Samuel Theodore “Ted” Houston: 2nd Great Grandfather
Samuel Theodore “Ted” was born to Franklin and Mary in Iredell County, NC in 1836. In 1858 he married Martha Alice “Mattie” Fincher in Cherokee County, GA. In 1860 he was farming in Woodstock, GA.
April, 1861 saw the beginning of the Civil War. The Confederate Provisional Congress passed a number of laws to create a national army at that time. By the end of the year upwards of 200,000 men were under arms and the volunteer and militia systems provided the bare minimum of men needed to defend a large country. But by the beginning of 1862 it became obvious to members of the Confederacy’s political and military elites that once the terms of enlistment for the volunteers started to expire, and many men decided not to re-enlist, the country would face a manpower shortage. Earlier legislation attempted to address this problem by offering liberal incentives to reenlist, but these incentives proved to be ineffective. In recognition of this problem, Jefferson Davis sent a message to the Confederate Congress on March 28, 1862 recommending the enactment of a system of conscription.
On April 16th, the Confederacy adopted a law that provided for support of the army by extending the terms of enlistment of currently enrolled soldiers to three years from the date of original enlistment. In addition, the law made all white males between the ages of 18 and 35 who were citizens of a state in the Confederacy subject to national military service for a term of three years, unless released at an earlier date by the President.
Less than a month later, on May 10, 1862 Samuel Theodore Houston joined the 3rd Georgia Cavalry under Capt. James A. Fowler’s Company F (Cherokee Rangers), Crawford’s Regiment. Ted and Mattie had three children prior to his conscription: Josephine, Alice Drucilla and their third child, Laura Jane Houston, who actually was born in June, 1862, a month after Ted joined the confederate army. He mustered in at Athens, Georgia and enrolled for three years, as was required. He had to supply his own horse (valued at $175) and equipment (valued at $25). He was paid a bounty of $50 for joining the Confederate Army. Ted was 25 years old.
The cavalry’s military role at the beginning of the war was limited to patrolling, scouting and guarding. But, as Ted entered the war, the cavalry’s role dramatically changed as the armies used their horse soldiers in more combat situations. During fighting at New Haven most of the unit had been captured. However, Companies G and F did fight at the battle of Perryville, KY with General Joe Wheeler. A detachment also saw action at Murfreesboro and after those captured at New Haven were exchanged, the command was assigned to J.J. Morrison’s, C.C. Crews’, and Iverson’s Brigade. It participated in the campaigns of Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Atlanta, was involved in Northern Alabama and Georgia, and in 1865 participated in various conflicts in the Carolinas.
Battles:
• New Haven – Sept. 29, 1862
• Perryville – Oct. 8, 1862 (With Joe Wheeler)
• Murfeesboro – Dec. 31, 1862
• Tullahoma Campaign – June-July 1863
Note: From July 1 to September 31, 1863 we see that Ted was on “detached” service. “Detached Service” is when a soldier or company or battery is assigned to other than one’s own regiment for duty of some sort. It was often one with Artillery Batteries and Cavalry Companies to augment the forces of a regiment or brigade by assigning a company, a battery, or chosen group of soldiers to other commands for specialized duty. I don’t currently have records of where he was temporarily assigned during this three-month period. The hugely important Battle of Chickamauga happed during this time frame but Ted may have not participated in it, although his company did.
• Chattanooga Siege – Sept.-Nov. 1863
• Knoxville Siege – Nov.-Dec. 1863
• Atlanta Campaign – May-Sept. 1864
• Atlanta Siege – July-Sept. 1864
• Sunshine Church – July 31, 1864
• Skirmishes in Northern Alabama and Georgia
The March to the Sea Griswoldville
Carolinas Campaign – Feb – April 1865
Samuel Theodore “Ted” Houston’s duty ended with the surrender of the Army of Tennessee April 26, 1865. He was lucky to still be alive.
Upon Ted’s return to civilian life, he and Mattie had three additional girls and a boy. In 1869, Ted moved his family to Somerville, Morgan County, AL. This may have been based on his experience in North Alabama during the Civil War. Ted and Mattie lived out their days in Somerville. Mattie died April, 1903 (cause unknown) and Samuel died April 6, 1910 of “apoplexy” (cerebral hermorrhage/stroke). Both are buried in the Houston Cemetery in Somerville.
A few pictures from Morgan County during Ted’s life there:
Somerville County Courthouse built in 1837:
Union Soldiers working on Fortifications, Bank and Market Streets, 1864:
Bank Street, 1880:
Decatur, very early 1900’s:
Union Station, Decatur 1910:
