General McCook – War Was Here

The Battle of Brown’s Mill

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. There was a fair amount of back and forth with Wheeler’s troopers pushing the Federal back and then McCook’s troopers counter attacking and pushing the Confederates back. At one point the 8th Iowa even captured the lead elements of Ross’s Texans(CS) as they had just dismounted to assault the Federal line. The 3rd Texas was able to cut their way through the 8th Iowa and rescue General Ross and the others that had been captured. 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.

_DSC0568.bw — The Newnan Depot was built in 1850 and was recently renovated into a special events facility after spend many years as an abandoned decaying structure. Confederate soldiers bound for Atlanta as replacements, were stranded here in Newnan while waiting for the railroad tracks in Palmetto to be repaired. When McCook’s troopers rode into town they rode straight into these stranded soldiers and small firefight ensued.

_DSC0417.bw — General McCook(US) skirted his column of cavalry around to the south of Newnan in an attempt to make a crossing at the Chattahoochee River, but General Wheeler(CS) was closing in quickly. Here, at Brown’s Mill Battle Field Historic Site, a park with historical markers and walking path has been created to preserve the remains of the battlefield. In this image the Confederates under Wheeler’s command would have attacked from the north (right of frame) toward the south (left of frame). The Federal line was along the right side of the image just out of frame. When Wheeler attacked they pushed the Federals back to the left of the image.

_DSC0488 — Looking east across a portion of the battlefield. The Confederates pushed McCook back from the through this area. This area is preserved as part of the park. After Wheeler received reinforcements of Infantry from the stranded soldiers at the train depot, he was able to surround McCook on three sides.

_DSC0468.1.bw — A small branch of Sandy Creek winds through the battlefield. Brown’s Mill was located on a larger portion of the creek south of this point. For the most part the terrain was mixed with open areas and heavily wooded areas. The 4th Indiana was positioned here moving up to the right towards Millard Farm Road to hold the Federal Left Flank.

_DSC0556.bw — Buena Vista, Newnan Ga. After the Battle of Brown’s Mill, General Wheeler retired to this home for the evening and established his Headquarters here while he directed the continued pursuit of the fleeing Federals.

_DSC0541.bw — 75 College St. Know as College Temple, was originally part of school that was started in 1853. The school was comprised of seven buildings and as the raged on, it was pressed into service as a hospital for thousand of soldiers both Union and Confederate, that found their way to Newnan.

73 College St. Know as College Temple, was originally part of school that was started in 1853. The school was comprised of seven buildings and as the raged on, it was pressed into service as a hospital for thousand of soldiers both Union and Confederate, that found their way to Newnan.

July 27th, 1864

July 27th, 1864:

After the death of General McPherson during the Battle of Atlanta, General Logan assumed command during the battle and retained it for several days while General Sherman decided who should replace McPherson. Sherman, being a graduate of Westpoint, had a certain disdain for political Generals like Logan, and did not trust them to follow orders properly and promptly as they were on the field of battle for political gain. With these thoughts in mind and after consulting with General Thomas of the Army of the Cumberland, Sherman chose General O.O. Howard to command the Army of the Tennessee as McPherson’s successor. General Hooker is so offended and outraged that he was not given command of the Army of the Tennessee, the he resigns his commission and leaves the Army. Howard assumed command on the 27th of July and his order of the day was to shift the Army of the Tennessee from the east side of Atlanta near Decatur, to the west side of Atlanta by moving to the north and around the top of the city. His ultimate objective is to move on Eastpoint and destroy the railroad.

Sherman has Cavalry units dismount and fill the lines of Howard’s army as they began to pull out. He also ordered infantry units along the line to skirmish heavily with the Confederates in the cities defensive lines in hopes of screening Howard’s move. Sherman was attempting to flank Hood out of the city and draw him into a fight or cut off Hood’s supply line from the railroad to Macon and the railroad to Westpoint.

