WILLIAM J GAUGER (GOUGER)
The above Confederate Veteran is the most honored ancestor and g-g-grandfather of Johnny Davis of Cherokee County, Alabama. Private William J Gauger (Gouger) was born about 1836 in Warren County, Tennessee and died September 9, 1915 in Cherokee County, Alabama. Private Gauger joined the 39th Georgia Infantry, Co D, Army of Tennessee, C.S.A. on March 4, 1862 and was a member of the "Dade County Invincibles" of Dade County, Georgia.
With Maj.-Gen. Carter L. Stevenson commanding, the 39th Georgia took part in:
Battle at Bridgeport, Alabama 29 April 1862
Battle of Cumberland Gap 17-18 June 1862
Battle at Lexington, Kentucky 13 October 1862
Battle at Bourbon County, Kentucky 15 October 1862
Vicksburg Campaign: May-July 1863
Battle of Champion's Hill, Mississippi (aka Baker's Creek) 16 May 1863
Seige of Vicksburg, Mississippi May 24, 1863 through July 4, 1863 when Pvt
Gauger was captured July 4, 1863 and paroled there July 11, 1863
With Lieutenant-General Nathan Bedford Forrest as his commanding officer, Pvt William J. Gouger then joined the 4th Tennessee Cavalry Company H between late July and early August of 1863 and was made Sergeant.
On September 18-20, 1863 he fought in the Battle of Chickamauga, Ga. His unit was around the Reeds Bridge during the Chickamauga Georgia Campaign where he was captured. However, on his way to a POW Camp in Ohio Pvt Gauger escaped and went back to his unit.
He was then listed as absent without leave Nov.-Dec. 1863.
Back under the leadership of Lt Gen Nathan Bedford Forrest, Pvt Gauger then participated in:
February 21, 1864 Battle of West Point, Miss.
February 22, 1864 Battle of Okolona, Miss.
April 12, 1864 Battle of Fort Pillow, Tenn.
June 10, 1864 Battle of Brice's Crossroads, Miss.
July 14, 1864 Battle of Tupelo, Miss.
August 21, 1864 Forrest's Raid on Memphis, Tenn.
September 25, 1864 Battle of Sulphur Branch Trestle
September 27, 1864 Battle of Pulaski, Tenn.
November 3, 1864 Battle of Johnsonville, Tenn.
November 29, 1864 Battle of Springhill, Tenn.
November 30, 1864 Battle of Franklin, Tenn.
December 15,16, 1864 Battle of Nashville, Tenn.
April 2, 1865 Battle of Selma, Ala.
Then, under the leadership of Gen Nathan Bedford Forrest, his were the last Confederate forces east of the Mississippi to
surrender in May 1865. The regiment was then paroled at Gainesville, Alabama.