Sunday, August 10, 2025

 The first and perhaps the largest gopher stew of the season came off' at our house.--Perhaps our place was selected on account of our POPULARITY, or perhaps on account of our magnificent shade trees, or our LARGE POT; or perhaps on the triple combination of all, At all events, due notice was given us that we would be treated to it gopher stew on a given day, Of course I could only wait developments. So I waited-you might well say I anxiously waited. About 9 o'clock in the morning the first cart arrived, ladened as above described, and then another and another till in all, there were seven or eight carts and some forty or fifty people. As fast us the carts arrived they were immediately unloaded, and soon all hands wore at work preparing for the stew. Some improvised a long table under the oaks, while others butchered the gophers.

The butchering of the gopher is accomplished in the following manner. A large pot nearly filled with water is set to boiling, into which without previous maiming the gopher is plunged alive. Ho flounders a moment--only a moment, when he is taken dead and scalded. His shell is then hacked opened at the hinges on its sides, when the bottom shell is dissected off which exposes all. the dainty morsels within his shell, and which are carefully taken out, washed, and properly carved, when they are immediately dropped into the stew pot; for it is a popular notion here, that in order to retain the delicate flavor of the gopher the cooking must commence while he is alive. Thus gopher after gopher is submitted to the same process till the stew -pot has become full. The cooking is continued till the flesh separates from the bones. It is then seasoned with various herbs and spices and when taken up and placed in trays makes or dishes it is garnished with rice, and a savory tempting dish. But this was not all; while the gophers were being dressed some of the men stepped down to the river with nets,and soon returned with a bushel of fish, which were made into a fry, to help out the gophers, It was about 2 o'clock when without further ceremony, all hands arranged themselves at the table, and it was only a short time before it was cleared of everything but scraps and bones, though all were filled, if not with gopher, with fish, pies, cakes and potato-pone.

grit the young folks, and some who were not so very young, got up a dance which continued throughout the day. And dancing, here, is an allowable recreation of the churches, consequently it is as fashionable to belong to the church as it is to dance; and according to my notion the women perform very gracefully. They dance all kind of dances, and danced them well, but a majority delighted most in 1 danced called 'cracker six." This dance rescmbles what we used fo call an "old Virgiuy reel," in which young fellows delight to cut the "pigion wing" or scour a plank in the performance of the "double In this, however, they neither cut the "wing" nor commit the shuffle; but it is IL LIVE dance in which you have to stand square | up to your partner and "sift." It 50 hip- | pened that I was bantered and importuned by n beautiful lady to join her in making up a set. Secing no way to get out of it, thought of what old brother Brooks said, when he supposed his time wAs up, and he had to die. He was not just ready.

He wanted to see Nancy again. But if it was the Lord's will that he should die from home, there was no "hack" in John Brooks. So I joined the fair challenger in the set and performed so admirably as to elicit tho ap plause of the whole get. Althougli this the first set I bad danced in near forty years, swimming, the steps and came how back to me other just I have like some or felt about ten years younger ever since. In fact, 1 do not feel old, at all.

I have been at aloes to account for the youthful appearance of the native population here, a3 compared with people from Northeru uder. 1t may, be on account of having nos sickness, no brain work, taking troubles lightly, or simplicity in diet, or the whole of these combined, or perhaps dancing may have something to do with it, but it is a manifest fact, that men of fifty and sixty years old are active and vigorous with scarcely a gray hair in their heads; and women now grand-mothers still maintain a youthful appearance, and delight as much in the exhileration of the dance as their youthfut daughters, Can you account for it, Billy? Yours truly, 0..

Saturday, August 09, 2025

 Christopher's Great Great Great Grandpa Skelton was a Confederate soldier.

James R. Skelton (1827-1914) - Find a Grave Memorial

Grandpa Skelton was in Company G of the 41st Alabama Infantry. He surrendered with General Lee @ Appomattox. https://civilwarintheeast.com/confederate-regiments/alabama/41st-alabama-infantry-regiment/

 My Great Great grandfather John J. Belcher was a Confederate soldier who died in Fulton County, Georgia during the battle of Atlanta.

John J. Belcher (1839-1864) - Find a Grave Memorial

Three of John J. Belcher's brothers also served in the Confederate army.

Sherrod enlisted in the 29th Alabama Infantry, Co. G on May 2, 1862 at Clayton. He participated in the battles of Atlanta, Dalton, Resaca, New Hope Church, Peach Tree Creek and Franklin. On Nov. 30, 1864 at Franklin, Sherrod was wounded and sent home for to recuperate. The tip of one of his fingers was shot off. He returned to duty in two weeks time. He was honorably discharged on May 17, 1865 at Hamburg, Aiken County, South Carolina.

Sherrod Jackson Belcher (1829-1921) - Find a Grave Memorial

Abner died while in the Confederate army. Abner P. Belcher (1827-1863) - Find a Grave Memorial

Love's Cavalry Battalion - Military Units Formed in Alabama - Research OnLine

His grave is unmarked and not confirmably at Mt. Aerial Cem.. He enlisted in the 4th (Love's) Alabama Cavalry in November, 1863; his date of death from CSA military record.

Love's Cavalry Battalion - Military Units Formed in Alabama - Research OnLine

Phillip Green Belcher (1840-1901) - Find a Grave Memorial

•CSA Veteran, Company G, 29th Alabama Infantry Regiment. Discharge Rank: Corporal.

