Clisby Austin House
This lovely antebellum home was built in 1848 by Clisby Austin.
It was a private residence until the spring of 2011 and according to the website http://www.tunnelhillheritagecenter.com there will be an announcement soon regarding the home.
The home was used during the battle of Chickamauga as a hospital. Confederate General John Hood's leg is buried there on the property as his leg was amputated. It was thought that General Hood may not survive so his leg was sent with him to the hospital for burial.
This home also served as General William Sherman's headquarters during the Battle of Dalton. Sherman may have planned a portion of the Atlanta Campaign while here.
The Austin family cemetery is located on a hill across from the house. Rebecca Austin, the mother of Clisby is the only remaining full headstone, please see below.
Below by Wilber G. Kurtz (1882-1967), from the Digital Library of
Georgia
Archibald Pruett Austin married Rebecca Blankenship 22 Feb 1790, Pittsylvania County VA. They are in Grainger County TN in 1850 census and then on to Tunnel Hill, Whitfield County to live with their son Rev Clisby Austin. In 1860 Austin is living with Clisby in Whitfield County and in 1862 to Austin Mills TN where he died.
Archibald Pruett Austin, from the Clisby Austin House
Clisby Austin, from the Clisby Austin House
1860 census: Tunnel Hill, Whitfield County GA:
#240-231:
Clisbe Austin, 58, m, farmer, 1400, 1100 TN
Jane Austin, 47, f, TN
F. H. Austin, 14, TN
Clisbe Austin Jr, 13, TN
H. C. Austin, 11, TN
Ann M Bowman, 32, TN
Archibald Austin, 93, VA
Clisby married first to Sallie Robertson, 10 August 1820 in Hawkins County TN. They had more than 12 children it appears and Sallie died about 1842. Clisby married second to Jane Hammond, 24 Feb 1843 in Jefferson County TN and were in Murray County (now Whitfield County) by the 1850 census. Clisby and Jane had at least 3 children together. He did sell his home (now called "Meadowlawn") and farm in 1862 and went back to Hawkins County, Tennessee. Some of his children stayed in Whitfield County. He died in Washington County, Tennessee 24 July 1883.
"400 yds. S.E., at the big spring, is the brick
residence known as the Austin house. May 7, 1864. The Federal forces, having
seized Tunnel hill~ ~ their first movement in the campaign for Atlanta ~ Maj.
Gen. W. T. Sherman had headquarters at the Austin house, until May 12. While
here, Sherman learned that McPherson´s forces had failed to cut the R.R. at
Resaca, after seizing Snake Creek Gap ~ May 9, whereupon the attempts at Rocky
Face, Crow Valley & Mill creek Gap, were dropped & all Federal units but the 4th
A.C., Stoneman´s & McCook´s cav., were shifted May 12, to the Resaca front via
Villanow and Snake Creek Gap." Georgia Historical Commission 1954.
Sources: Historic Markers Across Georgia; http://www.tunnelhillheritagecenter.com/#!austin-house; http://daltondailycitizen.com/local/x803551149/Civil-War-anniversary-Clisby-Austin-and-Tunnel-Hill.
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This page was last updated on -03/16/2024
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