Compiled and Edited by

HARVEY J. POWELL

PUBLISHED BY

HARVEY J. POWELL

Monticello, GA

1972

Dedicated to the Memory of

Rebecca Mathews Jordan (1842-1932)

Affectionately known as Aunt Beck

Transcribed by Suzanne Forte (suzanneforte@bellsouth.net), April 2004

PREFACE

As a member of the Georgia State Militia during the American Civil War, Erasmus Hunter Jordan did not take part in any crucial, great battles, nor did he make claim to having been a hero; yet his experiences during the conflict are not without interest.

Sudden death and grim scenes he must have, on occasions witnessed, but I never remember hearing him relating such incidents. Rather than dwell upon the grimness of war, he saw and told of many incidents of humor during his period of service from June 1864 to May 1865. He was not easily persuaded to discuss his war experiences and it was a fortunate privilege for one to be present in his living room, upon a winter night, when he was in the mood and would relate his experiences as a member of a small Confederate force always in danger of being destroyed or captured by Sherman's overwhelming numbers during "The March to the Sea".

Being the last member of his family, now living, who heard him relate these episodes, they are here set down in order that this information may not be lost to his posterity.

Harvey J. Powell

Monticello, Georgia

June 1972

Erasmus Hunter Jordan, the third son and youngest of four children of Reuben and Mary Frances (Bonner) Jordan, was born May 21, 1848 at the home of his parents located on land lot No. 60 in the 16th District of, originally Baldwin, now Jasper County, Georgia. The house, which is still standing (1972) is located approximately two miles east of the town of Monticello, Georgia.

Erasmus or “Ras” as he was called, was named for his mother’s half brother, Erasmus Hunter, who died of typhoid fever while a student of the University of Georgia in Athens.

“Ras” received his early education at the Monticello (Ga.) Male Academy, located in the eastern part of town near the residence of Dr. David A. Reese. One of his teachers was Professor William Berner, of German decent, who spoke with quite an accent. On one occasion he admonished barefooted “Ras” during class, for cleaning between his toes with his fingers:

“Ah, Rasmus, I vood not do dot even in de privacy of me oon bedroom”.

In the summer of 1863 at the age of fifteen, Erasmus joined his brother Fleming, three years his senior and a cadet at the Georgia Military Institute, and became a student at that institution located at Marietta, Georgia. He was there when the institute, being in the path of General Sherman’s advance upon Atlanta, was forced to close in the spring of 1864. Erasmus returned home but Fleming and his cousin, Eli Glover, Jr., also a cadet, went off to Virginia - never to return - and enlisted, on March 12, 1864 in Company G, 4th Regiment, Georgia Volunteer Infantry, Army of Northern Virginia, Confederate States Army. This was a company organized April 25, 1861 in Monticello, Georgia, and known as the “ Glover Guards”. It served with distinction with General Lee’s Army during the whole of the civil War and suffered many casualties. The official record gives the fate of Cousin Eli and Brother Fleming as follows:

“Eli Glover, Jr. was captured during the Battle of Spotsylvania, VA., May 10, 1864 and died of typhoid at Fort Delaware, Del., July 21, 1864.

“Fleming Jordan, Jr. was in Jubal Early’s attack on Washington, D.C. was wounded and captured at Silver Spring, MD., July 13, 1864. Died of gangrene poisoning in Lincoln General Hospital, Washington, D.C., August 1, 1864. Buried in Arlington Cemetery, VA.”

Joseph E. Brown, Governor of Georgia during the entire period of the Civil War, was a consistent advocate of the policy that the State should maintain an adequate militia - under the command of the Governor - to defend itself from invasion. He displayed great zeal in raising and equipping troops to strengthen the Militia, which he fully intended should remain for duty within the State. This policy brought Brown into conflict with the President and Congress of the Confederate States of America. As fast as Brown raised military units they were conscripted, in conformity with the Confederate Congress Draft Laws, into the Confederate Army and more often than not, they were transported to the theatre of war in far away Virginia.

Determined to have a State Army in spite of the Confederate draft, Governor Brown issued a proclamation, in May 1863, calling upon every county in Georgia to raise a force of militia composed of men over the age of 35 years; the upper limit then in effect set by Confederate Law. He had just succeeded in getting together a small army, when the Confederate draft age was increased to 45 and subsequently to 50 years, thereby depleting the strength of Brown’s Militia as fast as he raised it. In final desperation, he made a proclamation, by authority of an Act of December 14, 1863, calling into service “Every Able Bodied, white, male, citizen of Georgia, between the ages of 16 and 60 years who was not already in the Confederate or State Military service as of January 1, 1864, or exempt by law”. “From the cradle to the grave” as the Act was called.

In the spring of 1864, Georgia was being invaded by a Federal Army, 99,000 strong, under command of Gen. W. T. Sherman, which was steadily advancing southward from Tennessee; opposed by a Confederate force of 53,000 men under Gen. Joseph E. Johnston.

Taking advantage of his superior numbers, Sherman relied upon flanking movements to drive his opponent southward. Johnston skillfully using delaying tactics had so impeded Sherman’s movements that 67 days were consumed in advancing the 120 miles from the Tennessee line to the vicinity of Atlanta.

Governor Brown repeatedly called upon President Davis to send aid to Gen. Johnston, contending that the defense of Atlanta was just as important to Georgia and the Confederacy as was the defense of Richmond in Virginia. The only aid Davis considered he could make was to replace Gen. Johnston (with whom he was at odds regarding military tactics) with Gen. John B. Hood as commander of the Confederate Army opposing Sherman’s advance, with the understanding that Hood was to fight for Atlanta.

Such was the state of affairs in July 1864, when Erasmus H. Jordan, only recently turned 16 years of age, left Monticello, with several others, to report in at Atlanta for duty as a member of the State Militia.

His uniform was of such clothing as could be obtained at home. His mother made for him two suits of osnaburg cloth consisting of a jacket and trousers, one suit to wear and one as a spare, which he carried in his blanket roll.

The party proceeded to Covington, Ga., boarded a train which carried them only as far as Decatur, Ga. To approach further toward Atlanta would be to invite destruction of the train and its occupants as the tell-tale smoke arising from the locomotive would draw artillery fire from the Federals.

After inquiry and much wandering about, they finally located the Militia Unit which they knew contained a number of men from Jasper County. They reported in and became privates of Company I, 5th Regiment, Georgia Militia. (note: The names of the men from Jasper County in this company are listed in the appendix.)

The 5th Regiment Georgia Militia, was assigned to a fairly quiet sector of the lines defending Atlanta in the vicinity of Ponce De Leon Springs, a location now identified as the site of the huge Sears, Roebuck and Co store on Ponce De Leon Avenue.

