Spencer Tells of Kingston, Ga ‘Before’ The Yankees Came

Barrycdog

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Jan 6, 2013
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Spencer Tells of Kingston ‘Before’ The Yankees Came
by Thomas Spencer
~1950 Daily Tribune News
Let’s take a look at historical Kingston in 1862-1863 and 1864. Let’s look at that fair little town in the day’s ‘’before’’ the Yankees came. The good ladies had seen to it that one place for the wounded and disabled soldiers had been erected.
Very soon along came Confederate medical authorities to take over, and to build new hospitals. Surgeon B.W. Avent was the first of the Confederate medical officers to ‘’take over.’’ Later came others, including Daniel S. Hopping, Jas. H. Thompson, W.H. Way and John Bloxom. Avent was in charge.
All Kingston hospitals were removed to Barnesville, Georgia when Sherman began his ‘’flanking’’ move on Atlanta. Avent went along as the commander.
B.W. Avent must have been a grouchy old soul. He constantly ‘’cried’’ for more help from the quartermaster, and he stated often, ‘’that his hospital was not a fit place for a woman.’’ In plain words, he did not want women ‘’cluttering’’ up his hospitals.
Of the many women who visited Kingston, and who tried to ‘’get along’’ with Avent, we might mention Mrs. Fannie A. Beers and Kate Cumming. There were others, but they left no diary or record of what happened to them.
Kate Cumming said of Kingston, ‘’This is a small place, and there does not seem to be a large building in it, with the exception of the churches and hotels. Of the latter, there are no less than four.’’ Mrs. Beers said, ‘’ Kingston was at this time a bleak, dismal-looking place.’’
Fannie Beers, who stopped at a large, barn-like hotel, witnessed the arrival of some Georgia militia from a train in front of the hotel. She says, ‘’ The militia was a strange looking set of men,’’ but who had ‘’store clothes,’’ warm wraps, sometimes tall hats, but in all cases good ones. The ragged veterans, then stationed at Kingston, made fun of these ‘’tin’’ soldiers--with their new clothes --and air of superiority.
The Federal, Jenkin Lloyd Jones, who came after Confederates left, said from his post atop the hill on the east of Kingston, wholly deserted, ‘’no sign of life except a few wandering soldiers.’’ He wrote on July 7, 1864, after Sherman had passed, ‘’The citizen that led the guerillas in was unceremoniously hung.’’ That is, by the citizens of Kingston. But, we get ahead of our story.
Kingston was an important hospital center-- had several mills in operation-- and furnished the Confederacy with many brave men. Men who served with honor and distinction over many fields of battle. The women of Kingston--early in the war-- offered their services in any work they could perform. History records that many women served in the hospitals--with honor and distinction, as did the men. Old ‘’Doc’’ Tippen was a gallant gentleman--as much of a soldier as any man who fought on any field of battle. He gave his life that the sufferings of soldiers could be lessened.
Kingston was of such importance--that when Sherman was nearing that town, he headed most of his soldiers in that direction. He thought that Joe Johnston was there. Out of Kingston led roads to Cassville, to Cartersville, the road over Wooley’s bridge, another over Gillems bridge, another across Island Ford. Over these roads Federals moved from time to time. Johnston made the error of not guarding Gillem’s and Wooley’s. This , together with Hoods actions at Cassville, caused him to withdraw to the south of Etowah.
Kingston had a little scare on April 12, 1862, when Andrews and his Federal raiders visited the place. Your ‘’History of Bartow County,’’ by Lucy J. Cunyus fully describes the raid as had to do with Kingston. I hope every citizen in Bartow County has a copy of this fine history of a fine county--written by one of Bartow’s fine ladies.
In addition to the ‘’Wayside Home’’, no longer standing, but marked, Confederates used stores, churches, and other buildings, as hospitals--this in addition to hundreds of tents used for men in not so bad physical condition. The stores were warm and nice in the winter, but extremely hot in summer.
When Federals came in May of 1864, the Confederate hospitals were used, and additional tents and shacks erected for the use of Federals. On November 12, 1864, Sherman, with headquarters in Kingston, marched out on his march to Atlanta, and then his infamous ‘’March to the Sea.’’ On the 10th Sherman had ordered all men to Chattanooga--men who were not exactly fit, as Sherman saw it, for battle service. But more of this in another article that will have to do with Kingston and it’s occupation by the Federals.
On May 18 and 19th, 1864, Kingston knew war as war was --for the Federals pushed into the town. There was a battle fought north of the town, and many skirmishes in the town. Part of McPherson’s corps pushed into the city--but later moved over the Woolley bridge to Van Wert, Kingston--as I have often said--is one of Georgia’s most historic towns--if not the No. 1 town of the state.
The man who headed the hospitals of Bragg’s army--and later Medical Director--was S.H. Stout. A man who managed to get medical supplies--when supplies were needed. He was often in Kingston--and often trying to get doctors to ‘’get along’’ with B.W. Avent. Stout was a gallant man--loved and respected by all. Letters and documents in my files show that many women of Kingston helped to get needed food for the Kingston hospitals. Letters came to Kingston from Florida--and other places, with offers for ‘’fresh’’ foods.
More of Kingston later--both under the Confederates and the Federals
 
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