Sardis Volunteers/21st GA/Smith's Legion, etc.

[cshinaberry19]

Greetings:

I am trying to find out about the movements/engagements of the Sardis Volunteers, organized in July 1861 of primarily Georgia men, which later became the 21st Georgia Infantry, Company E. In May 1862, E Company became A Company of the 1st Battalion, Georgia Partisan Rangers, and changed again in July 1862, becoming Smith's Legion. In March 1863, Smith's Legion was divided, and the Infantry became the 65th Georgia while the cavalry became the 6th Georgia Cavalry.

There seems to be quite a bit of information about the 6th Cavalry and the 65th Infantry, but details are sparse about the actions of these units prior to March 1863. If anyone has any information or could point to any resources, I would be very grateful. I am researching several ancestors/relatives who served in these units.

Sincerely,
Courtney E. Shinaberry

[marlin teat]

Re: Sardis Volunteers/21st GA/Smith's Legion, etc.

I believe the Sardis Volunteers you are speaking of (there were several units with that name) were formed at the Sardis Church near Rome, Georgia. The original church still stands at the western entrance to the "Narrows" on present highway 53 between Rome and Gadsden, Ala.

If this is the unit you are speaking of, there is a wealth of information in the special collections room of the Sara Hightower Regional Library. This includes a complete set of the Rome Tri-Weekly Courier on microfilm with reports from all the local units. Battey's "History of Rome and Floyd County" also has unit histories. The local U.D.C. has an annual get together at the church and should have some good info.

I believe I have read that the Sardis volunteers rode with Forrest and formed part of his escort. Forrest captured Streight and his men just a short distance down the road from the church.

[cshinaberry19]

Re: Sardis Volunteers/21st GA/Smith's Legion, etc.

Thank you so much, Marlin, for this information. I suspect we are talking about the same group of "Sardis Voluteers," as my ancestors who served were from Rome, GA and the closely surrounding areain Floyd County. I will puruse the leads you have offered - and again, my deep appreciation.

Sincerely,
Courtney E. Shinaberry

[marlin teat]

Re: Sardis Volunteers/21st GA/Smith's Legion, etc.

Thank you so much, Marlin, for this information. I suspect we are talking about the same group of "Sardis Voluteers," as my ancestors who served were from Rome, GA and the closely surrounding areain Floyd County. I will puruse the leads you have offered - and again, my deep appreciation.

Sincerely,
Courtney E. Shinaberry

Glad to help. Contact me off the board if you need any more help. I'm at the library several times a week and may be able to dig up some more stuff.