The Covington Digital News , June 20th, 2015 | Page 7
IN DEPTH
Friday, June 19, 2015
Marker will help
educate, draw tourists
BY SANDRA BRANDS
Taking its place on the square, near the obelisk
memorializing Newton County residents who had
given their lives for their country, and the Civil War
monument with its soldier turned to face west,
symbolizing the fading of the Confederacy, a sign
marking the passage of Sherman’s Army through
Covington was dedicated on Wednesday morning.
On hand for the dedication were local community
leaders, members of the Newton County Historical
Society, those interested in history and the executive
director of the Civil War Heritage Trails.
“Thirteen thousand uninvited guests came down
Floyd Avenue,” Stephen Longcrier told those gathered,
referring to the troops of the 14th Corps of the
Federal Army. “Flags were flying. Bands were playing
‘Hail Columbia’ and ‘The Star Spangled Banner, both
unofficial national anthems.”
Part of Sherman’s Army, the 14th Corps entered
Covington after scouts reported the town was
unfortified. The interpretive marker on Covington
Square tells the story of that day in November 1864
when Sherman’s troops marched through town, as
well as the story of the two Federal cavalry raids that
same summer.
Longcrier thanked past and present Newton County
Board of Commissioners for helping fu