BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA A Proclamation CONFEDERATE HISTORY MONTH Whereas: In 1861, eleven states South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee and North Carolina formed the Confederate States of America, seceding from the Union. Throughout the four-year history of the Confederacy, women played vital roles, displaying courage and tenacity on the battlefield and on shipboard; in churches and hospitals; as spies, soldiers and journalists; and Whereas: Women served the Confederacy in numerous capacities. They saw action in the Confederate Army disguised as men; participated in the manufacture of products for the war machine; provided military assistance and relief efforts through sewing, food drives and medical collections; and served in "soapsuds brigades", cleaning the clothes of military units; and Whereas: Notable Georgia women include young Emma Sansom, who rode with Lieutenant General Nathan Bedford Forrest to show him a short cut to Rome; Elizabeth Teems, who died from pneumonia in a Union prison after warning Confederate soldiers of an eminent attack; Fanny Haralson Gordon, who followed her husband, an eventual United States Senator and Governor of Georgia, into battle and nursed him back to health from grave wounds; and Whereas: One of the greatest examples of courage and fortitude by women of Georgia include the Nancy Harts, who saved the city of LaGrange in 1865. Forming a militia unit to protect their town, the women of LaGrange drilled, marched and practiced shooting in preparation for the Union arrival. Seeing these women armed and ready, the Union commander negotiated and the town was saved, whereupon the women prepared a meal for the Union officers who spared their town; and Whereas: In addition to the daily struggle to main their home fronts, many women risked their own lives to serve actively in the Confederacy. April 26 has been recognized as Confederate Memorial Day, calling to remembrance those who served the Confederacy with bravery and distinction, and it is important to reflect upon the significant contributions of women during this difficult time in our nation's history; now Therefore: I, Roy E. Barnes, Governor of the State of Georgia, do hereby proclaim April 2002 as CONFEDERATE HISTORY MONTH and April 26, 2002, as CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL DAY in Georgia and encourage our citizens to observe this occasion with appropriate ceremonies. In witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the Executive Department to be affixed this 28th day of March in the year of our Lord two thousand two. Roy E. Barnes Governor

Regarding the proclamation by the governor of Georgia: I spent the first 27 years of my life in Georgia and still consider it "my state." However, I now live in Gadsden (Etowah County), Alabama where there is one school named Emma Sansom HS and another named General Forrest MS, along with a large statue of Emma Sansom. The local story is that Emma Samson lived in the Black Creek area of Alabama City, a suburb of Gadsden. Of course Rome is in Georgia, but I wonder if the description of Emma as a notable Georgia woman is correct. Does anyone know? Of course, this is not a big deal, but as I have spent the past few years trying to figure which of my apparent genealogy material is correct, I wonder if this statement should be left unquestioned in records (especially those signed by a state governor) to confuse future family searchers. Cecile Harrell BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA > > A Proclamation > CONFEDERATE HISTORY MONTH Notable Georgia women include young Emma Sansom, who rode with Lieutenant > General Nathan Bedford Forrest to show him a short cut to Rome; Elizabeth