My Great Great Grandfather: Thomas Jefferson Bright Dec 2, 1846 - Sept 26, 1935 C.S.A 50th Alabama Infantry

Bright, Thomas Jefferson, born 2 Dec 1846 at Cotton Gin, Monroe County, Mississippi, son of James H. and Elizabeth Bright; enlisted 15 Oct 1861, at age 16 at Summit by George W. Arnold; on muster roll from 15 to 31 Oct 1861; muster roll for 9 Nov 1861 reported he was at Camp Bradford near Huntsville; regimental return for Oct and Nov 1862 reported he was sick at Cleveland, Tennessee; received a 30 day furlough from General Hospital at Cleveland, Tennessee for Dec 1862. According to the 1907 Blount County Confederate Census he re-enlisted as a private Sep 1863 in Kentucky in Captain Hamilton's Company D of the 50th Alabama and continued until surrender. Thomas Bright married Rachel F. Henry Oct 1865. According to his obit, he died 26 Sep 1935. Rachel died Oct 1915. Thomas and Rachel were buried in the Sulphur Springs Baptist Cemetery. [See also 1907 Blount County Confederate Census] Thomas Jefferson Bright Thomas J. Bright married Rachel F. Henry, Oct 1865; Rachel died Oct 1915. No dates were recorded on his stone, but according to the obituary he died 26 Sep 1935. Thomas Jefferson and Rachel Bright were buried in the Sulphur Springs Baptist Cemetery.

Grave at Sulpher Springs Cemetary, Blount County Alabama

Obituary: Another Veteran Passes Thomas J. Bright died at his home on route 1, Blount Springs last Thursday following a heart attack. Mr. Bright was 89 years of age and was a member of the Methodist Church. He was a Confederate Veteran and his death leaves only four survivors of the "Lost Cause" in Blount County. Mr. Bright was one of the youngest men in the Confederate Army, being only 19 years of age when the war closed. He was a true patriot and gallant soldier. The other Confederate Veterans still living in this county are J.R. Jenkins, of Oneonta; Rev. R.J. Wilson of Remlap; W.T. Grigsby, of route 1, Bangor, and S.E. Horton, of route 3, Altoona. Mr. Bright is survived by his widow, three sons, James Bright, Tildon Bright and Oscar Bright, all of route 1, Blount Springs; four daughters, Mrs. Bess Collett, of Birmingham; Mrs. Alvin Hall, of route 1, Blount Springs; Mrs. Fay Hays, of Hayden; and Mrs. Trave Mayfield, of Gardendale. The funeral services were held at Sulphur Springs Friday and were conducted by Rev. A. Dickerson, with Fisher in charge.

The information provided by: "Robin Sterling's Blount County, Alabama Web Site"

I saw General Albert Sidney Johnson fall at Shiloh April 6, 1862; with General Bragg; through Kentucky; in Chicamauga and Lookout Mountain battles. Wounded in the leg at Chicamauga, then was transferred to the Cavalry. Was with General N.B. Forrest through this county after Streight. Saw Emma Sansom when she got on horse behind Forrest where Alabama City is now. Was with Forrest when Streight surrendered at Coosaville, this side of Rome, Georgia. Was captured at East Port, Mississippi, after the battle at Franklin, Tennessee, in 1865. They carried me as far as Louisville, Kentucky, then I got away from them, beat my way back to Chattanooga and came home. General Lee surrendered the next day after I got home, April 9, 1865. I could give you a great deal more, but would consume lots of time. Respectfully, [signed] T.J. Bright, Blount Springs, Route 1, 1925 Was wounded at Shiloh by explosion of shell also in the foot on the raid in Kentucky with Bragg; was in the battle when we evacuated Corinth, Mississippi. Children: J.H., T.J., Eva Belle Hall, Bertha A. Mayfield, Edna Fay, Rosa Lee, Oscar Woodrow. The Southern Democrat, 3 Oct 1935

Battlefields I have visited, and plan to visit in the future.

1 The Battle of Nashville(Tennesee) 2 The Battle of Franklin (Tennesee) 3 The Battle of Chattanooga/Lookout Mnt. (Tennesee) 4 The Battle of Camp Wildcat (Kentucky) 5 The Battle of Petersburg (Virginia) 6 The Battle of Richmond (Virginia) 7 The Battle of Decator (Alabama) 8 The Battle of Atlanta (Georgia) 9 The Battle of Manasses (Virginia) 10 The Battle of Chancelorsville/Fredricksburg (Virginia) 11 The Battle of Gettysburg (Pennsylvania) 12 The Battle of Vicksburg (Mississippi) 13 The Battle of Tupelo (Mississippi) 14 The Battle of Picketts Mill (Georgia) 15 The Battle of Chickamaunga (Georgia) 16 The Battle of Fort Sumter (South Carolina) 17 The Battle of Moores Creek (North Carolina)

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