James C. Barrs, CSA

CSA 1863: James C. Barrs was reported to be age 43, 5’7” tall with dark skin and hair, and blue eyes. He was born in Twiggs County, Georgia in 1821 to Arthur and Nancy Barrs, plantation owner.

James C. Barrs volunteered on at least three different occasions to serve the Confederate States of America in a military capacity. He may have also received an exemption early in the War Between the States because of his occupation, supervising the making of salt in Wakulla County Florida. We know James C. Barrs in the late 1850s supervised the making of salt in Wakulla County Florida at the mouth of the St. Marks River and the Gulf of Mexico. Salt was a valuable commodity used to preserve food stocks.

James C. Barrs volunteered in the fall of 1861 for the Brooks County Militia, which became a part of the 81st Battalion in the spring (February) of 1862. He enlisted in the 11th Georgia Calvary State Reserves. He then enlisted again on May 6, 1864 in Quitman, Georgia in Company E, 1st Regiment (Symon's) of the Georgia Infantry State Reserves CSA for the duration of The War. This was to be his final enlistment before his capture by General Sherman’s troops at Ft. McAllister Georgia.

James C. Barrs and his brother, William W. Barrs, served together first in the Brooks County Militia. The Brooks County Militia was called into service during the spring of 1862 and became a part of the 81st Battalion in which officers were elected and commissioned by the Governor on March 4, 1862.

Then James C. Barrs and his oldest son James Henry L. Barrs (Born 1845 in Lowndes County Georgia) along with his brother William W. Barrs rode their horses to Quitman Georgia, 12 miles from their home in Nankin, to enlist in the CSA 11th Georgia Calvary Reserves for a 6- month enlistment. He was 43 years of age when he enlisted.

Finally, James C. Barrs enlisted on May 6, 1864 again in Quitman, Georgia in Company E, 1st Regiment (Symon's) of the Georgia Infantry State Reserves, CSA for the duration of The War. He, along with the entire CSA garrison of Ft. McAllister Georgia were attacked by vastly superior forces of Union General Sherman's army at the end of their "March to the Sea" campaign and were over run after fierce hand-to-hand combat and captured at twilight on December 13, 1864.

He was then assigned to a Union Military Provost Hospital in Hilton Head South Carolina with Typhoid Fever and later was transported to the infamous Union Military Prison (Barracks 14), Fort Delaware for the duration of The War. He was released in 1865 after taking The Oath, "to never aging take up arms against the United States of America."

James C. Barrs, born 1821 and Martha Elizabeth Land born, 1821 had the following children:
James Henry L. Barrs born 1845 in Lowndes County GA d. in Citrus Co FL
William Taylor Barrs born 1848 Lowndes County GA d. in Dade Co FL
Isaac Newton Barrs born 1849 Lowndes County GA d. Lafayette Co FL
Francis Marion Barrs born 1852 Lowndes County GA d. Suwannee Co FL
John Wesley Barrs born 1853 Lowndes County GA d. Columbia Co FL
Henry J. Barrs born 1857 Wakulla County FL d. Lafayette Co FL
Permelia Barrs born 1859 Brooks County GA d. Columbia Co FL

JAMES C. BARRS' CSA SERVICE 1860-1865
James C. Barrs, along with his brother, William W. Barrs (above), was in the Brooks County Georgia Militia as part of the 81st Battalion during 1861-62. He then enlisted August 4, 1863 at age 42 in Quitman, Brooks County, GA in Captain Wiley W. Groover's 11th Georgia Calvary, Georgia State Guards of Company "D" Confederate States of America for a regular enlistment of six months, as did his oldest son James Henry L. Barrs (Born 1845 in Lawndes County Georgia.) and his brother William W. Barrs.

James C. Barrs was 5'7" tall, had dark skin and hair, and blue eyes. James C. Barrs then on May 6, 1864 enlisted again in Quitman, Georgia in Company E, 1st Regiment (Symon's) of the Georgia Infantry State Reserves CSA for the duration of The War. He was appointed 4th Sergeant. His Company served at the City Lines in Savannah, GA from May 6, 1864 through June 30, 1864. They then served at Camp Fleetwood from July through August of 1864. His Company's final billet was at Fort McAllister, GA from September until the fort was captured on December 13, 1864 by Union General Sherman's forces.
James C. Barrs was 5' 7" tall, had a dark complexion, dark hair and blue eyes. He was admitted to Hospital #2, Savannah, GA on August 18, 1864 for a lengthy illness (Typhoid Fever). He was furloughed home on September 19, 1864. He was "demoted" to Private upon returning to his unit.

He was captured at twilight, along with the rest of the Fort McAllister garrison, on December 13, 1864 and sent to Hilton Head Provost Hospital with Typhoid Fever to be treated and await transport to a Northern Military Prison.

James C. Barrs had fortunately not been killed or wounded in battle. All captured CSA troops from Fort McAllister were sent to Hilton Head, South Carolina to await Union transportation to prisoner of war camps in the North. James C. Barrs was admitted to the Union Military Provost Guard Hospital in Hilton Head, SC with Typhoid Fever on January 10, 1865. He survived the Typhoid Fever and was sent to the Fort Delaware Union Prison. He arrived at Fort Delaware Prison on March 4, 1865. He was released from Fort Delaware Prison on June 16, 1865 after signing “The Oath” that he “would not bear arms against the United States of America ever again.” He was sent to New York, NY by way of Philadelphia, PA and put on a boat with 500 other released CSA prisoners and sent to Jacksonville, FL. One young CSA veteran, Samuel Lewis Moore, wrote a vivid account of the events that has since become a part of Jefferson County, Florida’s history records.

Fort McAllister Georgia Battle
Last Battle of CSA Ft. McAllister
James C. Barrs along with the entire garrison was over run by greatly superior numbers of Union troops at twilight December 13, 1864 and captured at this CSA fort.

Fort McAllister had withstood eight attacks from the Union Navy prior to General Sherman's land assault with overwhelming and superior numbers of troops.


"UNDAUNTED: The History of Fort McAllister, Georgia"
By William Christman

ABSTRACT
Fort McAllister is an earthwork that was built by the Confederate States of America during the War Between the States. The fort stands near Richmond Hill Georgia and has been cited as the best example of earthworks built by the Confederates. Fort McAllister is located on Genesis Point, a small bluff that overlooks the Great Ogeechee River.

The fort acted as the right flank anchor in the line of earthen fortifications that protected the post city of Savannah Georgia. From its position on Genesis Point Fort McAllister is within ten miles of the Atlantic Ocean and fifteen miles due south of Savannah.

Confederate forces expected Fort McAllister to provide the following services:
●The fort was to deny the Union Navy its passage up the Ogeechee where troops could land and then march on Savannah.
●The Atlantic and Gulf Railroad, a major supply and communications line, crossed the Ogeechee above the fort and needed the protection of the earthwork.
● Fort McAllister protected cotton and rice plantations along the Ogeechee. In fact, the fort was named after the McAllister family who owned Genesis Point during the war.
Eight separate naval attacks by Union forces (some intense and some limited to a few shots fired) failed to subdue Fort McAllister or gain them passage beyond the work. Then on 13 December 1864 it was attacked from the rear.

Excerpt: Pg 58 - 72

While Fort McAllister experienced a major refit, the Union Army put a new plan for Southern defeat into action. The 60,000-man Union Army of the Tennessee, under the command of the fiery, red and grey-bearded Major General William T. Sherman, began a march through Georgia and the heart of the Confederacy.
General Sherman intended to capture Atlanta, a railroad and munitions center some 270 miles northwest of Savannah. Once that was accomplished, Sherman then planned to march through the rest of Georgia and destroy both the war making potential of the state and the will of her people to continue the fight.

Sherman captured Atlanta in September 1864 after a grueling campaign. On the following 15th of November, the victorious Army of the Tennessee began its well-known "March to the Sea," cutting a sixty-mile wide path of destruction and desolation through Georgia. At this point, Georgia had given about all she could to the Confederacy in manpower and equipment. The effective Union blockade had almost completely stopped the Confederate blockade-runners, which caused the war-ravaged South great suffering. Additionally, the best fighting men in the state were either dead or too few to put up any effective resistance to Sherman's army. All hope for Georgia and the Confederacy was vanishing fast.

Although Sherman kept the Confederates guessing about his true intentions, they reasoned he would definitely make his way for Savannah where he could hope to be re-supplied by sea. The Southerners began to prepare the city for the attack they believed would happen.

Confederates reasoned that Sherman would approach Savannah from the northwest because his army was located in that direction. Consequently, the Confederates strengthened earthworks that protected Savannah along its western approaches. The large artillery pieces already in place there were augmented by forty-eight field pieces. Additionally, Georgians flooded the low, flat rice lands that lay beyond the western line of defense with two to six feet of water to hinder the advance of Sherman. Finally, the men obstructed or cut all railroad and roadways coming into Savannah from that area as well.

