Preface:
It seems that many of us began to research and appreciate our ancestors as we
grow older. This work in progress that follows is an example of a search for links
of the past. Driven by a need to prove heritage and lineage to the Sons of
Confederate Veterans I embarked on a mission to study my Confederate
ancestors. I needed to look no further that my great- great- Grandfather and two
of his brothers to identify my Confederate heritage. Now I find the more I know,
the more I need to know.
It was difficult to imagine that a French family who journeyed to America in 1842
would provide three sons who played a significant role in the Confederacy. Their
roles and places in history have driven me to learn more and more about the
cause they chose defend. Once one begins to do research, small clues or hints
drive one to distraction as hours are spent in follow-up. Yet, there are great
rewards when you find links that tie a name or event to known facts.
The Girardey family was well-to-do, quite close, well educated and very energetic.
The brothers were successful in their chosen fields of endeavor and rose to key
positions in the Confederate Army they chose to serve. One, Victor Jean Baptiste
Girardey, had the distinction of become brigadier general at the age of 26 – the
youngest in the Confederacy.
1
A French Connection - THE GIRARDEY FAMILY THREE MEN FOR THE CONFEDERACY
Copyright 12/20/2011 Robert A. (Bob) Sadler All Rights Reserved
Francois Girardey and his wife Maria Anna ventured to America in 1842. They
came from Saint-Amarin in the department of Haut-Rhin in the southern part of
the Alsace region of France. They lived along the Mozelle River, about 50 miles
northwest of Basel, Switzerland.1 This region, fought over for centuries by France
and Germany, was incorporated into France in 1684 and was reconverted to
Catholicism. It was a very prosperous region that was culturally a mixture of
French and German. Alsace supplied Napoleon with many soldiers.
The Girardeys departed from LeHavre aboard the Herculean and arrived in New
York, New York on the 21st of June 1842. They brought their five children: Edward
Joseph age 14, Isadore Phillipe age 12, Camille Eugene age 10, Marie Angelica age
8 and Victor Jean Baptiste age 4.2(Figures 1 and 2) From New York they proceeded
to Augusta, Georgia where they had family and friends. One of Francois’s sisters,
Catherine and her husband Martin Frederick, also from the Alsace region, had
settled in Augusta in the early 1820s.
.
Figure 1. “Herculean” ship’s log 21 June, 1842 with Girardey Family listed as aboard
(Located on Ancestry.com).
2
Figure 2. Listing of Maria Girardey and 5 children (Victor called Jean)
(Located on Ancestry.com).
Francis (the name now Americanized) died in 1846 and Maria Anna and the family
moved in with the Frederick family. Maria Anna died in 1855. Victor was only 16
at that time. Despite their parents deaths (Figure 3) and the separation of the four
brothers, all were close, successful, and made a difference in their arenas of life.
They are reviewed in order of their actions for the Confederacy.
Figure 3. Magnolia Cemetery site of burial of Francis & Maria Anne Girardey
(Author’s photographs).
3
Edward Joseph Girardey probably attended Richmond Academy in Augusta, yet
he was sent to France to finish his preliminary schooling. He was naturalized in
1849 after graduation from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta and
became a doctor. In business, he ran the Lafayette Hotel, a billiard hall, a
restaurant offering many fine delicacies and several saloons. Most of his business
pursuits were managed by his brother, Isadore Girardey. He was quite active in
the Catholic church-the Church of the Holy Trinity. 3
Like many Augusta men, he was involved in military preparedness for problems
they were sure would come. He joined the Richmond Hussars, “Augusta’s ‘bold,
dashing but skillful’ cavalrymen” (Figure 4). The Hussars were a gallant and rather
wealthy group. The expense of their equipment – a horse, saddle, bridle, uniform,
saber, pistol and spurs – required a significant investment. Their uniform was an
army blue shirt trimmed with yellow, and the trimming on the collar and sleeves
distinguished the rank of the wearer. The Hussars were also equipped with
Sharpe’s carbines and Sibley patent tents “which were white, house-like and very
comfortable.” In 1862 their captain, Thomas P. Stovall, offered the company to
the Confederate government just after the war began. They became a part of
General Thomas R.R. Cobb’s famous legion.4
Figure 4. Letterhead of the Hussars from “Confederate City Augusta Georgia 1860-1865”.
4
Unfortunately, Edward was severely injured by an accidental discharge of his
pepperbox pistol May 11, 1859, and died on May 18. He was preparing to serve
the South, but fate intervened. (B1827; d.18 May, 1859)5
Camille Eugene Girardey also may have attended the Richmond Academy. He was
naturalized in 1853 and thereafter moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. There he
started C.E. Girardey & Company which was an auction house involved in the
mercantile and slave trade. His younger brother Victor joined him in the business.
He married Emma Le Sueur, who was from a well-known New Orleans family of
French descent. Camille was a well known entrepreneur and community leader.
When war appeared certain, Camille was appointed lieutenant and aide to the
governor of Louisiana on Nov. 24, 1860. On April 26, 1861, he enlisted in
Company B., Nelligan’s 1st Louisiana Infantry. (Company B. was an artillery
company attached to the infantry regiment). For 12 months he was stationed in
Norfolk, Virginia. He was well thought of by his men and was attached to
numerous battalions until he became captain of the Louisiana Guard Artillery
which in March of 1862, became known as Captain C.E. Girardey’s Company,
Louisiana Guard Artillery (Figure 5).6
Figure 5. ORLEANS GUARD, Battery A. Camile Girardey Captain
(Source “Compendium of C.S. Armies: Louisiana” by Sifakis).