The first duties assigned to the new arrivals was to the “Pick and shovel brigade” engaged in erecting protective earthworks for a gun mount. This job was executed with very little enthusiasm as the heat of the July weather was oppressive. Erasmus was surprised and pleased too, to find that the Sergeant in charge of this work was none other than William R. Berner, his former school master at the Monticello Male Academy.

Gen. Hood superseded Gen. Johnston on July 17th and promptly proceeded to "Fight for Atlanta". On July 20th his army sallied forth from the protection of entrenchments and made an assault upon Sherman's right in the Battle of Peachtree Creek with a lost of 4800 men killed, wounded and missing. Quickly withdrawing, Hood made a wide swing to the east of Atlanta and struck the blank of Sherman's left, under command of Gen. J. B. McPherson, on July 22nd. The attack was furious and desperate and almost succeeded in shattering the Federal left. Gen. McPherson was killed during the conflict, now known as the Battle of Atlanta. So was Confederate Gen. W. H. T. Walker.

Hood withdrew his forces into the defense of Atlanta and rested. Sherman made no attempt to take the city by assault. Instead he made a movement with his right to strike at Hood's line of supply. To check this threat, Hood was forced to send out a portion of his army under Gen. W. J. Hardee. Contact of the two forces took place three miles west of Atlanta at Ezra Church. In a three hour assault, the Confederates lost about 4,000 men and had to withdraw.

Within twelve days after taking command Hood had made three major assaults, inflicting over 6,000 casualties upon the Union Army, but in doing so he had suffered an irreparable loss of 17,300 men. And still Sherman was at the gates of Atlanta.

Through this period of time and the month of comparative calm which followed, the 5th Regiment, Georgia Militia, of which Erasmus H. Jordan was a member, continued in its assigned position of manning the defense lines of Atlanta at Ponce De Leon Springs.

For the purpose of alerting the defenders of a fortified position as to the approach of the enemy, picket posts were established at advantageous points less than a mile in front of the lines. These posts were manned by a squad of well armed men, who when they realized that the enemy was approaching in force, were to give some slight resistance and then fall back upon the main lines, thus giving the alarm. This duty, at time, could be quite exciting when the enemy would make a show of force and "drive in the pickets". Erasmus related one such incident as follows:

There was a jovial, heavy set fellow in a near by company whose first name as "Andy". In some unexplained manner, he had obtained a small black mule, which he kept back of the lines as a pet. The little mule was nicknamed "Big Andy" and his heavy weight master, " Little Andy". The mule was used in transporting his master to and from duty at picket posts. One day when the "Andys" were on picket duty, a force of Yankee cavalry appeared and drove in the pickets. Back came the "Andys" in a gallop amid a hail of bullets. As soon as the embankment of breastworks was reached, the soldier leapt from the back of the mule and roller over into the safety of the trench. Arising to his knees and looking in the direction of the fleeing mule who was making for the woods, he exclaimed: "I didn't give a damn for myself - I was only afraid for the safety of Big Andy!"

"Hello! They got my musket", he added, when he realized that he was clutching in his right hand the remains of his gun whose stock had been shattered by a Minie Ball.

On August 24, 1864, Sherman ceased his intermittent bombardment of Atlanta and began, in force, an encircling movement to the southwest and then south. On the 27th he had gained possession of, and proceeded to destroy, a portion of the Atlanta and West Point RR near East Point, Ga. On August 30th he moved towards Jonesboro to gain possession of the Central Railroad, the last supply line of Hood's army. Hood ordered Gen. Hardee's and Gen. S. D. Lee's corps to oppose this movement. The forces joined in battle, which lasted two days, a short distance west of Jonesboro, Ga. The Confederate attack was unsuccessful, but it did hold the position until Hood was able to evacuate Atlanta.

On the 31st of August, shortly after noon, the 5th Regiment, Georgia Militia hastily abandoned their lines, formed ranks and proceeded on the double down Ponce De Leon and into Peachtree Street. Heavy firing was heard in the west and the troops thought that they were being rushed to reinforce the defense of Atlanta at that point.

"I knew that the jig was up when the head of the column reached downtown and the order of "Column Right" was not given" related Erasmus. "We continued south through Atlanta and into Jonesboro Road.

"Under the burden of a ten pound musket, powder and bullet pouch, knapsack and blanket roll together with the rapid pace, the troops grew tired and began to discard non essentials. The only thing which I thought that I could discard was the extra suit of clothes which my mother had made. The suit had been used very little; I did not wish to throw it away. The one I had on was good too, only it had become soiled from the mud in the trenches. A good washing would make it good as new. I did not like to throw it away either.

"However", continued Erasmus" there was no other way out, so I proceeded to change into the clean suit and discard the dirty one, without loss of my place in the line of march. First I discarded my jacket. Then, as I hobbled along on one foot then the other, I shucked off my pants and threw them aside. The clean suit, obtained from inside my blanket roll was then put on. While making this change, I looked down the line and noticed a soldier was picking up each garment that I had discarded. Evidently, the clothing I was throwing away were better than those he wore, for he too proceeded to change into my discards and throw his away."

As the troops became weary, straggling increased and many lost contact with their company. Erasmus fell behind also when he stopped to rest. A soldier sat nearby holding an unsaddled mule by the reins.

"Here, son, you are tired; take this mule and ride", he said.

"I was almost given out, night was coming on, and I was anxious to overtake my company. I accepted the offer, little thinking as to why the soldier was willing to give up his mule", related Erasmus. "But I soon found out. I mounted and started off alongside the line of march. The mule and I soon became entangled among the weary infantrymen, who commenced to curse and shout "Get out of the way! Several blows caused the mule to bolt and become unruly. The butt of my musket, which was carried crossways, accidentally struck the head of a soldier behind his right ear. With a cry of pain and an oath, he struck a blow at me with his musket. It missed my head by inches and landed upon the poor mule's shoulder with such force that the animal staggered. I quickly dismounted and abandoned the mule to her fate. This was the nearest that I came to being killed during the whole time I was in the army".

"On into the night the march continued until the outskirts of the town of Jonesboro was reached (a distance of 23 miles) before camp was made. L lay down upon the ground and fell asleep; a sleep so sound that I was unaware of a rain storm which took place during the night. Reveille sounded at day break and upon awaking I discovered that I had been lying in a pool of water."

After a hasty breakfast the regiment continued its march south until Griffin, Ga. was reached where a rest of several days was taken. The next movement must have been uncertain for many men were given leave to return home, among them were several from Jasper County, including Pvt. Erasmus H. Jordan. They left Griffin for Monticello, walking the distance of 40 miles in one and one half days.

Following Hood's evacuation of Atlanta, Sherman took possession of the city on September 2nd and there he remained for two and one half months, accumulating supplies and secretly making his plans for his next move.

