The Myths
Sherman's March to the Sea
Sherman's March to the Sea was a military campaign led by Union General William T. Sherman. The purpose of the March was to hinder the Confederacy's rail lines and infrastructure. The campaign was stretched from Chattanooga, Tennessee to Savannah, Georgia. Sherman followed the rail lines so he could control them; however, he faced a great deal of Confederate opposition. He fought Confederate forces in many historic battles including: the Battle of Chattanooga, the Battle of Resaca, the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, the Battle for Atlanta, and the siege of Savannah. On his March, Sherman often destroyed or burned cities; the effects of General Sherman's famous campaign are still felt today.
According to General Sherman's personal memoirs, there is no specific mentioning of a stay in Calhoun or the Oakleigh House. He did march through Calhoun, but he didn't mention any more than that. He did have forces that stayed in Sugar Valley for a short time. In his March to the Sea, Sherman did stay in Dalton and used it as a place to stay for a short time. After the Battle of Resaca, Sherman's forces met in Calhoun. From here, they marched to Adairsville. He continued to Cassville , where in a historic manner, burned it to the ground.
- "We hastily repaired the railroad bridge at Resaca, which had been partially burned, and built a temporary floating bridge out of timber and materials found on the spot; so that Thomas got his advance corps over during the 16th, and marched as far as Calhoun, where he came into communication with McPherson's troops, which had crossed the Oostenaula at Lay's Ferry by our pontoon-bridges, previously laid. Inasmuch as the bridge at Resaca was overtaxed, Hooker's Twentieth Corps was also diverted to cross by the fords and ferries above Resaca, in the neighborhood of Echota."
We asked Jim Lay, President of the Gordon County Historical Society: We asked Jim Lay, President of the Gordon County Historical Society:
How long did Sherman stay in the house?
"Well, Sherman actually didn't live in the house; it was just a rumor that he stayed there. Even though he did not stay there, Sherman did pass by the house."
The Truth
- There is no evidence either through town history or Sherman's memoirs that can support this claim.
- In his memoirs, Sherman never specifically mentions any time spent in Calhoun.