Stoneman’s and McCook’s Cavalry were sent on a raid to destroy the railroads while the Army of the Tennessee was moving into place. Stoneman went south out of Decatur and McCook moved southwest from Turner’s Ferry. McCook and Stoneman were scheduled to meet at Love Joy’s Station on the 28th to destroy the railroad. McCook went southwest along the west bank of the Chattahoochee and crossing on pontoon bridges at Smiths Ferry, about 6 miles south of Campbellton. He moves on toward the east and in Palmetto he destroys several miles of track, burns the depot and then moves towards the east again in the direction of Fayetteville. Along the Fayetteville road the come across a Confederate wagon train. They take about 300 prisoners and burn nearly 500 wagons. They also kill almost 1000 mules with their sabers to keep the sound of gunfire from giving away their location.

By mid to late morning, Hood is aware of the Federals movements. He sends Wheelers Cavalry to intercept and destroy the Union Cavalry. Wheeler surrounds Garrard’s Cavalry at Flat Rock where they skirmish and Garrard falls back towards Lithonia. Hood then learns of McCook’s raid and Wheeler is sent to intercept him. Having detected the movements of Howard’s Army of the Tennesse, Hood sends General Stephen D. Lee’s Corps and A.P. Stewart’s Corps to extend the Confederate left flank out of Atlanta in an attempt to block the Federal move toward East Point. S.D. Lee is now the commander of Hood’s former Corps.

_DSC0032.bw — The Bullard Henley House, located west of the Chattahoochee River on Hwy. 92 near Hwy 166, was built in the late 1830’s. As McCook moved his column south toward Campbelton, he engaged in a short firefight on the Bullard Plantation. One of the Federal soldiers died and is buried behind the house. General McCook established his headquarters here for the night. McCook, along with his officers, enjoyed a meal prepared by Mrs. Bullard. In the evening, the daughter of Mrs. Bullard, played the family piano to entertain the officers. The officers made multiple request for Yankee Doodle, but she refused to play it and would play Dixie instead. After several rounds of this, the General made a deal that he would sing Dixie while she played as long as she would play Yankee Doodle after.

_DSC0056.bw — Smith’s Ferry road. After meeting resistance at the river crossing in Campbellton, McCook moved six miles south to Smith’s Ferry. This dirt road is an original portion of the period road that McCooks cavalry traveled upon. At the end of the road is the original Ferry Masters house and is still occupied as a private residence.

_DSC0110.bw — On the east side of the Chattahoochee at Cedar Grove Rd. and River Lake Dr. After Crossing the river at Smith’s Ferry, McCook east along this road that was once the other half of Smith’s Ferry Rd. They then turned to the south, camera left, and rode through Rico to Palmetto.

_DSC0224.bw — The Railroad in Palmetto. Here, McCook destroyed six miles of track and burned the depot along with supplies and they cut the telegraph lines as well.

July 9th, 1864

July 9th, 1864:

After the first Federal crossing of the Chattahoochee at Sope Creek on the afternoon of the 8th, Garrard’s Cavalry crosses at Roswell. At dawn on the 9th, a Federal Battery provides covering fire as several companies of dismounted cavalry begin wading across the Chattahoochee at what is called the “Shallow Ford”. It was the ford used by the Hightower Trail which was a prehistoric trading route. They engage a small Confederate force across the river. The Confederates are out numbered and out gunned and they quickly retreat and some surrender. The Federals are armed with Spencer repeating rifles and are able to move and shoot quickly without stopping while they cross the river. The battery that is providing cover fire is the Chicago Board of Trade Battery. When Sherman learns of Garrard’s crossing of the river, he immediately dispatches Newton’s Division from its camp near Rottenwood Creek, to Roswell “double time”, to reenforce Garrard. He also sends Dodge’s Corps to reenforce Garrard and establish a strong bridgehead for subsequent crossings. A detachment of General McCook’s Cavalry, the 1st Tennesse Regiment (US), under the command of Colonel Brownlow, dismounted and crossed the river enforce wearing only their hats and carrying their rifle and cartridge box.