Hood's army suffering from its defeat, marched west and then north from Palmetto, Ga., where it had consolidated its units and then made threats upon Sherman's line of supply served by the Western & Atlantic Railroad. Attacks were made at Big Shanty, Acworth and Allatoona Pass with some success but failed in their purpose of forcing Sherman to retreat northward. Further attacks were made upon the railroad at Resaca and Dalton and finally Hood gave up his plan and on October 17th marched westward to Gadsden, Alabama and left the defense of Georgia to Governor Joe Brown and his State Militia.

After two and one half months of preparation, Sherman departed Atlanta on November 15, 1864 with an army consisting of 60,000 infantry, 5,500 cavalry, 65 pieces of artillery - each pulled by 8 horses, 2,500 wagons, each pulled by 6 mules, 600 ambulances, each with 2 horses.

"Most of the wagons were loaded with ammunition, provision and forage. His army carried twenty days supply of bread and forty days supply of coffee, sugar and salt. A large herd of cattle were driven on foot and orders were given to forage liberally on the country by means of organized foraging parties, who were authorized to take horses, mules, cattle, hogs, food, grain, fodder and wagons at will" "Quoted from Georgia Historical Quarterly, December 1968, p 453-454)

Sherman divided his army into two wings. The left wing, under command of Major Gen. H. W. Slocum, was composed of the 14th Corps, commander by Maj Gen J. C. Davis and the 20th Corps under command of Brig. Gen. A. S. Williams.

The Right Wing, under command of Maj. Gen O. O. Howard, was composed of the 15th Corps, commanded by Major Gen P. J. Osterhaus, and the 17th Corps under command of Maj. Gen Francis P. Blair, Jr.

In opposition to this force was the Georgia Militia, composed of old men and young boys, scattered about at various points, 3,000 under Major Gen. Gustavus W. Smith and Maj. Gen. Howell Cobb located at Macon and a smaller force at Augusta, under Gen. Braxton Bragg, who had been sent down from Richmond to accumulate such forces as he could. Maj. Gen. Joe Wheeler and his cavalry were detached from the Confederate Army of Tennessee and sent down to skirmish and harass. The total of this force did not exceed 13,000 men.

(Note: Quotations are given hereafter from several Georgia Historical Commission Markers erected alongside the route of Sherman's march through Georgia, which give an excellent and authoritive description of events)

"On November 15, 1865, after destroying Atlanta, Gen. W. T. Sherman, U.S.A. began his destructive campaign for Savannah. The March to the Sea. He divided his army into two wings. The left wing (14th and 20th Corps) marched east in two columns to feint at Augusta but to turn southeast and converge on Milledgeville. The 14th Corps marched via Covington and Shady Dale, the 20th via Social Circle, Madison and Eatonton.

"The Right Wind (15th and 17th Corps) marched south via McDonough and Jackson to feint towards Macon but to cross the Ocmulgee and converge upon Gordon, Ga." (Marker No. 979-9 located alongside Hwy 16 west of Monticello, Ga.)

The Commanders of the two sings were under secret orders to arrive within seven days. The left wing at Milledgeville and the right wing at Gordon.

On November 18th the left wing passed through Covington and Oxford, Ga., where the route split. The 14th Corps, with which Sherman was traveling, passed through Newborn, Ga., on the 19th and camped that night in Jasper County near the community of Farrar.

Quoted below is an extract from the dairy of Maj. James A. Connolly, in the possession of the Illinois State Historical Society:

"Entry of November 19, 1864 - Division moved at daybreak and crossed the Alcovy River. Our men are foraging on the country with the greatest liberality. Parties start out in the morning, go where they please, seize wagons, mules, horses and harness; make the negroes of the plantation hitch up and load the wagons with sweet potatoes, flour, meal, hogs, sheep - in fact everything good to eat...our men are living as well as they could at home and are in excellent health. Rain through Sand Town (Newborn, Ga) today about two o'clock. It is a little weather beaten village of about 250 inhabitants. The citizens were not expecting us, but they heard of our approach day before yesterday and have spent the time since in carrying off and hiding in the swamp their valuable; but most of those hidden found their way into our camp today." (End quote from Major Connolly's Dairy.)

Another Federal officer with the 14th Corps made a dairy which is now in the Andre De Cooper collection, Princeton University. He was John Van Duzer, Chief Telegrapher Officer with Sherman's staff, and the following is taken from his notes:

"November 17, 1864 - We are now beginning to realize some of the pleasures attending a raid. I have just feasted upon one of the best meals it has been my fortune to partake since I left home. The quarter-master went out foraging. I suppose you know what the means. He brought all he had room for; about 15 bushels of the largest and nicest sweet potatoes you ever saw, two pigs, lots of chickens, etc. I am messing with Capt Bachtell at present and sleeping in Eddy's tent at headquarters. Lt Jones is acting Q.M. for the signal corps...

"Four miles west of Shady Dale, Ga., November 19, 1864. Pulled up stakes this morning, Capt. Cole, Lt Jones and myself riding to the front searching for horses and mules. Just as we were about to enter Newborn we were fired into by some bushwhackers, but they soon skedadled. During the day Jones captured five mules and one horse. The horses are all run out of the country and such a one as I desire to ride cannot be found. I think I shall have to give up the job until we reach Milledgeville, which point I think we shall reach in about two days, I have never seen a country better supplied than this - turkeys, chickens, geese, beef cattle, sheep and swing in abundance. The story of starvation in the South is played out. Capt. Cole returned from the day's march in a rather dilapidated condition and how to account for it we did not know. We soon learned, however, that he had captured six quart bottles of blackberry wind and when he arrived in camp, he had but two to show ...

"Three miles west of Eatonton, Ga., November 20th. We reached here today about three o'clock. Capt. Poe and his party and some other officers and myself went down to the factory on Little River and burned the factory and its outbuildings, some cotton and cloth. The Rebels made a desperate effort to destroy the bridge, but a Lieutenant hearing of it gathered up a few stragglers and took the bridge just in time to save it. It, however, is of no use to us as I learn today that Gen. Sherman intends to cross the river below and take the south of the railroad, leaving Gen. Slocum to go through Eatonton and tear up the railroad that runs south to Milledgeville. (The 14th Corps with which Van Duzer was traveling, camped in the vicinity of Eatonton Factory, on Little River, on the night of November 20th.)

"Three miles east of Little River - November 21st. We are now but little nearer Milledgeville than we were last night. The weather has been exceedingly bad for our wagon trains, mud in some places up to the hubs, yet we managed to make about eight miles, having come in a southwesterly direction. The weather took a sudden change last night and this morning before daylight had quite a snow storm">

(End quote from John Van Duzer, Chief, Tel. Officer)

On the night of November 17, 1864, the Right Wing (1tth and 17th Corps) under command of Maj. Gen O. O. Howard, camped in Butts County, Georgia, in the vicinity of Jackson and made preparation to move eastwards and cross the Ocmulgee River into Jasper County. Quoting from historical commission marker located in the Court House grounds, Jackson, Ga.

