Private George Washington Higginbotham
3rd Alabama Cavalry
Confederate Army

George Washington Higginbotham's life was strongly affected by a chronic ulcer on his leg from a childhood injury.  It apparently caused his discharge from the 7th Mississippi, 46th Battalion, "Steed's Cavalry" shortly after his enlistment in 1861.  Probably because of the manpower shortage, he again enlisted as a private on March 4, 1863 in the 3rd Alabama Cavalry.  This unit fought around Atlanta.  He again was discharged on December 11, 1864 after spending much time in the hospital because of the leg condition.  At age 64, he finally had to have the leg amputated.

George Washington Higginbotham was born on February 20, 1841 to Moses and Martha Whittington-Higginbotham.  He married Hannah Elizabeth Barrow on August 13, 1863.  They had six children.  He served as a Baptist minister after the Civil War.  He pastored the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and the Hopewell Baptist Church in the DeRidder, Lousianna area.  He died on September 10, 1904.

Maurice Higginbotham
Great-Grandson

CLICK TO RETURN TO OTHER SOLDIERS' STORIES