[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 16 (Thursday, February 26, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1129-S1130]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             AUSTIN DABNEY

 Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, as we near the end of Black 
History Month, I wanted to take this opportunity to recognize the 
bravery, patriotism and service of one of Georgia's Revolutionary war 
heroes. Austin Dabney served in the Revolutionary War and was wounded 
in 1779, in the Battle of Kettle Creek, one of the most difficult and 
bloodiest battles fought in Georgia. Austin Dabney was a slave brought 
to Wilkes County, Georgia by a man named Richard Aycock. Dabney was 
granted freedom in order to serve in the war in his master's place, as 
an artilleryman in Colonel Elijah Clark's corps.
  In the Battle of Kettle Creek, Dabney was seriously wounded by a shot 
through his thigh. His life was saved by a white soldier named Giles 
Harris, who took the soldier to his home and nursed him back to health. 
To show his gratitude to the Harris family, Dabney worked for them for 
the rest of his life, living with them in Madison, Newton and Pike 
Counties. Dabney's devotion to the Harris family didn't stop there. 
Dabney used money from his own pocket to send Harris's son through 
college, and even made arrangements for the son's legal training.
  In 1786, the Georgia Legislature emancipated Dabney to prevent his 
former master from seizing him as a slave to benefit from the soldier's 
fame. Despite Dabney's veteran status with pension, because he was 
black, he was denied the opportunity to enter the land lottery for 
Revolutionary veterans in 1819. The Georgia legislature voted in 1821 
to grant 112 acres of land for Dabney's ``bravery and fortitude,'' but 
that grant was bitterly contested with law suits. A land lot was 
finally granted to Dabney in 1824.
  Austin Dabney and Giles Harris both illustrate an important lesson in 
American History. Divided racially but

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brought together as soldiers, neighbors and devoted friends, they are 
examples of the great patriotic and democratic spirit that is the 
foundation our society. They are fitting examples of why it is 
important to learn and remember our complete American History.

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