Historical Sketch and Roster of the Georgia 8th Infantry Battalion

The Georgia 8th Infantry Battalion was organized with six companies during the early spring of 1862 at Savannah Georgia. Some of the men were from Adairsville and Thornburgh and Gordon County. They were on duty at Savannah and the Georgia coast until May 1863 when they were sent as a part of Gist's brigade from South Carolina to the reinforcement of General Joseph Johnston at Jackson Mississippi. They were in battle at Jackson in May and July and participated in the march to the Big Black River via Yazoo City for the relief of Vicksburg.After the evacuation of Jackson they were transferred to the army of Tennessee in time to take part in the battle of Chickamauga. Adjutant Gray participated in the two days conflict and in the siege of Chattanooga and the battle of Missionary Ridge the Atlanta campaign including the battles of Rocky Face Resaca New Hope Church Kennesaw Mountain Peachtree Creek Atlanta (July 22nd) Jonesboro and the winter campaign in Tennessee made memorable by the terrible experiences of the army at Franklin and Nashville and on the retreat.The 8th Georgia Battalion contained 232 men and 183 arms in December 1863 and was included in the surrender in North Carolina on April 26 1865.