Butch Alley, a former editor of the Whittle Mark came up with the story of Sweet Water Town, Georgia in the October 1983 issue.
It is difficult to imagine that this wilderness site in Douglas County was on General William T. Sherman's hit list, but this area was vital to Confederate efforts during the Civil War.
Much has changed since commerce came to the shoals of Sweet Water Creek. First there were sawmills. In 1849 James Rogers and former governor Charles J. McDonald organized the Sweet Water Manufacturing Company. The 48 by 120 foot structure was five stories high. It was designed for 6,000 spindles and 90 looms. By 1851, 60 employees were turning out about 750 pounds of yarn each working day. It was estimated that 200 persons lived within one mile of the factory.
The mill was sold in 1857, reincorporated and called New Manchester Manufacturing Company. It did well for the next seven years. During the Civil War the mill filled the needs of the Confederate Army, a commercial venture that would draw Union soldiers in its direction.
In July 1864 General Sherman and his troops occupied an area between Roswell and Sweet Water Creek, the residential area being called Sweet Water Town. Sherman's orders were preserved:
"I repeat my orders that you arrest all people, male and female, connected with those factories, no matter what the clamor, and let them foot it, under guard, to Marietta, whence I will send them by
It is difficult to imagine that this wilderness site in Douglas County was on General William T. Sherman's hit list, but this area was vital to Confederate efforts during the Civil War.
Much has changed since commerce came to the shoals of Sweet Water Creek. First there were sawmills. In 1849 James Rogers and former governor Charles J. McDonald organized the Sweet Water Manufacturing Company. The 48 by 120 foot structure was five stories high. It was designed for 6,000 spindles and 90 looms. By 1851, 60 employees were turning out about 750 pounds of yarn each working day. It was estimated that 200 persons lived within one mile of the factory.
cars (railroad) to the North. Destroy and make the same disposition of all mills save small flouring mills manifestly for local use, but all sawmills and factories dispose of effectually, and useful labors, excused by reason of their skill as manufacturers from conscription, are as such prisoner as if armed. The poor women will make a howl. Let them take along their children and clothing, providing they have the means of hauling or you can spare them."
The New Manchester Manufacturing Company went up in flames, but the walls are there today as part of Sweet Water Creek State Park. The workers were taken to Marietta where their numbers were increased to 400 after similar workers were taken prisoner in Roswell. These Southerners were shipped north to Louisville, Kentucky, some to stay, others to return after the Civil War.
Gone forever was Sweet Water Town, its people and economy.
