Life in Rome, Georgia
During the War

"... There are many handsome store buildings, and they were pretty well supplied with goods, and cheaper than I have seen any place in the Confederacy....

"... Rome is in Floyd County, Georgia, at the confluence of the Etowah and Oostanaula Rivers, which forms the Coosa River. Steamboats of moderate size navigate the Coosa River, and can ascend as far as this place. Thousands of bales of cotton are annually exported from this point..."

[From "Kate: The Journal of a Confederate Nurse," by Kate Cumming, ed. by Richard Harwell, Louisiana State University Press, copyright 1959.

"Samuel Andrews was a farmer in Floyd County, Georgia and raised cotton for a livelihood. The people had to weave their own cloth and make their own clothes as there were no factories. There were all kinds of choice nuts that grew wild, also blackberries and different kinds of small fruit. Tomatoes grew wild. They were called love apples, people thought they were poison.

There were plenty of wild turkeys and possums. Grandpa Andrews [Samuel] would make turkey traps and would catch from one to four turkeys at one time. There was a large river close by their home [the Coosa], it would only take a short time to catch an eel. They were fish, but looked like a large snake. There were many other kinds of choice fish.

After the Andrews moved to Utah in 1869, there came a tornado in December 1869 and blew their old home in Georgia away, took big posts out of the ground and destroyed the place. It turned a neighbor's house around."

(from the U.D.C. Collection)
(Mr. R. S. Norton sent 4 sons to the Confederate Army)

The fall of 1863 found our citizens in a great state of uneasiness on account of the fact that raiders began moving on Rome from different directions and the citizens began to send their families and negroes to a safer place. Large re-enforcements began to come in from Virginia and Mississippi hoping to be able to defend the town, but as the Yankees were now in possession of Chattanooga, the worst was feared for Rome.

In October, Generals Walker's and Grist's commands passed through Rome and having no transportation compressed all the wagons and teams within ten miles of town, leaving the people nothing with which to make a crop. Such were the terrible straits to which our army was reduced at the time.

On December 8, 1863, all the government hospitals were removed from Rome and the people began to realize that the town would very soon be in the hands of the enemy. And families left every day seeking a more secure place. Provisions were now very scarce and high and were preferred to money in all trading.

Conditions grew steadily worse. In January 1864, all the schools closed and the Rome Female College moved away and families still continued to leave.

The fighting around Rome began. A line of battle was formed two miles from Rome and one man was killed at Armuchee Bridge. Cannonading commenced all around. On May 17th, our forces began to evacuate the town and everything pushed to the front, but there had been skirmishing all day and firing near town, but about dark, our soldiers came in and began to move, thinking that when the Yankee soldiers came in, they would take everything out of the stores. The Texans sacked all the stores and took what they could carry out with them. About $150,000 worth of citizen's property was thus destroyed.

Early on the morning of May 18th, our forces burned the Oostanaula River bridge. Our men continued firing from Cemetery Hill all day. About eleven o'clock in the day, the Yankees came into town. Our people had also burned the Etowah River bridge. So the town was completely cut off and at the mercy of the yankees who at once began burning dwelling houses and tearing them down to make shelters for their soldiers....

Many families now fled and left their houses and all their furniture just as it stood. Servants were no protection. The contents of the houses were taken and appropriated by any one who wished them. Pillaging was going on day and night. Yankee wagon trains, which went out foraging, were frequently captured by the Confederates who were still around through the country. The Yankees sent a great many negroes north which was a great relief to the people, as they could not control them and they were in the way.

Several attempts were made to burn Mr. Norton's house and barn. News from the country people was distressing in the extreme. Free transportation north was given to families who wished to go. Some eight or ten people took advantage of it. Houses all over the town were taken for hospitals....

September 18th, the Confederates fired on the Yankees on the Cave Spring road, killing eight or ten and wounding others. Citizens were in a constant state of excitement. No mails and no one allowed to leave or come in the town. The people were but little better than prisoners.

