So sad, yet tragically human reactions. One thinks ‘no wonder the South lost the war if this was general practice everywhere.’
Jim Leonard
I’m always fascinated by this particular bit of history (what little I know of it). My grandfather bought a farm in Shelby county in the 1950s that was formerly known as the May Plantation and according to local and family history, the house my brother lives in today was the house from which Fox Rushing was dragged to his demise. Though, as the story goes, his wife begged him to hide in the attic, but he told her not to worry, he would simply go “run that trash off.” Local legend also holds that he was taken down the road toward what is present day Prospect Baptist Church and hanged from a hickory tree and had his throat filled with hickory nuts to make sure he wasn’t breathing. His grave is still marked on the hill across from the house.
My family lore. based on the people living in what is northern Jefferson county. is very similar to this tale of events in Shelby County. Kids drafted and food scarcity were common occurrences near the end of the war.
The Relief Act for Maimed Confederate Soldiers was a joke. My g g grandfather was shot in both thighs and he was caught up in the bureaucracy of red tape. He could no longer farm. By the time they were going to give him some money he had died and his second wife had to. Not one cent went to helped him out. War of Northern Aggression was so senseless. Only thing good came later in the war was the freeing of slaves. Of coarse Lincoln held on to his as long as he could. My family did not own slaves but were forced into this war anyway. Most of them farmers and it left their families devastated.
Kathy Krenz
Lincoln had slaves, are you sure? He was a poor Kentuckian who moved to IL to be a lawyer. I used to live in Springfield, IL and near where he practiced Law in Heardon, IL.
My great-great uncle was hung for desertion by the Home Guard in Talladega County.
Julia Saint
Extremely interesting article about my grandmother’s home county. Her people also lived in Yellow Leaf.
Ron Johnson
Interesting story about John P West. My Great Grand Father, Nathaniel H. Cross was married tp his neice and joined him with the 2nd Alabama Calvary. He apparently came home with him also. There is ample evidence that they formed a company of the10th Alabama Infantry. If this is the home guard mentioned it was not apparent in the records that I have seen but is, of course completely possible. Nathaniel’s first wife died and Nathaniel married the daughter of John who unfortunately died at an early age also.
Thank you for posting this story. In doing family research several years ago, I first came across the story of the “Blackwell” gang. I noticed that my 4th great-grandfather had died in 1865. Thinking it ironic that a 65 year old would have died in the Civil War – I began some research on him and his cause of death. Ironically, my 4th great-grandfather was John Thames. It seemed such a sad irony that he – who had 3 sons serve in the Confederate army – was killed because he was harboring deserters and not considered “loyal enough” to the “cause”. Also ironic that he was married to Ruth Cobb – daughter of Alexander and a relative of the James Cobb mentioned in the story. After her husband was taken from her and hanged, “Dr.” Rutha Cobb Thames worked as a mid-wife. I guess that’s what earned her the name “Dr.” I would love to find out if anyone living in Chilton County could point me to more information or family stories about this part of history, photos of Ruth Cobb Thames or John Thames or any other Thames/Cobb family history or family lore. Thanks so much for reminding us that the Civil War for so many was nothing like the glorious scenes in old movies.
Peggy Bean
Rene, my GG Grandfather was John Thames. His son James Woodall Thames was my Ggrandfather. He and his two brothers were in the battle of Vicksburg where John was killed. I might have info I could share with you.
Denise Fancher
What happened to the slaves
Clem Clapp
Our gg uncle, Martin Nix, of Macedonia (near old Maplesville) was killed by the Blackwell crowd at his farm in April, 1865. His father, James Nix, died soon afterwards I think from the same event.
A really interesting article. Makes me want to do more research on my roots
….I am told we have been traced back to the John Quincy Adams –limb of the Adams family. Wish to confirm that and will get back with a story when I do. Good reading. Keep up the good work…..I love Alabama Pioneer!!!
Shelby Ray
Love reading this! My third great grandfather (Willis Lanston) is the father in law of the Langston lady it talks about. Pretty much all my family lived in Chilton, Shelby, and Bibb counties. Still do! I live in Decatur, Al now.
Steve Langston
Shelby, Willis Langston was my Great Great Grandfather. My line goes as such Willis>Reason>Joesph>Willie Langston. I grew up in Dogwood which is in Shelby County near Montevallo.
Just heartbreaking what those left at home faced. The Civil War should’ve ended long before it did. I truly believe it was a war of/for the rich that the poor were sent to fight/suffer at home. This occurred not only in my beloved home of Shelby County but all over the south. So sad!
