Sons of Leitrim
Hart
Francis
Soldier Profile: Francis M. Hart
9th Battalion, Georgia Artillery (CSA)
Francis was just eighteen years old when he committed himself to the Southern cause. His service took him from the training camps near Atlanta to the siege lines of Virginia, where the reality of a crumbling Confederacy eventually led him to a fateful crossing of the lines.
Early Life and Family
Born: Circa 1844 in County Leitrim, Ireland.
Parents: John Hart and Annie O’Donnell Hart.
Leitrim Siblings: Francis was part of a large family including brothers John, James, and Hugh, and sisters Bridget and Ellen.
Emigration: While his exact arrival date is unknown, by 1861, Francis had settled in Georgia, a state that became a major hub for Irish labor in the years leading up to the conflict.
Military Service: The Georgia Artillery
Francis enlisted in December 1861 for "three years or the war." He was mustered into the 9th Battalion, Georgia Artillery under the command of Captain Peeples.
Gwinnett County: In May 1862, his unit was stationed just north of Atlanta, preparing for the defense of the Georgia heartland.
The Arrest: Records show that on May 12, 1862, Francis was under arrest. While the cause remains a mystery, it hints at the disciplinary struggles often faced by young Irish recruits in the Confederate ranks.
The Desertion at Bermuda Hundred: On January 30, 1865, as the Confederate lines around Richmond and Petersburg were starving and breaking, Francis made his move. He deserted at Bermuda Hundred, Virginia, crossing over to Union lines.
The Oath and a New Beginning
Choosing a future over a lost cause, Francis took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States on or before the 4th February 1865. He was transferred by the Union Army to New York City on February 4, 1865, effectively ending his war as a "rebel deserter" who had chosen a path of reconciliation.
Post-War Life: The Savannah Legacy
Francis eventually returned to the South, settling in the coastal city of Savannah, Georgia. In 1875, he married Catherine Lowe, and together they built one of the largest families in our Leitrim records—thirteen children in total.
Children: His many children included John, Francis Xavier, James, Annie, Henry, William, Eugene, Jerome, William Lawrence, Genevieve, Catherine, and Ellen.
Death: Francis died on April 2, 1911, at the age of 67.
Final Resting Place: He is buried in the Catholic Cemetery in Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia, a beautiful historic site that holds the remains of many of the city's prominent Irish citizens.