5
. Camille Girardey was in the process of developing plans for the building of
gunboats in Europe. On May 10, 1862, he requested a discharge to fulfill contracts
to build these vessels. On July 28, 1862, his resignation was approved by Robert E.
Lee and he was mustered out July 31, 1862. In March of 1863 Camille was
mentioned in correspondence between James D. Bulloch and Secretary of the
Navy Stephen Mallory regarding the building of armor clad ships for the C.S.A. in
France but no end result is identified or located to date.7
Camille Girardey reappeared on the scene in Augusta in 1864. There he
convalesced at his brother’s (Isadore) home while on sick furlough from the Army
of Tennessee. During his time in Augusta he set up an ice factory in Augusta based
upon a French patent. The ice was used exclusively for the hospitals and the sick.
It was later written by a former Confederate soldier: “In those days it was
priceless… and carried comfort to many a fevered bedside.” The ice works was on
Greene Street near Wilde or Forysth streets. The factory produced 500-600
pounds per day in cylinders of ice that were 2 feet long and 5-6 inches in
diameter. “Lucky was the well person who could manage to secure a piece three
or four inches long.”8 An article in the Richmond Virginia Whig, July 7, 1864
documented the popularity of the process.
Richmond Whig, July 7, 1864 p.3 c. 2
Home Manufactured Ice - Capt. Camille Girardey of Augusta, is manufacturing
ice for the hospitals by means of a caloric acid gas and water, under the influence
of steam and atmospheric pressure, in a machine invented by M. Carrie, of France.
The machine is capable of producing one ton per day. It can also manufacture salt
and some chemicals of importance. Capt. Girardey has secured the patent right for
the Confederacy, and intends it to be introduced into all the Southern cities.
In the fall of 1864, Camille was back in the service of the Confederacy. He was
placed in command of a battery consisting of six captured cannons and artillery
personnel in the Augusta area. It was called the Orleans Guard Battery A. and was
also known as Girardey’s Battery. With the move of Sherman’s march toward
Savannah, the need to protect the main link between Savannah and Charleston the Savannah-Charleston Rail Road- became a priority. This group (Girardey’s
6
Battery) departed Augusta by train on December 6, 1864 bound for a site close to
Coosawhatchie and Pocataligo, South Carolina. They arrived in time to be put into
action on December 9 to repulse a Federal action against Coosawhatchie which
was on a site of the Savannah–Charleston line. (See Figure 6.) By January 6, 1865,
the battery consisted of 125 men armed with four twelve pounders and two Blake
guns.
Camille fought throughout the Carolina Campaign, occupying various fortifications
at Charleston until the evacuation of that city. At the Battle of Averasboro, North
Carolina, their two howitzers engaged the enemy until they were abandoned
during the retreat. The battery surrendered with the army on April 26, 1865.9
Figure 6. Coosawhatchie Road sign noting the site of Lee’s command post and the numerous conflicts
including the time Camille Girardey was sent to the area as well as Pocotaligo, a site of earlier
conflicts in the area. Both photographs were from the Historical Marker Data Base and were taken by
Michael Stroud.
After the war Camille, Girardey initially returned to Augusta and ran his ice
factory. Later, he and his family returned to New Orleans where he resumed the
operation of C.E. Girardey & Company. He remained active in the Catholic church
and more particularly the New Orleans Catholic Association which provided relief
to those of all faiths during epidemics of yellow fever. While he was one of the
three fighting Girardey brothers, he was the least publicized though he was active
throughout most of the War. (B. 16 Dec., 1831; D. 22 April, 1889)
7
Figure 7. Major Isadore Phillipe Girardey (Author’s Collection).
Isadore Phillipe Girardey (Figure 7) was born August 7, 1829 at Saint-Amarin in
the Alsace region of France. He came to America with his parents in 1842 at age
12. After the family settled in Augusta he was sent to France to finish his
education. There he learned the confectionary business in its most artistic form.
The young Frenchman, then 19, took over his uncle’s (Martin Frederick)
confectionary business and managed several businesses of his older brother
Edward. 10 He married Martha McLemore Payne of Augusta in the 1850s.
