The 3rd Georgia Reserve Infantry Regiment was formed in April, 1864. They were gaurds at Andersonville Prison until August, 1864 when they were sent to Macon, where they may have participated in the defense of that city during Stoneman's raid. At the end of August they returned to Andersonville. Sometime in September they were transferred from Andersonville. My gr-grandfather, Jesse Taliafero Carter, was in Company F. The muster roll for Co. F for Sept-Oct 1864, lists their location as "Camp Lawton". Camp Lawton was a prison camp in Millen, Ga. Unfortunately, that was the last muster roll on microfilm at the State Archives in Atlanta. According to serveral sources including the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion, the 3rd Ga Reserves fought at The Battle of Tullifiny Station aka The Battle of Coosawhatchie, S.C. on Dec. 9, 1864. They also fought in the Salkahatchie River Campaign in South Carolina during Feb., 1865 and they fought at the Battle of Columbus on Easter Sunday, April 16, 1865. I have read approximately 6 pension apllications of soldiers who served in the 3rd Ga Reserves and at least 3 of them mention Columbus. My gr-grandfather wrote in his application that he was in Columbus when his unit disbanded. Joe Bledsoe wrote that he was wounded by a shell during the Battle of Columbus which resulted in the amputation of his leg. Charles Kennon Henderson, of Company F, wrote that he left his command in Columbus, Ga. on April 16th, 1865 because "Gen. Wilson routed us. The war was over & all went home." Henderson is quoted in "The Cedartown Standard" newspaper article dated Feb. 4, 1937, on file at the State Archives, as follows "For some months we helped to guard the Andersonville prison, near Americus, Georgia. Thence we were transferred to General Hardee's Corps. This regiment was in seven engagements fighting Sherman. I do not claim all these battles. My regiment was sent into South Carolina, and in April 1865, the regiment was brought from South Carolina following Sherman to Columbus, Ga. There, on the Alabama side of the Chattahoochee river, we were in battle line all day Sunday, April 16, 1865....I was captured by the Federals after the battle and my gray mare, worth $600, was taken from me, and I was given a mule. Upon this mule I rode late at night through General Wilson's army, encamped atWaverly Hall, Harris County, Georgia, and went to bed at Uncle John Kennon's. I am now commanded[sic] of Camp 169 United Confederate Veterans of Fulton County."
You may want to contact John Mallory Land (e-mail retrofit@flash.net). He is seeking the identity of approximately 20 soldiers killed in the Battle of Columbus who are in Clapp's Cemetery on the banks of the Chattahoochee in Columbus.
Hope this helps---Doug Carter