"You May Be Needed"

Old Georgia State Capitol Building,
Milledgeville

 On January 2, 1861, Georgians braved a cold rain as they traveled to their polling places. The state legislature had called for a convention to be convened in Milledgeville on January 18, for the purpose of debating the issue of secession from the United States and other matters. Voters in each county spent that day selecting delegates to represent them at the convention. In Muscogee County, James N. Ramsey was chosen, along with Henry L. Benning and Adolphus S. Rutherford, Sr.

The various militia companies eagerly waited for the great adventure of war to begin. Their officers could barely contain their impatience. Back in November, Captain George M. Hanvey of the Newnan Guards had written to outgoing South Carolina Governor William H. Gist, offering the services of his company in the event that the United States government attempted to “coerce” that state into remaining in the Union.

Governor Joseph E. Brown had no intention of allowing Georgia troops to head off to other states. In the January 8 edition of the Milledgeville Federal Union, Brown flatly refused the request of several companies to leave the state.

Military.

In reply to a telegraphic dispatch sent to Governor Brown, Jan. 1st., by the commanding officer of the Volunteer Companies of Macon, asking “if he would sanction the movement of Georgia Volunteers going to the aid of South Carolina.” The Governor sent the following dispatch:

Savannah, Jan. 2d, 1861.—To Captains R. A. Smith, E. Fitzgerald, T. Parker, L. M. Lamar, and Lieut. Wm. H. Ross: I will not. Your first duty is to Georgia—South Carolina is able, at present, to take care of herself—you may be needed at home very soon.

JOSEPH E. BROWN.

It would not be long before Brown would call these troops to the service of Georgia.

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