Samuel Wesley Power

Portrait of Samuel Wesley Power in Confederate uniform.
Samuel Wesley Power

A Family Torn Apart by War

Samuel Wesley Power grew up on a farm along the Chattahoochee River, helping to operate the family ferry. He joined the Confederate Army and found himself far from home. He endured the hardships, sufferings, and dangers of war, as did his family on the farm. With the battle at Kennesaw Mountain, the family could only wonder about their son’s safety and his whereabouts. Union troops came through the farm and commandeered the strategic river crossing of Powers Ferry.

 

Field Investigation

Visit Powers Island and Interstate North, two entrances to the Cochran Shoals unit located across the river from each other near Exit 22 on I-285. Read the historical markers at Interstate North. Why did the Union troops cross the river here? What was Powers Ferry like in 1864? Come to the Visitors Center at Island Ford. Bring a photo of your trip to the Powers Ferry area and explain what you learned to claim your card.

Rainy Day Activity (at home)

Imagine you are Samuel Wesley Power, and write a letter home from the war. What questions would you have for your family back home? What would you want to tell them about your experiences in the war? Send or bring your letter to the Island Ford Visitors Center to claim your card.

Or

Imagine you are a relative of Samuel Wesley Power, living back home on the farm. Write a letter to him about what is happening in July of 1864. Send or bring your letter to the Visitor Center at Island Ford to get your card.

Last updated: February 6, 2017

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

1978 Island Ford Parkway
Sandy Springs, GA 30350

Phone:

678-538-1200
Call 770-992-6585 for non-emergency law enforcement assistance for any event that does not pose a direct threat to the health and safety of visitors or employees. Examples of when to call 770-992-6585 are for property crime (car break-ins, vandalism), suspicious activity, or a threat to the park's resources (digging). Dial 911 when there is a direct threat to the health and safety of visitors or employees. Examples of when to dial 911 are for missing person, fire, physical altercation, or injury.

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