Jefferson Davis Memorial Series LbNA #50631 (ARCHIVED)
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Add Location| Owner: | Adoptable |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Sep 27, 2009 |
| Location: | |
| City: | Irwinville |
| County: | Irwin |
| State: | Georgia |
| Boxes: | 3 |
| Planted by: | Mountain Heart  |
|---|---|
| Found by: | Not yet found! |
| Last found: | N/A |
| Status: | r |
| Last edited: | Sep 27, 2009 |
***THIS SERIES HAS BEEN RETIRED***
338 Jeff Davis Park Rd
From I-75 exit #78 go east 14 miles on Ga. Hwy. 32 to Irwinville. Turn left on Jeff Davis Park Road and proceed one mile to the site (on left).
The state of Georgia is rich with civil war history. Just a little scratching of the surface will unearth a wealth of historical treasure stories. One such story takes place near Irwinville at the Jefferson Davis Memorial Historic Site.
When Confederate President Jefferson Davis and a few remaining staff members crossed the Savannah River into Georgia on May 3, 1865, they were headed for the Western theater of war where Davis planned to unite rebel forces and continue fighting for the “lost cause”. On May 9, 1865, they camped in a pine forest near Irwinville, not knowing that pursuers was so close behind. At dawn, they were surrounded by two independent groups of Union cavalry, who were unaware of each other’s presence. Gunfire ensued until the federal forces realized they had been shooting at one another. Two union cavalrymen died during the skirmish. Davis was taken prisoner and held in Virginia for two years until released. Today, a monument marks the spot where he was arrested.
Information found at http://www.gastateparks.org/info/jeffd/
NOTICE: Even though this historic site can be viewed on the Georgia State Parks website, it is now operated by Irwin County. Please call before visiting to confirm hours, prices and programs. (229) 831-2335 Hours posted on the gate say the site closes at 5:00 pm. There is no charge for exploring the grounds and nature trail.
Nature Trail:
1/3 mile
Easy
Estimated Time: 20 Minutes
This short nature walk takes you on a relaxing stroll around the site. The nature trail is unique because not only is the trail full of wildlife, the trail is actually full of history. Part of the trail is the original county road, which ran through the present day site, during the Civil War. This part of the trail is the road, which Davis and his party entered and made camp on the night of his capture. The trail offers great opportunity to view the site’s 47 different species of birds, and is also dotted with native wildlife and plant identification signs. At the end of the trail an elevated boardwalk, will give visitors the experience of viewing a south Georgia swamp’s ecosystem, which is full of wetland plants and many interesting creatures!
CLUES:
The historical account above is true, but some of the clues may have imagination woven throughout!
There was a dapper young Georgia volunteer, brave and daring in service of his country. His country being the Confederate States of America, of course. There was no shortage of young ladies swooning over the young rebel, yet one young lady in particular caught his eye. They often stole away to the pine forest to enjoy each other’s company, dreaming of the day when the war would be over and they could be married and live happily ever after.
The Volunteer and His Lady: Enter the Nature Trail which begins at post no. 4 which Jefferson Davis could see if he looked toward his left. Follow the trail and just past the Muscadine Vine sign you will come to posts no. 6 and 7. Read the Blue Bird sign and then look straight ahead to a large pine tree with a birdhouse on it. You’ll find the Volunteer and His Lady at the base of the back side of this tree under leaf litter. Please rehide well.
Eventually the war called this young man to serve in another place far from home. Stricken with fear, grief and loneliness, the fair young lady would ride through the forest, remembering the long walks, lively conversations and pledges of love made in this very place.
His Lady in Waiting: Continue walking along the nature trail from the cute little blue birds to the majestic red-tailed hawks. Stand facing the Red Tailed Hawk sign. Look straight over the top of the sign to the final fence post. His Lady is waiting at the base of the fence post under a blanket of debris. Please rehide completely out of sight. Thanks!
Long periods of waiting dragged by with little or no word from her brave soldier. Finally, the war ended and that handsome young rebel came home. They had their long awaited wedding, but life in the post war South was hard. Land was seized by Northerners and re-distributed. The young solder’s family lost their land, even though they had never owned slaves. The young couple struck out in search of land on which to build a new life together. They ended up homesteading in a vast open farmland called Iowa. They had one last portrait painted that depicted their “happily ever after”!
