Barrycdog
Major
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2013
- Location
- Buford, Georgia
Looking ‘em Over
War Brings Tragedy to Historic Old Barnsley
by Thomas Spencer
It was on Wednesday, May 18, 1864, that the first of the line of tragedies struck at Barnsley Gardens. It was on that day that the gallant Alabama soldier, Colonel R.G. Earle, was killed just a few yards to the north of the Gardens.
The Civil War struck Bartow county on May 17, 1864--when the battle of Adairsville was fought. Sherman was marching south--his force divided in three armies, The Army of the Tennessee, The Army of the Ohio, and the Army of the Cumberland. About 100,000 strong, Joe Johnston, the master strategist, with about 50,000 men, was contesting Sherman’s every move.
On the morning of May 18th, Confederate cavalry, with Brigadier General Saml. W. Ferguson commanding, was just north of Barnsley. Ferguson’s Brigade consisted of the 2nd Alabama Cavalry, Col. R.G. Earle in command, the 56th Alabama, 9th and 11th Mississippi, the 12th Miss. Battalion, and the Scout Company of the 9th Miss. Cavalry.
Headed south, to fight this gallant band of Confederates, was the 2nd Division of the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Cumberland. This division was commanded by General Kenner Garrand, and consisted of the 1st Brigade under Col. R.H.G. Minty, the 4th Michigan, 7th Penn., and the 4th United States.The 3rd Brigade of mounted infantry, commanded by the famous Federal John T. Wilder, was made up of the 98th Illinois, the 123rd Illinois, and the 17th Indiana. The artillery was the Chicago Board of Trade Battery. All seasoned veterans.
Join Battle May 18
Early the morning of May 18th--Federals outnumbering the Confederates almost five to one--hit the Rebs north of Barnsley, and drove Ferguson’s force back onto Kingston. Here Ferguson reformed his brigade, and headed by Colonel Earle and his famous 2nd Alabama, started a drive that forced Federals back past Barnsley.
Time--that valuable element in success of victory--was an important factor now. French and his division were coming out of Rome--and in Kingston. Had the Federals managed to keep pushing the Confederates past Kingston, the story of Barnsley might have been different. The story of Cassville also would be a different one.
Headed by Colonel Earle, the Confederates drove the Federals back. Just north of Barnsley, the Federals decided to make a stand. Earle, knowing the danger of those living at Barnsley, took time to warn all that a battle was to be fought.
Col. Earle Killed
Earle then took command of his 2nd Alabama Cavalry--and in a charge on the Federal positions--he was killed while at the head of his gallant troops. No braver Confederate ever lived. His body was brought back to Barnsley--and buried under one of the windows in the rear of the main Barnsley home. In a few days the odor from the body was so strong that the Federals gave permission to remove the body from the house. He still sleeps in this grave.
Colonel Earle was a brave and gallant soldier. He had seen service in the Mexican War, and had won many victories before his death. He is often mentioned in official records for his gallantry in action. He was killed by Private Thomas H. Bonner, Company ‘’A’’ 98th Illinois, U.S.A. A new marble marker marks the grave of Earle; same having been placed on his grave by Miss Leila Darden of Kingston.
The old stone had the following inscription on it:
Col. R.G. Earle
2nd Regt. Alabama Cavalry
C.S.A.
Killed near this spot by U.S. Forces May 18, 1864. GSB--Asst. Surgeon CSA 164
The ‘’GSB’’ was evidently one of the Barnsley’s who erected the old grave marker.
General McPherson, Federal Commander, slept at Barnsley the night of May 18, 1864. Mary Quim, housekeeper for the Barnsley’s said of McPherson, ‘’He was a jintleman, but wan that’s in mighty low company.’’ (Quote from In-and-Out of the Lines--Frances Thomas Howard’s fine little book)
Irish Lady Takes Hand
Evidently Mary Quim was the ‘’fighting’’ Irish lady--for she kept the Federals from burning Barnsley. She fought off one of the Federals, and in the battle knocked out that soldier, though badly beaten by that soldier. McPherson ordered the house NOT burned.
Now, as to the pictures with this story. It is humbly suggested that all who are interested in the history of Bartow County, cut out this story--with the pictures--and keep in that valuable scrapbook. The pictures are certainly EXCLUSIVE with the Tribune. I do not think these have ever been in print--for I had the cuts made from articles found on the body of the gallant Earle.
One picture is that of the housekeeper for the Barnsleys--the gallant Mary Quim, the other is probably that of Mrs. Earle.
Finis?
This is supposed to be the ‘’last’’ of the Barnsley stories--but what of Charles Von Schwartz, the German, Godfrey Barnsley the Englishman, and of Baltzelle the Frenchman? And, what of those unmarked graves near the Barnsley home? Who is buried there? And, that of the ‘’voodooists’’ and the missing Barnsley hand? Where are the graves of the Confederates --who fell nearby? And, where are the graves of the Federals?
All this--and much more. Must I break my promise NOT to do any more Barnsley stories--or quit with this one? I leave it to you.
Tribune, 1951
Expired Image Removed
War Brings Tragedy to Historic Old Barnsley
by Thomas Spencer
It was on Wednesday, May 18, 1864, that the first of the line of tragedies struck at Barnsley Gardens. It was on that day that the gallant Alabama soldier, Colonel R.G. Earle, was killed just a few yards to the north of the Gardens.
The Civil War struck Bartow county on May 17, 1864--when the battle of Adairsville was fought. Sherman was marching south--his force divided in three armies, The Army of the Tennessee, The Army of the Ohio, and the Army of the Cumberland. About 100,000 strong, Joe Johnston, the master strategist, with about 50,000 men, was contesting Sherman’s every move.
On the morning of May 18th, Confederate cavalry, with Brigadier General Saml. W. Ferguson commanding, was just north of Barnsley. Ferguson’s Brigade consisted of the 2nd Alabama Cavalry, Col. R.G. Earle in command, the 56th Alabama, 9th and 11th Mississippi, the 12th Miss. Battalion, and the Scout Company of the 9th Miss. Cavalry.
Headed south, to fight this gallant band of Confederates, was the 2nd Division of the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Cumberland. This division was commanded by General Kenner Garrand, and consisted of the 1st Brigade under Col. R.H.G. Minty, the 4th Michigan, 7th Penn., and the 4th United States.The 3rd Brigade of mounted infantry, commanded by the famous Federal John T. Wilder, was made up of the 98th Illinois, the 123rd Illinois, and the 17th Indiana. The artillery was the Chicago Board of Trade Battery. All seasoned veterans.
Join Battle May 18
Early the morning of May 18th--Federals outnumbering the Confederates almost five to one--hit the Rebs north of Barnsley, and drove Ferguson’s force back onto Kingston. Here Ferguson reformed his brigade, and headed by Colonel Earle and his famous 2nd Alabama, started a drive that forced Federals back past Barnsley.
Time--that valuable element in success of victory--was an important factor now. French and his division were coming out of Rome--and in Kingston. Had the Federals managed to keep pushing the Confederates past Kingston, the story of Barnsley might have been different. The story of Cassville also would be a different one.
Headed by Colonel Earle, the Confederates drove the Federals back. Just north of Barnsley, the Federals decided to make a stand. Earle, knowing the danger of those living at Barnsley, took time to warn all that a battle was to be fought.
Col. Earle Killed
Earle then took command of his 2nd Alabama Cavalry--and in a charge on the Federal positions--he was killed while at the head of his gallant troops. No braver Confederate ever lived. His body was brought back to Barnsley--and buried under one of the windows in the rear of the main Barnsley home. In a few days the odor from the body was so strong that the Federals gave permission to remove the body from the house. He still sleeps in this grave.
Colonel Earle was a brave and gallant soldier. He had seen service in the Mexican War, and had won many victories before his death. He is often mentioned in official records for his gallantry in action. He was killed by Private Thomas H. Bonner, Company ‘’A’’ 98th Illinois, U.S.A. A new marble marker marks the grave of Earle; same having been placed on his grave by Miss Leila Darden of Kingston.
The old stone had the following inscription on it:
Col. R.G. Earle
2nd Regt. Alabama Cavalry
C.S.A.
Killed near this spot by U.S. Forces May 18, 1864. GSB--Asst. Surgeon CSA 164
The ‘’GSB’’ was evidently one of the Barnsley’s who erected the old grave marker.
General McPherson, Federal Commander, slept at Barnsley the night of May 18, 1864. Mary Quim, housekeeper for the Barnsley’s said of McPherson, ‘’He was a jintleman, but wan that’s in mighty low company.’’ (Quote from In-and-Out of the Lines--Frances Thomas Howard’s fine little book)
Irish Lady Takes Hand
Evidently Mary Quim was the ‘’fighting’’ Irish lady--for she kept the Federals from burning Barnsley. She fought off one of the Federals, and in the battle knocked out that soldier, though badly beaten by that soldier. McPherson ordered the house NOT burned.
Now, as to the pictures with this story. It is humbly suggested that all who are interested in the history of Bartow County, cut out this story--with the pictures--and keep in that valuable scrapbook. The pictures are certainly EXCLUSIVE with the Tribune. I do not think these have ever been in print--for I had the cuts made from articles found on the body of the gallant Earle.
One picture is that of the housekeeper for the Barnsleys--the gallant Mary Quim, the other is probably that of Mrs. Earle.
Finis?
This is supposed to be the ‘’last’’ of the Barnsley stories--but what of Charles Von Schwartz, the German, Godfrey Barnsley the Englishman, and of Baltzelle the Frenchman? And, what of those unmarked graves near the Barnsley home? Who is buried there? And, that of the ‘’voodooists’’ and the missing Barnsley hand? Where are the graves of the Confederates --who fell nearby? And, where are the graves of the Federals?
All this--and much more. Must I break my promise NOT to do any more Barnsley stories--or quit with this one? I leave it to you.
Tribune, 1951
Expired Image Removed