Marietta, the gem city of Georgia, as a winter resort

TENTH EDITION.

Copyright, 1887, by Jos. M. BROWN.

if/WESTERN 8t ATLANTIC^ RAILROAD

MARIETTA
PURE ATMOSPHERE- HISTORIC
- AfliTUDE H5OFEET*

. ..^^^^^m^m
i% .-. :--U -> --:^v^
VIKW OF MARIETTA, CA., AND KJONNKSAW

MARIETTA, GEORGIA.

RE-EMINENTLY one of the prettiest little cities in all

the Southland is MARIETTA, Georgia. Built in the midst

of a superb growth of oak trees, which crown the hills

only a couple of miles south of the far-famed KENNESAW

MOUNTAIN, and having within itself all the elements of

'!

beauty and taste, it well deserves the title of " The Little Gem City of

\

Georgia"

At the Western & Atlantic Railroad depot its elevation above the

sea is 1,132 feet, and upon the summits of several of the beautiful

hills within its limits there is an altitude attained of possibly a couple

of scores or more of feet above this ; hence it can readily be noted

that the atmosphere is very fine and the scenery charming.-

To the inhabitants of the region south, desirous of escaping the

extreme heat and the malarial influences which are so deleterious to

health during the summer months, there is no better resort than

MARIETTA ; while those who would seek refuge from the chilling

blasts and snows of the North and West find this a delightful " half

way place " between the rigors of the winter climate of their homes

and the enervating warmth of Florida, during the early winter and

early spring. . In fact, MARIETTA has for some years past been the

winter residence of a number of Northwestern people.

One of her choicest advantages, and one, by the way, which is not

possessed by any other summer or winter resort in probably all the

South, is the fact that tourists or wayfarers stopping here not only

secure the advantages of splendid atmosphere, pure freestone water,

lovely scenery, and associations with a resident population noted for

culture and refinement, but they are also within one hour's ride of the

metropolis of the Southeast; and with six through and localpassenger

trains per day each way, running at seasonable hours, one can go

and return at a slight cost, whether the object be "to go shopping,''

to pay social calls on friends in Atlanta, to spend a few hours enjoy

ing anew the bustling activity of business life, or in the evenings to

attend any theatrical or other entertainment which may be on hand.

All these advantages can be enjoyed by those who would wish to

spend every night in MARIETTA.

MARIETTA was settled in December, 1833. The pioneer dwellings

were in the neighborhood of the present Episcopal Church, and at

that time the Cherokee Indians still held sway in this region, from

which, however, they were removed by the general government some

four or five years later.

The building of the Western & Atlantic, or, as it was popularly

known, " The State Road " (because built and owned by the State),

some dozen years later, found her quite a thriving little town, and

this term she has deserved ever since.

In the language of one of our most GpjJSajtd Q^||^ Sprite

" This charming little city has Iwg nreh thJacaUh aflflj^l^snre resort of the affluent denizens of th9sea|coUtei|<hc boat gf ^wmfter.

4

SCENES ABOUT MARIETTA,

Before the war, when the old noblesse of that aristocratic region counted their broad acres by the thousands and their slaves by the hundreds, it was the fashion to spend at least a few weeks in MARI ETTA either going to or returning from the Virginia Springs or
Saratoga. " In those days money was dispensed like water, and the big brick
hotel, which had been erected to meet the ever increasing influx of visitors, was jammed from cellar to attic.
"Stylish equipages swept along the streets, the churches were crowded with the e"lite of the State, and mirth and gayety held high carnival for weeks and months every season."

AUNT NANCY A TYPICAL MAMMIE.
In those days also there were, in almost every family, trusted ser vants, who had been raised up from the cradle, to special attendance in the households of their masters, and between whom and their owners there existed a strong feeling of mutual affection which gave the He to the many tales concerning the imaginary horrors of slavery.
These were also the days when almost every wealthy or well-to-do family had among its number of slaves a " Mammie," as the children called her, who was an aged, or at least an elderly colored female, into whose hands the children were placed almost equally with those of the mother herself, and, for whom the children instinctively enter tained almost the same tender ,love that they did for the mother herself.

THE GEM CITY OF GEORGIA.

5

To her their stories of childish adventure were told: to her they carried their grievances, and from her hands they received assistance, as well as from her lips their childish hearts were made glad by words of comfort and cheer.
God bless the memories of the dear old " Mammies." The writer confesses that oft-times a tear has trembled in his own eye as he has recalled the days when " Mammie" tenderly cared for him, she who has now passed away from the scenes which her presence made so precious to childish hearts.
The end of the great Civil War, however, in 1865, found MARIETTA wrecked by its ravages, the business portion of the city having been burned, and the beautiful homes in many cases sadly disfigured ; but within the twenty years which have followed, it has gradually come out of this, and its plucky population have turned one point and

W. & A. R. R. BRIDGE OVER CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER.

6

SCENES ABOUT MARIETTA,

another to advantage, until they have made their little city what it

to-day is," a thing of beauty."

One would think that, being almost under the shadow of the busi

ness houses of Atlanta, it would amount to but little except a place

for pleasant residence; whereas, the reverse is exactly true.

MARIETTA controls a trade which is more than local, and has asserted herself, commercially, to an unusual extent. Her merchants hold the advantage of being in the midst of a good farming country, and of being burdened with less taxation, rents, etc., than their neighbors in the metropolis so near them; furthermore, being the southern terminus of the Marietta & North Georgia Railroad, they

naturally secure a large proportion of the business of the territory

traversed by that line, in spite of the efforts of their more powerful rival.

. Referring just here to the Marietta & North Georgia Railroad, it is proper to state that the enterprise of building it was for the first year

or two in charge of General William Phillips, as President. He com

pleted the railroad to Canton in spite of stringencies in money matters, and in spite of many difficulties which would have daunted a less enthusiastic man, and to his energy in getting it thus started, the

present clever management is certainly indebted to an unusual extent.

Starting from MARIETTA, which is at the elevation above the sea

previously mentioned, the successive stations have altitudes as follows:

Woodstock, 994 feet.

Canton,

960 feet.

Tate's,

1,315 feet.

Jasper,

ii,53o feet.

Talking Rock, 1,113 feet-

Ellijay,

1,310 feet.

White Path, 1,500 feet.

Blue Ridge, 1,769 feet.

The road is now completed as far as to the Georgia and North Car

olina State line, about one hundred miles north of MARIETTA. Between

Ellijay and Blue Ridge it passes the famous " White Path Mineral

Springs." Within the present winter, it will be extended to its ulti mate terminus, Murphy, N. C.

BLUE RIDGE, as above stated, has an elevation of 1,769 feet above the sea. Hence, it will be observed that this line penetrates the

mountainous region of Georgia, and brings the tourist not only into

the midst of the wildest and most attractive scenery, but also into an

atmosphere which is most superb.

The United States Census reports show that this region is the healthi est in America without exception, for those who are threatened

with pulmonary diseases. Out of every 1,000 deaths, only twentyeight in North Georgia are from diseases of the character named. In North Carolina the number is thirty-two per thousand, while in

some of the New England States it runs up to as high as about one hundred and ninety per thousand. Such a contrast is really remark able. Hay fever has never been known among the inhabitants of this region. We may judge of the general health from the fact that the United States Census reports of 1880 show the following death rate per thousand of the living population in the counties named: Gilmer, 8 ; Union, 9 ; and Fannin, 5 ; the latter, by the way, being possibly the healthiest county in America. Instances of striking longevity are noted in these counties.

It may be stated that, going via this line from MARIETTA one reaches the great water-shed of North Georgia, which is comprised in the

THE GEM CITY OF GEORGIA.
AMICALOLA FALLS.
elevated mountain plateau, if we may so term it, including the counties, or portions of them, of Gilmer, Fannin, Union, Towns and Rabun.
This region throws off the water as follows: To the north, the Tennessee River, the Notley River, the Hiwassee River, and the Toccoa, or, as it is known in Tennessee, the Ocoee River ; to the east, the Savannah River and its confluents, which include the Tugalo and Tallulah Rivers; to the south, the Broad River, the Chestatee River, the Tesnatee River and the Chattahoochee River; and to the west, the Ellijay River and the Carticay River, which two form the Coosawattee, which is one of the main confluents of the Oostanaula River, which the Western & Atlantic Railroad crosses at Resaca, Ga., famed in history.
The average elevation of these counties is very nearly 2,000 feet above the sea level ; and the serrated sub-ranges of the great Blue Ridge and Alleghany Mountains, which extend through these

