The 16th Battalion Georgia Cavalry originally known as the 16th Battalion Georgia Partisan Rangers Cavalry.

“The 16th Battalion Georgia Cavalry having been increased to ten companies its designation was changed to the 13th Regiment Georgia Cavalry to take effect from May 2, 1864, by Special Order Number 12, Adjutant and Inspector Generals’ Office, dated January 16, 1865.”

Company B of the 16th Battalion Georgia Cavalry had approximately 68 soldiers within their ranks and many of the soldiers were from Newton County, Georgia.

Richard W. Austin listed as R. W. Austin on the 1860 census in Newton County. Born about 1830 in Georgia and noted his occupation as a farmer and reported the nearest Post Office as Covington.

According to Georgia Marriages 1699-1944; Richard W. Austin married (Spelled as) Bersheba Ann Lewis on February 2, 1852 in Newton County, Georgia.

Pension Records in Rockdale County, Georgia stated R. W. Austin enlisted in Company B of the 16th Battalion Georgia Cavalry in May 1862 and stated he was born on July 3, 1830.

According to United States Headstone Applications for Military Veterans 1925-1963 died on February 10, 1917 and had a Confederate tombstone in the Smyrna Cemetery near Conyers, Georgia and the stone was ordered by Mrs. Emma Askew on May 14, 1929 and made in Tate, Georgia by the Georgia Marble Company. The Compiler further notes Mrs. Emma Askew is also buried in the same cemetery and was the daughter of Richard W. Austin. He has a Find A Grave Memorial at # (31384791)

The compiler looked in vain for the tombstone and it is not there. It is plausible that it fell down and is now covered? Using a bottle probe might yield results?

The compiler notes Rockdale County became a county in 1870 from parts of Newton, Henry, Walton, Gwinnett and DeKalb Counties in Georgia.

A weekly newspaper the Conyers Times dated February 16, 1917 on page one in column five noted an obituary as follows. “AGED CITIZEN PASSED AWAY SATURDAY MORNING – HAD REACHED HIS 88TH YEAR. Mr. R. W. Austin, one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of this county, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. G. N. Sims, near Smyrna Saturday morning after an illness of several weeks. His death was due to the infirmities of age. Mr. Austin was 88 years of age and had made his home in this immediate section of the state all his life. He was highly respected and esteemed and lived a useful life. A Confederate Veteran, he served his country in war as well as in peace. He is survived by four daughters and one son. The daughters are: Mrs. J. C. Stanley, Mrs. Joe Askew Mrs. Andy Garner and Mrs. G. N. Sims. Mr. John Austin, of Henry County is the son. Funeral services were conducted at Smyrna Sunday by Rev. Duncan.

Looking at the Smyrna Camp Ground Cemetery book at the Conyers, Georgia library a man named Franklin M. Garrett made a recording of the graves on March 24, 1932. One of the recordings was “Richard W. Austin of Company B of the 16th Georgia Cavalry C. S. A.” which indicates the tombstone was there at one time.

The SCV Camp "Joseph Wheeler" located in Conyers, Georgia has been alerted as to the issue of Richard W. Austin and are going to make an effort to look into the issue of Richard W. Austin. They appear to be a strong SCV Camp.