Georgia Natural Wonder #267 - Battle of Utoy Creek, August 6, 1864 ***

[Top Row Dawg]

Georgia Natural Wonder #267 - Battle of Utoy Creek, August 1864

Today's Georgia Natural Wonder is the 4th major battle for Atlanta. I grew up thinking there were the three battles (Peachtree Creek, Atlanta, Ezra Church). Those were all widely reported Union victories, although the Atlanta Battle had the same casualties, the other two battles were lopsided Union triumphs. Anyway, a fellow came to our N.E. Georgia Civil War Roundtable 15 years ago and told us all about the Battle of Utoy Creek. This was a decisive Confederate Victory so it was kept hushed from the Yankee Press and out of our history books. 


Local Atlanta Artist Mark Stewart, Commander USN, Retired made this iconic painting on the 145th Anniversary of the Main Attack at Utoy Creek

Our last post on the Battle of Ezra Church happened on July 28th, 1864 (GNW #266). On July 30th 1864, the Battle of Brown's Mill involved a Confederate defeat of Sherman's Cavalry down in Newnan as discussed in (GNW #236). July 31st brought about another defeat of Shermans Cavalry at Sunshine Church near Macon. We will cover this in a future post. A sharp skirmish ensued and Confederate Brigadier General Alfred Iverson, Jr. was able to deceive General George Stoneman into thinking he was surrounded. Stoneman surrendered himself and 700 troops to Iverson. On August 2nd 1864, the Yankee's were whooped on three straight Cavalry Battles around Atlanta with their defeat at the Battle of Kings Tanyard near Winder (GNW #205). So while there was a stalemate in Atlanta, Sherman was not doing well elsewhere.

Battle of Utoy Creek

The Battle of Utoy Creek was fought August 4 - 7, 1864. It was not really a set battle. Instead it was more a series of small engagements along the Utoy Creek - Sandtown Road area in search of the flank of the Confederate line. With each day's advance, the Union lines inched closer and entrenched as they went. The Federals cautiously pushed forward his lines, erecting a new line of works as they advanced. 


Now this map shows the three main battles we learned in school. But you can see the Confederate defenses leaving the circle around Atlanta and heading Southwest down Sandtown Road toward the Utoy Post Office.

August 4th, 1864

With the failure of Sherman’s plan to use Cavalry to destroy the railroad south of Atlanta and cut off the Confederate supply line, Sherman has decided to begin moving a portion of his forces toward the railroad junction at East Point.  This is where the railroad from Macon and the railroad from West Point, which leads into Alabama, meet and form a single line coming into Atlanta.  If Sherman’s forces can destroy this junction and control it, they will be able to cut off the supplies flowing into Atlanta. With this in mind, Sherman has sent Schofield and his Army of the Ohio to advance on East Point via the Sandtown Road (Cascade Road).  Sherman has attached Palmer’s XIV Corps of the Army of the Cumberland under Schofield and has ordered Palmer to report to and follow the commands of Schofield. 


John McAllister Schofield - He was appointed U.S. Secretary of War (1868–1869) under President Andrew Johnson and later served as Commanding General of the United States Army (1888–1895).  He nominated himself for a Medal of Honor from the early Civil War Battle at Wilson's Creek in Missouri. He "Was conspicuously gallant in leading a regiment in a successful charge against the enemy."

The advance was delayed for nearly the entire day as Palmer refused to report to or follow the commands of Schofield.  He felt that he was senior to Schofield.  They advanced no further than the North Fork of Utoy Creek.  The day was wasted through bickering between the Generals and nothing of real tactical importance was accomplished other than a few probes of the Confederate lines, which had be extended as fast as the Union could attempt to turn their flank.


John McAuley Palmer - He went on to become the 15th governor of Illinois, a nine year Senator from Illinois, and a presidential candidate of the National Democratic Party in the 1896 election (William McKinley won).

On the 4th, Brigader Absalom Baird's division advances south toward Utoy Creek and encounter the Confederate skirmishers. They take about 140 prisoners. 


Absalom Baird - Baird was awarded the Medal of Honor as he "Voluntarily led a detached brigade in an assault upon the enemy's works" at the Battle of Jonesborough on September 1, 1864. 

Colonel Newell Gleason led the way. Gleason's brigade was given the job of feeling out Confederate General Henry DeLamar Clayton's line and performed an excellent job in capturing several of the skirmishers redoubts to General Randall Lee Gibson's front.

