Poythress in War 1776 – 1865 – Poythress Surname History

The Poythress Family in America’s Wars 1776 – 1865

Compiled By Mike Tutor, © 2022

Poythress Soldiers and Men in the American Revolution

Includes:

Pvt. David Poythress (c. 1757-1778), possible son of Thomas Poythress (c. 1729-1800): was a private, who enlisted for three years, from 12/18/1776 to 5/11/1778. David was a soldier in Captain James Foster’s company, subsequently Captain James Gray’s company, in the 3rd Brigade (Woodford’s Brigade) of the 15th Virginia Regiment of Foot (Infantry) in the Continental Army. Lt. Col. James Innes commanded the Regiment; subsequently Major Gustavus Browne Wallace. [documented service from Dec. 18, 1776, to May 11, 1778.]

Pvt. Kirby Poythress (c. 1757-c. 1809/1814), son of John Poythress (c. 1730-c. 1809/1814): was a private, who enlisted for three years, in Captain James Gray’s Company, in the 3rd Brigade (Woodford’s Brigade), of the 15th Virginia Regiment of Foot (Infantry) in the Continental army, commanded by Major Gustavus B. Wallace. [documented service from Feb., 1778, to May, 1778, and possibly to Oct. 19, 1781.]

Sgt. Francis Poythress (1760-1785), son of Reverend Francis Poythress (c. 1732-1818): was a private, promoted to Corporal, promoted to Sergeant, a Horseman (cavalryman) in the 3rd Troop, 1st Regiment of Light Dragoons, 11/1778, Troop of Captain William Parsons. [documented service from Nov., 1778, to Oct. 19, 1781.]

Robert Poythress (c. 1722-1782), son of Robert Poythress (1690-1743): Captain in the Continental Service. [documented service from Nov. 23, 1776, to Jan., 1782.]

LT. William Poythress (c. 1737-1783), son of Robert Poythress (1690-1743): was a Lieutenant, Continental Army Officer, in the 1st Continental artillery of the Virginia Line in Colonel Charles Harrison’s Regiment of Artillery.

Capt. William Poythress (1753-1794), son of Joshua Poythress (1720-1782). [documented service from March, 1777, to Nov. 15, 1783.]

Mr. Thomas Poythress (c. 1756-1800), son of Thomas Poythress, Sr. (c. 1729-1800): was an Impressment Officer for the County Commissary during the Revolutionary War. [documented service – 1783.]

Member of House of Burgesses, Peter Poythress (c. 1730-1787), son of Robert Poythress (1690-1743). [documented service from May 18, 1769-August, 1774.]

David Poythress (c. 1757-1778), possible son of Thomas Poythress (c. 1729-1800): was a private, who enlisted for three years, from 12/18/1776 to 5/11/1778. David was a soldier in Captain James Foster’s company, subsequently Captain James Gray’s company, in the 3rd Brigade (Woodford’s Brigade) of the 15th Virginia Regiment of Foot

(Infantry) in the Continental Army. Lt. Col. James Innes commanded the Regiment; subsequently Major Gustavus Browne Wallace.

The 15th Virginia Regiment was organized February, 1777, from men from Chesterfield, Brunswick, Southampton, King William, Nansemond, Princess Anne, Isle of Wright, Surry, Sussex, Westmoreland, Northumberland and Richmond Counties, and Boro of Norfolk. The Regiment entered Valley Forge with 307 assigned men, 68 fit for duty. It left Valley Forge with 337 assigned men, 146 fit for duty. Previous engagements for the Regiment was Northern New Jersey, the Defense of Philadelphia and Philadelphia-Monmouth. The field Officers were: Colonel David Mason, Lt. Colonel James Innes and Major Gustavus Wallace. The company commanders were: Captain John Gregory, Captain James Mason, Captain James Gray, Captain William Johnston, Captain Thomas Wills, Captain James Harris, Captain Edwin Hull and Captain Thomas Edmunds. The Regimental staff was composed of: Chaplain Fitzhugh McKay, Quartermaster Rice Bullock, Adjutant Albridgeton Jones, Paymaster Littlebury Mason, Surgeon Joseph Davis, Surgeon John M. Galt, Surgeon’s Mate Mace Clements, Quartermaster Sergeant Charles Erskin and Sergeant Major John Crute.

Captain James Foster served as a captain in the Revolutionary War in the 15th Virginia Regiment. Woodford’s Brigade was commanded by Brigadier General William Woodford. The brigade entered Valley Forge as part of Stirling’s Division and left Valley Forge as part of Lafayette’s Division.

Colonel James Innes was the celebrated Colonel in the Revolutionary army, had been a member of the Convention of 1788, the first attorney-general of Virginia, and to whom George Washington offered the attorney-generalship of the United States, of which he declined. (The Cocke Family of Virginia, The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography Vol. 4, No. 4 (Apr., 1897), pp. 431-450).

Colonel Gustavus Browne Wallace was a Colonel in the Revolutionary War, was commissioned Captain in the Third Virginia Regiment in 1776 and promoted to Major in 1777. He was with George Washington at Valley Forge. The Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, encampment was from December, 1777, to June, 1778. Wallace was captured by the British in the fall of Charleston. He was paroled by Lord Cornwallis at the request of Governor Thomas Nelson.

As war with Great Britain loomed, William Woodford was a delegate to the Third Virginia Convention. He there accepted a commission as colonel in command of the 2nd Virginia Regiment, of the Virginia provisional forces.

Having fortified a passage across the Elizabeth River on the border of the Dismal Swamp leading into Norfolk, Woodford’s forces drove the royal governor, Lord Dunmore, from the Norfolk peninsula in the Battle of Great AzsBridge on December 9, 1775. No Virginians died in the first significant battle of the Revolution on Virginia soil, although the Tory forces had 45 casualties.

Later in December 1776, the 2nd Virginia Regiment was ordered to join Washington’s main army in New Jersey. It became part of the Virginia Line of the Continental Army. William Woodford was promoted to brigadier general in February, 1777. Woodford was wounded in September, 1777, at the Battle of Brandywine, where he and his troops performed well. Recovering by June 28, 1778, Woodford led his brigade at the Battle of Monmouth, where he took control of a rise known as Comb’s Hill and was able to pound the British left flank with artillery. In late 1779, Woodford and his brigade were sent to join the Southern Continental Army and fought at the Siege of Charleston, where he and most of his regiment were captured in May, 1780. (Wikipedia).

Kirby Poythress (c. 1757-c. 1809/1814), son of John Poythress (c. 1730-c. 1809/1814): was a private, who enlisted for three years, in Captain James Gray’s Company, in the 3rd Brigade (Woodford’s Brigade), of the 15th Virginia Regiment of Foot (Infantry) in the Continental army, commanded by Major Gustavus B. Wallace. Muster records showed him present for muster as early as February, 1778, through May, 1778. William Oney, in an affidavit, stated that Kirby was at the Siege of Yorktown, Virginia, from September 28, 1781, until the surrender of British General Cornwallis on October 19, 1781, at Yorktown.

Francis Poythress (1760-1785), son of Reverend Francis Poythress (c. 1732-1818): was a private, promoted to Corporal, promoted to Sergeant, a Horseman (cavalryman) in the 3rd Troop, 1st Regiment of Light Dragoons, 11/1778, Troop of Captain William Parsons. Appointed a corporal in the 1st Regiment Light Dragoons in August, 1779. In South Carolina, he served under General William Washington. He was promoted to Sergeant in April, 1781, and continued as such to the end of the War. He was under Captain John Watts, 1st Regiment, Light Dragoons. Siege of York, September 28, 1781, to October 19, 1781.

The Revolutionary Virginia Convention held in May 1776 resulted in delegates voting for a resolution to direct Virginia’s delegates in Philadelphia to seek independence from the British and form a confederation of the colonies. They knew additional military strength was required. Virginia Governor Patrick Henry authorized Major- Commandant Theodorick Bland to raise a volunteer battalion. Bland had participated in the expulsion of Royal Governor Dunmore.

The 1st Continental Light Dragoons regiment was first authorized 8 June 1776 in the Virginia State Troops as the 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th (Captain Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee) and 6th Troops of Light Horse. On June 25, 1776, it mustered as the Virginia Light Horse Regiment. It was first adopted by and then accepted into the Continental Army and designated as the 1st Continental Light Dragoons on November 25, 1776.

Six months later, when General George Washington needed cavalry to counter that of the British, the Continental Congress on November 25, 1776, requested that Virginia transfer Major Bland’s Light Horse Troops to the Continental Army. Virginia acceded to the request. Bland’s Light Horse became the 1st Regiment of Continental Light Dragoons.

Captain William Parsons: Cadet. Sixth Virginia, March 25, 1776; coronet, Third Continental Dragoons, February 6, 1777; taken prisoner at Tappan, September 27, 1778; Lieutenant January 1, 1778, Captain, November 1779; retained in Baylor’s Consolidated Regiment of Dragoons November 9, 1782, and served to the end of the war. Land bounty was received by Parsons for his military service…He enlisted in the Revolutionary Army on February 6, 1777, in the 3rd Regiment, Light Dragoons, Continental troops; he was commissioned Lieutenant Nov. 1, 1777; then commissioned Captain, after the battle of Eutaw, South Carolina, by order of the War Department, and served under this commission for the balance of the war. In recognition of his services he was allotted 300 acres of land and $600.00.

Captain John Watts: Cornet Virginia Dragoons June 17, 1776; Lt. 1st Continental Dragoons December 18, 1776; captured April 7, 1778; wounded at Eutaw Springs September 8, 1781; retained in Baylor’s regiment of dragoons

November 9, 1782, and served to the close of the war; Lt. Colonel, 1st Dragoons, U. S. A. (Regular Army), January 8, 1799; honorably discharged (retired) June 15, 1800, on half pay for life and was granted land as a reward for his long and gallant service; died June 8, 1830.

Colonel William Washington: On January 27, 1777, William was promoted to the rank of major and assigned to the newly created 4th Continental Light Dragoons. In the fall of 1778, he was assigned to the 3rd Continental Light Dragoons, which was severely mauled in a surprise attack on the night of September 27 at Old Tappan, New Jersey, by a force of British light infantry. Only 55 of the lightly armed dragoons escaped the attack and their commander, Lt. Col. George Baylor, was wounded and captured. Washington was promoted to lieutenant colonel and placed in command of the 3rd Light Dragoons on November 20, 1778. Washington’s unit spent the summer of 1779 recruiting and remounting. On November 19, 1779, his unit was transferred to the Southern theater of war, and marched to join the army of Major General Benjamin Lincoln in Charleston, South Carolina.

On March 10, 1780, Washington’s regiment joined forces with the remnants of the 1st Continental Light Dragoons at Bacon’s Bridge, South Carolina, to reconnoiter and screen against the advancing British. On March 26, his first encounter with the British Legion, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton, resulted in a minor victory near Rantowle’s Bridge on the Stono River in South Carolina. Afterward, on the Ashley River during the fight at Rutledge’s Plantation on March 26, 1780, Lt. Col. Washington again bested a detachment of Tarleton’s dragoons and infantry. Tarleton, however, attacked the encampment of General Isaac Huger at Monck’s Corner on the night of April 14, 1780, and routed the Continentals, including the 3rd Light Dragoons, which lost 15 dead, 17 wounded, and 100 dragoons captured, along with 83 horses.