"That night Osterhaus (commanding the 15th Corps) sent the 20th Missouri Mounted Infantry to seize the ferry at Planters Factory on the Ocmulgee at Seven Islands and to secure both banks of the river at that point for the passage of the troops next day. On the morning of November 18th, the right wind (15th and 17th Corps) moved from its bivouacs towards Planters Factory to effect a passage at that point on pontoon bridges to be laid by the 1st Missouri Engineers, Smith's Division, 15th Corps, which had camped near Flovilla, moved first. Upon arrival, the 1st Bridge (McCown) with the 4th Minnesota Infantry in advance, crossed on the ferry and entered on high ground east of the river. At 11:00 a.m. the pontoons arrived and by 1 p.m. two bridges were ready. That afternoon Smith's Division completed its crossing and camped two miles from the river on the Hillsboro road, to wait for Wood's and Hazen's Divisions...During the night of November 18th, Blair's 17th Corps crossed and moved via Monticello in order to avoid the congestion on the Hillsboro road. On the 19th Kilpatrick's Cavalry crossed followed by Woods' and Hazen's Divisions and several wagon trains. Heavy rains having made the steep hills on the east bank extremely difficult, the passage was not completed until the afternoon of November 20th when Corse's Division of the 15th Corps cleared the bridges and with he bridge train followed the 17th Corps to Monticello". (End quote of marker No. 018-3 located in Court House grounds, Jackson, Ga.)

Quoting from Historical Commission Marker located alongside Hwy 44 in Jones County, north of Gray, Ga.:

"On November 18, 1864, Blair's 17th corps of the Right Wing of Sherman's Army....crossed the Ocmulgee at Seven Islands and marched via Monticello and Blountsville toward Gordon. The more direct roads (Seven Islands to Hillsboro) were already crowded with troops and trains of the 15th Corps and Kilpatrick's Cavalry. On the night of November 20th the 17th Corps camped at Blountsville and along the road to Haddock with its advance guard near Fortsville, well abreast of the 15th Corps, which had reached Clinton that day ". (End quote of marker No. 084-16, Hwy 44, Jones County, Ga.)

Today the reader will look in vain upon highway maps of Jones County for the location of "Blountsville" and "Fortsville" for these communities have ceased to exist, and the location of the road from Monticello to Blountsville is now a matter of uncertainty.

Two miles east of Monticello, at the home of Pvt. Erasmus H. Jordan, his parents had received he rumors concerning Sherman's invasion with much apprehension. Residing in the home at the time were Reuben Jordan, Jr., age 50, his wife, Mary Frances, age 44; and daughter Rebecca, age 22. Two negro slaves, "Uncle Spencer" and his wife "Mammy Nancy" resided in a cabin in the back lot.

On the night of November 19th word was received that Monticello was "full of Yankees" and the family hurriedly hid what valuable they could. The cattle and horses were driven from he barn lot into the pasture. Unfortunately, most of them reappeared at the lot for feeding next morning.

"Next morning at breakfast time", related Rebecca (Aunt Beck), "there was a clatter of horses hooves on the flag-stone pavement in the back yard. A squad of Yankee cavalry had arrived. A fine young officer rode up to the back porch and made the announcement:

"I understand that you have a gun in your house and I am under the painful necessity of searching the premises," (note: Sherman's orders were that soldiers should not enter private homes except to disarm the inhabitants. The officers statement authorized him to enter and search at will!)

"He and several others ram sacked the house. They found no gun for it, fortunately, was in "Uncle Spencer's" cabin where it had recently been kept handy to kill a hawk.

"Finding nothing they wished in the house, they played a chord or two of mother's rosewood piano in the parlor and then poured molasses on it, cut a feather bed open and poured feathers over the molasses.

"In the meantime there were shots being fired and pigs squealing in the barn lot. "Mammy Nancy" came in from the kitchen in the back yard and complained:
"Miss Mary, dem soldiers have et up de breakfast as fast as I ken cook it."

"After loading their horses with all they could carry, such as slaughtered hogs, fodder and corn, they rode off down the road; each man barely visible on account of the plunder carried behind. Three horses, including an un-broken colt, which was a pet of mine, were carried away. I hope she threw every Yankee sky-high who tried to ride her".

"Several days after, in the early morning there was the sound of a horse on the back yard flag stones and we feared the Yankees had returned. At daybreak we were overjoyed to find that one of our horses had broke away and returned home." (End of Rebecca M. Jordan's account)

Accompanying the 15th Corps (Maj. Gen. P. J. Osterhaus) on its transit of lower Jasper County from the crossing of the Ocmulgee River direct to Hillsboro, Ga., was the 26th Illinois Regiment in Company A of which was Pvt. Jesse L. Dozer, age 19, who kept a dairy of his service. His dairy has been edited by Wilfred W. Black, Ph.D., of Findley, Ohio and a copy is now with the Georgia Historical Society, Savannah. The following quotations are from the December 1968 issue of the Georgia Historical Quarterly quoting Jesse L. Dozer's Dairy:

"November 18th 1864, Friday warm - we started in front of the brigade in the morning. We got in camp last night at 10 o'clock. We marched to Indian Springs in front of the brigade where we stopped 'til they came up. We got some forage at Indian Springs. The troops stopped and stacked arms near town.

"Near the Ocmulgee River, 19th Saturday - warm and rainy. We started at 6 o'clock and got in front of the division. We kept the road until after we crossed the Ocmulgee River. We then struck off to the left of the road where we got plenty of forage. There was 12 of us in squad. I captured me a horse. We took dinner at a house where some very kind folks lived by the name of Coliway. They treated us to persimmon beer. We went to camp with our forage. The Regt. was on the road until 3 o'clock in the morning.

"November 20th, 1864. Sunday, very cloudy & rainy. We started before the troops before daylight. We went through Hillsboro and marched until 8 o'clock in the evening through mud and water. Forage was plenty.

"November 21, Monday. Steady rain and very muddy. All of us that were mounted went in front for forage. We went as far as Clinton where we stopped to fed and dry our clothes ...after drawing 3 days' rations at Clinton, we started for forage. About 30 of us were now mounted. We got plenty of forage but could not get it to the regiment on account of them being on another road. We camped with the rest of the brigade. The Rebels made an unsuccessful attack on our train in the evening.

"Near Macon, Ga., November 22nd 1864 - Tuesday, cool and windy, the rain over. We started with the division in the morning. It was not safe to forage. We were now close to Macon. There was heavy skirmishing in our front...we started to the train on the road where the Regt. was camped at Gordenville (Gordon, Ga.). The 17th Corps destroyed the railroad. There was several fine buildings burned in town at night.

