By Al Fonner
The Cleveland Civil War Roundtable
Copyright © 2025, All Rights Reserved
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in The Charger in February 2025.
On April 17, 1865, fresh off the capture of Fort Tyler, Union Colonel Oscar H. La Grange led a force of 3,000 cavalry to LaGrange, Georgia. Did the colonel find it curious that the town bore his name, or vice versa? Still more curious, I am sure, was that initially there was no Confederate opposition to prevent his entry into the town until the colonel came face to face with some 40 women in line formation just outside of the town at the LaGrange Female College. The women were bedecked in ruffled skirts and floral hats and armed with a variety of old muskets and flintlocks that likely saw better days during the American Revolution and the War of 1812. So befuddled was Colonel La Grange that he was quoted to remark that the women arrayed before him “…might use their eyes with better effect upon the Federal soldiers than their rusty guns (Horton, 14).” It looked as if the colonel had a fight on his hands after all. So who were these stalwart Southern belles standing valiantly against the Yankee invaders?
The women who stood before Colonel La Grange dubbed themselves the “Nancy Harts,” or “Nancies” as they were also known. The name was in homage to a Revolutionary War-era heroine, Ann Morgan Hart, better known as Nancy. Nancy Hart was a cousin of American General Daniel Morgan and a patriot in the truest sense, a notorious female spy and rebel. She was a tall, redheaded, imposing figure whom the Cherokee referred to as “Wahatche,” meaning “War Woman.” Hart was well versed in frontier survival skills and an expert shot as well.
When the Revolutionary War conflict migrated south, Hart’s husband left to fight the British with the Georgia militia. Nancy, for her part, became a spy for the rebel forces and often wandered through British camps disguised as a crazy man. She was also present at the Battle of Kettle Creek, Georgia in 1779. However, the greatest story of her legendary exploits was her encounter with six British soldiers who had entered her home looking for information concerning patriot activities and then demanding that she feed them. Through guile and intrigue, Nancy managed to capture five of the soldiers after killing one and wounding a second. Nancy Hart died at the age of 90 while living with her son in Kentucky. She is remembered as one of Georgia’s most famous female patriots.
When civil war between the North and the South began in 1861, the women of LaGrange formed the Nancy Harts out of necessity. Along with other southern communities, LaGrange had sent most of its able-bodied men to fight for the cause. In the first year of the war alone, 1,300 men left LaGrange. Notable among LaGrange’s contribution to the Confederacy’s cause were the 130 volunteers of the LaGrange Light Guards of the Fourth Georgia Infantry, which left Troup County, Georgia to fight for the South on April 26. These departures made LaGrange vulnerable to a Union attack, especially given the town’s location midway between Atlanta and Mobile, Alabama. Finding themselves without the patronage of white males to defend them, two of LaGrange’s women decided to form this female militia.
Nancy Hill Morgan, a founder of the Nancy Harts, recalled the Nancies’ beginnings in an interview with Mrs. Thaddeus Horton for the November 1904 Ladies’ Home Journal (page 14). Morgan remembered that the idea of forming a women’s militia came to her one stormy night in early summer. The next morning while on her way to breakfast, Morgan met Mary Alfred Heard and she remembered their conversation as follows.
“Do you realize,” I said, “that we are defenseless?”
“I do,” said Mrs. Heard.
“This city of women and children is absolutely at the mercy of Heaven?” I said.
“Absolutely,” said Mrs. Heard.
We looked helplessly into each other’s eyes.
“Suppose army stragglers or escaped prisoners should come along. They could murder us all.”
“They certainly could.”
“Not a woman in town can shoot a gun,” I said.
“Not one,” she said.
Again, we looked into each other’s eyes.
“It’s a dreadful state of affairs!”
Mrs. Heard agreed with me.
“What shall we do?” said I.
“What can we do?” said she.
“We might form a military company of women.”
“Did you ever hear of a military company of women?” said she.
