Chapter 3: 1861, The 30th Georgia Infantry

Anderson Hendrix had remained in Georgia when his father had moved the rest of the family to Randolph County, Alabama. He had fallen in love with young Sarah Ann Ward and had married her on December 17, 1859. The following year, the happy young couple had been blessed by the birth of a sweet little baby girl whom they named Arminda. Anderson, Sarah and baby were living with Sarah’s parents when the war began.

2 Jesse and Mary Ward were good people. Jesse was a simple farmer who loved his family. All he wanted in life was for them to be happy and healthy – nothing else really mattered all that much to him. Moreover, Arminda already had him wrapped around her fat little fingers.

3 Thus, it was with some dismay that he greeted the news in September that his son-in-law had joined the 30^th Georgia Infantry to fight on behalf of his native state against the Yankee aggressors. “I was wishin you’d talked to me first, son,” Jesse frowned.

4 “Sarah and the baby are sure going to miss you; and what if, God forbid, somethin were to happen?” Anderson looked down at the floor. “Well, it’s done now,” he said. “Yes, I guess it is,” Jesse said as he turned and walked toward the barn.

5 Sarah cried for most of the next month. Christmas was especially dreary that year, and it was now clear that this war was going to be a bloody affair. Then news arrived that Anderson was ill.

6 “They allow for substitutions,” Jesse told Mary. “I’m goin over there and take Anderson’s place,” he said. “Jesse, you can’t do that,” Mary protested. “We need you here!” she pleaded.

7 “And there’s nowhere I’d rather be,” Jesse comforted. “But our girl needs her husband right now. Arminda needs her daddy. Besides that, the good Lord ‘ll look after me and bring me back home when this is all over,” he finished. “Well, I guess that’s so,” Mary conceded as a tear rolled down her cheek.

8 It was August of 1862 when Jesse took his son-in-law’s place in Company K. “I don’t know what to say,” Anderson said as he shook Jesse’s hand. “You just take care of that wife and baby of yours,” Jesse said as he smiled and patted him on the shoulder. “Now git outta here and go on home!”