Cobb's Legion (also known as the Georgia Legion) was an

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...

unit that was raised on the

Confederate Confederacy or confederate may refer to: States or communities * Confederate state or confederation, a union of sovereign groups or communities * Confederate States of America, a confederation of secessionist American states that existed between ...

side from the

State of Georgia Georgia is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States, bordered to the north by Tennessee and North Carolina; to the northeast by South Carolina; to the southeast by the Atlantic Ocean; to the south by Florida; and to the west by ...

Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb (April 10, 1823 – December 13, 1862) was an American lawyer, author, politician, and Confederate States Army officer, killed in the Battle of Fredericksburg during the American Civil War. He was the brother of noted C ...

during the summer of 1861. A "legion" consisted of a single integrated command, with individual components from the

infantry Infantry is a military specialization which engages in ground combat on foot. Infantry generally consists of light infantry, mountain infantry, motorized infantry & mechanized infantry, airborne infantry, air assault infantry, and marine i ...

cavalry Historically, cavalry (from the French word ''cavalerie'', itself derived from "cheval" meaning "horse") are soldiers or warriors who fight mounted on horseback. Cavalry were the most mobile of the combat arms, operating as light cavalry ...

, and

artillery Artillery is a class of heavy military ranged weapons that launch munitions far beyond the range and power of infantry firearms. Early artillery development focused on the ability to breach defensive walls and fortifications during siege ...

. When it was originally raised, the Georgia Legion comprised seven infantry companies, four cavalry troops, and a single battery. The concept of a multiple-branch unit was fine in theory, but never was a practical application for Civil War armies and, early in the war, the individual elements were assigned to other organizations.

Infantry component

The infantry

battalion A battalion is a military unit, typically consisting of 300 to 1,200 soldiers commanded by a lieutenant colonel, and subdivided into a number of companies (usually each commanded by a major or a captain). In some countries, battalions are ...

was assigned to

Howell Cobb Howell Cobb (September 7, 1815 – October 9, 1868) was an American and later Confederate political figure. A southern Democrat, Cobb was a five-term member of the United States House of Representatives and the speaker of the House from 184 ...

brigade A brigade is a major tactical military formation that typically comprises three to six battalions plus supporting elements. It is roughly equivalent to an enlarged or reinforced regiment. Two or more brigades may constitute a division. Br ...

Lafayette McLaws Lafayette McLaws ( ; January 15, 1821 – July 24, 1897) was a United States Army officer and a Confederate general in the American Civil War. He served at Antietam and Fredericksburg, where Robert E. Lee praised his defense of Marye's Heights, ...

's Division of

James Longstreet James Longstreet (January 8, 1821January 2, 1904) was one of the foremost Confederate generals of the American Civil War and the principal subordinate to General Robert E. Lee, who called him his "Old War Horse". He served under Lee as a corps ...

Corps Corps (; plural ''corps'' ; from French , from the Latin "body") is a term used for several different kinds of organization. A military innovation by Napoleon I, the formation was first named as such in 1805. The size of a corps varies great ...

of the Army of Northern Virginia. The infantry battalion surrendered at

Appomattox Court House Appomattox Court House could refer to: * The village of Appomattox Court House, now the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, in central Virginia (U.S.), where Confederate army commander Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union commander Ulyss ...

on April 9, 1865.

Organization

*Staff **Colonel

(He formed the Legion in the late summer of 1861, and served as its colonel until he was promoted to

brigadier general Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed ...

in the fall of 1862.) After the components were separated, the highest rank in the infantry battalion was lieutenant colonel. **Lieutenant Colonel Jefferson Mirabeau Lamar (He was named Lieutenant Colonel on January 18, 1862. He was mortally wounded at the Battle of Crampton's Gap, Maryland, on September 14, 1862, and he died the next day.) **Lieutenant Colonel

Luther Glenn Luther Judson Glenn (November 26, 1818June 9, 1886) was a prominent Georgia lawyer, politician, Confederate officer during the American Civil War, and antebellum Mayor of Atlanta. He attended the University of Georgia where he was a member of th ...

