Georgia Natural Wonder #264 - Battle of Peachtree Creek, July 20, 1864. ***

[Top Row Dawg]

Georgia Natural Wonder #264 - Battle of Peachtree Creek

On July 19, 1864, the new commander of Confederate forces defending Atlanta, John Bell Hood, learned that Union leader, William Tecumseh Sherman, had split his army. (General George Thomas) Army of the Cumberland was to advance directly towards Atlanta, while the Army of the Ohio (General John M. Schofield) and the Army of the Tennessee (James_B._McPherson) moved several miles east, apparently an early premonition of Sherman's general strategy of cutting Confederate supply lines by destroying railroads to the east. Thomas would have to cross Peachtree Creek at several locations and would be vulnerable both while crossing and immediately after, before they could construct breastworks. Hood hoped to attack Thomas while his army was still in the process of crossing Peachtree Creek. By so doing, the Southerners hoped to fight with rough numerical parity and catch the Northern forces by surprise. 


Tanyard Creek qualifies for an Urban Natural Wonder even though the water flow is only a fraction of what it would be if natural. It remains quite scenic but it is a mostly dry creek bed with Urban demands on water. It ran red with blood July 20th, 1864.


Hood, Sherman, Thomas, Schofield, McPherson.

Throughout the morning of July 20, the Army of the Cumberland crossed Peachtree Creek and began taking up defensive positions.


Peachtree Creek.

Major General John M. Palmer, took position on the right. Major General Joseph Hooker (the former commander of the Army of the Potomac who had lost the Battle of Chancellorsville) took position in the center. The Union forces began preparing defensive positions, but had only partially completed them by the time the Confederate attack began. The few hours between the Union crossing and their completion of defensive earthworks were a moment of opportunity for the Confederates. Hood committed two of his three corps to the attack: Lieutenant General William Joseph Hardee corps would attack on the right, while the corps of Lieutenant General Alexander Peter Stewart would attack on the left.



Many historians have criticized the Confederacy's tactics and execution, especially Hood's and Hardee's. Johnston, although fighting defensively, had already determined to counterattack at Peachtree Creek; in fact, the plan for striking the Army of the Cumberland as it began to cross Peachtree Creek has been attributed to him. His long rear-guard retreat from Kennesaw is understandable, as Sherman used his numerical superiority in constant large-scale flanking movements. Moreover, although he had lost an enormous amount of ground, Johnston had whittled Sherman's numerical superiority from 2:1 down to 8:5. Replacing him with the brash Hood, practically on the eve of battle, has generally been regarded as a mistake. (In fact Hood himself, as well as several other generals, sent a telegram to Davis seeking a remand of the order, advising Davis that it would be "dangerous to change the commander of this army at this particular time.") 


Palmer, Hooker, Hardee, Stewart.

Additionally, although Hood's general plan was plausible, the federal forces being divided, the failure of the units to be formed and positioned prior to the Union's crossing the river, Hardee's failure to commit his troops fully, and Hood's decision to continue the attack when he discovered he had lost his advantage, resulted in a severe and predictable defeat. Few battlefields of the war have been strewn so thickly with dead and wounded as they lay that evening around Collier's Mill." according to Union Major Gen. J.D. Cox. The Union troops counted more than 800 Confederate soldiers were put into the ground.

Using the above map, we start our recount of this battle on the left of the Confederate line along present day Howell Mill Road. This was only a Demonstration to prevent a portion of the Union Army to engage in the main battle.


French's Division Hood's Left Flank Marker is on Davis Circle 0 miles west of Defoor Avenue NW, on the right when traveling east.


Looking east on Davis Circle, toward DeFoor Road.


Samuel Gibbs French - Edward Cary Walthall - William Wing Loring


The Hiram Embry Plantation Marker is on Channing Drive NW east of Howell Mill Road, on the left when traveling east.


Can see plantation in rear. Looking east on Channing Drive

O'Neal went on to be 26th Governor of Alabama.
Daniel Harris Reynolds - Edward Asbury O'Neal

Hiram H. Embry Monument


This monument to Hiram H. Embry is located nearby at the site of the old Mt. Zion Baptist Church on Howell Mill Road. At the nearby old Mt. Zion Baptist Church.


