The 51st Georgia Infantry Regiment was organized in February, 1862, with men from Early, Mitchell, Miller, Terrell, Washington, Randolph, Clay, Daughterty, and Lee counties. After being sent to South Carolina and fighting at Secessionville, the regiment moved to Virginia. Here it was assigned to General Drayton's, Semmes', Bryan's, and Simms' Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia. The 51st was active from Second Manassas to Gettysburg, moved to Georgia, but was not engaged at Chickamauga. It fought at Knoxville and later in the battles at The Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Cold Harbor. The unit continued the fight with Early in the Shenandoah Valley and in numerous conflicts around Appomattox. It reported 9 casualties at Second Manassas, 8 during the Maryland Campaign, and 149 at Chancellorsville. The regiment lost twenty-five percent of the 303 engaged at Gettysburg, had many disabled at Sayler's Creek, and surrendered 2 officers and 41 men. Its commanders were Colonels Edward Ball, James Dickey, and W.M. Slaughter; Lieutenant Colonels Oliver P. Anthony and John P. Crawford; and Major Henry M. Dunwoody