In honor and remembrance of the ancestors who served with this regiment, lest they be forgotten, this regimental history is dedicated to:
Hezekiah Walker a first cousin four times removed was born in 1838, the son of Hezekiah Walker Sr. and Rebecca Hall. On 23 May 1867 when Hezekiah was 29, he married Elizabeth Purvis. Hezekiah was a member of Company D. National Archives Microfilm Box, Roll, and Record: 000226, 0062, 00002744
Thomas Walker a first cousin four times removed was born in 1842, the son of Hezekiah Walker Sr. and Rebecca Hall. Thomas married Mary Ellen Hall, my first cousin three times removed, daughter of Rev. Richard Thomas Hall and Telitha Tucker. She was born in 1847 in Irwin Co, GA. Thomas was a member of Company D. National Archives Microfilm Box, Roll, and Record: 000226, 0062, 00003114
George Washington Young a second cousin four times removed was born in 1825 in Irwin Co, GA the son of Jacob C. "Fat Jake" Young and Laney Elizabeth Marchant. On 2 November 1848 when George was 23, he married Polly Van Fletcher, daughter of Joseph Fletcher Jr. & Mary Ann Hendley. She was born in 1828. George served as a Lieutenant in Company D. National Archives Microfilm Box, Roll, and Record: 000226, 0067, 00001918
Micajah Paulk Young Sr. a second cousin four times removed was born in 1834 in Irwin Co, GA the son of Jacob C. "Fat Jake" Young and Laney Elizabeth Marchant. Micajah married Hetty Warren, daughter of George W. Warren. Micajah served in Company D. National Archives Microfilm Box, Roll, and Record: 000226, 0067, 00002085
With the southern government's manpower pool becoming ever more shallow, mandatory military service age was raised finally to forty-five. The 64th Georgia was composed of 800 men, mostly too old or too young for earlier conscription or previously disabled and
discharged from other units. Indicative of the manpower situation, it took several months to actually fill out the regiment, quite a different situation than existed only 14 months ago. The 64th Regiment, Georgia Volunteer Infantry, one of the last regular army regiments organized in Georgia on 26 May 1863.
Regimental Summary
The 64th Georgia Infantry regiment served in 1863 in the district of Florida, and in February, 1864, participated in the battle of Olustee. It was sent to Virginia in the spring of 1864 with about 400 men and formed part of the force under General Beauregard that thwarted Butler's attempt to take Petersburg. It was assigned the duty as provost guards under General Wise. It continued to serve in the trenches at Petersburg, being in Mahone's division and in brigades of Generals A.R. Wright and later General Sorrell. It eventually surrendered at Appomattox as part of the Army of Northern Virginia.
Regimental Officers
Assignments of the 64th Georgia Volunteers
Battles Summary:
20 February 1864 Olustee, FL
June 1864-April 1865 Petersburg Siege
30 July 1864 The Crater
The 64th Georgia was first stationed at Camp Randolph, FL and trained there through the summer and fall of 1863, well away from the war's immediate reach. In February 1864, all of that changed when a Federal invasion force landed at Jacksonville to attempt the conquest of Florida and installation of a Union state government. Despite the 64th's ragged makeup and total lack of combat experience, the regiment would distinguished itself in the only major land engagement fought in Florida. At Ocean Pond, near the hamlet of Olustee, east of Lake City, the Union force was routed, driven back to Jacksonville in disorder, and Florida remained unreconstructed for the balance of the war.
Correspondence, Orders, And Returns Relating To Operations On The Coasts Of South Carolina And Georgia, And In Middle And East Florida, From June 12 To December 31, 1863.CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.--#18 CHARLESTON, S.C., December 24, 1863. Brig. Gen. W. M. GARDNER, Quincy, Fla.:
Hold Sixty-fourth Georgia Regiment and First Georgia Regulars in readiness to repair to Savannah at a moment's notice, for temporary and exigent service, with subsistence. THOMAS JORDAN, Chief of Staff. O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXVIII/2
CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, REPORTS, AND RETURNS OF THE CONFEDERATE AUTHORITIES FROM JANUARY 1, 1864, TO THE END.--#1 EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Tallahassee, January 11, 1864. Hon. JAMES A. SEDDON, Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.:
SIR: I am informed by the judges of probate and county commissioners of several counties in the State that they cannot procure the corn necessary to support the soldiers' families. I am also informed that large amounts of corn have been collected as tithes at various depots which cannot be transported from the State before it will be seriously damaged, and that the amount is more than is sufficient to sustain the troops now in service in the State. Presuming the facts stated to be true, there are two reasons why I should be pleased to receive from Colonel Northrop an order upon his officers, at points in the State where it can be spared, to deliver to my order for the use of soldiers' families an aggregate of 10,000 or 12,000 bushels of corn upon payment of the amount per bushel at which its value has been fixed by the commissioners of the State and Confederate States. It will prevent a loss to the Confederate Government and will save the families of soldiers from suffering. The question may be asked, Is there not corn in the State sufficient for the wants of the citizens besides that received as tithes? And if the Government shall need corn during the year, can it be obtained? I believe there is corn enough in parts of the State for the general supply, and if the Government shall now spare the corn from the tithes, that hereafter a larger amount may be obtained from the farmers if needed. If it is asked why it is not purchased by the county commissioners from those who have it, the reply is that county commissioners have no legal right to impress, and therefore cannot purchase. I admit that this is an unhappy state of affairs, but it is beyond my control. My opinion is that if the soldiers' families were supplied as I propose, many who now hold and refuse to sell their corn would be glad to sell at less than prices now affixed, and if needed by the Confederate Government they would necessarily be compelled to sell to avoid impressments, and that the corn and subsistence received as tithes, which the Government has not the means of transporting, should be used to sustain the troops in service here and the families of soldiers that require assistance, and then if there shall be a need for more, those who have to spare should be made to do so unless they willingly supply the demands of the Government. From personal observation lately made, I am enabled to state that there are immense quantities of provender, especially in Southwestern Georgia, awaiting transportation and being injured and lost to the Government for the want of means to transport it. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of bales of fodder have already been injured and useless. To remedy the evil, why should not the Government, by contract or impressments, take charge of the passenger trains a few weeks, remove the seats, and transport in them the provender and subsistence needed by our armies, which is being injured and lost for the want of transportation? Recently I have received communications from General Perry's brigade, copies of which are enclosed. In a letter addressed to the President, dated October 5, 1863, I wrote, in consequence of General Lee's letter to me, as follows:
With regard to the return of General Perry's brigade and the recruiting of it as proposed, I would respectfully suggest, in compliance with the views of General Lee for supplying the place of General Perry's brigade with other troops, that the First Regiment of Georgia Regulars and the Sixty-fourth Georgia Regiment, now in this State, would constitute a larger force than General Perry's brigade, and if General Cobb had not been absent from the State when I received General Lee's letter I should have submitted to his consideration the propriety and necessity of the change.
The regiments were suggested because I believed them to be better drilled and better qualified to supply the place of General Perry's brigade than any other I could suggest. The Sixty-fourth Regiment has been ordered to Savannah, and I am informed the First Regiment has received orders to hold itself in readiness for immediate removal beyond the State. I would respectfully insist, in justice to the brigade and for the defense of the State, that General Perry's brigade should be ordered immediately to Marianna, in West Florida, if it is possible to spare it a few months from General Lee's command. The reasons why I designate Marianna are-- First. Because in the counties bordering on the Gulf, and especially in Washington County, there are many deserters and many persons who have fled from other States to avoid conscription. These persons have contaminated a large portion of the citizens, and constant communication is kept up with the enemy, who is massing forces on Santa Rosa Island, evidently with the purpose of making a raid in that portion of the State, which is comparatively defenseless. The sheriff of the county and others who are persons of influence have gone to the enemy, carrying with them their horses, &c., and will pilot them in any raid which may be attempted. I assert this to be true with a full knowledge of the facts. I entertain no doubt that unless preventive measures shall be promptly adopted that the portion of the State between the Apalachicola and Choctawhatchie Rivers will be desolated by the enemy during the winter. It is now threatened, and the freshet in the Apalachicola at this time would prevent re-enforcements from this portion of the State. (edited) I have the honor to be, very respectfully, JOHN MILTON, Governor of Florida. O.R.--SERIES IV--VOLUME III
Battle of Olustee
The Florida invasion was proposed by Abraham Lincoln early in January 1864, as part of his strategy to add safe electoral votes to his column in the fall election. At mid-month Lincoln's private secretary, John Hay, arrived at Charleston and presented the plan to the Union commander there, General Quincy Gillmore. On 5 February 1864 Gillmore left Hilton Head with an 8,000 man division, reaching Jacksonville two days later.
Would you like to learn more about the 64th and other Georgia regiments and also help support the cause of Southern Heritage? More information on the history of this regiment is available in:
- "Warriors of the Wiregrass"
a soft-bound, 8-1/2 x 11 publication, consisting 500 pages, covering the history of 14 Regiments Georgia Regiments:
1st Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 4th Cavalry (Clinch), 10th Battalion Infantry, 11th Cavalry-State Guards, 20th Battalion Cavalry, 20th Volunteer Infantry, 29th Volunteer Infantry, 49th Volunteer Infantry, 50th Volunteer Infantry, 54th Volunteer Infantry, 61st Volunteer Infantry, 63rd Volunteer Infantry. 64th Volunteer Infantry, and Coffee County Revengers Local Defense Unit.....plus information on researching Confederate ancestors, obtaining Veterans Administration grave markers for Confederate veterans, SCV Iron Crosses and more.
The author has donated all profits from the sale of this book directly to the Moultrie SCV Camp to support Confederate History and Heritage preservation programs and the continuing fight to save our Southern Heritage. The retail price is $50.00 plus $5.00 shipping. Not a bad price when compared to single abbreviated regimental histories sold by others "up North" at $8-$15 each or cost of $112-$210 if purchased separately and having much less detail! Discounts for current SCV & UDC members (20% off) and for bulk orders, schools, libraries, and teachers. Please contact the camp for discount information.
If you are interested send a check or money order made payable to the Moultrie SCV Camp #674 to: P.O. Box 1213 Moultrie, GA 31776. Please include your name, address, and phone number.
Inquiries about the book, discounts, ordering, or content can be sent via email to Mr. Jack Bridwell, Moultrie SCV Camp or calling (229) 985-8409
Please pass along to others as every book sold goes to preserve our Southern Heritage.
© 2001 John Griffin