John Maddox

First Kentucky "Orphan" Brigade

John Walter Maddox

Company A, 4th Kentucky Infantry CSA

compiled by Millicent Copelan Arnold

Obit - Confederate Veteran Magazine, Vol. 27, pg 107, Nashville, TN 1919

John Walter Maddox

John Walter Maddox, Company A, 4th Kentucky Infantry, died January 7, 1919, aged seventy-seven years. He was born and reared in Ohio County, Kentucky, and enlisted December 8, 1861, at Bowling Green, under Captain Nuckols, serving the Confederacy until the end of the war. His command was in many of the great battles in Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina.

He was wounded in the right arm in the Battle of Shiloh, lost a finger of the left hand in the Battle of Chickamauga, and was severely shocked and knocked down by a shell in the Battle of Murfreesboro. In the Battle of Missionary Ridge the tip of a thumb was cut off by a bullet. Among other battles he took part in those of Vicksburg, Atlanta, Nashville, and Franklin.

When Johnston's army surrendered near Greensboro, N.C., the brigade of which Maddox's company was a part, known as the Orphan Brigade of Kentucky, was near Georgetown, S. C., serving as mounted infantry. It was moved west through South Carolina via Augusta to Washington, Ga. and there paroled.

Being doubtful about going back to his own State, and hearing of Maddoxes in Putnam County, Ga., he came here hoping to find relatives. Here he met and married Miss Sarah Pearman, daughter of James Pearman, a highly esteemed citizen. Here he lived ever since, except for three years in Carroll County, Ga. He was an active member of R. T. Davis Camp No. 759, U. C. V. for thirty years and a member of the Presbyterian Church in Eatonton, Ga.

He leaves sons and daughters and grandchildren who share the honor of being descendants of a member of the famous Orphan Brigade. The history of that brigade is in print, and it bears the name of every member. His burial at Wesley Chapel UMC, near his Putnam County, Ga. home, was attended by Confederate soldiers, and from among them Lieut. Com. J. H. Webster stepped forward at the close of the services and placed a Confederate flag at the head of the grave.

[Robert Young, Adjutant]

John Walter Maddox was 5'4" tall, born in Ohio County, KY.

When the 1st Kentucky soldiers were paroled at Washington, Georgia, John came to Eatonton, Putnam County,

Georgia with a soldier from Putnam County, married and remained here until his death. His grand daughter said that

John W. Maddox returned to KY around 1898 for a veterans reunion and brought the book "History of the Orphan

Brigade 1861-1865" by Ed Porter Thompson back with him. John Walter Maddox is my great great grandfather.

Millicent Copelan Arnold
UDC Orphan Brigade Chapter No. 2649, Eatonton, GA
DAR Kettle Creek Chapter, Washington, GA

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