The John Palmer family saw three of their sons/brothers die in the Civil War.

John was born in Georgia and married Sarah, born in Tennessee. They lived in Tennessee until the late 1840s, when they moved to Murray County, Georgia.

The Murray Census of 1850 lists the family as: John Palmer, age 36; Sarah Palmer, age 26; Robert H. Palmer, age 12; Thomas F. Palmer, age 10; Elizabeth J. Palmer, age 8; William B. Palmer, age 5; Margaret E. Palmer, age 2 ; John B Palmer, age 1. All of the boys had been born in Tennessee.

The 1860 Census listed the same family members plus one additional daughter, Sarah Ann Palmer, age 8. The family used the post office at Fancy Hill.

The 1860 Census listed a separate household nearby where Robert's new family lived. It showed Robert, age 22; Francis J., age 22; Georgia Ann, age 2, and Martha J., 5 months.

Robert Suis Palmer enlisted as a Private in Company D, 22nd Georgia Brigade Wrights, in September 3, 1861. His unit engaged in fighting at Seven Pines, Virginia; Malvern Hill, Virginia; Bull Run, Virginia; Sharpsburg, Maryland; Fredericksburg, Virginia; Chancellorsville, Virginia; Gettysburg, Pennsylvania,; Falling Waters, Maryland; Manassas, Virginia; Spotsylvania, Virginia; and other smaller engagements. He was killed during fighting at Crater, near Petersburg, Virginia, July 30, 1864.

Two brothers, Thomas F. Palmer and William R. Palmer, enlisted as Privates in Company E, 60th Georgia Lawton's Brigade. This unit fought at McGaheysville, Virginia; Strasburg, Virginia; Winchester, Virginia; Hanover Court House, Virginia; Culpepper Court House, Virginia; Warrenton, Virginia; and Manassas, Virginia. It was at Manassas, the battle sometimes called 2nd Bull Run, that both Thomas and William were killed, August 28, 1862.

Three Palmer brothers perished in battle while serving in the Confederate Army.

Murray County Families