This is a story of my family’s experiences during the Civil War and World War II.
These are the true accounts of my 3rd Great Grandfather Daniel Minor and my
Grandfather Hugh Minor.
I’ve broken their storys into two seperate sections for this Web presenation.
I have gathered information from various sources, Ancestry.com, Fold3.com,
historical books, letters and many pictures/photo’s from the Library of Congress.
Many of the pictures/photo’s from the library of congress have been digitally
enhanced, digitally zoomed and for some, composite images have been created.
Some of the drawings that I have created where based on actual photos of the
individual or a composite based on pictures of their children or in some cases just
created based on how I thought they may have looked. All pictures will have
notations to indicate the source of the picture.
Most of my family members from Gwinnett County, fought for the 36th Regiment
Georgia Volunteers Company K.
The movements of the 36th Regiment were recorded in
officer and company reports. Throughout this site,
company reports will be displayed as shown below.
Some of the reports are written by other companies of
the 36th, but each company shared a similar experiences.
Company D, 36th Regiment report
Jan 15 to June 1, 1862
Camp Big Creek Gap. Tenn.
PREFACE
The contends of this site or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any
manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author and publisher.
The Miner (now spelled Minor) family had been living in Gwinnett county Georgia since 1820.
Records show that Daniel Miner was born in the year 1823. His father Nicholas Miner was 33 at the time of Daniel’s birth and died the
following year. Daniel’s mother Rachel was 31 when she gave birth to Daniel. Rachel never remarried after her husband’s untimely death.
Daniel was the youngest of 5 siblings. Daniel’s older brother William (by 10 years) would help to teach Daniel
how to do the various tasks necessary for the upkeep of the farm.
In 1849 Daniel at the age of 26, marries the love of his life, Harriett Clementine Landers who was 17 at the time.
The 1850 census shows that Daniel and his wife are living with Daniel’s mother Rachel.
His older brother and sisters have left and started their own families.
The following year 1851, Daniel’s first son, Humphrey Nicholas Miner was born.
Daniel’s brother how has a large family of his own, his wife Nancy and 2 daughters and 4 sons.
Slavery in the south had been an accepted practice for many years. The Miner family was not rich but they did
own several slaves. Most of the slaves were owned by Daniel’s mother Rachel, for her farm and household
work.
There is no information on Daniel and the Miner family for the period between 1850 and 1860, but one can speculate on
how the issues of the Union, slavery and the South affected this part of Georgia.
The people of Gwinnett County were one of the few counties in Georgia who voted NOT to secede from the Union.
No known photographs exist of
Daniel. This drawing is based on
the photo images of his sons.
Harriett Landers
Daniel Miner’s wife
(created image)
BEGINNINGS
January 19, 1861 Georgia secedes from the Union and later that
year, the first of Daniel’s relatives joins the Confederate Army.
Eli Pinson Landers (age 19), Harriett’s youngest
brother, joined the 16th Regiment, Co. H, which
was known as the “Flint Hill Grays.” His
company was mustered in on August 11, 1861.
They left immediately by train from Stone
Mountain for Richmond, Virginia.
Eli Pinson Landers
Picture taken sometime in 1861
(colorization done by Author)
Eli’s experiences were captured in letters that he wrote
home to his mother. These letters were later published
in a book:
“In care of Yellow River: the complete civil war letters
of Pvt. Eli Pinson Landers to his Mother” by Elizabeth
Whitley Roberson.
Some of the letters were also sent to his sister Harriett and her
husband Daniel Miner.
Eli’s letters are very detailed and give very clear (hard) views of what
life was like as a Confederate soldier from 1861 to 1863.
Four months after enlisting, due to illness, Eli returned back home to
his mother in Gwinnett County. During this visit, Eli sees Harriett’s
new born son Eli Pinson Miner, who was named after him.
At the end of January, Eli returns to his unit. By January 27, 1862 Eli
joins up with his unit near Yorktown. In April, his regiment is
engaged in their first serious battle with Federal forces at Dam No. 1
on the Warwick River.
CIVIL WAR
Summer of 1862 (May-June)
Jesse A. Glenn with the help of others, formed and organized the
36th Georgia Infantry Regiment at Dalton Georgia.
Many of the officers and men are from the Dalton area and surrounding nearby
counties including Gwinnett County.
Dalton,
Georgia
Colonel Jesse Allen Glenn
age 29
(created image)
Company K of the 36th regiment was formed in May 1862.
Men from Gwinnett County formed this company and
were commanded by Captain Alfred A Dyer who was
elected to this position. Total men in the company after
May were 75.
First commanding officer of the GA 36th Infantry
Col. Glenn was born 27 Feb 1809 in Greene Co, GA.
Prior to the war Col. Glenn practiced as a lawyer, was a teacher and also
served as a Judge in Summerville Ga. In 1858 he moved to Dalton Georgia
where he practiced law.
He enlisted 20 Apr. 1861 at Muscogee Co, GA, with the rank of Captain of and commanded Company H 2nd
Georgia Infantry Regiment.
He was promoted to Full Colonel on 24 Apr 1862 and given command of the 36th Georgia Infantry Regiment.
In 1855, Wallace moved to Atlanta, Georgia. He
established a wholesale commission house for
western produce and later accepted a position as an
agent of the Bank of the State of Georgia. In 1856,
he was elected a member of the Atlanta City
Council and made the Chairman of the Finance
Committee. On December 8, 1856, he became the
delegate to the Southern Convention in Savannah.
Lt. Colonel
Alex M. Wallace
age: 40
Was born 26 Mar 1826 at Dalton,
Whitfield Co, GA, where he enlisted
12 June 1862 with the rank of Major.
On July 4, 1859, Wallace was elected a Captain of the newly
organized Atlanta Grays (also known as the Fulton Grays)
military company. On January 3, 1861, he was again chosen
Captain of the Atlanta Grays military company. On
February 1, 1861, he resigned the Atlanta Grays
commission to accept the Captaincy in Company L, 1st
Regulars Regiment of Georgia.
On April 24, 1862, Wallace was promoted by President
Jefferson Davis to Lieutenant Colonel in the 36th Georgia
Infantry Regiment.
Major C. E. Broyles
36 yrs old
(created image)
EXCERPT FROM DIARY OF
(Col.) CHARLES EDWARD BROYLES
written in or about 1896.
“In 1858 I was appointed on the staff of Joe Brown, Governor, as one of his aides with the rank of
Colonel, and the same Fall was elected to the Legislature from Whitfield County, and was one of five
from the House with three from the Senate to devise and report the present code of laws for the State
of Georgia. I was a member in the stormy days of secession and opposed separate state action.
In 1861 I went to Virginia, a private in 11th Ga. Regiment commanded by Col. G. G. Anderson, and was
with the Army of General Joseph E. Johnson at Winchester, Va. that made the great march to reinforce
Beauregard at Bull Run.
I was afoot and not being accustomed to walking, I suffered much while my feet bled freely. We did
not get to the Bull Run fight, as being new troops, the older were shipped from Piedmont, Fauquier
Co., Virginia, in advance of us. We got there after the battle was over but in time to witness the
destruction of life and property with the horrors of war.
In the fall I returned home and commenced to help raise a Regiment with Col. J. A. Gleason. We
succeeded and I was commissioned Major of it in 1862.”
Birth Sep 17, 1839 in Gwinnett, Georgia,
Death Jul 28, 1894 in Stanton, Chilton, Alabama
Alfred A. Dyer was the son of Bluford and Emily C. Hudson Dyer.
He was the grandson of Thomas P. and Lurinda Green Hudson. He grew
up on a farm and as a young man, Alfred worked as a Grocery Merchant.
Shortly after the war started, he enlisted in CSA in October 1861 and he was elected 1st
Lieutenant of Co. H, l0th Regiment Georgia State troops, October 21, 1861 at the age of 22.
He was mustered out of Co H on May 1862.
He was then elected Captain of Co. K, 36th Regiment Georgia Infantry May 13, 1862.
Picture of Alfred Dyer
with his wife
Captain Alfred Alexander Dyer
Company K 36th Ga Regiment
GEORGIA HEAVY INFANTRY
Pictorial History of the Civil War in th VOL I
by: Benson John Lossing
In addition to relatives, most of the men in company K were also friends and neighbors like CA
Rowden, Joseph Nash and Moten’s brother, Thomas.
The 36th regiment along with the 34th, 39th, 56th and 57th Georgia Volunteer Infantry Regiments
are part of General T. H. Taylor’s Brigade. This Brigade is part of General Stevenson’s Division as
shown below. Stevenson’s Division consist of over nine thousand men.
The men of the south are sworn in similar to the
procedures of the Union army of that time.
“I, ........., do solemnly swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the
Confederate States of America and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully
against all their enemies or oppressors whomsoever; and that I will observe and
obey the orders of the President of the Confederate States and the orders of the
officers appointed over me, according to the rules and Articles of War.”
One of the biggest killer of soldiers during the Civil War was disease. For many young men this
was the first time they had been away from their small home towns. They were being exposed to
thousands of other men and lacked the immunities of most common diseases.
Along with this new exposure was the fact that conditions in Civil War camps where unsanitary
which contributed to the spread of diseases. Of the 77 men who made up Company K of the 36th
Regiment, 15 men died of disease. Eleven additional men also had to leave the company due to
illness during the war.
Two of men in company K affected early by disease where 2nd Lt. Nathaniel Wallace and Private
Moten Hutchings, who was married to Rachel Landers, Harriett Miner’s sister.
Due to the lack of medical care early in the war, the practice was to send seriously ill soldiers back
to their homes to be cared for by their families.
Soldiers of the 36th are sent to Tennessee, along with the other Regiments of Taylor’s
Brigade, to begin their training at Camp Big Creek Gap.
Map from
Library of Congress
In a letter to Moten’s wife, from Moten’s brother Thomas Hutchings who was with
him in Tennessee at the time, we get a picture of what Moten went through.
Camp Hatten, Tennessee July the 14th 1862
Dear Sister, It is that I drop you a few lines that leaves me well at present
hoping this will come safe and find you and little Henry well. […]
He was to have been sent home from Chattanooga but he was carried to
Moristown and back to Knoxville before he was sent home. That kept him in
camp too long but it was not as I or the Captain pleased about sending him
home. I was glad we got the chance to send him home as soon as we did as we
could not send him no sooner. I would have went with him if I could but there
was no chance for that so I expect he fared badly on the road home though I
am as well contented about the treatment and attention he received after he
got home as if I had been there though I had rather been with him if I could.
Not that I think I could a nursed him any better than you did but you know it
is human nature for anybody to be with their folks in their last hours. This
you know by your own feelings without me saying anything about it. […]
Moten dies of his illness in the care of his
wife on the 5th of July 1862. He becomes the
first in the family group to die as a result of
the Civil War.
[…]
Adaline, as for the burial care I suppose you had it fixed to your own notions.
I write to let you know I am satisfied with all you have done about it.
I merely write this to you so you neednt be afraid of me thinking hard of you in any
way you have managed the care for I am satisfied with it as it could not be hoped
for death is sure and life uncertain so I reckon I am as well composed as the care will
admit.
You stated that you thought he was in Heaven.
That gave me some consolation.
[…]
Four months later, sadly Rebecca’s 2 year old son William Henry
(“Little W. H.”) dies of disease sometime in November, 1862
Affidavit filed on April 7th, 1863 by
Rebecca to receive widow benefits.
“Rebecca A Hutchings who, after being sworn according to law, deposes and says,
that She is the wife of Moten Hutchings deceased, who was a private of Captain A
Dyer Company (K) 36th Regiment of Georgia Volunteers, commanded by Col.
Glenn in the service of the Confederate States, in the present war with the United
States;
that the said Moten Hutchings entered the service at Hutsons in Gwinnett County
and State of Georgia on or about the 13th day of May 1862, and died of disease on
or about the 5th day of July 1862, leaving his wife Rebecca A Hutchings who
makes this deposition for the purpose of obtaining from the Government of the
confederate states whatever may have been due the said Moten Hutchings at the
time of his death, for pay, bounty or other allowances for his services.”
Even before the Siege of Vicksburg, times where hard for the soldiers located
in Vicksburg. In a letter written by Napoleon Landers in April while in
Vicksburg, it is clear that he and his fellow soldiers are not doing very well.
Dear Cousin,
April the 23rd 1863
I take my pen in hand to let you know how I am getting on.
I aint well nor hast bin for a week but I hope these lines will
come safe to hand and find you all well. I hant got much to
write but the Yankees passes with the gunboats every day.
When they get ready we will have it with them somewhere.
Before long we will leave here soon. I think we will go to Mobile
but I dont know where we will go. The health in the army here is
bad. The men die here fast if you call eight hundred deaths in
Vicksburg a lot. All day they are sent to the hospital.
We cant live on what we draw. The meat we draw is spoilt and the beef is
so pore we cant eat it. A man cant live here without he spends two dollars
a day. I think we will have to gnve it up and come home. Our men look so
pore and bad and dont care how the drop feels. The men went to the
Brigade wagons to see what they had. Some sell lots [sic] and eggs. They
sold um 1 dollar for six, 2 dollars for eggs, one dollar for meat. I was so
weak they got there first and got all of them.
Tell Mama that I dont feel like I will ever see her face again.
There is no chance to come home from here. The men dies right and
left in front and rear. I pay out from 1 to 2 dollars a day and then
go hungry. I’m not able to run about and hunt it up. I have got one
letter since I left home. Tell them to write to me or I wont write to
them. I have wrote up half a quire of paper to them and havent got
no answer from it. Paper is buyed here when we can get it.
Tell Sarah that I think she might write to me. Tell D. Miner I have
wrote to him three letters and I want him to rite to me so I must
come to a close.
from N.B.Landers to W.M.McDaniel
The following troop movements shown are
based on the 36th Regiment company reports:
Vicksburg, Miss. for May
This would be a similar scene of how the confederate
troops would have looked as they marched out of
Vicksburg on their way to Edwards Station.
Library of Congress: Summary: Long column of troops
marching along a road after the Battle of Gettysburg.
THE BATTLE OF BAKERS CREEK
(CHAMPION HILL)
SKIRMISHING IN THE WOODS ON THE ADVANCE TO VICKSBURG
FRANK LESLIE’S ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF THE CIVIL WAR, PG. 327
“Our artist presents a most beautiful scene, could we but forget the deadly
nature of it. A party of skirmishers, thrown out in front in the almost
impenetrable forest, came suddenly upon a similar party of the enemy, and
the woods soon rang with the sharp report of the rifle, sending death to
another, and announcing to the main bodies that the struggle had begun.”
This company was in the battle of Baker’s Creek on the
16 day of May 1863, and Besieged army at Vicksburg Miss. from 18 day of May to 4 July 1863.
Left Vicksburg, Miss. May 3
Marched to Big Black river distance 20 miles.
Camped at the forks of Halls Ferry Road and Warrenton Road.
Left the night of 12, arrived at Edward’s station 13th.
Remaining there until the night of 15
marched 8 miles and engaged Gen. Grants army early in the morning of the 16 of May 1863,
on the evening of the 16 our army fell back to Big Black river where remained until next
morning.
Engaged the army about two hours then fell back to
Vicksburg, Miss. Went into the (over)
trenches,
18 of May was a continual seige from the enemy’s lines until the 4 day of July 1863.
