants to go but they had better stay where they are for they have so much better. I am at Pa's this week a making wine. They have a great many grapes but it looks like they will rot if it don't stop raining so much. Amanda of (oft?) says she wishes you all had some of the fruit they have so much of it. Mrs. Carter is entirely blind. She can't see a bit and her health is bad. She ____ yet _____ I will send this to Ellaville as I am here. Jerry says he is going ____ for he wants ____ ____ had. Larkins Camp is a soldier and he came home and married and has gone back to war again. Nearly every man has gone from Shley and Marion and it looks like everyone thats old enough and not too old will go enough they will if they can be Captain or ______ for they are all seeking for office. Ester has another baby. She has two fine children as any body. She is married to Mr. Carter's Al__y. They were married last winter. I am glad to hear that you are making a good crop. Crops are generally good in this country where they did not have a severe drought. We have heard from Bud since I got this letter--he is well. Give my ____ to Mr. Phillips and the children an Mr. Joe White and family. You must write to me soon for I am glad to hear from you at any time. Pa got your letter on last Saturday. I must close as I am a going to Americus and will put this letter in the office there. Yours truly N. Powell Mrs. Lucinda Phillips ============= Camp Stephens Pensacola Florida Aug. 9th 1861 Brother David I received your letter a few days ago and should have answered it immediately but thinking probably that something would turn up so I could inform you of, but I find there is there is no probability of anything of importance occuring here soon. So I concluded this morning that I would write you a few lines to let you know more how I am getting along than anything else for I cannot give you any news concerning the war at this place and at any other place. Your facilities are better than mine to obtain news. I am getting tired of this kind of life, nothing to do and no excitement at all, so we have nothing to study about but our condition when if we were expecting an engagement soon we would be better contented. You know if a man has nothing to do he is most certainly to be dissatisfied so that is the _____ ___ we have to do but to mill about three hours per day and stand guard two days per week. The remainder of the time we can employ in any way we may see fit. There is no doubt but what this regiment (5th) is doing better than any other regiment that has left Georgia. We are permanently located here while they are moving from one point to another in Virginia. I see it reported that the Georgia boys of the 7th & 8th regiment fought bravely at Manassas and after the battle Bauregard rode up and down and said "eight Georgia I salute you." That shows how they fought when such a man as Bauregard saluted them. I am sorry that there were so many brave men killed, but then we may not expect but what we will have some killed when there were so many engaged. We are just awaiting for the fight to begin here. Then we will give them as warm if not a warmer reception than they were welcomed in Virginia but it is thought--that the fight will not begin here at all unless they make the attack, there being so much valuable property at stake. I would be glad if this regiment could get into an engagement. I think you would here a good report for them, they are so anxious to get into a fight. Bragg says this is the best drilled regiment under his command out of eight or ten thousand men. We have some of the first men of Georgia in our regiment who will do good work when it is necessary. I sent your letter to sister the other day when I wrote to her. They are all well at home and the crops are pretty good since the late rains has commenced, cotton more especially. They say they will make a plenty to eat. I am glad of it. I can get enough when I get home for we are not getting enough here of the right kind. We draw beef five times a week. If we have anything fit to eat we have to buy it. Give my respects to all my friends. Tell Lucinda to write to me. I would very glad to see you all. There is two more companies in Schley, one will start in a few days for Virginia. French is Capt. of one of the companies and Carr is Capt. of the other. I say well done for Schley. Write soon. Yours _______ Charles Womack Notes: The other companies mentioned are Co. B, 17th Ga. Inf., "Schley Volunteers" Captain Hiram L. French commanding and Co. A, 27th Ga Inf., "Georgia Drillers" with Capt. Perry C. Carr, commanding. ============= The following was taken from Ellaville and Schley County......an historical sketch, published by the Heritage Committee, Schley County Bicentennial Commission. " A centrally located site was chosen as the county seat and Ellaville was born. Land for the town was sold to the county by Robert Burton; incorporation took place in November of 