Washington and his remaining troops fled across the Santee River to escape capture. The severe attrition of Washington’s command forced its amalgamation with the 1st Continental Light Dragoons under Lt. Col. Anthony Walton White. This force was defeated at Lenud’s Ferry, waiting to cross the flooded Santee, on May 6, 1780. White was captured and Washington assumed command of the 1st-and-3rd Dragoons. The force withdrew to North Carolina when Lincoln surrendered the southern army and Charleston on May 12.

The reconstituted Southern army, now under General Horatio Gates, was defeated at the Battle of Camden, South Carolina, on August 16, 1780, which opened up the South to British control. Gates was replaced by General Nathanael Greene, who divided his army into two groups, one of which was led by General Daniel Morgan and the other by himself. Washington was placed under the command of General Morgan, for whom he participated in a series of raids in the western part of South Carolina. Two notable successes were the capture of Rugeley’s Mill near Camden on December 4, 1780; Washington with 60 troops bluffed 112 Loyalists into surrendering a strongly fortified homestead without firing a shot by use of a “Quaker Gun,” mounting a felled tree trunk on wagon axles to resemble a cannon; and the defeat of a Tory partisan unit at Hammond’s Old Store in the Little River District on December 27, 1780; Washington routed 250 Georgia Loyalists, killing or wounding 150 and capturing the rest.

These successes led to Tarleton being ordered by Lord Cornwallis to chase down Morgan’s “flying corps,” leading to the Battle of Cowpens on January 17, 1781. Morgan’s battle plans called for Washington’s group, 80 Continental dragoons and 45 mounted Georgia infantry, to serve as a defensive and offensive unit as the situation required.

Washington’s first encounter with the enemy involved the rescue of a South Carolina militia unit as it was reloading behind the front lines of Morgan’s left flank and under attack by a unit of Tarleton’s dragoons. Crushing the attackers, Washington regrouped and followed with an attack on Tarleton’s left flank infantry. After repeated assaults by Washington, they moved through the infantry and attacked a small artillery position behind Tarleton’s front lines.

With the main British infantry surrender and during Tarleton’s retreat, Washington was in close pursuit and found himself somewhat isolated. He was attacked by the British commander and two of his men. Tarleton was stopped by Washington himself, who attacked him with his sword, calling out, “Where is now the boasting Tarleton?” A cornet of the 17th, Thomas Patterson, rode up to strike Washington but was shot by Washington’s orderly trumpeter.

Washington survived this assault and in the process wounded Tarleton’s right hand with a sabre blow, while Tarleton creased Washington’s knee with a pistol shot that also wounded his horse. Washington pursued Tarleton for sixteen miles, but gave up the chase when he came to the plantation of Adam Goudylock near Thicketty Creek. To escape capture by Washington, Tarleton had forced Goudylock to serve as an escape guide. For his valor at Cowpens, Washington received a silver medal awarded by the Continental Congress executed under the direction of Thomas Jefferson.

After the Battle of Cowpens, Washington’s dragoons assisted the retreat of General Nathanael Greene to Dan River in Virginia by rearguard actions against forces commanded by Lord Cornwallis. Afterward, Washington returned to North Carolina to act as vanguard for Greene’s army.

On April 25, 1781, at the Battle of Hobkirk’s Hill, Greene was attacked by British colonel Lord Rawdon. Ordered to attack Rawdon’s flank, Washington was unable to complete the maneuver while policing prisoners, forcing Greene to retreat.

On September 8, 1781, the Battle of Eutaw Springs, the last major battle in the Carolinas, was Washington’s final action. Midway through the battle, Greene ordered Washington to charge a portion of the British line positioned in a blackjack thicket along Eutaw Creek. The thicket proved impenetrable and British fire repulsed the mounted charges. During the last charge, Washington’s mount was shot out from under him, and he was pinned beneath his horse. He was bayoneted and taken prisoner, and held under house arrest in the Charleston area for the remainder of the war.

The British commander in the South, Lord Cornwallis, would later comment that “there could be no more formidable antagonist in a charge, at the head of his cavalry, than Colonel William Washington.” (Wikipedia).

Robert Poythress (c. 1722-1782), son of Robert Poythress (1690-1743): Captain in the Continental Service. He enlisted several other soldiers into service. [November 23, 1776-February 2, 1777, Williamsburg area] He was stated to have enlisted in the service in 1776, and after serving some time around Williamsburg, he marched to the South in what was termed the Southern Regiment and continued in service until the commencement of the year 1781. Micajah Webb stated that he had served with Captain Poythress under General Greene and was in the same capacity when Poythress died near Charleston. Robert Poythress died in January, 1782, in Charleston, South Carolina. Robert Poythress recruited for the Georgia service under Captain Scott.

January, 8, 1782, the British were in control of Charlestown, which they had captured in May, 1780. On that same day, 30 miles westward, the General Assembly of South Carolina’s Revolutionary government met at Jacksonboro on the Edisto River. By February 26, they had passed several Confiscation Acts. The lists of names accompanying the Acts were printed in the March 20, 1782, issue of Charlestown’s Royal Gazette and was updated several times by the end of the war.

General Nathanael Greene: By October 1780, the Continental Army had suffered several devastating defeats in the South under the command of Benjamin Lincoln and Horatio Gates, leaving the United States at a major disadvantage in the Southern theater of the war. On October 14, 1780, George Washington, acting on the authorization of Congress, appointed Nathanael Greene as the commander of the Southern Department of the Continental Army. By the time he took command, the British were in control of key portions of Georgia and South Carolina, and the governments of the Southern states were unable to provide much support to the Continental Army. Greene would face a 6,000-man British army led by General Cornwallis and cavalry commander Banastre Tarleton, as well as numerous Loyalist militias that worked with the British. Outnumbered and under-supplied, Greene settled on a strategy of guerrilla warfare rather than pitched battles in order to prevent the advance of the British into North Carolina and Virginia. His strategy would heavily depend on river boats and cavalry to outmaneuver and harass British forces. Among Greene’s key subordinates in the Southern campaign were his second-in-command, Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, cavalry commander Henry Lee, the Marquis de Lafayette, Daniel Morgan, and Francis Marion.

While en route to the Southern theater, Greene learned of the American victory at the Battle of Kings Mountain, October, 1780, which postponed Cornwallis’s planned advance into North Carolina. Upon arriving in Charlotte, North Carolina, in December 1780, Greene went against conventional military strategy by dividing his forces; he would lead the main American force southeast, while Morgan would lead a smaller detachment to the southwest. Cornwallis responded by dividing his own forces, marching the main detachment against Greene while Tarleton led a force against Morgan. In the January, 1781, Battle of Cowpens, Morgan led Continental troops to a major victory that resulted in the near-total destruction of Tarleton’s force. After the battle, Cornwallis set off in pursuit of Morgan, burning some of his own supplies in order to speed up his army’s movement. Greene linked up with Morgan and retreated into North Carolina, purposely forcing Cornwallis away from British supply lines. On February 9, in consultation with Morgan and other top officers, Greene decided to continue the retreat north, heading toward the Dan River at the North Carolina-Virginia border.

With the British in close pursuit, Greene divided his forces, leading the main contingent north while sending a smaller group under Colonel Otho Williams to harass British forces. Greene’s force outpaced the British and crossed the Dan River on February 14. Greene’s contemporaries were impressed by the speed and efficiency of the retreat through difficult territory; Alexander Hamilton wrote that it was a “masterpiece of military skill and exertion.” Unwilling to travel even farther from his supply lines, General Cornwallis led his army south to Hillsborough, North Carolina. On February 22, Greene’s force crossed back over the Dan River to challenge Cornwallis in North Carolina.

After crossing back into North Carolina, Greene harassed Cornwallis’s army. In early March, he received reinforcements from North Carolina and Virginia, doubling the size of his force to approximately 4,000 men. On March 14, he led his army to Guilford Courthouse and began preparing for an attack by Cornwallis, using a strategy based on Morgan’s plan at the Battle of Cowpens. Greene established three defensive lines, with the North Carolina militia making up the first line, the Virginia militia making up the second line, and the Continental Army regulars, positioned on a hill behind a small stream, making up the third line. After skirmishes on the morning of March 15, the main British force launched a full attack in the afternoon, beginning the Battle of Guilford Court House. The first American line fired volleys and then fled, either to the next line or away from the battlefield. The second line held up for longer, and continued to resist the British advance while Cornwallis ordered an unsuccessful assault against the third line. The British re-formed and launched an assault on the left flank of the third line, but were overwhelmed by Henry Lee’s cavalry. In response, Cornwallis ordered his artillery to fire grapeshot into the fray, hitting British and American soldiers alike. With his army’s left flank collapsing, Greene ordered a retreat, bringing the battle to an end. Although the Battle of Guilford Court House ended with an American defeat, the British suffered substantially greater losses.

After the Battle of Guilford Court House, Cornwallis’s force headed south to Wilmington, North Carolina. Greene initially gave chase, but declined to press to launch an attack after much of the militia returned home. To Greene’s surprise, in late April, Cornwallis’s force began a march north to Yorktown, Virginia. Rather than follow Cornwallis, Greene headed South, where he challenged British commander Francis Rawdon for control of South Carolina and Georgia. On April 20, he began a siege of Camden, South Carolina, and established a camp at a nearby ridge known as Hobkirk’s Hill. On the 25th, Rawdon launched a surprise attack on Greene’s position, beginning the Battle of Hobkirk’s Hill. Despite having been taken by surprise, Greene’s force nearly achieved victory, but the left flank collapsed and the cavalry failed to arrive. Facing total defeat, Greene ordered a retreat, bringing an end to the battle. Although the American and British forces suffered a similar number of losses in the Battle of Hobkirk’s Hill, Greene was deeply disappointed by the result of the battle.

On May 10, Rawdon’s force left Camden for Charleston, South Carolina, effectively conceding control of much of interior South Carolina to the Continental Army. In a series of small actions known as the “war of the posts,” Greene and his subordinates further eroded British control of interior South Carolina by capturing several British forts. On June 18, after undertaking the month-long Siege of Ninety-Six, Greene launched an unsuccessful attack on the British fort at Ninety Six, South Carolina. Although the assault failed, Rawdon ordered the fort abandoned shortly thereafter. Meanwhile, Greene’s subordinates further expanded Continental control, capturing Augusta, Georgia, on June 5. By the end of June, the British controlled little more than a thin strip of coastal land from Charleston to Savannah. After resting through much of July and August, the Continental Army resumed operations and engaged a British force on September 8 at the Battle of Eutaw Springs. The battle ended with a Continental retreat, but the British suffered more substantial losses. After the battle, the British force returned to Charleston, leaving interior South Carolina in full control of Continental forces. Congress issued Greene a gold medal and passed a resolution congratulating him for his victory at Eutaw Springs. (Wikipedia).

William Poythress (c. 1737-1783), son of Robert Poythress (1690-1743): was a Lieutenant, Continental Army Officer, in the 1st Continental artillery of the Virginia Line in Colonel Charles Harrison’s Regiment of Artillery. William Poythress, 1st Lieutenant, November 21, 1777, promoted by the resignation of Lieutenant Dudley.” [This Charles Harrison may have been born in 1738, the son of Benjamin Harrison IV and Anne Carter. Benjamin Harrison IV was killed July 12, 1745, when he was struck by lightning. His son, Benjamin Harrison V, husband of Elizabeth Bassett, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence.]

