Camp Davis, Guyton, Ga

Formation of the GA 49th Infantry Regiment

Thomas traveled to Camp Davis, near Savannah and joined with the Georgia 49th Infantry Regiment. While in training the regiment was plagued by measles and other illnesses, so much so that they were delayed three weeks in leaving for Virginia.

The brigade was first commanded by Brig. Gen. Joseph Reid Anderson, then Gen. Edward L. Thomas assumed command for the duration of the war.

The Battle of Seven Pines.

Finally under the command of Gen. Anderson, the 49th took the field. Union Gen. Keyes stated... "the 10th Mass which regiment I had myself once before moved, now in the rifle-pits on the right of the Williamsburg road, and ordered them to follow me across the field. Col. Briggs led them on in gallant style, moving quickly across an open space of 700 or 800 yards under a scorching fire, and forming his men with perfect regularity... Scarcely had the line been formed when the Confederates bore down upon it, elated with success and confident of again driving the Union forces from their position. But they never entered the wood. When they came within range they were met by a deadly fire.

Battle of Cedar Mountain.

Between July and August, A. P. Hill's Division was reassigned from Longstreet's to Jackson's Command leading to several clashes between the two. Hill complained about Jackson in a letter to J.E.B. Stuart, calling him a “crazy old Presbyterian fool.”

In this battle, the 49th Georgia played a crucial part in the Confederate victory.

Battle of Ox Hill.

Again out front and in a blinding thunderstorm, Thomas' brigade killed two Union division commanders, Stevens and Kearny. Union Gen. Kearny was leading a charge in hand to hand bayonet fighting against Thomas brigade when he was killed.

Responding to warnings of a subordinate, he said, "The Rebel bullet that can kill me has not yet been molded." Encountering Confederate troops, Kearny ignored a demand to surrender and, while he tried to escape, was shot by a bullet that penetrated the base of his spine, killing him instantly. Confederate Maj. Gen. A.P. Hill, upon hearing the gunfire, ran up to the body of the illustrious soldier with a lantern and exclaimed, "You've killed Phil Kearny, he deserved a better fate than to die in the mud."

Battle of Sharpsburg.

The Yankees outnumbered Lee's troops two to one. At a crucial moment, Confederate Maj. Gen. A.P. Hill's division arrived from Harpers Ferry and launched a surprise counterattack, driving back Burnside and ending the battle.

Fredericksburg.

Winter in Virginia.

Gettysburg.

Thomas's brother, Berry was killed in Pickett's Charge.

Huguenot Springs Hospital.

Thomas died of camp fever at Huguenot Springs Hospital in Virginia on Sept. 15th 1863. A marker was placed on his grave by the J.E.B. Stuart SCV Camp. More than 200 of his brothers lie unknown in this Cemetery.