Franklin Bird was a Civil War Confederate soldier and voluntarily joined the Sixth Virginia Cavalry to serve his nation and beliefs. He fought in a couple battles during the Civil War, spending his life fighting for what he believes in. “Franklin” is the only first name found among the records, while the other records identified him as “F Bird”

According to the 1860 Census, Franklin Bird was 25 years old and lived in Georgia Militia District 10, Effingham, Georgia with his relatives or household members. He was born in 1837 in Georgia, and died on April 15, 1862 by an accidental wound in Orange County, Virginia. His family number was 385. He lived with, or was related to, Jon Bird, who was 31 years old in 1860; L Bird, who was 24 years old in 1860; M.A Bird, who was 7 years old in 1860; W.E Bird, who was 4 years old in 1860; J.W Bird, who was 3 years old in 1860; and D.H. Bird, who was 30 years old in 1860. It is not known how these people were related to Franklin, only that they lived in the same household. It is also not known if he had any slaves or what his own race was, but it can be implied that he was white, since there was no check next to his name to indicate if he was colored. Also, the Census showed that he was not married, he was not attending school or a university, he was able to read and write, and he was not deaf, dumb, blind, insane, idiotic, pauper, or convicted. Jon Bird was the head of the household, and had a real estate value of $5000, and a personal estate value of $8845.

Bird had a very normal service record. He joined for duty on September 17, 1860 in Savannah, Georgia. This means that he had served in the war for two years. He was enlisted in the middle of the war by Captain J.F Maring. He also owned a horse that cost him $100, and he owned equipment that cost him $25. His service records also stated that one of his dues was paid from enlistment. The records also showed that in October. 16, 1861, he was in Richmond, Virginia, and that his “muster-in to date” was September 17, 1861, an entire year after he first enlisted.

One of the battles that Bird fought in was the Jackson Valley campaign. During this war, the Union wanted to burn down the Shenandoah Valley because it was the main food source for the Confederacy. Stonewall Jackson’s only loss was the first battle of Kernstown, but the campaign was a complete success overall. The battle took place from March 1862- June 1862, meaning that Franklin Bird died during this battle. The records state that it was an accidental wound, meaning that he was either shot or stabbed by a fellow Confederate soldier, or by himself.

Franklin Bird was a courageous and heroic soldier whose life was ended short for a battle that he truly believed in. He fought very bravely in the Jackson Valley Campaign, and even though he died during the battle, his efforts surely helped the Confederacy win that battle.

Works Cited

Year: 1860; Census Place: Georgia Militia District 10, Effingham, Georgia; Roll:

M653120_; Page: _738_; Image: _199_; Family History Library Film: _803120._

Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from

the State of Virginia.The National Archives. NARA M324. 586957.

F (Franklin) Bird