William Poythress (1753-1794), son of Joshua Poythress (1720-1782): Captain William Poythress married Mary Gilliam. Their children were: Joshua Poythress, Thomas E. Poythress, William P. Poythress, Patrick Henry Poythress and Mary Poythress. William Poythress was a Captain in the Continental Army in the American Revolution. He entered the service at an early period of the War and continued in active service until its termination and received from Virginia a military bounty land for seven years service. Lieutenant William Poythress was appointed as such in the 1st Regiment of Artillery in March, 1777. [Captain Pierce’s company of Artillery, 8/8/1777, Portsmouth, VA.] He was promoted to Captain Lieutenant on August 19, 1780, and resigned March 5, 1781, ending his service from his first appointment. Lt. Colonel Edward Carrington, Artillery. Lieutenant William Poythress was duly paid £417/14/0 on November 7, 1783, for the service in question. Poythress received £14/14/0 in certificates for the balance of his full pay for services to March 5, 1781. William continued until the end of the war in the Virginia Continental Line in the rank of Captain. He was entitled to the proportion of land allowed a Captain Lieutenant of the Artillery in the Continental line who served seven years. He received four thousand acres of land, 11/8/1783, in consideration of his services for three years as a Captain Lieutenant of the Artillery in the Virginia Continental Line. [William Poythress is most likely the Lieutenant William Poythress for whom we have a line drawing.] In William’s

Will, he stated that, “It is my will that the whole of my lands both in this state and Kentucky be equally divided among my four sons, to them and their heirs forever.”

Washington’s General Order of October 2, 1779. For artillery and artillery artificer regiments, the uniform was ordered to be blue, faced and lined with scarlet, with yellow buttons, the coats to be edged, and the buttonholes to be bound, with narrow lace or tape. The light dragoons were to wear blue faced and lined with white, with white buttons. The blue coats of the infantry regiments were all to be lined with white, and have white buttons, and states were distinguished by different colored facings, as follows: the New England states, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, white facings; New York and New Jersey, buff facings; Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, red facings; North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, blue facings and buttonholes edged with narrow white tape. (Varick Transcripts of Washington’s General Orders, Library of Congress.)

Colonel Charles Harrison: Harrison’s Continental Artillery Regiment became part of the Continental Army on November 26, 1776, with Colonel Charles Harrison as commanding officer. The regiment consisted of two companies that were previously in existence. In the spring and summer of 1777, the regiment was organized in the strength of 10 companies. Harrison’s second-in-command was Lieutenant Colonel Edward Carrington. The regiment defended Virginia during the remainder of 1777. Each artillery company was composed of four officers, one sergeant, four corporals, four bombardiers, eight gunners, and 48 matrosses. This differed from the organization in the other artillery regiments.

The first pre-existing unit was the Virginia State Artillery Company which was authorized on January 11, 1776, and organized in the spring of that year at Williamsburg, Virginia. It became part of Harrison’s Regiment on November 26. Its original captain was James Innis and its lieutenants were Harrison, Carrington, and Samuel Denney. On March 19, the Continental Congress adopted the first company and authorized a French adventurer, Dohicky Arundel to raise a second Virginia artillery company. At some point, Innis transferred to the infantry. The second unit became the Virginia Continental Artillery Company which was formed in the summer of 1776 at Williamsburg. It joined Harrison’s Regiment on November 27. The Virginia artillery played an active role during the Battle of Gwynn’s Island in July, 1776. The only casualty was Arundel, who was killed when his experimental mortar burst.

The regiment was initially assigned to the Southern Department. On March 13, 1778, it was transferred to George Washington’s main army where elements fought at the Battle of Monmouth on June 28, 1778. In that action, Edward Carrington commanded some guns on the left flank under William Alexander, Lord Stirling. In 1778, three 106-man Maryland artillery companies joined the regiment on a provisional basis. The 1st and 2nd Maryland State Artillery Companies were authorized on January 14, 1776, and the 3rd Company was authorized on October 23, 1776. They joined the main army on November 22, 1777, as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Maryland Continental Artillery Companies. On May 9, 1780, the 1st Maryland Company formally became the 11th Company in the 1st Artillery Regiment and the 2nd and 3rd Maryland Companies became the 12th Company.

The four artillery regiments received numbers on August 10, 1779. Two boards of generals determined that the artillery regiments of Colonels John Lamb and John Crane could not trace continuity from General Henry Knox’s old Continental Artillery Regiment. Therefore, Harrison’s Regiment became the 1st Continental Artillery Regiment while Lamb’s was renamed the 2nd Continental Artillery Regiment and Crane’s was numbered the 3rd Continental Artillery Regiment. The regiment of Colonel Thomas Proctor became the 4th Continental Artillery Regiment.

Henry Knox, Washington’s artillery chief, planned to have four 3-pound or 6-pound cannons attached to each infantry brigade. Though Knox preferred the more versatile French 4-pound cannon, he had to abandon a plan to adopt the piece because so much ammunition and material for the other guns was available. The army also maintained an artillery park of two 24-pound cannons, four 12-pound cannons, four 8-inch howitzers, eight 5½-inch howitzers, and 10 smaller field guns. Knox rotated the artillery companies between infantry brigades, artillery park, and garrisons so the men could be sufficiently trained. He discouraged artillery duels and encouraged his artillerymen to reserve their fire for infantry targets. This tactic proved very effective at Monmouth.

The 1st Artillery was reassigned to the Southern Department on April 17, 1780. Some units of the regiment fought at the Siege of Charleston in the spring of 1780. When General Johann de Kalb was sent south in 1780, Carrington accompanied his division with three artillery companies. Harrison arrived and assumed command, due to his superior rank. At the Battle of Camden on August 16, 1780, Harrison directed six artillery pieces. Two more guns were loaned to Colonel Thomas Sumter’s partisans and 10 were left in the rear for lack of horses to pull them. The regiment was reorganized to consist of 10 companies on January 1, 1781. At the Battle of Hobkirk’s Hill on April 25, 1781, Harrison commanded three 6-pound cannons and 40 artillerists. At the Battle of Eutaw Springs on September 8, 1781, the Americans had two 3-pounders under Captain William Gaines and two 6-pounders under Captain William Brown.

During the Siege of Yorktown in the fall of 1781, Captain Whitehead Coleman’s company of the 1st Artillery fought under the overall command of Edward Carrington. In the Battle of the Combahee River on August 27, 1782, a howitzer and its crew under Captain Smith were captured by the British. The regiment was furloughed in the summer of 1783 at Winchester, Virginia and Baltimore, Maryland. It was formally disbanded on November 15, 1783. (Wikipedia).

Thomas Poythress (c. 1756-1800), son of Thomas Poythress, Sr. (c. 1729-1800): was an Impressment Officer for the County Commissary during the Revolutionary War. In April, 1782, Thomas Poythress was involved in proceedings in the Brunswick County Court for Virginia Revolutionary Public Claims as per “an Act for adjusting claims for property impressed or taken for the public service.” James Quarles: 1 pair stirrup irons and leathers, 1 girth and 1 crupper taken by Thomas Poythress who was assigned in impressing horses under Paschall. In 1783, in Brunswick County, Thomas Poythress was listed under “County Commissaries, Impressment Officers” for Revolutionary War Service.

Peter Poythress (c. 1730-1787), son of Robert Poythress (1690-1743): Member of the House of Burgesses. Peter Poythress’ name is on the Monument in Williamsburg and is found in the list of Burgesses, who in Raleigh Tavern on May 18, 1769, May 27, 1774, and August, 1776, voted against the importation and purchase of British Manufactures. At the site of the old Capitol today stands a monument commemorating events which transpired there leading up to the Revolutionary War. On the back of the monument is the following inscription: Members of the House of Burgesses who, at the Raleigh Tavern, May 18, 1769, and May 27, 1774, and August, 1774, entered into associations against the importation or purchase of British manufactures: George Washington…Richard Henry Lee…Patrick Henry… Thomas Jefferson…Peter Poythress…Robert Munford…Richard Lee…John Green…Henry Lee…Francis Lightfoot… Lee…Benjamin Harrison…

From Library of Virginia: In 1774, the House of Burgesses supported the growing independence movement. The royal governor, Lord Dunmore, dissolved the House of Burgesses. The burgesses reassembled on their own. They would go on to form the first of five Virginia Conventions which would eventually lead to the First Continental Congress and the creation of an army to support the patriot cause. In May, 1776, the House of Burgess ceased to meet and the Virginia Constitution of 1776 created a new General Assembly composed of an elected Senate and an elected House of Delegates. The House of Delegates was the House of Burgesses by another name. (Encyclopedia Virginia).

Poythress Soldiers in the War of 1812

Includes:

Peter Poythress (1782-1815), son of Meredith Poythress, Sr. (1760-1839). [documented service from July 6, 1813, to Feb. 19, 1815.]

Peter Poythress (1782-1815), son of Meredith Poythress, Sr. (1760-1839). Peter married Lilly Poythress who was his heir-at-law for his service in the War of 1812. He died while in the service on February 19, 1815, at Norfolk, Virginia. Peter Poythress was in the 83rd Regiment (Scott’s) Virginia Militia. The Muster Roll and Pay Roll for July 1-6, 1813, at Petersburg, Virginia, on rolls dated July 6, 1813, indicated that he was present as a Private in Captain William H. Cousin’s Company of Riflemen, 83rd Regiment Virginia Militia, War of 1812. His pay was $8.00 per month and $1.33 for five days. His enlistment stated that he was Peter Poythress, a recruit, for the 20th Regiment U. S. Infantry. He was 5’4″ tall, with blue eyes, dark hair, with a light complexion and was 32 years of age. His occupation was a bricklayer. He was born in Dinwiddie, Virginia, and was enlisted August 9, 1814, at Danville, Virginia, by Ensign Smith and Lt. Rawling for the period of the War. On the daily report for Captain Bernard Peyton’s Company for October 31, 1814, Peter was present but sick. Peter died February 19, 1815, in the Regimental Hospital at Norfolk, VA. [Daily Report, Danville, VA., Aug. 1814, Muster Roll, Captain Bernard Peyton’s Company, Oct. 31/14, present, sick, Daily Report Feby. 16, & I. R. Norfolk, VA., Mch. 15/15, Died in Reg’tl. Hospl. Feby. 19/15.] Peter Poythress, deceased, late a private in Peyton’s Company of the 20th Regiment of Infantry. Captain William Henry Cousins served in the Virginia Militia during the War of 1812.

Poythress Soldiers in the War Between the States

Includes:

Pvt. James Speed Poythress (1833-1923), son of David E. Poythress (1806-1876), Co. C, 2nd Regiment, Alabama Cavalry. [documented service from Mar. 22, 1862, through Mar. 20, 1864.]

—-Father and son

William Peterson Poythress (1810-1862), son of Patrick Henry Poythress (1778-1822), lived in Richmond, VA. William died in Nassau, B. W. I., during blockade-running operations in the War between the States.

Patrick Henry Poythress (1846-7/10/1863), son of William Peterson Poythress (1810-1862), accidental death during militia training, Richmond, Virginia.

—-Actual brothers in arms

Pvt. John Louis Poythress (1829-1905), son of Edward Poythress (1798-aft. 1860), Co. F, 14th Regiment, VA. Infantry. [documented service from May 12, 1861, through Oct. 27, 1864]

—-father, brother and son

Sgt. William Lewis Poythress, (6/22/1845-3/11/1915), son of Thomas M. Poythress (1823-1891), Co. D, 44th Battalion, VA Infantry (Petersburg City Battalion). [documented service from June 8, 1864 to April 9-15, 1865.] Pvt. Thomas M. Poythress (1823-1891), son of Lewis Poythress (1765-1847), Co. D, 2nd Regiment, VA. Artillery, age 44. [documented service from Jan. 20, 1862, through May 31, 1862.]

Pvt. Lewis Y. Poythress (1819-1874), son of Lewis Poythress (1765-1847), Captain Edward F. Scott’s Co., Virginia local defense, Co. A, Greensville County Home Guard, age 45. [documented service from July, 1863, to Sept. 11, 1964.]

– Actual brothers in arms

Pvt. Isaac Edwin Poythress (5/28/1828-6/29/1862), son of Meredith Poythress, Jr., (1790-aft. 1860), Co. F, 25th Regiment, GA. Infantry. Isaac died in an accident while constructing harbor fortifications in Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia. [documented service from Aug. 8, 1861, to June 29, 1862.]

Pvt. Daniel Willie Poythress (1838-1922), son of Meredith Poythress, Jr. (1790-aft. 1860), Co. F, 25th Regiment, GA. Infantry. [documented service from Aug. 8, 1861, to May 18, 1865.]

Pvt. John Maner Poythress (1832-1866), son of Meredith Poythress, Jr., (1790-aft. 1860), Co. D, 47th Regiment, GA. Infantry. [documented service from March 4, 1862, to May 18, 1865.]

Pvt. John (White) Poythress (1821-), son of Meredith Poythress, Jr., (3rd) Co. G, Black Creek Volunteers, 25th Reg’t. GA. Infantry. [documented service from Aug. 10, 1861, through Oct. 12, 1864.]

Pvt. William E. Poythress (1831/3-1907), Co. G, Black Creek Volunteers, 25th Regiment, GA. Infantry. [documented service from Aug. 10, 1861, through Apr., 1865.]

—-Actual brothers in arms

Pvt. Nathan Francis Poythress (10/18/1830-3/11/1862), son of James Edward Poythress (1803-1863), Co. C, Jeff Davis Legion, Miss. Cavalry. [documented service from Mar. 25, 1861, to Mar. 11, 1862.]

Cpl. Algernon Edward Poythress (8/12/1844-4/9/1918), son of James Edward Poythress (1803-1863), Co. A, 12th Regiment, Miss. Cavalry. [documented service from Aug. 19, 1863 to May 14, 1865.]

—-Actual brothers in arms

Pvt. James A. Poythress (1822-aft. 1870), poss. son of James P. Poythress (1794-aft. 1840), Capt. Bickham’s Co., LA. (Caddo Militia)

Pvt. John Price Poythress (1836-9/6/1905), poss. son of James P. Poythress (1794-aft. 1840), Co. A, 25th LA. Infantry. [documented service from Nov. 1, 1862, through Aug. 20, 1863.]

Pvt. William Poythress (Portress) (1827-1865), possible son of James “Jim” Poythress (Portis) (1785-aft. 1850), 12th Reg’t. VA Infantry. [documented service from Oct. 15, 1864, to June 24, 1865.]

Pvt. Russell King Poythress (1823-aft. 1880), son of Joseph Poythress (1788-1853), Co. K, 2nd Regiment, GA. Cavalry (State Guards). [documented service from Aug. 9, 1863 to Aug. 31, 1864.]

Pvt. William F. Poythress, son of C. Poythress, 3 Co. I, Co. I, 59th Regiment, VA. Infantry. (2nd Regiment of Infantry, Wise Legion) / Co. D, 28th Battalion, VA. Infantry.

Pvt. John Poythress, Co. I, 5th Regiment, GA. Cavalry

Pvt. A. J. Poythress, Co. A, 6th Regiment LA. Cavalry

Although Florida was only 55 miles away from the Bahamas, Florida, during the War between the States, had few ports of any real consequence, so blockade runners would make their trips from Nassau to Charleston, South Carolina, the largest Confederate port on the East Coast.

The first blockade runner docked in Nassau on December 5, 1861. By the end of the war, 397 ships had sailed from the Confederacy to Nassau, and 588 from Nassau to the Confederacy. Nassau imports were valued at £234,029, and its exports were worth £157,350.

Blockade runners would take cotton from Charleston to Nassau, a trip of 560 miles within 48 hours of sailing. As the Union had blockaded all Confederate ports, blockade runners had to be fast. They traded cotton at Nassau for British goods, with the cotton eventually finding its way to British cotton mills.

The blockade runners had a specific function in the handling of cargoes headed for the Confederacy. Purchases of supplies made in England were first shipped to Nassau in the bottoms of British vessels where the cargoes would be transferred to blockade runners, ships of lighter draft and greater speed. From Nassau they would make their way to ports in Wilmington, Charleston and Savannah.

Blockade runners were used to import the guns, ordnance and other supplies that the Confederacy needed in exchange for cotton that the British textile industry needed. To penetrate the blockade, these relatively lightweight shallow draft ships, mostly built in British ship yards and specially designed for speed but incapable of carrying much cotton, had to cruise undetected, usually at night, through the Union blockade.

Most of the guns and other ordnance of the Confederacy were imported from Britain via blockade runners. Some runners made many successful runs, while many others were either captured or destroyed. Historians estimate that 2,500–2,800 attempts were made to run the blockade with at least an 80% success rate. (Wikipedia)

Patrick Henry Poythress (1846-7/10/1863), son of William Peterson Poythress (1810-1862). [Richmond, VA, newspaper] Shocking Accident – A painful accident occurred at the Central Railroad depot yesterday morning resulting in the death of a lad named Patrick H. Poythress. The particulars of the sad affair, as reported to us, are these: During the late militia call, whom old and young were expected to shoulder their guns to repel the Abolition invasion, a large number of boys, between the ages of sixteen and eighteen years, formed a company under the command of Capt. Conrad. In order to make all boys of that age bear a portion of the military burthens, squads were appointed from time to time to pick up those who skulked and force them into line. Yesterday morning Captain Conrad sent out a squad as usual and when they arrived at the depot they halted for a breathing spell. Whilst waiting young Poythress loaded his musket, and, in attempting to put the butt of it on the ground, the hammer struck the edge of the platform, causing the cap to explode and the gun to fire, the ball passing through his own head and wounding him mortally. He was immediately conveyed to Seabrook’s warehouse hospital, where every attention was given him. The accident caused a gloom to spread over the rest of the company, for young Poythress was a favorite with his contemporaries, and was cheerful and intelligent. Let his fate be a warning to all who handle firearms, and especially so to the hundreds of youths now entering into military companies.

On yesterday, 10th inst., in the 18th year of his age, P. Henry Poythress, son of Charlotte and the late Capt. W. P. Poythress, of this city. The funeral arrangements will take place from St. John’s church at 4½ o’clock this (Saturday) evening. The friends of the family are invited to attend without further notice.

Greensville County, Virginia, Home Guard

Present – Sept 9, 1864, enlisted July, 1863, at Hicksford, for the War, exempted on account of being very lame in one leg, Co. A, Greensville Co., VA, Home Guard.

Capt. Edward F. Scott’s Co., (Co. A, Greensville Co., VA, Home Guard), age 45, at Hicksford, Sept 11, 1864, physical disability, Co. A. Greensville Co., VA, Home Guard.

38th Regiment of Virginia Infantry

The 38th Virginia Infantry Regiment fought mostly with the Army of Northern Virginia.

The 38th Virginia was organized in Pittsylvania County, Virginia in June 1861. Its members were recruited in

Pittsylvania, Halifax, and Mecklenburg counties. It served under the command of Generals Early, Garland, Armistead, Barton, and Stuart. Among the founders of the regiment was Lt. Col. (later Colonel) Powhatan Bolling Whittle of Mecklenburg County, who was later wounded at the Battle of Williamsburg.

The 38th participated in the campaigns of the Army of Northern Virginia from Williamsburg to Gettysburg, then served in North Carolina. Later it was attached to the Department of Richmond, fought at Drewry’s Bluff and Cold Harbor, endured the hardships of the Petersburg trenches, and ended the war at Appomattox.

The regiment totaled 544 effectives in April 1862, and sustained 9 casualties at Williamsburg, 147 at Seven Pines, 94 at Malvern Hill, and 16 in the Maryland Campaign. More than fifty-five percent of the 400 engaged at Gettysburg were disabled and it reported 11 killed, 30 wounded, and 10 missing at Drewry’s Bluff. The unit surrendered 12 officers and 82 men.

Its commanders were Colonels Joseph R. Cabell, Edward Claxton Edmonds, George K. Griggs, and Powhatan Whittle; Lieutenant Colonel George A. Martin; and Majors Isaac H. Carrington and Henderson L. Lee. (Wikipedia)

14th Regiment of Virginia Infantry

The 14th Virginia Infantry Regiment fought mostly with the Army of Northern Virginia.

14th Virginia was organized in May 1861, and entered the Confederate service at Richmond in July. Its companies were recruited in the counties of Amelia, Bedford, Fluvanna, Chesterfield, Halifax, and Mecklenburg.

The regiment was brigaded under Generals Armistead, Barton, and Steuart. It fought with the Army of Northern Virginia from Seven Pines to Gettysburg, served in North Carolina, then saw action in Drewry’s Bluff. The 14th participated in the long Petersburg siege north of the James River and ended the war at Appomattox.

In June, 1862, it contained 449 men. It reported 12 killed, 57 wounded, and 6 missing at Malvern Hill, and 7 wounded during the Maryland Campaign. Of the 422 engaged at Gettysburg, more than twenty-five percent were disabled. The regiment sustained 71 casualties at Drewry’s Bluff and lost many at Five Forks and Sayler’s Creek. Only 7 officers and 49 men surrendered on April 9, 1865.

The field officers were Colonels James G. Hodges and William White; Lieutenant Colonels Moses F. T. Evans, David J. Godwin, Parke Poindexter, and William W. Wood; and Majors Robert H. Poore and William D. Shelton. (Wikipedia)

Engagements:

June 1, 1862 – Battle of Seven Pines July 1, 1862 – Battle of Malvern Hill August 30, 1862 – 2nd Battle of Manassas

September 13, 1862 – Capture of Harper’s Ferry September 17, 1862 – Battle of Sharpsburg September 19, 1862 – Battle of Shepherdstown December 13, 1862 – Battle of Fredericksburg April 24, 1863 – Skirmish at Edenton Road

July 3, 1863 – Battle of Gettysburg

May 10, 1864 – Battle of Chester Station May 16, 1864 – Battle of Drewry’s Bluff May 23-26, 1864 – North Anna

June 1-3, 1864 – Battle of Cold Harbor April 1, 1865 – Battle of Five Forks April 6, 1865 – Sailor’s Creek

April 9-15, 1865 – Appomattox Court House – 8 Officers and 49 men of the regiment surrendered, commanded by Major William D. Shelton. Company F was the largest surviving company with 10 men.

