There is no possible way to visit Atlanta’s Oakland Cemetery and not notice the Kontz family monument. In her book American Afterlife: Encounters in the Customs of Mourning (2014), Kate Sweeney describes the monument as “a seven-foot arch with the name ‘KONTZ’ in heavy block letters above which … [Read more...]
Gunner Bailey Tells His Story
If I asked you to name for me some of the locations of Civil War battles I’m fairly certain you wouldn’t mention Port Hudson, Louisiana in your top five, but the events that surround that place represent an important pivot point in the Civil War. The siege that took place there in 1863 is still on … [Read more...]
Atlanta’s Lost Landmarks: The Calico House
One of the best-known movers and shakers in Atlanta in the years leading up to the Civil War was Marcus A. Bell – the A stood for Aurelius, a nod to Marcus Aurelius of ancient Rome fame. In fact, Bell was born in 1828 in Elbert County, and his parents named some of their children for men of ancient … [Read more...]
August 1864: The Bombardment of Atlanta – An Eyewitness Account
The war finally reached Atlanta in July 1864 – the Battle of Peachtree Creek was fought on July 20, the Battle of Atlanta was waged on July 22, and the Battle of Ezra Church was decided on July 28, but it would be five long weeks until the city of Atlanta would surrender to Union forces on September … [Read more...]
