The stories of the Civil War that focus on men in battle are told elsewhere. The human suffering that was a result of the war is unimaginable in the United States today. The typical family farm in North Georgia has only the family members working the land (slaves were a luxury these farmers could not afford). Each member has jobs for which they were responsible, even the children. Take one or two people out of the family, many fighting a war that they frequently opposed, and what was difficult becomes almost impossible.

The people of North Georgia survive for almost two years before the war moves to their farms and villages. Getting mail was a problem, especially after 1863. With many of their resources supporting the war machine, supplies become scarce. The price of flour rises to forty dollars a barrel before the end of 1862 and $125 a barrel by the end of the war. Salt is $125 dollars per bag. There was no coffee at any price because Union ships are blockading the coast since the early days of the war. And Confederate currency is rapidly becoming worthless. The euphoria that spreads over Georgia after the first few victories quickly wears off as life becomes more difficult.

An interesting phenomena develops in the state, what the papers call "women seizures." While these events occur in a number of areas, one of the best-documented cases happens in Marietta, Georgia. A Negro, driving a wagon from the cotton mill at Sweetwater Creek sees a group of women standing by the side of the road. This group stops the man and his cart, making off with several bales of yarn before sending the Negro on his way unharmed.

Almost worthless by the time this 100 dollar note was issued (April, 1864), Confederate currency continued its downward spiral for another year.

In 1864 the inflation that tears at the fabric of southern culture is replaced by roving bands of cavalry and infantry, both Blue and Gray, who take what little remains including cattle, horses, and food. Farmers wives fear for their safety. One wrote "They steal our pigs and horses during the day, what will they steal at night?" Some turn to prostitution to get money to purchase food. And as the warriors leave, the villages and farms glow from the fires that have been set by the bluecoats.

Internal politics are frequently highlighted by rifts between the states rights government of Georgia clashing with the Confederate government. Joseph E. Brown tries to maintain control of the state militia and opposes impressment, the taking war materials from frequently unwilling donors. In 1864, with the massive build-up of Union troops in the area around Chattanooga, Brown considers approaching the Federal Government with a peace offer.

Pro-Union sentiment in North Georgia causes many problems for the government. Desertions from the Confederate Army increase dramatically as North Georgia falls under Federal control. A peace movement in the western part of the state gains popularity in 1864. Cherokee and Pickens counties remain strong Union outposts throughout the war.

The story was much different in Northeast Georgia. Pro-Union sentiment runs high before the war (Union County is named in honor of the Unionists during the Nullification Crisis thirty years earlier), however, they were harder to find once the war started. Anarchy prevails over much of the land. Armed men on horses control large amounts of the area. Governor Brown occasionally sends cavalry into the area, but they are largely ineffective.

Shortly before William Tecumseh Sherman's March to the Sea, the Union general communicates a peace offer to Brown on three separate occasions. Surrender the Georgia Militia and the men under his command will stay on the roads and purchase food. Brown feels the situation is hopeless and nearly capitulates. Only a last minute communiqué from Jefferson Davis convinces him not to surrender.

The end of the war brings no peace for the people. Subjugated by their oppressors, the Georgians are invaded by hoards of hungry Rebels returning home. Fear of the price the Yankee victors would extract pervades the society and the word "Reconstruction" enters the vocabulary, but that is another story.

Additional links of interest

The Blue and Gray Trail

Northwest Georgia saw more blood shed in a shorter period of time across a strip of land a scant 10 miles wide and 90 miles long.

A Chonology of Reconstruction
Reconstruction in North Georgia
North Georgia History

On the Blue and Gray Trail:
Stories Introduction The Great Locomotive Chase Prelude to Chickamauga Chickamauga Chattanooga   Brown's Ferry   Battle Above the Clouds   Orchard Knob   Missionary Ridge Ringgold Gap The Atlanta Campaign  Chronology  Prelude  Opening Curtain  Sherman Leaves his Lifeline  A formidible foe  The Battles for Atlanta   Dalton   Resaca   Pickett's Mill   Marietta Operations     Kolb's Farm     Kennesaw Mountain  Peachtree Creek  Battle of Atlanta Allatoona Pass	Cities Chattanooga Tunnel Hill Dalton Rome Kingston Cartersville Marietta	Attractions Chattanooga National Cemetery Battles for Chattanooga Museum Signal Point Medal Of Honor Museum Cravens House Point Park Chickamauga-Chattanooga NMP Gordon-Lee Mansion John B. Gordon Hall Ringgold Depot Relief Map at Ringgold Railroad Tunnel Prater's Mill Relief Map at Rocky Face Dug Gap Battle Park Blunt House Crown Gardens & Archives Dalton Western & Atlantic Depot Dalton Cemetery Joseph E. Johnston Statue Resaca Confederate Cemetery Relief Map at Resaca Noble Brothers Foundry Myrtle Hill Cemetery Oak Hill Fort Norton Barnsley Gardens Adairsville Depot Cass Cemetery Cartersville Depot Cooper Iron Works Battle of Allatoona Pass Lake Allatoona Visitors Center Roselawn Museum Pickett's Mill State Historic Site Kennesaw Civil War Museum Kennesaw Mountain NBP Marietta National Cemetery Marietta Confederate Cemetery Marietta History Museum Marietta Welcome Center Sweetwater Creek State Park Vickery Creek Trail Atlanta History Center

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