But by March 1865 Matthew found himself in fierce fighting during the siege of Petersburg, VA. During the predawn hours of March 25, 1865 Confederate forces under General John B. Gordon attacked the Union lines around Fort Stedman. The attack was a failure and Matthew received severe wounds. He was wounded in his left arm & thigh which required amputation of his left arm below his elbow.
The rest of his life Matthew lived at his farm in Deepstep in Washington County Georgia where he died on November 2, 1920. He is currently buried at the Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery in Washington County, GA.
One thing that the events of this summer with the killings in Charleston as well the fight over the Confederate Battle flag have taught us is that history matters. I've always believed that it's dangerous to both glamorize and demonize the past and historical figures. Did Matthew Oliver Leverett own slaves? I honestly don't know. I'm sure with extra research I could find out. I used to think that the Leverett's didn't own slaves because I'd never met any black Leverett's but that notion was quashed after meeting black Leverett cousins. If Matthew did have slaves then it was a smaller number judging by his farm. But even if he didn't I'm sure I have ancestors that did. That's the problem with history, it's a little messy and not always pretty but it's part of who we are.
Matthew Oliver Leverett (notice the left arm amputated)
Emery Leverett with his father Matthew Oliver Leverett
Fort Stedman, VA site of bloody fighting near the last days of the Civil War
Leverett Rd in Deepstep. Now this is the location of a large kaolin mine.
Friendship Baptist Church in Washington County, GA
