Born: 1823
Birthplace: Georgia
Wife: Sarah A. Cook
Occupation before War:
Town Marshal for Macon Georgia
Served in the Mexican War rising to rank of Sgt.
Served in the Georgia State Militia as Officer
Civil War Career:
1861: Captain of Company A 20th Georgia Infantry Regiment
1861 – 1862: Lt. Colonel of 20th Georgia Infantry Regiment
1862 – 1863: Colonel of 20th Georgia Infantry Regiment
1863: Resigned from Army due to atrophy of his left leg
1864 – 1865: Colonel of 5th Georgia Reserves Regiment
1865: Paroled in Macon Georgia in April of 1865
Occupation after War:
Police Chief of Macon Georgia
1873 – 1877: Door Keeper of Georgia State Senate Chambers

Died: August 4, 1880
Place of Death: Macon Georgia
Age at time of Death: 56 or 57 years old
Burial Place: Rose Hill Cemetery Macon Georgia

Death of Col. John B. Cumming.
The death of this old citizen and soldier occurred yesterday morning at his residence in this city, after an illness of several weeks. His health had been failing for the last year, and his death was not unexpected. Colonel Cumming was the son of Mr. William Cumming who was one of the founders of Macon, and the first marshal of the city; the same post was held by Col. C. for many years. In 1844 the deceased was among the first to enlist in the Macon Guards, Colonel H. R. Jackson's regiment, for the Mexican war. he served with his company in the war one year, and was known to be as brave a soldier as was in the regiment.
Colonel Cumming was a strong partisan, and identified with the old Whig party in their many struggles in this county and district, and when the late war broke out was devoted to the Confederate cause.
He organized the Sparks Guards, and was made it's captain. The company served in Virginia, Cumming having been promoted to colonel of the regiment with which it was connected. At the battle of Antietam several regiments were left in defense of a bridge over a water course, which General Lee directed Colonel dimming to hold until he was reinforced by General Hill at 1 o'clock p. m. The enemy came upon Cumming's regiments with a strong force. Yet, for three hours, Cumming held his post with undaunted firmness. As he was about to be surrounded, overpowered and destroyed, Hill came to his relict, and singularly, as the English historian records it, precisely at 1 o'clock p. m. It is from his narrative of Lee's battles that we obtain these facts, and, further, that Cumming was personally complimented by General Lee for his gallantry.
During the closing days of the war, Colonel Cumming was in Macon, and commanded a portion of the forces in defense of the city against Stoneman's raid.
He proposed to General Cobb to let him follow Stoneman and capture him. but the general needed all of his troops for the defense of the city, in case of another raid, and again it was known that a portion of Wheeler's cavalry from Atlanta would be sent in pursuit of Stoneman.
Since the close of the war Colonel Cumming has been chief of police of Macon, and several times doorkeeper of the State Senate.
He was known by all as a brave man, one who had been "inured to danger and unknown to fear." His funeral will take place at 4 o'clock this afternoon. His old comrades in arms, the survivors of the Mexican war, the Sparks Guards, and his many friends, are invited to attend.
Date: Thursday, August 5, 1880 Paper: Macon Telegraph (Macon, GA) Issue: 9569 Page: 4

Born: 1823
Birthplace: Georgia
Wife: Sarah A. Cook
Occupation before War:
Town Marshal for Macon Georgia
Served in the Mexican War rising to rank of Sgt.
Served in the Georgia State Militia as Officer
Civil War Career:
1861: Captain of Company A 20th Georgia Infantry Regiment
1861 – 1862: Lt. Colonel of 20th Georgia Infantry Regiment
1862 – 1863: Colonel of 20th Georgia Infantry Regiment
1863: Resigned from Army due to atrophy of his left leg
1864 – 1865: Colonel of 5th Georgia Reserves Regiment
1865: Paroled in Macon Georgia in April of 1865
Occupation after War:
Police Chief of Macon Georgia
1873 – 1877: Door Keeper of Georgia State Senate Chambers

Died: August 4, 1880
Place of Death: Macon Georgia
Age at time of Death: 56 or 57 years old
Burial Place: Rose Hill Cemetery Macon Georgia

Death of Col. John B. Cumming.
The death of this old citizen and soldier occurred yesterday morning at his residence in this city, after an illness of several weeks. His health had been failing for the last year, and his death was not unexpected. Colonel Cumming was the son of Mr. William Cumming who was one of the founders of Macon, and the first marshal of the city; the same post was held by Col. C. for many years. In 1844 the deceased was among the first to enlist in the Macon Guards, Colonel H. R. Jackson's regiment, for the Mexican war. he served with his company in the war one year, and was known to be as brave a soldier as was in the regiment.
Colonel Cumming was a strong partisan, and identified with the old Whig party in their many struggles in this county and district, and when the late war broke out was devoted to the Confederate cause.
He organized the Sparks Guards, and was made it's captain. The company served in Virginia, Cumming having been promoted to colonel of the regiment with which it was connected. At the battle of Antietam several regiments were left in defense of a bridge over a water course, which General Lee directed Colonel dimming to hold until he was reinforced by General Hill at 1 o'clock p. m. The enemy came upon Cumming's regiments with a strong force. Yet, for three hours, Cumming held his post with undaunted firmness. As he was about to be surrounded, overpowered and destroyed, Hill came to his relict, and singularly, as the English historian records it, precisely at 1 o'clock p. m. It is from his narrative of Lee's battles that we obtain these facts, and, further, that Cumming was personally complimented by General Lee for his gallantry.
During the closing days of the war, Colonel Cumming was in Macon, and commanded a portion of the forces in defense of the city against Stoneman's raid.
He proposed to General Cobb to let him follow Stoneman and capture him. but the general needed all of his troops for the defense of the city, in case of another raid, and again it was known that a portion of Wheeler's cavalry from Atlanta would be sent in pursuit of Stoneman.
Since the close of the war Colonel Cumming has been chief of police of Macon, and several times doorkeeper of the State Senate.
He was known by all as a brave man, one who had been "inured to danger and unknown to fear." His funeral will take place at 4 o'clock this afternoon. His old comrades in arms, the survivors of the Mexican war, the Sparks Guards, and his many friends, are invited to attend.
Date: Thursday, August 5, 1880 Paper: Macon Telegraph (Macon, GA) Issue: 9569 Page: 4