Perkins in Jenkins County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Old Buckhead Church
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During the War Between the States the churchyard became the scene of a skirmish between the 3d Cav. Div. of Gen. J. Kilpatrick (USA), and the Cav. Corps of Gen. Joseph Wheeler (CSA), Nov. 28, 1864.
Erected 1953 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 082-1.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Colonial Era • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society, and the Sherman’s March to the Sea series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1787.
Location. 32° 54.648′ N, 81° 58.014′ W. Marker is in Perkins, Georgia, in Jenkins County. Marker is at the intersection of U.S. 25 and Big Buckhead Church Road, on the left when traveling north on U.S. 25. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Perkins GA 30822, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Welcome to Magnolia Springs – The Civil War’s Camp Lawton (approx. 2˝ miles away); Camp Lawton (approx. 2˝ miles away); The Civil War's Camp Lawton (approx. 2˝ miles away); The 14th Corps at Lumpkin's Station (approx. 3 miles away); Carswell Grove Baptist Church (approx. 3.4 miles away); Battle of Buck Head Creek (approx. 3.4 miles away); Cavalry Action at Buckhead Church (approx. 3.4 miles away); Big Buckhead Church (approx. 3.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Perkins.
Regarding Old Buckhead Church. Nearby was a forty-two acre enclosure that was to have been used as a prisoner-of-war camp by the Confederates named Fort Lawton. It was intended to relieve the crowded Andersonville Prison. The Union advance was so rapid, however, that none of the prisoners had been transferred there and the facility was abandoned without ever having being used. The site was later made into Magnolia Springs State Park.
The prison site was selected in late summer 1864 and by the middle of September was ready for use. By the end of October some 10,500 prisoners were present, and some 755 had perished. With the impending approach of Sherman's troops the prisoners were herded aboard rail cars and were evacuated from Camp Lawton by November 4, 1864 to Savannah and Blackshear, having been in use no more than six weeks.
Additional commentary.
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According to Georgia State records this marker is numbered 082-1. County 32 is Clinch County, in South Georgia.
— Submitted June 22, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 21, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,388 times since then and 14 times this year. Last updated on March 21, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on February 19, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2, 3. submitted on May 21, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.