The commander of the forces in Savannah was native Georgian, Lieutenant General William J. Hardee, CSA. Hardee's stellar record of service to the Confederacy certainly inspired hope for their city in many Savannians. However, the less than 10,000 troops that existed to defend the city against Sherman's assembled masses seemed to dim those hopes. To make matters worse, old men, boys, and even convicts and prisoners of war constituted most of Hardee's troops. None the less, the Savannians stood ready to fight; however, Sherman's army wanted food more than a fight. On 10 December 1864, Sherman's army arrived in front of Savannah. The Federal proximity to Savannah did not signal the end of their campaign; Sherman had a sure fight ahead of him no matter how lopsided it seemed. But, before the fight could occur, the Union troops desperately needed food and supplies. The need for supplies and communication lay in the fact that the Federal supply and communications lines back to his base in Nashville were voluntarily cut by Sherman when he left Atlanta. He did this to allow his army to move faster. Sherman and his men marched from Atlanta to Savannah and sustained themselves by living off the land for the most part. But by the time they reached the Savannah area, the Yankees were quite low on food and supplies. This fact, coupled with lack of forage in the Savanna area, forces Sherman to think about how to re-supply his army---quickly.

Sherman was also hampered by severed communications lines. His departure from Atlanta had marked his last correspondence with President Lincoln and the North. During the entire march, no official word on the condition or the whereabouts of the Army of the Tennessee was head in Washington. Sherman, therefore, needed to hear from his superiors and report his won status and intentions.

Sherman knew that Federal ships lay off shore in the waters around Savannah---including Ossabaw Sound---awaiting word for the arrival of the general and his army at Savannah. The most obvious route to Ossabaw Sound was the Great Ogeechee River. However, Fort McAllister stood in the way.

The distance between Fort McAllister and Savannah, coupled with the small number of troops to defend the city, left General Hardee with two choices: Evacuate Fort McAllister, or keep the garrison there in hopes that it could somehow, miraculously, deny Sherman's overwhelming forces access to the Ossabaw Sound. The garrison remained at the fort.

Accordingly, Major Anderson's men took measures to make Fort McAllister a more formidable foe for the Union Army. Troops arrived to assist the Emmett Rifles---Clinch's Light Battery (Captain Nicholas B. Clinch, CSA), and Companies D and E of the 1st Regiment Georgia (Militia) Reserves (James C. Barrs' regiment). The fort's garrison now numbered around 230 men.

The men also cleared the trees behind the fort to a distance of nearly a mile for a clear line of fire, and the wooden buildings were torn down so the Federals could not use then for cover. Now, the area behind the fort would not provide any cover to Union troops. To further impede a land attack, the Confederates laid a row of abattis (A defensive obstacle formed by felled trees with sharpened branches buried in the ground at an angle facing the enemy) in the open area. The most deadly obstruction however was the artillery shells that were placed just under the surface of the ground at the foot of the glacis. (A gentle slope or incline that runs downward from a fortification) Anyone walking over these land mines (or "torpedoes" as they were called) would set off an explosion, severely maiming or killing its victims. Lastly, the Georgians dismantled the mortar battery to prevent its usage by the Federals.

The Southerners also undertook measures that would hopefully allow the garrison to survive a prolonged siege. The fort received 220 pounds of hard bread and 1000 pounds of bacon shortly before Sherman's arrival---enough to supply the garrison for one month. Other supplies include candles, salt, molasses, and 40 gallons of whiskey. On 9 December an additional fifteen days supplies came to McAllister from Savannah.

However determined the Confederates were to deny the Yankees possession of Fort McAllister, Sherman was equally determined to make contact with the Union fleet. On 8 December, Captain William Duncan, USA, of the 15th Illinois Cavalry, with two scouts, boarded a small boat on the Ogeechee at King's Bridge, above Fort McAllister. The Union soldiers intended to make contact with the Federal ships in Ossabaw Sound and convey Sherman's condition and plans. The crew traveled only at night to prevent capture. They managed to pass Fort McAllister unnoticed. After a harrowing experience, Duncan and his men arrived in Ossabaw Sound and boarded U.S.S. Flag on 11 December 1864. Now the Union Navy knew of Sherman's presence near Savannah.

On 12 December, the Union Army rested its left wind on the Savannah River; its right wing lay near King's Bridge on the Ogeechee. General Sherman rode down to King's Bridge, which had been destroyed by the Confederates. The engineers completed a new bridge that evening.

With King's Bridge rebuilt, Sherman intended to use it for his next operation---an assault on Fort McAllister. Sherman decided to give the assignment to one of General Howard's most trustworthy officers; Brigadier General William B. Hazen, USA. Sherman wrote:
I gave General Hazen, in person, his orders to march
rapidly down the right bank of the Ogeechee and without
hesitation to assault and carry Fort McAllister by storm.
I knew it to be strong in heavy artillery, as against an
approach from the sea, but believed it open and weak to
the rear.

I explained to General Hazen fully on his action
depended the safety of the whole army and the success
of the campaign.

Sherman could not have chosen a more capable man. William Babcock Hazen commanded the 2nd Division of General Howard's XV Corps. Hazen, just 34 years old at the time, was a West Point graduate. "On the battlefield," said one account of Hazen, "he was alert, self assured, concentrated, brave and capable."

General Hazen commanded the 2nd Division, which consisted of nearly 4000 men from five states, many of whom had seen action since the early stages of the war. General Sherman felt a special attachment to the 2nd Division. He proudly noted that Hazen's men made up "the same old division I had commanded at Shiloh and Vicksburg, in which, I felt a special pride and confidence."
Early on the morning of Tuesday, 13 December 1864, the 2nd Division crossed the Ogeechee at King's Bridge. Hazen remarked, "The lovely road of shells and white sand under Magnolias and wide branching Live Oaks draped in long, hanging moss."

While Hazen enjoyed some of the sights on his long journey down to Fort McAllister, the Georgians at the earthwork experienced some indications of the forthcoming action. Major Anderson noted: "About eight o'clock, a. m. desultory firing commenced between the skirmishers of the enemy and my sharp-shooters."

Along their route, Hazen reported passing:
...the old McAllister mansion, called Strother Hall... There
was their home, but now they had gone. Major General
Judson H. Kilpatrick's Cavalry had been there before us,
and the contents of the house were strewn upon the floors
or scattered about the lawn...The Negro servants showed
no disposition to put things right again, thinking perhaps,
that it would only invite further mischief.

As the Federals passed the old Hardwick town site, they came upon a narrow causeway that was bordered by the Ogeechee on one side and a marsh expanse on the other. Unknown to the Federals, however, the Confederates had planted torpedoes on the causeway. A mounted Confederate picket guarded the causeway. General Hazen wrote of the Union encounter with the picket: "About a mile from the fort we came upon the advanced picket, who, though mounted, was captured by a sudden dash of my topographical officer...and my orderlies..."

Once captured, the Confederate told everything. Major Anderson frustratingly wrote:
"The picket imparted the fact that the causeway was
studded with torpedoes in time to prevent their explosion.
He also acquainted them with the strength of the garrison,
and the best approaches to it."

After the Federals had removed the torpedoes, Hazen left eight regiments as the causeway and proceeded with the remaining three brigades (nine regiments) toward the fort. During the late morning, some of the Union troops came within sight of the earthworks. During the Union approach, activity between the two opposing forces heated up somewhat as gunfire was exchanged between the two hostile forces.

About two miles across the Ogeechee lay a rice mill owned by D. Cheves. There, General Sherman, General Howard, and Sherman's staff waited for Hazen's attack to commence. Sherman wrote:
On reaching the rice-mill at Cheeve's [sic], I found a guard
and a couple of twenty-pound Parrott guns, of Dr. Gres's
battery, which fired an occasional shot toward Fort
McAllister, plainly seen over the salt-marsh, about three
miles distant. Fort McAllister had the Rebel flag flying and
occasionally sent a heavy shot back across the marsh to
where we were, but other wise everything about the place
looked as peaceable and quite as on the Sabbath.
The signal-officer had built a platform on the ridge-pole
of the rice mill.
Leaving our horses behind the stacks of rice-
straw, we all got on the roof of a shed attached to the mill,
where from I could communicate with the signal-officer
above and at the same time look out toward Ossabaw Sound
and across the Ogeechee River at Fort McAllister.

At this point in the day, Major Anderson came to a logical decision. Having heard no word from Hardee in Savannah meant the options for Fort McAllister were few. Anderson concluded:
I determined under the circumstances and not withstanding
the great disparity of numbers between the garrison and the
attacking forces, to defend the fort to the last extremity...