8

SCENES ABOUT MARIETTA,

counties, rise into quite a number of lofty peaks; prominent among which are Trail Mountain, 4,438 feet high ; Blood Mountain, 4,460 feet high ; Mount Enota. otherwise called "The Brass-town Bald" Mountain, 4,802 feet high ; this latter, by the way, being the loftiest peak in Georgia. Besides these are many other peaks of about the same altitude.
There are several waterfalls of striking beauty in this region, the highest of which are AMICALOLA FALLS, in Dawson County, about twenty miles from the railroad. These are 744 feet high from the summit of the first leap to the level of the valley below, and can be seen from Dawsonville, ten miles distant.
In the clear streams north of the Blue Ridge, the disciples of Izaak Walton, with hook and rod, can delight themselves by catching the gamest of all fish, the speckled or mountain trout.
Northwest of Ellijay, some thirty miles, are the famous Ducktown Copper Mines, the main shaft of which is 470 feet deep; and through this region are numerous gold mines. There are also in these counties very many mineral springs.
At Tate's, fifty miles above MARIETTA, on the line of this narrow gauge railway, a little branch road leads off about a couple of miles to the Georgia Marble Quarries, in Pickens County. These quarries are now being developed by a very strong company, and shipments are already being made to Philadelphia, Chicago, etc. The mount ains seem practically full of marble, which comprises several grades and colors ; there being" one vein of a beautiful pink color ; another of white, variegated with a bluish tint, and another pure white. ;
This " Georgia Marble," it is likely, will be used, within a year or two, in probably more than a score of States.
At Marble Cliff, by the way, about sixty miles north of MARIETTA, in building the railroad around the side of the mountain, it became necessary to blast off the white marble, which comprises the cliff; and the road-bed for a short distance lies on marble, and that which was blasted off was also used for ballasting purposes for the railroad, above and below the point.
The railroad company, however, cannot brag as much on this latter matter as they might under other circumstances, for the simple reason that the marble was nearer at hand, and therefore cheaper for ballast than other stone would have been.
Excursions to the marble quarries from MARIETTA are very popu lar in the spring and summer time, inasmuch as the tourist can leave MARIETTA in the morning, spend some three hours at the quarries, and reach MARIETTA in time for supper.
Pleasant trips are also enjoyed to Ellijay, and at that point the nights are so cool that one always has to sleep under cover, and the same may also be said of Jasper, and White Path.
Local excursions can be made over the Western & Atlantic Rail road to Big Shanty, eight miles distant, and to Allatoona, twenty miles distant.
Big Shanty is the point at which occurred the famous " Capture of a Locomotive." Here, on April 12, 1862, 22 Federal soldiers, in dis guise, seized an engine and three cars of a passenger train while the

THE GEM CITY OF GEORGIA.

g

crew and passengers were taking breakfast at the eating-house. They dashed northward, and picked up, some few hundred yards distant, a portion of their force who had walked up the road to cut the telegraph wires. Their intention was to go up the Western & Atlantic Railroad, and burn all the bridges between Big Shanty and Chattanooga.
General Mitchell was prepared to make a dash with a strong cavalry force upon Chattanooga, to seize it, if possible, as soon as informa tion could be had of the success of this daring adventure.
The conductor, engineer and master mechanic, however, began an energetic pursuit, and, after running a few miles on foot, thence pushing a hand-car forward for some fifteen miles, they procured a locomotive near Cartersville.

THE 'GENERAL.
The engine captors had been delayed at Kingston by the failure of a south-bound train to arrive on its schedule. They were also detained at Adairsville by the same cause. Consequently, the pursu ers, who had exchanged the little engine they first took for a larger one, were enabled to press forward as rapidly as the Federals.
The pursuit was close, and thrilling to the highest degree. The sequel is well known. The Federals were overtaken with their prize just north of Ringgold. They abandoned the engine and scattered amid the forest; but were all captured, and eight of them were sub sequently hung as spies.
"The General," the engine they captured, is still pulling a train on the Western & Atlantic Railroad, and many have been the par ties who have had their curiosity gratified by looking at her as she has passed up and down this historic line.
Allatoona Heights immediately overlook Allatoona Pass, through which the Western & Atlantic Railroad runs.
General Sherman sent from the summit of KENNESAW MOUNTAIN to Allatoona Heights, the signals which directed General Corse to

IO

SCENES ABOUT MARIETTA.

hasten down from Rome with over a thousand men to aid the garrison of the redoubts at ALLATOONA, which were threatened by the advance of General French's division of Confederates.
At that time General Shermanhad 2,700,000 rations of bread stored at ALLATOONA, and it was considered as a sub-base of supplies, NASHVILLE being his general base.

WAVING THE SIGNAL FLAG.
The capture of ALLATOONA would have been one of serious disaster to the Federal army, if not, in fact, to the Union cause; hence the almost incalculable importance of the signals which were sent " through the sky" from the station on KENNESAW MOUNTAIN to that on Allatoona Heights.
The result is well known. General Corse, with 1,054 men reached ALLATOONA, and re-enforced its garrison of 890 men, before General French's division of about 2,000 Confederates arrived and commenced the attack.
On the morning of October 5, 1864, the battle began, and contin ued until in the afternoon. The Confederates, after a most desperate fight, captured the Federal outer line of works, and almost annihilated the detachment holding it. They were unable, however, to secure possession of the redoubts, and, their ammunition giving out, they retired to join General Hood's army at LOST MOUNTAIN, having received notice, also, of the approach of a heavy force of Fed erals to the relief of the garrison.

VIEW OF KENNKSAW MOUNTAIN FROM TllK RKDOUHT ON AM.ATOONA HKIGH'I'S.

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SCENES ABOUT MARIETTA,

From the message, sent by signals* from the summit of KENNESAW MOUNTAIN to Allatoona Heights, and the attending thrilling circum stances, have come the gospel hymn, which is now sung wherever the English language is being used for evangelizing the world :

Ho ! my comrades, see the signal Waving in the sky !
Re-enforcements now appearing, Victory is nigh!
CHORUS " Hold the fort; for I am coming,"
Jesus signals still; Wave the answer back to heaven,
" By thy grace we will."

See the glorious banner waving, Hear the bugle blow,
In our Leader's name we '11 triumph Over every foe.

Fierce and long the battle rages,
But our help is near; Onward comes our Great Commander,
Cheer, my comrades, cheer!

'' The most characteristic memorial of this bloody and famous struggle

which now salutes the eye of the tourist, as the train darts through

the deep, fern-lined pass, is a lone grave at its northwestern end,

immediately by the track, on the west side. This is the resting-place

of a Confederate soldier, who was buried on the spot where he fell.

'' For years past the track-hands of the Western & Atlantic Railroad

have held this grave under their special charge, and made attention to

it a sacred duty. Whenever their periodic rounds bring them hither,

they see that it is kept clear of rubbish, and that the head and foot-

stones are firm.

"A neat marble head-stone has been placed here, on which is the

'following inscription :

An

UNKNOWN HERO

i

He died for the cause

he thought was right"

The climate of MARIETTA is certainly as fine as is to be found in any city of the South. It has been said :
'' The most potent influences which determine climate are latitude or distance from the equator, elevation above the tide, configuration of mountain chains, proximity to the sea, and the direction of the prevailing winds."
In all these particulars, the position of MARIETTA is favorable for a temperate and uniform climate. People from Georgia, Carolina, Florida, Alabama and Louisiana need not go North and West in summer time, as they can attain the same results at this elevated point in Georgia ; with the .additional advantage of being within one day's ride of their homes, should emergency call them back ; and with the power of coming or going by through morning or night schedules.
Regarding the atmosphere, it may be stated that a resident of MARIETTA, who kept the record during 1879, which was probably an average year, states that the thermometer only went above ninety degrees twelve times in the day-time at MARIETTA, and the

* An amusing episode occurred while, during the battle, the garrison was trying to communicate with the signal station on KENNESAW MOUNTAIN. A piece of a shell from tbe Confederate battery struck the staff of the signal flag and knocked it out of the hand of the soldier who was on a stump waving it. He leaped to the ground and fled down the north side of the hill, and the Federals saw him no more. He doubtless ran into the Confederate lines and was captured.

THE GEM CITY OF GEORGIA. corresponding nights were from twenty to twenty-nine degrees cooler than the days. The atmosphere in winter shows an average which is very favorable for health, as shown by the table below.
"The average temperature for six months, from ,\ovemL/e, to April, during a period of four years, was as follows : iSys-'jfj, 4 C ^ degrees; i^o-'jy, 44 degrees; iS-j-j-'-B, 47^ degrees; iS;S-'7g, 44^ degrees. Average temperature for the entire year was as fo!"o\vs : 1875, 56^ degrees; 1876, 56^ degrees ; 1877, 57 1-6 degrees ; 1878,
degrees 1879, 5?K

