Today I went to make images in Resaca. I made images at the area off of Chitwood Rd., an area at E. Nance Springs Rd., Rooker Rd., the Confederate Cemetery, several areas along Camp Creek Valley, Snake Creek Gap, Fort Wayne, the Rail Road bridge over the river and Rome Crossroads. I will be headed back up there this weekend to photograph the reenactment on Saturday. It should be pretty cool to have a reenactment on the actual battlefield. They were up there this morning and had started to set things up. Check out there website if you interested in going.
The Battle of Resaca, 2014
Category: Civil War
Day Two is Done!
On this day 150 years ago, the Atlanta Campaign began with its first battle at Tunnel Hill. Elements of General Sherman’s massive Army of the Cumberland were pushing through the area toward Mill Creek Gap. Along the way they were taking control of key railroad points and the railroad tunnel at Tunnel Hill was a key strategic point. The Federals easily routed the small contingent of Wheeler’s Cavalry that was stationed at Tunnel Hill. When Sherman arrived on scene, he took over the Clisby-Austin house as his Headquarters for several day’s. He began the early planning of the March to the Sea here.
Earlier today I was able to photograph the Clisby-Austin House inside and out. It was really cool to walk where General Sherman walked 150 years ago to the day. I was there so early that I was the only person there and had the whole place to my self. Here is a list of all the locations that I made images at today.
1. Tunnel Hill Heritage Center: Here I made images at Key’s Battery, The Clisby-Austin House, the railroad tunnel and the battlefield.
2. Dug Gap: I made images here yesterday as well, but today I made images from Mill Creek Valley, below the gap, near the Federal position during the battle. This was called the Babb’s community.
3. The bronze statue of General Johnston in downtown Dalton.
4. Mill Creek Gap: Today I made images of I-75, US 41, and the Railroad as they pass through the gap.
5. Ringold: I made images of the train Depot and the railroad tracks.
6. Atlanta Campaign Pavilion number 1 at Ringold Gap.
7. The Old Stone Church: About three miles south of Ringold Gap. It was used as a hospital by both side at different times throughout the war.
8. Atlanta Campaign pavilion number 2.
9. Tilton: I made a few images of the railroad here and of some of the terrain. As the Confederate Army retreated from Dalton, a rearguard action was fought here to slow down the Federal advance and protect the Confederate supply train.
10. Atlanta Campaign pavilion number 3.
11. Resaca: I did not make any images here today, but I did scout a few more locations, including Fort Wayne, that I plan on photographing next week. I also drove by the area where the reenactment will be during the weekend of the 17th. Looks like they have already started making preparations for the event. It should be the largest they have ever had at Resaca and probably the largest in the state this year. I am looking forward to attending. It is really cool to have the reenactment on part of the actual battlefield. For more information checkout their website here: Resaca Reenactment
Book review: Atlanta, A Portrait of the Civil War
Atlanta, A Portrait of the Civil War
by Michael Rose
Atlanta History Center
Arcadia Publishing 1999
If you love period images and local Atlanta history, then this book is for you. It is full of period images from the Civil War. The images are of prominent citizens, soldiers, officers, political figures, children, and of course the City of Atlanta. Most of the images are identified and have very descriptive captions. If you want to know what Atlanta looked like 150 years ago, this is the book to look at.
Book Review: Crossroads of Conflict, A Guide to Civil War Sites in Georgia
Crossroads of Conflict, A Guide to Civil War Sites in Georgia
By Barry L. Brown and Gordon R. Elwell
A publication of the Georgia Civil War Commission
University of Georgia Press 2010
This is a well written guide set up by regions of the state. It contains a brief history and location directions or an address for each site. While they did not cover every single historical marker in the state, they sure did come close. They did an outstanding job of documenting the most significant and important sites to the state. There are lots of good images and maps. I really like how they included contact information for site and locations where applicable as well as information for local historical societies. This has been a very helpful book for me as I have been researching locations for upcoming book.
