m :S; '.hi s^l^'f "h.^, I yv ■ C«'< '7^ r*? ^:tk^ i^y. 't f^^n 'hv,. M' a > ^ ';? JiiJJ.^V V. ^aiAiNiun'- lOSANCE •'W.FIfj. V-j ^omwi^' ^OAHvaaiH^ 'imhm ^OFCAIIFO/?^ 4? >"n 05 >- < Si r, c . r * • I c r • 9 ^fti (d v>NMIBRARYO/:^ <^MIRRARY/?r ^\V\FIINIVER% ^lOS %l.r ^.OFfAllFOP^,^ ^.OfCAllFO/?^ ^^WFIINIVFR% ^vlOS xiijowsoi^^ ?!^ ""^^^AavaaiH^^ %] BRARYQr^ ^ILIBRARYflc ^^OFCAIIF0% -m jijjMi jv'i ■ J'l J/ Mini jO*" •(Vif li».i\ TDC/^ . \ne.»v)rri r. %=^% r\C r« 1 1 cnrv ■n t-< n^. -n t— > ?3 C ■«• •- % , ^lOSANCElfj> -J U_ Ji^ — ■, -< "^AJiaAiNrt-jwv §1 irt t %\ ^v^rnMivrp- ^f ^ ^V %a3AiNn-3Wv ^ r^F-TMipriD,, -f. A^'" 4? o =>= ''% # ''fV/0:iilv>iO' ^YOc >i. ^ ^ .^WEliNIVERS/A >- iC^ C3 O i^ ^ 6 ■^/ja3/ m^ ^v i^u c? ^55. v< I Ig .*^ ^OAav{ian# .^WE•l)NIVER% o ^ 5 ~ 6 ^/iaa/ <«^l-liDr./\in///r uuj 1 1 r^ J'. 'J ij jn I ju 1 ^^^l•LIBRARYQA ^^^ ^1 ir ^ § ^ ^ \ %: ^ =3 > yo rv t n , I c n r> <:^ ^^0- 4n> -^^\ is % m., tc v^lLIBRARY(9^, -v>^lUBRARYQ^^ ':£ tiJ ,-; >^ ^-^.OF CAIIFO/?^ — .-< .^WEUNIVER% ^ >- TO/ ^^WEUNIVERS/A A>:10S >- -v <=> ' « ,-) it: ' oc ^ < ■ 3 l&istore of Bomi* Copy No ^85 Properly of Date. FRIENDS, ROMANS, COUNTRYMEN: Help Yourselves! This book has not been subjected to the custom and formalities of copyrighting. Persons who C07i- sider parts of it worthy of repro- duction are requested to make suitable acknowledgment IV. EXPLANATION OF PICTURES ON "JACKET" The "jacket" or paper cover which encloses the cloth cover of the book is made up of the following pictures: At the top, a panoramic view of Rome taken about ten years ago from Myrtle Hill cemetery, showing the castle-like spires of old Shorter College, the city clock and the Floyd County court house; to the left, the Oostanaula River, and in the "foreground, the Etowah. This picture was obtained through courtesy of the Central of Geor- gia Railway Company. At the bottom are: Rome in 1864, shortly after Gen. Sherman had captured the town; the Confederate Soldiers' section in Myrtle Hill cemetery; the North Rome Baptist church; Broad Street and a column of Boy Scouts ready for a hike. On the front are: The grave of the first Mrs. Woodrow Wilson, in Myrtle Hill; the chapel of the Berry Schools; entrance to the old Rome driving park and fair grounds, near DeSoto Park; Rome boys enjoying a freshet; Col. Thos. W. Alexander, commander of the Berry Infantry. On the back strip is a silhouette of Col. Jos. Watters, a planter and state senator in the thirties. On the back are: Gen. Charles Floyd, father of Gen. John Floyd, for whom Floyd County was named (in the uniform of the St. Helena Guards, of Charleston) ; Gen. Charles Floyd assisted in re- moving the Indians from Cherokee Georgia (he is wearing in his hat a crescent bearing the words "Liberty or Death," which is in posession of Wm. G. McAdoo, a grandson several degrees removed) ; Donald Harper, of Rome and Paris (France) ; the Baptist par- sonage; Steve Eberhart (or Perry), mascot of Floyd County Camp 368 of Confederate Veterans; Maj. Philip W. Hemphill, one of the four founders of Rome; left to right, little Misses Elizabeth Mor- ris, Eleanor Fuller and Juliet Graves; entrance to the Battey vault, in Myrtle Hill. THE IMPORTANCE OF HISTORY Biography is the only true history. — Carlyle. History casts its shadow far into the land of song. — Longfellow. Succeeding generations should tote their own historical skillets. — COLEGATE. History, like true intelligence, consists in old ideas wrought over. — Oliver Wendell Holmes. Each generation gathers together in history the imperishable chil- dren of the past. — Bancroft. Out of monuments, names, traditions, private records and passages of books we do save and recover somewhat from the deluge of time. — Bacon. This I hold to be the chief office of history, to rescue virtuous actions from the oblivion to which a want of records would consign them. — Tacitus. God is in the facts of history as truly as He is in the march of the seasons, the revolutions of the planets or the architecture of the worlds. — Lanahan. History maketh a young man to be old, without wrinkles or gray hairs, privileging him with the experience of age, without either the infirmities or the inconveniences thereof. — Fuller. An historian ought to be exact, sincere and sympathetic, free from passion, unbiased by interest, fear, resentment or affection, and faith- ful to the truth, which is the mother of history. — Nai'OLEON. THE CLOCK TOWER. A HISTORY OF ROME AMD FLOYD COUNTY State of Georgia — United States of America INCLUDING NUMEROUS INCIDENTS OF MORE THAN LOCAL INTEREST 1540 — 1922 Volume I. By George Magruder Battey, Jr. AUTHOR OF -yO.OOO MILES ON A SUBMARINE DESTROYER" / ATLANTA, GA. The Webb and Vary Company 19 2 2 DEDICATION To the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts of Rome and Floyd County, whose youthful enthusiasm and helpful, un- selfish spirit of service promise so much for the development of civic enter- prise and the advancement of in- terest in the wholesome life of the Great Outdoors, this book is affec- tionately dedi- cated by THE AUTHOR. VIII. Introduction OW AND THEN a queen pawns her jewels to advance the cause of civilization, and thus gives back part of what her admiring subjects have offered up. Similarly has a queen who wears no tiara or crown thrown herself into the breach and made possible the completion at this time of the History of Rome. Her rocking chair is "in soak" because she' believes the enterprise is worth while. If we will redeem the chair out of sales from the book, she will feel amply repaid, and can sit down again. It will be possible through a little unselfish sacrifice on the part of each and all of us. One thousand copies of the book are included in the first l)inding. More than half of these have been mailed to subscribers who spoke for them in advance. Additional sheets have been printed so that other Romans may have copies who desire them. Extra copies will be bound in accordance with the demand, so that the total issue will be just what Romans, former Romans and a select company of "innocent bystanders" make it. The compiler hopes that many will avail themselves of the opportunity to invest, for the double reason that the book contains a wealth of material which everybody should have, and a subscription does just that much to advance the interests of the town and section. He does not urge any support in the expectation of making a profit, for he has put far more into it these two years than he can possibly get out, except in mental satisfaction. He wishes to sell the book not on personal or sentimental grounds, but on the l)asis of whatever value the purchaser may see in it. No doubt the edition will be cjuickly exhausted, because material has been included which is expected to stimulate a heavy demand outside of Rome. Then there will be no more copies, for the number is strictly limited. The excuse for this work was found in the fact that the historians have systematically neglected the section known oi old as "Cherokee Georgia." The compiler went back to his birthplace Oct. 21, 1920, to supply whatever of the deficiency he could, realizing that he had had no previous historical experience, but believing that the subject was worthy of a literary masterpiece. He found a fertile field in which to labor ; the legend of DeSoto's visit in 1540, the Indian occupation and removal, the deeds of valor in war, the constructive enterprises following" the war's wake, all supplied an inspiration that was irresistible. On begin- ning his work, he saw the truth of the statement, "The South makes plenty of history, but writes very little of it." His task, therefore, con- sisted in laying a foundation as well as erecting a superstructure, and he realizes the imperfections that such conditions necessarily impose, and is fully conscious of his inability to handle the material as it deserves. He only hopes that the work may be considered from cover to cover, and thus criticized, rather than that any insignificant error of omission or commission may be allowed to obscure the whole in the estimation of the individual. It is manifestly impossible here to devote much attention to the entire Northwest Georgia section. Floyd's sister counties will no doubt eventually write histories of their own. However, there are numerous references to happenings elsewhere which are connected with cliaracters IX. or events in Floyd, and in certain instances the material is quite general in its character and application. Since the greater part of Rome's history existed in tradition and in scrap books and old records, it has been deemed advisable to go back as far as possible, and rescue the fragments of early Rome before they are lost in the dust of the past. The story of Rome's part in the removal of the Indians has never been adequately told, nor has the picture of con- ditions just before the Civil War lieen fully presented. The subject of Rome's part in the war of 1861-5 is all but ignored. The duty is man- ifestly to revert to the dim beginnings, to give "right-of-way" to the '"'old settlers," to suggest that the present generation keep newspapers and records liberally so our contemporary history may not suffer likewise. So much material has been developed that the necessity of a second volume is api)arent. Volume I contains half of the complete narrative, a great many pictures and a vast amount of miscellaneous data. Its faulty arrangement is due to the uncertainty, up to the last moment, over what was to be used. Volume 11, which it is intended should be pub- lished when conditions are more favorable, will contain many additional pictures and such biographical sketches and miscellaneous items as could not be included in the first. These two volumes will in a measure tell the romantic tale. The history started with a series of articles in the Rojne News, fol- lowed by "Rambles Around Rome." It has been augmented from many sources, and particularly from the files of the old Rome Courier, which" was the forerunner of Rome's daily newspaper, The Tribune-Herald. Both of these present-day newspapers have been unflagging friends of the history. In the collection of material, chiefly of a statistical nature, the most consistent individual has l)een Richard Venable Mitchell, of Rome. I\Ir. Mitchell, has worked with splendid spirit and without hope of reward ; Romans are certain to appreciate the accurate data he gives, them in his lists of the natural resources of Floyd, and of the state, city and county officials, various important and interesting dates and a vast quantity of odd information. ]\Irs. Harriet Connor Stevens has contributed liberally of her time in order that some of the Cave Spring pioneers might be remembered. ]\Iiss FVances Long Harper has also helped substantially at Cave Spring. In forcing the history upon public attention, the most valiant supporters have been H. H. Shackelton, presi- dent of the Chamber of Commerce ; Robt. H. Clagett, editor of the Rome News; W. S. Rowell, editor of the Tribune-Herald, and Lee J. Langley, writing for both papers. Thanks are due Hooper Alexander, of Atlanta ; W. R. L. Smith, of Norfolk. Va. ; Mrs. Mabel Washbourne Anderson, of Pryor, Okla. ; S. W. Ross, of Tahlequah, Okla. ; Judge Henry C. Meigs, of Ft. Gibson, Okla., and C. F. Hanke, chief clerk of the Indian Office, Washington, D. C, for much of the Indian data. (The biographies of the Indian leaders are omitted for further investigation of conflicting material). Substan- tial assistance has been given by Miss Tommie Dora Barker, librarian of the Carnegie Library. Atlanta, and by Miss Carrie Williams, of the ref- erence department: Mrs. Maud Barker Cobb, state librarian, the Capitol, Atlanta: Duncan Burnett, librarian of the library of the University of Georgia, Athens; Dr. Lucian L. Knight, director of the State 'De- partment of History, the Capitol, Atlanta, and Miss Ruth Blair, of the same department. Dr. Knight's valuable books have been consulted freely and credit generally given in each instance. Appreciation is like- X. wise expressed herewith of aid rendered by the Daughters of the .Vmeri- can Revolution and the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and of the interest shown by Henderson L. Lanham, president of the Board of Education of the City of Rome, by Prof. B. F. Quig-g, City Superintendent, and Prof. W. C. Rash, County Superintendent, in a plan for teaching- local history in the public schools. While nothing definite has been done, the suggestion that a condensed school history be written out of the His- tory of Rome is being considered, and already has the moral support of at least one large Eastern publishing house. !Most of the maps are from Rand-McNally & Co., Chicago. The artistic pictures of the Berry Schools were taken by D. W. Dens- more, faculty member, and a number of pictures of landmarks by R. V. Mitchell. Several pictures and some text do not appear because they have been lost or misplaced ; a few typographical errors herein like- wise prove the intensely human character of the work of man. Loans negotiated through the assistance of John M. Graham and Wilson M. Hardy greatly helped the work at the outset, and $100 received near the close from a group of Rome business men, headed by E. R. Fishburne, averted an almost certain postponement. Air. W'alter D. Carr, of Silver, Burdett & Co., Boston publishers, loaned the cuts of John Ridge and Major Ridge. To all others who have helped wnth friendly advice, data or money the heartfelt thanks of the compiler are herewith given. Rome will thank them in her ow'n way. The list is a long one, and it cannot be extended here ; it will appear, perhaps, in the proposed Vol. H. There is a great deal that is left over for another volume simply because no funds were in sight to print it. Ample warning of this situa- tion was given from time to time. If Romans make Vol. II possible by an underwriting plan, or if a single Roman desires the opportunity of doing that much for the town he loves, the compiler will dig into his files again. Undoubtedly some Roman who wishes a send-off here below and a welcome above will remember Vol. II in his will. The rules governing the history campaign were very simple. Prac- tically everybody who showed as much as a passing interest has been given some notice in the book, either for themselves or their ancestors. Those who have ignored letters, personal or circular, or both, or have refused to "weep" while w^e "mourned," have erected a temporary barrier between us. Fortunately, there have not been many of these, alth>ough more have sat on the fence. They will have another chance if they want it — for Vol. II. No considerations of friendship have caused us to over- look a flagrant neglect of Rome and the history by those wlio in our opin- ion could have helped. At the same time, we feel friendly and hold the door open — for Vol. II. We consider it a duty to speak plainly so Romans will understand, and that we may do better next time. Let us make \'ol. II surpass Vol. 1. The original plan called for sections of text devoted to the Berry Schools, Shorter College, Ilearn Academy, the Georgia Sch(wl for the Deaf at Cave Spring, and the Floyd County and Rome public schools. Failure of the leading institutions in this group to pay a cost price for the printing (due largely to the general economic conditions) has put these sections over for further consideration. A few words about quoted articles. Most of the items with dates from 1920-22 affixed are from The Rome News, i)rior to that, after 1886. from The 'JVibune of Rome or The Trilnitie-Hcrald. and from 1850 to 1887 XI. frum The Runic Tri-Wcckly Courier or Weekly Courier. An understand- ing of this scheme, it is believed, will assist the reader. It is hoped that the history will please the sul)scribers as well as prove of some use to them as a work of reference. A reading glass for aged eyes is recommended where type and pictures are small. In practically ail cases the biographies have been submitted to the families for correc- tion and ap])roval. A committee of Romans has kindly gone over most of the other data. Anecdotes are told — on our own clan, too — which we hope will be received in good part, for there is no intention to offend anyone. Romans are noted for speaking the truth fearlessly, and since we arc all in one big family and are blessed with a sense of humor, we can well afford to perpetuate the stories of our members for fireside en- joyment. A colorless story of Rome would be of no good and would find few willing consumers. With this much said by way of introduction, we salute our sub- scribers and friends, wish them a merry Christmas and a happy New Year, and unreservedly place our literary fate in their tender hands. GEO. M. BATTEY, JR. 81 W. 14th St., Atlanta, Ga., Friday, Dec. 1, 1922. P. S. — Sinc-e the above was written, the decision was reached to include in Vol. I. no biojjfraphical sketches. It was believed best to hold over for considera- tion for Vol. II. all the 300 sketches rather than to print only a few to the ex- clusion of the many. A little extra financial support would have made possible the inclusion of all. Since it was not forthcoming, it seemed best to file this other valuable material. The recent vote by mail, by the way, was overwhelmingly in favor of holding the biogi'aphies for another time. The several persons who advanced money for sketches will be reimbursed or given extra copies of the present volume, as they prefer. We assure them and all others that we regret our inability to use this excellent data, which can only be improved with age. We will keep it intact in the confident hope that Romans will make its publication possible at some day in the near future. G. M. B. XII. Contents Frontispiece: THE CLOCK TOWER— By Virginia Robert Lipscomb, Girl Scout. Part I, Chapter Page I. The Spanish Cavaliers and Their Quest for Gold 17 DeSoto lands at Tampa Bay. — Reaches the Savannah River. — Meets an Indian princess. — Takes the princess along as a hostage. — She escapes. — Arrival at Nacoochee. — Receives Indian dogs for his men to eat. — His route discussed. — Spends 30 da,ys at Chiaha. — Enjoys pearl hunt. II. John Sevier, John Floyd and the Indians 22 Hostile Cherokees in massacre. — Sevier puts them to flight and burns their towns. — Gen. Floyd defeats the Creeks in Alabama. — Early laws of the Indians. — The "Widow Fool" and the ferry. — Wm. Mcintosh killed. — Sequoyah's alphabet. — Missionaries imprisoned. — Pressure on the Indians. Pari II. I. Rome's Establishment and Early Days Zi Three travelers decide to establish a town.- — A fourth pioneer.- — County site removal from Livingston to Rome authorized by legislature.- — The homes of Ross and the Ridges. — The gander pulling and other early amusements. — The Green Corn dances. — Geo. Lavender, trading post man. — Pioneer days at Cave Spring. II. The Great Indian Meeting- at Rome 43 The Cherokees' biggest pow-wow at Running Waters. — Speeches by the Ridges, Ross afnd the United States agents. — The Indians withdraw to the woods. — Government men continue to speak. — Mr. Schermerhorn's determi- nation to have a treaty. — Major Currey reports to Washington. — Ross fac- tion supreme. — Ridge's men listed. III. John Howard Payne's Arrest by the Georgia Guard-- 53 "Home, Sweet Home" author bears letters to prominent Georgians. — - Loves an Athens belle. — Departs for Indian country. — Is arrested with John Ross and guarded at Spring Place. — "Big John" Underwood, Rome grocer, one of his captors. — Payne's own account. — His arrest causes sen- sation. — "Old Hickory's" contribution. IV. Aftermath of the Payne-Ross Affair 75 "Rome Indians" in the Payne "picture." — Maj. Currey explains. — Frelinghuysen, Everett, Polk, Calhoun, Bell and White active. — "Lumpkin Press" lambastes Guard. — Legislature protests and Co). Bishop resigns. — Payne's anonymous letter. — A tragedy at the Vann house.- -The Indians removed and the Ridges and Boudinot slain. — A Payne memorial. V. Growth from Village to Town 91 Pioneers establish bank, inn, newspaper, churches, schools and stage lines. — John Ross converted to Methodism. — Alfred Shorter casts lot with the new town. — William Smith and the scuttled steamboat. — E^arly political campaigns. — Lumpkin, Miller, Underwood, Hackctt and Wright. — Pickett's visit to Rome. — The Nobles, iron kings, aijpear. VI. Views and Events Leading U]) to War 113 The slavery agitation and efforts to halt "gentlemen from the North." — Warnings sounded by Dwinell and Stovall. — Mass meetings and resolu- tions. — Trade boycott against the North. — Rome Light Guards active. — Stephens, Iverson and Hill speak in Rome. — Secession strongly favored. VII. Lincoln's Election Foretells Hostilities 125 Feeling at fever heat. — Mayor thanks voters for "sober election." — Dr. Word elected. — Guns for Light Guards arrive. — Judge Wright on the in- auguration of Jefferson Davis. XIII. Part III. I. Opening- of the Ci\"il War — First Manassas LV Floyd companies depart.- Cannon and chvirch bells announce war. — Casualty lists. — Incidents of the battle. — Capt. Matrruder and Jeff Davis. — Death of Col. Bartow. — An illuminatinE letter from Richmond. — War profiteers rapped by the "home gruard." 11. A Rome Rno-ine Chases the "General" 147 Andrews' "Wild Raiders" steal state road engine in dash to burn bridges and tear up track. ^Fuller joins in thrilling pursuit. — "Wm. R. Smith" takes up chase at Kingston and aids capture. — Fugitives abandon engine.- — Are caught in woods. — Some are hanged and some escape. HI. Activities of the Folks at Home 153 Women establish charity organization. — The Wayside Home. — A young "Rebel" with smallpox spreads terror. — Hospitals removed from Rome. — Hard times described back of the lines. IV. Streight's Raiders Captured by Forrest 161 Federal commander tries foray of destruction. — Is engaged by Forrest with inferior force, and surrenders. — "Rebel" leader's strategy denounced by captive officers, who see Rome for first time. — Admiring women snip locks of Forrest's hair. — The "Battle of Rome," and John Wisdom's famous ride. — Forrest dodges Rome picnic. V. Sherman's Army Captures Rome 175 Three forts are silenced and Davis, Vandever and Corse establish headquarters. — "Miss Lizzie's" adventure on Shorter Hill. — Sherman enters Rome twice and pursues Hood, who crosses the Coosa at Veal's ferry. — Hood flits through Texas valley. — Only a fiddle is needed as Rome burns. VI. Sherman's Movements asTuld by Himself 181 The campaign outlined. — Movements around Dalton, Resaea, Cassville, Dajlas and Rome. — Sherman's narrow escape. — Why Johnston refused battle. — Corse at Allatoona. — Sherman on Fourth Avenue.--His message from Rome brings orders to march to the sea. VII. Extreme Desolation I^ictured in Diary 197 Bridges burned by retreating Confederates. — Church pews used for pontoons. — Famine and despair.— Citizen killed by scouts. — Letter tells of Romans' plight. \'HI. Depredations of the Independent Scouts 205 John Gatewood invades northwest Georgia. — Jack Colquitt's band. — John and Jim Prior take seven scout scalps. — "Little Zach" Hargrove to the rescue. Anecdotes and Reminiscences 211 Miscellaneous 421 Map s The Heart of Cherokee Georgia 2)7 The World T 127 The United States of America 155 Rome in 1890 165 The State of Georgia 387 The Countv of Flovd 621 XIV. PART I. THE DIM BEGINNINGS 1540-1834 CHAPTER I The Spanish Cavaliers and Their Quest for Gold M \XY years before the Eng- lish settled the first perma- nent colony in America at Jamestown, Va., in 1607, there existed a wild stretch of country at the southwestern end of the Appalachian Mountain chain, encompassing' what is now Rome and Floyd County, Ga., and which was inhabited only by tribes of In- dians who lived in wigwams made of bark and skins, and huts of rough pine and oak finished in red clay mortar. The waters of this re- gion, leaping through the moun- tain gorges in slender, silken streams, purled their way into the valleys and found outlets in the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico. They were alive with fish, especial- ly the upland streams with trout, and it used to be said that had the Indian possessed a hat, in many places he could have scooped up a hatful at a time. Large black bears went grubbing over the mountain tops in search of worms and roots, occasionally shambling into the fertile valleys below ; hungry wolves leaped free- ly through the forest trails ; deer penetrated the thickets and slaked their thirst at the sparkling brooks ; panthers and Avildcats slunk se- renely fr(im feeding ground tc^ cavernous lair ; snakes of huge size and great number infested the rocky fastnesses, the sun-baked river banks and the grassy plains ; wild turkeys clucked along the leafy bowers and smaller birds of l)eautiful plumage dotted the trees of hillside, valley and swamp. Upon this primitive stage at some uncertain date had a])peared the Indian, successor to the ill- fated Mound Ikiilder of North America. Agile, bloodthirsty and possessing a keen appetite, the In- dian pursued by foot and in his swift canoe, with his trusty bow and arrow, the animals, birds and snakes, killed them and ate the fiesh, sometimes cooked, some- times raw, and made the skins into rugs, wigwam covers, robes, ])a- l>oose bags and numerous orna- ments for his person. Idie Indian painted his face and, his body with a mixture of oil and clay, dressed himself in a wampum l>elt from Avhich depended a wildcat skin or kilt of limljer grass or hair, and with a headdress of feathers which hung down to his waist he joined in the big tril)al hunts or fared forth to fight enemy tribesmen. The Indian women, or squaws, did the routine work about the hut or wigwam settlements, took care of the children and strung beads and wove various materials into bas- kets, rugs and articles of clothing, and cultivated snirdl patches of grain. From the time when Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492 and took possession in the name of the King and the Queen of Spain, the Indian was forced to count on tlie paleface as a po- tential foe \\ho needed his himt- ing grounds and his towns for col- onization ])urposes. The Spanish are regarded as the i)ioneer ex- plorers of America through their expeditions to Florida, the Land of Flowers, whicli embraced vastly more territory than tlie State of Florida of the present day. juan I '(Mice DeLeon explored the coast of the Florida Peninsula in 151.\ ])enetrate(l into the interior in search of the Fountain of J'crpet- ual Youth, engaged the savages and was killed with a poisc^ied ar- row. l'\)llowed the cruel Narvaez to the west coast of the peninsula, 18 A History of Rome and Floyd County where he set an example for the savages hy loosing hloodhounds on the aged mother of an Indian chief, which tore her to pieces ; then he cut off the chief's nose and sent him to Cuba as a slave. The In- dians avenged this atrocity by driv- ing Narvaez to his ships ; a storm hit the vessels and Narvaez and all but fiiur '>\ his men were lost. Next in importance was Hernan- do (Ferdinand) DeSoto, who in his search of the Chiahan Kldorado in the hope of filling the treasure chest (if the King oT Spain is sup- posed to have spent nearly 30 days on the present site of Rome. DeSoto had fought successfully in the Si)anish wars of conquest in Central America and Peru, when called by the king to cut a path through Florida, to work the gold mines and the pearl fisheries which earlier explorers had assured the king existed. Having recently mar- ried Dona Isabel de Bobadilla, member of tlie Spanish royal fam- ily and his social equal, wdiose father was his superior in wealth if not in manhood, DeSoto set sail from Spain on April 8, 1538, tak- ing with him his wife, 600 soldiers, 200 horses and a herd of swine for food. DeSoto's "noble vSix Hun- dred" carried arquebuses, match- locks, one cannon and a falconet (small cannon in general use at that time). The}' had plenty of ammunition, and led by tethers a pack of fierce bloodhounds. Plen- ty of iron chains, collars and wrist- lets were carried to put upon In- dian prisoners. Swine and cattle furnished a large part of the food, -while pack mules bore the provis- ions. The personnel was made up of mechanics, l)uilders and smiths monks, laymen and Catholic priests in robes. (Juite a number of the fighters wore light armor which readily shed the sharp darts of the red-skins. They landed at Havana. Cuba, but after a sliort stay pro- ceeded up Florida's west coast, leaving Dona Isabel behind as gov- erness of the island. On Friday, May 30, 1539, DeSoto landed at the present Tampa Bay, where he took possession of Florida as Ade- lantado (governor), and where he wrote the city fathers of Santiago de Cuba wdiat was supposed to have been the only letter he sent l)ack on his long and heart-break- ing journey. DeSoto immediately asked the Indians where gold and precious stones could be found ; they point- ed northward. He fought and dip- lomatized his way to the present Georgia-Florida line, encountering numerous physical difficulties ; thence he proceeded northwest- ward when told by a captured scout* of a i)rovince ruled over by a beautiful Indian princess, called Cutifachiqui. where his beasts might l)reak their backs under the load of pearls and gold. The home of the princess is supposed to have been at Silver Bluff", Barnwell Co.. S. C, 25 miles sovitheast of Au- gusta, Ga., on the Savannah river, where George Golphin later lived. Here DeSoto was jjresented with a handsome string of large pearls by the Princess Cutifachiqui ; he (lug heaps of pearls and relics out of Indian mounds, which the In- dians did not like, but they main- tained an appearance of acquiesc- ence. On leaving, he forced his gra- cious hostess to accompany the ex- ])edition as a guide and protection against any possible attacks by her tribesmen. The indian maid's knowledge of trails and w'oodcraft enabled her to escape in a few days and return to her settlement. DeSoto pressed northward in forced marches to relieve his weary and starving horses and men, and to seize or unearth gold for the king. ♦Juan Ortiz, who had been left by Narvaez and had since lived among the Indians. The Spanish Cavaliers and Their Quest for Gold 19 While accounts differ as to the route DeSoto took through North Georgia, the authorities generally agree that after leaving Cutifachi- qui, DeSoto went to the site of Yonah Mountain, in Nachoochee Valley, White County, where he mined a while and the Indians gave his troops many dogs to eat ; also that he crossed the North Georgia mountains to the Connasauga Riv- er, thence followed the Oostanaula River to the junction of the Etowah River, where the Coosa forms, to Chiaha province and town, the modern site of Rome ; also that he followed the Coosa southwestward into Alabama, whence in time he I)ushed on across West Tennesssee and discovered the Mississippi Riv- er, in which he was buried after dying of fever in 1541. It is possible to mention these differences of opinion only in brief here. James Mooney, a careful stu- dent of the subject, held that De- Soto followed the Chattahoochee River headwaters down the val- leys of Habersham County, sight- ed Kennesaw (Kensagi) Moun- tain in Cobb County, instead of the Connasauga River, (passing near the site of modern Atlanta), and instead of visiting Chiaha, visited Chehaw, a Creek town in Alabama below Columbus. It may be signifi- cant that Atlantans do not claim that DeSoto passed near their land. An understanding of the tojiog- raphy of the country, the aims and necessities of the expedition and the reasonable probabilities arc prerequisites to a reconciliation of the viewpoints. Some aid may be found in the reflection that DeSoto often divided his force; inuloubt- edly he let the main Ixxly follow the rivers in tlic valleys, while prospecting parlit-s i)enetrated through the mountains. Thus it is possible that his main force, with the heavy equipment and pigs, started down the headwaters of the Chattahoochee in Habersham County, bore to the northwest, crossed the headwaters of the Eto- wah and followed the Etowah to Rome, discovering and exploring the huge Indian mound on the Tumlin i)lace three miles south of Cartersville; also that the mining group, after exploring the moun- tains nearly to the Tennessee line, came to the Connasauga River and followed the Oostanaula River down to Rome, where he joined the other unit. Chiaha Town was described by the early chroniclers of the expedition as an island. That impression might easily be made on an explorer crossing the creeks north of Rome whose headwaters nearly touch, and passing on down the peninsula to the water on all sides. It is quite possible, moreover, that 382 years ago a canal con- nected the Oostanaula and Eto- wah rivers, passing through North Rome and making an island of the narrow neck of land between FERDINAND DeSOTO, Spanish cavalier who it is generally accepted visited the site of Rome in 1510, searching for gold for his king. 20 A History of Rome and Floyd County the streams at their junction. An- other theory is that the DeSoto district (now l)etter known as the Fourth ward), which is sui)i)osed to have been where the Spanish camp- ed, was once an ishind, havinit>- l)een cut off by a break in the Oosta- naula near the mouth of Little Dry Creek. which found its way throui^h the lowlands and entered the Coosa above Horseleg' Creek, formings a l)ody of land of not less than 250 acres. JJoth of these suppositions hnd encouragement in freaks of nature Avhich are oliservablc in the life- time of the average man. Less than a decade ago Perkins Island, in the Etowah River, near the foot of Fifth Avenue, was yielding sand to a concern which for many years had sold to contractors who were erecting the most substantialbuild- ings in Rome. In 1920 suit was filed in the Superior Court of Floyd county by the Perkins heirs against Mrs. J. Lindsay Johnson to prevent her from removing the sand. Mrs. Johnson's answer recited that the island had stood opposite her East Rome farm, separated from the mainland by a narrow^ body of wa- ter. Accretions of sand and silt had filled up this channel and made the island part of the mainland ; there- fore, as she claimed, the former island 1)elonged to her. Another island A\hich has be- come ])art of the mainland in like manner was at Nixon's sand bar, Coosa River, just below and across from the mouth of llorseleg Creek. There are no examples as con- spicuous as these in which new islands have been formed, but ex- am])les are common elsewhere, nota])ly in the Mississippi Valley. Certain historians wdio do not believe DeSoto camped at the pres- ent site of Rome locate the island down the Coosa in Alabama, near the Georgia line. However, Pick- ett, Jones, Knight and others hold that Chiaha settlement and the ])resent site of Rome are identical, and that the route proceeded down the Coosa. It is worthy of note that DeSoto resisted the suppli- cations of his men to turn back toward his ships and first landing place, and insisted on striking re- peatedly northward in search of gold. Although he follow^ed a zig- zag course, his trail was generally northwestward, allowing for a con- siderable zag toward Mobile, where he won a great battle with the Indians. At Chiaha he dispatched two cavaliers on a ten-day journey northward. There appears to have been no point in his going below Columbus, where in July it is much hotter than the North Georgia mountains. The Indians all along the route had told DeSoto of the rich prov- ince of Chiaha, the Eldorado of his dreams. To the principal towns of this province De- vSoto had sent scouts to de- mand of the chiefs a tw^o months' supply of maize (Indian corn). On June 4, 1540, DeSoto entered Chia- ha Town via the valleys of the west bank of the Oostanaula Riv- er, camped his cohorts along what has for many years been known as the DeSoto Road of the DeSoto District of Floyd County, and crossed the Oostanavda River (prol)ably in canoes) with his ad- vance guard. Here he w\as warmly received by the young chief, who spake substantially as follows as he handed DeSoto a long string of perfect ])earls :* Mighty Chief: Into this beautiful and beloved country which our fathers have hunted for the beasts and birds of the forest and handed down to us a long time ago, and in which we wor- ship the Spirit of the Sun with all the strength of our natures, we welcome you as friends and brothers. Stay ♦This speech is supposed to be more nearly typ- icaJ of Indian nature and disposition than the polished versions of the chroniclers, which are unmistakably Spanish. The Spanish Cavaliers and Their Quest for Gold 21 with us as long as you desire; live in our houses, fish and hunt with us in our choice places, and accept our gifts offered you from our hearts. Tell us at once your mission, that we may serve you with the fidelity of the stars. You have asked of my good people supply of maize to sustain your power- ful tribe two months. Here you will find 20 barbacoas (barns) bursting with our best grain. Welcome ! May your people and my people enjoy a peaceful friendship that will be as strong as the mountains and last as long as the sun shines warm and the rivers of Chiaha run cold. Through an interpreter DeSoto thanked the chief cordially, then gave to him some trinkets and coins. "Chocklestee !— Sit down !" in- vited the chief, and turning to a group of copper-colored warriors, he said : "Talahi— chetawga — chis- (|ua !" The men ran to a picketed enclosure and brought many fowls and dogs for the hungry Spaniards to eat, after which the young chief announced that DeSoto would stop at "akwenasa" (my home). DeSoto is supposed to have spent 26-30 days in Chiaha, after which he went through Alabama and Western Tennessee and discovered the Mississippi River at Chicka- saw Bluff, below Memphis. He died shortly after and was buried in the Mississippi to prevent the In- dians from destroying his corpse. His wdfe died in Cuba of a broken heart, following her husband short- ly. She had had no word from him since his departure. CHAPTER II. John Sevier, John Floyd and the Indians I \' SEPTEMBER, 1793, an event was catalogued in which the site of Rome was l)rought to the attention of the country. Gen. John Sevier* de- scended upon Cherokee GeorQ-ia from Tennessee, chasing with his 800 men 1,000 Indians who had scalped and killed thirteen people at Cavett's Station, near Knox- ville, and had retreated southward. Gen. Sevier swept out of his path such resistance as was offered, and burned a number of Indian towns. Presently he arrived at Oostanau- la, near the forks of the Coosa- wattee and Connasauga rivers, and after burning this village, divided his force. With half he proceeded dow^n the Oostanaula, while Col- onel Kelly and Major Evans were detailed to take the other half down the Etow^ah river, and to de- stroy such towns as they found. On Oct. 17, 1793, the Battle of Eto- wah was fought. The Kelly-Evans force discov- ered the main body of the fleeing Indians at a rocky bluff across the Etowah. Some say this was where the Southern Railway now^ crosses the river, about a mile above Rome, while others hold it was quite a distance farther down the stream. The- Indians had felled numerous trees and behind these had sought protection, while a few hid in the rocky fissures of the bluff". Many others had been strung out down the river bank to protect a ford. A clever ruse dislodged the In- dians and brought about their de- feat. The two officers took their force below the crossing point. Col- onel Kelly and several others plunged their horses in and swam across. Thinking the wdiole force was coming into the water and hoping to shoot them with ar- rows and guns before they could get out, part of the Indians left their protection and bore down upon the Colonel and his squad, who quickly dashed back into the Etowah. In the meantime, Capt. Evans had back-tracked his force to the ford, and there crossing, fell heavily upon the surprised foe, and put them to flight with a heavy loss. For many years later Indian bones and relics could be found in the crevasses of the hill. Such of the Indians as escaped -swam the river at Myrtle Hill cemetery, and made a stand at the western foot of it. Gen. Sevier hav- ing come up with his force, the frontiersmen inflicted terrible slaughter upon the red-skins, and drove them in contusion dowai the Coosa Valley. Sevier is also said to have destroyed Coosa Old Town at this time. This was a village which has been located by certain people on the Nixon farm and by others below it on the Coosa River. It so happened that most of these Tennessee "squirrel hunters" were volunteers who had had a friend or relative killed at Cavett's Station, and among them we find a youth of tender years named Hugh Law- son White.** Historians relate that in this engagement the young pale- face shot a minie ball into the l)reast of Chief King Fisher, one of the leaders of the Indian horde, killing him instantly and causing the Indian ranks to break in con- *Gen. Sevier was a Tennesseean and the an- cestor of the Underwoods, the Rowells, the Novins, the Pattons. the O'Neills, the Wylys and others of Rome. The Cherokees called him "Nollichucky Jack." A monument glorifying his exploit at the site of Rome was erected at the western base of Myrtle Hill cemetery by the Xavier Chat)ter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. **A kinsman of Dr. James Park, of Knox- ville, and his descendants, including Mrs. B. I. Hughes and Mrs. T. F. Howel, of Rome. John Sevier, John Floyd and the Indians 23 fusion. Forty-two years later Hugh Lawson White became a noted man in Tennessee — a_ judge, Senator and friend and supporter of Presi- dent Andrew Jackson, with many of the Jacksonian attrilmtes. In 1835 he was nominated for presi- dent by the Whigs, and carried his own state over Martin Van Buren, the Democratic nominee, by 10,000 majority. It was said that Jack- son's support would have won for judge \\'hite, but it was captured by Van Buren. A more complete account of the Battle of Etowah is found in the Tennessee Historical Magazine (Nashville), 1918, Vol. IV, pages 207-9-10: Finding the authorities powerless, the patience of the Cherokees gave v/ay, and the latter part of August, 1793, provided unmistakable evidence of Indian hostility. The settlements were put in a posture of defense. Gen. Sevier was posted at Ish's station, across the river from Knoxville, with 400 mounted infantry. . . . On the evening of Sept. 24, John Watts, at the head of a large body of Indians, estimated at 1,000 men or more, com- posed of Cherokees and Creeks, cross- ed the Tennessee river below the mouth of Holston and marched all night in the direction of Knoxville. They avoid- ed Campbell's station, passed within three miles of Ish's, and daylight found them in sight of Cavett's sta- tion, eight miles west of Knoxville . . . Col. Watts had with him some of the most intractable chiefs of the na- tion . . . The chiefs disputed whether they should kill everybody in Knoxville or only the men. Doublehead insisted on the former. An altercation be- tween Doublehead and Vann was long and heated. Vann had a little boy, a captive, riding behind him. Double- head became so infuriated that he killed the little boy. . . . In sight of Cavett's station there was a block house in which Alexander Cavett and family of thirteen people resided, only three of whom were gun men. The three made a brave resist- ance. Alexander Cavett, the father, died with bullets in his mouth, which he had placed there to facilitate load- ing. Five Indians fell dead or wound- ed before their rifles. This checked the assaults and brought on a parley. The Bench, Watts' nephew, who spoke English, agreed with the besieged that if they surrendered, their lives should be spared, and they should be exchanged for a like number of In- dian prisoners. These terms were ac- cepted and the little garrison sur- rendered. As soon as they left the blockhouse, Doublehead and his party fell upon them and put them all to death in the most barbarous manner, except Alexander Cavett, Jr., who was saved by the interposition of Col. Watts, though he . was afterwards killed in the Creek towns . . . Gen. Sevier being rernfoi'ced until his army numbered about 700, he marched rapidly southward until Oct. 14, 1793, when he reached the beloved town of Estaunaula. The town was deserted, but since it contained abund- ant provisions, Sevier halted and rest- ed his men. The Indians undertook to disperse his camp at night, but the attack was unsuccessful. From some Cherokee prisoners taken at Estau- naula it was learned that the main body of the enemy, composed of Cher- okees and Creeks, had passed the place a few days previously, and were mak- .^^ n \. CKN. .JOHN SKVIKR, early jrovernor of Ten- nessee, who in 1793 routed a band of Indians on 'Rome's site and slew Chief KinBllsher. 24 A History of Rome and Floyd County ing for a town at the mouth of the Etowah river. After refreshyig his troops, Gen. Sevier followed the enemy, reaching the confluence of the Etowah and the Oostanaula rivers on the eve- ning of the 17th. The Creeks and a number of Cher- okees had intrenched themselves on opposite banks of the Etowah, to ob- struct its passage. A happy mistake on the part of the guides, Carey and Findleston*, saved the day for the whites. They carried Col. Kelly's force half a mile below the ford, where he and a few others immediate- ly swam the river. The Indians, dis- covering this movement, abandoned their intrenchments and rushed down the river to oppose Col. Kelly. Capt. Evans, discovering the error, wheel- ed, and straining his horses back to the ford, dashed into the river. The Indians at the ford, under the com- mand of King Fisher, a Cherokee chief of the first consequence, saw their mistake, and, returning, received Capt. Evans' company furiously at the crossing of the bank. The engagement was hot and spirit- ed. The King Fisher made a daring sally within a few yards of H. L. White, afterwards the distinguished jurist and statesman. He and some of his comrades discharged their rifles, the King Fisher fell and his warriors abandoned the field. The whites lost three men in the engagement. This campaign ended the war and closed the military careers of Col. Watts and Gen. Sevier. Gen. Sevier's official report of the battle follows :** Ish's Mills, Tenn., 25 Oct., 1793. Sir: In obedience to an order from Sec- retary Smith, I marched in pursuit of the large body of Indians who on the 25th of last month did the mischief in Knox County, Grassy Valley. . . . We directed our march for Esta- naula*** on the Coosa**** river, at which place we arrived on the 14th instant. . . . We there made some Cherokee prisoners, who informed us that John Watts headed the army late- ly out on our frontiers; that the same was composed of Indians more or less fi'om every town in the Cherokee na- tion; that from the Turkey's Town, Sallyquoah, Coosawaytah and several other principal ones almost to a man was out, joined by a large number of the upper Creeks, who had passed that place on their return only a few days since, and had made for a town at the mouth of Hightower river.***** We, after refreshing the troops, marched for that place, taking the path that leads to that town, along which the Creeks had marched, in five large trails. On the 17th instant, in the after- noon, we arrived at the forks of Coosa and Hightower rivers. Col. Kelly was ordered with a part of the Knox reg- iment to endeavor to cross the High- tower. The Creeks and a number of Cherokees had intrenched themselves to obstruct the passage. Col. Kelly and his pai'ty passed down the river half a mile below the ford and began to cross at a private place, where there was no ford. Himself and a few others swam over the river. The Indians, discovering this movement, immediately left their intrenchments and ran down the river to oppose their passage, expecting, as I suppose, the whole intended crossing at the lower place. Capt. Evans immediately w'ith his company of mounted infantry strained their horses back to the upper ford and began to cross the river. Very few had, got to the south bank before the Indians, who had discovered their mistake, returned and received them furiously at the rising of the bank. An engagement instantly took place and became very warm, and notwith- standing the enemy w^ere at least four to one in numbers, besides the advan- tage of situation, Capt. Evans with his- heroic company put them in a short time utterly to flight. They left sev- eral dead on the ground, and were seen to carry others off both on foot and on horse. Bark and trails of blood from the wounded were to be seen in every quarter. The encampment fell into our hands, with a number of their guns, many of vvhich were of the Spanish sort, with budgets, plankets and match coats, to- gether with some horses. We lost three men in this engagement, which is all that have fell during the time of our route, although this last attack was the fourth the enemy had made upon us, but in the others repulsed without loss. *Richard Finnolson. **Sevier's report was evidenth' made to Gov. Wm. Blount. It is here presented from Ramsey's Annals of Tennessee, ps. .587-8. '**Several miles east of Resaca. ****Now Oostanaula. *****Site cf Rome. John Sevier, John Floyd and the Indians 25 After the last engagement we cross- ed the main Coosa, then proceeded on our way down the main river near the Turnip' Mountain,* destroying in our way several Creek and Chei'okee towns, which they had settled together on each side of the river, and from which they have all fled with appar- ent precipitation, leaving almost every- thing behind them. Neither did they after the last engagement attempt to annoy or interrupt us on our march, in any manner whatever. I have got reason to believe their ardor and spirit was well checked. The party flogged at Hightower were those which had been out with Watts. There are three or four men slightly wounded and two or three horses killed, but the Indians did not, as I heard of, get a single horse from us the time we were out. We took and destroyed nearly 300 beeves, many of which were of the best and largest kind. Of course their losing so much provision must distress them very much. Many women and children might have been taken, but from motives of humanity I did not encourage it to be done, and several taken were suf- fered to make their escape. Your Ex- cellency knows the disposition of many that were out on this expedition, and can readily account for this conduct. The National Encyclopedia of American Biography, Vol. II, page 395, gives Hugh Lawson White credit for the death of the Indian chief mentioned above : "A war Avitli the Cherokees breaking out, he volunteered under Gen. Sevier. . . and at Rtowah shot and mor- tally wounded the Cherokee chief, King Fisher, thus ending the bat- tle.'' The next military event of im- portance to Cherokee Ge(jrgia was the invasion of Alabama by Gen. John Floyd in 1814. Gen. Floyd was a native of Sotuh Carolina and a descendant of noted fighting men. He owned Fairfield Plantation, Camden County, where he died June 24, 1839, after having served in the State Legislature and in Congress. He defeated the Creek Indians, allies of the I'.ritish, at *Site of Coosa villaRe. Autossee, Fort Defiance, and Chin- ibee, Ala., and so complete was the rout that the warlike Creeks as a nation never afterward became dangerous along the border, and the comparatively peaceful settle- ment of Northwest Georgia was made possible. Another civilizing intluence about this time was the invention of the Cherokee alphabet of 85 characters by Sequoyah (George Guess or Gist), an uneducated In- dian who lived at Alpine, Chattoo- ga County, and who was a fre- quent visitor to Major Ridge's at his home on the Oostanatila. Se- cjuoyah wrote on bark with poke- berry juice, instructed his little daughter and any Indian who wished to learn. He went west to the Indian country in a few years, and presently his alpliabet was adopted by the Cherokee Nation and was used along with English in copies of the Cherokee Phoenix, GEN JOHN KLOYD, Indian fiKhter and Con- gressman, after whom in 1832 Floyd County was named. 