Did you know that the state of Georgia was first settled by criminals?
The settlement of Georgia began with James Oglethorpe; a British soldier whose mission was to help the prisoners who were being treated poorly by the British prison system.
Oglethorpe was a Parliament member and a humanitarian. He worked tirelessly to help the prisoners especially those who were imprisoned on minor charges for instance like imprisonment of unpaid dept and with his position in the British Parliament, it gave him the access to men to fund a debtor’s colony in the New World and after three years King George II approved it which would become the 13th colony of Georgia.
However, Oglethorpe’s mission was put on hold when the King George stipulated that the colony must make money and return it back to the crown. Oglethorpe then gathered 114 men, women and children and set sail for the new colony of Georgia.
The first of Oglethorpe’s ships landed in Georgia in 1732 and by February of 1733, Oglethorpe had friended the local natives and negotiated a land plot near Savannah Georgia to settle.
Back in Britian before sailing for the new land, the colonists were gifted with cotton seeds which became the main crop of the colony of Georgia and still is one of the main crops of the state of Georgia today.
After arriving in the new colony, Britain then sent over 60,000 men, women and children who were considered ex-convicts but only a few were sent to Georgia. The rest were sent to Maryland and Virginia to settle.
Although Oglethorpe never reached his goal of making Georgia a dept free colony, but he did want to be certain that everyone who settled in the colony had an equal chance of becoming a prosperous citizen.
Although, Oglethorpe never succeeded on making Georgia a place where the colonists could do for themselves, colonize and learn to trade, he did succeed on founding the colony now the state of Georgia.
Located on West Chickamauga Creek lies a very important part of Georgia’s history!
The mill was built by a man named James Gordon who came from Gwinnett County, Georgia (Atlanta) in 1836.
The mill served the community as one of the first general stores in the area. A blacksmith shop was also located nearby.
The stagecoach and mail passed through twice a week.
During the Civil War or “War Between the States” if you will, Confederate General Braxton Bragg and the Confederate Army of Tennessee used the mill as their headquarters from September 9 through the 10th of 1863.
On September 10, 1863, General Bragg moved his headquarters out of the mill to nearby LaFayette Georgia and after doing so the next day Union troops occupied the mill and surrounding areas.
On September 13 through the 18th of 1863, the Battle of Chickamauga drew troops to the North and the mill was once again used as a headquarters for the Confederate army but not for General Bragg and his army this time but rather General Joseph “Fighting Joe” Wheeler and his cavalry corps.
The mill was later captured back by the Union Army in the winter of 1863. The Union used the second story of the mill as a Masonic Lodge.
Sadly in 1867, the mill that had been around over 30 years and survived America’s deadliest wars burnt.
James Lee, James Gordon’s partner rebuilt the mill on the same site that the first one had burnt and that is the mill that still stands today.
For years the mill stood empty but yet full of history and in 1993 Mr. Frank Pierce purchased the mill and restored it to operating condition and rebuilt the dam.
The mill is open from Tuesday through Saturday from 9am to 5pm. Admission is free and you can purchase fresh ground cornmeal on the mill’s site.
This place is a true Georgia historic site loaded with so much history!
Have you ever seen a Wild Pintail or Mallard Duck swimming and riding a river current and wondered just how do they swim in freezing cold and not get frostbite in their bare feet like us humans do? Let’s find out!
Too much of the cold blood would bring their body temperature down which would then lead to hypothermia but ducks have another way of solving this!
Ducks feet are not insulated through layers of fat nor feathers so with this being said, they instead rely on another source of warmth called “countercurrent”.
As warm arterial blood rushes out of the duck’s heart and begins traveling its way to the duck’s feet, it is met closely by the rushing cold blood coming out of the duck’s feet. In birds the veins and arteries run close together therefore as they pass each other, the cold blood from the duck’s feet takes most of the heat from the artery causing the artery blood to be extremely cool before entering the duck’s leg, preventing any heat loose from the Duck’s body.
Hidden underneath the Tellico River in Vonore, Tennessee lies the Cherokee Nation’s first capital city of Tanasi.
The capital was in effect from 1721 to 1730, 46 years before the Declaration of Independence was signed.
Tanasi attained political prominence in 1721 when its civil chief was elected the first “Emperor of the Cherokee Nation”. About the same time that this had occurred, the town name was also applied to the river on which it was located.
During the mid-18th century, Tanasi became overshadowed and absorbed by the town of Chota which was located to the immediate north.
So how did Tennessee get named from the town of Tanasi?
The first recorded spelling of Tennessee as it is today occurred on Lt. Henry Timberlake’s map of 1762. In 1796, the name Tennessee was selected among several as most appropriate for the nation’s 16th state.
The flooding to create the Tellico River in this area caused the town to become underwater. The flooding was caused for the Tellico Reservoir and to complete the construction of the dam on the Little Tennessee River.
The site of the former town of Tanasi is now underwater and is located about 300 yards west of the Tanasi marker.
Folks from all around can come to the Tanasi Memorial on the Tellico River to pay tribute to this underwater but never forgotten town!
If ya’ll are interested in visiting here is the address to the marker
Follow Hwy 360 to the junction of Hwy 360/Hwy 455 for about 5miles. Then turn left onto Country Road 461 where you will then turn right to the Tanasi Memorial.
Nestled deep in the North Georgia mountains on the South Caroline and Georgia state line, just northeast of Athens and just South of Toccoa lies a very interesting county. I’m talking about Hart County.
Image by National Geographic
Hart County is named after a woman by the name of Nancy Hart. Nancy Ann Morgan was born around 1747 and is a Revolutionary War hero. The neighboring native Americans had great respect for Nancy and even referred to her as “War Woman” or “Wahatchee” in Cherokee.
She married a man by the name of Benjamin Hart and together in 1771, they obtained a 400-acre land grant 25 miles southeast of Hartwell and they built a log cabin home.
Legend states that Nancy served as a spy for General Elijah Clarke and occasionally even disguised herself as a man. The most famous story about Nancy occurred during the Revolutionary War when 7 British soldiers arrived at her cabin near Wahatchie Creek. Her normal hostility toward the British was replaced that day by a cordial manner and she even offered the soldiers a meal. Meanwhile, while she was doing this, she sent her daughter to the spring for water and she sent her with a conch shell to blow which would signal a summoning for help.
The British soldiers began to drink, while Nancy kept a good eye on them and their muskets that were carelessly stacked in the corner.
Nancy managed to sneak two of the muskets into a space in the wall but by the time she got to the other muskets she had been caught by the British. One of the British soldiers ran after her but she was an expert marksman and dropped him to the floor another British soldier followed and she shot and injured him. The rest of the soldiers remained from provoking Nancy. Maybe it was the fact the she was 6 feet tall and red headed or maybe it was the fact that she was armed and they weren’t. Either way Nancy kept them contained while she waited on her husband and his friends to arrive.
Although this was said to be a legend, after a work crew building the railroad unearthened the truth, it is safe to say that this was not in fact a legend but in fact the truth!
Nancy worked tirelessly on helping her newborn country doing so many things, from tying logs up with grapevines to be able to cross the Savannah River to collect the badly needed information to even dressing up as a man and protending that she was crazy just to get into the British Camp and to collect vital information on the British troop movements.
Nancy was even related to Daniel Boone and Colonel John Dooley
The natives even named the creek that ran by her home “Wahatchee” after Nancy which is now apart of the Georgia State Park Nancy Hart State Park and the replica cabin can be seen today and the original stones from the chimney of the original were used in the remaking of the cabin as well.
The representation of Nancy Hart may be seen on the Hart County Seal. The seal was designed by Robert W. Knowles and was adopted as the official seal on May 8, 1990.
Alot of rumors have been passed from generation to generation as to where and if there is an underground city below Cades Cove.
On Monday, March 27th, 2017, the National Park Service performed maintenance on the John Oliver Cabin. The cabin was one of the first cabins to ever have been built inside of the cove.
A crew member by the name of Brian Crimmins was cleaning the cabin’s fireplace when suddenly the floorboards where he standing began to buckle under his weight.
While giving an interview with the local media outlets, Crimmins explained what he just happened.
“I’m a pretty big guy, so I don’t think the old wood floors were accustomed to supporting someone with my build. When I knelt down to start cleaning the fireplace, I started to hear a cracking sound, and before I knew it, I had fallen through the boards. I was pretty embarrassed at the time, but now I’m really happy that it happened.”
After Crimmins was safely removed from below the floor, crew members were shocked to find a tunnel under the broken boards. This discovery prompted the National Park Service to bring in the help of Dr. Dennis Poliferno, a noted archaeologist and historian from the University of Tennessee. Under Dr. Poliferno’s direction, a series of expeditions were made in the tunnel from March 28th to March 31st.
Some believe that the mile long tunnel beneath the cabin leads to a large underground city that was inhabited by the Cherokee tribe.
Now this story sounds very convincing. There’s only one issue this news which was first published by experiencecadescove.com and the story is indeed just an April 1st joke.
No one ever has reported nor discovered an underground city if there is one, but I bet a lot of you now are like me and are really wondering if there is an underground city and if so, where is the city’s location?
For now, it is just a joke but who knows what the future holds! There’s always new Cades Cove history discovered!
Sherman’s Necktie was a way of railway-destruction that was used by General William Tecumseh Sherman during the Civil War.
General Sherman was responsible for the “March To Sea” all the way to Savannah and the burning of Atlanta, Georgia.
To this day, you can still see Sherman Railroad Neckties in the state of Georgia.
The neckties were formed when Union Troops heated railway rails until they were able to be bent.
After the Union Troops heated the rails, they would take the rail and wrap it around a tree and bend it around into a necktie or loop if you will.
Surprising enough though, General Sherman did order destruction during the “Atlanta Campaign”.
However he did not order the destruction of the railroad ties. This is what he said.
“In case of the sounds of serious battle Major-General Mcpherson will close in on General Schofield but otherwise will keep every man of his command at work in destroying the railroad by tearing up track, burning the ties and iron, and twisting the bars when hot. Officers should be instructed that bars simply bent may be used again, but when red hot they are twisted out of line they cannot be used again. Pile the ties into shape for a bonfire, put the rails across and when red hot in the middle, let a man at each end twist the bar so that its surface becomes spiral.”
Wm. T Sherman, Special Field Orders, July 18, 1864
Three days after this letter from Sherman was sent only 1 railroad remained intact into Atlanta but there was something that the Union forgot.
The Confederates gained knowledge of what the Union was doing and returned the favor by using the same tactics against Sherman’s supply line, the Western and Atlantic Railroad from Chattanooga, Tennessee to Atlanta, Georgia in the early days of the Franklin-Nashville Campaign in late 1864.
The Confederate recalled their twisted ties as “Old Mrs. Lincoln’s Hair Pins.”
So, the next time that you come across a twisted railroad tie, it could be one of Sherman’s Neckties or one of “Old Mrs. Lincoln’s Hair Pins.”
Located on East Market Street in the center of this beautiful small Appalachian town of Chatsworth, the historic Wright Hotel has seen more history than ever can be imagined.
The Wright Hotel was built in 1909 by Thomas Monroe Wright, a farmer living in the southern part of the county to provide a home for his family and to provide a spa for visitors coming to Chatsworth in the Summer months to drink the mineral waters.
Mr. Wright was the builder, architect and overseer of the hotel. With the help of his cousin, Thomas Banks from Clevland, Tennessee, his wife Laura Holbrook and their children Jesse, Obb, Essie, Kate, Jeannie May and J.L, Mr. Wright constructed this 3-story hotel and his family’s home.
Another child, Glenn was actually born in the hotel.
Mr. Wright rented the Chatsworth brick plant to construct the soft rose bricks to build the hotel. All the heart pine lumber that was needed for the hotel was harvested from the Wright Farm in Prune, Georgia on Holly Creek and was aged for a year. The floors are made tongue and groove while the walls are made of wooden lattice and plaster.
Mr. Wright and his cousin Mr. Banks wanted the hotel to have a sturdy foundation so the two decided to place the hotel on a ten-foot foundation which mostly sits underground.
After the hotel was built and opened in 1909, guests from all around came for visits including, Hoke Smith former Governor of Georgia, Congressman Gordon Lee and J. Frazier Glenn who helped build talc mines into a multi-million-dollar industry.
On some occasions the Wright Hotel opens for visitors to tour the 22-room hotel including the rooms that the guests stayed in, the dining room, the kitchen, laundry room, the nursing room which displays some of Mr. Wright’s daughter Kate’s paraphernalia while working as a nurse, and even the living room.
The home also has on display many historic artifacts including several Native American artifacts from which Kate and her husband collected during their years of working with Southwest Indians. They also have on display the original program to the movie Gone With The Wind and a sword from World War l.
No matter if you are a history lover or just love to learn about your heritage, the Wright Hotel truly has something for everyone!
Though the fort was completed in 1847, Fort Pulaski was under the control of only two caretakers until the year 1860 when South Carolina seceded from the United States and set in motion the Civil War to shortly begin. It was at this time that Georgia’s then current governor Joseph E. Brown ordered Fort Pulaski to be taken by the state of Georgia. A steamship carrying 110 men from Savannah, Georgia traveled downriver to the fort. The fort was signed over and now belonged to the state of Georgia.
Photo by the National Archives
Following the secession of the state of Georgia in February 1861, Georgia joined the Confederate States of America. Confederate troops then moved into the fort and prepared for a possible attack that could occur any day now.
United State Forces Take Tybee Island
Tybee Island was thought as this time to be too isolated and unprepared for any conflict. By December 1861, the island had been abandoned by Confederate forces. This allowed the United States troops to gain great access across the Savannah River from Fort Pulaski. United State forces shortly began construction of batteries across the beaches of Tybee Island.
Once on Tybee Island, U.S. General Thomas Sherman thought that it might be best to by-pass Fort Pulaski and to make a direct attack on the city of Savannah. He tried to sell this plan to the commander of the U.S. Naval Forces, Rear Admiral Samuel Francis Du Pont. General Sherman would have to depend on the Navy for the transport, protection, and assistance in the siege operations he had planned. Admiral Du Pont ordered surveying of the winding waterways that led into the Savannah River above Fort Pulaski. However, when he discovered how shallow the waterways were at certain stages of the tide, he said that the whole scheme was impractical and dangerous. This difference of opinion between the U.S. Army and Navy commanders on the content of the campaign finally led to the removal of General Sherman. Meanwhile, General Sherman ordered a tight noose of batteries and gunboats to be placed around Fort Pulaski.
The Confederate supply ship, Ida, floated down the Savannah River on the morning of February 13 on one of her regular trips to Fort Pulaski. The ship was shortly met by a battery of heavy guns, which the United States had secretly constructed at Venus Point on the north bank of the Savannah River. Ida survived her encounter with the United States artillery, but it would be her last trip to the fort.
The following week, the United States completed a blockade of Fort Pulaski. They built another strong battery on the south bank of the Savannah River opposite to Venus Point. To seal the waterway, the United States entrenched two companies of infantry along Tybee Creek’s bank and assigned a gunboat to patrol the waters channel. While at the same time, they destroyed the telegraph line between the city of Savannah and Cockspur Island. From this moment on supplies nor reinforcements could be brought to the fort. The Confederate garrison would no longer be able to escape to the mainland. After February 15, the only way of communication with Savannah was by a courier who came and went by night through the marshes.
Five companies formed the garrison of Fort Pulaski as a whole when the fort was cut off. Company B of the Oglethorpe Light Infantry, the Washington Volunteers, the German Volunteers, and the Montgomery Guards were members of the 1st Regiment of Georgia Volunteers. The total strength of the garrison was created by 385 officers and men. In command was Charles H. Olmstead, who had been elected as colonel of the 1st Volunteer Regiment on December 26. There were 48 guns to defend the fort from any outside danger.
The armament was placed throughout the fort evenly to command all approaches. On the ramparts facing Tybee Island there were five 8-inch and four 10-inch columbiads, one 24-pounder Blakely rifle, and two 10-inch seacoast mortars. In the casemates bearing on Tybee Island were one 8-inch columbiad and four 32-pounder guns. The batteries outside of Fort Pulaski were two 12-inch and one 10-inch seacoast mortars. The remaining guns were mounted and faced to command the North Channel of the Savannah River and the marshes to the west. The Confederates had officially prepared Fort Pulaski for battle.
The Battle of Fort Pulaski
On the morning of April 10, 1862, United States forces asked for the Confederate army to surrender Fort Pulaski to prevent needless loss of life. Colonel Charles H. Olmstead, the current commander of the Confederate garrison, rejected the offer. The men inside of Fort Pulaski learned that they had little to fear from the United States mortars.
Early on in the battle 10-inch and 13-inch mortar shells exploded high through out the air and fell outside the fort. The few mortar shells that dropped on the parade buried themselves in the ground. Those that did explode threw up harmless geysers of mud. The fort quivered and shook when a solid shot from a columbiad hit a wall. About 2 hours after the battle began, one of the shots entered an embrasure and dismounted the casemate gun. Several soldiers of the gun crew were wounded, one man was wounded so severely that it was necessary to amputate his arm immediately.
At noon onlookers on Tybee Island counted 47 scars on the southeast corner of Fort Pulaski. It was obvious that several of the embrasures had been considerably enlarged. During the afternoon the fire had slackened on both sides. After sunset not more than 7 or 8 shells per hour were thrown until the daylight of the next morning approached.
At the end of the day to onlookers on Tybee Island, Fort Pulaski even with its dents and scars, looked as solid and capable of resistance as what it did before. There was a common feeling throughout the US soldiers that the day’s work had not greatly hastened the surrender. The mortars had proved to be a disappointment, and the effect of the breaching fire could not be determined. Although there had been many close calls, no one had been hurt in the US batteries.
Had Gillmore been able to inspect Fort Pulaski at the end of the first day, he would have had reason to be happy. The place was in shambles. Mostly all of the barbette guns and mortars bearing towards Tybee Island had been dismounted and only two of the five casemate guns were still in order. At the southeast angle of the fort, the whole wall from the top to the moat was flaked away to a depth of from 2 to 4 feet. United States bombardment opened two very large holes in the walls of the fort.
Surrender
At daylight of Friday morning, the troops reopened fire with fresh energy on both sides. From Tybee Island, Gillmore’s gunners began resuming the work of breaching with determination. The effect was almost apparent as soon as it happened in the enlargement of the two embrasures on the left of the southeast face of Fort Pulaski. The fort’s fire was far less on target than that of the United States guns. The batteries on Tybee Island were almost all masked behind a low sand ridge and were protected by heavy sandbag revetments. Most of the Confederate shots and shells buried themselves in the sand or traveled completely over the United States batteries and trenches. At about 9 o’clock, the troops received their only casualty. A solid shot from Fort Pulaski entered a gun embrasure in Battery McClellan striking a private soldier. He was wounded so severely that he died soon after.
During the morning, the United States Naval gunboat, Norwich, began to fire shots against the northeast face of the fort. The range was too great, and the ships shots struck only glancing blows on the fort’s brick walls. A battery on Long Island opened up at long range of shots from the west. Shots were landing on the south wall from guns located on a barge in Tybee Creek.
At noon, most of the United States fire was directed towards the guns on the ramparts of the fort. Within half an hour these guns were quiet. During this time two large holes had been opened through the walls and the inside of the fort was visible from Tybee Island. The interior arches of the fort had been laid bare, and a barbette gun on the parapet was tottering, ready to fall. It was for certain that the whole east angle would soon be in ruins. U.S. General Benham gave orders to prepare to take Fort Pulaski by direct assault.
At Fort Pulaski, when the men were ordered from the ramparts to allow the guns to cool down, Pvt. L. W. Landershine thought that “things looked blue.” One man had been mortally wounded, another man had his foot taken off by the recoil of a gun, and a dozen others had been struck by fragments of shells. Projectiles from the rifle batteries were passing completely through the breach and sweeping across the parade, striking against the walls of the north magazine in which 40,000 pounds of black powder was stored inside of.
The moment had come for Olmstead to make a decision. There were only two options open. He could fight on against the overwhelming odds, or he could admit the army’s defeat. A difficult choice for the 25-year-old colonel to make. Impressed by the utter hopelessness of the current situation and believing the lives inside of the garrison had to be his next care, he gave the order for surrender.
