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Higginbotham, Elijah B. (Elijah Benson “Bense” Higginbotham) - Pvt. 5/14/1862. Wounded in both legs, necessitating amputation below knees, at Spotsylvania, Va. 5/12/1864. Discharged in 1864. His brother Daniel T. Higginbotham, also of Co. F, was sent home with him when he lost his legs. The 1860 census records shows he was born in Georgia about 1823, married Frances E. Carter 15 Nov 1859, in Elbert Co, farmer, married to with two small children, personal property valued at $100. 1860 US Census for Elbert County, Elberton, GA; Roll: M653_120; Page: 791; family # 313.

Used artificial legs to walk after the war. Became a lay preacher at Cold Water Church in Elbert Co. Ga. buried at Holly Springs Baptist Church cemetery, Elbert County GA, tombstone reads CO F 38 GA INF CSA, no dates, died June 25th, 1912.

The 11 March 1898 edition of the Elberton Star contained the
following article:

"Mr. E. B. Higginbotham writes of the dark days of the
Confederacey.

"Mr. Editor: Will you allow me space in your valuable columns
to say a few things about the past and present In 1861 our
country ws involved in a serious difficulty and called on its
citizens to rally in defense of their rights and their homes.
I remembered then and now that God speaks in his word saying
'My son give me thine heart.'

"In my humble judgment all citizens ought to have the good of
their homes and the entire country at heart; and again God
admonishes, saying, 'Children obey your parents.' We should
feel ourselves under obligations to obey the call of our
country.

"With these convictions I left home and family and went to
Virginia, carrying with me two as good feet and legs as any
man need to have and engaged in the great struggle, Stonewall
Jackson commanding the corps, General Euel the division and
General Lawton the brigade (afterwards General Gordon.)

"As was often said, Jackson marched his infantry as though
they were cavalry and would fight when he could get a chance
to whip the enemy. The good feet and legs, alluded to above,
was sufficient for the occasion and enable me to keep up, and
I was in all of the battles that my regiment was engaged in
up to the 12th of May, 1864, numbering thirteen hard fought
battles. My regiment was never in a battle without me up to
that time. On that day I lost the noble feet and legs
mentioned above.

"It is true that I have been sorry that I was a cripple and
had to use artificial limbs and crutches and undergo the
embarrassment that such conditions in life naturally bring,
but I have never seen a day or an hour that I was sorry I
obeyed the call of my country, and was at my place of duty
at all times. First, my God; second, my home, and third, my
country, is my make up.

"I am very glad that so many of my old comrades met with us
on the first Tuesday and formed the camp, but I am not
satisfied with the number. I want every man in the county
that enlisted in the defense of our country to come into
the camp and we will try to do you good. You are all
remembered by me very kindly. In me you have a friend.
E. B. Higginbotham, Chaplain "

[Rev. Elijah Benson Higginbotham (1838-1912) was the son of
Dr. John Green Higginbotham and Sarah Thornton, dau. of
Benjamin Thornton, Sr. Dr. John Green Higginbotham was the
son of John Satterwhite Higginbotham]

Courtesy of Mr. Chandler Eavenson

Elberton Star Newspaper
Tuesday June 25, 1912

Rev E. B. Higginbotham died at his home on South Oliver Street Sunday morning. He slept well during the night and for the few days preceding his death was in his usual health. A few moments before he died he awoke his wife and complained of being very sick, laid his head down on his pillow and peacefully passed away. He was 74 years old. He was a local Methodist minister and for many years was tax collector of Elbert County. He was the chaplain of the William McIntosh camp U.C.V. for many years. He belong to Company I, 18th Georgia Regiment. In the battle of Chickamauga a cannon ball cut off both of his legs near the knee joint. His surviving comrades will testify to the fact that he was a brave soldier, always ready to respond to the call of duty. He is survived by his wife and the following children: Messrs R. C., J. M., W. A. and George Higginbotham, Mrs. Grogan Adams, Mrs. R E Eavanson and Miss Alice Higginbotham. All of these are residents of Elbert County except Mrs. Grogan Adams and Mrs George Higginbotham, both of whom are residents of Oklahoma. The funeral services were conducted from his home Monday morning and burial was at Concord Church.

Obituary Courtesy of Mr. Jeff Taylor