Pvt. John Louis Poythress (1829-1905), son of Edward Poythress (1798-aft. 1860), Co. F, 14th Regiment, VA. Infantry. [documented service from May 12, 1861, through Oct. 27, 1864]

May 12 to June 30, 1861, dated June 30, 1861, enlisted as private at Lombardy Grove, Richmond, VA., for 1 year, age 30, occupation: overseer, from the county of Mecklenburg, Capt. Robert D. Baskerville Co., 14 Reg’t. VA. Volunteers.

Present – July & Aug, 1861, dated Aug 31, 1861, enlisted May 12, 1861, at Lombardy Grove, for 1 year, Co. F, 14th Regiment, VA. Infantry.

Present – Sept & Oct, 1861, dated Oct 31, 1861, Co. F, 14th Regiment, VA. Infantry. Present – Nov & Dec, 1861, undated, Co. F, 14th Regiment, VA. Infantry.

Present – Jan & Feb, 1862, dated Feb 28, 1862, Co. F, 14th Regiment, VA. Infantry. Present – Mch & Apr, 1862, dated Apr 30, 1862, Co. F, 14th Regiment, VA. Infantry.

Absent – May & June, 1862, dated June 30, 1862, left at camp sick, Co. F, 14th Regiment, VA. Infantry. Absent – July & Aug, 1862, undated, absent hospital sick, Co. F, 14th Regiment, VA. Infantry.

Absent – Sept & Oct, 1862, Oct 31, 1862, at hospital sick, Co. F, 14th Regiment, VA. Infantry. Absent – Nov & Dec, 1862, dated Dec 31, 1862, at hospital sick, Co. F, 14th Regiment, VA. Infantry. Present – Jan & Feb, 1863, dated Feb 28, 1863, Co. F, 14th Regiment, VA. Infantry.

Present – Mch & Apr, 1863, dated Apr 30, 1863, Co. F, 14th Regiment, VA. Infantry.

Absent – May & June, 1863, dated June 30, 1863, sent hospital, Co. F, 14th Regiment, VA. Infantry. Absent – July & Aug, 1863, dated Aug 31, 1863, absent sent hospital, Co. F, 14th Regiment, VA. Infantry. Absent – Nov & Dec, 1863, dated Dec 31, 1863, at hospital sick, Co. F, 14th Regiment, VA. Infantry.

Absent – Jan & Feb, 1864, dated Feb 28, 1864, at hospital sick, Co. F, 14th Regiment, VA. Infantry. Present – Mch & Apr, 1864, dated Apr 30, 1864, Co. F, 14th Regiment, VA. Infantry.

Present – May & June, 1864, dated June 30, 1864, Co. F, 14th Regiment, VA. Infantry. Present – July & Aug, 1864, dated Aug 31, 1864, Co. F, 14th Regiment, VA. Infantry. Present – Sept & Oct, 1864, dated Oct 31, 1864, Co. F, 14th Regiment, VA. Infantry.

Clothing receipt roll at Gen Hosp. Black & White, Va., Oct 27, 1864, Co. F, 14th Regiment, VA. Infantry.

Pvt. George Washington Poythress (1837-1900), son of Edward Poythress (1798-aft. 1860), 1 Co. I, Co. I, 38th Regiment, VA. Infantry (Pittsylvania Regiment). [documented service from June 20, 1861, through Oct. 31, 1864] At home on sick furlough, Oct, 1861, enlisted June 20, 1861, for 1 year, (1st) Co. I, 38th Reg’t. Va. Infantry.

Absent on furlough of 20 days from Feb 12, 1861, (1st) Co. I, 38th Reg’t. Va. Infantry.

Absent – Mch & Apr, 1862, dated July 17, 1862, reenlistment furlough since Feb 10, 1862, absent sick since then, (1st) Co. I, 38th Reg’t. Va. Infantry.

[The 9th, 14th, 38th, 53rd and 57th Virginia were brigaded together under Brigadier General Lewis Armistead. April

29. The original Company G mustered out with the expiration of their one year enlistments. Company I of the 38th Virginia Infantry under Captain William W. Wood was transferred to the regiment as Company G.]

Sgt. George W. Poythress, 2 Co. G, Co. G, 14th Regiment, VA. Infantry. Clothing receipt roll dated July 1, 1862, 2nd Co. G, 14th Reg’t. VA. Infantry

Present – July & Aug, 1862, dated Aug 31, 1862, enlisted June 20, 1861, at Clarksville, VA, for 1 year, appointed (5) Sgt. from private Aug. 1, 2nd Co. G, 14th Reg’t. VA. Infantry

Present – Sept & Oct, 1862, dated Oct 31, 1862, (5) Sgt., 2nd Co. G, 14th Reg’t. VA. Infantry Present – Nov & Dec, 1862, dated Dec 31, 1862, (5) Sgt., 2nd Co. G, 14th Reg’t. VA. Infantry Present – Jan & Feb, 1863, dated Feb 28, 1863, (4) Sgt., 2nd Co. G, 14th Reg’t. VA. Infantry

Absent – Mch & Apr, 1863, dated Apr 30, 1863, (4) Sgt.,absent without leave since Mch 26, 1863, 2nd Co. G, 14th Reg’t. VA. Infantry

Absent – May & June, 1863, dated June 30, 1863, (4) Sgt., absent without leave since Mch 27, 1863, 2nd Co. G, 14th Reg’t. VA. Infantry

Present – July & Aug, 1863, dated Aug 31, 1863, (3) Sgt., 2nd Co. G, 14th Reg’t. VA. Infantry Present – Sept & Oct, 1863, dated Oct 31, 1863, (3) Sgt., 2nd Co. G, 14th Reg’t. VA. Infantry Present – Nov & Dec, 1863, dated Dec 31, 1863, (3) Sgt., 2nd Co. G, 14th Reg’t. VA. Infantry Present – Jan & Feb, 1864, dated Feb 29, 1864, (3) Sgt., 2nd Co. G, 14th Reg’t. VA. Infantry Present- Mch & Apr, 1864, dated Apr 30, 1864, (2) Sgt., 2nd Co. G, 14th Reg’t. VA. Infantry Present – May & June, 1864, dated June 30, 1864, (2) Sgt., 2nd Co. G, 14th Reg’t. VA. Infantry Present – July & Aug, 1864, dated Aug 31, 1864, (2) Sgt., 2nd Co. G, 14th Reg’t. VA. Infantry Present – Sept & Oct, 1864, dated Oct 31, 1864, (2) Sgt., 2nd Co. G, 14th Reg’t. VA. Infantry

Co. F, 25th Regiment of Virginia Infantry

Co. F, Hugar Grays, recruited at Greensville & Brunswick Counties. October 27–28, 1864, Battle of Boydton Plank Road Though 12th Virginia protected South Side Railroad, many men became Union prisoners of war, including Captain Edward Scott of Company F, a grand nephew of Union General Winfield Scott.

Pvt. William Poythress (Portress) (1827-1865), possible son of James “Jim” Poythress (Portis) (1785-aft. 1850), 12th Reg’t. VA Inf. [documented service from Oct. 15, 1864, to June 24, 1865.]

Absent – Sept & Oct, 1864, dated Oct 31, 1864, enlisted Oct. 15, 1864, at Richmond, for the War, captured Oct. 27 Burgess Mill, pay due from enrollment, Co. F, 12th Reg’t. VA. Infantry.

Appears on roll of Prisoners of War at Point Lookout, MD., arrived City Point, VA., Oct. 31, 1864, captured near Petersburg on Oct. 27, 1864, died June 24, 1865, Co. F, 12th Reg’t. VA. Infantry.

59th Regiment of Virginia Infantry

The 59th Virginia Infantry Regiment fought mostly with the Army of Northern Virginia, and in the Carolinas.

The 59th Virginia (also called 2nd Regiment, Wise Legion) was organized in August 1861. Part of this unit was captured at Roanoke Island in February 1862. Four of the companies were not captured and were reorganized as the 26th Virginia Infantry Battalion, along with additional recruits. These companies never returned to the 59th. The original composition of the 59th consisted of men from five counties in West Virginia, eight counties in Virginia, and one company each from Louisiana, North Carolina and Mississippi.

After his exchange Gen. Wise spent several months trying to reorganize the regiment, which was completed on November 1, 1862. For most of 1863 the 59th was occupied in fortifying defensive positions around Richmond and Petersburg. Later the regiment was transferred to the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, and participated in various conflicts around Charleston. Returning to Virginia in the spring of 1864 it was placed in the Petersburg trenches, then fought in the Appomattox Campaign. Many were disabled at Sayler’s Creek, and none of its members were present at the surrender.

The field officers were Colonels Charles F. Henningsen and William B. Tabb, Lieutenant Colonels Frank P. Anderson and Joseph Jones, and Majors John Lawson and Robert G. Mosby. (Wikipedia)

Pvt. William F. Poythress, son of C. Poythress, 3 Co. I, Co. I, 59th Regiment, VA. Infantry. (2nd Regiment of Infantry, Wise Legion) / Co. D, 28th Battalion, VA. Infantry.

Present – Sept & Oct 1862, dated Nov 3, 1862, enlisted May 20, 1862, at Summit Sta., VA., for 3 years or the War, Co. (C), 28th Battalion, VA Infantry.

44th Battalion of Virginia Infantry (Petersburg City Battalion)

44th Infantry Battalion [also called Petersburg City Battalion] was formed in November, 1863, at Petersburg, Virginia. It contained three companies and later expanded to five. The unit served in the Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia, then Company B was assigned as Provost Guard and Companies A, C, D, and F to General Archers’ Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia. It was involved in various conflicts south of the James River and later took part in the Appomattox Campaign. The unit contained 167 men in September, 1864, and surrendered with 6 officers and 52 men. Major Peter V. Batte was in command. (National Parks Service)

Sgt. William Lewis Poythress, (6/22/1845-3/11/1915), son of Thomas M. Poythress (1823-1891), Co. D, 44th Battalion, VA Infantry (Petersburg City Battalion). [documented service from June 8, 1864 to April 9-15, 1865.] Clothing receipt roll for 2nd quarter, June 8, 1864, 44th Battalion VA Infantry.

Clothing receipt roll for 4th quarter, Dec, 1864, 44th Battalion VA Infantry.

Paroled at Appomattox Court House, Apr 9-15, 1865, 3rd Sgt., 44th VA. Battalion Infantry, Co. D.

2nd Regiment of Virginia Artillery

The 2nd Regiment, Virginia Artillery was organized in February, 1862. It was formed of ten companies for twelve months. Commander: Colonel Robert Tanaill.

Enlisted on January 20, 1862, for one year

Reorganized May 24, 1862 as Company D of the 22nd Battalion Virginia Infantry. Captains: James T. Alexander, William G. Jackson.

The regiment was broken up about May 23, 1862, by operation of the Conscription Act. Companies A, B, D, E, G and H were reorganized and formed the 22nd Battalion Virginia Infantry. Companies C and F were reorganized and became independent artillery companies. Companies I and K were disbanded and the re-enlisted men were assigned to other companies, principally to Co. G and A of the battalion of the infantry. (Family Search)

Pvt. Thomas M. Poythress (1823-1891), son of Lewis Poythress (1765-1847), Co. D, 2nd Regiment, VA. Artillery, age 44. [documented service from Jan. 20, 1862, through May 31, 1862.]

Enlisted 2nd Battalion L. F., residence: Richmond, VA., age 44, Co. D, 2nd Battalion VA Local Defense.

