1830-1860
1860-1865
1865-1880
1880-1900
1900-1920
1920-1945
1945-Present

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Sectionalism 1860-1865

During the period just prior to the Civil War, Barnesville gained notoriety when its own, beloved Dr. George Montgomery McDowell represented Pike County at the secession convention in Milledgeville in January 1861. Being an ardent supporter of secession, he voted in favor of Georgia casting her lot with South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida in leaving the Union. Upon his return to Barnesville, he was elected the first Captain of the newly formed militia unit, the "Barnesville Blues." This unit was active in the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II. The Civil War brought colorful action to the area. In 1864 a supply "up train" from Macon collided with a "down troop train', from Atlanta about four miles out from Barnesville at Lavender's Crossing. About thirty people lost their lives and many more were seriously injured when the two trains, the "Governor" and the "Dispatcher", wrecked.

The town also saw action from Wilson's Raiders and the Dixie Rangers in a skirmish on the outskirts of town on April 19, 1865. In addition, one of Sherman's flanks, 10,000 strong, camped on the edge of town on May 15, 1865 while pursuing President Jefferson Davis. Field hospitals were set up at the depot, in the Methodist and Baptist churches, in the schoolhouses and in tents along Zebulon and Forsyth Streets. The sick and wounded troops that were evacuated from Atlanta were sent by rail to field hospitals. These field hospitals were set up along the railroad in each little community where the train stopped. Most of the troops sent to Barnesville were casualties from the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain and the Battle of Atlanta. Those who died here are buried in marked graves in the Confederate section of Greenwood cemetery.

As many of the grown men left for "the fight" to defend their economic and social life, the village of Barnesville moved into slow economic times. Manufacturing turned toward support industries and little growth took place. By the end of the Civil War (1865), Barnesville's population was about 800 people.