The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-19
OLDEST TROOPERS IN GEORGIA,
History of Independent Troop and
Liberty Guards Told by Col. Bird.

History of Independent Troop and
Liberty Guards Told by Col. Bird.
Waycross, Ga, Feb. 1s-R P. Bird,
clerk of the City Council of Waycross and
former member of the old Liberty
Guards, has furnished the Morning News
correspondent by request the following in
teresting history of the Liberty county
troops: 1t was thought by the military
men about century ago that cavalry or
CARNATIONS were too expensive, and only
few scouts We're necessary and that
the main reliance would necessarily be on
the infantry. Later on, however, it was
seen. that, in as open a country as the
Southern states, it would be necessary to
have large force of cavalry ever on the
march, so as to guard against surprises
from the Indians, as well as other enemies,
| and for the quick transmission Of news.
II was resolved by the people of Liberty
| county that the organization of two or
more cavalry companies be completed as
soon as practicable, and about the fall OF
1855 the Liberty Independent Troop were
organized and equipped In 1915, the LIB
erty Guards were organized, and after
| wards the Georgia Hussars. and then the
Eff1ngham Hussars. The two companies
from Liberty county, the Independent
| Troop and Guards, with the other compa-
MES mentioned above, comprised the First
Squadron, Georgia Cavalry P. H. Behn
was major commanding at Savannah The
Guards and Troop have continued their
organization to the present day, and many
OF the sons of the old troopers are now
ofhcers. and members of the two compa-
MES, and preserve their eclat untarnisbed.
When the great civil war broke forth in all
lts fury these famous old companies were
! the hrst Ga the field, and were soon enlis ed
Tor snort term service-in the service of
their idolized South When the first term
expired, they re-enlisted for the war. and
never lowered their banner till the great
Johnson said with the incompatible Lee
II Is done;' then. and not till then, did
they turl their banner and return home
They once more built their fortunes in
the land of culture, wealth and Chris
tlanlty the homes of the "Flemings. +"
Jones, "Cassels,' "Quarterman. "Bs
con-" Daniel" Bird" Stacy" WAY,
| Busby-Barnard," kings Law
'Walthour' and a host of other gallant
men, who all even dared to do ana be
| free.
The Troop and Guards were finally con
| soldated with other companies. and form
! ed the famous Fifth Georgia Cavalry
regiment, commanded by that superb sol
der and gentleman, Gen. r. H. Ander-
| son of Savannah, Edward Bird. lieutenant
colonel and R. G. Davant, major. The
Liberty troops saw hard service in South
Carolina and were thrice hurried to Flor.
ida to mingle in the Olustee campaign.
and when that was decided in the South's
favor they, with others, were hurried
| back to South Carolina and from thence
to North Georgia to join the Tennessee
army. They remained there till Sherman
started southwark, and they, with some
1000 more cavalry, were kept in his
front and finally crossed into South Car
DINA and fought their way day by day
till they again fell under the command
of their beloved Joe johnson, continuing
with him to the surrender in May Many
of the Liberty boys We're dead some
were in prison, some We're sick in hos
pitfalls from which many died; but none
deserted to the enemy. When the troops
were leaving, the home people babe them
to come home with their shields victorious
or be brought home on them; to say that
they did literally obey would not speak
half the praises that they, as well as all
true Confederate soldiers deserved The
Independent Troop are commanded now
by capt. Cassel, and the Guards by Capt
Hughes, son of the old war Captain
Hughes. They viii not suffer the organ
ization to lag or break, but rather
strengthen and expand