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The Sesquicentennial provides today’s generation with a chance to reflect on this historical and epic event in our nation’s history.
"Civil War: The Home Front in Appalachia" highlights multiple Civil War–related attractions in Appalachia by presenting the unique stories behind each destination. The mapguide coincides with the broader efforts of the National Park Service to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the U.S. Civil War. Provided by American Heritage Magazine and the Appalachian Regional Commission.
http://800alabama.com/pdfs/CivWar_8x11.pdf
Brochure on the Civil War Tail through Alabama. Provided by the Alabama Tourism Department.
Events, Attractions, and Related Links in North Alabama
Battle for Decatur Civil War Reenactment – September 3 & 4, 2011
Held at Point Mallard Park, the annual Battle for Decatur Civil War Reenactment celebrates Decatur and Morgan County’s involvement in the War Between the States. The event features more than 200 Confederate and Union soldiers who participate in mock battles each afternoon over Labor Day weekend. The event is free. More info: http://www.decaturcvb.org/default.aspx?id=2612
Civil War Walking Tours – The Civil War Walking Tour is located in the Old Decatur and New Albany Historic Districts, just off the southern bank of the Tennessee River near downtown Decatur. Covering thirteen blocks, the self-guided walking tour chronicles events surrounding Confederate General John Bell Hood’s attempted advance across the Tennessee River, a four-day battle that took place in October of 1864.
The tour also showcases the largest concentration of Victorian era cottages and bungalows in Alabama. The Civil War Walking tour, part of the national Civil War Discovery Trail, begins at the Old State Bank Building (925 Bank Street NE). Free walking/driving tour brochures are available at the Old State Bank Building and the Decatur Convention and Visitors Bureau office (719 6th Avenue SE). Brochure: http://216.26.146.243/DecaturCVB/images/pdfs/decatur_civl_war_tour.pdf and MP3 download: http://www.decaturcvb.org/default.aspx?id=2558
Blue & Gray Museum -
The Blue and Gray Museum of North Alabama is the largest privately-owned Civil War collection in the United States. The museum, which is located on historic Bank Street, features a wide array of Civil War relics, including, swords, pistols, uniforms, drums, photographs, and much more. Some items are available for sale. In addition to Civil War history, the museum also showcases other historical items from Decatur's past.
The Blue and Gray Museum of North Alabama is located at 723 Bank Street and is open on Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More information about the museum, can be found at www.rparhamsrelics.com. Brochures: http://216.26.146.243/DecaturCVB/images/things%20to%20do/blueandgrayweb.pdf
And http://216.26.146.243/DecaturCVB/images/things%20to%20do/frontrackcard-low.pdf
Old State Bank Free Tours -
Located in the Old Decatur Historic District, the Old State Bank was first opened in 1833 as part of the original state-wide bank system designed by Andrew Jackson. In 1845, the bank franchise was revoked, and the building stood empty until Union troops occupied it during 1850, using the facility as a makeshift hospital and guard house. The Old State Bank is one of only four structures remaining after the departure of Union troops and its columns still bare the evidence of musketfire and miniballs.
Free tours of the museum include a walk through the first floor banking lobby complete with its original walk-in vault and a replica of a period teller’s cage. A second floor apartment is furnished to reflect the period of 1833-45, depicting the life of Washington Keyes, the Bank’s first cashier and occupant of the apartment. Additional sites around the main building include a detached kitchen, period herb garden, “Pedestrian Mall” and a two-acre “Founders Park”. The Old State Bank (925 Bank Street NE) is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and by prior arrangement for groups on weekends. The museum is free and includes a guided tour.
SIEGE OF BRIDGEPORT RE-ACTMENT
 photo courtesy of Ms. Carol Highsmith
17th Siege of Bridgeport Re-enactment - Celebrating 150 years since the Civil War began. This battle is observed March 16, 17, & 18. The undisputed largest re-enactment in Alabama. Bridgeport brings history alive when almost 1,800 re-enactors thrill thousands of curious visitors and history buffs with their authentic re-creation of this fateful battle of the Civil War. Also included are period music, authentic encampment and vendors of historical objects and clothing. For Info: Glenn Hill 256-495-3614 or Jackson Co. Tourism 256-259-5500.
June Walking Tours -- FREE
Saturdays, 9:45 am at the Athens Visitors Center
(Athens-Limestone Visitors Center 100 N. Beaty Street, Athens, AL 35611) Select one of four tours to leisurely stroll through tree covered streets and stunning architecture. Enjoy the recounting of Athens’ history and culture from local community members as the lead these 1 hour tours. You’re encouraged to join us each Saturday for a different tour option. Tour registration opens at 9:45 am at the Athens Visitors Center 100 North Beaty Street. Historic Downtown Athens, Washington Street, Old Town Cemetery, and portion of Beaty Historic District, Athens City Cemetery, Big Springs Memorial Park, College Inn and Athens State Historic District
War for Southern Independence Living History Festival
Big Spring Memorial Park, Athens, AL
(Located directly behind the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center 100 North Beaty Street, Athens, AL 35611)
Saturday, July 23rd, 2011 9am-3pm – FREE ADMISSION
Everyone is invited to Athens’ Big Spring Memorial Park for a day of living history at the War for Southern Independence Living History Festival.
