George F. Davis was born in Alexander, County North Carolina on May-10-1829. His parents were 'Jeremiah & Nancy Davis' they had a total of '9 Children. Some time between 1840 & 1845 they moved from Alexander, Co. N.C. to Hardin County Illinois because his friends, John Simmions and Arch Lackey had moved to Hardin Co. Illinois in the late 1830's and had wrote back and told them how much better the farm land was in Illinois then in North Carolina. So Jeremiah & his wife Nancy packed up four 'Sons' 'Jeremiah II, Peter, Robert, George and moved to Southern ILLinois They left a son (William) and three Daughters behind in North Carolina. On Aug. 15, 1853 George F. Davis married Mary Jane Frailey. To this union six children were born: 1855-William L., 1857-Susan N., 1859-Polly Ann., 1861-Haseltine Elizabeth, 1865-Daniel Jeremiah, 1872-Ranzy L. Davis.

George and his father and brothers were Farmers. When the Civil War broke out. George and his brothers enlisted in the ILLinois 29th Infantry, Co. A. From 1861--1865 George F. was in a number of engagements from Fort Henry to Fort Donelson where his Brigade formed the extreme right of the line. Meeting the enemy frist and fighting them longer than any other portion of the Army. Regiment lost 100 men, killed and wounded, of which 30 were killed on the field . Then they proceeded to Savannah,Tenn. Then on to Pittsburg Landing. Then on to the Battle of 'Shiloh' where the regiment bore a most honorable part with an effective strength of 400 men, it lost 100 killed and wounded. Then on to the seige of Corinth, Mississippi where the Regiment was constantly engaged. In the mouth of July 1862 they made frequent incursions into West Tennessee. On October 1st. 1862 they were sent back to reinforce General Rosecrans, at Corinth, Miss. From there they formed the advance of the pursuit to Ripley, Miss., and then returned to Jackson, Tenn. December 1. His Regiment proceeded to the rear of General Grant's army at Coldwater, Miss. and shortly afterwards went into camp at Holly Springs. On December 20, Colonel R.C. Murphy, of the Eighth Wisconsin Volunteers, surrendered Holly Springs to the Rebel General Van Dorn. Eight companies of the Regiment were parolled and sent to Benton Barracks, where they were exchanged and returned to duty.

The records of the 29th were destroyed according to the Adjutant General's Report. On Oct.19,1863 the 131st ILLinois Volunteers was consolidated with the 29th, and Lt.Colonel Kent was promoted and 'vice' Colonel Ferrell, resigned.

December 1st, 1863 they moved to Natchez, and remained on garrison duty. In January, 1864 the Regiment re-listed, and was mustered as veterans. The year of 1864 had George in a number of incursions From Natchez, to Memphis, back to Paducah, Ky. for protection from the enemy's cavalry, which appeared on the border. On Dec.27, 1864 while on furlough at his home in Cave-In-Rock, Illinois, George was shot after an argument with one Jacob Lackey of Co.C, 48th, Ill.Inf.

Family information says the argument was over a horse. George was never able to return to his regiment. George F. Davis on May, 22, 1865 was granted a Disabilty Discharge. His wound never did heal and he lived a miserable life until his death on Nov,19,1873. He died of Chronic Diarrhea originating from the gun shot wound he received at his home in Cave-In-Rock, Ill. according to family folklore.

George was laid to rest in the Cave-In-Rock, Illinois cemetery.

Acknowledgements: I want to thank Jack Davis for his relentless pursuit of the Davis Family History!

Submitted by H. C. Davis,
great-grandson of George F. Davis.

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