Georgia's roster of the Revolution

compiled by Lucian Lamar Knight,

State historian and director of the

Dept. of Archives and History

Preface

After the lapse of more than a century, the difficulty of compiling a Roster of Georgia troops in the Revolution can be readily imagined. Much of the information which an earlier period might have furnished is now unhappily beyond our reach. Many important records have been lost. To compile an exhaustive roster, therefore, is humanly impossible. The utmost at which we can aim is an approximate degree of accuracy, within the limits of meager details; and to place before the public all the data which, at this late hour, can be obtained from official sources.

Georgia did not furnish a large body of troops to the Revolutionary struggle. She was the youngest of the English colonies, and, with only a scant population, was situated on the remote southern frontier. Nevertheless, the Georgia contingent gave a good account of itself, whether in the Continental Army or in the Home Guard, whether in overthrowing Toryism or in expelling British Regulars.

At the close of hostilities with England, she rewarded her brave defenders with substantial grants of land. To encourage the rapid settlement of her territory, by the best class of immigrants, she offered handsome inducements to the veterans of independence; and thousands, availing themselves of this offer, took the mountain trails which led to Georgia. Two large counties--Franklin and Washington--carved out of lands, then recently acquired from the Indians, were subdivided among the new comers, a large percentage of whom were soldiers from other States--compatriots and comrades-in-arms of the great Washington. The grants made to these soldiers were called bounties. Thus it came to pass that, while the contributions of Georgia to the army of independence were numerically small, she acquired a vast body of veterans who here found permanent homes; and today there is hardly a State in the Union whose soil is richer in Revolutionary dust.

The earlier land grants were in the nature of Head-Rights. These in time were superceded by grants made under the old Lottery System. Elsewhere, in an article written by the late Secretary of State, Hon. Philip Cook, the differences between the two methods of distributing land, are fully explained. Records still exist in the Capitol showing, in many instances at least, to whom these lands were deeded. Certificates from superior officers attesting the fidelity of men under them are still preserved; and from sources of information like these the roster has been obtained. Other helpful sources have been the Pension Rolls of the United States Government, the records of the Federal War Department, and the reports of the Smithsonian Institution. It is the aim of this roster to include within its survey not only all Georgians who enlisted in the struggle for independence, during the seven years of its continuance, but also all soldiers from other States who settled in Georgia subsequent thereto.

Too much credit, in the preparation of this work, cannot be given to help received from others. The Compiler, in this public way and at the very forefront

LUCIAN LAMAR KNIGHT.

Atlanta, Ga., July 4, 1918.

Chapter 1

Extract from "American State Papers, Military Affairs, 1st Congress, 2d Session" ; Vol. I, pp. 14 to 19 :"

War Office of the United States, May 10, 1790.

"In obedience to the order of the House of Representatives, the Secretary of War submits the statement hereunto annexed, of the troops and militia furnished, from time to time, by the several States, toward the support of the late war. The numbers of the Regular Troops having been stated from the official returns, deposited in the War Office, may be depended on; and in all cases where the numbers of militia are stated from the returns, the same confidence may be observed.

"But, in some years of the greatest exertions of the Southern States, there are no returns whatever of the militia employed. In this case, recourse has been had to the letters of the commanding officer, and to well-informed individuals, in order to form a proper estimate of the numbers of the militia in service, and although the accuracy of the estimate can not be relied on, yet it is the best information which the Secretary of War can at present obtain.

(Signed)
H. KNOX, Sec. of War.
 

A statement of the number of non-commissioned officers and privates of the Regular Troops and militia furnished by the several States from time to time, for the support of the late war:

*By the resolve of the 15th of July, 1776, Georgia was authorized to raise in Virginia, North and South Carolina, two regiments of infantry, and also two companies of artillery, of fifty men each. These troops were chiefly enlisted for one year, and the time expired in 1777.

The army in the Northern Department was discharged November 5, 1783, and in the Southern States on November 15, 1783.

(Signed) H. KNOX, Sec. of War.
Copied J. N. LeConte, 1911.

Chapter 2

(White's Historical Collections of Georgia , p. 94.)

In Provincial Congress, Savannah,
Feb. 10, 1776.

Province of Georgia:

Whereas a battalion upon the Continental establishment is now raising in this Province; and whereas doubts may arise how far the same is subject to the control of the Provincial civil power: Now, therefore, be it known, and we, the several subscribers, officers bearing commissions in the same battalion, do hereby declare that we hold ourselves and the non-commissioned officers and privates, also others belonging to the said battalion, subject and subservient to such supreme and civil power of this Province as are or shall be erected for the purpose of defending our rights and liberties.

And further, we bound ourselves upon the words of soldiers and men of honour, at all times to obey and carry into effect, as far as in us lies, the orders and commands of the present or any future Congress or Council of Safety of this Province as the same shall, from time to time, be issued by us.

Provided, nevertheless, That the same do not contradict or interfere with the orders or directions of the General Congress, or a committee thereof, or any General or other officer by them appointed over us.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our names, together with the rank and date of our commissions opposite thereto.

A RETURN OF THE OFFICERS chosen for the Battalion, ordered to be raised for the protection and defence of the Colony of Georgia, Feb. 16, 1776:

• Colonel--Lachlan McIntosh.
• Lieut.-Colonel--Samuel Elbert.
• Major--Joseph Habersham.

FIRST COMPANY.

• Captain--Francis Henry Harris.
• First Lieut.--John Habersham.
• Second Lieut.--John Jenkins.
• Ensign--John Rae.

SECOND COMPANY.

• Captain--Oliver Bowen.
• First Lieut.--George Henley.
• Second Lieut.--John Berrien.
• Ensign--.

THIRD COMPANY.

• Captain--John McIntosh.
• First Lieut.--Lachlan McIntosh.
• Second Lieut.--Francis Arthur.
• Ensign--John Morrison.

FOURTH COMPANY.

• Captain--Arthur Carney.
• First Lieut.--Benjamin Odinsell.
• Second Lieut.--John Eman.
• Ensign--Delaplaine.
• John Nilton.

FIFTH COMPANY.

• Captain--Thomas Chisholm.
• First Lieut.--Caleb Howell.

   

  ------ page 10 ------
• Second Lieut.--Daniel Cuthbert.
• Ensign--William McIntosh.

SIXTH COMPANY.

• Captain--John Green.
• First Lieut.--Ignatius Few.
• Second Lieut.--.

SEVENTH COMPANY

• Captain--Chesley Bostick.
• First Lieut.--John Martin.
• Second Lieut.--.

EIGHTH OR RIFLE COMPANY.

• Capt--Colson.
• First Lieut.--Shadrach Wright.
• Second Lieut.--George Walton.
• Ensign--.
• Chaplain--John Holmes.

Chapter 3

(White's Historical Collections of Georgia , pp. 92-93.)

Savannah, in Georgia, Feb. 16, 1776.

Sir,--My country having honoured me with the command of the Continental Battalion ordered to be raised by the General Congress for the protection and defence of this Colony (though I fear too partial to my poor abilities,) it becomes my duty to inform your Excellency of the state of our Province, as far as it concerns the service, as well as of the troops to be immediately under my command.

Our Province has a front along the sea-coast of above one hundred miles, covered by a range of islands, divided from each other by eight rivers from the mainland, which make as many good inlets and harbours, most of them capable of receiving any frigate, and, as some say, much larger ships. Our settlements extend back to the northwest above two hundred miles, in other parts to the southward not above ten, and very thinly inhabited; indeed, this large space of land, altogether, has not more than three thousand men, chiefly in the back country, and many disaffected and doubtful in our cause, especially the men of the greatest property among us. Our slaves will be above fifteen thousand souls, mostly within twenty miles of the sea-coast, and make above thirty-five thousand tierces of rice annually, besides many other articles of provision, which, with our fine harbours, make the security of this colony, though weak itself, of the utmost consequence to the whole continent of America; and we have every reason to think our enemies intend to make it a place of general rendezvous and supplies.

We are bounded south by the garrisoned Province of East Florida, who have now, as I am well informed, five hundred regulars in St. Augustine, and one thousand more expected there daily from Europe. On the west of us is the Province of West Florida, the numerous nations of the Creek, Choctaw, and Cherokee Indians, besides lesser tribes, supposed to have at least ten thousand gunmen, brave, intrepid, and eager for war, whom we will have the utmost difficulty to keep at peace with us, as we want every article of their usual supply, and now furnish them in great plenty from the two Floridas. Our metropolis is situated in the south corner of the Province, upon a bluff, or sand-hill, thirty feet high or more above the water, and fifteen miles up the river Savannah, from the inlet of Tybee, where five ships of war, the Syren, the Scarborough, the Raven, the Tamar, and Cherokee, besides tenders, are now lying, and two large transports, having it is said, above three hundred men on board, and expecting more in daily, with what design, whether for this Colony or Carolina, or both together, we are not yet informed. Our Province has declared itself in a state of alarm, and resolved not to supply the men of war with provisions, and ordered a draft of half the militia to the town of Savannah to oppose the landing of troops.

Our Provincial Congress having accepted the battalion ordered for their protection and defence, chose the officers the 29th and 30th ultimo, (a return of whom shall accompany this,) and made them sign the enclosed test before their commissions were delivered; and I have this day issued general orders for recruiting, which has been hitherto prevented by many obstacles in providing money for that and other necessary service, and I fear will yet be attended with some difficulty. We expect very few in our own Province; that of South Carolina is said to be already drained of such people as will enlist, by their Provincial regiments, besides their bounty, subsistence, &c., are so much better than ours.

Therefore, I expect we must have recourse, distant as it is, to North Carolina, with this additional disadvantage, that our currency passes in no other colony than our own, and we have received very little Continental money as yet.

I have received no kind of orders or instructions from the General Congress or your Excellency; nor have I yet been able to obtain even a copy of the American articles of war, which makes me at a loss how to act in many cases; therefore I shall wish any orders or directions your Excellency will please to send me, to be as full and frequent as possible; also to be informed how far we are under the control of the Provincial Congress, &c., of this or any other Province where we are upon duty, and what rank we hold when acting with militia or Provincial troops.

I shall take the liberty of appointing surgeons to the battalion, which are so indispensably necessary, that I suppose the neglect of not naming any must be owing to our delegates; and also to make Capt. Colson's a rifle company, when raised, which I think will be useful, and hope will meet with your Excellency's approbation; and I doubt not but we will be obliged to arm more with such guns, for want of others, which are very scarce.

I have the honour to be your Excellency's

Most obedient and most humble servant,
LACHLAN McINTOSH.

To his Excellency, George Washington, Esq.,
Commander-in-Chief of the American Forces.

Chapter 3

(White's Historical Collections of Georgia , pp. 92-93.)

Savannah, in Georgia, Feb. 16, 1776.

Sir,--My country having honoured me with the command of the Continental Battalion ordered to be raised by the General Congress for the protection and defence of this Colony (though I fear too partial to my poor abilities,) it becomes my duty to inform your Excellency of the state of our Province, as far as it concerns the service, as well as of the troops to be immediately under my command.

Our Province has a front along the sea-coast of above one hundred miles, covered by a range of islands, divided from each other by eight rivers from the mainland, which make as many good inlets and harbours, most of them capable of receiving any frigate, and, as some say, much larger ships. Our settlements extend back to the northwest above two hundred miles, in other parts to the southward not above ten, and very thinly inhabited; indeed, this large space of land, altogether, has not more than three thousand men, chiefly in the back country, and many disaffected and doubtful in our cause, especially the men of the greatest property among us. Our slaves will be above fifteen thousand souls, mostly within twenty miles of the sea-coast, and make above thirty-five thousand tierces of rice annually, besides many other articles of provision, which, with our fine harbours, make the security of this colony, though weak itself, of the utmost consequence to the whole continent of America; and we have every reason to think our enemies intend to make it a place of general rendezvous and supplies.

