Manigault's Brigade

Marker Text:
July 22, 1864. Manigault’s brigade, Brown’s div., Cheatham’s A.C. (CS) attacked this sector where Martin’s & Lightburn’s brigades were posted astride the Decatur rd. & the Ga. R.R. cut. Manigault’s troops broke the Federal line at the cut, thereby forcing the withdrawal of Lightburn & Martin from this sector of the entrenched line of Logan’s 15th corps.
A counter assault by Lightburn & Martin, together with Manny’s 16th A.C. brigade (brought up from the battlefield area S. of the R.R.), recovered the Federal line & the DeGress battery which Manigault’s men had seized but had not be able to remove

Location: DeKalb Avenue at DeGress Avenue
GPS
Date Visited: July 01, 2008

The attackers, Manigault's brigade; the defenders, Logan's 15th Corps; and the saviors, Lightburn, Martin, and Manny's 16th Corps.
I guess the Confederates did not have enough men to reinforce the sucessful initial attack. Or Hood saw that the rest of the battle was not going well enough to strike a death knell on McPherson's line. I wonder if Hood yet knew that McPherson was dead already?

The 15th Corps Sector

Marker Text
July 20, 1864. Posted on this ridge, astride the Georgia R.R. was the right flank of Hood's old corps, (CS) Gen. B.F. Cheatham commanding. July 22. These troops were withdrawn, before daylight, to the city fortifications. The vacated line was occupied by Logan's corps, (US) which was reversed to face westward.
Gen. Morgan L. Smith's div. centered at the R.R., Lightburn's brigade posted (between DeGress Ave. & Battery Place) west of the Hurt house; Martin's, S. of it - the R.R. cut separating them. The Confederate assault, afternoon July 22d, broke the lines of Lightburn & Martin's brigades at the Decatur Rd. & the railroad cut.

Location: DeKalb Avenue near DeGress Avenue

GPS

Date Visited: July 01, 2008


Here is the defending Federal forces that bore, at least partially, the brunt of the westward attack on July 22, 1864. After moving west into abandoned lines and reversing them, however that happens, the attack would come that afternoon.
It makes me wonder what would have happened if the attack had come sooner, as Hood intended. Then the 15th Corps would not have had time to reverse the line, as I assume, by shifting tempers and redigging trenches etc. Although apparently this sector of the line was swept by the attackers until reinforcements arrived for the Federals. Currently nothing that I could recognize as a railroad cut is left. The MARTA line and railroad on on the otherside of DeKalb Avenue and almost level with the street. Prior to the bridge at Moreland, I wonder what the rail road did. Now the rail road and Marta are kept level up to the bridge. The surrounding ground, however, slopes downward towards the Moreland Avenue road bed and then back up as it continues on towards Decatur.

The Troup Hurt House

Marker Text:

The plantation house of George M.T. Hurt, begun the Summer of 1962, never completed and never occupied as a residence, stood on the site of the stone church. It faced the Decatur road.
July 18, 1864. A sector of the outer line of Atlanta’s defense works was located just east of the house, which was used as headquarters by the 10th South Carolina regiment (CS) of Manigault’s Brigade.
July 22. The same troops, having withdrawn to the city the night before, returned late afternoon and attacked the Federal forces occupying the position, capturing and holding it until driven out. This is the moment shown in the Cyclorama of the Battle of Atlanta.

060-97 Georgia Historical Commission erected 1956

Location: DeGress Avenue between DeKalb Avenue and the sharp turn in the road

GPS

Date Visited: July 01, 2008


This marker is in the thick of the entrenched lines fighting on the afternoon July 22, 1864. Again it describes how several brigades were withdrawn one night only to be moved back the next afternoon to attack the lines that they previously occupied.
Another scenario or rational for this feign has come to mind however. Since a full three divisions make a fifteen mile night march to attack the rear of McPherson's lines, I am sure that some troops would be needed to occupy the primary lines in place of those missing. This makes somewhat more sense to me than the other cases.

I do admit that I did look up both "troop" and "troup" out of curiosity and ignorance. Pronounced the same, do they have the same or similar meanings? No, they don't. "Troop" is a group or band assembled for a purpose such as war while "troup" is a proper now associated with people of places.

The other thing that amazes me from this marker is that the plantation house was started in 1862. That is smack-dab in the middle of this Civil War. I was always under the assumption that financial times were hard for everyone, especially in the south and especially to anyone involved in agriculture. Maybe they had to have projects like this in order to keep their slaves busy and therefore preoccupied.

Also, why do so many people in this time period have four names, including their surnames? I mean that is a mouthful...George H.T. Hurt. I am presuming that the "T" stands for Troup. It is called the Troup Hurt house.