 
Brig. Gen. Newell Gleason - General Henry DeLamar Clayton, Sr. went on to be president of University of Alabama. - General Randall Lee Gibson went on to be president of the board of administrators of Tulane University.

Gleason troops then turn towards the east and encounter an artillery barrage.  They decide not to advance and assault the Confederate works as they assume they will be repulsed. Union commanding officer Jefferson Columbus Davis brings his division up along side Baird’s and comes to halt as well.  Schofield is not happy about the assault coming to a halt. 


Jefferson Columbus Davis - Davis murdered Union General William "Bull" Nelson but avoided conviction for the murder because there was a need for experienced field commanders in the Union Army. Davis's actions during the Ebenezer Creek passing (GNW #51) and ruthlessness toward former slaves have caused his legacy to be clouded in continued controversy. After the war, he was the first commander of the Department of Alaska. Davis regained a little fame when he assumed command of the US forces in California and Oregon during the Modoc War of 1872–1873. The Battle of Dry Lake, also known as Sorass Lake, was the first decisive victory of the United States over the Modoc Indians.

Schofield orders General Richard Woodhouse Johnson Division of Palmer’s Corps to swing around the right and attack the Confederate left flank.  Johnson waits until early evening to begin his movement, which he calls a “reconnaissance”.  He moved a short distance and then calls it off since it is too late in the day to do much good.  He falls back to the rear of Davis.  Schofield and Sherman are both displeased with the performance of Palmer’s XIV Corps. 


Richard Woodhouse Johnson - After his retirement, Johnson served as the Professor of Military Science at the Missouri State University. He ran for Governor of Minnesota in 1881 as a Democrat, but lost to Republican Lucius Frederick Hubbard.

The conflict between General’s Sherman, Palmer and Schofield continued throughout the day.  Palmer sent multiple letters arguing back and forth with Sherman.  Palmer’s final letter said “I will call upon you tomorrow morning and present a formal application to be relieved.”  While they bickered back and forth, Federal units were still trying to get in line for the move toward East Point.  For the remainder of the day Palmer agrees to relay orders from Schofield to his XIV Corps.  Palmer will resign in the morning and for a time Johnson will command the XIV Corps.

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HEADQUARTERS FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Before Atlanta, Ga., August 5, 1864--10.05 p. m.
[General SHERMAN:]

GENERAL: I confess my surprise at the contents of your telegraphic note, this moment received. Waiving any statement of what were my purposes and intentions in respect to quitting the service, I will frankly say that if I were in your place, at the head of an army, I would require of my subordinates the faithful and energetic performance of their respective duties. 

And if my plans failed of execution, I would ascertain the cause and punish the delinquent vigorously, as no man is to be regarded when contrasted with the great cause of the country.

I am not surprised that you are dissatisfied with the operations of the army of this flank on yesterday and today, for I am also dissatisfied, and think much more ought to have been done, and readily confess myself in some measure responsible. 

Still I do earnestly protest against your inference of a want of interest in our operations. On yesterday you were present, and I will not speak of what I said or did. Today I exerted myself more, I think, than any officer on the field to carry out General Schofield's orders, until the afternoon, near night, I found that aside from Baird's handsome operation in the forenoon nothing would be accomplished. I am to blame, however, in this, that I have not done as you obviously intend doing in my case--hold some one responsible for the failures. I think I could select the proper objects of responsibility more accurately than you have done in selecting me. I am so well convinced that this campaign has been lengthened out by the negligence and inattention of officers, and will be hereafter lengthened and drawn out from the same cause, that I accept your intimation to me not as offensive (though I think unjust), but as a sign of a purpose on your part, in future, to inquire into the causes of our almost daily failures to meet your avowed expectations, and when the cause is discovered to apply the correction. If you will do this justly, without favor or affection, I will venture my life that you will be astonished at the result. I will accept your offer to relieve me, not upon the ground that your suspicion of a want of interest is well founded, nor that I am in any other than the manner already admitted responsible for the unsatisfactory results on this flank, but upon the principle that as you are responsible to the country for this campaign every subordinate officer employed ought upon the first intimation from you of a want of confidence step out of the way promptly and feel that he is serving the country in doing so. Pardon this long letter. I will call upon you to-morrow morning and present a formal application to be relieved.

Respectfully,JOHN M. PALMER, Major-General.

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This is the only example of a resignation in the middle of an operation during the history of the United States. Wait, I thought Hooker quit the week before.