Tour the Confederate encampment and learn about life among the soldiers – from rifles and cannons to battlefield tactics. Learn the history of battle flags and then design your own. Experience the Confederate muzzleloader in action. Talk with the Commanders as they plan their next moves and much, much more.
Enjoy some time under the shade trees and learn about activities on the home front as demonstrators offer a glimpse back in time -- blacksmithing, spinning, quilting, caning chairs and more. There will be opportunities to purchase period style goods as you wonder the encampment – hand-hammered iron goods, pieced quilts, and more.
Enjoy lunch or snack from one of the onsite food vendors offering a variety of goodies from down-home southern cooking to sweet tooth confectionaries.
More details to come
Satellite partners will be open for tours the day of Festival:
- Alabama Veterans Museum and Archive
- Limestone County Archive
- Donnell House
- Houston Memorial Library
- Athens State University
Confederate Cemetery Walk, October 2nd, 2-5 pm
(Athens City Cemetery Hobbs Street, Athens, AL 35611)
Free to the public.
Come join the tour of Athens City Cemetery as some its’ residents “come to life” and recount their lives and some of Athens-Limestone’s history. This “at your pace” tour will highlight some of more well-known residents and might even hold a spirited surprise or two.
Cherokee County Historical Museum - In November 1958, the Cherokee County Historical Society was organized with Col. Robert E. Mann serving as its first President. The Historical Society’s goal was to initiate the preservation of the history of Cherokee County. Over the following years, the Historical Society erected 44 historical markers across the county, as well as playing an important role in the preservation of Cornwall Furnace. They initiated a major effort to preserve county records and artifacts and find a place to archive them. Finally, in October 1987, their dream was realized when Robert Minnix and the Historical Society formally established the Cherokee County Historical Museum. It opened in downtown Centre, Alabama next to the Courthouse, in the 1921 building locally known as Jordan Big Store. With this location in the city of Centre, in the center of the county, the Cherokee County Historical Museum is able to present the unique story of the county’s past to future generations by way of a permanent collection of artifacts and documents. There is a Confederate Veterans Memorial in front of the Cherokee County Courthouse next door to the Museum. Address: 101 East Main St. Centre, AL. 35960 Hours: Tues. - Sat. 8:30AM-4PM. For additional information call (256)927-7835.
GPS: N 34° 09.117’ W 085° 40.719’
Round Mountain Furnace- The furnace was the fourth blast furnace built in Alabama and was constructed by famed iron-master Moses Stroup. The stone stack was 32 feet high and the blast was powered by steam. Iron production began in 1852 with some converted into hollow ware or machinery and the remainder being cast into pigs (ingots). Most of the ingots were shipped up the Coosa River to markets in Georgia. During the Civil War, iron from Round Mountain was used in the first cannons manufactured at the Noble Brothers Foundry in Rome, GA. Iron was also shipped to the Selma Naval Works and used for cannons and other armaments. U.S. troops under Colonel Abel D. Streight burned the wooded buildings at the furnace during a raid in May 1863. A contract was signed with the Confederate Government in September 1863 to rebuild and enlarge the furnace. The furnace was again partially destroyed by U.S. troops under Maj. Gen. Francis B. Blair in late 1864. The furnace was rebuilt in 1874 and would operate until 1906. Nothing remains of the furnace today except the stone retaining wall. The site is located on private property, so please respect the property owner’s rights and do not trespass.
