Upson County, GAGenWeb Project Page -- Books Last update:Monday, 03-May-1999 07:30:30 MDT

BATTLE FLAG OF THE 46TH GEORGIA REGIMENT

The following article appeared in the Thomaston Herald June 7, l873.

No longer do we here the cannons roar
Or march to the conflict with a manly pride
The storm has passed, the cruel war is over
And the battle flag with care is laid aside

Through the courtesy of our young and talented friend James R. Davis, the battle flag of the 46th. Georgia Regiment, one among the noblest military organizations of the late unhappy conflict, between the two sections of our common country, was exhibited upon the streets of Thomaston a few evenings since. A banner that has proudly waved in many hard fought and contested battles, but never disgraced in a defeat, as its rent and scarred condition most substantially testifies.

An incident connected with it during Gen. Hood's unfortunate campaign, near the close of the war, will doubtless prove interesting to many of your readers, and I will endeavor to portray, or faithfully relate the circumstances connected with it, in as true a light, as memory at this late day will admit of.

It was in the month of November 1864, that the battle of Franklin was fought "short" sharp and sanguinary; and notwithstanding we claimed the victory, it was dearly bought, for upon the field, many of our noblest comrades in arms, shed their blood unto death in defense of their hearthstones and sacred honor.

And the red and lures sun that threw its setting rays upon two moving masses in fierce and bitter conflict for the mastery, on that cold and eventful evening, behold on the morrow's morn hundred of the pale upturned faces of the soldiers in gray that were to be disturbed by war and rumors no more forever. It was on this far famed battle field that the gallant and heroic Davis, entered as a Color Corporal, and notwithstanding he was severely wounded in the latter part of the contest, he so distinguished himself in bearing the colors of his Regt., in the face of what seemed certain death and destruction; after the bearer and the ranking corporals had been killed, or had forsaken them, that its survivors; after the war, unanimously consented, that he should be their proper custodian, and well he deserved the honor for he was as brave a soldier as he is now a true, generous and upright man.

The above was written by Charles H. Spivey, a member of Company A. 46th Georgia Regiment, who served with James R. Davis. Charles H. Spivey was wounded at Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia. He was captured at Egypt Station, Miss., exchanged and then surrendered at Greensboro, N.C. April 26, l865.
Middle Georgia Times
Saturday, April 24, 1880

Death of Mr. J.R. Davis

Mr. James R. Davis, aged about 35 years died last Thursday morning at half past one o'clock, and was buried yesterday at 10 o'clock in the Thomaston Cemetery by the side of his father.

During the war, while on duty, though sick with the measles, in the darkness and in the rain, he contracted a cough which finally caused his death.

He stated in his last illness that he was satisfied he could not live long, and that his trust was in God. He was constant member of the M.E. Church South, an excellent business man, and loved by all who knew him.

He was a member of the 46th Georgia Regiment and on one occasion while charging the enemy at Franklin, Tenn. The color bearer of his regiment was shot down. He seized the colors and pressing on to the breastworks of the enemy, captured their flag and while bearing in one hand the colors of his regiment and in the other those of the enemy, he too was shot down, but he saved the colors, and he has ever cherished and kept among his most sacred treasures the colors of the old 46th. Georgia. Last Memorial Day when this old banner, perced by many a bullet, tattered and torn was unfurled, strong hearts were moved to tears.

He was brave and generous and true. To these sterling and many virtues were united all the gentleness of a tender and loving nature.

All of us deeply sympathize with those who were nearest to him in the ties of kindred. We are to see his face no more on earth, but we can meet in the other and happier world to which he has gone. Gallant soldier, devoted son, loving bother. May he rest in peace.


Page 898 Upson County History

Colonel Davis (James R. Davis St.) has in his possession a Confederate flag, born by his Uncle, James R. Davis, of the Upson Sentinel's, Company A, 46th Georgia regiment, during the War Between the States. At the battle of Franklin, Tenn., he grasped this flag, when the color bearer was shot down, and carried it until he himself fell wounded, wrapping the flag around him as he fell.. Although he was taken prisoner, the flag was returned to him by the enemy on his release. Later he died of the effects of this wound.

James R. Davis Sr. passed on to James R. Davis Jr. the battle flag. James R. Davis Jr. retained possession of the flag until l982, when he presented it to Bobby C. Smith who passed it on to the Upson Historical Society. The flag is now located a the Pettygrew White Stamps house the home of the Upson Historical Society.

Submitted by Bobby C. Smith.



Problems, suggestions, or ideas?

Upson County Page last updated: Monday, 03-May-1999 07:30:30 MDT


|Back to the top| Upson Co Page | GA USGenWeb State Page|USGenWeb Page