Corporal John Wesley Bryan

John W. Bryan was born on July 17, 1830 in Lumpkin County, Georgia.  He enlisted in Company D, 52^nd Georgia Infantry on March 4, 1862 and was promoted to Corporal.  He was captured at Vicksburg, Mississippi on July 4, 1863 and was paroled there on July 6, 1863.  Pension records show that he enlisted in Captain Worley’s Company of Georgia Rangers. Corporal Bryan died on September 9, 1922 and is buried at Corinth Baptist Church Cemetery in Hall County, Georgia.  

The 52nd Infantry Regiment was organized at Atlanta, Georgia, in April, 1862. Many of its members were drawn from the counties of Habersham, White, Towns, and Fannin. It took part in the Cumberland Gap operations, then moved to Kentucky and later Mississippi. Here the unit was assigned to General Barton's Brigade, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana, and was active in the conflicts at Chickasaw Bayou and Champion's Hill. On July 4, 1863, when Vicksburg fell, it was part of the garrison that was captured. Exchanged and assigned to General Stovall's Brigade, the 52nd fought with the Army of Tennessee from Missionary Ridge to Nashville. Then on February 23, 1865, it was detailed to guard wagon trains from Columbus, Mississippi. During December, 1863, this unit totaled 279 men and 197 arms, had 123 fit for duty in November, 1864, and the few that remained surrendered on May 4, 1865. The field officers were Colonels Wier Boyd and Charles D. Phillips, Lieutenant Colonel Solomon H. Van Diviere, and Majors J.J. Findley and John J. Moore.

Private B. C. Bryan

Berrian Clark Bryan was born 1823 in Habersham County, Georgia and died 1923 in Lumpkin County and is buried in Cane Creek Cemetery.  His obituary in the Dahlonega Nugget says that, "During the war he and his three sons, Calloway, Josiah and Ransom, joined the Confederate forces and fought for the Southland." He enlisted in company D, 1st Georgia Regiment (State Guards). The company was named the "Blue Ridge Rangers."

The Georgia State line was organized in 1863 and saw heavy combat when Sherman's army crossed into Georgia.  It was during the Battle of Peachtree Creek that the Georgia militia and especially the 1st Regiment distinguished themselves.  This regiment would also partake in the famous battle of Griswoldville near, Macon. This until along with all Georgia Militia were surrendered by Governor Joseph Brown on 20 April 1865.

The local newspaper later listed an article about "Uncle Clark" on 25 January 1914.  "We are grieved to learn that this veteran soldier was unable to attend the exercises on Lee's birthday on account of serious sickness.  We hope for him a speedy recovery.  He is now in his 94th year and on November the 1st walked to town to be present at the bestowal of the Southern Crosses of Honor.  One little girl of the graded school was so impressed with his appearance that on returning home after the ceremony at the church, said, "Mama, I do think somebody might have carried him home in an auto after he had walked so far."