麻豆视频

Professors Endorse Historical Markers to Honor Minorities

VALDOSTA -- History professors at 麻豆视频 have been integral to the establishment of several Civil War historical markers throughout Georgia. These markers -- from labor strikes in Augusta to food riot in Columbus -- were dedicated during a 2010 storytelling campaign as part of Georgia鈥檚 Civil War Sesquicentennial.

Dr. David Williams, author of 鈥淏itterly Divided: The South鈥檚 Inner Civil War,鈥� and fellow history professor, Dr. Chris Meyers, published articles about events that unfolded during and in response to the war. Their research helped the Georgia Historical Society (GHS) and Department of Economic Development identify the following markers to honor previously unrepresented elements of the war:

Rincon -- March to the Sea: Ebenezer Creek
Augusta -- Accidents and Strikes at Powder Works factory
Columbus -- Women鈥檚 Food Riots
Milledgeville -- Secession Convention
Dalton -- African-American Soldiers in Combat
Quitman -- Slave Conspiracy
Jasper -- Unionists in Georgia
Atlanta -- The Battles for Atlanta
Savannah -- Sherman's Special Field Orders No. 15

Williams spoke at a November dedication ceremony in Quitman about the importance of providing the public with a full spectrum of the war鈥檚 players and impact. The Quitman marker speaks of the execution of a local white man and three slaves after their conviction to conspire to overtake the town鈥檚 government on behalf of U.S. Army forces based in Florida.

鈥淎 couple of years ago, I was in Savannah for a radio interview with Stan Deaton of the Georgia Historical Society. After the interview, he mentioned that some of the events I mentioned would make great markers,鈥� Williams said. 鈥淒uring the dedication, I just gave a little background, expanded on possible motives (which are still murky), and pointed people to 鈥楶lain Folks in a Rich Man鈥檚 War鈥� for further reading. The book contains pretty much the sum of what little we know about the conspiracy.鈥�

A 2008 study of Georgia鈥檚 919 historical markers revealed that 15 percent of them were missing or damaged. To reinvigorate interest and pride in state history, the GHS developed the Civil War 150 Project鈥檚 Storytelling Campaign. The revealing of each new marker included a ceremony that featured a speaker and music reflecting the tone of the marker. The campaign began on May 25 near Rincon鈥檚 Ebenezer Creek, where the society erected a marker to honor the fugitive slaves who drowned while following the Union Army during its March to the Sea.

The society鈥檚 web site, , provides a list of all the markers and GPS coordinates so that travelers can design personalized driving routes. By infusing history, tourism and online tools, the GHS hopes the Civil War 150 Project will encourage Georgians to promote the region鈥檚 rich past.

For more information about 麻豆视频鈥檚 part in the development of these historical markers, e-mail Dr. David Williams at david.williams@valdosta.edu.