George W. Briggs

BRIGGS, GEORGE W. (1819 ~ 1909). Confederate veteran George W. Briggs was born in Virginia in 1819.

During the Civil War Briggs belonged to Company A, 32nd Tennessee Infantry, J.C. Brown's Brigade. The 32nd Tennessee Infantry was formed on October 28, 1861 under the command of Colonel Edmond C. Cooke.

Company A was formed with men from Giles County. By February 1862 Colonel John C. Brown's Brigade was made up of the 3rd, 18th, and 32nd Infantry units. J.C. Brown remained the commander of the 32nd until 1865. The 32nd aided in the defense of Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River and they surrendered and were taken prisoner by General U.S. Grant.

The prisoners were sent to Camp Morton, Indiana. Upon their release from prison, the 32nd was sent to Jackson, Mississippi for reorganization. They fought in many battles after the reorganization including Chickamauga, Nashville, and Bentonville. The remaining members of the 32nd were reorganized with Joseph E. Johnston and, surrendered On April 26, 1865. They were paroled on May 1, 1865.

Briggs moved to Texas in 1886, and lived in Archer County where he was a member of the Methodist Church.

Briggs suffered from old age when he was admitted to the Confederate Men's Home on September 20, 1893. He died November 4, 1909 and was buried at the Texas State Cemetery a short time later.

Information taken from Texas State Cemetery file materials.