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