People of Grundy County, including men, women, and children, contributed to the defense of their homeland during the War for Southern Independence. A quoted statement by General Patrick Cleburne, C.S.A., warned that surrender would allow the enemy to write the history of the struggle, shape the education of Southern youth through Northern teachers and schoolbooks, and teach them to regard the Confederate dead as traitors and wounded veterans with derision. Cleburne was killed on Nov. 30, 1864.