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The Roswell Women by Judi Rogers July 12, 2007 I'm going to tell you a story that you may not know...because it happened so very long ago. It's a little bit of history that per- haps you've not heard. About the women of Roswell and what they endured. And once you've heard it, don't breathe a word!! The year was 1864, and the North and the South were engaged in a bitter civil war. Tensions ran high be- tween the Yanks and the Rebs..heaving blood scarred battlefields everywhere full of their dead. In Chattanooga, General Sherman was knocking at Georgia's door. Atlanta lay in his path..and then further down to Savannah, along Georgia's shore. Knock out all transportation, both trains and ships; cut the Rebels' supply lines and give 'em the slip! He sent scouts ahead to reconnoiter the path...and what they reported provoked him to wrath. They entered Roswell, Georgia, and, to their dismay..the whole town was empty...at least it seemed that way. Not a soul in sight, no one blocked their way. No sound but a roar in the distance..like a machine cutting hay. They followed the sound to the River's bend, only to see the old cotton mill cranking out uniforms for the Con- federate men! No man in sight, but the machines whirled away. The women of Roswell had saved the day! Each woman laid aside her sewing and caring for gardens and homes, and went to work the mills—women and children, alone. The Confederacy called every able- bodied man—they answered the call without being asked. So that left women and children to take up the task. The mill was steam-driven and they worked night and day to safisfy the demand for new uniforms in Roswell Confederate gray! "What shall we do?" General Garrard asked of Sherman. "Get rid of the factory", he said, determined. "Burn it, my man! And remove the women and children as fast as you can!" For he knew their fervor for the Con- federate Cause, and they would find a way to rebuild it without a moment's pause! They loaded 750 hostages onto carts that very same day..bound for trains in Marietta, to carry them away. Their plight was noted by a newspaper man, who published the story of crying women and children being led away— like prisoners—where would they go?? Where could they stay?? They were loaded on cattle cars with no water or food, as the train rum- bled northward..and through the deep woods. The story of the Roswell women spread far and wide—having been taken from their homes and off into the country- side. All along the way, sympathetic folk from every town would meet the train whereever it slowed down. They were passed pies and cakes and bread, hardtack, fruit, milk and meat so they all could be fed. But what was their destination, where did they go?? The town was simply emptied so long ago! When their men returned, they found just a shell of a town; with empty barns and homes and no one around! But..where had they gone on this harrowing ride up into the Northern line..into the countryside? A wonderful man, historian and scribe, found that he couldn't put this story aside. So he followed the trail of the rail lines as far as they'd go. Wrote letters to newspapers all along the way. Does anyone know?? Could anyone say?? In the year 1864, the town of Roswell was populated no more. The mill was burned to the ground, and, to this day little trace of it is found. The women and children were forced onto a train. In keeping them here, the Yanks had nothing to gain. So no record was made of their arrival To where?? And when?? and what of their survival?? Little by little the mystery was solved when a number of elderly citizens in a small Indiana town, recalled hearing stories their great- great-grandmothers passed down; Of a painful journey by train.. And never to return to Georgia again. So this is the story of the Roswell women who bravely kept the mill run- ning, working hard for their men.. Some dreamed of returning, some died on the train. But NONE of them ever returned home again. The brave man who brought it to light Was Franklin Garrett, our historian of note, and this story is included in many of the books he wrote. He founded the Atlanta Historical Society, and I note, with not a degree of piety...he was actually a member of Milwaukee society! There are stories to be found across our land and on our seas.. Of the brave, the cowardly, and the unfortunate such as these! So look around...see the mysteries of history on this land where we stand! About the author: I am PHC's loyal fan (except politically! but I love you anyway..) I love history, wry stories, a member of the Mayflower society, one who loves music and words, with a natural curiosity about all life around us! Deeply spiritual and fun-loving (yes, they go together), with a background in theater at NU; now own a company that specializes in the travel of missionaries all over the world! | | | |
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