By this time the Confederates began to fire their field guns at the distant Federals, but with little effect. Hazen began to deploy his skirmishers and sharpshooters despite the Southern cannonaded. The skirmishers advanced "at a run [and] readily approached within 2000 yards [of the fort], and by throwing themselves flat on the ground were well concealed by the high grass, and could pick off the Confederate gunners at their leisure, readily silencing the fire of the fort."

Another account of the sharpshooters said:
I shall never forget...how Sergeant J. A. Saunier, when
we reached a point near enough to fire, said 'Watch me
make the Jonnies get off the works,' and he brought to
his shoulder his trusty rifle and open the fire...

The garrison quickly began to feel the effect of the sharpshooters.

Major Anderson noted:
The guns being en barbette, the detachment serving them
were greatly exposed to the fire of the enemy's sharp shooters.
To such and extent was this [the] case, that in one instance,
out of a detachment of eight men three were killed and three
more wounded.

The Federal skirmish line was very heavy, and
the fire so close and rapid that it was at times impossible to
work our guns. My sharpshooters did all in their power, but
were entirely too few to suppress this galling fire upon the
artillerists.

As the sharpshooters continued their harassing fire on the beleaguered Confederate work, the 2nd Division slowly deployed around Fort McAllister.
Hazen ordered his men to move no closer than 600 yards to the work---just out of the effective range of the Confederate rifle fire. The Federals were determined to form a semi-circular line around Fort McAllister and pin the fort in against the Ogeechee. The predicament of the Confederate garrison prompted Major Anderson to note:
It was evident, cut off from all support, and with no possible
hope of reenforcements from any quarter, that holding the
fort was simply a question of time. There was but one alternative,..
death or captivity.

While Anderson contemplated the hopelessness of his situation, the Yankee soldiers continued to envelop the Southern fort. Sergeant Saunier of the 47th Ohio Infantry wrote:
The 47th Ohio was in the advance of the division...
At about 12 Meridian, our regiment arrived within
about one-half mile of the fort, in a piece of timber.
The regiment formed in a line of battle and was ordered
to remain there on the banks of the Ogeechee River, and
the division formed on us.

Another account of the deployment was from Y. R. Davies, of the 70th Ohio Infantry. He wrote:
In a southerly direction from the fort lay an open field,
1000 yards more or less in width and almost perfectly
level. There was no fence, but it was skirted by a pine
forest, at the edge of which the 70th Ohio was drawn up
in a line of battle, with another regiment on its right and
one on its left.

Hazen deployed his division with the 2nd Brigade on the extreme left,
the 3rd Brigade in the center, and the 1st Brigade on the far right.
While his men enveloped the fort, Hazen decided against an appeal to the rebel's better nature. "I made no formal demand for surrender," wrote Hazen, "believing that it would merely advertise our intentions, and be met by a boastful refusal."

However, the Georgians did their best to hinder the Yankees. A Union soldier's account recalls the effectiveness of one Southern bullet:
While waiting for the First and Third Brigades to come
into position about the fort, and while making observations
as to the ground and fortifications over which we were
soon to charge, a rebel bullet came flying at us, which
struck Captain John H. Groce of the 30th Ohio, killing him
instantly, and wounding Colonel W. S. Jones, commander of
the 2nd Brigade.

Colonel James S. Martin, leader of the 111th Illinois Infantry Regiment, received orders to assume command of the 2nd Brigade almost immediately after Jones fell wounded.

Although the number of Federal troops may have seemed overwhelming, their assignment to capture Fort McAllister would prove difficult to set up. The difficulty lay in the fact that the immediate territory surrounding the fort was not compatible with large troop movements. The ground to the right of McAllister was "cut through by deep streams" and marshland, which caused the 1st Brigade to experience extreme difficulty in positioning itself to attack the fort. General Hazen wrote:
The Right Brigade found itself behind a long stream, or
sluice, and was a long time getting across and into position.
This was especially annoying, as Gen. Sherman's last injunction
was not to find myself behind any creek, so that we could
get forward.

Meanwhile, across the Ogeechee, and anxious General Sherman watched as the winter sun slowly sank in the west. Sherman feared night would set in before his men could carry Fort McAllister, thus his army would be deprived of much needed supplies for yet another critical day. One account described the scene at Cheves's Mill:
The sun was now fast going down behind a grove of Water
Oaks...General Sherman, from his position at the rice mill
on the opposite side of the river, walked nervously to and
fro, turning quickly now and then from viewing the scene
of conflict, to observe the sun sinking behind the tree tops.
No longer willing to bear the suspense, he said: "Signal
General Hazen that he must carry the fort by assault
to-night, if possible." The little flag waved and fluttered
in the evening air, the answer came: "I am ready and will
assault at once!"

While Sherman communicated with Hazen, he was pleasantly surprised by the appearance of a Union vessel down the Ogeechee below Fort McAllister. Sherman noted:
The sun was rapidly declining, and I was dreadfully impatient.
At that very moment some one discovered a faint cloud of
smoke and an object gliding, as it were, along the horizon
above the tops of the sedge toward the sea, which little by
little grew till it was pronounced to be the smoke-stack of
a steamer coming up the river...Soon the flag of the United
States was plainly visible, and our attention was divided
between this approaching steamer and the expected assault...

The gunboat pushed its way up the Ogeechee in hopes of finding Sherman's army, since its presence was reported to the Union Navy through Captain Duncan's brave endeavor several days earlier. The crew aboard the gunboat saw a signal platform atop Cheves's Mill and immediately discovered that the men on the building were Union soldiers.

The gunboat's men sent a signal to Sherman:
"Who are you?"
"General Sherman," came back the reply.
The boat asked: "Can we run up? Is the fort taken?"
The signal station sent: "No, Attack underway."

About the time General Sherman and the Navy exchanged signals, the 2nd Division drew up for battle. Shortly before the attack began, the commander of the 70th Ohio gave a pep talk to his men:
Col. [H. L.] Phillips, standing in front of the regiment, said:
"My comrades, knowing that you have been prompt in the
discharge of every duty, I deem it a waste of words to urge
upon you the importance of continuing to do so." Then pointing
to the fort, he continued: "You see what is before you, and you
know your duty."

These words were hardly spoken when John Compton, the
color-bearer, who, up to the fall of Atlanta, had been detailed
as regimental teamster, therefore had never been directly
engaged in any of the numerous battles, approached Col.
Phillips and said: "Colonel, you know I am not used to this kind
of work; please excuse me." He asked "John, were it in my
power God knows I would gladly excuse every man in this regiment."

General Hazen decided that three regiments from each brigade would actually assault the fort. The other nine regiments were to be held in reserve if needed "---an overwhelming force for the work at hand."

The time was 4:45 p. m. General Hazen felt it was time for the attack to get underway. He wrote:
I waited until nearly sundown, and then, the Right Brigade
still being reported not ready, determined to assault with
the other six regiments. Each officer and man was instructed
to advance rapidly, but in order until the enemy opened, and
then to charge with a rush, every man for himself.

The 'assembly' was then sounded by the bugle three
successive times, followed by 'forward', and as with a
great impulse the line advanced. To my great surprise
and joy, the Right Brigade, under Col. Theodore Jones
moved out accurately at the same moment. It had crossed
the stream and formed inline just in time to receive the order.

The final battle of Fort McAllister had begun. T. W. Connelly of the
70th Ohio described the advance:
A warning answer came from the enemy in the roar of heavy
artillery---and so the battle opened. Out from the encircling
woods our lines moved, with bright bayonets, and our flag
waving proudly to the breeze. Then the fort seemed alive
with flame; quick jets of fire shooting out from all its sides,
while the white smoke first covered the place and then rolled
over the glacis. Our line moved steadily on with measured steps,
unfaltering. Now the flag goes down! David Roderick fell mortally
wounded, with the colors in hand; they are quickly gathered up,
and a moment longer and our flag is in the front; the line does
not falter...

Mr. Davies of the 70th Ohio also wrote about the attack. He said:
When within about 150 yards of the fort we opened fire and
soon silenced their guns. Some 50 yards from the fort we
crossed a line of torpedoes buried in the sand and John
Compton...stepped on one of them, was instantly killed. His
body was mangled almost beyond recognition.

The torpedoes caused numerous Union casualties. Some died in the explosions, others miraculously survived the blasts. One luck soldier was Sergeant Lyman Hardman of the 30th Ohio Infantry Regiment. Hardman replayed:
I had arrived near the edge of a small ditch around a mortar
bed, when I exploded a torpedo that had been place in the
ground by stepping on it.

On recovering from the effects of
the shock I found that the shoe of my left foot blown off
and the foot very badly burned. My left knee was slightly cut,
the small finger and the one next to it of my left had also cut,
and the hand burned. My face and one ear [were] considerably
cut and burned. My eyes swelled shut in a short time. The
sufferings of that night were terrible.

As the 70th and 30th Ohio Regiments made their way across the open field in the rear of Fort McAllister, the 47th Ohio advanced toward the earthwork's west face along the Ogeechee River. Sergeant Saunier wrote:
...the bugle was sounded, and the division advanced on the
double-quick; with cheers the enemy opened rapidly with
his inland guns, but so effective was the fire of our skirmish
line under Captain Branchmann, that altogether our regiment
had t pass over the cleared ground and climb the fence; very
little damage was done, but many in the division were blown up
with torpedoes, which the enemy had planted around the fort.
But we went right on and as the 47th regiment approached the
fort it was discovered by our officers that the enemy had
neglected to construct his line of abattis to low water mark,
and it being ebb tide, there was an unobstructed passage on
the beach.

Colonial A. C. Parry immediately swung the wings of the regiment
together, and the Colonel and Major Taylor leading, we scaled
the parapets from that front with a cheer, and taking the land
batteries in flank reverse; it required two volleys from the
regiment before the enemy abandoned his guns, and he retreated
to the bomb proofs.

The blue line moved steadily forward. General Hazen advanced his men in a single line and noted that "there were not more than half a dozen casualties before reaching the line of torpedoes, which was continuous around the fort and about 100 yards in front of the entanglement.

The 70th Ohio continued forward. Connelly recalls:
the enemy's fire redoubled in rapidly and violence; on
and on we moved across the open field, and through
their netted abattis work. The daring streams of fire
alone told the position of the fort. On and on, down into
the great deep ditch and up the walls of the fort, not
a man in retreat, not a straggler in the line of blue. The
firing ceased; the wind lifted the smoke; a few scattering
musket shots, and sounds of battle ceased.

Davies also went with the 70th Ohio onto the walls of Fort McAllister. He Wrote:
Between this row of shells and the fort was planted a row
of pine logs pointed outward, the butt end buried in the
sand and the limb well sharpened. Having shed their bark,
they resembled a tangle of buckhorns shining in the sun.
There was no passing this barrier until a few brave men
bending over their guns crawled under and thru, lifting
and pushing the logs apart and leaving gaps thru which
the regiment rushed.

While the 1st and 3rd Brigades conquered Fort McAllister's rear and southern flanks, the men of the 2nd Brigade scaled the walls of the fort. Sergeant Saunier and the 47th Ohio continued their rush into the fort.
The division was now all within the Fort, and for a short
time were all engaged in fierce hand-to-hand encounter,
fighting with the bayonet and the butt of muskets.

An officer in the 47th Ohio explained the scene inside the fort recollecting:
Colonel Parry's and Major Taylor's brave boys went on
into the fort with a yell. The Confederates were somewhat
stricken as the Yanks were coming on in the fort in a
dozen places on them with bayonets and the butt of our
muskets, and the hand to hand fighting was terrible for
a short time, and we drove them from one [bomb] proof
to the other,
Captain Brown seeing a fine looking Confederate
officer, and thinking he was the commander of the fort,
demanded his surrender, (but he was not.) The officer
handed his sward to the Captain, who asked the Confederate
officer where the fort flag was, it having been lowered
from the flag staff; for some reason he said he did not know;...

Captain George E. Castle, USA, 111th Illinois Infantry found the garrison flag, and 1863-pattern "Stainless White Banner". The Georgians tried to prevent the flag's capture by hiding it in one of the bombproof chimneys during the battle. Captain Castle and his family would retain possession of the flag for many years to come (today it hangs in the Fort McAllister Museum). Shortly thereafter, Union soldiers ran "Old Glory" up the flagstaff to flutter in the Georgia twilight. The United States Army now controlled Fort McAllister.

The second Official Flag of the Confederacy. On May 1st, 1863, a second design was adopted, placing the Battle Flag (also known as the "Southern Cross") as the canton on a white field. This flag was easily mistaken for a white flag of surrender especially when the air was calm and the flag hung limply.
The flag now had 13 stars, having been joined officially by four more states, Virginia (April 17, 1861), Arkansas (May 6, 1861), Tennessee (May 7, 1861), North Carolina (May 21, 1861). Efforts to secede failed in Kentucky and Missouri though those states were represented by two of the stars.

The 47th Ohio, 70th Ohio, and 111th Illinois Regiments all claimed the honor of placing the first United States Flag ever on the walls of Fort McAllister. No one has as yet proven who actually was first.

Major Anderson gave the Confederate report of the action. He reported:
...the enemy made a rapid and vigorous charge upon
the works, and, succeeded in forcing their way through
the abattis, rushing over the parapet of the forty,
carrying it by storm, and, by virtue of superior numbers,
overpowered the garrison fighting gallantly to the last.
In many instances the Confederates were disarmed by
main force. The fort was never surrendered! It was
captured by overwhelming numbers.

General Hazen agreed with Major Anderson's account. The general said the Union soldiers fought "the garrison through the fort to their bomb-proofs, from which they still fought, and only succumbed as each man was individually overpowered.

One of those who bitterly resisted the Yankees was Captain Clinch. Major Anderson said of the fierce Clinch:
...when [Clinch] [was] summoned to surrender by a
Union captain[Captain Stephen F. Grimes, 48th Illinois
Infantry Regiment], [Clinch] responded by dealing
[Grimes] a severe blow on the head with his sabre [sic].
(Captain Clinch had previously received two gun shot
wounds in the arm). Immediately a hand to hand fight
ensued. Union privates came to the assistance of their
fellow officer, but the fearless Clinch continued to
unequal contest until he fell bleeding from eleven wounds
(three sabre wounds, six bayonet wounds, and two gun
shot wounds), from which, after severe and protracted
suffering, he has barely recovered. His conduct was so
conspicuous, and his cool bravery so much admired, as to
elicit the praise of the enemy and even of General
Sherman himself.

General Hazen also encountered the astonishing Captain Clinch. Hazen said:
As I leaped upon the parapet, the first man I saw was
Captain Clinch, who commanded a light battery used
for defense on the land side and temporarily thrown
into the fort for that purpose. He was lying on his back,
shot thru the arm, with a bayonet wound in his chest,
and contused by the butt of a gun. He recognized and
spoke to me. He was the brother-in-law of the United
General Robert Anderson, and I had known him before
the war. Contrary to my expectations, he finally recovered.

From the top of Cheves's Mill, General Sherman and his officers were distracted by the sound of gunfire n the direction of Fort McAllister. A fascinated Sherman wrote about the attack:
Almost at that instant of time, we say Hazen's troops
come out of the ark fringe of the woods that encompassed
the fort, the lines dressed as on parade, with colors flying,
and moving forward with quick, steady pace. Fort McAllister
was then all alive, its big guns belching forth dense clouds
of smoke, which soon enveloped our assaulting lines. One
color went down, but was up in a moment. As the lines advanced,
faintly seen in the white sulphurous [sic] smoke, there was
a pause, a cessation of fire; the smoke cleared away, and
the parapets were blue with our men, who fired their muskets
in the air and shouted so that we actually heard them, or felt
we did. Fort McAllister was taken, and the good news was
instantly sent by signal-officer to our navy friends on the
approaching gunboats, for a point of timber had shut Fort
McAllister from their view, and they had not seen the action
at all, but must have heard the cannonading.

During the progress of the assault, our little group on Cheeves's
[sic] mill hardly breathed; but no sooner did we see our flags
on the parapet than I exclaimed, in the language of the poor
Negro at Cobb's plantation, 'This nigger will have no sleep this
night!'

After Fort McAllister had fallen, another officer heard Sherman say:
"They took it, Howard...I've got Savannah!" Sherman's statement resonated with accuracy. Now, the Army of the Tennessee had virtually unlimited access to supplies. When Hardee found out later that evening that Fort McAllister had fallen, and hope that he had at all for saving Savannah must have floated away on the winter's night air.

The assault was over in fifteen minutes. The Union soldiers captured the fort so quickly because of their overwhelming numbers (25 to 1) mostly, and because of the weakness of Fort McAllister's rear defenses. Known more appropriately as the 'gorge' wall, the rear of the work did look quite impressive as it bristled with field guns that were protected by an obstructed moat. However, no amount of defense could have made the rear of the fort impregnable to attack. The Confederates had designed Fort McAllister for battling ships and it had successfully done so on many occasions. The large Seacoast guns in the fort were never intended to fire to the rear. Sherman correctly reasoned Fort McAllister 's weakness was its gorge wall. His guess paid off. The "March to the Sea ended with the capture of Fort McAllister.

The casualties were light. Hazen's men suffered 24 men killed, 110 wounded---most of the casualties resulted from the torpedoes. The Confederates lost 16 killed, and 28 wounded.

CSA Fort McAllister fell...
December 13, 1864 at twilight

Hilton Head Union Hospital
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Union Military Provost Hospital
James C. Barrs had Typhoid Fever when he was captured by Union General Sherman’s forces at CSA Fort McAllister. He was sent to the Union hospital at Hilton Head South Carolina.

After he was captured at Fort McAllister, Union army doctors hospitalized James C. Barrs with Typhoid Fever in the Hilton Head Union Military Hospital. Later he was sent to Fort Delaware Military Prison until the end of the war.

South Carolina was among the richest of States, and Hilton Head Island was responsible for several millionaires. South Carolina was the 1st State to secede from the Union on December 20, 1860. The Civil War began on April 12, 1861 when Confederate cannonaders firing on Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor. In January 1861, General Robert E. Lee was assigned command of the coasts of South Carolina, Georgia, and East Florida. By October of 1861, 77 Union ships sailed from Virginia to Port Royal. On board were 13,000 troops, 1500 horses, 500 surfboats, and 1,000 laborers to build a town and fortress for the blockade of the South.

In November, 1861, after surviving a hurricane off Cape Hatteras, the small armada circled Port Royal Sound, firing at all settlements in the area. By noon of that day, on November 7th, the Confederates knew the battle for the area was lost, and withdrew before the attacking forces of the Union.
The Yankees were here to stay until the War's end. Fort Mitchel was built in 1862. It was named for General Ormsby Mitchel, a well-liked leader, who died of malaria that year.

Eventually, Union Forces reached 50,000 on the Island. The blockade of Savannah was accomplished, preventing the Confederacy from exporting cotton to Europe and importing supplies from France. Hilton Head was Headquarters for the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. The Island became the transfer point for prisoners of war and the wounded as well as Union Soldiers on their way to battle and tons of supplies.

Fort Delaware Union Military Prison
Located on Pea Patch Island, Delaware
"The Andersonville Prison of the North"

Fort Delaware is located on Pea Patch Island, Delaware. It was used as a Union Prisoner of War Prison to house captured CSA soldiers. It opened for prisoners on April 1862. More than 22, 700 Confederate prisoners were confined there.

James C. Barrs was confined in the Enlisted Prisoner's Barracks Number 14 until his release at the end of The War in 1865.

“As the long procession of prisoners staggered out upon the wharf at Fort Delaware, the universal thought was one of despondency, as if each had been warned like the last spirits of Donte’s Hell, ‘Abandon Hope, all y who enter here!” The reputation of the place for cruelty was already familiar to all of us and it needed no more than a glance at the massive fort with its hundred guns, the broad moat, the green slime dykes and the scores of sentrys [sic] pacing to and from in all directions to quench every lingering hope of escape.” So wrote 2nd Lieutenant Randolph Abbot Shotwell, a Confederate veteran from North Carolina, about Fort Delaware, a mosquito-infested prison camp on a marshy piece of ground called Pea Patch Island in the middle of the river separating Delaware from New Jersey.

Of these prisoners, 2,346 died at Fort Delaware. It was known as the "Andersonville of the North."

The dead were transported across the river to New Jersey, near Fort Mott, which is located near Harrisonville, Salem County NJ for burial. The dead were buried in trenches, and individual identification was lost.

Today a monument stands at the site of the burials with a bronze plaque listing the names of the interred. Luckily James C. Barrs’ name was not engraved on that plaque.

Great-Great Grandfather James C. Barrs was interned in the 'enlisted prisoner's barracks number 14 after the capture of the Fort McAllister (Georgia) garrison until his release after the War Between the States had ended.

Return Home
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY FLORIDA
"History of Jefferson County, FL" pages 79-80
By Samuel Lewis Moore, CSA Veteran
James C. Barrs returned home in 1865 after interment in the Union Military Prison at Fort Delaware, Delaware

Excerpt…
The following story is the account of the personal experience of a living Confederate CSA war veteran, Samuel Lewis Moore. Samuel Moore's home at the time was in Quitman, Brooks County, Georgia. He moved to Monticello, Jefferson County, Florida after The Civil War and married Julia Bradley. Samuel Moore was 18 years old when he wrote the following personal account of his military experience.

At the young age of 15 years Samuel Moore followed his brother, Spencer Moore, and enlisted in the army of the South in Savannah, GA. Samuel was sent to White Marsh Island, GA six miles below Savannah, GA. Their duty was to see that no Federal or Union boats came up the river. Young Samuel Moore wrote; "During the last two years of the war the Southern Army was largely composed of untrained boys like me and the officers recognized our mistakes and shortcomings, as a result of our youth and lack of military training, and justice was tempered with mercy. Major Patton Anderson knew that (General) Sherman was marching towards Savannah, so he called in two companies of my Regiment from White Marsh Island as re-enforcements for Fort McAllister, twenty-five miles from Savannah, on the Ogeechee River and six miles below the railroad bridge. Sherman had to capture the bridge up the river before he could get to us.

There was nothing but a marsh between us and the bridge, and we boys stood on the battery walls and saw the fight, which lasted about an hour. We knew that our time would come the next day, and the necessary preparations were made to give Mr. Sherman as warm a reception as we could. The roll was called the next morning and 155 men answered for duty. About 10 o'clock in the morning the enemy entered the woods and begun to form in line of battle. We could see the Yankees behind the big trees near the little dairy (McAllister Dairy) and the dairy itself was as full of them as it could hold.

Our sharpshooters would take a crack at every "Blue Coat" that exposed himself. One of the boys asked permission to put a cannon ball through the dairy, which was granted, and a thirty-pound rifle shot was sent through the center. Then business picked up!" "At 4 P.M. the bugle of the enemy sounded for the charge and it took them exactly four minutes to capture the fort, as we had only 155 men and they numbered 9,000. Our casualties were 55 killed and 60 wounded. The enemy's loss was 200 killed and 250 wounded. The last shot fired was a 12-pound Howitzer cannon. The man who was to fire the cannon had hold of the lanyard and was ordered to let it go by a Yankee officer, before the white flag was raised. The man replied, 'I'm not taking orders from you yet.'

The officer shot him with his pistol and the weight of the body, when he fell, pulled the lanyard. Some of the enemy was not three feet from the mouth of the cannon and the ball opened a space through the crowd. We killed more men than the number on our side at this battle. General Sherman made the McAllister homestead his headquarters and the wounded from both sides were taken there for medical treatment. I was on the sick list and was placed on a bunk with a badly wounded Yankee boy who died before morning. I told the nurse the boy was dead and he said 'Alright I will take him out directly.' I guess he forgot it for the body was still there when I awoke the next morning. The nurse came and said he was sorry he had not removed it. I told him that was alright, it had not disturbed me at all. We, the prisoners, were carried to Hilton Head, South Carolina. All of the prisoners were issued what was called 'Retaliation rations,' which consisted of one part of rotten meat and a pickle per day. They were retaliation for Andersonville (Infamous CSA Prison in west Georgia)." So we were carried back to Fort Delaware, a downcast, disappointed lot of boys. A great deal could be told of prison life, how much I did not gain in weight, on six crackers a day and an occasional rat stew. At one time the prison was guarded by a regiment of United States Regulars, who had been badly cut-up in a battle in Virginia. They were kind to the Southern prisoners and the officers in charge of the Fort decided the Regulars were too good to us, so removed them, putting a Negro regiment in their place.

I was at Fort Delaware when Lincoln was assassinated after which the prisoners were treated worse than usual. The Negro guards would kick and cuff them for the slightest causes.

On July 18, 1865, I took the amnesty oath and was sent, with 500 other prisoners of war, to New York to be transported south." "We went by way of Philadelphia and were marched up into the city and halted by an open square and children were sent among us with baskets of sandwiches and pitchers of lemonade. One beautiful girl sat at a window and dispensed lemonade and it was lucky for me when the supply gave out, for I was near the breaking point. It was like a change from purgatory to the Seventh Heaven. I was ashamed of my personal appearance, but I was not ashamed of the cause that put me there. Finally, we reached New York and while eating at Castle Garden, awaiting orders, I sold the cotton that was between my quilted blankets, and my woolen socks to an Irish woman for $1.50. This dollar was the first green back I saw and I felt rich. After a few weeks in New York, I was sent south. We had some bad times on the boat, for five hundred men were crowded into the hold of the boat, with 'built-in-bunks.' Something got the matter with the drinking water and they had to condense the water for the passengers. We were given one pint of hot water per day. There were no U.D.C. nor Red Cross chapters to look out for the boys in those days, and they had to look out for themselves.

My shoes were lost over board, but I did not feel the loss of them until I reached Jacksonville, FL and had to walk twelve miles, barefooted, where the railroad bridge was torn up. The train took us up, finally, and when we got to Madison, FL, I had to walk sixteen miles with Mr. Jim Barrs (James C. Barrs) to his home where I spent the night. Mr. Barrs was very kind to me and sent me to Quitman, GA, my home, next day with his boy on a mule." "When I reached home, my mother did not know me and I was indeed a sad looking spectacle. I had on a blue United States Military shirt, a pair of pants 44 inches in the waist, buttoned around to the suspender button. One leg of my pants was torn off halfway to the knee, and the other leg rolled up to match it. I had on a Confederate gray cap, the visor was torn off. I was barefooted and my hair was down to my shoulders.

