Category: Geogia Battlefields

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: June 22, 1864 The Battle of Kolb’s Farm

June 22, 1864:  The Battle of Kolb’s Farm
     On orders from General Sherman, General Schofield’s Army of the Ohio, was advancing down the Powder Springs Road in the direction of Marietta.  Schofield was attempting to go around the left end of the Confederate flank.  General Johnston recognized this threat and on the 21st he sent Hood from his right flank to the left in an attempt to neutralize the threat.  In the late afternoon of the 22nd, Hood’s Corps met Schofied’s Army of the Ohio near the Kolb Farm.  Hood initiated an attack without permission from his commander, General Johnston, and he did not bother to do any reconnaissance of the terrain or the force he was engaging.  He unknowingly ordered an advance on a superior enemy force that was entrenched on the high ground.  After suffering about 1000 casualties, Hood retreated and dug in.  He was successful in stopping Schofield from turning the Confederate left flank, but was foolish in making his assault. 

150 Years Ago Today: June 21, 1864

June 21, 1864
     General Schofield continues to move closer to the Confederate left flank along the Kennesaw Mountain Line, in an effort to turn the flank and reach Marietta.  General Johnston orders Hood’s Corps to move from the right flank to the left flank in order to stop the threat.  This sets the stage for the Battle of Kolb’s Farm tomorrow.

A Project Within A Project

So, a new project has been born within my current War Was Here project.  It is something I can do in parallel and shoot all the images for both projects at the same time.  The new mini project is going to be a portrait series.  I made a portrait at the Resaca Reenactment that really resonated with me and I have decided to make all the portraits in a similar style.  The subject was standing with his back to the wall of a white canvas tent.  I was able to “blowout” the white background and ended up with a sort of modern look that seems to work well with the juxtaposition of the period attire.  The portraits will all be of reenactors, both military and civilian.  I have acquired a portable backdrop and will use it along with my speedlights to recreate these portraits.  I will have to travel light since I will be on foot and away from the car at most reenactments.  I still don’t have a title for the side project, but I am sure it will come to me in time.  Below is the portrait that I made at Resaca.  All the rest will be styled after this one.  I can not decide which one I like better, but eventually the images will let me know.  I usually lean more toward black and white, but for some reason I like the color one.  Must be the contrast with the black and white image he is hold in his hands.  Or the blue coat.

Where will I be?

I have been asked, by some of my new friends and some of the reenactors I have met, to post what events I will be photographing next for my project.  I will be photographing much more than just these events though, as my project is to cover as much about the Atlanta Campaign and The March to the Sea as possible.  Below is a list of events I will be at in the near future.  I have added a page to my site to list the events I will be attending.  Here a is short list for the near future.

June 14th:  Memorial service on Pine Mountain for Bishop-General Leonidas Polk.  The closest address is 1436 Beaumont Dr.  NW.  Kennesaw, Ga.  30152.  The event begins at 10:30.  I will most likely be there by 9 to take pictures of any reenactors there as well as the earthworks at the site.

June 14th:  150th Anniversary Commemoration, Life of Lieutenant General Leonidas Polk!
The Kirk House, 1888 Burnt Hickory Rd. NW Marietta, Ga.  30064.  This is the location of Polk’s last headquarters.  The event will feature reenactors, artillery demonstrations and special guest from the past.

June 20th – 22nd:  Sherman at the Gates, reenactor encampment on the Marietta Square.  I will probably be there Friday and maybe Saturday.  Check here for details:  www.MariettaCivilWar.com

June 26th – 29th:  Kennesaw Mountain 150th Event.  This will be at many different location through out the park.  I will be there each day, trying to cover the different activities and events at all the different locations.  If you are a reenactor and want a portrait or would like images for your unit.  Contact me through my site and I will arrange to meet you at a specific place and time. 
                  
July 12th – 13th:  Federal Occupation of Roswell.  I will be here both days as the reenact the arrest of the Mill Workers.  Here is a link:  http://www.roswellgov.com/DocumentCenter/View/6337

150 Years Ago Today: June 6th, 1864

June 6th, 1864
     General McPherson, with his Army of the Tennessee, established a line just south of Acworth at Proctors Creek.  General Sherman joins him there.  It has been one month since the start of the campaign.  Massive amounts of men and material have been moved a great many miles over the last month.  The Union Army now controls the railroad from Acworth on up to Chattanooga and beyond.  As soon as the bridge over the Etowah is repaired, the flow of desperately needed supplies will resume. 

150 Years Ago Today: June 5th, 1864

June 5th, 1864
    The Southern soldiers are settling into their new earthworks along the Lost Mountain Line,  Sherman’s soldiers are continuing toward Acworth and their life line, the railroad.
    

150 Years Ago Today: Along the Dallas – New Hope line

May 30th, 1864:
     General Sherman has decided he wants to shift his armies back east toward the railroad near Acworth.   His plan is to begin leap frogging his units from Dallas and move to the east toward Acworth.   Sherman has ordered McPherson to begin his movement several times, but Confederate attacks on his lines have prevented his withdrawal.  On the night of the 29th, what was thought to be a large scale attack, kept both sides up all night in constant heavy skirmishing.   The Union troops thought the Confederates were attacking and the Confederates thought the Union troops were attacking.  On the morning of the 30th, Sherman inspected the lines with McPherson, and decided the men were in no condition to move after fighting all night.  He then ordered their withdrawal to take place on the night of the 31st. 
     There was constant skirmishing all along the lines and both armies were trying to extend their lines toward the railroad.   Sherman was trying to get back to a steady supply line and General Johnston was trying to stop him.