The Bruce's in Georgia were in-laws to the Helms. E.M. Bruce was a Kentucky Congressman. Apparently the Bruces, Helms and Lincolns had cotton interest in Augusta, Ga., and Sherman had orders not to visit that place even though it held a Confederate arsenal, powder mill, factories, shops and wealth.

Why Gen. Sherman Did Not Come to Augusta..Confederate Veteran, page 209

http://books.google.com/books?id=wJvlAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA209&dq=Lincoln+%22E.+M.+Bruce%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=qBqCT5XACKWqiQK8gM2-Aw&ved=0CE4Q6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=Lincoln%20%22E.%20M.%20Bruce%22&f=false

David