Notes |
- Notes for Crawford George Dillard are as follows:
War Record:
Crawford George DILLARD enlisted in Company E. of the 15th Alabama infantry on 3 March 1862. The 15th Alabama regiment was organized at fort Mitchell in the summer of 1861 and was immediately attached to the Virginia forces at Manassas. The regiment was brigraded with the 21st Ga., the 21st N.C., and the 16th Mississippi, Under General G.B. Crittenden of Kentucky: General I.R. Trimble succeeded Crittenden in December of 1861. When the army moved over to Yorktown to defend against the invasion by General McClellan, the 15th Alabama stayed behind to defend the Shenedoah in General Thomas J. Jackson's division. The regiment was engaged at Front Royal and Winchester. The regiment lost a total of 42 ( 9 KIA and 33 wounded) out of 425 engaged at Cross Keys. Moving over to Richmond, Jackson's flank movement on General McClellan, The regiment entered the first battle of Cold Harbor with 412 men and lost a total of 144 men (34 KIA and 110 wounded). Five days later it suffered light casualties at Malvern Hill. The Regiment took part in the first invasion of the north and was engaged at Hazel river and Manassas Junction with a total loss of 28 (6 KIA and 22 wounded). A day or two later the 15th participated in the second battle of Manassas, losing a total of 112 (21 KIA and 91 wounded) out of 440 men. At Chantilly the regiment lost 18 (4 KIA and 14 wounded). At Sharpsburg, of 300 men engaged there were 84 casualties (9 KIA and 75 wounded). Under fire at Fredricksburg, the casualties were 35 (1 KIA and 34 wounded). The 15th was then placed in a brigade under General Law (with the 4th, 44th, 47th, and 48th Alabama regiments) also known as Longstreet's Corps. At Suffolk the regiment lost a total of 22 (4 KIA and 18 wounded). The 15th Alabama participated in Gettysburg in one of the most crucial turning points of that battle. They engaged the 49th Maine on Little round top. They tried unsuccessfully to drive the 49th Maine off of little round top. Had they been successful the outcome of the battle and the war might have been different. They tried wave after wave of assaults on Little Round Top, Driving as many as five different times up the steep slope of Little Round Top only to be repulsed time and time again. On the final assault up Little Round Top they nearly succeeded in overrunning the 49th Maine, but The Commander of the 49th Col. Chamberlain on hearing that his men were out of ammunition and ordered by his superiors to hold this hill at all costs ordered his men to fix bayonets and charge against the onslaught being thrown at them. The 15th on seeing these crazed soldiers with fixed bayonets some of them firing wildly as they ran down the slopes, turned and fled in all directions, not knowing if these were fresh troops or not. The 15th had been fighting all day long and the sun was starting to set when this grand maneuver by Chamberlain was mounted. The 49th regrouped and entrenched into Little Round Top only to be infrequently skirmished for the rest of the battle. The 49th was successful in maintaining its hold of Little Round Top and quite possibly saving the union from sure defeat in this battle and possibly the entire war. Within the first few minutes of the battle for Little Round Top the 15th lost a total of 343 men (72 KIA and 190 wounded and 81 MIA's) out of 644 men engaged more than half of the regiment was lost in what would prove to be the bloodiest battle for the 15th in all of the war in terms of casualties inflicted. The 15th retreated and regrouped to lick there wounds and prepare for the long march back to confederate territory. The 15th was next engaged at Battle Mountain with only a few casualties. The 15th was then assigned to the western theater to defend against General Sherman's invasion of Georgia. The 15th fought proudly and defeated the northern aggressors at Chicamauga being nicknamed the "Rock of Chicamauga" they lost a total of 141 (19 KIA and 123 wounded) in that battle out of 425 engaged. In the fierce fights at Brown's Ferry and Lookout valley, the regiment lost 55 (15 KIA and 40 wounded). They tried to aid in the defense of Knoxville only to be pushed back once again this time losing 27 men (6 KIA and 21 wounded). They suffered light casualties at Bean's Station before leaving the Western theater to return to Virginia to defend Richmond against General Grant's relentless bloodletting invasion to overtake Richmond, fighting a war of attrition the likes of had never been seen prior the Civil War. The regiment began the Wilderness campaign with 450 men. In the wilderness and Spotslyvania area the regiment lost 66 men ( 18 KIA and 48 wounded). At Hanover Junction and the second battle of Cold Harbor the losses were 6 KIA and 16 wounded. The regiment participated in the siege of Petersburg, at Deep Bottom a third of the 275 men present were wiped out by the ensuing siege and battle. At Fussell's Mill the losses were 13 KIA and 90 wounded. The 15th was part of the fleeing army of Virginia and participated in the fierce fighting leading to the eventual surrender at Appomattox. The regiment was present for the signing of the surrender terms at Appomattox court house and were paroled from there. of the total enlistment of 1633 soldiers in the 15th Alabama infantry only 231 soldiers were paroled at Appomattox, A disturbing loss of more than 85% of the total enlistees due to illness, death, and abandonment by the end of the war. Crawford was one of the few, 14% to have survived and fought bravely for his country and state. His personal War record is as follows:
Enlisted 3 March 1862 in company E of the 15th Alabama regiment.
He fought at: Cross Keys, Va. 18 June 1862, Cold Harbor 27 June 1862, Malvern Hill 2 July 1862, Cedar Mountain 9 August 1862, Hazel River 23 August 1862, Manassas Junction 27 August 1862, Manassas Plains 28 through 30 August 1862, Chantilly 1 Sept. 1862, Harpers Ferry 13 Sept. 1862, Sheperds Town 18 Sept. 1862, Fredricksburg 12 Dec. 1862, Suffolk 3 May 1863 Gettysburg 2, 3 of July 1863, Battle Mountain 24 July 1863, Chickamuga the 19th and 20th of Sept. 1863, Raccoon Mountain 27 Oct. 1863, Lookout Valley 28 Oct. 1863 Camel Station 16 Nov. 1863, Knoxville 20 Nov. 1863, Dandridge 16 Jan 1864, Wilderness 6 May 1864, Spotslyvainia the 8th through the 12th of May 1864, Cold Harbor 3 June 1864, Chester Station 17 June 1864, Deep Bottom 14 Aug. 1864, Fussel's Mill 16 Aug. 1864, Fort Gilmore 29 Sept. 1864, Fort Harrison 30 Sept. 1864, Darbytown Road 7 Oct. 1864, Williamsburg Road 27 Oct. 1864. He was wounded in Sharpsburg in December of 1862 and was present at Lee's Surrender at Appomattox and was paroled in June of 1865. He had to walk all the way home with no money and no shoes. He arrived home in August of 1865, after having walked over a couple of thousand miles through war ravaged landscape eating what he could find along the way and tending to his blistered feet and tattered clothing. It is amazing what he must have gone through and the anguish he must have suffered. Watching his friends fall all around him in battle, many succumbing to the numerous diseases that ravaged the southern armies, due to the lack of proper clothing and sanitary conditions, the lack of food and the many many miles of endless marching from battle to battle. There were several battles where the regiment covered many miles in just a few days only to be immediately engaged in battle once they reached their destination, then immediately marched off again to another battle. I can only but imagine the troubles he saw and the horrors he witnessed. I can only but praise him for his courage and determination throughout the war and the many sacrifices he gave. He left the war a changed man as did the country he fought for. Crawford George Dillard went on to become the registrar for many years in Dale Co. serving in that capacity at his death in 1922. He was a democrat and took his first Masonic degrees at Barnes Cross Roads Lodge and remained very devoted to his duties and privileges as a Mason for the rest of his life.
Company E 15th Alabama Infantry was known as the Dale Co. Beuregards.
Regimental Command Structure from 31 May- 1 July 1862
BATTLE OF RICHMOND
Regiment: 15th Alabama
Commanders:
Colonel James Cantey, Lt Col John F. Treutlen (also Spellled: TRENTLEN), and Major Alexander Lowther
Brigade: 7th (Valley District)
Commander: Big Gen Isaac R. Trimble
Division: Ewell's
Commander: Maj Gen Richard S. Ewell
Corps: Jackson's Command
Commander: Maj Gen Thomas J. Jackson
Battles fought in around Richmond: Gaines Mill, Malvern Hill (in reserve and called up but reached the field too late - not engaged)
Census History for Crawford George Dillard is as follows:
1850 Census see notes: John DILLARD (father)
1850 Census
McNorton's District Muscogee Co. Ga.
Head of Household is John Dillard age 52 listed as Farmer and having been born in Fairfield Co. S.C.
John's wife is listed as Milly (Watson). (in the survey above this one #89 there is a household of Dillards with the head being Edmund Dillard male age 46 with a wife named Alvina (Watson?) female age 39 and an elderly woman named Celia Watson female age 82. I know that Celia was Milly's mother through other records I have that have as yet not been recorded and that Celia listed her birth place on that record as being from Scotland. Why is she living with Edmund And Alvina? Could Alvina be Milly's sister? It seems I remember seeing a record of an Alvina Watson? Crawford is listed as being 18 and being born in Walton Co. Ga. he has 3 brothers listed and one sister. they are Starling Dillard Male age 16 Muscogee Co. Ga. Thomas Dillard male age 10 Muscogee co. James E. Dillard Male age 4 Muscogee Co. Ga. and Sarah E. Dillard Female age 2 Muscogee Co. Ga.
-------------------Extract 1860 Federal Census Newton PO, Dale Co., Al.----------------------------
Page 225 (723) [ancestry.com 227 of 263] Enumerated: 14 Sept 1860 By: William BRACEWELL Dwell: 1515 HH: 1515
LN#NAMEAGESEX OCCREALPERSPOB
37Crawford DILLARD 28MFarmer500400Ga
38Mary A26F...NC
39Louisiana06F...Ga
40Thomas J.03M...Al
--------------------------------End of Extract 1860 Federal Census--------------------------------------
Crawford George Dillard Male age 28 Farmer born in Ga. is listed as the Head of household with a wife and two children. His wife is named as Mary A. (Briley) female age 26 from N.C. Louisiana female age 6 Ga. and Thomas J male age 3 Dale Co. Al. This Census helps out a great deal in narrowing down when Crawford George migrated to Al. It had to be between 1854 and 1857 because he listed his daughter Louisiana as being born in Ga and she is 6 years old and his son Thomas as being born in Al 3 years before or some time in 1857. the 1860 Census records of Dale Co. also have a great deal of information on other members of the family too. Mary's Father Abel Briley is listed as living three houses down from Crawford and Mary with all their children. Also Crawford's Father and mother are also listed as living next door and still having children one as young as 6 years old John was 65 years old during that census year. This is a slight discrepancy from his stated age in 1850 of being 52 however all the other people he listed all match exactly verifying that this is truly Crawford's Father, but how old was he in 1860 62 or 65. We probably will never know as he is buried in an unmarked grave in Dale Co. and as far as I know no-one living knows exactly where. My grandfather Crawford's grandson Willy Ray Dillard tried several times to take me to his grave site but was unsuccessful in finding his Great, my Great Great Great Grandfather's grave. finally after many attempts I did locate his grave. It was further back and more to the west of the house than I had first surmised. I now have a picture of the site...
-----------------Extract of 1870 Census Beat 1, Ozark, Dale Co. Al.---------------------------------------------------
Page: 17 Enumerated: 18 June 1870 By: H. H. Blackman Dwell: 99 HH: 99 Line: 04
LN#NAMEAGESEXRACEOCCREALPERSPOBMBCW
04DILLARDC G38MWFarmer600795GA..
05M A35FW Keeps House..NC..
06T J12MWWorks on Farm..AL.X
07E E10FWAt Home..AL.X
08G A08FWAt Home..AL..
09W H04MWAt Home..AL..
10C V02MWAt Home..AL..
11P A1/12FWAt Home..ALMay.
