The Oglethorpe Light Infantry was organized in Savannah on January 8, 1856. John N. Lewis was the troop's first captain, but he resigned after holding the position for only a few months. Francis S. Bartow was then elected as captain. In January, 1861, a detachment of the company under Capt. Bartow was ordered to take possession of and occupy Fort Pulaski at the mouth of the Savannah River. The corps was mustered into Confederate service as two companies, Co. A and Co. B. Oglethorpe Light Infantry, Co. A became Co. B of the 8th Georgia Volunteer Infantry Regiment and was sent to Virginia. Bartow remained with this company as Colonel; he was killed at the first Battle of Manassas in July, 1861. The original Oglethorpe Light Infantry Company B became Co. H of the 1st Georgia Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Army of Tennessee. The Oglethorpe Light Infantry continued after the Civil War as part of the 1st Georgia National Guard Regiment. It was disbanded after World War I. It now exists as an association which celebrates anniversaries of important events in the history of the company and takes part in Civil War reenactments.
From the description of Oglethorpe Light Infantry papers, 1856-1900. (Georgia Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 126883859
