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Upson County in the War Between the States
July 4, 1860
A newspaper account on July 4, 1860 describes the Fourth of July celebration and the sentiments of the county. The day began at 9am with the Upson Guards under Capt. Beall marching out in full dress. (This volunteer military company had been organized July 23, 1859 under Gen. Thomas Beall as captain, Col William Horsley, 1st Lieut.)Church services at 10:30 at the Baptist Church were held with an oration by Edward A. Spivey.
This was followed at 3pm in a convening of a Constitutional Union meeting, and the election of delegates to the state convention.
- Thomas S. Horsley
- A.J. White
- William G. Horsley
- A.H. Brown
- Thomas Beall
Upson County in the War
Upson County was paralyzed as a result of the Civil War. All of its textile Plants and other mills, as well as most of its plantations, were completely destroyed by Wilson's Federal Cavalry in April 1865. In addition, Thomaston suffered a disastrous fire in August 1863, which destroyed the entire business section, with the exception of the Courthouse. A total of thirty-seven business houses was completely destroyed. For this reason there are no business houses in the present business section of Thomaston built prior to the Civil War.Upson County furnished 1,127 men to Confederate armies during the Civil War, many of whom did not return. It was many years before the county began to recover from its terrific losses, but by mid 1870 some progress was being made, particularly in agriculture. Thomaston became the second largest livestock market in the South and was known as the "Mule Capitol" of Georgia.
Cannon Ball Monument
On the courthouse grounds are several markers and monuments commemorating important events in the history of the county. In the Southeast corner of the Square, on a marble base, is mounted a cannon ball, on the said to be the first fired at Fort Sumter. It was retrieved by P. W. Alexander, a citizen of Upson and a noted correspondent during the Civil War.Monument to Gen. John B. Gordon A memorial to General John B. Gordon rests on the northwest side of the Upson County Courthouse lawn. Originally the shaft provided the pedestal for a sundail which has long since disappeared, leaving the base and shaft as a reminder of the Upson-born Confederate General.
The UDC formally dedicated the monument on October 6, 1938, after a special luncheon. Leaders in the unveiling ceremony were Robert Burke (Uncle Bobby) Reeves and Mr. E.S. Davidson, Upson's last two living Confederate veterans; Mayor Hugh Thurston; Judge John J. Humphries, the speaker for the day; and mrs. Grady Fowler, president of the Sharman of Upson Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
Such a monument had been a long time in coming. Professor F.F. Rowe, President, R.E. Lee Institute, had first suggested it at the unveiling of the Confederate monument on May 2, 1908. Mr. James R. Davis, Sr. at a Memorial Day Program on April 26, 1913, repeated the call for such remembrance. Finally, it becomes a reality.
Born on his preacher daddy's farm in the southern part of the county, John B. Gordon first saw the light of an Upson sky in 1832. His father, Zechariah Gordon, with the help of Jacob King helped to evangelize this county in the 1820's and 30's. John Brown Gordon made his profession of faith in the Harmoney (now New Harmony) Baptist Church. Being very small they stood him on a table to make his statement. That table is still in the possession of the church. He lived in the county until he was about ten years of age. At this time, his father migrated to the northern part of the state.
During the later part of the War Between the States, he rose to the rank of Lieutenant General and was with Lee to the end at Appomattox.
After the war, Gordon served in the United States Senate from 1873-1880 and as Governor of George from 1886-1890.
In his days of fame and glory, he made a few trips back to Upson. The most famous of these came in 1886 when he spoke to the veterans of the 5th and 13th Regiments. Five thousand people came to the celbration. Seventy-on carcasses of barbecue were consumed.
After a varied career in the wolrd of business, Gordon died at his Florida home in 1904. Upsonians have always claimed him as one of their own.
Used with permission from Upson Historical Society Newsletter, October 1997. To join the Society: Click here
Upson County Confederate Veteran Reunions
Beginning in 1904, the former Methodist Camp Ground was sold to Camp Gordon (Sons of Confederate Veterans) and was used for annual Reunions.
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Upson County Page last updated: Sunday, 24-Feb-2002 18:49:30 MST