THE MILITARYANCESTRY

ANDHISTORY

OF SAMUEL F. MINTON

By Kevin Whitehead

The Military Ancestry

of Samuel F. MintonAs traced by Kevin Whitehead, Ron

Minton, Vickie Whitehead, Gina Schiazza, and Evylene A. Canup

Compiled and researched by Kevin Whitehead

Introduction

In this work I have attempted to compile, research, and document the extensive military history of the ancestors of Samuel F. Minton. The work has been at times fascinating, exciting, and rewarding. I hope others will look through and realize just how active this family has been through every major conflict before and including the Civil War. There can be little doubt that this is an incomplete list. Historical nuclear families are difficult to complete and dead ends prohibit further research. I planned to limit this work to grandfathers and uncles but have also included cousins if research was successful.

Veteran of Lord Dunmore's War

Lord Dunmore's War was fought in 1774 between the Virginia Militia and the Shawnee and Mingo Nations. The fighting consisted of mostly guerrilla style attacks from both sides on the settlers of the Ohio Country and the villages of the two tribes. The war's principal engagement, which ended the war, was the Battle of Point Pleasant in extreme eastern West Virginia. When the Revolutionary War began two years later hostilities resumed in which the leaders of the Shawnees allied with several Cherokee leaders. This conflict was called the Chickamauga Wars.

Virginian Leaders of Lord Dunmore's War

John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore, was Governor of the Province of Virginia from 1771 through 1775. He organized campaigns against the Indians to expand Virginia into the Ohio Country. When the Revolution started he remained loyal to England and later served as Governor of the Bahamas.

Andrew Lewis served in the French & Indian War as a colonel as well as the Revolutionary War as a brigadier general. Lewis defeated Cornstalk at the Battle of Point Pleasant which crippled the Indians ability to continue the war.

Indian Leaders ofLord Dunmore's War

Cornstalk was the Anglicized name of Hokoleskwa, a prominent leader of the Shawnees. He led the Indians who opposed Virginian expansion into Kentucky and the Ohio Country. After being defeated at Point Pleasant he advocated peace until his murder in 1777.

Logan the Orator was an Iroquois leader whose family's murder was the cassus belli to the Indians. Logan was a reluctant participant but due to repeated killings of his family by whites he did so.

Joseph Love (1728-1804)Great X4 Grandfather of Samuel Minton

Joseph Love → Esther Love → Richard A. Steele → Jane ? Bailey → William Isaac Minton → Samuel Minton.

Married to Mary Teas.

Born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, Joseph served in Capt. John Lewis' (cousin of Andrew Lewis) Company of Volunteers which was recruited out of Botetourt County, Virginia. He was wounded at the Battle of Point Pleasant. Little is know about his Revolutionary War service but he did appear before a Virginian county court to successfully secure reimbursement for expenses and supplies accrued during his time under General Nathaniel Greene in the southern theater of the War. He later settled in what is now Kingsport, Tennessee before being driven out by Indian to Wythe County, Virginia. In the early 1800's he moved to Long Cane, South Carolina where he died in 1804.

Veterans of the Revolutionary War

Starting in 1775 and ending in 1783, the Revolutionary War was fought between thirteen colonies of England and England herself. Later in the war France entered on the side of the colonies.

The war was fought mainly due to the fact that colonial leaders believed that as British subjects, they were guaranteed representation in Parliament and could not be taxed due to not having proper representation. The colonies formed a government called the Continental Congress which drafted the Declaration of Independence in response to King George III issuing The Proclamation of Rebellion which named the Congress officially traitors.

The opening campaigns of the war were primarily in the north involving Continental troops mainly from the northern colonies except notably the fall of Charleston, South Carolina. As George Washington successfully held his army together, albeit without decisive victories, British strategy moved in the southern colonies. British leaders believed that the majority of the population of the southern Colonies remained loyal which would end the rebellion there. The effort failed as Colonial armies in the south stood firm and eventually pushed the British north into Virginia and eventually being maneuvered onto the Yorktown Peninsula. Our ancestors are relatively evenly split between being involved in the northern theater and the southern theater.

Leaders of the Continentals in the Northern Campaigns

George Washington was commander-in-chief of the Colonial army for the entire war. Although a stellar battlefield commander, Washington was able to maintain his army and deftly move it out of difficult situations. He was successful in attacking the British only when he had the advantage.

Nathaniel Greene was one of George Washington's most trusted generals. Although he enlisted as a private, Greene quickly rose and was eventually sent south to take command of the Colonials there. While in the south he was able to stop British general Lord Cornwallis most notably at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse which crippled the British army, despite achieving the victory.

Leaders of the Continentals in the Southern Campaigns

Daniel Morgan is credited for first checking the British advance through the Carolinas. First commanding in the north, Morgan was transferred south where he was able to organize the army in the south and defeat Banastre Tarlton at the Battle of Cowpens.

Dubbed the “Swamp Fox”, Francis Marion was skilled at using hit and run guerilla tactics to terrorize and occupy the attention of the British army in South Carolina. His knowledge of the back country enable Marion to organize his small army in an instant, attack an outpost or supply line and instantly melt back into the populace.

Leaders of the British in the Northern Campaigns

William Howe was the commander-in-chief of the British forces during the Revolutionary War. Born into a prominent family in relation to King George III, Howe was a skilled general and excellent tactician. He defeated George Washington time and time again but was not able to destroy the Continental Army.

Wilhelm von Knyphausen was the commander of the troops from the German region of Hesse who were employed as mercenaries by the British. The Hessians were well trained professional soldiers who saw action in several of the battles in which our ancestors fought. Around five thousands Hessians remained in America after surrender. Free land and the overpopulation in Germany led many to this choice.

Leaders of the British in the Southern Campaigns

Charles Cornwallis was one of the principal generals in both the northern and southern theater. He was sent south once British high command determined to take the war south. He won battles at Camden and Guilford Courthouse but was unable to sustain his army and was forced to retreat north into Virginia where he eventually was cornered at Yorktown.