    The 29th Alabama Infantry Regiment
    Company G, "Seal's Guards Barbour County
    Corporal: Phillip Green Belcher
    Privates: John D. Belcher AND Sherrod J. Belcher
    Belcher,

    Abner Co. C Private
    4TH BATTALION (LOVE'S) CAVALRY CSA

    29th Alabama Infantry Company G Atlanta - Google Search

    The 29th Alabama Infantry Regiment was organized at Pensacola in February, 1862. There is some confusion regarding the origin of the regiment. Some accounts show the 29th was created by the addition of two companies to the Fourth Alabama Battalion - a body of eight companies, which had been organized the autumn before at Montgomery. The 29th remained at Pensacola until it was evacuated, suffering much from diseases that usually afflict raw troops. It then lay between Pollard and Pensacola for over a year, when it was ordered to Mobile. The regiment was there from July 1863 to April 1864, except for a short time that it was at Pollard. The regiment joined the Army of Tennessee at Resaca with over 1,000 men, in time to initiate the Atlanta-Dalton campaign. It was brigaded with the 1st, 17th, and 26th Alabama, and 37th Mississippi regiments, commanded at different intervals by Col. Murphey of Montgomery, General O'Neal of Lauderdale, and General Shelley of Talladega. Companies Of The AL 29th Infantry Regiment The 29th Alabama regiment was recruited from Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Conecuh, Montgomery, Russell, Shelby, and Talladega counties. Company A - Captain Henry B. Turner - Talladega County Company B - Captain Duncan Dew - Blount County Company C-Captain William H. Musgrove-Blount County Company D - Captain Alfred Gardner - Bibb County Company E - Captain Samuel Abernathy - Shelby County Company F - Captain B. F. Sapp - Blount County Company G - Captain John F. Wagnon - Barbour County Company H - Captain Hugh Latham - Bibb County Company I - Captain J. B. Sowell - Conecuh County Company K - Captain John C. McNabb - Barbour County.

    My Great Grandfather John D. Belcher died in 1954. 
    John Daniel Belcher (1865-1954) - Find a Grave Memorial
    I met him but don't remember it. His wife's father,
    John T. Smith was a Confederate soldier.

Private, Company A, 5th Alabama Regiment, Infantry

Confederate States Army

John T. Smith (1830-1889) - Find a Grave Memorial


My Grandma Belcher's Grandpa Timothy Lee was a Confederate soldier. He was a private in Company G of the 29th Alabama Regiment. He served in the name unit as the four Belcher brothers.

 John Forsyth Register was my Grandpa Register's uncle and served as the second sheriff of Geneva County. He was a member of the 6th Alabama Cavalry. 

Alabama Civil War Service Records Database

Name:  Register, John Forsyth
Date of Birth:  1845/05/21
Birth Information:  USA, Alabama, Pike County, Monticello
Enlistment Date:  1863/04/00
Enlistment Information:  Alabama, Geneva, Private
Discharge Date:  1865/06/00
Discharge Information:  Alabama, Montgomery, Paroled
Branch:  Cavalry
Regiment:  6th Alabama Regiment
Company:  K
Comments:  Address, 1921: 461 North Commerce Street Geneva, Alabama. served until he was paroled at the close of the war in June, at Montgomery, Alabama.
Source:  1921 Census of Confederate Soldiers

 One of my Grandma Register's uncles, William Henry Shepherd, was killed while in Confederate service. He enlisted 11 June 1861 in Georgia, Company D, 9th Georgia Infantry. Killed in action in the 2nd Manassas Battle, Virginia on 30 August 1862. 

 PVT William Henry Shepherd (1840-1862) - Find a Grave Memorial

9th Georgia Infantry Regiment - Wikipedia


Not only was one of Grandma Register's uncles killed @ 2nd Bull Run but one of her Grandfathers was a Confederate soldier. John Wright Peacock (1832-1913)

Civil war (confederate):
Georgia 32nd Infantry (Confederate) - Fourth Sergeant, May 1862 - January 186...
Enlistment:
7 May 1862 - Georgia - Fourth Sergeant - Enlistment Info: Georgia, Cotton Hill
 
Birth:
27 Oct 1832 - Talbot County, Georgia

Montgomery Co. GaGenWeb - Company G, 32nd Georgia Infantry
  • John Wright Peacock


 John Wright Peacock (1832-1913) | WikiTree FREE Family Tree

John Wright Peacock (1832–1913)

 

W.D. (William Duncan) Register (MY G-GREAT UNCLE) , Geneva, Alabama, Co. D. 1st Ala, Tenn & Miss is buried in the largest Confederate cemetery in the North, Oak Woods Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois. His name in on the bronze tablet on the link below:
http://www.graveyards.com/IL/Cook/oakwoods/confederate.html
PVT William D. Register (1842-1862) - Find a Grave Memorial



Company D, 4th Confederate Infantry, 1st Regiment, made up of men from Ala., Tenn., and Miss.(Became Co. E. 54th Ala. Inf. Regt.). Served at Island #10 in Tennessee and surrendered there in April, 1862. Men taken prisoners, but exchanged In Sept. 1862. Alphabetical list of soldiers, age at time of-enlistment, and a little other information if known. Copied this today from a Muster Roll record in AL Archives & History.

"Gulf Rangers" of 1861--Company "D", 4th Confederate Infantry--lst Regiment Alabama, Tennessee & Mississippi Infantry--Captain Henry Wesley Laird's "Gulf Rangers"

The following text is by Mrs. Marla Drake Dooley, 8505 Cherry Valley Lane, Alexandria, VA 22309:

Dedicated to my Great, Great Grandfather-Henry Laird

A family story is that the "Gulf Rangers" was formed of friends, neighbors and blood kin. My ancestor, Private Henry Laird, was one of the original members of the "Rangers". The Roster of members of the "Gulf Rangers" was taken from the "Service Records of Confederate Soldiers", Microcopy #258, Rolls 64, 65, & 65, at the National Archives, Washington D.C., by my husband William James Dooley and myself, Marla Drake Dooley.

The "Gulf Rangers" were formed on 14 September, 1861, in Geneva, Coffee County (later Geneva County), Alabama, by Captain Henry Wesley Laird. After mustering in Montgomery, Alabama, they became part of the First Alabama Regiment, and were sent to Island #10 in Tennessee. Island #10 was situated in the Mississippi River near the corner of Tennessee, Missouri and Kentucky. It contained about forty acres of land, and stood ten feet above the water line. The battle was fought purely as a holding action; 7000 Confederate troops were to hold General Pope and 40,000 Union soldiers in check long enough for- General Albert Sydney Johnson to attack Grant at Shiloh. After a month, on 8 April, 1862, the outnumbered Confederates formally surrendered Island #10. The Prisoners of War were taken to Camp Randall, Madison, Wisconsin, Camp Butler, Springfield, Illinois, Johnson Island, Sandusky, Ohio, and Camp Douglas, Chicago, Illinois. Many were sick from fighting in the rain, mud, cold and rigorous climate, and then a terrible epidemic of measles, mumps and pneumonia came. Without suitable food, and practically without medicine with which to combat the epidemic, many died fighting and in prison. In September, 1862, the prisoners were exchanged and sent home to the South. Many of the "Gulf Rangers" were still sick, so they were given a medical discharge. Just as soon as they were well again, however, nearly everyone re-enlisted in another company.



Captain Henry Wesley Laird's "Gulf Rangers"

William Duncan Register(d.o.b. August 18, 1842) Corporal, born in Georgia, died in prison on 13 July 1862; claim filed August 3, 1863 by John Register (This is William's father (my g-great grandfather John Young Register)

etching depicting conditions in Chicago's Camp Douglas by Volck.

Adalbert J. Volck - Wikipedia


William's brother, John Forsythe Register, also served in the Confederate cavalry. 

My g-great uncle, John Forsyth Register, enlisted in Company "K" in the 6th Alabama Calvary

John F. Register (1845-1928) - Find a Grave Memorial

in April of 1863 at Geneva, Alabama. He was honorably discharged from the Confederate Army on
May 5, 1865 and took the oath of allegiance at Montgomery on May 30, 1865. John was elected
the second sheriff of Geneva County on November 7, 1871.
The community of Leonia in northern Holmes County, Florida,
is named after his first wife. He was a Missionary Baptist
preacher for 43 years and according to my family's papers,
he recorded more members into the Baptist Church
than any other Baptist minister who lived in the Geneva area.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6th Alabama Cavalry Regiment
The 6th Alabama Cavalry was organized near Pine Level,
early in 1863, as part of Brig. Gen'l James H. Clanton's brigade.
Recruits were gathered from Barbour, Coffee, Coosa, Henry, Macon,
Montgomery, Pike, and Tallapoosa counties. It was first engaged
near Pollard with a column of the enemy that moved out from
Pensacola. Ordered then to North Alabama,
the 6th was concerned in several skirmishes near Decatur,
with small loss. During the Atlanta-Dalton campaign,
the regiment served for several weeks as part of Brig.
Gen'l Samuel W. Ferguson's and Brig. Gen'l Frank C. Armstrong's
brigades, losing quite a number. A portion of the regiment
resisted Maj. Gen'l Lovel H. Rousseau at Ten Islands,
losing a number killed and captured. Transferred to West Florida,
the 6th fought Maj. Gen'l Frederick Steele's column at
Bluff Springs, under orders from Col Armstead, and its loss
was severe, especially in prisoners. The remnant fought Maj.
Gen'l James H. Wilson's column, and laid down their arms
at Gainesville, fewer than 200 men.

Field officers: Col. Charles H. Colvin, Lt. Col. Washington T. Lary
(captured at Ten Islands); Major Eliphalet Ariel McWhorter
(captured at Ten Islands, Bluff Springs);
and Adjutant Joseph A. Robertson

William Duncan and John Forsythe Register's father, John Young
Register was one of 30 Coffee County delegates to the June of 1861 convention in Montgomery to
nominate a Confederate governor of Alabama. He served as Confederate tax collector for Coffee
County in 1861, 1862 and 1863. Rev John Y. Register (1818-1870) - Find a Grave Memorial

Friday, August 08, 2025

 

Monday, June 03, 2013


Found an article tonight containing images of letters mailed with Confederate postage to Mail Route 1538 which was between Marianna and Campbellton. According to documents in the National Archives, my G-Great Grandfather, John Young Register of Geneva, had the contract to deliver the mail along this route in 1861. This was the road that the Yankees took before the Battle of Marianna.
http://www.jlkstamps.com/csa/archives/beau.htm


from the CONFEDERATE PHILATELIST:

his confusion was rectified with the name change of the Jackson County Bartow post office to Beauregard sometime in 1862. The cover in Fig. 1 is the known example recorded from Beauregard. It has a manuscript postmark of Beauregard Fla, Oct 24th, with a pen cancelled #2 with usage to Attapulgus, Ga. How the mail was handled at the Beauregard post office is unclear. There is no record of any mail routes specifically mentioning Beauregard as a town serviced on any of the postal routes of Confederate Florida detailed in three separate 1992 articles by Stefan T. Jaronski inThe Confederate Philatelist (3). There is, however, in the records in the National Archives (4) a written pen notation "Beauregard, Jackson County, Fla." at the top of a mail contract for Route 1538, Marianna Fla to Campbellton and back twice a week, offered on 15 May 1863 to Thomas L. Bevis for $28'5 per annum. It is likely that Beauregard was located somewhere between Marianna and Campbellton. Jaronski recorded in his article that this route 1538 had been in service in 1861 with J. Y. Register of Geneva, Ala. as contractor, re-let to J. Daniel on November 11, 1861, advertised in 1862, and that Thomas L. Bevis, of Beauregard, was actually awarded the contract on July 2, 1863 for $285 per year.
Figure 3 -- ATLANTA/Ga. JAN 30 1862 postmark tied 5c Green Lithograph use to Bartow, Jackson Co., Florida.
A copy of the contract offered on May 15th shows that it was not certified or signed by the Beauregard postmaster Boroum and a subsequent letter from Boroum to George Offutt, Chief of the Contract Bureau may shed some light (5).





fromhttp://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/p/e/r/Patricia--V-Perkins/GENE2-0002.html

2.
 ELIZABETH2 SIMMONS (JOHN R1) was born October 22, 1842 in Mississippi, and died November 07, 1917 in Geneva, Geneva City, Al. She marriedWILLIAM DUNCAN CAMPBELL December 10, 1867 in Pike County, Al, son of ARCHIBALD CAMPBELLand MARY Y?. 
Notes for ELIZABETH SIMMONS:
The following was told by Elizabeth Simmons Campbell about 3 weeks before her death on Nov 7, 1917. It was verified by John Register, a Baptist Preacher, son of Young Register.

"The Yankee Raiders took Uncle Young Registerout of his house and was going to hang him in the old mulberry tree that is now standing behind my house,just because he was A Southern Man, and his wife, Aunt Margaret Campbell Register clung to him and cut the ropes from him and saved his life.They (ed. note: the Yankees) took all the dishes they had and broke them up . I have heard Uncle Youngand Aunt Margaret tell this many a time. They took out some more men in Oak Bluff Settlement and were going to hang them. They went to Ben Burses and took his dead wife's silk dresses and tore them up, and took all his corn and everything that he had. Took all the horses and mules away from the people, took all the negroes away. Never did get to our house, as we did not live on main road."
From: CHARLES T ZEIGLER <frostymorn@juno.com>
Subject: [REGISTER] Headstone
Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1999 13:24:56 -0500 

To all on the list. I was in The Geneva City Cemetery at GenevaAlabama
to day and saw this headstone. It caught my attention because of the
inscription. Perhaps it might just fit into someone's lineage. His wife
is also buried beside him along with some other Registers.

It reads:
Rev. J. Y. Register
born in
Washington Co., Ga.
Dec 3, 1818
Died In
Geneva Co., Al.
Aug 1871

Also:
Margaret Campbell
wife of
Rev. John Y. Register
born
Oct 21, 1821
Died 
May 20, 1910

Charles T. Zeigler




Found this document on the Internet prepared by my g-g-grandfather J. Y. Register for a widow's claim filed for settlement:
http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/al/coffee/military/civilwar/mt41.txt
Register of Claims of deceased Officers and Soldiers from Alabama
which were filed for settlement in the Office of the Confederate
States Auditor for the War Department

By Whom Presented: Ardilla Green, Widow
When Filed: Dec. 17, 1863
Comptroller:
When reported to: Oct. 11, 1864
When returned: Oct. 28, 1864
Number of settlements:
Certificates: 19950
Amount found due: $169.96

Hill Hospital
Ringgold, GA.
Oct. 17th, 1863

Sir,

W.A. Green, Private 25th Ala. Co. “K”, died this day in Hospital of
Virlinus Sclopeticum.
Effects – Six Dollars and fifty cents ($6.50)

Very Respectfully,
Your Obedient Servant
W.J. Burt Asst. Secy
                    in Charge of Hospital


The State of Alabama, Coffee County

On this the 4th day of December A.D. 1863 before me, J.Y. Register,
a Justice of the Peace, in and for said State and County, personally
appeared Ardilla Green of Coffee County, and made oath according to
law, the same is the wife of William A. Green, a private of Company
(K) Captain D.C. Monroe in 25th Regiment Alabama Volunteers, that the
said William A. Green volunteered at Elba on the 20th day of January
1862 for three years or the war, and continued in actual service until
the 17th of October A.D. 1863 at which time he the said William A.
Green did die at Ringgold, Geo. of wounds received at the battle of
Chickamauga on the 20th of September 1863 leaving a wife and three
children and that she is therefore the only person fully entitled to
receive the pay or arrears of pay, commutation, bounty and c., that
may be found due said deceased William A. Green from the Confederate
States and that she authorizes J.Y. Register to apply for and receive
for her sole benefit whatever may be due to said William A. Green by
reason of service rendered by him in the army of the Confederate
States, to whose recipe shall be a full acquittance and discharge
against me for the same.

And at the same time, also appeared Stephen Hawkins and T.H.
Yarborough who after being duly sworn that they are acquainted with
the said Ardilla Green and knew the said William A. Green, deceased,
and that the facts as sworn to by the said Ardilla Green are
substantially true, and they are not interested in this claim.

Ardilla Green (her mark) L.S.
Stephen Hawkins L.S.
T.H. Yarborough L.S.

The foregoing affidavit were subscribed and sworn to before me, on the
day and year the same bears date and I certify that I know affiant to
be credible, that the applicant is the person she represents herself
to be and that I have not interest in the prosecution of said claim.

J.Y. Register, J.P.

The State of Alabama, Coffee County

I Rowling W. Starke Judge of the Court of Probate in and for the county
and state aforesaid hereby certify that J.Y. Register, Esq. whose
genuine signature appears to the foregoing affidavit and certificate
of acknowledgement was at the time of signing the same and is now an
acting Justice of the Peace duly commissioned and qualified, and that
full faith and credit are due his official acts, and further, that
this is a Court of record having a Seal, and that I am ex-officio
keeper thereof.

Given under my hand and official Seal at office this 7th day of
December A.D. 1863

R.W. Starke, Judge of Probate

The Confederate States

To: Ardilla Green, Widow of William A. Green, deceased, late Private
of Capt. D.C. Monroe’s Co. K., 25th Regt. Ala. Vols.

For pay of said deceased from June 30, 1863 the date of last payment
to Oct. 17, 1863, the date of his death  3 mos. & 17 days
                                               $39.23
>From Oct. 62  to Oct. 63 – 12 mos at $134.13   -      $134.13
Commutation for clothing – 10 days at 24 cts per day            2.10
    $136.23

Clothing Drawn              -$12.00 124.23

Amt. in hands of Israel Gibbons Capt. & Post L.M. (no amount listed)
Rec’d of W.J. Burt Asst Secy Hill Hospital Ringgold, Ga.
                                                        6.50

                                                      $169.96

As per Report of Lieut. E.E. Yonge & Israel Gibbons Capt. & Post L.M.

Payable to Ardilla Green Widow Coffee Co., Ala.
Care of Capt. H. Fowler Agent for Ala.
Box 1508 Richmond, Va.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
Second Auditor’s Office

October 11th 1864

R.F. Gordon, Clerk

Comptroller’s Office
Oct. 28th, 1864
P.H. Pendleton, Clerk
I also found this land sale on the Internet:
http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~dobson/al/alcoffee.htm
E-274: Coffee Co. AL, 18 June 1859, Daniel Duncan and wifeMary (X) Duncan to J.YRegister for $60, SE 1/4 NW 1/4 and NE 1/4 SW 1/4 Sec.25 T3 R21, 80 acres; no wit. (FHL film 1,031,290) (MAD: 1850 Pike Co. AL census, 1860 Henry Co. AL census)

In 1895 my g-g uncle J.F. Register was the pastor of five different Baptist Churches in both Alabama & Florida: 
http://www.rootsweb.com/~fljackso/sandycreek.htm

Church Directory 1895 Pastors and their addresses     Members

Pilgrims Rest   GJ Canant         Dale, Al            ?
Hurricane       JF Register       Holmes, Fl          48
Pleasant Grove  John Patten       Holmes, Fl          81
Shiloh          James Blount      Geneva, Al          99
Union           JF Register       Geneva, Al          ?
Spring Creek    JLC White         Geneva, Al          39
New Teamon      S Willerford                          66
Pleasant Hill   James Blount      Geneva, Al          ?
Christian Home  GJ Canant         Geneva, Al          ?
Leonia          JF Register       Holmes, Fl          53
Elbethel        HS Nichols        Geneva, Fl          46
New Prospect    JF Register       Geneva, Al          38
Zion Hill       S Willerford      Geneva, Al          28
Fellowship      James Blount      Geneva, Al          6
New Hope        JF Register       Holmes, Fl          65

Here's the story of how J.F.Register was drafted into the Confederate Army:

The capture of the Bloomer led to a lot of my ancestors having to join the
Confederate army. The incident is hilarious but the consequences
were horrific.

Any chance the " Bloomer " could have been used in blockade running?

The "Bloomer" was a 130 ton sidewheeler with high pressure engines.
It had a hole in one of its boilers and was moored at the wharf
at river junction in Geneva. On Sunday afternoon, December 28,
1862, two groups of Yankees(25 men of the 91st New York Volunteers
commanded by Lieutenant James H. Stewart and the crew of the
blockading schooner "Charlotte" commanded by Acting Master
Elias D. Bruner) repaired the boiler, fired the engines
and started down the Choctawhatchee for Pensacola.
The Army and the Navy fought over this prize of war
but the U.S. Claims Court at New Orleans awarded
the steamboat to Master Bruner and his crew.
The U.S. government paid them $5,100 for the ship and
it joined Admiral Farragut's Northern Gulf Blockading
Squadron and saw service in Pensacola Bay, Santa Rosa Sound,
Choctawhatchee Bay and in the salt raids in the St. Andrews
Bay area.

Governor Shorter used this incident as a propaganda tool to encourage enlistment
in Southeast Alabama. I'm pretty sure this was the first time
Alabama had been invaded by Yankees so Shorter played up the fact
that "the back door to Alabama stood open to invaders."
A good description of the "Bloomer Incident" is found in E.W. Carswell's Holmesteading,
a history of Holmes County, Florida.

This information concerns my g-great uncle, John Forsyth Register's unit,
the 6th Alabama Calvary.
Excerpt of a letter from Mark Curenton
to Ron Jones dated 12 Apr 1999:

“What this blurb does not mention is the reason that the 6th Alabama Cavalry was
transferred from Clanton’s brigade to north Alabama. Clanton’s brigade, consisting of the
57th Alabama Infantry, the 61st Alabama Infantry, the 6th Alabama Cavalry, the 7th Alabama
Cavalry, Clanton’s battery and Tarrant’s battery, was organized in early 1863 as a direct
result of the raid by Union forces through Walton County in December of 1862. This raid
resulted in the capture of the steamboat Bloomer on the Choctawhatchee River just south
of Geneva, Alabama. This brigade served in west Florida and south Alabama to guard
against future raids. By December of 1863 morale in the brigade was so low that there was
open talk of laying down their guns and going home. On January 5, 1864, sixty men out of
300 stationed at Gonzales, Florida mutinied and refused to serve any more. They were all
swiftly arrested. The Confederate command broke up the brigade and transferred the
regiments to different commands to prevent any further occurrence of mutinous conduct.”