Loring's Hill Marker is in Fulton County on Trabert Avenue, 0.1 miles east of Northside Drive (U.S. 41), on the left when traveling east.These skirmishes were part of the Battle of Peachtree Creek July 20, 1864. 


Looking east on Trabert Avenue toward Tanyard Branch (now buried underground). Looking west on Trabert Avenue toward Northside Drive.

 
Thomas Moore Scott -  Winfield Scott Featherston "Old Swet"   

TRD DRIVING TOUR

The following is my driving tour of the battlefield. 1st we get off I-75 at Howell Mill Road and go north on Howell Mill, park at parking lot Northside Baptist Church on immediate right. The Mt. Zion Baptist Church stood on the site of the North Side Park Baptist Church on Howell Mill Road 0 miles north of Interstate 75, on the right when traveling north.

 
 Old Mt. Zion Church Marker, the Hiram Embry tomb in the foreground, the Sergeant Wm. R. Moore monument behind that. 


Looking north on Howell Mill Road, toward Collier Road and the Union lines. Looking south, past Interstate 75, toward downtown Atlanta.


Sergent William. R. Moore Monument.

An interesting story surrounds the obelisk erected by siblings for Sergeant William R. Moore in memory of his death during the Battle of Peachtree Creek on July 17, 1864. Sgt. Moore was part of the 1st  Georgia Calvary Regiment, Wheeler’s Cavalry, according to the historical marker. 


Officer of 1st  Georgia Calvary Regiment.

Further research uncovered an Atlanta Constitution article from August 21, 1900 entitled “Tribute to Dead Comrade,” part of which described the exercises to honor Sgt. Moore’s memory 36 years after his death:

“Sergeant William R. Moore, of company G, First Georgia cavalry, was one of the bravest men who fell at the battle of Peachtree creek. He was a brother of Captain Jake Moore, of the penitentiary department. When his dead body was found, it was hastily buried in an improvised coffin made of unplanned boards, hewn out with an ax. For years the grave remained unmarked on account of an inability to find its location. Recently, through the aid of some of his comrades and residents of the neighborhood, the grave was located, and a suitable monument erected. The last resting place of the dead hero is in Embry’s graveyard.”

The article mentioned that General Clement A. Evans, members of Wheeler’s cavalry, and other prominent veterans participated in the ceremony to install the monument, with all confederates invited. Sgt. Moore’s local relatives and members of his family in Rome were also present. The west side of Sgt. Moore’s obelisk states: “Distinguished for bravery in many battles, he died at last with spurs on.”


Clement Anselm Evans - Grave at Oakland Cemetery

Keep going north Howell Mill. Maj. William C. Preston C.S.A marker is in parking lot on left when traveling north on Howell Mill Road.


Marker is on Howell Mill Road NW 0 miles north of Collier Road NW, on the left when traveling north.


Preston was buried at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Cemetery in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.



Just across  Howell Mill on Collier Road behind the Fellini's Piza is the Reynolds' Brigade at the Ravine Marker. It is at the intersection of Springlake Drive NW and Collier Road NW, on the right when traveling north on Springlake Drive NW.




Alpheus Starkey Williams - Joseph Farmer Knipe - James Sidney Robinson

The other side of this ravine by Northside Drive, will be featured later. You continue North on Howell Mill Road and find the Right Of 20th A.C. Line Marker.


The marker stands in the yard of a home on Howell Mill Road.


Thomas Howard Ruger - Anson George McCook - Richard Woodhouse Johnson

Go back to Springdale Road and travel east to Northside Drive (U.S. 41). Bobby Jones Golf course of left. Left Bitsy Grant tennis center see four markers at the entrance to the Bitsy Grant Tennis Center at the Bobby Jones Golf Course.



Now this is where we start with the core areas of the Battle of Peachtree Creek. The Williams' Division Deployed Marker was always here. But three other markers have been moved here. The Southern troops attacked the Union troops across this ravine and got stuck in there in the elevated crossfire and couldn't get out, couldn't take cover, oh the carnage. Hood had wanted the attack launched at one o'clock, but confusion and miscommunication between Hardee and Hood prevented this from happening. The Confederate attack was finally mounted at around four o'clock in the afternoon. On the Confederate right, Hardee's men ran into fierce opposition and were unable to make much headway, with the Southerners suffering heavy losses. The failure of the attack was largely due to faulty execution and a lack of pre-battle reconnaissance.



