A sturdy metro Atlanta home used by both Confederate and Union forces has been divided into several pieces for its move this week 25 miles up the road

The sturdy McAfee Home has been cut into pieces for its big move to Cherokee County (Cobb Landmarks)

Editor's note: See photos taken May 19 on the eve of the move here:

The McAfee House – which witnessed cavalry clashes in Cobb County, Ga., and briefly served as headquarters for a Federal general – has been sliced into pieces for its move this week to a new home about 25 miles to the north.

Lee and Brittani Lusk of Ball Ground, in adjoining Cherokee County, will move the 1840s structure via trailers to a spot near their home. They plan to restore the central hallway cottage for use as a private residence or museum.

The dwelling has been cut into several pieces for the journey, which may begin Tuesday and take a few days. (Photo below courtesy of the Lusks)

The Lusks, who have performed many restorations in the region, bought the Robert and Eliza McAfee house for $1 from the nonprofit Cobb Landmarks, which said the proposal from the couple was the clear winner among dozens of applications.

The house has been empty for several years, and preservationists worried it would fall to the wrecking ball. Eventually, the owner donated the house to Cobb Landmarks so it could find someone to move it before an unspecified development is built at the busy intersection.

Cobb Landmarks on Sunday afternoon gave a Facebook update on the project.

The residence – which sits on three acres -- had no designated historic protection because the owner did not seek it, according to Cobb County officials, and is not on the National Register of Historic Places.

“Once the house has been relocated to Ball Ground, Cobb Landmarks will require a preservation easement to ensure the exterior will retain its historic integrity,” the organization said Sunday. “In the past year, Cobb Landmarks has played an active role in saving three historic structures from demolition.”

While many on social media have expressed happiness the McAfee House has been saved, others lament the change.

“I'm glad the house will survive but the land has as much history as the house,” said one commenter. “What for? Another car wash? That corner will never look right again.”

Some really old walls at the McAfee House and something a bit more contemporary (Courtesy the Lusks)

The McAfee House served a few weeks in June and early July 1864 as the headquarters for Brig. Gen. Kenner Garrard and his three brigades during the Atlanta Campaign

The Federal troopers clashed almost daily near Noonday Creek with Confederates led by Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler. .

Cobb County was the scene of significant combat action and troop movement as Confederates tried to stall Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman’s relentless campaign on Atlanta, which began in May 1864 in North Georgia.

The McAfee farm was believed to have been occupied by Confederates, too, during the action around Kennesaw Mountain.

Editor's note: See photos taken May 19 on the eve of the move here: