Jonathan Jackson Brannan
| This is the story of Jonathan Brannan's journey through the Civil War. He served in the Georgia 53rd Infantry Regiment.
|
the
War
The Brannan Farm, Henry County, GA.
Comes
to
Henry
County
Camp Stevens, Griffin, GA
Formation of the GA 53rd Infantry Regiment
Jonathan traveled to Camp Stevens, north of Griffin on Macon and Western Railroad at junction with McIntosh Road. Colonel Leonard T. Doyal, former pastor of McDonough Baptist Church was elected as the 53rd's commander. Lt. Colonel Thomas Sloan from Henry County was elected second in command.
to
Virginia
The 53rd left Camp Stevens on June 20th for Virginia via way of "the cars." For many this was their first experience in riding on a train.
Brigade
The regiment was assigned to the brigade of fellow Georgian, Paul Jones Semmes.
25th
-
Jul
1st
1862
Seven Days Battles.
Seven battles in seven days:
The 53rd Georgia participated in the battles of Savage's Station and Malvern Hill.
11th
1862
Battle of Crampton Gap.
17th
1862
Battle of Sharpsburg.
11th
-
15th
1862
Fredericksburg.
mas
1862
Christmas 1862.
in
Virginia
Winter in Virginia.
30th
-
May.
6th
1863
Chancellorsville.
1st
-
4th
1863
Gettysburg.
Semmes brigade directly behind Kershaw's South Carolina brigade. Hood's division to the right. Started advance at 4 p.m. from behind stone wall at Flarety farm, west of Emmitsburg Road. Facing Major -General Dan Sickles 3rd Corp. Repeatedd charges and countercharges. Drove enemy from the Peach Orchard. Nearing Wheatfield Semme's brigade moves around in front of Kershaw. Semmes is hit in thigh as men move into position. Division drove enemy from Wheatfield and onto west slope of Little Round Top. Men are in Plum Run Creek and Devil's Den positions. Brigade losses are 55 killed, 284 wounded, and 91 missing. 10th and 53rd have most casualties. 53rd is now not much bigger than Company "F" was at beginning of war. Brigade is down to 550-600 men.
18th
-
20th
1863
Chickamauga.
While they caught the train from Virginia, they didn't run the twenty miles from the railhead at Dalton, therefore the 53rd missed the action at Chickamauga, arriving too late than do more than help care for the wounded.
-
Nov.
1863
Siege of Chattanooga.
29
1863
Fort Sanders.
Jonathan was captured Nov. 29th, 1863 and sent to Rock Island Prison Camp.
1
1864
Rock Island Prison Camp.
Jonathan died of smallpox on January 1, 1864. He is buried there at Rock Island. Almost 2000 of his brothers lie unknown in this Cemetery. Their stories are yet to be told.
the
War
Barbara was left with 4 small children. She stayed on the farm and raised the children there.
May we create one for you?
