Commanders
from Union County, Georgia

The following men served the South as Regimental or Battalion Commanders.There were no Federal Commanders from Union County.

CONFEDERATE COMMISSIONS

William P. Barclay
Colonel commanding, 23rd Georgia Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Killed In Action, leading his men at Sharpsburg (Antietam) on the bloodiest day of the war. Two younger brothers was Elihu S. Barclay and Hugh W. Barclay, see below. His youngest brother Julius Barclay was Captain of Co G, 52nd G.V.I.R. and was Killed In Action at the Battle of Atlanta.
Burial: probably among the unknown dead from Antietam

James Howard Huggins
Colonel commanding, 23rd Georgia Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Wounded at Sharpsburg when he was a captain. Captured at Chancellorsville, P.O.W. at Fort Delaware, exchanged, Previously, Signatory Georgia Ordinance of Secession, State Representative before and during the war.
Burial: Athens, Georgia

Elihu S. “Sandy” Barclay
Lt Colonel commanding, Infantry Battalion, Phillip’s Legion, as a major was severely wounded and captured at the Battle of South Mountain, P.O.W. at Fort Delaware, exchanged. Effects of his wounds forced him to drop out of the Gettysburg Campaign. State Representative during the war.
Burial: St Andrews Cemetery, Darien, Ga

John Simpson Fain
Lt. Colonel commanding, 8th Regiment Georgia State Troops, Lt. Colonel commanding, Infantry Battalion., Smith's Legion, Colonel commanding 65th Infantry Regiment Georgia Volunteers, (formed in part from Smith’s Legion.) State Representative before and after the war.
Burial: Midway Cemetery, Tyler, Texas

Dr. Andrew Young
Lt. Colonel commanding, 30th Ga. Cavalry Battalion, Colonel commanding 11th Georgia Volunteer Cavalry Regiment. Young was a physician/surgeon.
Burial: further research needed

Hugh W. Barclay
Lt. Colonel commanding, 30th Battalion Georgia Volunteer Cavalry, then Lt. Colonel commanding 11th Georgia Volunteer Cavalry Regiment. Originally in 23rd G.V.I.R., P.O.W., exchanged,
Burial: Austin,Texas

STATE COMMISSIONS

Joseph Emerson Brown
Commander Georgia State Troops and Governor of Georgia.
Burial: Oakland Cemetery, Atlanta, Georgia

John M. Brown
Lt. Colonel commanding, First Regiment Georgia State Line. Originally in 23rd G.V.I.R., P.O.W. exchanged, wounded at Kennesaw, mortally wounded at Atlanta. Younger brother of Governor Brown.
Burial: Memory Hill Cemetery, Milledgeville, Georgia

Benjamin Mercer Ledford
Colonel commanding, Ledford’s Cavalry Regiment. Originally in the 6th Georgia Vol. Cavalry Regiment, wounded at Chickamauga.
Burial: Friendship Church Cemetery, Suite, North Carolina

Thomas Jefferson Haralson
Colonel commanding, Local Defense Forces.
Burial: Old Blairsville City Cemetery, Blairsville, Georgia


Not all of these men were born in Union County. Those who were not born here, moved into Union County with their families after the Cherokee Removal. Dispersal was far and wide by time of their deaths.