Georgia Natural Wonder #263 - Battle Moore's Mill & Nancy Creek (7/19) - 1864***

[Top Row Dawg]

Battle Moore's Mill & Nancy Creek

We talked about how McPherson and Schofield were coming in down DeKalb County with (GNW #)



Meanwhile to the west side of Atlanta, General Thomas troops are crossing Peachtree Creek where most of the fighting took place today. Part of Sherman's force, the Army of the Cumberland commanded by Gen. George Thomas, was tasked with advancing on Atlanta from the north while the other two federal armies approached the city from the east and northeast. With Howard's IV Corps at Powers' Ferry, Hooker's XX Corps at Paces' Ferry, and Palmer's XIV Corps below it at Vinings, Thomas' Army of the Cumberland of nearly 60,000 men, or about 20,000 in each corps, was posted along a six-mile front.

 Casey's Hill Marker is on Old Marietta Road NW 0.2 miles north of Marietta Road NW, on the right when traveling south. Casey's Hill and the marker are at the very rear (west) of Crest Lawn Memorial Park (2000 Marietta Boulevard). Old Marietta Road and Maid Lane are closed off and accessible only through Crest Lawn. 

The terrain north and west of Buckhead was a series of wooded ridges and deep ravines riddled with significant creeks and tangled vines. This part of the Georgia wilderness had been sparsely settled prior to the war. Confederate Cavalry Commander Gen. Joseph Wheeler, with just four brigades at his disposal, or roughly 1,000 to 2,000 men per federal column, was charged with defending the area. Ferguson's Brigade had the task of checking the advance of Palmer's XIV Corps which headed toward Moore's Mill and the mouth of Nancy Creek.

Williams' Kentucky Brigade covered the Power's Ferry Road and Howard's IV Corps advance on Buckhead from the north. Iverson's Georgians were assigned the role of covering the crossings of Nancy Creek by Hooker's XX Corps from the west along Paces Ferry Road, while Allen's Alabama Brigade covered the space between Iverson and Williams.

Atlanta's Outer Line Marker is on Old Marietta Road NW 0.2 miles from Marietta Road NW, on the left when traveling south. Casey's Hill, on which the marker is located, and the marker are at the very rear (west) of Crest Lawn Memorial Park (2000 Marietta Boulevard). Old Marietta Road and Maid Lane are closed off and accessible only through Crest Lawn.

 French's Line Marker is at the intersection of Chattahoochee Avenue SW and Carroll Drive NW, on the right when traveling south on Chattahoochee Avenue SW.

Outer Defense Line Marker is at the intersection of Howell Mill Road and White Street, on the right when traveling north on Howell Mill Road.

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AT SUTERMEISTER'S BATTERY, July 19, 1864-11.15 a. m.

Major-General THOMAS, Commanding Army of the Cumberland:

The battery being erected by the rebels is down the river, with two embrasures bearing in that direction. It is two miles from Sutermeister and not intrenched to fire on his work. The bridge we saw across a creek above the railroad is still there, and therefore I don't think it can be Peach Tree Creek, as Davis' skirmishers were ordered to the mouth of that creek. A deserter from the rebels at General McCook's reports belonging to Cheatham's division, which left the large fort and other works at about 6 p. m. yesterday. I will ascertain something positive as to the creek. Rebel skirmishers are pretty strong and quite this morning.

J. M. BRANNAN,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Artillery.

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 Battle at Moore's Mill Marker is on Moores Mill Road 5 miles west of Margaret Mitchell Drive, on the right when traveling west. The marker is just east of the Moores Mill Road Bridge over Peachtree Creek.

Moore's Mill Marker is on Moores Mill Road 5 miles west of Margaret Mitchell Drive, on the right when traveling west. It is at the bridge over Peachtree Creek; the marker can barely be seen in the foliage to the right.

