August 20th, 1864:
After leaving from Fairburn on the 19th, Kilpatrick moved his column towards Jonesboro. He once again met resistance from Ross’s Texas Brigade, first to his rear and then after Ross moved south below Kilpatrick and made it across the Flint River before Kilpatrick, he was then in Kilpatrick’s front. Ross’s Brigade removed the planks on the bridge over the Flint River and formed a line of battle on the high ground on the east side of the river. Kilpatrick had his artillery open open up on the Confederates and then had his Cavalry dismount and cross the bridge on its stringers. They were able to force Ross’s Brigade, which was a smaller force, back towards Jonesboro. kilpatrick reached Jonesboro around 5:00pm on the 19th and began to destroy the tracks and was able to burn the Railroad Station and some other structures. Heavy rain prevented the Federals from making fires to heat the railroad tracks for bending so they removed it from the railroad bed and tossed it to the side.
On the 20th, after learning that a Confederate force of unknown strength was approaching, Kilpatrick decided to abandon his efforts in Jonesboro and move towards Love Joy’s Station. As he approached Love Joy’s Station he did not know realize the strength of the Confederate forces there. They Rebels had hidden themselves in a railroad cut and waited. When the Federal Cavalry dismounted and approached the railroad, the Confederates waited until they were within about 50 yards before making themselves known and opening fire on the Federals. The Federals were quickly repulsed soon they were attacked in the rear by Ross’s Texans. Kilpatrick had limited options. He quickly decided to fight his way out and formed his units into a tight and compact column and made a counter attack on the Confederate forces in his rear. Minty’s Brigade lead Kilpatricks column and as they approached the Rebels across an open field, they drew their sabers and charged. They were able to cut their way through and Kilpatrick’s column was able to escape and make for the Federal lines east of Atlanta. They moved north east from Love Joy’s Station toward McDonough and from there they made for the South River, which they crossed and the went to Lithonia and form there to Decatur.
Category: Civil War Battlefields
Photography Day 35 is done!
Yesterday I set out early in the morning around 6am to go photograph all the former locations of the “Forts” that were part of the defensive perimeter around the city of Atlanta. There are over 20 locations and an additional 15 locations that were artillery batteries inside the perimeter. I was able to photograph all the forts and 10 of the batteries as well as the site of the Dexter Niles House, where Johnston was informed of his replacement by Hood, the Grant Mansion, former home of the engineer that designed the defensive perimeter and namesake of Grant Park, and the surrender site where Mayor Calhoun surrendered the city in Sept. of 1864. Sunday morning was a perfect time to go out in the city. It was fairly quite with very little traffic.
This is also a milestone post for me. It is number 100. I have also amassed .5 terabytes worth of images for the project, for a total of 38,060 image files. But, I shoot in the Raw + Jpeg mode on my camera, so that is really 19,030 images. I had no idea that I had shot that many images. I am just now at the halfway point. Looks Like I need to get another hard drive.
150 Years Ago Today: Siege of Atlanta
August 1st – August 27th, 1864:
After the Battle of Atlanta on July 22nd, the Federal Artillery began to shell the city of Atlanta, sometimes it was light and random and at other times there were “duels” with the Confederate Artillery in the inner defensive perimeter.
On the first of August, Sherman learned of the failure of the Cavalry raid to destroy the railroads south of the city. He then sent the following order to General Schofield “You may fire ten to fifteen shots from every gun you have in position into Atlanta that will reach any of its houses. Fire slowly and with deliberation between 4:00pm and dark. Thomas and Howard will do the same.” (O.R. 38, V, 324, Sherman to Schofield).
On the 7th of August, after the failure of the Federal forces to take the railroad junction at East Point. Sherman request two more large siege guns to be sent from Chattanooga by rail. These guns shoot a 4.5 inch diameter round weighing 30 pounds.
As the shelling of the city became more intense, more and more damage was done. The Federal artillery was using the church spires of town as land marks for sighting their guns. Homes and businesses alike were damaged or destroyed. Sherman was targeting the city itself and wanting nothing more than to break Hood’s resolve and force the Confederate army from their stronghold. At one point, Hood sent a message to Sherman requesting that he stop shelling the noncombatants in the city and pointed out that the cities defensive line was a full mile outside the city. Sherman replied that Atlanta was a military target and an arsenal. Sherman continued the siege unchanged. The first civilian casualty of the siege was small girl in the area of Peachtree St. and Ellis Street. Solomon Luckie, a free black man who owned a barber shop in town, was killed by a shell near what is now the Five Points Marta Station. There is an original gas lamp on the corner at the marta station and local legend says that the hole in the base was caused by the same shell that killed Solomon Luckie.
Photography days 31, 32, 33, and 34 are done!
Last Tuesday, I photographed multiple locations in south west Atlanta near Cascade Heights and Westend. They were all associated with the Battle of Utoy Creek. I was also able to photograph to antebellum structures in the area and both were used by soldiers during the war.
