Garrard's Cavalry Raid

Marker Text:
On July 20, 1864, Union forces under Major General William T. Sherman, USA, were closing in on Atlanta Headquarters, 2nd Cavalry Division (US) Brigader General Kenner Garrard was in Decatur. His three brigades were scattered from Decatur to Roswell, guarding bridges over the Chatahoochee River and picketing the left flank. That night, Garrard was ordered to assemble his command and march to Covington (30 miles southeast) to burn bridges over the Yellow and Ulcofucheche (Alcovy) rivers and to destroy the railroad between Lithonia and the Alcovy.
Garrard marched late on the 21st. He returned to Decatur on the 24th, after marching almost 90 miles. He destroyed 4 wagon bridges, 2 railroad bridges, and more than 6 miles of track. At Covington, he burned the depot, a newly built army hospital center, 2,000 bales of cotton, and large quantities of quartermaster and commissionary supplies. Three trains were captured and destroyed.
Garrard's raid cut off all communication between Atlanta and Augusta and destroyed any hope that the Army of the Tennessee (CS)--the hard pressed defenders of Atlanta--might receive supplies or reinforcements for the Eastern Confederacy; but this success was not without its price. Because of Garrard's absence from the Union left, Hardee's Corps (CS) was able to approach undetected and to launch a smashing blow at that unguarded flank which has passed into history as the Battle of Atlanta.

044-82 Georgia Historical Commission erected 1957

Location: Decatur Square by the Old Courthouse
GPS :
Visited: June 30, 2008

So here we have confirmation of my suspicions that this little push by Bate's and Walker's division onto McPherson's line is the Battle of Atlanta. Prior to this battle was Kennessaw Mountain and Peachtree Creek. What I have been wondering through is the battle. The rest must be the siege and aftermath.
It seems as though Sherman or McPherson was relatively confident in their battle plan to send away a whole division, cavalry or not, on a guerrilla war task - cutting supply lines and communication routes. This ties into the text from one of the markers where McPherson was worried about his left flank. And from what we have seen in east Atlanta, his left side at Glenwood Avenue and Flat Shoals road was weak.
How would have Garrard's presence affected the outcome? Would Hardee have been unable to attempt this move due to the physical impossibilities of walking that far overnight and then fighting? Even now, with the length of Hardee's march as long as it was, the attack occurred later than desired. They mis-estimated the length of time for the march around the left end. I don't think that they would have been able to walk that far and then back in. Of course Garrard could have covered the line from Decatur over to Leggett's Hill and this would make this flank rather impregnable.
Also...90 miles in three days? And able to destroy so much? That seems a bit much. I know that they are mounted soldiers, but still. Even destroying six miles of railroad line seems like an arduous task that would at least be time consuming. Maybe they used explosives or just removed a couple of ties in order to bend the rails.
A couple more markers and monuments are contained here on the Decatur square, two civil war related, and one geographic.

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.

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.