These other markers have been moved there to Northside Drive (U.S. 41) at the entrance to the Bitsy Grant Tennis Center at the Bobby Jones Golf Course.




Marker was at the intersection of Northside Drive (U.S. 41) and Collier Road, on the right when traveling south on Northside Drive. Looking north on Northside Drive; the marker stood adjacent to another marker, "O'Neal's Brigade"

 
John White Geary


Charles Candy - David Ireland - Patrick Henry Jones


O’Neal’s Brigade at the Ravine Marker was looking south on Northside Drive, toward downtown Atlanta.


Looking north on Northside Drive, toward Geary's line. The ravine still exists to the right.Looking into the ravine from the marker; this is probably close to the appearance of the ravine during the battle.

TRD Visit to the Ravine

I traveled to the Peachtree Creek Battlefield and I first parked in the deck at the Bitsey Grant Tennis Center. I walked over to the four markers.


All the Markers are at the Ravine now.


I then walked down past the Bike Path to the Ravine.


I walked back South on Northside Drive to look down in the Ravine. Recent felled trees from bad weather.


Who's idea was it to charge across this Hell Hole?



Homes there now, greatly elevated decks.


Decks that overlook the ghost of the Rebel Army at the ravine.

We walked across Northside to Springlake Park and road. Continue past sign to view ravine on left.




This is a Natural Wonder and a scene of death.


This Ravine goes all the way up to the Reynolds Brigade at Ravine Historical marker back up by Howell Mill.


I guess they was try to sneak acoss ravine form several hundred yards here.


This is pretty representative of Battle conditions that day.


Can see where Union Troops had high ground where houses now stand.

Come back to Northside Drive and back to the Parking deck to get back in your car. All this desperate battleground reduced to four historical markers. 



Go Left and South on Northside past the Ravine and then immediate left on Overbrook. Can see front of houses at Ravine on your left.



On the Confederate left, Stewart's attack was more successful, other than the Ravine. Two Union brigades were forced to retreat, and most of the 33rd New Jersey Infantry Regiment (along with its battle flag) were captured by the Rebels, as was a 4-gun Union artillery battery. Union forces counterattacked, however, and after a bloody struggle, successfully blunted the Confederate offensive. Artillery helped stop the Confederate attack on Thomas' left flank. 

 

My driving tour continues as take a right off Overbrook to Evergreen, left Collier Mill, Right Walthall (Named after Confederate General Wathall?). There are Three marker's on Walthall, Tanyard Park is on your left. Go to farthest and work way back to Collier Mill Road.  Geary's troops had reached the high ground along Collier Mill Road and some were probing the thick woods south when the Rebel Yell came up. Chills down your spine and out of the woods came the Alabama troops attacking some New Jersey soldiers.


33d N.J. State Flag marker is on Walthall Drive 0.2 miles south of Collier Drive NW, on the left when traveling south.


Looking north on Walthall Drive, toward Collier Road and the location of the Union line. Today the marker and the site of the capture of the flag are in the front yard of a contemporary home.




Interestingly, the flag in question was recaptured by New Jersey Federal troops in North Carolina in May 1865. It is currently at the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton.

 
Tanyard Branch Park is all on the right coming back to Collier.


Worth walking down around Tanyard Creek. My Brother In Law showed me a Frisbee Golf Course he made up in here. Don't let Frisbee land in creek, nasty.

Geez look at this monster. Civil War Era Tree?

Imagine overwhelming the New Jersey boys and running happy toward Collier into a hail of Bullets from the main line of Yankees.

 
Park where 800 Confederates where buried.


Battle Peachtree Creek.


On Geary's Front Marker is south of the intersection of Collier Road NW and Walthall Drive NW, on the right when traveling north on Walthall Road NW. 


The marker overlooks Tanyard Branch valley to the east. Looking north on Walthall Drive; the marker is on the right, and the intersection with Collier Road just beyond.




Looking east on Collier Road, toward Tanyard Branch and the site of Collier's Mill. Looking southeast from Collier Road into Tanyard Branch Valley.


Pull into Collier Mill Tanyard Branch Park. Park and walk battlefield there.  Markers located at Tanyard Creek Park. Markers surrounded by stone wall.

The following 7 markers are posted here at main battlefield.

The Battle of Peachtree Creek - July 20, 1864




The Battle of Peachtree Creek Marker (yellow arrow) Backside of marker location area across main battlefield (yellow arrow)

The Federal Forces Engaged / The Confederate Forces Engaged



1 of 6 markers related to the Battle of Peachtree Creek located here. All markers are mounted on concrete pillars and are located in a semi-circular fashioned line, surrounded by a stone wall.


(yellow arrow)

The Federal Advance




(yellow arrow)

The Federal Advance (Cont.) 





The Confederate Attack



Confederate defense continued




The Confederate markers are by themself.



My recent visit. City of Atlanta has done a good job preserving how momentous this was.


The Federal Markers are to the left with the Battle of Peachtree Creek Marker.


There are some missing markers from my recent visit.


There is a newer Marker.




This is the main Battlefield.


Geary's Troops firing down on Rebels.


Charles Christopher “Charlie” Aleshire - 18th Ohio Independent Light Artillery Battery


Looking down from Geary Markers.


Attempted panoramic Geary's troops and cannons positions.

Walk back up Collier Mill Road and Marker's on both sides of road.

Scott's Brigade Marker is at the intersection of Collier Road NW and Redland Road NW, on the right when traveling east on Collier Road NW. 


Looking northwest on Collier Road at the bridge over Tanyard Branch, a small creek which ran through the center of the battlefield. 


Looking west, down the hill to Tanyard Branch. Looking south toward the "high hill" mentioned on the marker. Scott's advance came from this direction.

 Across Collier Mill Road we find these two markers.

Harrison's Brigade Marker is at the intersection of Collier Road and Redland Road NW, on the left when traveling east on Collier Road. The marker is in a small park on Collier Road, marked by the millstones from Collier's Mill.

  
The marker and millstones from Collier's mill are on the bank of Tanyard Branch, a small creek which was a key landmark in the Battle of Peachtree Creek.

 
Benjamin Harrison - William Thomas Ward - 70th Indiana Infantry Regiment

In his report after the battle, Harrison wrote that "at one time during the fight", with his ammunition dangerously depleted, he sent his acting assistant inspector-general Captain Scott and others to cut "cartridge-boxes from the rebel dead within our lines" and distribute them to his soldiers. According to Harrison's report, the losses from his brigade were "very slight" compared with those of Confederate forces. He thought this was because of battlefield topography, writing: "I believe, that the enemy, having the higher ground, fired too high."


A crowd listens to former commander Benjamin Harrison speaking to fellow 70th Indiana Infantry Regiment veterans at a reunion at Clayton, Indiana in 1888.

 
Collier's Mill Marker is at the intersection of Collier Road NW and Redland Road NW, on the right when traveling west on Collier Road NW. 


Two markers -- "Harrison's Brigade and "Collier's Mill" -- plus millstones stand in a small park between Redland Road and Tanyard Branch.


Walk across bridge and look down Tanyard Branch Creek.


Across from Tanyard Park is Louis G. Howard Park.


Take a right into park on other side of creek and walk up path to gazebo. 



Right there at path going back down to creek is where this etching of General Hooker was made.


General Hooker watches battle Peachtree Creek. You can see how Confederates had crossed Collier and the armies faced one another.


My attempted panoramic of Hooker's position in image.


You got a steep ass hill going down to creek.


Then there are rock garden walls old and newer.


Walk right up creek path back to bridge. 
 
 
Art under Collier Mill Road.


Make your way down to Tanyard Branch. Now this is the Natural Wonder part of this post.
 

Notice the rocks of Collier Mill across the stream as seen in etching and described on Historical Marker. From Mill back toward bridge.


Looking back up to where Hooker was on his horse. Atlanta water demands have greatly diminished creek flow.


Have been here many times where there were warning signs about danger of playing in polluted water.


Go under bridge back to car.


Looking back up Tanyard Branch through main battlefield.


Back to Rock Garden pavilion with all the Historical Markers and take right from parking lot to go east on Collier Mill toward Peachtree Street and Piedmont Hosptal. 

Up on left find next marker in yard of home.


Gap in Federal Line Marker is on Collier Road 0.1 miles east of Redland Road NW, on the left when traveling east. 


This famous George Barnard image was taken right at Collier Road looking North at Redland Road.


Photograph taken after the battle of Peachtree Creek shows the graves of some who perished there.


TRD shows modern view of this famous spot.

Keep going east on Collier Mill toward Peachtree Street. Next marker 200 yards on right.


Mississippi Brigade Marker is at the intersection of Collier Road and Ardmore Road, on the right when traveling east on Collier Road.Brig. 


Looking east on Collier Road, with Ardmore Road to the right. Looking west on Collier Road, across the railroad bridge toward the site of Collier's Mill.


John Coburn - Thomas John Wood - Nathan Kimball - Grave of Jabez L Drake Oakland Cemetery 

It would be here that Canadian Dennis Buckley's war... and his life came to a tragic end! While advancing on the enemy Dennis used the butt of his riffle to clobber a Confederate officer who was carrying the flag of the 31st Miss. Infantry. The officer went down and Buckley crawled on his hands and knees and captured their regimental flag that was dropped on the ground. He grabbed the flag, dropping his weapon at the same time. (It took two hands to handle the 9 ft. longs shaft that the flag was fastened to). Turning his back on the enemy and waving the flag at his comrades he was encouraging them with screams that they can keep coming on, and that EVERY BULLET IS WORTH A COW." A reference no doubt to his days back on the farm in Lindsay Ontario. Those were Dennis' last words in the war... and in his life of only 20 years! An enemy bullet struck the flagpole, bounced off and hit this Canadian soldier in the forehead killing him instantly. 

Many of the dead were buried after the battle right on location. A few years later they were transferred to a federal cemetery at Marietta. But Dennis Buckley's grave marker spelled his name wrong (Burkley). Buckley received a Medal of Honor, for his action during the Battle of Peachtree Creek. His citation reads "Capture of flag of 31st Mississippi (Confederate States of America)". Denis Buckley (Medal of Honor)


Buckley's new gravestone at Marietta Cemetery. While his remains are in Marietta, he evidently has a tombstone in Riverside Cemetery Lindsay, Kawartha Lakes Municipality, Ontario, Canada. He is mentaioned on the Civil War memorial in Avon New York. 

Take the right on Ardemore.3 markers down on right.


Coburn's Brigade Marker is on Ardmore Road 0.1 miles south of Collier Road, on the right when traveling south.


This view looks west through Ardmore Park toward the railroad tracks and Tanyard Branch.


Featherston's Brigade Marker is on Ardmore Road 0.1 miles south of Collier Road. Winfield Scott Featherston "Old Swet"


Right next to Coburn's Brigade marker as seen above.


Wood's Brigade Marker is on Ardmore Road 0.1 miles south of Collier Road, on the right when traveling south.


Ardmore Park, looking toward the railroad tracks and Tanyard Branch, is in the background.


TRD drive by focusing on park and battlefield behind these three markers. Can see all three markers in last image.

Keep going south on Ardmore than take a left 28th Street. Go left Wycliffe.


Old Montgomery Ferry marker Marker is at the intersection of 28th Street NW and Wycliff Road NW, on the left when traveling east on 28th Street NW.


Looking both ways on 28th Street.

Tangent Clement Hoffman Stevens…………..

Clement H. Stevens was born August 14, 1821, at Norwich, Connecticut. He was the son of a Southern naval officer and his wife who was from South Carolina. They moved the family to Florida when Clement was young and then moved to Pendleton, South Carolina in 1836. Stevens served several years at sea as secretary to two relatives who were United States Navy officers, Commodore (later Rear Admiral) William Shubrick and Commodore William Bee. Stevens married a sister of future Confederate Brigadier Generals Barnard Bee and Hamilton Bee, his cousins. By 1842, he had become a bank cashier at Charleston, South Carolina. He also became an ordnance expert. In December 1860, when South Carolina seceded from the Union, Stevens also was a member of a railroad construction company.

 
Stevens and Bee.

Stevens became a colonel in the South Carolina Militia before the start of the Civil War. In April 1861, he became a Confederate States Army colonel and aide-de-camp as the state troops came under the command of the Confederate government. He designed and had constructed an iron-plated battery faced with railroad iron on Morris Island for the attack on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor.



