50th Georgia Infantry Regiment


The 50th Georgia Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment raised by the state of Georgia to fight for the Confederacy in the American Civil War.
The regiment was organized on March 4, 1862, at Camp Davis, about 28 miles from Savannah. The recruits were primarily from southern Georgia. The original commander was Col. William R. Manning. They were drilled at Camp Davis, just outside Guyton, Georgia. Upon being mustered into Confederate service, the regiment served in the Savannah defenses, Military District of Georgia. On July 17, 1862, Major General John C. Pemberton sent the 50th Georgia Volunteers to Richmond to join Drayton's Brigade in the First Corps, Army of Northern Virginia under its commanding general, Robert E. Lee.
For the majority of the war, the 50th Georgia served with the First Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia. The regiment participated in more than 45 engagements during the war. Some of the early battles in the East that the regiment took part in included South Mountain, Sharpsburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. The regiment went south when James Longstreet took his corps to Georgia and Tennessee in the fall of 1863, where it was engaged at the Siege of Knoxville. Returning to Virginia, the 50th Georgia fought in the Siege of Petersburg, the Battle of Cedar Creek, and the Battle of Sayler's Creek, where most of the regiment was captured.
The remaining men surrendered at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. After parole, they returned to Georgia and civilian life, holding several reunions over the years.

Organization

This regiment, formed in March 1862 served with the Army of Northern Virginia from July 1862 until its surrender at Appomattox Court House, except during Longstreet's 1863 expedition to Georgia and Tennessee. Upon reaching Virginia, it was assigned to Drayton's Brigade. During the Battle of Antietam, the regiment was assigned to .Toomb's Brigade. Toomb's Georgia troops were credited with defending the bridge over Antietam creek against several ill-fated attempts to cross it, until finally being pushed back late in the afternoon. After the battle, the 50th Regiment was permanently assigned to Paul Jones Semmes's Brigade. The subsequent brigade commanders were Goode Bryan and James P. Simms.

Staff

Colonel

Col Manning, was medically discharged from field hospital in Columbia, S.C., due to contracting Hepatitis. While in the hospital, he wrote three letters requesting medical discharge, supported by his doctor, to General Lee. The last letter was approved.

Lieutenant Colonel

  • Francis Kearse
  • William O. Fleming
  • Pliney Sheffield

Major

Companies

Battles

The 50th Georgia Infantry Regiment fought in the following battles: