For the 1st year the Brunswick Guards were designated Co. A 5th Virginia Infantry Battalion. They did little fighting, except for some participation in the Seven Days' Battles around Richmond. At the end of the first year of service, or in 1862, the 5th Battalion was disbanded, and men more than 35 years of age were discharged 13 Aug 1862. As the war dragged on and the need for men in the Confederate Army became more critical, John reenlisted. He either went, or was sent to Camp Wappo, SC, where he became a member of 3rd Co. I, 59th Virginia Infantry Regiment. He became a private on 26 Sep 1863.
The 3rd Co I. 59th Infantry Regiment had a long and complicated history. The men of the original Company were transferred several times before they finally became a company in the 59th Regiment. The 59th Infantry Regiment, in which the Brunswick Blues also served, was sent to SC as part of Gen. Henry A. Wise's Brigade. They were recalled to Petersburg, VA in 1864 when Gen. Lee needed them to help check the Yankee invasion. The brigade came to VA by train and on reaching Hicksford the men of this brigade were ordered to proceed northward by foot to guard the railroad bridge across the Nottoway River. Reaching the bridge, they took a defensive position, but were attacked by a large Federal cavalry force. The Yankees drove the Confederates back and set fire to the bridge. In this battle the Brunswick Blues suffered several casualties. The cavalrymen wounded and captured John James Rawlings.
John was imprisoned at Point Lookout, MD. On 15 Aug 1865 he was transferred to the even more infamous prison at Elmira, NY, arriving there on 17 Aug. The following month John was stricken with typhoid fever and died 27 Sep 1864. The records show that his complexion was dark, his eyes blue, and his hair black. He was 5' 9" tall.
