I have a copy of an interesting newspaper article clipping that describes 78Jordan's wartime experiences, although I'm not sure of its origin. You can see the clipping here. The newspaper seems to be The Johnson Journal from Wrightsville, Georgia, although only part of the name is legible in the clipping. I'd guess it was published in the 1990's, judging from the clipping's general appearance (layout, font, etc.). The article is titled "Rebel soldier spread gospel after return," and it seems to be part of an apparently ongoing series titled From Days Gone By by Donald Smith. The article is transcribed below in full. Unfortunately, I am unable to corroborate many of the claims made in the article.

If you've ever been inside Gumlog Primitive Baptist Church, north of Kite, you have probably noticed the two fine pictures that hang behind the pulpit. The portraits are of C.T.J. Claxton and Rev. Jordan Norris. This is the story of Jordan Norris, who preached at this church for 36 consecutive years.

Jordan was born April 1834 in Emanuel County. He was the fourth child of 13 children of William and Melissa Swain Norris. William came from the Chesterfield District of South na. He is believed to be Norris to settle in Georgia. Jordan married Miss Julia Huffman in 1853. She was born Sept. 8, 1838. Jordan, like his father, was blessed with many children with at least 11 being identified. His known children were John, James, Rufus Joseph, Saffa, Mary, Leveno Julia, Linda, Millie and Jennie. Jordan and Julia lived happily together until 1861 when he enlisted a a private in Company F, 14th Georgia Infantry Regiment (Johnson Greys). Leaving his wife and children he fough gallantly until the close of the war.

His regiment was assigned to Gen. Edward Thomas' Brigade as part of A.P. Hill's Divison in Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Hill's Divison was known as an extremely hard-fighting unit and was arguably among the finest combat troops in Lee's army. The 14th participated in 44 battles and engagements before surrendering at Appomattox in April 1865. These battles included Seven Days', Cedar Mountain, 2nd Manassas, Chancelorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Cold Harbor and Petersburg.

Jordan participated in 32 of these battles and untold other skirmishes with the Yankees. He could say more about this than most of the other soldiers. His name was never on the sick list, he was already ready for duty and ever ready to stack arms with his company. He was elected orderl sergeant shortly after enlistment, which his comrades said he filled with great honor and satisfaction. There is no record of evidence that Jordan was ever wounded in battle. He had good fortune in dodging by the missiles of death, but the rest of the Norris family wasn't as lucky.

Jordan had four brothers who served the Confederacy. William died of typhoid fever and James died of smallpox, both in 1862, and Benjamin died as well. Isaac seems to have made it through the war.

There is no doubt that divine providence was with Jordan Norris. At the battle of Chancelorsville, the color bearer was shot down and the flag was riddled with bullets. Jordan picked up the flag, waved it over his head and shouted for his comrades to rally to the flag. During the battle the flagstaff was shot in half, ripping it from his hands. He reached down, took the two pieces, put them together and carried the flag forward. Just to tell you how lucky Jordan was, the color bearer had the most dangerous job of a soldier.

His life expectancy was extremely low. For example, at Gettysburg, the 24th Michigan had nine color bearers shot down. During the same period the 26th North Carolina lost 14 color bearers. Despite high mortality rate, there was never a shortage of volunteers to carry the flag. It was the highest honor of the fighting man. As in Jordan's case, when a color bearer was shot down, the closest man automatically dropped his gun, caught the colors from the ground and rushed forward.

The flag was a rallying point for the regiment. The cry of "Rally round the colors" told the men to close ranks, consolidate their position and protect their flag. In today’s political and social climate, when the desecration of the flag, be it American or Confederate, has been ruled to constitute freedom of speech, it is all but impossible to view flags from the perspective of the fighting man, not only in the Civil War, but every war.

The flag was considered the most valuable possession of a regiment. When it was planted within enemy lines it was a symbol of victory. Lowered or cut down, it signaled defeat. It was much more than a piece of cloth, it was the fighting man's heart and soul. It represented home, loved ones, and reason for fighting. Jordan was one of the best. The Supreme Being surely had something in store for Jordan's life.

Family story has it that while in camp on the Plank Road in Virginia, under very cold and wet conditions, Jordan had a difficult time keeping his feet warm. Miraculously he received a care package from home containing socks for his feet. He was so overcome with emotion that his prayers had been answered, he rejoiced and praised God for saving him. From that time forward he found Christianity and practiced it to the fullest. By 1864 he had been promoted to 1st sergeant.

Meanwhile at home, Julia, during Sherman's march to the sea, saved the family home from being burned. She pleaded with the soldiers that their [sic] was nobody but her and her young child and that her farm animals were her only means of survival. The Norris home was spared. The neighbors weren't so lucky, losing their home and livestock.

In February of 1865 Jordan received a 30-day furlough and it is believed he had urgent family business to take care of. When he made it back to his regiment the war was in its final stages. In just a little over a month Lee would surrender and Jordan came back home to his wife and children.

After returning home, Jordan joined the Primitive Baptist Church at Oaky Grove and was baptized by his father. Soon afterwards he was called to the ministry. He heeded the calling and was called to ordination at Mt Zion Baptist Church. He was ordained by Rev. Spencer Meeks and Bro. S.M. Norris. He went forth preaching and organizing as many as seven churches, including Tom's Church, Hebron, Smith's Chapel, and Bethsaida. It is recorded that Jordan helped to ordain six preachers. He was a faithful member of the Masons.

Virgil Norris of Soperton described Jordan as a slightly built man, only 5 feet 8 inches, dark hair, dark complexion and very blue eyes. He frequently wore a black string bowtie. His wife Julia died Oct. 6, 1907 and is buried at Bethsaida Church near Adrian. Following her death, Jordan and his eldest son John bought 300 acres about a mile from Bethsaida.

Family history has it that Jordan was preaching around Kite, most likely Gumlog, and contracted blood poisoning which resulted in his death on Aug. 19, 1915. He was carried by train to Adrian and buried at Bethsaida next to Julia. By occupation Jordan was a farmer as well as a preacher. He was known as a generous man who gave freely of his time and money to help those in need. He never had much in material riches, but was wealthy in friends as he was a greatly loved and admired man by all who knew him. He loved to visit his children. When he traveled around preaching at a particular church he would stop in whenever possible.

He had been in the ministry 52 years, serving 36 of those years consecutive at Gumlog. He was a prominent Mason in good standing. At the time of his death he had one brother, one sister, seven children and many grandchildren. The Masons conducted his service. According to Jordan's own statement shortly before his death he had baptized about 500 people during his ministry. Surely when God rewards his servants, Jordan's credentials should be untarnished.

Sources: Minutes - Ohoopee Prim. Baptist. Assoc.; Virgil Norris; Gail Spivey Lee.