Here is a picture of the stone church mentioned in the marker. It is now a private residence. It was up for sale a couple of years ago and my wife and I got to walk through it. Can't say that I remember much except for the stained glass and thinking that it would be like living in a church.

Death of McPherson

Marker Text:

The monument in the enclosure was erected by U.S. Army Engineers to mark the site where Major General James B. McPherson was killed during the Battle of Atlanta, July 22, 1864.
McPherson rode south from the Georgia railroad when he heard firing in Sugar Creek valley, where the rear attack by Walker's and Bate's divisions (CS) fell upon Dodge's 16th Army Corps. After pausing to observe this part of the battle, he galloped towards the left of the 17th Army Corps (Flat Shoals road and Glenwood Avenue) on a road through the pines.
At this point he was assailed by skirmishers of Cleburne's division (CS), refusing to surrender he was shot while attempting to escape.

044-45 Georgia Historical Commission erected 1956

Location: McPherson Avenue at Monument Avenue
GPS:

Date visited: July 01, 2008

Well, here it is, the death of McPherson in battle. The second Major General to die in the Battle of Atlanta on July 22, 1864. To tell you the truth, after all of the events and markers leading up to this, it is rather anti-climatic. The monument and the marker are located on a small triangle of land at the intersection of two residential streets. Not a block away north is Interstate 20 and, let me tell you, it is loud, even with the sound barriers up. I believe that this section of the interstate wasn't completed until the late 1950s. So when this marker went up, East Side Avenue may have been a complete road and not cut in two by I-20 like it is today.

Here is the front view of the monument:

Bate's Battle Line

Marker Text:
July 22, 1864. General Bate's division, Hardee's Army Corps (CS) was deployed on the right of Walker's division when they advanced north from Terry's Mill Pond. Being on the extreme right of the corps, Bate's troops moved up the east side of Sugar Creek Valley and swung westward to face Rice's 16th Army Corps brigade (US) posted on the hill (Murphy's High School) and northward along the old Clay Road (Clay street).
This attack failed to dislodge Rice's brigade. Bate's command composed of Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Kentucky troops - the 5 regiment of the latter being the celebrated "Orphan Brigade" commanded by Brigadier General Joseph H. Lewis.

044-47 Georgia Historic Marker erected 1985

Location: Memorial Drive in parking lot near Wilkinson Drive
GPS:
Visited: June 26, 2008

Now the story from the attacker's side, well the attackers in this scenario anyway. The defenders offense's side of the story, not the offensive defender's side. The confederates on the move to attack the back side of the federal line met the reserve troops moved forward to prevent just such a move. This sounds like a big game of chess but with live troops made of flesh and, some of them at least, about to die far from home.
So the attack met resistance and, most likely, not exactly where they expected to meet it.
The attackers did not have much success it seems, even with the celebrated "Orphan Brigade." After some research, this statement makes sense now. It is just there to show that some Kentucky soldiers, who could not return home during the war, were present. Kentucky was not part of the Confederate States of America, but was a border state. Recruitment efforts were made to draw on the support for the secession effort and the war. Several brigades were raised and sent south for the war effort. But, since Kentucky was never captured nor occupied by the Confederate States of America, these soldiers could never go home for fear of punishment; therefore they were orphaned from their state. Now that would have been a lot of information to place on a small marker. So they made me work for that little tid-bit.
Other than that information, the marker only determines a little of what we already have determined, that Sweeny's men moved south and met the unexpected north to west thrust of Hardee's men. What is surprising here is that this thrust, in this area, has no real effect. They cannot dislodge Rice's men.
All of this leading up to the Battle of Atlanta and it all comes to naught...so far.

Mersy's Brigade

Marker Text:
July 22, 1864. Colonel August Mersy's brigade of Sweeny's division, 16th Army Corps (US), was aligned on the right of the division when it went into action to meet the assault of Walker's division (CS) advancing up Sugar Creek valley (from Glenwood Avenue).
The left of Mersy's line rested on the hill were Murphy's High School stands. The right of the line extended southwest to join Fuller's 4th division, 16th Army Corps, on the high ground beyond the valley (near McPherson's monument).
General McPherson saw this part of the battlefield from the hill 3/8 mile due west of this marker (near Memorial drive and East Side avenue) enroute to his rendezvous with death.

044-50 Georgia Historical Commission erected 1956

Location: Memorial Drive at Dixie Avenue, Atlanta Georgia
GPS:
Visited: June 26, 2008

I left the last two markers and was driving east on Memorial drive towards Maynard Terrace in order to cross the Interstate, go to McPherson's Avenue and see if I could find his destination for the final ride. But I had to stop and turn around in order to go back to a small car wash where I passed a historical marker. Sensing it was of the first encounter of the Battle of Atlanta, I stopped.
This is part of Sweeny's men that had marched south. This would be part of the extension of the federal line near Glenwood avenue and Flat Shoals road. According to the marker, this line met with the men of Fuller's division, apparently near the Glenwood avenue and Flat Shoals road intersection, so McPherson's movement to protect his left flank had been completed or nearly completed when the battle began. But, to me, this line of protection accentuates the bulge in the federal line by flipping it back and around in a very narrow band. I could understand if Sweeny's men were to continue their southward movement to extend the line and had not yet arrived. I could also see the issue with determining the best defensive position to take in unfamiliar territory. Walker's men came up through a creek valley to the high point to the left of this marker so there must have been some consideration from Sweeny about how to get his men further south without breaking the brigades and therefore weakening his line further.
Note that the Murphy High School referenced on the marker is named as such, it is now Alfonso Crim High School. But it occupies the same ridge line apparent to the left, or east, of this marker. To the right, or west of this marker, about half a mile (3/8 a mile according to the marker), is "McPherson's Last Ride" marker (and "Gresham's Division" marker as well). After pausing to observe the encounter of Mersy's brigade here, McPherson rode off over the hill and down a rode through the pine trees to his death. This marker states what has been insinuated by the other markers.

McPherson's Last Ride

Marker Text:

July 22, 1864. When General McPherson heard the firing to the southeast while at luncheon (Whitefoord Avenue and the railroad), he mounted his horse and, sending away most of his staff on various missions, galloped south to this hill.
Here, he observed Dodge's 16th Army Corps in desperate combat with Bate's and Walker's divisions (CS) in Sugar Creek valley. Anxious about the left of the 17th Army Corps (at Glenwood and Flat Shoals Roads), he proceeded on a road through the pines in that direction, accompanied by an orderly and Signal Officer William Sherfy, who reluctantly followed after vainly warning the general that Confederate troops had seized the road.

044-44 Georgia Historical Commission erected 1956
Location: Memorial Drive near East Side Avenue
GPS:
Visited: June 26, 2008

Two days after Gresham's (and Leggett's) division pushed Wheeler toward Leggett's Hill, now the federals must defend the hill from a similar direction. This flanking attack should pin them against the defense line of Atlanta. There must have been a concerted effort to attack eastward from the siege lines, possibly at the railroad cut. But what could they really expect to achieve against an army that is basically surrounding them, cutting off their supplies, may be larger than there force, and does not have to worry about protecting the civilians or their long term welfare? It would be like taking little jabs at the heavy weight fighter all the while waiting for him to hit you with a left hook, a knock out blow. I mean I understand the will to fight for your home and country. I am not sure what was expected of General Hood at this time though. What did Jefferson Davis charge him with, the defeat of General Sherman's invasion?
This area was within a state of flux, changing hands just two days ago. Now from the marker, the left edge of McPherson's line was at Glenwood and Flat Shoals road not a mile from this marker and even closer to the intersection of Interstate 20 and Moreland Avenue, the sight of Leggett's Hill. That is not much of a buffer zone and quite a bulge that he should have expected to be vulnerable. Therefore the reason for shifting of Sweeny's division south to extend the line. Ah..the markers are starting to connect now and tell the story. A puzzle piece begins to show the picture now when connected to several other pieces, even if they are not located adjacent. I can fill in some pieces when there are blank spaces.
Now, the marker lets you know McPherson's fate. It was his last ride. I knew that McPherson died here in the Battle of Atlanta. The fort in East Point is named for him, Fort McPherson. There is a McPherson Avenue in East Atlanta. Now I am assumming that is where he died. I never knew the location of his death, only that it was in the battle for the city. I will quest for this marker as well.
But on my way towards McPherson's avenue, I was delayed by other markers, all along Memorial Drive and inter-related to this fateful day almost 144 years ago.

Gresham's Division

Marker Text

July 20, 1864. Brigadier General Walter Q. Gresham's 4th division, leading the advance of the 17th Army Corps (US) against Wheeler's Cavalry (CS) and forcing it west to Leggett's Hill, halted here at sundown.
Leggett's 3rd division was brought forward and would have moved against Wheeler's position on half mile west, but for failure to get orders.
While making a personal reconnaissance of Wheeler's position in his front, Gresham received a wound that ended his military service.
In 1893-1895, he was Secretary of State in President Groover Cleveland's Cabinet

044-43 Georgia Historical Commission erected 1956
Location: Memorial Drive near East Side Drive
GPS:
Visited: June 26, 2008

Well, this is disheartening. In the last post, I indicated that I thought I knew where Leggett's Hill was located in the present day. Apparently I was wrong. I went over to a hill that is just off of Moreland Avenue near the intersection of Hosea Williams Avenue. There were no markers present and I know that there is a Leggett's Hill historical marker. I have seen a picture of it on one website, the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, and read about someone else reaching it as they walked the route of Hardee's Army Corps. I will have to find the link to that site and post it here. The Carl Vinson website indicates that Leggett's Hill is near the intersection of Interstate 20 and Moreland Avenue, which was another reason that I thought that I was correct with my hill. There are no other significant hills around and Leggett's Hill was supposed to offer a view into the defenses of Atlanta. I guess it was called "Bald Hill" as well since there were little to no trees on it(?).
Anyway, during my search for the hill, I ran across this marker, as well as the "McPherson's Lat Ride" marker.