We are bounded south by the garrisoned Province of East Florida, who have now, as I am well informed, five hundred regulars in St. Augustine, and one thousand more expected there daily from Europe. On the west of us is the Province of West Florida, the numerous nations of the Creek, Choctaw, and Cherokee Indians, besides lesser tribes, supposed to have at least ten thousand gunmen, brave, intrepid, and eager for war, whom we will have the utmost difficulty to keep at peace with us, as we want every article of their usual supply, and now furnish them in great plenty from the two Floridas. Our metropolis is situated in the south corner of the Province, upon a bluff, or sand-hill, thirty feet high or more above the water, and fifteen miles up the river Savannah, from the inlet of Tybee, where five ships of war, the Syren, the Scarborough, the Raven, the Tamar, and Cherokee, besides tenders, are now lying, and two large transports, having it is said, above three hundred men on board, and expecting more in daily, with what design, whether for this Colony or Carolina, or both together, we are not yet informed. Our Province has declared itself in a state of alarm, and resolved not to supply the men of war with provisions, and ordered a draft of half the militia to the town of Savannah to oppose the landing of troops.

Our Provincial Congress having accepted the battalion ordered for their protection and defence, chose the officers the 29th and 30th ultimo, (a return of whom shall accompany this,) and made them sign the enclosed test before their commissions were delivered; and I have this day issued general orders for recruiting, which has been hitherto prevented by many obstacles in providing money for that and other necessary service, and I fear will yet be attended with some difficulty. We expect very few in our own Province; that of South Carolina is said to be already drained of such people as will enlist, by their Provincial regiments, besides their bounty, subsistence, &c., are so much better than ours.

Therefore, I expect we must have recourse, distant as it is, to North Carolina, with this additional disadvantage, that our currency passes in no other colony than our own, and we have received very little Continental money as yet.

I have received no kind of orders or instructions from the General Congress or your Excellency; nor have I yet been able to obtain even a copy of the American articles of war, which makes me at a loss how to act in many cases; therefore I shall wish any orders or directions your Excellency will please to send me, to be as full and frequent as possible; also to be informed how far we are under the control of the Provincial Congress, &c., of this or any other Province where we are upon duty, and what rank we hold when acting with militia or Provincial troops.

I shall take the liberty of appointing surgeons to the battalion, which are so indispensably necessary, that I suppose the neglect of not naming any must be owing to our delegates; and also to make Capt. Colson's a rifle company, when raised, which I think will be useful, and hope will meet with your Excellency's approbation; and I doubt not but we will be obliged to arm more with such guns, for want of others, which are very scarce.

I have the honour to be your Excellency's

Most obedient and most humble servant,
LACHLAN McINTOSH.

To his Excellency, George Washington, Esq.,
Commander-in-Chief of the American Forces.

Chapter 4

(White's Historical Collections of Georgia , pp. 95-96.)

Savannah, in Georgia, April 28, 1776.

Sir:--I wrote to your Excellency the 16th of February and 8th of March, to which please to be referred; and now enclose you a report of our battalion made to me this day; which I deferred sending to you before, in expectation of our officers coming in with all their recruits, but the distance they were obliged to go rendered it impossible. I am informed that Captain Colson is on his way, with his Company, nearly complete; and with the other recruiting officers, may make above 70 or 80 men more than the report; and is altogether above half the complement of the battalion, which is more than the oldest battalion in South Carolina can boast of yet, though near twelve months standing, and their encouragements so much greater, their bounty being 25 pounds South Carolina currency, with the like sum for clothes, besides their rations and pay, which are also better than ours. And if the ease in which the poorest people generally live in the Southern Colonies, and the prejudice they have to any regular service on account of the restraint that any thing of a strict discipline requires, are considered, I flatter myself your Excellency will think we have not been idle. The chief of the men are enlisted for 12 months; some for 18; and a few who would not engage for more than 6 months, whom I have admitted, as I had not directions about the time, and I could not tell how soon we might have occasion for them. Our Province allows six dollars per man, enlisting money; and upon application have raised it now to eight dollars, which is still too little for the bounty of the men and expense of the officers, whose pay is so small, that they can barely afford to live in an extravagant country like this, where there are no kinds of manufactures, and the small remains of goods advanced to two or three hundred per cent. Indeed, I fear we shall be at the greatest loss to make out clothing of any kind for them, or what is far worse, proper arms. The officers who are not recruiting employ all their time in training themselves and the battalion; on which spectators are pleased to pay high compliments for the proficiency they had already made, and the appearance of the men. The Raven and the Cherokee are the only two ships of war which remains now stationed at Tybee in the mouth of the Savannah River, with whom we have no kind of communication.

Several armed vessels infest our other inlets to the southward, and have made several captures, which we cannot prevent, as we have not a single vessel of any force; but they have already been driven off the shore when they attempted to get a supply of provisions. We are informed there are 2,000 men now in St. Augustine lately arrived, and that they expect more daily; but this wants confirmation, as I think, in that poor starved colony, they must be much pinched for provisions. This Province is now raising a

I have the honour to be

Your Excellency's most obedient and humble servant,
LACHLAN McINTOSH.

To His Excellency, George Washington, Esqr.,
General and Commander-in-Chief.

24 Sergeants, 18 corporals, 5 drummers, 3 fifers, 236 rank and file--286 enrolled.

By the information I have, I suppose our recruiting officers may have about 70 or 80 men more, who are not come in yet.

LACHLAN McINTOSH, Colonel.

Savannah, in Georgia, April 28, 1776.

Chapter 5

(White's Historical Collections of Georgia , pp. 113-114.)

Brigade Generals--Lachlan McIntosh, Samuel Elbert.

Colonels--James Screven, John White, Robert Rae.

Lieut.-Colonels--Joseph Habersham, Joseph Lane, Thomas Chisholm, Francis Moore, Philip Lowe, George Handley, Benjamin Porter; John S. Eustace, Adjutant-General; Lachlan McIntosh, Junior Brigade Inspector; John Berrien, Brigade Major; John Milton, A. D. C.; George Melven, B. Q. M.

Captains--John Bennis, Gideon Booker, Chestley Bostwick, Celerine Brosard, John Bard, Charles Budd, Isham Cook, Arthur Carney, Ranes Cook, Jacob Colson, John Cunningham, Alexander D. Cuthbert, Joseph Day, Daniel Duval, Peter Debosh, John Dooly, Thomas Dooly, Ignatius Few, John Greene, John Hancock, William Hornby, Jaret, Evans Lewis, John Lucas, William Matthews, William McIntosh, Thomas Morris, Elisha Millar, John Mosely, Charles Middleton, Littleberry Mosely, Clement Nash, Patrick Fitzpatrick, James Powell, Thomas Scott, Andrew Templeton, Thomas Threadgill, Jesse Winfrey, Shadrach Wright.

Lieutenants--Francis Arthur, Thomas Brown, James Bryan, John Caldwell, Cornelius Collins, Edward Cowen, Walter Dixon, George Dooly, Thomas Glascock, Caleb Howell, Arthur Hayes, Christopher Hillery, Robert Howe, Nathaniel Hughes, William Johnson, William Jordan, William Lowne, Josiah Maxwell, John Manley, John Mitchell, Thomas Mitchell, John Martin, William McDonald, Thomas Netherland, John Newdigate, Benjamin Odingsell, Thomas Payne, Nathaniel Pierre, Robert Porter, Thomas Porter, William Roach, John Rae, Abraham Seixas, Robert Simpson, E. Shick, David Sarzedas, Randolph Smith, Steadman, Francis Tennell, David Turner, J. P. Wagnon, Goerge Walton, Jesse Walton, Robert Ward.

General Staff--Richard Wyley, Q. M. G.; Joseph Clay, P. M. G.; Mordecai Sheftall, C. G.; Sheftall Sheftall, D. C. G.; David Rees, Judge Advocate; Moses Allen, Chaplain.

Hospital Department--Surgeons--David Bradie, McKinne.

Surgeon's Mates--Adam Alexander, Nathan Brownson, James Houstoun, Thomas Davenport, Frederick Ridgley, Wood.

Legiondary Corps--James Jackson, Colonel; Thomas Washington, Major.

Captains--Henry Alison, Sherwood Bugg, John Morrison, James Stallings, John Lyons.

Lieutenants--Thomas Hamilton, Ezekiel Stallings, Benjamin Hawkins, Stephen Blount, Benjamin Harvey, Nicholas Millar.

Artillery--Major, Roman de Lisle.

Captains--Edward Young, John Fraser.

Colonels--Samuel Jack, John Stewart.

Lieut.-Colonels--Elijah Clark.