26 A History of Rome and Floyd County the paper edited at New Echota by Elias Boudinot. Several glimpses into Indian and frontier life are given in "The Laws of the Cherokees," published by the Cherokee Advocate at Tahle- quah. Okla., in 1852. One of these if contained in an order from the chiefs and warriors in National Council at "Broom's Town," Sept. 11, 1808. (Broom's Town was probably Broom Town, Cherokee County, Ala., in Broom Town Val- ley, and about five miles from Cloudland, Chattooga County, Ga.). The order forms "regulating com- panies" of one captain, one lieu- tenant and four privates each, at annual salaries of $50, $40 and $30, respectively, for the purpose of arresting horse thieves and pro- tecting property. The i)enalty for stealing a horse was 100 lashes on the bare back of the thief, be he man or woman, and fewer lashes for things of less value ; and if a thief resisted the "regulators" with gun, axe, spear or knife, he could be killed on the spot. SEQUOYAH (Geo. Guess), inventor of the Cherokee Alphabet, who was born in Chat- tooga County, near Alpine. This law was signed by Black Fox, principal chief; Chas. Hicks, secretary to the Council ; Path Killer and Toochalar. These offi- cials and Turtle at Home, Speaker of the Council, drafted the follow- ing law Apr. 10, 1810, at "Oostan- nallah," a town supposed to have been located about three miles east of Resaca, Gordon County, on the east bank of the Connasauga (sometimes known at that point as Oostanaula) River, near the mouth of Polecat Creek : Be it known that this day the various clans and tribes which compose the Cherokee Nation have agreed that should it happen that a brother, for- getting- his natural affection, should use his hand in anger and kill his brother, he shall be accounted guilty of murder and suffer accordingly; and if a man has a horse stolen, and over- takes the thief, and should his anger be so great as to cause him to kill him, let his blood remain on his own conscience, but no satisfaction shall be demanded for his life from his rel- atives or the clan he may belong to. "Echota" was the Cherokee term for "town." The first capital is said by some authorities to have been originally in Virginia, the second in North Carolina and the third in East Tennessee. Prior to 1825, it appears, John Ross, principal chief, lived at Ross' Landing, Tennessee River, now Chattanooga. The first mention in the Cherokee laws of New Town (or New Echota) was under date of Oct. 26, 1819. This place was situated on the south l)ank of the Oostanaula River, in Gordon County, Ga., just below the confluence of the Coosawattee and the Connasauga Rivers and presumably three miles south of Oostanaula village. On Oct. 28, 1819, at Newtown the following order was passed: This day decreed by the National Committee and Council, That all citi- zens of the Cherokee Nation establish- ing a store for the purpose of vend- ing merchandise shall obtain license for that purpose from the clerk of the John Sevier, John Floyd and the Indians 27 National Council, for which each and every person so licensed shall pay a tax of $25 per annum, and that no other but citizens of the Cherokee Na- tion shall be allowed to establish a per- manent store within the Nation. And it is also decreed that no peddlers not citizens of the Nation shall be permit- ted to vend merchandise in the Nation without first obtaining license from the Agent of the United States for the Cherokee Nation, agreeably to the laws of the United States, and each and everyone so licensed shall pay $80 to the treasurer of the Cherokee Nation annually. This law was signed by John Ross, President of the National Committee ; Path Killer, Chas. R. Hicks and Alex McCoy, clerk. Three years later George M. Lav- ender encountered its provisions by establishing the first trading post near Rome, at the old home of Major Ridge up the Oostanaula River. The first reference to the pres- ent site of Rome appears in a law passed Oct. 30, 1819, at New Town, as follows : Whereas, the Big Rattling Gourd*, Wm. Grimit, Betsey Brown, The Dark, Daniel Griffin and Mrs. Lesley hav- ing complained before the Chiefs of a certain company of persons having formed a combination and established a turnpike arbitrarily, in opposition to the interest of the above-named persons, proprietors of a privileged turnpike on the same road, be it now, therefore, known That said complaint having been submitted by the Council to the Na- tional Committee for a decision, and after maturely investigating into the case, have decided that the said new company of the disputed turnpike shall be abolished, and that the above-named persons are the only legal proprietors to establish a turnpike on the road leading from Widow Fool's (ferry) at the forks of Ilightower (Etowah) and Oostannallah Rivers to Will's Creek by *Tho Rigr Rattline Gourd wns a snl)-chief whd lived at r.n«' tinip at Cave Si)ring. His wife proved unfaithful to him and in a moment of antjer he hit otf her nose and otherwise ro maltreated her that she died. AccordinR to Mrs. Harriet Connor Stevens, of Cave Sprinpr, Bho was buried on the spot where th^ Cave Spring postofRce now stands. **General route of thp present Alabama Road. Turkey Town was in P^towah County, Ala. v.ay of Turkey Town;** and the said company shall be bound to keep in re- pair said road, to commence from the first creek east of John Fields, Sr'a home, by the name where Vann was shot, and to continue westward to the extent of their limits; and that the Widow Fool shall also keep in repair for the benefit of her ferry at the fork, the road to commence from the creek above named to where Ridge's Road now intersects said road east of her ferry, and that the Ridges shall also keep in repair the road to commence at the Two Runs, east of his ferry, and to continue by way of his ferry as far as where his road intersects the old road, leading from the fork west of his ferry, and that also the High- tower Turnpike Co. shall keep in re- pair the road from the Two Runs to where it intersects the Federal Road, near Blackburn's. This law was signed by Ross, Path Killer, Hicks and McCoy. In 1820, also at New Town or New^ Echota, a law was passed di- viding the Cherokee country of Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee into eight territorial and judicial districts : Amoah, Aquohee, Chal- loogee, Chickamaugee, Coosewa- tee, Etowah, Hickory Log and Tahquohee. In a description of the Coosewatee District the ferry of the Widow Fool is again men- tioned. It would a])pear that for about six years, from 1819 to 1825, the Cherokee National Committee and Council held their meetings at New Echota. On Nov. 12, 1825, it was resolved to establish a town with suitalde buildings, wide streets and a park : That 100 town lots of one acre square be laid off on the Oostannallah River, commencing below the mouth of the creek (Town), nearly opposite to the mouth of Caunasauga River, the public square to embrace two acres of ground, which town shall be known and called I]chota. There shall be a main street of 60 feet, and the other streets shall be 50 feet. That the lots when laid off be sold to the highest bidder, the second Mon- day in February next, the proceeds 28 A History of Rome and Floyd County to be appropriated for the benefit of the public buildings in said town. That three commissioners, Judge Martin. George Saunders and Walter S. Adair, superintend the laying off of the lots. That all the ground lying within the following bounds, not embraced by the lots, shall remain as commons for the convenience of the town: beginning at the mouth of the creek, opposite the mouth of Caunasauga, and up said creek to the mouth of the dry branch on which Geo. Hicks lives, up said branch to the point of the ridges, and thence in a circle around along said ridges, by the place occupied by the Crying Wolf (lately occupied by War Club), thence to the river. Signing; tliis document were John Ross, President of the National Committee ; Major Ridge,* Speak- er of the Council ; Path Killer. Chas. R. Hicks,** A. McCoy, clerk of the National Committee, and Elias Boudinot, clerk of the Na- tional Council. Thus we see the Cherokees, driv- en from j)illar to post by the en- croaching pale-faces, marshaling' their forces for a last ditch stand. Their first expedient Avas to estab- lish "a nation within a nation," hence the concentration of power in a Principal Chief, a National Committee and a National Coun- cil, and a regular seat of govern- ment at New Kchota ; their second expedient was resort to such force as they could command — highway assassination, attacks on isolated families, tribal uprisings — and finally, when state and federal gov- ernment pressure became too great, non-intercourse and passive resistance. Their newspaper pr(n'ed a feeble weapon. As far back as the presidency of George Washington (1794) we 'find pow-wows in Philadeljihia (then the national capital) with the Cher- okees and other tribes of the va- rious states in the east and the southeast. In 1803 Thos. JeiYerson, then President, suggested a gen- eral movement westward. In 1817 and in 1819, during the Presidency of James Monroe, important trea- ties were signed with the Chero- kees, involving cessions of land. In 1802, during the administration of Mr. JelTerson, Georgia had ceded to the United States government all the land she owned westward to the Mississippi River, now the states of Alabama and Mississippi, in exchange for the government's promise to extinguish the Indian title to land within Georgia's pres- ent boundaries. Twenty years passed ; nothing having been done, (jOv. Geo. M. Troup pressed the matter upon the attention of Presi- dent James Monroe, and the Presi- dent called a meeting in 1825 for Indian Springs. Here the Lower Creeks, led by Gen. Wm. Mcintosh, ignored the hostile Alabama Creeks, who did not attend, and signed away their Georgia lands. This act infuriated the Alabama Creeks, and 170 men volunteered to kill Gen. Mcintosh, who lived at "Mcintosh Reserve,"onthe Chatta- hoochee River, five miles southwest of Whitesburg, in what is now Car- roll County. The band lay in the woods until 3 o'clock one morning, ;ind proceeded to the Mcintosh home with a cjuantity of pitch pine on the Ijacks of three warriors. Presently the pine knots were ig- riited and thrown under the house, and the structure blazed up brightly. From the second story Mcintosh fought ofif his enemies with four guns, but eventually the heat forced him to descend, and when he exposed himself he was shot, then dragged into the yard and killed with knives. The Alabama Creeks having claimed the Indian Springs instru- ment was "no treaty," the incom- *Major Ridge was a powerful orator, but it is said he was uneducated and could not write his name. The state papers of the Cherokees usually have after his name "his mark." Path Killer also signed by touching the pen. **Chas. R. Hicks became the first principal chief after the Cherokees had set up their re- vised structure of government at New Echota. He was succeeded in 1828 by John Ross. John Sevier, John Floyd and the Indians 29 ing president, John Quincy Adams, took their side and ordered Gov. Troup not to survey the lands just cedecl. The Georgia Governor de- fied Mr. Adams and told him if United States troops invaded Geor- gia soil, Georgia troops would put them off. Trouble was averted by a new agreement in which the In- dians were given about $28,000. The Creek settlement furnished a suggestion for the agents who ten years later negotiated with a minority faction of the Cherokees, as will be told more fully herein hereafter. Farther down, in South Georgia and Florida, were the such establishment. Samuel A. Worcester, a native of Worcester, Mass., had charge of a mission at New Echota. Missionary Station, at Coosa, Floyd Coun- ty, was in the care of Rev. and Mrs. Elijah Butler, who were sent out from South Canaan, Conn., by the American Baptist Commit- tee on Foreign Missions. In 1831 Dr. Worcester, Dr. Butler and nine others were sentenced to a term of four years in the Georgia peni- tentiary, at Milledgeville, and served a year and four months. They were charged with pernicious activities among the Indians. 'IMieir KsovJ du rthti^nv (3)wj Hyo e\)s. THE CHEROKEE ALPHABFT Seminoles, who gave considerable trouble, but were generally less of a bone of contention than the Creeks and the Cherokees. The clan system among the Cherokees was abolished about 1800. The clans were W\)lf, Deer, Paint, Longhair, Bird, Blind Sa- vannah and Holly. Jno. Ross was a Bird, Major Ridge a Deer and David Vann a Wolf. Prior to 1820 Congress appro- priated $10,000 yearly toward the maintenance of missions and mis- sionaries among the Indians of Cherokee Georgia and contiguous territory. The P)rainerd Mission was located on Missionary Ridge. Tenn., and was pro])ably the first release was brought al)out when they agreed to lca\c tlic Slate. Pressure on the IncHans may be said to have been exerted from two directions ; it proceeded from the oldest section of the State, the neighborhood of Augusta, Savan- nah and Darien, in a generally northwesterly direction, and from South Carolina, in a westerly di- rection. Various land si)eculators, adventurers, criminals and good, substantial ])eo])le began to over- run the Ciierokee country. Under letter date of Aug. 6, 1832, from the Council Ground at Red Clay, Whitfield County, the following red-skins ])roteste(l to Lewis Cass, 30 A History of Rome and Floyd County Secretary of War, against the pale- face encroachments :* Richard Taylor, President of Com- mittee; John Ridge. Major Ridge, his x mark, Geo. M. Waters, Executive Council. Wm. Roques, clerk of committee. John Ross, Going Snake, speaker of committee; Joseph Vann, David Vann, James Daniel, Thos. Foreman, Alexan- der McDaniel, his x mark; Fox Bald- ridge, Samuel Gunter; Chincumkah, his X mark ; Young Glass, hix x mark ; John Foster, Te-sat-es-kee, his x mark; Ed. Duncan, John Watts, his x mark; John Wayne, his x mark; Sit-u-akee, his X mark; Bean Stick, his x mark; Walking Stick, his x mark; N. Connell, Richard Fielding, John Timson, Wm. Doling, George Still, his x mark; Hair Conrad, his x mark; Sleeping Rabbit,"* his X mark; Archibald Campbell, his x mark; The Buck, his x mark; White Path, his X mark; John R. Daniel, Ruquah, his x mark; James Speaks, his X mark ; Sweet Water, his x mark ; Peter, his x mark; Soft Shell Turtle, his X mark; A. McCoy, George Lowry. U. S. Agent Elisha W. Chester, wit- ness. It was not until Oct. 23, 1832, however, that the situation became so acute as to call for the most delicate diplomacy from national and state governments. Then it was that the lottery drawings for the Cherokee lands were held, and the influx of settlers became gen- eral. Like a plague of locusts the new-comers alighted on the choice hunting grounds of the Cherokees. The territory was broken up into counties, and thus was also broken the friendship between the con- tending parties, Avhich for so long had been hanging by a slender thread. John Ross directed a pro- test to his tribesmen which caused tliem to fast for several days. The Indians assumed an ugly attitude, ])ut it availed little, as we shall ]^resently see. *American State Papers, Military Affairs, Vol. 5, ps. 28-9. **It was at his one-room log cabin, in Ten- nessee, that Jno. Ross and Jno. Howard Payne were arrested Nov. 7, 1835. <^i^ 111 3 9 ? a J g f PART II 'ANCIENT ROME 1834-1861 CHAPTER I. Rome's Establishment and Early Days I X THE spring of 1834 two lawyers were traveling on horseback from Cassville, Cass County, to attend court at Livingston, the county seat of Floyd. They were Col. Dan- iel R. Mitchell, a lawyer of Canton, Cherokee County, and Col. Zacha- riah B. Hargrove, Cassville attor- ney, formerly of Covington, New- ton County. The day was warm and the travelers hauled up at a small spring on the peninsula which separates the Etow^ah and the Oos- tanaula rivers at their junction. Here they slaked their thirst and sat down under a willow tree to rest before proceeding on their way. Col. Hargrove gazed in admira- tion on the surrounding hills and remarked : "This would make a splendid site for a town." "I was just thinking the same," returned his companion. "There seems to be plenty of water round about and extremely fertile soil and all the timber a man could want." A stranger having come up to refresh himself at the spring, and having overheard the conversation, said: "Gentlemen, you will par- don me for intruding, but 1 have been convinced for some time that the location of this place offers ex- ceptional opportunities for l)uild- ing a city that would become the largest and most prosperous in Cherokee Georgia. I live two miles south of here. My business takes me now and then to George M. Lavender's trading post up the Oostanaula there, and I never pass this spot l)Ut T think of what could be done." The last speaker introduced him- self as Maj. rhilip Walker Hemp- hill, planter. Learning the mission of the travelers, he added : "The court does not open until tomorrow afternoon. You gentlemen are no doubt fatigued by your journey, and it will give me great pleasure if you will accompany me home and spend the night. There we can discuss the matter of locating a town at this place." Col. Mitchell and Col. Hargrove accepted with thanks. The three left the spring (which still runs under Broad street at the south- east corner of Third Avenue), crossed the Etowah River on John Ross' "Forks Ferry," and proceed- ed with Major Hemphill to his comfortable plantation home at what is now DeSoto Park. Here they went into the question more deeply. A cousin of Maj. Hemp- hill, Gen. James Hemphill, who lived about ten miles down Vann's Valley, had recently been elected to the Georgia legislature, and could no doubt bring about a re- moval of the county site from Livingston to Rome ; he was also commanding officer of the Georgia Militia in the section. After court was over, Col. Mitch- ell and Col. Hargrove spent an- other night witli Maj. llcmphill, ;ind the next morning Col. Wm. v'^mith ^vas called in from Cave Spring, and l)ecame the fourth member of tlie company. It was there agreed that all availal^le land would be acquired immediate- 1\'. the fcrr\- rights would be !)ought and the ground laid olt in lots. Gen. Hemphill was requested to confer witli his compatriots at Milledgcvillc and draw up a l)ill for removal. The projectors wcnild give sufiicient land for the imblic l)uildings and in time would make the ferries free and cause neces- 34 A History of Rome and Floyd County sary bridges to be built, as well as to lay out streets at once. A con- tract along- these lines was signed with the Inferior Court of Floyd County. Since Col. Mitchell and Col. Ilargrove were fairly well es- tablished elsewhere, and it would be some time before they could move, they agreed to leave the le- gal matters in the hands of John II. Iar- tow, (jordon, Polk, Haralson, Car- roll, Douglas, Milton, Dawson, White, Fannin, Pickens, Rabun, 'J'owns and Habersham, and parts of Hall, Heard and TroU]). *Acts, 1833, ps. 321-2. **Acts, 1834, ps. 250-1. Floyd was surveyed by Jacob M. Scudder, who in 1833 was em- ployed by the United States gov- ernment to ap])raise Indian lands and improvements near Cave Spring. Mr. Scudder's name ap- pears on the early records at the Floyd County courthouse in a real estate transaction, but there is no evidence that he ever lived at Rome. Livingston, a hamlet located on the south side of the Coosa River at Foster's Bend, about 14 miles below^ Rome, was chosen by legis- lative act of Dec. 21, 1833* as the county seat, and a log cabin court- house was erected at which one or more sessions of court, presided over ])y Judge Jno. W. Hooper, were held, and in which quite a numl)er of Indians appeared as jjrosecutors and defendants. The removal of the county seat from Livingston to Rome took place under authoritv of an act passed Dec. 20, 1834>* and was PHILIP WALKER HEMPHILL, planter and one of Rome's projectors, who in 1846 moved to Mississippi. 36 A History of Rome and Floyd County consummated in 1835. However, a considerable settlement had sprung up prior to this in Vann's Valley. On the "pale-face side" of the Chattahoochee a large and restless element had been held back by the existing conditions, but when encouragement was given by the Georgia authorities to en- croachments on the Indian lands, this tide overflowed into the Cher- okee country. The countv site was removed to Land Lot 245, 23rd District, 3rd Section, Head of Coosa, Floyd County, the new place to be known as Rome.* The first Saturday in February, 1835, was set as the date for selecting five commissioners for one-year terms.** Parts of land lot 244, east of the Oostanaula and 276, north of the Hightower (Etowah), were also reserved for the growth of the town. The act further stated that nothing therein was to be considered in conflict with a contract made previously by Wm. Smith, ct al., with the In- ferior Court. An amendment*** to the act of 1834, passed Dec. 29, 1838, provided for creation of the office of "in- tendant," which means "superin- tendent" l)y the dictionary, but probably meant "mayor" in those days; also included were commis- sioners, clerk, marshal, etc., and some salaries were fixed. David Vann, a Cherokee sub- chief, had settled near Cave Si)ring in the valle_\' wliicli was given his name, and in this valley between the present Rome and Cave Spring people began to "squat" several years before there was a Rome. In 1828, Major Armistead Rich- ardson, father-in-law of the late Judge Augustus R. Wright, of Rome, removed to Vann's Valley from Augusta and with the as- sistance of a number of enthusi- astic associates began preparations for the establishment of Cave Spring in 1831. Ridge Valley, seven miles north of Rome, had been settled simul- taneously with the Vann's Valley settlement. This valley was named after another Indian leader, Major Ividge. \vho is supposed to have lived in it. at the present Rush place, at Hermitage, a number of years before moving to the Oosta- naula near Rome. The period of John Ross' resi- dence in DeSoto (Rome's present Fourth ward) has not been deter- mined accurately. However, a sat- isfactory conclusion may be drawn from the fact that the Cherokee chiefs had been meeting at the New Echota Council ground since 1819. that New Echota had been the capital since 1825, and Mr. Ross found DeSoto ("Head of Coosa") a central point to reside.**** Un- doubtedlv Mr. Ross was influenced *Acts. 1834, ps. 2.50-1. **Jas. M. CunninKham's place, at or near the present DeSoto Park, had been designated in the act of Dec. 21, 1S33, as the place to hold county elections. ***Acts of 1838. ****Persistent search has been made to reveal who it was that turned John Ross out of Jiis home, but his identity has net been estab- lished to a certainty. However, it is on record in the Secretary of State's office. State Cap'tol, Atlanta, and an old book knowTi as the Cher- okee Land Lottery says the Ross home site land (Land Lot 237. 23rd district, 3rd section) was drawn by Hugh Brown, of Beavour's district, Habersham County. Floyd County Deed Record D, page 40, recites that Brown sold the 160 acres Nov. 23, 1835, to Samuel Headen, of Franklin County, for $.500 ; and on page 4.5 it is set down that Samuel Headen sold it Feb. 21. 1844, for $3,000 to John B. Winfrey, of Hall. John B. Winfrey was the father of Jas. O. Winfrey, of Floyd. He sold 80 acres of it to Col. Alfre factory J ) I • ^ Mem, /Js.m^a l/^'^JlJ'f I r-jL X .""■-, v^ • , / Jr^Q,-:Z)J^o;i^n^P^;- JP1.^':^\J_ ,X^Vy'>'f>«3 T^ J^ Jerusalem ^ ^W'^V'^ •. ;R^J:-f^ro ^^Z^nj,la^ ^if'T'~\ 7G'~^^^'^''^oaTi %^f/,";i P" \ • /(l^'alf'nnv^fbrc OA^m^n(;!0 "^ j B / A R T I R fV, cf /.f^.^:^ ?Pvl, »if j-o-#. /""f •-^- / ii.r.'f Mill ~Sharj> OJall C:-. I iims(^ Creel \^S -T-aL -'^co, '^'■'>., ■Jnu JioHins ( "oouj Ari ^£tta ■I- 1^ A U L '•hW^' «i I- cOak Level [tley ^ -Ailor.^ ■J? 7\Pop7c.r S!)ring\j '■''j-'' Jtbseirooa. \ ' ■'^ ( -^ Putnpli N' G, Snlt '>V.,; rftUStol B V'o-/j THE HEART OF CHEROKEE GEORGIA. (Scale of miles, 18 miles to one inch.) by the fact that Major Ridge was living about a mile away, and they could hold their conferences much more easily, jolm Ridge, son of the Major and also a leader, lived about three miles from Ross, at "Running Waters," later the John Hume place. New Kchota was some 30 miles, and the Council Ground at Red Clay, Whitfield County, was 60 miles northward, as the crow flies. Seciuoyah, the man of letters and knowledge, was 25 miles aw;iy. Klias B'.)udinot, Stand Watie and David Vann were readily available. Assuming that Ross moved to DeSot(-i in 1825, he resided there ten years, until fmally dispossessed of his home, lie used to start his letters "Head of Coo- sa." It will be seen, therefore, that the site of Rome was probably of nitirc inii)ortancc between 1825 and 44G036 38 A History of Rome and Floyd County the final removal in 1838 than even the capital itself; but at best the Indians were a nomadic race, liv- ing here today and there tomor- row, and their leaders hopped Avith alacritv between Rome, New Echota, Red Clay and Washing- ton. r.ut let us return to the pioneer pale-faces. Col. Mitchell surveyed the sec- tion between the rivers and made a map, dated 1834, copies of which are in existence today. This work was done from Third Avenue northward, since the farm below was owned by Col. Smith and at that time was considered unsafe for building on account of the high waters ; furthermore, it was re- served for race track and tourna- ment purposes. Col. Smith was a lover of horseflesh and he built a half-mile cinder track around the banks of the rivers, and placed his grandstand near the spring alluded to in tlie foregoing. There were special races between the best riders of the surrounding counties ; the Indians, who usually rode bare- back, carried off many a prize. Tournaments were held now and tlien, in which the riders, going at full s])eed on their mounts, ran tlicir lances through rings held lightly by a projecting wooden arm — the man who got the most rings in the fewest runs av(mi the contest. Another diversion, of a highly humorous nature, was the "gander pulling." The neck of a live gander was greased thoroughly and the bird hung up by the feet to a limlj. The game was to pull the gan- der's neck oft* or Ijring him down "whole." This was a (lifiicult feat because the gander dexterously dodged his head when the horse- man was about to "pull." Still an- other was the "greased pole." Any- body who could climb 15 feet to the top could have the bag of money suspended therefrom. The pole was of skinned hickory or oak and would have been sleek enough without any grease. If the boys could not make it to the top in a reasonable time they were al- lowed in put sand on their cloth- ing; then they went home to their "maws." "Catching the greased ])ig" was another sport. In 1833 occurred an event which made Indians and many supersti- tious folk believe the world was coming to an end. One night the stars "fell." Such another display of pranks in the skies had never l)een seen ; for c^uite a while the stars shot this way and that, in graceful curves, then in uncanny zig-zags, until it appeared that the feeble little people of earth would surely be covered in a shower of stars. Indian mothers rushed about, gathering up their oft'spring, and rum old negro mammies and uncles hid under beds and houses, shout- ing, "Oh, Lordy! Oh, Lordy ! Dis nigger's soul am pure !" The task of forming the Rome l)ar fell to Col. ]\Iitchell, who pro- ceeded with a nucleus composed of himself, Mr. Lumpkin and two or three others. Tresently, in 1835, fluids were raised and a brick courthouse erected at Court (East First) Street and Bridge Street (East Fifth Avenue). Removal of the courthouse did not exactly suit Jackson Trout, who had built the first wooden dwelling at Living- ston. He kept up with the proces- sion by skidding his house down to the Coosa River, putting it on a barge and polling it to Rome, where he set it up again as the first dwelling there. Others followed suit, and they had considerable trouble when they reached Llorse- leg Shoals, which required "mule- hauling" of a high order, to use a nautical expression. Rome at this time was a "forest primeval." Everywhere were Rome's Establishment and Early Days 39 woods except at the forks, and that was swampy and full of wil- lows, with an occasional sturdy tree and hungry mosquito. The rivers were still alive with fish ; wild turkeys and deer were often seen ; snakes were numerous ; quail were abundant and squirrels skip- ped in their native element where Broad Street now extends ; the bushes were alive wnth wild birds of beautiful color; on Mt. Alto and Lavender Mountain, five miles away, bears could be found ; and at night the fiery gleam from the eye of a wolf was a common sight. It was a wild country, with trails for roads, and few conveniences. Squatters and Indians alike pitched their tents in suitable spots waiting" for some new word to "move on" or "move ofif." Small squads of Georgia Guardsmen, es- tablished by act of 1834, or of Unit- ed States soldiers, watching Guards and Indians alike, camped a while and then went on to other duty. Trappers and traders did a thriv- ing business ; so did the ferry- men who set people across at the forks or elsewhere. Everybody seemed to be going or coming, de- spite the efforts of the Town Com- pany to halt them at Rome. The Indians were unusually restless. Along would come a white fam- ily on horseback, carrying all their worldly goods. They had traveled from some neighboring county, or perchance as far as from North Carolina, ho])ing to better their material condition. The man would lead, the children would follow, and the mother bring up the rear, rid- ing sidewise. Any old port in a storm looked good. Many had definite ()l)jectives. many did not and would "scjuat" anywhere that looked like it held promise for the future. Others were definitely attracted by the prospect of pioneering in a live town. It is fair to sav that Rome and Floyd County received, along with many "floaters," a highly sub- stantial and even aristocratic cit- izenship. The founders were men of character and iron will — accus- tomed to blazing their way through one kind of forest or 'another. They started with little and made out of it much. There were no luxuries to be had, hence they worked with the things of nature, and fashioned out of them whatever they could. The old Alabama Road forked where the Central Railroad trestle now crosses it. One fork led to Major Ridge's Ferry opposite the Linton A. Dean place, and the other bent southeast to the Ross ferry at the confluence of the rivers. At the Ross ferry a man from Ala- bama could gain the Ilillsboro side or the Rome side, as he pleased. A little later the traffic became so heavy that Matt and Overton Hitchcock built for Col. Smith a covered wooden bridge at Fifth Avenue (over the Oostanaula), and from that point connected with the Alabama Road. Agricultural busi- ness gradually grew prosperous. George Lavender's trading post did a land office business. It used to be said that Lavender kept his money in a barrel or keg which was al- ways fairly well filled with gold and silver coin ; and that when his partnership with Afajor Ridge and Daniel R. Mitchell was dissolved, thev cut a melon estimated at $250,000 in 1922 coin. Perhai)s 5.000 Indians patronized this establishment, and they paid an}' j^rice for \\hat they \vantcd. They were especially fond of calico garments, and would buy extrava- gantly for their women, and often include enough for an odd waist ^vhich the women would make for them. They wore outlandish clothes, never matching in an_\- par- ticular; buckskin or woolen trous- ers, well worn or ])atched ; hats that suggested the liat of today on 40 A History of Rome and Floyd County a Chinaman, often with a squirrel tail tacked on it and hanging ilown the side or hack; some hats made entirely of skin, and therefore very warm in cold weather; moccasins or discarded white man shoes cov- ering their feet, but many l)are- foot ; cheap jewelry and trinkets whenever they could get it, which was often ; sometimes a ([ueer tur- han in place of a hat; usually no coat or jacl'.et, except in winter. The Indian was fond of tobacco and liquor, but as soon as the lead- ers saw what terrible inroads were being made on Indian territory by pale-face profiteers of various kinds, a strong Indian organization was formed to stamp out the evils. Liquor was obtained from stores that had a provision shop in front and a barroom or "doggery" in the rear, the entire establishment be- ing dignified by the name "gro- cerv." (ireen wooden screens ob- scured the occupants of the bar- room until a state law caused them to be abolished, and then every- body could peek in and see who was getting "lit up." Around these ])laces loafed a gang of shiftless Indians and whites, bent on satis- fying their aI)normal appetites, and fit subjects for whatever mischief might be suggested by the Demon MA.IOR RIDGE, Cherokee chief, who, with his son John, was murdered June 22, 1839, in Indian Territory by vengeful redskins. Rum. These gangs were extremely j)rofane, and poisoned the atmos- ])here for such a distance that ladies and young ladies would nev- er venture closer than across the street. Knife and pistol scrapes were frequent, especially late at night after the more peaceful in- habitants had retired to their beds. A calaboose soon became a crying necessity, and with it a town mar- shal who managed to keep it full, except when the inmates escaped and turned the thing over on its side. It was a log afifair, near West Second Street and Sixth Avenue. There is no certainty as to just what the early city government was like. Doubtless in the begin- ning every man was a law unto himself. Gradually, however, local laws were passed and irresponsi- l)le persons made amenable to them. In the thirteen years that Rome remained unincorporated it is likely that the intendant or the marshal acted as the executive ma- jor domo, and certain that local or inferior court judges meted out justice. Col. IMitchell, surveyor, evidently had in mind a future instrument like the automobile when he laid out the streets of the town. He made Broad Street and Oostanaula Street (Fourth Avenue) 132 feet wide, all other streets 66 feet w'ide and lanes 33 feet. Some modifica- tions of that scale, notably with regard to Fourth Avenue, have since been made, and a lawsuit of some imi)ortance and interest has resulted. A few more stores and shops s])rang up which carried every ar- ticle that could be ol)tained in such a limited market. The groceries would also ofl^er a line of retail dry goods, small farming implements, plug and smoking tobacco, pipes, lanterns and lamps, wax tapers, matches, candles, novelties for the Indians, snufif for the women, suits, Rome's Establishment and Early Days 41 hats and slioes, horse collars and harness, nails, hand tools, occa- sionally musical instruments. There were no soda water, ice, silver ciga- rette cases, bon-bons or chocolates, nail files, lip sticks, rouge, hair nets or beaver hats. Drug stores, banks newspapers, steamboats, crocker- ies and bakeries, schools and churches were to come along later. Gentlemen blacked their own boots and cut out of the forest with great cross-cut saws the wood that went into their homes. The}' wore the uniforms of the frontier and assumed the manners of frontiers- men. Rome was to 1:»e Iniilt, and it could not ])e l)uilt with kid gloves. The social life was very restrict- ed at first. It consisted of calls from neighbor on neighbor, afoot, on horseback or by ox-cart ; or maybe a country break-down on a rudely improvised platform. Since the Indians had no city to l^uild — since they needed only to get a little something to eat every day and keep out of the way of land- grabbers and the "state police"^ they had more time for frolics than the early whites. Around bonfires in their villages the red-skins made merry, rending the nights hideous with their A\ar-whoops ; and on these special occasions they put aside their semi-civilized garb and donned the ])uckskin, the flaming headdress of feathers and all the paint they could daul) on. Each year in summer came the Green Corn Dances at the various villages. The late Mr's. Robert Battey recalled one at Major Ridge's, held when she was about seven years of age. A large com- pany of Inchans gathered, and one thing that impressed lier j^articu- larly was that some of tlie men had mussel shells tied around tlieir ankles and Idled with gravel that 'From this description it is evident that the games were played on the low, level spot which now comprises the campuses of Hearn Academy and the Georgia School for the Deaf. rattled when they danced. She re- membered that several remained over night until Sunday, and kick- ed up their heels in George Laven- der's store. Her impression of the Indian was the same as that ob- tained by anybody who knew his nature ; he Avas a silent, taciturn individual, deeply religious in his own way, ever faithful to the pale- face who befriended him and ever ihe foe of one who played him false. He seldom, if ever, broke a promise.' From Montgomery M. Folsom, \vriting in The Rome Tribune Nov. 20, 1892, we have the following contribution on the pioneer days : I drove with Mr. Wesley O. Connor out to see Mr. Wright Ellis, one of the last of the old settlers of the Cave Spring region, and Mr. Ellis told many interesting stories of the early days. Mr. Ellis came to Cave Spring with his father as a little boy. Near his house at the end of Vann's Valley stood an old fort which pi'otected the settlement. He told me of a wolf found dead in the cave; it had lain there several years, and the mineral qualities of the cave had preserved it perfectly, until one day a band of Indian boys dragged forth the carcass and tore it to pieces. David Vann lived on the hill above the spring and the Indians used to congregate near his place for their an- nual ball play, as they called it*. They came from miles away to enjoy the sport. They would also form in two JOHN RIDC.K, who was also active in oppo- sition to John Ross's attempt to block re- moval of the Cherokeos from Georgia soil. 42 A History of Rome and Floyd County lines (sides) and shoot arrows at rolling stones. The side which scored the most hits would win. A short distance west of Cave Spring was where the Indians of that neigh- borhood held their Green Corn dances. Mr. Ellis said he had seen crowds es- timated at 1,000 to 5,000. Out in the nearby mountains Capt. John Ellis, his father, went with a small party and captured two Cherokee chiefs who were giving trouble during the re- moval, and threatening a massacre. The chiefs were sent west. As the raiders approached, a sentinel cried, "Eastochatchee soolacogee!" meaning "much white man!" These were the days of the "pony clubs," whose members blacked their faces and stole horses from whites and Indians alike. A party of the law and order element, known as the "slick- ers," once caught two thieves and gave them lashes on their backs with a whip. Mr. Ellis also told how Col. Wm. Smith, known to the Indians as "Black Bill," because of his dark complexion, routed a crowd of drunken red-skins at Major Wm. Montgomery's spring in July, 1832. "Black Bill" lit into them with a hame, knocked them right and left and put them to flight. Capt. John Townsend, Maj. Armi- stead Richardson, William Simmons, Jackson Trout, W. D. Cowdrey, W. K. Posey, Carter W. Sparks, Major Wm. Montgomery and Gen. Jas. Hemphill were among the pioneers who possessed the Cave Spring land ere the print of the moccasin had faded from the soil. Life with the rugged settlers of Rome was just one murder, liorse theft or incendiary fire after an- other. The country was overrun with vigilance committees, out- la\vs, land speculators, soldiers, un- ruly Indians and plain people of respectability who wanted to farm and conduct their shops in peace. Peace and the social order that thrives in it was not to be attained, however, until the Indians were sent west lock, stock and barrel. JUL CHAPTER II. The Great Indian Meeting at Rome THE following item from the Georgia Constitutionalist, of Augusta, July 24, 1835, (Guieu & Thompson, pro- })rietors), announced the date and place of the important meeting of Ridge and Ross forces and Geor- gia Guardsmen and United States troopers near Rome. This meet- ing was vital because it paved the way for the Council pow-wow at Red Clay in October, which in turn brought about the New Echota meeting and treaty signed Dec. 29, 1835, the instrument by which the Cherokees were removed :* The Cassville Pioneer says John Ridge and his friends will hold a Coun- cil in Floyd County six miles north of Rome 20th of July inst. It is expected this Council will be numerously at- tended. The cause of Ridge and his party is going ahead. The meeting actually opened on the 19th, a day ahead of schedule. The gathering was supposed, prior to discovery of the above item in an old newspaper file in the Library of the University of Georgia, to have been held at the home of Major Ridge on the Oosta- naula, but since the item says it was to be held six miles north of Rome, and several authorities as- sert the place was "Running Wa- ters," the conclusion is inevitable th?t it was held at the home of John Ridge, son of the Major, three miles north of Rome, at the ])lanta- tion later owned by John Hume, and now the property of F. L. Fors- ter. A bold spring at this domicile caused the name "Tantatanara," ♦Allowing for women and children, Georpria Guardsmen, United States troops, officials and onlookers, it is probable that .3.000 peoide at- tended this meetinpr. It was estimated that 600-800 attended the Red Clav Council in Oc- tober, 1835, and 300-.500 the New Echt.ta meet- ing in December, 183.5, when the treaty was accepted. **Report of Secretary of War on Cherokee Treaty (1835). ps. 390-2. the Indian for "Running Waters," to be applied. All authorities agree that the Running Waters pow-wow was the largest the Cherokees had held up to that time, and its importance could not be overestimated. Major Currey's special correspondence is here given. **Cherokee Agency East, Calhoun, Tenn., July 27, 1835. Elbert Herring, Esq., Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir : The people composing the council called for the purpose of ob- taining the sense of the nation on the subject of the annuity convened on the day before the period appointed. There were between 2,500 and 2,600 Indian men present. This number could not by any previous measures or meetings have been anticipated. Mr. Schermer- horn was present and obtained their consent to address them on the next morning. The first day was consumed in discussions, explanations and vot- ing on a proposition to divide the an- nuity among the people by ayes and nays. When the next morning arrived, Mr. Schermerhorn had a stand erected, so that he might by his elevation be the more generally heard ; aided by the Rev. Jesse Bushyhead, he went into a full explanation of the views of the Gov- ernment, and the relation in which the different delegations stood to one another; their people, the States and the general Government; which was listened to with much attention for a period of three hours. In order to insure attention, this resolution had been so worded that it would not dis- pose of the question further than the single proposition was concerned; and by addressing them before the vote was finished, Mr. Schermerhorn had, perhaps, the largest red audience of adult males ever before assembled to- gather in this nation at one time. The Cherokees had, until a few days before, been advised not to attend, but when Ross found that the money would be paid to the order of the majority 44 A History of Rome and Floyd County attending, his head men were called together at Red Clay, when I am in- formed he told them the agents of Government, and the disorganized at- tached to Ridge, must be put down; and in order to do this, all the men of the nation must rally, and be there to sustain their nation and treasury. They came, some starving, some half clad, some armed, and scarcely any with provisions for more than one or two days. Under these circumstances, having a desire to be heard, Mr. Schermerhorn promised them rations for one day, on condition they would hear him as commissioner. On exam- ination, I found they might, under the iJth section of the regulations for pay- ing annuities, be furnished at public expense, if circumstances rendered it necessary. Arrangements were accord- ingly made, and requisitions drawn on Lieut. Bateman to meet the same. I took occasion to say to the Cher- okees, as they came up by districts, that let them vote the money in what way they would, it could not save their country; that their party had been in- vited to express their views and wishes freely; instead of doing this they had withdrawn themselves from the ground, and been counselled in the bushes. Why was this so? Were their chiefs still disposed to delude their people, when ruin demanded entrance at the red man's door, and the heavy hand of oppression already rested upon his head? To say the least of it, there was something suspicious in their with- drawal. The officers of Government were bound to report their speeches to the Secretary of War, and the chiefs had shown contempt to the United States by withdrawing themselves and their people into the woods beyond their hearing. If this was not the proper construction to be placed upon such a proceeding, the chiefs had cer- tainly carried them off to feed their feelings on false hopes and false prom- ises once more. When the resolution presented by Smith' was disposed of, which stood 114 for and 2,238*'^ against, Gunter's resolution to pay to the Treasury was next in order. The whole people were called up and the resolution read. Mr. Gunter made a few remarks in its sup- port, when Major Ridge offered an amendment, directing that none of this money should be paid to lawyers. This was seconded by John Ridge, which gave both these latter gentlemen a full opportunity to be heard. They went into a most pathetic description of na- tional distress and individual oppres- sion; the necessity of seeking freedom in another clime; the importance of union and harmony, and the beauties of peace and of friendship; but said if there were any who preferred to endure misery and wed themselves to slavery, as for them and their friends, they craved not such company. The Indians had, by districts, in files four deep, been drawn up to vote on Gunter's resolution, that they might hear it read, and be counted the more conveniently. But when the Ridges were speaking, all the previous prej- udices so manifestly shown by looks appeared to die away, and the be- nighted foresters involuntarily broke the line and pressed forward as if at- tracted by the powers of magnetism to the stand, and when they could get no nearer, they reached their heads forward in anxiety to hear the truth. After the Ridges had procured the de- sired attention, they withdrew their amendment, and the vote was taken on Gunter's resolution, and carried by acclamation. Mr. Schermerhorn then requested each party to appoint com- mittees to meet him and Governor Car- roU*'''* at the agency on the 29th in- stant. Ridge's party complied. If the other party did, it has not been made known to the commissioner. By the next mail we will be able to give information of a more sat- isfactory nature, having reference to the future. I have no doubt, although the money went into the treasury of the nation, (as might have been expected from a general turnout), still, the informa- tion communicated in the discussions growing up on the occasion will be attended with the most happy conse- *Archilla Smith, one of the leaders of the RuIko Treaty party. He is referred to in Gov. Wilson Lumpkin's book "Removal of the Cherokee Indians from Georfria" as Asahel R. Smith, of Lawrenceville, father of the well- known Roman, Maj. Chas. H. Smith ("Bill Arp"), but members of the "Bill Arp" family state this was an error. The Smith resolution sought to divide the annuity among the tribes- men. **Report of Secretary of War on Cherokee Treaty (18.^5), ps. 399-447, lists the voters, with their numbers, to a total of 2,27.3, but a printer's note states there are only 2,200 names, suggesting that duplications may have crept in. This list gives all who supported the Smith res- olution and 2,1.'J9 who voted against it, which would make a total of 2,270. The difference of three in two of the totals is the difference between the Currey estimate of 114 aye votes and the table's record of 111 votes. ***Wm. Carroll, of Tennessee, co-commis- sioner with Mr. Schermerhorn, whom illness and a political campaign kept from acting. The Great Indian Meeting at Rome 45 JOHN ROSS, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation of Indians from 1828 to his death in 1866, who fought with admirable courage more than 25 years to keep his people in the hunting grounds of their forefathers. 46 -A History of Rome and Floyd County quences to the Cherokees, and great- ly facilitate a final adjustment of their difficulties. It is a matter worthy of remark that so great a number of persons of any color have seldom if ever met and preserved better order than was ob- served on this occasion. Most respectfully, I have the honor to be, your very obedient servant, BENJAMIN F. CURREY. Supt. of Cherokee Removal and Act- ing Indian Agent. P. S. — The report required by the regulations will follow this, so soon as it can be made out. Yours, B. F. C. *Cherokee Agency East, Calhoun, Tenn., July 29, 1835. Elbert Herring, Esq., Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C. Sir: Enclosed I have the honor to transmit copies of a report made by Col. C. H. Nelson and Col. Nathaniel Smith, who were appointed in June last by me to take the census of the Cherokees east, in conformity with a verbal request from the Honorable Secretary of War, as well as to com- ply with the requirements contained in a "circular" dated War Depart- ment, Office Indian Affairs, May, 1835, addressed to me a short period before this duty was commenced. Runners were sent over the country, and some of Ross' messages were seen and read by the census-takers, direct- ing the Cherokees not to allow their numbers to be taken. In 1819 John Ross notified the In- dian agent that he had determined to reside permanently on a tract of land reserved within the ceded territory for his use; and in contemplation of the treaty, took upon himself all the re- sponsibilities of a citizen of the United States. Has he not, then, subjected himself to the penalties of the 13th, 14th and 15th sections of "An Act to regulate trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes," etc., approved June 30, 1834? One thing is very certain, that by sending his messages and holding his talks in the Cherokee settlements, he more effectually disturbs the peace, and defeats or delays the measures of the Government of the United States, than he could if he were the citizen of a foreign Government, and much better than one of our own citizens possibly could do?** Very respectfully, I have the honor to be, your very obedient servant, BENJ. F. CURREY. ***Cherokee Agency East, Calhoun, Tenn., July 30, 1835. Elbert Herring, Esq., Commissioner Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C. Sir: Enclosed, I have the satisfac- tion to transmit to you a certified his- tory of the proceedings of the Run- ning Waters Council, held on the 19th, 20th and 21st instant, to determine how the annuity of the present year should be disposed of. The names are recorded as the votes were presented on Smith's resolution. But all who were present did not vote on either side, and many of those who were in favor of dividing the money, finding that their wishes could not be caified, voted it to the treasurer. Some of the voters in favor of a treaty, having claims on the Cherokee nation, voted, and influenced many others to vote, in the same way; so that the vote on Smith's resolutio»n can not, properly, be considered a fair test of the strength of the parties. Ridge's party is increasing rapidly, and will, by raising the proper means, reach the majority of Georgia, Ala- bama and Tennessee, long before the adjournment of the next Congress. Most respectfully, I have the honor to be, your very obedient aervant, BENJ. F. CURREY, Superintendent, etc. p, s. — Ross has failed to meet the commissioners, for Jesuitical reasons assigned. The commissioners address- ed him a communication which has produced a proposition in writing from him on the Ridges to bury the hatchet, and act in concert for the good of their country, and inviting them to a cori- vention, to be composed of the intelli- gent of all parties, for the purpose of considering their natural condition. To this proposition Ridge's party have yielded their assent; but in the mean- time they are determined to redouble *Report of Secretary of War on Cherokee Treaty (1835), p. 392. **Apparently the first open attempt to cause the arrest of Ross. *»*Report of Secretary of War on Cherokee Treaty (1835), p. 395. The Great Indian Meeting at Rome 47 their zeal and diligence to accomplish the removal of their people. BENJAMIN F. CURREY. *Running Waters Council Ground, Floyd County, Ga., Monday, July 19, 1835. At an adjourned meeting, held pur- suant to notice from the acting agent of the United States for the Chero- kees east of the Mississippi river, for the purpose of ascertaining from the Cherokee people their wishes as to the manner and to whom their present year's annuity should be paid, by com- mon consent it was agreed and re- solved that the meeting be opened with prayer, and the Rev. Mr. Spirit and David Weatie'"* (Cherokees) officiated accordingly. After the solemnities appropriate to the occasion were performed, Benj. F. Currey, United States Agent, aid- ed by Lieut. Bateman, of the United States army, fully explained the ob- ject for which this meeting was call- ed; all of which was again fully ex- plained, in the Cherokee language, by Joseph A. Foreman, the interpreter. John Ross made some remarks in reply; said he was sorry that the agent had taken occasion to be per- sonal in his remarks, but that he was not disposed to take any notice of these personalities at this time; that he was aware that there was among us a description of persons who were called by party names; this he had not discouraged; that as for himself he was not disposed to quarrel with any man for an honest expres- sion of opinion, for the good of the people (for the truth and sincerity of which he called Heaven to wit- ness) ; and that if gentlemen were honest in their professions of benev- olence, he was ready, at any time, to co-operate with them, when it would appear that they were right and he was wrong. John Ridge, in reply, stated that so far as he was concerned he, too, discarded party views and sinister motives; that so far as he and those with him acted different from Mr. ♦Report of Secretary of War on Cherokee Treaty (1835). ps. 396-8. **David Watie (or Oo-wat-ie), full-blood Cherokee and only brother of Major Ridge; father of Elias Boudinot, editor of The Cher- okee Phoenix, and of Stand Watie, only Indian Brigadier General of the Confederate army, who did not surrender until June 23, 1865, nearly three months after the surrender of Gen. Jos. E. Johnston. Authority : "Life of Gen. Stand Watie," bv Mabel Washbouriie Anderson, Pryor, Okla., (1915). Ross and his chiefs, he had done so from an honest conviction that it was the only way in which the integrity and political salvation of the Cher- okee people could be preserved and effected, and that he was at any mo- ment ready to acknowledge Ross as his principal chief when he (Ross) could or would prove to him a better plan. But till then, as an honest man, sensible as he was of the difficulties and hazards of the crisis that sur- rounded them all, he must act on the -suggestions arising out of the case, though it should cost him the last drop that heaved his breast; that he had not understood the agent to in- dulge in or intend personalities, but his explanations, directed by the law and instructions from the executive, necessarily involved the actors them- selves; that he had and at all times would be open to conviction, when bet- ter and more conclusive arguments than his own were adduced on the points of difference. But he did not understand why it was, if Mr. Ross' declarations were sincere, that large bodies of Indians had been withdrawn by their chiefs from the ground, and were not permitted to hear. As for his part, he wanted the whole na- tion to learn, and be able to know their true situation; that he was ready to co-operate with Mr. Ross, or anybody else, for the salvation of his bleeding and oppressed countrymen. The Rev. Mr. Schermerhorn, com- missioner on behalf of the United States, took occasion, after being in- troduced as such, to rise; read his commission and expressed his satis- faction and gratification at the pros- pect of an amicable reconciliation of all party strife and animosity, and so far as he might be concerned in their affairs, he did not intend to know any party or distinction of parties; that he only meant to know the Cherokee people east of the Mississippi as one party in this case; and that he would avail himself of the present occasion to request that during this meeting they would select from among them- selves a number of delegates, at least twelve or more, or any other number they might deem expedient, to meet him and Gov. Carroll at the Chero- kee agency on Wednesday, the 30th instant, to arrange preliminaries neces- sary to a convention for the adjust- ment of their whole difficulties by treaty; the basis of which had already been fixed by Ridge, Ross and others, which he presumed they were all ap- 48 A History of Rome and Floyd County prized of; and suggested the impor- tance of naming Ross and Ridge first on said committee. The commissioner then apprized the conductors of the election that he would, with their con- sent, occupy their time on tomorrow morning, so far as to read over and fully explain the treaty to be offer- ed the Cherokee people for their ap- proval, which was consented to by the agents and the chiefs present; where- upon, Commissioner Schermerhorn re- tired. The following resolution was then introduced by Archilla Smith and sec- onded by John Ridge : "Resolved, by the council of the Cherokee nation, that in consideration of the poor condition of our people, the aged, the infirm of both sexes, men, women and children, that the present annuity of $6,666.67 be now divided equally to the people, and to the poor particularly, as it is their money, accruing from old treaties with the United States. It is now a great many years since they have received the same." In support of this resolution. Major Ridge, John Ridge and Archilla Smith spoke at considerable length, to the fol- lowing purport : The people make a na- tion; no nation ever existed without a people. The annuity is payable to the nation, and Congress has given to the people full power to dispose of it as they may think proper. Have the peo- ple been benefited by the use made of the money heretofore, by their chiefs? Have those chiefs saved the country? Have they restored to you your fields? Have they saved your people from the gallows? Have they driven back the white settlers? No; but on the other hand, have you not lost your laws and government? Have you not been im- poverished and oppressed? And are you not bleeding and starving under these oppressions? If this be the fact, is it not time to take that which will give you some relief from want, rather than to vote it to those who can not, or, if they can, will not afford you relief? All that we insist on is that you ex- ercise your own choice in disposing of this money. It was in our power not long since, when but few attended at the call of the General Government, (last May council, held at Running Waters) to have done as we pleased with this money, but we would not condescend to take advantage of that absence which had been procured by the other chiefs. We preferred to have a full meeting of the people, if practicable, and leave the question to the majority. At that time our ap- plication was made to this effect, and agreed to by the agent for the Gen- eral Government, which has been read to you by him, and interpreted by Mr. foreman. It is the will of our peo- ple and not my will which it is now wished should control this money. While we make this declaration we wish the yeas and nays taken and registered, that all may have an op- portunity of understanding the res- olution; and that each and every one may vote as Cherokees should learn to vote, independently. Edward Gunter then offered the following resolution: "Resolved, That the present annuity now due to the Cherokee nation be paid to John Martin, treasurer of the Cherokee nation." In support of this resolution he ' made the following remarks: That the nation was in debt; that their faith as a nation was pledged for money; that they had none wherewith to redeem that pledge; that they could not resort to taxation, for in that case the State laws would interfere. He hoped, therefore, they would vote the money to the national treasury. At this time a general call for the vote from the crowd (consisting of up- wards of 2,000 Cherokees) was made. The Government agents then opened the election to take the vote on Smith's resolution; those in favor, in the af- firmative, and those against, in the negative. (Here is omitted list of Indians and how they voted. — Author). The voting on Archilla Smith's res- olution being gone through, and on counting the state of the polls, it ap- pears that 114 voted in the affirma- tive, and 2,159'' in the negative; and consequently, Smith's resolution was carried.'