My appearance did not dampen the joy of my mother and the home folks, however, when they finally realized I was home at last. I guess Sherman made a good, off-hand shot at it, when he made his statement about war, but he had never been hungry, nor thirsty, nor in prison or then he would have said 'War is hell' and then some."

James C. (Jim) Barrs' family in The Nankin District of Brooks County, GA had given him up for dead, when in October 1865 lice and vermin ridden he reached home. His son John Wesley said that he stripped outside, bathed, put on clean clothes and burned his old clothing before going into their home.

Barrsville Established 1870

James C. Barrs served on a committee to help destitute widows from The War during April of 1866 that was chaired by his brother William W. Barrs. (See page 8 "Brooks County Georgia: Echoes of Its People.")

Sometime shortly after 1870 James C. Barrs sent several of his sons to the region of south Suwannee/Columbia County Florida to purchase land, clear fields and build housing for the family and livestock near abandoned Ellisville Florida, Columbia County Florida. The following year the entire Barrs family loaded their belongings onto wagons and traveled to the Withlacoochee River where they boarded a Cotton Barge for their trip to their new home and farm. James C. and Martha Elizabeth Barrs and several of their children left Nankin Brooks County Georgia for good...never to return. We know Isaac Newton Barrs (My Great Grandfather) stayed in Nankin for a time. He married Mary Elizabeth Boyet of Brooks County Georgia in 1873. Sometime in the early 1880s they moved to Day, a bustling Cotton Gin town located just 5 miles west of the Suwannee River, in Lafayette County Florida and across the Suwannee River from the rest of their family in Suwannee and Columbia Counties Florida.

The Barrs family traveled down the Withlacoochee River on a Cotton Barge to the Suwannee River and then downriver or south to the mouth of the Santa Fe River on the east bank of the Suwannee. They then traveled up the Santa Fe River and landed near the mouth of the Ichetucknee River where they unloaded their belongings, and wagons, and traveled to their new home in Columbia County Florida. The exact location of their landing site is lost, but was known for many years as "Barrs Landing."

Shortly thereafter we believe James C. Barrs bought Mr. Ellis' old General Store at what had earlier (1845) been called Ellisville Florida and became a general merchant as well as a farmer. Apparently there were a number of merchants in this little pioneer settlement town. Anticipations were high that the railroad would be built through these small towns strung along the "Military Road" from Lake City to Fort White Florida and their businesses and the towns along the right of way would prosper. Unfortunately the railroad was never built and the fledgling businesses and towns fates were cast. However, the telegraph line was built following the "Military Road" and has come to be named the "Wire Road" today.

Shortly afterward old Ellisville became Barrsville in 1871. In 1871 a United States Post Office was established in Barrsville. Fortunately for we Barrs family history buffs a brief history and timeline of Barrsville still exists in the book “History of Columbia County Florida.”

From a history of Columbia County, Florida, USA (BOOK)

Page 151: To the south of Lake City, FL lay Mikesville, Leno, Barrsville, Columbia City, and Mount Tabor. Mikesville was about six miles (North) from Fort White.

Page 152: Barrsville, on the Old Military and Telegraph Road, lay some fourteen (14) miles from Lake City and Eight Miles from the Santa Fe River and had originally been settled by Giles Underwood Ellis in 1845 and was first called "Ellisville, FL."

Barrsville, FL was regarded as being in an area suitable for orange cultivation as was Mount Tabor located south of Lake City, FL

Barrsville United States Post Office History:

The US Post Office in Barrsville, Columbia County, FL existed intermittently from June 8, 1871 to March 9, 1882.

The first US Post Office in the area was established on January 29, 1843 as the Ellisville US Post Office. The Ellisville US Post Office was discontinued on September 29, 1843.

The US Post Office was reestablished as the Barrsville Post Office on June 8, 1871 and the name was changed on January 3, 1872, to Barrsville U.S. Post Office.

Barrsville US Post Office was discontinued on December 29, 1872, but was reestablished on February 2, 1875.

The Barrsville US Post Office was again discontinued on Mar 9th 1882 and moved to Mt. Tabor, FL. It was reestablished on March 26, 1883.

It was discontinued at Mt. Tabor on April 22,1887 then Reestablished July 6, 1903. It was then discontinued on July 31, 1904 and moved to Fort White, FL.

Barrsville Shooting 1872

Little information exists on James C. Barrs and his family until the winter of 1872 when a fatal shooting occurred on the porch (“Piazza”) of the James C. Barrs, General Store in Barrsville Columbia County Florida.

BARRS SHOOTING
IN ELLISVILE/(BARRSVILLE) FLORIDA
November 24, 1872

(Please remember that this is not a 'legal transcript' of the trial!)
Mr. John Arthur Carrell personally wrote the following notes of the trial. He was the brother of William Carrell and Charles Carrell, who were put on trial for the murder of Jno. Barrs of SC. The original copy is in the possession of Mr. J. B. Carrell of High Springs, Florida. This trial was held in Lake City, Columbia County Florida after Count Pulaski ('Plack') Farnell had died. Mr. Farnell died on August 16, 1887. For authenticity the original interpretation, spelling and structure of Mr. Carrell's notes has remained as close to the original writings as possible. G-G Grandfather James C. Barrs had also died by the time of the trial in Lake city in 1887.
I want to thank Evie and Sam Lamb for obtaining, keying and supplying a copy for this Barrs History Record. Anyone having the 'official' transcript of this trial is asked to contact or e-mail a copy for posting to Al Barrs, Jr. at albarrs@wfeca.net

Trial Lake City, Columbia County, Florida on August16, 1887

NOTES OF EVIDENCE:

State vs. Carroll

The State [of Florida] then proceeded to take the evidence introduced the following witnesses who bring sworn testified as follows:

State witnesses:
Willis Perry
_____Martin
_____Tolbart
_____Bar (Brother of James C. Barrs, William W. Barrs. See picture previous page.)
_____Knight
_____Hall
_____Cook
(NOTE: James C. Barrs had apparently passed away before the murder trial that took place in Lake City in 1887. The last validated account we have of James C. Barrs and Martha Elizabeth Land-Barrs was in the 1880 Suwannee County Florida Federal Census report. It is stated in Mr. Carroll's notes that he made an affidavit of the incident at his store, but it was misplaced or lost by Mr. Tolbart, Justice of the Peace, before the trial. It is worthwhile to note that Mr. Tolbert was related to the Carroll brothers who did the shooting by marriage and was the Justice of the Peace (community judge) of that district. James C. Barrs did not testify at the trial in 1887 even though he had been himself present during the shooting incident. He acted in apparent self-defense by firing his small derringer and was him self wounded by gunfire [shotgun].)

J. W. Perry sworn says, I was at Ellisville (Barrsville) at the _(time)_ of Jno Barr (Barrs) on Nov 24, 1872 about 2 hours by sun in afternoon. Plac Farnell came down to store and told me he thought there would be trouble at Barrs’ store. I went in at the back door - some trouble at the counter and when that got over I went back to my store. Charlie Carrol, Will Carrol, Dan Wingit, John Barr (Jno Barrs), Jim Barr (James C. Barrs). I Re that was in some trouble. It was about 1/2 hour before shooting took place. I don't recollect anything that was said. Dan Wingit started to strike me with stick. Bill Carrol told him not to do it. I went back to the store (Perry’s store) about 1/2 hour afterwards.

Plack came to my store and told me to go back for there was going to be trouble - it was Jim Barrs. store. I told him to go.

He said he had rather not go, that Wingit didn't like him very much and might shoot him. He thought I had better go and I went.

The back part of Barrs’ store was near the front of my store (Parker’s store). The road that went from our store to their store had a curve in it and I went nearer (short-cut) way by path. I went in the back door and Jim Barrs and Bill Carrol had hold of each other and I ran right in. The house had shed room and I went in at door of shed room. Jim Barrs had Bill Carrol pushed up against a stove.

When I got to the back door Jim Barr (Barrs) said, “damn your masonary” after that I don't rember what anyone said till the went out (on the) piazza. (I) Don't know as those are the exact words that Jim Barr (Barrs) said as well as I remember there was Beaufort Carrol, Chas Carrol, D. Wingrt and myself there.

Rack Carrol came out with pistol in hand and Jim Barr (Barrs) turned to him and said "You damn little son of a bitch you try and shoot me?" And, Beaufort Carrol said, "Don't curse my bro (brother) for s of a b." Beau Carrol jerked out his knife and Jim Barr (Barrs) pulled out his pistol.

There may have had ___ out. I caught hold of Beau with right hand and Jim Barr (Barrs) with other (hand) and held them apart - while I was holding them a pistol fired off. (It was) Jim Barrs’ pistol. I jumped out in yard and fell. When I got up the men (Jim Barrs and Jno Barrs) were shot. The first I noticed was Chas Carrol going towards our store (Parker’s) and Jim Barr (Barrs) going N (north) on piazza. The (Jim Barrs’) house lay N and S and Jim Barr (Barrs) had his face toward house and when pistol went off I saw bullet in S end of house in piazza plate. I think he was probably about 12 feet from where bullet went in plate of house. It was a derringer - it was a single barrel pistol - it shoots one time. I knew there was trouble between the men and I went there to stop it - when the pistol fired I knew I couldn't stop it and there was no use to endanger my life. I didn't see anything but what I knew to endanger my lief - there was a gun passed from one hand to another but am not positive about - think Jim Barr (Barrs) handed it to Chas Carrol saw gun in Chas Carrol hand before shooting. He was outside the piazza before the shooting.

I don't remember seeing Chas Carrol before I took hold of Beaufort and Jim Barr (Barrs). I had been there a half hour before and 3 min and knew there was bad blood between em (them) and thought someone was going to be hurt. John Barr (Barrs) was in the door (of his store).

I heard shots fired but they were so fast I couldn't distinguish probably a doz guns and the blood was streaming down Jno Barrs side and I ran to him.
I told him to let me cord his arm and he said no - no he was dead. I told him I could stop the blood and Bill Carrol said let me help you.

Willis stop the blood and Jno Barrs cursed him. Jno Barr (Barrs) said, “no you shot me with my pistol after I was wounded you damned coward” or something to that effect. He says. “Plac a dead cock in the ___ by God” and Plack told him (Jno Barrs) no how are you shot. “Chas Carrol shot me with a gun and Bill Carrol shot me 2 with a pistol,” (Jno Barrs said). I showed him (Jno Barrs) where he was shot.

I think Jno (Barrs) was in the house before the other action. He was sitting on the counter, or standing on counter it was the last time I saw Jno Barr (Barrs) before I saw (him) standing in the door with blood running down his arm. I don't think Bill Carrol went out when Beau C to Jim Barr (Barrs) was having trouble. I was between Beau and Jim Barr (Barrs) my face was turned from house and did not see what was going on behind me.

X X X

Witness makes diagrahm of it (buildings and shooting positions) Chas Carrol had a gun in hand when I saw him going towards (James Barrs’) store.

Wilness explains diagrahm to Jury a min or two.

It hadn't a very short time after the difficulty had subsided in house till I went out on piazza. After I jumped from piazza I saw Chas Car running with a gun. Saw Bill Carrol by side. Bill Car said he didn't shoot him twice with pistol. (Reply) When _ma(?) Jno Barr (Barrs) in room a man said Jim Barr (Barrs) wanted me Bill Carrol came to Lake City and went back.
I didn't see B Carrol do anything else after the shooting that day. I have no idea how many shoots were fired - about a doz - rapid succession. I don't know which was last gun fired in this difficulty. I think Bill Carrol was there when I first went there. I didn't have any trouble in stopping dif no one asside me. They were all drinking Jim Barr (Barrs) was drinking a right smart. Jno Barr was sick. There had difficult that ___. They were quarreling Jim Barr (Barrs) was in quarrel - Jno Barr (Barrs) was in room. Ain't possitive if Jim Barr (Barrs) was in diff. Present impression was Bill Car stoped Wingrt from hitting me.

I don't remember what time of day Bill Carrol got there that day. I saw 3 pis (pistols) immediately after shooting, Beaufort Carrol, Bill Carrol and the small pistol of Jim Barr (Barrs). Bill Carrol had a big pis (pistol) - Jno Barr (Barrs) said it was his. Don't know what Bill Carrol did with pistol. Don't know whether any of em was discharged. I don't know Chas Carrol shot that day. I know where he was before and after shooting. Jno Barr (Barrs) remarked Bill Carrol shot him twice.

Question: Did you not use before Judge White in a Habeus Corpus proceeding in this case at this last term this language about the time I saw Jno Barrs was wounded I went to him. Will Carrol said to me, let me help you. Barr (Jno Barrs) said to him "no you God damned coward you shot me twice after I was wounded".

I think he said "with my own pistol". Bill Carrol said, "I did not do it". Plack Farnell came up and Barr (Barrs) said "Plack a dead cock in the pit by God."
To which question the state by its counsel objected. The court then and there made use this remark in the presence of the Jury.

I don't think the present statement of the witness differs materially from the statement embodied in the question of counsels.

Answer: about the same as I have said here.

Question: Did you state before Jud Jno F. White in the habeus corpus
proceeding referred to that Jno Barr (Barrs) said to Plack Farnell that Bill Carroll sho (shoot) him twice with his own pistol - ans. (answer) Don't know whether I did or not. I am not positive - I don't remember that I swore before Judge White or not that Jim Barr (Barrs) held up his hands and showed him where he was shot.

Redirect
At the time that Bill Carrol wanted to help me bind his arm that Barr (Jno Barrs) made remark. I think I put a hand on was not long. I think he had no coat. I think Bill Carrol was present at time of remark to Farnell. Don't remember if Bill Carrol made any reply to (Jno) Barrs remark. I caught hold of (Jno) Barrs arm and saw it was shot all to pieces. Did not pull off his clothes saw wound of other Barr (Jim Barrs) shot in breast and shoulder.
Jno Barr(Barrs) was shot in left armpit and hand.

Dr. Peeler sworn says: I am a physician. I was called as a phy before his (Jno Barrs’) death (on) 23-Nov-(18)72. He was shot in ___. I saw him about sundown. I saw Jno Barr (Barrs). He was on bed in room in Jim Barr (Barrs) house (with his) arm corded Farnell had a stick in cord. Found bone in elbow was shevered shoulder to ________.

They seemed to have gone through his arm gun shot wounds 5 or 6 and did not find any other except in right hand between forefing and thumb did not examine body or breast. Suppose those on hand and arm was all he had gun shot wounds next morn early I returned and found he ws spitting blood knew it could not be from wound in sholr (shoulder) and arm. The arm was amputated clean clothing upon him. No sign of hemmorage from arm. Next morning found wound in left side. I think caused spitting blood - wound were from direct in front - wound in side seemed to be side shot.

Ball roughed em. Ball must have entered stomach from way he was spitting blood. Am satisfied Jno Barr (Barrs) died from those wounds - side wound was mortal. I was there when he (Jno Barrs) died - know he died from those wounds - died 23 - Nov - (1872).

Columbia Co, State of Fla

Robt Martin sworn says:
I was at Barrsville Nov 23-72 in ___ par (part) of this co (county) known as Ellisville now Barrsville. Mr. Jno & Jas Barr (Barrs) was shot that day - heard guns fire - I had seen Bill Carroll at my house prev to shooting. He said here that Jim Barr (Barrs) had cursed him for a damned thieving s of a b.

He said it was right hard to take and said nothing farther. And asked me what I though of it. He used no further words. I am certain that no other words were used.

Question: Did Carrol not also say that he wouldn't take it? Overruled!

Question: Are you satisfied that you have stated all the words used by
Carrol at that time? If not, what other did he use.

Ans: I think he said I would not stand it. It was in the morning that the conver (conversation) took place. Shooting took place in mid afternoon. I was at Perry's store when shoot commenced. I went up where shooting took place saw Jno Barr (Barrs) ___. I saw B. Carrol there. He was in room where Jno Barr (Barrs) was in a shed room. I met Chas Carrol as I was going there between 2 stores he had a shotgun - didn't see Bill Carrol have anything at time had a pis (pistol) don't know where he got large pis.

Question: Did Jno Barr (Barrs) make any remark as to Carrol shot him. Don't recollect whether Barr (Jno Barrs) said Carrol shot him (but) did not hear Jno Barr (Barrs) remark Bill Carrol shot him.

It was about 8 o'clock (in the afternoon) when Bill Carrol was (at) my house. Bill Carrol lives a little SW. B. Carrol did not have to pass my house to go to Barrsville - by himself -horseback. I got to Barrsville about 2 o'clock - did not see Bill C (Carrol) when I got there got there 1 1/2 hour - hadn't seen any of Carrol - any Bar (Barrs), D Wigrt (or) Ike Hart - don't know how he went or which direction he went to Barrs’. I live 2 miles (from) Carrrol –
1 1/2 miles from (Jim) Barrs. My house wasn't on road to (Jim) Barrs. I know Shep Hodge, Shep Hodge lived a little NE of Barrsville about 6 m (miles). Carrol stayed at my house 1/2 h (hour) got down (off his horse) and came in. I was making sugar - don't remem any other conversation with him. I think he told me something about a bl (barrel) of Fl (Flour) he bought from Jim Bar (Barrs) and Jim B pt (put) it in cart and told him he 'd have to pay for he couldn't have it at that price. He said Jno Barr (Barrs) cursed him for a damed thieves of a b and it was hard to take.