Isadore joined the Washington Artillery, an Augusta volunteer company organized
in 1854, known as the Pride of Augusta. The group was composed of many
naturalized foreigners with over a third of German descent. He served as a
lieutenant for several years and was commissioned captain in 1860. These men
were generally opposed to the secession, but once it appeared that war was
inevitable they volunteered their services to the State of Georgia. On November
of 1860, the group was presented with four brass six-pound cannons complete
with caissons and limbers by Georgia Governor Joseph E. Brown.11
Abraham Lincoln was elected President on November 6, 1860; South Carolina
seceded from the Union on December 20, 1860 and Georgia seceded on January
19, 1861. That day Adjutant General Henry C. Wayne telegraphed Girardey urging
him to hold his battery in readiness. On January 20, the demanded the surrender
8
of the U.S. Arsenal established in Augusta in the 1820s. Fortunately, Captain
Arnold Elzey surrendered his command of the Federal Arsenal to the Georgia
troops on January 24, 1861, approximately three months before the firing on Fort
Sumter. The Washington Artillery fired a 21- gun salute (1 gun at the raising of the
flag of the Republic of Georgia, 5 guns for the states which had seceded and 15
guns for the Southern Confederacy.12
One type of rifle confiscated from the Arsenal was the Mississippi Rifle. The 1841
rifle (Figures 8, 9, and 10) was so named due to its use during the war with
Mexico. A Mississippi volunteer regiment led by Colonel Jefferson Davis used
these rifles. Two thousand Robbins and Lawrence rifles were issued to the U.S
Arsenal in Augusta in 1860. 13
According to information discovered by Paul R. Johnson, at least 268 Mississippi
rifles, made at Harpers Ferry - with long range sights and saber bayonets – were
the type most used by the Clinch Rifles.
Figure 8. An 1841 Mississippi Rifle (Author’s Collection).
These rifles were shipped to the Augusta Arsenal between 1858 and 1859. As one
might imagine (see Figure 10), there was a need for a uniform change once the
war began.
9
i
Figure 9. The Clinch Rifles are reviewed on the Arsenal Parade Ground under Georgia’s Red Star flag
(From “Confederate City Augusta Georgia 1860-1865”).
Figure 10. A proud Clinch Rifle private with his 1841 Mississippi Rifle
(Painting by Don Troiani-www.historicalimagebank.com)
10
Alabama’s Leroy P. Walker, the Confederate secretary of war, requested an
artillery unit to go to Pensacola, Florida. Governor Brown volunteered the
Washington Artillery and on April 11, 1861 Girardey and his men were sent to
Pensacola to join Brigadier General Braxton Bragg. Governor Brown refused to
allow the cannons to go with the troops. Without their cannons the Washington
Artillery was converted to infantry in August of 1861 and attached to the 1st
Battalion Georgia Infantry. After much consternation, an appeal was made to
Confederate Vice President Alexander H. Stephens and on January 10, 1862 the
company received six cannons and was reconstituted as a battery.14 The
conditions were quite primitive and Captain Girardey suffered with illness
throughout his stay at Pensacola (Figure 11). Learning of his illness, Mrs. Girardey
suddenly appeared in the Confederate camp heavy with child and with three
children in tow. Her presence did little to ease Isadore’s situation. In fact, it made
it quite worse. Girardey was able to return to Augusta with her on a leave of
absence.
Upon his return to camp his condition improved. “In a tongue in cheek tribute to
his wife, he later christened the Washington Artillery encampment as “Camp
Regina, “so named for the daughter his wife carried at the time of her visit.15
Figure 11.Men from the 9th Mississippi at General Bragg’s Camp at Warrington
Opposite Fort Pickens (From digital print by the library of Congress)
A June 22, 1861 photograph by Jay Dearborn Edwards.
11
With the Federal invasion of central and western Tennessee some of the
Confederate forces were moved to other fronts. On March 8, 1862, the
Washington Artillery departed for Mobile, Alabama and then by rail to Corinth,
Mississippi. The Washington Artillery was attached to a brigade of a fellow
Augustan, Brigadier General John K. Jackson. On April 6, 1862, General Albert
Sidney Johnson launched a surprise attack on General Ulysses S. Grant’s Army of
the Tennessee encamped at Pittsburg Landing (Shiloh) on the Tennessee River.
Grant’s forces struggled but were able to rally. General Johnson was killed in
action and the Southern troops now under the leadership of General Pierre G.T.
Beauregard withdrew to Corinth.
The Battle of Shiloh (also called Pittsburg Landing) was the Washington Artillery’s
first and only major battle. Jackson’s Brigade was posted at the extreme right of
the second line of battle and did not take part in the initial assault. At 9 a.m. on
the morning of April 6, Girardey’s battery did engage in counter battery fire that
was so devastating that afterward one of his men went to the place where the
enemy battery was positioned and returned with its colors.16
On April 7, Girardey’s company again fought aggressively with several casualties.
Girardey supported Brigadier General Patrick R. Cleburne on the Confederate left
and engaged Federals in Cleburne’s rear. The Washington artillery engaged the
enemy without infantry support taking casualties and losing one cannon. After
the battles, General Beauregard requested that Girardey and his men help cover
the Confederate retreat. Girardey and his men received high praise from General
Beauregard, who commended them for their gallantry.17
12
Figure 12. Jackson’s Brigade – Girardey’s Georgia Brigade Field Pieces near Shiloh in Hardin County,
Tennessee (Picture by Craig Swain and displayed by www.HMdb.org “the Historical marker Data base”.
There is a plaque (Figure 12) in Shiloh National Park inscribed:
C.S.
