He joined the Confederate army while on a trip to Wetumkee, Alabama with his cousin Henry B. Blanks. There was a recruiting desk set in the town square and they were paying 50 confederate dollars for those who would enlist. The recruiter told John Henry that he could join now and get the $50 or return home, get drafted and receive nothing.
He and his cousin Henry joined the 34th Alabama Infantry Regiment. Henry died of the fever in Mufreesboro, TN either before or after the Battle of Stones River and John Henry named one of his sons after him later on.
John Henry was wounded twice. Once in the right side during the battle of Utoy Creek in east Atlanta (off Cascade Road). He recovered in a hospital in Mississippi and rejoined his regiment in North Carolina in time to participate in The Battle of Bentonville where he was again wounded in the inner thigh around April 10, 1865. Within hours, General Lee surrendered to Gen. Grant and John Henry went home to Georgia after recovering from his wounds.
My Great grandfather also joined the ala. 34th in wetumpka in 1862, company C, Francis Marion Meeks, he was wounded in Atlanta and served until 1865 and was paroled out at Bentonville NC. I bet they knew of each other. Francis died in 1923 near Jasper Ala.
This photo is incorrectly identified. It is a meeting of old comrades from the 15th Alabama Infantry Reg’t. Front row center is Governor Oates, the former Colonel, commanding. This picture is printed in Colonel Oates book chronicling the exploits of this brilliant band of brothers!
If you are a male descendant of a Confederate Veteran, and interested in that time period, may I recommend finding, visiting and perhaps joining a local SCV “camp”. I attended one in Selma last night and had one of the best presentations ever regarding the Selma arsenal and the casting process for heavy ordinance used for coastal defense and on warships during the war between the states. The SCV is still very active with 60 “camps” in Alabama alone and over 30,000 members worldwide.
My great grandfather, Cyrus Clay, did his part for the cause until he deserted after the battle of Gettysburg. He never did any actual shooting, but when he saw all those other men get shot he skeedaddled out there faster than a rabbit chased by a coyote! He told my grandfather, Henry Clay, that he wasn’t about to get taken out of the cook’s tents and onto the firing line. So instead he waited for a few days after the retreat and then went out “foraging” for some food. He found food, enough to stuff his pockets full. He traveled by night and slept by day, all on foot until he made his way back to Alabama. Some said he was a coward, but he said “better a live coward, than a dead hero”. If not for my great-grandfather’s desertion of a lost cause then me and all my cousins on the Clay side of the family wouldn’t be here today. He served proudly but he deserted even more proudly.
I had so many ancestors who served in the War Between the States. Some of the names: Curl, Kelly, Kelley, Lovell, Myrick, Brooks, Gammell, Wilson,Riddlesperger. I had several ancestors who served in the War of 1812 and the American Revolutionary War, and the Nathaniel Bacon’s Rebellion in the 1666 – 1676 era. My ancestor Owen Myrick was on trial for treason because he was against the British Rule. He was about to be hanged, but he was saved. I am very proud of my ancestors. They have made their descendant very proud.
My Great Grandfather served in the 34th Alabama Infantry Regiment, Manigaults brigade, 1862 – 1865. Wounded twice.
I have many, many ancestors who served. 🙂
One of mine served
I have a number of ancestors who served proudly in the Confederate Army. My youngest son is a proud member of the Alabama Sons of the Confederacy
My Great Grandfather, John Henry Blanks served with the 34th Alabama Inf. Reg from 1862 until the end. wounded in Atlanta and at the Battle of Bentonville, he died in 1929. http://larryblanks.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/jhblanks.jpg.w300h467.jpg
He joined the Confederate army while on a trip to Wetumkee, Alabama with his cousin Henry B. Blanks. There was a recruiting desk set in the town square and they were paying 50 confederate dollars for those who would enlist. The recruiter told John Henry that he could join now and get the $50 or return home, get drafted and receive nothing.
He and his cousin Henry joined the 34th Alabama Infantry Regiment. Henry died of the fever in Mufreesboro, TN either before or after the Battle of Stones River and John Henry named one of his sons after him later on.
John Henry was wounded twice. Once in the right side during the battle of Utoy Creek in east Atlanta (off Cascade Road). He recovered in a hospital in Mississippi and rejoined his regiment in North Carolina in time to participate in The Battle of Bentonville where he was again wounded in the inner thigh around April 10, 1865. Within hours, General Lee surrendered to Gen. Grant and John Henry went home to Georgia after recovering from his wounds.
My Great grandfather also joined the ala. 34th in wetumpka in 1862, company C, Francis Marion Meeks, he was wounded in Atlanta and served until 1865 and was paroled out at Bentonville NC. I bet they knew of each other. Francis died in 1923 near Jasper Ala.
My Great Grandfather John Smith was in War.
This photo is incorrectly identified. It is a meeting of old comrades from the 15th Alabama Infantry Reg’t. Front row center is Governor Oates, the former Colonel, commanding. This picture is printed in Colonel Oates book chronicling the exploits of this brilliant band of brothers!
Whoever it is no reason to argue
So wish there were names with this pic!
I salute these soldiers, who fought for their homeland.
My Great Grand Father Francis Marion Culpepper served with the 37th Alabama Regiment company B. He died a Columbus, MS with the measles.
One of my great grandfathers served in the same infantry. Alabama 37th. H.W. Smith.
If you are a male descendant of a Confederate Veteran, and interested in that time period, may I recommend finding, visiting and perhaps joining a local SCV “camp”. I attended one in Selma last night and had one of the best presentations ever regarding the Selma arsenal and the casting process for heavy ordinance used for coastal defense and on warships during the war between the states. The SCV is still very active with 60 “camps” in Alabama alone and over 30,000 members worldwide.
My great grandfather, Cyrus Clay, did his part for the cause until he deserted after the battle of Gettysburg. He never did any actual shooting, but when he saw all those other men get shot he skeedaddled out there faster than a rabbit chased by a coyote! He told my grandfather, Henry Clay, that he wasn’t about to get taken out of the cook’s tents and onto the firing line. So instead he waited for a few days after the retreat and then went out “foraging” for some food. He found food, enough to stuff his pockets full. He traveled by night and slept by day, all on foot until he made his way back to Alabama. Some said he was a coward, but he said “better a live coward, than a dead hero”. If not for my great-grandfather’s desertion of a lost cause then me and all my cousins on the Clay side of the family wouldn’t be here today. He served proudly but he deserted even more proudly.
Any relation to Henry Clay ? He lived in Maplesville, I believe he was the Mayor at one time. I rented his house in the 90’s.
Sig Sauer P320F-Pro
I had so many ancestors who served in the War Between the States. Some of the names: Curl, Kelly, Kelley, Lovell, Myrick, Brooks, Gammell, Wilson,Riddlesperger. I had several ancestors who served in the War of 1812 and the American Revolutionary War, and the Nathaniel Bacon’s Rebellion in the 1666 – 1676 era. My ancestor Owen Myrick was on trial for treason because he was against the British Rule. He was about to be hanged, but he was saved. I am very proud of my ancestors. They have made their descendant very proud.
Wouldn’t you love to talk to these men about what they saw in the war