I4

SCENES ABOUT MARIETTA,

In this connection it is worthy of note that on the sides of the famous KENNESAW MOUNTAIN there is a considerable growth of cactus, or prickly pear. This shows that the same atmospheric con ditions exist at and near MARIETTA as in New Mexico, which is con sidered the SANITARIUM OF AMERICA for all afflicted with pulmonary or bronchial diseases, inasmuch as this growth abounds in the terri tory named. The dry, bracing atmosphere is very exhilarating to invalids, and has been much resorted to on this account, and is greatly to be preferred, during the fall and spring months, to the damp, warm air of Florida, and the adjoining region.
The question of drainage is of paramount importance, not only to those in search of a health or pleasure resort, but also to the inhabi tants of every place ; and here MARIETTA concedes the palm to no other city or town in the south-east. Sitting upon the hills south of the noble KENNESAW MOUNTAIN, she sees flowing forth from within or bordering the city limits, the headwaters of historic Olleys' and Nose's Creeks on the west and south, and the two creeks called by the same name, Sope's flowing south-east and east. The drainage is therefore all that could be desired, and malaria is impossible.
Concerning the other advantages, it may be stated that the roads are fine, and there are splendid and picturesque drives in almost every direction from MARIETTA which has good livery stables.
The road toward Smyrna is particularly fine. Another favorite drive is about a half-dozen miles long, all around KENNESAW MOUN TAIN and in the vicinity of the beautiful and historic Noonday Creek. Others might be mentioned which have choice attractions.
One of the most valuable attractions of MARIETTA is a fine mineral spring, which is about two miles from the centre of the city. It is very near the base of KENNESAW MOUNTAIN, and immediately by the road leading around the mountain, and within fifty yards of the
Western & Atlantic Railroad. It is a strong chalybeate spring. Within about a half mile of this spring there are two others, on the
opposite side of the Western & Atlantic Railroad, which have for their properties, iron, and the carbonates and chlorides of soda, lime and magnesia.
Flowing immediately out of the side of KENNESAW MOUNTAIN, on the southeast, is also a bold spring, which is strongly impregnated with alum.
These springs are all within a mile of each other. MARIETTA has exceptionally excellent schools. Harwood Seminary for girls, is beautifully located, and the faculty is first-class. There is likewise a fine school for boys, whose standard is very high. These educational institutions are a great advantage to people now living in or desiring to move to MARIETTA. By reason of the great reduction in coal rates which the Western & Atlantic Railroad Company has made, for the purpose of building up the manufacturing interests on its line, MARIETTA is able to get coal for steam purposes at about $2.25 per ton delivered. As to hotels, etc., MARIETTA is very well off. One square from the depot is the beautiful Whitlock House. This is in the midst of a little grove of choice trees, with flowers interspersed, and

THE GEM CITY OF GEORGIA.

I5

has every advantage which could be desired in the way of elegant rooms, bath rooms on each floor, a fine table, a bowling alley and croquet grounds, and pure milk from Mr. Whitlock's own dairy. This is the best hotel in any small city in the South.

The Kennesaw House, immediately on the line of the Western Atlantic Railroad, and fronting the depot, is kept by P. S. Shelman & Co., in a style which must be pleasing to the tourist and sojourner.

i6

SCENES ABOUT MARIETTA

There are also several splendid boarding houses in MARIETTA, among \\hich maybe named those kept by Mrs. M. J. Wright, Mr. L. S. Cox, and Mrs. J. II. Klliott. These are all places of elegant entertainment.
It is no disparagement to the excellent hostelries and other places of entertainment above mentioned to say that MARIETTA is probabK the best point in the south for building a fine, large, nt-\v hotel.

A SOUTHERN HOME OF THE OLD STVI.E.
The tide of travel has set in from all over America towards MAKIKTTA, and with the unexcelled facilities for getting there, and its unequaled advantages as to climate and scenery and proximity to a large city, with none of its inconveniences, MARIETTA certainly can claim to be almost without a rival.
Its superiority in this respect above all other excursion points con sists in the fact that it is practically an all-the-year-round resort. In

THE GEM CITY OF GEORGIA.

ij

the fall, winter and spring, it is filled with the best class of northern tourists ; and in the summer it is taxed to accommodate the very best and most cultured society of the southeast, who leave their homes to spend the hot months at some point where health and pleasure can be combined.
MARIETTA also has Baptist, Episcopal, Methodist and Presbyterian churches for the white population, also good churches for the colored. These are supplied with pastors of fair ability.
The bar of the city is unusually fine, and includes lawyers of established and wide-spread reputation.
There are drug stores here, and in addition to several physicians there are two splendid dentists.
MARIETTA has a flourishing telephone exchange, which, besides the local patronage, is connected with ATLANTA and the new station, ELIZABETH.
One of the most prosperous institutions in MARIETTA is the Marietta Library Association. This was organized during the sum mer of 1883, and has steadily grown in popularity. It has a

NATIONAL CEMETERY GATE.
library numbering nearly one thousand volumes, also a number of newspapers, periodicals, etc., in rooms of which a larger city might well be proud. These are warm and pleasant, well lighted and ventilated ; and a hearty welcome is extended to all visitors.
The membership is not limited to citizens of MARIETTA. In fact, special arrangements have been made for visitors, who may receive the full benefit of the library, at rate of 50 cents for one month, or $1.00 per quarter.
The library hall is centrally located, and open daily, except Sun days. The institution is under the management of a Board of

i8

SCEATES ABOUT MARIETTA,

Directors, consisting of representatives of the best ladies and gentle men of MARIETTA, and members and visitors may always be assured of finding not only a high class of reading matter, including the latest works in fiction, travel, science and general literature, but also of a social welcome especially pleasing.

There are also numerous elegant dwelling-houses in the city ; and the oak groves in front of and around some of these are of rare beauty and very attractive. r On the northeast side of the city is the National Cemetery, which covers nearly thirty acres. The United States Government has spent

THE GEM CITY OF GEORGIA.

19

many thousands of dollars in decorating it, until it now presents a very imposing appearance. The front entrance was erected at a cost of some five thousand dollars, and is massive and tasty. Within the inclosure are the remains of 10,132 Federal soldiers, who marched with Sherman and died for the Union.
In the southern part of the city, and immediately by the Western & Atlantic Railroad, is the Confederate cemetery, in which about thirtyfive hundred, who wore the grey, are interred. Not being under the protecting care of a government (that for which they fought, like themselves having passed away), their graves have not been as well cared for as those in the other cemetery. But as has been said of the occupants of the two, " They both have answered the last roll-call, and will only appear again when the final reveille shall sound."
Just one square from the Western & Atlantic Railroad depot is the CITY PARK, which is the pride of the MARIETTA people, and justly so. Here the.local brass band gives afternoon concerts.
Every well regulated and ambitious city has at least one suburb, and MARIETTA is not left behind in this respect. The American Marble Company has recently completed an extensive marble mill at a point nearly two miles north of MARIETTA, immediately on the line of the Western & Atlantic Railroad and almost at the base of the famous KENNESAW MOUNTAIN. The main building of this factory is over four hundred feet long and forty-seven feet wide. The enginehouse, which is of brick, with marble facings, is sixty feet long by forty feet wide. The chimney is one hundred and twenty-six feet high. The company owns about one hundred and sixty acres of land at this point. Of course, the dwelling-houses of the employes, etc., will be built around this, and, inasmuch as the Western & Atlantic Railroad Company have here put down extensive side-tracks, and have in contemplation all the necessary arrangements for conducting business with this company immediately at their mill, it became necessary that a new station should be opened here; and this has been 'named " ELIZABETH," in compliment to the estimable wife of Sen ator Joseph E. Brown, who (the Senator) as Governor, when the road was under control of the State, or as President of the company since it was leased, has been connected with this road directly or indirectly for over twenty-two years.
The town of ELIZABETH is at present in an inchoate state; but the operatives' houses are under contract, the streets are laid out and being macadamized with marble, and doubtless before another year rolls around will present a very lively appearance, and will enjoy the distinction of being one of the principal marble shipping points in America. There is also talk of the erection of a splendid hotel at this point by a body of influential capitalists.
ELIZABETH is also a point of junction of the Western & Atlantic and the Marietta & North Georgia Railroads, the latter having built a spur from their line (which terminates at MARIETTA) to the Ameri can Marble Company's factory, which is on the Western & Atlantic line at ELIZABETH.
The extensive shipments of rough marble from the quarries at Tate, Ga., to the factory, are delivered here, and, after being wrought

20

SCENES ABOUT MARIETTA,

into shape by the wonderful new patent machinery of the company, are shipped to various points via the Western & Atlantic Railroad.
The long piles of huge marble blocks (some weighing more than twenty tons each) by the side of the factory are of interest to tourists passing over the Western & Atlantic, and many visitors at MARIETTA go up to ELIZABETH to observe the admirable work of the marbledressing machinery.

One of the greatest attractions which MARIETTA possesses is her proximity to the far-famed KENNESAW MOUNTAIN, around the east ern base of which the Western & Atlantic Railroad runs, hardly more than two miles north of MARIETTA.
KENNESAW MOUNTAIN rears its two lofty wood-fringed peaks very prominently above the surrounding hill-country. The higher of the two is nearer the Western & Atlantic line, and its extreme altitude is 1,809 feet above the sea level. From the summit, of

THE GEM CITY OF GEORGIA.

21

course, a most charming view of the city of MARIETTA can be enjoyed, and, on a clear day, houses in the city of Atlanta, which is probably less than twenty miles distant, in an air line, can be easily seen. It has been in contemplation to erect a tower on the crest of this mountain ; in this event it will become quite a resort for sight seers. From the Western & Atlantic side the ascent is gradual, and it is practicable to open a road for carriages to ascend to the summit.
From this mountain " THE GREAT KENNESAW ROUTE," which is synonymous with the Western & Atlantic Railroad, received its title. Besides this fact, KENNESAW MOUNTAIN is famed in American annals as being the scene of some of the fiercest and most bloody fighting during the great Civil War.
In this vicinity for twenty-six days, Sherman's and Johnston's armies confronted each other, during which, in General Johnston's language :
" Besides the incessant musketry of skirmishers, the Confederate troops had to endure an almost uninterrupted cannonade and to endure without returning it; for their supply of artillery ammunition was so inadequate that their batteries could be used only to repel assaults, or in serious engagements."
From the summits of KENNESAW can be seen the thickly-wooded, rolling country, wherein for nearly a month the two contending hosts faced and fought.

- J Wi@PPP

MARIETTA

AND VICINITY.

V4 0

1

< MILES.

Westward, some ten miles, is New Hope Church, where, on May 25, 1864, occurred a desperate struggle between Hooker's corps and Stewart's division, in which the former sustained a bloody repulse.
Near this point also, on May 26, occurred a very hot cavalry fight, between Avery's regiment of Georgia cavalry and a large body

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^aMite-d_5_a.-XJ
eywHope Churc as,2fi;a8,is64, -m^ I ^<-* fkfX>KA> ^ iJ rf
rlTiiirn.Vfina i
MAP OF ARMY OPERATIONS
ATLANTA CAMPAIGN BETWEEN KINGSTON AND ATLANTA SCALE OF STATUTE MILES. * 4/1 MILES TO THE INCH MTTHEWi. NORTHRUP A CO., ENGRAVtBS, BUTALO. .

24

SCENES ABOUT MARIETTA.

of Federal cavalry, and, although largely outnumbered, and badly

wounded, Col. Avery, General Johnston says, " maintained'!the posi

tion until the arrival of forces capable of holding the ground."

From this elevation can also be observed the battlefield of Picketfs

,

Mill, or, as it also is sometimes called, New Hope Church, which is

"'

about ten miles northwest of KEN'NESAW MOUNTAIN, and about the

.1

same distance west of Acworth, near Pickett's Mill.

At this point, on May 27, was a very fierce and sanguinary combat

between Cleburne's division and Howard's corps, which resulted in

the defeat of the Union forces.

KENNESAw, Pine, and Lost Mountains the latter being about six

miles west of KENNESAW, and Pine Mountain being northward of

both form a triangle, where Johnston had taken his defensive

position. The intervening country is rough and very woody.

On Pine Mountain, on June 14, 1864, the Confederate Lieutenant-

General Polk was killed by an artillery shot. Gen. Sherman had

observed a little group of officers, as he correctly supposed, near the

summit of that mountain, and ordered the commander of one of his

batteries to fire upon and disperse them. General Polk was struck

in the breast by an unexploded shell and killed.

On June 15, Johnston abandoned Pine Mountain, and on the

i6th, Lost Mountain, in order to better concentrate his forces.

Sherman's constant flank movements caused several changes in

Johnston's position; which, the latter says, "was a very hazardous

one," and gave rise to daily combats, some of considerable importance.

In all of these changes of position, Johnston held fast to KENNE

SAW MOUNTAIN, it first covering his extreme right, but gradually

becoming the pivot around which his lines swung westward and south-

westward, and finally, to meet the prolongation of Sherman's right,

.

extending several miles due south, parallel to the Western & Atlantic

Railroad, to reach which and protect which were the rival aims of the

two great commanders.

The following beautiful extracts from an article in the Atlanta

Daily Intelligencer^ June 23, 1864, give an idea of the thrilling inter

est of the warlike vision which was then exhibited from the towering

crests of KENNESAW :

" One of the most magnificent views to be seen on earth is the scene

exhibited from the summit of the KENNESAW MOUNTAIN. From its

base a valley on all sides spreads off in billowy-like surfaces, rolling

higher and higher until it is lost on the south on the blue outline of the

,

southeastern spur of the Alleghanies, on whose crests the white Kne of

|

houses and occasional spires of Atlanta are plainly visible. Southward,

!

beyond that regular line, a smooth, blue cone lifts its head high above

all the ridges within view, and overlooks the eminences of all the

;

country. It is Stone Mountain, that barren hill and wonderftil curiosity

'

that arises like a huge loaf, and, though over twenty miles south of the

.

crest where Atlanta rests in her beauty, it seems as though it was a

helmet sitting on the brow of this giant ridge.

i

" Eastward, and but a few miles from the base of the KENNESAW,

;

the lovely village of MARIETTA gleams out from amid the luxuriant

foliage which embowers it like an emerald setting woven in a cluster

'

of diamonds. In its desolation it remains beautiful. Its arbored shades

look as inviting as when the exquisite forms of beauty and th "attrac

tive eyes of lovely and loved women, and elegant people charmed ..he

VIEW FROM KENNESAW MOUNTAIN, WITH AI.I.ATOONA MOUNTAINS IN THE DISTANCE

T
1

26

SCENES ABOUT MARIETTA,

visitor to remain and luxuriate amid its endearments. The defacing touch and destroying presence of an army are evident on its face. Its citizens gone, its magnificent homes deserted, its regal residences desolate, its church bells quiet, its halls abandoned and its music silenced, it remains but a warlike citadel on the plain. The echoes of war, the fitful signal of the clanging, spurred dragoons, the challenge of the sentry, the snort of the war-horse, the shrieks of the steam engines, the rumbling of trains of cars and long lines of wagons, and the shouts of teamsters and workmen, swell aloud on the air at inter vals, and then the oppressive silence becomes more intolerable than the noise was before. The destructive finger of war is laid on the village, but it remains beautiful in its ruins. North-eastward from the slope of the mountain the billowy hills wave into the dim, misty outline of the crests whose thin blue brows stretch to the Catskills on the Hudson. The Blue Ridge, with all its strange contour and fan
tastic outlines, fades before us into a cloud, and into the impenetra ble depths where even distance does not' lend enchantment to the view,' by robing the ' mountain in its azure hue.'
" Brush Mountain casts up its shaggy head before us, and like the hump of a camel sits a ragged monster barrier, on whose sloping face an army defends the pathways that lead to the goal of our enemy's
ambition. At its feet a smiling, peaceful valley shows its fair face, and, laughing in the sunlight, its green fields and treasured homes reflect back the scorching rays of the bright sun, shining like the glori ous gems that they are to the husbandman. Far off to the north ward their bosoms are bared to grow the wealth that fills our grana ries and storehouses with their golden grain. The limit is bounded by the hills along the Etowah. Skirting the horizon, their broken backs are misty and dim. Sometimes a dull red or barren sandy spot on the iron hills gleams out on their sides or summits.
" To the north and westward the fertile country presents a repetition of hills and valleys that are studded with the beautiful farms of planters, whose homes awhile since were busy hives of industry, and where peaceful sounds of pastoral life only broke on the ear.
" The great red banks of the Western & Atlantic Railroad wind like the tortuous curvings of a huge snake along over the surface here on an enormous bank, there through a deep cut. It winds back and forth, binding the mountains and valleys with links of iron, and transports the treasures of the caverns on the Tennessee on its sur
face for the necessities and luxuries of a people hundreds of miles to the southward.
" Away over the tops of the peaked hills at Allatoona, the dim out lines of the ranges of hills along the Etowah and Oostanaula float in the mists of the quivering sunlight. We almost seem to see, bound ing the horizon, and shutting off the view, the exquisitely beautiful and gracefully curved outlines of Lookout Mountain.
" The sparkling, glassy curves of Noonday Creek glitter in the sun's rays. But to-day, instead of the fairies that once sported beneath the silver sheen of the moon's soft rays, armed men make night hideous with their brawls, their hoarse challenges, and the quick, sharp shot of their deadly rifles.
'' Off to the left, nearly in the track of the setting sun, Pine Mount ain shows its sombre sides. Almost dark with the perennial verdure of its foliage, its cypress gloom frowns down black as a funeral pall. It mourns that a deed of blood and crime was done on its crown. There it stands, and forever will remain a monument for legends and history, to tell that a noble Christian, a gallant warrior, a great cham pion, and a loved man died in battle at the hands of our enemy. There General Leonidas Polk, the great bishop, the great general, was killed. Even our enemies cannot rejoice over the horrid deed. Our
country mourns his loss. History will weave about his crosier, his sword and his tomb, and entwine with the chaplet that adorns his memory, his many virtues and his glorious, gallant deeds.
" South of the dark mountain a black antf gloomy forest presents its.

THE GEM CITY OF GEORGIA.

27

interminable and intricate labyrinths of trees. They are overlooked
by Lost Mountain, which stands grim and frowning like a huge grizzly monarch of the olden time. The very air of antiquity seems to hang over it, and though a wonderful curiosity, a monstrous freak of nature's fantastic humor, yet it stands a forbidding sentinel and land mark to the hundred hills around.

DEATH OF GENERAL POLK.
" South and west are the bloody depths about New Hope Church and Dallas. Eastward are the yet ghostlier places of sepulchre about Gilgal, and beyond the base of Little Kennesaw are seen the mazes of the dark and bloody grounds where battle has made fearful and horrid marks.
'' Over the whole valley surrounding the base of KENXESAW the arts and appliances of war have displaced the humbler work of the hus bandman. Interminable lengths of earthworks and forts, parallels and approaches, defenses and advance lines, batteries and muskets and warrior foes cover the land. Thousands of white spots declare the tented field. The deep-mouthed bellowing of brazen cannon, the chopping sound of the picket shots, volleys of opposing musketry, shouts of infuriated men, the yells of advancing foes, the neighing of the war steeds, the bray of mules, the shrill blasts of trumpets, the roars of mimic thunder, answering the furious bursts of the battle storm, the charge, the broken retreat, the cheer of the victors all echo up to our perch on the crown of the giant that sits serene where no political tempest, no national convulsion or conti nental earthquake can shake its philosophic calm or its gran ite foundation. The smoke of battle rises thick and in fetid volumes. Hundreds of souls, the manes of the dead, are floating to the skies on that sulphurous vapor, and its incense arises from those battle-field altars of sacrifice, and the sun hides its face behind the white cloud, but tints the attenuated sheet with gorgeous colors. Deep brown and red edges shade the purple mists, and faint patches of blue open like gateways to the fair and glorious heaven beyond.