The Federal soldiers increased the fortifications by digging additional rifle pits. October 19, Gen. Sherman and Staff came into Rome at night. During this time, the people stayed in their houses as much as they could and lived on what they had been able to hide from the soldiers. Many had to cook the rations for the soldiers in order to get something to eat themselves. Mrs. Stansbury (then Miss Joe Stewart), tells us they kept some chickens fastened up in their basement to hide them. After the Yankees left, they were turned out and they had lost all their feathers...

The first of November, it became evident that the Federals were preparing to evacuate the town and carry their troops further into Georgia, and other citizens decided to go north. Great alarm was felt for fear the entire town would be burned as they left, for it had been threatened by the soldiers.

At five o'clock in the morning, the burning of the buildings commenced. The feelings of those helpless people as they saw the flames from the burning buildings and did not know where they were going to stop, cannot be described....

The last of the Federal soldiers moved out at nine o'clock in the morning of November 10th, 1864, burning all stores that they could not carry... <SNIP> ....

The Postmaster arranged to get mail from Atlanta in a buggy through the country until the fall of Atlanta, which occurred in a short time and very soon citizens who had gone further south began to circumvent Sherman's army and return to Rome through the country. After the Surrender, the refugees began to return in large numbers and went to work to fix up their homes as best they could.

Some cotton that had been hid out was brought to town and made a little trade. Cotton brought 25 to 28 cents in green back.

On May 13th, 1865, the condition of affairs was dreadful, negroes troublesome, very little specie in the county. No store of any kind except a small one continuing a few drugs and owned by Dr. Nowlin. Not a yard of cloth of any kind nor anything belonging to a dry-goods store. No shoes, no groceries, nothing for sale. Everything used up. It seems hard to realize now how our citizens made a living and opened up business and trade during those dreadful days of reconstruction, but the fact that they rose above all obstacles, and in an incredible space of time, had the town in a thriving condition, is an everlasting monument to their energy and determination.

(from the Northwest Georgia Historical & Genealogical Society Quarterly, vol. 25, no. 1, pg. 3-6).

At the beginning of the Civil War, I was ten years old, and was attending school. My teacher was Prof. S. G. Wells, who taught school at his home on Broad Street, at what was then known as the old Varanda Hotel, at this time known as the Yancey Block. I did not remain in school long, as it was closed on account of the war. The people of Rome began to organize military companies, and drilled them on Broad Street. About all one could hear was "war." Stump-speakers would tell the people that one Southerner could whip ten Yankees; others would say the war would only be a picnic for the soldier boys who went to the front.

The first company that left Rome was the "Floyd Infantry," under Capt. Fred Cooper. Then the "Miller Rifles" commanded by Capt. J. R. Towers, and the "Rome Light Guards" by Capt. E. J. Magruder. They went from Rome to Richmond, Va., and with other companies from Atlanta and other Georgia cities, formed the 8th Georgia Regiment. Later on the "Floyd Sharpshooters" and the "Cherokee Artillery" left for the front. There were other companies - some went to the coast, and others to the Army of Tennessee. I went to selling newspapers on the streets to the soldiers who were passing on to the front. I sold the Memphis Appeal and the Chattanooga Daily Rebel, and other papers the names I do not remember.

Rome was a very lively place, and soldiers were seen on the streets day and night. After the battle of Manassas was fought, Rome went wild with excitement. The companies from Rome lost heavily in that engagement, both in killed and wounded. Then hospitals were established, and the sick and wounded soldiers were brought here from other places. Rome was under military rule, had provost marshal and guards.

The Noble Brothers then began the manufacture of cannons for the Confederate Government at their Foundry and Machine Works, and a rifle factory was built near the Land Company's bridge on second Avenue, but was destroyed by fire before any of the rifles were finished.

By this time the prices for food and clothing began to go up skywards. Every thing was hard to get even if you had the money to pay for it. Times were so hard that the county and town had to establish a commissary for the soldiers wives and children, who had nothing to eat. Salt and coffee were hard to obtain at any price. Okra seed and corn were parched to make a substitute for coffee, and old closets and garrets were ransacked for old shoes and clothing. How the people managed to get through the war is a question no one can answer. Everything was scarce in the way of clothing, food and medicine. Kind providence took care of the women and children, and we had very little sickness. Through it all, there was very little grumbling, as the war spirit was on us all and the people would do anything for the Confederacy. I saw hats made by plaiting corn shucks, and squirrel skins tanned for shoe tops. Every make-shift that could be thought of was brought to bear to make some garment or other.

About this period of the war (1863) the news was brought to Rome by one John Wisdom, of Gadsden, Alabama, that Col. Streight's command, 1600 strong, U.S.A. Cavalry was on the way to Rome to destroy the Noble Foundry and other Government works, to burn bridges, tear up railroads, etc. The excitement was something awful; drums beating and soldiers marching, and everything stirred up; the hauling of bales of cotton up to Bridge Street, (now 5th Ave.) to make breastworks, the soldiers and citizens with shot-guns or any arms they could get were on their way to help fight the yanks back.

Straw was placed on the bridge to burn it if it became necessary to do so. A part of Streight's command, 200 strong, came as far as Shorter Springs and camped for the balance of the command to get there. They were recalled to their command which had surrendered to General N. B. Forrest near Cedar Bluff, Alabama. These were the first United States troops that the people of Rome ever saw. Someone, through the excitement, thought it would be a good idea to shoot off the cannon they had on the breastworks on Bridge Street, and one of the balls went through a house in DeSoto and destroyed a clock belonging to one Mr. Mathis. That was all the damage done to Rome.

Battle after battle was fought, and then began the retreat of the army of Tennessee under Gen. Joe Johnson. Sherman's army swung around towards Rome; our cavalry held them in check out at Dry Creek and skirmished with them until night. The people that could get away left Rome, others that had no conveyances had to stay and take the consequences. By next morning, the streets were about deserted, only a few straggling soldiers. The DeSoto and Broad Street bridges were fired. The Yankee skirmishers crossed the Oostanaula River above town, and by 12 o'clock noon had advanced their line to Maiden Lane Street (now 3rd Ave.).

Our people had a battery on Myrtle Hill, and the yanks had one on the hill where now is Shorter College. They fought an all day duel and at night the Confederates retired, and Rome was in the hands of the enemy. A pontoon bridge was placed across the Oostanaula River at the Printup wharf, and the 14th and 16th Army Corps, U.S.A., with their wagons crossed over into Rome, and out by the way of Kingston to join the main army. Rome was now garrisoned by Federal troops. General Vandiver was commander of the post. his headquarters were on 4th Avenue in the Charlie Smith (Bill Arp) home. General Vandiver, although he was an enemy, was a kind hearted gentleman, and his treatment of the citizens of Rome was to his credit. It was only a short time after the town was in the hands of the enemy when the 1st Alabama Regiment Cavalry, U.S.A., was formed here, which consisted of the deserters from the Confederate Army, and the scum of the earth. They scouted around over Floyd County, plundered the peoples homes, and destroyed what they could not use. The negroes began to flock into town from the country, and were shipped back North with a lot of white people that we could well spare.

It was an unhealthy year for the Yankees in Georgia in 1864.

The business houses and all suitable houses here were converted into hospitals. I have seen train loads of wounded and sick soldiers from the front. While Sherman and Johnson were fighting at Alatoona, Kennesaw, and New Hope Church this side of Atlanta, I have seen the trains come in here with blood dripping from the cars which were loaded with wounded soldiers. It was something awful to hear their screams and groans - well could Gen. Sherman say that war was hell.

To show the feelings of the Southern people towards the Yankees, I will give an account of what was done by myself and another boy my age. There was a wagon train of rifle ammunition, cartridges and caps, parked between the two rivers near where the Central of Ga. R.R. freight depot is now located. The wagons were backed up forming a circle with the wagon tongues on the outside where the mules were hitched and fed; in the circle the yanks had a fire built out of barrel staves which they had brought down from the gas house near by. We were strolling around and wondering what we could do in the way of "mischief," when we saw the mules break loose and gallop off up Broad Street. The drivers left the wagons to get the mules; we saw a chance to do the Yankees some damage - no time was lost, we both ran to the fire and with the barrel staves on fire, we threw them on each of the wagons on the hay covering the boxes of ammunition. We then ran down the river bank, and the last thing we saw were the wagon covers burning. Later on, we learned that four of the wagons and contents were burned. It has been said of the retreat of Gen. Joe Johnson, he never lost a wagon, well, General Sherman lost four wagons in Rome.

