John C Rigdon

Historical Sketch and Roster Of The Georgia 8th Infantry Regiment John C Rigdon

The 8th Georgia Regiment was organized for the War in late May and early June, 1861. Most of the units' members had seen pre-War militia service. The regiment was mustered in at Camp Bartow, Howard's Grove, Richmond, Virginia in June of 1861. Francis S. Bartow was its first commander. Bartow was killed at First Manassas. Bartow and Gen. Bernard Bee were struggling to hold their ground and many Confederate troops were withdrawing when Jackson and his brigade came up. In the midst of a fierce battle, Bee is reported to have said: "There stands Jackson like a stone wall! Rally behind the Virginians!" The remark has been taken as a tribute to Jackson for standing firm in the face of superior Federal forces, a courageous example and rallying point for Bee, Bartow, and the men of the 8th. Tragically for Bee and Bartow, both were soon killed. Bartow took a bullet in the heart after having one horse shot from under him and receiving a minor wound; Bee was mortally wounded, dying a short time after he was shot. Bartow and Bee became the second and third Confederate generals to be killed in the war, The 8th Georgia continued throughout the war in Virginia except when they accompanied Longstreet to Tennessee, participating in Chickamauga, Chattanooga, and Knoxville. They surrendered at Appomattox. Companies of the GA 8th Infantry Regiment Company A - Rome Light Guards - Floyd County Company B - Oglethorpe Light Infantry - Chatham County Company C - Macon Guards - Bibb County Company D - Echols Guards - Meriwether County Company E - Miller Rifles - Floyd County Company F - Atlanta Grays - Fulton County Company G - Pulaski Volunteers - Pulaski County Company H - Floyd Infantry - Floyd County Company I - Stephens Light Guards - Greene County Company K - Oglethorpe Rifles- Oglethorpe County