Gaylesville in Cherokee County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Colonel Charles Rattray
Photographed by Bryce Gazaway
1. Colonel Charles Rattray Marker
Col. Charles Rattray served in the 57th Ill. Infantry. He served in Sherman's command at Gaylesville in October 1864. He fell in love with Theodora McWhorter and promised to return and marry her when the war ended. He was a man of his word. His accomplishments were numerous, he managed Cornwall Furnace and commissary, built Cedar Bluff School, constructed a covered bridge over the Chattooga River, constructed a bridge over Yellow Creek, completed a bridge across Little River, served at Notary and Justice of the Peace at Cedar Bluff, elected as Alabama State representative, passed a bill to establish a high school in every county in Alabama, and passed a bill to erect a monument honoring Confederate soldiers.
Erected 2022 by Historical Preservation Society of Cherokee County Alabama.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.
Location. 34° 22.277′ N, 85° 30.843′ W. Marker is in Gaylesville, Alabama, in Cherokee County. It can be reached from County Road 41 near County Road 99. Touch for map. Marker is
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in East Alabama and specifically in North Alabama. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Barry Springs Indian Stockade (approx. 4 miles away); Arthur "Tarzan" White (approx. 4.1 miles away); Chattooga (approx. 5.2 miles away); W.P. Brown & Sons Lumber Company (approx. 5½ miles away); Alpine, Georgia (approx. 6 miles away in Georgia); Last Indian Agent (approx. 6½ miles away in Georgia); Trail of Tears 1838 (approx. 6.6 miles away); Indians, Settlers, and Tourists (approx. 6.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map
Photographed by John Awbrey
2. Colonel Charles Rattray Marker
More about this marker. Located near Mount Bethel Missionary Baptist Church.
Also see . . . Colonel Charles Rattray at YouTube. (Submitted on November 25, 2025, by Angela Nichols of Centre, Alabama.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2022, by Angela Nichols of Centre, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,156 times since then and 80 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 17, 2022, by Angela Nichols of Centre, Alabama. 2. submitted on March 25, 2024, by Angela Nichols of Centre, Alabama. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