"At Gordonville. November 23rd, Wednesday - clear and cool. We now had the Macon & Milledgeville RR destroyed. The 2nd and 3rd Brigades were in a hand battle yesterday evening. (The Battle of Griswoldvill ein which Brig. Gen. Charles C. Walcott's Brigade of Federals were attacked by Georgia Militia under Brig. Gen P. J. Phillips. After 3 hours of fighting in which both sides suffered, Phillips was forced to withdraw towards Macon. The Federals withdrew eastward to Gordon)

"November 24th 1864. Thursday pleasant. We got some forage and met the troops at Earvington (Irwinton, Ga.) where we camped for the night.

"25th Friday - pleasant. We started from Earvington at 7 o'clock in the morning. We rode all day and got plenty of forage and met the troops about 2 miles west of the Oconee River. When we camped in the evening we could hear our troops fighting with the Rebels at the river". (Skirmish at Ball's Ferry) (End of quote of J. L. Dozer's dairy)

As Sherman's left wing approached Milledgeville, Governor Brown and members of the Legislature departed. So did the small units of the State Militia, which included Talbot's Scouts of which Erasmus H. Jordan was a member. They retired southward to Gordon; the junction point of the Milledgeville Railroad with the Savannah to Macon line of the Central Railroad. By avoiding the advance of Sherman's left wing upon Milledgeville, this movement inadvertently placed this small force directly in the path of the Right Wing (15th and 17th corps) of he Federal Army composed of 30,000 men plus 5,500 cavalry.

The Georgia Historical Commission's Marker describes the situation as follows:

"On November 20, 1864, Maj. Gen. H. C. Wayne, Adjutant General of Georgia Troops found that the telegraphic communications with Macon had been cut ...

"The only troops at Gordon were the Corps of Cadets (Georgia Military Institution of Marietta, Ga.) factory and penitentiary guards (from Milledgeville). Robert's Guard (parole convicts), Talbot's Company of cavalry, Pruden's Battery of Artillery and William's Company of Infantry; all under Major F. W. Capers, total strength 460.

"That night, Wayne learned that the railroad had been destroyed east of Macon and a large force was approaching Gordon. Gordon no longer being tenable, he decided to withdraw to the east bank of the Oconee River and defend both, the railroad bridge and Ball's Ferry, 4 miles down stream, which was the only wagon road crossing of the river within a day's march (from Gordon).

"Wayne's decision saved Capers' small force and enabled him to use it as the river where, with another force under Maj. A. L. Hartridge, it held the railway bridge forcing the entire Right Wing to cross at Ball's Ferry after losing three days spent skirmishing in the swamps for possession of the site." (End quote, Historical Marker No. 158-8 at Gordon, Ga.)

Talbot's Scouts were assigned the duty of opposing the Federal crossing of the Oconee River at Ball's Ferry. In anticipation of he advance of the Federals on November 25th, Talbot ordered his men to dismount, leave their horses in care of a guard, advance on foot, deploy and conceal themselves in the woods on the east bank of the river.

"The advance column of the Federal 15th Corps arrived in the afternoon and failing to observe any opposing force, proceeded to fill the ferry boat with troops and cross over.

"When they were half way across we opened fire", related Pvt. Jordan. "Almost every Yankee in the ferry was killed or wounded. The ferry broke loose from the cable and drifted down stream. The Yankees on the west bank immediately took cover and a steady cross fire commenced between us.

"This continued for some time until a Yankee officer upon a horse and waving a white flag appeared in the road opposite, whereupon the order "cease firing" was given.

"After everything had become strangely quiet, the officer cried out:

"To what outfit do you belong?"

"Repeating the question several times and receiving no reply, he turned horse and galloped away, whereupon we commenced firing again.

"Some time afterwards we began receiving artillery fire. The Yankees had brought up several cannon and were shelling our position.

"Darkness was coming on. We could not see the enemy across the river. Cannon balls were hitting trees and knocking off limbs. What was the sense of remaining where we were and, as likely as not, being killed? I sought the advice of the man deployed on my right. He was not there, neither was the man on my left, so I too, abandoned the place and made my way back to the horses, where I found the rest of the company. We rode several miles eastward before making camp for the night". (End quote of Pvt. Jordan)

The next day, the 29th Missouri Infantry secured both sides of the Oconee River, the pontoon bridge was placed and the Federal Right wing crossed, consuming two days in doing so.

The Talbot's Scouts made no further demonstrations against the advance, but made their way to Savannah and became a part of the defense of that city.

Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee, after the loss of Atlanta, requested and secured release from command of a corps under Hood. He was then placed in command of the defense of Savannah, which consisted of a fortified line across the neck of land extending from the Ogeechee River on the west to the Savannah River on the east, a distance of about seventeen miles. A crucial point was Fort McAllister, located near the mouth of the Ogeechee.

To the original garrison at Savannah, some troops were sent down from South Carolina. Also, when it became evident that Sherman was by-passing Macon, Maj. Gen. G. W. Smith in Command there, brought his troops to Savannah by a round-about way; by rail to Albany, by foot to Thomasville (there being no rail connection between the two cities) and then by train on the Atlantic and Gulf Railroad to Savannah. In all, Hardee had little more than 15,000 troops.

Talbot's Scouts, after arrival in Savannah, were assigned to guard and courier duties. Pvt. Jordan stated that he made many trips delivering orders and messages from Gen. Hardee's headquarters to various points along the lines. On one occasion he had difficulty in locating the command post of a certain brigadier general for whom he had a dispatch.

"On up the line" and finally "down the line" were the replies he received. Finally the general was located down in the trench in the act of cooking his own breakfast over a fire. His uniform was composed of odds and ends and all insignia denoting his rank was missing except for the left side of his coat collar.

Sherman's Army arrived in front of the defense lines on December 10, 1864 and the siege of Savannah began. He was very anxious to establish communications with the Federal Navy by gaining possession of the mouth of the Ogeechee and Ossabaw Sound which were navigable for vessels of the fleet. To do this, Fort McAllister had to be captured. The fort was taken by assault on December 13th by the 15th Corps. General Osterhaus' official report stated that the attack was brief and bitter, featured by hand to hand fighting. Before sunset, Fort McAllister fell. Union losses were 24 men killed and 110 wounded. Confederate losses were 48 killed and wounded 200 missing. Captured were 23 siege guns and 215 men. (note: Official Federal reports often exaggerated enemy losses, even than as it done today).

With the fall of Fort McAllister, Sherman made contact with the Federal Navy which was waiting in Ossabaw Sound with supplies and everything his army needed.

EVACUATION OF SAVANNAH

After the capture of Fort McAllister it soon became apparent that Savannah could not long be held. A pontoon bridge, constructed of barges and lighters lashed together and overlaid with planking, was constructed across the river and on the night of December 20th, Hardee evacuated his army to the South Carolina side of the Savannah.

Pvt. Jordan, foreseeing the danger of crossing such and undulating platform, contrived to cross over with his horse during the daylight.

"I did see, during the night, a cannon pulled by a team of mules roll off the planking and sink, pulling the mules down with it" he recalled.

