Zachariah A. Rice

Zachariah Armstead Rice (September 15, 1822 – July 2, 1890) was an American businessman who was prominent in the city of Atlanta, Georgia, in the decades before and after the Civil War.

In addition to investments in textile mills, general merchandise stores, and real estate, Rice was a slave trader, Confederate officer, city councilman, and newspaper publisher of the Daily Intelligencer.

His later correspondence with Louisa offers insight into military life of a Confederate cavalry officer during the Civil War, as well as the particulars of several battles.

[5] Among the various business ventures undertaken by Rice, after his return from the California gold fields, is one noted in the 1859 Atlanta City Directory.

[1] Rice's rise in wealth and stature within the Atlanta business community coincided with his establishment within the circle of civic elites.

Over the course of his service in Cobb's Legion, Rice would write more than 63 letters to his wife, offering insight into the life of a Confederate cavalry officer, as well as details of campaigns and events in which he was engaged.

Over the following month, Rice and Cobb's cavalry moved about, reaching Goldsboro, North Carolina, before eventually being ordered to return to the Peninsula, as the campaign there began taking shape with a large battle looming.

Rice and Cobb's cavalry were the last to join the Legion, in mid-April, where infantry and artillery had already assumed positions along the front line.

Rice at one point wrote to his wife stating that the hard riding, reconnaissance, and picket duty required of them during Lee's actions against the Federal line had left him in the same clothes for a period of 10 days.

On May 20, 1863, less than four months after his promotion, Major Rice submitted his letter of resignation, citing "..the Afflictions in my family, and business at home".

[2] In 1864, as Sherman approached the city at the beginning of the Battle of Atlanta, Rice was appointed lieutenant colonel of the Fulton County Militia, under the command of General G.W.

After federal troops burned the city, then abandoned it, Rice returned in late December to help restore order.