Belleview House
The home of Sen. Benjamin
Harvey Hill, Belleview is a
major landmark in LaGrange.
The Nancy Harts drilled in a
grove belonging to Sen. Hill.
The home of Sen. Benjamin
Harvey Hill, Belleview is a
major landmark in LaGrange.
The Nancy Harts drilled in a
grove belonging to Sen. Hill.
The Nancy Harts - LaGrange, Georgia
ExploreSouthernHistory.com - The Nancy Harts of LaGrange, Georgia
| Home of a Nancy Hart Built during the 1830s, this beautiful old home in Lagrange was once the residence of Mrs. Peter Heard, a lieutenant in the Nancy Harts. |
Female Civil War Soldiers
As Wilson's Raid through Alabama and
Georgia pushed east for the Chattahoochee
River, a large column of Union troops swept
north to strike Fort Tyler at West Point and the
Georgia city of LaGrange. In LaGrange they
encountered something totally unexpected,
the Nancy Harts.
It is a little known fact that the women of the
South often offered to take up arms in the
defense of their homes and families and
sometimes did so. In LaGrange they took
their willingness to serve an extra step and
formed an all female militia company.
Named the Nancy Harts after a Georgia
heroine of the American Revolution, the
women of LaGrange participated in regular
drills and target practice.
The company organized in 1862 after the
members realized that regular Confederate
troops were being withdrawn from the area
and sent north to fight. Approximately 40
women turned out for the first muster,
electing Nancy Morgan as their captain.
Using whatever arms they could obtain, the
Nancy Harts drilled twice weekly. Although
their initial efforts were as clumsy as those of
other militia organizations, over time they
developed military cohesiveness. Their target
practice improved and they also learned
basic infantry tactics.
For three years LaGrange's all female militia
continued to drill. Despite some alarms
during Sherman's campaign on Atlanta, the
city remained peaceful and the Nancy Harts
were spared their baptism of fire.
The situation changed on the morning of
April 16, 1865, when Brigadier General
Robert H. Tyler telegraphed from nearby
West Point that he was facing attack by an
overwhelming force of Union cavalry. All of
the wounded able to walk left the hospitals in
LaGrange and marched to join the fight. Fort
Tyler fell later that day in the Battle of West
Point and by the next morning the people of
LaGrange knew that the Federals were
moving in their direction.
As Colonel Oscar H. LaGrange approached
the city with thousands of men, the 40
members of the Nancy Harts formed ranks
on the grounds of the home of Lieutenant
Mary Heard. Despite the pleas of regular
soldiers and others that they go home and
lock their doors, Captain Morgan marched
her company out to meet Colonel LaGrange
and his oncoming Federals.
Georgia pushed east for the Chattahoochee
River, a large column of Union troops swept
north to strike Fort Tyler at West Point and the
Georgia city of LaGrange. In LaGrange they
encountered something totally unexpected,
the Nancy Harts.
It is a little known fact that the women of the
South often offered to take up arms in the
defense of their homes and families and
sometimes did so. In LaGrange they took
their willingness to serve an extra step and
formed an all female militia company.
Named the Nancy Harts after a Georgia
heroine of the American Revolution, the
women of LaGrange participated in regular
drills and target practice.
The company organized in 1862 after the
members realized that regular Confederate
troops were being withdrawn from the area
and sent north to fight. Approximately 40
women turned out for the first muster,
electing Nancy Morgan as their captain.
Using whatever arms they could obtain, the
Nancy Harts drilled twice weekly. Although
their initial efforts were as clumsy as those of
other militia organizations, over time they
developed military cohesiveness. Their target
practice improved and they also learned
basic infantry tactics.
For three years LaGrange's all female militia
continued to drill. Despite some alarms
during Sherman's campaign on Atlanta, the
city remained peaceful and the Nancy Harts
were spared their baptism of fire.
The situation changed on the morning of
April 16, 1865, when Brigadier General
Robert H. Tyler telegraphed from nearby
West Point that he was facing attack by an
overwhelming force of Union cavalry. All of
the wounded able to walk left the hospitals in
LaGrange and marched to join the fight. Fort
Tyler fell later that day in the Battle of West
Point and by the next morning the people of
LaGrange knew that the Federals were
moving in their direction.
As Colonel Oscar H. LaGrange approached
the city with thousands of men, the 40
members of the Nancy Harts formed ranks
on the grounds of the home of Lieutenant
Mary Heard. Despite the pleas of regular
soldiers and others that they go home and
lock their doors, Captain Morgan marched
her company out to meet Colonel LaGrange
and his oncoming Federals.
 | |  | |  | |  |
As they met the Union force on the West
Point road, Morgan formed her women into a
line of battle. Colonel LaGrange did not
mention the incident in his official report, but
members of the Nancy Harts later recalled
that a captured Confederate major intervened
to prevent bloodshed. Bringing LaGrange
forward, he introduced him to Captain Nancy
Morgan.
LaGrange complimented the women on their
gallantry and agreed to spare their homes
and families if they would return home. The
woman agreed.
The Union troops did do considerable
damage to the tannery, railroad and other
facilities in LaGrange, but the colonel kept
his agreement with the Nancy Harts and
spared the private residences of the city. To
show their appreciation, the female soldiers
hosted him for dinner that evening.
From LaGrange the Union troops continued
on to Macon, where the met the rest of
Wilson's command and learned that the war
was officially over.
Point road, Morgan formed her women into a
line of battle. Colonel LaGrange did not
mention the incident in his official report, but
members of the Nancy Harts later recalled
that a captured Confederate major intervened
to prevent bloodshed. Bringing LaGrange
forward, he introduced him to Captain Nancy
Morgan.
LaGrange complimented the women on their
gallantry and agreed to spare their homes
and families if they would return home. The
woman agreed.
The Union troops did do considerable
damage to the tannery, railroad and other
facilities in LaGrange, but the colonel kept
his agreement with the Nancy Harts and
spared the private residences of the city. To
show their appreciation, the female soldiers
hosted him for dinner that evening.
From LaGrange the Union troops continued
on to Macon, where the met the rest of
Wilson's command and learned that the war
was officially over.
| Copyright 2009 by Dale Cox All rights reserved. |
The Road up College Hill
The Union troops approached
LaGrange via this road. It was
also the scene of their almost
battle with the Nancy Harts.
The Union troops approached
LaGrange via this road. It was
also the scene of their almost
battle with the Nancy Harts.
lor.
Fort Tyler
Battle of West Point
Wilson's Raid through Alabama and Georgia
Battle of Columbus (Girard)
Historic Sites in Georgia
Explore other Southern Historic Sites
Battle of West Point
Wilson's Raid through Alabama and Georgia
Battle of Columbus (Girard)
Historic Sites in Georgia
Explore other Southern Historic Sites
LaGrange, Georgia
A magnificent fountain and
square greet visitors to
downtown LaGrange, home
of the Nancy Harts.
A magnificent fountain and
square greet visitors to
downtown LaGrange, home
of the Nancy Harts.