1859, and the name Ellaville was chosen in honor of Ella Burton, Robert's 11 year old daughter." She is E.L., age 13 in the 1860 census below. He was married to Martha A. Wilkerson. There is a picture of a painting of the very elaborate residence of Robert Burton ca. 1857 and a photograph of it in 1976(then home of Mrs. Annie Hart). Again from the above noted publication.... "According to one account, support for the war effort in Schley was rampant. Ninety-three men volunteered for the Schley Guards which was later formed by Robert Burton in May, Burton being elected Captain." Robert Burton was a Mason and in fact was one of the officers of Washington Lodge No. 46, established in 1846 according to The History of Schley County compiled by the Schley County Preservation Society. MUSTER ROLL OF COMPANY G, 5th REGIMENT GEORGIA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY ARMY OF TENNESSEE C. S. A. SCHLEY COUNTY, GEORGIA OFFICERS: Burton, Robert-Captain May 11, 1861. Appears last on roll for July 1, 1861. Resigned in 1861. Schley County Georgia Census 1860 June 1, 1860 Enumerator: John Monk pg 1 Ellaville Burton, Robert 40 M Farmer GA Martha 37 F Homer 16 M E. L. 13 F =============== 1. Charles8 Womack, Jr. (Charles7, Abraham6, Abraham5, Abraham4, Abraham3, John2, William1) was born Abt. 1836 in Georgia. Notes for Charles Womack, Jr.: Charles Womack, Georgia, Enlisted 11 May 1861 Priv CSA G Co. 5th Inf Reg. GA Claimed Residence in Schley County. Hopewell Methodist Cemetery - Schley County Womack, Charles 3-01-1836 2-03-1900 Womack, Sallie C. (d/o Charles) 6-09-1877 8-04-1905 Children of Charles Womack : 2 i. Sallie C.9 Womack, born Abt. 1877. 3 ii. James L. Womack, born Abt. 1880 in Schley Co., Georgia. 1880 Census Place: District 961, Schley, Georgia Source: FHL Film 1254164 National Archives Film T9-0164 Page 81B Relation Sex Marr Race Age Birthplace Charles WOMACK Self M M W 44 GA Occ: Farm Fa: GA Mo: GA Lucy F. WOMACK Wife F M W 33 GA Occ: Keeps House Fa: NC Mo: GA Sallie C. WOMACK Dau F S W 2 GA Fa: GA Mo: GA James L. WOMACK Son M S W 4M GA Fa: GA Mo: GA =======this may be his son======== The Schley County News Thursday, July 28, 1904 Vol. XIV No. 31. LOCAL AND PERSONAL Mr. Chas. Womack and wife arrived here last week. We are informed that they will make Ellaville their future home, and Mr. Womack will take charge of the merchantile business of Womack Co., of which he is a member. =========== Putnam Stephens was, but I would need some more time to dig up some details on him for you. One of our Schley researchers is his great great grandaughter. His full name was Putnam Sparks Stevens and all I can provide you with at this time is his son's obituary. If time permitted, I could do better, but this is what I have for now. The Schley County News Thursday, July 14, 1904 Vol. XIV No. 29. MR. E.L. STEPHENS DEAD The sad intelligence was received here last Friday, announcing the death of Mr. E.L. Stephens which occurred at Richland, Ga. on that day. Mr. Stephens had been a sufferer from Bright's disease for several months, and while every possible medical aid was rendered, all proved fruitless. He was a son of our esteemed neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. P.S. Stephens of Putnam, Ga., at which place he was born and reared. Mr. Stephens, shortly after reaching the age of twenty one removed to Richland, where he read and was admitted the practice of law. After following his profession, at that place for several years, he came to Ellaville in 1899, and engaged in a very successfull mechantile business for a couple of years. While here, he was married to Miss Nicholson of Richland. In 190, he moved back to Richland and engaged in the merchantile business at that place, also, was a solicitor of the county court of Stewart county. Mr. Stephens was only 30 years of age, and the future held for him the brightest prospect, both, in the professional and commercial world. Funeral services and his burial took place, at Richland, Saturday afternoon at 4:30 pm. ================= Barnes, Thomas P.---4th Corporal May 11, 1861. Transferred to Co. 1, and appointed 5th Sergeant April 19, 1862. Transferred to Co. B, 2d Battn. Ga. Sharpshooters July 1862. Appointed Ensign 5th Regiment Ga. Inf. June 20, 1864. Captured at Savannah, Ga. December 21, 1864. Released at Ft. Delaware, Del. June 16, 1864. Thomas Pryor Barnes, known as "Tip" , was born 1839 and died 12 Oct 1905. Married Elizabeth Virginia Strange on 4 May 1861(exactly one week before his enlistment), buried in Ellaville Cemetery. Served as flag bearer, rank 4th Corporal. Had one of his toes shot off in battle in NC. Flag was kept by his daughter Otis Barnes Gammage, until it was borrowed by Dr. Chapman of Americus and never returned. Wall, John 34 m Grocer Mary 22 Louisa M 7 E. H. r M.J. Wall 24 att at law GREENE, Rutha 25 Seamstress SELLERS, David 34 grocer EDGE, Peyton 30 grocer BATTLE, Hartwell 30 grocer BARNS, Thomas P Clk in grocer