My g-great uncle, John Forsyth Register, enlisted in Company "K" in the 6th Alabama Calvary
in April of 1863 at Geneva, Alabama. He was honorably discharged from the Confederate Army on
May 5, 1865 and took the oath of allegiance at Montgomery on May 30, 1865. John was elected
the second sheriff of Geneva County on November 7, 1871.
The community of Leonia in northern Holmes County, Florida,
is named after his first wife. He was a Missionary Baptist
preacher for 43 years and according to my family's papers,
he recorded more members into the Baptist Church
than any other Baptist minister who lived in the Geneva area.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6th Alabama Cavalry Regiment
The 6th Alabama Cavalry was organized near Pine Level,
early in 1863, as part of Brig. Gen'l James H. Clanton's brigade.
Recruits were gathered from Barbour, Coffee, Coosa, Henry, Macon,
Montgomery, Pike, and Tallapoosa counties. It was first engaged
near Pollard with a column of the enemy that moved out from
Pensacola. Ordered then to North Alabama,
the 6th was concerned in several skirmishes near Decatur,
with small loss. During the Atlanta-Dalton campaign,
the regiment served for several weeks as part of Brig.
Gen'l Samuel W. Ferguson's and Brig. Gen'l Frank C. Armstrong's
brigades, losing quite a number. A portion of the regiment
resisted Maj. Gen'l Lovel H. Rousseau at Ten Islands,
losing a number killed and captured. Transferred to West Florida,
the 6th fought Maj. Gen'l Frederick Steele's column at
Bluff Springs, under orders from Col Armstead, and its loss
was severe, especially in prisoners. The remnant fought Maj.
Gen'l James H. Wilson's column, and laid down their arms
at Gainesville, fewer than 200 men.

Field officers: Col. Charles H. Colvin, Lt. Col. Washington T. Lary
(captured at Ten Islands); Major Eliphalet Ariel McWhorter
(captured at Ten Islands, Bluff Springs);
and Adjutant Joseph A. Robertson


Here's a picture of the monument of a mass grave of 6000 Confederate
dead that includes the remains of my g-great uncle William Duncan
Register.His name can be found on the monument.This is the largest
Confederate burial ground in all of the North.

THE STORY OF MY G-GREAT UNCLE W.D. Register's UNIT'S CONFEDERATE FLAG:

This flag was made by Miss Martha Crossley, Miss Queen Gamble and other
ladies of Perote, Pike County, Alabama. It was presented to the company in
September 1860 on the steps of the Methodist Church in Perote.
The flag was presented by Miss Crossley and received for the
company by M. B. Locke. The Perote Guards were sent to Pensacola,
Florida where they became part of the 1st Alabama Infantry.
Upon receipt of a regimental flag, the company flags were placed
with the regimental quartermaster for safe keeping.

The 1st Alabama Infantry surrendered on April 7, 1862 at Island No.
10. Following the surrender, the flag was taken from the company
baggage by members of the 15th Wisconsin Infantry
and eventually carried back to Wisconsin.
Learning of the flag's location Dr. Thomas Owen,
Director of the Alabama Department of Archives and History,
requested its return in the summer of 1903.
Ruben G. Thwaites, Secretary of the State Historical Society
of Wisconsin, replied on June 19, 1903 that he felt the Society
would be quite willing to return the flag.
This, however, would require a resolution by their
legislature which did not meet again until January 1905.
On March 15, 1905 Lieutenant and Acting Governor R. M. Cunningham
requested that the flag be returned to Alabama.
Joint Resolution Number 29-S of the Legislature of the State
of Wisconsin, April 13, 1905 approved the return of the flag.

THE HISTORY OF MY G-GREAT UNCLE, WILLIAM DUNCAN REGISTER'S, UNIT

First Alabama
Infantry Regiment

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This was the first regiment organized under the act of the State
legislature authorizing the enlistment of troops for twelve months.
The companies rendezvoused at Pensacola in February and March 1861,
and about the 1st of April organized by the election of regimental
officers. Transferred to the army of the Confederate States soon
after, it remained on duty at Pensacola for a year. It was chiefly
occupied in manning the batteries and took part in the bombardments
of November 23, and January 1, 1862. A detachment was in the night
fight on Santa Rosa Island. Being the oldest regiment in the 
Confederate service, it was first called on to re-enlist for the war
, at the end of the first year, and seven of the companies did so.
Ordered to Tennessee, the regiment, 1000 strong, reached Island Ten
March 12, 1862. In the severe conflict there, all but a remnant of
the regiment were captured. Those who escaped were organized into
a battalion, which was part of the garrision at Fort Pillow,
and afterwards fought at Corinth. Those captured were exchanged in
September, and the regiment rendezvoused at Jackson, Miss.,
having lost 150 by death in prison, 150 by casualties since and
during the siege of Island Ten. At once ordered to Port Hudson,
they participated in the privations of that siege. They were
captured, after losing 150 killed and wounded. The privates were
paroled and the officers kept in prison till the peace.
The men were exchanged in the fall, and joined Gen. Johnston
in Mississippi, 610 strong. The regiment was then at Mobile
and Pollard, and joined Gen. Johnston at Alatoona.
In Cantey's brigade, it fought at New Hope, and was afterwards
transferred to the brigade of Gen. Quarles, in which it served
till the end. It participated at Kennesa, and lost considerably
at Peach Tree Creek. In the terrible assault on the enemy's
lines at Atlanta, July 28, the regiment won fresh renown,
but lost half of its force in killed and wounded.
Moving with Hood into Tennessee, it again lost very heavily
at Franklin and Nashville. Transferred to North Carolina,
it took part at Averysboro and Bentonville, and about 100 men
surrendered at Goldsboro. Upwards of 3000 names were on its
rolls at different times during the war,
including the companies that did not re-enlist.


