12th Georgia Militia

Historical Notes:
The 12th Georgia Militia was organized in the summer of 1864. The first commander was Colonel Richard Sims. It participated in the defense of Atlanta from May-September 1864. After the fall of Atlanta the regiment moved into defensive positions in and around Savannah November- December 1864. During the siege of Savannah the 12th Regiment was stationed on the south side of Ogeechee River guarding the crossing points. They were brigaded with the 10th and 11th regiments which were stationed at Doctortown, Ga. in Wayne County where the Atlantic & Gulf Railroad bridge crosses the Altamaha River. It sounds reasonable that Thomasville could have been a surrender location since it is further west along the Atlantic & Gulf railroad. One of the battles of note was at Griswoldville, 22 November 1864.

It surrendered with the Department and is included in the surrender list of General Joseph E. Johnston at Durham Station, Orange County, NC on 26 April 1865.

A Private I. W. Seward, 12th Georgia Militia, appears on a list of Prisoners of War surrendered to Brig. Gen. E. M. McCook by Maj. Gen. Sam Jones, C. S. A., at Tallahassee, Fla., May 10, 1865 and paroled at Thomasville, Ga. May 22, 1865. Also, also a Private J. A. J. Shaw who signed a parole document at Head-Quarters, U. S. Forces, BGen. E. M. McCook, Thomasville, Ga., May 17, 1865. Officers:

Sims, Richard - Colonel

Mitchell, Henry - Lieut. Colonel

McGriff, P. A. - Major

Snee, Joseph - Adjutant

Assignments:

4th Brigade, 1st Division, Georgia Militia, Army of Tennessee August-October 1864

4th Brigade, 1st Division, Georgia Militia, Department of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida October 1864-January 1865

Battles:

Siege of Atlanta

Griswoldville

Savannah

The Carolinas Campaign

ROSTERS:
The roster of this regiment contains the names of 446 men.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

REFERENCES:
Sifakis - Compendium of the Confederate States Armies