Matthew Kicklighter joined the Confederate Cavalry following in the
footsteps of six brothers,
Ebeneza,
Frederick,
Jesse,
William,
Henry, and
Jacob.
Matthew was the son of Jesse E. (1804-1881) and Livisa Thomas Kicklighter (1806-1853).
Matthew is buried in Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery in Wayne County, Georgia.
4th Regiment, Georgia Cavalry (Clinch's)
4th (Clinch's) Cavalry
Regiment was formed in January, 1863, using the 3rd Georgia Cavalry
Battalion as its nucleus. Many of the men were from Wayne, Glynn, and Camden
counties. The regiment served on the Georgia coast until the summer of 1864
when it was assigned to M.W. Hannon's command. It skirmished in Northern
Georgia and Alabama, took part in the defense of Savannah, and was active in
the campaign of the Carolinas. A report stated that the unit contained 200
officers and men in March, 1865, and was included in the surrender of the
Army of Tennessee. Its commanders were Colonel Duncan L. Clinch, Lieutenant
Colonel John L. Harris, and Major Jesse C. McDonald.
Predecessor unit:
3rd Cavalry Battalion was formed during the winter
of 1861-1862 with six companies. It served on the Georgia coast, scouting
and patrolling, until Janaury, 1863, when it merged into the 4th (Clinch's)
Georgia Cavalry Regiment. Lieutenant Colonel Duncan L. Clinch and Major John
L. Harris were in command.
Matthew Kicklighter (see link below) served in Company A. Muster records
show he joined the 4th at Doctortown in the late on January of 1864 and
surrendered on May 10th in Tallahassee, Florida (page 4). He was released in
Thomasville on May 19th.
Source: Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System.
Contributed by Johnny Kicklighter
