Do you have a photo of this soldier? Do you have an obituary or additional information on this soldier?
Or, can you tell the story of your ancestor who served in 38th Ga.? If you send your ancestor's story, I'll post it here. Please email me at dnichols16@cox.net.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Henry Carter Partain was born in Anderson District, South Carolina on Jul 8th, 1811. The names of his parents and siblings are unknown. He married Cynthia Powell, daughter of William Riddle Powell and Sarah Franklin, before 1840. The 1840 census for Elbert County, Georgia finds Henry Carter Partain and his family living in the Dooley District of Hart County.
On April 6th, 1862, Carter and his nineteen year old son, Lindsey Bonaparte Partain, both joined the Confederate Army, enlisting in the 38th Regiment of Georgia Volunteer Infantry, Company F. The 38th Georgia spent a few months in Savannah, Georgia, guarding the coastline before embarking by train for Virginia to join Stonewall Jackson's Army. They traveled by train to Richmond and then to the Shenandoah Valley to join Jackson during June, 1862. After spending only one night in the Shenandoah Valley, the 38th Georgia began marching back to Richmond to confront the Federal Army poised to attack the city.
Being a soldier is young man's vocation and Carter Partain was just over 50 years old. The arduous trek from the Valley must have taken a severe toll on Carter's health, for he was examined by a Confederate surgeon at Frederick Hall, near Richmond, and found unfit for further military service. He was issued a certificate of disability by the surgeon and discharged on June 27th, 1862. The same day Carter was discharged, the Confederate and Federal armies clashed in the Battle of Gaines Mill, near Richmond. The 38th Georgia was in the thick of the fight and suffered very heavy casualties. Listed among the wounded was Lindsey B. Partain, Carter's son.
The last written record of Henry Carter Partain dates to 1863, which shows he was paid by the Confederate Army for his travel from Virginia back to Cold Water Creek, Georgia. He is believed to have died between 1863-1870, since his wife and children appear alone in the 1870 US Federal Census for Elbert County, Georgia. He may be buried at Rock Branch Baptist Church Cemetery, since many graves in the cemetery are only marked by small field stones. Additionally, no burial records exist for this cemetery prior to 1900. Carter's wife, Cynthia, and several of their grown children are buried at this church cemetery. Should anyone have additional information concerning Henry Carter Partain please contact me at dnichols16@cox.net
Bio written by Dale Nichols, Newport News, Virginia, descendant of Henry Carter Partain and Lindsey B. Partain, both of Company F.