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This is the discussion thread for Captain Dixon's (Kiev Thomason) company for Guarding Savannah. All I ask is that you cite your sources if you post some information. The information below is a slight start, but it is to help those in the RB company get a grasp on the command they are portraying.
This information was also gathered by Mr. John Griffen for his webpage: http://www.nwinfo.net/~jagriffin/1st.htm
1st Volunteer Regiment of Georgia (Mercer’s-Olmstead's) Infantry
To add to the confusion, this regiment was in existence before the war and was composed of many volunteer-militia companies from the Savannah area commanded by Colonel A. R. Lawton.. The 1st Volunteer Regiment of Georgia was created by act of the Georgia legislature in 1852. Although it was to have been officially designated as the 9th Georgia Infantry, the men of the unit continued to use its original designation The regiment was mustered into Confederate service in May or June 1861. A portion of the unit was captured on the fall of Fort Pulaski. After an exchange of prisoners, the regiment was reorganized in October 1862 under the conscription act. Ten companies were assigned to the reorganized regiment by Special Order #542, HQ District of GA (October 1862). Because of incomplete records it is difficult to determine which companies composed the regiment before reorganization Because of this difficulty I will post what I currently have found. I will list companies, with company commanders in parentheses when known.:
Company A :
1st Company A: DeKalb Riflemen or DeKalb Rifles, Chatham County, (Augustus P. Wetter, A. L. Hartridge, Benjamin H. Hardee). This company subsequently became Company B, 1st Battalion Georgia Sharp Shooters.
2nd Company A: Jasper Irish Greens (#2), Chatham County, (John Foley, Martin J. Ford John Flannery) the original Jasper Irish Greens militia from the Savannah area. When the transfer of Company A-1 DeKalb Rifleman was made, this became the sole company A. It was such a large company from it's militia days that it transferred excess men to the Company B
Company B: Jasper Irish Greens, Chatham County, (David O'Connor, James Dooner). This company was formed in May 1862 by transferring some men from 2nd Company A, but was a second Jasper Irish Green company with an additional enlistment not with the original militia.
Company C: Republican Blues or Independent Republican Blues, Chatham County, (John W. Anderson, George W. Anderson, Jr.) This company was originally the Davis (William H. Davis) 2nd Republican Blues, Independent Company, Georgia Volunteer Infantry. The term of service for this company appears to have been 60 days. The company disbanded on 20 August 1861. Many of its members reenlisted here in this Olmstead’s 1st Regiment Georgia Volunteer
Infantry Company C.
Company D: Savannah City Light Guards, Chatham County (S. Yates Levy)
Company E: Irish Volunteers, Chatham County, (John M. Doherty, John M. O'Neil)l. This company was originally Captain J.B. Read's Independent Company, or Read’s Independents or Read’s Irish Volunteers.
Company F: Coast Rifleman or Coast Rifles or Georgia Coast Rifles, Chatham County, (William Richard Pritchard). This company was originally Captain Pritchard's Company 25th Regiment Georgia Volunteer Infantry.
Company G: Tattnall Guards, Chatham County, (Archibald C. Davenport). This company was originally Captain A.C. Davenport's Independent Company, 3rd Brigade, Georgia State Troops.
Company H: Oglethorpe Light Infantry, (Frederick William Simms, James Lachlison, Jr). This company was composed of men from the old militia Company B of the Oglethorpe Light Infantry.
Company I: German Volunteers, Chatham County, (John H. Stegin, C. Werner, Charles A. H. Umbach).
Company K: Washington Volunteers, Chatham County, (John McMahon, John Cooper).
This information was also gathered by Mr. John Griffen for his webpage: http://www.nwinfo.net/~jagriffin/1st.htm
1st Volunteer Regiment of Georgia (Mercer’s-Olmstead's) Infantry
To add to the confusion, this regiment was in existence before the war and was composed of many volunteer-militia companies from the Savannah area commanded by Colonel A. R. Lawton.. The 1st Volunteer Regiment of Georgia was created by act of the Georgia legislature in 1852. Although it was to have been officially designated as the 9th Georgia Infantry, the men of the unit continued to use its original designation The regiment was mustered into Confederate service in May or June 1861. A portion of the unit was captured on the fall of Fort Pulaski. After an exchange of prisoners, the regiment was reorganized in October 1862 under the conscription act. Ten companies were assigned to the reorganized regiment by Special Order #542, HQ District of GA (October 1862). Because of incomplete records it is difficult to determine which companies composed the regiment before reorganization Because of this difficulty I will post what I currently have found. I will list companies, with company commanders in parentheses when known.:
Company A :
1st Company A: DeKalb Riflemen or DeKalb Rifles, Chatham County, (Augustus P. Wetter, A. L. Hartridge, Benjamin H. Hardee). This company subsequently became Company B, 1st Battalion Georgia Sharp Shooters.
2nd Company A: Jasper Irish Greens (#2), Chatham County, (John Foley, Martin J. Ford John Flannery) the original Jasper Irish Greens militia from the Savannah area. When the transfer of Company A-1 DeKalb Rifleman was made, this became the sole company A. It was such a large company from it's militia days that it transferred excess men to the Company B
Company B: Jasper Irish Greens, Chatham County, (David O'Connor, James Dooner). This company was formed in May 1862 by transferring some men from 2nd Company A, but was a second Jasper Irish Green company with an additional enlistment not with the original militia.
Company C: Republican Blues or Independent Republican Blues, Chatham County, (John W. Anderson, George W. Anderson, Jr.) This company was originally the Davis (William H. Davis) 2nd Republican Blues, Independent Company, Georgia Volunteer Infantry. The term of service for this company appears to have been 60 days. The company disbanded on 20 August 1861. Many of its members reenlisted here in this Olmstead’s 1st Regiment Georgia Volunteer
Infantry Company C.
Company D: Savannah City Light Guards, Chatham County (S. Yates Levy)
Company E: Irish Volunteers, Chatham County, (John M. Doherty, John M. O'Neil)l. This company was originally Captain J.B. Read's Independent Company, or Read’s Independents or Read’s Irish Volunteers.
Company F: Coast Rifleman or Coast Rifles or Georgia Coast Rifles, Chatham County, (William Richard Pritchard). This company was originally Captain Pritchard's Company 25th Regiment Georgia Volunteer Infantry.
Company G: Tattnall Guards, Chatham County, (Archibald C. Davenport). This company was originally Captain A.C. Davenport's Independent Company, 3rd Brigade, Georgia State Troops.
Company H: Oglethorpe Light Infantry, (Frederick William Simms, James Lachlison, Jr). This company was composed of men from the old militia Company B of the Oglethorpe Light Infantry.
Company I: German Volunteers, Chatham County, (John H. Stegin, C. Werner, Charles A. H. Umbach).
Company K: Washington Volunteers, Chatham County, (John McMahon, John Cooper).