-'* Edward Gunter then called up his resolution. It was agreed by the agents of Government, as well as by the Cherokee people present, that the vote on this resolution be taken by ac- clamation. Before the vote was taken on Gunter's resolution. Major Ridge offered the following as an amend- *.Tohn Ross and his associates said 2,225 ; the voting table, 2,273. **"Losf' was evidently intended for "car- ried." The Great Indian Meeting at Rome 49 ment of Gunter's resolution: "And that the treasurer of the nation pay the same to such persons of our nation as we owe for money borrowed, and not to the lawyers, which the nation has employed, who can be paid at some other time." In the discussion on this amendment, Major Ridge and John Ridge displayed their usual strain of eloquence, making a deep impression on a large portion of the crowd, if we take for evidence the rivetted at- tention and the press forward to catch the words that dropped from them, and more particularly that in the course of that evening and next morn- ing, the number who deserted from Ross's ranks and enrolled themselves with John Ridge and his friends for the western country. During the course of their remarks they spoke of the false hopes excited and the delusive promises held out by their lawyers ; the obligations they were under, first, to discharge debts contracted, for which a valuable con- sideration had been received by the people, and then afterwards and last, those which had been created without the hope of returning benefits. But discovering that the people had deter- mined to vote down their proposition, it was withdrawn. After these individuals had spoken generally of the causes which induced them to secede from Ross and his party, and the necessity of an early removal of the tribe, the vote on Gunter's resolution was taken, and decided by acclamation in the affirm- ative. Cherokee Agency East, July 30, 1835. The foregoing is a correct state- ment, so far as my memory serves and my knowledge extends, founded upon a constant attention, conjointly with Benjamin F. Currey, Indian agent, to the proceedings of the meet- ing, as one of the managers. M. W. BATEMAN, 1st Lieut., Inf., Disbursing Agent. Cherokee Agency East, July 30, 1835. As Indian agent, under the direc- tions of the War Department, I su- perintended the foregoing election and proceedings, and do hereby certify that the election was as fairly conducted as the situation and circumstances of ♦Report of Secretary of War on Cherokee Treaty (1835). ps. 449-50. the Cherokee tribe would admit of, and that the proceedings and speeches by the chiefs are substantially cor- rect, as detailed by D. Henderson, secretary to the meeting. BENJAMIN F. CURREY, Indian Agent for the Eastern Cher- okees. Cherokee Agency East, July 30, 1835. I certify upon honor that in the foregoing transcript, detailing the pro- ceedings at the council called and held at Running Waters council ground, Floyd County, Ga., on the 19th, 20th and 21st instant, the votes are cor- rectly recorded and the speeches cor- rectly detailed as to substance. DANIEL HENDERSON, Clerk for Managers of the Said Elec- tion. The enclosures of Maj. Currey to the Commissioner of Indian Af- fairs end here. To Washington Mr. Schermerhorn wrote : * Cherokee Agency, Aug. 1, 1835. Hon. Elbert Herring, Commissioner Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C. Sir : I have the honor to inform you that I attended the meeting of the Cherokee council at Running Wa- ters on the 20th ultimo, and my pro- ceedings there I will transmit to you by the next mail. At the close of that council I requested a committee of the principal men from the Ross and Ridge parties to meet the com- missioners at the Agency on the 29th ultimo, to see if they could, in con- ference with each other, agree upon some modification of the proposed treaty which would be satisfactory to all concerned. Ross and his friends did not attend, and the commission- ers wrote him immediately to know whether he and his principal men refused to meet them at the place appointed, and also whether they were determined not to accept the award of the Senate, viz.: $5,000,000 in full for the settlement of all matters in dispute between them and the United States, and for the cession of their country. He evaded the last question (as will be seen by his letter, a copy of which will be forwarded to the de- partment), and prevaricated in say- ing that no notice was given of the meeting at the agency, although it was done in open council. He may, how- 50 A History of Rome and Floyd County WHERE THE GREEN CORN DANCES WERE HELD. »u u^**^ *'*l'''ill'''"^'n°," ^^^ Oostanaula river road, two miles north of the court house, was the home of Major Ridge, and his lawn was the gathering place of hundreds of red-skir The Great Indian Meeting at Rome 51 ever, have meant he had no official notice of the meeting in writing. He sent a letter also to Major Ridge and John Ridge, inviting them and their friends to a conference with him and his friends to settle all the difficul- ties between them, and unite in pro- moting the common good of their peo- ple. This is an omen for good and I have been laboring while here to ef- fect this object. No doubt Ross has been hard pushed on this subject by his friends, and he is convinced that unless a reconciliation takes place, and a treaty is soon made, he will be for- saken by them, and a third party arise, who will unite with Ridge and carry the proposed treaty. I can not now go into detail, but will simply state overtures have been made by several of Ross's friends to unite with Ridge's party if Ross refuses to come to terms on the award made by the Senate of the United States. The best informed here entertain no doubt but that a treaty will be per- fected in the fall, if not sooner. It has been thought best by the com- missioners not to call a meeting by the nation until November, unless both parties should be brought to agree to articles of the treaty to be sub- mitted to the nation for their adop- tion. Ross's council meets in Octo- ber, and many of his principal men have agreed, if he does not come to terms by that time, they will leave him and treat without him. I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of several communications from the Secretary of War, forward- ed to me at New Echota in May and July, and especially the last, contain- ing the letter of Mr. William Rogers, with the answer to it. I respectfully suggest to the Department, should any similar letters be received, whether it would not be best to send them to the commissioners, with such instructions in reference to them as may be deemed necessary, and refer the writers to the commissioners for an answer. I make this suggestion merely to prevent be- ing embarrassed by the crafty policy of the men we have to deal with. It ♦Written June 28, 1835, from Chattahoochee, and sugKested that "Mr. Ridge" was not the only man of his party who could arrange a treaty. **With duplications omitted ; 114 was the total. Report of Secretary of War on Cherokee Treaty (1835). ps. 390-147. ***Near Calhoun, Gordon County. ****Site of Rome. *****Coosa. is believed Rogers' letter was written at the suggestion and the knowledge of Ross.* With respect, your obedient servant, JOHN F. SCHERMERHORN, Commissioner. The following 92** Indians lined up with the Ridge party in support of Arcliilla Smith's resolution, which if passed would have dis- tributed the $6,666.67 annuity among the common Indians in- stead of placing- it in the national treasury : Challoogee District — James Field, R. Raincrow, Beans Pouch, Na-too, Stay- all-night, Robin, Daniel Mills, Stand- ing, Tac-ses-ka, Archy, Trailing, Hog Shooter, Tais-ta-eska, Milk, Dick Scott, Hair Tied, Uma-tois-ka, Dick, George, Se-nah-ne, Owl, Chicken, Buffalo, Parch Corn, Jim Bear Skin, Coo-los- kee. Bread Butter, Stephen Harris and Elijah Moore. Total, 29. Cooseivattie — Charley Moore, Ham- mer, Nathaniel Wolf, Baesling, Tara- pin Striker, Te-ke-wa-tis-ka, John Ridge, Carnton Hicks, In Debt, Day- light, Matthew Moore, Standing Lightning, Wake Them, Morter, All- day, Bear Meat, Waitie, Mole Sign, Wat Liver, Huckleberry, Coon, Isaac, Ave Vann, Walter Ridge, Jac Nichol- son, Six Killer, John, Collin McDan- iel. Stand Watie, and Major Ridge. Total, 31. Hightowcr (Etoivah) — Ground Hog, Ezekiel West, Spirit, Hammer, Jac West, Catcher, Rib, Scou-tike, Road, Chwa-looka, Standing Wolf, Dave Scoute, John Wayne, Tookah, Frozen Foot, Ease, Nelson West, Red Bird, Wat Huskhe, and John Eliot. Total, 20. Anioah — Jos. Foreman, Jac Bushy- head, Wm. Reed and Jay Hicks. To- tal, 4. Aqnohee, ChirkcDi'ciiign avd Trihqun> hee — None. Hickory Log — Charles and Buffalo Pouch. Total, 2. Miscellaneous — D. J. Hook, Turkey Town; J. L. McKay, Will's Valley; Tesataesky, Springtown; Black Fox, Oothcalouga**-; Henderson Harris, Forks of Coosa*'"-'^' ; Jno. Fields, Sv.. Turnip Mountain''^ '"•"■"■'. Total, (5. 52 A History of Rome and Floyd County THE CENTRAL CHURCHES OF ROME The "Hill City" has long been noted for the influence of its religious institutions, and practically all denominations are represented. 1 — The new First Christian edifice. 2 — The First Methodist. 3 — The First Baptist, in snow of January 27, 1921, minus steeple demolished by lightning stroke in 1920. 4 — St. Peter's Episcopal. 5 — First Presbyterian. CHAPTER III. John Howard Payne's Arrest by the Georgia Guard OHN HOWARD PAYNE, author of the famous song, "Home, Sweet Home," and a number of plays, got into a peck of trouble when he came to Georgia in 1835. He was plainly- unaccustomed to frontier life and the cruel ways of the Avorld. In August, 1833, he had sent out from New York, N. Y., to the newspa- pers of the country (including Georgia) a prospectus of a new weekly magazine to be published at London and to be known by the old Persian title "Jam Jehan Ni- ma/' or "The World From the Pn- side of the Bowl." He had an- nounced that he would visit every state in the Union to collect ma- terial on the wonders of nature, and also to collect such subscrip- tions as he could for this depart- ure in journalism. His funds were ample and the newspapers in many instances carried his announcement on their front pages, and com- mented editorially upon it. He traveled in style, and his own story shows that he was not a partner to rough treatment. His song having been written a decade before in Paris and sung in his play, "Clari, or the Maid of Milan," at the Covent Garden The- atre, London, he was given quite a reception on his return from the old country to New York ; and in certain of the larger cities on his "experience jaunt" he was received with a rousing acclaim — notably at New Orleans. Into seven states he went before he reached Geor- gia; he came to Macon from the Creek Nation in Alabama, and on Aug. 9, 1835, wrote from that city to his sister a long letter, elegantly *Mr. Payne was then a bachelor of 4.3, far from the ajie of insensibility to feminine charms. **Also author of the Dickens-like book of side-splitting comedy called "Georgia Scenes." expressed and describing a green corn dance held by the Creeks, at which a strong fascination was flung upon him by the beautiful daughter of an Indian chief.* At Macon he purchased a horse and traveled toward Augusta, there to confer with Judge Augustus B. Longstreet,** editor of the States' Rights Sentinel, with regard to furnishing stories of his travels. On the way he stopped at Sanders- ville, Washington County, and Dr. Tennille, a brother of Wm. A. Ten- nille, then secretary of state, ad- vised him to study the Indian re- moval problem. First he went by horseback to see the wonders of North Georgia — the Toccoa Falls, in Stephens County, and the Ami- calola Falls, in Dawson County ; visited Tallulah Falls and gazed on Yonah Mountain (White Coun- ty), from Clarkesville, in Haber- sham ; inspected the gold fields of Dahlonega, Lumpkin County, and finally went to Cass (Bartow) County and explored the Salt Peter cave near Kingston. It may be that Payne touched Floyd County on this trip. An old tradition has it that he and John Ross spent a night or so at Rome, and departing for New Echota, camped in a beech grove at Pope's Ferry, Oostanaula river ; and that here Payne carved his name on a beech tree. Also that they were entertained in the home of Col. Wm. C. Hardin, across the river. It is known that Payne stayed with the Plardins and played on the piano for the little girls of the family while they were stationed at New Ivchota, but nothing yet establishes that he visited Rome and Pope's Ferry. For a time it was l)clievcd he attended the July liuhan meeting 54 A History of Rome and Floyd County at "Running Waters," near Rome, but since he did not enter the state until early August, this was impossible. He had a letter of in- troduction from an Athens mer- chant to a Floyd County lawyer,* but evidently never presented it. Presently, in September, he shook the dust from his boots and clothes in Athens, Clarke County, having been taken there by a let- tor to Gen. Kdward Harden, who as a resident of Savannah some time before had entertained Gen. I.aFayette. Payne was received into the Harden home, and quickly fell in love with the General's beautiful brunette daughter, Mary Harden, to whom he gave some handsome Indian relics from his portmanteau, and later wrote a number of impassioned letters tell- ing of his love. Strange to say, neither married, but that is an- other story. The University of Georgia was in session and Payne and ]\Iiss Harden mingled among the students on the campus. Tu company with Gov. Lump- kin, Gen. Harden and Col. Sam- uel Rockwell, Payne set off for the Indian country in the general's two-horse carriage, and was ready for the opening of the Red Clay Council of Oct. 12 a day or two be- fore it convened. John Ross pressed them to stay with him, and they did so. On Sept. 28 Payne rode into Tennessee, and spent some days at the cabin of Ross. Then he proceeded back to Red Clay, arriving Sunday, a day prior to the council opening. Here it was that the well-inten- tioned "Tray" got into company of none too good standing, as the Georgia authorities viewed it, and with Ross was subjected to the humiliation of arrest.** He was taken in custody Saturday at II p. m., Nov. 7, 1835, and released Friday morning, Nov. 20, 12 ^/^ days later. Ross was freed Monday at 4 p. m., Nov. 16, hence had been detained 9 days. The Red Clay Council had adjourned Oct. 30, after a session lasting 19 days. Immediately after he reached "civilization" (Calhoun, McMinn County, Tenn.), Mr. Payne issued the following statement to the press, under date of Nov. 23, 1835 : John Howard Payne to His Coun- trymen — The public is respectfully re- quested to withhold their opinion for the few days upon the subject of a recent arrest within the chartered limits of Tennessee, by the Georgia Guard, of Mr. Payne, in company with Mr. John Ross, principal chief of the Cherokee nation. Mr. Payne can not of course iden- tify the state of Georgia with this gross violation of the Constitution of the United States, of the rights of an American citizen, and of the known hospitality of the South to strangers. But as he is conscious that every act which can be devised will be resorted to for the purpose of endeavoring to cover such an act from public indig- nation, he thinks it due to justice to premise that a full and honest state- ment shall be submitted the moment it can be prepared. Payne's own story of his trials and tribulations is best told by himself. So far as is known, this account has never been reproduced in any publication except the news- papers and journals that carried it at the time. It was found at the University of Georgia Library, Athens, in the Georgia Constitu- tionalist (Augusta) of Thursday, Dec. 24, 1835, having been reprint- ed from the Knoxville (Tenn.) Register of Dec. 2, same year. It sets at rest certain discussions l)caring on historic fact, and here it is: At the instance of Mr. Jno. Howard Payne, I hand for publication his ad- dress to his countrymen in the United ♦Believed to have been Judge Jno. H. Lump- kin, nephew of Gov. Wilson Lumpkin, of Ath- ens. **At the one-room log cabin of Sleeping Rab- bit, an Indian underling of Ross. The spot is located at Blue Spring (Station), Bradley Co., Tenn., five miles southwest of Cleveland and eight miles north of Red Clay. John Howard Payne's Arrest by the Georgia Guard 55 States, giving an account of his ab- duction from the State of Tennessee and of his imprisonment and brutal treatment in this state by the Geor- gia Guard. To none of his country- men is it so important as to those of Georgia to be acquainted with the facts of this outrage. Every man of patriotic feeling within its feel will regret that any power with the sem- blance of state authority should have acted in such a banditti-like manner toward the amiable and talented au- thor of "Home, Sweet Home" and for the credit of the state will desire that the principal actors may be made to suffer the punishment of crimes so flagrant and disgraceful to the coun- try. ROBERT CAMPBELL. Augusta, Ga., Dec. 18, 1835. (From the Knoxville,* Tenn., Regis- ter, Dec. 2, 1835.) John Howard Payne to His Country- men. — A conspiracy has been formed against my reputation and my life. From the latter I have just escaped, and very narrowly. I would protect the former, and therefore hasten to acquaint the public with the truth re- garding this extraordinary affair. It has long been known that in Au- gust, 1833, I published proposals at New York for a literary periodical. The prospectus stated as a part of m^; plan that I would travel through the United States for the double pur- pose of gathering subscribers and ma- terial; and especially such informa- tion regarding my own republic as might vindicate our national charac- ter, manners and institutions, against the aspersions of unfriendly travel- ers from other countries. In the pur- suit of these objects I have for up- wards of a year been upon my jour- ney. I have visited Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri, Illinois, Mississippi, Louis- ana and Alabama. In each of these states I have been honored with the most flattering hospitality and sup- port. Some time in August last I entered Georgia on my regular course northward through the Carolinas and Virginia. I was induced by the de- *JudKe HukH Lawson White and David A. Deaderick led a committee for a Payne mass meetinK at Knoxville, but Payne declined ap- pearing. He later attended a public dinner. He went to Knoxville via Calhoun and Athens, Tenn. **Wm. A. Tennille, ancestor of the Savannah Tennilles. scriptions I had heard of the beauty of its mountain region to turn some- what aside from my road in order to seek the upper parts of the State; for I was anxious in anything I might write hereafter to leave nothing which deserved admiration untouched. I went to Tellulah, Tuckoah, the cave in Cass County, the Gold Region and the Falls of Amacaloolah. A mere accident led me among the Cherokees. The acci- dent was this: In the course of my rambles I met Li. Tennille, of Saundersville, a broth- er to the Georgia Secretary of State.** This gentleman spoke to me of the Cherokees. He suggested that their his- tory for the last 50 years, could it be obtained, would be one of extreme irterest and curiosity, and especially appropriate to a work like mine. I knew next to nothing then of the Cher- okees. I had been in Europe when their cause was brought so eloquently before the public by Mr. Wirt, Mr. Everett and others. The hint I speak of led me to ask about them. The more I heard, the more I became excited. T obtained letters to their leading men and went into the nation. Circum- stances, however, had induced me to relinquish my first purpose of pro- ceeding so far as the residence of Mr. Ross, their Principal Chief. But I was told Mr. Ross possessed a series of letters which had been sent to him by his predecessor in office, Chas. R. Hicks, detailing memoranda for the JOHN HOWARD PAYNE, author of world- famous song, "Home, Sweet Home," who was arrested by the (JeorKia Guard in 1835. 56 A History of Rome and Floyd County earlier history of his country, and that he himself had taken up the narra- tive where it was discontinued by the extending of it to the year 1835. I was encouraged to believe that were I to call on Mr. Ross he would not only readily allow me the use of these manuscripts, but be gratified in an opportunity of seeing them made pub- lic. I therefore resumed my original intention and on the 28th of last Sep- tember rode into Tennessee to the res- idence of Mr. Ross. By Mr. Ross I was received with unlooked-for cordiality and unreserve. I felt the deeper sympathy for him be- cause I found him driven by the hard policy against his nation from a splen- did abode to a log hut of but one sin- gle room, and scarcely proof against the wind and rain. He had a part of the letters by Mr. Hicks, but of a continuation by himself I had been misinformed. He told me, however, that any or all of the documents he had were at my service. I thought if he were disposed to let me take these with me and transcribe them at my leisure, he would have proposed it; but as he did not, I began to make copies where I was — intending to con- fine myself to very few. My first calculation was to limit my visit to a day, but I thought I should now be warranted in prolonging it three or four; my task, however, detaining me longer than I expected, Mr. Ross urged me to remain until the meeting of the Council. He told me that he could then show me all their leading men. He thought besides that two gentle- men who have made valuable re- searches into the antiquities and the language of the Cherokees would be present. To the arrival of the Reve- rend Commissioner, Mr. Schermerhorn, I also looked with interest. I believed him to be the same Mr. Schermerhorn who was in an upper class when I entered college' ; we had been intimate there; I had not met him in five and twenty years, and was solicitous to talk over things long past. In addition to these inducements, I felt a deep at- traction in the opportunity of witness- ing the last days on their native soil of the nations of the red men. I de- termined to see the opening of the Council. My stay with Mr. Ross having been so unexpectedly protracted, of course the range of my collections was ex- tended. In addition to the literature and the anecdotes of the nation I involuntarily became well acquainted with its politics, because I had tran- scribed nearly all the documents rel- ative to the recent negotiations for a treaty. I thought these curious, not only as historic evidence, but as spec- imens of Indian diplomacy, more com- plete than any upon record in any age or country. I confess I was sur- prised at what these papers unfolded regarding the system used by the agents and pursued by our govern- ment, and I thought if the real posi- tion of the question were once under- stood by our own country and its rul- ers, their ends would be sought by different and unexceptional means. Though no politician, as a philanthro- pist I fancied good might be done by a series of papers upon the subject. I conceived as an American that it was one of the most precious and most undisputed of my rights to examine any subject entirely national, espe- cially if I could render service to the country by such explanations as pecu- liar circumstances might enable me to offer. For this purpose I commenced such a series as I have spoken of, but having written one number, I thought I would lay it by for reconsideration, and forbear to make up my mind finally until I saw how matters were carried on at the Council then ap- proaching. The number in question was subsequently put aside and no sec- ond number ever written. It was sign- ed "WASHINGTON." The mention was brief and incidental. It was such a paper as we see hourly upon our pub- lic affairs, only somewhat more gen- tle and conciliatory. Among other things, it mentioned of necessity the Georgia Guard. It spoke of their out- ward appearance as more resembling banditti than soldiers, and alluded to the well-known fact of an Indian pris- oner who had hanged himself while in their custody, through fear that they would murder him. I wish the reader to bear this paper in mind, for it will be specifically noticed more than once again ; and at the same time let it be remembered that it was never print- ed** nor made known in any way, but kept among my private manuscripts until the proper season for publica- tion had gone by. Indeed, the very plan of which it was meant for the beginning was ere long merged in an- *Union, Schnectady, N. Y. Mr. Schermerhorn fjraduated in 1809. Payne entered in 1807, pre- sumably in the Class of 1811. and left after two terms and without completing his course. **Mai. Currey claimed it was printed by the Knoxville Register prior to the arrest. John Howard Payne's Arrest by the Georgia Guard 57 other. It had been suggested that great service might be done by an ad- dress to the people of the United States from the Cherokees, explaining fully and distinctly all their views and feel- ings. I was told that no one had ever possessed such opportunities as mine had been for undertaking these. I took the hint, and felt gratified in the opportunity of enabling the nation to plead its own cause. I promised to prepare such an address, and if ap- proved, it was to be sent around by runners, for the signature of every Cherokee in the country. I confess I felt proud of an advocacy in which some of the first talent of the land had heretofore exulted to engage. I only lamented that my powers were so unequal to my zeal. The Council assembled. One of the first inquiries of the Reverend Com- missioner was for his former friend; and I felt happy to recognize in the wilderness one whom I had known so early in my life. I accompanied him by his invitation to his cabin. I found him strongly prejudiced against Mr. Ross. He introduced me to Ma- jor Currey, the United States' agent. Major Currey, as well as Mr. Scher- merhorn, proffered any documents or books or other facilities which might aid me in my search for information. They urged upon me to read some pa- pers they were preparing against Mr. Ross and the Council. I did read them. I entered into no discussion, but then, as at all other times, briefly as- sured Mr. Schermerhorn with the free- dom of an associate in boyhood that I conceived his course a mistaken one, and that I was convinced that it could not lead to a treaty. The same thing had been said to him by many. He replied in a tone of irritation that he "would have a treaty in a week." "John Ross was unruly now, but he would soon be tame enough," and on one occasion he asked a gentleman con- nected with the then opposition party in the nation "if the wheels were well greased," and informed me that an address in Cherokee was coming be- fore the people, which I inferred from his words and manner was expected to produce a sudden influence fatal to the cause of Mr. Ross. He also in- troduced me to Mr. Bishop, captain of the Georgia Guard, whose manner then was perfect meekness. A few half-jocose words passed between Mr. *New Echota, Gordon County, where The Phoenix was printed, was about 45 miles. Bishop and myself. He asked me how long since I "arriv," named the Cher- okee question, and I replied that I differed with him in opinion. "That is the case of most of you gentlemen from the north," he replied. "It is not that I am from the north that I think as I do," said I, "but because I am jealous of our national honor and prize the faith of treaties." "You would feel differently if you had the same interest we have." "I should hope I would forget my interest where it went against my principles," I observed. Mr. Bishop laughed and so did I, and thus we parted. After this I ab- stained from visiting the quarters of Mr. Schermerhorn, not wishing as the guest of Mr. Ross to expose myself to the necessity of being drawn into irritating discussions. The proceed- ings took the very course I apprehend- ed. Mr. Schermerhorn's plan defeat- ed himself, and when I next saw him it was upon the council ground; Lieut. Bateman, of the United States army, was standing with me when he came up. The conversation necessarily turn- ed upon the treaty. I repeated my doubts as to the policy of his course, and he again declared he would have a treaty — and forthwith. I asked him for some documents he had promised. He said he would gather them and send them to New York. I pressed him for them at once, because I had already everything from the other side and wished the entire evidence, for I meant to write a history of the Cher- okees; and added I, laughing, "Don't complain if I use you rather roughly." I saw that he was chafed, although he forced a smile. "No," replied he, "and don't complain if I return the compliment." "Certainly not," said I; "if you can show that I deserve it;" and he de- parted in apparent good humor, and I saw nothing more of the Reverend Commissioner. The negotiation was broken off. The Council adjourned. Mr. Ross pressed me to return to his house, which I did for the purpose of awaiting the jour- ney of a messenger whom he had prom- ised to send some 80 miles across the country'"' for a complete file of the Cherokee Phoenix newspaper, which, after long search, I had made the dis- covery and had obtained the offer. During the absence of the messenger I renewed the transcriptions of docu- 58 A History of Rome and Floyd County merits. I also completed the address for the Cherokee nation. It was ap- proved, and measures were to be taken for obtaining the signatures of all the people. It was now Saturday evening, Nov. 7. I had determined on Monday morning to depart, taking in on my road back through Athens the Stone Mountain of Georgia, a view of which had been one of the leading objects of my journey. Some bustle had taken place that afternoon with a person from whom Mr. Ross had purchased his present place of refuge." The man had returned to plant himself within the boundaries of the estate with which he had parted. Mr. Ross sent out all his negroes and other men to throw up a worm fence and mark his limits; and some dispute was ap- prehended. It was supposed that the measure was a preconcerted one, for the purpose of showing the Indians that the threat of harrassing the In- dians more and more was real. All, however, seemed quiet enough. Mr. Ross and myself were engaged the v.-hole evening in writing. My papers were piled upon the table, ready to be packed for my approaching journey. About 11 I was in the midst of a copy from a talk held by George Washington in 1794 with a delega- tion of Cherokee chiefs. Suddenly there was a loud barking of dogs, then the quick tramp of galloping horses, then the rush of many feet, and a hoarse voice just at my side shouted "Ross, Ross!" Before there was time for a reply, the voice was heard at the door opposite, which was burst open. Armed men appeared. "Mr. Ross." "Well, gentlemen?" "We have business with you, sir." Our first impression was that there had been a struggle for the boundary and that these men had come to make remonstrance; but instantly we saw the truth. The room was filled with Georgia Guards, their bayonets fixed, and some, if not all, with their pis- tols and dirks or dirk knives. An exceedingly long, lank man with a round-about jacket planted himself by my side, his pistol resting against my breast. "You are to consider yourself a prisoner, sir!" said he to Ross. "Well, gentlemen, I shall not re- sist. But what have I done? Why am I a prisoner? By whose order am I taken?" "You'll know that soon enough. Give up your papers and prepare to go with us." And then a scramble began for pa- pers. I had not moved from my place when the long, lank man, whom I after- wards found was Sergeant Young,"'* leader of the gang, began to rummage among the things upon the table. "These, sir, are my papers. I sup- pose you don't want them," I observed. Young, his pistol still pointed, struck me across the mouth. "Hold you damned tongue!" he vo- ciferated. "You are here after no good. Yours are just what we do want. Have your horse caught and be off with us. We can't stay." It was useless to reply. I asked for my saddlebags. They said I might take them if there were no arms in them. I said there WERE arms, and my pistols were required. The ser- geant took them and was at a loss to manage the straps which confined them under my vest. "How the devil are these put on? Come, put them on me!" he exclaimed. This was too much. I turned upon my heel and this unfortunate ci'ea- ture seemed for a moment to feel the reproof, and blundred into the para- phernalia as best he could. A person, whom I afterward learned was mere- ly an amateur in this lawless affair, Mr. Absalom Bishop, a brother of the captain of the Guard, the one com- monly called Colonel, was exceedingly officious with Mr. Ross. He insisted on the correspondence, especially the recent letters of the Principal Chief, and was peculiarly pert and peremp- tory in handling the contents of Mr. Ross's portmanteau. There was an- other amateur in the affair, Mr. Joshua Holden, a big, sanctimonious-visaged, red-skinned man, whose voice I never heard, but who, from the evening of our capture I saw busy, moving to and fro on all occasions, apparently as a sort of factotum for the dirty work of the establishment. We set away. The greater num- ber of the horses had been left at a distance in the road. When we were all mounted, our cavalcade consisted, I believe, of six and twenty, Mr. Ross and myself included, and we two were permitted generally to ride together, the Guard being equally divided in *Sleeping Rabbit? **His first name was Wilson. John Howard Payne's Arrest by the Georgia'Guard 59 HOME OF JOHN HOWARD PAYNE'S SWEETHEART "Harden Hoine," Athens (reconstructed), where Payne visited Gen. Edward Harden in 1835 and fell in love with Miss Mary Eliza Greenhill Harden. In the oval are Indian mocca- sins, a beaded purse and a shark's tooth presented the young lady by her middle-aged lover. One of the moccasins has been donated to Rome by Miss Evelyn Harden Jackson, of Athens. front and i-ear of us. The earlier part of the night was bright and beau- tiful, but presently a wild storm arose, and then rain poured in torrents. The movements of our escort were ex- ceedingly capricious; sometimes whoop- ing and galloping and singing obscene songs, and sometimes for a season walking in sullen silence. During one of these pauses in the blended tumult of the tempest and of the travellers I chanced for a while to find myself beside the smooth and silky Mr. Ab- salom Bishop. My mind was absoi'bed in recollections of the many moments when abroad I had dwelt upon my in- nocent and noble country. I remem- bered that in one of those moments I had composed a song which has since met my ear in every clime and in ev- ery part of every clime where I have roved. At that instant I was startled by the very air on which I was mus- ing. It came from the lips of my companion. I could scarcely believe my senses. It almost seemed as if he had read my secret thoughts. "What song was that I heard you liumming?" "That? Sweet Home, they call it, I believe. Why do you ask?" "Merely because it is a song of my own writing, and the circumstances under which I now hear it strike me as rather singular." My partner simply grumbled that he was not aware that I had written the song; but added knowingly that it was in the Western Songster, and the verses generally had the authors' names annexed. We halted at Young's. It happened, curiously enough, that the Western Songster was the first object that caught my view upon the table, stand- ing open at "Sweet Home," and for- tunately for my character, with the "author's name annexed." I pointed it out to Mr. Ross, and we both smiled. This man Young, at whose house we halted, like others connected with the Guard, keeps a tavern. Excursions of this nature present favorable opportu- nities for taxing the state for ex- penses, and I am told they are seldom overlooked. Our band of six and twenty took supper at Young's. They had scarcely entered the room when some- one struck up : "We're crosfiing over Jordan, Glory Hallelujah!" And our sergeant landlord sprawled before the fire and began to talk liter- ary. He reckoned I had heard tell of Marryboy. I assured him I did not remember any such author. "What! Not his system of nater?" I replied that perhaps he might mean Mirabeau. "Ah, yes, that might be. He and Wolney and Tom Paine were great authors. Was Tom Paine any kin of yourn?" Something was said of the Bible, but of that our friend disclaimed much knowledge. He didn't believe he had ever read fifteen chapters, but Marry- boy he liked of all things. It was announced that we had lin- gered long enough, and the horses were brought out. Young himself re- 60 A History of Rome and Floyd County mained at home, but most of the resi- due dashed recklessly onward. Our four and twenty miles through the forest was completed by daybreak. All were drenched in the heavy showers and covered with mud. As we enter- ed the enclosure, the Guard were or- dered into line; their musquets were discharged in triumph for their splen- did crusade against one little goose- quill, and we were directed to dis- mount. We went to our prison; it was a small log hut, with no window and one door. At one end was what they called a bunk, a wide case of rough boards filled with straw. There were two others on one side of the room, and opposite to them a fireplace. Overhead were poles across, on which hung saddlebags, old coats and various other matters of the same description. In one corner sat an Indian chained to a table by the leg, his arms tightly pinioned. We found it was the son of the Speaker of the Council, Going Snake. They had charged him with refusing to give in his name and the number in his family to the United States Census Taker. He denied the accusation, but his denial went un- heeded. He smiled and seemed pa- tient; they removed him and left us the only prisoners, but never alone. The door was always open; the place was a rendezvous for the Guard and all their friends. Two sentinels with musciuets loaded and bayonets fixed kept us always in view. The place of one was on the inside and the other on the outside. I was wet to the skin, fatigued and unconsciously sighted. At that moment I saw two of the young men exchange looks and laugh. Throughout the day I heard dark phrases which seemed to betoken some intended mischief. Several people came in to look at us and we were shown the largest bunk, which was set apart for our use, and there we tried to sleep. Presently my saddlebags were demanded, examined and after a while returned. I heard a guard say that not a soul ought to leave the lines that day, that all were bound to remain as witnesses. Another asked a companion what he would be doing were it not Sunday. The companion made a motion of wielding a scourge and with a grin declared, "That, and glad of a chance, too!" "Where's Tom?" asked one. "Gone to preachin'," was the reply. "Oh, hell!" rejoined a third, and a hoarse laugh followed. Then someone struck up "Jenny, will your dog bite? No, sir, no!" Which was responded to by "Jesus the Glorious Reigns here victorious!" And from another side came "I'll not go home 'till morning, 'till morning, "I'll not go home 'till ynorning!" And then there would be a hud- dling off to fire pistols, and thus pass- ed the Sabbath. I ought not to forget that in the course of the day I saw Mr. Absalom Bishop talking to some strangers. All stared frowningly to- wards me and I heard Mr. Absalom as I passed muttering low, "best leave the country." Towards evening I asked who was the officer in command. I was told the quartermaster. I sent for him, and he answered that he was busy, but would come by and by. When he appeared I asked if he would send a letter for us to an officer of the United States troops at the agency, provided we would pay the cost of an express. He asked why we wanted to send. I said perhaps a message would be returned which might set our af- fairs right. The quartermaster mut- tered "That would be rather contrary to o}'ders," gave a puff or two of his pipe and walked away, all the rest in the room following and leaving us for the first time a moment by ourselves. The long night came. Some ten or twelve remained in our room, the floor being paved with sleepers. I heard an order spoken of that night that nobody was to be allowed to en- ter that room; but that when the drum was tapped at daybreak, every man was to fly to his gun. Long before morning several got up and sat around the fire, smoking and talking. "Ah!" said one; "there must have been some beautiful slicking* done last night!" "First one timber fell, and the fam- ily tumbled on their knees." "Ha, ha, ha!" "And one began to beg." Here was another roar. "And the little ones squalled 'Mam- my! Mammy!' " Now they all mimicked crying chil- dren. ♦Refers to summary punishment administered by vigilance committees. John Howard Payne's Arrest by the Georgia Guard 61 "And then the old woman fell to praying." Here was a deafening shout of laughter, which was so long continued that they became exhausted, and we had some repose. Somewhere about this time a house in the town had been attacked, as far as we could gathet by a mob, and violence committed; but all knowledge of the rioters was de- nied by the Guard among themselves, though the attack was a constant theme of conversation, and all the particu- lars connected with it detailed. The time dragged on most drearily. In a day or two Young returned. He seemed in better humor. He brought me a couple of volumes of Gil Bias and the "Belgian Traveller." He also brought some clothes for Mr. Ross. He said, too, he had my pistols, and I could take them when I liked. He told me he wanted to subscribe for my periodical. He hoped if I ever mentioned him I would speak well of him. I assured him I would speak as well as I could, but I must tell the truth. "Ah," said he, "you've abused us already. We've got a letter where you say the Guard look like banditti." I replied that the letter was never published, and of course could form no part of the excuse for my arrest. "No matter," added he, "you oughtn't to have abused the Guard." I need not remark that this was the letter I have alluded to before. I pressed Young to let us know on what grounds we were arrested. "Why," he said, "I can tell you one thing they've got agin you, only you needn't say that I told you. They say ycu're an Abolitionist." I could not help laughing at the ex- cessive absurdity of this, and consid- ered it as a mere dream of the man, whose brain often seemed in the wrong place. At the same time, he told Mr. Ross that the charge upon him was that he had impeded taking the Cen- sus. Mr. Ross repelled the accusa- tion vigorously, and required to be heard, and to know his accuser. Young said all he could tell was that Major Currey gave him the order for our ar- rest; that he had not only a written but a verbal order, and upon that we were taken. What the verbal order was he would not tell to anybody. We asked how long we were to be con- fined. He said till Col. Bishop re- *Wm. Carroll. turned from Milledgeville. We re- quested to know when that would be. "About Christmas." I then asked to write the President of the United States. It was refused. I asked to write to the Governor of Tennessee. It was refused. I asked to write to the Governor of Georgia. It was refused. I was also denied my request to communicate with my friends at home. I asked Young if he was an officer of the United States. He replied that he was not. Mr. Ross then asked him if he were not an of- ficer of the United States, how he came to obey the order of Major Cur- rey by passing over the boundaries of Tennessee. He replied that in Geor- gia it was not law, it was all power. I then observed that the rights of an American citizen were sacred. They were secured to him by the Constitution, and that to trample upon them thus wantonly would render his, or any man's situation, a very dangerous one with the people of a country like ours, who must look upon it as their com- mon cause. "Pooh!" replied he; "that mignt have done very well once, but Lord! don't you know that's all over now?" This was of course unansw'erable. In the meantime, a suggestion was made to us in a very unexpected way of a plan of escape. We looked upon it with suspicion, and thought it best not even through curiosity to give it encouragement. It appeared to us that it might be a ])lan that, even should it succeed, would make us seem in the wrong; and we knew that at- tempts of that nature, which had not succeeded, had been fatal. We thought it safer to be patient. I contrived, however, to elude the vigilance of our watchers. I found among my clothes a letter of intro- duction from one of the first mer- chants in Athens to a lawyer in Floyd County, Ga. There was blank room enough in it to allow me to turn the sheet and to write inside. I had a pencil in my pocket. While pretend- ing to read a newspaper I scribbled by snatches an appeal to the Gover- nor of Tennessee.* It was conveyed out of the lines to a friend who inked the superscription and made a copy from the inside, which he afterwards gave me, but I have mislaid it. An express with the most kind friendship flew across the country with this let- ter to the Cherokee Agency, and thence it was forwarded by another express 62 A History of Rome and Floyd County to Nashville. I have not yet learned the result. We now heard that a brother of Mr, Koss and another gentleman had in vain sought to see us. We next ob^ tamed information that a son and a friend of Mr. Ross had arrived. After much demur Mr. Koss was allowed to speak with his son, provided he only conversed on family affairs. The father and son met at the steps of one entrance to the enclosure. The steps were filled with curious listen- ers. When attempting to utter a syl- lable of domestic incjuiry to his son in Cherokee, Mr. Joshua Holden sudden- ly interdicted Mr. Ross from proceed- ing. Une afternoon subsequently there was an arrival which gave great joy to Sergeant Young. Some guards re- turned from furlough with Governor Lumpkin's valedictory message, with news that Mr. Bishop had got the bet- ter of an old enemy in a street affray at Milledgeville, and that a sort of patron of Young, by the name of Kenan,* had been elected Judge of the Supreme Court of Georgia. At this last intelligence, Young frisked about like a lunatic. He drew my pistols and fired them off in triumph. He whooped, he laughed, he capered. He ran into our room. "Aha!" exclaimed he. "He's the fel- low that will bring down the consti- tution!" I replied that I thought it would have been much better to have found a fellow that would bring it up — it was down low enough already. But Young seemed to look upon this elec- tion, especially when coupled with the appointment of two of his family con- nection to high places in the state, as a source of great hope for his own advancement, and was perfectly be- wildered with exultation. In the eve- ning, a newspaper was produced, con- taining Gov. Lumpkin's valedictory message. There were some envenomed passages in it against Mr. Ross. Young had already put it into the hands of Mr. Ross, and then desired me to read it aloud. I objected. I appealed to his own sense of decency, but he per- sisted and when Mr. Ross united with him, I read the passage and gave the hearers full benefit of this petty triumph over a prisoner in their power. The next change which occurred was the determination of the Sergeant to post off to Milledgeville. When he communicated this to us, Mr. Ross asked to be conducted with him thither, that he might learn from the Governor of the State why he was detained, and answer his accusers. This was denied, but the sergeant promised he would take a letter. Soon afterwards the polished Mr. Absalom Bishop made his appearance. He had understood from Mr. Young that Mr. Ross wish- ed to address the Governor. If on seeing the latter, Mr. Absalom Bishop should find it might facilitate the set- tlement of the Cherokee question, he would himself be the bearer. This seemed to me, especially in an unoffi- cial position, a piece of the most ar- rant impertinence I had ever heard. I took occasion myself at the same time to repeat my request for leave not only to write to the Governor of Geor- gia, but to the Governor of Tennessee, to the President and to my friends. I received this extraordinary reply: "Your fate will be decided and the result made nublic before you can reach either of the persons you have named." I pressed to know on what charge I was imprisoned. Mr. Absalom Bish- op remarked that I would learn ere long from the proper authority, and added with a simper. "Yon are not in so bad a fix as Arthur Tappan, for I see by the paners that they are parading him with a halter around his neck." Mr. Ross, with some warmth, ex- claimed, "I hope, sir, you do not com- pare our case with his!" "Indeed, sir," smiled the gentle Mr. Absalom, "Mr. Payne has for some time been under suspicion as an Abo- litionist." And still the charge seem- ed to me so ridiculous that I could not but join Mr. Absalom Bishop in his smile, and I answered: "Oh, if that's all, it can soon be settled!" "No," replied my comforter, "that's not the only charge, but you will know in time, and a fortnight can not make much difference." Mr. Ross was now supplied with paper, and Mr. Absalom Bishop re- mained to watch him. When the let- ter was completed, the Guards were already crowding the doorway, their eyes and ears and mouths distended with curiosity. Mr. Ross folded the letter and handed it to Mr. Absalom, who very deliberately opened and read it, and replied he thought it might do; he then went out, followed by Sergt. Young. After a while, both *Owen H. Kenan, of Newnan, judge of the Tallapoosa Circuit, Superior Court. John Howard Payne's Arrest by the Georgia Guard 63 returned. Mr. Absalom Bishop ob- served that he wished a postscript, more distinctly assuring the Governor that he was desirous of making a Treaty speedily, and that he urged a release forthwith, merely in order to accompany the delegation to Washing- ton and accelerate the treaty. Mr. Ross pointed out a part of his letter Vi'hich already stated as much; but Mr. Absalom Bishop thought a postscript desirable, and so the postscript was added and pronounced satisfactory, and the letter and its bearer disap- peared. I could almost fancy the genius of this country exclaiming after him, "Oh, Absalom, my son, my son!" The departure was fixed for the next day, but in the meantime there arose trouble in the camp. Sergt. Young heard a guard complaining of him, and rushed at him with a club. The guard struggled and Young drew my pistol on him. The rest of the troop caught Young's arm and saved their comrade. Young afterwards was grumbling at his failure. "I have paid $1,500 already," said he, "for shooting and stabbing, and I think I can raise another .