My Ancestors in the Civil War
My Dad has been working on our family genealogy for many years. Last week while the boys and I were visiting my parents for spring break, I talked with Dad about our ancestors that fought in the Civil War. Turns out, we have quite a few that participated in the war. My 3rd Great Grandfather, Captain Andrew Kroeg, was the Captain of a Schooner called the “Santee”. He was a blockade runner for the Confederacy. He and his ship were captured near Charleston attempting to bring rice into the city. I also had four 3rd Great Grand Uncles that were in the 42nd Regiment Georgia Volunteers. They were Milton S. Brownlee, who was wounded in the right arm and wrist at the Battle of Resaca, Thomas Brownlee, who died of disease in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and Warren Brownlee and John C. Brownlee who fought throughout the war with the 42nd Georgia Volunteers. They were assigned to the Army of Tennessee and fought throughout the Atlanta Campaign. They were involved in some pretty heated battles. I will do another post about the 42nd at a later date. I will also be highlighting some of their battle locations in my book. There was also Robert Mooney, who is a first cousin six times removed, he was in the 43rd Regiment Georgia Volunteers and fought in many of the same battles as the 42nd. He was captured during the fighting around East Atlanta and Decatur on July 21, 1864. He was sent to Camp Chase in Ohio where he died some time later. Another relative was James W. Rutledge, he was in the 155th Georgia Infantry and was captured at Cumberland Gap.
Book Review: The Battle of Resaca
The Battle of Resaca
By Philip L. Secrist
Published by Mercer University Press
This is one of the few, if not the only, book dedicated just to the Battle of Resaca along General Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign. It is a fairly short book and a fast read with around 100 pages. The maps in the book are very good and show troop locations with modern roads, which really helps you understand the battlefield when you see it. I also like the inclusion of period images. The book is in two parts. The first part is about the battle itself and the second part is about the rediscovery of the battlefield during the construction of I-75. A very interesting book as a whole and I was really interested in the second part and how they were able to identify locations and units on the battlefield based on artifacts uncovered. If you are a Civil War buff and have an interest in the Atlanta Campaign, then this would be a good fast read for you.
Book Review: The Battle of Pickett’s Mill, Along the Dead-Line
The Battle of Pickett’s Mill, Along the Dead-Line
By Brad Butkovich
Published by The History Press
I purchased this book at Pickett’s Mill State Historic Site during a Civil War History talk by the Author Brad Butkovich. After the talk, he took us on a walk through part of the battlefield and described the events that took place there.
I have finally had a chance to finish the book and I have to say that it is very well written and an exciting read. He covers all the action of the engagement and the events in the area leading up to the battle in great detail. I really enjoyed the personal accounts from soldiers and officers that were in the battle. That really shows the great amount of research that went into this book. Not just regimental histories, etc, but reading personal diaries and letters of those that were there. There is nothing like the first hand account of those engaged.
One of the best parts of the book is the introduction. It is short, but the information that it includes about how the Union Army and the Confederate Army named and numbered units is very valuable. It has confused many people over the years and now, to have it written and explained so well, is an invaluable addition to the book. I also like the inclusion of the complete Order of Battle. The book is annotated and has a fantastic bibliography for those that would like further reading.
Brad has just finished his new book on the Battle of Alatoona Pass and it should be available by June. I am really looking forward to it as I enjoy his writing style and the amount of detail he includes.
If your interested in a copy of The Battle of Pickett’s Mill, Along the Dead-Line, it can be purchased at the Pickett’s Mill State Historic Site or through Amazon.The Battle of Pickett’s Mill, Along the Dead-Line.
Whirlwind Tour
For Spring Break, I decided to take the boys to see the Grandparents, and along the way we scouted out a bunch of locations for the book. We were able to see the following locations: Sunshine Church (Where Stoneman was captured), Griswaldville Battlefield, Balls Ferry (where Sherman’s right wing crossed the Oconee River), Buckhead Creek and Buckhead Church, Camp Lawton (prison camp like Andersonville), Ebenezer Creek, Shaw’s Bridge, and Fort McAllister. We camped at Magnolia Springs State Park (where Camp Lawton is). On our way home we will stop in Milledgeville to check out the old Governor’s Mansion (where Sherman spent the night) and the old state house.
15 Days to go with Kickstarter
Well, I have 15 days left to raise my funds for producing my War Was Here book. If you have not looked at my kickstarter page please take time to check it out here: War Was Here Kickstarter page
I would like to thank all of my supporters thus far and I appreciate your support.
Thanks
Clint
Allatoona Pass location scouting images
Yesterday my friend and I went to Allatoon Pass to scout the location for the shoot in October. While we were there I made an image from the same general location as a period image made in 1864 by George Barnard. Make note of the home on the left side of the images. It has a two story front porch and is still standing today. The angle is a little off, but the terrain has changed with the construction of the lake. The home has also been through some repairs or remodels over the years but is essentially the same. I hope to have similar comparisons in my book. First will be the period image and mine will be below.
The above image is by George Barnard, circa 1864
This image is one that I made yesterday.
I you have not had a chance yet, please check out my kickstarter campaign to help my fund the book. Here is the link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/504639503/war-was-here?ref=live
Thanks again for all your support.
War Was Here 