(He was named lieutenant colonel on September 15, 1862. He retired on January 11, 1865.)

Companies

* A Company (

Lamar Infantry Lamar or Lamarr is a word with multiple origins that may refer to: People * Lamar (given name), a list of people * Lamar (surname), a list of people Fictional characters *Hedley Lamarr, in Mel Brooks's movie ''Blazing Saddles'', played by Harvey ...

) was formed in Newton County, Georgia. * B Company (Bowdon Volunteers) was formed in

Carroll County, Georgia Carroll County is a county located in the northwestern part of the State of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, its population was 119,148. Its county seat is the city of Carrollton. Carroll County is included in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell ...

. * C Company (Stephens Rifles) was formed in

DeKalb County, Georgia DeKalb County (, , ) is located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 764,382, making it Georgia's fourth-most populous county. Its county seat is Decatur. DeKalb County is inclu ...

. * D Company (Mell Rifles) was formed in Clarke County, Georgia. * E Company (Poythress Volunteers) was formed in Burke County, Georgia. * F Company (Carroll Boys) was formed in

. * G Company (Panola Guards) was formed in

Morgan County, Georgia Morgan County is a county located in the north central Piedmont region of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 20,097. The county seat is Madison. Since the early 21st century, the county has had a housing boom ...

Battles

The infantry battalion fought in the following battles: * Yorktown (April 1862) * Lee's Mill (April 16, 1862) * Seven Days Battles (June 25 – July 1, 1862) *

Malvern Hill Malvern Hill stands on the north bank of the James River in Henrico County, Virginia, USA, about eighteen miles southeast of Richmond. On 1 July 1862, it was the scene of the Battle of Malvern Hill, one of the Seven Days Battles of the American ...

(July 1, 1862) * South Mountain (Crampton's Gap) (September 14, 1862) * Sharpsburg (September 17, 1862) * Fredericksburg (December 11–15, 1862) * Chancellorsville (May 1 – May 4, 1863) * Gettysburg (July 1 – July 3, 1863) *

Chickamauga Chickamauga may refer to: Entertainment * "Chickamauga", an 1889 short story by American author Ambrose Bierce * "Chickamauga", a 1937 short story by Thomas Wolfe * "Chickamauga", a song by Uncle Tupelo from their 1993 album ''Anodyne (album), Ano ...

ot engaged(September 19 – September 20, 1863) *

Chattanooga Chattanooga ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Hamilton County, Tennessee, United States. Located along the Tennessee River bordering Georgia, it also extends into Marion County on its western end. With a population of 181,099 in 2020, ...

(September – November 1863) * Siege of Knoxville (November–December 1863) ** Fort Sanders * The Wilderness (May 5 – May 6, 1864) *

Spotsylvania Court House The Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, sometimes more simply referred to as the Battle of Spotsylvania (or the 19th-century spelling Spottsylvania), was the second major battle in Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and Maj. Gen. George G. Meade's 1864 ...

(May 8 – May 21, 1864) * North Anna (May 23 – May 26, 1864) *

Cold Harbor The Battle of Cold Harbor was fought during the American Civil War near Mechanicsville, Virginia, from May 31 to June 12, 1864, with the most significant fighting occurring on June 3. It was one of the final battles of Union Lt. Gen. Ulysses S ...

(June 1 – June 3, 1864) *

Petersburg Petersburg, or Petersburgh, may refer to: Places Australia *Petersburg, former name of Peterborough, South Australia Canada * Petersburg, Ontario Russia *Saint Petersburg, sometimes referred to as Petersburg United States *Peterborg, U.S. Virg ...

(June 1864 – April 1865) *

Front Royal Front Royal is the only incorporated town in Warren County, Virginia, United States. The population was 15,011 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Warren County. History The entire Shenandoah Valley including the area to become F ...

(August 16, 1864) * Cedar Creek (October 19, 1864) * Sayler's Creek (April 6, 1865) *

Battle of Appomattox Court House The Battle of Appomattox Court House, fought in Appomattox County, Virginia, on the morning of April 9, 1865, was one of the last battles of the American Civil War (1861–1865). It was the final engagement of Confederate General in Chief, Rober ...

