GEORGE WASHINGTON BARTON

From: Sharon
Family Group Report - 6 Feb 2003

George Washington Barton
Birth: 18 Nov 1834 ®107
Death: 22 Aug 1863 ®107 Place: Vicksburg, MS
Father: Squire Phillip Barton (1801-1868)
Mother: Rachel Thrasher (1793-1885)

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Husband’s Notes:

George was killed in the Civil War at the age of 28 years. ®107

From Karen: George Washington Barton enlisted March 1, 1862, at Washington Co., Arkansas, as a private in the 5th Vol. Infantry, Co. I. [He is also listed as a private in Company I, 1 Missouri Cavalry...ancestry.com] George was killed at Vicksburg on 22 Aug 1863. He had also served in M.S.G. for 6 months and engaged in Battle of Elk Horn.

From several articles in the Confederat Veteran, I gather that the MO boys followed this battle route:

Elkhorn, Farmington, Iuka, Corinth, Port Gibson, Baker's Creek, Black River, siege of Vicksburg, the Georgia campaign, including the battles around Atlanta and Allatoona.

I have an article from the January 1923, Vol. XXXL, No. 1, Confederate Veteran magazine about the third MO Regiment. They seem to have been going the same route as our guys...Pea Ridge, Port Gibson (where Elias and Stephen were heroes), and then on to Vicksburg. This sheds some light on the discharge and later death:

"Things continued to grow worse until July 3, and General Pemberton surrendered the entire arm. On the 4th, we were marched out and paroled. I cut through the country and landed in Demopolis, then went out to Prairie [something] to Mr. James Manning's, where my sister Mary was, and spent my time with those good people until I was exchanged. I had to go into camp in Demopolis every week and report....Our command was exchanged in September, and in October we reported for duty and were ordered into camp across the Tombigbee River..."

Seems likely that George's discharge was a result of the surrender and that he was wounded at the time and died from his wounds.

The article continues later with:

"We were in a fierce battle at Allatoona, where we fought the yankees hand to hand and captured their breastworks and many prisoners." Stephen died at Allatoona.

The guy who told the story was Charles Boarman Cleveland who at one time was first lieutenant and adjutant of the 1st MO Cavalry...same as George Washington Barton.

Copy of letter written by George Washington Barton to his brother, Morgan Phillip Barton, during the Civil War.

Sept. 21st, 1861

Mutch Esteemed Brother:

I take this opportunity to drop you a few lines and that in pencil as you may see being the only means of writing at hand. Yesterday we closed the memorable battle of Lexington, after a 3 days' siege. The strength of the enemy is supposed to be 3500. They have surrendered unconditionally or at least that is my understanding of the matter. By this surrender we get from 3 to 4000 small arms - 4 pieces of cannon of exelant quality, two moters, 4 or 500 horses and mules, 40 ours has not yet been correctly ascertained. I would judge theirs to be about 150 killed and wounded and ours probably 40. This, however is mere conjecture as the official report is not yet made. There was none of our acquaintance killed. There was one of Adonis' company badly wounded, probably mortally, by the name of Geo. Christian - you probably know him. I can write no more at present as I am in a hurry to go and hunt my mare that has been gone for 3 days. The boys are all well. Tell Mother and Pap we are well. Tell Mr. Baker's folks that their boys are all well. They send their love to them. Tell Elizabeth that Charley is well and anxious for a fight. Geo. Hanger is here. Tell the girls all of them, to be patient and not marry till we get back.

I haven't time to write more as the Chief Commisary is now waiting for me to go and draw provisions for our Company.

Give my love to all.

Yours and Co.

G. W. Barton

P.S. If you would write to Jefferson City, I probably would get your letter. GWB.

At bottom of transcript: This was at Lexington, Missouri.

[Notation: Morgan Phillip Barton was captured September 1, 1862, in Shelby County, Missouri. George Washington Barton died August 22, 1863, at Vicksburg, MS.]

From Family Register Report of David Barton:

Military: Private. Company E 1st MO Calvary Confederate. The 1st MO Cavalry Regiment. Major William C. Parker, commnading was assigned to Bowens Division, Major General John S. Bowen. Second Brigade, Col. T.P. Dockery. Engaged during the Battle of Vicksburg, MS. Siege of Vicksburg, MS 5/19/1863-7/4/1863. May 19 -- Bowen's Division held in reserve with orders to move wherever the assault was most heavy. The MO Brigade was issued Enfield rifles. The 1st/4th, 5th & 6th MO Regiments manned the Stockade Redan complex against Sherman's attacks. June 25 -- MO Brigade serving as the reserves, counterattacked the Federal forces attacking after they exploded a mine on the defensive line. July 1 -- MO Brigade again called on to counter a Federal attack after a mine explosion on the line. July 4 -- Vicksburg surrendered. MO Brigade paroled and sent to a parole camp at Demopolis, AL to await exchange. Sept 11 -- MO Brigadae exchanged. Oct. 19 -- The MO Brigade left Demopolis, AL and moved to Meridian, MS for winter Quarters. Oct. -- MO Brigade assigned to the division of Maj. Gen. Samuel Gibbs French.

The 1st Missouri Cavalry was enlisted on December 30, 1861 with the majority of men being transferred from the Missouri State Guard. Following the Battle of Pea Ridge it was transferred East of the Mississippi to serve at Vicksburg. When Vicksburg fell on July 4, 1863, the regiment surrendered and immediately paroled. Since it was "declared exchanged" on 12 September 1863 it was able to go back into Confederate service. At some point between September 1863 and May 4, 1865 (final surrender at Meridian, MS), it was consolidated with the 3rd Missouri Cavalry regiment. During its service, the 1st Missouri Cavalry served in: Little's Brigade, Gates' Brigade/Missouri Brigade, Bowens Division and finally in Missouri Brigade, French's Division, Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana. Commanders: Col. Elijah Gates, Lt. Col. Richard B. Chiles, Lt. Col. C.B. Cleveland, Lt. Col. Goerge W. Lay, Lt. Col. William D. Maupin, Maj. Robert R. Lawther, Maj, William C. Parker. Company E Service records indicate: Barton, Benjamin F. MO 1st Cav. Co. E; Barton, George W. MO 1st Cav. Co. E.

Last Modified: 13 Mar 2002

Reference Note 107
Barton family outline from Beth Daniels Reddell