John C Rigdon

Historical Sketch and Roster Of The Georgia 6th Cavalry Regiment John C Rigdon

The Georgia 6th Cavalry Regiment was formed on March 16, 1863 by assigning six of the eight companies of Smith's Georgia Legion. Five additional companies were added later. Smith's Legion was organized during the spring of 1862 with a cavalry and infantry battalion. The roster for Smith's Legion contains 1142 names. For a time the legion was under the command of Colonel Sumner J. Smith. The cavalry battalion was under the command of Lieutenant Colonel John R. Hart and Major Benjamin F. Brown. The cavalry battalion raised some of its members in Burke and Telfair counties. It was attached to the Department of East Tennessee and was involved in the Kentucky Campaign. In the spring of 1863 the battalion merged into the 6th Georgia Cavalry Regiment. Once organized as the 6th Cavalry, five additional companies were added. 1st Company K became Company C of Jessee's Kentucky Cavalry Battalion on June 16, 1863 and 2nd Company K was organized on August 1, 1863. During the conflict the 6th Cavalry served in Davidson's, J. J. Morrison's, C. C. Crews', and Iverson's Brigade. They participated in the Knoxville and Atlanta Campaigns, then took part in the defense of Savannah and the campaign in the Carolinas. During April, 1865, it surrendered with the Army of Tennessee. Companies Of The GA 6th Cavalry Regiment Some of the members were from Burke and Telfair counties. See GA 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Company E. *By Special Order No. 106, Adjutant & Inspector General's Office dated Richmond, Va. May 8, 1862, this company, "Old Co. E," was detached from this regiment and became Co. A, 1st Regiment Georgia Partisan Rangers and subsequently became Co. G, Smith's Legion Ga. Cavalry, which in March 1863, became Co. G, 6th Regiment Ga. Cavalry. Paroled at Charlotte, N. C. May 3, 1865.