Stevens became aide-de-camp for his brother-in-law, Brigadier General Barnard Elliott Bee Jr., between April 1861 and July 21, 1861 when Bee was killed in action at the Battle of First Bull Run soon after bestowing the nickname "Stonewall" on then Brigadier General Thomas J. Jackson. Stevens also was wounded in the battle.


Bee and Stonewall at First Bull Run.

After he recovered, Stevens took command of a South Carolina militia regiment. On April 1, 1862, Stevens was appointed colonel of the 24th South Carolina Infantry Regiment. Stevens fought at and his regiment helped repulse a Union Army attack at the Battle of Secessionville on June 16, 1862. He was sent with his regiment to Mississippi and participated in the Vicksburg Campaign in Brigadier General States Rights Gist's brigade during General Joseph E. Johnston's unsuccessful efforts to relieve the besieged city. Gist praised Stevens as "iron-nerved." Later with the Army of Tennessee, Stevens was wounded at the Battle of Chickamauga on September 20, 1863. His performance elicited praise in after action reports.



Clement Hoffman Stevens was promoted to brigadier general, C.S.A., on January 20, 1864. Although not fully recovered from his wounds from Chickamauga, he commanded a brigade in Major General W.H.T. Walker's division of I Corps of the Army of Tennessee from February 1864 to July 20, 1864. At the Battle of Peachtree Creek during the Atlanta Campaign, on July 20, 1864, Stevens was shot in the head and mortally wounded while leading a frontal assault late in the evening. Walker also was killed in action in the fighting at Atlanta two days later, on July 22, 1864.

Aftermath

Clement H. Stevens died at Atlanta, Georgia, July 25, 1864, five days after he was mortally wounded in battle. By the time of his death, Stevens had the nickname of "Rock." Clement Hoffman Stevens is buried at St. Paul's Episcopal Church Cemetery, Pendleton, South Carolina


Stevens grave in Pendleton South Carolina.  Bee on other side.

Keep going up 28th Street and take a left at Peachtree Street. Right Brighton two markers on island median. Before we get to those two marker's note the large Stone Monument on front lawn Piedmont Hospital on left. Now this monument was removed in 2017 for construction.


Front.


Back.

There were plans to put it back until the BLM protest and now it is sitting in storage.



Meanwhile up on the hill south of Peachtree Creek, and up by Piedmont Hospital where I was born, General Hardee is posting up.


Hardee at Peachtree Creek Marker is at the intersection of Brighton Road and Peachtree Road NE (U.S. 19), in the median on Brighton Road.


William Joseph Hardee


Newton's Division Marker is on Brighton Road 0 miles from Peachtree Road (U.S. 19), in the median.


Looking east on Brighton Road, to the Brookwood Hills Subdivision. Looking west at Peachtree Road and the Piedmont Hospital in the background. The marker stands opposite the exit of a parking garage.

Keep going on Brighton, take next right Montclair then take next right Pallisades back to Peachtree Street. 


Two marker's there in median to left.


Hardee Attack's Marker is on Palisades Road 0 miles east of Peachtree Road NE (U.S. 19), in the median. 


Battlefield of Peachtree Creek Marker is on Palisades Road 0 miles east of Peachtree Road NE (U.S. 19), in the median.


There is also a removed monument ER Howell's Battery on Palisades.

You head North on Peachtree and take a left on Colonial





We find these last few markers related to battle back north on Peachtree Road.

Markers are at the intersection of Peachtree Road NW (U.S. 19) and Fairhaven Circle NE, on the right when traveling north on Peachtree Road NW.

Wood's & Newton's Divs. at Peachtree Creek



Inscription. July 19, 1864. Wood’s & Newton’s 4th A.C. divs. moving S. from Buckhead to effect crossings at Peachtree Cr. found the bridge burned. Wood improvised one & crossed two brigades which, after a sharp contest with Hardee’s troops [CS], drove them to the high ground southward. Wood held the bridge-head S. of the creek until relieved at dark by Newton’s div. which moved forward the next day to the battlefield of Peachtree Creek near Collier Rd. Wood’s div. camped -- night of July 19 -- at Buckhead & the next morning it followed Stanley’s route to join Schofield at Pea Vine Cr.

The impressive growth of Kudzu (a vine originally imported to Georgia to control roadside erosion) covering trees to the left is on the north bank of Peachtree Creek. Looking north on Peachtree Road, with Fairhaven Circle to the right. The marker to the right is Ward's Div. Crossed Peachtree Creek.