The XIV Corps forced a crossing over Nancy Creek at Kyle's Bridge along what today is West Paces Ferry Road just north of Westminster High School. There, the federals tangled with Iverson's Georgians and Ferguson's Mississippi horsemen and they also tangled with the rough Georgia terrain and with each other. Caught in a bend in the creek during July 18th, the Yankees struggled for most of the day before realizing that they were fighting each other. According to John Ferguson of the 10th Illinois, "the creek forked without being noticed by either of the two companies and after advancing some distance, Company D was fired into from the left," by another company from the Illinois Regiment. Leaving the Yankees to fight themselves, Ferguson's Mississippi troopers were sent north to help Allen's Alabama and Mississippi horse soldiers repel Hooker's XX Corps which had effected a crossing over Nancy Creek north of Kyle's Bridge and near today's Governor's Mansion. While Howard's IV Corps advanced on Buckhead and Palmer's XIV Corps continued to move down the eastern side of the Chattahoochee River, Hooker's XX Corps got the task of advancing through the jungle-like country in between these two points.

 Disputed Passage Marker is at the intersection of Bohler Road and DeFoors Ferry Road, on the left when traveling north on Bohler Road. Looking south on Bohler Road, with DeFoors Ferry Road in the background.

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HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, 

Near Howell's Mill, Peach Tree Creek, Ga., July 19, 1864.

Major General W. T. SHERMAN,

Commanding Military Division of the Mississippi:

GENERAL: I have the honor to report that the following movements of the troops of the Army of the Cumberland have been made this day: The division of Brigadier-General Davis and Baird, of the Fourteenth Army Corps; Brigadier-General Geary, of the Twentieth Corps, and Brigadier-General Wood, of the Fourth Corps have crossed the Peach Tree Creek and established themselves on the south side. The division of Major-General Stanley, of the Fourth Corps, will probably get across to-night, and I have given orders for all the columns to press forward toward Atlanta at daylight in the morning. The crossing was effected by Brigadier-Generals Davis' and Wood's divisions in the face of considerable opposition by the rebels. Not so much resistance was offered to Brigadier-Generals Geary and Baird, and Brigadier-General Johnson was prevented from crossing by a mill pond in his front.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

GEO. H. THOMAS, 

Major-General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding.

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 Green Bone Creek Marker was on Peachtree Battle Avenue 0.1 miles east of Bohler Road NW, on the left when traveling east.

When Howard's IV Corps reached Nancy Creek they found the bridge partially burned and Williams' Kentucky cavalrymen waiting for them. Forcing a crossing at today's Chastain Park, "at 8:30 the rebels opened on us with one piece of artillery, and our battery then went to the front, began work, and the rebel piece ceased firing," remembered veteran W. H. Newlin of the 73rd Illinois' Regiment. 

 Battle of Nancy Creek.

First Lieutenant Ralsa C. Rice of the 125th Ohio recalled that "It was obvious that a determined resistance would be made, the place chosen being one of great natural strength. The road, after crossing the creek, climbed a hill, on the crest of which they had placed a battery of two guns in a substantial earthwork."

Reynold's Brigade Marker is on Howell Mill Road 0.7 miles from Peachtree Battle Road just south of the bridge over Peachtree Creek. Looking north, the Reynold's Brigade Marker can just be seen in the foreground (right), with the Howell's Mill marker just visible beyond it. The bridge over Peachtree Creek is just beyond the markers and before the traffic light.

With heavy timber flanking both sides and Nancy Creek in its front, the Confederate position was most formidable. According to Gen. Howard, "On this account they were able to hold us in check some little time." After placing a couple of batteries in position to respond, the rebels gave way. "We extinguished the fire, saved a portion of the bridge, and reconstructed it," recorded Howard. Captain Charles T. Clark of the 125th Ohio described the action as a "running fight for six miles to Buck Head." "During the rest of the march [to Buckhead] … the rebel cavalry made quite stubborn resistance," added Howard.

Federal Crossings Marker is on Howell Mill Road 0.1 miles south of Peachtree Battle Road, on the left when traveling south. The marker stands just to the south of the Howell Mill Bridge over Peachtree Creek.

