STEPHEN ALFRED BARTON
Family Group Report - 6 Feb 2003
Husband: Stephen Alfred Barton
Birth: 5 Feb 1837 ®107
Death: 5 Oct 1864 ®107 Place: Allatoona, GA
®127
Father: Squire Phillip Barton (1801-1868)
Mother: Rachel Thrasher (1793-1885)
Husband’s Notes:
Stephen was killed in the Civil War at the age of 27 years. ®107
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.
MO Confederate Dead: Co. I, 5th MO Infantry. Cpl. S. A. Barton, Macon Co., MO. killed Allatoona, GA. 10/5/1864.
He was a corporal in Co. I, 5th MO Infantry. Stephen and his brother Elias were both at the battle of Port Gibson in April 1863. They were among seven volunteers who kept the Union lines from advancing while the Fifth and Third Missouri withdrew. With no ammunition left, the seven narrowly escaped before their position was overrun by two Union regiments. [From a Vet. magazine article titled Saving the Day]
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.
Barton Family Register Report by David Barton:
Stephen died in Alatoona, Georgia on 5 Oct 1864. He was a corporal, Company I, 5th MO Infantry, Confederate. Serving with his brother Elias Taylor Barton in the same company. He was killed during the Battle of Alatoona, GA.
Military: Corporal, Company I, 5th MO Infantry, Confederate. After Atlanta fell, Gen. Hood moved to cut Shermans supply lines at the W&A RR. Union forces under Corse beat back 2.5 hour sustained attack. Oct 5 -- Gen French's Division was sent to attack the Federal Supply base at Altoona, GA. During the battle, Sgt. John Ragland (1st-4th MO) captured the flag of the 39th Iowa at Rowett's Redoubt. Although successful in capturing the Rowett's Redoubt, the division had to be withdrawn before capturing Corse's Fort. Gen Cockrell's MO Brigade lost a total of 271 troops at Altoona, 49 killed, 200 wounded and 22 missing.
The 5th MO Infantry regiment comprised of Irish Confederates from St. Louis, and rural pro southern Missourians who were considered one of the best infantry regiments in the West. This Unit never fought in MO, but carried out missions throughout the region. After capture of Vicksburg, the Regiment was exchanged, consolidated, and served through the Atlanta Campaign and the balance of the war. Major engagements: Elk Horn Tavern (Pea Ridge) 3/7-8/1862. Corinth 10/3-4/1862, Port Gibson 3/9/1863, Champion Hill, Big Black river. Vicksburg 5/16-17/1863, Kennesaw Mt. 6/27/1864. Atlanta July-Sept 1864. Alatoona 10/5/1864. Franklin 11/30/1864. Mobile 3/17/1865. Fort Blakely 4/1-9/1865
5th Missouri Infantry CSA commanded by Col James McCown, Lt. Col. Robert S. Bevier, and Maj. Owen A. Waddell. This unit served east of the Mississippi in Price's-Little's Division, Bowen's Division, and French's Division. Records indicate: Company I: Elias T. Barton MO 5th Inf. Co. I, George W. Barton MO 5th Inf. Co. I, Stephen A. Barton MO 5th Inf. Co. I Cpl.
Last Modified: 13 Mar 2002
Reference Note 107
Barton family outline from Beth Daniels Reddell
Reference Note 127
MO Confederate Dead