Historical Sketch and Roster of the Georgia 38th Infantry Regiment

In this review the Historical Sketch and Roster of the Georgia 38th Infantry Regiment is assessed for readers seeking a focused regimental history of a single Confederate unit. The book is best for Civil War researchers, genealogists, and military historians who want a concise account of the 38th Georgia's organization, battlefield record, and company roster. The single biggest reason to buy is its concentrated coverage of the regiment's service from the Seven Days' Battles through Appomattox, providing casualty figures and company identities that are hard to assemble from scattered sources.

Key Features

• Regimental narrative: A clear chronological account traces the 38th Georgia through major campaigns from the Seven Days' Battles to Cold Harbor and the Shenandoah Valley, helping readers follow the unit's movements and actions.
• Casualty details: Specific battle casualties are provided, such as losses at Gaines' Mill, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg, giving a concrete sense of the regiment's wartime cost.
• Company roster: Company-level identification lists units like the Dekalb Murphy Guards and Milton Guards, which is useful for genealogical research and identifying men from specific counties.
• Surrender information: The account includes the regiment's surrender figure and the number armed at Appomattox, closing the unit's wartime story for readers tracing final dispositions.
• Brigade context: Placement of the 38th within the Lawton-Gordon-Evans brigade links its service to sister regiments and the 12th Georgia Light Artillery Battalion, aiding comparative study across the brigade.

Who It's For

This work is aimed at Civil War enthusiasts, family historians, and local Georgia researchers who need a compact, regiment-focused reference rather than a broad theater study. It is particularly valuable when combined with primary sources and battle histories to build a fuller picture of individual soldiers and engagements.

Those seeking extensive analysis of strategy, long-form narrative, or richly illustrated coffee-table history should look elsewhere; this title is concentrated on the 38th's service record and roster rather than broad interpretive essays or visual presentation.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Consolidates the 38th Georgia's movements and actions across key campaigns for easy reference.
• Provides battle-specific casualty figures that support research into unit losses and soldier experiences.
• Includes company names and county origins, which aids genealogical identification of soldiers.

Cons

• Limited interpretive analysis; readers seeking deep strategic discussion will find the focus strictly regimental.

Specifications

Title	Historical Sketch and Roster of the Georgia 38th Infantry Regiment
Author	John C. Rigdon
Unit	38th Georgia Infantry Regiment
Brigade	Lawton - Gordon - Evans brigade
Notable battles	Seven Days, Gaines' Mill, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Cold Harbor
Surrender	Surrendered with 112 men, 73 armed at Appomattox

Our Verdict

The Historical Sketch and Roster of the Georgia 38th Infantry Regiment is a practical, focused resource for researchers and genealogists who need regimental facts, casualty numbers, and company rosters. Its concise coverage of the 38th's service makes it good value for anyone building a soldier-level study or tracing family service within the Georgia regiments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this volume list company identities?
Yes, it lists companies such as the Dekalb Murphy Guards and Milton Guards and notes county origins where available.

Which campaigns does the book cover?
The narrative follows the 38th from the Seven Days Battles through Cold Harbor, the Shenandoah Valley, Gettysburg, and to Appomattox.

Does it include casualty figures?
Yes, the work cites specific losses at engagements including Gaines' Mill, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg.