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Confederates of Color. (click here to view the group photo with Amos Rucker) The photo shown is a renunion photograph taken in Valdalia Georgia around 1900. Included in this photo in the back row are two black confederate soldiers. If you were to multify the two blacks out of a total of fifteen soldiers in the photo by the tens of thousands of soldiers in the southern forces, you can get a general idea of the sheer number of blacks involved in the Confederate army. The story that I will tell you today is of a black soldier who was well respected by all the citizens of the city of Atlanta,in the peach state of Georgia at the turn of the century. This black soldiers name was " Amos Rucker". Amos Rucker born in Elbert county Georgia went to war with his young master Col. Sandy Rucker, of the 33rd Georgia infantry. Mr Rucker was a body servant,at first showing prowess in the procurement of needed supplies when no one else could. Amos did not remain a body servant,soon he found himself in the thick of battle. Amos Rucker was a brave soldier,as he picked up the bayoneted musket of a dead member of his unit and charged the enemy line. He continued preforming as a combat soldier for the remainder of the war. One of Mr Ruckers duties was to call the roll after each battle. He committed to memory the entire company. Before the surrender at appromattox Amos Rucker recieved a severe wound to his left breast and a leg wound that left him permanently crippled. After the war Amos joined the W.H.T Walker camp U.C.V in Atlanta. He faithfully attended each camp meeting and was proud to show his excellent memory. He often recited the names of every member from the old company from A to Z. It is said that he solemnly added after each name "here or dead." The members of the camp provided well for Mr Rucker, even helping him to aquire a house on the west side of Atlanta. His attorney for the real estate transaction and for the settlement of his estate as well as care of his dear wife,Martha was John M. Slaton,a member of the John B.Gordon camp # 46 Sons of Confederate Veterans. Later as Georgia Governor, Slaton commuted the death sentence of Leo Frank. Mr Rucker never missed a meeting ,until just before his death when he sent a message to the members, " Give my love to the boys." Mr Ruckers death on August 10 1905, brought universal sorrow to Atlanta.His body lay in state,while hundreds of Atlantans representing many of the best families of the city silently paid their respects.The members of Camp Walker took care of the expenses and bought a plot for Rucker and his wife at Southview Cemetery, Where today members of the Martin Luther King family is buried. Funeral services were conducted by Clement A. Evans of Atlanta,Confederate General and U.V.C Commander in Chief. Mr Ruckers pallbearers were Gov. Allen D. Chandler, Gen A.J.West, Judge William Lowndes Calhoun Jr, ex Postmaster Amos Fox, Frank A. Hilburn, Commander of Camp Walker,J.sid Holland and R.S.Ozburne. An article in the Confederate Veteran related the sadness: Very tenderly they carried the old veteran to his grave, clothed in his uniform of gray and wrapped in a confederate flag, a grave made beautiful by flowers from comrades and friends,among which a large design from the Daughters of the Confederacy was conspicuous in its red and white." The Rev.Dr T.P.Cleveland led the prayer,and several of Amos,s favorite songs were sung. Just before the casket was lowered into the ground, Capt William "Tip" Harrison read a poem entitled" When Rucker Called the Roll." There was not a dry eye in the place,including his former master, D.C.J. Cleburne, who had made the trip to Atlanta for the services. Today the fine stone placed by the U.V.C in 1909 is gone and the grave of the most beloved of black veterans is barren. Both Amos and his dear wife Martha lie side by side,almost forgotten. Only the sextons map indentifies the spot. It is as if someone did not want us to know about poor old Mr Rucker. In fact there are probably hundreds of simular stories now lost. It is out duty to bring them to the light. Our southern ancestors were as loyal and as loving to those of there own race as any ever were,Black or White. The story of Amos Rucker as well as others serve as clear reminders that we must never forget, for if we discard our past ,we then also throw away our futures! Curtis Harris, Historian Dixie Camp #1861 Dixie Co , Florida.

"Biographical Rosters of Florida's Confederate and Union Soldiers from 1861-1865," compiled by Hartman and Coles. This extensive work consists of 6 volumes, with a cumulative index of over 25,000 individual names. Descriptions of individuals range from detail to nil. 2,910 pages, costs around $ 400.00, or check larger Florida libraries.

A map of civil war engagements in Florida.