Jackson’s Third Brigade
th
17 Ala., 18th Ala., 19th Ala., 2nd Texas
Girardey’s Georgia Battery,
Wither’s (2nd) Div. Bragg’s Corps
Army of the Mississippi
Girardey did not fare well in the field. His health deteriorated and when his 12month enlistment expired he resigned due to poor health. After his resignation,
Isadore returned to Augusta as a hero.18 During the time in the field, Isadore had
often voiced his concern about inferior cannon fuses utilized by the Confederate
army. Like the other Girardeys, he had a talent for inventiveness and he began
working on a new cannon fuse. The fuse tied a timed-fused projectile to a
percussion shell. His fuse “consisted of a copper tube filled with a fulminate
compound enclosed in a wooden or paper tapered sleeve. A small serrated knife
blade with an anvil disk affixed to its upper end is inserted through a slot on the
top of the tube. A tin crush cap protected the mechanism from moisture and
accidental discharge. When a Girardey fuse was impacted, the disk drove the
serrated edges into the fulminate causing sparks which sent a flame into the
shell’s bursting charge.”(Figure 13) 19
13
Figure 13. A Girardey Fuse (Photograph courtesy of Jack Melton); A Girardey fuse found in the Mobile
Bay area (Author’s Collection) & A Harding Shell – 32 Pounder – with a Girardey fuse in a wooden fuse
plug (Civil War Relic Man, Harry Ridgeway).
His fuse was accepted by Colonel Hypolite Oladowski (Bragg’s ordinance chief)
and later endorsed by Colonel George Washington Rains. Isadore Girardey, still a
captain, received a commission as assistant military storekeeper in the ordinance
department. Here he was able to continue his research on his fuse while he
resided with his family at home and filled the much needed role of assistant to
Colonel Rains.20
Colonel Rains was working diligently on the Confederate Powder Works in
Augusta (Figures 14 and 15) which left his assistant, Isadore Girardey, responsible
for the records of the powder works and the direction of the government
machine works (which finished over 130 cannons as well as carriage guns,
caissons, field artillery limbers, battery wagons and on and on).
14
Figure 14. All that remains of the Powder Works is the 150 foot obelisk chimney tower Author’s
photograph). The obelisk chimney was all that was left remaining at the invasion of Augusta..
Figure 15. Dedication sign on the obelisk chimney (Author’s photograph).
The sign reads:
BRIGADIER GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON RAINS
U.S.M.A.
BRIGADIER-GENERAL-ORDINANCE C.S.A.
BREVET-MAJOR-USA
CAPTAIN 4TH ARTILLERY
WHO UNDER ALMOST INSUPERABLE
DIFFICULTIES ERECTED,
AND SUCESSFULLY OPERATED
THESE POWDER-WORKS
A BOULWARK OF THE BELEAGURED
CONFEDERACY
15
Girardey was also responsible for the recently acquired Arsenal on the “Hill”
(Figure 16) in Summerville, also known as the Sand Hills. The Arsenal was about
six miles west of downtown Augusta.21
Figure 16. Augusta Arsenal on the campus of Augusta State University a responsibility of Isadore Girardey (Author’s
photographs).
To comprehend the scope of his operations one might review the 600- plus
documents (Figure 17) I have on Girardey’s involvement which evidently doesn’t
do justice to his responsibilities.
Figure 17. Two of three volumes of primary materials on Isadore Girardey and one of Girardey’s letters
(Author’s photograph).
16
As one stated “the vast quantity of war material that passed through Girardey’s
hands at the Arsenal nearly defies description—a simple list of all items used by
the three branches of service might suffice.” Girardey maintained active
correspondence with officers in Richmond County, Atlanta, Macon, Dalton, and
Rome, Georgia; Columbia and Charleston, South Carolina; Montgomery and
Selma, Alabama; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Richmond, Virginia and Jackson,
Mississippi, just to name a few22.
Late in the war, Captain Girardey was again called upon to command troops to
protect Augusta. By mid-December 1863, Rains had a total of 20 companies.
Rains, aware he needed someone to put the troops in good order, recommended
that Isadore be promoted to major. Major Girardey took charge of the forces in
January of 1864. His younger brother, Captain Victor Girardey, assistant adjutant
general on the staff of Major General Ambrose Wright, was temporarily attached
to Rains command to help organize the local forces.23 He commanded the six
companies of the Augusta Arsenal Battalion until General Lee requested his
return to duty with the Army of Northern Virginia in April, 1864.24
Major Girardey’s last war time presence was in Augusta. In March 1865, he
functioned as a courier between Major General Pierce Manning Butler Young and
Federal authorities in Savannah concerning the transportation of displaced
families of Confederate officers from Savannah to Augusta.
After the war, Girardey was a respected member of the Augusta community.
Always proud of his French pedigree founded the Societe’ Francaise in 1873 and
in at least one occasion he flew the tri-color French ensign from atop the opera
house he owned. His popularity was evidenced by his 1872 honorary induction
into the Hibernian Benevolent Society.25
He kept involved with his Confederate comrades-in-arms through his membership
in the Confederate Survivors of Augusta. This society eventually became Camp
435 of the United Confederate Veterans. He died in Paducah, Kentucky with
family and was buried in Augusta’s Magnolia Cemetery beside his wife and the
17
Payne family. (B.1828 D. 1889) It is quite interesting to note that his burial site has
no marker! The only marker on the Payne plot is for Anna, an 11 year old
daughter of the Payne family (Figures 18 and 19) with a cemetery card locating
Isadore in the Payne plot).
Figure 18. Magnolia Cemetery – Payne plot (Author’s photograph).
