…He is the darling of my heart, My Southern soldier boy. Oh, if in battle he were slain, I know that I would die, But I am sure he’ll come again, To cheer my weeping eye…
SOUTHERN SOLDIER BOY by Captain G.W. Alexander
It speaks to the courage of a mother’s heart that she could endure the personal hell of having her six sons march off to war. It speaks to the strength of a mother’s heart that she could survive three of those sons dying on the field of battle.
While researching one of my maternal lines I recently came across the family of Lucinda White Morris and William Jackson of Murray County, Georgia. Lucinda was my 4th great-aunt, she and her husband had 13 children, seven girls and six boys. The onset of the War Between the States would drastically change the dynamics of this family.
John Morris Jackson, oldest son, born 01 November 1827, died 31 August 1864 – Battle of Jonesborough.
Commissioned a Captain on 03 Jan 1862. Mustered out on 15 May 1862. Commissioned an officer in Company A, Georgia 34th Infantry Regiment on 15 May 1862. Promoted to Full Major on 01 Mar 1863. Mustered out on 31 Aug 1864 at Jonesboro, Clayton, Georgia. Burial site unknown.
Joseph Franklin Ballenger “J F B” Jackson, second son, born 1830, died 14 January 1912 in Alabama.
Commissioned as 1st Lieutenant in Company B, Georgia Phillip’s Legion Infantry Battalion on 11 June 1861. Promoted to Full Lieutenant Colonel on 20 Mar 1862. Mustered out on 20 Mar 1862. Commissioned an officer in Company S, Georgia 39th Infantry Regiment on 20 Mar 1862. Mustered out on 29 April 1864.
Thomas A Jackson, third son, born 01 October 1836, died 14 March 1869
Served as a 2nd Lieutenant in 60th Georgia Infantry. Died of war related injuries in 1869.
Eppy William Jackson, fourth son, born 02 Mar 1838, died 30 Aug 1862 – Battle of Second Manassas.
Commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant, Company C, 11th Regiment Georgia Infantry. Promoted to Captain 27 January 1862. Burial site unknown.
William White “John” Jackson, fifth son, born 18 April 1840, died 25 January 1905 in Alabama.
Enlisted as a Private 08 August 1861 in Company E, Georgia 3rd Infantry Battalion. Promoted to Full Corporal. Promoted to Full 5th Sergeant on 12 Nov 1861. Mustered out on 06 May 1863. Transferred to Company C, Georgia 37th Infantry Regiment on 06 May 1863. Served as 1st Lieutenant and Adjutant, 36th Regiment (Broyles’) Georgia Infantry. He was captured 04 July 1863 during the Siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi and was paroled on 09 July 1863. He was next captured on 16 Dec 1864 at the Battle of Nashville and was taken to a Prisoner of War camp in Ohio. He was mustered out at Greensboro, North Carolina on 26 Apr 1865. He was released from the POW camp in Ohio 16 June 1865, after the war ended.
Benjamin Floyd Jackson, the youngest son, born 25 February 1845, died 21 September 1863 – Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia.
Enlisted 26 February 1861, the day after he turned 16, as a Private in Company C&B, 1st Georgia Regulars. Burial site unknown.
When the summer breeze is sighing, mournfully along,
Or when autumn leaves are falling, sadly breathes the song.
Oft in dreams I see thee lying on the battle plain,
Lonely, wounded, even dying, calling but in vain
Weeping, sad and lonely, hopes and fears how vain!
When this cruel war is over, praying that we meet again.
WHEN THIS CRUEL WAR IS OVER by Charles Carroll Sawyer
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