Absent – Mch & Apr 1862, dated Apr 30, 1862, enlisted Jan 20, at Lombardy Grove, Richmond, VA., for 1 year, sick at Camp Winder, Co. D, 2nd Reg’t. VA. Artillery.

On a register of General Hospital Camp Winder, Richmond, VA., May 2, 1862, complaint: diarrhea, Co. D, 2nd Reg’t. VA. Artillery.

Hd. Quarters Dept. Of Henrico, Richmond, Va., May 16, 1862. Special Order No. 85. By direction of the Secretary of War the following named men are detailed for duty at the Winder Hospital near this city and will report forthwith to the Surgeon in charge. Remarks: Nurse. Thos. Portress, Co. D, 2nd Reg’t. VA. Artillery.

Absent – Apr 30 to May 31, 1862, dated Mary 23, detailed at Camp Winder over 35, Co. D, 2nd Reg’t. VA. Artillery.

25th Regiment of Georgia Infantry

The Georgia 25th Infantry Regiment was organized at Savannah, Georgia, in September, 1861. The men were raised in the counties of Bryan, Screven, Liberty, Telfair, Henry, and Calhoun. Assigned to the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, the unit served on the coast until the summer of 1863 when it was ordered to Mississippi. After serving at Jackson it was attached to Wilson’s, C.H. Stevens’, H.R. Jackson’s, and in 1865, Henderson’s Brigade. The regiment was consolidated for a time with the 1st Georgia Battalion Sharpshooters and in December, 1863, the 25th/1st Battalion totalled 341 men and 151 arms. It fought with the Army of Tennessee from Chickamauga to Atlanta , moved with Hood into Tennessee, and saw action at Bentonville . The unit was greatly reduced when it surrendered on April 26, 1865. Field Officers: Wilson, Claudius C. – Colonel, Winn, William J. – Colonel, Ashley, W. P. M. – Lieut. Colonel, Williams, Andrew J. – Lieut. Colonel, Wylly, W. Henry – Lieut. Colonel, Smith, Albert W. – Major. (Research on Line)

Company G: Screven County men – Brown Light Infantry. This company was successively designated 1st Company G, 2nd Company C, and 2nd Company F.

October 22, 1862 – Engagement, Gaston and Frampton‘s plantation near Pocotaligo, South Carolina July 10-16, 1863 – Siege, Jackson, Miss.

Aug. 16-Sept. 22, 1863 – Occupation of middle TN., passage of Cumberland Mtns. & Chickamauga, GA. Campaign September 19-21, 1863 – Battle, Chickamauga, Georgia

September 24-November 23, 1863 – Siege – Chattanooga, Tennessee

November 23-27, 1863 – Campaign. Chattanooga, Tennessee and Ringgold, Georgia November 24-25, 1863 – Assault and Capture, Missionary Ridge. Tennessee

May l – September 8, 1864 – Atlanta Campaign

May 14-15, 1864 – Action, Leys’ Ferry, Oostenaula River, Georgia May 18-19, 1864 – Combats near Cassville, Georgia

May 25-June 5, 1864 – Ops on Pumpkin Vine Cr. & Battles abt. Dallas, New Hope Church, & Allatoona Hills, GA. June 10 – July 2, 1864 – Operations about Mar-ietta and against Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia

June 11 – 14, 1864 – Combats about Pine Hill, Georgia

June 15 – 17, 1864 – Combats about Lost Mountain, Georgia June 27, 1864 – Assault, Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia

July 2 – 5, 1864 – Operations on the line of Nickajack Creek, Georgia

July 5 – 17, 1864 – Operations on the line of the Chattahoochee River, Georgia July 19 – 20, 1864 – Battle, Peach Tree Creek, Georgia

July 22, 1864 – Battle, Atlanta, Georgia

July 23 – August 25, 1864 – Siege, Atlanta, Georgia

August 3l – September 1, 1864 – Battle, Jonesborough, Georgia September 2 – 5, 1864 – Engagement, Lovejoy Station, Georgia

September 29 – November 3, 1864 – Hood’s Operations in Northern Georgia and Northern Alabama November 29, 1864 – Engagement, Spring Hill, Tennessee

November 30, 1864 – Battle, Franklin, Tennessee December 15 – 16, 1864 – Battle, Nashville, Tennessee

March 16, 1865 – Battle, Averysborough (Taylor’s Hole Creek), North Carolina March 19 – 21, 1865 – Battle, Bentonville, North Carolina

April 26, 1865 – Surrender, Bennett’s House, Durham Station, North Carolina

Present – Aug 8 to Sept 1, 1861, enlisted Aug 8, 1861, Savannah, GA., for 1 year, Capt. William D. Hamilton’s Co., Brown Light Infantry.

Present – Sept. & Oct. 1861, (1st) Co. G, Brown Light Infantry, 25th Reg’t. GA. Infantry. Present – Nov & Dec, 1861, (1st) Co. G, 25th Reg’t. GA., Infantry.

Present – Jan & Feb, 1862, (2nd) Co. C, Brown Light Infantry, 25th Reg’t. GA. Infantry. Absent – Mch & Apr, 1862, absent on special duty, (2nd) Co. C, 25th Reg’t. GA. Infantry.

May, 1862, Regimental return, working on obstructions in Savannah River since April 30 by order of General Lawton.

Died June 29 – May & June, 1862, (2nd) Co. F, 25th reg’t. GA. Infantry.

Death, June 29, 1862, Screven Co., GA. Regimental return July, 1862, Co. F, 25th Reg’t. GA. Infantry.

Treasury Department, Second Auditor’s Office, 17 June, 1863. The Adjutant and Inspector General, C. S. Sir: Please report me the terms of enlistment and the service and death, etc., of Isaac E. Poythress, late private of Captain W. D. Hamilton, Company F, 25 Regiment GA. Vols., Very respectfully, etc., Alleged died before 1 Sep. 1862. T. Calvert, Ch. Div. Deceased Soldiers.

2nd Auditor’s Office, Sept. 26, 1863, Isaac Poythress enlisted 8 Aug 61, for 12 mos. Rec’d. Pay and clothing to 1 May 62. Died June 29 62. Noted “due for 1 pr. Shoes” value thereof not stated. J. R. Coupland. Co. “F” 25th GA. (several pages illegible)

Pvt. Daniel Willie Poythress (1838-1922), son of Meredith Poythress, Jr. (1790-aft. 1860), Co. F, 25th Regiment, GA. Infantry. [documented service from Aug. 8, 1861, to May 18, 1865.]

Present – Aug 8 to Sept 1, 1861, enlisted Aug 8, 1861, at Savannah, for 1 year, Co. F, 25th Reg’t. GA. Infantry. Present – Sept & Oct, 1861, Co. F, 25th Reg’t. GA. Infantry.

Present – Nov & Dec, 1861, Co. F, 25th Reg’t. GA. Infantry. Present – Jan & Feb, 1862, Co. F, 25th Reg’t. GA. Infantry. Present -Mch & Apr, 1862, Co. F, 25th Reg’t. GA. Infantry. Present – May & June, 1862, Co. F, 25th Reg’t. GA. Infantry.

Absent – July & Aug, 1862, absent sick in service County, Co. F, 25th Reg’t. GA. Infantry. Present – Sept to Oct, 1862, Co. F, 25th Reg’t. GA. Infantry.

Absent sick in service County, Aug, 1862, Co. F, 25th Reg’t. GA. Infantry.

Appears on a register of C. S. A. Military Hospital, No. 4, Wilmington, NC, Jan 14, 1863, P. O. Buck Creek, GA., returned to duty Jan 19, 1863, Co. F, 25th Reg’t. GA. Infantry.

Appears on roll of Prisoners of War at Nashville, TN., by forces under Major Gen. Thomas, commanding Dept. Of the Cumberland, and forwarded to Capt. S. E. Jones, Adjutant A. D. C, Louisville, KY., Dec 19, 1864, Co. F, 25th Reg’t. GA. Infantry.

Appears on roll of Prisoners of War, at Louisville, KY., transferred to Camp Douglas, IL., Dec 21, 1864, captured Nasshville, TN., Dec 16, 1864, Co. F, 25th Reg’t. GA. Infantry.

Appears on roll of Prisoners of War at Military Prison, Louisville, KY., received Dec 21, 1864, captured near Nashville, TN., on Dec 16, 1864, received Camp Douglas, Nashville, Co. F, 25th Reg’t. GA. Infantry.

Appears on a Roll of Prisoners of War, received at Camp Douglas, Ill., Dec 21, 1864, captured Nashville, Tn., Dec 16, 1864, Co. F, 25th Reg’t. GA. Infantry.

Appears on roll of Prisoners of War, received at Military Prison, Louisville, KY., captured at Nashville, TN., on Dec. 16, 1864, discharged C. Douglas, Dec 21, 1864,

Appears on roll of Prisoners of War at Camp Douglas, IL.,, applying for Oath of Allegiance, Feb, 1864, captured at Nashville, TN., on Dec 16, 1864, claims to have been loyal enlisted through false representation was captured & desires to take the oath of allegiance to the U. S. Govt. & become a loyal citizen, discharged at Camp Douglas, IL., May 18, 1865, Co. F, 25th Reg’t. GA. Infantry.

Pvt. William E. Poythress (1831-1907), Co. G, Black Creek Volunteers, 25th Regiment, GA. Infantry. [documented service from Aug. 10, 1861, through Apr., 1865.]

Clothing receipt roll, 4th quarter, Oct. 12, 1863, Co. G, 25th Regiment, GA. Infantry.

Present – Aug 10 to Sept 1, 1861, enlisted Aug 10, 1861, at Savannah, for 1 year, Co. G, Black Creek Volunteers, 25th Regiment, GA. Infantry.

Present – Sept & Oct, 1861, Co. G, Black Creek Volunteers, 25th Regiment, GA. Infantry. Present – Nov & Dec, 1861, Co. G, Black Creek Volunteers, 25th Regiment, GA. Infantry. Present – Jan & Feb, 1862, Co. G, Black Creek Volunteers, 25th Regiment, GA. Infantry.

Absent – Mch & Apr, 1862, absent on sick leave in Screven Co., Co. G, Black Creek Volunteers, 25th Regiment, GA. Infantry.

Sick in Screven Co. since May 6, 1862, Co. G, 25th Regiment, GA. Infantry.

Absent – May & June, 1862, absent sick in Screven County without leave, Co. G, Black Creek Volunteers, 25th Regiment, GA. Infantry.

Present on picket, June 30 to Oct 31, 1862, Co. G, Black Creek Volunteers, 25th Regiment, GA. Infantry. Sick camp, Aug 2, 1862, Co. G, 25th Regiment, GA. Infantry.

Absent with leave, Nov, 1862, Co. G, 25th Regiment, GA. Infantry. July 1 to Aug, 1863 payroll, Co. G, 25th Regiment, GA. Infantry.

Appears on roll of non-commissioned officers and privates employed on extra duty during month of Aug, 1863, as a teamster, from Aug 1 to Sept 1, 1863, Co. G, 25th Regiment, GA. Infantry.

Pension records show he was in Augusta, GA., hospital in 1865, born in GA., July, 1829.

Regiment surrendered April, 1865, in Greensboro, NC. In the hospital at Augusta, GA., from at least Feb., 1865.