The army was surrendered by Gen John L Pemberton, was payroled 8.
Marched out on the 12 to Enterprise, Miss. distance 150 miles.
Left Enterprise 24 arrived in Atlanta by the way of X road 2 July 1863.
W.A Dweese, Lt Com dg Co. D 36 Regt. Geo Vols
From Co. D, 36 Reg company Reports
during the battle of Baker’s Creek.
Vicksburg Miss. May 1 1863.
Left Vicksburg May 2
Marched to Hankerson’s Ferry, distance of 20 miles, turned evening of the 3rd and marched to the fork of
Halls Ferry & Warrenton road 9 miles continued scouting over the country between Vicksburg & Big Black
until the night of the 12th at which time started to Edward’s Depo distance 32 miles.
Arrived the evening of the 13 and camped 2 miles East of the depot, remained in camp until the night of the
13 at which time started up Bakers Creek Crossing 5 miles above.
Camped on the east side and engaged the Federal army under Gen. Grant on the morning of the 14 after a
desperate we were compelled to fall back to the bridge over Big Black in the evening where we camped for
the night.
The enemy coming up on the morning (over)
of the 17 engaged him about 2 hours and then fell back to Vicksburg. Taken our position in the intrench the
18 and was under a continual fire from the enemy until the 4 day of July at which time the place was
surrendered by Lt. Gen John B Pemberton to the Federal commander Gen. Grant.
We were paroled on the 9
Marched out of Vicksburg the 12 and continued to Enterprise distance 160 miles. Left Enterprise the 24 by
Rail Road by way of Mobile arrived at Atlanta the 28.
Furlough home for 20 days from the 23 then met in Atlanta Aug 13. Went into parole camps.
Moved our Camps to Stone Mt. Ga the 19 September distance 15 miles.
Revived notice of our being exchanged on the 12 Sept.
Moved our camps to Decatur Ga. on the 27.
From Co. F, 36 Reg company Reports
during the battle of Baker’s Creek.
“R.N. Miner is not well and he has been ailing all the time of this
march. It looks like we are going to have rain shortly. The farmers is
needing it very bad.
Some of the 7th Ga boys got a letter from the 36th Ga Regiment
stating that they was cut up badly, naming some of the killed and
wounded.
I am very anxious to hear a correct report. I fear that N.B. is killed or
some of our neighbor boys. I understand that our boys has won a
glorious victory at Vicksburg.”
Exert from a letter, when EP Landers was near the Culpepper Court
House Va., June 11th 1863
EP Landers to his mother
Sometime during the battle of Baker’s
Creek, Sergeant William Miner is killed.
William R Miner (24)
3rd sergeant
Library of Congress: Title: War songs
Creator(s): Homer,Winslow, 1836-1910, artist
SIEGE OF VICKSBURG
5
Went into the trenches,
18 of May was a continual seige from the enemy’s lines until the 4 day of July 1863.
The army was surrendered by Gen John L Pemberton, was payroled 8.
Marched out on the 12 to Enterprise, Miss. distance 150 miles.
Left Enterprise 24 arrived in Atlanta by the way of X road 2 July 1863.
W.A Dweese, Lt Com dg Co. D 36 Regt. Geo Vols
Per company reports the 36th Regiment took part in the seige of
Vicksburg from May 18 until their surrender on July 4th, 1863.
FRANK LESLIE’S ILLUSTRATED
HISTORY OF THE CIVIL WAR, PG. 334
SIEGE OF VICKSBURG-LIFE IN THE
TRENCHES-BIVOUAC OF LEGGETT’S
BRIGADE, McPHERSON’S CORPS AT
THE WHITE HOUSE.
FRANK LESLIE’S ILLUSTRATED
HISTORY OF THE CIVIL WAR, PG. 347
SIEGE OF VICKSBURG -
SHARPSHOOTERS IN THE RIFLE
PITS CONSTRUCTED BY CAPTAIN
HICKENLOOPER
Library of Congress; Title: Interview between Grant and Pemberton
FRANK LESLIE’S ILLUSTRATED
HISTORY OF THE CIVIL WAR, PG.
453 THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG-
GENERAL GRANT MEETING THE
CONFEDERATE GENERAL
PEMBERTON AT THE STONE
HOUSE INSIDE THE
CONFEDERATE WORKS, ON THE
MORNING OF JULY 4th 1863
General Grant not wanting to feed 30,000 hungry Confederates in Union prison camps,
offered to parole all prisoners. The Confederates were paroled starting on the 6th of July.
On the 9th of July 1863 the 36th Regiment is paroled and marched out of Vicksburg.
John Miner’s parole in Vicksburg,
given to the Union’s 20th Regiment of Illinois.
THE RETURN
6
After the surrender of Vicksburg many of the soldiers were ill from dysentery and
typhoid fever. Those confederate soldiers who were sick or wounded and were unable to
walk, were taken down the Mississippi River on a river boat, to New Orleans.
From New Orleans they were then taken to Mobile Alabama.
Napoleon Landers was among this group of men being transported.
While on the steamship between New
Orleans and Mobile Alabama, Napoleon
succumbs to his illness and dies.
As to what happened with his remains, is
unknown.