Captain Henry Wesley Laird's "Gulf Rangers"

William Duncan Register(d.o.b. August 18, 1842) Corporal, born in Georgia,
died in Camp Douglas Prison in Chicago, Illinois on 13 July 1862;
claim filed August 3, 1863 by John Register
(This is William's father ,my g-great grandfather John Young  Register)


Found out that my Grandfather Register's Daddy's oldest brother,
William Duncan Register, Pvt. Co. D. 1st AL, TN, MS Infantry
(died July 13, 1862) is buried in downtown Chicago along
with 6000 other barefooted Rebel Sons of Bitches.
Seeing the monument and knowing that nothing marked their 6000
graves until 30 years after their death is not a comforting thought
Not only that, the neglect and torture they endured has been effectively
suppressed by the Yankees.Check out what happens when you fight
for your government and they lose the war. 


My Daddy always told me he thought we used the name Young because the Yonges founded Abbeville and Geneva. The Yonges were descended from the Indian traders with Panton, Leslie & Co.
Daddy was wrong.
There are Young Registers all over the place. They go all the way back to the "old country" (Darlington, S.C. ~ The Cheraw District).

So that's our Young connection. Nothing but a fambly tradition.
Thanks for being curious.

Oh yeah. I got the death dates on some of those cats who were captured with my Uncle William Duncan at Island #10. At Camp Randall in Madison, Wisconsin, members of Geneva's Gulf Rangers died on May 22, 1862; May 23 or 24, 1862; June 21 or 29, 1862; May 29, 1862 and May 23, 1862. One of the guys at Camp Randall was a Register but I don't know how I'm kin to him. There was a Peacock died there too. I have read reminiscences from Camp Randall. Almost every one of those boys were from Alabama. They had pneumonia so bad that phlegm covered the floors of their hospital.You'd slide down if you weren't careful. They were all clothed in cotton. No wool. They saw the spring bloom four times. They saw it bloom in Pensacola as they prepared to go up the Mississippi. They saw it bloom at Island No. 10 above Memphis. They saw it bloom while captive in Illinois and they saw it bloom at Camp Randall in Wisconsin. Their cemetery is the northern most Confederate cemetery.

Uncle William is buried in the Camp Douglas mass grave in downtown Chicago. Pretty sure there's 6000 buried there and it wasn't even marked for 35 years.
Dat showl do makes you feel all warm and fuzzy for yo' govmint now don't it!

Uncle William died July 13, 1862. G-Great Grandpa Register filed a claim with the federal government for killing him on August 3, 1863. Other boys from Geneva died on May 14, July 11, July 7 and July 13, 1862.

Here's a good link on the Gulf Rangers: http://www.trackingyourroots.com/data/gulfrangers.htm
CONFEDERATE REGISTERS BURIED IN YANKEE PRISONER OF WAR CEMETERIES

Register, Pierce
Co. E, 1st Alabama
16 May 1862http://www.geocities.com/ad4os/WI_DIV_SCV/Confederate_Rest/
[Pierce is buried along with 140 other Confederate soldiers,most of whom were from Alabama, in the northernmost Confederate cemetery in this country: Forest Hill Cemetery in Madison, Wisconsin]

W.D. (William Duncan) Register (MY G-GREAT UNCLE) , Geneva, Alabama, Co. D. 1st Ala, Tenn & Miss is buried in the largest Confederate cemetery in the North, Oak Woods Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois. His name in on the bronze tablet on the link below:
http://www.graveyards.com/IL/Cook/oakwoods/confederate.html



Company D, 4th Confederate Infantry, 1st Regiment, made up of men from Ala., Tenn., and Miss.(Became Co. E. 54th Ala. Inf. Regt.). Served at Island #10 in Tennessee and surrendered there in April, 1862. Men taken prisoners, but exchanged In Sept. 1862. Alphabetical list of soldiers, age at time of-enlistment, and a little other information if known. Copied this today from a Muster Roll record in AL Archives & History.

"Gulf Rangers" of 1861--Company "D", 4th Confederate Infantry--lst Regiment Alabama, Tennessee & Mississippi Infantry--Captain Henry Wesley Laird's "Gulf Rangers"

The following text is by Mrs. Marla Drake Dooley, 8505 Cherry Valley Lane, Alexandria, VA 22309:

Dedicated to my Great, Great Grandfather-Henry Laird

A family story is that the "Gulf Rangers" was formed of friends, neighbors and blood kin. My ancestor, Private Henry Laird, was one of the original members of the "Rangers". The Roster of members of the "Gulf Rangers" was taken from the "Service Records of Confederate Soldiers", Microcopy #258, Rolls 64, 65, & 65, at the National Archives, Washington D.C., by my husband William James Dooley and myself, Marla Drake Dooley.

The "Gulf Rangers" were formed on 14 September, 1861, in Geneva, Coffee County (later Geneva County), Alabama, by Captain Henry Wesley Laird. After mustering in Montgomery, Alabama, they became part of the First Alabama Regiment, and were sent to Island #10 in Tennessee. Island #10 was situated in the Mississippi River near the corner of Tennessee, Missouri and Kentucky. It contained about forty acres of land, and stood ten feet above the water line. The battle was fought purely as a holding action; 7000 Confederate troops were to hold General Pope and 40,000 Union soldiers in check long enough for- General Albert Sydney Johnson to attack Grant at Shiloh. After a month, on 8 April, 1862, the outnumbered Confederates formally surrendered Island #10. The Prisoners of War were taken to Camp Randall, Madison, Wisconsin, Camp Butler, Springfield, Illinois, Johnson Island, Sandusky, Ohio, and Camp Douglas, Chicago, Illinois. Many were sick from fighting in the rain, mud, cold and rigorous climate, and then a terrible epidemic of measles, mumps and pneumonia came. Without suitable food, and practically without medicine with which to combat the epidemic, many died fighting and in prison. In September, 1862, the prisoners were exchanged and sent home to the South. Many of the "Gulf Rangers" were still sick, so they were given a medical discharge. Just as soon as they were well again, however, nearly everyone re-enlisted in another company.



