Marietta in Cobb County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Kennesaw House
Symbol of Marietta's History
— Atlanta Campaign Heritage Trail —
On the night of April 11, 1862, Federal agent James J. Andrews of Kentucky, civilian William H. Campbell of Ohio, and eighteen Ohio Federal soldiers dressed as civilians slept here (two others stayed nearby, but oversleep the next morning). Andrews’ second floor hotel room overlooked the tracks. Their goal was to disrupt the flow of men and supplies on the W&A between Atlanta and Confederate forces defending Chattanooga.
During a pre-dawn meeting held in Andrews’ room he instructed his men to, “Get seats near each other in the same car,” and to “say nothing of our business.” After a brief debate concerning whether to call off their plan and make way back to Federal lines, Andrews ended all discussion by declaring, “I will succeed or leave my bones in Dixie.” An hour later, Andrews and his “raiders” boarded a northbound train during its brief stop at Marietta’s depot, located then directly across the tracks. The train’s locomotive was named the “General.”
At Big Shanty (known today as Kennesaw), located eight miles north on the W&A, the train’s crew and passengers disembarked for breakfast at a local hotel. While they were eating, Andrews’ Raiders stole the General, its wood tender and three boxcars. Thus began the “Great Locomotive Chase,” which ended later that day north of Ringgold following a 90-mile pursuit.
Beginning in 1863 portions of the hotel was used as a Confederate hospital and morgue. Civilian refugees also often roomed here. Mrs. Julia Morgan, from Nashville, Tennessee, was among exiled ladies who rendered aid. “I went from room to room…some terribly wounded…shot in the legs and arms, and one had his eye put out…I felt sick at heart but went to work…The wounded men were all dirty, hungry, and bloody. My heart would give a big bound as I looked eagerly into each face.”
In July 1864, Federals gained possession of the hotel. It briefly became Major General William T. Sherman’s headquarters on July 3rd as his armies pressed the Confederate army toward Atlanta. In November, Federal troops set fire to much of Marietta before beginning their “March to the Sea.” Sherman reportedly spared the hotel because Dix Fletcher was a Mason. Fletcher’s son-in-law, Henry Cole, was also a Federal spy. However the hotel’s fourth floor did catch fire as ashes from other burning buildings blew onto the roof. The fourth floor was never rebuilt.
After Dix Fletcher completed repairs in 1867 he reopened the Kennesaw House. It remained a hotel well into the 20th century.
(captions)
(upper left) Dix Fletcher Courtesy of the Marietta Museum of History
(lower left) James J. Andrews
(upper center) Pre-dawn meeting in Andrews’ room
(lower center) The locomotive “General” (Courtesy of the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History)
(lower right) Map of the Great Locomotive Chase (by William G. Kurtz, Sr., Courtesy of the Atlanta History Center)
Erected by Georgia Civil War Heritage Trails, Inc. (Marker Number 21.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 11, 1856.
Location. 33° 57.162′ N, 84° 33.061′ W. Marker is in Marietta, Georgia, in Cobb County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Mountain to River Trail and Whitlock Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Located at the corner of the Marietta Museum of History at the intersection of the pedestrian walkways: Mountain to River Trail and Depot Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Marietta GA 30060, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Kennesaw House (here, next to this marker); UDC and Kennesaw House (here, next to this marker); 1916 Glover Machine Works Locomotive (within shouting distance of this marker); Alexander Stephens Clay (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cobb County (about 400 feet away); The Manning Cabin (approx. 0.2 miles away); African Americans at the Root House (approx. 0.2 miles away); William Root House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marietta.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 12, 2018. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 918 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 12, 2018, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 9, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 5, 6. submitted on July 12, 2018, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.