After receiving information about these crossings and size of the forces at each crossing, General Johnston orders the fall back from the River Line. The Confederate army begins to retreat from the River Line at dusk and in the early morning hours of the 10th, they are across the river and begin to burn the Railroad bridge and the wagon bridge next to it. They also take up their pontoon bridges and at Pace’s Ferry they cut the pontoon bridge loose hoping it will swing across the river or down stream where they can recover it. It becomes stuck and is recovered by the Federals, but not put into use.

General Johnston establishes his Headquarters 3 miles from Atlanta, at the abandoned Dexter Niles house. He orders that the river crossings at Pace’s Ferry and Turner’s Ferry, be heavily guarded.

_DSC0051.bw — The first crossing of the Chattahoochee River by Federal troops happened here at the confluence of Sope Creek and the river. The neighborhood pool on the southern shore is the location of the Ferry landing where the Federal troops made their assault.

_DSC0023.bw — “Shallow Ford” in Roswell was the site of the Federal crossing by several companies of Garrard’s Cavalry dismounted and with their new Spencer rifles and supporting fire from the Chicago Board of Trade Battery, they fought their way across the river.

_DSC0002.bw — What is now a Cul-de-sac was once the location of the Chicago Board of Trade Battery that support Garrard’s crossing of the river at Shallow Ford.

_DSC0606.bw — Col. Brownlow and his dismounted Cavalry crossed the river just about Powers Ferry at Cochran’s Ford. They crossed wearing only their hats and carried their rifle and cartridge box.

Rottenwood Creek: When General Sherman learned of Garrard’s crossing at Roswell he dispatched Newton’s Division double time to Roswell to reinforce Garrard. Newton’s Division was camped near the area of present day Cumberland Blvd, I-75 and I 285. They crossed Rottenwood Creek on a wooden bridge just above this small cascade.

Photography Days 29 and 30 are done!

Photography Day 29: July 28th, The Battle of Ezra Church
I had the boys with me today and we had a really good day. The Battle of Ezra Church took place in South West Atlanta in the area from Westview Cemetery on the south side to Turner Middle School to the northwest and toward Mozley park to the northeast. It was a very pleasant day with good weather. We made lots of stops in the area that is mostly residential. We then went into Westview and photographed the small set of remaining earthworks and the grave of Lt. Clingman that sits in front of them. We also photographed the monument to the Battle of Ezra Church, the former location of the Alms House (poor house), and the Confederate section of the Cemetery. We had a picnic lunch at the monument to the battle. I have some relatives buried in different sections of the cemetery, so after a call to may Dad for some hints on their locations, we were able to visit their markers. It was a great day all around.

The boys at Westview Cemetery

Photography Day 30: July 30th, The Battle of Brown’s Mill
     This was another great day with the boys, they are always so good for me when we go on the road taking pictures. We started in the area near Six Flags and photographed the site of an old house as well as the location of the small skirmish at Sweetwater Creek Bridge. We then headed towards Campbellton and photographed a home that was McCook’s Headquarters on the night of the 27th before he crossed the river at Smith’s Ferry. The home is still occupied and in use today. We then went to the location of Smith’s Ferry. I was able to photograph the period road, which is still in use as well as the exterior of the period home on the site that once belonged to Ferry owner.
     From Smith’s Ferry we crossed the Chattahoochee river into Fulton County and Campbellton. Here, I photographed a period home, the Beaver’s House. I remember when some of our family friends, Mr. and Mrs. Fountain, purchased and remodeled the home. It was occupied by them for some time before being sold to Fulton County for preservation purposes. I remember when they were remodeling the home and would find minie balls in the walls. We also photographed another period structure here, the Masonic lodge, as well as the site of the old Latham House. It has since been destroyed, but as a child, I remember going in the house and seeing the dent in the wall where a cannon ball had come through the window and lodged in the wall. In the 90’s it was used as a set for a horror movie called “Body Parts”. From Campbellton we traveled into the Rivertown and Rico areas and made more images of period homes and the terrain where a small skirmished happened after McCook crossed at Smith’s Ferry.
     After Rico, we went toward the Redwine area where Hutchesons Ferry Road and Hwy. 70. Here I photographed the old Redwine Plantation home on the corner, as well as two other period homes in the area. From here we moved to Palmetto and on the way we stopped to photograph a period home on Hearn Road, where Hood’s Army of the Tennessee stopped on their way out of Palmetto in September of 1864. They stopped here and picked up 44 bushels of corn. In Palmetto we photographed the former Palmetto Stage Coach Inn, now Barfields Law Office and we also photographed the railroad tracks, depot and monument in town.
     We then moved south to Newnan. Here we stopped for lunch and met an old friend at The Redneck Cafe. The food was great as usual. I photographed the court house square area then we went to the Brown’s Mill Battlefield Park. I gave the boys the point and shoot camera to share and we set out on the trail. There was nonstop laughter along the trail as they made crazy pictures.
After leaving Brown’s Mill we went into town and photographed more period structures, including “Buena Vista”, which was Wheelers Headquarters on the night of the 30th. From here we made a snack stop at the Dairy Queen and then proceeded to the Confederate section of Oak Hill Cemetery.
     Since we don’t get to Newnan very often, we met my cousin and her family for dinner and a couple of hours at their neighborhood pool. By the end of the day we were all exhausted and finally made it home after 16 hours.