GPS: N 34° 12.837’ W 085° 41.321’
Major Chisholm Daniel House- The home was constructed by Major Chisholm Daniel c.1835. He was a veteran of the War of 1812. Major Daniel purchased the land from Cherokee Indians and his family would have been some of the earliest white settlers in this area. It was originally constructed as a dogtrot log cabin. The exterior was later covered with weatherboard and the dogtrot enclosed. The house served as C.S. General John Bell Hood’s headquarters on October 19,1864. The Daniel House is listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage. The house is a private residence, so please respect the property owner’s rights and do not trespass. Address: 8545 Hwy 273, Cedar Bluff, AL. 35959
GPS: N 34° 16.572’ W 085° 40.486’
Cornwall Furnace - In 1855, James Noble Sr. and his five sons opened the Noble Brothers & Co. foundry located in Rome, GA. When the Civil War started in 1861, they began manufacturing cannon, caissons and other war materials for the Confederacy. The first cannon they manufactured was in 1861 and was made of iron from Round Mountain Furnace in Cherokee County, Alabama. On August 13, 1862, the Confederate Government made a loan to the Noble Brothers for the construction of a furnace to increase the supply of iron to the foundry. The Nobles would name their new furnace Cornwall after the town in England from which James Noble Sr. had immigrated. A canal was dug from upstream on the Chattooga and a tunnel was cut through the ridge behind the furnace stack. The tunnel would have come out next to the furnace where the water would have traveled through a water wheel that powered the air blast to the furnace. The canal would have then continued back to the Chattooga river. There would have been numerous other buildings on the site including the 30 foot high stone stack. Iron ore, charcoal, and limestone would have been fed into the top of the furnace to produce the iron. There would have been a charging bridge coming from the top of the ridge to the top of the furnace stack to facilitate the loading of the raw materials. Iron was then extracted from the bottom of the furnace and ran into sand molds to produce pig iron ingots. Slag, a glass like rock, was a waste product of the process. The pig iron ingots were then transported to the foundry in Rome, GA. Once the ingots were in Rome, they were transformed into various products that supported the war effort. The furnace was knocked out of production by U.S. troops in 1864. After the war, the furnace was rebuilt and put back into production in 1867. In 1870, a pile of charcoal next to the stack ignited and caused the stack to collapse. The furnace was rebuilt again and put back into production until it permanently closed in 1874. The furnace is located in a park and the site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The park address is 1200 County Road 251, Cedar Bluff, Alabama 35960. Hours: sunrise to sunset.
GPS: N 34° 14.832’ W 085° 35.299’
Streight surrender site - U.S. Colonel Abel D. Streight led a raid that set out from Tuscumbia, AL. with the goal of cutting the Western & Atlantic Railroad between Chattanooga, TN. and Atlanta, GA. Upon learning of Streight’s movements, C.S. General Nathan Bedford Forrest and his cavalry troops began pursuit. The pursuit would turn into a 6 day, 264 mile statewide running fight. It would also spawn heros such as Emma Sansom, who under fire from U.S. troops, would ride with Forrest to show him where he could ford Black Creek after Streight’s men burned the bridge there. There was also John Wisdom, who would become known as the “Paul Revere of the South” due to his 67 mile ride from Gadsden, through Cherokee County, to Rome to warn them of the approaching U.S. troops. The U.S. troops burned the buildings at Round Mountain Furnace as they quickly passed though the area. On May 3, 1863, Forrest and his men had caught up with Streight’s troops, who were in a line of battle paralleling what is now Alabama Highway 35. Under a white flag of truce, Forrest sent Streight a demand of surrender “in order to stop the further and useless effusion of blood.” Forrest and Streight met in the yard of the the Lawrence House which once stood on the ridge behind the historic marker. Even though Forrest and his troops were greatly outnumbered, Forrest was able to maneuver his troops in and out of Streight’s sight during their meeting to make Streight think it was he who was at a great disadvantage. Streight surrendered his forces of about 1466 to Forrest and his approximately 322 troops. After the stacking of arms, Streight learned the actual size of Forrest’s troops and demanded his firearms back. Forrest replied, “ah, colonel, all’s fair in love and war you know!” Address: Alabama Hwy 9, Cedar Bluff, AL. 35960
GPS: N 34° 14.056’ W 085° 32.421’
Gaylesville - U.S. General WIlliam Tecumseh Sherman halted at Gaylesville during his pursuit of Confederate General John Bell Hood after the fall of Atlanta. Sherman camped there for almost a week while observing Hood’s movements and waiting for the right moment to begin his “March to the Sea.” Sherman’s troops foraged off the land and took citizens’ crops, livestock and other goods. Sherman stated his troops were “luxuriously” subsisting “on the bountiful corn-fields and potato patches,” and they would move on after “eating out this Chattooga Valley.” The troops would take wood fence rails and wood from farms to feed their camp fires. A group of ladies in Gaylesville went to Sherman and asked that he not burn the grist mill, but the U.S. troops burned it anyway, along with the bridge across the Chattooga River, when they marched out of town.
Photo: Chesnut-Lawrence Home
GPS: N 34° 16.031’ W 085° 33.528’ (in front of historic marker)
Cedar Bluff - On May 3,1863, U.S. colonel Abel Streight’s raid passed through Cedar Bluff while trying to elude C.S. General Nathan Bedford Forrest and his cavalry. Around sunrise, Streight’s troops burned Dykes Bridge across the Chattooga River in an attempt to delay Forrest. When Forrest arrived a few hours later, his troops were able to ford the river and oral tradition has it that Forrest had a hurried meal at a house on the east side of the town square. By noon, Streight had surrendered his troops to Forrest about four miles east of town. In October 1864, Cedar Bluff was occupied for several days by the U.S. Army of the Ohio. A pontoon bridge was floated from Rome down the Coosa River to Cedar Bluff. It was placed across the river and was later burned it when the U.S. troops started on the “March to the Sea”.
GSP: N 34° 13.124’ W 085° 36.503’ (town park in front of city hall)
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