Siege of Yorktown

Battle of Williamsburg

Battle of Seven Pines

Seven Days Battles

Gaines’ Mill

Malvern Hill

Battle of South Mountain

Fought at Turner’s Gap. Colonel Barclay was called out in Colonel Colquitt’s official report for “noble conduct.”

Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam)

The regiment was commanded by Colonel William P. Barclay until he was killed. Lieutenant Colonel Emory F. Best took over command until he was wounded and captured. Major James H. Huggins then took command and remained on the field even though he was also wounded. Fourteen men were killed and 64 wounded.

From the War Department marker for Colquitt’s Brigade on the Antietam battlefield:

Colquitt’s Brigade formed line soon after sunrise, southwest of Mumma’s house, in support of Trimble and Ripley. It followed Ripley across the Smoketown Road and formed on his right.

After a severe engagement, involving heavy loss, it retired to the west end of the Bloody Lane and assisted in checking the advance of French’s Division of the Second Corps. Later in the day, portions of the Brigade acted with Evans’ Brigade in checking the Federal advance on the Boonsboro Pike.

From the War Department marker for Colquitt’s and Garland’s Brigades on the Antietam battlefield:

After the repulse of the Confederate line in the East Woods and Cornfield north of the Smoketown Road in the morning of the 17th, parts of the Brigades of Colquitt and Garland rallied in the Sunken Road at this point, their right connecting with Rodes, their left resting on the Hagerstown Pike. They cooperated with Rodes in repelling the advance of French’s Division, Second Corps, and, in cooperation with detachments of McLaws’ and Walker’s Division, crossed this road and attacked the right flank of French’s Division but were repulsed. In the afternoon, parts of the two Brigades were collected at Sharpsburg and moved out on the Boonsboro Pike in support of Evans’ Brigade in its resistance to the advance of a portion of the Fifth Army Corps.

Battle of Fredericksburg

Battle of Chancellorsville

The 23rd Georgia was the tail end of Jackson’s long column on his flank march, and was attacked by Sickles’ Federals as it appeared to be leaving the battlefield. After a desperate rear guard action much of the regiment was captured.  Colonel Best was the only officer who avoided capture, leading to charges of cowardice and his eventual court martial.

From the wayside marker on the Jackson Flank March Trail at Chancellorsville:

On May 2, 1863, as the tail end of Stonewall Jackson’s flanking column neared the Wellford place, Union infantry launched an attack. They struck Jackson’s rearguard (the 23rd Georgia) a half-mile to the north, at Catharine Furnace. From there, they fought a running battle to the Wellford farm. Confederate artillery unlimbered in the yard of the Wellford house to help repel a Union assault.

Outnumbered, the Georgians fell back to the protection of a railroad embankment, still visible inside the woods ahead of you. But Union sharpshooters outflanked the Georgians’ position and captured most of the regiment. The Federals pushed no farther, though, and Jackson’s march continued. By 5 p.m. his column lay poised opposite the Union army’s unprotected right flank, about three miles northwest of you. Jackson stood on the verge of his greatest success.

From the historical marker for the 23rd Georgia at Chancellorsville:

May 2, 1863. Having lost the furnace, the 23rd Georgia Regiment established a new line here in the bed of the Unfinished Railroad. Other troops reinforced the position. During late afternoon, while Jackson’s front lines were hitting the Federal right, the rearguard Confederates fell back according to his orders. Colonel Best, however, received the word too late. Although he and a few of his men escaped, the bulk of the 23rd Georgia was captured. This railroad then comprised a series of graded sections without tracks. Finished later, from Fredericksburg to Orange Court House, it ceased operation in 1938, except for a spur at Fredericksburg.

Charleston Harbor

Moved to Charleston, South Carolina and assigned to 3rd Sub-Division, 1st Military District of South Carolina, Department of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

Battle of Olustee

Drewry’s Bluff

Battle of Cold Harbor

Siege of Petersburg

The Crater

Fort Harrison

Second Battle of Fort Fisher

Carolinas Campaign

Battle of Bentonville

Durham Station

Surrendered with Johnston’s army.