Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-08-10
HOW GEORGIA'S SEAL WAS
SAVED BY A BRAVE WOMAN
Massey Writes The Journal Interesting Story OF
Mrs Mary A. Barnett Who Proved Heroine in the Days OF
Sherman nvason-She Defied Staggering Troopers With
Wonderful Courage and Saved the States Great Seal

Everyone who cherishes the romatic
valor of the women of the Confederacy
will be interested in the following rere
niseences on Mrs. Mary A. Barnett, who
played a notable part in saving the seal
of Georgia and valuable state documents
from the invading federal army. The story
is told in the following communication to
The Journal from DR.. r. ]. Massey:
Editor The Journal:
The timely editorial in The Journal q
few days ago, in which an account was
given of the preservation of Georgia's
seal during the occupancy of 4Milledge-
Vile by General Sherman, brings to mind
some "reminiscences which will go to show
the strong personality of Mrs. Mary
Barnett that noble Georgia heroine,
whom 1t was my privilege to know init
mately.
During the years 1854 and 1866, the lat
ter part of the late civil war, l was
placed in charge of Brown hospital, at
first located in Atlanta, on the present
site of the state capitol. During the
spring of 1864, as Sherman approached
Atlanta I was ordered to remove this IN
stitution to MiIledgeville. At that time
middle Georgia had not been visited oy
as many soldiers, as other parts OF Geor-
gia had. Consequently, II abounded In
many supplies. which had been exhausted
in many other portions Of the south. AS
soon as 1 reached the place, with my
sick and wounded was met by many Ia
dies. who very kindly proffered to give
the institution any delicacy or article nee
essary to the comfort of my men, COM
mittee after committee waited upon me
daily with every thing conceivable that
the institution needed. Here nrst met
this good lady, daily leading In TINS soOe
work which was kept up until the emo
fbof ffYona Mrs Barnett
was keeping the leading hotel or MIL
IedoeviTe and at her table she always
fed any of my assistants, or men con
nected with the hospital. without ctarge'
A FEARLESS WOMAN.
To sbow her strong personality 1 give a
/ fa1,, Incidents of her life. When Sherman
army entered Milledgeville Genefal MI
J natrick's cavalry, a very rough SCI U
trooners in a disorderly manner rode up
! ~ the hotel Without dismounllhs 'ieS
\ gaIIoped their horses up ana GOWN 'iie
piazza in front of the mouse, a' nos
thrustine the heads of their horses
| tt-..o,,sh the front door. At other houses
a., the CITY. where these men had done So
tha occupants of the houses were 50
| thoro,,gl,iv frightened that they do hO1
| dors sneak a word or utter protest. NJ ~
nritb Mrs. Barnett. She went 10 the ti ,olt
door facing them, demanded the OUyeO s
80 their visit. At first they were ~ ~.
| 20 he rude. the leader asking he' -,
U,as not afraid of them. LOOKING a' .. 1ri,.,
.-a,oht in the face. she repheu' -
SUES A,te 49, was descended from nave
s 'Oo ,-,,o,,, fear" He then wahteu 70
49,, that stock that was she rep 'I'o-
49, ..av9father's brother was sise
ny declaration Of independence az
Oh W. Ulcers Of my family have proven proven
o'.n',.zai,,es no more afraid Oh 49,
| Georges minions than am u
hirelings. .o-,s+ad. hut pleased
rms ,ot cavalry. The leader told her
.ne s-,tred her spunk, and that as toie
ne - arr,v remained in the CITY! ny
90 coroe and board with her. II sIlo
"OI5 80 them To which she ie
W. sha would be glad to take tnenl
,tb the distinct understanding, nc
for every meal and bed she mus a.,
nov and always in advance Ill'
| these troublesome times she -
nobody. Now almost hS -. ~
siy,ce readily call to mind thaI On
o., occasions Il was enjoying the
bosnitalitv of her home, when at lhe
49,. room table, she would exact
| fron, these officers the price OF a ne ,
| before she would serve Ii, as 1eaFlesSIy
| &C though she was demanding the sdnie
of subordinate -,
During the second day OF occupan .-
| 90 Sbarman's army, I was passing oy
her hotel wnen Mrs. Barnett hailed
me asking If I had heard from my
family who at that time were living
az Penfield, some fifty miles distant
near which a wing Of Shermans army
/ u,os oneratinR. She also informed me
! tbat n I wanted to send a letter 10
! -, family that she could pass IL
through the lines at once, but the letter
would have to be signed by herself.
I at once dictated a snort letter to my
Vie sending her word that I was
| safe and in no danger. This Mrs. Bar
nett signed it and 1t passed through