$1,500." He next entertained us with a story of revenge upon a negro slave of his whom he had caught stealing. He had shaved the fellow's ear off close with a razor, "and the damned rascal," added he, "said he never could hear after that, and it was a damned of a while before the place healed up." I confess it somewhat annoyed me to find my pistols in the constant wearing of this person. I had fre- quently given him hints after he had promised to return them, but he took no notice. One morning I remarked, "Those pistol straps will be worn out before I have a chance of putting them on." "I reckon not," said Young, "they'll last till spring, I take it." But now that he was preparing for a long journey and an indefinite ab- sence, I thought it expedient to re- quest their return explicitly. He de- murred; would take it as a great favor if I would lend them to him. He would be back long before I could get out; he would do as much at any time for me. Then suddenly recollecting him- self, he said: "I know I've behaved like a damned mean man to you." "Yes, you have," replied I; "you struck me." "I know I did, and I've hated it ever since." "I never named it," I replied, "but I never forgot it." "But you'd better let me have the pistols. I'll buy them — what did they cost?" I named the cost and he cried, "I'll leave 'em. I'll give 'em to the quartermas- ter to keep." The pistols were eventually sent out of the lines to a son of Mr. Ross, from whom I have since obtained them; but their withdrawal seemed to sink deep mto the Sergeant's mind. In speak- ing of it to him I remarked: "My own things may as well be under my own command. I did not seek the pis- tols because I thought them of any great importance as a defense; what- ever may chance, I suppose our lives are safe enough." "Maybe not," observed the Sergeant. Soon afterwards, another conversa- tion arose. "Did I understand you rightly," observed I to the Sergeant, "or were you only joking when you said a while ago that our lives were m danger here? You surely could not mean that we are in danger." "You see the sort of company you've got into," replied he; "I can't an- swer for anybody when I'm once away. However, there's one honest man here and I'll put you under his charge. Riley Wilson's an honest man. I've plenty of enemies in these lines, but I'll not be made an instrument of by any man. When I go away now, I'll wash my hands of the whole concern. No man shall make me an instrument. I'll not bear the whole brunt of this affair, I'll assure you." I made a very serious appeal to him, but he took no heed of it, nor did he recall his words, but left us thus for Milledgeville. He had not long been gone when I chanced to fall into con- versation with a young man of the party, and asked him if there was any prejudice afloat against us. If there was, I should be glad to know what it was and whence it arose. He in- quired why I made the question. I told him Young's assertion of our being in danger. It flew like wildfire through the lines. The room was filled in an instant and I told the whole story, which was confirmed by Mr. Ross. Some proposed to pursue Young im- mediately, tie him to a tree and "give him the hickory." Others threatened to fling him over the lines whenever he should return. I assured them I did not believe he meant more than to annoy us; but they declared he was too fond of tormenting prisoners; that there was no person there at all in- clined to impose on a prisoner but Young, and it was time he be taught better or withdraw. They asserted 64 A History of Rome and Floyd County there was not a man on the hill but respected both of us, and we might rely on their support. The burst of good feeling that appeared on this oc- casion convinced me that most of those persons, in conscientious hands, might be moulded into valuable char- acters. It is their misfortune to be governed by men whose fitness may be gathered from the facts I have detail- ed, and youths, as many of them are, of unformed principles and habits, can not but be endangered by such direc- tors, especially as their captain, for electioneering purposes, cajoles them into a blind devotedness to him and to anything he may propose, no mat- ter how outrageous. They now seemed for a moment to feel how much their reputation had been darkened by their leaders. "Yes, this is the way that that Indian lost his life. He was told by a man that talked Cherokee that the Guard meant to come in during the night and cut his throat, so he hanged himself on the pole there that crosses at the foot of your bed." In the afternoon of this day there came a great and unexpected revolu- tion in the affairs of our little world. There was a sudden announcement of the arrival of the Captain-Colonel Bishop. An express was instantly sent off to recall Young and Absalom Bishop, with their letter, from Mil- ledgeville. Next morning at breakfast time the mighty chieftain appeared. He is a dapper and well-dressed and well-made little man, with a gray head and blue coat, well brushed, and bright yellow buttons. I had already remark- ed that this Bucephalus seemed train- ed to curvet and plunge like circus horses, with a great show of mettle, but perfect safety to the rider. In manner his grandeur was somewhat melodramatic. I have seen Napoleon Bonaparte, I have seen the Duke of Wellington, I have seen the Emperor Alexander, the Emperor Francis, the King of Eng- land, the King of Prussia; I have seen Ney, Rapp, Blucher, Swartzenburg — in short, I have seen most of the con- temporary great men of Europe, as well as America, but I have never yet seen quite so great a man as the Tav- ern Keeper, Clerk of the Court, Post- master, County Treasurer, Captain, Colonel W. N. Bishop. He was now no longer the meek Moses of the Coun- cil Ground. He was all emphasis and frown to the poor prisoners in his power, but with a peculiar affection to his men of bonho)Ji))ue. He came into the mess room, exclaiming, "Ah, boys!" (for boys is the cant word by which they speak to and of each other in the lines). "Ah, boys, how are you?" and he walked around shaking hands with each of the boys, but to both of us he was especially cold and formal; to me he scarcely even deigned a specific nod. Mr. Ross expressed a wish, through one of our sentries, for an interview, but no notice was taken of the re- quest. On the evening of that day, as I was walking to and fro before my prison, reading, a voice bawled out, "Mr. Payne, that was a mistake of yours about what I said," and I saw Young bearing down upon me, flourishing a club. Someone called to the sentry, "Guard your prisoner!" and the sentry closed up towards me on one side, putting his gun in readi- ness for action, and about 30 of the Guard now drew nigh on the other. I did not conceive that there was any intention on the Sergeant's part to do mischief, although the Guard thought otherwise, and declared if he had struck, it would have been the un- luckiest blow of his life. He attempted to deny a part of his words and then to explain them away, but he saw it was of no use, and so the matter ended. The Sergeant's revenge, however, was rather amusing. He said Mr. Ross and I should turn out of the bunk of which he was part owner. The men laughed and gave us one of theirs. Here is another instance of their su- periority to their officers. If we were state prisoners, however, we ought not, for our miserable straw, to have been dependent, either upon the men or upon the Sergeant. Somewhere about this time a very extraordinary incident took place. A Dr. Farmer came into the room with one of the Guard. After sitting a while, he looked at me and said: "Parlez vous Francais, Monsieur?" "Qui, Monsieur," I replied. The doctor and the Guard now ex- changed looks, and both smiled. "Je parle Francais," continued I, "mais Je suis Americain." The doctor mused for a while and then departed with the Guard, leav- ing Mr. Ross and me alone. I ob- served, "This is a strange business. I think that man has something to com- municate which may be important, and he wished to know if I could speak John Howard Payne's Arrest by the Georgia Guard 65 French that he might tell me his er- rand more freely." Mr. Ross asked me what he had said. I replied that he only asked if I understood French, and I answered that I did, but was an American. Mr. Ross observed that he knew nothing of the man, but had heard bad stories of his connections. It then occurred to me that the doctor had merely meant to try his French upon me, and had soon got to the end of his stock. Nor did the scene return to my mem- ory until I heard, on my liberation, that he had become one of my most formidable accusers; that he had said I confessed to him that my parents were French, and that I myself was an Abolitionist! The doctor must be within reach of this narrative. If he is innocent of the falsehood, it is due to himself to seek and expose the in- ventor. The next thing we heard, Mr. John Ridge was in the enclosure and closet- ed with Col. Bishop. It was said that he was at first denied an interview with Mr. Ross, but at length Mr. Ross was sent for to meet Ridge and Bishop. After a few words. Bishop suddenly arose and left them together. When Mr. Ross returned, he exclaim- ed, "It's all out now; we are both Abolitionists and here for a capital offense. We are the agents of some great men, Mr. Clay, Mr. Calhoun, Judge White, Mr. Poindexter, and the Lord knows who; and we have both plotted in concert with them to raise an insurrection among the negroes, who are to join the Indians against the whites!" I could not even yet regard the charge as having been made seriously, but Mr. Ross was assured it had been, and he added: "Bishop wishes to screen Currey and take the arrest upon himself, so we had better say nothing about that." In the evening Mr. Ridge had an- other interview, and on Monday, Nov. 16th, all were closeted for some hours. About four, Mr. Ross entered the room with a bundle in his hand. "I've got my papers!" exclaimed he, and dashing them into the bunk, we went to dinner. Bishop and his broth- er sat opposite. They were silent, and all the party appeared nettled. I will do the brace of Bishops the jus- tice to own that they both, from first to last, seemed in their hearts ashamed to meet my glance, notwithstanding much outward swagger. When dinner was ended. Col. Bishop, giving a sort of menacing look at me, exclaimed to the sentinel with an emphatic gesture, "Mr. Ross is discharged." I walked back to my prison. Mr. Ross, after some time, came for his things. He said he was under the necessity of getting home that night; told me to make myself easy — all would come out right. "You have never published anything about Bishop or the Guard in Lumpkin County, have you?" was his only re- mark. "Not a syllable," replied I, "either in Lumpkin County, or any other county in Georgia or elsewhere." "So I said," added he, "and you may as well explain that when you see Col. Bishop." Mr. Ross seemed in haste. I imag- ined he had been interdicted from com- municating with me, and therefore asked no explanations, especially as the sentry was watching; nevertheless, I requested he would solicit an inter- view for me with Bishop, and ask a speedy examination of my papers. He went out and after some conversation with Bishop came back, and stated that Bishop had business that after- noon which would prevent his attend- ing to me, but the next day (Tues- day) he would see me; and then my companion mounted his horse and left me alone and with feelings and un- der a suspense and doubt by no means to be envied. This event, I observed, produced an instantaneous effect upon the manner of the Guard towards me; but ere long some of them seemed to feel a deeper sympathy than ever, and were marked, though silent, in their civility. Others were unusually rude. One man in particular, who was to have been a sort of ruler during Young's intended stay at Milledgeville, became very coarse. "Here!" he bawled one day across the yard to me, after I had been for- gotten at the first table for dinner. "Here, you old prisoner you, come along and eat!" At one time I apprehended an in- tention to increase the rigor of my treatment. I heard one of the officers calling for the Indian chain. "Where's the Indian chain?" This is a chain they keep expressly for the Indians, and" the captive we found there, hav- ing been dismissed, as he was taken without law or reason assigned, the chain had been thrown under one of the bunks of our room and had been 66 A History of Rome and Floyd County f ^^ •^ ^1 111 INDIAN RELICS FOUND ON FLOYD COUNTY FARMS The bludgeon, axes and short shaft spear at the top were used for war and other pur- poses. The pestles in the center were employed to grind corn in wooden mortars. The bowl was unearthed on the E. J. Moultrie farm in the Coosa Valley and the arrow heads picked up in bottom lands and on hillsides here and there. John Howard Payne's Arrest by the Georgia Guard 67 a while without an occupant. But my impression was not realized. The chain was undisturbed. Although friends and acquaintances were rigorously excluded from my prison, there seemed no exclusion of any one who came out of mere cu- riosity. A drunken countryman stag- gered in one day. I was reading. "I've spent all my money," said he, "waiting in this town to see John Ross and that other fellow." I told him John Ross was gone. After a while he gave me a knowing wink and touched my elbow. "Aye, aye, mighty good books — I like 'em, too. I'm all for the ablutions." I ask- ed him what he meant. He then hint- ed that he had heard that John Ross was one of the ablutions, and so was he. I interrupted him; told him he was mistaken in John Ross; that I presumed I was "the other fellow," and that the story he had heard against us was all an invention, and if he wanted ablutions, as he called them, he must look for them elsewhere. He begged a thousand pardons. The Guard then said it was against or- ders to talk to the prisoner, and my friend of the ablutions reeled out, bowing and hoping he "hadn't given no offense to nobody, only he did just want to have a look at the ablutions." The time began to drag on more drearily than ever. I had read up all the books. I had no pen nor ink, nor paper to write with. My only amusement was parading before the door and mentally composing a dog- gerel description of my captivity, of which even the little that I remem- bered is not yet committed to paper. Scenes of extreme confusion were oc- curring hourly in my den. The eve- nings were almost insupportable. The room was thronged. A violin was tor- mented into shrieks and groans which were nicknamed music; there was dancing and singing until tattoo; and after that, conversation which ex- ceeded in vulgarity, profanity and filth anything I ever could have fancied. Almost the only exceptions which in the least could amuse were these : "Where's that St. Helena," said the Sergeant, "that Kill Blast belonged to?" "St. Helena," replied I, "is the place where Bonaparte died. Gil Bias be- longed to another part of the world ; Santillane in — " "Ah yes; well, you remember most everything. I wish you'd remember that I'm to take a dose of salts to- morrow morning at four, and tell me of it." "Are you anything of a silversmith?" asked one of the young men. "I want to get some silver work fixed." "Where's New York?" inquired an- other; "England, ain't it?" "No, it's the largest city in our own country." "But you must go to it over the ocean, mustn't you?" "You may if you go the right way to work," I replied. One day the sentry who was guard- ing me in a ramble round the grounds made a sudden halt, and dropping his musquet abruptly, stared me fiercely in the face. "What do you follow when you're at home?" I paused, returned the fierce stare, and replied, "Literature." The man looked astounded. He stood a while motionless, then took up his gun. "Go on!" cried he, and we pro- ceeded in silence, he no doubt imag- ining that I had made a full confes- sion of my sins. One evening the importance of knowing how to spell was discussed. "There's no use in it at all," said the oldest of the party, "because there's two ways to spell everything." "Yes," I observed, "there's a right way and a wrong one." "Come now," exclaimed one guard to another. "How would you spell axe? We'll leave it to the man (mean- ing me) to say which way's right." "Oh, that's easy enough : A-X." "No," was the reply, doubtingly, and with a glance at me. "There are three letters," observed I, "in the word." "I know," said a third: "W-A-X." "That spells ivax!" exclaimed the first in triumph. "E-A-X!" cried a fifth. "That's eax," called out the third, with a laugh, and they all looked at me. "There's the number of letters and the proper letters if they were only in the proper places. The E is at the wrong end," I observed. "Ah, I know!" replied two or three, clapping their hands. "A-X-E." And so the contest ended. The remainder of Monday, and then Tuesday, and then Wednesday passed off in the Colonel's paying arrearages 68 A History of Rome and Floyd County to the men and settling accounts; and the men themselves were engaged in trafficking and settling up their lit- tle bills among themselves, and swap- ping. From first to last they had been wishing to swap for everything I had — my knife, my pistols, my horse, my saddle, my watch; in short, every- thing seemed to tempt them, but above all, a buffalo hide which I used over my saddle. My watch was a perpetual torment to me. Every five minutes, sometimes for hours, I was teazed to tell what o'clock it was; and at night I was desired to hang up my watch that the two sentinels might regulate their movements by it. Some of the Guards borrowed money from me, but except for a trifle, which was only withheld, probably because my sortie was unforeseen, all was punctually repaid. During all the remainder of the time, Bishop and his brother avoid- ed meeting me at table or elsewhere. And now all pretense of business appeared at an end. Everything of that nature seemed to wind up with an auction, in which the Captain-Col- onel performed as Auctioneer to his men. Some rifles belonging to Indians who had been shot in attempting to escape capture were bid off; then a coat; then the "boys" were asked if they had anything else which they de- sired to sell, and then the "gentlemen" were thanked for their attention, and dismissed. After this the Captain-Col- onel seemed closeted upon secret busi- ness. I inferred from some circum- stances that he was making copies from among the manuscript documents I had transcribed regarding Cherokee affairs. They were mostly the same with the papers returned to Mr. Ross, but fairly written and arranged in or- der and therefore most convenient for a transcription. During this employ, a fine of $20 was proclaimed against any guard who should approach the door of the sanctum sanctorum, and a sentinel was ordered to keep watch and prevent intrusion. All that I heard from without dur- ing the week was that Mr. Ross had sent a messenger, who was prevented from seeing me; and a guard apprised me that he had been requested by this messenger to say "my friends had not forgotten me; in a few days all would come right." I learned afterward that this in- formant had proffered to convey to me letters or papers, and a note was consequently given to him, but it never came to hand. I had been told that Mr. Schermerhorn was expected about this time, and I knew that if we met, decency would have rendered it im- perative on him to bring about my release. I asked Young, and he pre- tended not to know when the Rev- erend Commissioner would appear, but observed "he knew all about it, for news was sent off to him at once." On Friday morning, Nov. 20th, Ser- geant Young told me he was going to his home. I had already understood that Col. Bishop was preparing for a trip to Milledgeville. Young had several times bantered me about "when I expected my furlough" and "why I didn't get on my horse and ride off." He repeated his jeers this morning. He asked me if I had not seen the Colonel yet. I replied no; expressed a wish to see him and desired Young to name my wish. "The Colonel's got nothing agin you that I know of, except something you writ about us in Lumpkin." I replied I had written nothing in Lumpkin. "Well, then, in Habersham, when you was up there at Clarkesville." I said that was equally a slander and asked as a point of common jus- tice, at least, to be shown the articles I was accused of having written. But Young evaded the request by saying, "At any rate, you wrote a letter where you called the Guard banditti, for we found that among your papers; and you ought not to have wrote such a letter." "Have I not a right to make what private notes I please? The paper you speak of was never published. Even though it had been, no one can be justified in complaining of me for only exercising a privilege guaranteed to me by the constitution of my native country. But it was not published and could form no part of the cause of my arrest, nor of the pretext for my detention." "I mean to keep them letters," said Young, "in case you should ever print anything if you ever git out, so as to prove it agin you. I don't give them up. You oughtn't to have said the Guard looked like banditti." It was not above half an hour after this when I perceived preparations for something unusual. The men were all summoned to be ready at the roll of the drum. My horse was ordered out, as I understood, to be taken to water. But I was convinced from many signs that I myself was the object of the mysterious movements. A son of the John Howard Payne's Arrest by the Georgia Guard 69 Colonel kept staring around at me with intense curiosity, and many oth- ers looked on in silence, as persons look upon any one about to under- go some terrible ordeal. The Colonel's horse was saddled and put in read- iness, and another horse was also pre- pared, and Mr. Joshua Holden ap- peared, equipped for a campaign. At length the drum beat. I heard the sergeant say, recommending some one to the Captain-Colonel, "He may be trusted." And now one of the Guard ran to me: "Your saddlebags, your saddle- bags." "Why?" "You're going out." I went to the bunk. "Is there not some mischief intended?" asked I. "I can't tell, but you'd better make me a present of that buffalo hide." "No," answered I; "it was given to me and has been too good a friend to me in trouble." The guard took the saddle- bags and buffalo skin, and with it a very large and cumbersome cloak and some loose clothes. I found them heaped upon my horse. "The straps to fasten these are not here." "I can't help it," was the answer. "Get on, get on!" "I can not over this pile of things." "You must." "This is not my bridle; mine was a new one and double. Where are my martin- gales, my straps?" "Get on, get on!" I was compelled to mount, and the m.ass of unfastened things was piled up before me; the saddle was loosely girted, and the horse was startled, and, as if on purpose, covered with mud. I still claimed my bridle, but was con- ducted in front of the paraded Guard, he who led my horse muttering as he went, "That's the bridle they said was yours." The Captain-Colonel stood in front of his men. "Halt your horse there, sir, and beware how you speak a word." I attempted to speak, but he shouted : "Be silent, sir; look upon them men. Them's the men you in your writings have called banditti." Whether the eloquent Captain-Col- onel imagined I meant to reply, I can not say, but he repeated eagerly: "Don't speak, sir!" And I did not speak, but I did look upon the men, and if ever I compared them in appearance to banditti, the glance of that moment made me feel that I ought to ask of any banditti the most respectful pardon. Spirit of Shakespeare, forgive me too! For if thy Falstaff and his ragged regiment came into my mind at such a moment, it was my misfortune, not my fault. But I will proceed. "You've come into this country to pry, ever since you arriv, into things you've no business with. You're a damned incendiary, sir! You've come into this country to rise up the Cher- okees against the whites. You've wrote agin these worthy men (pointing to the Guards). You've wrote agin the State of Georgia. You've wrote agin the gineral Government of the United States. Above all, sir, you've wrote agin me! Now, sir — " Then turning with an aside speech to some bystander, I think it was Mr. Joshua Holden, "Hand the things," said the Captain-Colonel, and a bun- dle with a loop, carefully prearranged so as to let the arm through, was given to me. "Now, sir, take your papers; haug 'em on your arm, sir, and I order you to cut out of Georgia. If you ever dare agin show your face within the limits of Georgia, I'll make you curse the moment with your last breath. With your foul attacks on me you've filled the Georgia papers." I could not well endure to hear as- sertions so utterly unfounded, and took advantage of the pause of the elo- quent Captain-Colonel for breath, and exclaimed rather vehemently: "Upon my honor, no, sir!" "Hold your tongue, I say," resumed my jailor. "The minute you hear the tap of the drum, I tell you to cut out of this yard, and I order you never while you exist to be seen in this state of ours any more, for if you are, I'll make you rue it! Let this be a lesson to you, and thank my sympathy for a stranger that you've been treated with such extraordinary kindness; and now, sir, clear out of the state forever, and go to John Ross, God damn you!" I looked on this pitiable exhibition with more of passion than resentment, and it seemed to me as if most of the Guard felt sorry for their leader. Never before did I so forcefully re- alize the truth of that beautiful' pas- sage — Frail man, frail man, Drcst in a little brief authority Plays such fantastic tricks before high Heaven As make the angels weep ! I claimed my bridle again, but in vain, and I then moved of necessity 70 A History of Rome and Floyd County slowly from the place, because I had great difficulty in retaininp: the things that had been piled upon my horse. When I got outside the lines, some of the affairs dropped off, and I stopped to ask a person to hand them to me, and at the same time to inquire the route to Big Spring.* On turning a corner a stranger told me I had bet- ter stop and dismount and arrange my baggage; and just then a gentleman called to me that he wished a word with me, and approached. He said he had a letter for me. I asked him the direction towards the residence of Mr. Ross. I saw that the letter he hand- ed me was from Mr. Ross, and related to my route. At that moment Col. Bishop and Mr. Josiah Holden dashed up like fiends. Bishop cursed me, threatened me, if I dared speak to any "damned Nullifier," and menaced to make an example out of me if I did not get out of the State. I paused to return the letter and to ask the I'oad, but my pursuers continued to execrate and to roar. I went on and for the last time had the honor of again hearing the Colonel's eloquence, in a volley of oaths as he passed back towards the camp, threatening my life as a "damned old rascal" if he ever caught me daring to speak to another man in Georgia. I turned abruptly, entirely ignor- ant of the way, into a little wood. Descending a slippery spot, my horse, which had been startled by the rush- ing of the pursuers, stumbled. The saddle, which had been scarcely girt- ed on, turned, the large cloak caught around his legs and I found myself equally entangled in its folds with the horse, one of whose fore hoofs was planted on my breast. He snorted and stood in a sort of stupor of amaze- ment, his mouth open and almost touching mine, his ears erect, his nos- trils distended, and his eyes staring wildly into my eyes, for at least a minute. It is singular enough that I felt not the slightest sense of danger or even uneasiness; I only thought it best to remain quiet until I found what the horse meant to do ; and then I took his hoof, lifted it aside, dis- engaged myself, arose and with some difficulty got my cloak from around his limbs. He did not even stiffen a joint when I lifted his foot from my breast, nor did I feel, while it was planted there, the slightest pressure, although the form of the hoof was by the red clay in which he had been tramping, so strongly defined upon my shirt bosom that it might in New England have answered for a sign to keep away the witches. But no sooner was the danger wholly past than I felt feeble and faint and perfectly unmanned. I had never, from the be- ginning to the end of my misadven- ture, experienced any sensation like that which now came over me. I could scarcely move. Before me there was a muddy streamlet across which there arose a hill with a hut at its top. I determined to walk up to that hut and there seek assistance in adjusting my things for a journey, and purchase cords or straps of some sort. But I could scarcely drag my horse through the stream. He was ravenous for water and kept me stand- ing in the middle of it while he drank. The woman of the house was much agitated by my appearance. She ask- ed, trembling and in tears "if the Guard would not come to her and hurt her for speaking to me." She seemed exceedingly anxious for me to get out of sight. I answered that I could not think they would be so brutal. I now found that my buffalo hide was miss- ing. I promised to pay another wom- an for going back to look for it, as it must have fallen close at hand. She returned presently and said it was not there. I had by this time secured my things with ropes. In paying the one woman I gave silver to pay the other. I could not help being struck by the cir- cumstance, under all this alarm at the hut, of my being called to by the one of these people who had fail- ed to accomplish her errand, to know whether I had left any money for her too. It so chanced that I got upon the direct road to McNair's, some 15 miles off and within the chartered limits of Tennessee. It is an Indian family. Nothing could be kinder or more cor- dial than my reception and treatment, notwithstanding the strong probabil- ity they fancied of my being still pur- sued thither for fresh torment by the Guard. They looked upon me as one risen from the dead. At McNair's I was for the first time fully apprised of the dangers which had beset me and which were still to be dreaded. I found that during my thirteen days' captiv- ity the most industrious efforts had been made to excite the country against me as an Abolitionist and a Foreign ♦Now in Meigs County, Tenn., 25 miles north of Blue Spring. He was trying to reach the latter after he was liberated, hoping to rejoin Ross. John Howard Payne's Arrest by the Georgia Guard 71 Emissary. The most important step had been already taken. The minds of the country people had been fa- miliarized to the expectation of my being hanged, and they only waited for notice to assemble and enjoy the execution. The wife of a tavern keeper at Spring Place was reported to me by a traveller as having been heard to say I was a "very bad man," I was "sure to be hung," and one man had been hung thereabouts before for much less than I had done. I deserved the gallows and she herself would see me swinging with much pleasure — that she would, "wicked thing that I was!" This may be taken, I presume, as a fair specimen of the sort of excite- ment which had been got up. Those best acquainted with the neighborhood and with the spirit prevailing looked upon my situation from the first as the more perilous of the two; but when I was found to have been detained after Mr. Ross, it was considered as altogether desperate. That this was no idle belief may be inferred from a fact of which I was afterward ad- vised. A paper, belonging, as I un- derstand, to a friend of Bishop in Cassville — the only paper of the re- gion through which it was my long avowed plan to return — had sent forth the following tissue of impudent false- hoods, during the earlier days of our captivity, and the poison had taken effect : "Report," says the Cassville Pioneer of Nov. 13th, "has just reached us of the apprehension by the Georgia Guard of John Ross, together with a gentleman from the North. They were pursued by the soldiers stationed at Calhoun, Tenn., as far as the line of this state, where the chase was taken up by the Guard, who succeeded in overtaking them at an Indian's by the name of Sneaking Rabbit. The crime with which they are chai-ged seems to be an effort, making by them, to arouse the Cherokees and negroes to the commission of hostilities on the white citizens of the Cherokee coun- try. If information be true, the pa- pers found in their possession go far to prove the hostility of their designs. Their communications had in a great measure been carried on in the French language. For want of a knowledge of that language, the Guard was un- able to comprehend fully their designs. Time alone can develop the truth of the report, but we trust for the peace of the community at large that it may *A long but harmless exhortation and appeal. not prove as true as present appear- ances seem to indicate." On discovering these reports, I felt some anxiety to examine the papers myself, wondering what could have created the French part of the charge. I looked among the manuscripts re- turned. The French papers which have puzzled the Captain, Colonel and the rest seem to have been these: A numeration table, in Cherokee, by George Gist, the native inventor of the Cherokee alphabet ; a specimen of Gist's handwriting in Cherokee and in the characters he had invented ; an ac- count of his life, also in the same lan- guage and characters, and written by his relation, George Lowry, second principal chief; and a literary com- position by Mr. Lowry, in Cherokee words, but English letters, which I preserved as a remarkable curiosity, because Mr. Lowry had never learned to read or write in any way, until after he had attained in age nearly half a century. These were the French letters. This was the French plot. And I have rea- son to believe that in their eagerness to get some evidence against us the wiseacres by whom we had been kid- napped sent far across the country for some learned Theban to translate the aforesaid French out of the original Cherokee! My other papers consisted of tran- scripts of public documents, a book of private memoranda, some specimen copy books from the Missionary School at Brainerd, appeals, the latter already mentioned and never printed, signed "Washington," and the address which I had drawn up for the Cherokee Na- tion to the people of the United States. The former of these was not returned to me. If stolen, I can not conjec- ture wherefor. If it had been re- turned, although the publication had not been intended, events would have induced me to have enabled the public to judge of it, as I now enable them to do of the other paper''', which was meant for circulation, and only re- strained by its seizure and our deten- tion from being sent round for sig- natures by all the people. My coun- trymen will find it annexed. It will show them how far my accusers have been justified in attempting my de- struction as an exciter of the Cher- okees to rise and murder the whites ! I must not omit here to mention that often and often since this affair have I blessed the chance which kept out of my reach any of these aboli- 72 A History of Rome and Floyd County tion pamphlets which have been so much talked about. I have never seen any and have had some desire to see one for I am in the habit of gather- ing scraps of that sort as curiosities, and if one had come in my way I should certainly have preserved it, as valuable for a future illustration of our times; and that would have sealed my fate, for had the slightest docu- ment of such a nature been discovered in my possession, no explanation could have saved me. A pretext, and not the truth, was wanted; and such an accident, and by no means an un- likely one, could ere this have cost my life upon a scaffold. Before I close my list of escapes, let me mention one more. Mr. Ross had told me during our ride when first captured how glad he was of the pre- cautions which had been taken a long time before to prevent any resentment on the part of the Indians of any wrong whatever to their nation or its chiefs. Some indignity to him had long been expected and he felt satis- fied that the Cherokees would be dis- creet. I learned afterwards, however, that the indignation of some of them at this enormity almost overpowered the efforts of their leaders to keep them patient. Had they attacked the camp for our rescue I am convinced that as a first step of the defenders, we should have been shot. A scheme was also on foot, I have been told, in the bordering counties of Tennessee, to raise a force and bring us and the Guard back over the line, and there punish the intruders. This attempt would equally have exposed our lives, and in either case we should have been branded as having caused a civil war, and the first bloodshed might have been made an excuse to extermi- nate the Indians. In more than one instance during our imprisonment I remarked some uneasiness in the camp, but have only since learned whence it probably arose. But to resume my story. I sent a messenger across the forest to Red Clay, for the purpose of knowing what had become of Mr. Ross. With the messenger next day Mr. Ross and his Assistant Principal Chief'' and Dr. Butler** came to congratulate me on my escape. Of Dr. Butler I ought to make some special mention. He was one of those who had been imprisoned in the Georgia penitentiary under the famous attack upon the Missionaries. He had deeply felt my danger, had written to my friends, though a stranger to them, in order that the result he secretly apprehended might not come upon their knowledge too suddenly, and had travelled a long road through a dreary night to seek influ- ence in my favor. His little family had implored Heaven for me with their prayers, and when I met them again, welcomed me with a touching enthu- siasm, which told the story of the peril I had escaped. It was when I went back with my visitors to the house of Mr. Ross that I saw them, and soon after, Mr. Ross and Mr. Lowry accompanied me as far as the agency. There the venerable Eena-tah-naah-eh, commonly called Going Snake, speaker of the Council, and one or two of its other members were in waiting to con- gratulate me. Old Eena-tah-naah-eh, though he could not speak a syllable of English, was eloquent with looks of joy. He had told Mr. Ross when he first called to see him after his eman- cipation, "It makes me happy to find you here. . But I am only half happy. I do not see our friend. I look at the chair where he used to sit, and it is empty. I look at the door and he does not enter. I listen for his voice, but all is silent." On hearing I was to be at the agency,*** the old man hastened thither. There, too, the officers of the United States army hailed me with the cor- diality of compatriots and gentlemen, feeling that the republic had been in- f:ulted in the treatment I had received, a spirit which appeared to prevail wherever I happened to pass people in my lonely ride to Knoxville, where I have had ample proof that Tennessee disdains the baseness of which I have been the victim within her sway. It may be asked whence this high- handed outrage of which Mr. Ross and myself have been the victims arose. There must have been some cause for it. The only cause I can guess for it is this : There was a wish to get possession of certain documents re- garding the treaty discussions from Mr. Ross, which had been asked for by the government agents and not given. It was known that I had made copies of all the recent public docu- ments of the Cherokee nation. The seizure of the papers of both Mr. Ross and myself would probably supply all that had been asked. Thei-e was no * George Lowrey. **Rev. Elijah Butler, who had charge of Mis- sionary Station at Coosa, and who had spent a year and four months in the penitentiary at Milledgeville for "interfering" with the Indians. ***Calhoun, Tenn. John Howard Payne's Arrest by the Georgia Guard 73 force sufficiently lawless to undertake this but the Georgia Guard. Having adventured on the step, it was re- quisite to invent a pretext, and to cover themselves from indignation by keeping us out of view until the coun- try could be excited against us. The mad-dog cry of the day is Abolitionist. That was the most obvious mode of strangling complaint against the in- jury, for it was the most certain to get the injured themselves strangled, and "dead men tell no tales." Besides, if a mob rould be raised, mischief could be done without responsibility. In order to make "assurance doubly sure"* the slander was heightened by the imputations of a French and Indian, connected with a negro plot, for universal massacre. The scheme, how- ever, did not take the effect expected. Then was Mr. Ross set free, under the plea, probably, that he had more friends than I. He was even treated at the dismissal with a show of court- liness, that his story might discredit mine. I was probably detained after him for two reasons. My papers contain- ed fair copies of all such among his as might be wanted. Mine were fair- ly written and arranged and could more easily be made use of by the transcriber. It was convenient to keep me until copies could be made of what- ever Cherokee documents the parties concerned might think useful. The other reason appears very like- ly to have been this : Alone and a stranger in a strange place, I might be made the readier victim could a stir be raised against me, either with- in the camp or within the neighbor- hood. The frequent mention by the officers of my having "abused the guard" was intended to spirit them to do me an injury. I heard one of them intimate with some indignation one day that he himself so understood it. To them and to all, my continued imprisonment was doubtless meant to convey the idea of proven guilt. The mode of my dismissal was evidently intended to be understood as an en- couragement to any violence that the "boys" within might choose to perpe- trate, and the hostile pursuit by threats as an excitement to the "boys" with- out. By crushing me, my persecutors might crush a witness and prevent future inquiry. Perhaps I was only saved by taking a road which no one *A favorite expression used by Woodrow Wilson. **So far as is known, Ross remained silent. expected I w-ould take, though, in truth, as I said before, I think the "boys" considerably better than their leaders. But whatever the pretext for this enormity, there can be no excuse. If my visit to the house of Mr. Ross was objected to by the government agents, a hint would have been enough. If doubt were entertained of the na- ture of my memoranda, a request would have opened them to examina- tion. Violence would have been early enough when a disposition had been shown to respect gentleness. But that I was re-ally engaged in any plot of any sort, I am persuaded never was believed by those who have commit- ted this outrage. What could I gain by the Cherokees? Every moment that I have passed in their country has been a loss to me and an inconven- ience. Nothing which they can offer can render me services, and men do not contrive treason when they can gain no advantage. I have been swayed in the very little I have gathered re- garding the Cherokees by a pure and distinterested wish to render my own country service, in leading it to be simply just to theirs, and I have wish- ed to' supply myself with such mate- rial that the fairness which it might be impossible for me to excite for them from present legislation, I might my- self bestow on them in future history. In party questions I take no interest. I repeat again and again that I have looked into this matter as a philan- thropist, not as a politician. Mr. Ross will presently tell his own story.** His affairs have prevented him' from joining me here in time to give it to the world with mine. I have wished to put my portion of the facts on record as speedily as possible, be- cause I am aware that great false- hood must be resorted to by my op- pressors in order to prevent public in- dignation against a great wrong. In- deed, with such foes and such modes as they adopt for gaining ends and such a" long and lonely road to travel, who knows how soon the complaincr may bo yet silenced? It is but a week since I was a prisoner. But whatever may be the risk, I deem it a duty to my' country not to shirk from speak- ing the entire truth. People of Tennessee, to you I appeal ! I was a peaceful visitor to your state. I had dwelt in it some weeks. A band of armed men, who, in overpassing the limits of their own region, surely ren- dered themselves felons and banditti. 74 A History of Rome and Floyd County burst into my retreat at midnight, dragged me four and twenty miles through a forest and during a drench- ing tempest. I was denied to com- municate with friends, with your gov- ernment, with our common protector, the President of the Union. I was denied a knowledge of the charge against me, or my accuser. After nearly two weeks of imprisonment I was insultingly and without examina- tion ordered back into Tennessee by the Captain of the outlaws who had laughed at your power of protection, your own chartered boundaries to scorn. People of Tennessee, will you bear these things? Will you see your hospitality thus dishonored? Will you know that the stranger who comes to visit you can not be safe, even in his blamelessness, from injury and in- sult within your domain? People of Georgia, I appeal to you! I came among you as a fellow coun- tryman. I came to make myself ac- quainted with your history and your character and with the numberless natural beauties and with the count- less riches of your domain. I came under the guarantee of the compact between the sister states of the Re- public, which secures to the citizens of each unobstructed communication with all. I came relying upon the spirit of hospitality which has distin- guished the South. I have told you how I have been treated. If any mem- ber of the Republic has been especially remarkable for her resistance to the in- trusion of one state upon the rights of another, it is Georgia. How, then, can I believe that she will uphold her officers, who have in the most glar- ing and the coarsest manner been guilty of such an intrusion? I do not, therefore, identify the state with the wrongs. I can not again enter the state until the people do the justice to tell me that I have judged them fairly in believing they feel themselves insulted by the insults which have been heaped in their name upon a neighboring power and upon the con- stitution, our common protector — in the person of a stranger, a country- man, a friend. My fellow citizens throughout my native land! To all of you alike I appeal, for there is not one in our Republic to whom this case is not of vital import. It is not a party, but a universal question, and I doubt not but that the Chief Magistrate of the Republic, whose government has been prophaned by being made by subal- terns to seem the source of the wrong, will be foremost in declaring this enormity. Insulting inquisitions, dom- iciliary visits, midnight intrusions into the sanctuary of homes, seizure by armed men of private papers, the im- prisonment and secreting of citizens, without the disclosure either of the charge or the accuser, contempt of the boundaries of the states, mockery of the hallowed privileges of the consti- tution — all these the worst deeds of the basest despotism have been per- petuated already in the instance now before you, and if you do not rise like men and declare such things shall not be suffered, not a citizen among you can say he sleeps in safety! This is no idle declamation. It has happened to me and it may happen to any one of you. The Rubicon has been passed. But think of me, think of yourselves, think of those most dear to you, to whom you would bequeath the freedom you inherited. Not for personal chagrin, but for the honor of our country I will tell you, and oh! let not posterity echo the assertion as a prophecy, if tamely you look on and see these things, unmoved ! I care not for proscriptions nor for bayonets; neither the Guards of Georgia nor the denunciations of reckless and wily and insidious hirelings shall frighten me into silence; for I will tell you and with my last breath, if tamely you behold these things you are only slaves — heartless, abject slaves, and un- worthy of the immortal ancestors who bravely fought and nobly died to make their country free. But for this, I am satisfied, you will give no cause. The spirit of your fathers is not dead with- in you. My country will not see even the humblest of her sons oppressed. JOHN HOWARD PAYNE. Saturday, November, 1835.* ♦Evidently Nov. 28. Since he was released Friday, Nov. 20. he could not have reached Knoxville, 125 miles, in less than four days. Payne was born June S, 1792, at 33 Pearl St., New York, N. Y., and died at 60 years of age Apr. 10. 1852, while serving as United States consul at Tunis, Morocco. He lay buried there until W. W. Corcoran, of Washington, D. C, brought his body back to his native land late in March, 1883, and reinterred it in George- town, a suburb of Washington. He corre- sponded with such literary lights as Washing- ton Irving (who also died a bachelor), Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Chas. Lamb, and roomed with Irving in Paris for a while. CHAPTER IV Aftermath of the Payne- Ross Affair THE arrest of Payne and Ross stirred up a "hornet's nest" in Georgia and Ten- nessee and to a less extent at Washington and throughout the country. Governor William Schley had just come into of- fice at jMilledgeville as the suc- cessor of Wilson Lumpkin, and he was bombarded with protests. President Jackson was bombard- ed at Washington. A volunteer force of soldiers was organized in Tennessee to patrol "the border" and keep the rambunctious Geor- gians on their "own side." Con- gress and the Georgia Legislature prepared to review the case. The Georgia Guard began to "spew out." Major Currey explained to Presi- dent Jackson through Elbert Her- ring, commissioner of Indian Af- fairs, and called Payne a prevari- cator. He was supposed to have ordered the arrest, or at least to have inspired it. Some said the order came from Milledgeville. Schermerhorn contended that he was at Tuscaloosa, Ala., when he heard the news ; had nothing to do with it. l)ut \v(iuld have had Payne arrested had he knoAvn of his de- signs. Two Indians from near Rome figured in the afifair. Payne's ac- count mentions that one of them hung himself in the guard house at v^pring Place, which became his own "home" for nearly a fortnight. Combatting Payne's statement that the Indian was driven to despera- tion by the Georgia Guard, Major Currey offered this cxj^lanation : *The Howling Wolf was oC the Chickamaugra District, which included part of Rome. He was no dout)t identical with Crying Wolf. Rohbin was a member of Challoogee district, which in- cluden press sounded a diUc-reiil note tm tlie in- cident. .\. Nashville Uaniier view proved good enougli lor the Geor- e-ia Telegraph (Macon) of Thurs- day, Dec. 24. lS.i\ and The Tele- graph reprinted it Ncrhatini : Mr. John Howard Payne, who, to- gether with John Ross, the Cherokee 80 A History of Rome and Floyd County chief, was lately seized at the house of the latter by the Georgia Guard, has availed himself of the occasion to in- flict upon the public eight mortal col- umns of the dullest, most fatiguing narrative it was ever our fortune to encounter. A concise statement of the principal facts connected with the out- rage, if given in about half a column of an ordinary newspaper, would have been read with interest ; but to wade through this mass of verbiage merely to learn that Messrs. Ross and Payne were seized by a party of desperadoes, called the Georgia Guard, carried over the Georgia line, kept under duress for a day or two and then released, would be paying quite too much for the whistle. If Mr. Payne succeeds in making his intended "literary periodical" as uninteresting as he has this account of his capture, it will certainly be a remarkable work! Governor Lumpkin's explanation admitted the illegality of the seiz- ure, but gave Payne very much of a left-handed vindication :* It was while these efforts were mak- ing to induce the Cherokees to emi- grate that the literary pursuits of the celebrated John Howard Payne led him to visit the Cherokee people and country. He was known to be strong- ly opposed to the views of the Gov- ernment in regard to Indian emigra- tion and this led to his arrest by Col. Bishop, the State's agent. The arrest was both premature and illegal, but the impertinent intermeddling of Payne was very unbecoming a stranger, a "BIG JOHN" UNDERWOOD, Rome grocer, who was one of the Georgia Guard detail which arrested Payne. gentleman, or an author professedly collecting facts for history. He was the partisan, if not the agent, of North- ern fanatics, whose avocation is to re- pent for the sins of everybody except themselves. The charge made by Payne that President Jackson (through his agents) had offered Ross a bribe stirred Washington as mtich as the arrest itself.** This charge was carried in an anonymous commu- nication printed by several news- papers in the "Pr.yne Free-Serv- ice Syndicate," and is believed to h.ave been played up especially by the Knoxville Register, wi;h whose editor Payne's liaison was com- I'lete.*** The sum and substance was that Ross could have had $50,000 if he had stood out of the way of the Cherokee removal ; a Creek chief is said to have offered it to him, and to have been ordered from the wrathy presence of Ross. Here is the anonymous communi- cation attributed to Payne. It was undoubtedly written from the Red Clay Council ground in Whitfield County, one day before the council convened with Payne prominently present : ****Cherokee Nation, Tennessee Border, Sunday, Oct. 11, 1835. Sir : I am no politician. Of this you are aware. I generally avoid, if possible, even thinking upon what are called political questions. Their dis- cussion is apt forthwith to become personal, and instead of eliciting truth, to produce brawls. But there are points of policy upon which we are sometimes forced to think; and when we are called upon to detest the Mus- sulman for his tyranny over the Greek, and to pity the exile from what once was Poland, we are at a loss to be- lieve that there are scenes passing in our free country at this very moment, *Removal of the Cherokee Indians from Geor- gia (Lumpkin), Vol. 2, p. 265. **Authorities: Letter of Apr. 16, 1836, Major Currey to Elbert Herring, Commissioner of In- dian Affairs, and Exhibit 14 as inclosure of Bame, both included in Report of Secretary of War on Cherokee Treaty (183.5), ps. 549-590. ***Payne asserted it was never published, but Maj. Currey's report to Jackson claimed The Register editor used it anonymously. ****E.xhibit 14 of Currey inclosures. Aftermath of the Payne-Ross Affair 81 to which both the Turk and the Rus- sian might triumphantly appeal, for a sanction to the despotism at which all have shuddered. Shall I tell you what they are? In travelling through Georgia I, of course, heard frequent mention of the Cherokees; but I took little heed of what I heard. I considered the Cher- okees as they had been represented, as but the miserable remnant of a broken race, given up to all sorts of degradation; and I thought the sooner they could be transported beyond the bounds of civilization, the better for the world. Accident, however, brought me to some very different views of the question. I inquired more thoroughly. I determined to judge them with my own eyes. I purchased a horse, trav- ersed the forests alone and went among them. Still I was perplexed. I was desir- ous of seeing the head men of the na- tion ; I was particularly desirous of seeing John Ross. Some Georgian told me I ought not to see him, that he was a selfish, and a sordid, and a si- lent man, in whom I should take no interest, from whom I should obtain no information. At one moment I had turned aside from my purpose, and was proceeding homeward. But I felt as if my errand would be a fruitless one if I went away. So, little instruct- ed, I changed my course, and travelled the wilderness for three days to the abode of Mr. Ross. I found Mr. Ross a different man in every respect from what I had heard him represented to be. His person is of the middle size, rather under than over; his age is about five and forty; he is mild, intelligent and entirely un- affected. I told him my object. He received me with cordiality. He said he regi-etted than he had only a log cabin of but one room to invite me to, but he would make no apologies. If I could put up with rough fare, he should be glad if I would stay with him. From a visitor I afterwards learn- *Fourth Ward, site of Rome. ♦♦Lavender or Alto. ***Al)out 10 o'clock, according to Ross. ****SilaK and (um). W. R, a lew years l>,-fore he died in WashiriKton, D. C. (Picture loaned by S. W. Ross, Tahlequah, Okla.). his policy and do as Andrew Jackson bids him, that Andrew Jackson will never listen to the Cherokees, but give them up to ruin. With internal dis- sensions attempted to be fomented by the agents of Government, and v/ith incessant external attacks from Geor- gia, and not only undefended by their legitimate protector, the United States, but threatened by the Chief Magis- trate of those states, the Cherokee na- tion now stand alone, moneyless, help- less, and almost hopeless, yet without a dream of yielding. With these clouds around them, in their little corner of Tennessee,*''' to which they have been driven fi'om Georgia for shelter, their national council holds its regular annual con- vention tomorrow. I can not imagine a spectacle of more moral grandeur than the assembly of such a people under such circumstances. This morn- ing offered the first foretaste of what the next week is to present. The woods echoed with the trampling of many feet; a long and orderly pro- cession emerged from among the trees, the gorgeous autumnal tints of whose departing foliage seemed in sad har- mony with the noble spirit now beam- ing in this departing race. Most of the train was on foot; there were a few aged men, and some few women, on horseback. The train halted at the humble gate of the principal chief; he stood ready to receive them. Every- thing was noiseless. The party, en- tering, loosened the blankets which were loosely rolled and flung over their backs, and hung them with their tin cups and other paraphernalia at- tached, upon the fence. The chief appi-oached them. They formed diagonally in two lines, and each, in silence, drew near to give his hand. Their dress was neat and pic- turesque; all wore turbans, except four or five with hats; many of them tunics and sashes; many long robes, and nearly all some drapery; so that they had the oriental air of the old scripture pictures of patriarchal pro- cessions. The salutation over, the old men remained near the chief, and the rest withdrew to various parts of the en- closure; some sitting Turk fashion against the trees, others upon logs *At Spring Place, where Payne was im- prisoned a month later. **Red Clay was so near the line, and the line 30 poorly defined, that the impression was often given that it was in Tennessee. Ross had a hut there as well as at Blue Spring, eight miles to the north. Aftermath of the Payne-Ross Affair 85 and others upon the fences, but with the eyes of all fixed upon their chief. They had walked sixty miles since yesterday, and had encamped last night in the woods. They sought their way to the council ground. It was explained to them. At one moment I observed a sensation among them, and all arose and circled around their chief. Presently an old man spoke above the rest; each one went for his pack, and all resumed their way. There was a something in the scene which would have subdued a sterner spirit than mine. All who gazed stood rooted to the spot with involuntary awe. "Oh!" cried an old negi'o woman, wringing her hands and her eyes streaming with tears, "Oh ! the poor Cherokees, the poor Cherokees; my heart breaks and wnll not let me look on them!" Parties varying from 30 to 50 have been passing the main road, which is somewhat distant from the residence of Mr. Ross, all day. All seem to con- template the approaching meeting as one of vital import. I myself, though a stranger, partake in the general excitement. The first movements, which will probably be the most im- portant, I will communicate to you; perhaps I may find leisure to do more, for I wish our countrymen to under- stand this subject.* It becomes us as Americans, devoted to our coun- try's glory, not to slumber over the wrongs of a nation within our power. This people does not approach us de- nouncing vengeance; they do not, like the ferocious spirits we would repre- sent them, avoid lingering extermina- tion as exiles in the desert, by spring- ing up in a mass, and inscribing them- selves with a terrible lesson of blood among the illustrious martyrs to in- sulted liberty; but in the patient and meek spirit of Christians they come again, and again, and again, and again, imploring humanity, implormg justice, imploring that we will be hon- est to ourselves. Americans, turn not away from such *Here is a hint that Tayne mado arranfce- ments with certain editors to print his articles. **Paync claimed this original article was signed "Washington." ***This is still standing in a good state of preservation. It was literally a "House of Trag- edies." On Sunday, Nov. S, 183.->. John How- ard Payne and John Ross arrived as prisoners of the Gua^d, and occupieii an outhouse used to quarter troublesome Indians. On Dec. 16, 1836, Major Henj. F. Currey, who had been active against Payne and Ross, died in the house of Vann or at a nearby house. a spectacle; be not deaf to such a l^rayer! (No Signature).