Happily Ever After: Continue along the trail until you come to the end of a wooden bridge/boardwalk. Stop. Happily Ever After is on your left under and behind the last bridge post under a suspicious pile of leaves and sticks. Please make sure it’s well hidden again before you leave.
338 Jeff Davis Park Rd
From I-75 exit #78 go east 14 miles on Ga. Hwy. 32 to Irwinville. Turn left on Jeff Davis Park Road and proceed one mile to the site (on left).
The state of Georgia is rich with civil war history. Just a little scratching of the surface will unearth a wealth of historical treasure stories. One such story takes place near Irwinville at the Jefferson Davis Memorial Historic Site.
When Confederate President Jefferson Davis and a few remaining staff members crossed the Savannah River into Georgia on May 3, 1865, they were headed for the Western theater of war where Davis planned to unite rebel forces and continue fighting for the “lost cause”. On May 9, 1865, they camped in a pine forest near Irwinville, not knowing that pursuers was so close behind. At dawn, they were surrounded by two independent groups of Union cavalry, who were unaware of each other’s presence. Gunfire ensued until the federal forces realized they had been shooting at one another. Two union cavalrymen died during the skirmish. Davis was taken prisoner and held in Virginia for two years until released. Today, a monument marks the spot where he was arrested.
Information found at http://www.gastateparks.org/info/jeffd/
NOTICE: Even though this historic site can be viewed on the Georgia State Parks website, it is now operated by Irwin County. Please call before visiting to confirm hours, prices and programs. (229) 831-2335 Hours posted on the gate say the site closes at 5:00 pm. There is no charge for exploring the grounds and nature trail.
Nature Trail:
1/3 mile
Easy
Estimated Time: 20 Minutes
This short nature walk takes you on a relaxing stroll around the site. The nature trail is unique because not only is the trail full of wildlife, the trail is actually full of history. Part of the trail is the original county road, which ran through the present day site, during the Civil War. This part of the trail is the road, which Davis and his party entered and made camp on the night of his capture. The trail offers great opportunity to view the site’s 47 different species of birds, and is also dotted with native wildlife and plant identification signs. At the end of the trail an elevated boardwalk, will give visitors the experience of viewing a south Georgia swamp’s ecosystem, which is full of wetland plants and many interesting creatures!
CLUES:
The historical account above is true, but some of the clues may have imagination woven throughout!
There was a dapper young Georgia volunteer, brave and daring in service of his country. His country being the Confederate States of America, of course. There was no shortage of young ladies swooning over the young rebel, yet one young lady in particular caught his eye. They often stole away to the pine forest to enjoy each other’s company, dreaming of the day when the war would be over and they could be married and live happily ever after.
The Volunteer and His Lady: Enter the Nature Trail which begins at post no. 4 which Jefferson Davis could see if he looked toward his left. Follow the trail and just past the Muscadine Vine sign you will come to posts no. 6 and 7. Read the Blue Bird sign and then look straight ahead to a large pine tree with a birdhouse on it. You’ll find the Volunteer and His Lady at the base of the back side of this tree under leaf litter. Please rehide well.
Eventually the war called this young man to serve in another place far from home. Stricken with fear, grief and loneliness, the fair young lady would ride through the forest, remembering the long walks, lively conversations and pledges of love made in this very place.
His Lady in Waiting: Continue walking along the nature trail from the cute little blue birds to the majestic red-tailed hawks. Stand facing the Red Tailed Hawk sign. Look straight over the top of the sign to the final fence post. His Lady is waiting at the base of the fence post under a blanket of debris. Please rehide completely out of sight. Thanks!
Long periods of waiting dragged by with little or no word from her brave soldier. Finally, the war ended and that handsome young rebel came home. They had their long awaited wedding, but life in the post war South was hard. Land was seized by Northerners and re-distributed. The young solder’s family lost their land, even though they had never owned slaves. The young couple struck out in search of land on which to build a new life together. They ended up homesteading in a vast open farmland called Iowa. They had one last portrait painted that depicted their “happily ever after”!
Happily Ever After: Continue along the trail until you come to the end of a wooden bridge/boardwalk. Stop. Happily Ever After is on your left under and behind the last bridge post under a suspicious pile of leaves and sticks. Please make sure it’s well hidden again before you leave.