The Georgia 40th Infantry Regiment was organized during the fall of 1861 and raised its companies in Bartow, Floyd, Calhoun, Gordon, Whitfield, Paulding, and Haralson counties. They assembled at Camp McDonald near Big Shanty (Kennesaw), GA. They were brigaded with the 41st, 42nd, 43rd, and 52nd Georgia regiments. The 40th was first sent to Tennessee, then Mississippi, and was placed in Barton's Brigade, Department of Mississippi, and East Louisiana. The 40th participated in the conflicts at Chickasaw Bayou and Champion's Hill and were part of the garrison surrendered at Vicksburg on July 4, 1863. Col. Johnson was wounded in this conflict. After being exchanged the 40th was attached to General Stovall's Brigade, Army of Tennessee. Gen. Stovall's brigade consisted of the 40th., 41st., 42nd., 43rd., & 52nd. Ga. Regiments and the 1st. Georgia State Line Troops. The 40th served on many battlefields from Chattanooga to Nashville, and ended the war in North Carolina. Several of the companies of this regiment were from Bartow, Paulding, and Floyd counties and ended up fighting on their own farms and in their own homes as Sherman ransacked his way across north Georgia in the spring and summer of 1864. During this time they lost 174 men, yet still mustered 74 men to accompany the army into Tennessee and North Carolina. The 40th reported 36 casualties at Chattanooga, totaled 223 men and 105 arms in December, 1863, and had 74 effectives in November, 1864. It surrendered on April 26, 1865. Only a handful remained to return to northwest Georgia to find their families scattered and their farms totally destroyed. Several once prosperous towns including Cassville, Etowah, Stilesboro, Taylorsville, and Kingston have never recovered. Companies Of The GA 40th Infantry Regiment Company A: Paulding County Company B: Bartow County -Bartow Sentinels/Howard Guards Company C: Floyd County Company D: Gordon County Calhoun Blues Company E: Gordon County -Gordon Infantry Company F: Paulding County -Paulding Washington Guards Company G: Haralson County-Haralson Defenders Company H: Bartow County -Veach Guards Company I: Bartow County -Bartow Rangers Company K: Haralson County -Haralson Invincibles

Author Biography

John Rigdon has authored a number of books on the Civil War and is the manager of the web site, Research OnLine, (www.researchonline.net) the premier site for researching Civil War ancestors in the Civil War. His titles include the Historical Sketch and Roster Volumes (1100 plus titles) and a dozen volumes in the "We Fought" series focusing on particular battles and commanders. Additionally John works in translation of materials for Haitian Creole and several languages of West Africa including French, Moore, Bambara, and Dioula (Jula). John resides in the foothills of the Appalachians outside Cartersville, GA. where he enjoys gardening and aquaponics. You may reach him at jrigdon@researchonline.net"