"The first night in South Carolina, I was assigned to guard a corral or horses. Nearby was a tent lighted by a lantern. Inside was Maj. Gen. Lafayette McLaws, C.S.A. who was conferring with several officers. The horses became restless, stampeded, broke though the flimsy fence and scattered. Some stumbled into and broke the guy lines, which held the tent, causing it to collapse down upon the heads of the General and his officers.

"Where in hell is the Guard? Roared Mclaws.

"The guard was up a tree, where he had scrambled to escape being trampled to death."

On December 21, 1864, Sherman's army marched into and occupied the City of Savannah one week after the capture of Fort McAllister and thirty six days after departing Atlanta.

Those units of Georgia Militia which had participated in the defense of Savannah had, of necessity to prevent capture, passed over the river into South Carolina. They were there detached from Hardee's army and ordered to proceed up the South Carolina side of the Savannah and re-enter Georgia at Augusta.

Before Talbot's Scouts left for Augusta, Pvt. Jordan had another assignment to guard duty which he executed with better success. A number of dressed carcasses of hogs had been unloaded upon the platform of a depot of the Charleston & Savannah R.R. Jordan was ordered to protect them until they were claimed by the Army Commissary Department.

The sight of fresh pork together with the crispness of the December morning brought memories of home and "hog killing time".

"As I slowly paced back and forth along the platform" he related, "I arranged my knapsack and opened by pocket knife Every now and then I would grasp a pig tail, cut it out with a good chunk of meat attached and put it into my knapsack. By the time I was relieved, my sack had all the pig tails it could hold.

"As we rode north toward Augusta, I shared my secret with several of my companions, who also made a contribution to the night meal. Just before making camps that afternoon, we passed a farm, in the yard of which was a hill of sweet potatoes. After darkness, several of the boys slipped back and robbed the hill of some of its potatoes. One man was posted as a lookout to observe the house.

"The family was seated at the supper table", he reported and the farmer must also have been a preacher, for he prayed a very lengthy grace before they began to eat".

"The night we had an excellent meal of broiled pig tail, potatoes fried in the cat and corn pone. Our horses fared well too as the commissary had obtained fodder and each animal was given bundle after bundle until they refused more.

"Everything seemed right with the world as we rolled up in our blankets and went to sleep around the camp fires. This was too good to last. The bugle sounded. We were ordered to line up and count off. Every eighth man was detailed off to form a squad with instructions to mount and return over the road we had traveled, with orders to seek out, arrest and bring in every apparent deserter we could find. I was caught in the count and became a member of the squad.

"We rode off down the road into the night, the most disgrunted bunch of men you ever saw. Nothing happened until about day. We were passing a field in which were several haystacks. The sergeant called a half. "Here is a likely hiding place", he said. We surrounded the haystacks and found three soldiers asleep, partly burrowed into the straw. They were bum founded when the sergeant dragged them out and put them under arrest at the point of a horse pistol in their face.

"We started on our return to camp, our prisoners walking. our rate of progress was no faster than they would walk. Day came and as we were passing a farm house, the prisoners announced that they were hungry and intending going in and begging for breakfast, which they did. We awaited their return until all became impatient. The sergeant reasoned that we would never overtake our company at this rate. It was agreed that we would abandon our prisoner, gallop on, and after overtaking our command, reported that we had been successful in capturing three deserters, but that they had escaped into the woods during the night. The command thought that our report was a fabrication, but anyway, we got off with it."

The Confederate States Power Works, an arsenal, clothing factory, and several textile mills were located in Augusta. Their output was vital to the sustenance of the Confederate Armies. It was therefore logical to expect that Sherman's next attempt would be to capture and destroy Augusta. However, after remaining in Savannah until February 1, 1865 Sherman moved into South Carolina and concentrated upon Columbia, which he captured on February 17th and burned. From there he moved into North Carolina.

Talbot's Scouts remained in Augusta approximately three months. Then they were ordered to go, with great haste, to Macon, Ga. The State of Georgia was again threatened with Federal invasion. This time from the direction of the west.

The Georgia Historical Commission Marker, located in Macon, on Mulberry Street in front of the Lanier Hotel describes the events, quote:

"On March 22, 1865, the Cavalry Corps Military Division of Mississippi, Maj. Gen James H. Wilson, U.S.A., left the Tennessee River near Florence, Alabama and marched to Selma, Alabama to destroy its arsenals and foundries. On April 10th after defeating Lt. Gen. N.B. Forrest's Cavalry and wrecking Selma, he marched east through Montgomery to Columbus, Ga. where he destroyed the arsenals, foundries, mills and large store of cotton.

"On April 18th, Wilson moved toward Macon and by a forced march, seized the bridge over the Flint River before it could be destroyed. Late on the 20th his advance (the 17th Indiana Mounted Infantry, Col. Frank White) reached Tobescofkee Creek at Mimm's Mills (15 miles west) where Confederates had just set fire to the bridge. Charging through the flames and into the barricades beyond, White drew the defenders beyond Rock Creek in the last skirmish fought on Georgia soil.

"Outside Macon he met a flag truce announcing the armistice between Gen. Sherman and Gen. Johnston, in North Carolina. There being no further resistance, White entered Macon and took possession and before midnight, Gen. Wilson's headquarters were established in the Lanier Hotel. On April 26, 1865, Gen. Johnston surrendered the remaining armies of the Confederacy east of the Mississippi to Gen. Sherman bringing the war to a close" (end quote of Marker No. 011-15, located on Mulberry Street, Macon, Ga.)

Pvt. Erasmus H. Jordan's brief account in the form of an affidavit now on file in the Georgia Department of Archives and History, of these last events is in part:

"We (Talbot's Scouts) were ordered to Macon and from there out on the Columbus road to oppose Gen. Wilson's raid. We were captured about 15 or 20 miles from Macon and were taken back to Macon, where we were held as prisoners for about 15 days and then paroled. Gen. Wilson allowed me to retain my horse and I came home to Jasper County, Georgia".

Putting dates and time together, he must have arrived home about May 5, 1865.

Ras Jordan "got home in time to pitch a small crop" with the aid of a few of his father's former slaves, several families of whom remained on the plantation for years as sharecroppers or working hands. A very severe attack of typhoid fever in July 1865, handicapped his first year's effort at farming.

The demand for cotton, following the scarcity produced by the Civil War, was excellent and the staple brought good prices and provided much needed cash money. More land was needed upon which to grow more cotton. Fortunately, both Erasmus and his older brother, Henry B. Jordan, obtained a very reasonable price on a long term basis ("pay what you can annually"), over 1500 acres of adjoining land located in the 289th G.M. District of Jasper County, from Mr. William M. Marks of Montgomery Alabama. Mr. Marks' people were among the first settlers of the county. During the 1830's they migrated to the new lands on the Alabama River, near Montgomery, and grew rich growing cotton. Annual payments were remitted to Mr. Marks in cash, sent by express, there being no bank in Jasper County in those days.