After the battle of Atlanta, and Hood's flank movement towards Tennessee, Sherman evacuated Rome and marched on to the sea. The people of Rome began to return home, but our troubles were not over. The scouting bands of guerrillas and robbers began to infest the country, and Rome was visited by such a gang. Mr. Burwell, Mr. Omberg and J. J. Cohen were hung up to make them give up their valuables. We were certainly in a bad fix. If you had a cow it was driven off at night; you could not have a chicken. If you stepped out form your home your house was plundered, and if you complained, you were threatened to have your house burned over your head. Conditions were such you could not tell who was your friend. But a change did come over the scene when Major Z. B. Hargrove (or Little Zack) arrived in Rome.

He had a commission from the Confederate Government to enlist a battalion of troops for the Confederacy. He enlisted a few good men, and began to gather in the stragglers and to form them into companies. He patrolled the town and county, he brought order and discipline to bear on the lawless, and he soon had confidence restored among the people. Major Hargrove had strong convictions of right, was a brave soldier, a born gentleman and a true friend to the poor.

When the war was over it left the people in a very destitute condition. With free Negroes and the reconstruction days it is wonderful to think how the South has prospered, and yet, old Georgia is the Empire State of the South.

(from the Northwest Georgia Historical & Genealogical Society Quarterly, vol. 25, no. 4, pg. 3-4).

The cannonading had started about daybreak. A column of Confederate cavalry had skirmished with the Federals around Little Dry creek, but these retired before the hosts of Garrard. All but 42 of the non-combatant population had taken bag and baggage and selves away from Rome. The others preferred to remain and embrace whatever fate awaited them, for it might be worse farther down, and home was home. One of those who remained was as staunch and militant a "Rebel" as ever lived—Mrs. Lizzie Roach Hughes, dressmaker and milliner and resident of the Fourth Ward. "Miss Lizzie," as she was called all over Rome, used to do a lot of sewing for the soldiers, and the day was never too wet or cold or the night too dark for her to go foraging for "sumpin’ t’eat." Her activities caused many a gray-jacketed heart to throb gratefully. However, there were always people of low enough conscience and purpose to tell the invaders what Romans were the most unflagging in support of the Southern cause, and those who were informed upon were forced to suffer. The Union troops cultivated "Miss Lizzie" and made life unbearable for her. Their first meeting came when the soldiers entered West Rome. Gen. Davis and several officers "requested" "Miss Lizzie" to go with them to the top of the hill to see if any more Confederates were on cemetery hill. The Confederates recognized "Miss Lizzie" through their field glasses, and waved a flag at her.

"Thank you," ‘Miss Lizzie,’" said Gen. Davis.

Grabbing up her skirts, "Miss Lizzie" ran home, there to find that the invaders had ransacked everything and stolen her fowls and her eggs and made her brother-in-law a prisoner. The man was placed in the custody of "Miss Lizzie" on her assurance that his wife was very ill, and on her promise to make him behave. After the occupation of Rome, "Miss Lizzie" got even with the "Yankees" by charging them top prices for fancy hats and flowers to send home to their wives. From an astute old woman of Rome "Miss Lizzie" had learned to make feathers into artificial flowers. Hidden out at Coosa were a few white ganders and at Floyd Springs some guineas and a peafowl or two, so "Miss Lizzie" went to these places after material. If she could get a horse, all right, and if not, she would walk, five miles, ten miles—it made no difference. Once she indignantly refused to let a Northern soldier help her mount a steed. This exhibition of lese majeste caused the soldier to call the corporal of the guard, who escorted her with an armed squad to Gen. Davis’ headquarters on Fourth Avenue. Some more of her privileges were taken away, including her liberty for a day, but this only served to make her increase the price of her wares.

"Miss Lizzie" was also suspected of furnishing "underground telephone" information to the Confederates; she was undoubtedly guilty, as were most of the other women, and proud of it, but the "Yankees" couldn’t get a thing on her, so she remained a privileged character and added greatly to the drab camp life of the uninvited guests of Rome.