Figure 19. Cemetery card identifying those in the Payne Plot which
includes Isadore and his wife, Mrs. I.P. Girardey
(Card copy supplied by Magnolia Cemetery).
18
Victor J.B. Girardey
Figure 20. (Picture found in numerous sources including “The Gallant Dead”).
Victor Jean Baptiste Girardey was born June 26, 1837 in Hirsingue, Alsace,
France. He came to America with his family aboard the Herculean in December of
1842. Victor was orphaned at the age of 16. He briefly lived with his family in the
home of the Martin Frederick (his uncle) in Augusta. (Figure 20)
Victor went to New Orleans to live with his brother Camille circa 1856... There he
completed his education and went to work as an auctioneer with C.E. Girardey
and Company. While in New Orleans he met and in 1858 married Clotilde
LeSueur, a sister of Emma LeSueur, wife of his brother Camille. He was naturalized
in New Orleans October 20, 1859.26 Victor and his wife were residing in New
Orleans at the time of Louisiana’s secession from the Union (January 26, 1861).
Girardey was involved in the organization of the Louisiana Guard militia. He was
appointed 1st lieutenant from Louisiana, seemingly following the footsteps of his
brother Camille. In October of 1861 he was listed as 1st Lieutenant and aide-decamp to General Albert Blanchard. Blanchard, a native of Charlestown,
Massachusetts, joined the Confederacy as a colonel of the 1st Louisiana
Volunteers and was promoted brigadier general in 1861. From there Girardey was
19
attached to General A.R. Wright’s Brigade and appointed assistant adjutant
general.27
Victor fought in many battles with the Army of Northern Virginia during the
remainder of his service. During the Seven Days battle – the culmination of the
Peninsula Campaign – he served in Major General Huger’s division which
consisted of the brigades of Brigadier Generals William Mahone, Ambrose R.
Wright, Lewis A. Armistead, and Robert Ransom Jr. (Figure 21) He served directly
under Wright. After the battle of Oak Grove, Wright wrote, “I was greatly assisted
throughout the entire days fight by my assistant adjutant-general, Captain V.J.B.
Girardey, whose coolness, courage, and daring intrepidity throughout the hottest
of the fight entitled him to receive the warmest commendations of the
Department.”28
After the failure of McClellan’s Peninsula Campaign and the end of the Seven Days
Battle of June, 1862, Wright wrote in his report “I am again called upon to
acknowledge the valuable services of my assistant adjutant-general, Captain V.J.B.
Girardey, during the protracted movements of my brigade”29.
Figure 21. McClellan & Lee. Leaders of
The Seven Days Battles June 25-July 1, 1862, Henrico County, Virginia
(From “Wikipedia — the Free Encyclopedia”).
20
At the end of the Seven Days Battles Major General Richard H. Anderson took
over Huger’s division.
Figure 22. Ruins of Stone Bridge at Bull Run Creek; 2nd Battle of Bull Run or 2nd Manassas
March 1862, Captain Girardey Assumes a Command
(From “Wikipedia – the Free Encyclopedia” Photograph by George Bernard & James F. Gibson).
During the 2nd Bull Run Campaign (or the Second Manassas Campaign) Colonel
Walker, who commanded the brigade, was wounded. Captain Girardey assumed
command of the movements on the left while Captain C.H. Anderson, the ranking
officer on the field, commanded the right. (Figure 22) Captain Anderson in
reporting the engagement said, “Great credit is due Captain V.J.B. Girardey,
assistant adjutant-general who superintended the movements on the left of the
brigade, and his gallant behavior nerved the weakest soldier to a full discharge of
his duty”30. On June 4, 1863, Victor was on a reconnaissance mission around the
Fredericksburg area. As he was leading skirmishers he had his horse shot out from
under him. He was also reported as killed in action by the Augusta Daily Chronicle
& Sentinel.31
On July 29, 1863, Victor Girardey filed for resignation for an unspecified family
reason. He was granted a leave of absence instead. He proceeded to Augusta and
was requested by His brother, Isadore, and Colonel George Washington Rains to
help organize the local Augusta forces to protect the vital facilities. He headed the
21
six companies of Augusta Arsenal Battalion. He wrote to Brigadier General Samuel
Cooper (who was the adjutant and inspector General throughout the war)
requesting duty in Augusta. With the decision being passed on to Robert E. Lee,
Lee wrote: “In my opinion it would be a waste of service of such a man as Capt.
Girardey to place him in such a position”.32
Figure 23. Battle of the Wilderness May, 1864 - Girardey served in Mahone’s Brigade
(From “Wikipedia — the Free Encyclopedia” (sic) Kurtz and Allison)
Figure 24. The Battle of Spotsylvania May, 1864 – Girardey distinguishes himself as an officer
(From “Wikipedia — the Free Encyclopedia” (sic) Kurtz and Allison).
22
On April 5, 1864, Victor Girardey was ordered to Virginia. Here he was
transferred to Mahone’s brigade. In May of 1864, he participated with the brigade
in both the Wilderness and Spotsylvania campaigns, distinguishing himself as an
officer. Figures 23 and 24) On July 30, 1864, the Union forces exploded a mine (in
the battle known as the Battle of the Crater) in Major General’s Ambrose E.