Banastre Tarleton, or Bloody Ban as he came to be known, was a cavalry commander under Cornwallis that because of skill and success was entrusted to independent commands. A primary objective of Tarleton was to quell partisan and guerrilla attacks. Commanding mainly colonial loyalists, Tarleton's fierceness and brutality coincided with the violent neighbor verses neighbor war that developed in South Carolina. Tarleton came within minutes of capturing Virginia governor Thomas Jefferson in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The Woffords

The earliest Wofford found with certainty is William Wofford (abt 1620-1655, 7x Great Grandfather to S.F.M.), not to be confused with later persons with the same name. He was born in Cumberlandshire, England and died in St. Mary's, Maryland which is the far south-eastern county which forms a peninsula. It was first settled by British Catholics under Cecilius Calvert, 2nd Lord Baltimore who were seeking refuge from persecution in Protestant England. The first arrivals came in 1634. The Woffords lived in Maryland for 3 generations before moving to the Union District of South Carolina. The Union District became Union County in 1798 with the town of Unionville (later shortened to Union) being the county seat. Another William Wofford (1728-1823, 3x Great Grandfather to S.F.M.) made the move south and later died in Georgia.

William Wofford (1728-1823)4X Great Grandfather of Samuel Minton

William Wofford → Nathaniel Wofford → Sarah Wofford Grant → Lydia Ann Grant Swann → Mary Elizabeth Swann Anderson → Nancy Jane Anderson Minton → Samuel Minton

Married to Sarah Cameron, Nancy Greenleaf, then Mary Bobo.

Born in 1728, William Wofford moved with his extended family into the northeast corner of Georgia around 1783 following the Revolutionary War.. They settled on Nancytown and Wofford's Creek and founded Wofford's Settlement. During the Benjamin Hawkins 1798 survey that drew the boundary between the Cherokees and the State of Georgia it was found that Wofford's Settlement was on Cherokee land. Due to Wofford's influence he was allowed to remain there on a strip of land called Wofford's Tract. William died in 1823 and is buried at his home site which is now on the campus of Toccoa Falls College.

William Wofford (cont)

William Wofford (cont)

William Wofford served as a Colonel in General Andrew Williamson's brigade. He participated in the Battle of Stono and numerous raids against South Carolinian Tories. He moved his family to Turkey Cove, North Carolina in an attempt to protect them from Tory raids that plagued the state through the duration of the war. Wofford owned a large ironworks which was burned during the war by Bill Cunningham in a well known raid. Following the war William moved to Georgia and founded Wofford's Settlement.

Other Woffords in the Revolutionary War

Benjamin J. Wofford (1745-1815) – Brother of William Wofford. Served as sergeant in William Wofford's South Carolina Line unit. Died in Huntsville, Alabama

James Wofford (1743-1815) – Brother of William Wofford. Served in Colonel Benjamin Roebuck's command at the Fall of Charleston, South Carolina.

Joseph Wofford (1744-1830) – Brother of William Wofford. Commanded as a captain a regiment of regular troops from the Fall of Charleston to the Battle of Ninety-Six. Participated in the back country guerrilla fighting of Tories versus Whigs. Was captured in his cabin by a force of Tories and was to be hung in the front yard but his wife, Martha, pleaded and convinced the Tory captain to spare him due to her being in labor. The child born was Benjamin Wofford (1780-1850), founder of Wofford College. He died and is buried in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

The Andersons

The Andersons are one of the most traceable lines in our family history. Despite the name evolving through different spellings and the Dutch practice of the husband using the first name of his father after marriage. Its earliest form is Jochemsen, then to Andriessen, to Andriesen, then anglicized to Anderson.

The Andersons are an interesting line because they were original settlers of New Amsterdam. As a result of the Second Anglo-Dutch War (1665-1667) the Dutch governor Peter Stuyvesant surrendered the town to the English who renamed it New York. The Dutch who lived in the city were forced to take an oath of loyalty to remain in the town and most did while at the same time taking English spellings of their name.

The first of the Anderson line we know to be correct is Andries Jochemsen (1607-1674). He was born in Leeuwarden, Netherlands and emigrated around 1630.

Inslee Anderson (1759-1791)3X Great Grandfather of Samuel Minton

Inslee Anderson → James M. Anderson → Ensley B. Anderson → Jidire C. Anderson → Nancy Jane Anderson Minton → Samuel Minton

Married to Mary MacDonough

Inslee Anderson was born in New Castle County, Delaware in 1759. He had four older brothers who served in the Revolutionary War but due to his age Inslee himself did not serve. Inslee instead served as Adjutant of Arthur St. Clair's army during the Northwest Indian War. Following the Revolution England ceded the Northwest Territory (Modern day Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan,and Wisconsin) to the US but it was still heavily populated by the native tribes of which included the Miamis, Shawnees, and Delawares. Inslee Anderson was killed at the Battle of St. Clair's Defeat in what is now extreme western Ohio.

Battle of St. Clair's Defeat

The Northwest War started due to the hostilities between the native tribes in the Territory and the encroaching white settlers. President Washington wished to send troops to quell the Indians. The first campaign ended in an Indian victory known as Hardin's Defeat. The second campaign was led by Arthur St. Clair with which Inslee Anderson served as adjutant. The adjutant is basically the head of the staff officers and was in charge of assemblies and formations of the army. The battle was a complete rout with 952 of the 1000 American troops killed, wounded, or captured.

Top Picture: Arthur St. Clair

Bottom Picture: Miami Chief Little Turtle

Brothers of Inslee Anderson3X Great Uncles of Samuel Minton

Enoch Anderson (1755-1824) was a Captain in Haslet's Delaware Regiment under General Washington. He “served in 13 battles great and small” and describes the night after crossing the Delaware, "Night came on, there was no house we dare go into; we had no tents. I had no blanket even and must make no fire. Some had blankets however. The night was very cold. I kept myself tolerably comfortable by walking about, but was very sleepy and could not sleep for the cold." At right is an illustration of a private in the 1st Delaware Regiment which Enoch led.

William Anderson (1762-1829) was a major on the staff of the Marquis de Lafayette and served at the Battles of Germantown and Yorktown with the New Jersey Continental Line despite being less than twenty years old. Was elected four times to congress from Pennsylvania. Later served as Inspector of Customs in Philadelphia. At right is his grave in Philadelphia.

Brothers of Inslee Anderson3X Great Uncles of Samuel Minton

Joseph Anderson (1757-1837) served in nearly every battle of the northern campaigns under George Washington. Appointed by President Washington to Superior Court Judge of the Territory South of the Ohio River in 1791. Elected senator from Tennessee from 1897-1815 before resigning to take appointment of Comptroller of the Treasury fro President James Madison. Joseph Anderson's portrait is at right.

