Wednesday, March 26, 2008: Washington, Georgia: The South Is Still Alive!

Some people here in the South still take the War Between the States and the Confederacy very seriously. All I'll say is some people have still not forgiven the North for it's behaviour during the Civil War. Actually, that's why they call it the war between the states; there was nothing civil about the war and how it was fought. Truth is there are many examples of both sides behaving poorly during the war but here in the South, a small but vocal group is convinced only the North behaved poorly. Just something I need to keep in mind before opening my mouth.

We spent the day exploring the town of Washington Georgia and it’s huge collection of old houses/mansions. It is a very small town with a lot of history. I won‘t bore you with all of the history although they are very proud the town was the first in the United States to be named after George Washington.

We spent a lot of our time at another Georgia State Historical Site, the home of Robert Toombs, who was a uniquely disagreeable man.
- Strike One: He was a lawyer -- 'nuf said.
- Strike Two: He was rich -- he was making $40,000 to $50,000 per year in the 1840‘s & 1850’s; an unheard of sum in those days.
- Strike Three: Like any number of rich lawyers he became a politician, serving in Congress for 16 years.
- Strike Four: He was a heavy drinker.

Ok, Ok, that last ‘strike’ could be a plus or a minus. According to many reports, Toombs ‘drank like a fish’ which, combined with his strong convictions and outspoken ways made him most unlikable. Did I mention he was also exceptionally smart?

When Lincoln was elected President, Toombs was very outspoken about the need for the South to succeed from the Union. Many thought he would be elected the President of the Confederacy instead of the more moderate Jefferson Davis.

Toombs’ house in Washington Georgia was pretty special. The original house was built by a Dr Joel Abbott (no relation that I know of) originally from Connecticut. The house had several additions over the years, some by Abbott and later by Toombs.

During the war, Toombs was a Brigadier General in the Army of Northern Virginia where he led troops in a number of actions including a critical battle at Antietam. He resigned his commission after Lee refused to promote him to Major General and returned home to sulk. Actually he became the Secretary of State for the Confederacy although he once again became upset when the Confederate leadership did not follow his plans for taking the war deep into the North.

After the war, Toombs was in the men’s parlor of his home when Union troops marched up to the front door to arrest him. While his wife kept the Union troops engaged at the front of the house he fled out the back. He went into self-imposed exile in Paris by way of New Orleans, Cuba, England, and then France.

Eventually he returned to Washington, Georgia where he resided until his death in his mid 70’s. He was noted for refusing to accept a pardon for his Civil War Acts and was labeled ‘an unreconstructed rebel’. And he was noted for his last words that he would not blot out a single act from my life”.

The hotel in Washington has been restored and the woodwork is spectacular. Right on the town square with many other buildings from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Great food too.

All in all, a great day in a pretty little town out in the middle of that famous ‘red Georgia clay’ that was home to a crotchety old mam…

Also, after a long evening of fishing, you have my personal assurance “there are no fish in this 72000 acre Clark Hill Lake….”.

See Ya!