8th Georgia Infantry Webpage
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8th Georgia Infantry Webpage |
Asa C.
Christian
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The Christian family migrated from Elbert County, Ga., to Oglethorpe County, Ga., with their father and mother, Thomas Jefferson and Mary Jane Christian along with other members of their family. Asa was born Feb. 11, 1844. Asa's brothers Meriwether G. Christian and Thomas M. Christian were also members of the 8th Georgia Volunteers, Oglethorpe Rifles, but at different times. Asa Chandler Christian joined Company K as a private on April 26, 1862. He was captured July 4, 1863 at Gettysburg when his brother Meriwether Christian was captured. Asa was taken to Elmira Union Prison. Asa was released from prison on June 14, 1865 and returned briefly to Oglethorpe County, Ga. From there he migrated to Jefferson, Ga., Jackson County, where me met and married Sophia E. Shields. They were active in the Galilee Christian Church in Jefferson and eventually moved to LaFayette, Ala., where they were instrumental in starting the Pleasant View Christian Church. Sophia died on June 22, 1901 and was taken back to Jefferson, Ga., where she was buried in the Galilee Church cemetery. After Sophia's death, Asa moved in with his daughter, Sue Christian Champion, in LaFayette and lived with her until his death on March 4, 1928. His body was returned to Jefferson and he was buried in the Church cemetery beside his wife, Sophia. Asa, Meriwether and Thomas had three other brothers who also served in the CSA. They were Cornelius Jeptha Christian, Co. E. 3rd Ga. Cavalry, William Rufus Christian, 12th Regiment Ga. Volunteer Infantry, and Luther Martin Christian. We do not know a lot about Luther. The Family Bible simply states that he went away to join the army at age 16 and was never heard from again. Efforts to develop information on his CSA service have been unsuccessful. Cornelius Jeptha Christian was my great grandfather. He and his wife Mary Massey are buried in Oak Lawn Cemetery in Americus, Ga. William Rufus is buried in the Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery with his mother and father, Thomas Jefferson and Mary Jane Christian. Of the six brothers who served the South, only Cornelius, Asa and William Rufus returned from the war. In searching the 8th Ga. Volunteer site, I discovered that John F. Beasley (who wrote an autobiography) served in the 8th Ga. Volunteers (with Asa, Meriwether and Thomas) and later in the 3rd Ga. Cavalry. He started with the 3rd Ga. Cavalry at the same time as Cornelius Jeptha (the oldest brother) and they stayed together for the remainder of the war. Both were captured at New Haven, Kentucky and later released at Vicksburg. Both returned to service after their release and both found new additions to their families when they returned to their homes. During the war, John Beasley suffered two wounds and Cornelius Christian had his front teeth knocked out with the butt of a rifle belonging to a Union soldier. This latter episode occurred after Cornelius was captured and leaned over from his mount to scoop up a capful of water from a small creek. The captors were fearful they were being followed and were anxious to get out of the area with their captives. That may explain why Cornelius was struck. View photo of Confederate Memorial Statue, Oglethorpe County Courthouse, Ga., which includes Asa Christian's name. View the "History of the Oglethorpe Rifles" by Thomas D. Gilham, at: www.rootsweb.com/~gaogleth/ogrifle.htm (Information and photo generously provided by Irvin Christian, Jacksonville, Fla.) |
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