Thomas Anderson (1765-1840) served as Lieutenant with the New Jersey Continental Line and with Captain Robert Kirkwood's Company in the south. Thomas fought at the Battles of Camden and Cowpens as well as the pursuit of Cornwallis to Yorktown. At right is more information on Kirkwood's Company.

John Goode Henderson (1754-1839)

3x Great Grandfather of Samuel MintonJohn Goode Henderson → Nancy Henderson

Blackwell → Mary Ann Blackwell Anderson → Jidire Clinton Anderson → Nancy Jane Anerson Minton → Samuel Minton

Married to Jane Blakely

John Goode Henderson was born March 30, 1754 in Albemarle County, Virginia. It is known that he was a Revolutionary War veteran but unclear where and with whom he served. His service made him eligible to enter the 1825 Land Lottery that the state of Georgia held to distribute land ceded by the Creeks but apparently did not win a plot. He was a trustee of Hebron Presbyterian Church (at left) in Franklin County though he lived in Jackson County. According to his war record he was known as “Smoking Johnny”.

Joseph Swann (1747-1830/1832)4x Great Grandfather of Samuel Minton

Joseph Swann → James M. Swann → William B. Swann → Marmaduke Swann → Mary Elizabeth Swann Anderson → Nancy Jane Anderson Minton → Samuel Minton

Married to Keziah Porter

Joseph Swann was born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania in 1747. He enlisted into the 1st Batallion Pennsylvania Militia. It is difficult to trace the movements of the unit but at the Battle of Trenton there were up to 6000 Pennsylvania militiamen including 400 from Cumberland County alone which is where Joseph Swann enlisted. After the war the Swann and Porter family moved south and settled in Mecklenberg County, North Carolina which holds present day Charlotte. Joseph Swann accumulated nearly 500 acres. Judging my his will, Joseph had some debts but also had much to leave to his family. He also requested that two of his sons purchase a “monumental stone” for his grave.

Joseph's brother, Richard Swann (1755-1808), also served in the Revolution as a captain in Colonel Gill's Pennsylvania Regiment.

William B. Randolph (1754-1824)4x Great Grandfather of Samuel Minton

Willam B. Randolph → Rebecca Randolph Swann → William B. Swann → Marmaduke Swann → Mary Elizabeth Swann Anderson → Nancy Jane Anderson Minton → Samuel Minton

Married to Louisa Bailey

William B. Randolph was born in Chesterfield, Virginia which is just south of Richmon in 1754. He served as Wagoner and Corporal before being promoted to Lieutenant. After putting in three years of service he was granted 4000 acres in Kentucky. It is unclear why but he did not move to Kentucky and probably sold the land. He married and moved to Surry County, North Carolina on a large land-tract called “Bailey's Bottom” which probably took its name from his wife's family. He later moved to Roane County, Tennessee where he bought a farm from his brother John Randolph. Upon the death of Lousia Bailey, William returned to Surry County and remarried.

Picture at left is the model wagon used by the Continental Army.

Other Randolphs include William's brother Henry (1753-1832) who was present at Valley Forge and nephew John R. (1759-1815) who was in the Virginia Continental Line and later served under General Andrew Jackson in the War of 1812.

Aaron and & William Steele4x & 3x Great Grandfather of Samuel Minton

Aaron Steele → William Steele → Richard A. Steele → Catherine Steele Bailey → Jane Bailey Minton → William Isaac Minton → Samuel Minton

Aaron and William married to Violet Alexander and Esther Love respectably

The Steele family in America originated with John Steele (1680-1729) who emigrated from Ireland. He first settled in Philadelphia. His son James (1714-1751) was born in New Castle County, Delaware. His son Aaron (1740-1795) was also born in Delaware but eventually moved to the Abbeville District (also known as the Ninety-Six District) of South Carolina. William (1763-1821) was probably born in South Carolina. Little is known about their Revolutionary War service but they were probably in the South Carolina militia which was raised extensively through the district. They are both found in the DAR records.

At left is the grave of William Steele at the Old Stone Church Cemetery in Clemson, South Carolina.

Veterans of the War of 1812

Many consider the War of 1812 as the second war of American Independence. Following the end of the Revolution England had imposed difficult trade restriction on the United States in an effort to weaken the States. Due to their ongoing war with France, the British navy would capture US shipping and impress the sailors into the Royal Navy. England also sought to inhibit the expansion of the States by encouraging Indian tribes to attack settlers on the frontier.

The war lasted for 32 months and waged in New England, Canada, the frontier from the Great Lakes to Alabama, Louisiana, and the surrounded oceans. The Creek Indians split into two factions, one favoring cooperation with America and the other, the Red Sticks, holding a more traditionalist view of violently opposing American encroachment.

In 1814 the British were able to capture and burn Washington DC but American victories at Horseshoe Bend, New Orleans, and Baltimore surged morale causing the English to begin negotiations. The Treaty of Ghent was signed in 1815 which ended the war but caused no territorial changes. The end of the war ushered in the “Era of Good Feeling” which saw rapid expansion west to the Mississippi and strong economic growth up until the start of the Civil War.

The war did much to seal the fate of the Indians in the frontier such as the Shawnee, Creek, Iroquois, and Delaware who saw there lands taken in retaliation for siding with the British. Occurrences such as the Fort Mims Massacre by the Red Stick Creek remained in the minds of Southern politicians after the war and helped fuel their efforts to remove the Indian tribes. Even the Cherokee, who sided with the Americans, were eventually caught up in the period of removal following the War of 1812.

American Leaders in the Southern Theater during the War of 1812

Andrew Jackson was destined to become the first “common man” elected to the presidency. His parents were Irish immigrants who eventually settled on the border of North and South Carolina. During the Revolution, Jackson's two brothers died and his mother soon after. He blamed the British for their deaths which caused an intense hatred of them. During the War of 1812 he was appointed Colonel of Tennessee militia and led the campaign against the hostile faction of the Creek Indians known as the Red Sticks. His victories at Horseshoe Bend and New Orleans catapulted Jackson further into the national spotlight.

