| Jerry McWilliams tells the story of the USS Cairo, the first ship sunk in combat. McWilliams, a Terry, MS-based artist, is seen with a framed copy of his painting, The Sinking of the U.S.S. Cairo, during the Third Congress of the General Barton & Stovall History Heritage Association in 2004. Three days after the sinking of the Cairo on Dec 12, 1862, Carter Stevenson’s division including Barton's Brigade of mostly north Georgia farmers was ordered to reinforce General John C. Pemberton’s army in Mississippi. |
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On Dec 28, Barton's Brigade is at the center of the Confederate line of defense at Chickasaw Bayou behind a section of Drew's battery positioned on the slight elevation of an ancient Indian mound. In 2004, the Indian mound was home to an old house trailer and utitlity buildings. |
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