At Sardis Methodist Church, the oldest church in the region, the Rebels made another effort to repel the Yankee advance. The church was located at the intersection of Powers Ferry Road and Roswell Road, where it remains today. At this intersection, the Federals made a right turn onto Roswell Road and proceeded south to Buckhead. "At Buck Head they rallied in and tried to hold their works," remembered Captain Clark, "but were expelled before they had time to fairly form, and our own line advanced half a mile further and halted near Wheeler's late headquarters." One Federal soldier explained, "Skirmishing at the front continued. We pressed on, and at two PM reached a place designated 'Buckhead,' a cross-roads, 6 ½ miles from Atlanta. One store-house and probably 2 or 3 other buildings, including dwelling houses, were all the town contained," remembered the veteran. "We met only slight resistance to our advance during the afternoon, the enemy yielding and falling back to within 6 miles of Atlanta."

 20th A.C.; Pace's Fy. Rd. Marker is at the intersection of West Paces Ferry Road and Arden Road, on the right when traveling east on West Paces Ferry Road. Looking southwest on Arden Road, route of Geary's Division on July 19, 1864

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HEADQUARTERS TWENTIETH ARMY CORPS, 

Peach Tree Creek, Ga., July 19, 1864-6 p. m.

Brigadier-General WHIPPLE, Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: I have the honor to report that I have given directions for the whole of Geary's division to cross Peach Tree Creek and establish themselves on the south side of it, and shall bring up Williams' division to support him Prisoners state that that the order was published last night relieving Johnston and putting Hood in command of their army. They do not know that any portion of their forces have been sent to our left. They say that Stewart's (Pold's) corps is on the left of Hardee's, which latter is in our front. They state further that their main line of defense is three miles from Atlanta in front of me, and about two and a half miles in the direction of the Chattahoochee. They state that the assignment of Hood gives great dissatisfaction in Hardee's corps.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

JOSEPH HOOKER, Major-General, Commanding.

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B Geary's Div. to Peachtree Creek Marker is at the intersection of Peachtree Battle Avenue and Arden Road, on the right when traveling east on Peachtree Battle Avenue. Looking east on Peachtree Battle Road, toward Northside Drive and Peachtree Road.

 Geary's Three Bridges Marker is at the intersection of Wesley Drive NW and Northside Drive NW (U.S. 41), on the right when traveling west on Wesley Drive NW.

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Rebel Dispatches today......... 

CONFIDENTIAL.] HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TENNESSEE,July 19, 1864-11 a. m.

General WHEELER:

GENERAL: General Hood directs me to inform you that unless circumstances now not seen should prevent, Generals Hardee and Stewart have been ordered to attack the enemy at 1 p. m. to-day. General Cheatham, on the right, is ordered to hold in check any force of the enemy that may advance in that direction, and you are desired to give all the aid in your power to General Cheatham to carry out this part.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant.

A. P. MASON, Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.

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CIRCULAR.] HEADQUARTERS HARDEE'S CORPS, July 19, 1864.

By direction of General Hood you will cause the banks of Peach Tree Creek to be thoroughly examined in front of your division; place a strong skirmish line there, and cause the best defenses that can be made to be placed there. The object is to enable a small force to resist the enemy's crossing for some time. General Hood considers this of great importance, and Lieutenant-General Hardee wishes you to give it your prompt attention.

Respectfully, 

T. B. ROY, Assistant Adjutant-General.

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Union General Palmer's advance toward Moore's Mill, a span of less than 3 miles would take three days to complete, while Howard and Hooker would likewise require three days to advance just 6 miles each in the Georgia wilderness before they secured a foothold on the south bank of Peach Tree Creek, the last natural barrier between them and Atlanta. This delay would afford Hood time to make the transition into command of the Rebel Army, and give him time to launch his first attack on the Yankee Army, which would come the next day, July 20, at the Battle of Peach Tree Creek. That contest at several points very nearly succeeded in throwing the federal forces north of Peach Tree Creek and proved to Sherman and his legions that the Confederacy was not going to give up Atlanta without a fight.