On the same day of Napoleon’s death, his friends in the 36th regiment arrive at Atlanta Georgia
by train. The regiment is given a 20 day furlough and they all return home.
“The said N. B. Landers died from disease July
28th 1863 on Boat between New Orleans and
Mobile Ala. The Confederate States Dew said
soldier for his service $54.00”
Confederate records shows that Napoleon “Pole”
Landers died of disease on the 28 of July 1863.
It is not known when Napoleon’s wife Sarah is told of his death. One can speculate that she was
greatly disappointed at the absence of her husband when the others arrived on furlough.
They more than likely told her that Napoleon was very ill and being transported with the other
wounded and sick and should be with her soon. With the expectation of her husband’s arrival, I’m
sure this added greatly to the shock of finding out that he had died.
Napoleon’s wife Sarah and son.
DANIEL’S ENLISTMENT
7
With the 36th Regiment return to Georgia the ranks for Company K had grown smaller.
Based on company records by Aug 1863, 18 men had died.
3 died in battle and 15 of disease.
7 men in the company had been wounded and 3 left the company due to their wounds.
11 men also had to leave the company due to illness by this time.
The recruitment age (18 to 35) had been expanded by the Second Conscription Act to the
ages of 18 to 45 in Sept. 1862.
For the Southerner who had money, they could pay someone to take their place.
Most however did not have much money.
Other soldiers, who had deserted or failed to return from leave, were encouraged
to return to service with the issue of General Order No. 84 issued April of 1863.
$1,000 for a Substitute.
An able bodied man not subject to conscription
can get one thousand dollars to go .... to the 32d
Reg’t Ala Vols. now camped at Hunting Water bridge,
15 miles front Chattanooga. Apply to this office.
HEADQUARTERS,
Army of Tennessee, April 23d, 1863
GENERAL ORDERS NO. 84
It having been ascertained that many soldiers now absent from this
army, are anxious to return to their colors, but are deterred, by the
fear of punishment as deserters, the commanding General gives
notice, that all will be restored to duty, without punishment, who
return to their corps within 20 days if within our lines, or if now
north of the lines of this army, within 40 days.
By command of Gen. Bragg
(Signed) W.W. Mackall Chief of Staff
On the 23rd of Aug 1863, Daniel Miner now 40, with 6 children, one of whom is a new born
infant, volunteers or is conscripted into the Confederate Army.
Daniel joins the 36th Regiment, Georgia Infantry (Broyles’) and is assigned to Company K
as a private.
In August of 1863 two men from Gwinnett were
added to Company K:
W. S. King,
age unknown
( a month later he had to leave due to illness)
Daniel P. Miner
age 40
Daniel’s family August 1863
Daniel
6
Charlie
4
Eli P
1 month
William
9
Rachel
11
Humphrey
13
Harriett
31
Daniel Minor (40)
Private
(Image based on a photo of his eldest son.)
Parole camp was an honor system set up where each
side would take care of housing its own soldiers who
had been designated as being on parole, meaning they
would not fight in combat unless they were formally
exchanged.
The 36th Regiment were moved to a parole camp
located near Atlanta, Ga on 1 Sept 1863.
They received notice of being exchanged 11 days later.
Daniel saying good-bye to his wife as he joins the 36th
in parole camp near Stone Mountain on Sept 1, 1863.
Image from: Library of Congress.
Title: Cumberland Landing, Virginia. Federal encampment on the Pamunkey
Parole Camp, Atlanta, Ga, Sept 1, 1863
Received notice of our being exchanged
on 12 Sept 1863;
Private Eli Landers 16th Regiment is part of Gen. Longstreet’s command.
Eli’s company sees little action in this battle.
September 19, 1863...
During this period of time, in the northern part of Georgia and
southeastern Tennessee the battle of Chickamauga was beginning. The
Union army of the Cumberland under Maj. Gen. William Rosecrans were
facing the Confederate Army of Tennessee under Gen. Braxton Bragg. This
was to become the first major battle fought in Georgia.
Library of Congress drawing: Title: Longstreet’s soldiers debarking from the trains below Ringgold,
September 18, 1863. They hastened from here into the Battle of Chickamauga which was already raging.
Date Created/Published: [no date recorded on caption card]
On Sept 20th, Lt. Gen. James Longstreet’s attack drove one-third of the Union army from the
field. Both the Union and Confederate Armies suffered heavy losses.
Union losses were 16,170 (1,657 killed, 9,756 wounded, and 4,757 captured or missing).
Confederate 18,454 (2,312 killed, 14,674 wounded, and 1,468 captured or missing).
This battle is considered to be the second highest losses of the Civil War coming after
Gettysburg.
Even though the Confederates were considered to be the victors by driving the Union from the
field the over all objective of destroying the Union Army and restoring Confederate control of
East Tennessee had failed.
Library of Congress. Title:
Battle of Chickamauga--Sept.
19' & 20' 1863-- Federal ..
(Gen. Rosecrans com.)
Confederate ...
(Gen. Bragg com.)
Creator(s): Kurz & Allison.,
Date Created/Published: c1890.
Dear Mother,
Knowing that you are very anxious to hear from me I will write you a few lines which will inform you that I am well this morning.
There has been some very hard fighting since our Va army has arrived here but our Brigade has not been in no fight yet more than skirmishing.
Our troops has been very successful so far.
We have drove the enemy some 8 or 10 miles and cleared them off of Georgia soil killing a great many of them and taking many prisoners but the number has not
been ascertained yet but I saw 2200 in one drove!
Our Virginia troops fights like tigers up here in the West. They say they are going to show them the lick it is done with but I think the Western boys is all right.
They are not as bad whipped as we heard they was. They all seem in good spirits.
The Yankeys has fell back to Chattanooga to their entrenchments. They are well fortified and we are in the line of battle both parties near each other.
It is thought that if we cant flank their position some way that we will have to charge them out of their works and if we do it will be done with great slaughter on
our side. There is no other chance for they have got good cannon and rifle works but I hope there will be some way for our Prosperity.
I will say no more about the fight till it is over with if I should live to see the end.
I like this part of the country very well but the weather is dry dry. The dust in the roads is shoe mouth deep.
When marching the dust rises so thick a person can hardly see his way.
(end of excerpt)
Letter from Eli Landers to his mother:
Camp near Chattanooga Tenn Sept 24th 1863
Composite Image created from: Library of Congress. Title: Cumberland Landing, Virginia.
Federal encampment on the Pamunkey Creator(s): Gibson, James F., b. 1828, photographer Date
Created/Published: 1862 May. (image of stone mountain added for background by Author)
After the release from parole camp the 36th Regiment is ordered to move
to Tennessee. The 36th will fight under the command of General Braxton
Bragg and General Longstreet.
ORDERS TO TENNESSEE
Company E, 36th Regiment report
Sept 19 moved camp to Stone Mountain, Ga distance 15 miles
Sept 19
moved camp to stone mountain, Ga (distance 15 miles)
Sept. 27
moved Decatur, Ga distance 9 miles
Oct 1,
Left Decatur for Chicamauga, Tenn. arrived there late in the evening of
the 2nd distance 132 miles.
Weather conditions in Chattanooga Tenn taken from reports made during that period.
1. There had been no appreciable rainfall in the area of operations for approximately
six weeks prior to the battle of 18-20 September 1863.
2. On 18 September, the sky was cloudy and the temperature at noon was 62 degrees.
3. The temperature dropped precipitously into the 30s during the night of 19
September, making the morning of 20 September very cold with a heavy frost.
Weather for Chattanooga Tenn. Sept 27 1863
The wind drove heavy clouds overhead, dropping the temperature into the 20's.
There were occasional sunbreaks.
OCT 2, 1863
Company K, 36th Regiment report
Arrived there late in the evening of the 2nd, distance 132 miles.
1 DAY TRAVELLING
ON TRAIN
Dear Mother,
I reckon you will hear that I am very sick and I have been but I am getting
better. I got worse all the time after you left.
Day before yesterday was a very wet day and I come very near going out.
The ground was covered in water. Everything wet and no place to lie down
and I got so bad off till they started me to the hospital through the rain and
I got as far as Mr. Lemmons.
I just felt like I was going to die so I went in and just told them I must stay
there They soon fixed my bed and done all they could for me. Next
morning I come on here but in a few days I am going back to the company
for I get no better fare here than I did there.
Don’t be uneasy about me and come back. I was afraid that some of the
boys would write that I was very sick but I am a heap better.
Most well so don’t be uneasy.
Company E, 36th Regiment report
Sept 19 Moved camp to Stone Mountain, Ga. distance 15
miles Sept. 27 moved Decatur, Ga distance 9 miles
Oct 1, left Decatur for Chicamauga Tenn. arrived there late
in the evening of the 2nd distance 132 miles.
Oct 12 moved 2 miles in the direction of Toners station,
Tenn.
Oct 14 moved to Toner’s station 2 miles. Left toner’s station
Oct 17, arrived at Charles Tenn same night by way of RR
distance 28 miles.
Oct 18, left Charleston on foot arrived at Athens Tenn. late
in the evning distace 15 miles.
Left Athens on the 19 and arrived at Mouse Creek same day,
distance 7 miles.
Left Mouse Creek on the 21 and arrived at Sweet Water
Tenn. same day distance 7 miles.
Left Sweet Water late in the evening of the 28 and arrived
at Loudon Tenn. (over)
next morning (distance 15 miles)
Nov 1 mustered for pay
by Lt. col Slawter of the 56 Ga. Regt.
As Daniel rides the train to Chickamauga Tenn. Eli Landers who has been camped in
Chattanooga, writes to his mother about being ill.
Oct 2nd 1863, Rossville, Ga
Company K, 36th Regiment report
Oct 14
moved to Toner’s station 2 miles
Composite image created from: Library of Congress.
Title: [Catlett’s Station, Va. The station with U.S. military railroad boxcars and soldiers]
Creator(s): O’Sullivan, Timothy H., 1840-1882, photographer
Date Created/Published: 1862 August.
Summary: Photograph from the main eastern theater of the war, Bull Run, 2nd Battle of, Va., 1862, July-August 1862.
Camped 3 Days at Tyner’s Station
DANIEL’S LETTER HOME
8
The book History of Gwinnett County Georgia by Flanigan, James C, page 243, shows a
letter written by Daniel Miner.
The letter is dated on October 20 at Chickamauga Tennessee.
However, the 36th Regiment Company reports shows that the regiment is camped at
Mouse Creek a few miles from Sweetwater on that day.
Based on comments written by Daniel in his letter, it appears that he began writing his
letter when they arrived at Tyner’s Station.
This may also be the station from where Daniel mailed his letter.
Examples of
Confederate envlope
and stationary
I AM BETTER THIS MORNING.
I HOPE THESE LINES WILL FIND YOU ALL WELL.
WE ARE NOW ON THE ROAD TO CHARLESTON TENN. THEY SAY,
BUT DON’T KNOW WHERE THEY WILL GO TO.
Library of Congress. Title: War views. No. 1501, Camp life, Army of the Potomac -
writing to friends at home
Creator(s): E. & H.T. Anthony (Firm),
Date Created/Published: New York : Published by E. & H.T. Anthony & Co.,
American and Foreign Stereoscopic Emporium, 501 Broadway, [between 1865 and 1869]
THEY HAD A FIGHT ABOUT CHATTANOOGA.
WE WHIPPED THEM BAD.
I CAN HEAR THE CANNONS ROARING EVERY DAY.
Composite image from Library of Congress.
Title: Battery D, 2d (i.e. 5th?) U.S. Artillery, going into action on south side of
Rappahannock River below Fredericksburg, Va., June 4, 1863
Creator(s): O’Sullivan, Timothy H., 1840-1882, photographer
Date Created /Published: photographed 1863,
[printed between 1880 and 1889]
Unknown to Daniel is the fact that the 36th
Regiment is being moved up to Knoxville as part
of General Longstreet’s move to fight the Union.
Daniel is referring to the battle of Chickamauga
fought earlier on the 19th and 20th.
BILL YOU DO SO, TOO.
BILL, I THINK I WILL COME HOME AGAIN.
YOU WORK GOOD AND I WILL BRING YOU AND
DANIEL AND CHARLEY A PURTY SOMEDAY.
RACHEL, CAN EP WALK YET?
NICHOLAS, BE A GOOD BOY.
IT WILL MAKE A MAN OF YOU.
TELL THE TRUTH AND STAND TO IT,
LET WHAT WILL COME..
(Humphrey)
Nicholas 13
Bill 9
(William)
Rachel 11
Daniel 6
Charley 4
EP 1
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOU ALL,
BUT IT IS 100 MILES FROM YOU ALL.
I WOULD LIKE TO BE THERE TO EAT POTATOES.
I HAVEN’T HAD ANY BUT ONCE AND I HOOKED THEM THEN.
Library of Congress.
Title: Camp of 71st New Vols.
Cook house Soldiers getting dinner ready.
Date Created/Published: 1861.
Note: it is possible that Daniel meant to
spell Cooked instead of Hooked. May also
be a transcriber error.
DANIEL,
ELI LANDERS SAYS HE WANTS TO SEE YOU ALL.
HE COULD TELL YOU A HEAP.
THIS WATER DOES NOT AGREE WITH HIM,
NOR BOB NEITHER.
WHEN I GET A LETTER FROM HOME, YOU CAN LET ME
KNOW HOW THEY ARE FARING AND WHERE THEY ARE.
NOTE: At the time that Daniel is writing this letter Eli Landers is very sick.
On Oct. 2nd at Rossville, Ga. in a letter to his mother, Eli is complaining about the ground
being covered in water and everything was wet and no place to lie down.
He had been sent to the hospital. Once there, Eli felt he was not receiving any better care
and decided to return back to his regiment.
Eli Landers
H.C. MINOR, A FEW LINES TO YOU.
WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOU.
I COULD TELL YOU A HEAP THAT I CAN’T WRITE,
BUT I AM HERE AND YOU ARE THERE.
IT MAY BE THAT WE WILL MEET AT HOME AGAIN.
I WANT YOU TO KEEP THE CHILDREN FROM
CURSING, IF YOU CAN.
Harriet C (Landers)
Minor 31
Rachel L Minor 71
I WANT YOU TO TELL MAMA I WANT HER TO KEEP OUT
OF THE COLD AS MUCH AS SHE CAN.
TELL HER NOT TO BE UNEASY ABOUT ME.
I WILL DO THE BEST I CAN FOR MYSELF.
GO TO BED AND SLEEP, IF SHE CAN.
OCT 17, 1863
After 5 days near the Tyner station area, the 36th Regiment
begins to move again on trains.
END OF THE MARCH
9
Library of Congress.
Title: [Chattanooga, Tenn. Boxcars and depot with Federal cavalry guard beyond]
Date Created/Published: [1864?]
Summary: Photograph of the War in the West.
Company K, 36th Regiment report
Left Toner’s station Oct 17,
arrived at Charles Ten same night by way of RR
distance 28 miles
OCT 18, 1863
Troops transfer from train and begin marching towards Athens
Tennessee 15 miles away. They arrive in Athens late in the
evening.
Composite image from Library of Congress.
Title: Savage Station, Va., June 27, 1862 Creator(s): Gibson, James F., 1828-, photographer
Date Created/ Published: Hartford, Conn. : The War Photograph & Exhibition Co., 21 Linden Place 1862, June 27.
Company K, 36th Regiment report
Oct 18
left Charleston on foot
arrived at Athens, Tenn late in the evening
distance 15 miles.