Pvt. John (White) Poythress (1821-), son of Meredith Poythress, Jr., [documented service from Aug. 10, 1861, through Oct. 12, 1864.]

Present – Aug 10 to Sept 1, 1861, enlisted Aug 10, 1861, Savannah, GA., for 3 years, Capt. Martin L. Bryan’s Company, Black Creek Volunteers.

Present – Sept & Oct, 1861, (3rd) Co. G, Black Creek Volunteers, 25th Reg’t. GA. Infantry. Present – Nov & Dec, 1861, (3rd) Co. G, Black Creek Volunteers, 25th Reg’t. GA. Infantry. Present – Jan & Feb, 1862, (3rd) Co. G, Black Creek Volunteers, 25th Reg’t. GA. Infantry. Present – Mch & Apr, 1862, (3rd) Co. G, Black Creek Volunteers, 25th Reg’t. GA. Infantry. Present – May & June, 1862, (3rd) Co. G, Black Creek Volunteers, 25th Reg’t. GA. Infantry.

June 30 to Oct 31, 1862, enlisted Aug 10, 1861, Savannah, GA., for 3 years, discharged by Civil authority Aug 16, 1862, being exempt from the Conscript law, (3rd) Co. G, Black Creek Volunteers, 25th Reg’t. GA. Infantry.

Discharged July 16, 1862, at O. Bluff, Regimental return for month of Aug 1862, (3rd) Co. G, Black Creek Volunteers, 25th Reg’t. GA. Infantry.

Discharged Oct. 2, 1862, at C. Bluff, (3rd) Co. G, Black Creek Volunteers, 25th Reg’t. GA. Infantry. Clothing receipt roll at 3rd General Hospital Augusta, GA., 4th quarter, Oct. 12, 1864, Co. I, 25th GA. Relieved from duty by Conscript Act Aug. 16, 1862.

47th Regiment of Georgia Infantry

The 47th Regiment of Georgia Infantry was first organized during the winter of 1861–1862 with men recruited from Mitchell, Randolph, Bulloch, Chatham, Screven, Tattnall, Appling, Bryan, Liberty, and Dodge counties. It was reorganized on May 12, 1862, when the 11th Battalion Georgia Infantry was merged into it. Until that time, the soldiers had spent most of their time guarding the Georgia coast. However, sometime in May, after the new 47th was organized, they were ordered to Charleston, South Carolina. They fought in their first engagement of the Battle of Secessionville on June 10, 1862, at James Island, where forty out of seventy men were killed or wounded.

They then served in North Carolina until May 1863 when the regiment was ordered to Vicksburg, Mississippi, as a part of General John C. Breckinridge’s division under Joe Johnston. The regiment saw action at the Siege of Jackson. Three months later, in August, they were sent to serve with General Braxton Bragg in the Army of Tennessee, fighting in such battles as Kennesaw Mountain, Resaca, Missionary Ridge and Chickamauga before returning to the East to defend Savannah, Georgia.

In 1865, the 47th Infantry participated in the Carolinas Campaign. The remaining men surrendered to William T. Sherman on April 26, 1865, and were paroled.

The field officers during the war were Colonels A. C. Edwards and G. W. M. Williams, Lieutenant Colonels Joseph S. Cone and William S. Phillips, and Major James G. Cone. D Company (Screven Guards) was formed in Screven County, Georgia. (Wikipedia)

Battles:

Secessionville, South Carolina (6/16/62) Siege of Jackson, Mississippi (7/11/63)

Siege of Chattanooga, Tennessee (9/63 – 11/63)

Chickamauga, Georgia (9/19/63 – 9/20/63) in John C. Breckinridge’s division Chattanooga, Tennessee (11/23/63 – 11/25/63)

Atlanta Campaign, Georgia (5/64 – 9/64) in William H. T. Walker’s division Savannah Campaign, Georgia (11/64 – 12/64)

Tullifiny Station, South Carolina (12/9/64) Carolinas Campaign (2/65 – 4/30/65)

Pvt. John Maner Poythress (1832-1866), son of Meredith Poythress, Jr., (1790-aft. 1860), Co. D, 47th Regiment, GA. Infantry. [documented service from March 4, 1862, to May 18, 1865.]

Present – Mch 4 & Apr 30, 1862, enlisted Mch 4, 1862, Sylvania, GA., for 3 years or the War, Co. D, 47th Regiment, GA. Infantry.

Present – May & June, 1862, Co. D, 47th Regiment, GA. Infantry.

Absent – Nov & Dec, 1862, absent sick, Co. D, 47th Regiment, GA. Infantry. Present – July & Aug, 1862, Co. D, 47th Regiment, GA. Infantry.

Sept, 1862, absent on detailed service, Co. D, 47th Regiment, GA. Infantry. Present – Sept & Oct, 1862, Co. D, 47th Regiment, GA. Infantry.

The Confederate States. To Private John Poythress, Oct. 10, 1862. For Commutation of Rations while detached by order of Col. W. M. Williams, from Co. D, 47th Reg’t. Ga. Vols., to arrest deserters in Screven County, GA. 10 days at 75 cents, $7.50. I certify that the above account is correct: that the commutation was made by my order and was necessary for the public service, and that it was impracticable to mess, or to take rations in kind. M. W. Williams, Col. 47th Reg’t. GA. Vols. Received at Savannah, Oct. 10, 1862, from Capt. Geo. Robertson, P. A. C. Y. Seven Dollars Fifty Cents in full of the above account. John Poythress.

Absent – Nov & Dec, 1862, absent sick, Co. D, 47th Regiment, GA. Infantry. Present – Jan & Feb, 1863, Co. D, 47th Reg’t. GA. Infantry.

Roll of Prisoners of War, surrendered May 18, 1865, at Augusta, GA.

2nd Regiment of Georgia Cavalry (State Guards)

The men of this unit served as Guards for the Atlanta Arsenal, then fought against Sherman in the Georgia and Carolinas Campaign. Field Officers: Beasley, William H. Lieutenant Colonel. (Research on Line)

Pvt. Russell King Poythress (1823-aft. 1880), son of Joseph Poythress (1788-1853), Co. K, 2nd Regiment, GA. Cavalry (State Guards). [documented service from Aug. 9, 1863 to Aug. 31, 1864.]

Not stated – from Aug 9, dated Aug 22, 1863, enlisted Aug 9, 1863, La Grange, GA., for 6 months, Capt. Ca—‘s Co., Chattahoochie Guards, Wilkinson’s Brigade, GA.

Present – Aug 31, 1864, camp near Rome, GA., mustered out Aug 31, 1864, Co. K, 2nd Reg’t. Cavalry, (GA.State Guards)

2nd Regiment of Alabama Cavalry

The 2nd Alabama Cavalry Regiment was organized at Montgomery, May 1, 1862. Proceeding to west Florida, it operated there about ten months and was engaged in several skirmishes. Ordered to north Mississippi, and placed under Gen. Ruggles, the regiment lost 8 men in a skirmish at Mud creek. It was then placed in Ferguson’s brigade, and operated in the Tennessee Valley, taking part in numerous skirmishes. The Second fought Grierson at Okalona, with a loss of about 70 men killed and wounded, then harassed Sherman on his march to and from Mississippi.

Joining Gen. Wheeler, the Second performed arduous duty on the flank of the army in the Dalton-Atlanta campaign, and lost a number of men in the battle of July 22 at Atlanta. Having accompanied Hood to Rome, the Second then fell on Sherman’s rear and skirmished almost daily with some loss. The regiment tracked Sherman to Greensboro, North Carolina, then escorted President Jefferson Davis to Georgia.

The regiment surrendered at Forsyth, Georgia. At the end of their service, the regiment mustered about 450 men. Commanders: Colonels — F. W. Hunter of Montgomery; relieved. R. Gordon Earle of Calhoun; killed at Kingston,

Ga. John N. Carpenter of Greene. Lieut. Colonels — James Cunningham of Monroe; resigned. John P. West of Shelby; resigned. J. N. Carpenter; promoted. Jos. J. Pegues of Tuskaloosa; wounded at Nickajack. Majors — Mathew

R. Marks of Montgomery; relieved. J. N. Carpenter; promoted. J. J. Pegues; promoted. Richard W. Carter of Butler. Adjutants — James M. Bullock of Greene. (Wikipedia)

Pvt. James Speed Poythress (1833-1923), son of David E. Poythress (1806-1876), Co. C, 2nd Regiment, Alabama Cavalry. [documented service from Mar. 22, 1862, through Mar. 20, 1864.]

Present – Mch 23 to June 30, 1862, enlisted Mch 22, 1862, for 3 years, at Benton, AL., Co. C, 2nd Reg’t. AL. Cavalry.

Present – June 30 to Aug 31, 1862, Co. C, 2nd Reg’t. AL. Cavalry. Present – Aug 31 to Oct 31, 1862, Co. C, 2nd Reg’t. AL. Cavalry.

Absent – Oct 31 to Dec 31, 1862, absent on leave, Co. C, 2nd Reg’t. AL. Cavalry. Dec 1862, absent Greenville? Hospital since Nov 10, Co. C, 2nd Reg’t. AL. Cavalry. Present – Dec 31, 1862, to June 30, 1863, Co. C, 2nd Reg’t. AL. Cavalry.

Present – June 30 to Oct 31, 1863, Co. C, 2nd Reg’t. AL. Cavalry.

Detailed service Madison Station, MS., Mch 20, 1864, Green Co., AL., detailed by Capt. Anderson, by order dated Feb 26, 1864, Co. C, 2nd Reg’t. AL. Cavalry.

Jeff Davis Legion of Mississippi Cavalry

The Jeff. Davis Legion was organized as the 2d Battalion, Mississippi Cavalry, consisting of five companies on October 24, 1861, at Camp Cooper, Virginia. Company A, from Mississippi, was mustered for the war. Companies B and C, from Mississippi, were mustered for 12 months. Company D, from Alabama, was mustered for 12 months and Company E, from Alabama, mustered for the war. In December 1861, Company F, from Georgia, was attached to the battalion by order of the Secretary of War, when Major William T. Martin was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel. A portion of the battalion (the 12 month companies) were reorganized under Act of Congress on May 23, 1862. The war companies retained their existing organization. The election was held for field officers in accordance with instructions from the Secretary resulting in the election of the existing field officers. The unit retained this organization until July 11, 1864, when three companies of Love’s Battalion, Alabama Cavalry, and one company of the 20th Battalion, Georgia Cavalry, were attached to the unit increasing it to a regiment with one colonel and two majors.

Led by Lieutenant-Colonel Martin, the Jeff. Davis Legion joined what would eventually become the Cavalry Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia. It fought in the Battle of Williamsburg on May 5th, 1862; doing surveillance of Union movements and gaining knowledge of their dispositions. Reporting to Brigadier-General Jeb Stuart, the report led to a flank maneuver around Major-General George B. McClellan’s army, in which two squadrons of the Legion participated. Later, Stuart wrote that the unit had performed extremely well and helped him greatly.