So much of that was going on around where my ancestors lived! I’m glad they survived. By the way, I don’t understand the part about things “offending” people. Could not find anything offensive.
My great grandpa fought for the Union as did several others in Marion and Fayette counties! They were poor farmers and wanted no part of the war..the South sent out riders to homes and could be brutal to get the men..I was raised to believe the poor man had to fight for the wealthy plantation owners to keep their slaves and the North was very jealous of the success in the South..partly BC of free labor from the slaves
Lots of our Bailey, Lee and Actons were instrumental in Shelby County’s history. They migrated from Johnston Co., NC to Hawkins Co., TN, to Shelby County, AL.. Proud of my history.
The Civil War was fought over money, not slavery. Slavery was the way they took the wealthy plantation owners money. If the plantations didn’t have help (slaves) to raise the crops, they lost their land, homes, money etc. exactly what the north wanted. Furthermore, very few southerner owned slaves, yet, we are still blamed for being slave owners. And, the slaves brought to this country we’re sold by their own in Africa. A far different story than what the media wants us all to believe today.
Nicole G
Your so correct they did get sold unknowingly (told lies about why they was being taken by Europeans) but some got greedy and went back and basically kidnapped more to come to America and work. They was workers in the country they was stolen from. The first story is not going to be told because Americans loves a story false story.
Denise Fancher
A very odd but the usual southerner view because you believe that slaves were okay to be owned because they were obtained from Africa. The slaves may have been betrayed by their own as well as the colonizers who controlled the areas they were stolen away from. Do you believe it was correct and a Christian duty to enslave generations of people because of the color of their skin? Families torn apart, women and men raped by slaveowners; women, men and children abused and killed at the whim of the majority, medical experiments on the slaves and after slavery ended.
The end of slavery did impact the nation. The free labor was over. What happened the slave and their descendants?
Had a relative as an old man hung because he was a land owner but he got away later. Read a letter in Letters to America where it mentions they were paid money to kill landowners at end of the war.
Anne Turner
Having grown up in Chilton County, I am very interested in the history of Yellow Creek, which I I’d not know. However, the culture clashes described in this article are not surprising as I remember the vast numbers of folks in the county who had nothing, and could not support themselves even into the mid 20th century.
Karen Nix Martin Nix, an older brother to my grandfather, was almost certainly murdered by the Blackwell Crowd in his field near old Maplesville shortly after the Yankees came through on April 1, 1865.
Interesting. The Moor(e) family of Leeds had a similar story. Hezekiah Moor (whose land granted by Andrew Jackson for his service in the Creek War became Leeds) had 18 children, some of whom served in the 20th Alabama. Hez’s son, Hezekiah Jr, was a Lieutenant in the 20th at Vicksburg. He was in his 40s and was given leave for an illness before Vicksburg fell. Hezekiah Jr was back in Leeds rounding up Confederate deserters when one, Jeffery Darter, hid in a tree along the creek that runs through Leeds and ambushed Hezekiah Jr. Darter fled to Texas after the war to work as a cowboy. One of Hezekiah Jr’s sons, who was a teenager during the war, went to Texas in search of his father’s killer. He worked the cattle drives for four years looking for Darter, a man he knew growing up. Finally, he found Darter on a cattle drive. After everyone bedded down, the young Moor got up in the middle of the night, slashed Darter’s throat, then got on his horse and rode back to Alabama. He told no one of his deed until his deathbed confession in the 1930’s.
Please would the moderators of this group check into this problem. Every single time I click on a link to read an article it is a virus that locks my phone up. I would love to read these but I can’t. Please fix!
Unlock with Patreon
So sad, yet tragically human reactions. One thinks ‘no wonder the South lost the war if this was general practice everywhere.’
I’m always fascinated by this particular bit of history (what little I know of it). My grandfather bought a farm in Shelby county in the 1950s that was formerly known as the May Plantation and according to local and family history, the house my brother lives in today was the house from which Fox Rushing was dragged to his demise. Though, as the story goes, his wife begged him to hide in the attic, but he told her not to worry, he would simply go “run that trash off.” Local legend also holds that he was taken down the road toward what is present day Prospect Baptist Church and hanged from a hickory tree and had his throat filled with hickory nuts to make sure he wasn’t breathing. His grave is still marked on the hill across from the house.
That explains why his grave marker is bashed in.
CJ a good read
My family lore. based on the people living in what is northern Jefferson county. is very similar to this tale of events in Shelby County. Kids drafted and food scarcity were common occurrences near the end of the war.
Lee Vann Self, we must be related. My mother was a Vann and my great-grandmother was a Self.
“Know Alabama…”
The Relief Act for Maimed Confederate Soldiers was a joke. My g g grandfather was shot in both thighs and he was caught up in the bureaucracy of red tape. He could no longer farm. By the time they were going to give him some money he had died and his second wife had to. Not one cent went to helped him out. War of Northern Aggression was so senseless. Only thing good came later in the war was the freeing of slaves. Of coarse Lincoln held on to his as long as he could. My family did not own slaves but were forced into this war anyway. Most of them farmers and it left their families devastated.
Lincoln had slaves, are you sure? He was a poor Kentuckian who moved to IL to be a lawyer. I used to live in Springfield, IL and near where he practiced Law in Heardon, IL.
Thank You Donna. Beautiful Story bout My Part Of Alabama.
Good stuff! Perfect example of not being able to paint an accurate picture if you use a paintroller!
James Darden. Mike Darden….
Very Sad
My great-great uncle was hung for desertion by the Home Guard in Talladega County.
Extremely interesting article about my grandmother’s home county. Her people also lived in Yellow Leaf.
Interesting story about John P West. My Great Grand Father, Nathaniel H. Cross was married tp his neice and joined him with the 2nd Alabama Calvary. He apparently came home with him also. There is ample evidence that they formed a company of the10th Alabama Infantry. If this is the home guard mentioned it was not apparent in the records that I have seen but is, of course completely possible. Nathaniel’s first wife died and Nathaniel married the daughter of John who unfortunately died at an early age also.
Very, interesting. ….
Deborah Ramage Palmer, this ans ? Regarding if kin the Senator Shelby. Then poses a new one to me, am I kin to Robert Rushing, my moms maiden name
Debra Glass
Good reading
Good read……
Thank you for posting this story. In doing family research several years ago, I first came across the story of the “Blackwell” gang. I noticed that my 4th great-grandfather had died in 1865. Thinking it ironic that a 65 year old would have died in the Civil War – I began some research on him and his cause of death. Ironically, my 4th great-grandfather was John Thames. It seemed such a sad irony that he – who had 3 sons serve in the Confederate army – was killed because he was harboring deserters and not considered “loyal enough” to the “cause”. Also ironic that he was married to Ruth Cobb – daughter of Alexander and a relative of the James Cobb mentioned in the story. After her husband was taken from her and hanged, “Dr.” Rutha Cobb Thames worked as a mid-wife. I guess that’s what earned her the name “Dr.” I would love to find out if anyone living in Chilton County could point me to more information or family stories about this part of history, photos of Ruth Cobb Thames or John Thames or any other Thames/Cobb family history or family lore. Thanks so much for reminding us that the Civil War for so many was nothing like the glorious scenes in old movies.
Rene, my GG Grandfather was John Thames. His son James Woodall Thames was my Ggrandfather. He and his two brothers were in the battle of Vicksburg where John was killed. I might have info I could share with you.
What happened to the slaves
Our gg uncle, Martin Nix, of Macedonia (near old Maplesville) was killed by the Blackwell crowd at his farm in April, 1865. His father, James Nix, died soon afterwards I think from the same event.
Carolyn Dorris, have you read this?
interesting
Graphic language does not make it any interesting
John A little Shelby County Civil War history
Wow can’t even imagine living like that…
My 2nd great grandfather was taken by the home guard in north Jefferson County, and was never heard from again. Very interesting article.
I’m in Shelby county now, and know of some of the places mentioned. Good read.
Sad story.
Stanley Mcguire interesting read.
A really interesting article. Makes me want to do more research on my roots
….I am told we have been traced back to the John Quincy Adams –limb of the Adams family. Wish to confirm that and will get back with a story when I do. Good reading. Keep up the good work…..I love Alabama Pioneer!!!
Love reading this! My third great grandfather (Willis Lanston) is the father in law of the Langston lady it talks about. Pretty much all my family lived in Chilton, Shelby, and Bibb counties. Still do! I live in Decatur, Al now.
Shelby, Willis Langston was my Great Great Grandfather. My line goes as such Willis>Reason>Joesph>Willie Langston. I grew up in Dogwood which is in Shelby County near Montevallo.
Sally Hickman Feldman
Shades of Cold Mountain
WOW
Very interesting!
A lot going on the lives of the citizens in those days.
Must have been terrifying for the families left with little defense. Must have left impressions handed down for generations.
I always enjoy your posts . Thank you!
interesting stuff Bob McCrary
Interesting story. We don’t always hear about the resistance. It seems not everyone was waving those Confederate flags.