1

28

SCENES ABOUT MARIETTA,

'' The battle still rages and roars its puny thunder-strokes against the

battlement that stretches its rocky crest far up into God's own bright

sky. A violet glory rests over the western horizon. Dim stretches of

gold radiate from the far-off mountains to the o'erarching zenith,

crimson spots paint and mottle the dim sapphire glow that casts its

1

glorious mantle over the earth. The gorgeous scene slowly faints

away beneath the sun's dying rays. 'Tis sunset.

'' Twilight comes on apace, and night. Then the moon glides up

1

the sky and over the mountain, and looks down on a scene of blood,

where proud mortals cast the lives and pride of a province away. It

coldly frowns on the battle-field. It sadly smiles on KENXESAW."

Of the assumption of Johnston's last line of defense, the Federal

General, Cox, writes:

" The key of tfie new Confederate line was KENNESAW MOUNTAIN,

which is the summit of the watershed, and whose wood-covered sides,

breaking down into deep ravines, made an impregnable military posi

tion, whilst its summit, overlooking the country in all directions,

:

made concealment of movements on Sherman's part next to impos

sible."

From " The Mountain Campaigns in Georgia, or War Scenes on

the W. &* A." the following extracts of events occurring about that

\

time will be of interest:

;

" The Federal army, during this same period, was making constant

extensions southward, which forced corresponding movements by the

Confederates.

v

" Hood's corps was transferred from the Confederate right to their

extreme left; and Johnston ordered Hood to endeavor to prevent any

;

progress of Sherman's right toward the railroad, the latter and the

'-

Confederate entrenchments being nearly parallel, and scarcely more

than three miles apart. General Johnston says : ' Our position, con-

j

sequently, was a very hazardous one.'

i

" During this same period the Confederates were placing batteries

i

upon the twin crests of the KENNESAW MOUNTAIN. Big Kennesaw,

the higher of the two, runs up into a peak about six or seven hundred

'

feet above the surrounding country, affording room for only a few

J

guns. Little Kennesaw, on the contrary, consists of a commanding

ridge, extending for from seven hundred to a thousand feet, before

the descent begins at each end ; and is a magnificent position for

artillery. General French, whose division covered this ridge, on

about the 2oth of the month, planted twenty guns upon it. The

road leading to the crest being difficult of ascent, and exposed to the

fire of the Federal batteries on the neighboring heights, the Confeder-

i

ates, after some search, found a route behind the mountain, up which

they dragged the guns by ropes (prolongues). This labor was under

taken late in the evening, and continued through the night, and, by

daylight next morning, Guibor's and Ward's batteries were planted on

Little Kennesaw, behind strongly constructed works. Hoskins's bat

tery was also placed on the descending slope of the western end of

|

the ridge, to command the approaches to the infantry line farther

down. The timber growth on the mountain concealed these from the

i

view of the Federals.

i

"On the morning of the 22d, a furious bombardment was opened

!

from these batteries, upon the Federal camps and entrenchments, in

!

the fields and forests below, which compelled a disorderly retreat to

the rear by the wagon trains, etc., and greatly annoyed the forces

j

manning the breastworks. Towards night the Confederates opened

these guns again upon their enemy; and at n p. M. the bombard-

I

ment was renewed. In the darkness this is said-to have presented a

magnificent spectacle to those on the surrounding hills and valleys,

j

the flashes of light, and the glare on the rising clouds of smoke, seem

ing to crown the lordly mountain with a tiara of fire.

THE GEM CITY OF GEORGIA.

29

" Within tl.e next day or so, General Sherman, it is stated, brought
120 guns to bear against this position, which number was increased later to 140. From these, the bombardment of the batteries on the
crest of the mountain is said to have been terrific, and to have virtu ally silenced the Confederate guns. ' The top of the ridge was cov
ered with trees and limbs felled by the shells. Thousands of these
passed high over the mountain, exploding in the air ; or, falling in the fore>t. spread destruction almost amid the very suburbs of MARIETTA."

ri
PLANTING THE GUNS ON KENNESAW.
The Confederate General French, whose division held little Kennesaw, thus described the situation at that time, in his diary :
" From the top of the mountain the vast panorama is ever chang ing. There are now large trains to the left of Lost Mountain and at Big Shanty, and wagons are moving to and fro everywhere. En campments of hospitals, quartermasters, commissaries, cavalry and infantry whiten the plain here and there as far as the eye can reach:

r
1 ' ' '. '' *'
j *, !
j i j ! :| )' *: !,i :] *' >' ;. tj *1 j ;
,
''
|
^

SCENES ABOUT MARIETTA.
Our side of the line looks narrow, poor and lifeless, with but little canvas in spots that contrasts with the green foliage.
" The usual flank extension is going on. Troops on both sides move to left, and now the blue smoke of the musket discloses the line by day trending away, far away, south toward the Chattahoochee, and by night it is marked, at times, by the red glow of the artillery, amidst the spark-like flash of small arms that look in the distance like innumerable fire-flies."
On June 20, east of the railroad, opposite KENNESAW MOUNTAIN,
was fought the most considerable cavalry fight of the campaign. The Federals were defeated by Wheeler, losing two standards, etc.
On the 22d of June occurred the battle of Kulp's Farm, nearly four miles south of KENNESAW, in which the Confederates were defeated.
General Sherman says in one of his dispatches: " The whole country is one vast fort, and Johnston must have at least fifty miles of connected trenches with abatis and finished batteries. .... Our lines are now in close contact, and the fighting is incessant, with a good deal of artillery fire. As fast as we gain one position, the enemy has another all ready ; but I think he will soon have to let go KENNESAW, which is the key to the whole country."
General Sherman further says that on the 24th and 25th of June, he extended his right as far as prudent, so as t'o compel Johnston "to thin out his lines correspondingly, with the intention to make
two strong assaults at points where success would give us (the Union army) the greatest advantage."
He.adds, that he thought that if he could break Johnston's long
line at any point, and thrust in a strong head of column, he could cut
Johnston's army in two, and thus force him to evacuate this position ;
and doubtless, as he considered it, with great disaster to the Confederates.
The 27th of June was the day fixed for the assault. Sherman adds :
"About 9 A. M. of the day appointed, the troops moved to the assault, and all along our lines for ten miles a furious fire of artillery and musketry was kept up. At all points the enemy met us with determined courage, and in great force. McPherson's attacking column fought up the face of the lesser KENNESAW ; but could not reach the summit. ... By 11 : 30 the assault was in fact over, and had failed. We had not broken the rebel line at either point, but our assaulting columns held their ground within a few yards of the rebel trenches, and there covered themselves with parapet."
Such is substantially General Sherman's brief description of this battle, as beheld from the Federal standpoint.
Taking ourselves back, however, to the day of the great struggle, and viewing it from the summit of KENNESAW, it is stated by those
who participated in it, as having presented one of the grandest scenes which the page of war unfolds.
Here, beginning among the hills east of KENNESAW MOUNTAIN, and
running westward to and across the Western & Atlantic Railroad,
and up the ridge to the summit; thence, around the front side
just below the top of each peak and descending to the base of the lesser KENNESAW ; thence; turning southward, and extending through
the rolling country for some five miles or more, was the Confederate line of entrenchments.
On the two crests of the mountain the Confederates had batteries,
which could overlook the Whole field, and interspersed along the line,

KKNNKSAW MOPNTAIX--I?ROM THK SoHTIIKAST.

32

SCENES ABOUT MARIETTA,

particularly that part of the position southwest of the mountain, was

also a number of pieces of artillery. Behind these lengthy earthworks

rested about fifty-five thousand Confederate troops, not only fearless,

but eager for the approaching battle.

In front of this line of defense, which was almost ten miles long,

General Sherman had marshalled nearly one hundred thousand of the finest soldiers in America.



Of their bravery, their fortitude, and their willingness to seal their

|

convictions with their blood, there need not, at this late day, be any

;

controversy. It may be truthfully asserted that there was not, during

i

the entire war, a finer army sent into the field by the Federal Govern

ment than this magnificent array, which on the 27th day of June,

:

1864, moved forward to wrest KENNESAW MOUNTAIN and MARIETTA

from General Johnston's army, if it lay in the power of brave men

to do it.

The early morning found them massing in heavy force at all points along the line, and at nine o'clock the battle began in earnest.

From two hundred and fifty cannon on Sherman's side there

poured forth a terrific bombardment upon the Confederate position.

This was replied to, to a moderate degree, by the Confederate bat

teries, although they, to some extent, held their fire for the closer work which was to come.

Now, through the thick woods approached the serried columns, several lines deep. It was an awe-inspiring sight as they moved for

ward over hill and dale, toward the grand point of attack. It was not long before this tide of valor swept forward within range of the small

arms behind the Confederate entrenchments; and now almost arl

along the line the curling smoke and the rattle of musketry began to make the forests and hillsides ring.

From the advancing hosts defiance went back in volley after volley,

and still onward and onward came the rush.

At all points there were exhibited the varied terrors of carnage, the

thrilling scenes of war ; and as prominent as the roar of cannon and

the rattle of small arms arose the " huzzas" of the undaunted assail

ants and the wild " rebel yell" from behind the entrenchments.

