8th Georgia Infantry Webpage
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8th Georgia Infantry Webpage |
Meriwether G.
Christian
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The Christian family migrated from Elbert County, Ga., to Oglethorpe County,
Ga., with their father and mother, Thomas Jefferson and Mary Jane Christian
along with other members of their family.
Meriwether's brothers Asa C. Christian and Thomas M. Christian were also members of the 8th Georgia Volunteers, Oglethorpe Rifles, but at different times. Meriwether was known as "Merry" Christian, a nickname he probably picked up as a child. Another nickname of his was "Poss." War Service Record Summary for Meriwether Garrett Christian: "----- private July 16, 1861. Captured at Gettysburg, Pa. July 4, 1863. Died of chronic diarrhea at Elmira, N. Y. March 13, 1865. Grave #1826, Woodlawn National Cemetery." Woodlawn National Cemetery is the burial site of 2,963 Confederate soldiers who died in Elmira Union Prison. The information on Meriwether Garret Christian's death conforms to that appearing in the Bible record. I can also confirm that Meriwether was captured on July 4, 1863 at Gettysburg and taken to the Elmira Union Prison. As information, during the month of March, 1865, 491 Confederate soldiers died in the Elmira Prison, the highest of any month during the prison's one-year history. One report states that Elmira had the highest death rate, per capita, of any prison camp in the north or south - 24%! Asa, Meriwether and Thomas had three other brothers who also served in the CSA. They were Cornelius Jeptha Christian, Co. E. 3rd Ga. Cavalry, William Rufus Christian, 12th Regiment Ga. Volunteer Infantry, and Luther Martin Christian. We do not know a lot about Luther. The Family Bible simply states that he went away to join the army at age 16 and was never heard from again. Efforts to develop information on his CSA service have been unsuccessful. Cornelius Jeptha Christian was my great grandfather. He and his wife Mary Massey are buried in Oak Lawn Cemetery in Americus, Ga. William Rufus is buried in the Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery with his mother and father, Thomas Jefferson and Mary Jane Christian. Of the six brothers who served the South, only Cornelius, Asa and William Rufus returned from the war. In searching the 8th Ga. Volunteer site, I discovered that John F. Beasley (who wrote an autobiography) served in the 8th Ga. Volunteers (with Asa, Meriwether and Thomas) and later in the 3rd Ga. Cavalry. He started with the 3rd Ga. Cavalry at the same time as Cornelius Jeptha (the oldest brother) and they stayed together for the remainder of the war. Both were captured at New Haven, Kentucky and later released at Vicksburg. Both returned to service after their release and both found new additions to their families when they returned to their homes. During the war, John Beasley suffered two wounds and Cornelius Christian had his front teeth knocked out with the butt of a rifle belonging to a Union soldier. This latter episode occurred after Cornelius was captured and leaned over from his mount to scoop up a capful of water from a small creek. The captors were fearful they were being followed and were anxious to get out of the area with their captives. That may explain why Cornelius was struck. View photo of Confederate Memorial Statue, Oglethorpe County Courthouse, Ga., which includes Meriwether Christian's name. View the "History of the Oglethorpe Rifles" by Thomas D. Gilham, at: www.rootsweb.com/~gaogleth/ogrifle.htm (Information and photo generously provided by Irvin Christian, Jacksonville, Fla.) |
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