“No, but that doesn’t matter,” said I.
“No, I suppose not,” said she.
“I’ve got my grandfather’s old flintlock fowling-piece,” said I.
“I’ve got an old rifle,” said she.
“We’ll issue a call,” said I, “and we’ll organize a company. At least we can defend our homes, and if they want us at the front – well, we’ll be ready.”
So the ladies sent out the call. The first meeting of the women’s militia was held at a schoolhouse located on the property of LaGrange lawyer and then-Confederate Senator Benjamin Hill. Nearly 40 women attended this first meeting. Morgan was elected as the company’s captain and Heard its first lieutenant.
Despite their proud name and their determination, the women of the Nancy Harts militia remained proper Southern ladies who prided themselves on femininity and pursuits of the fairer sex, such as overseeing the household and caring for the children. Realizing that they lacked the skills in soldiering and use of firearms, the Nancy Harts enlisted the help of LaGrange physician A.C. Ware and a copy of Willam J. Hardee’s Rifle and Light Infantry Tactics, published in 1861.
The Nancy Harts drilled dutifully twice a week throughout the war. Their training included target shooting with firearms that were so old and rusty that the women often wondered which end of the rifle was the more lethal. Target practice occurred in nearby woods known as Harris’ Grove, where targets were set up and prizes offered for the best shots. At first, the women found it nearly impossible to keep their eyes open and not to flinch when firing the gun, but they eventually overcame this hurdle. Humorously, at least one hornets’ nest and one cow fell victim to the cause. The Nancy Harts would march through town as part of the drills, practicing infantry maneuvers such as marching in column and forming lines for combat, as well as the manual of arms. Such displays delighted the townsfolk, particularly the children who cheered and marveled at the guns and other military gear sported by the women. Over time, the Nancy Harts molded themselves into a competent militia company.
LaGrange eventually became a medical and refugee center as the war continued, with wounded soldiers and displaced citizens streaming into town. While the Nancy Harts continued their preparation to defend their town throughout the war, the women added nursing to their duties. LaGrange had four hospitals, which were often full. To alleviate this situation, each Nancy Hart took one or more patients into her home. They provided food and clothing for those in their care and ensured that the dressings of the wounded were changed as necessary. The Nancy Harts also read to those in their care, wrote letters for them, and provided as much diversion from boredom and suffering as possible.
The Nancy Harts had been a fixture in LaGrange for four years. Finally, on April 17, 1865, as noted above, Colonel La Grange’s Federal cavalry approached, and the Nancy Harts had their opportunity to put their preparation into practice and to show their mettle. So let us revisit the events of that day. As told by Horton in the November 1904 issue of Ladies’ Home Journal, upon their return to LaGrange after their target practice, the Nancy Harts encountered a group of Confederate riders. As the Nancy Harts and the Confederates chatted, Federal troops were spotted in the distance. The Confederate soldiers recognized that resistance would be hopeless and spurred their mounts on. Before leaving, though, a Lieutenant Perkins, who led the riders, told the Nancy Harts, “Young ladies, go in your houses and bar your doors, we beseech you (Horton, 14).” But the Nancy Harts refused the lieutenant’s plea and resolved to stand their ground. The Federals advanced and stopped in front of the Nancy Harts. Union Colonel La Grange led the Federals, and Confederate Major Parkham, who had been captured at Fort Tyler where he served as Confederate General Tyler’s Adjutant, was beside the colonel.
The initial meeting between the Nancy Harts and Colonel La Grange was recalled by the Nancy Harts’ First Corporal, Leila Pullen Morris.
Major Parkham, on horseback, was very near to me, so I advanced to speak to him.
“Major Parkham,” I said, my gun on my shoulder, “I regret to see you in this plight.”
Colonel La Grange heard my words.
“Is this your sweetheart, Miss?” he inquired kindly.
I considered a moment.
“Yes, he is,” I said, believing it a diplomatic answer.
“Such honesty deserves a reward,” said Colonel La Grange. “I will put him on parole and allow him to spend the evening with you.”
At this Major Parkham went through the form of an introduction.
“Colonel La Grange,” he said, “I have the honor of introducing to you a regularly commissioned officer of the Nancy Harts.”
“I have heard of the Nancy Harts,” said Colonel La Grange. “I should think, however, they might use their eyes with better effect on the Federal soldiers than their rusty old guns.”
Major Parkham dismounted and tied his horse.
“If it would meet your mother’s approval,” he said as we stood to one side, “I would be glad for you to invite Colonel La Grange to tea.”
I therefore invited Colonel La Grange to tea.
Morris went on to note that the Federals and the Nancy Harts had been carrying on a “fire of repartee all along the line” and observed that, “They came (the Federals), they saw, but we conquered. The engagement was brief but decisive.”
The Nancy Harts surrendered the town to Colonel La Grange without firing a shot, but on the condition that the Federals not burn down their homes. Legend also has it that the Nancy Harts, as part of the conditions of surrender, agreed to cook supper for the Union troops and their prisoners in tow, many of whom were from LaGrange. Horton in her Ladies’ Home Journal piece, wrote that, “Grandmothers, mothers, young girls and little sisters were busy all night cooking substantials and delicacies for the Confederate soldiers and the Federals to carry with them on their way to Macon, which was to be resumed the coming day.” Brackett (cited below; paragraph 6) merely states that the women, “…organized an effort to feed both the Union and Confederate soldiers.” Whatever the exact circumstances were, the women clearly provided the ranks passing through their town with some sort of refreshments in good Southern style.
The colonel stayed true to the conditions of surrender and posted guards throughout the town to protect the people’s residences. Public buildings, businesses, and warehouses, however, were not so fortunate, being torched and left to burn down. Nonetheless, the Nancy Harts had achieved their principal objective: to protect their homes. As the Federals later marched on to Macon, it must have been a bittersweet triumph for the Nancy Harts as they watched the prisoners, many of whom they knew as a friend, a brother, or a husband, marching along with their captors. Horton noted in her article, “Morning came all too soon; farewells were said, good-bye kisses were given; the regiment mounted, the prisoners fell into line; the first command was uttered: ‘March!’ …Wives, mothers and daughters with dewy eyes and sorrowing hearts watched the procession as it moved away in the distance.”
After the war, the women returned to their normal way of life, although adjustments had to be made considering that a quarter of the men did not return from the war. Despite the hardships and tragedy that they endured during and even after the war, the Nancy Harts could be proud of their service and are celebrated even to this day in LaGrange, Georgia. Although other women’s militias had been formed in the South, most of them were fleeting efforts. The Nancy Harts remained true to their conviction from their inception right through to the war’s end. The Nancy Harts were also the only women’s militia in the South to actually face their foe on the field, ready to lay down their lives for what they believed. They are an uplifting example of the human spirit in trying times.
References
American Battlefield Trust (N.D.) Nancy Hart; Retrieved on January 30, 2025.
Brackett, K. (2010) Nancy Harts Militia, New Georgia Encyclopedia; Retrieved on January 5, 2025.
Cox, D. (2011) The Nancy Harts: Female Confederate Soldiers of LaGrange, Georgia, Explore Southern History; Retrieved on January 28, 2025.
Horton, Mrs. T. “The Story of the Nancy Harts,” The Ladies’ Home Journal, Vol. XXI, No. 12, November 1904, p. 14; Retrieved on January 28, 2025.
Russell Adams, K. M. (2023) Bonnets & Bullets: The Nancy Hart Militia, Master’s Thesis, Texas A&M University, Corpus Christie, Texas; Retrieved on January 5, 2025.
Visit Lagrange (2024) Legends and Folklore: Oddities of LaGrange, The Nancy Harts; Retrieved on January 30, 2025.