Burnside’s IX Corps sector, blowing a gap in the Confederate defense of
Petersburg, Virginia. The Confederates quickly recovered and launched several
counterattacks led by Brigadier General William Mahone. Here, once again,
Girardey distinguished himself by his performance and timing of Mahone’s
counter attack after the Union Army’s mine exploded under the Confederate
lines. He calmly led two brigades to fill the gap caused by the explosion.33 (Figure
25)
Figure 25. The Battle of the Crater during the Siege of Petersburg
July 30, 1864 – Girardey again distinguishes himself
(From “Wikipedia — The Free Encyclopedia”, painting by Alfred R. Waud).
In early July of 1864, Brigadier General Wright became ill and had to leave the
command of his troops. With Wright’s absence of more than 30 days, Brigadier
General Mahone wrote a lengthy letter to A.P. Hill recommending that Girardey
be promoted to brigadier general. R.E. Lee concurred with their recommendation.
Samuel Cooper, previously mentioned, suggested that a legal promotion would be
the rank of major. Despite Cooper’s objections, Robert E. Lee stated, “I consider
Captain Girardey one of our boldest & most energetic officers. He has been
23
particularly efficient in the field”.34 On August 3, 1864, he was promoted to
brigadier general to rank from July 30, 1864. He was given command of Wright’s
Brigade.
A letter came to auction in 2006 before I began the research on the Girardey
family. This letter was done in pencil and Girardey writes to his brother:
Head Quarters Wright’s Brigade
August 5, 1864
Since last I wrote you we have had another battle in which I had the
honor to participate and escape uninjured owing I suppose to the
fact of having a very hard head a ball struck me plump on the head &
strange to say did not injure, except making me quite weak & faint
for a while. – you have heard of what a part of our Division has
accomplished, only 3 Brigades retook the works held by two Yankee
Corps & supported by another & slaughtered them like sheep. I never
Yet have seen so many Yankees dead on the same space of ground.
They acknowledged a loss of men 5000 –We captured about
1200 prisoners & 18 flags- Our Division has done all the fighting
For this Army at this point –since we have been here at Petersburg
We have fought four (4) battles and never had more than three Brigades
engaged at any one time. We have taken in three battles alone 19 pieces
of Artillery, 29 stand of Colors, about 5000 stand of small Arms & about
3700 prisoners, 300 horses 50 wagons & 30 ambilance(sic).all this is
exclusive of what we captured in the Campaign before reaching this
point – this is doing very well – you have ere this heard of my promotion
to Brigadier General, & at present in command of this Brigade –
so you see I have at least gone up with a jump and trust I will stick –
what do you think of your little Brother – no sarcasm. We also
have other honors a pouring in and the Girardy boys-are come- If
you can spare a little of your good old what You keep in your
cellar, it would be very acceptable and, and no doubt add to comfort
-very hot-& dry’ My last I wrote you in relation to your forges,
send them –My love to Mother & Angy kiss the Children for me.
Your affection (ate) Bro (ther)
Victor
Remember me to the gals in the office -Tell Mac to hurrah
24
This letter was sold at the Heritage auction in Dallas, Texas in December,
2006. It came from the Henry Luhr’s Collection and certain documents of
authenticity. The letter was written only 11 days before Victor was killed.
Figure 26. Site of the 2nd Battle of Deep Bottom
Brigadier General Leads the Georgia Brigade
(From “Wikipedia – The Free Encyclopedia”; Photograph taken 2009).
The Second Battle of Deep Bottom (also known by Southerners as Fussell’s Mill)
began on August 13, 1864. Deep Bottom is the colloquial name for an area in the
James River in Henrico County 11 miles southeast of Richmond, Virginia. It is a
horseshoe-shaped bend in the river known as Jones Neck (Figures 26 and 27). It
was named Deep Bottom because of the depth of the river at that point. On
August 16th, the Union cavalrymen drove the Confederate forces as far as White’s
Tavern but were eventually pushed back to Fisher’s Farm. Confederate Brigadier
General John R. Chambliss was killed during the fighting35.
The 10th Corps had a more successful day as Union Brigadier General Alfred H.
Terry’s division led by Colonel Francis Bates Pond’s brigade attacked the
breastworks of the Confederate lines. The fighting led to hand to hand combat.
Without any support the Wright’s Brigade’s Georgia line broke between the 2nd
Georgian Battalion and the 10th Georgian Battalion. Brigadier General Girardey,
the acting commander of Wright’s Brigade, attempted to rally his men. With the
25
colors of the 64th Georgia in his hands, and leading a charge, he fell with a mortal
head wound. At age 26, this young Confederate was dead. 36
Figure 27. Marker locating site of Deep Bottom Battle. located near Variana, Henrico County, Virginia.
(Photograph from www.HMdb.org., The historical data base. Photograph by Bernard Fisher)
Girardey’s body was recovered by the Federals and returned through the lines. A
Virginia funeral was planned but word was received that a brother was en route
from Augusta to take the body home.37 His remains arrived on August 26, 1864.
The 1st Local Troops formed in procession August 27 for his funeral, first at Saint
Patrick’s, then at City Cemetery now known as Magnolia Cemetery (Figure 28).
Figure 28. Tombstone of Victor Jean Baptiste Girardey and his stone in the circle of Augusta brigadier
generals (Author’s Photographs).