(April 9, 1865)

Cavalry component

The cavalry battalion was expanded first to eight companies, then later to eleven companies before finally being decreased to ten companies. It was redesignated as the 9th Georgia Cavalry, but continued to be called Cobb's Legion. It surrendered at Greensboro, North Carolina, on April 26, 1865.

Organization

* Staff ** Colonel

Pierce M. B. Young Pierce Manning Butler Young (November 15, 1836 – July 6, 1896) was an American soldier, politician, diplomat, and slave owner. He was a major general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War, and after the war a four-t ...

(He was named colonel on November 1, 1862. He was promoted to brigadier general in the fall of 1863.) ** Colonel Gilbert Jefferson Wright (He was named colonel on October 23, 1863, and led the Legion until its surrender on April 26, 1865.) ** Lieutenant Colonel William Gaston Delony (He was named major on May 23, 1862. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel on November 2, 1862.) On September 13, 1862, he assumed command of the cavalry battalion after Lieutenant Colonel Young was wounded. He remained second in command of the Legion until mortally wounded and captured at the Battle of Jack's Shop, Virginia, on September 22, 1863, dying on October 2, 1863, in the Stanton Hospital in Washington City as a POW.

Companies

* A Company (Richmond Hussars, A Company) was formed in Richmond County, Georgia. This company was one of the original cavalry companies. * B Company (Fulton Dragoons, A Company) was formed in

Fulton County, Georgia Fulton County is located in the north-central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 1,066,710, making it the state's most-populous county and its only one with over one million inhabi ...

. This company was one of the original cavalry companies. * C Company (Georgia Troopers, A Company) was formed in Clarke County, Georgia. Members of the company were from Clarke, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin, and other counties. This company was one of the original cavalry companies. * D Company (Dougherty Hussars) was formed in Dougherty County, Georgia. This company was one of the original cavalry companies. * E Company (Roswell Troopers) was formed in Cobb County, Georgia. * F Company (Grubb's Hussars) was formed in Burke County, Georgia. * G Company (Fulton Dragoons, B Company) was formed in

. * H Company (Georgia Troopers, B Company) was formed in Clarke County, Georgia. * I Company (Richmond Hussars, B Company) was formed in Richmond County, Georgia. * K Company (Richmond Dragoons) was formed in Richmond County, Georgia. This company was transferred to Phillips' Legion (Georgia), Cavalry by Special Orders #161, Adjutant and Inspector's General's Office (July 11, 1864). * L Company was formed in

Battles

The cavalry component fought in the following battles: * Yorktown Siege (4/62) * Seven Days Battles (6/25/62 – 7/1/62) *Harrison's Landing, Virginia (8/2/62 – 8/8/62) *Middletown, Maryland (9/13/62) * South Mountain, Maryland (9/14/62) * Sharpsburg (September 17, 1862) *Barbee's Crossroads, Virginia (11/5/62) *Dumfries, Virginia (12/12/62) * Fredericksburg (12/13/62) *Occoquan, Virginia (12/19/62) *Dumfries and Fairfax Station, Virginia (12/27/62 – 12/29/62) *

Brandy Station Brandy Station is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Culpeper County, Virginia, United States. It was first listed as a CDP in the 2020 census with a population of 191. Its original name was Brandy. The name Brandy S ...

(6/9/63) * Upperville(6/21/63) *

Hanover Hanover (; german: Hannover ; nds, Hannober) is the capital and largest city of the German state of Lower Saxony. Its 535,932 (2021) inhabitants make it the 13th-largest city in Germany as well as the fourth-largest city in Northern Germany ...