One of the most picturesque and majestic features of the entire

battle was the bombardment of the approaching columns by the Con federate batteries on the twin crests of KENNESAW MOUNTAIN.

Those on LITTLE KENNESAW hurled a fearful tempest of destruc tion and dismay among the several corps of the Army of the Ten nessee, which, with the most audacious heroism assaulted the Con federate position on the mountain itself, and of the Army of the Cumberland, which made its determined and furious assault upon the

works south of the mountain, which were held by the divisions of

Walker, Bate, Cleburne and Cheatham.

So continuous and rapid was this bombardment'' that the mountain

seemed literally on fire ; and the murky clouds of smoke, enveloping

its summit, and rising majestically toward the heavens, combined with the tumultuous roar from their midst, presented in terrific grandeur, the veritable appearance of a volcanic eruption."

THE GEM CITY OF GEORGIA.

33

From the batteries on BIG KEXXESAW shells and solid shot flew clear across the Western & Atlantic Railroad, enfilading a portion of the Federal line in its desperate and persistent assault upon Featherston's division, whose entrenchments ran across the railroad just north of the present station, ELIZABETH. They also dropped shells, grape arid canister among Blair's lines, which faced the great mountain, and Logan's, which assaulted LITTLE KEXNESAW.
It may be pardonable to here remark that Blair afterwards ran for Vice-President of the United States ; and so did Logan,'later on.
Was KEXNESAW MOUNTAIN the &?A? noire of their ambitions ? Were this the age of fable it might be said that the Spirit of the imperial mountain, incensed at the presumptive pride of those who audaciously attempted to storm the stronghold of his power and glory, with terrific fury hurled them back, bleeding and discomfited ; and even afterwards, in his avenging wrath over the hurt they had done to his defenders and the children of his love, followed them to defeat the dearest wishes of their souls.

GENERAL P. R. CLEBURXE.
But there was one part of the Confederate line which did not share in the tumult and fierce resistance which was everywhere else apparent. This was the portion held by the division of Major-General Cleburne, or, as all the Southern people know him, "Pat Cleburne." It has been said of Cleburne that he was the only man in the Confederate army who could absolutely control his men and make them hold their fire until he was ready for it to be delivered. On the day of this battle.

BATTLE OF KENNESAW MOUNTAIN, ON LINE OF W. & A. R. R., NEAR MARIETTA, GA., JUNE 2"J, 1864.

THE GEM CITY OF GEORGIA.

35

when the Federal advance began, it is stated that he said to his troops
that he would hold any man personally responsible who would dare
fire a gun until the Federal line reached the abatis before his works.
This was the explanation of the ominous silence all along that portion
of the breastworks held by his force. Probably the effect of this can
best be shown by repeating the words of a Federal Colonel, who was
captured in this battle, and who described it the next day. Said he :
" It was the most severe ordeal which my nervous system has ever undergone. When we began the advance, we naturally expected that the artillery would open upon us as soon as we got within range ; and that, having swept forward until we were in reach of the fire of mus ketry, that would begin to open upon us also.
" I had been through so much of this that I had ceased to fear it, and always relied on the excitement of the occasion carrying me for ward ; but here we ran for some two hundred yards or more and there was not a cannon shot. Another hundred yards, and still no explosion of bombshell, or anything of the kind ! I now began to feel a little strange. Another hundred yards, and still no sign of life, and my nervousness began to give place to a desire to halt. Another hundred yards, and we were certainly within range of musketry ; but still there was not one sign of life in the entrenchments in front of us ; nothing to give cause for apprehension, apparently, except the waving of the Confederate flags above the works, as a light wind blew.
" Now, over me began to come a mortal feeling of dread ; a feeling which I never had before, and which I can scarcely describe. I would have turned and fled but for the fear of disgrace which was stronger even than the horror of death; but I knew what was coming, and determined by my example to inspire my men to brave it, no matter how terrible it was.
1 ' At length we were within scarcely more than twenty yards of the entrenchments, when from all along the line protruded forth, beneath the head-logs, scores and hundreds of muskets. I could see them as I gave a quick glance down the whole front, and those immediately before me, particularly, seemed slightly waving from side to side. There was no mistaking it. I knew that every holder of a musket was picking out his man.
" This continued but for a few moments, when above all other sounds, distinct and clear, I heard the command given, ' Now, MEN, FIRE !'
" Instantly, from along the entire line, there seemed like a lightning flash, to burst forth a sheet of flame and smoke. I was struck, and fell senseless for an instant; but when I recovered myself and turned to look there seemed to be scarcely seven men in my entire regiment on their feet.
"Then the fury of the combat arose above every other sight or sound. The whole forest and mountain seemed to be on fire. There was no army in the world that could have stood before it!"
As an evidence of the correctness of this description, it may be stated
that after the battle the Confederates picked up in front of Cleburne's
line 1,002 dead and wounded Federals.
The fighting at the line of defense extending for four miles through
the level country south of KENNESAW MOUNTAIN and west of MARI
ETTA was furious in the extreme ; and it required the most heroic exer
tions of the Confederates to repel the determined assaults which were
made with such desperate bravery by more than twice their number
upon this line, as well as upon the lesser KENNESAW.
The Federal troops had been repulsed after a most superhuman
effort to carry the Confederate position, and for a moment it seemed
that the only recourse was to hastily retire ; but under the leader
ship of the gallant General Harker they attempted to renew the assault.

SCENES ABOUT MARIETTA,
Almost at the very parapet, however, Harker fell, mortally
wounded, and the whole line was swept back by the terrific storm of
bullets which was poured into their faces.. At one or two points the
charging columns pressed forward to the very ditches before the
breastworks, and some of their dead were found against the works
themselves.
1 ' In the midst of the mel/e attending this last dash, a United States flag was planted on Cheatham's works. A Confederate captain instantly sprang to the top to gain pos session of this. The Federal color-bearer faced him bravely, and a hand-to-hand struggle ensued between the two over the flag, which resulted in the Tennessean's being shot dead by his antagonist. But the next instant a dozen bullets, fired from within the entrenchments, riddled the intrepid colorbearer, and he fell, slain, with his hand tightly clasped around the staff of the banner he had defended so well; but which now became the trophy of the exultant Confederates.
"At Walker's works, imme diately south of the mountain, an exciting episode of the battle occurred when a schrapnel shot with a smoking fuse passed under the headlog and fell among the men in the ditch. A stampede instantly commenced, in the midst of which a Georgia sergeant leaped forward, seized the projectile, and threw it out of the trenches, where the explosion did no harm."
There were numerous acts of individual daring on both sides which
made this struggle long to be remembered by the soldiers of the
two armies.
General French, who surveyed the struggle from the crest of KEN-
NESAW MOUNTAIN, says of it:
"We sat there, perhaps an hour, enjoying a bird's-eye view of one of the most magnificent sights ever allotted to man -- to look down upon a hundred and fifty thousand men arrayed in the strife of battle on the plain below. As the infantry closed in, the blue smoke of the musket marked out our line for miles, while over it rose in cumulilike clouds the white smoke of the artillery. Through the rifts of smoke, or, as it was wafted aside by the wind, we could see the assault made on Cheatham, and there the struggle was hard, and there it lasted longest. So many guns were trained on those by our side, and so incessant was the roar of cannon and the sharp explosion of shells, that naught else could be heard. .... The battle, in its entirety, became a pageantry on a grand scale, and barren of results, because the attacking columns were too small in numbers, considering the character of the troops they knew they would encounter."
Without viewing further this dread panorama of war which was
exhibited before the heights of KENNESAW MOUNTAIN, we will only
add that the Confederate loss in this, the greatest battle of the

THE GEM CITY OF GEORGIA.

37

OBSERVATION ROCK.
campaign, was 808 ; the Federal loss running up into the thousands. This battle will always stand forth as one of the most notable of the great Civil War, the advantages of position on one hand being fully matched by those in point of numbers on the other ; and as an exhibi tion of the valor of American soldiery will ever hold a prominent position on the page of fame.
Regarding the period before and after this date, General Sherman says:
'' These losses from June ist to July 3d were all substantially sustained about KENNESAW and MARIET TA, and it was really a continuous battle lasting from the loth day of June till the 3d of July, when the rebel army fell back from MARIETTA to ward the Chattahoochee River."
The hill-sides around and in the midst of the mountain triangle near MARI ETTA were seamed THE RIFLE-PITS BEFORE KENNESAW, JUXE, 1864.

38

SCENES ABOUT MARIETTA,

with entrenchments or honeycombed with rifle-pits. The thick woods

and undergrowth added obscurity and confusion to the movements of

large bodies of troops.

This natural fortress in front of the little city of MARIETTA for

nearly a month Sherman attempted to wrest by main force from

Johnston, but at length gave up the endeavor, and with his grand

army swung around to the southwest, and, on July 3d, so imperiled

Johnston's communications with Atlanta, that he compelled him to

retire toward the Chattahoochee River.

The tourist of the present day who stops at MARIETTA can without

trouble trace the lines of entrenchments on and before the mount

ain, and upon almost every hill can notice the rifle-pits which were,

during the month of June, 1864, occupied by the opposing sharp

shooters.

