Ed Jackson and Charles Pou

The University of Georgia

January 16

1837 Lawyer and Confederate general James Phillip Simms was born in Covington, Ga. A lawyer before the Civil War, he served as a major in the 53rd Georgia in 1862. As a colonel, he was at the battles of Fredericksburg, Salem Church, Gettysburg, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Wilderness, and Spotsylvania. He commanded Bryan's brigade in the Shenandoah Valley campaign and Cedar Creek. In December 1864, he was promoted to brigadier general and commanded Simms' Brigade in Kershaw's Division at Petersburg and Sayler's Creek. After the war, he resumed the practice of law. He died May 30, 1887 in Covington.

1861 Georgia's secession convention assembled in Milledgeville.

1865 From Savannah, Gen. Sherman issued Special Field Order No. 15 that stated in part:

"The islands from Charleston south, the abandoned rice-fields along the rivers for thirty miles back from the sea, and the country bordering the Saint John's River, Fla., are reserved and set apart for the settlement of the negroes now made free by the acts of war and the proclamation of the President of the United States."

1871 Jefferson Franklin Long of Macon was sworn in as Georgia's first black congressman.

1920 Georgia went dry as the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution -- mandating national prohibition -- went into effect.

1931 The U.S. Post Office Department issued a 2-cent commemorative stamp in honor of 150th anniversary of the death of Polish count and Revolutionary War hero Casimir Pulaski, who was killed during the siege of Savannah in 1778. First day of issues ceremonies were held in Savannah, as well as 11 large American cities with large Polish populations.

1957 Little Richard recorded "Lucille".

1961 Their suspension lifted, Charlayne Hunter and Hamilton Holmes returned to Athens and attended classes at the University of Georgia. Various incidents continued, but there was no more violence or riots. They would continue their education, she obtaining a degree in journalism and he a degree in liberal arts.

1997 A bombing of an abortion clinic in Sandy Springs was followed by a second detonation after authorities arrived. Seven people were injured in the explosions. Though it was unknown at the time, the bombings were committed by Eric Rudolph, the same man responsible for the Centennial Olympic Park bombing the previous year.

2005 The Atlanta Falcons soundly defeated the St. Louis Rams to advance to the National Football Conference title game.

In Their Own Words on This Day. . .

1738 While sailing to Georgia, Anglican minister George Whitefield witnessed, and tried to alleviate, an example of brutal discipline inflicted upon British soldiers on board:

"Was a little affected by seeing a poor Soldier tied Neck and Heels, for several mutinous Words he had spoken. The Captain related the Case to me, and said, if I could make him sensible of his Crime, I might beg him off. I endeavoured to do it, but, alas, in vain; he continued obstinate, and thereby hindered my design taking Effect. After this, the Captain ordered him to be tied down between Decks; from whence I took Occasion, in my Morning Sermon, to exhort the Soldiers to obey them that had the Rule over them and to avoid those Sins, that would provoke God to command them to be tied Hand and Foot, and to be cast into outer darkness, where would be weeping and gnashing of Teeth."

Source: [no author or editor cited], Our First Visit in America: Early Reports from the Colony of Georgia, 1732-1740 (Savannah: Beehive Press, 1974), pp. 281-282.

1739 From Fort Frederica, James Oglethorpe wrote the other Trustees in London about the malcontents continuing plea to allow slavery in the colony of Georgia. Oglethorpe had philosophical beliefs against slavery, but his letter stressed practical reasons in opposing slavery:

". . . And indeed, if Negroes could be allowed, this colony must be immediately destroyed, for it would be impossible to prevent them deserting to the Spaniards, our near neighbours who give freedom, land and protection to all runaway Negroes.

"Besides which, all the lands in the colony will be very soon in that Negro merchant's hands who furnishes them.

"They would pretend that there might be some limitation in numbers [of slaves]. But limitations cannot be put in practice, as experience has proved in other countries.

"And wherever Negroes are, though never so few, the white men grow idle. And I believe the idleness of the town of Savannah is chiefly owning to their seeing the Negroes in Carolina . . . .

"The people of Darien have petitioned against Negroes, and I heard that the people of Frederica intend to do the same. . . . "

Source: Mills Lane (ed.), General Oglethorpe's Georgia: Colonial Letters, 1733-1743 (Savannah: Beehive Press, 1990), Vol. II, p. 388.

1862 From Savannah, J.H. Graham wrote to his wife in Coweta County about camp life early in the Civil War:

"I have been here twelve days, and its seems that I have been away from home nearly twelve weeks. You have no idea how much I want to see you and the children, to be at home once more. 'Home, Sweet Home!' There is no place like home. . . .

"The camp is a peculiar place [with] all sorts of men and dispositions of men. Now, while I write, there is a variety of amusements in hearing, one party playing at leap frog and singing spiritual songs, some dancing, some cursing, some reading the Bible, some drinking whiskey and all sorts and more evil than good. Eight [are] sick with measles, none dangerous, I think.The duties of the office I hold are rather troublesome, but after 8 o'clock I can go to bed and sleep until 6:30 in the morning. I would [not like] to stand guard, for the sentinels have a hard time of it. My bed is straw, but I sleep as comfortable as I wish in camp. . . . I do think there are men in Coweta [County] that could be spared from home much better than I can or could. I want you to talk to the young men of your acquaintance and ask them what they think of staying at home and having men come here who are sacrificing everything but the camp and battlefield. . . ."

Source: Mills Lane (ed.), "Dear Mother: Don't grieve about me. If I get killed, I'll only be dead.": Letters from Georgia Soldiers in the Civil War (Savannah: Beehive Press, 1990), pp. 93-95.