Reasons for Reorganizing the Georgia Militia
Sherman rolled through Georgia in 1864. He was in Resaca in April, Atlanta
fell in September, and he presented Lincoln with the City of Savannah in
December. Sherman was making Georgia "howl". Every able bodied male
citizen was needed. They probably were trying to see just how many they
might be able to enlist in order to determine how they could best organize
to defend the state. Young and old were needed.
My ancestor, William Henry Mathis, went to join "the state troops" on July
5, 1864. In his words, "They sent out word that everybody from 16 to 60 had
to go, so my father carried me to Winder to join the state troops till I
could get to the cavalry, where my brother was. But when I reached there
they told me to go back and wait for some of the cavalrymen to come home on
leave, and to ride to his troop with them. And that's what I did." He
landed with the Second Georgia Regiment of Wheeler's Cavalry.
Did you know the Georgia Militia is still in existence today? Their mission is basically assistance in
disasters. They are a bona fide military organization. Just like in 1864, they allow "old" people like me to join.
From their web site (http:\\www.gasdf.com/index.htm) The Georgia State
Defense Force is a legally constituted element of the Georgia Department of
Defense, serving in support of the national and state constitutions under
direction of the Governor and the Adjutant General.
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