I am certain he said so I jst (just) said that Barr (Jim Barrs) called him a ther (thieving) s of a b. (Mr.) Black did ask me if he did say it was right hard to take. I didn't recollect till Mr. Black refreshed my mind. I can recall it now independent of what has been said here.

J. W. Tolbart sworn says:
I knew Jno Barrs in his lifetime. I saw him in last sickness he was shot. I
went to see him. I was sent for. He (Jno Barrs) was lying on bed (in Jim Barrs house) suffering from a gun shot (shotgun) wounds and pistols. I was J of P (Justice of the Peace) at time. I took a statement from him (Jno Barrs) as to how he rec'd wounds - he detailed to me how it ocured in state'mt he was suffering a good ___ from wnds (wounds). Best of my recollection he said he was satisfied he wouldn't get over these wounds - I tired to console him. He (Jno Barrs) said there was no chance - con - on Sat night - he (Jno Barrs) died Mon about 10 o'clock. I don't rembr any min having pr- I arrv'd after dark same day he was shot - I went in house as soon as I got there went into his (Jno Barrs) presence (wound man). I took hold of his (Jno Barrs) arm and held it and told him I had come in cop'y of an officer & to make an inquiry as ____ wanted him (Jno Barrs) to make a statement I don't recolect first words.

I remained all night and next day - got there a little after dark had been there but little while before he said he was going to die. He went on to state he was not going to get over (his wounds). I tried to console him - I think that was all about dying he said. When I first went to him he said he had been innocent of the murder - a set of damn cowards (Caroll brothers) - it was to that effect - he appeared to have right smart strength - voice seemed strong - talk rationally & intelligently - Jno Barrs said he felt satisfied he was going to die. The first words I rember him saying was that he was innocently murdered by a set of damn cowards. I don't think I was minister of the gospel or exorter - there was an affidavit made by Mr. Barr (James C. Barrs). Don't know what had become of it. I have made diligent search. The affidavit was made in reference to shooting of Barr (Jno Barrs).

Dr. Peeler recalled: I was with him (Jno Barrs) from dark till midnight on Sat night. I was a minister of the gospel. (Jno Barrs) Did not ask for prayer. I was with him Sunday and made no request for prayer was with him 2 or 3 h (hours) in mor (morning) & and 3 h in aft. He died between 12 or 1 o'clock - the only remark he made on the subject of dying was on Monday mor (morning) when he said "I'll be game (until) the last. I carried a minister there he was the regular pastor.

Mr. Tolbart - Mr. Barr (Jno Barrs) swore, “to the best of my memory I was in his (Jim Barrs’) back room of the store preparing to take a shave - there had been some difficulty previous, which I thought was settled. I heard the fuss & shooting in front of store.”

“I went to the front door - just as I reaced the door I was shot by
Charlie Carrol with a shot gun who (he) was standing on the ground in front of (Jim Barrs’) store - I turned sorter around inside the store & was shot by Wm Carrol. who was inside of store and opened fire on me with pistol to best of my recollection twice. I had no arms about me and & did not shoot any.”

I issued a warrant for Bill Carrol (and) he was arrested. He (Bill Carrol) made his escape after (being) arrested - Jno Barr (Barrs) died - on Mon about noon. I went by position - about 10 o'cloc I think I was below house & store when I heard he was dead - it was just about that time he, Carrol, made his escape after - I know where (Jin) Barrs’ store was - Columbia Co. St. Fla. - I am satisfied Plac Farnell was present when this statement was made. I don't recolect (Jno) Barrs said Carrol shot him with his own pistol. I think Barr (Barrs) told me he had a pis (pistol) & it was lying on counter or shelf. I don't know when Bill Carrol was arrested under pres pros - I had no formal trial when Bill Carrol was arrested by me. I don't recolect if he demanded a trial.

I commited him to jail upon evidence of Jno Barr (Barrs) & told him if Judge would get him out on ha cor - he didn't demand an examination. I don't know if I have assisted in the prosecution - I have the kindest feeling for Mr. Carrol.

I recolect having met you on certain occasion & told you I didn't dispose to disclose my evidence till required by law I refused to tell anyone what my testimony (would be until) till I went before Judge (John) White. I did not tell Black ____! Bar (Barrs). I never told anyone what the declares were - I think I told Judge White that Plack Farnell was there - I am certain he was there. I have talked with Mr. Barr (Jim Barrs) about this case - I've never communicated to defense counsel or any - I gave you (counsel defense) some insight - I've been with Mr. Barr (Jim Barrs), Black and Jud Ashby a good ___ board at same hotel with Plack Farnell is dead, died last August.

I'm a farmer am not a preacher - used to exhort a little - ____ - I was approached that concerning my evidence before Carrol was arrested last time was approached by Mr. Shipling (?)

J. W. Perry recalled says - the store that the shooting took place was in Col. Co. Fla. Barrs dwelling was about 100 yards from (his) store.

James Knight sworn says - I did not know Jno Barrs in lifetime. I know he was killed and died. I was at Ellisville when he died. Bill Carrol was under arrest when Barr (Jno Barrs) died. He died the day Barr (Jno Barrs) died. Barr (Jno Barrs) died about 10 o'clock. They held an inquest and directly after that was over he (Bill Carrol) made his escape. Beaufort Carrol was a juror on the inquest. He got on his mare and rode off. Beau brought her to him or near him. Beau is cousin to Bill - was not present at ct (court) Tolbart held.

I don't know when he (Mr. Talbart) held his court (and) did not hold court before he (Jno Barrs) died - Don't know whether he held commital before inquest. Old man Crepp & Jack Small was guarding him.

Barr (William W. Barrs, Jim Barrs’ youngest brother of Brooks Co GA) sworn says, “I'm a bro (brother) to Jas (Jim or James C. Barrs) & cousin to Jno Barr (Barrs). I saw Jno B. (Barrs) in last illness. I was with him (Barrs) when he died. Barrsville was not his home. Was here on a visit from S. C. (South Carolina). He had been. I think. Mon or Tues before that- He made a statement to me Sun. night before he died. He said he was dieing, vomiting blood phys. unable to stop it hemorage he said as near as I recolect he told me he was dying. I told him I hope not. He said he was bleeding to death internally. He gave me directions about his bus (business), his fa (father) (and) his body. He made a statement as to ____. I reached Barrsville about 1/2 hour by sun. I inquired where the boys were. I was told they were in the house. I went in the room where Jno (Barrs) was first. He recognized me (and) spoke to me and said I'm killed - said he did not know anyone had anything against him. I told him I thought he'd recover - he said no he could not. I spoke to him in reference to his wounds. He called for his arm that was cut off. Showed me how he was shot and just at that time commenced vomiting. I left him them and went into the room where Jim (Barrs) was.

Went back in to the room where Jno (Barrs) was in about 2 hours. As soon as I went into room he called me to him - says he Jno (Barrs) “I'm dying can’t this bleeding be stopped?” I told him I could do nothing. He says, “I have in Ex (?) of (?) at Gains (bank? of $)100.00. I then asked him to tell me the circumstance of the shooting. He said he knew there was no chance for reco (recovery) & he told me to tell his father the circum & where he wanted to be buried. He said there had been a fuss in the store betw Jas Barr (Barrs) & the Carrols - he thought it had been settled & he was fixing to shave when he heard shooting in front of house (store). He (said) ran to door & just as he got in the door he was shot by Chas Carrol. He said he didn't fire but turned sorter & was then shot by Wm Carrol & with his own pistol - asked him why he didn't have his pistol he said it was lying on shlf that was all in reference to dying. I do not know why Jno Barr(Barrs) was out here hadn't heard him say. Had been with him previous - so far as I know ws just out on a visit.
State Rests

Defendant Witness

Robt Martin says - I was present went Bill Carroll was commited to jail & come by Mr. Tolbart. I don't know whether he demanded a trial. He was brt up for a trail. He had a trial - on affidavit of Jno & Jim Barr (Barrs). That was all testimony I reccolect in case. Mr. Tolbart said from the evidence (John and James C. Barrs affidavits) he had in his pocket, which was the affidavit he commited him to jail. And Mr. Tolbart said, "I am a Barr (Barrs) man or a friend to the Barrs."

Note:
The proceeding twenty-four pages are notes of the trial made by John Arthur Carrell who was the brother of William Carrell and Charles Carrell.

The original copies are in possession of J. B. Carrell, High Springs Florida. This trial was held in Lake City, Columbia County, FL after Count Pulaski (Plack) Farnell died 16 Aug. 1887. James C. Barrs had also died by 1887.

Thus closes my story of G-G Grandfather James Campbell Barrs...
James C. Barrs and Martha Elizabeth Land-Barrs'
G-G Grandparents of Al Barrs, Jr.
albarrs@wfeca.net