Ward's Div. Crossed Peachtree Creek


Inscription. July 20, 1864. Ward’s 20th A.C. div. crossed a short distance downstream, leaving the artillery on this side, because of difficult terrain south of the creek. Moving S.W., it occupied the section between Geary’s div. (W. of Collier’s Mill), & the right of Newton’s 4th A.C. div. astride Peachtree Rd. at the hill-top this side of Collier Road. This completed the Fed. alignment between Clear Creek (on the E.) & Howell Mill Rd. (on the W.), against which Hood launched his attack at 3:30 P.M., -- the first of his sorties from Atlanta -- the Battle of Peachtree Creek.

Peachtree Creek can be seen in the background. Looking north on Peachtree Road, with Fairhaven Circle to the right.

Looking south toward downtown Atlanta, with the Peachtree Road bridge crossing Peachtree Creek to the right.

The Wood's & Newton's Divs. at Peachtree Creek marker is to the left, and the Ward's Div. Crossed Peachtree Creek marker is to the right. Peachtree Road Crossing Peachtree Creek Today.

Some newer marker's are now here.

One last marker trying to remain in sequence is to come back south on Peachtree coming up Cardiac Hill during the Peachtree Road Race. You take a right to the Ward’s Division Deployed Marker.

Inscription. July 20, 1864. Gen. W. T. Ward’s 3rd div., 20th A.C., having crossed the creek at Peachtree Road, moved to the low ground at stream-side, its three brigands aligned westward, facing S. From East to West were Wood’s, Coburn’s and Harrison’s brigades. Wood’s left joined Newton’s 4th A.C. div. on Peachtree Rd.; Harrison’s right rested at Tanyard Branch; Coburn’s at center. South of the flat were two parallel ridges, separated by a ravine. Ward’s troops [US] advanced to the first ridge from which they met the attack by Hood’s forces [CS] from the S., topping the rise on the 2d ridge where Collier Rd. is located, & descending toward the ravine.

It is on North Colonial Homes Circle NW, 0.1 miles Colonial Homes Drive NW, on the left when traveling north. Marker is at the edge of the Bobby Jones Golf Course.


 King's Brigade Marker is on Peachtree Hills Avenue NE 0.1 miles east of Virginia Place NE, on the left when traveling east. 


Looking east on Peachtree Hills Avenue, toward Piedmont Road (the former Plaster's Bridge Road -- Hood's missed opportunity)

Adjutant Claudius V. H. Davis of the 22nd Mississippi regiment was awarded the Confederate Medal of Honor for his bravery during the Battle of Peachtree Creek. He was killed while carrying the colors and went down waving the flag.


Flag of the "Liberty Guards," Company E, 22nd Mississippi Infantry.

First Lieutenant Frank D. Baldwin, Company D, 19th Michigan Infantry, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for gallantry at the Battle of Peachtree Creek, Georgia, July 12, 1864. Under a galling fire ahead of his own men, and singly entered the enemy's line, capturing and bringing back two commissioned officers, fully armed. 

Baldwin.

Captain Baldwin later received a second Medal of Honor for action at McClellan's Creek, Texas, November 8, 1874. Citation: Rescued, with 2 companies, 2 white girls by a voluntary attack upon Indians whose superior numbers and strong position would have warranted delay for reinforcements, but which delay would have permitted the Indians to escape and kill their captives. 

Now the Yankees were busy fighting today, so most of the reports will come tomorrow. We do find these few reports today after the 4PM attack. 

----------------------------

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND, July 20, 1864-6.15 p. m.
Major General W. T. SHERMAN,Commanding Military Division of the Mississippi:

GENERAL: The enemy attacked me in full force at about 4 p. m., and has persisted until now, attacking very fiercely, but he was repulsed handsomely by the troops all along my line. Our loss has been heavy, but the loss inflicted upon the enemy has been very severe. We have taken many prisoners, and General Ward reports having taken 2 stand of colors. 

I cannot make at present more than this general report, but will send you details as soon as I can get them from my corps commanders.

Very respectfully, yours, &c., 

GEO. H. THOMAS, Major-General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding.

