Elko in Houston County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Thaddeus Oliver
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, circa 1993
1. Thaddeus Oliver Marker
Thaddeus Oliver, who wrote “All Quiet Along the Potomac Tonight”, and his wife, the former Sarah Penelope Lawson, are buried here, in what was once the family burying ground on the Hugh Lawson plantation. Thaddeus Oliver, son of William Oliver and Dorcas Harrison Oliver, was born in Twiggs County, Dec. 25, 1826. He went to Marion County in 1850 and taught for two years in Buena Vista Academy. Studying law under Judge Mark Blanford he was admitted to the bar in 1852 and was serving as Solicitor General of the Chattahoochee Circuit when he joined the Confederate Army April 15, 1861. His first service in Virginia was with the Buena Vista Guards, Co. I, Seventh Ga. Infantry. Later, he organized Co. E, 63d Regiment, in Marion County, and was elected Captain. He served in the Army of Tennessee [CS] until he died of wounds in a Charleston, S.C. Hospital Aug. 21, 1864. Thaddeus Oliver wrote his famous poem while stationed at Aquia Creek, Va. in August 1861. His sons, Rev. Hugh Forsyth Oliver and Admiral James Harrison Oliver, were “the two in the low trundle bed” in the famed song.
Erected 1955 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 076-2.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music
this page online
Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 32° 18.855′ N, 83° 38.069′ W. Marker was in Elko, Georgia, in Houston County. Marker was at the intersection of Georgia Route 26 and Loggins Road, on the right when traveling east on State Route 26. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Elko GA 31025, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Pulaski County (approx. 9.9 miles away); Slosheye Trail (approx. 9.9 miles away); To Our Confederate Soldiers (approx. 9.9 miles away); Federal Pursuit (approx. 10.2 miles away); Old Hartford (approx. 10.8 miles away); De Soto Trail (approx. 11.3 miles away); The 1812 Soldiers (approx. 11.3 miles away); A $100,000 Reward (approx. 11.4 miles away).
More about this marker. Text for the missing marker was taken from “Georgia Historical Markers” (Bay Tree Grove, Second Edition 1978), compiled by Carroll P. Scruggs from the records of the Georgia Historical Commission.
Also see . . .
Photographed By David Seibert, January 15, 2012
2. Thaddeus Oliver Marker
Photographed By David Seibert, January 15, 2012
3. Thaddeus Oliver Marker
Looking east on Georgia Highway 26, toward Hawkinsville. Loggins Road is in the foreground.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,131 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 6, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 2, 3. submitted on March 2, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
