Stories of Georgia by Joel Chandler Harris. American Book Company, 1896, p. 78

 

 

 

[Richmond Daily Dispatch, June 6, 1862]

The "Nancy Harts" of Lagrange.

      --We are informed, says the LaGrange (Ga.) Reporter, that the ladies of LaGrange, to the number of about forty, organized themselves, on Saturday last, into a military corps for the purpose of drilling and target practice. They elected Dr. A. C. Ware as their Captain; and, we believe, resolved to meet every Saturday. The following are the officers: Dr. A. C. Ware, Captain; Mrs. Nannie Morgan, First Lieutenant; Mrs. Peter A. Heard, Second Lieutenant; Miss Aley Smith, Third Lieutenant; Miss Andelie Bull, First Sergeant; Miss Augusta Hill, Second Sergeant; Miss M. E. Colquitt, Third Sergeant; Miss Pack Beall, First Corporal; Miss Lelia Pullen, Second Corporal; Miss Sallie Bull, Third Corporal; Miss Ella Key, Treasurer.

       The corps not having a name, and it being their determination to prepare to defend their homes, if necessary, as did Nancy Hart of olden time, we have taken the liberty of calling them the "Nancy Harts," until they shall adopt one. We have no doubt they will prove as true as did Nancy Hart if the emergency ever presents itself; and, therefore, we do not think a more appropriate name could be suggested. The "Nancy Harts" of LaGrange! That's it, ladies. 

[Nancy Morgan Hart (c. 1735–1830) was a heroine of the American Revolutionary War noted for her exploits against Loyalists in the Georgia backcountry. Because stories about her are mostly unsupported by contemporary documentation, it is impossible to entirely distinguish fact from folklore.]