Last Friday was my 16th day of Photography for the War Was Here project. I started the morning at Pigeon Hill and hiked to the top of Little Kennesaw Mountain. Here I photographed Ft. McBride. Not only did I use my regular digital camera, but I actually shot some real film. I used my pinhole camera that takes 120 film and I shot in a 6 by 9 format. The images should be really cool. Got a lot of comments on the camera too and had to explain what it was and how it worked to some people that had never seen one.
Yesterday, I went back out to Kennesaw Mountain and since it was the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Kolb’s Farm, I made images of that area. Not much of the battlefield is left. The Kolb house is still there and is the only period home on park service property. They use it as a residence for a park employee. From here I photographed the Cheatham Hill area, both from the Federal lines and from the Confederate lines. I then went to the 24 Gun Battery that was part of the Union line.
Today I took the boys with me back to the mountain and we went to the top to make images and enjoy the view. After that we went to the visitor center to the museum to cool off and have a snack. From there we went to photograph some of the historic homes that were used by different Generals as headquarters and are still standing today. Some are well kept, others are unoccupied and are in need of preservation and repair. The one that Union General Schofield used, was in the middle of an apartment complex for senior citizens. They had a small community garden in front of it. Over all, the boys and I had a good time today and I was able to make some good images.
Days 19 and 20 will come this Friday and Saturday while I am out at Kennesaw Mountain for the 150th event. It should be really interesting. There will be lots of living history presentations and of course artillery demonstrations. Hope to see some of you there. If you are coming out there, you should bring a lunch because they do not have any food vendors set up. They will only be selling drinks and packaged snacks.
Category: Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
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.
150 Years Ago Today: June 19th, 1864
June 19th, 1864
The Confederates are entrenched on the Kennesaw Mountain line and have multiple artillery pieces to the top of Little Kennesaw and Big Kennesaw. It took 100 soldiers to move each cannon up the mountain. Skirmishing continues all along the line, Federal and Confederate Artillery Batteries begin dueling back and forth. General Sherman has ordered General Schofield’s Army of The Ohio to move from Lost Mountain, via the Sandtown Road, thus swinging the Federal right over Mud Creek and toward the south western portion of Kennesaw Mountain. On the evening of the 19th, Schofield reaches Nose’s Creek, about half way between Mud Creek and Kennesaw Mountain.
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
Book Review: The Campaign For Atlanta, William R. Scaife
The Campaign For Atlanta, by William R. Scaife
Fourth Edition 1993, ISBN 0-9619508-8-9
Kennesaw Mountain Historical Association, Kennesaw Georgia
This is a very well made and printed book. I suspect it was a short run printing and they did a fine job. This book is great for discussions of the details of specific battles throughout the campaign. It is well researched and full of quotes and maps. I have to say that the maps featured in this book are the best I have come across so far in print. They show troop positions and movements along with the terrain and most modern roads. This was a big help while trying to locate areas in Dalton and Resaca. I am sure it will be a big help as I move forward as well. This is probably my favorite book of all the Civil War Books I have.
Here is a link for the book on Amazon. The Campaign for Atlanta, William R. Scaife
It is a little pricy. I lucked out and found the last copy at Pickett’s Mill State Historic Site and it cost me $50.00. You may also be able to find it at the bookstore at the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. This bookstore operates in conjunction with the Kennesaw Mountain Historical Association.
Cheatham’s Hill, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
A pair of cannons on Cheatham’s Hill, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.
War Was Here 