Art by Keith Rocco
Cap: French chasseur-style gray kepi with blue band.
Coat: Military-style butternut colored greatcoat with brass buttons.
Backpack: Box hardpack knapsack, tarred canvas and leather with wood frame.
Cartridge Box: Imported S. Isaac Campbell & Company, London, leather covered box suspended from a wide, canvas cloth sling.
Belt: Simple rollerbuckle-style waist belt.
Cap Box: Leather Atlanta Arsenal, shield-front pouch.
Bag: Cotton canvas haversack to carry rations.
Musket: Model 1842 .69 caliber smoothbore musket.
Shoes: Army brogans.
The 18th Georgia Infantry Regiment was raised in April 1861, in Cobb County, with training near Kennesaw at Camp McDonald.
Consisting of about 750 men in 10 companies, the regiment was sent north to Richmond in August to guard Union prisoners captured at the Battle of Bull Run.
After three months, they were sent to join several Texas regiments in Northern Virginia to fill out the “Texas Brigade.”
The unit saw combat in several engagements, including Eltham’s Landing, Seven Pines and Gaines’ Mill. Two months later, serving in Longstreet’s Corps, they fought in the Second Battle of Bull Run, where the unit captured colors from the 10th and 24th New York Regiments. Along with the Texas Brigade, they attacked and nearly destroyed the 5th New York Regiment.
The 18th Georgia fought at Antietam in September of 1862. After transferring to Cobb’s Georgia Brigade, they went on to Fredericksburg and, soon after, Chancellorsville.
They were part of Lee’s invasion of the north in June 1863, going on to fight at Gettysburg, where they rejoined Longstreet to attack west of Little Round Top on the second day.
In September 1863, they went west with Longstreet, fighting at Chickamauga, and Fort Sanders, returning to Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia in May 1864. They continued serving with Longstreet until the final battle at Sailor’s Creek, and the surrender at Appomattox Court House.
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