Private Landershine, who was discussing at this time the state of affairs with his comrades, stated, “About 2-1/2 p. m. I seen Col. Olmstead and Capt. Sims go past with a rammer and a sheet, we all knew that it was over with us and we would have to give up.”
The Confederate flag was then lowered half way and a final gun was fired from a casemate. Then the flag was hauled down and the white sheet took its place. An old era in coastal fortifications had come to an end.
On Tybee there was major rejoicing. Men danced together on the beach, shook hands, and cheered General Gillmore as he rode along the line. At King’s Landing, Gillmore entered on a small boat with his aides. The passage up the South Channel was rough, the skiff ran aground and was nearly swamped by the heavy seas. Soaked with the salt tides of the Savannah River, the party landed at Cockspur Island and advanced toward the fort under a flag of truce. Colonel Olmstead was waiting at the entrance of the fort. He showed the general the way to his quarters, and, during an hour alone with General Gillmore, the terms of the surrender were settled. After inspecting the fort, the general took leave.
In Colonel Olmstead’s quarters lighted by the half-light of candles, the officers of the fort gave up their swords to General Hunter’s representative, Maj. Charles G. Halpine. The weapons were laid on a table, and each officer, according to his rank, advanced in turn, mentioned his name and title, and spoke a few words appropriate to the occasion. Colonel Olmstead remarked when it became his turn to speak, “I yield my sword, but I trust I have not disgraced it.”
The men of the garrison were separated by companies on the parade, stacked their arms, and marched to quarters for the night. The United States Flag was then raised over the ramparts, and Pulaski again became part of the possessions, as well as the property, of the United States. However, the terms of the surrender were unconditional. Col. Olmstead along with his officers delivered their swords to Major Halpine after the surrender of Fort Pulaski.
Charles Hart Olmstead was born in Savannah, Georgia and attended the Georgia Military Institute. In 1861, Mr. Olmstead was given command of the Confederate garrison inside Fort Pulaski. On April 11, 1862, he wrote to his beloved wife:
“My dear wife,
I address you under circumstances of the most painful nature. Fort Pulaski has fallen and the whole garrison are prisoners.
…It soon became evident to my mind that if the enemy continued to fire as they had begun the walls must yield. Shot after shot hit immediately about our embrasures…
Officers and men behaved most gallantly, everyone was cool and collected…The men when ordered on the parapet, went immediately with the most cheerful alacrity, though the missiles of death were flying about at the most fearful rate. Thirteen- inch mortar shells, Columbiad shells, Parrott shells, rifle shots were shrieking through the air in every direction, while the ear was deafened by the tremendous explosions that followed each other without cessation…
On taking a survey of the Fort after the firing had ceased, my worst fears were confirmed, the Angle immediately opposed to the fire of the enemy was terribly shattered and I was convinced that another day would breach it entirely.
…I found that the breach in our wall had become so alarmingly large that shots from the batteries of the enemy were passing clear through and striking directly on the brickwork of the magazine. It was simply a question of a few hours as to whether we should yield or be blown into perdition by our own powder…
I gave the necessary orders for a Surrender. Oh, my dear wife, how can I describe to you the bitterness of that moment. It seemed as if my heart would break. I cannot write now all the details of our surrender; it pains me too much to think of them now…”
Corporal Howard served in Company F of the 48th New York Infantry. The infantry witnessed the bombardment from nearby Daufuskie Island. Howard kept a diary during his time that he spent in the 48th. This period of time spanned from his enlistment in September 1861 to just prior to his wounding at the failed Union assault on Fort Wagner in July 1863.
“April 10th, 1862
Bombardment of Fort Pulaski. Commenced at 8 O Clock precisely…Soon as I got relieved went up to the Genl’s quarters as fast as possible and secured a fire view, and while sitting there the long roll beat to quarters, ran back to secure my arms & ammunition and fell in line. After the regiment was formed, we stacked arms and was dismissed with permission to watch the bombardment…the whole shore of Tybee had opened upon the Fort. Firing continued all day and night – without any pausing whatever.
April 11th 1862
No cessation of firing this morning. Fire is more rapid than yesterday. At long intervals the Fort replies but they appear to be giving in. 2 and 30 P.M…the rebel flag came down the Fort has surrenderd. The bombardment lasted 36 hours. April 12th 1862
This morning the Stars & stripes are waving from the ramparts of Pulaski. The fleet runs up the river to the Fort. April 13th 1862
Col. Perry and Dr. Mulford goes to the Fort various rumors circulating in Camp that we are to garrison the Fort. A great deal of grumbling at the receipt of this news.”
Mr. Wilson served as a topographical engineer for the United States forces who were stationed on Tybee Island. Just prior to the bombardment, James delivered the Union army’s message that demanded the Confederates to surrender at the Confederate garrison inside of Fort Pulaski. On April 30, 1862, he wrote fellow Union general James McPherson:
“My dear McPherson
…Your letter of the 8th ult, found us engaged in the very heavy work of preparing for the reduction of Pulaski, it was tedious very laborious and above all experimental. Gen’l Gillmore and the young men had to contend with the fears, doubts, adverse opinions and remonstrances of old fogies as well as natural obstacles of no insignificant character…In face of all this Gillmore hung out, carried out his plans and attacked the fort, with what success you know.
At the distance of 1700 yards, in about 17 hours firing two breaches entirely practicable were effected and two others opened. In two days more we would have battered down the entire face exposed to our direct fire…The whole affair is replete with instinctive results. The most important of which, I consider to be that the ordinary thickness of brick escarpments is not sufficient to resist breaching operations at anything less than 2500 yards with a judiciously selected batteries of heavy rifles and 10 in guns I have no hesitation in saying that a breach can be effected at this distance quite as easily as at 300 yards with the old fashioned arm. Notwithstanding all this, so far as concerns the danger of siege operations, the old fashioned works will answer admirably the primary purpose of delaying the enemy. Pulaski has kept us out of Savannah for four months, and we are not there yet and probably will not be soon…”
Nestled in the picturesque landscapes of Northeast Georgia, the city of Elberton proudly holds the title of the World’s Granite Capital, captivating visitors with its stunning natural beauty and rich history. Situated just 33 miles east of Athens and 110 miles east of Atlanta, Elberton beckons travelers to explore its enchanting lakes, meticulously kept parks, and a plethora of exquisite granite monuments that adorn the cityscape. Among these impressive monuments stands the grand 20,000-seat Granite Bowl stadium, a focal point of Elberton’s heritage and community pride. Serving as the esteemed home stadium for the Elberton County Blue Devils’ soccer and football teams, this architectural marvel is a testament to the city’s deep connection to its abundant granite resources.
Crafted from over 100,000 tons of locally sourced blue granite, the Granite Bowl stands as a symbol of Elberton’s legacy as a leading producer of granite monuments. Remarkably, the construction of this monumental stadium was a cost-effective endeavor, owing to the city’s vast granite reserves that made material costs minimal. The Elberton Granite Deposit, a sprawling expanse spanning 35 miles in length and 6 miles in width, serves as the primary source of the world’s granite monuments, with an estimated 6 million tons of granite waiting to be transformed into works of art.
Adding to the allure of the Granite Bowl is its historical significance – the scoreboard at the stadium once graced the renowned Sanford Stadium during the Georgia Bulldogs’ unforgettable 1980 National Championship Season. Besides its sporting significance, the Granite Bowl often hosts cultural events, concerts, and other community gatherings, further cementing its place as a cherished landmark in Elberton. As Elberton continues to thrive as a hub for granite production and a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike, the city remains a must-visit destination for those seeking to immerse themselves in its rich tapestry of heritage and natural wonders. The stadium’s impressive architecture, built to withstand the test of time using local resources, serves as a reminder of Elberton’s commitment to preserving its history and showcasing its unique granite heritage. With the Granite Bowl as a shining example of the city’s craftsmanship and community spirit, visitors are drawn to experience the blend of tradition and modernity that defines Elberton’s character. Whether attending a thrilling game at the stadium or simply marveling at its grandeur from afar, exploring Elberton’s Granite Bowl provides a glimpse into the city’s past, present, and future aspirations. As visitors depart Elberton, the echoes of cheers and applause from the Granite Bowl linger in their memories, a testament to the enduring legacy of this architectural wonder in the heart of Georgia’s Granite Capital.
Gracie Latrelle 