LaGrange, Georgia
Near Main Street, between Broad St. and Haralson St.
GPS coordinates: 33.0402,-85.030933
Take a photo of your rally flag with the above image.

In 1863, Mrs. J. Brown Morgan formed a company of women soldiers in LaGrange. They called themselves the “Nancy Harts” in honor of Georgia’s Revolutionary War heroine. Organized to defend LaGrange in the absence of its men, the Nancy Harts held drills and target practice and became proficient at each.

On April 1, 1865, a column of Union cavalry was reported to be approaching LaGrange from the west. The Nancy Harts mobilized promptly, determined to resist any attempted advances, but they were spared a trial at arms. Seeing the charmingly militant array formed to meet him, Colonel O. H. LaGrange, 1st Wis. Cav., complimented them upon their fearless spirit and fine martial air and, after a brief delay, marched on toward Macon, leaving no scar other than the broken railroad to deface this gracious Georgia town whose name he chanced to bear.

Another version of the encounter states that Colonel LaGrange complimented the women on their gallantry and agreed to spare their homes and families if they would return home. The women 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.

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Tour of Honor-Georgia is sponsored by John Stamps from Fort Myers, Florida.