William McIntosh was born 1775 in Southern Georgia to Senoya, a Creek woman and her Scottish husband, William McIntosh. The Creek nation traces their lineage through their mother so the younger William was considered fully Creek and a legitimate chief. The pro-American McIntosh opposed the Red Stick faction of the Creek Nation and allied with the Americans when the Creek War became intertwined with the War of 1812. The Battle of Horseshoe Bend crippled the Red Sticks. After the War the Creeks passed a resolution to sentence death to any person guilty of ceding land to the US. After signing the 2nd Treaty of Indian Springs in 1825 he was assassinated at his home on the Chattahoochee River.

Nathaniel Wofford (1766-1846)4x Great Grandfather of Samuel Minton

Nathaniel Wofford → Sarah Wofford Grant → Lydia Ann Grant Swann → Mary Elizabeth Swann Anderson → Nancy Jane Anderson Minton → Samuel Minton

Married to Lydia Ann Hopper

Nathaniel Wofford was born in 1766 in Spartanburg County, S.C. The family (as mentioned earlier) moved several times before settling in Habersham County after the Revolution. It is said that Nathaniel married Lydia Hopper, “daughter of a hated tory”, which caused the family to move to Georgia. He served as a major in the 476th Battalion of Georgia Militia during the War of 1812 and Creek War. In 1833 Nathaniel and family members moved to Cass County onto land won by his father in the 1833 Georgia Land Lottery. They settled into the area known as Wofford's Crossroads. Nathaniel then served as Justice of the Inferior Court of Cass County. Nathaniel in some circumstance was caught up in the Indian Removal of 1838-9 and ended up dying and being buried in Arkansas. The grave at left is an “In memory of” marker at Wofford's Crossroads Baptist Church.

1. James W. Wofford (1801-1886) was born in Spartanburg, SC and was part of the family to move to Wofford's Crossing. He married Altha McCracken in 1822 and was elected sheriff of Cass County in 1836. He was later elected to the Georgia House of Representatives from 1843-1845. He is buried at Wofford's Crossroads Baptist Church.

Sons of Nathaniel WoffordGreat Great Uncles of Samuel Minton

1A. Benjamin Wofford (1823-1846) enlisted to fight in the Mexican War (1846-48). He died while on a ship in the Gulf of Mexico, probably from disease, and was buried at sea. The marker at right is an “In memory of” marker at Wofford's Crossroads Baptist Church.

Sons of Nathaniel WoffordGreat Great Uncles of Samuel Minton

1B. Charles C. Wofford (1825-1809) was Corporal of company A in the 10th Battalion Georgia Cavalry which was a militia unit. After the war he moved to Oklahoma and is buried there.

1C. Nathan T. Wofford (1830-1862) enlisted in 1861 as a Jr. 2nd Lt. He was wounded at the Battle of Seven Pines and was later elected 1st Lt. He was killed at the Battle of Fredericksburg in December of 1862. His unit was behind the famed stone wall at the battle and inflicted heavy casualties on the assaulting federal army. He was originally buried on the field but was moved to the nearby Confederate Cemetery in 1892.

Sons of Nathaniel WoffordGreat Great Uncles of Samuel Minton

1D. James W. Wofford (1831-1864) was a son of the above John Wofford. He enlisted into Company F of the 40th Georgia Infantry in 1861 as 2nd Lt. and was promoted to 1st Lt. He was captured at Vickburg and exchanged to return his unit. He was killed at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain by a cannon shell.

Sons of Nathaniel WoffordGreat Great Uncles of Samuel Minton

John Wofford (1808-1895) was born in Spartanburg, S.C. He was responsible for carrying official dispatches during the Seminole War from Florida to Washington DC and was paid $500 in gold for services. Received land grant in Marion County, Florida for service. Served as Captain during the Mexican War and was in the 7th Florida Infantry during the Civil War in the years 1862 and 1865. His limited service was probably due to his age.

James M. Anderson (1782-1862)Great, Great Grandfather of Samuel Minton

James M. Anderson → Ensley B. Anderson → Jidire Clinton Anderson → Nancy Jane Anderson Minon → Samuel Minton

Married to Patsey Parks

A member of the prestigious Anderson family, James M. was born in New Castle, Delware in 1782. By the time of the War of 1812 he was living in North Carolina and enlisted at Maysville, Haywood County. He enlisted into the 43rd U.S. Infantry and served under a Colonel N. Long. He is described as being 5'8' with blue eyes, 29 years old, and a hatter by trade. He later moved to Gilmer County, Georgia and is buried at Ebenezer Cemetery on Hwy 52 with much of his family.

Others in the War of 1812

Alexander Porter (1744-1835) - 4x Great Uncle of Samuel Minton. Served in Captain Jame White's company of North Carolina Militia out of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Grave at right.

Robert Randolph (1787-1866) – 3x Great Uncle of Samuel Minton. Details of service unknown.

William B. Randolph, Jr. (1796-1881) Brother of Robert above. Limited details but he did serve in Captain R. Gamble's Company of Virginia Militia. Grave at right.

Veterans of the Mexican-American War

The Mexican-American War started in 1846 due to American wishes to expand their borders and ennex Texas and other territories of Mexico. Led by President James K. Polk of Tennessee, “manifest destiny” meant that it was American destiny to possess all land from Atlantic to Pacific. The larger Mexican Army led by President Antonio López de Santa Anna could not hold off the brilliantly led American Army who eventually took Mexico City in 1847. The Treaty of Guadelupe Hidalgo was signed soon after which required Mexico to sell its American territories for half of what the US offered during the prewar negotiations. It set the Texas border at the Rio Grande and the land acquired later became the states of California, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, and parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and Wyoming.

Also important about the war was the training it provided for many of the leader of the coming Civil War such as Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, Stonewall Jackson, and countless others. The sudden increase in the size of the US brought about years of debate regarding slavery in the new territories which eventually caused severe fracture in regional relations.

The US had a small army at the start of the war and was supplemented by thousands of volunteers from throughout the US. By the end of the war the regular army had quadrupled to over 32,000 soldiers and militia units accounted for another 59000.

William B. Grant (1766-1846)Great, Great Grandfather of Samuel Minton

William B. Grant → Lydia Ann Grant Swann → Mary Elizabeth Swann Anderson → Nancy Jane Anderson Minton → Samuel Minton

Married to Sarah Wofford

William Grant served first in the Seminole War and was in the "Battalion of Georgia Mounted Volunteers," commanded by a Major Nelson and himself. He enrolled in 1836 at Kellog Store, Forsyth County, Georgia and was mustered out September 23, 1837 in Hall County. Sarah Grant, later in 1851 applied for Bounty Land for Grant's service. When the Mexican War began, Grant, along with four of his sons, gathered a Company of men who would serve under him in Mexico. After reaching Columbus, Georgia, he returned to North Georgia to enlist more men. Having some arrangements of necessity, which may have been to do with the death of his son, James who died July 10, 1847 in the Mexican War, he was unable to leave when the Battalion took up the line of march for Mexico. After finishing his business, he returned to Columbus in very feeble health and died a few days later, October 9, 1847, at the home of his friend, a Mr. Sartwell. He was buried with Military Honors by the "City Light Guards". The service was held at the Linwood Baptist Church and we are led to believe that he was buried at the Linwood Cemetery, there are 1000 unmarked graves there. His death notice can be found in the "Columbus, Georgia Weekly Enquirer" October 12, 1847. The picture at left is his “In memory of marker” which is with his family on the grounds of his cabin outside Fairmont, Georgia.

Sons of William B. GrantGreat Uncles of Samuel Minton

1. Nathaniel Grant (1818-1865) was born in Habersham County and enlisted as a lieutenant in the 13th Regiment of Infanty under Col. Robert M. Echols. He returned from the war, moved to Arkansas, and joined the 4th Arkansas Infantry during the Civil War rising from 2nd Lt., to Captain, then to regiment adjutant. During the Atlanta Campaign the 4th Arkansas was in Leonidas Polk's corp and was heavily engaged at Resaca and Peachtree Creek but were present almost all of the principal battles. He died from disease in early 1865.

2. Willam Grant, Jr. (1820-1855) was also born in Habersham County and enlisted into the 13th Regiment of Infanty. He was listed as 5'8” with blue eyes and auburn hair. He was honorably discharged in Mobile, Alabama at the end of his one year enlistment. After returning home and marrying he and many more moved to Arkansas' Montgomery County where he died at 33 for unknown reasons and without a will.

Sons of William B. GrantGreat Uncles of Samuel Minton

3. Richard George Washington Grant (1823-1927) is shown to have been born in DeKalb County. He also joined the 13th Regiment of Infantry but was medically discharged in January of 1848 at National Bridge, Mexico. He accompanied his brothers and sister to Arkansas where he also died.

4. James Grant (1828-1847) enlisted at the age of 19 probably in the same unit as his brothers. Little information is known except that he died 1847.

At right is Brigadier General Robert Milner Echols who led the 13th Regiment of Infantry. He died from falling from his horse at National Bridge, Mexico. Echols County, Georgia is named in his honor.

Veterans of the Civil War

The American Civil War is the deadliest war in American history. In the south alone, 30% of the male population between the ages of 18-40. Nearly four million served in the war which comes out to a majority of military aged males. Because of this it is easy to find Civil War veterans within family trees.

The war started officially in 1861 but if you count political battles, guerrilla fighting, and abolitionism you could say the origins were as early as 1787. While the great debate is why the war was fought, there is no easy choices. The north and the south had evolved into two very different areas. The typical New Englander was patriotic to the country and attitudes toward slavery varied from person to person. The typical mid-westerner was also patriotic to the country but cared very little about slavery. The typical southerner was patriotic to their state and saw the preservation of slavery as the preservation of their lifestyle. Rich southerners saw slavery as the driving force of their national, state, and personal economy while poor southerners saw abolition as a threat to their jobs and status. The politics of the prewar period were dominated by the upper classes so if you wish to look political and official actions and legislation then slavery is easily seen as the cause to the war. If you look at the personal level of the Confederate soldiers, which came overwhelmingly from the middle and lower classes, the fact that their nation was being slandered and invaded was the main cassus belli.

The best estimate of casualties among the southern soldiers is 30%. This includes combat deaths and disease. In the following section, 37.5% of the soldiers died.

Northern Leaders in the Eastern Theater of the Civil War

Ulysses S. Grant began the war in the southern theater and led his armies to victories at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg, and Chattanooga before being transferred to become overall commander of the northern army. He was the fist northern general to realize that the fastest way to end the war was to use superior manpower to pummel the Confederates who could not replace their casualties.

George B. McClellan was called upon by President Lincoln following the disaster at 1st Manassas to rebuild the army and go on the offensive to capture Richmond. His first effort is called the Peninsula Campaign on the Virginia Peninsula. Despite having a much larger army he convinced himself that he was outnumbered and was going to be annihilated and any moment. His army made it to seven miles from Richmond but was unable to take it. He was later given command of the Army of the Potomac to stop the Confederate advance into Maryland. He fought to a stalemate at Antietam but a frustrated Lincoln removed him for not crushing the enemy with once again his superior numbers. In 1864 McClellan was the Democratic challenger to Lincoln and lost with 45% of the popular vote.

Confederate Leaders in the Eastern Theater of the Civil War

Robert E. Lee's career in the Civil War started poorly. He was given command in the Shenandoah Valley to push the Federals out of West Virginia but failed. Despite of this he was given command of the Army of Northern Virginia and won stunning victories at the Peninsula, 2nd Manassas, Fredericksburg, Chancelorsville, and was able to preserve his smaller army for four years.

Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was given command of five Virginia regiments and soon came to command a corp in Lee's army. Whether on separate campaigns or under Lee, Jackson's corp was usually used as shock troops who were put into the most dangerous movements and locations within battles and almost always came out victorious. At the Battle of Chancellorsville, perhaps the two general's greatest victory, he was mistakenly fired upon by a North Carolina regiment who thought they were federal cavalry. Jackson's arm was amputated but he also came down with pneumonia Because of his weakened conditioned he died several days later.

Northern Leaders in the Western Theater of the Civil War

Called crazy at the start of the war for saying that the war would be long and bloody, William T. Sherman was made in the same mold as Ulysses S. Grant as a leader with little care for the pomp and glamor of war. He was no-nonsense in his dealings within the army, with politicians, and the press and his army loved him for it. Called the “first modern general”, Sherman was a capable division commander and upon Grant's appointment to the Eastern Theater, Grant chose Sherman to take his place. Sherman's difining campaign was his effort to destroy the Army of Tennessee and take Atlanta. After doing so he marched a third of his command to Savannah on the March to the Sea.

One of the most overlooked and successful generals in the war was George H. Thomas. Unlike many of his fellow generals, Thomas remained in the army following the Mexican War. He commanded at the federal victories at Mill Springs, Perryville, Stones River, and most notably prevented the distruction of the federal army at Chickmauga by making a defensive stand with his corp while the rest of the army retreated. He was with Sherman during the Atlanta Campaign then was sent to Tennessee where he won victories at Franklin and Nashville.

Confederate Leaders in the Western Theater of the Civil War

Beginning his Civil War as a division commander, Braxton Bragg rose to army commander in June, 1862. From that point he lost at Perryville, Stones River, and Tullahoma before gaining the victory at Chickamauga. He was soon after routed at Chattanooga and resigned. Unpopular among his troops, Bragg was a strict disciplinarian and also poor at supply logistics. A friend of President Jefferson Davis, he was made Military Advisor where he was front and center among the 'cronyism' of the Davis administration.

Joseph E. Johnston began the war as the commander of the Army of Northern Virginia until his near fatal wound during the Peninsula Campaign. R. E. Lee took over command and held it for the duration of the war. Upon recovery Johnston was sent to the western theater where he did very little to help at Vicksburg and instead blundered around eastern Mississippi. Upon Bragg's resignation, Davis had little choice but to appoint Johnston in his place just in time to begin the Atlanta Campaign. An expert at defensive tactics, he failed to arrest Sherman's advance and was replaced at the gates of Atlanta.

The Sellers BrothersGreat Uncles of Samuel Minton

Robert, John, Isaac Sellers (brothers of Mary Berthena Sellers Minton) → Isaac Marion Minton → William Isaac Minton → Samuel Minton

1. Robert L. Sellers (1828-1867) was born in Haywood County, NC. He enlisted into Company H of Smith's Legion in the spring of 1862. The Legion was stationed at Cumberland Gap and Loudon, Tennessee before being merged with the 65th Georgia. At this time he was in the hospital in Knoxville but did not return in time and was labeled a deserter. He rejoined in May of 1863 and was wounded in the arm at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain necessitating amputation above the elbow which ended his service. Post war life in unknown.

At right is a picture of the trench lines occupied by John K. Jackson's brigade at Kennesaw Mountain of which the 65th Georgia was a part of.

The Sellers Brothers (cont)Great Uncles of Samuel Minton

2. John S. Sellers (1822-1906) was born in Brunswick County, NC. There is no record of John in Smiths Legion but there is for the 65th Georgia. Records show he was in a Virginia hospital fro November 1863 to February 1864 but deserted in May of 1864. His pension records show John surrendering under General Wiiliam T. Wofford (Cousin 4X removed from Samuel Minton) in Kingston, Georgia in 1865.

3. Isaac Marion Sellers (1841-1887) was born in Haywood County, NC and also served as a private in Smith's Legion. Transferred to Company H of the 65 th Georgia but deserted April 26, 1864 just as the army was leaving winter quarters to begin the Atlanta Campaign.

Both pictures are for Isaac Marion Sellers.

William Riley Minton (1820-1905)Great Grandfather of Samuel Minton

William Riley Minton → Isaac Marion Minton → William Isaac Minton → Samuel Minton

Married to Mary Berthena Sellers

“Pap” Minton was born in Haywood County, NC in 1820. Another William Minton of the same age next appears in Wilkes County, NC in 1840. The name then disappears again until resurfacing in 1858 when he married Mary Berthena Sellers in Gilmer County, Ga. On August 1st, 1863 Pap joined the 16th Battalion, Georgia Cavalry which was a militia unit as a corporal of company G for a 6 month term. The unit sees action in eastern Tennessee and western Virginia. When the “1864 Census for the Re-organizing the Georgia Militia” is conducted, Pap is a civilian farmer. We know that he joins the Federal 5th Tennessee Mounted Infantry which is organized in 1864 in several Tennessee towns including Cleveland and Chattanooga. This unit is detailed to garrison duty along the Western & Atlantic Railroad following Sherman's March to the Sea. It see action at a skirmish in McLemore's Cove in Walker County which is in extreme northwest Georgia. The unit participates in raids to Chatsworth and is mustered out July 17, 1865. Following the war, Pap and many in his family move to Etowah County, Alabama. The move was to find work but also perhaps to distance himself from angry neighbors for his war-time decisions.

Marmaduke S. Swann (1832-1910)Great Grandfather of Samuel Minton

Marmaduke S. Swann → Mary Elizabeth Swann Anderson → Nancy Jane Anderson Minton → Samuel Minton

Married to Lydia Ann Grant, then Alice Bradley, then Edith Grizzle

Marmaduke Swann was born in Rhea County, Tn in 1832. Sometime before his 18th birthday the family, which included six sisters, had moved to Gordon County, Ga. When the Civil War began he enlisted and was appointed 3rd Sergeant of the 18th Georgia. The unit's first duty was guarding captured federals in Richmond before moving out to participate in the Peninsula Campaign under John Bell Hood. He was next part of the assault that crushed the Federal center at Gaines Mill, then part of the “largest simultaneous assault of the war” which destroyed the Federal left at 2nd Manassas. It was during this fight that he was wounded though probably not serious because he stayed with the unit. The next fights were Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Chickamauga, Knoxville, The Wilderness, Cedar Creek, Front Royal, Winchester, and finally the Siege of Petersburg which is where I believe he came home because he shows on the records as absent without leave in January 31st, 1865 and then a machinist in Atlanta.

At left is the battle flag of the 18th Georgia while under John Bell Hood's command.

Marmaduke S. Swannand the 18th Georgia at Gaines Mill

In early 1862 when brigades and divisions were still being formed, the 18 th Georgia were matched with the 1st, 4th, and 5th Texas Regiments under a General Wigfall. Wigfall resigned soon after and Colonel John B. Hood of the 4th Texas was promoted to lead what became known as Hood's Texas Brigade (despite containing the 18th Ga and later Hampton's South Carolina Legion). Their first major action was in Robert E. Lee's first battle with the Army of Northern Virginia. With the federal army on the outskirts of Richmond, Lee attacked the well positioned federals. He asked General Hood if his men could break the line. “I'll try” answered Hood. The Confederates stormed out of the woods and up Gaines Mill and broke the federal line as they would several times throughout the war.

Marmaduke S. Swannand the 18th Georgia at 2nd Manassas

After driving the federal army off the Virginia Peninsula, Lee turned his attention to another federal army moving south from Washington under General John Pope. Pope began the battle by unsuccessfully attacking the Confederate left commanded by Stonewall Jackson. The attacks failed but the next day he tried again despite the fact that General Longstreets corp had come up and were now in position to threaten the flank of the federal army. After the federal attacks were again repulsed, Longstreet's entire corp, including the 18 th Georgia, slammed in the federal left and crushed it.

The 18th Georgia played a pivotal part Longstreet's attack. Despite losing 19 killed and 114 wounded, including Marmaduke Swann and 3 color bearers, the 18 th captured the flag of the 10th New York who lost more men than any other federal unit in one battle. They also captured 4 cannons after charging 2 artillery batteries.

Marmaduke S. Swannand the 18th Georgia at Antietam

Following Lee's victory at 2nd Manassas, he began to plan his first invasion of the north. The two armies met again at Antietam on September 17, 1862 which would become the bloodiest day in American history. The battle began with a large assault on the Confederate left. The fighting focused in a cornfield which was fully grown. Attacks and counterattacks, which included the 18th Georgia, swept through the cornfield. Artillery firing case shot and canister rip through as hand to hand fighting occurs all morning. A federal infantryman writes, “Every stalk of corn in the northern and greater part of the field was cut as closely as can be done with a knife” by the rifle and cannon fire. Hood described his division as, “Dead on the field.” The 18th Georgia lost 101 of the 176 men that were active in the battle.

There are no records saying whether or not Marmaduke Swann had recovered and was present for this battle but the lack of records saying otherwise makes it safe to say he was present.

Marmaduke S. Swannand the 18th Georgia at Fredericksburg

At Fredericksburg, the 18th Georgia found itself in the location of one of the most lopsided engagements of the war. Being pushed by Lincoln and the federal government, new federal commander Ambrose Burnside rushed into battle. The Confederate center held a position behind a stone wall beside a sunken road that overlooked almost 600 yards of open ground that sloped downward toward the town. The federals made several assaults but the four-deep ranks of Confederates and well-concealed artillery batteries decimated the attacks. Prior to the battle the brigade was taken over by T.R.R. Cobb of Georgia. During the assaults, Cobb was hit in the hip by a shell fragment and bled to death. His replacement was William T. Wofford (cousin 4x removed from Samuel Minton) who led the brigade almost to the end of the war.

Following the war, Swann returned to his saw and grist mill and built a number of bridges in the Gilmer County area. At the age of 40 he under went cataract surgery but went blind soon thereafter. He is died in 1910 and is buried at Ebenezer Baptis in Gilmer County.

The Grant BrothersGreat Uncles of Samuel F. Minton

Thomas Jefferson Grant, Robert R. & Andrew “Jack” Grant (Brothers of Lydia Ann Grant Swann) → Mary Elizabeth Swann Anderson → Nancy Jane Anderson Minton → Samuel Minton

Robert R. Grant (1831-1899?) was born in DeKalb County. He enlisted as 1st Lieutenant of the 36th Georgia Infantry in company I. The unit saw limited service until the Vicksburg Campaign where the entire unit was captured after the surrender of the Confederate garrison. Robert tendered his resignation due to being a “supernumerary” officer which was accepted in 1864. He was captured in Nashville, Tennessee and was released from Johnson's Island prison in Ohio in 1865.

The Grant BrothersGreat Uncles of Samuel F. Minton

Thomas Jefferson Grant (1839-1914) was born in Cass County (Now Bartow). He enlisted as a private in the 36th Georgia. He was with the regiment until capture at Vicksburg. Upon being paroled it is assumed he did not reenlist as his name does not appear in any further records.

Andrew Jackson “Jack” Grant (1842-1933) was also born in Cass County (Now Bartow). He enlisted as a Corporal in the 36th Georgia Infantry. He was captured at Vicksburg but after he was paroled he rejoined the unit. At the Battle of Missionary Ridge he was struck by a shell in the left arm. His arm was amputated above the elbow.

The Blackwell BrothersGreat Uncles of Samuel F. Minton

Jesse, Hamilton Wiley, James Wiley, & Andrew Jackson Blackwell (Brothers of Mary Ann Blackwell → Jidire Clinton Anderson → Nancy Jane Anderson Minton → Samuel Minton

Picture at top right is the historical marker where Philips' Legion trained in Big Shanty, Georgia.

Picture at bottom right is the Battle of South Mountain

1. Jesse Blackwell (1825-1882) was born in Hall County, Georgia before the family moved to Texas. He enlisted in company E of Philips' Legion as a private. He was captured at the Battle of South Mountain, Maryland in 1862, exchanged, the promoted to corporal, then 5th sergeant. He furloughed home in early 1864 but did not return to duty and was listed as absent without leave. He died in Rusk County, Texas in

The Blackwell BrothersGreat Uncles of Samuel F. Minton

2. Hamilton Wiley Blackwell (1827-1864) was also born before the move in Hall County, Georgia but enlisted with the 13th Texas Infantry. Little is known about his experience but we can assume he was captured at Vicksburg and exchaged as part of Waul's Texas Legion. He was killed at the Battle of Mansfield, Lousiana while assaulting the federal positions.

3. James Wesley Blackwell (1829-1863) was also born in Hall County. He joined the “Ragged First” 1st Texas Infantry, one of the most prestigious regiments in the war and part of Hood's Texas Brigade. Records has him listed as a scout for General Hood. He was wounded at 2nd Manassas and discharged from service a few months later. After being discharged he returned home where he died soon thereafter.

At right is a picture of the 1st Texas flag.

The Blackwell BrothersGreat Uncles of Samuel F. Minton

4. Andrew Jackson Blackwell (1833-?) enlisted later in the war in 1863 into Philips' Legion. He is only listed as present in 1864. There is an AJ Blackwell buried in Texas but it is impossible to know if it is him.

Below is the painting “Ragged Old First” by Don Troiani depicting the 1st Texas Infantry in the cornfield of Antietam.

Joseph Monroe Anderson (1843-1914)Grand Uncle of Samuel F. Minton

Joseph M. Anderson (Brother of Jidire Clinton Anderson) → Nancy Jane Anderson Minton → Samuel Minton

Married to Mary A. Harbin

Joseph Monroe Anderson was born in Gilmer County, Georgia in 1843. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in company G of the 39th Georgia Infantry who were called the “Gilmer Lions”. The unit saw limited action until the Battle of Champions Hill and Vicksburg where the unit was captured. After being exchanged they were active again around Chattanooga. He was captured in Dalton, Georgia and “tried as a spy but was acquitted.” He remained imprisoned in Chattanooga for the rest of the war.

Other Ancestors of Samuel Minton

Hiram Jacob Henderson (1824-1864) – Great, Great Cousin of Samuel Minton – Private of Company G, 43rd Georgia Infantry in January of 1863. Official records state he died at the Fairground Hospital in Atlanta and was buried in Oakland Cemetery January 26, 1864. His grave is now probably unknown.

Hugh B. Henderson (1841-?) - Great, Great Cousin of Samuel Minton – Private of Company G, 43rd Georgia. He enlisted in March 1862 and by November of the same year he was in a hospital Knoxville, Tennesee. He has no later record in the military but appears on the 1880 census as a farmer in Jackson County.

Picture top right is the Lion of Atlanta which sits within the unknown Cofederate section

Picture at bottom right is a reunion of the 43rd. It is unknown who is in the picture.

Other Ancestors of Samuel Minton

William B. Henderson (1839-1909) - Great, Great Cousin of Samuel Minton – Enlisted as 1st Lieutenant of the 7th Florida of Finley's Florida Brigade. The hard fighting unit saw action in nearly every Atlanta Campaign battle except Ezra Church. They began the campaign with over 1200 but by August were down to 601 active. After the war Henderson was a leading citizen of Tampa, Florida and one of its most influential businessmen.

John A. Hopper (1825-1863) – Great 3X Cousin of Samuel Minton – Hopper served as Captain of company E in the 8th Battalion Georgia Infantry. He died in Yazoo City, Mississippi of fever on June 11, 1863.

Other Ancestors of Samuel Minton

Charles Clark Wofford (1825-1909) – Great 3X Cousin of Samuel Minton – Corporal of company A, 10th Battalion Georgia Cavalry State Guards which was a militia unit. There are no official records of this unit. After the war Charles moved to Sequoyah, Oklahoma.

William T. Wofford (1824-1884) – Great 4X Cousin of Samuel Minton – Elected to represent Cass County (now Bartow) at the Georgia secession convention where he voted against leaving the union. When secession passed he organized the 18th Georgia and was elected colonel. He rose to the rank of brigadier general in the Army of Northern Virginia under Longstreet. He was wounded at the Wilderness and Spotsylvania Court House. He was the last commander to surrender a significant amount of Confederate troops east of the Mississippi. He is buried in the Cassville Cemetery.

Other Ancestors of Samuel Minton

James C. Wofford (1840-1913) – Great 3X Cousin of Samuel Minton – Originally enlisted as a private in the 18th Georgia but was discharged for disability early in the war. He reenlisted and was made sergeant in the 40th Georgia in early 1862. He was captured at Vicksburg, paroled, and his unit participated in the Atlanta Campaign most notably at Resaca, New Hope Church, Kolb Farm, Atlanta, and Jonesborough.

William Benton Wofford (1842-1909) Great 3X Cousin of Samuel Minton – Enlisted originally in the 18th Georgia but in 1863 a new unit, the 3rd Battallion Georgia Sharpshooters was formed by using the best soldiers in Wofford's Brigade. They were used as scouts and skirmishers. They fought in all major battles of the eastern theater and surrendered with only 1 officer and 22 men remaining.

Other Ancestors of Samuel Minton

William Wofford Rich (1823-1892) – Great, Great Cousin of Samuel Minton – Served first in the Mexican War. Formed and became colonel of a cavalry regiment in Cass County which eventually joined Philips' Legion as company H. Upon the dissolution of the Legion, his unit was transferred to Jeb Stuart's cavalry where he commanded company A through an uncountable number of skirmishes. Illness forced him to retire from service and return home to Georgia, then move to Alabama.

Ensley M. Anderson (1841-1864) – Great, Great Cousin of Samuel Minton – Sergeant of the 1st Georgai Partisan Rangers who eventually became the 6th Georgia Cavalry. The unit was under Alfred Iverson and Joseph Wheeler and fought numerous battles including Sunshine Church, Georgia.

Other Ancestors of Samuel Minton

Joseph Crawford Anderson (1843-1862) – Great, Great Cousin of Samuel Minton – It is unknown what regiment this person was with but he did die January 8, 1862 while stationed in Savannah, Georgia during the war.

James W. Anderson (1845-1864) - Great, Great Cousin of Samuel Minton – It is not known what unit this person belonged to but there was a James W. Anderson in the 1st Georgia Infantry out of Dahlonega. James died in January 1864.

Jediah Lafayette Anderson (1842-1863) - Great, Great Cousin of Samuel Minton –

Other Ancestors of Samuel Minton

Marion Lafayette Garvin (1845-1931) – Great, Great Cousin of Samuel Minton - Enlisted in Dallas, Texas in 1861 with the 6th Texas Cavalry. Fought in the Battles of Pea Ridge and Corinth before being assigned to Lawrence Ross' brigade of cavalry under William Jackson and Joseph Wheeler. They participated in the Battle of Brown's Mill outside Newnan, Georgia where they destroyed the federal cavalry under Edward McCook.

Robert Hopper (1833-1915) – 4X Great Cousin of Samuel Minton – Records have him in the 8th Missouri Infantry which fought at several battles in the Trans-Mississippi theater. The unit was then redesignated as the 11th Missouri and fought in the Red River Campaign.

Other Ancestors of Samuel Minton

James Madison Blackwell (1840-1908) – Great, Great Cousin of Samuel Minton – Enlisted as a private July 9, 1861 into company E of Philips' Legion. He was captured at the Battle of South Mountain and exchanged. Wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg in 1862 and at Hanover Junction in 1864. Last record show him being issued clothing in November of 1864. After the war he moved to Murray County, Oklahoma.

The End