Boys and I at Brown’s Mill

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 27th, 1864

July 27th, 1864:
   After the death of General McPherson during the Battle of Atlanta, General Logan assumed command during the battle and retained it for several days while General Sherman decided who should replace McPherson. Sherman, being a graduate of Westpoint, had a certain disdain for political Generals like Logan, and did not trust them to follow orders properly and promptly as they were on the field of battle for political gain. With these thoughts in mind and after consulting with General Thomas of the Army of the Cumberland, Sherman chose General O.O. Howard to command the Army of the Tennessee as McPherson’s successor. General Hooker is so offended and outraged that he was not given command of the Army of the Tennessee, the he resigns his commission and leaves the Army. Howard assumed command on the 27th of July and his order of the day was to shift the Army of the Tennessee from the east side of Atlanta near Decatur, to the west side of Atlanta by moving to the north and around the top of the city. His ultimate objective is to move on Eastpoint and destroy the railroad.
   Sherman has Cavalry units dismount and fill the lines of Howard’s army as they began to pull out. He also ordered infantry units along the line to skirmish heavily with the Confederates in the cities defensive lines in hopes of screening Howard’s move. Sherman was attempting to flank Hood out of the city and draw him into a fight or cut off Hood’s supply line from the railroad to Macon and the railroad to Westpoint.
   Stoneman’s and McCook’s Cavalry were sent on a raid to destroy the railroads while the Army of the Tennessee was moving into place. Stoneman went south out of Decatur and McCook moved southwest from Turner’s Ferry. McCook and Stoneman were scheduled to meet at Love Joy’s Station on the 28th to destroy the railroad. McCook went southwest along the west bank of the Chattahoochee and crossing on pontoon bridges at Smiths Ferry, about 6 miles south of Campbellton. He moves on toward the east and in Palmetto he destroys several miles of track, burns the depot and then moves towards the east again in the direction of Fayetteville. Along the Fayetteville road the come across a Confederate wagon train. They take about 300 prisoners and burn nearly 500 wagons. They also kill almost 1000 mules with their sabers to keep the sound of gunfire from giving away their location.
     By mid to late morning, Hood is aware of the Federals movements. He sends Wheelers Cavalry to intercept and destroy the Union Cavalry. Wheeler surrounds Garrard’s Cavalry at Flat Rock where they skirmish and Garrard falls back towards Lithonia. Hood then learns of McCook’s raid and Wheeler is sent to intercept him. Having detected the movements of Howard’s Army of the Tennesse, Hood sends General Stephen D. Lee’s Corps and A.P. Stewart’s Corps to extend the Confederate left flank out of Atlanta in an attempt to block the Federal move toward East Point. S.D. Lee is now the commander of Hood’s former Corps.