And what a day it was. I made it Adairsville just before 8:00am and began making images just north of town at the site of the Saxon House. From Adiarsville I traveled south on U.S. 41 to Cassville. I made images at numerous places here. I photographed several churches that were used as hospitals or stables by both Armies at different times. I also made images in the Historic Cassville Cemetery. It was a cool old cemetery. From the cemetery I was able to make images of the locations of the ridge lines that held both the Federal lines on the west the Confederate lines on the east.
From Cassville I traveled south on U.S. 41 into Cartersville. Here, I made images of the Train Depot. It was used as cover by elements of the Confederate Army as the fought a rear guard action during their retreat across the Etowah River. They knocked out bricks in the walls to make shooting ports. It was damaged by Federal Artillery and later abandoned when the rear guard retreated across the river.
From Cartersville I moved south west towards Euharlee, where elements of the Union Army crossed Euharlee Creek via a covered bridge. I made images of the bridge, which was built in the late 1800’s, to replace the one burned during the Civil War. I also went through Stilesboro and made images of Stilesboro Academy. I was also able to make images of Plant Bowen, which sits about half way between Euharlee and the Stilesboro Academy and was along the path taken by elements of the Federal Army. The Army passed by the Academy and used some of the benches as feed troughs for their horses.
I left the Stilesboro Academy and made my way back towards Cartersville and took U.S. 41 south to the Etowah River. On the north bank of the river, on the east side of U.S. 41, is an old abandoned plant for mineral production. On the hill behind the plant was a Federal Fort. It overlooked the Western and Atlantic Railroad as it crossed the Etowah River. I was granted permission by the company that owns the property to make images there. I was attempting to recreate a period image made by George Barnard. The climb up the hill was tough. It was covered with poison ivy, briars, and “Devil’s Walking Stick”. Not to mention all the other undergrowth. I made it to the top of the hill and found the remnants of the old Federal Fort. I am 90% sure I found the spot the images was made. The only problem is all the trees and undergrowth obscured the view. I made the image anyway as well as other images of the remains of the fort. I hiked down the back side of the hill that appeared less steep, but it was even more difficult due to being overgrown. It was the most difficult terrain I have ever gone through to make an image. Looking forward to next week. Lots of action at New Hope Church, Pickett’s Mill, and Dallas.
War Was Here 