John C Rigdon

Historical Sketch and Roster Of The Georgia 65th Infantry Regiment John C Rigdon

Beginning as the 'First Georgia Partisan Rangers, ' on May 21, 1862, this unit's name was changed on July 1, 1862, to 'Smith's Legion, Georgia Partisan Rangers.' The unit consisted of a Cavalry and Infantry Battalion. For a time, it was under the command of Col. Sumner J. Smith (1823-1869). The Infantry Battalion recruited many of its men from Gilmer, Fannin, Floyd, Lumpkin, Union, Pickens, White, Towns, and Habersham counties. Assigned to the Department of East Tennessee, it served in Kentucky and later was stationed in Cumberland Gap and Loudon, Tennessee. During the spring of 1863, the Infantry Battalion merged into the 65th Georgia Infantry Regiment. Colonel Sumner J. Smith resigned on March 9th and was succeeded by John Simpson Fain. After serving in East Tennessee the unit was attached to J. H. Kelly's, J. K. Jackson's, and Gist's Brigade, Army of Tennessee. The 65th fought with the army beginning at Chickamauga. Companies Of The GA 65th Infantry Regiment Company A, "Gilmer Light Guards" Gilmer And Pickens Counties Company B, Fannin County, Georgia Company C, "Dixie Rangers" White County, Georgia Company D, "Freemen Of Floyd County" Floyd County, Georgia Company E, Fannin County, Georgia Company F, White County, Georgia Company G, Towns County, Georgia Company H, Gilmer County, Georgia Company I Habersham County, Georgia Company K Habersham County, Georgia