(6/30/63) * Gettysburg (July 1–3, 1863) * Hunterstown (7/2/63) *Brandy Station (8/1/63) * Bristoe Campaign (10/63) * Mine Run Campaign (11/63 – 12/63) * The Wilderness (5/5/64 – 5/6/64) *

(5/8/64 – 5/21/64) * North Anna (5/23/64 – 5/26/64) *

(6/1/64 – 4/1/65) *

, Virginia (6/1/64 – 6/3/64) *Williamsburg Road, Virginia (10/27/64) * Carolinas Campaign (2/65 – 4/30/65) * Bentonville (3/19/65 – 3/21/65)

Troup Artillery

The artillery battery was known as the Troup Artillery (named for former governor

George M. Troup George McIntosh Troup (September 8, 1780 – April 26, 1856) was an Politics of the United States, American politician from the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. He served in the Georgia General Assembly, U.S. House of Representative ...

). It was from

Athens, Georgia Athens, officially Athens–Clarke County, is a consolidated city-county and college town in the U.S. state of Georgia. Athens lies about northeast of downtown Atlanta, and is a satellite city of the capital. The University of Georgia, the sta ...

. It was commanded by Capt Henry Hull Carlton After the Legion was reorganized, the Troup Artillery was assigned to the Artillery Battalion of Longstreet's Corps. The Troup Artillery disbanded April 9, 1865.

Battles

The battles it took part in were: * Yorktown Siege (4/62) * Lee's Mill, Virginia (4/16/62) * Seven Days Battles, Virginia (6/25/62 – 7/1/62) *

(7/1/62) * South Mountain (9/14/62) * Sharpsburg (September 17, 1862) * Fredericksburg (12/13/62) * Chancellorsville (May 1 – May 4, 1863) * Gettysburg (July 1 – July 3, 1863) *Antietam Creek, Maryland (7/10/63) * The Wilderness (5/5/64 – 5/6/64) *

(5/8/64 – 5/21/64) * North Anna (5/23/64 – 5/26/64) *

(6/1/64 – 4/1/65) *

(6/1/64 – 6/3/64) *

(4/9/65)

Famous members

* A famous fictional member of Cobb's Legion was Ashley Wilkes, of '' Gone with the Wind'', who was supposedly captured during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House in 1864. * Future

Atlanta Chamber of Commerce The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce is the chamber of commerce for the Atlanta metropolitan area. It was founded in 1859. History The first Atlanta Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1859, and was chiefly concerned with fighting railroad rate ...

President

Benjamin Crane Benjamin Elliott Crane (December 19, 1835 – January 15, 1885) was a businessman in post-bellum Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Biography Benjamin Crane was born in Athens, Georgia to Ross Crane and Martha White Elliott. He graduated from the ...

served in the legion. * Future

Mayor of Atlanta Here is a list of mayors of Atlanta, Georgia. The mayor is the highest elected official in Atlanta. Since its incorporation in 1847, the city has had 61 mayors. The current mayor is Andre Dickens who was elected in the 2021 election and took of ...

served in the legion. * Atlanta businessman, publisher, and Atlanta City Council member

Zachariah A. Rice Zachariah Armstead Rice (September 15, 1822 – July 2, 1890) was an American businessman who was prominent in the city of Atlanta, Georgia, in the decades before and after the Civil War. In addition to investments in textile mills, general ...

served as Major of B Company (Fulton Dragoons) in the cavalry battalion of the legion.

Literature

*Dooley, Vincent Joseph and Samuel Norman Thomas Jr., eds. ''The Legion's Fighting Bulldog: The Civil War correspondence of William Gaston Delony, Lieutenant Colonel of Cobb's Georgia Legion Cavalry, and Rosa Delony, 1853-1863.'' Mercer University Press. *Turner, Nat S. 2002. ''A Southern Soldier's Letters Home: The Civil War Letters of Samuel Burney, Cobb's Georgia Legion, Army of Northern Virginia.'' Macon GA: Mercer University Press.

External links

Cobb's Legion WebsiteTroup Artillery WebsiteNoble John Brooke Papers
a
Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, & Rare Book Library, Emory University
{{Authority control Artillery units and formations of the American Civil War Units and formations of the Confederate States Army from Georgia (U.S. state) Legions of the American Civil War 1861 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)

Infantry component

Organization

Companies

Battles

Cavalry component

Organization

Companies

Battles

Troup Artillery

Battles

Famous members

Literature

See also

External links