Utoy Creek as close as you can come to Civil War conditions in the Atlanta Theater.

Schofield's advance put the skirmish lines a mere 75 yards in front of the Louisianans. Construction of redoubts along the Louisianans skirmish line was still underway when the Battle of Utoy Creek began. A small detachment of three men from the 19th Louisiana were forced to lay prostate with one pick as they built their redoubt while taking fire from an enemy picket. That Fed was having a picnic all by himself. Once their redoubt was complete, the men each took a shot at the picket and sat proud champions of their accomplishment, only to be moved to a new location to undergo the same work.



August 5th, 1864

Schofield made a movement to exploit this situation on the morning of August 5. From his location in the Utoy Valley, Schofield's force combined with elements of Palmer's XIV Corps to launch an offensive movement that succeeded in driving the Confederate forces before them until another halt was ordered for regrouping.

Valley of Utoy Creek 

Marker is on the North Side of Utoy Creek. The marker is on Peyton Road, on the left when traveling north. It is located at the Bridge over the North Fork of Utoy Creek. The prominence of this site is it was the site of the Combat Crossing of the swollen North branch of Utoy Creek. The troops in Sherman's Army made the forced combat crossing under intense fire from Confederate Cavalry of Armstrong's Brigade supported by Florida Infantry on the Ridge immediately to the south.




Frank Crawford Armstrong  - In June 1861, Armstrong was promoted to captain in the Union army. In July, he led a company of Union cavalry at the First Battle of Bull Run. However, Armstrong resigned his commission and on August 10, 1861, he joined the Confederate Army. As Armstrong's Union resignation did not go into effect until August 13, he was technically on both sides at the same time. With the return of peace after the War, Armstrong worked for the Overland Mail Service in Texas. Because of his frontier and military experience, he served as United States Indian Inspector from 1885 until 1889, and was the Assistant Commissioner of Indian Affairs from 1893 to 1895.



My TRD Driving tour would start off at this historical Marker crossing Utoy Creek.


Utoy Creek at Peyton Road.

Somehow in the early morning hours of the 5th, skirmishers of Gleason's brigade were able to sneak up to within yards of the picket line of Gibson's brigade and make a sudden assault. Gleason accredited the stealthy move to having fought on the same ground the evening before. The Louisiana units on skirmish duty were caught off guard but put up a stiff fight. Two heavy lines of skirmishers, followed by solid reserves, fell on the 16th and 25th regiment. 



The 4th regiment and Austin's battalion were also on picket duty. Members in the units blamed supporting elements from other brigades for allowing the enemy to swing around and capture a lot of the men in the redoubts. About 100 men were captured by Gleason's quick rush. Both William Hiran Duff of the 25th Louisiana, who was among those captured, and Gleason agreed that the orders to hold the line to the last extremity allowed for men to be captured more than anything. The small obstinate fight on the 4th and 5th cost Baird about 83 men, with 26 being in Gleason's command. 


Austin's Battalion rein-actors.

There was also an attack by the Regular Brigade of Milo Smith Hascall against J. Patton Anderson's Division CSA of Stephen Dill Lee's Corps that was successful. Hascall's division crossed Utoy Creek at Herring's Mill in the face of a stubborn resistance, and found the enemy in a strongly fortified in front. His troops entrenched under heavy artillery fire. At about 8 AM he moved his command gallantly forward, drove in the enemy's entrenched skirmish line, and captured 140 prisoners. The whole line then advanced to the west bank of the creek but no effort was made to cross the stream. During the night before, Hood strengthened his line by adding a part of Hardee's Corps and felled trees along the east side of the Utoy Creek to form an abatis. 


Milo Smith Hascall  - Post War he engaged in banking, but later entered the real-estate business in Chicago, Illinois. James Patton Anderson - Before the War Anderson was a United States Congressman from the Washington Territory, a Mississippi state legislator, and a delegate at the Florida state secession convention to withdraw from the United States. After the War he became the editor of a small agricultural newspaper. He was collector of delinquent state taxes for Shelby County. Anderson died in relative poverty at his home in Memphis at the age of 50, due primarily to lingering effects of his old war wound, injured his jaw at battle Jonesboro, Georgia a few weeks later from today's action.

