Near Cassville in Bartow County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Gen. Leonidas Polk's Headquarters

Photographed By David Tibbs, January 19, 2009

1. Gen. Leonidas Polk's Headquarters Marker-Closeup

This marker is located on private property. In order to get the photo closeup, I had to scale the ditch.

Inscription. The William Neal McKelvey residence - 1864. A Council of War held here May 19, discussed the advisability of holding the position E. & S. of Cassville by the Confederate army. Present were: Gen. Joseph E. Johnston; Lt. Gen. Polk; Lt. Gen. John B. Hood; Maj. Gen. S.C. French; & Capt. W.J. Morris, Chief Engineer, Polk's A.C.

After hearing the statements of the Council, Johnston ordered the withdrawal of the army at midnight. This decision stemmed from a failure to make an opportune attack on the Federals, & alleged inability to hold a defensive line as it was then situated.

Erected 1954 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 008-38.)

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 year for this entry is 1864.

Location. 34° 13.6′ N, 84° 50.714′ W. Marker is near Cassville, Georgia, in Bartow County. Marker is on Mac Johnson Road NW, 0.4 miles north of Joe Frank Harris Parkway (U.S. 41), on the left when traveling north. Marker is in the tree line, and extremely difficult to see. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cassville GA 30123, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies

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. Historic McKelvey House (a few steps from this marker); Atlanta Campaign (approx. ¾ mile away); Affair at Cassville (approx. ¾ mile away); Confederate Line (approx. 0.9 miles away); Noble Hill Rosenwald School (approx. 1.6 miles away); Site of Cassville (approx. 1.6 miles away); Town Of Cassville (approx. 1.6 miles away); Old Cassville Post Office (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cassville.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Historic McKelvey House, site of Polk's Headquarters on May 19, 1864.

Also see . . . History of Cassville & History of the Cassville Heritage Association. (Submitted on January 19, 2009, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia.)

Gen. Leonidas Polk's Headquarters Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By David Seibert, November 9, 2008

2. Gen. Leonidas Polk's Headquarters Marker

Gen. Leonidas Polk's Headquarters Marker in the Tree Line image. Click for full size.

Photographed By David Seibert, November 9, 2008

3. Gen. Leonidas Polk's Headquarters Marker in the Tree Line

Gen. Leonidas Polk's Headquarters- McKelvey House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By David Tibbs, January 19, 2009

4. Gen. Leonidas Polk's Headquarters- McKelvey House Marker

I discovered another marker set in concrete, lying at the base of the large tree to the left of the historic marker visible in the most distant image.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 8, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 1, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,748 times since then and 29 times this year. Last updated on January 19, 2009, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia. Photos: 1. submitted on January 19, 2009, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia. 2, 3. submitted on December 1, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 4. submitted on January 19, 2009, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.