26
There is a “ Circle of Honor” for the seven brigadier generals laid to rest in Magnolia with a plaque in the
center honoring their memory (Figures 29 and 30).
Figure 29. Circle of honor for brigadier generals— Marcellus A. Stovall, Goode Byron, John King Jackson,
William Duncan Smith, Victor J.B. Girardey, Ambrose R. Wright,
and Edward P. Alexander (Author’s Photograph).
Figure 30. Sons of Confederate Veterans Plaque erected in the Circle of Honor in Magnolia
Cemetery (Author’s Photograph).
27
ENDNOTES
1. Family Documents
2. Log of ship Herculean, Port of New York, 21 June, 1842 as found on
Ancestry.com.
3. Family Documents
4. Corley, Confederate City Augusta, Georgia 1860-1865 (Spartanburg: The
Reprint Co., 1995) p. 33.
5. Family Documents
6. Fold Three, April 26, 1861, Company Muster Roll
7. Ibid, July 27, 1862 R.E. Lee’s response to resignation request “… Under the
circumstances of the case, I recommend the acceptance of Captain Girardeys
resignation. Signed R.E. Lee Gen.”
8. Dutcher, Memorial History of Augusta, Georgia from the close of the
Eighteenth Century to the Present Time, New Index by Cannon (Spartanburg: The
Reprint Company, 1980).
9. Bragg, Ross, Blaker, Jacobe, and Savas, Never for the Want of Powder – The
Confederate Powder Works in Augusta, Georgia, (Columbia: The University of
South Carolina Press, 2007).
10. Family Documents
11. Brown, Augusta’s Pet Company The Washington Light Artillery, The
Confederate Regimental History Series, (Clearwater: Eastern Digital Resources,
2001), p. 10.
28
12. Corley, op. cit., p. 36.
13. Murphy, Madaus, Confederate Rifles and Muskets – Infantry Small Arms
Manufactured in the Southern Confederacy 1861-1865, (Newport Beach: Graphic
Publishers, 1996) p. 342.
14. Brown, op. cit., p. 21.
15. Bragg, Ross, Blaker, Jacobe, Savis, op. cite. P. 115.
16. Cunningham, Shiloh and the Western Campaign of 1862, ed. Joiner and
Smith, (New York: Savas Beatie, 2007), pp. 215-216.
17. Brown, op. cit., pp. 24-25.
18. Ibid, p. 28.
19. Jones, Artillery Fuses of the Civil War, (Alexandria: O’Donnell Publishing
Co., 2001.) p. 65.
20. Bragg, Ross, Blaker, Jacobe, Savas, op. cit., p. 221.
21. Rains, History of the Confederate Powder Works, a speech delivered by
Rains, (Petersburg: Newburg Daily News Print, 1882). Found on
http:www.freebooks.org.
22. Bragg, Ross, Blaker, Jacobe, Savas, op. cit., p. 218.
23. Fold Three, April 5, 1864, Girardey ordered relieved from command of
local troops at Augusta, Ga., and when relieved to report to Gen. R.E. Lee for duty
with his Brigade.
24. Bragg, Ross, Blaker, Jacobe, Savas, op. cit., p. 243.
25. The Paducah Evening Sun, The Demise of Maj. Girardey, (Paducah: 1898).
29
26. U.S. Naturalization Record Indexes, 1791-1992 (Indexed in World Archives
Project) from the National Archives, Microfilm Serial: P2087: Microfilm roll:6, via
Ancestry.com.
27. Warner, Generals in Grey, Lives of Confederate Commanders, (Baton
Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1950), p. 27; and Fold Three, October 12,
1861, “Appointed A.D.C. from La., rank 1st. Lt.; to take rank same date, to report
to Gen. Blanchard.”
28. Fold Three, June 21, 1862, “Was Lieut. & A.D.C. to this date, when he was
appointed Capt. and A.D.C. to Gen. Wright, comg Blanchard’s 3rd. Brig., Huger’s
Division.”
29. Evans, ed., Confederate Military History: A Library of Confederate States
History, vol. VI, (Atlanta: Confederate Publishing Co., 1899), pp. 420-421.
30. Ibid, p. 421.
31. Ibid.
32. Augusta Daily Chronicle and Sentinel, (4 June, 1863).
33. Fold Three, op. cit., (April 5, 1864 letter).
34. Bernard, Battle of the Crater, July 30, 1864, (Richmond: Southern Historical
Society Papers, 1890). Excerpts from a speech given in Petersburg, Va. & Sifakis,
Stewart, Who Was Who in the Civil War, (New York, New York : Facts on File, p
251).
35. Fold Three, August 2, 1864, Letter from R.E. Lee.
36. Horn, The Petersburg Campaign – The Destruction of The Weldon Railroad,
Deep Bottom, Globe Tavern, and Reams Station, August 14-25, 1864, 2nd edition,
(Lynchburg: H.E. Howard, Inc., 1991). A part of the Virginia Civil War Battles and
Leaders Series, p. 26.
30
37. Ibid, p. 35.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bernard, Comrade George S., Battle of the Crater July 30, 1864. Southern
Historical Society Papers Volume XVIII, Richmond, VA, January-December 1890.
The excerpts from an Address delivered before the A.P. Hill Camp of Confederate
Veterans of Petersburg, VA in that city on the 24th of June, 1890. Bernard (18371912) was a lawyer and Confederate Veteran.
Bragg, C.L., Ross, Charles D., Blaker, Gordon A., Jacobe, Stephanie A.T., and Savas,
Theodore P., Never for Want of Powder – The Confederate Powder Works in
Augusta, Georgia, Columbia, South Carolina: The University of South Carolina
Press, 2007.
Brown, Russell K., Augusta’s Pet Company the Washington Light Artillery, The
Confederate Regimental History Series. Clearwater, South Carolina: Eastern Digital
Resources, 2001.
Corley, Florence Fleming, Confederate City Augusta, Georgia 1860-1865,
Published for the Richmond Historical Society. Spartanburg, South Carolina: The
Reprint Company, Publishers, 1995.
Cunningham, O. Edward, Shiloh and the Western Campaign of 1862, edited by
Gary D. Joiner and Timothy B. Smith. New York: Savas Beatie, 2007.
Dutcher, Salem, Memorial History of Augusta, Georgia from the close of the
Eighteenth Century to the Present Time. New Index by Margaret H. Cannon,
Ph.D., Spartanburg South Carolina: The Reprint Company, 1980.
Evans, Clement Anselm Ed., Confederate Military History: A Library of Confederate
States History. Written by distinguished Men of the South. Atlanta, Georgia:
Confederate Publishing Co., 1899, vol. VI. Found on Free Google E. Book.
31
Hazlett, James C., Olmstead, Edwin, and Parks, N. Hume, Field Artillery Pieces of
the Civil War. Forward by Harold L. Peterson. Cranbury, New Jersey: Associated
University Press, Inc., 1981.
Horn, John, The Petersburg Campaign The Destruction of The Weldon Railroad –
Deep Bottom, Globe Tavern, And Reams Station August 14-25, 1864, a part of the
Virginia Civil War Battles and Leaders Series 2nd Edition. Lynchburg, Virginia: H.E.
Howard, Inc., 1991.
Jones, Charles H., Artillery Fuses of the Civil War. Photography and design by Mike
O’Donnell. Alexandria, Virginia: O’Donnell Publishing Co., 2001.
Murphy, John and Madaus and Howard, Michael, Confederate Rifle and MusketsInfantry Small Arms Manufactured in the Southern Confederacy 1861-1865 . 1st
edition, first Printing. Newport Beach, California: Graphic Publishers, 1996.
Rains, Col. (General) George W., History of the Confederate Powder Works. An
Address Delivered by Invitation before the Confederate Survivor’s Association, at
its Fourth Annual Meeting, Memorial Day, April 26, 1882. The Newburgh Daily
News Print, Newburgh, N.Y., April 26, 1882. Located on
http:www.freebooks.org/Books/h/5448-history-of-the-confederate-powderworks-…
Sifakis, Stewart, Who was Who in the Civil War, New York: Facts on File, 1988.
The Evening Sun, Paducah, Ky., 22, September, 1898.
Warner, Ezra J., Generals in Gray Lives of Confederate Commanders. Baton Rouge,
Louisiana: Louisiana State University Press, 1959,
Web Pages:
Sifakis, Stewart, Compendium of C.S. Armies: Louisiana , found on
http//www.acadiansingrey.com/Orleans%20Gd.%Batt.htn
32
Fold Three, “The world’s premier collection of original military documents”,
http://www.Fold3.com .
http://www. HMdb.org. The historical Marker Data Base
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I started this project on the Girardey family as I began my research for application
to the Sons of Confederate Veterans. It ended up being much more as I found that
Isadore Girardey was my Great, Great, Grandfather and that Victor Jean Baptiste
was my Great, Great Grand Uncle. The more I learn, the more I found I didn’t
know. The computer age has made the research easier; however, there is more
primary research needed. Most of my material is from secondary sources. Yet
some of the materials by groups such as Ancestor.com and Fold Three come from
primary sources. It is rather easy to access, but is difficult to reference. While the
computer approach is certainly easier than long excursions to the archives, one
never knows what might have been missed. I guess one feels guilty not digging
through archives.
I would like to acknowledge Gordon Blaker, co-author of the book Never for Want
of Powder – The Confederate Powder Works in Augusta, Georgia, for his able
assistance. Gordon led me to C.E. Bragg, also a co-author of the Powder book. Dr.
Bragg dedicated a chapter of this book to Isadore Girardey and shared many facts
with me about the Girardey brothers. His research in the Augusta area was
extremely professional and very helpful. Next in line is my tireless editor, Bill Baab
of Augusta. Bill spent many hours correcting my grammar, sentence structure and
punctuation. I would also like to acknowledge Jim Thomas of our local Sons of
Confederate Veterans who urged me as well as Terry Wabnitz, a national
genealogist for the Sons of Confederate Veterans, who was always there to help
when I needed it. Jerry Murphy of Magnolia Cemetery in Augusta, Ga. provided
33
great support in the location of family plots and helped with his guidance both via
e-mail and at Magnolia.
Finally I must recognize my wife Nan who tolerated all of the travel, book
purchases, telephone calls and time alone while I prepared this material.
34