Last Wednesday, I met with the Walker family at the McDaniel Farm Park in Gwinnette County. They are reenactors and living historians. There were multiple outfits used for different impressions. I made some fantastic images and hope to share some of them soon. Just need to find time to edit.
Last Thursday, I returned to south west Atlanta to photograph some Federal earthworks off of the Lionel Hampton Bike Path. Yes, I did ride my bike to the location. First time I have ever traveled to a location for photography on a bike. After the bike path, I began the process of photographing the locations of the Forts that were part of Atlanta’s inner defensive perimeter. I photographed Forts “A” through “K”. “K” was located where the Fox Theater is now. From here I traveled up Peachtree Road to Piedmont Hospital to photograph the monument in front of the hospital and then made some follow up images in the area of the Battle of Peachtree Creek.
On Saturday, I got an early start and was in downtown before 7am. I made a few shots of the city sky line and then followed the route of Hardee’s Night March south from the capitol and past the Federal Prison. This is also part of the route that S.D. Lee’s Corps used to march to Jonesboro and part of the route used when the Confederates evacuated Atlanta. I made some follow up shots of this route and some shots of the South River at Moreland Ave. From here I went to the old site known as Rough and Ready. Now it is called Mountain View is on 41 in the little triangle created by 41, I-75, and I-285. From here I followed the route of Hardee’s March to Jonesboro. When I got to Jonesboro I photographed multiple location associated with the Battle of Jonesboro and then I photographed multiple period homes that were used for various reasons by the armies in the area. I also was able to photograph Stately Oaks Plantation. It was decorated in period mourning decor. The tour with a discussion of mourning customs of the period was really good. From Jonesboro I went to Lovejoy an photographed the Nash Farm Battlefield as well as some other areas around town.
150 Years Ago Today: August 7, 1864
August 7th, 1864:
On the morning of the seventh, the Federals again began to advance on the entrenched Confederates south of Utoy Creek. They encountered no resistance and found the Confederate works empty. Bate’s Division was withdrawn from the lines overnight and took their place in the line of defensive works, that stretched from the defensive perimeter around Atlanta, to the southwest in order to protect the railroads in East Point. Bate’s takes his place between Clayton’s Division on his right (north) and Clerburne’s Division to his left (south).
Sherman, who is displeased with the failure of the movement toward East Point, decides to lay siege to Atlanta and will do his best to run the Confederates out of the city. He begins to shell the city and considers the city itself as a military target even though there are still civilians within the city. Many have evacuated, but several thousand have no where to go or have decided to wait it out.
150 Years Ago Today: July 30th, 1864: The Battles at Dunlap Farm and Sunshine Church
July 30th, 1864:
I again apologize for the lateness of the post as I have been pretty busy for the last few days.
Dunlap Farm:
Since General Stoneman decided not to meet up with McCook at Love Joy’s Station, he continued on toward Macon in an attempt to rescue prisoners being held there. On his way into Macon, Stoneman’s Cavalry destroyed several miles of track along with several bridges and depots. He then moved on Macon in an attempt to take the city. He established his headquarters at the Dunlap House, located in what is now Ocmulgee National Monument. He used his two pieces of light artillery to begin shelling the city and was quickly forced to retreat by Confederates guarding the city.
Sunshine Church:
With Stoneman retreating from Macon, Confederate Cavalry under the command of Brig. Gen. Alfred Iverson Jr., gave chase. Iverson had been born and raised in the area and his knowledge of the area allowed him to get ahead of Stoneman near Sunshine Church (near Round Oak, Ga.). The Confederates place a cannon in the middle of the road and as soon as Stoneman was in range, the began to fire on him. A sharp skirmish ensued and Iverson was able to deceive Stoneman into thinking he was surrounded. Stoneman surrendered himself and 700 troops to Iverson. They were then imprisoned in the very prisons they were trying to reach in an effort to rescue their comrades.
150 Years Ago Today: July 30th, 1864: The Battle of Brown’s Mill
Sorry for the late post. I have been on the road a lot this week.
July 30th, 1864: The Battle of Brown’s Mill
On the 29th, McCook’s Cavalry made it to Love Joy’s Station where they were supposed to meet General Stoneman and destroy as much of the railroad as possible. When McCook arrived, Stoneman was not there, so McCook began to destroy the tracks. Stoneman had been given permission by Sherman to head south towards Macon and Andersonville after destroying the tracks, in an effort to free the Union Prisoners. Stoneman, who was looking to pull off some heroic venture to improve his reputation, decided that McCook could handle the detail at Love Joy’s Station and went straight for Macon.
McCook ended up fighting a fairly heated skirmish at Love Joy’s Station and the began to retreat back towards the west in an attempt to cross the Chattahoochee and return to the safety of the Federal lines. General Wheeler and his Confederate Cavalry were hot on his trail and were engaged in a running skirmish with McCook’s rear guard.