Title: March of Gen. N.P. Bank’s Corps, crossing the Blue Ridge Mountains through Chester Gap
Creator(s): Forbes, Edwin, 1839-1895, artist Date Created/Published: 1862 July 8.
Company K, 36th Regiment report
Left Athens on the 19 and arrived at
Mouse Creek same day, distance 7 miles
Company K, 36th Regiment report
Left Mouse Creek on the 21
and arrived at Sweet Water Tenn same day,
distance 7 miles.
As the 36th Regiment camps at Sweetwater Tenn, Daniel’s cold becomes
worse and he is sent to a nearby Confederate field hospital.
At the time of the civil war antibiotics did not exist. For the Confederates,
diseases accounted for about two out of three deaths during the war.
Poor diet and exposure to the elements would turn a simple cold into
pneumonia, which was the third leading killer disease of the war, after typhoid
and dysentery.
At the beginning of the war the Confederate government formed their medical
corp before the Union even though they were at the disadvantage of lesser
resources.
At the start of the war the Confederacy employed a policy of furloughing
wounded soldiers to return home for recovery due to the lack of Hospitals.
Field hospitals set up at the regimental level were located in an open
area behind the lines of battle.
Longer term wounded or sick were taken to the nearest railway and then
transported to the nearest hospital.
Company K, 36th Regiment report
Left Sweet Water late in the evening of the 28 and
arrived at Loudon Tenn
.. over ..
next morning (distance 15 miles)
Company K, 36th Regiment report
Nov 1
mustered for day by Lt Col Slawter of the 56 Ga Regt.
The 36th regiment leaves Sweetwater late in the evening for Loudon.
Daniel is left behind due to his illness.
There is no information on when Harriet and her children were notified about Daniel’s death.
Since CA Rowden was there at the time of Daniel’s death, his next letter to the family would
have told them about Daniel’s passing.
Those that died in the hospital were often buried in an area close to the hospital.
Many soldiers died without being identified and were buried as unknown as shown
in this picture.
In Daniel’s case it was known who he was but typically wooden grave markers
where used. These markers did not last very long and most graves, including
Daniel’s, were lost to history.
Composite image created from: Library of Congress photo
Title: Soldiers’ graves near the General Hospital, City Point, Va.
Creator(s): Brady, Mathew B., approximately 1823-1896, photographer
Date Created/Published: Hartford, Conn. : John C. Taylor, 17 Allen Place
At the time of Daniel’s death, the 36th Regiment,
Company K had 77 men.
Out of these men, 18 died.
Three men were killed in battle.
Fifteen men died of various diseases.
Seven men were wounded.
Three of those wounded had to leave due to their
wounds.
Eleven men had to leave the Regiment due to illness.
AFTERMATH
Daniel Miner
Dies in Sweetwater Tenn. of pneumonia, 6 Nov 1863. Served Confederacy for 2 months.
3rd Great Grandfather
Daniel is 40 at the time of his death.
Harriet C. Miner (Landers)
Loses her husband Daniel Miner, her brothers Eli Pinson and Napoleon. She never remarries.
3rd Great Grandmother
Applies for and receives a widows pension from the State of Georgia till her death in 1906 at the age of 74.
Rachel L. Miner (Liddell)
Death 11 May 1871 at the age of 79, Gwinnett, Georgia.
4th Great Grandmother
John W. Miner
4th Sergeant of Company K. 36th Regiment. John survives the Civil war and goes on to
Nephew of Daniel Miner
raise a family. John lives to 88 years old. Dies in 1924.
William R Miner
Dies in the Battle of Bakers Creek, 16 May 1863. Served Confederacy for just over 1 year.
Nephew of Daniel Miner
William is 25 at the time of his death.
Napoleon B Landers
Dies of disease on the 28th of July 1863 returning from the siege of Vicksburg.
Brother of Harriet C. Miner
Served Confederacy for just over 1 year. “Pole” is 29 at the time of his death.
Eli Pinson Landers
Dies of disease in the hospital at Rome, Georgia on October 27th, 1863. Served Confederacy for 2
Brother of Harriet C. Miner
years, 2 months. Eli is 21 at the time of his death.
Rebecca Adaline Landers
Married Moten Hutchings in 1859. After Moten’s death she marries Crockett Rowden in 1866.
3rd Great Grandaunt
Rebecca dies in 1914 at the age of 74.
Moten Hutchings
Married Rebecca A. Landers. Served in company K, 36th Regiment and died of disease in 1862
husband of 3rd Great Grandaunt
at the age of 24.
Thomas Hutchings
Served in company K, 36th Regiment until captured at Nashville Tenn. Dec. 16 1864.
Moten Hutchings’ brother
Released Jan. 4 1865. Moved to Texas and died in 1920 at the age of 82.
Crockett Rowden
Served in company K, 36th Regiment. Crockett helped bury Daniel Minor when he died in
2nd husband of 3rd
Sweetwater Tenn. Survived the Civil War and married Rebecca Hutchings (Landers).
Great Grandaunt
Crockett dies in 1916 at the age of 80.
Joseph A Nash
Continued to live in Gwinnett County. Joseph dies in 1912 at the age of 93.
