William J. Dickey family papers


Descriptive Summary
Title: William J. Dickey family papers
Creator: Dickey, William J., 1828-
Inclusive Dates: 1820-1881
Bulk Dates: 1861-1865
Language(s): English
Extent: 0.5 Linear Feet 1 document box
Collection Number: ms3414
Repository: Hargrett Library

Collection Description

Historical Note

William J. Dickey (b. 1828) lived in Thomas County, Georgia and was the son of Shadrack Edward Dickey (1804-1847) and Susan Harvin Dickey. He married Anna Maria Reynolds in 1849. Patrick Henry Dickey (b. 1832), Shadrack Arthur Dickey (b. 1837), and John Edwin Dickey (1840-1913) were brothers of William Dickey. W.H. Reynolds, J.M. Reynolds, and John C. Reynolds were brothers of Anna Reynolds Dickey. All of the brothers served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War, most of them in the 29th Regiment.

John C. Reynolds went to Richmond (Va.) in August 1862. J. M. Reynolds is in Mechanicsville (Va.) in June 1864. W. H. Reynolds served near Vicksburg (Miss.) in June 1863 and Chickamauga (Ga.) in September 1863 and finally in Marietta (Ga.) in July 1864. William Dickey joined the Georgia Militia and was sent to Atlanta (Ga.) during the Atlanta Campaign. As the Confederate Army retreated from Atlanta, William went to Macon, Camp Stephens near Griffin and Lovejoy's Station.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of letters from the Dickey and Reynolds brothers to Anna or William Dickey, and other family papers. The letters begin in 1861 on the Georgia coast as the soldiers go from Brunswick, Sapelo Island, Darien, and Savannah, and write from such places as Fort Tattnall, Mackay's Point, Fort Jackson, Causten's Bluff, Camp Millen and Camp Palmyra, and mention the firing on Fort Pulaski in April 1862. The letters describe details of the battles, health of the soldiers, camp life, and concern for families and farms at home.