Bill Funderburke <[email protected]> just sent some helpful information on the Griswoldville battle. (Who incidentally, I just learned is practically my neighbor over here in Texas!) He first provides some excellent Resource Books for further study. 1 Fields of Gray by Gary Livingston, Caisson Press, 2 Sherman's Horsemen by David Evans, Indiana University Press, 3. War Days at Old Clinton.. REENACTMENT This year we will re-enact the battles of Sunshine Church and Griswaldville on May 6th and 7th. Information may be obtained from the Old Clinton Historical Society, Rdf 5, Box 143, Gray, Ga. 31032 or from the charming Ms. Anne Hamilton at 912-986-3384. ***Now if anyone locally is helping to organize any of this, do pass along the news** BATTLE as Bill understands it: lst off the yankees under General Walcutt didn't dig-in in expectation of the Georgians attack because they didn't know they were coming. Many historians claim the battle was fought by accident and never should have been fought at all, nevertheless it was the only battle fought by Georgians between Atlanta and Savanna. Some claim that Gen. Philips CSC was drunk and this was the cause of the blunder, I choose to disbelieve he was drunk or that it was a blunder. Understand that even though the confederates outnumbered the yankees the only seasoned troops were 2 regiments of the Georgia State Line. **If you get curious about all the different names of troops, we have a good explanation on our GA Military page http://www.rootsweb.com/~gagenweb/records/military.htm*** The rest were militia and local defense battalions made up of boys too young and men too old to serve in the regular army.. note: thirteen year old Bridges Smith survived the battle to become Mayor of Macon, Ga. As a matter of fact the left flank under General Charles D. Anderson charged SEVEN times before they stopped. The third brigade included the 8th regiment. Co H was recruited from Jones County. I wonder if anyone can find a roster? I have been to the re-enactment and at the end of the battle you can't find a dry eye in the crowd. It was a futile attempt by a bunch of old men and boys indifferently armed against seasoned troops armed with Sharps Carbines. You have to remember that they had just marched through the burned out wreckage of Griswoldville at a time where honor was more important than it is today. They had no choice and I agree. On another topic, when General Stonemason came through Clifton the first time he sacked the town. Prior to his arrival, the women and children were evacuated. However Mrs. Elizabeth Lowther refused to leave her home. (This is re-enacted on Saturday) which is still standing. Mrs. Lowther was subjected several indignities and robbed of everything.. After the battle of Sunshine Church General Stoneman was brought to her house where he asked for a drink. She brought him a cup of buttermilk claiming that was all his troops had left her. Bill Virginia