In order to better attend to his farming, Erasmus moved into a two room log cabin which he built on his land lot No. 195, approximately two miles east of his father's place.

At the age of 21 years he was married to Rebecca, age 18, daughter of Eli Seymour Glover, of Monticello, who recorded the important event in the Glover family bible thusly:

"Erasmus H. Jordan and Rebecca M. Glover were married by the Rev. R. C. Smith, Tuesday Eve, May 18, 1869"

A comfortable residence replaced the log cabin and with the expansion of the farming activities, more barns and cribs and a gin house were constructed, as also were several houses for the negroes who worked the plantation.

The town of Monticello was laid out in the form of a square, the center lot (now a park) being allocated for the occupancy of the County Court House. Stores, taverns and other buildings were built on the four streets surrounding the Court House and the center of the town was named - and is still known as "The Square". All of the original buildings were constructed of wood and in time, although not simultaneously, the buildings on three sides of the square became victims of fire. To counteract that hazard James H. Roberts built in 1877, on the southeast corner of the square, a two room, one story brick store building, "each room being 20 feet wide and 60 feet deep". This was the first brick store building built in the town of Monticello, and being well constructed it is still in use today.

In June 1884, the two brothers, Henry B. and Erasmus H. Jordan, purchased the "brick store" and they in partnership with A. Hunter Jordan (son of Henry B.) and David R. Glover, opened therein a general merchandise store under the name of Jordan Bros. & Company. They offered to the public "a well selected assortment of entirely new goods, consisting of staple and fancy dry good, notions, clothing, hats, boots, shoes, groceries, hardware, crockery, harness, rope, etc."

The store was a success and the partnership continued until January 1st 1896, when by mutual agreement it was dissolved with H.B. Jordan and D. R. Glover withdrawing, and was succeeded by the firm of Jordan & Company, the owners being E. H. Jordan and A. Hunter Jordan.

Catering mainly to the needs of the farmer, the business declined with the decrease in cotton farming and ceased operating in the year 1939 after being in existence for a period of fifty five years with Alexander Hunter Jordan being the only survivor of the original partnership.

In 1887, Erasmus moved his family from the home on his farm to the former residence of Maj. Gen John W. Burney on Hillsboro Street, Monticello, Georgia, which he purchased from the estate of Cathrine R. Burney, the General's widow. The object of the move was threefold. First, to obtain adequate and convenient schooling for his six children, who were Mary, age 16, Bonner, age 14, Sarah, age 12, Hampton, age 10, Reuben, age 8, and Annie Age 5 years. Second , to give more attention to the business of Jordan Brothers and Company. Third - to take advantage of the expected boom in business, which would result from the completion of the railroad being built from Macon to Monticello and northward to Athens.

Two months after the move to Monticello, George Dixon, the seventh child was born. David, the eighth child was born in 1890 and the last, Erasmus Glover was born in 1893. All of the children were healthy and robust and all - except David, who died of croup at age four, lived to advanced years.

Both Erasmus H. Jordan and Rebecca M. Glover, before their marriage, confessed Christ to be their Savior and became members of the Monticello (Ga.) Presbyterian Church on 20th December 1868. Erasmus was elected and ordained a deacon of this church, October 26, 1879. All of their children, in time, became members of this same church and two sons and five grandsons have been ordained to the office of deacon or elder and one great grandson, a deacon of a Presbyterian Church located elsewhere.

In 1889 it was agreed among the leading citizens of Monticello, that a better school building was needed. With this purpose, H. B. Jordan, J. H. Kelly, G. W. Persons, Lucian Benton, E. H. Jordan and others, petitioned the Superior Court of Jasper County and obtained a charter for "The Monticello Academy" Funds were raised and a commodious, two story frame building was constructed. The "News" reported that: "On August 14, 1890, the new academy on College Street received its first scholars." The faculty: Prof. J. D. Kilpatrick, a graduate of Mercer University, Principal; Miss Addie Boring and Miss Minnie Hightower, assistants; Miss Ada Griswold of Macon, Music; and Mrs. O. M. Benton of Monticello, art. Enrollment, 94 pupils. This building housed the academy for a period of thirty years until is was demolished in 1921 to make way for the elementary school building which occupies the site today.

A year after moving to town, E. H. Jordan offered in the Democratic Primary as a candidates for the office of County Commissioner. IN a nine man race he was elected as one of the three nominees for a four year term, beginning in 1888. In those years, a win in the Democratic Primary was the equivalent to election to office, as the Republicans and Independents rarely offered a candidates to the general election. At the end of his first four year term, he offered for e-election and again in a nine man race he was defeated by a margin of five votes. However, he came back and was elected a member of the Board of County Commissioners in 1896. All told, between the years of 1888 and 912, he served two four year terms, and four two year terms as Commissioner. He was Chairman of the Board for the 1906, 1908 and 1910 terms, during which period Jasper County voted a $50,000 bond issue and built the Court House which is used today.

As city Councilman of Monticello, E. H. Jordan served eight one year terms, beginning with the year 1889. His last term was 1906.

County Commissioner and City Councilmen were the only public offices he ever offered for.

On the last day of July 1897, Rebecca M. Glover, the beloved wife of Erasmus, died of typhoid fever, age 46 years, 9 months and 27 days. Her body was buried in the Monticello Presbyterian Churchyard alongside that of her son, David.

On January 19 1898, Erasmus H. Jordan was married to Mrs. Mary B. Groves of Fort Worth Texas. They were cousins, she being the daughter of Thomas M. and Frances C. (Burney) Jordan of Monticello, Ga., and the widow of Jasper B. Groves, by whom she had three children. She was 48 years of age, had resided in Fort Worth for the past 15 years, where she had operated a boarding house in order to make a living and provide an education for her two surviving children, who had, by then become of age and were married.

He was 50 years of age; had been widowed for almost six months and there resided in his home six of his children (the oldest, Mary, had married and resided in a home of her own): "Two being girls and four being boys. Three of these were of tender age, two of the others were boys about grown and one girl about grown. During his widowhood this daughter had charge and did manage the defendant's household affairs".

The step mother, having recently given up the active management of a thriving boarding house, soon took over - as she had the right to - the supervision of her new husband's household. The result soon proved that their marriage was an unfortunate mistake on the part of both and within fifteen months they separated and were granted a total divorce in 1901. She returned to Texas and resided with her daughter's family where she died in 1940 at the age of 91 years.

In addition to his farming interests, which he conducted on a share-copper basis, and his partnership in Jordan Bros. & Co, E. H. Jordan purchased in 1890 a combined saw mill and ginnery located on Mill Street in Monticello. The ginnery was, after a few years, rebuilt and modernized and operated successfully for a long number of years. The saw mill combination was soon discontinued.

