Charles Rattray served in the 57th Illinois Infantry and in Sherman's command at Gaylesville in October 1864. He fell in love with Theodora McWhorter and promised to return and marry her when the war ended, and he did. His accomplishments were numerous: he managed Cornwall Furnace and commissary, built Cedar Bluff School, constructed a covered bridge over the Chattooga River, constructed a bridge over Yellow Creek, completed a bridge across Little River, served as Notary and Justice of the Peace at Cedar Bluff, was elected as an Alabama state representative, passed a bill to establish a high school in every county in Alabama, and passed a bill to erect a monument honoring Confederate soldiers.