On the morning of the 30th, the front of McCook’s column came into Newnan along what is now E. Broad St. near the train depot. Their path was blocked by a train load of Confederate soldiers that were waiting for the tracks in Palmetto to be repaired. The same tracks that McCook had destroyed a couple of days before. Both sides were surprised by the appearance of the other and a small firefight ensued. Being blocked in the front by the train and having Wheeler coming up on his rear, McCook began moving south of town looking for a clear path to the river where he could avoid a fight. Wheeler’s forces entered town and split up in an effort to hit McCook from the front and rear.
The two forces finally met about three miles south of Newnan near Brown’s Mill along the Millard Farm Road and what is now Old Corinth Road. McCook’s troopers were driven from the road and into the woods where they dismounted and fought on foot. The fighting was intense and Wheeler soon received about 1400 reinforcements that had marched out of Newnan. McCook, thinking he was surrounded, shouted “Every man for himself!” McCook suffered heavy casualties and lost several officers and Brigade Commanders. He decided to split his forces and they cut their way out of Wheelers trap and made off for the river in different directions. A large number of his troopers were captured over the next few days as the Confederate Cavalry continued their pursuit. McCook, lost about 100 troopers to the fight and another 1300 were captured and sent to prison camps. Wheeler lost about 50 troopers.
150 Years Ago Today: July 13th, 1864
July 13th, 1864:
Over the last several days and continuing into the next several days, General Sherman is resting his troops and changing their positions in preparation for an assault on Atlanta. He is trying to deceive General Johnston into believing the attack will come from the west. To do this, he has sent Stoneman’s Cavalry on a raid towards Newnan to destroy the Railroad that connects Atlanta with Alabama. Stoneman’s Cavalry cross the Chattahoochee near Campbelton and skirmish with Confederates along the way. They are unsuccessful and fall back to Villa Rica before returning to the Federal lines along the Chattahoochee. During this time, Sherman is shifting several Corps from his right flank to the left flank at the river crossing in Roswell. The Federal soldiers crossing at Roswell will be shifted to the east of Atlanta. While both armies rest from the rigors of the campaign, there is a great deal of fraternization between the soldiers stationed along the Chattahoochee. There are many documented accounts of trading, usually the Confederates trading tobacco for coffee, as well as other goods and small items. There are accounts of Regimental bands on both sides having competitions and serenading the troops on the opposite side of the river. For some soldiers, this is the first time the have been able to have a bath in weeks. Even General Sherman himself, takes a bath in the river.
For General Johnston, this is a time of uncertainty, President Davis has sent Braxton Bragg, former Commander of The Army of Tennessee, to ascertain the tactical situation in Atlanta and to find out what Johnston plans to do. Davis is considering replacing Johnston and is relying on advice from Bragg as to who the replacement of Johnston should be. This decision would have great bearing on the outcome of the campaign.
Photography Days 23 and 24 are done!
I have spent the last two days making more images along the Chattahoochee River from I-20 up to Roswell. It has been a very hot two days as well and with some of the terrain I have been through, I hope I don’t get poison Ivy. I was able to photograph the last remaining portion of the “Outer Defensive Line” for Atlanta. It is over near Crestlawn Cemetery. It is a beautiful cemetery, it has a great view of downtown and if you go to Casey’s Hill and walk to the back part of the cemetery where the residential area starts, you can get a great view to the Northwest and you can see Kennesaw Mountain. I also shot some images of other earthworks, river crossings and structures. For the last three days I have made about 4,000 images. I am so far behind on editing it’s not funny.
Photography Day 22 is done!
I spent the day doing a very detailed study of the Chattahoochee River Line and the Shoupades. I was able to visit 5 of the Shoupades that are left as well as a seven gun battery. After covering the River Line I moved a little to the North West and made images of the Smyrna Line and the areas around the Battle of Smyrna and the Battle of Ruff’s Mill, including the Concord Covered Bridge. Part of the original mill is still standing as well. It was a grist mill and was spared by the Federal troops. The covered bridge was built after the war to replace the one that was burned by the Federals on the July 4th, 1864. From there I went to the Lovette School and made some images of the Earthworks there and also made some images of the “trading rock” in the river at Pace’s Ferry. On the way home I stopped in Vinings and photographed the Pace house and the railroad tracks. I will be back in that same general area tomorrow to photograph some other locations. A good day, even though it was hot and humid. I had about 29 gigs of data which works out to about 1800 images. I have so much editing to do. I even had someone come up and speak to me, sort of, I was fairly deep in the woods and I was the only living soul around, but I did hear a voice right behind me and I turned to answer them and saw no one there. Creeped me out a little. I have a digital voice recorder that I attach to my tripod for taking notes, it’s faster than pulling out pen and paper, I will have to go back and listen to it see if I can here the voice on there.
War Was Here 