This letter appears to be almost a different person, in that
the grammer is worse than all the preceeding ones.  Also,
it seems words were omitted.  It is possible that he was writing
by moonlight which could account for much of this.  I would like
to thank Keith Hill for all his help and eye strain on this letter.
It was most appreciated.  Harris.

Camp Stephens June 22, 1861
Brother David,

I wrote to you sometime since from this place and have waited
until now for an answer, but have not received one yet.  The mail
has go such around about that it is impossible that it has been
miscarried and you did not receive it.  I hear where I should be
glad to receive letters at anytime more especially as came from
home.  We all are enjoying very good health to be so many men
together in a sickly portion of country. I find here that it is
more pleasant in the shade but in the sun I believe that it is
better.   I cannot give you any information con-cerning the war
at this place that is when it begin at this place.  All
preparations for war are being executed with the same dispatch as
it has been all this time.  Every train that comes to this point
for the last few brings cannon five or six daily.  Some things
that there will be no (end page 1, begin page 2) fight until
after the fourth of July. For the last week they have been
practicing with their large guns over at the navy yard and when
they first commenced the boys thought that the fight had begun.
They were eating dinner at the time and they were so excited that
they did not finish their dinner.  I told them that it might be
the last dinner that I should get soon and I would eat a plenty.
On Wednesday Gen Bragg Came over to review this regiment and said
that it was very well drilled for the time they have been in
service.  We have four companies out of the regiment which only
leaves six com-panies in the regiment.  I received a letter from
home with a letter from your.  They stated that the crop was
pretty good.  I know if they have seasons the crop ought to be
good for I put it in good order before I left home.  Excuse this
letter for there is a perfect moon around me all the time but I
was determined to write you Direct-- 5th Regiment Ga Volunteers
Schley Guards, Pensacola Fla    Charles Womack

NOTES

"Brother David" is actually Charles' brother-in-law David Marion Phillips who married Charles' sister Lucinda August 18, 1840 in Monroe Co. Ga. They moved to Lousiana in about 1860 and are found on the 1870 Lousiana Census index in Claiborne Parish. The family who donated the letters to the Univesity is from Claiborne Parish, La. I welcome any information about this connection. (See also

Shells

Camp Stephens, Pensacola, FL, named for Col. Alexander Hamilton Stephens (1812-1883) a Whig-turned -Democrat and congressman from Georgia from 1843 to 1859. He was an anti-secessionist who became the vice president of the Confederacy. After the war he was elected U.S. Senator from Ga., but by Presidential Proclamation he was refused a seat. After reconstruction he served as Congressman from Ga. and in 1882 was elected Governor of Georgia. He became ill and died in office at Savannah, March 4, 1883.

Clinch Rifles- named for General Duncan L. Clinch who served in the Seminole Indian Wars.  They were formed in Augusta, Ga.
and in 1861 became Co. A, 5th Ga. Inf.  They were a sharpshooters outfit.  For more on the "Clinch Rifles" see
http://www.angelfire.com/ma4/handsonhistory/civil_war/cw_clinch_rifles.htm

Notes from Kevin Jones
With the comment "quite a show for the boys" I am
99% certain I am correct though I she is not from
Texas.  The "Texas Rangers" is actually the "Palmer
Guards". The are a group of twenty men who
splintered off from Capt. H.H. Black's  "Marion
Rifles" naming themselves the "Texas Volunteers" and
left Jefferson Texas for New Orleans to find "the
seat of the war" on April 28, 1861 lead by H. E.
Decatur. > They traveled by steamboat arriving in
Algiers Louisiana which just across the river from
the city of New Orleans. Algiers was a real sailor's
town (if you know what I mean.) and the Algiers
newspapers from the era were published in French.
There they met a prominent New Orleans business man
named A.G. Dickinson who was also raising a company
for the war. H. E. Decatur combined with A. G.
Dickinson to form a company. Dickinson and Decatur
traveled to Montgomery Alabama to apply for
Confederate service. They returned to New Orleans
where they were mustered into service on May 19,
1861 naming themselves the Palmer Guard after the
famous Reverend Benjamin Palmer.

On May 23 the departed New Orleans traveling
apparently Eastward to Pensacola, rather than north
via  Jackson as all other Texas units had done.
There A. G. Dickinson was married to his fiancée and
also recruited six more men. This Texas-Louisiana-
Florida unit traveled north to Virginia probably
with the units mentioned in your letter. They were
spotted in Atlanta Georgia which prompted the
article below describing your mystery woman. Upon
arrival in Virginia they became Company C, 1st Texas
of the famous Hood's Texas Brigade.  My guess is
that your mystery woman was a French floozy from
Algiers. A. G. Dickinson  knew all the best women in
New Orleans but I doubt they would enage in this
type of behavior.

Until now I believed A. G. Dickinson was married in
Pensacola prior to the war  and the Pensacola men
had travel to New Orleans possibly with A. G.
Dickinson because their enlistment dates were May
19th. It is apparent now that these records, which
were reconstructed thirty years after the war, maybe
in error and Dickinson had eloped with his wife
which is why the girl's family had no more record of
her. After the war Dickinson became a Spanish knight
and founded a major insurance company well known
today but that you will have to wait until I publish
my book to hear that story.  I would be happy to
answer any question you have about the Palmer Guard
here is the article.

SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY [Atlanta, GA] June 8, 1861,
p.1, c.2

TEXAS TROOPS - The "Palmer Guards", company C, Texas
Battalion, Capt. A.G. Dickinson - 80  men - passed
through here yesterday morning on their way to
Virginia. They are well armed and drilled, and are
capable of doing the best of service. Capt. D. was
accompanied by his beautiful and accomplished bride,
who is the daughter of Ex-Congressman Coleman,
formerly of Kentucky, but now president of the
Vicksburg & Shreveport Railroad. They were married
just a few days since. The patriotic lady says she
enlisted for the war and will share the destinies of
he gallant husband, whatever they may be.

The company also had a pet along that attracted no
little attention. It was a standard bearer, in the
person of Madmoeselle Jennette Warde from New
Orleans - dressed a la bloomer, or soldier fashion,
and belted with revolver, bowie knife &c. She was
sprightly, shared and seemed to enjoy a soldier
fare. - The beautiful flag which she carried in her
hand was much admired.

The Barbour Grays, Captain Blackford - 105 men -
from Alabama, also passed through en route to
Virginia.

---

Remembering 45 Years Later

Last Monday, forty-five years ago, the Schley Guards left Ellaville to go to the front. The mention of this will not dobt bring to mind many vivid recollections to the remaining few of the brave old heroes left. God bless them, may their days be lengthened, their last moments the brightest and happiest, and may generations never cease honoring their names and commending their virtues--such as the world has never equaled.

The Schley Newspaper.   October 12, 1905 reported the death of Tip Barnes.  Mr. Barnes was the color bearer of Co. G, 5th Ga.  

DEATH OF MR. BARNES

  Article written by his daughter   The Schley County News  Thursday, October 19, 1905 Vol. XV No. 43  

THE FLAG, FIFTH GA. REGIMENT, C.S.A.

While the living have rights that should ever be respected, to the dead we owe duty that cannot be neglected.  Since the early Sixties, there has been two divisions in the gallant Fifth Georgia Regiment, C.S.A. Here, brave men followed on many bloody fields, cool and daring leaders to death, defeat or victory.  There, the brave Colonel (W.T.) Black, who fell beneath the colors, and by the side of the color bearer, and for whom the color bearer's daughter, the author of this sketch was named;  has long commanded a Division of the bravest of the brave, through the bloody years of strife, and down through the years that have marked the period of peace, the heroes of the Fifth, have one by one, continued to be transferred to the Other Division.  

Again there is abugle call;  a signal from the beyond----the eyelids are being gently kissed.  "Daughter, bring the old flag!"  He clasped it to his breast, and seemed at rest.  But no! the eyes again opened.  "Daughter, unfold it. Hold it this way, that I may see every place the keaden missiles tore it, while these hands were permitted to hold it.  To you my children, I have told its story.  Take it, keep it, and may it in sacred silence give inspiration, to countless generations of my descendants, to emulate the example of heroes, who fought for the right, and followed this flag to defeat, yet glory."  Then, "Open it wide and let me see the stars that were a young nations hope.  A Southern woman's hands made, and a Southern woman gave it;  Southern women have kissed it;  for Southern women, I carried it, and for them heroes defended it.  A young wife's prayer before you my daughter were born, has blessed it and since has caressed it----then my daughter, in a woman's hands it will be safe----keep it!"

Tht last tribute of friends and comrades, and bugle "taps" at the grave, and the color bearer of the Fifth Georgia, has been transferred to the gallant Colonel Black, who fell by his side in the Sixties.  Gallant old heroes, you will all soon be in the ranks that your color bearer has joined.  We, his children, reverence the Cause, and honor the men whom for it fought.  Then heroes of  "The Lost Cause,"  who never dared not to follow where he led, why should there be among you, even before his grave had been made, and before the first night had whispered its sad requiem over his remains, who would approach his daughter in her deepest distress, and seek to tear from this daughters appearently helpless hands, this treasure, the flag that he had entrusted to her care?  Did you come to us at the request of the men who fought nearest this flag, where the battle storm raged, and it by the leaden missiles were torn?  Did you come from those of your comrades who on the field of carnage would have died, to from the "Blue Hosts" to have saved it?  Of those who are now almost too weak to lower a comrade in his casket, there will soon not be one left to wave it.  To others it may not be more, than a rag tattered and torn;   there are now, and there will be others who will deplore it, but we will ever adore it. Take it from us?  Never!  Above all rules and laws that govern, there is right.  Laws and rules may be repealed, or suspended that right may prevail.  You love it, we treasure it.  If you will----it may not be mine, it may not be yours, it may not be theirs----it may be OURS.  Surrender it, never!  In the veins of his children is the blood of the soldier, that during the years of strife on many fields in the face of death bore it.  If a young wife we call "Mother" could give the farewell kiss and bid a young husband take these colors to the front and bear them with honor, or die upon them; a daughter then unborn, and who might never her father have seen, and in whose hands he placed them, will in holy sacrd reverence. not daunted at even prison walls will protect them now.

Co. K, 5th Ga. Inf., Upson Guards

Black, William T.-Jr. 2d Lieutenant May  11, 1861 . Appointed
Adjutant May  16, 1861 ; 1st Lieutenant and Adjutant October  7, 
1861 . Elected Colonel May  8, 1862 . Killed at Murfreesboro, 
Tenn. December  31, 1862 .

"The History of Schley County"
Thomas Pryor Barnes, b. 1839, d. 12 October 1905, m. 4 May 1861 to Elizabeth Virginia Strange, daughter of Charner Bell Strange and Nancy Elizabeth Goodson Strange, b. 1844, d. about 1877, both buried in Ellaville Cemetery.  Thomas Pryor Barnes served in the War Between the States as Flag Bearer with the rank of Corporal under Captain Robert Burton in the Schley Guards.  Shot off in a battle in North Carolina, was one of his toes.  The flag was kept by his daughter, Otis Barnes Grummage(perhaps another daughter), until it was borrowed by Dr. Chapman of Americus  and never returned.  He was known as "Tip" Barnes.

2nd National Battle Flag   Although this is not the flag that Tip Barnes carried, it is a flag used by the Regiment.

2nd National Battle Flag - 5th Regiment Infantry
Courtesy of Mr. Gordon Blaker Augusta Museum of History

1.  Charles8 Womack, Jr.  (Charles7, Abraham6, Abraham5, Abraham4, Abraham3, John2, William1) was born Abt. 1836 in Georgia.  

Notes for Charles Womack, Jr.:
Charles   Womack,   Georgia, Enlisted  11 May 1861    Priv   CSA
G Co. 5th Inf Reg. GA  Claimed Residence in Schley County.

Hopewell Methodist Cemetery - Schley County

Womack, Charles
3-01-1836 2-03-1900

Womack, Sallie C.
(d/o Charles)
6-09-1877 8-04-1905

Children of Charles Womack :
2 i. Sallie C.9 Womack, born Abt. 1877.
3 ii. James L. Womack, born Abt. 1880 in Schley Co., Georgia.

1880 Census Place:  District 961, Schley, Georgia
Source: FHL Film 1254164  National Archives Film T9-0164     Page 81B     
Relation Sex Marr Race Age Birthplace
Charles WOMACK Self M M W 44 GA
Occ: Farm Fa: GA Mo: GA
Lucy F. WOMACK Wife F M W 33 GA
Occ: Keeps House Fa: NC Mo: GA
Sallie C. WOMACK Dau F S W 2 GA
Fa: GA Mo: GA
James L. WOMACK Son M S W 4M GA
Fa: GA Mo: GA