8th Georgia Infantry Webpage
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8th Georgia Infantry Webpage |
Thomas M. Christian
Private, Co. K, 8th Georgia Volunteer Infantry
Wartime Photo and Biography
This photograph appears in "A
Scythe of Fire,"
by Warren Wilkinson and Steven Woodworth
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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.
Thomas' brothers Asa C. Christian and Meriwether G. Christian were also members of the 8th Georgia Volunteers, Oglethorpe Rifles, but at different times. War Service Record Summary for Thomas Maxwell Christian: "------- private May 15, 1861. Died at Lynchburg, Va. January 30, 1862. Buried there in Confederate Cemetery. No. 8, 2d Line, Lot 170 - Warwick House." According to the Thomas Jefferson Christian Family Bible, Thomas Maxwell was wounded at the First Battle of Manassas and died in a Lynchburg, Va. hospital on December 3l, 1861. I cannot account for the discrepancy in the date appearing on the web page (January 30, 1862) and the date in the Bible. However, with his burial record, I suspect that it is the correct date. He was wounded on the battlefield on July 21, 1861. The other information recorded as to his grave site coincides with my information. 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 Thomas Christian's name. View the "History of the Oglethorpe Rifles" by Thomas D. Gilham, at: www.rootsweb.com/~gaogleth/ogrifle.htm (Biography generously provided by Irvin Christian, Jacksonville, Fla.) |
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