Spirits of the Civil War at Myrtle Hill Cemetery
Lisa J. Smith, (in white) portraying Roman Martha Battey, leads a tour during Spirits of the Civil War: Rome & Floyd Count at Myrtle Hill cemetery Saturday morning. (Ellison Langford)
Misty Carpenter looks at Civil War-themed coloring books with her daughter Kiley Carpenter, 6, before the start of the Spirits of the Civil War: Rome & Floyd County tour. (Ellison Langford / Rome News-Tribune)
Mary Elena Kirk portrays Mrs. William H. Lawrence as she narrates the life of the woman’s husband, a confederate soldier buried in Myrtle Hill Cemetery. (Ellison Langford / Rome News-Tribune)
Battey was the wife of a Rome-based doctor who served during the Civil War. Portrayed by Lisa J. Smith, she was one of the long-gone Romans celebrated during the “Spirits of the Civil War” tour on Saturday.
The cemetery tours were organized by the Convention and Visitors Bureau to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War.
“We want to preserve and tell this history of the Romans that rest and shaped Rome as it today,” said Smith, a member of Seven Hills Tellers. “(Battey) was somebody that was truly a heroine.”
She said she admired Battey because of what she overcame during the war. As the wife of a successful professional, she had few practical skills. But after her slaves left, she learned how to take care of herself and her five children while her husband was away fighting for four years.
Battey and her husband, Dr. Robert Battey, are buried in a large mausoleum facing the Coosa River.
“I think she also epitomized very much the women then,” Smith said.
Before visiting Battey’s resting place, the tour stopped at a number of graves, including that of Col. William Melville Gammon, the uncle of Von Gammon, who was killed playing football for the University of Georgia against the University of Virginia in 1897.
His distant descendant, Claire Gammon of Cedartown, was on the tour.
“I had no idea they were going to point it out today,” Gammon said. “That was a pleasant surprise.”
A group of Gammon family members are buried together in Myrtle Hill.
“The Mel Gammon that she pointed out, he was on the city commission back in the earlier part of the 1900s,” Gammon said. “I remember as a child my father telling me his name was on nearly every bridge in Floyd County.”
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
April 16, 3 p.m., Cave Spring
Tour of Wesley O. Connor home and wreath laying to honor Connor. Reception to follow. The 8th Regiment Band will present a concert during the memorial service. Free.
& Gordon Elwell
April 21, 6:30 p.m. Rome-Floyd County Library
Barry Brown & Gordon Elwell, authors of Crossroads of Conflict: A Guide to Civil War Sites in Georgia will speak about the Civil War in Georgia. Book signing will follow. The event is free.
May 2, 6:30 p.m.; Rome-Floyd County Library
Mike McDougald will present a multimedia presentation of the John Wisdom ride to save Rome. Free.
May 7, 1 to 2:30 p.m.; Rome-Floyd Visitor Center
Step aboard the Toonerville Trolley for a tour of the major Civil War sites throughout Historic Downtown Rome. A period-dressed guide will explain the significance of Rome’s many forts, industrial sites and Civil War medical centers. Free, but tickets required. Call 706-295-5576 to reserve tickets.
May 8, 2011, DeSoto Theatre
The 8th Regiment Band will present a concert featuring full dress in Civil War Confederate Uniforms and Civil War era instruments. Concert will begin at 3 p.m. $5 admission.
May 30, Broad Street
The 8th Regiment Band will present a concert at the Memorial Day Ceremony in Myrtle Hill Cemetery followed by parade. Time TBA.The parade is a celebration of the men and women who have served in the United States military. During the Civil War anniversary, special consideration will be placed on the War Between the States.
& Fort Norton
June 11, 9 p.m.; Rome-Floyd Visitor Center
Learn about the soldiers who served Fort Jackson through re-enactments and experience their stories. This tour is a moderate to strenuous walk with steps and very steep slopes involved. Cost: $8 adult, $5 children, 12 and younger.
Marker Dedication
Late summer, time TBA; Site of Noble Foundry near South Broad Bridge
Join the dedication of the new sign and informational marker at the site of the Noble Foundry, which was a cannon factory. The dedication will also mark the addition of Rome to the Georgia Civil War Heritage Trail system.
Aug. 18, 6:30 p.m.; Rome-Floyd County Library
Zach Watters, a local historian and professor, will speak about his research into the Civil War in Northwest Georgia. Free
Nov. 17, 6:30pm; Rome-Floyd County Library
The Cochran Family will perform Civil War-era music and explain its meaning and significance. Margaret Hollingsworth will present a reading of her ancestor’s love letters from the Civil War. Free.
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