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| The Confederate portrayal for Pumpkinvine Creek 1864 will be Company G, 42nd Regiment Georgia Volunteer Infantry. Known as the "Walton Blues" they were formed in early 1862, and mustered into Confederate service on March 4, 1862. Prior to the Atlanta Campaign they had fought with a brigade of Georgians composed of the 40th, 41st, 43rd, and 52nd Infantry Regiments, collectively known as Barton's Brigade. Their previous actions involved the battles of Cumberland Gap, Chickasaw Bayou, Baker's Creek, and Vicksburg. Following the capitulation of Confederate Vicksburg, the 42nd Georgia was re-organized in Decatur, Ga. and was sent north to the ranks of the Army of Tennessee. The brigade was placed under the command of a native Georgian, General Marcellus Augustus Stovall and participated in the debacle at Missionary Ridge. In particular the 42nd Ga. was given the task of holding the left flank of Missionary Ridge at Ross Gap. They managed to hold back Hooker's entire Corps until forced to retire from sheer numbers. Their retreat was not a pell-mell panic however; they retired in good order back to Chickamauga Station.. The 42nd would be called to duty again at Rocky Face Ridge (or Buzzard's Roost.) Here on February 26, 1864, the 42nd almost single-handedly smashed a Federal probing action, capturing Brevet Brigadier General Christopher J. Dickerson in the process. At Resaca, Stovall's Brigade as part of Stewart's Division was formed on the right flank of the army and was bloodied in two attempts to storm the breastworks of the Federal left flank. In so doing, Colonel Robert Henderson was wounded and several men were killed or wounded. The 42nd Regiment was composed of 10 companies Company A - "Gwinnett Beauregards" Gwinnett County Company B - "Gwinnett Independants" Gwinnett County Company C - "Milton Tigers" Milton County Company D - "Dekalb Rangers" Dekalb County Company E - "Harper Guards" Newton County Company F - "Newton Rangers" Newton County Company G - "Walton Blues" Walton County Company H - "Walton Tigers" Walton County Company I - "Fulton Blues Fulton County Company K - "Calhoun Guards #2" Fulton County The men of Company G, were primarily farmers from the section of northern Walton County. Today, part of this area is now incorporated into Barrow County. Several of the men were from the town of Bethlehem, just north of the event site. |
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| The photo to the left is that of 1st Sergeant William L. Johnston. Sgt. Johnston's service records indicates that he was captured at Vicksburg, Mississippi on July 4, 1863, along with the balance of the Vicksburg garrison. He was paroled on July 7, 1863. He would continue in the service of the Walton Blues for the remainder of the war, surrendering with his company at Greensboro, North Carolina on April 26, 1865. Photo courtesy of Julian D. Kelly, M.D. The photo to the right is Private John "Jack" G. Fuller. Pvt. Fuller was wounded at Vicksburg, Mississippi, resulting in the loss of 3 fingers by amputation. He too was surrendered on July 4, 1863. Photo courtesy of Danny Manus. |
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| Special Requisition February 1864 6 Six Hats $(2.00) 11 Eleven pr Pants $12.00 10 Ten Coats $14.00 8 Eight Shirts $3.00 2 Two pr Drawers $3.00 10 Ten pr Shoes $10.00 3 Three pr Socks $1.00 I certify that the above requisition is correct and that the articles are absolutely requisite for the public service, rendered so by the following circumstances: The men are in need of the above articles. H. B. Mikel, Lieut. Comdg. Co G 42 Ga Rgt |
| The following are abstracts of Special Requisition forms for Company G, 42nd Georgia Regiment, just prior to the commencement of the Atlanta Campaign. Note that the men have been issued both "coats" and "jackets." I take the term "coat" to refer to a frock coat. In earlier 1863 requisitions a distinction is made for "overcoats" so I don't believe that is the meaning here. |
| Special Requisition January 1864 6 Six pr pants $12.00 (edit note: each) 5 Five Jackets $14.00 15 Fifteen Shirts $3.00 7 Seven pr Drawers $3.00 3 Three pr Shoes $10.00 2 Two Hats 2 Two Tin Cups 2 Two Camp Kettles I certify that the above requisition is correct and that the articles are absolutely requisite for the public service, rendered so by the following circumstances: The men need the above articles. H. B. Mikel, Lieut Commanding Co G 42 Ga |