Miss Lucy Gartrell had a famous uncle, Confederate General Lucius Jeremiah Gartrell (1.7.1821-1891). CSA General Gartrell attended the University of Georgia for one year before studying law under Robert Toomb. He was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 1842 and practiced law in Washington, Georgia. Prior to the war, Gen. Gartrell served his state as a superior court judge and state legislature.

During the Civil War, he was made a Brigade General on August 22, 1864. He organized the “Gartrell’s Brigade,” which consisted of four regiments of Georgia reserves. After the war, Gen. Gartrell unsuccessfully ran for governor and was defeated by Alexander Stevens. Gen. Gartrell is interned in Atlanta’s Historic Oakland Cemetery, Block 47, Lot 2.