During the Seven Days Battles the Legion was ordered to across the Chickahominy. They took control of the South Anna, screening the crossing of Thomas J. Jackson and his troops. After Jackson crossed, it went north and fought against the 42nd New York Infantry. It dislodged the Union from the position and took 3 prisoners. On September 5th, during the Maryland campaign, Wade Hampton’s brigade crossed the Potomac in order to retake a battery captured by the Union. The Legion operated as rear guard and covered the mountain gap while the rest of the brigade followed Robert E. Lee’s army to Middleton; and at daylight of September 13th the Legion was attacked by the pursuing Union forces. It held off the Union troops until it had to give way, buying the Confederates valuable time. “Martin and his men fought with their accustomed gallantry,” was Hampton’s report.

When Martin was promoted and transferred in 1863, command of the Legion developed on Lieutenant-Colonel J. Fred. Waring. The composition of the unit changed several times during the war and in March 1864 it was augmented into a full regiment of 10 companies. When Hampton went to South Carolina, the Legion, its brigade now led by Pierce M.B. Young, accompanied him. Serving as part of the Army of Tennessee it fought in the Carolinas and surrendered with the rest of General Joseph E. Johnston’s forces in April 1865. (Wikipedia)

November 6, 1861 – Skirmish at Doolan’s Farm April, 1862 – Siege of Yorktown

Pvt. Nathan Francis Poythress (10/18/1830-3/11/1862), son of James Edward Poythress (1803-1863), Co. C, Jeff

Davis Legion, Miss. Cavalry. [documented service from Mar. 25, 1861, to Mar. 11, 1862.]

Absent – July 20 to Aug 31, 1861, absent on furlough on account sickness, enlisted Mar 25, 1861, Scooba, MS., for 1 year, Co. C, Jeff Davis Legion, Miss. Cavalry.

[Enlisted Iuka, MS., Aug 17, 1861, for 1 year, age 23, MS. Mounted Volunteers.]

Present – Sept & Oct, 1861, pay due from July 20 to Nov. 1, 1861, Co. C, Jeff Davis Legion, Miss. Cavalry. Present – Nov & Dec, 1861, Co. C, Jeff Davis Legion, Miss. Cavalry.

Absent – Jan & Feb, 1862, sent to Warrenton hospital Jan 15, 1862, Co. C, Jeff Davis Legion, Miss. Cavalry. Died at Charlottesville, VA., Mch & April, 1864, Co. C, Jeff Davis Legion, Miss. Cavalry.

Appears on register of C. S. A. General Hospital, Charlottesville, VA., disease Catarrh, admitted Feb 28, 1862, died Mar 11, 1862, Co. C, Jeff Davis Legion, Miss. Cavalry.

Appears on a register of C. S. A. General Hospital, Charlottesville, VA., disease Catarrh, admitted Feb 28, 1862, died Mar 10, 1862, Co. C, Jeff Davis Legion, Miss. Cavalry.

Appears on a register of Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Confederate States who were killed in battle, or who died of wounds or disease, Co. C, Jeff Davis Legion, Miss. Cavalry.

Appears on a report of sick and wounded at General Hospital, Charlottesville, VA., for the month of Mar, 1862, death from pneumonia on Mar 11, 1862, Co. C, Jeff Davis Legion, Miss. Cavalry.

12th Regiment of Mississippi Cavalry

12th Cavalry Regiment [also called 16th Confederate Cavalry] was organized during the summer of 1863. Many of the officers and men were members of the Mississippi state forces and some were from Louisiana. The unit was assigned to Richardson’s, Ferguson’s, and C. G. Armistead’s Brigade, and fought in various conflicts in Mississippi and Alabama. Many were captured at Selma, but the unit was included in the surrender of the Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana. The field officers were Colonel C. G. Armistead, Lieutenant Colonel Philip B. Spence, and Major William Yerger, Jr. [The 12th Mississippi Cavalry (aka 16th Confederate Cavalry) Internet site has a longer history taken from Dunbar Rowland’s Military History of Mississippi, 1803-1898.] (Family Search)

Cpl. Algernon Edward Poythress (8/12/1844-4/9/1918), son of James Edward Poythress (1803-1863), Co. A, 12th Regiment, Miss. Cavalry. [documented service from Aug. 19, 1863 to May 14, 1865.]

From Aug 19, 1863, dated Sept., 1863, enlisted Aug 19, 1863, at Gainesville, AL., 3 yrs. or the War, 17 yrs. of age, Capt. D. H. Williams’ Co., Independent Cavalry, Alabama Volunteers

Mustered in Aug 19, 1863, Gainesville, GA., joined for duty, Aug 19, 1863, for 3 yrs. or the war, Capt. D. H. Williams’ Company of Independent Cavalry, age 17.

Present – July & Aug, 1864, Co. A, Armistead’s Reg’t. of Cavalry.

Present – Nov & Dec, 1864, promoted from ranks, Oct. 9, 1864, Co. A, Armistead’s Reg’t. of Cavalry.

Appears on roll of Prisoners of War of Co. A, Armistead’s Reg’t. of Cavalry, C. S. A., commanded by Capt. J. M. Winston, surrendered at Gainesville, AL., Lt. Gen. R. Taylor, C. S. A., to Major Gen. E. R. S. Canby, U. S. A., May 4, 1865, and paroled at Gainesville, AL., May 14, 1865.

25th Regiment of Louisiana Infantry

25th Regiment, Louisiana Infantry was organized in April, 1862, with men from Madison, Morehouse, and Concordia parishes. This regiment lost 2 killed and 29 wounded at Farmington, then the 16th/25th reported 37 killed, 159 wounded, and 17 missing of the 465 engaged at Murfreesboro. It lost thirty-five percent of the 319 at Chickamauga, totaled 265 men and 116 arms in December, 1863, and during the Atlanta Campaign, May 8-28, 1864, its casualties were 11 killed, 47 wounded, and 5 missing. In November, 1864, the 25th had 82 effectives present for duty and surrendered with the Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana. (Wikitree)

Engagements:

Murfreesboro, TN. – Dec. 31, 1862, to Jan. 3, 1863

The Battle of Stones River, also known as the Second Battle of Murfreesboro, was a battle fought from December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863, in Middle Tennessee, as the culmination of the Stones River Campaign in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. Of the major battles of the war, Stones River had the highest percentage of casualties on both sides. The battle ended in Union victory after the Confederate army’s withdrawal on January 3,

largely due to a series of tactical miscalculations by Confederate General Braxton Bragg, but the victory was costly for the Union army. (Wikipedia)

Pvt. John Price Poythress (1836-9/6/1905), poss. son of James P. Poythress (1794-aft. 1840), Co. A, 25th LA. Infantry. [documented service from Nov. 1, 1862, through Aug. 20, 1863.]

Nov 1, 1862 to June 30, 1863, Co. B, 16th Reg’t. LA., Infantry.

Appears on a report of casualties, of Adams’ Brigade, during the engagements at Murfreesboro, Tenn., Dec. 31, 1862, to Jan. 3, 1863. Report dated Tullahoma, Jan. 10, 1863. Date: Dec. 31st, 1862, wounded dangerously.

Appears on a Roll of Prisoners of War, sent May 6, 1863, from Military Prison, Louisville, KY., to Baltimore, Md., enroute for City Point, VA. Captured at Murfreesboro, Tenn. on Jan. 4, 1863, Co. B, 16th Regiment LA. Infantry.

Appears on a Register of Prisoners of War, Department of the Cumberland, captured at Stone’s River, forwarded to Nashville, Feb. 1, Co. B, 16th & 25th LA.

Appears on a Register of Prisoners of War, captured at Murfreesboro, Tenn., Jan. 4, 1863, sent to Baltimore, May 6, 1863, Co. B, 16th Regiment LA. Infantry.

Certificate of Disability for Discharge dated August 10, 1863, 29 years of age, 5’8″ tall, dark complexion, dark hair, hazel eyes, a farmer by occupation, 25th Regiment of Louisiana Volunteers.

Date of Exchange Aug 20, 1863, Register of Payments to Discharged Soldiers, Co. A, 25th LA., Volunteers. (several illegible documents)

Co. A, 6th Regiment of Louisiana Cavalry

6th Cavalry Regiment was assembled near Minden, Louisiana, in January, 1864. In March, 1865, the regiment patrolled along the west bank of the Mississippi River, then disbanded. (Wikipedia)

“The exact date and place of organization of this regiment remain a mystery. Several companies were added to Lieutenant Colonel William Harrison’s Cavalry Battalion, possibly as late as January, 1865, to make it a regiment. Some records indicate that the regiment existed as early as September, 1864. Whatever the case may be, the regiment saw little, if any, fighting during the war. Most of its service consisted of courier and guard duty around Shreveport and Alexandria. Individual companies of the regiment may have conducted independent campaigns against deserters, draft dodgers, and Jayhawkers in northern and western Louisiana. At various times, Harrison’s regiment composed part of the cavalry brigades commanded by Colonel William G. Vincent and Colonel Isaac F. Harrison. Toward the end of the war, the regiment was dismounted and attached to an infantry brigade. The regiment appears to have disbanded with other units near Mansfield in May, 1865.” (Acadiansingray.com)

Company A (Caddo Light Horse, Denson’s, Scott’s).

Private A. J. Poythress, Co. A, 6th Regiment LA. Cavalry

Appears on a Roll of Prisoners of War, of Co. A, 6th Reg’t. LA. Cavalry, commanded by Captain W. J. Scott, surrendered at New Orleans, LA, by Gen. F. K. Smith, C. S. A., to Major Gen. E. R. S. Canby, U. S. A., May 26, 1865, and paroled at Shreveport, LA., June 4, 1865, Co. A, 6th Reg’t. LA. Cavalry.

Bickham’s Company Louisiana Caddo Militia

Pvt. James A. Poythress (1822-aft. 1870), poss. son of James P. Poythress, Capt. Bickham’s Co., LA. (Caddo Militia) (document illegible)

5th Regiment of Georgia Cavalry

The 5th Georgia Cavalry regiment was formed on January 20, 1863, from combining the 1st Battalion, Georgia Cavalry (made up of men from Liberty and McIntosh counties) and the 2nd Battalion (Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, and Screven counties). However, they were not officially mustered in the service until May 17, 1863, and were afterwards sent to South Carolina and parts of Georgia to defend against Union incursions into those two states.

At the end of August 1863, the entire regiment was sent to South Carolina and assigned to the overall command of General P. G. T. Beauregard. They fought at Johns Island, Charleston, Green Pond, and many other battles within the area. The 5th Cavalry remained in South Carolina until orders sent them back to Savannah on May 13, 1864;

along the way, those orders changed and the 5th Georgia Cavalry rode to join General Joseph Wheeler and the Army of Tennessee. Once they had joined Wheeler’s forces, the troops traveled to Atlanta. They participated in the battle for that city and in the greater Atlanta Campaign, where they lost many men. They saw combat in several major subsequent actions, including Kennesaw Mountain, Buckhead, Big Shanty, Chattahoochee River, and Decatur. Their last documented skirmish was the Battle of Morrisville Station on April 13–14, 1865. The regiment surrendered in Hillsboro, North Carolina on April 26, 1865. Company of the Fifth Georgia Cavalry: I – “Effingham Hussars” (Effingham County). (Wikipedia)

Pvt. John Poythress, Co. I, 5th Regiment, GA. Cavalry

The Poythress Family in America’s Wars 1776 – 1865

Compiled By Mike Tutor, © 2022

Poythress Soldiers and Men in the American Revolution

Poythress Soldiers in the War of 1812

Poythress Soldiers in the War Between the States

38th Regiment of Virginia Infantry

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