________________

MARIETTA.
THE BEST CLIMATE IN THE SOUTH.
At the meeting of the Kings County Medical Society in Brooklyn, N. Y., November, 1883, DR. P. R. CORTELYOU, of MARIETTA, Ga., an old member of the society, being present, was called upon to relate his experience in regard to the climate of Georgia as a place of resi dence for persons affected with pulmonary and throat troubles. After narrating to some extent his own affliction in the above respect, and his attempts to find a climate which would afford him relief, and showing the difficulties which he experienced at one or two points from dampness, foggy weather, etc., and the .inability to find a climate where he could obtain refreshing sleep at night, DR. COR TELYOU showed that he had found at MARIETTA the point which had brought him relief from general debility and from the pulmonary and throat affection from which he suffered. He added :
" Very many think that because the winters are mild the summers are exceedingly long and hot. The summers are really exceedingly pleasant. We rarely have a temperature above ninety degrees in the shade; and the nights are also very comfortable ; and I don't think there were half a dozen nights during the past summer when I was kept awake on account of the heat, or when I did not need some covering. Another advantage of that section -- I speak especially of MARIETTA, but many sections in upper Georgia, are fully as favorable as to climate, the conditions are all the same, but we have a little more elevation than the other sections -- is, the absolute freedom from malarial troubles. And further, and this is a point to which I wish to direct your attention, we are easy of access. I think that is a decided benefit in many cases. I hear a good deal said about New Mexico. Well, when an invalid attempts to go there, away from his friends, he has a very tiresome and tedious journey, and the facili ties for a comfortable living there are, in many parts of the country, difficult to procure; so that if one requires any special luxuries, it is difficult to get them. At MARIETTA we are situated conveniently to ATLANTA, where we can get anything that can be had here ; and persons located there are certainly very easily reached by friends, if necessary; and so they feel that they are not entirely isolated from their friends and families as they are when they go to New Mexico or even California."
COBB COUNTY,
of which MARIETTA is the seat of justice, is one of the largest, wealthiest and most prosperous geographical divisions of the State. It was laid off from Cherokee in 1832 and named in honor of Hon. Thomas W. Cobb. The soil of the county is varied, the bottoms

THE GEM CITY OF GEORGIA.

39

and some of the hilly lands being very fertile, and but little of it too
sterile for successful cultivation. Many metals and minerals., including gold, silver, copper, iron, lead, etc., have been discovered at different times, and some gold and silver mines have been profitably worked.
Agriculture is the main resource and occupation of the people, but of late years considerable capital has been invested in manufactures also. The inhabitants are proverbially law-abiding, temperate and
moral. This is one of the prohibition counties, and the new order
of things has been acquiesced in without a murmur. At the largest fair ever held by the State Agricultural Society at Macon, Cobb bore
away the honors, and was justly called the banner county of Georgia. At this very moment she has no less than seven agricultural district clubs in successful operation, and much attention is devoted to the rearing of fine cattle, sheep and swine. The nicely-worked public roads also afford substantial evidence of thrift and increasing civiliza tion. Fifteen post-offices afford light and intelligence to the masses. Numerous schools, academies and churches are found in every dis trict, and from the above showing it does seem that Cobb may still claim to be at least one of the banner counties of the State. -- From Letter in " Southern World" by Col. H. H.Jones.
To the above may be added the statement that one of the very best regions for dairy farms in the South is found on the "Western & Atlantic Railroad between the Chattahoochee River and MARIETTA.
The soil is peculiarly adapted to supplying the requirements of this business, and the numerous schedules per day afford easy access to the ATLANTA market.
One of the best localities in Georgia for raising strawberries is the elevated plateau lying alongside the railroad between MARIETTA and
SMYRNA. Between ATLANTA and BIG SHANTY is also a country unexcelled for
grape culture. On the sides of McRae's Hill, Brush Mountain, KENNESAW MOUNTAIN, and the numerous hills along and near the railroad there might be, and doubtless will be, vineyards whose lus cious wealth will be the delight of thousands. In fact, there are now flourishing vineyards on the sides of KENNESAW MOUNTAIN.

COBB COUNTY FOR MANUFACTURERS.

There are few counties which are so well adapted to give profitable return to manufacturing industries as Cobb. The requisites for the successful conducting of such enterprises are : first, raw material ; second, water or steam power ; third, intelligent population ; fourth, proximity to the consuming section, and fifth, health. All these Cobb county enjoys to a very decided extent.
To all who wish to go into the business of manufacturing furni ture and other products of lumber, there is furnished a supply of this material which will feel no appreciable contraction for years to come. Among the varieties of wood which are found in Cobb county may be mentioned the following : Red oak, black oak, post oak, Spanish oak, chestnut oak, blackjack, white ash, blue ash, black ash, poplar, birch, sycamore, hickory, yellow pine, walnut, locust, willow, wild cherry, maple, elm, dogwood, sweetgum, mulberry, persimmon,
chestnut, beech, and others. To those who wish to utilize the product of ore, the following vari
eties offer themselves: Brown hematite iron, iron pyrites, manga nese, kaolin, chrome mica, hornblende, graphite, soapstone, specular ore, mica, granite, gold ore, gold quartz, quartzite, asbestos, manga nese with iron, copper pyrites, schist and blackhead, honeycomb
quartz, garnets, decomposed feldspar. To the cotton manufacturer Cobb county offers over 12,000 bales
per annum. Besides these, the grain crops afford large supplies to milling inter
ests, which are supplemented to a much greater extent by grain brought from Tennessee and the West.

4o

SCENES ABOUT MARIETTA.

The water-powers of Cobb county are very fine indeed, and while some of them are utilized, yet the tithe has not been reached.
In addition to these, the Western & Atlantic Railroad Co. has reduced the rates on coal for manufacturing purposes to such an extent that Cobb county stations enjoy as cheap coal as Atlanta itself.
The population is composed of an intelligent class of people who take readily to manufacturing industries, and develop rapidly those which are founded on a firm basis.
The last material requisite for successful manufacturing Cobb county enjoys to a. very unusual extent, Atlanta and the great con
suming section being immediately south of and around her ; hence, it is not necessary to elaborate further upon this subject.
As to health, this publication elsewhere shows that this county is
above the average.

HOW TO GET TO MARIETTA.
The Western & Atlantic Railroad Co. has no pecuniary interest in any route by which passengers reach it when bound for MARIETTA ; but desiring to see its patrons put to the least possible annoyance, points out the following as the best lines to take.
From the West and Northwest, be sure to see that your ticket reads via both Nashville and Chattanooga, or via the Cincinnati Southern Railway, and the Western & Atlantic Railroad.
From the North and East, see that your ticket reads via Cincinnati or Louisville, Chattanooga, and the Western & Atlantic Railroad.

"THE FAMOUS WESTERN & ATLANTIC
RAILROAD."
The Western & Atlantic Railroad runs through Palace SleepingCars and through Parlor (chair) Cars, daily, with the N. C. & St. L. Ry., from Nashville to ATLANTA via MARIETTA; and through Palace and Buffet Sleeping-Cars, daily, with the Cincinnati Southern Railway (Queen & Crescent Route), from Cincinnati to Jacksonville, Fla., via MARIETTA and ATLANTA.
There are Sleeping or Parlor Cars on all through trains of the Western & Atlantic Railroad.
The Western & Atlantic Railroad is the only one in the South which runs FOUR THROUGH PASSENGER TRAINS per day each way. Its service is therefore unrivalled.
The Western & Atlantic Railroad is the only one entering ATLANTA from the Northwest which lands passengers and makes all connec tions in the Union Passenger Depot, and thus saves invalids, ladies, and all others, a long and cold omnibus transfer to the hotels or to other railroads.
The Western & Atlantic Railroad runs FOURTEEN THROUGH AND
LOCAL PASSENGER TRAINS per day.
The Western & Atlantic Railroad is the only one running through the beautiful and historic Chickamauga Valley.
The Western & Atlantic Railroad has been termed " The Historic Battle-fields Route of America;" because it runs through or near the famous battle-fields of Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Chicka mauga, Ringgold, Rocky Face, Resaca, New Hope Church, Allatoona, Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta, and more than fifty other minor conflicts at arms which took place during 1863 and 1864.
The Western & Atlantic Railroad is the one which General W. T. Sherman says " should be the pride of every true American, because by reason of its existence the Union was saved."
The Western Atlantic Railroad has rock ballast, steel rails and iron bridges.

Time Table
-OF-
TRAINS GOING SOUTH.

rn -*"*

NAMES OF

en W

U K OC,
oE Sa co

-. s

STATIONS.

js-> ! . be ja u C HW r<g H i1=5; c-/W 2 *

Ret

NO. 17 NO. 14 NO. 4 ' NO. 2 NO. 12'NO. 20 No. 18 NO. 10' NO. 8 'NO. 18

Lv. Lv. i Lv. Lv. Lv. ' Lv. i Lv. Lv. Lv. Lv.

A.M. A.M. A.M. P.M. P.M. A.M. A.M. P.M. '. P.M. P.M.

Chattanooga..

....)..... 8.05 i-i5t 9-35 1-30 .......... .....|.....

MARIETTA... 1 2O 7-OO 10.14 12.53 5.461 2.05 5.40 7.41 1.45 4.09 6.13

Glover's Grove... 120
Richards'........ 121
Sibley's.......... Concord. ....... Barber's Crossing 12.3 Ruffs............ 124
128 Smyrna.......... 125
Mclvors. ........ Vining's..... .... 129

77' .-0O2 il.l.........1.........