-----------------------------------------

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Near Peach Tree Creek, Ga., July 20, 1864.
Major General GEORGE STONEMAN, Commanding Cavalry Force:

GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs me to acknowledge the receipt of your note of 10 a. m. this day, and to give you a summary of events occurring in this army. Our lines were yesterday pushed across Peach Tree Creek in several places, and to-day when an advance was being made by all the corps, the enemy made a furious attack on our men, commencing at about 4 p. m. on the extreme left, General Newton's lines, and extending to the extreme right. This attack was continued until night set in, and was most handsomely repulsed at all points. Our loss on some parts of the line is reported severe, but no official report has yet been made. The impression of the major-general commanding is from what he has seen and knows personally, that our loss is very light, while the rebels have lost many in killed and wounded, and those taken prisoners. General Ward, Twentieth Army Corps, reports having captured 2 stand of colors and many prisoners, and hopes to capture a whole regiment which has got into rather a tight to get our safely. Everything has progressed satisfactorily, and the enemy has been gloriously thrashed.

I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

ROBT. H. RAMSEY, Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.

----------------------------------------

NEAR HOWEL'S MILL, GA., July 20, 1864-4.45 p. m.
[General THOMAS:]

Rebs attacked us about 4 o'clock at the junction between Twentieth and Fourteenth Corps, McCook's and Knipe's brigades, and were repulsed. Attack repeated and repulsed again. The attack was very fierce and determined. Colonel McCook's adjutant was killed. The enemy is still moving troops to our left, as they have been all day.


Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

WM. D. WHIPPLE, Assistant Adjutant-General.

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Hood's report of battle today……….


ATLANTA, July 20, 1864-11 p. m.
Honorable J. A. SEDDON:


At 3 o'clock to-day a portion of Hardee's and Stewart's corps drove the enemy into his breast-works, but did not gain possession of them. Our loss slight. Brigadier-General Stevens severely wounded. On our extreme right the enemy attacked Wheeler's cavalry with infantry, and were handsomely repulsed.


J. B. HOOD, General.


Lieut. Gen. John B. Hood ordered the corps of Maj. Gen. William J. Hardee and Maj. Gen. Alexander Stewart to attack en echelon (staggered intervals of departure from the main battle line) from his right to his left. Hardee, on the Confederate right, did not advance until nearly 3:30. His lead division, Maj. Gen. William Bate’s, moved into rough undergrowth in the gap in the Union lines between Thomas and Schofield and was never heavily engaged. Maj. Gen. William H. T. Walker’s division, next in line, made first contact with Brig. Gen. John Newton’s division on Thomas’ left. Walker’s men advanced as the Federals’ opened on them with musketry and cannon fire. The Southerners made repeated charges until about 6:00 p.m. without breaching the enemy works. Hardee’s third division, under Brig. Gen. George Maney attacked next, taking up Walker’s assault. For a while Confederate attackers overlapped Newton’s right flank, but Newton refused his line to repel the Rebels. All along the line Hardee’s attacks had failed.

Maj. Gen. William Loring’s division of Stewart’s corps took up the attack next, moving down the valley of Tanyard Creek (Early’s Creek). Brig. Gen. Winfield S. Featherston’s brigade, on the right, tried repeatedly to make headway, without success. Brig. Gen. Thomas Scott’s brigade, on Loring’s left, struck the XX Corps line, overrunning the 33rd New Jersey, which had been thrown out in advance of the main line of Brig. Gen. John W. Geary’s division. Scott then came under heavy fire from Col. Benjamin Harrison’s brigade (Brig. Gen. William Ward’s division) and Geary’s artillery.

As Geary’s division repelled Scott on its left, the charge of Maj. Gen. Edward C. Walthall’s Confederate division created a crisis on the other flank. Advancing with three brigades, Walthall’s right brigade, Col. Edward O’Neal’s Alabamians, charged up the ridge along which Collier Road runs and overran Geary’s right. Three regiments of Ohio and Pennsylvania men fell back, but the Union line was stabilized and O’Neal was stopped. Walthall’s left brigade, under Brig. Gen. Daniel Reynolds, also drove in skirmishers of Brig. Gen. Alpheus Williams’ division and even took a portion of its main lines. Federal counterattacks and enfilading fire forced Walthall back, causing his attack to fall apart. As darkness approached, Stewart ordered his troops back into their trenches.