Alphabetic List of the Pension Index for Florida

Florida Civil War Soldiers Pension File Records Website

1st Florida Confederate Volunteer Infantry Website

1st Florida Confederate Volunteer Infantry Roster

2nd Florida Infantry: "A Memoir of Captain C. Seton Fleming: Illustrative of the History of the Florida Troops in Virginia during the War Between the States," by Francis P. Fleming. Seton Fleming was killed at Cold Harbor in 1864. His younger brother, a veteran and Governor of Florida, compiled this "little known work" from various wartime letters and documents. Included in the reprint is Seton's fragmented diary as well as Francis Fleming's wartime wartime letters. 155 pages, this 1990 reprint costs $ 24.00.

2nd Florida Confederate Volunteer Infantry Roster

3rd Florida Confederate Volunteer Infantry Roster

4th Florida Confederate Volunteer Infantry Roster

5th Florida Confederate Volunteer Infantry Roster

6th Florida Confederate Volunteer Infantry Roster

7th Florida Confederate Volunteer Infantry Roster

8th Florida Confederate Volunteer Infantry Roster

8th Florida Confederate Volunteer Infantry Website
I am interested in finding accounts of the movements, battles etc. in which the 8th Florida Infantry participated. My Great Grandfather (Charles B. Griffis) was a member of Company D. He was wounded and captured at Gettysburg and held in Ft. Delaware prison until the close of hostilities. Any info much appreciated. cliff blair

9th Florida Volunteer Infantry Regiment: "Far, Far from Home: The Ninth Florida Regiment in the Confederate Army," by Gary Loderhose. Published by the Guild Press, this 135 page hardcover book, tells the story of the men and boys who defended Florida's coasts from both Yankee and Confederate deserters - they also fought at the Battle of Olustee and at Richmond. Costs $ 22.95.

9th Florida Confederate Volunteer Infantry Roster

10th Florida Infantry Regiment: "A Memoir of Captain C. Seton Fleming: Illustrative of the History of the Florida Troops in Virginia during the War Between the States," by Francis P. Fleming. 150 pages, this 1990 reprint costs $ 24.00.

10th Florida Infantry Regiment, by Don Hillhouse. See info. at the 1st Florida Special Artillery Battalion below.

10th Florida Confederate Volunteer Infantry Roster

11th Florida Confederate Volunteer Infantry Roster

1st Florida Cavalry - This unit was organized in July, 1861, near Tallahassee, Florida. Companies that made up the unit were recruited in the counties of Columbia, Nassau, Clay, Suwannee, Leon, Levy, Duval, and Alachua. It served in Florida until the spring of 1862 when seven companies were dismounted, and Companies A, E, and F continued to serve as cavalry. This battalion fought at Richmond, skirmished in Kentucky and Tennessee, then during the end of 1863 rejoined the command as infantry. After fighting at Perryville, the regiment was assigned to Colonel R.C. Trigg's, and later General Finley's and J.A. Smith's Brigade. In December, 1863, the 1st Cavalry (dismounted) was consolidated with the 4th Florida Infantry Regiment. It served with the Army of Tennessee from Chickamauga to Atlanta, accompanied Hood to Tennessee, and was active at Bentonville. The unit was organized with over 850 officers and men, reported 27 casualties at Chickamauga, and the 1st/4th totalled 198 men and 109 arms in December, 1863. It surrendered on April 26, 1865. The field officers were colonels W.G.M. Davis and G. Troup Maxwell, Lieutenant Colonel W.T. Stockton, and Major Henry Bradford." Thanks to Brian Heintzelman Salado, Texas (CochiseH@aol.com ) for forwarding this information to me.

1st Florida Cavalry (USA) - Fellow Civil War enthusiast has a complete muster roll for the First Florida Cavalry Regimnet, US which was composed mostly of those from the area of southeastern Alamama. Give him an e-mail and perhaps he can help you out. Thanks to Homer Jones, at CWBSLocator@webtv.net

1st Florida Cavalry Roster Website

2nd Florida Cavalry Roster Website

Bartow Florida Cavalry Unit Roster Website

Florida Cavalry Unit Roster Website

Jackson Black Hawk Florida Cavalry Unit Roster Website

Mounted Volunteers Florida Cavalry Unit Roster Website

1st Florida Special Battalion, "Heavy Artillery and Light Infantry: A History of the First Florida Special Battalion and the 10th Infantry Regiment, C.S.A.," by Don Hillhouse. 1992 issue, 232 pages, photos, cost $ 25.00.

Durham's Light Artillery Unit Roster Website

Kilcrease Light Artillery Unit Roster Website

Marion Artillery Unit Roster Website

Milton Artillery Unit Roster Website

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