(1824 - 02 SEP 1863)
Georgia 49th Infantry Regiment
Army of Northern Virginia
The regiment was formed at Camp Davis near Guyton, Georgia, and on 2 APR, 1862 they went via train to Goldsboro, NC. They were assigned to J. R. Anderson's Brigade, Department of North Carolina and this Brigade was made a part of A. P. Hill's Division, Army of Northern Virginia in May 1862. The regiment was under the command of Gen. Stonewall Jackson from June 1862 until his death on 10 MAY 1863. At that time, the regiment was transferred to the 3rd Corps, Pender's-Wilcox's Division.
Henderson's Rosters of the Confederate Soldiers of Georgia, gives Thomas' death at 22 JUL 1862, but his wife, Rebecca Webb Rigdon stated in her pension application that Thomas died 02 SEP 1863 of Camp Fever at Huguenot Springs Hospital in Virginia.
Based on this record, Thomas fought in the following battles:
Seven Pines, May 31st, 1862
Mechanicsville, June 26th, 1862
Cold Harbor, June 27th, 1862
Savages' Station, June 29th, 1862
Frazer's Farm, June 30th, 1862
Malvern Hill, July 1st, 1862
Cedar Run, August 9th, 1862
Manassas, No. 2, August 29th and 30th, 1862
Chantilly, September 1st, 1862
Harper's Ferry, September 15th, 1862
Shepherdstown, September 19th, 1862
Fredericksburg, December 13th, 1862
Chancellorsville, May 3d, 1863
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 1st, 2d and 3d, 1863
Williamsport, July 6, 1863
Thomas was the son of Berry S. (1787) and Mary (Taylor) (1805) Rigdon. He was born in Appling County, GA. He married Rebecca Webb (Aug. 14, 1828), Dec. 18, 1845 in Camden County, GA. They had eight children:
Eliza A. (1850)
Mary A. (1851)
Berry S. (Apr. 12, 1852)
Lydia Ann (Aug. 30, 1851)
Martha Ann (Feb. 15, 1855)
John A. (Feb. 15, 1858)
Sarah A. (1860)
The 1850 GA Census lists Thomas, his wife Rebecca (Webb) 24, and 1 daughter, Eliza A, age 1. He is also listed in the 1860 Irwin County, GA census.
The 1850 census shows that Thomas had a 50 acre farm in Appling County, GA. Thomas moved from Appling County to Irwin County about 1855 and settled in the present Chula district, a section of Irwin cut into Tift County in 1905. He was a member of the Irwin County Grand Jury in the April term 1858. He bought a farm and lived there until shortly before his death. The 1860 Irwin County, GA census shows the family there. His widow reared the children to maturity and lived on the home place until her death May 1, 1899. She was buried at Zion Hope Church, Tift County.
Zion Hope Church was founded in 1859, thirteen years before Tifton was settled. The first services were held in a log building on land given by Thomas. Today, Zion Hope Baptist Church is a thriving Southern Baptist Church on a beautiful site overlooking two lakes. Ed Rigdon owns 250 acres of the old homesite northeast of the church property. The farm today is primarily part of the Georgia Agricultural Experimental Station just north of Tifton and there is a large billboard type sign near the Agrirama which says, "Rigdon Farm - State of GA Experimental Station". The state has recreated an old 1800's style homestead and visitors can see just what if was like for Thomas and Rebecca to live and work the old homestead. The Agrirama is located right on Interstate 75 north of Tifton and the farm stretches several miles north of there.
Compatriot John Rigdon is the great-great-great grandson of Thomas Rigdon through his son, William.
Funding for this memorial page was provided by the Bernard E. Bee Camp #1575 - Sons of Confederate Veterans. For details on adding a memorial for a Confederate Soldier, Click Here