Gordon in Wilkinson County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

He Wouldn't Run

Photographed by David Seibert, April 1, 2011

1. He Wouldn't Run Marker

Inscription. J. Rufus Kelly, 18, was a member of Co. B, 14th Ga. Infantry, Confederate Army. At Jericho Ford, Va. when the 14th had orders to fall back, young Kelly kept advancing, waving his hat and rifle and urging his comrades to come on. When the retreat continued, Kelly teamed up with another brigade, losing a leg in battle. Back home at Gordon on crutches, he voluntarily spied on Sherman’s Army advancing from Macon. Dashing into Gordon on horseback, he warned Georgia’s Adjutant General Henry C. Wayne that the federals were coming, then roundly cursed the [CS] Officer for entraining his 700 cadets and paroled convicts for flight from the 100,000 oncoming [US] marchers.

“I will defend the women and children of Gordon alone,” Kelly told Gen. Wayne on the porch of the old Solomon Hotel here. Aided by one man, John R. Bragg, Kelly went out to meet the advancing Union forces and killed one soldier. The advance was delayed until the Union forces deployed around Gordon. They captured Kelly when his horse staggered, and sentenced him to be shot. But he wasn’t. He escaped from a wagon crossing the Ogeechee Swamp and lived for many

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years after the war. He is buried at Liberty Hill Church near Myrick's Mill Pond in Twiggs County.

Erected 1953 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 158-1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society, and the Sherman’s March to the Sea series lists.

Location. 32° 52.908′ N, 83° 20.044′ W. Marker is in Gordon, Georgia, in Wilkinson County. It is at the intersection of Macon Road and Jackson Street, on the left when traveling north on Macon Road. Marker has be moved 13 miles next to the Gordon Train Depot Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 90 Jackson Street, Gordon GA 31031, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 29, 2017

2. He Wouldn't Run Marker

Marker was moved from Milledgeville Road to Macon Road, near the Gordon Train Depot Museum.

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The March to the Sea (here, next to this marker); The Evacuation of Gordon (here, next to this marker); In Memory of J. Rufus Kelly (here, next to this marker); The Stoneman Raid (here, next to this marker); Gordon (within shouting distance of this marker); Gordon Depot-Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Ramah Church (approx. 1.6 miles away); Battle of Griswoldville (approx. 5.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gordon.

The "He Wouldn't Run" marker is now on far left of 4 markers, at new location. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 29, 2017

3. The "He Wouldn't Run" marker is now on far left of 4 markers, at new location.

He Wouldn't Run Marker at former location. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Seibert, April 1, 2011

4. He Wouldn't Run Marker at former location.

Photographed by David Seibert, April 1, 2011

5. He Wouldn't Run Marker at former location.

Looking southeast on Milledgeville Road (Georgia Highway 243) at the BASF Kaolin plant, which dominates the town. The He Wouldn't Run Marker is the closest of the four markers.

Photographed by David Seibert, April 1, 2011

6. He Wouldn't Run Marker at former location.

Looking northwest on Milledgeville Road (Georgia Highway 243) toward the intersection with Gray Highway (Georgia Highway 18). The "He Would't Run" marker is the fourth in the row.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,314 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 16, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2, 3. submitted on May 1, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 16, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.