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Elm Springs, Columbia, TN, 11 March 2008
GEORGIA GOVERNOR PERDUE HONORS BLACK CONFEDERATE
Governor Sonny Perdue of Georgia has issued a proclamation declaring April 2008 as Confederate
History Month.
The proclamation specifically recognizes and honors Bill Yopp, a black Confederate from Laurens
County, Georgia.
The proclamation states: "Among those who served the Confederacy were many both free and slave
who saw action in the Confederate military in many combat roles."
"One such soldier who made significant contributions to the state was Bill Yopp of Laurens County who
served four years in Company "H" 14th Regiment, Georgia Infantry. Yopp helped to br ing about
reconciliation and healing after the war by raising money for Confederate reunions and living in the
Confederate Soldiers Home with his comrades."
Historians vary on the umber of blacks who served the Confederacy. Because the records are often
missing the numbers range upwards of 80 to 100,000 based on classifications such as teamsters,
cooks, musicians, all of which were regarded as "military" in the Union army. Many black Confederates,
like Bill Yopp, have been documented as combat veterans.
Bill Yopp died on June 3rd, 1936 and was buried with full military honors at the Confederate Cemetery in
Marietta. Several Georgia state officials attended his funeral service, including former governors.
In concluding his proclamation, Governor Perdue said "It is important that Georgians reflect upon our
state's past and honor the devotion of her Confederate leaders, soldiers and citizens.
Attending the ceremony in Governor P erdue's office were several descendants of Bill Yopp including
Mrs.. Alma Jean Massey of Detroit, Michigan, Mrs.. Doris Taylor of Jackson, Michigan, Mrs.. Rosa
Chapelle of Dublin, Georgia, Mr.. Shawn Peacock of Leesburg, Florida and Mrs.. Loreen Pittman of
Louisiana.
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> Friends of Nash Farm Battlefield,
>
> The Colonel Charles T. Zachry home was saved today from
demolition in the City of McDonough and has found a new homestead at the Nash Farm Battlefield.
> Just think…the Nash Farm Battlefield, (current home of Captain John Nash), will now accommodate the
home of Captain Nash’s former Commander, Colonel Charles T. Zachry, Brigade Commander of the
27th Georgia Volunteer Infantry!
>
> The 167 year old Zachry house was vigilantly moved today and it drew a lot of attention along its path
on its way to its new home. The roof of the house had to be removed for safe transportation and it is
currently being rebuilt this evening by the house movers. The roof will be temporary covered by a large
tarp until a new tin roof can be installed.
>
> The house, originally built in 1840 has hand hewn timber frame construction in which wooden pegs hold
together interlocking joints, (joining the timbers together). The Zachry house has the characteristics that
define older pioneer homes — high ceilings,
wooden floors, period moldings.
>
> Most of the interior walls have 4X8 modern paneling sheets and behind them you have the original 12”
boarding! Remarkably, the wooden heart pine floors have never had any carpet installed and the interior
doors are all original. Structurally, the house is in striking condition and a rarity of its kind which can’t be
found.
> Volunteers are needed to help restore a valuable piece of
Henry County’s history. Colonel Charles T. Zachry was credited with
winning Florida’s largest battle during the War Between the
States. Now his home will be turned into a museum, telling his
incredible accomplishments and housing the many artifacts which were
recently unearthed beneath the Nash Farms hallowed soil.
>
> This is not a new house; but it has a charm & history that a new house will never have.
> If you are a carpenter, stone mason, painter, electrician, roofer or just an all-around-fix-it type of person
we could use your help in restoring this one-of-a-kind piece of Henry County
history. Volunteers are needed starting this Saturday, March 24th for tearing out all modern construction
and disposing of that debris into a dumpsterCommissioner Mathis will be there Saturday with a crowbar
in hand and ready to help join in.
>
> If you or someone you know is interested in contributing some
time to this project, please call (678) 770-7003 for more
information.
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Compatriot Mark Pollard of Henry Co. SCV, and Historian of the Nash Farm Battlefield Park
in Lovejoy/Hampton, gave us a great update on continuing progress at the Nash Farm. go
to web site for more info:
http://www.henrycountybattlefield.com/
*The moving of an 1840's home from McDonogh to the Park this coming Monday. The home was once the
resident of Colonel Charles T.Zachry of McDonough, Henry's highest ranking soldier during the war. He
commanded the Zachry Rangers of the 27th Georgia Infantry, and later commanded the Regiment, and
served as a temporaryBrigade commander. The house will serve possibly as a museum.
*Plans are underway with State assistance to remodel the Nash home to it's wartime appearance.
* In a huge coup for Nash Farm, the DOT has tentatively agreed to push forward moving the road so that it
eleminates the bad curve there at the park entrance. It will also allow the 13 acres currently divided by the
road (known as the "artillery site") to
become a contiguous part of the overall battlefield.
*Participation by the Civil War Preservaton Trust (which every SCV member should support if you don't
already) to get involvedwith attempting to purchase the 75acres of the cavalry charge field currently on the
Clayton side of the line and owned by a
developer that is set on building 300 town homes right up against our park. If this land is developed, it will
destroy the vast area of ground that the Union cavalry charged across prior to breaking through at the Nash
farm yard.
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> Amos Rucker, born in Elbert County, Georgia, was a servant of Alexander "Sandy" Rucker and both
joined the 33rd Georgia Regiment of the Confederate Army. Amos got his first taste of
> battle when a fellow soldier was killed by a Union bullet , Rucker quickly took the dead soldier's rifle and
fired back at the enemy.
After the War Between the States, Amos Rucker came back to Atlanta where he met and married Martha
and the couple was blessed with many children and grandchildren.
> in Atlanta, Amos joined the W.H.T. Walker Camp of the United Confederate Veterans. It was made up of
Southern Veterans whose purpose was to remember those who served in the war and help those in need.
The meetings were held at 102 Forsyth Street in Atlanta where Amos was responsible for calling the roll of
members. Amos and Martha felt that the members of Walker Camp were like their own family. It is written
that Amos would say, "My folks gave me everything I want." These UCV men helped Amos and his wife buy
a house on the west side of Atlanta and John M. Slatonalso helped prepare a will for Rucker. Slaton, a
member of the Sons ofConfederateVeterans, Gordon Camp, would, as governor of Georgia, commute the
death sentence of Leo Frank.
> Amos Rucker's last words to members of his UCV Camp were,"Give my love to the boys."
> His funeral services were conducted by, preacher and former Confederate General Clement A. Evans.
Rucker was buried with his Confederate gray uniform and wrapped in his belovedConfederate Battle Flag.
Today, some members of the Martin Luther King family are buried near Amos and Martha at Southview
Cemetery.
> The Reverend T.P. Cleveland led the prayer and when Captain William T. Harrison read the poem, "When
Rucker Called The Roll" there was not a dry eye among the crowd of many Black and White mourners.
> The grave of Amos and Martha Rucker was without a marker for many years until 2006, when the Sons of
Confederate Veterans Remarked it.
>
> Did you know that the first military monument, near our nation's Capitol, to honor an African-American
soldier is the Confederate Monument at Arlington National Cemetery?
> "When you eliminate the Black Confederate soldier, you've eliminated the history of the South."---The late
Dr. Leonard Haynes, Professor, Southern University
>
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Who Was Amos Rucker
August 10th, is the 105th anniversary of the death of Black Confederate—Amos Rucker of Atlanta,
Georgia.
In 1905, newspapers led with the opening of Woolworth's stores, the Atlanta , Ga. Terminal Railroad
Station dedication with the US Army Band playing “ Dixie .”.....And on August 10th Atlanta grieved the loss
of a beloved soldier and friend.
And books like, "Forgotten Confederates---An Anthology about Black Southerners" by Charles Kelly
Barrow, J.H. Segars and R.B. Roseburg, have further enlightened us to the role played by African-
Americans serving in the Confederate Armed Forces.
Frederick Douglas, abolitionist and former slave, reported, "There are at present moment many colored
men in the Confederate Army doing their duty not only as cooks, but also as real soldiers, having muskets
on their shoulders and bullets in their pockets."
Who was Amos Rucker?
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