Kennesaw Mountain Living History 

Kennesaw Mountain � June 7-8, 2003  

Kennesaw was, before �progress� hit, a picturesque little town with Kennesaw mountain looming in the distance.  It was also the scene of fierce fighting in l864.  Many good men lost their lives or were horribly wounded spilling blood that seeped slowly into the Georgia clay, far from home and loved ones.

 Three of those soldiers were my ancestors, John Jackson Stutts, and his brothers, James Henry, and Asa Stutts. John enlisted 28 July, l86l, and rose to the rank of Lieut.  All three served in Co. C, l6th Ala. Inf.  John Jackson and James Henry were both wounded at the Battle of Kennesaw and suffered lasting effects of these wounds for the remainder of their lives.  

 

While these three men were fighting in the army, their father, Jacob Stutts, also served the Confederacy but in a different capacity from that of soldier.  Jacob was a master gun maker and was known by all as Gunner Jake.  His rifles were sold and shipped up and down the Tennessee River.  While his loyalties lay with the South it is said that his guns were probably ultimately used by both Union and Confederate troops.  A few surviving rifles made by Jake exist and are prized by collectors.  

 Jacob�s father was the German immigrant, Jacob Stutts, Sr., and his sister was my gg grandmother, Catherine Stutts Richardson.

 I am always honored to participate in living history activities at Kennesaw in order to show my respect for these men and thousands like them.  It is sad that development has closed in on the battlefield as much as it has, but I am nevertheless thankful that as much of it exists as there is.

     

Weather was not particularly cooperative during our visit, and snakes complicated matters even worse.  We had an unpleasant encounter with what we believe to be rattlesnakes on Saturday night, but thankfully no one was bitten.  Based on our experience, however, I urge anyone who routinely participates on national battlefields to become familiar with park guidelines concerning protection of wildlife - including snakes.  

 

We put together a make-shift refugee shelter using canvas and painted floor cloths similar to what many refugees in and around Atlanta may have used and spoke with visitors about the hardships endured by these refugees in l864.  Interest level among the visitors varied, but some were very in tune with our impressions and offered quite interesting conversation and insight. 

Best regards,

Victoria

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