Jerry Perkins - 3rd Tennessee Infantry

“Uncle” Jerry Perkins

Charles Perkins enlisted at Brownsville, Tenn., under Capt. H. S. Bradford, who was afterwards Col. Bradford, of the 3rd Tennessee Infantry. He was killed in the battle near Atlanta July 22, 1864. The boy Jerry went with him as a body servant. Before leaving Charley’s mother told Jerry that he must bring his “Marse Charley” back to her, and he promised that he would do it; that he would take him back alive or dead.

On that fateful July 22 young Perkins was killed; and when the regiment felt back to bivouac for the night, Jerry was alarmed not to see Marse Charley, and, upon being told that he was dead, said, “Here’s your supper. I’m going to find Marse Charley,” and away in the darkness he went.

In a short while he returned, carrying the dead body of his young master on his back. He carried it a mile or so farther to a farmhouse, got some plank, borrowed a saw, hatchet, and nails, made a box, dug a grave, and buried him in the farmer’s yard.

He walked from Atlanta to Brownsville, Tenn., and reported the sad news. He was supplied with a farm wagon and a metallic coffins, went back to Georgia, disinterred the body of Charley Perkins, and hauled it home to Brownsville.

Jerry is a favorite with the Hiram S. Bradford Bivouac, and attends all of their Reunions. The foregoing data comes from J. W. McClish, of Brownsville.

-Confederate Veteran,

September 1905