Joe Brown's Army

"Unique in origin and service, the two regiments of the Georgia State Line were conspicuous among the local defense forces raised in Confederate Georgia. Indirectly brought into being by the Great Locomotive Chase of 1862, the State Line was raised to protect Georgia and serve only within her borders. Its military career began with coastal defense in February 1863 and continued until the surrender of Georgia's forces in May 1865. During their tour of duty, the Line's men served both as bridge guards and construction crews on the Western and Atlantic Railroad, fought alongside the Army of Tennessee during the final four months of the Atlanta Campaign, and saw action under Lieutenant General William J. Hardee during Sherman's March to the Sea. Finally, men of the State Line fought at Columbus, in one of the last battlefields of the war.'". Joseph E. Brown was governor of Georgia from 1861-1865.