------------End of Extract from 1870 Census of Dale Co. Al.-------------
-------------------Extract of 1880 Federal Census Dist 66 Barnes Crossroads, Beats 12 & 13, Dale Co., Al-----------------------------------
Page: 3 Sup Dist: 4 Enum Dist: 66 Enumerated 8 June 1880 By: B. S. BRACEWELL Dwell: 29 HH: 29
LN#NAMERACESEXAGEMOBRELSMWOCCASPOBMOTHERFATHER
37DILLARD C GWM47..MFarmer.GaSCGA
38Mary AWF44.WifeMKeeps House.NCNCVa
39Thomas JWM22.SonSAt SchoolXAlGaNC
40GeorgiaWF17.DauSDomesticXAlGaNC
41William HWM14.SonSFarm LaborerXAlGaNC
42Clinton VWM12.SonSFarm LaborerXAlGaNC
43Penny AWF10.DauSDomesticXAlGaNC
44Mary BWF08.DauS.XAlGaNC
45Crofford AWM06.SonS..AlGaNC
46Abel BWM02.SonS..AlGaNC
47Olander SWM1/12MaySonS..AlGaNC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source Information:
Census Place: Barnes Cross Roads, Dale Co., Al.
Family History Library Film: 1254010
NA Film Number T9-0010
Page Number 675C
-----------------------Extract of 1900 Federal Census Precinct 12, Barnes Crossroads, Dale Co., Al.------------------
Sheet: 13A (295) [ancestry.com 25 of 29] Sup D: 3 Enum D: 69 Enumerated: 26 June 1900 By: Henry R. Jernigan Dwell: 230 Fam: 230
LN#NAMERELMYOBAGESMWYC/LPOBFATHERMOTHEROCCASCRWOR/MF/
39DILLARD Crofford G HeadJune 183267M47./.Ga SC GaFarmerYesYesO/F/F
40Mary A.WifeAug 183564M4712/11NC InVa.YesYes././.
41Orlanda S.SonMay 188020S../.Al GaNCFarm LabYesYes././.
--------------End of Extract of 1900 Federal Census Dale Co., Al.-----------------
-------------------1907 Civil War Census Dale Co. Al.-----------------------
DILLARD, CRAWFORD GEORGE: Ozark.***
born June 18, 1832 in Gwinett County, Georgia;
entered service at Ozark March 1, 1862 as Private, Company E,
15th Alabama Regiment; paroled at Appomattox Court House April
9, 1865.
------------------------------End of Census------------------------------
---------Extract of 1910 Census of Eufala Rd. Barnes Cross Roads Dale Co. Al.----------
Page: 3B (351) [ancestry.com 6 of 14] Enumerated: 20 April 1910 By: Alvie HOWELL Dwell: 49 HH: 49
LN#NAMERELSEXRACEAgeMar/#YrsC/LPOBFATHERMOTHERCRWASORFMFH
81DILLARD CrawfordHeadMW77M1 56./.GaSCGaYes.OFF
82Mary A.WifeFW74M15612/10NCINVaYes....
----------------------End of 1910 Census Extract-------------------------
------------------Extract of 1920 Federal Census Barnes Crossroads, Dale Co., Al.---------------------------------------------
Page: 7B Sup Dist: 3 Enum Dist: 95 Enumerated: 30 Jan 1920 By: George B. DEAN Dwell: 137 Fam: 137
LN#NAMERELORFMSEXRACEAGESMWCRWPOBFATHERMOTHEROCC
67DILLARD Crawford G. HeadOFMW87MYesGaSCGaFarmer
68AnnaWife..FW55MYesAlAlAlNone
--------------End of Extract of 1920 Census of Dale Co. Al.-----------------
Crawford is listed as having been born in June of 1832 age 67 and having been married 47 years to Mary A (Briley) He lists his place of birth as Ga and his fathers as S.C. which holds with the other Census Records. He is also listed with my Great-Grandfather in the home Orlando Seygler Dillard is listed as a Male age 20 born May 1880 and single at the time. ( I have his actual marriage certificate)
Deed From Tapley N. Dillard (his Uncle):
Deed
T.N. Dillard
to
C.G. Dillard
------------------
Recd for record
April 10th 1860
D. Carmichael
Judge of Probate
----------------------------------
Recorded in Book
J of Deeds on page
803__ the 10th day of
April 1860________
D. Carmichael.
Judge of Probate
_____________
Fee .60 paid
The State of Alabama
Dale County
This indenture made
the 17th of October One Thousand Eight
Hundred and Fifty Nine between T N
Dillard of the first part and C G Dillard
of the second part both of the State and
County afforsaid witnefseth that I bargain
Sell and Deliver unto the said C G Dillard
his heirs and assignees forever a certain tract
or Parcel of Land Lying and being in the
State and county afforsaid And and is
known as follows viz The East 1/4 of NE 1/4
of Section Three Township Six Range Twenty Four
containing Forty Acres together with all
Advantages belonging There to or in any wise
appertaining To The Said Land To have and to
hold unto The Said C G Dillard his
heirs or Assignees for ever and I the Said
T N Dillard for myself my heirs executors
administrators or assignees do warrant and
defend the rights Title claim of all or any
other person or persons whome Soever in
witnefs whereof G T N Dillard hereunto Set
my hand and afix my seal The date and
day above mentioned
Signed Sealed and delivered in the present
) his ( )
of us as witneffes ) T. N. X Dillard ( LS)
Atts. E J Matthews ) mark ( )
Edward Dowling )
)
The State of Alabama ) I Matthias Braekin
Dale County ) an acting Justice of the Peace
in the State and County affore Said append T. N.
Dillard who being in name is to the forgoing
conveyance and who is Known to me Acknowledge be
fore me that on the Day the Saim on The Day The Saim
did Volunterry Execute The Saim on The Day The Saim
bears date Given under my hand This The 17nd of
Oct 1859 Matthias Brackin (JP)
"Sketch of His Life"
Mr Crawford G Dillard moved from Ga, with his young wife, Miss Mary Briley and Settled on his present homestead near Old Post Oak Church during the year of 1856 where they lived happily together until separated by the death of his good wife and mother of all these children on the 12th day of July 1914 at the age of 79 years. Mr Dillard has been one of the most useful men, known in any community. He has been a Farmer, Mechanic, Blacksmith, Wheelright, and Machinist during his younger days, there was nothing necessary to be done in the community that he could not do, and he did it willingly and cheerfully. When a neighbor died Uncle Croff was called up to make the coffin. The Old time Mothers called on him to make their looms and spinning wheels. He built the machinery for the old time horse and water power cotton gins, he turned the pine rollers for grinding the sugar cane, he made and repaired his neighbors wagons and buggies, he has always being willing to help his neighbors and friends and with that usual cheerful smile which he yet carries.
Here is the proposition worth remembering and imitating. I ask "Him what he attributed his long and healthy life to his reply was, "good cooking, regular and temperate habits." when the Civil War got under headway and he was called to service, in keeping with his life he answered, "Here I am and gave three years of the prime of his life to the lost cause with the gallant old 15th Alabama Regiment commanded by the dashing Veteran Col. William C. Oats.
Here is another item worth imitating, Mr Crawford G. Dillard nor a single one of his six sons, have ever been arrested or prosecuted in any court for violating any state or Federal law. They are a law abiding peaceful, sober family.
During December 1914 Mr Dillard married Mrs Anna Beasley his second and present wife of near Pinckard Ala. and she makes him a most devoted companion, and they are very devoted to each other. Mr Dillard is yet active lively and good natured and bids fair to live many years more. He has been a active member of the Masonic fraternity for many years and a great believer and and observer in the principles it teaches.
The 18th day of June 1920 will long be remembered by the writer and all who were present, at the home of this grand old citizen. Lets all try to emulate his life.
G. P Dowling
The following is from: "Compendium of the Confederate Armies Alabama" Author: Stewart Sifakis
Page 75
134. Alabama 15th Infantry Regiment
Organization: Organized in state service at Fort Mitchell on July 3, 1861. Organized in Confederate service on July 27, 1861. Mustered into Confederate service for the war on August 2, 1861. Surrendered at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, on April 9, 1865.
First Commander: James Cantey (Colonel)
Field Officers: John W. L. Daniel (Major), Isaac B. Feagin (Lieutenant Colonel), Alexander A. Lowther (Major, Colonel), John F. Treutlen (Lieutenant Colonel,Colonel)
Assignments: _____ Brigade, _____ Corps, Army of the Potomac (August -October 1861)
Trimble's Brigade, E. K. Smith's-Ewell's Division, Potomac District, Department of Northern Virginia (October 1861-April 1862)
Trimbles Brigade, Ewell's Division, Department of Northern Virginia (April-May 1862)
Trimble's Brigade, Ewell's Division, Valley District, Department of Northern Virginia (May-June 1862)
Trimble's Brigade, Ewell's Division, 2nd Corps, Army of Northern Virginia (June 1862-January 1863)
Law's Brigade, Hood's Division, 1st Corps, Army of Northern Virginia (January-February 1863)
Law's Brigade, Hood's Division, Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia (February-April 1863)
Law's Brigade, Hood's Division, Department of Southern Virginia (April-May 1863)
Law's Brigade, Hood's Division, 1ST Corps, Army of Northern Virginia (May-September 1863)
Law's Brigade, Hood's Division, Longstreet's Corps, Army of Tennessee (September-November 1863)
Law's Brigade, Hood's-Field's Division, Department of East Tennessee (November 1863-April 1864)
Law's-Perry's Brigade, Field's Division, 1st Corps, Army of Northern Virginia (April 1864-April 1865)
Battles:
Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1862 (May-June 1862)
Front Royal (May 23, 1862), 1st Winchester (May 25, 1862),
Richmond Campaign (June July 1862)
Cross Keys (June 8 1862), Seven Days Battles (June 25-July 1, 1862), Gaines Mill (June 27, 1862), Malvern Hill (July 1, 1862),
1st Invasion (August- December 1862)
Cedar Mountain (August 9, 1862), Hazel River (August 22, 1862), Rappahannock Station (August 23, 1862), 2nd Bull Run (August 28-30, 1862), Chantilly (September 1, 1862), Antietam (September 17, 1862), Boteler's Ford (September 19, 1862), Sheperds'town Ford (September 20, 1862), Fredericksburg (December 13, 1862),
Suffolk Campaign (April-May 1863)
Gettysburg Campaign (June-August 1863)
Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863)
Tennessee Campaign (September 1863-April 1864)
Chickamauga (September 19-20, 1863), Chattanooga Siege (September-November 1863), Wauhatchie (October 28-29, 1863), Knoxville Siege (November 1863), Bean's Station (December 15, 1863)
The Wilderness Campaign (May -June 1864)
The Wilderness (May 5-6, 1864), Spotslvania Court House (May 8-21, 1864), North Anna (May 23-26, 1864), Cold Harbor (June 1-3, 1864),
Petersburg Siege (June 1864- April 1865)
Fort Harrison (September 29-30, 1864), Fort Gilmer (September 29-30, 1864), Darbytown Road (October 7, 1864), Darbytown Road (October 13, 1864), Appomattox Court House (April 9, 1865)
Further Reading: Oates, William C. The War Between the Union and the Confederacy and its Lost Opportunities with a History of the Fifteenth Alabama Regiment and the Forty-eight Battles in Which it Fought.
1907 Federal Census of Confederate Veterans
DILLARD, CRAWFORD GEORGE: Ozark.***
born June 18, 1832 in Gwinett County, Georgia;
entered service at Ozark March 1, 1862 as Private, Company E,
15th Alabama Regiment; paroled at Appomattox Court House April
9, 1865.
Name Death Date Death County Volume Certificate Role Comment Page # Sex Race
Crawford G. Dillard 22 Nov 1921 Dale 47 2 23230
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