Blue Ridge in Fannin County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

William Clayton Fain: Georgia Unionist

Photographed by David Seibert, October 11, 2012

1. William Clayton Fain: Georgia Unionist Marker

Inscription. One of the leading Unionists in the state during the Civil War, William Clayton Fain was born in Georgia in 1825. A Fannin County lawyer and state representative, he served in the 1861 Secession Convention, where he opposed Georgia leaving the United States and refused to sign the Ordinance of Secession. During the Civil War, Fain was an outspoken supporter of the United States and an anti-Confederate leader among the sizeable number of Unionists in Fannin and adjoining counties. In 1864, the U.S. Army authorized him to raise recruits, which he conducted into Federal lines. Fain was captured and killed by Confederates near Ducktown, Tennessee, on April 6, 1864. He was one of many Southerners who opposed the Confederacy, including 400,000 – primarily from the Upper South – who enlisted in the U.S. armed forces.

Erected 2012 by Georgia Historical Society, Georgia Department of Economic Development and Georgia Battlefields Association. (Marker Number 55-02.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 6, 1864.

Location. 34° 51.883′ N, 84° 19.5′ W. Marker is in Blue Ridge, Georgia, in Fannin

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County. It is at the intersection of East Main Street and Depot Street, on the left when traveling north on East Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Blue Ridge GA 30513, 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 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fannin County War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Blue Ridge Park (within shouting distance of this marker); PFC. Jack Clem Robinson (within shouting distance of this marker); Bill Allen (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Original L.N. Railroad Co. Depot (about 300 feet away); Fannin County (about 600 feet away); Fannin County Courthouse (about 700 feet away); The Madden Branch Massacre (approx. 8.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Blue Ridge.

Photographed by David Seibert, October 11, 2012

2. William Clayton Fain: Georgia Unionist Marker

William Clayton Fain: Georgia Unionist Marker Dedication image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Seibert, October 11, 2012

3. William Clayton Fain: Georgia Unionist Marker Dedication

The marker awaiting unveiling and dedication.

Photographed by David Seibert, October 11, 2012

4. William Clayton Fain: Georgia Unionist Marker Dedication

A Union Civil War re-enactor served as guard at the ceremonies.

Photographed by David Seibert, October 11, 2012

5. William Clayton Fain: Georgia Unionist Marker Dedication

Dr. Todd Groce, President/CEO of the Georgia Historical Society and the author of Mountain Rebels: East Tennessee Confederates and the Civil War, 1860-1870, welcomed attendees to the dedication.

Photographed by David Seibert, October 11, 2012

6. William Clayton Fain: Georgia Unionist Marker Dedication

Ms. Donna Whitener, Mayor of the City of Blue Ridge, greeted attendees.

Photographed by David Seibert, October 11, 2012

7. William Clayton Fain: Georgia Unionist Marker Dedication

Mr. Kevin Langston, Deputy Commissioner, Tourism, Georgia Dept of Economic Development, spoke about the importance and economic impact of historic tourism.

Photographed by David Seibert, October 11, 2012

8. William Clayton Fain: Georgia Unionist Marker Dedication

Mr. Travis McDaniel, a relative of William Clayton Fain, described Fain and his death during the Civil War. McDaniel, a free-lance writer, wrote an article for "Georgia Backroads" magazine about Georgia Unionist and William Clayton Fain. That story ultimately resulted in this marker.

Photographed by David Seibert, October 11, 2012

9. William Clayton Fain: Georgia Unionist Marker Dedication

Rep. David Ralston of Blue Ridge, Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives, gave the Keynote Address at the dedication.

Photographed by David Seibert, October 11, 2012

10. William Clayton Fain: Georgia Unionist Marker Dedication

Mrs. Cindy Wentworth, Georgia Battlefields Association, narrated the unveiling of the marker by Dr. Groce, Speaker Ralston, and others dignitaries

Photographed by David Seibert, October 11, 2012

11. William Clayton Fain: Georgia Unionist Marker Dedication

The marker, dedicated and unveiled.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,642 times since then and 97 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 11, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on October 12, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.