Dalton in Whitfield County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

General Cleburne’s Proposal to Arm Slaves

Photographed by David Seibert, July 14, 2011

1. General Cleburne’s Proposal to Arm Slaves Marker

Inscription. Here on January 2, 1864, Gen. Patrick Cleburne proposed arming slaves in exchange for their freedom to alleviate the manpower shortage facing the Confederacy. Almost all the other generals present opposed the idea of black Confederate soldiers because it violated the principles upon which the Confederacy was founded. Gen. Patton Anderson said the proposal “would shake our governments, both state and Confederate, to their very foundations,” and Gen. A.P. Stewart said it was “at war with my social, moral and political principles.” Considering the proposal treasonous, Gen. W.H.T. Walker informed President Jefferson Davis, who ordered any mention of it to be suppressed. In March 1865, with defeat looming, the Confederate Congress approved enlisting slaves, but few did and none saw combat. Conversely, nearly 200,000 free African Americans served in the U.S. armed forces.

Erected 2011 by the Georgia Historical Society, the Georgia Battlefields Association and the Georgia Department of Economic Development for the Civil War 150 commemoration. (Marker Number 155-4.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1910.

Location.

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34° 46.533′ N, 84° 58.167′ W. Marker is in Dalton, Georgia, in Whitfield County. It is on North Selvidge Street 0 miles south of Hawthorn Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker stands in front of the Cook-Huff House, used by General Joseph Johnston as his headquarters in January 1864 while he planned his defenses for the campaign for Atlanta. Johnston was appointed to command the Army of the Tennessee in late December 1863. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 314 North Selvidge Street, Dalton GA 30720, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Mountains. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

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 original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Huff House (here, next to this marker); Tristram Dalton (approx. ¼ mile away); Western and Atlantic Railroad Depot (approx. ¼ mile away); George Whitefield (approx. ¼ mile away); William C. Martin House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fort Hill (approx. 0.4 miles away); African-American Soldiers in Combat (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hamilton House (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dalton.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Joseph E. Johnston Memorial (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. The marker was erected as part of Georgia's Civil War 150 historic marker project.

Also see . . .

Photographed by David Seibert, July 14, 2011

2. General Cleburne’s Proposal to Arm Slaves Marker

The Cook-Huff House is in the background.

Video of Dedecation Ceremony. (Submitted on July 17, 2011, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Dedication of the "General Cleburne’s Proposal to Arm Slaves" Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Seibert, July 14, 2011

3. Dedication of the "General Cleburne’s Proposal to Arm Slaves" Marker

The setting for the dedication on July 14, 2011

Photographed by David Seibert, July 14, 2011

4. Dedication of the "General Cleburne’s Proposal to Arm Slaves" Marker

David Pennington, Mayor of Dalton, GA, welcomes guests to the dedication. Dr. Todd Groce, President/CEO of the Georgia Historical Society, is in the background.

Photographed by David Seibert, July 14, 2011

5. Dedication of the "General Cleburne’s Proposal to Arm Slaves" Marker

Michael Thurmond, former Georgia Labor Commissioner and a member of the Georgia Historical Society Board of Governors, gives the Keynote Address.

Photographed by David Seibert, July 14, 2011

6. Dedication of the "General Cleburne’s Proposal to Arm Slaves" Marker

Immediately prior to the unveiling of the marker, with Mr. Pennington, Dr. Groce, Mr. Thurmond, and other local dignitaries and members of the Dalton committee for the Georgia Civil War 150 project.

Photographed by David Seibert, July 14, 2011

7. Dedication of the "General Cleburne’s Proposal to Arm Slaves" Marker

The marker unveiled, with the owner of the Cook-Huff house, Mr Thurmond, Dr. Groce, and Robert Jenkins (behind Dr. Groce), a member of the Dalton-Whitfield Civil War 150th Commemoration Committee, who spoke at the ceremony.

Photographed by David Seibert, July 14, 2011

8. Dedication of the "General Cleburne’s Proposal to Arm Slaves" Marker

The marker following the dedication; North Selvidge Street (looking south) is on the right.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 3,145 times since then and 51 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week July 24, 2011. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on July 16, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.