** A true copy : Dyer Castor. The wilds of Cherokee Georgia were getting more and more dan- gerous as tlie whites sf|uatted upon the Indian lands. Murders and robberies were things of almf)st every-day occurrence. Spencer Riley, a sort of constable, formerly of Bibb County, then of Cass, had an exciting experience in 1835 with Col. Wm. N. Bishop and the Geor- gia Guard. It seems that Riley had a lottery claim on the Vann house*** near Spring Place, and Bishop sought to dispossess him. The Georgia Journal (Milledge- ville) of Tuesday, Apr. 7, 1835, printed Riley's side of the affair: March 11, 1835. To the Public: There being many erroneous reports concerning the trans- action detailed in the following state- ment, I have deemed it necessary to present to the public a succinct ac- count of the facts. I can not for a moment believe that this flagitious outrage upon the rights of the citi- zen under color of the law and under pretense of executive sanction can be viewed with indifference by my fel- low citizens, or approbated by the Gov- ernor. The facts are these: I became a boarder of Joseph Vann, a Cherokee residing near Spring Place, in Murray County, in October last, and continued to board with him up to the 2d March inst., when the out- rage hereinafter stated took place. On the 23d of February last, Mrs. Vann, in the absence of her husband, received a written notice to quit the possession of the lot, from Wm N. Bishop, one of the agents of the State of Georgia, appointed by the Governor under the law of 1834. This was done without the request of the drawer or any person holding or claiming under him. It was known that one Kinchin W Hargrove, brother to Z. B. Har- grove, had obtained a certificate from Wm N. Bishop with the view of ob- taining the grant from Milledgeville. in consequence of which the grant is- sued some time in February upon his application. This lot on which Joseph Vann lived is an Indian improvement 86 A History of Rome and Floyd County and his right of occupancy is not for- feited by any provision of the laws of Georgia. It is known as Lot No. 224, 9th district and 3d section, and was drawn by a Mr. Turley of Warren; it contains a spacious two-story brick house and many outhouses and is very valuable, particularly as a public stand. It had been returned as a fraudulent draw by Major Bulloch, ■whose scire facias had obtained pref- erence by being first filed. It was also returned by Z. B. Hargrove as informer in a second scire facias. Such was the situation of the lot on the 2d of March, when W. N, Bishop, as agent and acting under the state's authority, summoned some 20 men and placed in their hands the muskets confided to him by the Gov- ernor for another purpose, and fur- nished them with ammunition, came over to Mr. Vann's at the head of his guard, resolved to clear the house and put his brother, Absalom Bishop, in possession, who afterwards opened a public house. Some articles of Mr. Vann were allowed to remain in the house and he was permitted to occupy at sufferance a small room. I occu- pied a room on the second floor at the head of the stairs. This armed force was accompanied by one Kinchin W. Hargrove, a sort of deputy to Bishop. When they approached the house, I inquired of W. N. Bishop what all of this meant, and stated to him that he had given Mrs. Vann until Saturday, the 7th, in which to move. He replied that Joshua Holden was the agent. This man Holden is notorious in the upper part of the state for his vices and subservience to Bishop. Upon receiving this re- ply from W. N. Bishop, I inquired of Holden if he was the agent for the drawer. He replied, "No, I am agent for Mr. Hargrove, and have a power of attorney from him." Mr. Hargi'ove did not claim to have any right or title to the lot as derived from or through the drawer. Con- vinced as I was that this was all a trick to get Vann out of the house, and to put him out unlawfully and fraudulently, in order to get posses- sion for Absalom Bishop, I demanded of W. N. Bishop to see the plat and grant and his authority for thus act- ing. He stated that Holden was seek- ing possession, but exhibited no au- thority, and there was no agent of the drawer or person claiming under him seeking possession. W. N. Bishop rushed into the house with his guard and commanded them to present arms. Having some things in the room I occupied, I went up to take care of them. I heard Bishop demand possession of Vann, who an- swered that he considered himself out of possession from the Monday previous. "Where is that damned rascal Riley?" inquired Bishop. The reply was, "He is in his room." By this time I had got to the head of the stairs* and called out to Bishop that there was no use for any violent meas- ures or for bloodshed, for if he would acknowledge he had taken forcible possession from me, he could throw my things out of doors. His reply was, "Hear that damned rascal; pre- sent arms and march upstairs, and the first man that gets a glimpse of him, shoot him down." Upon hearing these orders given to his guard, I thought it high time to defend myself as best I could, and exclaimed, "The first man that advances to obey Bishop's orders I will kill!" One man named Winters, an itiner- ant carpenter, advanced upstairs with a loaded musket, and his valiant com- mander behind him. As soon as they saw me they fired upon me and fell back ; I then fired, too. Their shot slightly wounded me in my hand and arms, and immediately after, ten or twelve muskets were fired at me, but being protected by the stairs, the shots did not take effect. I being out of sight, they aimed at the spot where they supposed I was and shot the ban- isters to pieces. I then presented a gun in sight to deter their further ap- proach, and prevent if possible the ac- complishment of their murderous de- sign. Then a rifle was fired by Ab- salom Bishop; the ball struck my gun and split, one part of it striking me glancingly on my forehead just above my right eye, and fragments of it wounding me on several other places on my face. I desired them to bear witness to who shot that rifle, for I had been severely wounded. Wm. N. Bishop called out tauntingly, "The State of Georgia shot the guns!" After I was thus wounded and bleed- ing freely, I opened the door of the room and called out to them that I was severely wounded, and they could come and take my arms. As soon as I showed myself, several more mus- kets were fired on me. One shot struck me on the left cheek, another wound- ed me severely on the head and one *A curious, winding architectural contraption with no visible support. Aftermath of the Payne-Ross Affair 87 went through the dooi' over my head. During this extraordinary outrage, W. N. Bishop was heard frequently exclaiming, "Kill the damned rascal ; we've got no use for nullifiers in this country!" and K. W. Hargrove also often exclaimed I should come down dead or alive. W. N. Bishop procured a flaming firebrand and threw it upon the platform of the stairs, exclaiming that he would burn him out or burn him up. After the fire had made some progress, and probably recollecting that if the house was destroyed, Absalom Bishop would have no house to occupy, Vann was requested to go up and extinguish the fire. Being much debilitated by the loss of blood, I laid down on the bed. They soon after entered my room and seized my desk and papers as if I had been a malefactor. I desired them to per- mit me to put up my papers in my secretary and to lock it. Hargi'ove replied, "Let him put what he pleases in the desk, but don't let him take anything out." I had $10 in money in the desk. After I had locked it, they took the keys from me and the desk also, under the pretext that they would secure the costs. The money I never saw afterwards. Just before the close of the con- flict, Hargrove called out to me and asked if I did not know that there was an officer who had a warrant against me. I answered, no, but if such were the case I would submit to the laws of my country and surrender to the sheriff. Bishop then abused the sheriff and cursed him. In a short time the sheriff, Col. Humphreys, came, and I was asked to show my- self, which I no sooner did than sev- eral muskets were levelled and fired at me, but happily without much injury. It afterward appeared that in order to give their conduct the semblance of law, they had procured this tool of Bishop, Holden, to make an affidavit to procure a warrant for forcible en- try and detainer. Both affidavit and warrant, upon being produced, proved to be in the handwriting of Z. B. Har- grove, and dated first in February, but that month was stricken and 2nd March inserted. It is believed that this notable proceeding was planned in Cassville, 4.5 miles oft', and given to Kinchin W. Hargrove when he went up to Spring Place. After my surrender to the sheriff, *SprinB Bank, the country estate of Rev. Chas. Wallace Howard. I was taken out of his custody, con- veyed before a magistrate, also under the control of Bishop, charged with an assault with intent to murder, and immediately ordered off in my wound- ed condition, 45 miles, in a severe snow storm under a strong guard, my wounds undressed, and filched of the little change I had in my pockets, and lodged in the Cassville jail in the dungeon. The guard received their or- ders from Bishop and Hargrove not to allow me to have any intercourse with my friends, and so rigidly were these orders observed that when I ar- rived at Major Howard's" in the neigh- borhood of my family and desired him to inform them of my situation, and not to be alarmed, the guard threat- ened to use their bayonets if I did not proceed. Bishop even designated the houses at which we were to stop on our way. I was placed in a dungeon until my friends at Cassville, hearing of my situation, relieved me on bail. The foregoing statement can be at- tested by many respectable witnesses, and is substantially correct. The transaction has created a great sen- sation in Murray County, and must have received the unqualified condem- nation of every law-abiding citizen. SPENCER RILEY. In the same issue The Journal commented editorially : We had flattered ourselves that the State had drained the cup of humili- ation to the dregs and had suffered all it could suffer from violence, fraud, proscription and misgovernment. But unhappily we were mistaken ; low Jis we had sunken, we find that there is a point still lower. The letter of Spencer Riley, Esq., in this paper dis- plays a state of things in a part of the country where the dominant fac- tion has had full sway that is abso- lutely appalling. We have personally known Mr. Riley twelve years as a freeholder and citizen, as deputy sheriff and high sheriff of Bibb County, where they have had no officer we know of whose l)ublic services were more generally approved. Since then, we understand, he has held a commission of the peace in Cass County, and his word, we think, will hardly be doubted by any to whom he is known. His statement presents a picture at which the most careless and the most thoughtless man must pause. It is one of the consc- (luenecs of subverting the judicial au- thority throughout one whole circuit in a new country. 88 A History of Rome and Floyd County Finally the toe hold of the Indian bei?an to s^ive way. For a decade the Indian^s had been going west in small detachments, under the dip- lomatic urge of the Ck)vernment. At the slow rate of moving, it was cal- culated that half a century would be required to be rid of them all. In 1829, the old records show, quite a number of Indians enrolled with the Government agents to go west, received their bounty and then failed to go, thinking, perhaps, that they might successfully pass around the hat again. Many of these Indians appeared in 1835 at the council at Running Waters and voted for the annuity measure proposed by John Ross. But the patience of Federal and State authorities was threadbare. If the Indians would emigrate peaceably, all well and good ; if they balked, bayonets would move them. The white man's necessity under the program of civic and DANIEL ROSS, Scotch father of John Ross. He died in DeSoto (Rome) and was there buried. commercial progress was the red man's misfortune. Gen. Winfield Scott, of the United States army, was selected to gather the Indians in stockades. Under the pressure from Gov. Lumi)kin, Alajor Currey, Mr. Schermerhorn and others, 2,000 of the Indians prepared to depart by Jan. 1, 1837; but the death of Ma- jor Currey, Dec. 16, 1836, at Spring Place, set the movement back se- riously. Hence the general round- up did not get under way until May 24, 1838. Numerous Indians submitted without protest ; many others se- creted themselves in the mountains and in caves, and were vigorously hunted out. A few resisted and shot or were shot ; some commit- ted suicide rather than leave the lands they had learned to love and the sacred bones of their departed ancestors. 'i'he Rev. George White tells as follow^s of the removal in his His- torical Collections of Georgia (ps. 152-3) and incidentally, defends the troopers who had this unpleasant duty to perform : Gen. Scott called upon the Governoi' of Georg-ia for two regiments, to which call there was an immediate response. On Friday, the 18th of May, 1838, a sufficiency of troops had arrived at New Echota, the place of rendezvous, to organize a regiment and warrant the election of officers. On the morn- ing of the 24th of May, the regiment took up the line of march for the purpose of collecting the Indians, Five companies, viz. — Capt. Stell's, Dan- iel's, Bowman's, Hamilton's, Ellis' were destined to Sixes Town, in Cher- okee County; two companies, Capt. Story's and Capt. Campbell's to Rome; Capt. Vincent's to Cedartown; two companies, Capt. Horton's and Capt. Brewster's, to Fort Gilmer. The collecting of the Indians con- tinued until the 3rd of June, 1838, when they started for Ross' Landing, on the 'Tennessee River, numbering about 1,560, under the immediate command of Capt. Stell. They arrived at Ross' Landing at 10 o'clock, the 10th of June. The Georgia troops re- Aftermath of the Payne-Ross Affair 89 turned, and were afterwards regu- larly dismissed from the service of the United States. Both regiments were commanded by Gen. Chas. Floyd.* In small detachments, the army be- gan its operations, making prisoners of one family after another, and gath- ering them into camps. No one has ever complained of the manner in which the work was performed.** Through the good disposition of the army and the provident arrangements of its commander, less injury was done by accidents or mistakes than could reasonably have been expected. By the end of June, nearly the whole nation was gathered into camps, and some thousands commenced their march for the West, the heat of the season preventing any further emigra- tion until September, when 14,000 were on their march. The journey of 600 or 700 miles was performed in four or five months. The best ar- rangements were made for their com- fort, but from the time — May 24 — v/hen their removal commenced, to the time when the last company completed its journey, more than 4,000 persons sank under their sufferings and died. A tragic sequel followed the re- moval and the stirring events pre- ceding it. The anti-treaty or Ross party of Indians did not bury in the red hills of Georgia with the hallowed dust of their ancestors the resentment they felt toward the men who had signed away their lands. A band of several hundred Indians took a secret oath to kill Major Ridge and his clan brother (nephew by blood) Elias Lioudinot,*** and John Ridge, his son. They bided their time, and June 22, 1839, killed all three. Major Ridge was wa}'laid on the road 40 or 50 miles from home, and shot. His son was taken from his bed early in the morning and near- ly cut to pieces with km'ves. Air. Botidinot was decoyed away from a house he liad ])een erecting a short distance from liis residence, *The father of Gen. .lohn Floyd, for whom Floyd county was named. **Numerous complaints are of record today. The route has been called "The Trail of Tear^.'" ***A native of Floyd county. ****Stand Watie lived at Coosawattie Town, and later near Rome. *****Assuminf; that Ridge was born in 1771, as usually stated, he would have been 68. and then set upon with knives and hatchets. One version lias it that Boudinot was a sort of doctor, and that several Indians came to him in a friendly way and asked him to get some medicine for a sick com- rade. Thrown off his guard, he A\'as an easy prey. Mrs. Mabel Washbourne Ander- son, of Pryor, Okla., daughter of John Rollin Ridge, grand-daughter of John Ridge and great-grand- daughter of Major Rulge, tells on ps. 11-12 of her Life of General Stand Watie**** of this shocking tragedy : A demon spell now enveloped the Cherokee country, as is ever the case when feuds and factions arise within a nation. The members of the former Treaty party, headed by Ridge and Boudinot, were called traitors by the Ross party, and this continued "accu- sation became the platform of strife and bloodshed, turbulence and suffer- ing for a newly-divided people in a new land. Had bitterness and disa- greement been forgotten and a united effort made toward rebuilding the broken fortunes of a broken people the cruel history from 1838 to 1846 might never have been written. If history had preserved for us a record of the ''Secret Council" of the anti-Treaty party, said to have been held at Double Springs, near Tahl.equah, in the spring of 1839, much that will forever be a question to the searcher for truth would be re- vealed. Passing hastily over this black page of Cherokee history, so closely allied with the life of Gen. Watie, it must be mentioned that secret police forces of 100 men each soon after this coun- cil were organized by the Ross party, with a commander for each company, whose purpose was to extinguish the leading men of the Ridge i)arty. And the pages of Cherokee history will for- ever be shadowed by the atrocious tragedy that took place in the assassi- nation in one night of Major Ridg", an aged man of 75;***** his son, John Ridge, and Elias Boudinot, three of the most powerful and inlluential men of the Treaty party. The murders of these three men, which took place within a few hours of each other, were most systematically carried out, though tliey were widely separated at the time. John Ridge was slain on 90 A History of Rome and Floyd County Honey Creek, Cherokee Nation, near the Missouri line; Major Ridge was slain in the Cherokee Nation near Cin- cinnati, Ark.; and p]lias Boudinot near Park Hill, Cherokee Nation. This opened an international wound of sorrow and bloodshed for the Cher- okee people, extending over a terrible, dark period of eight or ten years, and whose influence lasted for decades upon this nation. Stand Watie, Jack Bell and Walter Adair were slated to die at this same time, but were absent from home the night these foul mur- ders were committed. Thereafter they were constantly on scout and guard against some hidden plot to take their lives. A short time after this horrible event. Stand Watie organized a mili- tai'y force, stationed at Beattie's Prairie, to oppose the Ross police force. Despite opposition and oppression, Watie became after the assassination of his kinsmen the most influential man and the conceded leader of the Ridge party. Among the incidents current among his people today of the bravery of Stand Watie is one con- nected with this terrible tragedy. When his brother, Elias Boudinot, lay dead in the midst of his foes, Watie silently rode up unarmed. The crowd of his enemies suddenly drew back, making way for this grim horseman. Removing the sheet that covered the face of his murdered brother, he looked down long and earnestly upon the still features. Then turning to the crowd, he said in a voice that each could hear, "I will give $10,000 to know the name of the man who struck that blow!" All who knew Stand Watie were aware of his ability to pay this lee- ward, but not one in that guilty crowd answered him, and he rode away as fearlessly as he had oome, though there were fully 100 men in that same company who had sworn to take his life the night before. Thos. Watie and James Starr were killed by the Ross party in 1845, but the old tradition among the full-blood- ed Indians that "No weapon was ever made to kill Stand Watie," seemed verily to fulfil itself, and he success- fully passed through the dangerous and trying years from 1838 to 1846. A PAYNE MEMORIAL.— A patri- otic service was performed Saturday morning, Oct. 7, 1922, by the Old Guard of Atlanta in the unveiling of a hand- some marble tablet at Spring Place to John Howard Payne. The exercises had been planned for Friday, Oct. 6, but bad roads delayed the party, trav- eling in automobiles, and it was neces- sary to postpone the aff'air a day. The speaker of the occasion was Col. Geo. M. Napier, attorney general of Geor- gia and a member of the Guard. He was introduced by Jos. A. McCord, commandant of the Guard and Gov- ernor of the Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta. Prof. Ernest Neal, school superintendent at Chatsworth, Murray County, recited his poem, "The Rivers of Cherokee Georgia;" the poem will be found in the poetry section herein. The Payne tablet stands within 200 yards of the Vann house, at a con- spicuous road crossing where it will be beheld by thousands of tourists yearly. It is of rough gray Elbert County granite, mined at a place near which Payne journeyed in 1835 on horseback from Augusta to inspect the natural wonders of Northeast Georgia. It is sunk deep in concrete, and a concrete platform six feet in radius surrounds it. The inscrption follows : "John Howard Payne, author of 'Home, Sweet Home,' suspected as a spy of the Cherokee Indians, was im- prisoned here in 1835, but released. Erected by Old Guard of Atlanta, Oct. G, 1922; Jos. A. McCord, command- ant." The Old Guardsmen were the guests of Mr. McCord at his apple orchard twelve miles to the north. Prominent in their entertainment was the Gov- ernor John Milledge Chapter of the D. A. R., of Dalton, and Dr. T. W. Colvard, at whose estate they enjoyed a barbecue. Prior to the exercises they inspected the home of Jos. Vann, the Indian chief, near which, in a log hut, Payne was incarcerated. It is said this hut now stands in the park at Chatsworth, near the L. & N. railroad station, having been removed from Spring Place. Other Old Guard members who at- tended were Robt. A. Broyles, Ossian D. Gorman, Jr., Sam Meyer, Jr., H. M. Lokey, G. A. Wight, W. E. Han- cock, Dr. L. P. Baker, Henry C. Beer- man, Fred J. Cooledge, E. H. Good- hart, W. M. Camp, Peter F. Clarke, W. S. Coleman, W. B. Cummings, Dr. Thos. H. Hancock, W. T. Kuhns, Ed- mund W. Martin, M. L. Thrower, Jas. T. Wright, A. McD. Wilson, G. G. Yancey, Jr., and Walter Bennett. Others included Jos. A. McCord, Jr., Walter Sparks, and J. A. Hall, of De- catur, formerly of Calhoun, an author- ity on Indian lore. CHAPTER V. Growth From Village to Town O NCE the Indians were out of the way and their lands thrown open to the white settlers, Rome and Floyd County began to grow with a vim. As early as 1837, according to a report from Capt. J. P. Simonton, disbursing agent of the Cherokee Removal, sent from New Echota to the Commissioner of Indian Af- fairs, and dated Sept. 27, 1837, Col. Wm. C. Hardin was president of the Western Bank of Georgia, of Rome.* Col. Hardin and Andrew Miller, agent of the Bank of Geor- gia, of Augusta, loaned the Govern- ment $25,000, transmitted through the Rome bank, toward the re- moval of the Cherokees. The Western was undoubtedly the first bank in Rome, and Col. Hardin its first president. It was located at the southwest corner of Fifth Avenue and East First Street. An old $10 bank note shows that William Smith was president on July 13, 1840, with R. A. Greene as cashier. Zachariah B. Hargrove had been connected with it prior to his death in 1839. The Bank of the Empire State, which also got into financial difficulties and was forced to suspend, was organized much later. In 1851 the Rome Weekly Courier expressed the hope that a bank would soon be formed at Rome. The first inn was kept by Wil- liam Quinn at "Cross Keys," as the local neighborhood at the pres- ent "Five Points." North Broad Street, was then known. A Mrs. Washington, descended from *Report of Secretary of W^r on Cherokee Treaty (1835), p. 995. **Destroyefl in 1864 by soldiers of the Union Army, accordintr to the late Mrs. Robt. Battey. No reason can be assigned for the destruction of this property except that Ross was in bad odor with the United States Government at the time. George, kept the Washington Ho- tel. The McEntee House was in operation in 1845 when Rev. and Mrs. J. M. M. Caldwell stopped over in Rome on their way to Sel- ma, Ala., where Dr. Caldwell had been ofifered the pastorate of the First Presbyterian church. James McEntee, the proprietor, and oth- ers persuaded the newdy-married couple to remain in Rome, and they taught one of the first schools of any pretensions in a part of their dwelling, the old John Ross House,** in which they had been temporarily settled by the owner. Col. Alfred Shorter. Aftei* as- suming charge of the Rome Fe- male College on Eighth Avenue in 1856, they taught on East Second Street. Another early hotel was the Choice House, built l^y John Choice, probably prior to 1850. This was conducted from 1855 to 1857 by Wm. Melton Roberts, father of Frank Stovall Roberts, of Wash- ington, D. C. It was located where the Hotel Forrest now stands. For several years around 1857 it had six colonial columns of white in front. The Ijuena Vista, at the south- cast ct)rner of Broad Street and vSixth Avenue, was built in 1843 b}' an Irishman named Thos. Burke, who soon got into a serious diffi- culty and turned the property over to Daniel R. Mitchell as a fee for re|)resenting liim. .\l)out 1850 Will. Kctcham was pr(iprietor of the Ivtowah 1 louse, scjutheast corner of I'.ro.iil Street and Second Avenue, and in 1863 the pi"oprit.lor was (icn. Geo. S. r.lack. The Tennessee llouse was start- ed at the end of the Civil War 1)V 92 A History of Rome and Floyd County Jas. A. Stansbury. It stood at the northeast corner of Broad Street and First Avenue, and later be- came the Rome Hotel. The first newspaper, according to The Weekly Bulletin of Thurs- day, Jan. 8, 1876, was the Western Georgian, published by Gen. Jas. Hemphill and Samuel S. Jack.* It was started in 1837, and Mr. Jack was the first editor. The location was at 602 East First Street, wdiere a hand ])rcss was installed. This was (Ml tlic s])()t where Mrs. Naomi P. Bale now lives. Pisgah Baptist church at Coosa is the oldest religious institution of its kind in the county. It was organized in the spring of 1833 by Rev. Hugh Quin and associates. The First Presbyterian of Rome was founded at Livingston Oct. 29, 1833, and removed to Rome Apr. 17, 1845, by Rev. J. M. M. Caldwell. The First Baptist is the oldest REV. J. M. M. CALDWELL, Presbyterian minister and for about 40 years teacher of young women at Rome. church in Rome, having been founded May 16, 1835.** The First Methodist was organ- ized at Rome in 1840 by Mrs. Sam- uel S. Jack, Mrs. James Hammet. Mrs. Daniel R. Mitchell, Mrs' Jesse Lamberth, Mrs. Samuel Stewart and Miss Ernily McDow. The location was the southwest corner of Sixth Avenue and E. Sec- ond Street. The circuit of which Rome was an appointment in 1836 extended from Knoxville, Tenn., to the Chattahoochee River, and Rev. J. B. McFerrin, of Tennessee, stood every four months on a stump at Fifth Avenue and W^est First Street (now the courthouse property) and preached to mixed crowds of In- dians, negroes and wdiites.*** On one of these occasions Dr. McFer- rin converted John Ross, wdio thereafter spread the doctrines of Methodism among his tribes- men.**** It is considered w^orthy of note in this connection that Sam P. Jones, the Methodist evan- gelist, went to preaching 40 years later four blocks from this spot and two blocks from the Fourth W^ard home of Ross. St. Peter's Episcopal church was first located at Fifth Avenue and E. First Street, and w^as establish- ed Mar. 31, 1854, by Rev. Thos. Fielding Scott, of INIarietta, and associates. The First Christian church was organized Feb. 13, 1896. Sardis Presbyterian church at Livingston and churches in Ridge Valley and Vann's Valley (such as the Baptist, the Methodist and the Episcopal at Cave Spring) and at *Mrs. Naomi P. Bale states that Mr. Jack's daughter, Amanda (the first white child born in Rome), said it was the Rome Enterprise. .J. O. Winfrey calls it the Northwest Georgian, and says Miles Corbin was associated with Mr. Jack. Mr. .Jack's father was a soldier in the American Revolution. **According to Acts, 1S37, p. 48, the trustees of the corporation on Dec. 25, 1837, were Wes- ley Shropshire, Elijah Lumpkin, Jobe Rogers, Thos. W. Burton and Alford B. Reece. ***Directory, First Methodist Church, His- torical sketch by Mrs. Naomi P. Bale, 1918. ****Authority : Belle K. Abbott in The At- lanta Constitution, 1S89. Growth from Village to Town 93 Armiichee, Chulio, Everett Springs and the other pioneer districts o-f the county are also very old. Some folks say Sardis Presbyterian is older tlian Pisgah Baj)tist ; others say it ain't. The Episcopal church at Cave Spring", by the way, was built through the generosity of Francis S. Bartow and his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Theodosius Bartow, of Sa- vannah, who maintained a summer home there a number of years be- fore 1860. The land for this church was given by Maj. Armistead Rich- ardson. The Baptist church of Cave Spring stands on the Hearn Acad- emy campus. The brick it contains, still in a fine state of preservation, were made of Floyd County clay by the slaves of Alaj. Armistead Richardson, Alexander Thornton Harper and Carter W. Sparks. The Prospect Baptist church, near Coosa, was foundefl in 1856. Undoubtedly the oldest religious agency in the county (now only a memory) was the mission at Coo- sa (then known as Missionary Station). This was established in 1821 by Rev. Elijah Butler and his wife, Esther Butler, of the North, who were succeeded in the work by Rev. Hugh Ouin, about 1827. Such business e.staljlishmcnls as might be expected in a growing town sprang up between 1834 and 1861. Cluit' road. Practically all these roads of the present were originally Indian trails, notably the Alabama road, which was the old Creek path from MRS. J. M. M. CALDWELL, of the old Rome Female CoIIokc, who taught Mrs. Woodrow Wilson and many others. 94 A History of Rome and Floyd County Alabama through northwest Geor- gia. These stages were joggling, rickety affairs, pulled by four horses. As we view it now, it was worth a man's life to undertake a long journey, but somehow they always reached their destination and the trouble of getting there was forgotten in a delightfully long sta}'. Mail was carried in pouches and the stage driver was res])onsil)le for its safe delivery. To facilitate this object, the driver usually went armed, and was sel- dom molested. Among the early drivers and proprietors might be mentioned John H. Wisdom, who in 1863 warned Romans of the approach of Col. Streight's raid- ers, and Esom Graves Logan, J. R. I'owell, Jos. H. Sergeant and other old timers. Connections were made by stage with more remote points, such as Athens, Covington, Milledgeville, Macon and Augusta. Atlanta did not appear until Dec. 23, 1843, when it was incorporated as Terminus.* Her name was changed to Marthas- ville, and then by an act approved Dec. 29, 1847, it became Atlanta.** Nine years before a village sprang u]) on the site of Atlanta, Romans had had a vision of a "terminus" on their own jmrticular spot. Rome was the frontier outpost of Chero- kee Georgia, as far as the rest of the state was concerned. It was the connecting link between "Old Georgia" and "Old Tennessee," the clearing house for the cotton, corn, wheat and produce of the rich Coo- sa Valley and the northeastern Alabama towns. Rome's strategic position was ])erhaps l)cst realized jjy William Smith, who in 1836 was elected to the State Senate with the idea that he might have a bill ]xissed at Mil- ledgeville which would cause the proposed State Railroad io stop at Rome instead of at some ])oint in Tennessee, which later became Chattanooga. The people were not ready for such a radical step, how- ever. The Steamboat Coosa had ccMne all the way up from Greens- port, Ala., had given the natives a good fright, and this was enough of transportation improvements for a long time. When Col. Smith of- fered for re-election, he was de- feated by James Wells. Col. Smith bided his time, unloosed a new sup- ply of political thunder and defeat- ed Mr. Wells in 1838. Success still did not come, and in 1839 he was defeated by Jos. Watters, who served two years and then was defeated by Col. Smith in 1841. For tliree years, through 1843, Col. Smith pushed this project and oth- ers. He was given strong assur- ance that Rome would be made the terminus of the road, which would certainly have caused the place to boom like a mining town of the far West. vSuch a strong fight was made by Col. Smith dur- ing these years that an association of citizens at Chattanooga invited him to come there to live in a hand- some home that would cost him nothing. He was too strongly com- mitted to the place of his adoption, and continued the fight for Rome. When success seemed certain. Col. Smith and another founder of the town, Maj. Philip W. Hemp- hill, built a steamboat in anticipa- tion of the tremendous trade that would be created. The hull of the boat was made by William Adkms, father of Wm. H. Adkins, of At- lanta, formerly of Rome. It was eased into the Oostanaula with ap- propriate ceremonies and her flag raised, bearing the name of ^er projector, William Smith. The iv.a- chinery was not installed for a time, possil)ly due to a delay in delivery, or the desire of the ovvn- *Acts, 1843, p. S3. **Acts, 1847, p. .50. It was by this act that Rome advanced from the status of town to that of city, and the city limits were extended to include all territory in a radius of half a mile from the courthouse. Growth from Village to Town 95 ers to see the l)ill pass before they should increase their investment. Something- went wrong at Mil- ledgeville. The Whiteside interests at Chattanooga, augmented by a faction in Georgia who thought better of the Chattanooga termi- nus, proved too strong for the Cherokee Georgia contingent. Tb.e bill as passed included Chattatioo-- ga. Rome was to be isolated to some extent ; the road was to pass 16 miles away, through Cass Coun- ty, from Marthasville northwest- ward. Col. Smith smiled his acquies- cense, but there was no estimating his disappointment. One night the William Smith sank, at the point wiiere tlie Central of Georgia tres- tle crosses the Oostanaula. Prat- tling tongues said Col. Smith bored holes in her bottom. He would never talk about it much, l)e- } ond saying that the action of the Legislature had greatly crippled Rome. He did not try to raise the boat, and up to 25 years ago her muddy hull could still l)e seen at "low tide." In these days of slave labor, lim- ited transportation facilities, heavy crops and lack of industrialism, the thoughts of the upper classes naturally turned to politics. The newspapers printed four pages of six columns each once or twice a week. The advertisements were usually small and the other space must be filled up. When people married, they remained married, and a divorce was a rarity and con- sidered a disgrace. There were a good many fights witli knives in grog shops, and an occasional duel, but news-gathering facilities had not ])een developed, and the papers were consequently filled with "views." Every editor was a savior of the countr}', and spread-eagle literary efiforts readily found their way into the newspapers from ])()li- ticians or statesmen. Presidential and Gul)ernatorial messages were DR. ELIJAH L. CONNALLY, Atlantan, Floyd County native, who as a baby was nursed by Indian Chiefs Tahchansee and Turkey. printed in full and were considered choice morsels for the head of the house. Greer's Almanac furnished weather predictions for everybody. Politics often consumed a page or two, and communications on topics that toda}- are of nnich less consequence often ran into two or three columns. As for the women, tliey religiotisly read "("lodey's La- dies' IU)ok," an eastern ])ul)lica- tion which met needs like tlie La- dies' Home Journal of today. It is not necessarily a reflection on Rome that in the lirst 26 years of her existence, Irmn 1834 to 1860, she elected more men to Congress than has the Rome ot the S7 years from 1865 to 1922. .V new country always develops rugged leadership and the fearless expression of opin- ion that goes with a daily light for existence, in this i-arly ])eriod l^ome sent fonr men ti> Congress. They were, in order, judge John It. Lum]:)kin, who had ]>reviously served his nncle, (lox'ernur Wilson 96 A History of Rome and Floyd County Lumpkin, as secretary, and had gone to the legislature in 1835; Thos. C. llackett. judge Lump- kin's law partner, ^vho succeeded him; Judge Augustus R. Wright, who had removed to Rome in 1855 ; and Judge ju". W. M. Underwood who was a member of the Georgia delegation which walked out of Congress early in 1861 without taking the pains to resign. Only two men living in Rome at the time of their election have since been sent to Congress — Judson C. Clem- ents and Judge Jno. W. Maddox. Judge Lumpkin came near put- ting Rome on the map as the resi- dence of the Governor of Georgia ; that is, assuming he could have h.een elected over the eloquent and ])olished Benjamin H. Hill. Also, it is likely he would have been the War (governor. On June 24, 1857, the Democrats met at INlilledge- ville to nominate a candidate to oppose the new American or Know- Nothing part}-. Lumpkin led the balloting for some time, but he could not get the necessary two- thirds, and in a stampede, the nom- ination went to Jos. E. Brown. Alfred IT. Col(|uitt, later Governor, also missed it narrowdy. In the election held later, Brown defeated Hill, the American party nominee, by about 10,000 popular votes. This convention attracted the leading men of the state, and Rome's re])resentatives were Judge Augustus R. Wright, who on one ballot received five votes ; Judge Jno. W. H. I'nderwddd and Daniel S. Printup. At all such gatherings Rome was prominently ]nit for- w^ard. Her leading men went to the national conventions on an equal footing with tlie large cities of the state; and on numerous occasions Governors, Senators and Congress- men came to Rome to seek the ad- vice of these noble Romans. Among the Governors were Chas. J. Mc- Donald, Llerschel V. Johnson and Jos. E. Brown. When judge Lump- kin died in the summer of 1860 at the Choice House, he was in com- pany with a group of statesmen. Quite often the Romans suited the convenience of their political friends ; quite often also they wrote a note saying, "Come up and let us talk it over." The Choice House veranda was a capital place for these gatherings, but occasionally a dignitary accepted an invitation to a private fireside and was treated t(^ social courtesies which had nothing to do with ])olitics. A contemporary writer said of Rome's "quartette" and Dr. H. V. M. Miller, United States Senator elected in 1868 while residing in Atlanta : John H. Lumpkin was the candidate of North Georgia, which section vig- orouf.ly claimed the right to have the Governor. Lumpkin had been a con- gresFman and a judge of the Superior Court and was a gentleman of excel- lent ability. Dr. Miller, though a physician, won the soubriquet of "The IDemosthe- nes of the Mountains" in his innumera- ble political encounters, for which he had the same passion that the Irish- man is popularly believed to have for a "free fight." Deeply versed in con- stitutional law and political lore, a reasoner of rare power and as fine an orator as we have ever had in Geor- gia, capable of burning declamation and closely-knit argument, he was the peer on the stump of any of the great political speakers of the last half- century in Georgia. Unfortunately for him, he had two perilous peculiarities — a biting sar- casm that delighted in exhibition of its crushing power, and that spared neither friend nor foe, and a contempt- uous and incurable disregard of party affiliations. He never in his life worked in harmony with any party or swallowed whole any single party platform. And no man ever had more stubborn independence and self-asser- tion.* Judge Wright, of Eome, was one of the brightest thinkers and most spark- ling orators we had, but an embodied independent."* Judge Underwood was a racy talker, ♦History of Georgia, 1850-1881, by I. W. Avery, p. 40. **Ibid, p. 33. l^!>'^MSk^^ LITTLF, TEXAS^VALLEY— by Lillian Page C.ulrer Growth from Village to Town 99 a fluent, eff^ective speaker and a ^ood lawyer, with a portly, fine presence and manner; he would have made a far more commanding figure in Geor- gia politics, even, than he has with the possession of a greater quota of stability.* An evidence of the manner in which Romans kept pace with the poHtical trend is furnished in the following letter, dated at Rome, Jan. 18, 1854, from Judge Lump- kin to Howell Cobb :** Dear Cobb: — I was with McDon- ald*** a good deal while he was here, and he was in fine health and most excellent spirits. In fact, I have never seen him when he was on bet- ter terms with himself and the most of the world. He has not much fancy for our friend. Col. Underwood, and I think he has not a great deal of re- spect for Dr. Singleton. I had no con- versation with him in regard to the position of United States Senator, nor did he give me any intimation that he expected to go into Mr. Pierce's cabinet. But William Fort, of this place, a nephew of Dr. Fort, and who is the intimate friend and supporter of Gov. McDonald, informs me that Jefferson Davis is in correspondence with Mc- Donald, and that McDonald informed him confidentially that he would go to Milledgeville immediately this week, and if he could conti-ol some three or four of his friends and induce them to go into your support for United States Senator, that he would then tender back to the party the nomina- tion and go in publicly for your elec- tion; and if this was successful, he had no doubt of your election to the United States Senate,**** and that he would be appointed Secretary of War in the place of Jefferson Davis, would would also go into the Senate from the State of Mississippi. He further informed me that Brown was an applicant for the Senate from Mis- sissippi, and that this difficulty would have to be accommodated by provid- ing for Brown in some other way. I feel confident that this arrangement will be carried out, and if so, the i)arty *Avery's History of Gcortria, p. ^2. **Georgia Historical Quarterly, .June, 1922, ps. 148-9. ***Chas. J. McDonald, Governor from ls:V.) to 1843. ****The election was held .Jan. 23, 18.54. Wm. C. Dawson, Whig incumbent, McDonald and Cobb were lieaten by a Southern Ritjhts Democrat, Alfred Iverson. of Columbus. *****GeorKia's Landmarks, Memorials and Legends, Vol. IL i>. 1.5. in Georgia will be once more thor- oughly united and cemented. Locally, politics was active, but it was not confined to local offices or questions. The newspaper ed- itors saw to it that their readers were well posted on national mat- ters and characters. To inspire Georgians and Romans there stood the examples of Wm. H. Craw- ford, United States Senator and minister to France, who might have occupied the Presidential chair except for an unfortunate stroke of paralysis ;***** Howell Cobb, Georgia Governor, speaker of the National House, and Sec- retary of the Treasury; John For- syth, Governor of Georgia, United States Senator and Secretary of State ; Wm. H. Stiles, minister to Austria ; Benj. C. Yancey, minister to Argentine ; John E. VVard, min- ister to China ; Herschel V. John- son, United States Senator' and candidate for vice-president on the ticket of Stephen A. Douglas against AI)raham Lincoln in 1860; and a number of others Avho bore Georgia's banner in the front of the procession. Georgia did not |)lay "second fiddle" to any state or the village of Rome to any city. Few of Rome's early records \vere kept, and apparentl}' no news- paper files before 1850 are in ex- istence. Several copies of the Rome Weekly Courier of 1850-51-52 were made available through the cour- tesy of IT. 11. \\'imi)ee, of South Rome, and from these we get the best view of the political condi- tions up to that time, and looking ahead into the dark days of 1861-5. P.y 1850 wc lind the old Whig party beginning to disintegrate, but its adherents lighting grimly. Tn that year its last President. Mil- lard Fillmore, was inaugurated. Democrats were holding their own ; after iMllniore they elected I'rank- Im I'ierce and James lUichaiian. The Republican party was rising in ])o\\er. The American 1\irty 100 A History of Rome and Floyd County JOSEPH WATTERS, a member of the State Legislature in the forties, for whom the Watters District was named. sprang up at the expense of the Whigs ; they were the "middle of the road" host, or "Know Noth- ings." The States Rights Demo- crats, often called "Fire-Eaters," were a wing of the Democratic jjarty, in the main. The Constitu- tional Unionists were formidable, North and South. Smaller factions likewise existed. An idea of the intense heat issu- ing from the political pot may be gained from the statement that meetings at this time were at- tended ^^y 10,000 to 20,000 people. The slavery and states' rights is- sues were fast coming to a head. Elections held in Georgia showed a large majority of people favora- ble to maintaining the Union. On Oct. 24, 1850, Jos. Watters and Edward W^are received 882 and 809 votes, respectively, and Dr. Alvin Dean 121 votes, in a Floyd County election for two delegates to the state convention Dec. 10, 1850, at Milledgeville. Dr. Dean represent- ed the disunionist element, or "fire-eaters." The vote of the del- egates on secession measures w^as heavily in favor of preserving the status quo. The eyes of the nation were focused on Georgia, and a difi^erent result, it is believed, would have hastened the Civil War by a decade. The following political letters were published in A. M. Eddie- man's Rome Weekly Courier on Thursday morning, Oct. 24, 1850: Hermitage, Floyd County, Ga. Oct. 15, 1850. To Messrs. H. V. M. Miller, Jno. H. Lumpkin and W. T. Price, Union Party Committee: Gentlemen: Your letter of the 10th inst., notifying me that at a very large meeting of the citizens of Floyd County, held in Rome on the 10th, I was unanimously nominated as one of the candidates to represent the coun- ty in the convention which is to as- semble in Milledgeville, Dec. 10, has been received. You enclose a copy of the resolutions adopted by the meet- 3 O P O Ui I O H < H iz; P O Growth from Village to Town 103 ing, expressing its opinion on the pend- ing issues, and calling my attention to them. I have carefully examined the reso- lutions and do approve of them as adopted by the meeting. As such, I accept the nomination received, and should I be elected by the voters of the county, I will oppose any measure leading to a dissolution of the Union. Should Congress at any time exhibit its purpose to war upon our property or withhold our just constitutional rights, I as a Southern man stand ready to vindicate those rights in the Union as long as possible and out of the Union when we are left no other alternative. Respectfully yours, JOSEPH WATTERS. ^Courtesy, Floyd Co., Ga., Oct. 16, 1850. To Messrs. H. V. M. Miller, Jno. H. Lumpkin and W. T. Price, Union Party Committee : Gentlemen : I received your polite note of the 10th inst. yesterday eve- ning, informing me of my unanimous nomination by a large and respectable meeting of the citizens of Floyd Coun- ty as one of the two candidates to represent them at Milledgeville Dec. 10. I consent to represent them if I should be elected. I am requested by your honorable committee to give a pledge to support the resolutions submitted to me for my consideration. I pledge myself to suu- port no measure leading to a violation of the Constitution of the United States or dissolution of the Union. Gentlemen, I have the honor to be your most obedient servant, EDWARD WARE. Editor Kddleman was a staunch Union man himself, and his views were shared by many, as the fol- lowing- editorial item from the same issue of his paper will show : Kivgston Maf or blue eyes; his height is about 5 feet, 6 inches; he is fond of music, is a scientific fiddler; goes about as an agent for gas burners; is an in- cessant talker; is well informed for a man of his age, talks up freely on all subjects. Has letters addressed to him at different points, sometimes Jolm *John Brown ; hanged Dec. 2, 1S59, at Charles- town, Va., for raid on Harper's Ferry. Jenkins, at other times to J. P. Jen- kins, and again to J. W. P. Jenkins. The Whig says he spent some time in Jacksboro, Tenn., and on his return to his home, Brooklyn, N. Y., he wrote a long letter on the subject of slavei-y to a citizen of the former place. We subjoin an extract, and hope a strict watch may be kept for him: "Depend upon it, when Brown* dies, the ghost will haunt many that may gloat upon the sight, or imaginary one of Brown and his party, as they see them dangling on the scaffold paying their desire of revenge! And ere long there will be a howling in their ears, with thunder tones the snappings and crackings of those long-forged chains, until they awake as from a dream at last, in which they shall see their folly in having executed men for their feel- ings of iDcnevolence. "I see that the institution is getting very sick. It has the ague in its worst form in Virginia. It has the consump- tion, and almost a galloping one, in Missouri. So it has in portions of Ken- tucky and many parts of the South. The seeds of discontent are being sowed broadcast, even to the most re- mote regions. Not through the in- fluence of emissaries from the North particularly, but by the force of the power of emigration and civilization." There are too many of these scoun- drels prowling about through the Southern states. Their object is the same as is proclaimed in the "Impend- ing Crisis," and attempted to be car- ried out by John Brown and his con- federates—emancipation of our slaves — attended by murder, arson and all that is terrible and revolting in a ser- vile war. We are no advocates of mob law, but we believe in the first law of nature, and in such instances as these, freciuently our only safety is in sum- mary proceedings. We learn from the Atlanta i)aper9 that last week in that city one of these vile incendiaries, named Newcomb, a clerk in a dry goods house, drank a toast to the health of John Brown, and eulogized his character. He was al- lowed to escape without just punish- ment for his temerity. We are op- posed to rashness and precipitancy in such cases, but when guilt is fully es- tablished, these fellows should hv dealt 114 A History of Rome and Floyd County with in such manner as will cause them to remember the lesson the balance of their days, and enable them to recite it with earnestness and eloquence to such of their friends as may seem in- clined to embark on similar enter- prises. The Impendmg Crisis. — We find the subjoined extract from this notorious book in one of our exchanp,-es. South- erners can infer from it the purpose and character of the work : "So it seems that the total number of actual slave owners, including their entire crew of cringing lick-spittles, against whom we have to contend, is but 347,525. Against the army for the defense and propagation of slavery, we think it will be an easy matter — in- dependent of the negroes, who in nine cases out of ten would be delighted with an opportunity to cut their mas- ters' throats, and without accepting a single recruit from the free states, Eng- land, France or Germany — to mus- ter one at least three times as large and far more respectable, for its utter extinction. We are determined to abol- ish slavery at all hazards — in defiance of all opposition of whatever nature, which it is possible for the slaveocrats to muster against us. Of this they CAPT. MELVILLE DWINELL, native of Ver- mont, bachelor and noted Rome newspaper editor, who gave Henry Grady his first "job." may take due notice, and then govern themselves accordingly." It is nothing more nor less than a declaration of war against the South and her institutions, in which we are warned to "take due notice" that our slaves will be given the opportunity of cutting our throats. And this trea- sonable document is recommended by 68 Northern men, including Congress- men, Governors and clergymen. It is endorsed by leaders of the Black Re- publican party, among them John Sherman, of Ohio, their speaker of the House of Representatives ; Wm. H. Seward.* Senator from New York, says of it: "I have read 'The Impending Crisis' with deep attention. It seems to me a work of information and logical anal- ysis." And Mr. Seward will in all proba- bility be the candidate of his party for the presidency. These facts will do for Southerners to ponder well. The Courier of Jan. 19. 186C, re- prodticed the following from the Montgomer}' Mail as embodying its own sentiments: Somefhivg, Something, Anything! — Now that the state convention of the dominant party has adjourned, the gen- eral hope is that the Legislature will do something — anything — by way of preparing to meet the requirements of the war that is almost upon us. Let no man accuse us of disunion purposes. The question is not, will not be, left to the South for decision. The forces of Abolition intend to leave us no op- tion but to fight for our firesides, or do as cowards do. As they moved at Harper's Ferry, so they are prepar- ing to move all over the South. Plots have already been detected and stifled in Missouri. "Irrepressible Conflict" means the knife at your throat and the torch at your house, reader, and both at the dead of night. Whenever you take up and drive off^ an Abolition- ist fi'om your neighborhood, he goes to the next county, and another takes Ins place. The dead ones cease to act. The following of Jan. 24, 1860. illustrates a habit of traveling salesmen from the North : The Latest Dodge. — The Yankees are never at a loss for expedients. During this "impending crisis" they have se- *Mr. Seward became Lincoln's Secretary of War. As a young man ne taught school a while at Milledgeville. Views and'^Events Leading up to War 115 ■'-r^^.^i.^i^^ :mm. A PAGE DEDICATED TO THE HORSE. as a^'res'^Ht^ o?^h*l°"''' '""Z '''^ "'-/«V«^d predecessor, the ox. might become practically extinct pfctures herewith ^ "?\ "'• '^^ ^^ton^obile and the flying machine, we present these livin/ till in th. H °"r """^'•'"t'"" t° the perpetuation of his fame. No doubt men now on'e^ode one of thos""'""' ""'"' °"* *° *''"'' '*'"''''^" ^"""^ '"''''■ "'^'' '""^ ^^•"^'■'^- "' 116 A History of Rome and Floyd County cured a large amount of Southern cus- tom by sending out their drummers dressed in homespun! The ruse pays, and as drummers are generally expect- ed to be an accommodating set, per- fectly free and perfectly persuasive, they never lose an opportunity to talk humorously conservative, as if the po- litical hubbub now rampant was all a meaningless fudge, and the North and the South are as firmly linked as ever. But yet, when a serious discussion arises they are intensely Southern, and their homespun is proof positive! — Petersburg Express. The Courier of Jan. 26, 1860, ap- prizes us of an attack on "The Im- pending- Crisis" from the floor of tlie House by a Roman :* The following is an extract from the speech of the Hon. John W. H. Under- wood, of Rome, in the House of Rep- resentatives, Washington, on the 16th inst. It places John Sherman's rela- tion to the Helper book in a new and strong light: "Mr. Clerk, when we as- sembled in this hall on the first Mon- day in December last, we found upon the floor of this House 40 members who had 'cordially endorsed' Helper's 'Im- pending Crisis of the South,' a book which proposes arson, murder, rapine, insurrection and servile war. Among the signers of that 'coidial endorse- ment' is the honorable gentleman from Ohio, Mr. Sherman, the candidate of the Black Republican party for speak- er. .. . That man Helper, some months prior to this 'cordial en- dorsement,' was exposed by the honor- able Senator from North Carolina in the Senate, and denounced as a thief, and this was put into the records of Congress; and not only that, this same Helper assaulted a member of this House (Mr. Craige, of North Caro- lina) in his seat, about this same work; and I respectfully submit, the hon- orable gentleman from Ohio was too careless, too unmindful of public events when he endorsed this author's work without knowing the contents of the book. Sir, if ever there was a clear case of criminal negligence, this is the one, if it were a crime to endorse cor- dially that Helper work!" Judg^e Underwood shortly passed throu.g'h Athmta : We find the following in the Atlanta Intelligencer and cheer- fully transfer it to our columns as a merited compliment to our immediate representative and fellow townsman. We commend the concluding paragraph J to the consideration of the Floyd Cav- alry, "quorum ille magna pars," and also to those interested in the organi- zation of the new foot company: "Hon. John W. H. Underwood, the representative of the Fifth Congires- sional District, passed through our city yesterday morning. He was looking in fine plight, and so far as looks are concerned, is an ornament to the Geor- gia delegation in CongTess. But he has mental ability as well as looks. More- over, we find from his conversation that he is fired up with a just sense of the perils impending over the South. He is in favor of arming the South, and advocates on the part of Georgia a preparation to meet the 'irrepressi- ble conflict' which he says must sooner or later come upon us. We cordially respond to his recommendation. Let the State of Geoirgia arm her military forces, encourage volunteer companies, ' provide arms and ammunition, and in times of peace prepare for war. This is what prudence demands. We are for peace as long as we can preserve our rights by adherence to it, but when forbearance ceases to be a virtue, we say let the fight come on. We have no fears of the final result of such a con- flict."— Courier, Feb. 9, 1860. While the polemics of stump and I^rinting- press were raging, the boys were busy currying their mounts and polishing their old squirrel guns : Floyd Cavalry — An Infantry Corps. — The Floyd Cavalry, under command of Capt. W. S. Cothran, paraded in our streets on Saturday. We are glad to see that notwithstanding the dis- couragements this company have met with, they have persevered in their de- termination to succeed. Their ranks were not very full, but we hope the election of Col. Cothran to the cap- taincy will excite additional zeal. We a're rejoiced to learn that an infantry company is about being organized in this place. We call the attention of all the citi- zens interested in the safety of the country to the fact. In the name of patriotism and in view of the exigen- cies of the times we entreat them to render all the aid they can. The spies sent out by the Abolition leaders of the North to pry into the conditions of our military system speak in the most *Since this was launched a week before the Georgia delegation left Congress, quite likely it was Judge Underwood's parting shot. Views and Events Leading up to War 117 contemptuous terms of them. They have doubtless thereby been embolden- ed in their attacks upon our rights. An ample preparation for the worst is the surest way to avert it. Let us not. be behind the rest of the state in the work, but let us place these two com- panies in a position second to none. — Courier, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 1860. Failure to recognize the South as the "white man's country" caused keen embarrassment to a .sojourner in Rome, as told vmder date of Feb. 9, 1860: An Excitement. — An individual who claimed to be a drummer for a New York house arrived here from Mari- etta Tuesday afternoon. He was un- derstood by passengers on the car to utter heretical sentiments on the sub- ject of negro equality; and upon in- formation being given to this effect to some of our citizens, he was waited upon and none too politely requested t(t leave. He seemed to be very earn- estly desirous of complying immediate- ly, but was left by the evening train and compelled to wait over until yes- terday. At one time he was in im- mediate danger of being roughly treated, and was so badly scared that he was heard to express a preference for a climate usually considered much warmer than the tropics. He evidently thought Rome too hot for him! It is a most astonishing thing to us that a Northern man at this juncture will permit an anti-slavery opinion to escape his lips in the South. They must be most stupid folks if they cannot learn under the experience of such teachings as they have had. This incident suggested to the citizens of Rome a mass meeting two days later to pass resolutions outlawing Northern-made goods. The Courier account and its edito- rial comment of Saturday, Feb. 11, 1860, are herewith presented: Non-Interconrse Meeting. — In an- other column we publish the proceed- ings of this meeting held in the City Hall on last Thursday. It is an impor- tant step in the onward march of the South to independence and greatness. Now the question arises, do we intend to abide by these resolu- tions? Or will the persons, compris- ing a large number of our wealthiest and most intelligent citizens, who adopted them with such unanimity, utterly disregard them, as was inti- mated in the meeting, whenever they can save a few dimes by giving the preference in the purchase of thein goods to those merchants who may bring them from the North? If so, the whole affair will be a most absurd fail- ui-e, a ridiculous farce. We have greater confidence in the sincerity and the self-sacrificing patriotism of the people of Floyd County than to enter- tain such a thought for a moment. Citizens' Non»Intercourse Meeting. — Pursuant to a call from a committee made up of W. S. Cothran, J. H. Lump- kin, J. R. Freeman, J. M. Spullock, W. A. Fort, C. H. Smith, J. B. Underwood, F. C. Shropshire, Alfred Shorter, Dr. J. King, T. W. Alexander, Dr. T. J. Word, Thos. G. Watters and J. H. Mc- Clung, a portion of the citizens of Floyd County met at 11 o'clock at the City Hall, and on motion of Dr. Alvin Dean, his honor the mayor, Henry A. Gartrell, was called to the chair. The chairman then stated the object of the meeting to be to assert our Commer- cial Independence of the North. On motion of Hon. J. W. H. Underwood. Dr. Alvin Dean and Col. Jos. Watters were named vice-presidents, and J. W. Wofford and Geo. T. Stovall were re- MAJOR and MRS. CHAS. H. SMITH— "Bill Arp's" "open letter to Abe Linkhorn" in April, 1861, proved a sensation in the South. 118 A History of Rome and Floyd County quested to act as secretaries. The chairman appointed the following to act as a steering committee: Thos. E. Williamson, D. B. Hamilton, F. C. Shropshire, J. R. Freeman, Green T. Cunningham, J. F. Hoskinson, B. F. Hooper, J. P. Holt, Jos. Ford, C. P. Dean and B. F. Payne. While the committee were out, Col. Underwood set forth in an able and eloquent speech the relations existing between the two sections of the coun- try — the aggressive and unconstitu- tional policy of the North on the one hand and the degrading dependence of the South on the other, and earnestly urged upon those present the duty and importance of throwing off the finan- cial shackles by which the South is bound. The following resolutions were passed: "Resolved, first. That the merchants and mechanics of this city and county be requested to patronize Southern manufacturers. Southern markets and direct importations to Southern ports, to the exclusion of all others. "Resolved, second. That in the pur- chase of our dry goods, groceries, hard- ware and other merchandi.se we will support and sustain those who comply with the foregoing resolutions. "Resolved, third. That while we have an abiding confidence in the patriotism and fidelity of some of our Northern friends, yet duty to the South requires that we should stand to and abide by the foregoing resolutions until the Northern states demonstrate at the bal- lot box their fidelity to the Constitu- tion and the laws, by driving from our national councils the leaders of that demoniac crew known as the Black Re- publican party, and by repealing all their local laws which militate against the common Constitution of our coun- try. "Reso/ved, fourth. That the people of the whole country, irrespective of party affiliation, are requested to meet at the City Hall on the first Tuesday in March, next, for the purpose of ratify- ing the foregoing resolutions." The resolutions were adopted with only one dissenting vote. Mr. C. H. Smith then offered the following res- olution: "Resolved, That all persons who voted for the foregoing resolutions sign the same." Unanimously cai-ried. Messrs. W. B. Terhune, R'. D. Harvey, G. S. Black, H. Allen Smith, F. C. Shropshire, T. E. Williamson and J. W. H. Undei-- wood had discussed certain features of the matter. Meeting then adjourned after thanking the officers. On Thursday, May 10, 1860, Capt. Dwinell sounded this warning, which, by the way, was highly prophetic of 1922 : There has, perhaps, been no time since the organization of our govern- ment when the public mind has been so completely in confusion as it now is throughout this section of the country. The great party that has for years claimed to be the only national one in existence is disrupted and thousands of its members now stand aghast, in confused amazement and know not what to do. A fearful struggle be- tween love of party and patriotism is going on in their breasts, and cow- ardly demagogues with timid haste and pale-faced alarm are clambering up on the neutral fences and getting ready at the first safe moment to jump to the stronger side. The people should mark these miscreant polti'oons who now with cringing cowardice sneak be- hind; they will soon appear upon the side of the majority and ask to be made leaders of the victorious hosts. A fearful responsibility now rests upon the shoulders of every citizen of the South. Political parties are to a great extent broken up and disorgan- ized and every individual now has to advise himself without the aid of po- litical leaders. Under these circum- stances every man should be cautious and prudent, but unwaveringly deter- mined to do right and perform his duty whatever that may be. Old party names and distinctions should be thrown to the dogs, and, actuated by pure patriotism, all men should buckle on their armour and volunteer to fight for our unmistakable constitutional rights and the permanent prosperity of our most sacred institutions. In these times of political excite- ment there is danger that the people, being exasperated, may be carried to extremes; therefore be on your guard, and "let all the ends thou aimest at be thy country's, God's, and truth's." Bear in mind that you are now at least com- pletely untrammelled, and it is your most imperative duty, with patriotic zeal, boldly to contend for justice and the rights of your section. Think not too much of "choosing between evils," but rather make a determined choice between right and wrong. "If the Lord be God, serve Him, if Baal, serve him." Views and Events Leading up to War 119 120 A History of Rome and Floyd County The election of President of the United States was to be held Tues- day, Nov. 6, 1860. The tickets in the field were Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois, and Hannibal Hamlin, of Maine, nominated by the Repub- licans, or "Black Republicans," as they were called at the South ; Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois, and Herschel \'. Johnson, of Georgia, put forward by the "Squatter Sov- ereignty"* hosts ; Jno. C. Breckin- ridge, of Kentucky, and Jos. Lane, of Indiana (a native of Buncombe County, N. C), running on the American or "Know Nothing" plat- form ; and John Bell,** of Tennes- see, and Edward Everett, of Mass- achusetts, representing the Consti- tutional Union party.*** The Courier supported Bell and Everett and carried Floyd County for them ; the rival newspaper, the Southern & Advertiser, backed Breckinridge and Lane and got them second place. Douglas and Johnson were a poor third; they split the Democratic vote of the United States with Breckinridge and Lane, else Lincoln might have been defeated. On Monday, Apr. 23, 1860, the various factions held a national convention at Charleston, S. C. This proved to be a hot session for the delegates; the disunionists \vithdrew, and it was voted to ad- journ the convention to Baltimore Md., for June 18, 1860. Editor Dwmell attended the Charleston meeting, and sent back to his read- ers some vivid accounts of the tur- nioil and strife. The Romans, always ready with mass meetings and resolutions, met Tuesday, May 3, 1860, to adopt a policy. Here is an account of the proceedings, as presented in The Courier of two days later : Democratic Meeting. — We publish in another column the resolutions adopted by the Democratic party of Floyd County on last Tuesday. They fully sustain the seceders from the Charleston Convention and deal a death blow to Squatter Sovereignty in this county. F. C. Shropshire, Esq., offered a substitute, according honesty and pa- triotic motives to the seceders, but re- fusing to say whether they acted right or wrong. Hon. J. H. Lumpkin re- viewed the history of the party for four years past; from the adoption of the Cincinnati platform to the deser- tion of Douglas ; from the rise of Squatter Sovereignty to the adjourn- ment of the Charleston Convention. He gave a succinct, clear and correct re- cital of the action of this body; the de- termination of Judge Douglas' friends, the enemies of the South, to force him upon us, and repudiate the Constitu- tional rights of the South so clearly defined by the Supreme Court, and pre- sented in the majority platform by seventeen Democratic States — fifteen of which were slave states. He showed that no course was left for Southern men who respected the rights and equality of their section but to with- draw from the Squatters. Mr. Shropshire followed in support of his resolutions. He exhorted Dem- ocrats to harmonize. He told them that the party had been pledged since 1847 to abide by the principles of non- intervention by Congress with slavery in any way, and they should be faithful to their pledge, and stand by their Northern friends who had stood by them. He wound up with a most af- fecting appeal. He assured them the party would be ruined unless there was a compromise; he begged his friends opposed to him to yield a little — just a little — and the great Democratic party would once more unfurl its proud ban- ner, etc., etc. W. B. Terhune, Esq., made a few pointed remai-ks in favor of the ma- jority report; read the resolution adopted by the December convention; said the seceding delegates had acted in accordance with the principles there- in laid down and they should be sus- tained by the party. He moved to lay Mr. Shropshire's substitute on the ta- ble, which was carried by an over- whelming vote. *According to Avery's History of Georgia, p. 103, the "squatter sovereignty doctrine claimed the right of territorial legislatures to determine the question of slavery in the terri- tories." **As a member of Congress in 1835, Mr. Bell was requested by John Ross to call for an in- vestigation of the arrest of Ross and John Howard Payne by the Georgia Guard. ***It appears from this line-up that a delib- erate effort was made to split the vote of the South and throw the plum to Lincoln. Views and Events Leading up to War 121 The report of the committee was then adopted with only four or five dissenting voices. We observed the same distinction between the speeches of Messrs. Lump- kin and Terhune on one side and Mr. Shropshire on the other, which char- acterized the debate in the Charleston convention and the letters of distin- guished Democrats in reply to the Ma- con committee. The two former spoke for principle, for the Constitution and Southern equality, while the latter spoke for party and nothing but party. Resolutions Adopted. — First. That the protection of all the rights, both of person and property of all citizens, is the sole legitimate purpose for which Grovernments are instituted. Second. That the Federal Govern- ment of the States of the Union is bound, to the full extent of the powers delegated to it by them, to protect all citizens of all the states, in all their rights of person and property, everywhere, and more especially upon the public domain, their common prop- erty. Third. That a large and increasing majority of the people, under the name of Black Republicans, of the Eastern, Middle and Northwestern States, are striving to get control of the Federal Government, with the avowed purpose of withholding this protection from more than three thous- and 7nillions of Southern property, and of thus putting this property in a state of outlawry, in a government which derives from it more than two-thirds of all its revenues. Fourth. That, therefore, the demand made by the Southern delegates to the Charleston convention of a distinct recognition of the equal right of South- ern citizens and property to protection by the Common Government, upo(n common soil, was highly expedient, reasonable and just. Fifth. That the obstinate refusal of the delegations from the sixteen States now under the control of the Black Republicans, to make this recognition, demanded by the seventeen Democratic States of the Union, and recognized as just by many individual delegates from all the States, gives painful evi- rip.ric.e that a majority of those delegy tions already sympathize with the Black Republicans in their unrelenting hostility to our Constitutional rights. Sixth. That the withdrawal of a large portion of the Southern delegates from the convention upon this une- quivocal manifestation of sectional hostility to our rights was tvise, manly and patriotic, and entitles them to the thanks of the tvhole Southern people. Seventh. That we will appear by our delegates in the convention, to be' held at Milledgeville, on the 4th day of June next, to deliberate upon the course to be pursued by the Democratic party of Georgia, in the present condition of po- litical affairs. Eighth. That if a majority of that convention shall deem it expedient that Georgia should be represented at the adjourned meeting of the Charleston convention, to take place at Baltimore, on the 18th of June next, we will con- sent to it for the sake of harmony, but upon the express condition that we will not be bound by the action of that body unless it shall give its assent in sincerity of purpose and good faith to the principles contended for by the Democratic states at Charleston, and give us in addition a sound candidate. The lightning-rod salesman was another "gentleman from the North" for whom Floyd County citizens kept peeled an eager eye. The Courier of Aug. 30, 1860, stat- ed that a correspondent of The Sa- vannah News, writing under date of Aug. 10 from the Steamship Montgomery, declared a man on board by the name of John Owens, of Erie County, N. Y., who had been putting up lightning rods in Geor- gia and West Florida, had asserted that John Brown died in a good cause, and he (Owens) would be \villing- to lay down his life for the same ; also that he announced his intention of returning to the South. "Last year a man by the name of Owens, selling patent lightning rods, passed through this county and met with considerable success," continued The Courier. "He had much to say against abolitionists, wdiich was a suspicious circum- stance. Let us be on the watch for him, and when he returns, have an investigation, ^^'ill not The Savan- na li News olitain from its corre- spondent a description of John Owens, in order that he may be identified on his return?" 122 A History of Rome and Floyd County MINIATURE PORTRAITS OF TWO 'OLD TIMERS." Dr. and Mrs. Jno. Wesley Connor, the parents of Prof. W. O. Connor, of Cave Spring. Mrs. Connor was Henrietta Mayson, of Ninety-Six, S. C. As a girl she met Gen. LaFayette, who pronounced her the prettiest young lady he had seen in America. She lies buried in the Cave Spring cemetery. A "Lincoln defeat" was seen by The Courier of Thursday, Sept. 1, 1860: Lincoln's Defeat Certain. — Hereto- fore we had little hope that the Black Republican candidate could be defeat- ed. With the opponents of that party divided and belligerent we saw no pos- sible chance to avoid the disgrace of a Black Republican Administration. But our fears have vanished, for the defeat of Lincoln is now fixed. The Rome Light Guards received their caps by July 4, 1860, and by Sept. 22, 1860, one of the l)rilliant sample uniforms appeared. This uniform was of blue cloth, scarlet fimmings and gold buttons, and made the boys of the other com- panies extremely envious of the wearers. The desire of the political lead- ers for the Cherokee Georgia vote was emphasized in the autumn of 1860 by the appearance in Rome of some of the "biggest guns" in the state and section. No such an ar- ray of orators has ever declaimed against Rome's mountain slopes. On Thursday, Sept. 20, 1860, Wm. L. Yancey, of Alabama, whose speeches did as much as any other agency to stir the war spirit in the South, spoke at Kingston, and a large crowd of Romans went on a Rome Railroad excursion to hear him. On Thursday, Sept. 27, 1860, Sen- ator Alfred Iverson, of Columbus, addressed a crowd at the City Hall. Alexander H. Stephens sat on the platform at this meeting, but de- clined to make a speech. He spoke on the day following at a barbecue at Floyd Springs, after an intro- duction by Judge Augustus R. Wright. On Saturday, Sept. 29, 1860, Benj. H. Hill spoke at Sloan, Berry & Company's warehouse. On Mon- day. Oct. 22, 1860, Mr. Hill spoke again. On this latter occasion he was proceeding to Cedartown to Views and Events Leading up to War 123 assist in the defence of Col. J. J. Morrison, charged before the Polk Superior Court with kilHng Thos. W. Chisohn on the day of the last general election. On Monday, Oct. 29, 1860, Steph- en A. Douglas ("The Little Gen- eral"), spoke for his presidential ticket at Kingston, and was heard by many from Rome. The county was on the brink of the war precipice, ready for a head- long tumble in. From the Tri-Weekly Courier of Tuesday morning, Dec. 4, 1860, we quote to illustrate the rising war sentiment : "Georgia's Only Hope of Safety Is in Secession.'' — A large portion of this paper is devoted to an extract from a letter with the above heading. We publish this instead of the speech of Judge Benning, believing that it pre- sents a clearer and stronger argument in favor of secession than the speech alluded to. In the statement of our grievances the writer makes out a very, very strong case and proves very con- clusively — what we believe most peo- ple are ready to admit — that Georgia ought to resist abolition encroachmerits. Our Legislature in calling the con- vention state that fact and we have heard no man deny it; and the appro- priation of a million of dollars, which everybody favors, confirms the pur- pose of a firm, deterfuhied resistance on the part of Georgia. Now, if we admit what the writer's argument seems to imply, viz: that the entire North is irredeemably demoralized and not at all worthy to be trusted, then how is it that separate State action is to be more effectual against them than the united strength of all the parties aggrieved by their hostility? We are as much in favor of )-esista}ice as this letter writer or any one else, but for our life we can see no sense in each one of the fifteen States that have been aggrieved, setting up a separate and independent viode of retaliation; nor any propriety in separately running heiter skelter from the common enemy. As the matter now stands, the entire South is arraigned in solid columns against the North. There are fifteen independent brigades on our side and eighteen of the enemy. The enemy have been practicing a garilla warfare upon us until "forbearance has ceased to be a virtue," and now along our en- tire lines there is such a state of con- sternation and excitement as was never before witnessed in trying to deter- mine "what shall be done." Two or three brigades seem determined, re- gardless of the action of the others, to break ranks and retreat immediately. Nearly every brigade has called a coun- cil of war, while all are arming them- selves for a fight. What say you, men of the Georgia brigade? Will you retreat at once, and without even consulting the other brig- ades of this great army — those that have protected your right and left wings, that have been your "front guard and rear ward" during a cam- paign of 84 years? Most surely you will not. The generous bravery that swells the bosoms of Georgia's noble sons would not allow them to be treacherous to an enemy; then how niuch less to true and long tried friends. This vexed slavery question must and will be speedily settled, in some way or another. But whatever is done, let us not have a divided South. "A house divided against itself cannot stand." Floyd County Meeting. — The follow- ing are the resolutions passed in the i^H>^ HISHOP THOMAS FIEI.DINC SCOTT, of Ma- rietta, who was the leadinK light in the es- tablishment of St. Peter's Episcopal church. 124 A History of Rome and Floyd County meeting of citizens at the City Hall, on Monday the 3rd instant: Resolved, That the time has arrived when it becomes the duty of every friend of Georgia to discard partizan feelings and purposes, and unite in an earnest effort to maintain her rights, secure her liberties, and vindicate her honor. Resolved, That this Union of South- ern heads and hearts being an indis- pensable pre-requisite to efficient ac- tion, v^^e pledge ourselves to do every- thing in our povi^er to promote, estab- lish and maintain it. Resolved, That we recognize the clearly expressed will of a majority of the people of Floyd county as the rule of action, binding upon their represen- tatives, in any convention of the peo- ple of Georgia. Resolved, That we hereby request our Senator and Representatives in the General Assembly of this State' to pro- cure the following demands by said General Assembly to be made by joint resolutions or otherwise, upon the Nor- thern States, viz: First. To repeal all personal liberty bills and other Legislative enactments to defeat the rendition of fugitive slaves. Second. The enactment in lieu there- of of "efficient laws to facilitate such recovery in accordance with their plain constitutional obligations." Third. The prompt and faithful sur- render of all fugitives from justice and violators of the laws of the slavehold- ing states. Fourth. The immediate release of all Southern citizens unjustly imprisoned for seeking to recover their fugitive slaves. Fifth. A distinct acknowledgement and faithful observance of the right of Southern citizens to settle with their negro property in any territory of the United States, and there hold it like all other property under the protection of just laws faithfully administered so long as the territorial condition shall last. Sixth. The repeal of all laws giving to free negroes the privilege of voting for members of Congress or for Elec- tors of President and Vice-President of the United States. Seventh. The co-operation of the Sen- ators and Representatives of said State in the Congress of the United States in procuring the repeal of a pretended law to prevent the slave trade in the District of Columbia. Resolved, That in the event the states upon which these just and rea- sonable demands shall be made by the Legislative Assembly in the name, and on the behalf of the people of Georgia, shall give unmistakable evidence of a determination to accede to them, in good faith, by or before the 16th of January next, Georgia shall abide in the Union, otherwise secession is the only adequate remedy left her for the maintenance of her interests, rights, liberties and honor. Resolved, That this Assembly will now proceed to select by general ballot three candidates to represent the peo- ple of Floyd County in a general con- vention of the people of Georgia to be convened at Milledgeville on Wednes- day, the 16th of January next.* The above resolutions, we are in- formed, were unanimously adopted. In accoi'dance with the last, the following gentlemen were nominated, viz: Col. Simpson Fouche, Col. James Word and F. C. Shropshire, Esq. *It was at this convention that Georgia se- ceded from, the Union. CHAPTER VII. Lincoln's Election Foretells Hostilities HIC following" accounts from The Courier set forth elo- quently the final act pre- ceding the war drama of 1861-5. They were written partly by Mr. Dwinell, wdio had just re- turned to the editorial sanctum after a vacation at East Poultney, Vt., and partly by his brilliant as- sociate, George Trippe Stovall ; and they are arranged chronolog- ically as an aid to the reader. Mr. Lincoln was elected Tuesday, Nov, 6, I860.' It has been suggrested that the 11 O'clock service on Sunday, the 4th of November next be devoted to repent- ance, humiliation, and prayer to Al- mighty God, in all the churches of the land — that the country may be deliver- ed from the terrible crisis which threatens us, and that peace and har- mony may be restored to all sections.— Oct. 27, 1860. A Final Appeal. — Before the next issue of The Weekly Courier will be printed, the die will be cast, and the fate of this Union, it may be, will be doomed forever. All our efforts for a fusion in Georgia have failed, and now there is no patriotic course left for Union men but to concentrate their strength, so far as they possibly can, upon the best Union candidate that is offered for their suffrages. Is there any doubt but that this man is John Bell of Tennessee? Surely no candid and reasonable man will allow himself to be deceived by the numerous false and ridiculous charges as to Mr . Bell's soundness upon the slavery question. He is a Southern man, and a large slave hold- er, and a calm and impartial study of his true record, while it shows him to be a man of moderate and discreet counsel, it demonstrates that upon the question of slavery and Southern in- terests he is unquestionably safe, sound, firm and reliable. We appeal to Democrats, why can- not you vote for John Bell? We a.sk you to support him not as a Whig, a Know Nothing, nor as a representa- tive of any of the old defunct parties, but as a Constitutional man and a pa- triot. "The Union, the Constitution and the Enforcement of the Laws," is the motto inscribed upon his banner. Apart from his record it is his only platform. And what more do you de- sire than this? We know that politi- cians try to ridicule and have sought to throw contempt upon this platform. But does it not contain all the South has ever asked or desired? Such were the principles on which the early Pres- idents of the Republic were elected. They had no long-winded platforms to gull and to deceive the people. Why should we want them? For 50 years the Government was administered with- out platforms, and all portions of the country were harmonious and happy. On the contrary, since the adoption of platforms by party conventions, sec- tional animosities have continually harrassed the people, thousands of demagogues have sprung up like mush- rooms upon the body politic, the peace of the country is destroyed, and 30,- 000,000 of people stand today trembling in view of the impending crisis which hangs like a muttering storm cloud above them, threatening to pour out upon the country at any moment all the appalling horrors of civil war, bloodshed and ruin! This is no false picture, but an alarming reality. Lincoln may, and probably will, be elected, and in tliree ueeks from today, little as you now think it, we will probably witness the outburst of the smouldering flames of one of the most awful civil conflagra- tions which the world has ever seen! Voters of Georgia, Look to Yo2(r hi' terest. — On next Tuesday, November 6th, by far the most important elec- tion since the organization of our gov- ernment is to take place. In former strifes party success was the stake con- tended for; but now the very existence of the (jovernment is in jeopardy. The question as to how a man shall vote, always important, is now freighted with fearful responsil)ility. Every man should bring the question serious- ly home to himself and vote from his own conscientious convictions of duty, just as if he knew the fate of this Re- public depended on his individual ac- tion. The success or defeat of the Union ticket, will — if civil war should hinge 126 A History of Rome and Floyd County upon this fact, as it may — make a dif- ference of at least 20 per cent in the value of all kinds of property througrh- out the country. A man then worth $1,000 has at stake a pecuniary inter- est of $200; if worth $10,000 he risks $2,000. If a man is largely in debt he will be utterly ruined; for, after the depression of property he cannot pos- sibly pay out. A laboring man will find his wages reduced from a dollar and a half a day to one dollar, and the chances for getting work at all will be greatly reduced. It may be said that pecuniary con- siderations are beneath the notice of patriots. This may be true or it may not. Interest should not be weighed against principle. But that is not the case now. We now have principle, patriot- ism and interest all on one side of the scales and on the other side, party ism, sectional strifes and animosities, and it may be civil war itself. No reasona- ble man in his senses has a shadow of a doubt but that John Bell, if elect- ed, would restore peace and harmony to the country by giving their consti- tutional rights to all sections; and this is all the South wants, or has ever asked for. It is almost certain that three-fourths of the Southern States will cast their votes for this noble pa- triot and pure statesman. Georgia can be carried the same way. Union men of Cherokee Georgia, what say you? In other sections of the State our friends ai-e striving earnestly and hopefully. Let us faithfully perform our duty and all may yet be well. Judge Doufjlas at Kingston. — On last Monday a large crowd, probably 3,000 men, assembled to hear the celebrated "Little Giant" upon the political issues of the day. The very crowded state of our columns today prohibits any ex- tended notice of his speech. We be- lieve all parties were well pleased with the entertainment as an exhibition of popular oratory, were deeply impressed with the greatness of the man, and de- lighted at the beauty of his wife, who accompanies him in his Southern tour. The distinction between Squatter and Popular Sovereignty, the latter of which only he advocates, he made very clear. His whole argument sustaining his peculiar doctrines was, to say the least, very ingenious and plausible, and in many respects unanswerable. Douglas' speeches are everywhere es- sentially the same, and those who would know his position should read them in full.— Thursday, Nov. 1, 1860. Let Not Rash Councils Prevail. — If the election that takes place today re- sults in the choice of Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois, for President for the next four years, there will then rest upon the shoulders of every individual citi- zen duties of fearful magnitude and vital importance, both to himself and the commonwealth. There will, in that event, doubtless be a diversity of opin- ion as to what the South ought to do.| and every good citizen should calmly and coolly investigate the whole subject and decide for himself the proper course of action. There will be no need for hairbrained demagogues to be attempting to "fire the Southern heart." The chivalrous and patriotic citizens of the South are not stupid dolts that have to be "fired" up to a realizing sense of their own rights, honor or interests. The people need the truth, the whole truth, and nothing hut the truth, in order to arouse them to any reasonable course of conduct. The people should beware of rash counsels, and not suffer themselves to be inveigled into the support of im- practical and foolish movements, or "precipitated" into a revolution. If revolution must come, let us go into it deliberately, with clear heads and steady nerves, and because we know it to be our patriotic duty to do so. But if Lincoln should be elected, he will not have so much power as some people suppose, and it is reported that he is already tremendously frightened lest he should he elected!— Nov. 6, 1860. Fo)- Tax Receiver. — We are request- ed to announce the name of H. P. Lumpkin as candidate for Tax Re- ceiver of Floyd County at the ensuing January election. For Solicitor General. — We are au- thorized to announce the name of M. Kendrick, of Newnan, Coweta county, as a candidate for the office of Solic- itor General of the Tallapoosa circuit. Election first Wednesday in January next. H. A. Gartrell, Esq.— Mr. Editor: Please allow us to announce the above named gentleman as a candidate for Solicitor General of the Tallapoosa Circuit. MANY VOTERS. Rome Market Nov. 7. — Cotton is a little dull — 10 VL' cts. may now be con- sidered the top of the market. Unofficial Vote of Floyd Co.— The following statement, though not offi- cial, will probably not vary more than two or three votes from the exact re- sult: Lincoln's Election Foretells Hostitities 127 128 A History of Rome and Floyd County Precincts. Bell. Breck. Doug. Rome 462 360 160 N. Carolina 55 66 21 Barker's 15 41 6 Livingston 26 50 Flat Woods 22 8 5 Cave Spring 64 60 34 Wolf Skin 63 60 34 Watters 70 39 6 Chulio 51 22 10 Dirt Town 4 35 13 Etowah 18 1 Total 848 756 286 We have compared the above with the official vote and find it accurate. A Card. — Mr. Editor: I desire through the city papers to return my sincere thanks to the merchants for refusing to sell spirituous liquors on the day of the election, but more espe- cially to those gentlemen engaged in the retail business. They closed their doors and did no business whatever. It was asking a great deal of all, it being a public day and a good one for that trade, but they made the promise and adhered to it with fidelity. To them we are mainly indebted for the peace, quiet and good order that prevailed throughout the entire day. Respect- fully. H. A. GARTRELL, Mayor City of Rome. Polk County. — A gentleman who left Polk County on Wednesday morning informs us that all the precincts but two had been heard from, and Bell was 66 votes ahead of Breckinridge. Doug- las' vote would probably be 100. Chattooga County. — Sufficient re- turns have been received to make it certain that Bell will carry this county by a large plurality, probably 100 or more. Delegates. — F. C. Shropshire, Z. B. Hargrove and M. Dwinell have been appointed to represent the Rome "Light Guards" in the Military Con- vention to be held in Milledgeville on next Monday. The Evd. — The contest is over and it may be that the destiny of this gov- ernment is sealed. It now becomes us to hope for the best, but at the same time be making preparations for the worst. We do not wish to intimate that it is necessary to be organizing military companies, or enrolling minute men in case Lincoln is elected, with the expectation of immediately fighting our Northern enemies; but our prepa- rations should be constitutional and latvful in their character with a deep and unswerving determination to maintain our rights in the Union if possible, out of it if we must. The course pursued by the South should be firm and determined, but so clearly right and unavoidable for the main- tenance of her honor and essential in- terests that there shall be no division among her own people, but that all as one great harmonious whole shall in thunder tones demand not only of the North but of the entire civilized world a recognition of her clearly defined and unmistakable rights. While no spirit of base submission should be encouraged or even tolerated, yet at the same time any course of rash or precipitating conduct would be equally reprehensible and injurious to the prospects of our section. There are many men in the South who have for a long time believed that our sa- cred rights and untarnished honor cannot be maintained in the Union; and that it is both the interest and duty of the South to effect a separation as soon as possible. Many of these men are among our most wealthy, tal- ented and most highly respected citi- zens, and they are as conscientious in their convictions of duty as any class of men in the country. This class of persons, however, we believe is comparatively small and that the great mass of the people still cling to the Union, firmly believing that the Constitution will be enforced and the rights of the South maintained. This being the case and it being well knovim to all that these differences exist, it be- comes the representatives of each of these classes of opinions to be courte- ous and kind to the other and studi- ously avoid anything like crimination or the impugning of their motives. No class can rightfully arrogate to them- selves all the patriotism or chivalry or that they are more ready to make per- sonal sacrifice upon the altar of our section than others who do not agree with them as to the best plan of se- curing the greatest permanent good of us all. We have said this much to be, per- haps, of service in case that Lincoln is elected, because, if that is the case, we desire above all things to see a united South, and that the deliberations of our section should be characterized by high-toned statesmanship that may re- sult in cool deliberations and harmo- nious action.* As it Should Be. — The election in this place passed off as quietly and peace- *This editorial and others like it caused Geo. T. Stovall to resign as associate editor of The Courier and buy the Southerner and Advertiser. Lincoln's Election Foretells Hostilities 129 ably and with as much good nature as possible. Every grocery was closed, and we did not hear of an angry quar- rel or see a drunken man in Rome on that day. Many men were much ex- cited but their deep interest was ex- hibited rather by their calm but firm determination than by noisy outbursts and senseless criminations of their op- ponents. The beautiful quiet that pre- vailed in our city was indeed a fact to be proud of, and we most sincerely hope that the same good sense and high ap- preciation of dignity and decorum will always prevail on similar occasions. There were nine hundred and eighty- two votes polled at this precinct, which is nearly two hundred more than at any previous election. — Nov. 8, 1860. To Whom it Concerns. — All indebted to us must pay immediately or be sued. JONES *& SCOTT. The Vote in Ga. — Of the 44 counties heard from, the vote stands: For Bell, 20,483; for Breckinridge, 18,863, and for Douglas, 6,918. The Presbyterian Sabbath School will hold its anniversary next Sabbath afternoon at 3 o'clock in the Presby- terian church. Exercises — short ad- dress and singing. All are respect- fully invited to attend. Gordon Co. Vote.—BeW, 481; Breck., 874; Doug., 97. ( Communicated. ) Notice.- — All men, without distinc- tion of party, who are opposed to Abo- lition domination, and in favor of re- sisting the same in such manner as the sovereignty of Georgia may order and direct, are requested to meet at the City Hall in Rome on Monday, the 12th inst., at 2 o'clock to consider what course interest, duty and patriotism require them to pursue as good citizens and triie Soiithemers. We are requested to publish the fol- lowing ticket for Mayor and Council- men : FOR MAYOR DR. T. J. WORD FOR COUNCILMEN First Ward FRANK AYER J. C. PEMBERTON Second Ward O. B. EVE A. J. PITNER Third Ward WM. RAMEY JOHN R. FREEMAN The Die Is Cast. — The great strug- gle is over and our worst fears are re- alized. Abraham Lincoln, the sectional candidate, who was nominated and supported to a large extent because of his hostility to the institutions of the South, has been elected by a fair ma- jority. The present indications are that he will surely get 158 votes, and possibly 169, whereas 152 would elect him. And now this state of circumstances, for which the great mass of the people are almost entirely unprepared, sud- denly bursts upon them, and demands at their hands an immediate solution of a most difficult political problem and one that will probably forever fix the destiny of all this fair land of ours. The idea of Lincoln's election has been frequently talked about, it is true, but it has always seemed to be at vague distance with its hideous de- formities, and has rather existed as a creature of the imagination than as one that could possibly have a reali- zation in the practical working of our Government. But hard as it may be to appreciate the hateful truth, yet it is a fact, and with unmistakable sternness it stares us in the face. The issue is upon us and we have got to meet it. Every man in Georgia has got a solemn duty to perform and it is one that by its im- mense magnitude makes small all the other acts of his life. What shall be done? is now the question of awful im- port that hangs upon the mind of every thoughtful man. Various plans for relief have already been proposed and they each have their advocates who ap- ply themselves with zeal and earn- estness. Discussion is altogether right and proper, and is probably the most effectual method of bringing out the truth and correct principles. But there is one thing that should always actu- ate men in the discussion of any sub- ject if they would be profited — that they should be as willing to receive truth as to impart it. Our relations to the general government are very complicated and few men can at a glance take in all its various bearings and dependencies and it may be that a course of conduct supposed to be ad- mirably adapted to our present exi- gencies would be proved to be entirely impractical because of the want of some necessary element that had been overlooked. Let us then not be rash or inconsiderate, but calm, cool and deliberate and in a free and friendly manner counsel with one another in regard to these momentous questions. 130 A History of Rome and Floyd County The recommendation that has al- ready been made, that a State Con- vention should be called immediately, we most fully approve and hope the Legislature will at once issue a call for delegates from every county. We would suggest the number of delegates be the same as the number of Senators and Representatives in the Legislature. Let such men as Joseph Henry Lump- kin, Chas. J. McDonald, Alex H. Ste- phens, Wm. Law, Robt. Toombs, Her- schel V. Johnson, Hines Holt, Hiram Warner and others of experience and wisdom compose this Convention and the people vdll be almost sure to rat- ify their action, whatever it may be. Things He Can't Do. — Bad as he may be to our institutions, there are many important things Lincoln can- not do. As the Congress now stands, there is a majority of eight against him in the Senate, and, if the recent telegraph reports are correct, 23 in the House. It will be remembered that all the appointments of Cabinet offi- cers, Ministers to foreign courts, Con- suls, Custom House officers, and all other offices of any considerable trust or profit in the United States have to be filled "by and with the advice of the Senate." The President recommends men for all these various places, but their appointment is not complete until confirmed by the Senate. The Black Republicans will not be able, of their own strength, to carry a single bill through either House of the next Congress and it is thought by some that in less than a year, even if Lincoln should be allowed to go on with his administration, that his party would be torn to pieces by its own in- herent fanaticism and corruptions. But yet it may be better to secede than to suffer the disgrace of a Black Re- publican rule. If Georgia so decides in her sovereign capacity we shall go with her, heart and soul.— Nov. 10, 1860. Mr. Dwinell: — Please announce the following as the People's Ticket for Mayor and Aldermen for the ensuing year, and oblige, MANY VOTERS. FOR MAYOR Z. B. HARGROVE FOR COUNCILMEN First Wa7-d N. J. OMBERG J. W. WOFFORD Second Ward O. B. EVE JOHN NOBLE Third Ward A. W. CALDWELL* A. R. HARPER FOR MAYOR** DR. T. J. WORD FOR COLNCILMEN First Ward W. F. AYER N. J. OMBERG Second Ward J. H. M'CLUNG C. H. SMITH Third Ward A. W. CALDWELL J. G. YEISER —Nov. 13, 1860. (From the Rome Southerner.) Meeting of the Citizens of Floyd County. — Below we publish resolutions and preamble passed at the citizens' meeting held in Rome on Monday, the 12th inst. The attendance was large and very general from all parts of the county. We believe every district in the coun- ty was represented. We never saw resolutions pass more unanimously or more enthusiastically. To some of the resolutions there was one or two dis- senting voices. Most of them, however, passed unanimously. We were sorry to see even a single person in that large assembly who withheld his as- sent. If there ever was a time when the people of the South should be unit- ed, now is the time. If the Southern States, as one man, or even one or two of them, will show unanimity of senti- ment in opposition to Black Republi- can rule, and even if they withdraw from the Union as the last alternative, no gun of coercion will ever be fired by any power upon the face of the earth. Horace Greeley has already said in his paper, the N. Y. Tribune, that if any of the Southern States leave the Union by a vote of her people, he is in favor of letting her alone! Every man in the land, old and young, great and small, rich and poor, is interested in this question. Think of it. And if you can't go with your section, for Heaven's sake, and for the sake of your country, don't go against it! ' The resolutions: Whereas, the abolition sentiment of the Northern States, first openly man- ifested in 1820, has, for the last 40 years, steadily and rapidly increased *Jno. M. Quinn was later substituted. •*Dr. Word was elected. Lincoln's Election Foretells Hostilities 131 in volume and in intensity of hostility to the form of society existing in the Southern States, and to the rights of these States as equal, independent and sovereign members of the Union ; has led to long-continued and ever-increas- ing abuse and hatred of the Southern people; to ceaseless v^ar upon their plainest Constitutional rights; to an open and shameless nullification of that provision of the Constitution intended to secure the rendition of fugitive slaves; and of the laws of Congress to give it effect; has led many of our peo- ple who sought to avail themselves of their rights under these provisions of the laws and the Constitution, to en- counter fines, imprisonment and death; has prompted the armed invasion of Southern soil, by stealth, amidst the sacred repose of a Sabbath night, for the diabolical purpose of inaugurating a ruthless war of the blacks against the whites throughout the Southern States ; has prompted large masses of Northern people openly to sympathize with the treacherous and traitorous invaders of our country, and elevate the leaders of a band of mid-night as- sassins and robbers, himself an assas- sin and a robber, to the rank of a hero and a martyr; has sent far and wide over our section of the Un- ion its vile emissaries to instigate the slaves to destroy our property, burn our towns, devastate our country, and spread distrust, dismay and death by poison, among our people; has disrupt- ed the churches, and destroyed all na- tional parties, and has now fully or- ganized a party confined to a hostile section, and composed even there of those only who have encouraged, sym- pathized with, instigated or perpetrat- ed this long series of insults, outrages and wrongs, for the avowed purpose of making a common government, armed by us with power only for our protec- tion, an instrument in the hands of enemies for our destruction. Therefore, we, a portion of the peo- ple of Floyd County, regardless of all past differences, and looking above and beyond all mere party ends to the good of our native South, do hereby publish and declare: First. That Georgia is, and of right ought to be, a free, sovereign and in- dependent State. Second. That she came into the Un- ion with the other states as a sover- eignty, and by virtue of that sover- eignty, has the right to secede when- ever, in her sovereign capacity, she shall judge such a step necessary. Third. That in our opinion, she ought not to submit to the inaugura- tion of Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin, as her President and Vice- President, but should leave them to rule over those by whom alone they were elected. Fourth. That we request the Legis- lature to announce this opinion by res- olution, at the earliest practicable mo- ment, and to communicate it to our Senators and Representatives in Con- gress, and to co-operate with the Gov- ernor in calling a Convention of the people to determine on the mode and measure of redress. Fifth. That we respectfully recom- mend to the Legislature to take into their immediate consideration the pas- sage of such laws as will be likely to alleviate any unusual embarrassment of the commercial interests of the State consequent upon the present po- litical emergency. Sixth. That we respectfully suggest to the Legislature to take immediate steps to organize and arm foi-ces of the State. Seventh. That copies of the forego- ing resolutions be sent without delay to our Senators and Representatives in the General Assembly of the State, who are hereby requested to lay them before the House of which they are respectively members. Obstructions in the Streets. — If it is not the duty of the City Marshall, it ovght to be, to see that the rubbish about new buildings, old boxes about the stores, and wood piles everywhere in the streets, should not be left to discommode the public, but should be removed in a reasonable time. There are a lot of old casks in front of Mor- rison & Logan's stable that ought to have been removed long ago, and there seems to be unnecessary delay in re- nioving fragments and other obstruc- tions on the sidewalks about several new buildings on Broad Street. Good Gnns. — The arms for the "Rome Light Guards" were received on last Saturday. The guns are the Minie Rifle, that has, we believe, the highest reputation as an efficient weapon in actual service of any gun that has been tried. Only fifty guns are received, and if there are men in this commu- nity who desire to join the company they will do well to make early appli- cation. The company now numbers 45, and is, in every way, in a prosper- ous condition. — Nov. 24, 1860. 132 A History of Rome and Floyd County On Jan. 16, 1861, the Georgia counties sent delegates to tlie fa- mous secession convention at Mil- ledgeville. On Jan. 18, Judge Eu- genius A. Nisbet, of Macon, intro- duced a resolution calling for the appointment of a committee to re- port an ordinance of secession. This brought on a fight and a test of strength between the union and disunion factions. The resolution passed by a vote of 166 to 130.* At 2 p. m., Jan. 19, 1861, the secession ordinance was passed by a vote of 208 to 89, 44 anti-secessionists vot- ing for the measure to give it force, and realizing that further resist- ance was useless. On this ballot Benj. H. Hill voted for secession, Ijut Alexander H. Stephens and his brother, Judge Linton Stephens, Herschel V. Johnson, Gen. W. T. Wofford, Hiram Warner and oth- er leaders opposed it. South Carolina had seceded Dec. 20, 1860; Mississippi Jan. 9, 1861; JUDGE JAMKS M. SPULLOCK. ,,nc,. mijhi-- intendent of the W. & A. railroad and a power in North Georgia politics. Alabama and Florida Jan. 11, 1861. Consequently, it was felt that Georgia's action would either split or cement the South. The forensic giants were there — a galaxy never seen before or since. Col. Isaac W. Avery gives us in his History of Georgia (ps. 149-50) a correct ])icture of the scene, and incidental- ly, emphasizes the opposition to secession among the more con- servative t3'pe of citizens : The eyes of the whole Union were upon this most august body. There was an interest in its deliberations that was both profound and wide- spread. It was felt to be the turning point of the real commencement of the revolution. If staid, self-poised, delib- erate, powerful Georgia held back from the woi"k of disintegration, it would have been such a substantial check to the destructive movement as would have done much to stop it. Georgia's co-operation rendered the revolution, sure. The Federal administration looked anxiously to our State as the crucial agency of the agitation. The people of the North focalized their at- tention upon this arbiter of an impend- ing and incalculable convulsion. It was known that a majority of the people favored secession, but the mi- nority in favor of co-operation and de- lay was a very large and powerful body of public sentiment, ably and pa- triotically headed. The vote taken in the election for members of the con- vention showed an aggregate of 50,243 for secession and 37,123 against, giv- ing a majority of only 13,120 for im- mediate disunion, out of 87,366. This was a much smaller majority than Gov. Brown had obtained in his last elec- tion. In many counties the anti-secession- ists had heavy majorities. Such strong counties as Baldwin, Floyd, DeKalb, Cass, Franklin, Gordon, Gwinnett, Lumpkin, Murray, Walker, Walton and others went some of them over- whelmingly against disunion. In many counties it was the closest sort of a shave, giving either way only a vote or two. The most one-sided secession county in the whole state was Cobb, Vv'hich gave 1,035 votes for and only 7 against disunion. Chatham was also nearly unanimous for secession. In a very few counties no opposition can- didate to secession was run. In Tal- ♦Avery's History of Georgia, p. 153. Lincoln's Election Foretells Hostilities 13 iaferro and Tatnall no secession can- didate was put up. These figures will show how much the people were divided on this issue, and yet, in the crazy fever of the war excitement and the more noisy demon- strations of the secession champions, the opposition was almost unheard and absolutely impotent. A few brave spirits spoke out fearlessly, and cour- ageously endeavored to stem the rush- ing and turbulent tide of disunion. But the generality of conservative men, feeling powerless to do anything, and unwilling to incur a certain odium that clung to men alleged to be lukewarm or opposed to Southern interests, went quietly along simply voting in the op- position. The secession convention was the ablest body ever convened in Georgia. Its membership included nearly every leading public man in the State, the leaders of all parties and shades of political opinion. As for Georgia's contribution in men to the Confederate cause, Col. Avery's history (p. 267) states : The Second Auditor at Richmond published the following statement of soldiers' deaths to Dec. 31, 1863: Geor- gia, 9,504; Alabama, 8,987; North Carolina, 8,261; Texas, 6,377; Vir- ginia, 5,943; Mississippi, 5,367; South Carolina, 4,-511; Louisiana, 3,039; Ten- nessee, 2,849; Arkansas, 1,948; Flor- ida, 1,119. It was an old custom in Geor- g-ia to illuminate houses brightly at night on the receipt of good news of a national or sectional na- ture. Consequently, the houses of Rome were Ht up, guns discharged and the church bells rung merrily. A few Northern families compro- mised by lighting their candles, and Mrs. Robt. Battey was said to have been the only Southerner whose house was dark. Gen. Brax- ton Bragg soon passed through Rome on a tour of inspection, and meeting Mrs. Battey on Broad Street, said : "I understand Mrs. Battey is a Union woman." "So I am, General," she re]:)lied promptly. "I believe in fighting this war under the United States flag. Southerners were largely in- strumental in foundino- our Gov- ernment, and if anybody must get out of it, I say let not the first oc- cupants be the ones to go !" "You are not far from right, Mrs. I)attey," observed Gen. Bragg as he hurried on about his business. There were many such incidents, and they showed the inherent in- dependence of thought and action of Georgians and the State of Geor- gia — an independence that has al- ways enabled Georgia to assume the initiative among her sister states, and to occupy a conspicu- ous and respectable position in the forum of the nation. Georgians can always be depended upon to fight among themselves (like Bill Arp's Romans — old man Laub and his wife and family), and to get together at a moment's notice to repel any foreign foe, such as In- dians, Yankees, Spaniards, Ger- mans or what not. During three terms, covering the Civil War, Gov. Jos. E. Brown, one MRS. .lAMK.S .M. SrUl.LUCK, who assisted her husband in the entertainment of some of the most noted men in Georgia. 134 A History of Rome and Floyd County of the most ])ci)i)ery "Rebels" on earth, occupied the gubernatorial throne. "Cherokee" or Northwest Geor- gia had not long before staged a miniature war with the Indians, and it is significant that the dele- gates from the 21 counties in the Cherokee nation voted 35 against secession to 14 in favor, or 2% votes to one :* County. Yes. No. Cass 3 Catoosa 1 1 Chattooga 2 Cherokee 3 Dade 2 Dawson 2 Fannin 1 1 Floyd 3 Forsyth 1 1 Gilmer 2 Gordon 2 1 Hall 3 Lumpkin 2 Milton - 2 Murray 2 Pickens 2 Polk 1 1 Union 2 Walker 3 White 1 1 Whitfield 1 2 14 35 It will be noticed by the above table that Floyd and her neigh- boring counties of Cass, Chattooga Gordon, Polk and Walker voted six for and ten against. The dele- gates and the way they voted are given below : Cass— W. T. Wofford, No; H. F. Price, No; Turner H. Trippe, No. Chattooga — Wesley Shropshire, No; L. Williams, No. Floyd — Col. James Word, Yes; Col. Simpson Fouche, Yes; Frank C. Shrop- shire, Yes. Grordon — Wm. H. Dabney, Yes; Jas. Freeman, No; R. M. Young, Yes. Polk— W. E. West, Yes; T. W. Du- pree. No. Walker— G. G. Gordon, No; R. B. Dickerson, No; T. A. Sharpe, No. A lively glimpse of the inaugu- ration of Jefferson Davis as presi- dent and Alexander H. Stephens a'j vice-president of the Confeder- acy was given by Judge Augustus R. Wright, one of the organizers of the Government, in a letter of F'^b. 21, 1861 from Montgomery, Ala., to his daughter, Mrs. Mary Wright Shropshire, of Rome : My Dear Daughter: — We had a gay time at the President's inauguration. The President and Vice-President rode in a most superb carriage, glittering all over with silver and drawn by six iron gray horses driven by two coach- men on the same seat. They** were fiery and impatient and beautifully caparisoned. The military companies with full bands preceded the several committees in fine carriages, and then followed the crowd. The Zouaves performed most won- derfully their new military exercise of vaulting, lying down and firing, falling on their backs and loading, and divers other most wonderful gymnastics. The oath taken by the President in the presence of that vast concourse was most solemn. When Mr. Cobb, who administered the oath, said, "So help me God," the President lifted his face to Heaven in the most solemn and energetic manner and said, "So help me God!" The band then played the Marseillaise hymn, after which the vast crowd gave three cheers for "Jeff Davis and Alexander Stephens," and began to disperse. "Sic transit gloria mundi!" How the mind turns from those pageants and panoplies of war to that peaceful reign of our King "when the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest." Affectionately your father, AUGUSTUS R. WRIGHT. *Georgia"s Landmarks, Memorials and Leg- ends, Vol. II, ps. 567-570. **The horses. PART III THE CIVIL ^ArAR PERIOD 1861-1865 CHAPTER I. Opening of the Civil War^First Manassas ^ I T IS memifestly impossible in a work of this size to present more than a gHmpse here and there of the wartime activities of Floyd's military companies and life of the people at home. All that can be done is to hit the "high spots" and trust that a historian will come along some day who will devote to the period an entire book. The principal events of the 1861- 65 ])eriod herein treated are the First Battle of Manassas (Va.), July 21, 1861 ; the chase Apr. 12, 1862, after the Confederate engine General, in w'hich a Rome locomo- tive was used at Kingston ; the capture of Streight's Federal raid- ers Sunday, May 3, 1863, by an in- ferior force under command of Gen. Forrest ; and the defense and occupation of Rome May 18, 1864, by Gen. vSherman. Rome itself was a concentration point for recruits from Northwest Georgia. Broad Street was a drill and parade ground. The newspa- pers and the churches were used to inflame the war spirit, and we have it on the authority of Hilliard Horry Wimpee,* who was then a boy of ten, that stump speakers sought to dissipate the impression of small numbers in the South by the flamboyant declaration that one "Reb" could whip ten "Yanks." In some of these speech- es the "Reb" could even suffer his left hand to be tied behind him. More than 2,000 men of Floyd County (including an occasional *Mr. Wimpce relates how he saw blood-drip- ping freight cars come into Rome with hundreds of wounded soldiers after the fall of Ft. Donel- son. **Co. G, First Ga. Cavalry. The name was undoubtedly taken from a company which op- erated under Gen. Jas. Hemphill and Maj. Chas. H. Nelson in 1835 and captured Chief Fosach Fixico. contingent from an adjoining county) went out to protect their homes during the period of 1861- 65. Including the home guard of ten companies (five of which were from Floyd) there was a total of 20 companies of an average of more than 100 men, including re- cruits and replacements. The com- panies went to the front in ap- proximately the following order: Floyd Infantry, commanded by Capt. Jno. Frederick Cooper, who died at Culpepper Courthouse, Va., several weeks after he had received a serious wound at First INIanas- sas; Rome Light Guards, Capt. Edward Jones Magruder ; Miller Rifles, named after Dr. H. V. M. Miller, Capt. Jno. R. Towers; Floyd Sharpshooters, Capt. A. S. Hamilton : Flovd Springs Guards, Capt. M. R. Ballenger; Co. D, 65th Ga. Infantry, Capt. W. G. Foster; Berrv Infaiitrv, named after Capt. Thos'. Berry, Capt. Thos. W. Alex- ander ; Sar'dis Volunteers, 6th Ga. Cavalrv, Capt. Jno. R. Hart ; Fire- side Defenders, Capt. Robt. H. Jones ; Mitchell Guards, named after Danl. R. Mitchell, Capt. Zachariah B. Hargrove ; Co. G, 1st Confederate regiment, Ga. Vol- unteers, Capt. Jno. B. Bray; Co. A, 8th Georgia Battalion, Capt. W. H. H. Lumpkin; Floyd Cavalry, Capt. Wade S. Cothran ; Gartrell's Cavalry (in 1863 a part of Forrest's command), Capt. Henry A. (.ar- trell; Cherokee Artillery (later Corput's battery), Capt. Marcellus A. Stovall, Lie'uts. Jno. H. Law- rence, Max Van Den Corput, J. G. Yeiser and Thos. W. Hooper , sur- geon. Dr. Robt. Battey, orderly sergeant. T. D. Attaway ; High- land Rangers (Cave Spring). Capt. M. H. Haynie ; Highland Rangers** 138 A History of Rome and Floyd County (Rome), Capt. J. L. Kerr; Booten and Harkins' Cavalry Company, Capt. Daniel F. Booten, Lient. Jno. Harkins. The Rome Volunteers was a company in existence before tlie war. When the fighting at Chatta- nooga in 1863 threatened Rome, five home-guard companies were formed, and they were command- ed by Capt. J. H. Lawrence, Jack- son Trout, S. D. Wragg, Marcel- lus L. Troutman and C. Oliver Stillwell. Few survivors came back from any of the front line companies, and the valor in no war of history exceeded that of the Boys in Gray, who fought wath extreme despera- tion against overwdielming odds in men and resources. The Floyd Sharpshooters surrendered ten men at Appomattox, whereas 110 had gone out. Of 24 Cherokee Artillery members imprisoned at Indianapolis, onl}^ eight answered the roll call at Rome just after the war, and most of the others are supposed to have died in prison. Jas. E. Mullen, late cemetery sex- ton, was one of this command. The Rome Light Guard organi- zations kept going many years, and the Hill City Cadets sprang into existence and was active dur- ing the Spanish-American war dis- turbance. The Floyd Cavalry was prob- ably the first to ofi'er its services to Gov. Jos. E. Brown. This was done Friday, Nov. 9, 1860, as soon as the members could hold a meeting after the election of Abra- ham Lincoln to the Presidency. Three days before the First Bat- tle of Manassas, the oflr'er having gone by the board, the company met and passed resolutions as fol- lows : Whereas, the Floyd Cavalry ten- dered its services to His Excellency, Jos. E. Brown, Commander-in-Chief of the State of Georgia, on Nov. 9, 1860, and Whereas, the services of the com- pany have not yet been called for, be it Resolved, That in view of active hos- tilities that the company renew their tender with the assurance that it holds itself in readiness to meet any emer- gencies whenever and wherever they may arise. The officers at this time w^ere Jno. R. Towers, captain ; E. W. Hull, first lieutenant ; Dunlap Scott, second lieutenant, and J. H. Walker, third lieutenant. Contin- ued inactivity caused the three first named to transfer to the Mil- ler Rifles in the same offices. Arm- istead R. Harper took the place of Lieut. Walker. The Floyd Infantry left Rome first; it went away May 10, 1861. The Light Guards left Rome Monday morning, May 27, 186L after having heard on the day be- fore an inspiring speech at the First Presbyterian church by the pastor, the Rev. John Jones. They marched to North Rome and caught their train, and half the town marched with them, scatter- ing flowers in their way and bid- ding them God-speed \vith fervent prayers from the women and lusty huzzas from the "home guard." Capt. Magruder, of this company, was the first man in Rome to don the blue cockade of secession. He was among the first to marry, choosing as his bride several days before the departure the beautiful Miss Florence Fouche, daughter of Col. Simpson Fouche. When the Guards left Rome, Mrs. Magruder marched with her husband at the head of the column, appropriately rigged out for the occasion — pistol and dagger in her belt, and a stride full of belligerency. Let Miss Bes- sie Moore (Mrs. Lawrence S Churchill) describe the wedding: It was a novel and inspiring cere- mony, from all descriptions. The handsome groom was in full dress mili- tary coat, and his trousers were of Opening of the Civil War — First Manassas 139 PROMINENT IN REMOVAL OF THE INDIANS. At left is Brig. Gen. Jno. E. Wool, U. S. A., of Troy, N. Y., who had charge of car- rying out government policies prior to the exodus. In the center is Lewis Cass, Secretary of War in Andrew Jackson's cabinet, who was the storm center of the diplomatic negotia-V tions. Next is Gen. Winfield Scott, hero of the Mexican War and later adviser of the Union War Department, who gathered up the red-skins in stockades at New Echota and Sixes Town to facilitate removal. white silk, brought from the Orient by his friend, Col. Chas. I. Graves, in a naval cruise. The blushing bride was dressed in snow white, including her veil. They rode up to the First Baptist church (which was located at the same site as today) in a carriage pulled by two spirited white horses. Descending from their conveyance, they passed through an arch of up- lifted sabres of 80 members of the Guards. As the couple reached the church door, they stood aside a mo- ment; the Guards came in and formed a second column, through which the two again passed to the altar. Rev. Chas. H. Stillwell, pastor of the church, then made them man and wife. Mrs. Magruder accompanied Capt. Magruder to Orange County, Va., the place of his birth, and took up her lesidence with his people at "Fres- cati" (the Italian for "Green Fields"), the ancestral home. This mansion was converted into a hospital for sick and wounded Light Guards and other Con- federate soldiers. Orderly Sergeant Jim Tom Moore, member of the Light Guards and grand-father of Mrs Churchill, was married shortly be- fore the command left to Miss Le- titia Hntchinsfs. The ceremony was performed at the old Buena Vista, which for a time was Rome's leading hotel. Theie were numer- ous other military marriages, and some of the husbands came back to their wives, and some did not. The Rome \\'eekly Courier of Friday, April 26, 1861, announced the opening of the Civil War as follows : Glorious Neirs — Virginia Seceded. — Gen. Scott resigns, and fighting at Harper's Ferry and Norfolk! The news of the secession of Vir- ginia was received in Rome at 11:30 o'clock on yesterday, together with the announcement that (Jen. Scott had re- signed and was in Richmond and that the Virginians had attacked the army at Harper's Ferry and the United States fort and navy yard at Norfolk. This news caused the greatest ex- citement we have ever seen in our city. Cannons were fired and small arms without number, and all the church bells were rung, and all possible dem- onstrations of extreme joy were every- where to be seen. Not a few eyes were moistened by the joyous overflow of grateful feelings. The eighth star was put upon it and the flag raised. 140 A History of Rome and Floyd County On Tuesday morning-, May 28, 1861, the Tri- Weekly Courier bade farewell to the Light Guards as follows : This company left our city yesterday evening' at 6 o'clock. The muster roll may be found in another column. Our heart fails us as we attempt to write upon the subject. The company is made up almost entirely of young men — only five married, and, with two ex- ceptions, these quite recently. Most of the members have lived in the city or in the immediate vicinity; they are connected with the best families and of course are greatly beloved. We are sure there will not be in the army a more gallant company of brave men than compose this corps. They are armed with the Windsor rifle. They have no accoutrements, but in all else they are fully provided. The pro- visions for health and comfort in camp are quite complete. That they may all safely return is the fervent and earn- est prayer of the entii-e community. The Courier Thursday morninq-. May 30, 1861, gave the' Miller Ri- fles this send-oft": This company left yesterday at 11 o'clock on a special train for Richmond. It consists of a larger number than either of the other companies that have left.* It is made up of the best kind of fighting men, mostly from the country, and though but little used to drill at present, they are inured to many hardships that will enable them to drop into camp routine with com- parative ease; and Capt. Towers is just the man to make this company one of the most efficient in the serv- ice. And now the author again steps aside and l)o\vs to pens that are more trenchant than his own. The quotations are from The Courier, with the dates as indicated : Northern Men's Sacrifice. — Those citizens of Northern birth who enlist in our army and who demonstrate on the battlefield their fidelity to our cause are entitled to the lasting grat- itude and remembrance of our people. To the foreman and others in charge of The Courier, it is a source of grati- fication to hear on frequent occasions the name of Mr. Melville Dwinell, now in the army, who participated in the recent glorious achievement at Manas- sas, spoken of in terms of the warmest respect and regard. He was in the hottest of the column led by the la- mented Bartow. We hope that he escaped death. We grieve to learn that Frank La- throp, our young friend and fellow citizen, from the house of Sloan, Har- per & Co., is no more. He, too, was a Northern man, and fell at Manassas, battling for our rights. Floyd Companies' Loss. — As there has been no official report publkshed of the killed and wounded of the Eighth Georgia Regiment in the First Battle of Manassas, we are only enabled to give the following report from a list sent by Rev. John Jones, pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Rome, who has been visiting the companies and is now at Richmond: Rome Light Guards — Killed: Chas. B. Norton, Geo. T. Stovall, D. Clinton Hargrove, Jas. B. Clark and Dr. J. T. Duane ; badly wounded, M. D. McOs- ker, J. H. Anderson (Ringgold), J. A. Stevenson (Jacksonville) ; slightly wounded, Capt. E. J. Magruder, G. L. Aycock, A. J. Bearden, J. Dunwoody Jones, J. F. Shelton, Shackleford and Jett Howard; missing, John J. Black, Wm. A. Barron, M. A. Ross and John R. Payne. Miller Rifles— Killed, Thos. Mobley, Frank Lathrop and Lewis Yarbrough; badly wounded, O. B. Eve, Thos. J. Hills and Wm. A. King; slightly wounded, John M. Berry, B. F. Cornut, W. D. Corput, S. H. Chambers, M. D. Funderburk, N. S. Fain, Maj. John Minton, Jourdan Reese, T. C. Sparks, J. H. Silvey, W. P. Trout, W. W. Ware, the two Easons and D. C. Harper; sick, W. J. Barrett, G. Carroll, R. F. Car- roll, B. F. Price and T. R. Glenn. Flovd Infantry — Killed, George Martin, W. J. Chastain, A. W. Har- shaw and J. H. Dunn; badly wounded, Capt. Jno. F. Cooper. Full list not re- ported. Manassas Battleground Camp, Tues- day, July 23, 1861, 8 p. m. Dear Courier: Since writing this morning I have gathered some particu- lars of the glorious victory of July 21. As the facts are made known, the com- plete rout of the enemy and the utter confusion into which they were thrown becomes more and more evident. In- stead of getting 42 of their cannon, 64 have already been brought in, and there is reason to believe still more *The Floyd Infantry, under command of Capt. Jno. Fretlerick Cooper, is referred to here with the Light Guards. It is supposed to have left several days ahead of any other company. Opening of the Civil War — First Manassas 141 will be found, provided this number does not include all they had. Our troops detailed for that purpose have been finding them all day, run off in concealed places by the roadside. In addition to the cannon, it is reported that the road leading- to Alexandria is literally lined with muskets, rifles, etc., etc. This morning 27 of Lincoln's com- missioned officers, including several of the stafi:', were sent to Richmond as prisoners of war. The sneaking cunning and perfidious meanness of our enemies was exhibited on the day of battle by their use of a flag, one side of which represented the colors of the Confederate States and the other those of the United States. It was by the use of this that our regi- ments were so badly cut up. The col- umn that flanked us showed the Con- federate flag until they got to the po- sition where they could do us the great- est possible injury, then turned to us the Federal side of the flag. For doing this when they sent a flag of truce to Gen. Beauregard, asking for the privi- lege of gathering up and burying their dead, it was denied them. How can they expect any courtesy when they thus set at defiance all the rules of civilized warfare? The low spirit that governs them and their miscreancy was also exhibited on the 18th, when they made use of the truce in throwing up barricades and breastworks. A. J. Bearden was taken prisoner and carried some four miles from the battleground. This was after our reg- iment had fallen back. He was car- ried to the headquarters of the ene- my, and there saw a large number of gentlemen from Washington City, New York and other places, drinking and carousing over "their" victory. Not long after, news came that their army was retreating, with our cavalry in hot pursuit. Then ensued a scene of in- describable confusion among this white kid gentry in their efforts to secure their personal safety by flight. When our cavalry came up, Bearden claimed his own freedom, and took captive the captain who had been guarding him. Chas. M. Harper, of the Miller Rifles, was taken prisoner, and with two or three others was guarded by six of the Hessians. After a while, more pris- oners were put in care of the same guard, so that their number exceeded that of the hirelings holding them. Our boys watched their opportunity, snatched their guardians' guns and took them all pi'isoners. Another in- stance in which the tables were turned occurred with a member of our com- pany, Robt. DeJournett. He was on the retreat when a mounted officer, supposed to have been a colonel, rode up to within 15 or 20 paces and cried out, "Your life! Your life, you young rebel!" DeJournett turned, raised his gun and shot him through while the officer was attempting to draw his pis- tol. DeJournett made a hasty retreat in safety, though a volley of muskets was fired at him. It is now certain that John J. Black, Marcus A. Ross and John Payne were taken prisoners and carried off. Mc- Grath came in today, unharmed. This accounts for all the Light Guards. No prisoners were carried off from the Miller Rifles. Seven of the Federal prisoners have told us they expected to be hung as soon as the battle was over. They have been taught to believe that the Southerners are a set of complete barbarians. Geo. Martin, of the Floyd Infantry, died last night. Howard Mc- . Osker and Anderson, of our company, have been sent to Gordonsville. They were doing well. Our regiment has not yet reorgan- ized, and we did not move today, as was anticipated. We were all very glad to see Rev. John Jones when he came into camp today. It is said that the CE0H(;K TlillM'K STOVAI.l,. .'.iilor and Methodist Siindjiy School superintendent who was killed at l'"iisl Manassas. 142 A History of Rome and Floyd County Lincolnites have taken Washington City. They certainly hold no place this side of Alexandria. — Courier, Aug. 1, 1861. Thos. J. Hill'^. — History will delight to honor the heroes of Manassas and the bravery of our boys; "in the dead- ly thicket" long will be a fireside theme ! In our exultation over the great vic- tory at Manassas it is well to pay a passing tribute to the memory of those who freely gave their lives to gain it. He whose name heads this article was not among those whose life sped ere victory was won; lingering until Fri- day night, he died peacefully in the full realization of the promises so sweet to the Christian heart. Of modest, unassuming manner, he was well known only to his intimate friends, who knew him but to love him. As superintendent of the Sabbath School at Running Waters (the Hume place north of Rome), he had re- cently entered upon a life of Christian usefulness, where he was becoming better known and more widely appre- ciated. In him we mourn a devoted son, an afl'ectionate brother and faith- ful friend. Truly, death loves a shin- ing mark, and in the loss of our prom- ising young men we see God's ways are past finding out. — M., Aug. 9, 1861. Rehirned.— Gen. Geo. S. Black, Col. W. A. Fort, H. A. Gartrell, N. J. Om- berg, R. S. Norton and G. R. Sandefer returned home a few days ago from Manassas, where they had gone to visit their sons and friends. Wm. Higginbotham, a well-known free man of color, also returned on Saturday morning. He reached Ma- nassas on the morning of the battle, but was denied the privilege of taking a gun and falling into the ranks. He then assisted in removing the dead and wounded, amid the shower of balls that fell around. Such deeds are highly meritorious and deserve much credit. Accide7it on Rome Railroad. — On Tuesday evening last, as the down train reached a point about two miles this side of Kingston, it struck a cow on the track, which threw the engine and part of the train off. The engi- neer saw the cow, but too late to stop the train, and fearing the result, jumped off and broke his leg. This is the only serious accident that has oc- curred on this road for several years. A number of the Cherokee Artillery, vho were home on furlough, were forced to walk from the spot to King- ston, as their train from Rome could not pass. They were going to Camp McDonald, and thence will go to Vir- ginia. — Aug. 9, 1861. Soldiers Returned. — John M. Berry, of the Miller Rifles, who had two of his fingers shot off at Manassas, and who received an honorable discharge, returned a few days ago. M. A. Ross, of the Light Guards, who received a wound in his arm and hand, was taken prisoner and escaped, arrived Thurs- day on a two months' furlough. L. G. Bradbury belonged to no company, though fought with the rest of the boys. He went out for the purpose of joining the Light Guards, but was not received on account of being a cripple, it.— Aug. 16, 1861. He went to see the elephant and saw A survivor's account of the First Battle of Manassas has l)een gleaned from the records of the United Daughters of the Confed- eracy :* It was on a bright, beautiful Sun- day morning that one of the world's most remarkable battles was fought. Gens. Gustave T. Beauregard and Jos. E. Johnston were the Confederate leaders, and Gen. Winfield Scott com- mander of the Northern army. Jef- ferson Davis was on the field, cheer- ing the hosts in gray. It was here that Gen. Thos. J. Jackson got his nick- name "Stonewall." Francis S. Bartow, colonel of the Eighth Georgia Regi- ment, had our command, and Gen. Ber- nard E. Bee was also there, with his South Carolina battalions. Predictions had been made by the Washington contingent that the flag that carried in its folds the love of these hotly patriotic Southerners would be furled forever. A large crowd of spectators came out from Washington in their fine carriages, with nice lunches and plenty to drink in cele- bration of the expected Union victory, and the festivities were to be continued that night in the capital. The tides of battle surged back and forth. Units of the Southern army were cut to pieces, and the remnants retreated. Seeing some men turning to the rear, the gallant Bee shouted, "Look at Jackson there; he is stand- ing like a stone wall!" The men ral- lied. Reinforcements for us came up, ♦Related by Virgil A. Stewart. He and B. J. Franks, of Armuchee, are the only survivors of the Rome Light Guards. Opening of the Civil War — First Manassas 143 FOUR INTREPID CONFEDERATE LEADERS. At top, left to right, are Jefferson Davis, president of the Southern Confederacy, who was captured near Irwinville, Ga., in 1865, after a flight from Richmond with Colonel and Mrs. C. I. Graves, of Rome; and Gen. Jos. Eccleston Johnston, famed for his well-ordered retreat from Chattanooga through Rome. At the bottom are Gen. Jno. B. Gordon, who attended Hearn Academy, Cave Spring, and Gen. Jno. B. Hood, commander in the Atlanta campaign, who crossed the Coosa River at Veal's ferry, Coosa Village. and by 3 o'clock in the afternoon the rout of the Union army was complete. Beauregard and Johnston wanted to push on to Washing:ton in the hope of ending the war, but Davis said no. Practically half of the Eighth's 1,000 Georgians fell dead or wounded, or were captured or lost. The Fourth Alabama was also well decimated. Bar- tow led his men to an exposed emi- nence which was too hot to hold. When the command to retire was given, I did not hear it, and soon found mvself with none but dead and wound- ed around me. I fell back to a thicket and met Jim Tom Moore, who said he did not know where were the rest of the men. Ike Donkle sang out, "Rally, Rome Light Guards!" About a dozen came out of the thicket and were im- mediately fired upon by a regiment in a protected position. The Romans re- turned the fire, then fell back to cover. My hat and coat were well riddled, but my skin was untouched. Among our dead were Jas. B. Clark, Dr. J. T. Duane, a native of Ireland, who had come to Rome only a few 144 A History of Rome and Floyd County years before and opened a dental of- fice; Geo. T. Stovall, a bachelor, su- perintendent of the First Methodist Church Sunday School, and perhaps the most beloved young man in the town; Charles B. Norton, a clothing merchant, and D. Clinton Hargi'ove, a lawyer, my uncle and a brother of Z. B. Hargrove. Charlie Norton was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Norton and a brother of Mrs. Wm. M. Towers. Among our wounded were M. D. McOsker and L. T. ("Coon") Mitch- ell,* son of Dan'l. R. Mitchell, one of the four founders of Rome. When Charlie Norton was shot, he pitched forward and fell across me, for I was on my knees firing. He was the first Light Guard member to be killed. It was a horrible sight; men falling all around, some dying quickly and the others making the day hideous with their groans. Considering that so many were our boyhood friends, it v/as all the harder to bear. Bartow fell mortally wounded, and was attended by Dr. H. V. M. Miller. A short time previously he was at- tempting to rally his men. Frenzied at his heavy loss, he seized a flag from the hands of a color bearer. It hap- pened that these were the colors of a South Carolina unit under Bee. The incident was noticed by Bee, who rushed up and snatched the colors from Bartow. Bee also lost his life in this fight. Had he and Bartow been spared, it is quite likely they would have fought a duel. As the Eighth Georgia marched off the field at the conclusion of the battle. Gen. Beauregard saluted and cried: "I salute the Eighth Georgia with my hat off. History shall never forget you!" Capt. Magruder received two wounds at First Manassas. Later, at Gar- nett's farm, near Richmond, he was wounded twice on the same day. Part of his nose and right jaw were torn away, and his shoulder was badly shot. Having had his face bandaged, he was rushing back to the front when a mid- dle-aged man in homespun suit and broad-brinnned hat stopped him and said: "Major, you are more seriously wounded than you realize. You must take my carriage and go to the hos- pital." Capt. Magruder pushed on abruptly, telling the man to mind his own busi- ness. A soldier who saw the meeting asked Capt. Magruder a moment later if he knew it was Jefferson Davis he was talking to. Capt. Magruder turned quickly and apologized, explaining that nearly all the officers had been inca- pacitated or captured, and that he must take command. He went through the thickest of the fight, fainted and was borne from the field. After a while he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. At Petersburg he was wounded twice; once slightly and suffered a broken arm. Surgeons insisted on amputa- tion but he refused and his elbow was always stiff thereafter. He was sent to "Frescati," the Magruder home- stead in Virginia, which he had helped put in order to receive his wounded comrades. Judge Augustus R. Wright, Federal and Confederate Congress- man, contributed the following to the discussion of intrigue at Rich- mond : Richmond, Va., Feb. 26, 1862. Francis C. Shropshire, Rome, Ga. My Dear Frank: On Saturday last we had the ceremonies of the inaugu- ration. Imposing, very. A gloomier day never settled upon the capital of Virginia. The rain fell in torrents. Notwithstanding, the crowd was im- mense. President Davis made his speech and took the oath at the eques- trian statue of Washington. The com- mending of himself and his country into the hands of God at the conclu- sion of the ceremony was a sublime scene. Emaciated and careworn, with a deep feeling of sadness pervading his pale, intellectual features, there v/as anearnestness and solemnity in his mannr that satisfied the beholder. His spirit was even then in deep com- munion with his God. There were no Christian doubts that he had prayed before in the deep humility of a trust- ing and faithful heart. Mr. Davis, in my opinion, is a Chris- tian President, and if he is, Grod will take care of him and the young suf- fering country which he rules for the next six years. The vileness of our race is being ex- hibited here every day in the efforts of some of those who were first to overthrow the old Government,** to shake the confidence of the people in *Mitchell told later how Stovall had men- tioned to him the night before the battle a premonition of death. Stovall was humming at the time his favorite song, "Jesus Lover of My Soul." His last words were, "Tell my mother I have gone to Heaven." **Presuniably at Montgomery. Opening of the Civil War — First Manassas 145 their rulers in the hour of misfortune and public calamity, the time when of all others we should stand by the Gov- ernment with the most heroic forti- tude, and strengthen by every means in our power the confidence of our peo- ple in our rulers. Some already declare Congress is bound by no Constitution in time of war, others that we must change the organic law again ; the best way to get clear of incompetent rulers is for the people to rise in their might and overthrow them. It is fearful to hear the talk in Con- gress and out of it. If we are not careful, and meet with a few more re- verses, we shall have the revolution all over again. I shall stick to the President because it is right, because he is worthy, and because it is the only course to secure law and order and any Government at all. There are a great many currents and undercurrents here — demagogues v^orking like maggots on the body pol- itic; the body of the people are like a seething caldron — traitors in great evidence that glory in the news of our defeat. Upon requiring the office- holders to take the oath of allegiance, I understand there were 40 who re- fused. The situation at this time: The Federal army numbers 500,000, the Confederate army about 350,000. Mill Spring surrendered Feb. 6; Gen. Jolli- coffer, a favorite Southern general, killed. Fort Donelson, on line of Mis- sissippi River, surrendered Feb. 16, with about 15,000 men. "God is my refuge and my sti^ength;" out of the darkness He will bring light, and upon these shadows His spirit will move in strength, and we shall have a new Government to shed its blessings, I hope, upon a free, intelligent and Christian people. Yours truly, AUGUSTUS R. WRIGHT. The Civil War, like every other war, was not free of profiteering. Occasionally the boys at the front would write back their opinions of money grubbing and hoarding, and as early as a year after the open- ing the home folks were sniping at its pudgy form. The Tri-Week- ly Courier of Tuesday, Apr. 8, 1862, printed the proceedings of a county mass meeting at the City Hall, in which strong resolutions were passed against extortionate prices which were crippling the men on the firing line and working a hard- ship on non-combatants. Col. James Word was chairman of the meeting and R. D. Harvey secre- tary. The resolutions were drawn by a committee composed of Dan- iel R. Mitchell, H. Aycock, B. F. Hawkins, Kinchin Rambo and J. W. Dunnahoo, and they were I)assed unanimously. 146 A History of Rome and Floyd County FINE DWELLINGS OF HILL AND COUNTRYSIDE. The elegant simplicity of Rome homes has often been remarked. Here we see a few of ihe finer structures in their artistic settings. At top, the Second Avenue home of C. Wm. King; next, "Beverly Hall," the country estate of J. Nephew King, near DeSoto Park; center, the Fourth ward dwelling of the late J. A. Glover. The two bottom pictures are of "Hill- crest," East Rome dwelling of Jno. M. Graham. CHAPTER II. A Rome Engine Chases The "General ALTHOUGH the story of "Andrews' Wild Raid" of Apr. 12, 1862, is well known to followers of Civil War history, the part played by a Rome engine in the chase and capture of this band of desperate men has remained buried in oblivion. This engine was the "Wm. R. Smith,"* a small, "wood-burning" affair named after Col. Wm. R. ("Long Bill") Smith, first president of the Rome Railroad. Her engineer was Oliver Wiley Harbin,** and the conductor of the Rome Railroad train to which she was attached and which awaited the arrival of the Atlanta train at Kingston was Cicero A. Smith, also of Rome, son of Jacob Smith, an uncle of "Bill Arp."*** The following account is taken partly from an illustrated folder issued in 1903 under direction of W. L.. Danley, of Nashville, Tenn., general passenger agent of the N. C. & St. L. railway, lessees of the Western & Atlantic (state) rail- road, and partly from "Georgia's Landmarks, Memorials & Leg- ends," Vol. H, ps. 230-234.**** James J. Andrews, a Union spy and contraband merchant of Flemingsburg, Ky., was commissioned by Gen. O. M. Mitchel to lead a raid into Georgia and burn the railroad bridges between Big Shanty (Kennesaw, Cobb County), and Chattanooga, Tenn. Gen. Mitch- el's division of Buell's Union army was in camp near Shelbyville, Tenn., and it was from this point that An- drews took 21 men in civilian clothes and made his way through the Confed- *Georgia's liandmarks, Memorials & Legends, Vol. n. p. 233. ♦♦Authorities : Judge Jno. C. Printup, Mrs. Susan Cothran Smith, of Birmingham, daugh- ter of Col. Wade S. Cothran, superintendent of the road ; H. H. Wimpee, of Rome. *** Authority : Mrs. Smith. Cicero A. Smith was a brother of Miss Mollie Smith, Henry A. Smith and James Smith, of Rome. ****Contributed by Willier (i. Kurtz, of Chi- cago, who married a daughter of Capt. Wm. A. Fuller, one of the principals in the es- capade. erate lines to Mar-ietta, seven miles south of Big Shanty. Mitchel was to capture Huntsville, Ala., on the same day that Andrews' raiders were tear- ing up the road, and supplies being cut off from the South for the Confed- erate garrison at Chattanooga, Mitchel was to march from Huntsville on re- ceiving word from Andrews, and over- whelm the Tennessee town. Reinforce- ments sufficient to hold Chattanooga were to be rushed to Mitchel's aid. Andrews was familiar with the road, but heavy rains delayed him a day and he decided to make his dash Apr. 12 instead of the 11th, reasoning that the rains would hold up Mitchel's force a day as well. Consequently, he did not reach Marietta until the night of Apr. 11. At Marietta the presence of this group of strangers attracted some attention, but they explained that they were Southerners who had made their way through the Northern lines and wanted to join the Confederate army. At 6 o'clock on the morning of Apr. 12 Capt. Wm. A. Fuller, conductor of the northbound passenger train, pulled the bell cord that sent the engine puff- ing out of the Union Station in At- lanta. This was the engine "General," built by the Rogers Locomotive Works at Paterson, N. J., in 1855, a trim wood-burner with a sharp cowcatcher and bellows stack, which for some years has been on exhibition at the Union depot, Chattanooga. The en- gineer was Jeff Cain, and Capt. An- thony Murphy, well-known Atlantan and superintendent of the W. & A. shops, went along. Three empty box cars were carried next to the engine to bring commissary stores from Chat- tanooga to Atlanta. When the train reached Marietta, 20 miles northwest of Atlanta, two of An- drews' party for some reason failed to get aboard, but the other twenty clambered on, having bought tickets for various points l)eyond Big Shanty. It was customary foi- this train to stop 20 minutes at Big Shanty so the train crew and passengers could get break- fast at Lacey's Hotel. This was done on this occasion, and Capt. Fuller sat with his face toward his engine, where he could see through an ojien window, 40 feet from the train. In Andrews' party were four en- gineers and firemen, some couplers and 148 A History of Rome and Floyd County others familiar with railroad work, and practically all of them were armed with pistols, and several carried pliers for cutting: telep:raph wires. Although Big Shanty had 3,000 Confederate sol- diers in training (at Camp McDon- ald), it did not boast a telegraph sta- tion. The commanding officer had i*e- quested Capt. Fuller to take in tow several deserters who might board his train, hence when the conductor saw the strangers uncouple the engine and the three empty box cars from his train and start off, he thought they were Confederate undesirables. "Some one who has no right to do so has gone off with our train!" shouted Capt. Fuller. The sixteen men in the last box car waved defiantly as they turned a curve and were lost to view. The alarm was sounded through vil- lage and camp. A bugler called together the High- land Rangers, a horse troop com- manded by Capt. J. L. Kerr, a Rome tailor, which was Co. G, of the First Georgia Cavalry, commanded by Col. J. J. Morrison, of Polk County. The horsemen dashed away in hot pursuit. Among them were four Roman broth- ers, M. A. J. (Matt), Wm., George and Dave Wimpee.* Capt. Fuller used the tools at hand. He pitted leg power against steam. Mr. Cain and Capt. Murphy followed closely. At Moon's Station, two miles away, they got a hand car off a side- track. The men at the station had had their tools taken forcibly by the raiders. They reported that the strangers had cut 100 yards of wire from the telegraph poles, and carried it with them. Capt. Fuller then com- prehended the design, and put new de- termination into his efforts. He had arrived here ahead of his companions, so pushed the hand car back and picked them up. Two of them shoved the rude conveyance while the third rested and kept a sharp lookout ahead. Rain was falling in a gloomy drizzle. Capt. Fuller figured that the down- grade to Etowah Station, at the Eto- wah river, would probably enable him to get to that point (fifteen miles from Moon's) by the time "The General" had climbed the grade thence to Kingston, and that at Kingston freight trains were due to hold up the raiders a while. A pile of crossties was removed from the track a mile north of Moon's. At Acworth they got pistols and wei-e joined by Steve Stokely, of Cobb Coun- ty, and a Mr. Smith, of Jonesboro, Two rails had been removed just be- fore reaching Etowah, so the hand- car had to be lifted along some 75 feet. After a heroic effort, Etowah was reached, and there, justifying the hopes of Capt. Fuller, stood the old engine "Yonah," the property of the Cooper Iron Works. The engine was standing on a sidetrack near the Eto- wah trestle, and the tender, detached, was on the turn-table. The tender was turned around and attached to the en- gine, and off they went. No further impediments were encountered up to Kingston, fifteen miles from Etowah. By this time the countryside was in a fever of excitement. Andrews was telling curious station masters and trainmen that he was running an am- munition train to the relief of Gen. G. T. Beauregard, at Corinth, Miss. He also stated that Capt. Fuller's pas- senger train was coming along behind ; but when the people saw Capt. Ful- ler's bedraggled crew, they knew the truth. The "Yonah" pawed up sparks as her wheels slipped in starting; then she made record speed to Kingston. Andrews had just left. He had per- suaded the freight engineers to give him right of way, and was off with a mocking laugh. The "Texas" found the freights so arranged that she was hopelessly pocketed, but on the left- hand prong of the "Y," pointed toward Rome, was the "Wm. R. Smith," steam up and waiting for the Atlanta trans- fer passengers. Capt. Fuller pressed this engine into service, and her en- gineer, O. Wiley Harbin, ran her a distance of five miles, faster than the "stringers" and flat rails of the Rome railroad would have stood. In the cab of the Rome engine were also seated the Rome train conductor, Cicero A. Smith, Capt. Fuller, Mr. Cain, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Stokely and Mr. Smith. Four miles south of Adairsville (Cass County), 60 yards of track was found to have been torn up. The "Smith" was stopped with a jerk and Capt. Ful- ler and his four companions ran ahead after thanking the crew from Rome. The Romans remained behind to look after their engine, and slowly steamed back to Kingston and took up their previous position. Capt. Fuller pressed on two miles as fast as his legs would carry him, again leading his crowd by several furlongs. After half a mile Murphy was the only one he could see. Presentb?^ an express freight train came puffing along with 20 cars. Capt. Fuller stood ♦Authority : H. H. Wimpee. A Rome Engine Chases the "General" 149 on the track, brandished his pistol and brought the train to a stop. The en- gineer, Peter Bracken, recognized him ?nd heard his hastily-told story. They waited for Capt. Murphy to arrive, then backed up the road as fast as pos- sible, Capt. Fuller standing on the last box car, 20 lengths away, and giving signals so the engineer could tell how to run. Others now on the train were Fleming Cox and Henry Haney, fire- man of the freight, and Alonzo Mar- tin, wood passer. Smith and Stokely had been left behind. The train was now being pushed by the Danforth and Cook engine "Texas." When within 200 yards of the switch at Adairsville, Capt. Fuller jumped down, ran ahead and changed the switch so as to throw the 20 cars on the sidetrack. He then reversed the switch and hopped on the "Texas," which sped on her way. So quickly had this change been effected that en- gine and cars ran side by side for near- ly 1,000 feet. The "Texas," it should be borne in mind, was still running backward, whereas the "General" was pointed ahead. This gave the "Gen- eral" quite an advantage because the instability of a tender running fast ahead tends to throw it off the track. Calhoun, Gordon County, ten miles from Adairsville, was reached in twelve minutes. Here Edward Hen- derson, 17, telegraph operator at Dal- ton, had arrived on the morning pas- senger train, to see what was the mat- ter with the telegraph wires. Running at 1.5 miles an hour, Capt. Fuller stretched out a hand to him and pulled him aboard the engine. While they sped along as fast as an engine with 5 feet, 10-inch driving wheels could run, Capt. Fuller wrote the following telegram to Gen. Ledbet- ter at Chattanooga, handed it to young Henderson and told him to hop off quick at Dalton and put it through: "My train was captured this morn- ing at Big Shanty, evidently by P^ed- eral soldiers in disguise. They are making rapidly for Chattanooga, pos- sibly with an idea of burning the rail- road bridges in their rear. If I do not capture them in the meantime, see that they do not pass Chattanooga." Two miles north of Calhoun the fly- ing raiders were sighted by the pur- suers for the first time. They de- tached the rear freight car at a point where they had made a fruitless effort to tear up a rail with a crow-bar. This car was coupled in front of the "Tex- as" without stopping, and Capt. Fuller mounted it and signalled to the en- gineer, who could not see ahead. The end of this car had been punched out so crossties could be strewn along the tiack, ties having been taken from the roadbed at various points. Two and a half miles farther, Capt. Fuller en- countered another loose freight car. This was taken on in front, and the gallant captain moved up a car length. The bridge over the Oostanaula River was crossed safely and at Resaca Capt. Fuller left the two cumbersome freight cars on a siding, and sped onward with the "Texas" only. At a short curve tw^o miles north of Resaca a T-rail diagonally across the track was seen too late to stop. Capt. Fuller was standing on the tender, and he clung to the side and closed his eyes a mo- ment in anticipation of a crash. The right fore wheel swept the rail off the track like it had been a straw, and they were safe again. They were said to have been making 55 miles an hour. This was undoubtedly one of the rails whose removal halted the engine from Rome. It was probably dropped off the third and last box car, hence there was no time to place it straight across. Only two or three times were obstruc- tions met with between Resaca and Dalton, a distance of fifteen miles; these were quickly removed. At Dal- COl.. WADI-: S. COTHKAN. banki-r an. I pro- moter, who, with John Hume, caused the Nobles to move to Rome. 150 A History of Rome and Floyd County ton the telegraph operator was drop- ped, and he managed to get his mes- sage on the line a few seconds before the wires were snipped up the road. The customary acknowledgment at the end of the message was not received from Chattanooga because the pliers had been used so quickly. Two miles north of Dalton the des- perate fugitives were seen frantically attempting to tear up a rail. Col. Jesse A. Glenn's regiment was camping nearby, and its members also noticed the work of Andrews' men. Before the soldiers could come up, the An- drews band had made off again. The fifteen miles from Dalton to Ringgold (Catoosa County) was made in faster time than Capt. Fuller had ever made it in his 22 years as a conductor. At middle distance between these two points stood the long tunnel at Tunnel Hill, Whitfield County. Here was a fine opportunity for the pursued to wreck the determined pursuers. Had they stopped a short distance beyond the tunnel and sent their last box car into the dark passageway, a shocking tragedy might have been enacted. However, they were too hotly pursued to try such an experiment. The intervening distance had been eaten up by the "Texas" until, half way between Ringgold and Graysville (a mile and a half north of Ringgold), the "General" was only a quarter of a mile in the lead. The "General" was weakening perceptibly, due to complete exhaustion of her wood and water sup- ply. The last splinter had been shoved into the firebox and the last drop of water squeezed from her tank. The once white smoke belching from her clumsy but business-like stack had been transformed into a hot breath. The 20 reckless mutineers who had commandeered her would have chucked in their hats, shirts and shoes except for the job of tearing through bram- bles and streams. Several pine knots had been passed back to the box cars to set them on fire and send to the rear a flaming messenger of death. Had this sortie been successful, the chance of escape might have been greatly heightened, for the flames would have closed around the chugging "Texas" like a snare. A small fire was started in the car, but the dampness madd the attempt a failure. It was probable that the plan was to fire the car and leave it on the next bridge, but the "General" could not pull the grade, and the car was cut loose. Capt. Ful- ler picked it up, and put out the fire. The fugitives now abandoned the "General" and ran through the woods to the west. "Every man take care of himself!" shouted Andrews, and they scattered in squads of three or four. At Ringgold Capt. Fuller had sight- ed 50 or 75 soldiers and had shouted word for them to mount their horses and come forward in the chase. At a fork in the Chickamauga near Grays- ville four of the raiders were captured, and one of them was forced to tell who they were. The neighborhood was thoroughly awakened, and within a fortnight all of the 22 had been round- ed up, including the two who had failed to take the train at Marietta. Although badly tuckered out, Capt. Fuller, Capt. Murphy, Fleming Cox and Alonzo Martin took to the woods in pursuit of the raiders, but soon left the chase to the men on horseback. Some of the pursued hid out in mountains and canebrakes, but were turned up when they applied at farm houses for food. The following Kentucky and Ohio men participated in the raid:* Jas. J. Andrews, leader, citizen, Flemingsburg, Ky. ; Wm. H. Campbell, citizen, of Kentucky. Marion A. Ross, sergeant major; Wm. Pittinger, sergeant. Company G; Geo. D. Wilson, private, Company B; Chas. P. Shadrach, private. Company K, all of Second Ohio Infantry. Elihu H. Mason, sergeant, Company K; Jno. M. Scott, sergeant. Company F ; Wilson M. Brown, corporal. Com- pany F ; Mark Wood, private, Com- pany C; Jno. A. Wilson, private, Com- pany C; Wm. Knight, private. Compa- ny E ; Jno. R. Porter, private, Com- pany G ; Wm. Bensinger, private, Com- pany G ; Robt. Buff um, private, Com- pany H, all of 21st Ohio Infantry. Martin J. Hawkins, corporal. Com- pany A; Wm. H. Reddick, corporal. Company B ; Daniel A. Dorsey, coi'- poral. Company H; John Wollam, pri- vate. Company C; Samuel Slavens, pri- vate. Company E ; Samuel Robertson, private, Company G; Jacob Pari-ott, private, Company K, all of 33rd Ohio Infantry. Eight of these men, whose names ap- pear below, were executed by the Con- federate authorities at Atlanta, Ga., in June, 1862; Andrews on June 7, and Campbell, Ross, Geo. D. Wilson, Shad- rach, Scott, Slavens and Robertson on June 18. On Oct. 16, 1862, the eight following named made their escape from prison at Atlanta: Brown, Wood, '•'Letter, Feb. 18, 1903, from F. C. Ainsworth, chief of Record and Pension office, Washing- ton, D. C, to W. L. Danley, Nashville, Tenn. A Rome Engine Chases the "General' 151 John A. Wilson, Knight, Porter, Haw- kins, Dorsey and WoHam. The re- maining six members of the raiding party were paroled at City Point, Va., March 17, 1863. Their names follow: Pittinger, Mason, Bensinger, Buffum, Reddick and Parrott. Congress gave medals to all the survivors, who erect- ed a monument to their comrades in the National cemetery at Chicka- mauga, Ga. The N., C". & St. L. rail- way erected tablet stones at the points where the "General" was captured and was abandoned. The "Texas" stands in the southeastern part of Grant Park, Atlanta, defying the wind and the weather. The "Yonah" and the "Wm. R. Smith" are supposed to have been scrapped.* Sergt. Pittinger testified at his trial that wlien the "General" "broke down," they were burning oil cans, tool boxes and planks ripped off the freight car. As they abandoned her they reversed her in order to bring on a collision with the "Texas," but in their haste and excitement they left the brake on the tender, and there was not suf- ficient steam to back the engine. In his book, "Capttiring a Locomo- tive," he says : We obstructed the track as well as we could by laying on crossties at dif- ferent places. We also cut the wires between every station. Finally, when we were nearly to the station where we expected to meet the last train, we stopped to take up a rail. We had no instruments but a crowbar, and instead of pulling out the spikes, as we could have done with the pinch bars used for that purpose by rail- road men, we had to batter them out. Just as we were going to relinquish the effort, the whistle of an engine in pursuit sounded in our ears.** With one convulsive effort we broke the ♦Georgia's liandmarks. Memorials & Legends, Vol. II, p. 234, says Andrews was hanged at Ponce DeLeon Avenue and Peachtree Street, followinp: his conviction at Chattanooga as a spy : that the seven others hanged were tried alt Knoxville, and were talten from the old jail at Fair and Fraser Streett-, Atlanta, and hanged near Oakland cemetery, on land now owned by the street railway company ; and that the eight escai)ed the Atlanta jail in l)road daylight and made thei^ way to the Union lines. '*The whistle they heard was on the Rome engine, the "Wm. R. Smith." According to the N., C. & St. L. booklet, p. 9, 60 yards of track was torn up at that point. ***N., C. & St. L. booklet, ps. 21-23. ****P^ather of Robt. F. Maddox, former mayor of Atlanta. rail in two, took up our precious half rail and left. We were scarcely out of sight of the place where we had taken up the half rail before the other train met us. This was safely passed. When our pursuers came to the place where the broken rail was taken up, they aban- doned their engine and ran on foot till they met the freight train, and turned it back after us. We adopted every expedient we could think of to delay pursuit, but as we were cutting the wire near Cal- houn, they came in sight of us. We instantly put our engine to full speed, and in a moment the wheels were striking fire from the rails in their rapid revolutions. The car in which we rode rocked furiously and threw us from one side to the other like peas rattled in a gourd. I then proposed to Andrews to let our engineer take the engine out of sight, while we hid in a curve, after putting a crosstie on the track; when they checked to remove the obstruc- tions, we could rush on them, shoot every person on the engine, reverse it and let it drive backward at will. The vSouthern Confederacy, a paper published in Atlanta at the time, wrote :*** The fugitives, not expecting pur- suit, quietly took in wood and water at Cass Station, and borrowed a schedule from the bank tender on the plausible pretext that they were run- ning a pressed train loaded with pow- der for Beauregard. They had on the engine a red hand- kerchief, indicating that the regular passenger train would be along pres- ently. They stopped at Adairsville and said that Fuller, with the regu- lar passenger train, was behind, and would wait at Kingston for the freight train, and told the conductor to i)ush ahead and meet him at that i)()int. This was done to produce a collision with Capt. Fuller's train. When the morning freight reached Big Shanty, Lieut. Cols. R. F. Mad- dox**** and C. D. Phillips took the en- gine, and with 50 picked men, follow- ed on as rapidly as possible. Capt. Fuller on his return met them at Tun- nel Hill and turned them back. Peter Bracken, the engineer on the "Texas," ran his engine 50 '^ miles — two miles backing the whole freight train up to Adairsville; made twelve stops, cou- pled the two cars dropped by the fu- gitives, and switched them off on sid- 152 A History of Rome and Floyd County ings — all in one hour and five min- utes." The ])ai"t ])la\e(l l)y the Rome en- j^'ine and her ere\\- was Avarmly l)raise(l I)y the citizens and the military authorities. Indeed, not only was an important link sup- plied, l)ut tile api)earance of the en- gine at the point of broken track no doubt prevented a wreck of the southbound freight piloted by En- gineer Bracken. Ihul a wreck oc- curred, Capt. Fuller would have ]Hished on to Adairsville afoot, and the raiders would probably have been able to carry out at least a part of their design. Out on his farm in North Rome Col. Wade S. Cothran, superin- tendent of the Rome Railroad, always took note of the time when the train passed the Rome brick 3^ard, not far to the southeast. On this occasion no train came, and Col. Cothran remarked to his fam- ily that something must have hap- pened. Next morning a messenger arrived with news of the capture and Col. Cothran announced with a great deal of pride at the break- fast table that Wiley Harbin and '"Little Cis" Smith had written their names on history's everlast- ing scroll. As for the Highland Rangers and the Wimpee brothers, of Rome, they made a praiseworthy dash through the hills by horse but could not keep up with the fly- ing Fuller and his daredevil pace- makers. Frustation of this daring sally and plot postponed until August 1863, the capture of Chattanooga by the Federal general, Wm. S. Rosecrans. *It appears that the total distance traveled by Capt. Fuller was about 85 V^ miles: afoot two miles to Moon's, 12 miles by handcar to Etowah, 14 miles by the "Yonah" to Kingston, .5 miles beyond Kingston on the "Wm. R. Smith," two more afoot, and then 50 1-> miles on the "Texas." Although practically all the partici- pants were armed, there is no evidence that any shots were exchanged. The Tri-Weekly Courier recorded the fall of Huntsville Apr. 11, but did not mention the Andrews Raid. CHAPTER III. Activities of the Folks at Home WHILE there was such a fe- verish activity at the front, what were the "Home (iuarcl"and the women do- ing far from the sound of musket and drum ? Mrs. Mary Turnley Reynolds, historian of the Rome Chapter, United Daughters of the Confed- eracy, contributed the following to the archives of that institution m 1900: The woi"k accomplished by the ladies of Rome for the gallant men who sac- I'ificed the comforts of home and fire- side, donned the suit of gray to fight for native land and Southern rights, is a part of the history of our South- land that is too noble to be for- gotten ; and the names of the heroines who figured behind the lines must be recorded along with the names of the heroes who sacrificed their all for Southern rights. Of those who were prominent in the work for their country during those troublous times, your historian finds many who have passed into the beau- tiful and far-away land. Some have removed their homes to other states. Some are living at a ripe and happy old age among the families and friends of their youth. Included in these might be mentioned Mrs. J. G. Yeiser, widow of Col. Yeiser, who also served in the Mexican war; Mrs. J. M. Greg- ory, widow of Dr. Gregory, once mayor of Rome and a surgeon in Company A, Eighth Georgia Regiment; Mrs. Martha Battey, widow of Dr. Robt. Battey, a surgeon in the 19th Geor- gia Regiment; and Mrs. P. L. Turn- ley, wife of Dr. Turnley, the drug- gist. From the above-named ladies and Mrs. Eben Hillyer, wife of Dr. Eben Hillyer, your historian has gath- ered valuable data which gives us a vivid picture of the times. The first thing to cheer the soldier to duty was an illumination of the town at night. This was very gen- eral in Rome. An exception was made by Mrs. Battey, who, with her native d( cision of character, refused to "light up," saying, "We should fight under the Stars and Stripes." But loving her country and her people, she soon joined in the serious part of the diama. Our first charity organization for war purposes was the Ladies' Benevo- lent Association. Mrs. Nicholas J. Bayard, mother of Mrs. John J. Seay, was made president, and Mrs. Wm. A. Fort secretary. Unfortunately, the minutes kept by Mrs. Fort have been destroyed. The vice-president was Mrs. Wade S. Cothran. Among the members were Mesdames J. M. Gregory, Jno. W. H. Under- wood, Robt. T. Hargrove, J. J. Cohen, Wm. Ketcham, Hollis Cooley, Eben Hillyer, Dan'l S. Printup, D. Mack Hood, H. V. M. Miller, Jas. Noble, M. A. Pearson, A. G. Pitner, O. B. Eve, Thos. W. Alexander, Thos. Haw- kins, Chas. H. Smith, Reuben S. Nor- ton, Nicholas J. Omberg, J. M. M. Caldwell, Mary Sullivan, Wm. Moore, Jas. W. Hinton, W. I. Brookes, M. H. Graves, Mrs. Booten, Mrs. Lawrence and Mrs. Johnson. The society was founded in Jan- uary, 1861, at the suggestion of Rev. Jas. W. Hinton, then pastor of the First Methodist church. Its main pur- pose at first was to make garments and attend to other physical needs of the soldiers. Edward C. Hough, a na- tive of the north, who had volunteer- ed for field service, was exempted in order that he might direct the making of these garments at home; Nicholas J. Omberg, another tailor, who was killed by a scout band in 18G4, as- sisted him. The city hall, southwest corner of Broad Street and Fifth Avenue, was occupied for garment making. How valiantly the ladies went at their task is thus told by Editor Dwinell in The Courier of May 17, 1861: "The Ladies at Worh:— The ladies of Rome are now engaged at the city hall in m.aking uniforms and articles of clothing for the volunteer compa- nies. Some 20 or 30 are there all the time; they work as their circum- stances will admit; some in the after- noon, some one day, others next, while still others are there early and late every day. Such zealous patriotism is worthy of the highest commenda- tion, and men who would not fight for tho defense and protection of such la- 154 A History of Rome and Floyd County dies ought to be forever banished from the pleasures of their society." Another little notice reads thus: "The Work Goes Beautifully On. — There is quite a large number of la- dies still daily engaged at the city hall ir, the manufacture of clothing for the volunteers. They have a number of patent sewing machines, yet it is patent ('how Mr. Dwinell loved to pun!') to every susceptible gentleman that those with black or blues eyes, whose almost continuous chatter is like the soft, silvery tones of sweetest bells, are incomparably more interest- ing. We are requested to state that any lady wishing to assist in this patriotic work is expected to report at the city hall at once." Mrs. Underwood and Mrs. Fort were the first to remove their sewing ma- chines to the city hall, and others fol- lowed. The association did fine work among the poor, and furnished work for many women who would have suffered when winter came. On Aug. 19, 1861, a call was sound- ed for an organization of broader ob- jects and service, since it was seen that the war would be long and bloody. Four days later a meeting was held at the city hall and the Ladies' Aid Society formed. Rev. Chas. H. Still- well, pastor of the First Baptist church, was made president; Mrs. Geo. P. Burnett, Mrs. M. H. Graves, Mrs. N. J. Bayard, and Mrs. Booten, vice-presidents; and Rev. James W. Hinton, pastor of the First Methodist church, secretary and treasui'er. Among the members were the follow- ing: Mrs. Dr. Anderson, Mrs. Attaway, Mrs. J. W. M. Berrien, Mrs. Robt. Battey, Miss Florida Bayard, Mrs N. J. Bayard, Mrs. Billups, Miss Mol- lie Billups, Miss Mary Billups, Mrs. A. W. Caldwell, Mrs. J. J. Cohen, Mrs. Hollis Cooley, Mrs. Wade S. Cothran, Mrs. Wm. A. Fort, Mrs. Jno. R. Free- man, Mrs. Simpson Fouche, Mrs. A. E. Graves, Miss E. W. Graves, Mrs. M. H. Graves, Mrs. Dennis Hills, Mrs. Jno. W. Hooper, Miss Malinda Har- grove, Mrs. Robt. T. Hargi'ove, Mrs. Hale, Mrs. A. R. Harper, Mrs. Jno. Harkins, Mrs. John Hume, Mrs. D. M. Hood, Mrs. Jesse Lamberth, Mrs. C. H. Lee, Mrs. Lilienthal, Mrs. Morris Marks, Mrs. C. W. Mills, Mrs. L. Magnus, Mrs. Morrison, Miss M. E. Murphy, Miss V. A. Murphy, Mrs. J. H. McClung, Mrs. Wm. Moore, Mrs. Wm. T. Newman, Mrs. Jas. Noble, Mrs. Reuben S. Norton, Miss Mary W. Noble, Miss Parks, Mrs. M. A. Pearson, Mrs. C. M. Pennington, Mrs. A. G. Pitner, Mrs. Pepper, Mrs. Wm. Quinn, Mrs. Dr. Chas. Todd Quin- tard, Mrs. Wm. Ramey, Mrs. Jane Russell, Mrs. Rawls, Jr'., Mrs. Rawls, Sr., Mrs. Roberts, Mrs. Sanders, Mrs. A. M. Sloan, Miss Martha B. Spullock, Mrs. Samuel Stewart, Mrs. Samuel J. Stevens, Mrs. Chas. H. Stillwell, Miss Savannah E. Stillwell, Mrs. Mary Sul- livan, Mrs. Chas. H. Smith, Mrs. Jno. R. Towers, Miss Lizzie Underwood, Mrs. Jno. W. H. Underwood, Mrs. Jas. Banks Underwood, Mrs. Jos. E. Veal, Mrs. James Ware, Mrs. C. Wat- ters, Mrs. Whittesey, Mrs. Thos. J. Word, Mrs. Augustus R. Wright, Mrs. J. G. Yeiser. This society adopted a constitution and by-laws, and the members paid $1 a year membership dues. Three wom- en in each county district solicited contributions. Mrs. Jas. Ware made some blankets that were very fine. Among things sent in were wool, socks, vegetables, red peppers, pepper sauce, tomato catsup, blackberry wine and cordial ; in fact, everything of a useful nature poured into headquar- ters, and was despatched as fast as limited transportation facilities would allow. Five carloads were sent to the front and training camps before the first year closed. Auxiliaries were formed in each district, and a Children's Aid Society came into being in September, 1861. Mrs. Easter, wife of the Episcopal rector, had charge. The children were a great help in running errands, and some of them could knit and sew. They sent many sheets, pillow cases and bandages to the Savannah hospital. Quite a number of beautiful tab- leaux were presented at the city hall under the management of Mrs. Daniel S. Printup and Mrs. D. Mack Hood, and the sum raised was $137.70. One of the scenes showed Kentucky in chains held by Lincoln, and another Maryland prostrate, and Lincoln bend- ing over her with a sword. Twenty- four girls in homespun from Rev. Chas. W. Howard's school at Spring Bank, Bartow County, attended this tableau. The Soldiers' Aid Association decid- ed in August, 1861, that a relief room was needed for the wounded soldiers who were coming back from the front as the excess from the crowded army hospitals. Mrs. Robt. Battey was elected president of this new organi- zation, and on Aug. 23 the "Wayside Home" was onened at the southeast Activities of the Folks at Home 155 156 A History of Rome and Floyd County corner of Broad Street and First Ave- nue, opposite the Hamilton-Shorter block, and quite convenient to the Rome railroad station, just across the street. Drs. T. J. Word and J. M. Gregory had charge as managers, and the committee on arrangements was made up of Col. Wade S. Cothran, J. M. Elliott, Robt. T. Hargrove, C. W. Mills and Daniel R. Mitchell. The v/omen's committees follow: Mrs. Fort, Mrs. Rawls and Mrs. Bayard for Monday; Mrs. Battey, Mrs. Sloan and Mrs. Yeiser, Tuesday; Mrs. Noble, Mrs. Marks, and Mrs. Hargrove, Wed- nesday; Mrs. Mills, Mrs. Hills and Mrs. Stillwell, Thursday; Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Hooper and Mrs. McClung, Fri- day; Mrs. Towers, Mrs. Freeman and Mrs. Russell, Saturday; Mrs. Roberts, Mrs. Morrison, Mrs. Rawls, Sr., Mrs. Ramey, Mrs. Lilienthal and Mrs. Cohen, Sunday. A great deal of medicine, bandages and everything needed in a first-aid station, including considerable cloth- ing, was put at the Wayside Home for the use of doctors and committees, and quite a number of sick and wounded soldiers were served satisfactorily. Presently came a sick soldier who was little more than a boy, named Wil- MARTHA BALDWIN SMITH, 18, just after her marriage in 1849 to Dr. Robt. Battey. She died Sunday, Feb. 5, 1922, aged 91. liam Lynch, of Louisiana. During the days before a complete diagnosis could be made by Dr. Word, the lad was at- tended by Mesdames Smith, Harper, Stewart, Underwood, Spullock, Cooley, Harkins, Stillwell, Hale, Rawls, Sr., Lilienthal, Cothran, A. E. Graves, At- taway, Norton, Sanders, Moore and Quinn. After a week. Dr. Word said it was smallpox. That was Tuesday. Necessarily there was a great deal of alarm. The women were isolated at once; everybody was afraid to go near them. On Tuesday afternoon Mrs. Battey went to the room, having heard the news. She was warned by Dr. Greg- ory that a smallpox patient was on the inside, but she insisted on going in, and there she found the lad crying. She told him not to be troubled, that he would be cared for. Having en- countered the advanced stages, Mrs. Battey was requested to keep company with herself. Three or four days later she took sick, and she says the only person in town who was brave enough to come to her relief was Col. W. A. Fort. Col. Fort treated her for a se- vere cold and she was up again pres- ently. When Mrs. Battey fell ill, William Howe volunteered to take charge of William Lynch. Here is an extract from a letter written by Mr. Howe from the sick room: "Thinking that the public would like to hear what is going on in this dreaded chamber of disease, I feel a desire to gratify it. My friends may think that time rolls heavily with me, but such is not the case. However, the room is under martial law and I am monarch of all I survey. His Honor the Mayor (Dr. Thos. J. Word) has created me military dictator. "I have two patients to nurse, two of the most patient, gentle sufferers that were ever afflicted. I really love them. The boy who has smallpox is Wm. Lynch, who is only 17 years old and has been in six battles. He had been discharged on account of feeble- ness caused from a long spell of ty- phoid fever, and was on the way to his hoine in Louisiana when he took smallpox here. The boy soldier will yet be a man if careful nursing on my part and the skill of the doctor can save him. "God bless our women! Here their true worth is felt. Every comfort, ev- ery appliance to the wants of the sick is within my reach ; and when I have occasion for a clean pillow slip, sheet Activities of the Folks at Home 157 or towel, the closet is crammed full of them, and I involuntarily exclaim, 'God bless them!' "I can not close this letter without furnishing a g^rateful acknowledgment to Col. Penning-ton, His Honor the Mayor, Dr. Gregory, Mrs. Wm. A. Fort, Mrs. Dr. Battey, Mrs. Dr. Un- derwood and Mrs. Omberg." The plight of the women and their sense of duty is expressed in the following card to The Courier : While we all lament the existence of this horrible war, shall we leave our brave defenders to suffer alone? Shall we not bravely endure our portion of the toil and danger? Oh, yes; let us not shrink from the duty that lies before us; and while we make use of every precaution for the safety of our families, go steadily forward trusting in God, thankful that we have only disease to contend with and have been spared the barbarous treatment which our bloody and deceitful enemies have inflicted on other parts of our country. It sometimes happens that those who flee are the first to perish, while God protects the faithful. As the Mayor of the City has taken charge of the Soldiers' Relief room, no more appointments will be made by the committee of ladies, who will now withdraw until again called upon by the gentlemen to perform their duties. The boy recovered ; two negroes contracted the disease from him, and one of them died. He soon left for his home, his heart grate- ful to the kindly Romans. As if echoing the prophetic words of Mr. Howe he used to lie on his cot and repeat, "Once a man, twice a child!" Airs. Re^'uolds continues: The doors of the Wayside Home were never opened again, and the con- tents were burned to prevent a spread of the disease. What the destruction of all this meant to those whose fin- gers had worked so ceaselessly to make it can scarcely be imagined. For sev- eral months the women contributed as individuals. An earlier donation by Mrs. Thos. J. Perry will give an idea of the extent: 1 quilt, 10 i)airs of woolen socks, 10 of cotton dravvers, 1 of suspenders, 2 of gloves, 3 towels, 2 pillow cases, 3 nubias, 1 bundle of bandages, G cakes of salve, 8 of soap, 1 bottle of black pepper, 1 bunch of red pepper, 1 bundle of sage, and 6 candles. In addition to the societies mentioned the St. Peter's Hospital As- sociation (of the Episcopal church) had been organized by Dr. Easter, and it sent forward a vast amount of hos- pital supplies. Prominent in the or- ganization were Mrs. Jos. E. Veal, Mrs. Geo. R. Ward, Mrs. Jno. W. Noble, Miss Mary W. Noble and Miss Palmer. On February 16, 1862, Fort Donel- son, Mississippi River, fell after a ter- rible battle, and hospitals in the South, already well filled, were taxed be- yond their capacities. This fact sug- gested that Rome open hospitals. The first was on Broad Street between Fourth Avenue and the old city hall, at Fifth; Dr. Fox had charge, and the matrons were Mrs. Reeves and Mrs. Merck. Several hundred injured were taken into Rome residences, but these were removed when the churches were converted into places of operation, treatment and convalescence. A hospital association was formed at the court house with Mrs. Nicholas J. Bayard president and Mrs. Wm. A. Fort secretary and treasurer. As usual, the entire county was canvass- ed for members and supplies. Mrs. J. G. Yeiser received much praise for her tireless efforts with the sick and the wounded. Part of the time of the women was spent cutting ban- MRS. ALFRED SHORTER, from an old minia- ture in the possession of Mrs. Waller T. Turnbull. 158 A History of Rome and Floyd County dag-es out of old sheets and the like, and in combing old table cloths for lint. Dr. Robt. Battey was in charge of the hospitals at this time.* Gradually the Northern army came closer to Rome, and the hospitals were moved to Macon and elsewhere farther south.** Again, in 1867, we see our noble women rally with grateful and loving hearts in a tribute to their dead. The "Ladies' Memorial Association" was or- ganized with Mrs. N. J. Bayard as its first president; Mrs. D. Mack Hood was the second president, Mrs. Thos. W. Alexander the third, until her death; and then Mrs. Henry A. Smith — all kept bright like burning incense the deeds of our beloved broth- ers, scattered posies and twined the evergreen where our heroes lie. The Daughters of the Confederacy must not let such efforts go unsung. As long as time lasts we will weave gar- lands of myrtle and ivy for their head- stones, and moisten their graves with our tears. The struggle for food further exemplified the splendid fortitude and spirit of self-sacrifice among the women. It must be remem- MR. AND MRS. I. D. FORD, a beloved couple of Rome, the parents of the first Mrs. Joseph L. Bass. bered that the blockade of South- ern ports was almost "water tight," and that the absence from farm and shop of nearly all the younger men curtailed production enormously. Spinning wheel and loom were recalled to make thread so that socks might be sent the soldiers, and worn at home. Alany of the articles of food that had been abundant were ob- tainal^le no more, and various sub- .'ititutes were employed. For cof- fee they used rye, wheat, okra seed, dried apples, sweet potatoees and persimmon seed ; the rye and okra seed were simply parched and ground, and sweet potatoes were cut into small pieces, dried and parched. Salt was so scarce that it was priced the same as sugar in Con- federate money in 1862 — $10 a bushel. The salt from meats in smoke houses was used. This was obtained by wetting smoke house earth, and boiling' down the drip- pings until nothing but salt re- mained. Presently this gave out. Sorghum syrup made a poor substitute for sugar. People dipped tallow and made candles, or poured hog fat into tin moulds. Wicks were put in first, and when cold, the candles were drawn out. Dyes for clothing were cop- peras, bark stain and pokeberry extract. All the leather went into shoes, saddles and pistol holsters for the soldiers. Women's shoe tops were made of coarse duck and dyed l)Iack with oil and soot. Shoe strings were made of hard twisted *In 1863 Dr. Battey had charge of the Bell hospital, and it is presumed this was on Broad between Fourth and Fifth Avenues. He also had charpre of the Polk hospital, on the west side of Broad Street between Second and Third Avenues. Polk hospital was moved to Macon. **Accordinff to the war diary of the late Reuben S. Norton, the last hospital was moved from Rome Dec. 8, 18G3. Activities of the Folks at Home 159 A GROUP WHICH SUGGESTS THE LONG AGO. At the top is Mrs. T. J. Simmons, for a ;number of years, with her husband, the head of Shorter College; beside her are Dr. and Mrs. Robt. T. Hoyt; on the left at the bottom is Mrs. W. I. Brookes, then come John Locke Martin, journalist and poet, and Mrs. Mary> Eve, of Eve Station. thread. Squirrel skins made good shoe tops and caps. Good toilet and laundry soap were "manufactured" from lye extracted from ashes. For soda, corn cobs Avcre burn- ed intd aslies and lye made there- from, and this was mixed with sour milk. Butter l^ean hulls were used in the same war. I)urin^' the autumn, when the sorghum was being ground, ]ieaches, apples, wild grapes and wild clierries furnished the "base" for jams and jellies. The sorg- hum was used as sweetening, ami the product after eooking was called preserves. If the invaders shot down sheep in tlie pa'-ture, the g(^(Ml woman 160 A History of Rome and Floyd County went to the spot with her shears and got enough wool for socks and stocking's. Serviceable women's hats were fashioned out of corn shucks, and in fact, every product of nature was utilized in some way, and the people learned indelibly just what is necessary to sustain life, and just what contributes to "high life." The situation was helped with some families when the Northern troops captured the country. "We have the shelter," invited certain householders. "We have the food," responded many of the boys in blue ; so those who could not be accommodated in tents moved into homes, and shared their food with the occupants. Cooking was done in common. When the corn was gathered in the fall of 1864, it constituted the principal article of food. Families lived through the winter on lye hominy, grits and sorghum and what little bread they could find. Eventually the soldiers left and all semblance of authority col- lapsed. Little food was to be had, and blood-thirsty, plundering van- dals stalked through the prostrat- ed communities, robbing and mur- dering the defenseless inhabitants. The final surrender in the spring of 1865 brought the men home, and they agreed that the front was little worse ; so all set to work to make something out of little or nothing. How heroically and well they repaired their broken for- tunes is a story that furnishes one of the .most helpful chapters in the history of Dixieland. Many cases of extreme dan- ger and acute suffering were re- ported from the country districts, where women often stepped into the places of the men in the fields. "The most novel thing I have seen in some time u-as a woman l^lowing yesterday, with a pistol buckled around her," wrote "R.," a Courier correspondent, May 5, 1863, from Bridgeport, Ala. ; and he continued : She is an intelligent woman, and her husband is in the army at Shelby- ville. I asked her why she carried a pistol and she said she knew the thieving disposition of the Federals, and had been dispossessed of every- thing but one horse and corn barely sufficient to make a crop, and she was determined to defend what was left to the last. One of our men, a noble- hearted farmer from Floyd County, was on picket, but being off post at the time, took hold of the plow and assisted her in laying off her corn rows. Sir, with such women, starvation is out of the question, and subjugation impossible. This woman, with her child sitting in the field, toils away, knowing that justice is God's empire. Let the faint-hearted and effeminate take courage at such examples. News of Forrest's great victory near Rome has just reached us and dis- appointment is seen in the countenance of every man of this battalion, be- cause we were not permitted to go on and participate in the brilliant af- fair so near our homes. CHAPTER IV. Streight's Raiders Captured by Forrest Ax LXCIDENT of the war which vied in spectacularity with the Andrews' raid was the Hathaway-Streight in- cursion into /\lal:)ama and Georgia from Tennessee, in April and May, 1863, and the capture of the com- mand by Forrest's force, less than one-third as large. Indeed, this incident was not surpassed by any similar occurrence during the con- flict, yet we find the historians (especially outside of the South) complacently sleeping on their pens with regard to it. There were two circumstances which called for proper exploita- tion from the native historians and for a degree of silence elsewhere ; 410 men captured 1,466, and the event developed a hero whose ride in certain respects outstripped the well - sung Paul Revere — soldier, silversmith, electro-engraver and manufacturer of cannon. John H. Wisdom, stage coach driver and rural mail carrier, warned Rome of the enemy's ap- proach, and Gen. Forrest captured them almost at the city's gates. That was Sunday, May 3, f863— the first Union troops Romans had seen. Gen. Sherman later com- plimented Forrest with the state- ment that "his cavalry will travel 100 miles while ours travels ten." It had been left to the intrepid Confederate general to demon- strate how a small band could pursue such a superior force through tlie mountains and over the streams of two states and make them lay down their arms. The feat was accomplished through strategy as well as force. After Forrest had sent in a flag of truce, demanding surrender. Col. Abel D. Streight, of the 51st In- diana Volunteers, asked the terms. "Unconditional surrender, your officers to retain their side arms and personal efifects," was the re- ply. "I have reinforcements and it is useless for you to sacrifice your men." Forrest met Streight at the meeting place. Streight wanted to argue, and Forrest wanted an an- swer. Capt. Henry Poynter dash- ed up, and Forrest gave him or- ders for the disposition of certain imaginary units of men ; the order had previously been given to march the artillery around a hill, then out of sight, and to keep them circling the brow. vStrcight was so impressed that he capitulated. The place was in Alabama near the Georgia line, about 20 miles below Rome. From the Tri-Weekly Courier, with dates as indicated, we get other details : Great Victory— Great Joi/!—The Yankees in Rome at last! Sunday morning last opened at half past two o'clock a. m. with an alarm. Mr. John H. Wisdom, of Gadsden, Ala., and a former resident of this city, reached here after riding with hot haste for eleven hours, and gave in- formation that the enemy wer€ at Gadsden when he left, and were bound for Rome. Preparations were begun with de- spatch, and by 9 o'clock in the morn- ing our soldiery and citizens were pre- pared to give them a warm reception. Two pieces of artillery were placed in position, commanding the roacl and the l)ridge, cotton barricades erected at all the defiles of the city, videttes sent out to watch the enemy's ap- proach. Everything was got in read- iness for determined resistance. Dur- ing the morning several couriers with despatches from (Jen. Forrest arrived, urging our commander here to hold them at bay for a few hours if possi- ble, at all hazards. About 2 o'clock another despatch from Gen. Forrest, saying he was fighting them at Gay- lesville, Ala., with an int'i'rior force. 162 A History of Rome and Floyd County About 9 o'clock a. m. a small body of the enemy's advance (about 200) reached the environs of the city, and were actually bold enough to dismount and feed their horses almost in sight of the city. They picked up all the horses and mules in the neighborhood, took some citizens prisoners and re- connoitered the defenses of the city. Learning that we were prepared with artillery, they bivouacked, and seemed to await the arrival of the main body. For some cause they retreated about 3 o'clock down the Alabama road. They were pursued by a small but resolute band of citizens, who were determined that the affair should not end thus. In the meantime. Gen. Forrest had overtaken the main body near Gayles- ville, and not far this side of Cedar Bluff. After some slight skirmishing. Gen. Forrest demanded a surrender. An interview was held under flag of truce and the terms of surrender agreed upon. The entire Yankee force, consisting of 1,800 men, were made prisoners of war, and as this included the bold adventurers who had looked with insulting eyes upon the church spires of the city, they, too, were turn- ed into disarmed infantry. They were met by Gen. Forrest's advance, about the same time that our citizen cavalry overtook them in the pursuit. Gen. Forrest arrived in the city with all the Yankee officers and the small body of troops alluded to on Sunday evening about 6 o'clock p. m. The rest of both forces reached here yesterday morning. But mark what remains to be told. Gen. Forrest accomplished this bold feat with less than 700 men, though the rest of his command were in sup- porting distance. Thus terminated the last Sabbath. Such a jubilee Rome has never experienced! Such raptures over Gen. Forrest and his brave men ! When it is considered what a dar- ing raid the enemy aspired to — what an extensive circuit they contemplated — what irreparable damage they had deliberately planned (being the burn- ing of the bridges on the State road, and the destruction of government property at Round Mountain, Dalton and Rome) it is wonderful how Gen. Forrest has managed to prevent the consummation of their designs. With more than 100 miles the start of him, he nevertheless has pressed them so hard with hot pursuit as to prevent material damage being done; except the destruction of the Round Moun- tain Iron Works in Cherokee County, Ala., they have done but little dam- age. Gen. Forrest has lost not exceed- ing 20 men in this glorious work. He killed and wounded about 300 of the enemy, among them Col. Hathaway, of Indiana. Col. Streight, of Indiana, was commanding the Federal forces. Heavy reinforcements arrived hei'e yesterday at noon from Atlanta, but owing to the peculiar nature of exist- ing circumstances, they will have noth- ing to do but guard duty. — Tuesday morning. May 5, 1863. The Greatest Cavalry Achievement of the War — We had hoped to have been able to furnish our readers with the full particulars of the brilliant and successful achievement of Gen. For- rest in this issue of our paper, but our own business engagements and the constant occupation of the General with his official duties have rendered it impossible for us to obtain all the facts necessary for the preparation of such an article. Our readers may ex- pect a full history in our next issue, and until we can give a full and suc- cinct account of this brilliant cam- paign and glorious victory, we will refrain from further comment. — May 7, 1863. Picnic to Gen. Forrest and His Brave Men on Saturday Next — Con- tributions expected from all the citi- zens of the county who feel able and willing to give honor to whom honor is due. Bring sufficient supplies, ready cooked and prepared; bring for 20 men if you can, or for 10 men, or for 5, besides a sufficient supply for your own family who attend. Report your name, with the number you will pro- vide for, to one of the undersigned: A. G. Pitner, T. G. Watters, C. H. Smith, A. M. Sloan, T. McGuire; Rome, Ga., May 4, 1863. We learn that the number of Yankees paroled (by Gen. Forrest in the capture of Streight) was 1,466 — officers and men. They were all sent off on Tuesday last. Rumor, with her thousand tongues, has got every one of them going, and there is no end to the wild reports that are in circulation. Report is hav- ing it that all North Georgia and Alabama are swarming with Yankees. A large number of horses were in the streets on Tuesday, many of which were identified as having been stolen by the Yankees in their recent raid through the country. The Yankees captured by Gen. For- rest are said to have been the pick Streight's Raiders Captured by Forrest 163 of Rosencrantz's army, and were really mounted infantry, having been drilled in both services. It is reported that Rosencrantz had offered them a boun- ty of $300 apiece and a discharge from the service to accomplish their object, which was to destroy Rome and the State road bridges. And better sub- jects for such infernal designs could scarcely have been selected, for a more villainous-looking set of scoundrels it has never been our misfortune to have seen before, and that, too, with scarce- ly an exception. What an escape a merciful Providence has vouchsafed to Rome! We noticed a telegram stating that the citizens of Rome met and fought the Yankees here on Sunday last. The only fighting was done by a few in- dependent scouts and videttes, who tried a round or two at them. But we learn that they were much sur- prised, as they expected to march in without any opposition. Tory Band — A citizen of Jackson County tells us that a number of Tories have banded themselves to- gether in Sand Mountain (Ala.) to resist conscription and the arrest of deserters — that they worsted a com- pany, more or less, of Confederate cav- alry who went there to arrest desert- ers and conscripts, some eight or ten days ago; that the facts have been reported to Tullahoma headquarters, and a force has been detailed suffi- cient to overcome the Tories. (Hunts- ville Confederate.) — Thursday, May 7, 1863. The Most Brilliant Feat of the War — Soon after the fight between the Federals and Col. Roddy near Tus- cumbia, Ala., a column of 2,000 Fed- eral cavalry, all under command of Col. Hathaway, of the 73rd Indiana Cavalry, consisting of the 73rd and 51st Indiana, 80th Illinois, and 3rd Ohio, diverged south, with two moun- tain Howitzers, with a view to cross the Sand Mountain and strike the Coosa River at Gadsden, Ala.; thence pass the Round Mountain and Chat- tooga River Iron Works, to Rome; thence to Dalton, Ga. ; thence through East Tennessee and join Rosenci'antz with a view to destroying the towns, bridges, iron foundries, railroads, com- missary supplies on this entire route, making a raid of some 1,500 miles. This was a daring, well-planned, well-executed expedition, as far as it went. The troops and commanders were regarded as select, and the in- ducements to success were strong and overwhelming with the well-known Yankee character. The plunder and stealage belonged to the capturers. In the event of success, each member of the raid was to receive a gold medal, $300 in gold, and a discharge from the service during the war. To ac- celerate their movements they seized every valuable horse and mule that they could find, taking them from wagons, buggies, stables or plows, and as their surplus increased, dropping out their own weak and broken-down stock, and by this means always keep- ing mounted on fresh stock. On Wednesday, the 29th, Gen. For- rest, with 500 mounted men and two brass cannon, started in pursuit, the Federals having taken a lead of about 80 miles. On Thursday night he over- took them, fought and repulsed them on Sand Mountain; in this fight Gen. Forrest had his horse killed under him. From that time onward, until Sunday, the 3rd of May, the time of the final surrender of the Federals, he fought and drove them back, or rather, for- ward, about three times every 24 hours. As they passed through Gadsden they destroyed part of the town and the depot, always destroying every GEN. NATJIAN i;i:pI(ii:ii i (ii;i;i-.< i', whose locks were cut li.v udniiiinK wniiuii when he saved Rome from Streight's raiders in '63. 164 A History of Rome and Floyd County bridge behind them and otherwise ob- structing the road as best they could. P\)rrest fought them near Major Blount's plantation Friday evening or Saturday morning. Here their com- mander-in-chief, Hathaway, was kill- ed. The command then devolved on Col. Streight, of the 51st Indiana. As they passed onward they destroyed the Round Mountain Iron Works. Cross- ing Chattooga River, they destroyed the bridge. Some time during Sat- urday night. Gen. Forrest succeeded in crossing the river, and fell on them Sunday afternoon at Mrs. Lawrence's, about five miles east of Gaylesville, and here after a short fight, terms of capitulation for the entire Federal forces was agreed upon, and the Fed- erals stacked their arms. During Saturday evening a detach- ment of 200 had been sent ahead to reconnoiter and attack Rome, as cir- cumstances might indicate. The first intimation the people of Rome had of the raid was the arrival of Mr. John H. Wisdom, from Gads- den, giving information of the rapid approach of the Federals. Tremendous excitement, and be it said to the dis- credit of some, much liquor was wast- ed, doubtless to screw up their cour- age to the fighting point. By 8 p. m. two cannon, with barricades of cotton bags, were mounted and placed in po- sition on the river bank. The citi- zens from the country flocked in with their rifles and squirrel guns, and there soon were enough to make a pretty formidable fight, if they had been under any sort of organization. But the organization amounted to as near none as possible. About half past 8 some pickets and videttes went out and a short distance from the city en- countered the enemy's advance pick- ets. Here some skirmishing for sev- eral hours took place between the enemy and these pickets and some citizens who had advanced on the enemy. About 2 p. m. the enemy very suddenly and apparently in a great hurry mounted and retreated down the road, followed by our skirmishers. They met Gen. Forrest and his party about 8 or 9 miles below Rome, Col. Streight and all the Federal officers being their prisoners. It is said the reason of the sudden departure of the Federals from Shorter's was a cour- ier from Col. Streight, their com- mander, informing them that they were prisoners of war, and had been for eight hours. About 6 p. m. Gen. Forrest, with 120 Federal officers and this detach- ment reached the city, under such booming of cannon and rejoicing as has never been seen in Rome, and may never again. Indeed, it was right and just to him and his brave men. But for the noble and gallant Forrest and his equally noble and gallant men, who had pursued and fought this band of outlaws, robbers and murderers for five consecutive days and nights, al- most without eating or sleeping, our beautiful little Mountain City would at this hour be in ashes, and many of our best citizens robbed and murder- ed. A thousand blessings upon them, and a thousand prayers for them! In their vanity and folly some of our vain and swaggering people are trying to claim credit to themselves for this glorious success of the truly in- domitable and noble Forrest. If we did anything, it was clumsily done. Forrest has justly won for himself by this almost superhuman effort a title to a major generalship, and if he is not promoted, he will not have jus- tice done him, especially when it is remembered that with a picked force of Federals, four to his one, he dash- ed on them by day and by night, and in chasing them a little over 200 miles, he killed or captured the last one of them, with all their cannon, arms, horses, stores, etc., killing outright their leader and 300 men, with a loss of only 10 killed and 40 wounded. And he thereby saved millions of dollars worth of property from destruction by the hands of the cowardly scoundrels and vandals. We of North Alabama and North- western Georgia will cheer him and reiterate our cheers for him, and never cease until he shall receive a major general's commission. We have but one complaint to make. We thought he was a little too lenient to the im- pudent, boasting, threatening, coward- ly Federal officers. A CITIZEN OF ROME. To Arms! To Arms! — The citizens of Floyd and surrounding counties are requested to meet in Rome on Thurs- day next at 11 o'clock a. m.. May 14, to form a military organization for repelling the thieving, house-burning and vandal foe that may venture on our soil. Let everybody come and go to work in earnest. Defend Your Homes and Your Pro})- crty. — It will be seen from a notice in this issue of our paper that the citi- zens of Floyd and the surrounding counties are called on to meet at the court house in this city on Thursday Streight's Raiders Captured by Forrest 165 ^ A MAP OF ROME IN 1890. (Scale, one mile to the inch). night, the 14th inst., for the purpose of forming a military organization for the protection of their homes and their property. This is a highly im- portant movement and we give it our most cordial and hearty endorsement. Let every boy and man from 15 to (>() years old fall into line and stand up for the protection of their mothers, wives and sisters. If the love of coun- try does not move you, these sacred claims will surely spur you to action. It is plain now that the enemy, be- ing foiled and routed ui)on every field of general engagement, has determined to tui-n loose liis army in maraud- ing hands, to dash through our coun- try with torch and sword, to burn and 166 A History of Rome and Floyd County plunder our citizens and homes, mur- der our men and dishonor our women. We are advised that good arms will be furnished to all who are not able to supply themselves. Let all the people in this and the surrounding counties meet in this city on next Thursday; and the ladies will do well to encourage this movement by their presence — they are all wanted. Come, ladies, and bring your sons and your husbands. — May 9, 1863. The Yankee Prisoners at Rome. — Among this batch of thieves and mur- derers was found two companies of North Alabama Tories; and amongst them a man by the name of Funder- burk, who was born and raised with- in three miles of Rome. This villain- ous whelp had a gallant brother in the Eighth Georgia who fell covered with honor and glory at the First Bat- tle of Manassas, July 21st, 1861. This scoundrel, with his widowed mother, moved to the Sand Mountain in 1852, and since the death of his brother has been here trying to get a share of his honored brother's estate. He ad- mits he piloted the Yankees to this place. He is safely under lock in jail. There was also found among them a man by the name of Phillips, who was raised in Forsyth County, Georgia. He is alleged to be a Confederate de- serter. He is with Funderburk, to- gether with a Methodist preacher, who says his name is Brown, who the Yankees say also piloted them, and many years ago was a circuit rider in Floyd. But no such a man ever rode the circuit in this county. The prisoners generally were re- markably impudent and insulting, es- pecially the officers. One of their of- ficers, a major, publicly cursed Gen. Forrest on the streets for a scoundrel and a rascal, stating that when For- rest demanded a surrender the Yankee negotiators were trying to get the best terms possible, and Forrest suddenly appeared to get very mad. Swore he would wait no longer, that he would rather kill the whole of them than not; ordered his couriers immediately to direct the commanders of four sep- arate batteries to place them on sep- arate points of hills; and ordered the commanders of four separate regi- ments to be formed immediately at particular points in line of battle, and that the couriers absolutely dashed off, as though they were going to have these orders executed. And as they dashed off, Forrest told them his signal gun would be fired in ten min- utes, when in fact (he said) the ras- cal had but two little cannon, and not more than a half regiment all told. Finally, that Forrest was nothing but a damned swindler. The impudent whelps, openly on the streets, avowed their intention to be back here in less than three months, burn up the town and hang every man in it because, they say, they were bushwhacked. This, of course, is an idle boast of the poor cowardly devils, to cover up their shame and disgrace. They said they did not come into Rome just as they expected; that they could stand all that; but such a number of them to be gobbled up by a little squad of "dirty, snotty-nosed butternuts" was past endurance. We regret to learn that Capt. For- rest, a brother of the General's, com- manding a company in his old regi- ment, was severely and it is feared mortally wounded in the recent run- ning fight with the Yankees from Courtland to Rome. Gen. Forrest has received a dispatch from Col. Roddy, announcing that the Yankees have evacuated Tuscumbia. The Steamer Laura Moore blew her whistle off yesterday morning as she was about signalling her departure. Her steam escaping prevented her de- parture.— Saturday, May 9, 1863. "BILL ARP" ON ROME "BATTLE" (Southern Confederacy, Atlanta). Rome, Gorgy. Mr. Adeer & Smith: So many onreliable persuns will be sirkulatin spewrius akkounts of the "Grand Rounds" tuk by the infernal Yankees in these Roman-tik rejuns, that I think it highly proper you should git the streight of it from one who seed it with his eyes, and hearn it with his years, and a piece of it fell on his big toe. More than 200 years ago Genrul D. Soto had a big fight with the Injuns on or about these consekrated grounds. Since that time an oninterrupted peece hav rained around these classic hills and hollers. Flowers hav bloomed sweetly, lambs hav skipd about, dog fennel hav yallered the ground, and the Coosa river, which were then a little spring branch, hav grown both wide and deep, until now the majestik steamboat can float upon its bosom, and the big mud cat gobble up the yearthworms what chance to fall into its watters. But rollen years will change a pro- gram. Anno domini will tell ! Jest Streight's Raiders Captured by Forrest 167 afore the broke of day, on Sunday, the third of May, 1863, eighteen hun- dred and 63, the cityzens of the eternal city were arowsed from their slumbers with the chorus of the Marsales hymn, "To arms, to arms, ye brave! Abe Linkhorn are pegging away, and the Yankees are ridin to Rome on a raid!" Ah! then were the time to try men's soles! But there were no panik, no skedadlin, to shakin of nees — but one universal determynation to do sum- thin. The burial squad organized fust and foremost and begun to inter ther money, and spoons and 4 pronged forks, and sich like about the prem- ises. Babies were sent to the rear. Hosses hid in the cane brake. Cows milked oncommon dry. Cashiers and bank agents carried off their phunds in a pair of saddle bags, which very much exposed ther facilities and the small compass of ther resources. It were, however, a satisfactory solushun of ther refusin to discount for the last 3 months. Skouts were sent out on every road to snuff the tainted breeze. Kotton bags were piled up across ev- ery high way and low way. Shot guns and cannon and powder and ball were brought to the front. The yeo- manry and the melishy jined a squad of Confederate troops and formed in line of battle. They were marched across the Oustanawly River, and then the plank of the bridge torn up so that they couldn't retreat. This were done, however, at ther own valyunt request, because of the natural weak- ness of the flesh. They determined jintly and sevrally, firmly by these presents, to do sumthin. Two cracked cannon, what had holes in the ends, and two or three on the side, were propped up between the kotten bags, and pinted dead straight down the road to Alabam. They were fust loaded with buckshot and tacks, and then a round ball rammed on top. The ball were to take the raid in front, and the bullets and tacks to rake 'em in the phlanks. These latter it was supposed would go through the cracks in the sides and shoot around gener- ally. Everybody and everything de- termined to die in their tracks, or do sumtlmi. The steamboats dropped quietly down the river to get out of the thick of the fight. The sharp shooters got on top of semmetery hill with ther re- peaters and pokit pistols. The videttes dashed with spy glasses to the top of the court house to see a fur off. Dashin Comanchy couriers rode on- ruly steeds to and fro, like a fiddler's elbow. Sum went forward to rekenoy- ter as skouts. Everybody resolved to do sumthin. At this critical junkture, and pre- vious and afterwards, reports were brought into these Head Quai-ters, and all other quarters, to the effeck that 10,000 Yankees were kummin, and 5,- 000 and 2,000, and any other number; that they were ten miles from town, and 6 miles, and 2 miles, and any other number of miles; that they were on the Alabam road, and the Cave Spring road, and the River road, and any other road; that they were cross- in the river at Quin's Ferry, and Wil- liamson's Ferry, and Bell's Ferry, and any other ferry; that they had tuck the Steembote Laura Moore, and Chi- rokee and Alfaratta, and any other steembote; that they had shot at a Comanchy rider, and hit him in the coat tail, or his hosses tail, or any other tale; that they had seezed Sis Morris, or Bill Morris, or Jep Mor- ris, or any other Morris. In fak, a man could hear anything by gwine about, and more too. Shore enuf, however, the important crisis which were to have arriven did actually arriv, about 10 o'klock in the mornin, a. m., on May 3rd, 1863. I am thus portikler, Mr. Editurs, bekaus JUDGE JNO. W. MADDOX. who entered the Confederate Army at 15, and served several terms in Congress from the Seventh District. 168 A History of Rome and Floyd County it are to be entered on next year's almynak as a remarkabul event. The head of the raid did aktully arriv at the suburban vilhi of Mr. Myers, and thar it stoped to rekonnoiter. Thar they learned as how we had 600 head of artillery, and 6,000 kotton bags, and a permiskous number infantry taktix, and we were only waitin to see the whites of their eyes. Also that the his- tory of Gen. Jackson at New Orleans wer red in publik, and that everything were inspired to do si())itliin; where- upon the head of the raid turned pale, and sent forward a picket. At this onspishus moment a foot skout on our side let fly a whistlen bullit, which tuk effek somewhat in those rejuns. It were reasonably suposed that one Yankee were killed, and perhaps two, for even to this time sumthing dead can be smelt in those parts, tho' the buryal squad had not been able to find it up to yestiddy. After right smart skirmishin, the head of the raid feii back down the road to the Alabam, and were persued by our mounted yeomanry at a respectabul distance. Now Mr. Adeer & Smith, while all these vaylunt feets were going on hereabouts. Gen. Forrest had been fighting the body and tail of the raid away down at the Alabam line. Final- ly he proposed to the raid to stop fightin and play a game or two of poker, under a cedar tree, which they aksepted. But the Ginerul were not in luck and he had a pore hand, and had stalked his last dollar. The Yankees had a Streight, which would hav tuk Forrest and raked down the pile, but he looked on rite in the eye and sed he would see 'm, and "4,000 better." The raid looked at him, and he looked at the raid, and never blinked. The raid trembled all over it boots, and gin it up. The Generul bluffed 'em, and ever since that game was played, the little town hard by has bin called Cedar Bluff. It were flush times in the Alabam, that day, shore! Well, Mr Editurs, you know the sequil. The Generul bagged 'em and broght 'em on. The planks were put back on the bridge. The river bank infantry countermarched and fired a permiscous volley in token of jew- bilee. One of the side-swipin cannon went off on its own hook, and the ball went ded through a house and tore a buro all to flinders. Sum sed it were a Niter Buro, but a potash man who examined sed he reckin not, for ther weren't no ashes in the drawers, nor naro ash hopper on the premises. By and by the Comanchy Skouts and pickets all kum in, and shuk ther am- brosial locks and received the congrat- ulations of ther friends. Then begun the ovashun of fair women and brave men to Gen. Forrest and his gallant boys Bokays and tears were all mixed up promiskous. Big chunks of cake and gratitude were distributed generally and frequent. Strawberries and cream, eggs and inyuns, pies and pancakes — all flew aroun amazin, for everybody was determined to do sKnithin. Gen. Forrest subsided, and General Jew- bilee tuk command, and Rome her- self again. The 4 pronged forks and silver spoons ros from the dead and even the old hen what one of our city aldemen had hurried with her head out, was disinterred and sacrificed im- mediately for the good of the koun- try. Thus hav ended the raid, and no loss on our side. Howsumever, I sup- pose that Mr. Linkhorn will keep "peg- gin' away." Yours truly and immensely, THE ORTHOR, Adjective Generul of Yeomanry. The Yankee cavalry roamed a little too far from home when they ventured a journey to Rome. The citizens there- of were Romans enough to meet them in battle array, and Forrest, at Rome, was the "noblest Roman of them all." —Rebel. Proclamation. — To the Citizens of Rome: A little more than a week ago our city was beleaguered by the most lawless band of incendiaries that ever disgraced humanity. This enemy came with "lust in his eye, poverty in his purse and hell in his heart. He came a robber and a murderer." But at our very threshold he was arrested by the Lord God of Hosts. Thus we were de- livered, and thus our city was saved from destruction. Under such circum- stances it is right, proper and our bounden duty as a people to bow down in adoring thankfulness to that kind F'ather whose everlasting arms have been around, about and underneath us, to protect us from harm, and it is our duty and privilege to ascribe to him all the honor of our deliverance. Now, therefore, I, John M. Gregory, mayor of the City of Rome, do issue this, my proclamation, setting apart Wednesday, the 13th inst., as a day of thanksgiving and prayer to Almighty God for the great mercies vouchsafed to us, and I do therefore earnestly in- vite the people of the city to assemble at their respective places of worship Streight's Raiders Captured by Forrest 169 on that day, and to unite in render- ing thanks and praise to God. Given under my hand and seal of office, this May 11, 1863. J. M. Gregory, Mayor of the City of Rome. — Tuesday, May 12, 1863. Gen. Forrest and the Citizens of Rome — As a slight appreciation of the services of the gallant Forrest in sav- ing our beautiful city from sack and flames, at the hands of the ruthless vandals, who lately came to lay our homes in desolation, a suggestion was made that it would be expressive of our gratitude to present the General with a fine horse, and in the course of an hour or two over $1,000 was con- tributed for this purpose. But. Col. A. M. Sloan, anticipating the move- ment, on his own private account pre- sented Gen. Forrest with his splendid saddle horse, for which he would not on any other account have taken the best negro fellow in the State. This was an appropriate and magnificent offering on the part of Col. Sloan.* We are advised that the money which had been contributed by the citizens for this purpose was turn- ed over to Gen. Forrest to be used for the benefit of the sick and wounded of his command. The Alabama Traitors. — We have had the pleasure of reading a letter from Gov. Shorter, of Alabama, to Surgeon P. C. Winn, in regard to the Alabama traitors captured by Gen. P"'orrest in North Alabama, in which the Governor says he has demanded "under the order of President Davis, all the officers taken in Alabama, found serving with armed slaves," etc. We greatly admire the spirit of Gov. Shorter in this matter and hope to see his example emulated in every state. Perhaps no event of the war has caused more profound regret through- out the Confederacy or more real sat- isfaction to the Yankees than the death of glorious old Stonewall Jack- son. After having made such hair- breadth escapes from Yankee bullets he has died at last at the hands of his own men. His memory is embalmed in the hearts of the people, and his name will live through all times. Some of our contemporaries are de- termined that the royal ape of Wash- ington shall have his proper cognomen of "Hanks," and "Hanks" let it be, and thereby free the respectable name of Lincoln from the odium attached to *A. M. Sloan, banker and warehouseman, formerly of Columbus. it from his bearing it. It is said that old Hanks has started the old pegging system of tactics. If so, we suppose the recent raid to Rome was one of the pegs driven in and broken off. — Thursday, May 14, 1863. The Meeting on Thursday — A large number of the citizens of Floyd and the surrounding counties met in this city on Thursday last to consult to- gether on the best means of defending our city and the approaches to the State road, against raiding parties of the public enemy. Major John Rush was chosen president and Mr. John M. Berry secretary. Col. Fouche explain- ed the object of the meeting, and moved the appointment of a commit- tee of five, who were himself. Col. D. R. Mitchell, Maj. J. G. Yeiser, Rev. J. W. Glenn and Col. Alfred Shorter. During the absence of the committee, Hon. John W. H. Underwood was in- vited to address the meeting, but de- clining to do so, called on Dr. P. C. Winn, of Alabama, who entertained the audience with a spirited plea for home defense. The committee report- ed stirring resolutions, which were unanimously adopted. We would appeal to every boy and man who has the pluck to defend his home, to join some military company. We know of but three excuses which any man could offer for not joining: utter physical inability, innate, incur- able cowardice and old age. But the man should be so old that he would not think of maiTying again if his wife should die. If any man will come out and establish his right to plead any of those three excuses, let him be perpet- ually exempt from all military serv- ice;" but let all others shoulder arms and fall into ranks for the defense of their native soil. — Saturday, May 16, 1863. To Arms, Ye Romans! — We find the following astounding telegram to the Associated Press, which, if true, it is time Romans were looking to their lau- rels : Atlanta, May 16.— Quartermaster Polk's Corps arrived and passed through this morning. We have re- l)orts that 7,000 or 8,000 of the enemy are approaching Rome. All the avail- able force here is ordered to be held in readiness. There is a grape-vine telegram afloat that Jackson, Miss., has iK^en taken by the enemy, and that our forces have them surrounded and cut off.— Tuesday, May 19, 1863. 170 A'^HisTORY OF Rome and Floyd County NINETEEN DWELLINGS OF MANY TYPES. 1 — Wilson M. Hardy; 2 — old A. R. Sullivan home; 3 — old Goetchius home; 4 — Dr. J. C. Watts (C. N. Featherston) ; 5 — part of old Battey infirmary; 6 — J. W. Rounsaville; 7 — Eliza Frances Andrews; 8 — A. B. S. Moseley; 9 — T. J. Simpson (J. L. Sulzbacher)S 10 — Ed. L. Bosworth; 11 — O. L. Stamps (C. Rowell) ; 12 — S. F. Magruder; 13 — old Harper home; i^ ii^ Reynolds (R. D. VanDyke) ; 15 — Hood-Cumming-Featherston (Rixie); 16 — Dr. T. R. Garlington (J. D. Hanks); 17 — Unknown; 18 — VanDyke-Maddox; 19 — Henry Stoffregen. Streight's Raiders Captured by Forrest 171 To All People Who Are Able to Bear A^rms! — The question can no longer be blinked. You must either fight, run or take the oath of allegiance to Lin- coln. This call is made to the fight- ing men, young and old. If there be any of the other classes, we don't want them; the sooner they take care of themselves, the better. Daily develop- ments convince all thinking men of the immediate necessity of a strong mili- tary organization for self-defense. The people are invited, perhaps for the last time, to meet at the court house in Rome on Tuesday morning next, May 26 at 10 o'clock a. m., to learn what has been done, and to determine, un- der a proper organization, what they will do in defense of their property, their wives and their children. We beseech you to come and to come ready to make all needed sacrifices for your country! — J. M. Gregory, mayor; S. Fouche, D. R. Mitchell, "j. G. Yeiser, A. Shorter, J. W. Glenn, Committee. — Tuesday, May 26, 1863. Rev. Georg'e Pierce, son of the bishop of that name who served the Rome district after the war, had intended to preach at one of the IMethodist chtirches on the Sunday Forrest appeared, but he quickly caught the war fever and shouldered a gun.* According to William Hardin and Jas. O. Winfrey, the well- known Confederate veterans. Col. Streight cried over his plight, and it was said on good authority at the time that he tried to get a pis- tol to shoot himself. He was de- scribed by all who knew him as an intrepid soldier. Reminiscences by the late Dr. P. L. Turnley, presented to the U. D. C, add this information : Col. Hathaway, original commander of the raiders, was shot through the neck and killed at the foot of Owl Mountain, near Turkeytown, Etowah County, Ala., while eating breakfast. Two young sharijshooters, brothers named Hall, had climbed to the top of ♦Authority : 20th Contiiry Rome, Tribune In- dustrial Edition, Oct., 1902. **Accordin!j to Mrs. Robt. Battey, several younpr women snipped ofT lonK raven locks. ***Authority : Edward C. Peters, of Rome. Since the total casualties are 1,T•>A^ by this esti- mate, there is a discrepancy of 453 men, the number at the start having been 2,000. the spur above the invaders and crack- ed down on the officer. Streight was then placed in command. The news that Streight was ap- proaching spread like prairie fire, and more activity was shown in Rome than for a long time. By noon the town was fairly well garrisoned by men and boys of all ages. The bridges were blocked with cotton bales, and the floors covered with straw saturated with oil. Every cellar and garret had been ransacked for arms and weapons of any kind. Col. J. G. "Yeiser obtain- ed two old honey-combed cannon, and placed the dangerous ends toward the enemy. These, with old rusty flint- lock rifles and a few pistols, were all the defenders had, but they were suf- ficient to turn back Streight's advance guard. Rome was so hilarious that Gen. Forrest could hardly attend to his du- ties; and it has been said by one who was present that the brave general would have been bald had he given locks of his hair to all the ladies who made the request.** Forrest's losses were said to have been ten killed and 40 wound- ed. Streight's losses from Apr. 27 through May 3, 1863, from Tus- cumbia to Rome (including Day's Gap, Apr. 30, Black Warrior Creek, Mav 1, and Blount's Farm, May 2) were twelve killed, 69 wounded. 1.466 captured. The captives were the 51st and 73rd Indiana Volun- teers, the 3rd Ohio, the 80th Illi- nois Mounted Infantry and two companies of the First Alabama Cavalry who were mostly desert- ers from the Confederate ar- my.*^=* Streight's men were worn out from their forced marches and loss of sleep, and when Forrest came up, many whtc sleei)ing on their arms, and their commander could make them hght no longer. In or