This marker is July 20th and we pick up from the "Wheeler Delays Blair" action. Wheeler, in a delaying action engaged Blair but retreated back towards Leggett's Hill. Now Gresham's division is pushing him west ward. From the marker position that would be towards the Interstate 20 and Moreland Avenue interchange.
From our last marker, we know that there was a general push towards the west from Decatur and that Sweeny first moved west and then south, which would put those troops a little east of here, possibly a mile or so. That is where the "Battle of Atlanta Began Here" marker is as well.
This marker is on Memorial Drive as well, but down by East Side Avenue.
Re-reading the marker text, something does not quite make sense. Gresham's 4th division was pushing Wheeler towards Leggett's Hill, but Leggett's division was brought forward. Why was Gresham doing reconnaissance? Is Gresham just doing his duty to give Leggett an accurate view while in the process of turning things over? Was it to be a cooperative attack with both Gresham and Leggett's division against a cavalry?
And is the hill named after the Leggett's division commander or it this just an extreme coincidence? I am thinking the former, not the later. I mean how common a name is Leggett?

Other questions that come to mind from this marker...
The push from the confederates comes on July 22nd, when the federals occupy Leggett's Hill. The action from this marker is on July 20th, only two days prior. And the federals apparently don't take the hill on the 20th, when Gresham is wounded, because Leggett's division doesn't have any orders at that time. So that means that this whole area is in a state of flux. The confederates see that the federals are enveloping them and half-heatedly fight it off but are unsuccessful. This whole state of flux makes the idea that the Generals were lunching and lounging leisurely on July 22nd just one mile or so north from here under the trees. And this is the big generals, not just the division commander level. The Army of the Tennessee general and Sherman himself. Definitely a different time in warfare. I would think that Sherman's army is like modern day or World War Two paratroopers. A whole self sufficient (mostly anyway) fighting force that mixes the traditional chain of command mode with a more close contact type of command structure, thereby putting all of the army corps at risk. This has its advantages, but some distinct disadvantages....like the wounding of a Brigadier General in battle...or worse. This marker is a two for one. There is one directly next to it as well that occurs two days later.

Noon Under The Trees

Text of the Marker - verbetim, but translated by me
July 22, 1864. General McPherson and staff spent their afternoon in conference at Sherman's headquarters and inspecting Army of the Tennessee lines. Noon found them in an oak grove just South of the railroad where they were joined at luncheon by Logan and Blair, each with his staff. While here, McPherson wrote and dispatched an order to Dodge regarding the destruction of the Georgia railroad. This pleasant respite of discussion and cigars was broken by volley firing to the southeast. The Battle of Atlanta had begun.
All mounted and rode away. McPherson, sending most of his staff on various missions, galloped towards the sound of the guns.

Georgia Historical Commission Marker Number 044-39 Date Erected 1956

Location: DeKalb Avenue at Whitfoord Avenue at Candler-Edgewood MARTA station
GPS:
Date Visited: June 19, 2008



Well, at least this marker falls within the same timeline as the Battle of Atlanta Began Here marker. The sound of guns was from the encounter of Bate's and Walker's divisions with Sweeny's men over on Memorial Drive. This marker is located at the MARTA station on DeKalb Avenue at Oakdale/Whitefoord road (Oakdale on the sorthside of DeKalb avenue and Whitefoord on the south), which is a good mile and a half to two miles away. Now Sweeny's men were spread out in a long line, so some of the fighting may have been closer, but it was a good distance to ride out to as well as keep control over. Hence McPherson's ride towards the gunfire to check his flank position, the one that he had just shored up with Sweeny's division. Leggett's Hill, which is also in the direction of the gunfire, was an artillery placement as well, I believe. Therefore, it would have been of strategic importance.
It still seems like an odd fragment of history to record and to memorialize. The quiet before the storm, perphaps.
From what I understand, the current railroad line mimics the 1864 railroad line. Whitefoord road would be the road that McPherson took to arrive at the scene of the battle. The actual oak grove would have been south of the railroad, therefore on the other side of the rail line from the marker.
To me, this marker is just that, a place marker for a chance meeting that occurs just prior to more important and dangerous events.