In June 1902, the Monticello Cotton Oil Co. was organized with a capital stock of $20,000. The elected officers were: W. J. Phillips, President; E. H. Jordan, Vice President; Lovie Benton, Secretary and Treasurer. A lot of land alongside the railroad on "The Hill" in Monticello was purchased; the mill was built and began operation in November 1902. The original capacity was twenty tons per day. This was one of the most successful enterprises of its day. In June 1912, the mill was purchased by the Empire Cotton Oil Co, who operated it for a number of years before discontinuing the operation due to the decline in cotton production.

The May 27, 1904 issue of the Monticello News carried this news item:

"Mr. Ras Jordan lost his residence and six out-houses on his farm near town last Monday night by fire. There were no white tenants on the place and it is rumored that it was the work of an incendiary. Mr. Jordan was carrying about four hundred dollars insurance on his dwelling and the loss is quite a heavy one."

The negro family, who occupied the dwelling, had living with them a married daughter, estranged from her husband. It was thought - although evidence was lacking - that the disgruntled husband set fire to the place in revenge of his wife's refusal to return to him. The ruins of the house which now remain on the site are those of a second dwelling built later.

Both the population of Jasper County and the production of cotton were on the increase during the decade of 1900-1910 and business was thriving. The Monticello News of September 13, 1906 commented upon the state of activity as follows:

"Monticello is experiencing quite a building boom. The $25,000 system of water works has just been completed; the foundations of the new $50,000 Court House for Jasper County has been laid; Mr. J. D. Harvey will in a few days begin construction of a large brick building on the public square, to be occupied by him as a hardware store; work on the new brick stable alongside, Mr. J. H. Kelly's store is well underway; the Farmers Bank has purchased the lot adjoining Jordan and Co, and will erect an attractive bank building These improvements will leave only one vacant lot fronting the central square."

Instrumental in organizing the Farmer's Bank were: E. H. Jordan, R. L. Davis, J.D. Harvey, W. F. Jordan, C. L. Henderson, J. A. Kelly, L. T. Kelly, D. N. Harvey and S. Cohen, who were the petitioners to the Hon. Phillip Cook Secretary of State, for a charter, which was granted September 6, 1906. The amount of capital stock was $27,500 in 275 share of $100 each. The bank opened for business with temporary quarters in the store of Jordan and Co. The architect for the bank building was Lockwood Brothers, Columbus, Ga., who were the designers of the new Jasper County Court House and the builder was W. J. Beeland of Macon, Ga., who was also the contractor for the Court House.

On December 17, 1908, the bank became a National Bank and changed its name to the Farmers National Bank of Monticello, Georgia. E. H. Jordan was elected President and served in that office for 15 years until his death in 1922.

In September 1912, Jasper Lodge No. 50 F. & A. M., which owns a lot of land facing 332 feet on the east side of the public square of Monticello and running back 70 feet, entered into an agreement with E. H. Jordan whereby Jordan would replace the existing two story, wooden building built in the year 1889 with a new two story brick building; the second story to consist of three rooms to provide a lodge hall for the Masonic Chapter and the first floor to become the property of E. H. Jordan for use as a merchandising place with the restriction that no spirituous or malt liquors be sold therein.

In the year 1911, Jasper County, Georgia, produced 31,460 bales of cotton. In 1914 the production was 29, 139 bales. The outbreak of World War I in Europe in August 1914 caused a drastic drop in the price of cotton to 5 cents per pound. The cost to produce a pound of cotton at that time, was approximately 10 cents. Share-croppers were unable to pay their obligations to merchants and banks. This seriously affected the whole prosperity of the County, the State, and all of the South. A mass meeting of the citizens of the County was held in the Court House on the last day of September to consider the situation. A resolution was made to endorse the "Buy-A-Bale" plan advocated throughout the South whereby all mercantile and other establishments, who could, were urged to buy cotton at 10 cents per pound in order to aid the distressed farmers. Department store in Macon and Atlanta, and in other cities, bought at this price and placed a number of bales, as a form of advertisement, upon the sidewalk in front of their stores. This practice ceased, however, after a number of months when some of the bales were accidentally set fire by careless smokers as they forced their way through the crowded sidewalks.

By the fall of 1916 the price of cotton had made a comeback. The New Orleans market quoted middling cotton at 18 3/4 cents and Norfolk at 19 cents per pound. The Monticello News asserted that: "These are the highest prices in about half a century. However, comparisons with the situation two years ago, during the first stages of the European war, when cotton was selling at 5 cents a pound, hold quite an interest to the cotton trade. Then a bal was valued at only $25. Today, with 20 cents a pound apparently in sight, a bale if worth $100."

But in 1916 a new enemy, which eventually doomed the production of cotton in Jasper County, appeared. The cotton boll weevil arrived. In the year 1918 the County produced 27,307 bales, a count never to be equaled again. The weevil infestation spread and the 1920 crop decreased to 14,487. The cotton farmer lacked the knowledge and insecticide to combat the insect, and the result of the 1921 crop was a disaster with 296 bales.

Erasmus H. Jordan's business philosophy was based upon the concept that the production of cotton was and would be the foundation of prosperity in Jasper County. As a youth, at the end of the Civil War, he started with little as a farmer and with hard work, the aid of a benevolent, landowner creditor, and good planning, he increased his land holdings to over 1700 acres, upon which he established a successful system of sharecropper farming for the production of cotton. He built and operated a cotton gin on his farm and bought and operated a gin in Monticello after moving to town. He and his brother established a general merchandise store in Monticello to supply the needs of the farmer. He was instrumental in organizing the Monticello Cotton Oil Company, which converted the seed of cotton into oil and cake. Although there then existed two banks in Monticello at the time, he saw the need and the profit in providing additional banking service for Jasper County. The organization of the Farmers National Bank was the result of his and other business men's efforts. Now, to see the annual production of cotton drop from 30,000 bales per year to less than 300, due to the infestation of a pest then having no known practical means of combating, was a great shock to him. He made the remark: "I have seen all my planning and efforts come to naught".

Disheartened and weakened from an attack of influenza during the spring of 1922, he died at his home of a heart attack on the 9th of April 1922, in his 74th year.

Jasper County, Georgia residents who were members of Company I, 5th Regiment, Georgia State Militia, P. J. Phillips' Brigade, 1864-1865. (from Camp Key Muster Roll Ledger, Ordinary's Office, Court House, Monticello, Ga.)

James Benton age 43 Ike Henderson age 32

Lucian Benton 19 E. H. Jordan 16

Hirum Bryant 16 Grief Lynch 34

William R. Berner Sr ? S B. Malone ?

Tom Chaffin 16 W H. Malone 16

W. B. Digby 17 Hugh Martin 43

John Edwards 16 Russell Pen 17

J. H. Ezell 41 Job Pope ?

L. D. Ezell 16 Josiah Pope 38

Alfred Goolsby 36 C. A. Pye 19