Subject: Confederate Veteran Submission

1.My GGGgrandfather
John F. Simpson, Private
Holcombe Legion, South Carolina Volunteers, Co.F
Captured May 8, 1864 - Jarratt's Station, Va.

As written on the US historical Marker at Jarratt, Va

"On 8 May, 1864, Jarratt's Station, a nearby depot on the Petersburg
Railroad, was the subject of a union cavalry raid.  Brigadier General August
V. Kautz led his division on a series of raids in early May to cut the
railroad from Petersburg to Weldon, NC.  Kautz's Cavalry tore up the road in
several locations, destroyed bridges, and burned the depot at Jarratt's
Station on May 8.  The raids slowed the flow of supplies to Lee's army in
Richmond and Petersburg."

John F. Simpson was taken to Point Lookout Maryland and later transferred to
Elmira Prison in New York in August of 1864.  He died of diptheria Jan 19,
1865 and is buried in grave marker number 1429.  He was 41 years.  His name
is listed in the "Book of the Dead" and Broken Fortunes.  He was the father
of James Hunter Simpson, 2nd South Carolina Cavalry and John J. Simpson (age
18).

2. My GGUncle
John J. Simpson, Private
Holcombe Legion, South Carolina Volunteers, Co. F
DOW, June 28, 1864 - Sappony Church, Va.

John J. enlisted with his father, John F. Simpson after Gettysburg in 1863.  
The 2 men left their farm and family in Abbeville, SC to join John J's older
brother James Hunter Simpson (2nd SC Cavalry) in service and protection of
their country.  About 6 weeks after John J's father was captured at Jarratt's
Station, he died of wounds received in combat at Sappony Church.  His body
was returned to Abbeville, SC where he sleeps in the Lindsay Cemetery at Due
West, near Erskine College.

Sappony Church    
Other Names: Stony Creek Depot
Location: Sussex County
Campaign: Richmond-Petersburg Campaign (June 1864-March 1865)
Date(s): June 28, 1864
Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. James Wilson and Brig. Gen. August Kautz
[US]; Maj. Gen. Wade Hampton [CS]
Forces Engaged: Divisions
Estimated Casualties: 1,817 for entire raid
Description: Maj. Gen. William H.F. "Rooney" Lee's cavalry division pursued
Wilson's and Kautz's raiders who failed to destroy the Staunton River Bridge
on June 25. Wilson and Kautz headed east and, on June 28, crossed the
Nottoway River at the Double Bridges and headed north to Stony Creek Depot on
the Weldon Railroad. Here, they were attacked by Maj. Gen. Wade Hampton's
cavalry division. Later in the day, William H.F. Lee's Division arrived to
join forces with Hampton, and the Federals were heavily pressured. During the
night, Wilson and Kautz disengaged and pressed north on the Halifax Road for
the supposed security of Reams Station, abandoning many fleeing slaves who
had sought security with the Federal raiders.

Submitted,
Mark A. Simpson
Spartanburg, South Carolina
www.geocities.com/scvcamp40samuelmcgowan/index.html