Just heartbreaking what those left at home faced. The Civil War should’ve ended long before it did. I truly believe it was a war of/for the rich that the poor were sent to fight/suffer at home. This occurred not only in my beloved home of Shelby County but all over the south. So sad!
Civil War history of our Shelby County. Interesting read about some of my ancestors.
So much of that was going on around where my ancestors lived! I’m glad they survived. By the way, I don’t understand the part about things “offending” people. Could not find anything offensive.
My great grandpa fought for the Union as did several others in Marion and Fayette counties! They were poor farmers and wanted no part of the war..the South sent out riders to homes and could be brutal to get the men..I was raised to believe the poor man had to fight for the wealthy plantation owners to keep their slaves and the North was very jealous of the success in the South..partly BC of free labor from the slaves
Lots of our Bailey, Lee and Actons were instrumental in Shelby County’s history. They migrated from Johnston Co., NC to Hawkins Co., TN, to Shelby County, AL.. Proud of my history.
Don’t forget that on December 14th is the anniversary date that Alabama became the 22d state. That happened in 1819
Live by the sword….. You know the rest
The Civil War was fought over money, not slavery. Slavery was the way they took the wealthy plantation owners money. If the plantations didn’t have help (slaves) to raise the crops, they lost their land, homes, money etc. exactly what the north wanted. Furthermore, very few southerner owned slaves, yet, we are still blamed for being slave owners. And, the slaves brought to this country we’re sold by their own in Africa. A far different story than what the media wants us all to believe today.
Your so correct they did get sold unknowingly (told lies about why they was being taken by Europeans) but some got greedy and went back and basically kidnapped more to come to America and work. They was workers in the country they was stolen from. The first story is not going to be told because Americans loves a story false story.
A very odd but the usual southerner view because you believe that slaves were okay to be owned because they were obtained from Africa. The slaves may have been betrayed by their own as well as the colonizers who controlled the areas they were stolen away from. Do you believe it was correct and a Christian duty to enslave generations of people because of the color of their skin? Families torn apart, women and men raped by slaveowners; women, men and children abused and killed at the whim of the majority, medical experiments on the slaves and after slavery ended.
The end of slavery did impact the nation. The free labor was over. What happened the slave and their descendants?
My Great great grandfather was willis Langston.
Had a relative as an old man hung because he was a land owner but he got away later. Read a letter in Letters to America where it mentions they were paid money to kill landowners at end of the war.
Having grown up in Chilton County, I am very interested in the history of Yellow Creek, which I I’d not know. However, the culture clashes described in this article are not surprising as I remember the vast numbers of folks in the county who had nothing, and could not support themselves even into the mid 20th century.
Langston was my grandmothers name. Yes, were related to Jackson Langston. Thank you posting.
Valerie Bierley
Growing up hearing stories from my daddy and grandparents from their grandparents about the Reconstruction and how hard it was.
That’s a very interesting story. A new perspective on life during the Civil War.
Karen Nix Martin Nix, an older brother to my grandfather, was almost certainly murdered by the Blackwell Crowd in his field near old Maplesville shortly after the Yankees came through on April 1, 1865.
Cale Glenn
Doris Nash Sanders
Interesting. The Moor(e) family of Leeds had a similar story. Hezekiah Moor (whose land granted by Andrew Jackson for his service in the Creek War became Leeds) had 18 children, some of whom served in the 20th Alabama. Hez’s son, Hezekiah Jr, was a Lieutenant in the 20th at Vicksburg. He was in his 40s and was given leave for an illness before Vicksburg fell. Hezekiah Jr was back in Leeds rounding up Confederate deserters when one, Jeffery Darter, hid in a tree along the creek that runs through Leeds and ambushed Hezekiah Jr. Darter fled to Texas after the war to work as a cowboy. One of Hezekiah Jr’s sons, who was a teenager during the war, went to Texas in search of his father’s killer. He worked the cattle drives for four years looking for Darter, a man he knew growing up. Finally, he found Darter on a cattle drive. After everyone bedded down, the young Moor got up in the middle of the night, slashed Darter’s throat, then got on his horse and rode back to Alabama. He told no one of his deed until his deathbed confession in the 1930’s.
Difficult to read the horror of war. Are we coming to this again?
Roy Gamble you need this book
Please would the moderators of this group check into this problem. Every single time I click on a link to read an article it is a virus that locks my phone up. I would love to read these but I can’t. Please fix!
The link is nothing but spam. Has this site been hacked?
The link does not take as me you to the article
Face book took care of it.
It is a miracle that any of our ancestors survived with the uncivilized invaders.
your links repeatedly take me to spam, not a story. Why?