The Twelfth Georgia Infantry, 161
in which General Lee held the qualities of Colonel Willis, Colonel Venable continues, " He wishes you to finish them [the operations] as soon as practicable so as to be able to report to your brigade in time for active operations."
The premature death of Colonel Willis, at the battle of Mechanics- ville, at the head of his regiment. May 31st, 1864, deprived the army of an admirable and intrepid officer, when his services were claimed in a higher station, a commission of brigadier-general having been filled for him upon the recommendation of General Lee and others, his commanders.
His conspicuous gallantry in the battles of Alleghany, McDowell, Port Republic, Gaines' Mill, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Sharpsburg, Boteler's Mill, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg is noted in the personal reports of his several commanders.]
[l] FROM THE GEORGIA TWELFTH REGIMENT.
(Correspondence of the Savannah Republican.)
Camp Alleghany, Pocahontas county, Va., 28 July, 1861.
Mr. Editor: Knowing that the people of Georgia feel a deep interest in the condition and movements of the soldiers that represent that State in the service of the Southern Confederacy, and that among your readers are many of the friends and kindred — the parents and children, brothers, sisters and wives — of those attached to the same command with myself, I respectfully ask the privilege of publishing in your columns such items of intelligence, facts, incidents and speculations connected with our own regiment, or the general cause, as may likely interest or instruct the reader.
The Twelfth regiment of Georgia volunteers was organized in Richmond, Va., on the 3d day of July, under the following officers : Edward Johnson, colonel ; Z. T. Conner, lieutenant-colonel ; Abner Smeade, major ; Edward Willis, adjutant ; Dr. H. K. Green, surgeon . Robert J. Lightfoot, quartermaster, and Richmond A. Reid, com- missary.
The following companies compose the regiment, viz :
" Muckalee Guards,*' Sumter county, Captain Hawkins.
"Davis Guards,'* Dooly county. Captain Brown.
" Calhoun Rifles," Calhoun county, Captain Furlow.
- ' Lowndes Volunteers,*' Lowndes county. Captain Patterson.
"Davis Rifles,** Macon county. Captain McMillan.