7.04!..... .....

77..0086] 1.....
7 n|

..... 1.04

5.56

5-50 8.31' 2.03

6.38

7 13 10.26! 1.05' 5-57i 2.17

8.33 2.28 4.36 6-39

7-20 10.33!..... 6.04

2.50 4-49 6-54

7.24110.35! 1.14 6.05;

8.48 2.56 4-52 6-59

Gilmore..........

7.29110.39! 1.181 6.09, .... 6.04 8-55 3-03 5-09 7-3

Bolton.... ...... 132 Yz 7-39 I0 -45| 1-24

2.36 6.10 9.05. 3.20

7.40

Hill's Park....... 135% 7-49 Bellwood ........

1

Belt Crossing....

North Avenue....

Simpson Street...

7-56 .....1 1-43 6.29 2.52 6.25 9-3 3-5C SOS-----

Ar. i Ar. | Ar. Ar.' Ar. Ar. Ar. : Ar. Ar. Ar.

8.15 A.M. ' A.M. i P.M. P.M. A.M. A.M. A.M. P.M. P.M. P.M.
ATLANTA.... 140 8.00,11.051 1.44; 6-351 2.57 6.30 9-35! 3-55 6-o

Six Passenger Trains daily, Marietta to Atlanta.

Time Table
-OF-

TRAINS GOING NORTH.

NAMES OF STATIONS.

Ed
S

ss ng $

sg. ss. V
>x !>>^

.,, ,,
>x WW

22
O Q.
w Pi X

**'
w HQ|

NO. 3 . No. 1 NO. 14 No. 19 No. 17 No. 111 No. 5 ' No. 9 No. 15 NO. 7

ATLANTA..... Simpson Street... North Avenue. .. Belt Crossing.... Bellwood ........ Hill's Park ...... Bolton........... Gilmore.......... Vining's. ........ ii Mclvors......... ii Smyrna.......... 15 Ruffs............ 15. Barber's Crossing 17 Concord. ........ Sibley's.. ....... Richards'........ 19 Glover's Grove...
MARIETTA... 20 Chattanooga.. : 140

Lv. Lv. Lv. Lv. Lv. Lv. Lv. \ Lv. Lv. | Lv.

P.M. P.M. P.M. P.M. P.M. A.M. ' A.M. A.M. i P.M.

7-5 I .40 3-45 5-5o 4.40 II.OO 5.101 6.20 9.50! 6.25

7-55

3-Si 5-55 4-45 ----- ..... ; ..... 9.55! 6.30

7-57

4-47 ---

7-58

I

4-48

8.00

4-50:

8.05 8.ii
4.19 8.17 6.26 8.20

2.06
2.12 2.16

4.12
4.23

6-15
6.21

4-51'
5.03111.23 5.10111.29 5-H "-33

5-40 6.55 IO.2O 6.04. 7-IO 10.38 6. ii 7.17 10.44

7.02 7.20 7.27

8.21

8.318.29 2.25 4-33 6-35 5.26 11.42 2.26 4-35 1 6.38 5.28 .....

8-33

5-31 -----

7.30 .....
7.50 10.57 7-45 -33 8.10 10.58 7-47

8-34

5-32

8.36

5-34

8-37

5-35

8.38

Ar. Ar. Ar. i Ar. Ar. Ar. Ar. r Ar. Ar. Ar.

A.M. P.M. P.M. P.M. P.M. P.M. A.M. ' A.M. A.M. P.M.
8.41 2.36 4-45J 6.48 5.39 11.55 6.53 8.28 11.13 8.05 I.OO 7-05 ....:ii.35 ..... 4.37 ..... .... ..... .....

P.M.

;

A.M. I

Six Passenger Trains daily, Atlanta to Marietta.

THE
ENNKAWKPUTE R-R*

NUMBER OF MILES FROM MARIETT
TO POINTS NAMED
WITH TIME AND FIRST-CLASS FARE.

STATIONS.

No. of Hours.

Miles. **gh,

*Atlanta ................... tAugusta ...................
Athens .................... Aiken, S. C. ................. *Albany, Ga. ................. tBaltimore .................. tBoston, Mass. ................ tBuffalo, N. Y. ................ tBrunswick, Ga. ............. *CaIlahan, Fla. ................ Charleston, S. C. .............. Columbus, Ga. ............... TColumbus, O. ................ *Chattanooga .................
tChicago ................... Columbia, S. C. ............... ( Cleveland, O. ................
tDetroit, Mich. ............. tEvansville, Ind. ................ tFernandina .................
tGainesville, Fla. .............. tlndianapolis ................. Jacksonville, Fla. .............. tKansasCity ................. tLouisville, Ky. ............... tMontgomery ................ tMobile .................... *Macon, Ga. ................. 'Memphis .................. tMilledgeville ................
tNew Orleans ................ tNew York .................. tOpelika, Ala. ................ tPalatka, Fla. ................ tPhiladelphia .................
Port Royal, S. C. .............. tPittsburgh, Pa. ...............
tSt. Augustine, Fla. ............. tSt. Louis ................... tThomasville, Ga. .............. tWashington, D. C. .............

1. 00
7.00 6.00 8.50 9.10 33-30 36.30 29.45 I7-25 16.40 14-35 9.00 20.50 4.40 16.30 28.30 16.20 24.10 26.20 16.30
2O. IO
11.30 22.45
21.30
17-30 34-50
16.10 8.40 16.10 5-io
22. TO
8.00
IO.OO
21.05
36.25
0-45 20.15 33-25 20.00 27.50 12.05
21. OO
23.00
12. 2O
26.IO

20 191 129 207 230 700 1,382 883 38 390 329 158
575
I2O
455 7SI 276 700 717 426 423 253 521 570 416 .864 432 195
375 123 502 155 271 5i5 901 129 472 811 303 768 3i5 452
III 66 1

$0.60
5-75 3.80 6.40 6.50 19.30 28.50 22.75 9.00
II.OO
9.90 S-oo 16.80 3-60 14-25 2i.eo 8-75 21.50 22.00 16.25 12.90 7-5 14-75
IO.OO
11.90 25.00
152..8550
11.25
3-3 13-20 4-45 8.15 *5-5Q 24,60 3-85 14.90
22. IO
9-65
2I.OO
9.05
14.65
17-50
8.2 5
iS.IO

Between Marietta and the points marked thus (*) Through Sleeping-cars oj Through Day Coaches are run WITHOUT CHANGE.
Between Marietta and the points marked thus (t) there is only one changi of cars.

Daily excursion rates, Marietta to AUatoona and return, 75 cents. At Allatoona, on the heights overlooking the Western & Atlantic Railroad, was the fort to which General Sherman (October 5. 1864), signalled from the summit of KENNESAW MOUNTAIN, " Hold the fort; for I am coming-1" From this message comes the favorite gospel hymn. The fort, with cannon, banners and defenders departed, still crowns the famous heights, and in the deep railroad cut, near the unknown soldier's grave, an abundant growth of ferns delights the tourist's eye. The round-trip rate, Marietta to Atlanta and return, for parties coming tc Atlanta to attend the theatre, is 50 cents; good only on day of issuance. Theatre parties from Marietta can take return train for Marietta, leaving Atlanta at
II.OO P.M.

THE WESTERN & ATLANTIC
RAILROAD.
: GREAT KENNESAW ROUTE. :
Running through attractive and historic scenery; through the granary of Georgia; through a region of wonderful mineral resources, and one of such equable temperature as to afford pleasant homes all the year round.

LIST OF OFFICERS AND AGENTS.

U. S. Senator JOSEPH E. BROWN, President, ....

Atlanta, Ga.

W. C. MORRILL, Vice-President and Treasurer, ...

R. A. ANDERSON, General Superintendent, ....

Jos. M. BROWN, General Freight, Passenger and Ticket Agent,

JAMES L. DICKEY, Assistant General Freight Agent,

ALTON ANGIER, Assistant General Passenger and Ticket Agent,

JULIUS L. BROWN, General Counsel, .....

CHAS. E. HARMAN, General Western Agent, 131 Vine St., .

Cincinnati, O.

FRANK E. DRAKE, General Southwestern Agent, .

Cansas City, Mo.

THOS. McGiLL, General Northwestern Agent, 79 Clark St.,

Chicago, III.

T. T. HOSFORD, General Traveling Passenger Agent, 79 Clark St

J. P. BECKWITH, Florida Agent, 58 West Bay St.,

Jacksonville, Fla,

W. H. LIXAS, Florida Passenger Agent, 58 West Bay St.,

W. H. TREZEVANT, General Southern Agent,

T. E. B. LOVE, Soliciting Agent.

S. L. ROGERS, Passenger Agent,

JAMES MALOY, Passenger Agent, CHAS. B. WALKER, Traveling Passenger Age: JAS. A. ADAIR, Ticket Agent, . J. H. BOSTON, Agent.

LIBRA* Jilt

BIQ SHANTY (Kennetaw P\O.) ottte, June 3d
H33 above Sea
B
Concord Harbours Crossing

, BafUefaily OOfr, fSSJlT^
Si& I

Simtjsc>fi 1
^MARIETTA, ATLANTA

THE GEM CITY OF GEORGIA.

WESTERN A ATLANTIC RAILROAD.

tSatHe, July sath, /S&t) <O "

Felix Harorett Collecfion Ual\ aisity