[preciousjeni]

Another Georgia one:

Madison - "The Town That Didn't Burn" (I guess more what it's known as than an official nickname)

Backstory: When Sherman came through on his "March to the Sea" during the War Between the States, he ordered his army to burn everything in sight including buildings, crops, tools, etc.

As the army neared Madison, Senator Joshua Hill went out and met with the officers, explaining to them that Madison carried no strategic benefit. Hill and the commanding officer made a deal that the only building to be burned would be the Town Depot to appease Sherman. But, all the other buildings, home and crops were left standing, untouched. The army then formed two sections and marched around the perimeter of the city, burning everything just outside the boundaries.

Every other indication of civilization on that March to the Sea was destroyed until the army reached Savannah. Sherman did not burn Savannah, but instead wrote a letter to President Lincoln stating that he was offering the city, unblemished, as a Christmas gift.

Because Madison was saved, my family home (known as the Atkinson Brick House) is one of only two intact Greek revival homes in the state of Georgia - and it is the only ante-bellum home with a raised dining room (split floor) and indoor basement kitchen.