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By David Seibert, January 25, 2010 | |
| | | 1. The Orphan Brigade Marker | | |
Inscription. At Bear Creek Station (Hampton), on Sept. 4, 1864, Brig. Gen. Joseph H. Lewis famous “Orphan Brigade” (2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 9th Kentucky Infantry) was relieved from assignment to Bate’s division, Hardee’s corps. Army of Tennessee [CS], in which it had served with conspicuous gallantry all through Gen. Joseph E. Johnston’s classic retreat from his exposed position at Dalton to the strong lines surrounding Atlanta and later, through Gen. John B. Hood’s failure to hold that vitally important city.
The “Orphan Brigade,” “orphaned” because the secession movement had failed in Kentucky, leaving them with no “home state” in the Confederacy, was then assigned to Jackson’s division, Wheeler’s cavalry corps [CS] and ordered to Griffin for the purpose of being mounted, partly on horses surrendered by Maj. Gen. Geo. Stoneman, USA, to Brig. Gen. Alfred Iverson, Jr., CSA, at Sunshine Church (19 miles NE of Macon) on July 31,1864.
In its new role as “mounted infantry,” the Orphans served in Wheeler’s corps all through the last winter of the Confederacy, actively opposing Gen. Sherman’s destructive March to the Sea and his subsequent campaign through the Carolinas. When, at last, the gallant Army of Tennessee was surrendered at Durham Station, North Carolina, on April | | | | 
By David Seibert, January 25, 2010 | |
| | | 2. The Orphan Brigade Marker | | Three Georgia Historical Markers stand together, with The Orphan Brigade closest to the intersection. | | |
26, 1865. the Orphans had added fresh laurels to the already great name which four years of glorious achievements had earned.
Erected 1957 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 126-14.)
Location. 33° 14.777′ N, 84° 15.227′ W. Marker is in Griffin, Georgia, in Spalding County. Marker is at the intersection of Memorial Drive (U.S. 19) and South 1st Street, on the right when traveling west on Memorial Drive. Click for map. The marker is located between Memorial Park and the Stonewall Confederate Cemetery. Marker is in this post office area: Griffin GA 30223, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Georgia Militia at Griffin (here, next to this marker); Confederate Cemetery (a few steps from this marker); To the Women of Griffin and Spalding County (within shouting distance of this marker); Spalding County (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memoriam (within shouting distance of this marker); The City of Griffin (approx. half a mile away); Lewis Lawrence Griffin (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Spalding County (approx. half a mile away). Click for a list of all markers in Griffin.
Credits. This page originally submitted on February 19, 2010, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 898 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 19, 2010, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
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