Captain Henry Wesley Laird's "Gulf Rangers"

William Duncan Register(d.o.b. August 18, 1842) Corporal, born in Georgia, died in prison on 13 July 1862; claim filed August 3, 1863 by John Register (This is William's father (my g-great grandfather John Young Register)



--
My g-great uncle, John Forsyth Register, enlisted in Company "K" in the 6th Alabama Calvary in April of 1863 at Geneva, Alabama. He was honorably discharged from the Confederate Army on May 5, 1865 and took the oath of allegiance at Montgomery on May 30, 1865. John was elected the second sheriff of Geneva County on November 7, 1871. The community of Leonia in northern Holmes County, Florida, is named after his first wife. He was a Missionary Baptist preacher for 43 years and according to my family's papers, he recorded more members into the Baptist Church than any other Baptist minister who lived in the Geneva area.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6th Alabama Cavalry Regiment
The 6th Alabama Cavalry was organized near Pine Level, early in 1863, as part of Brig. Gen'l James H. Clanton's brigade. Recruits were gathered from Barbour, Coffee, Coosa, Henry, Macon, Montgomery, Pike, and Tallapoosa counties. It was first engaged near Pollard with a column of the enemy that moved out from Pensacola. Ordered then to North Alabama, the 6th was concerned in several skirmishes near Decatur, with small loss. During the Atlanta-Dalton campaign, the regiment served for several weeks as part of Brig. Gen'l Samuel W. Ferguson's and Brig. Gen'l Frank C. Armstrong's brigades, losing quite a number. A portion of the regiment resisted Maj. Gen'l Lovel H. Rousseau at Ten Islands, losing a number killed and captured. Transferred to West Florida, the 6th fought Maj. Gen'l Frederick Steele's column at Bluff Springs, under orders from Col Armstead, and its loss was severe, especially in prisoners. The remnant fought Maj. Gen'l James H. Wilson's column, and laid down their arms at Gainesville, fewer than 200 men.

Field officers: Col. Charles H. Colvin, Lt. Col. Washington T. Lary (captured at Ten Islands); Major Eliphalet Ariel McWhorter (captured at Ten Islands, Bluff Springs); and Adjutant Joseph A. Robertson
Battle of Bluff Springs north of Pensacola on March 25, 1865 319. Pensacola's Battle of Bluff Springs 1865

6th Alabama Cavalry Regiment - Wikipedia

Sunday, August 03, 2025

 White Elephant Saloon Those Pre-Pro Whiskey Men!: June 2021

Saturday, August 02, 2025

 January 1, 1936 Birmingham Post


TUSCALOOSA, Jan. 1.- (Special.) -At large with a shotgun which he used in "holding up" relatives while"he snatched his mother's body out her casket, Hugh Scott, 57, a World War veteran, was hunted in the woods near the University of Alabama campus today. Scott carried the body away with him on horseback after other relatives of the dead woman-Mrs. Harriet Elizabeth Scott. 75, Taylorville--had refused to change burial plans at his request.

The body was found in a ravine about 100 yards from the house from where it was taken--the home of Perry B. Hughes, superintendent of grounds at the university and former sheriff of Tuscaloosa County, and a son-in-law of the dead woman. 

Argument Over Funeral 

Mrs. Scott died yesterday morning in Druid City Hospital here, of pneumonia. Relatives planned to have her buried at 11 a.m.today at Little Sandy Cemetery, near Taylorville, five miles south of here, Hugh Scott held out for burial at Nazareth Cemetery, several miles north of the city. Last night Scott left the Hughes house in anger. He returned shortly before dawn this morning, on horseback. He carried a doublebarreled shotgun. Four of the relatives were "sitting up" with the body while a half dozen others slept.

Suddenly Mrs. Hughes, in a room adjoining that in which the casket stood. heard a noise as if the coffin were being, moved. 

Threatened Mourners

 She stepped into the next room and was met by Scott. "Get back I'll blow your head off." Scott told his sister, according to Mr.Hughes. He also threatened the other three mourners, all grandchildren of the woman. They were Milton Ramsey Jr., Winfield Hughes and Estelle Ramsey, Scott rolled the casket to the doorway and, still brandishing his weapon, took the body out of its resting place with his free arm. Then he carried it outside, mounted his horse, pulled the body of his mother up with him and rode away. Winfield Hughes obtained a shotgun and ran out in pursuit.

He fired several times at the vanishing horseman with his grim burden, but missed in the darkness. Officers were notified and citizens joined in the search. The body was found at 8:18 a.m. by a policeman. It was carried back and placed in the casket.

Scott's horse was later found, tied to a bush beside the Warrior River at Lock 12. This is about a mile from the Hughes house. 

Grave Diggers Strike 

funeral was to have been held at 11 a.m., but Negro grave diggers refused to work when they learned the vengeful son of the dead woman was probably hiding nearby, armed. Finally they proceeded with the digging when officers were posted around the grave to guard them. It was decided to go ahead with the funeral at 2 p.m.

Meanwhile an armed guard was maintained at the Hughes house, which is on the university campus, just behind Comer Hall. Officers were kept busy all morning chasing down tips of residents of the neighborhood who thought they had seen Scott. The war veteran. a farmer of Taylorville, had treated in both Gulfport and Tuscaloosa Veterans' Hospitals, Mr. Hughes had resided with his mother from time to time they said..