Although initially successful, Schofield had to regroup his forces, which took the rest of the day. In addition the Confederates dismounted a brigade of cavalry, Frank Crawford Armstrong's, in the front of the federals in a deception plan, a feinted attack that was successful in delaying the combined force of the XXIII and XIV Corps USA. The heated disagreement between Schofield and Palmer over seniority and command issues resulted in Palmer's resignation on August 5, halting further progress and allowing the Confederates to strengthen their fortifications in preparation for the expected onslaught. Many of the skirmishers were captured on both sides in a contest for the high ground above the North Fork of the Creek near Herrings Mill. A feint attack was also made here on 6 August 1864 to cover the Main attack along the South Fork of the Creek in an outwork prepared by the Confederates of Bates Division.

 
Relics of Herring Mill.

With no support marching to his flanks from other divisions, Baird pulled Gleason back for the night. Gibson reoccupied the line and orders were given to fight to the last rather than give up their positions so easy.  

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We find these selected Union reports for today in Atlanta………..

HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE CUMBERLAND, August 5, 1864.
Major-General SHERMAN:

I am surprised to receive such a report of the Fourteenth Corps, for it has always been prompt in executing any work given to it heretofore. If General Palmer is an obstacle to its efficiency, I would let him go. I had the Fourth and Twentieth Corps demonstrate strongly on the enemy's line from 12 m. until night. They found the intrenchments heavily manned. I will have the skirmishers feel forward again to-night to see if the enemy have left. The Fourth and Twentieth Corps now occupy the whole line held by the Twenty-third, Twentieth, and Fourth Corps before the movement on the right commenced, consequently they are in single line, and it will be impossible to form an assaulting column. I sent Whipple to the right to-day. He has just returned and informed me that all that was done to-day on the right was done by Baird's division, which advanced in obedience to Schofield's orders, but not being supported either on its right or left, General Baird fell back to his former position after having driven the enemy from two lines of rifle-pits, and capturing 160 prisoners, losing about 100 men himself.

GEO. H. THOMAS, Major-General.


George Henry Thomas - Born July 31, 1816 at Newsom's Depot, Virginia. He was a Southern Unionist who chose to remain in the U.S. Army. He died only five years after the war ended. None of Thomas's blood relatives attended his funeral as they had never forgiven him for his loyalty to the Union.


Utoy Creek.

HEADQUARTERS FOURTH ARMY CORPS, August 5, 1864--10 p. m.
Brigadier-General KIMBALL, Commanding First Division, Fourth Army Corps:

Direct the artillery on your front to fire six volleys at intervals of ten minutes into Atlanta. Let your skirmishers keep up fire and notice if the rebels return fire. Do you see any sign of their quitting? If so, push skirmishers up. General Sherman thinks they may quit. Our forces did nothing on the right to-day. Baird captured 150 on skirmish line, but not being supported fell back to his intrenchments. Please answer.

D. S. STANLEY, Major-General.

 
Nathan Kimball - Postmaster of Ogden, Utah 1879 until his death in 1898. - David Sloane Stanley - Won Medal of Honor Battle of Franklin. At a critical moment rode to the front of one of his brigades, reestablished its lines, and gallantly led it in a successful assault. After the war, Stanley was appointed colonel in the Dakota Territory. He commanded the Yellowstone Expedition of 1873, with Custer second in command.

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The only selected rebel report from today

AUGUST 5, 1864-2 p. m.

General MARTIN, Commanding, &c.:

If the enemy should attempt to move around our right resist him to the full extent of your ability. He is pressing our picket-line with some vigor.

[F. A. SHOUP, Chief of Staff.]


William Thompson Martin - He later served in the Mississippi state senate, and was a delegate to four Democratic National Conventions. - Francis Asbury Shoup - After the war, Shoup became a professor at the University of Mississippi, and later, at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. He designed the Shoupades of the Johnston River Line in Smyrna (GNW #140).

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During the night of the 5th, Hood orders the defensive lines extended further south and west to protect the railroad in East Point.  The line extended about 1.25 miles from the existing defensive lines, down a ridge line the paralleled the Sandtown Road (Cascade Road), and overlooked the North Fork of Utoy Creek.  The far left of the line ended in the area of the current Cascade Springs Nature Preserve.

August 6th 1864

The Battle of Utoy Creek was fought August 4 -7, 1864. It was a slow series of small skirmishes until today. The delay of Schofield's and Palmer's command squabble from yesterday's attack allowed the Confederates to strengthen their defenses with an abatis, which slowed the Union attack when it restarted on the morning of August 6. This morning, Sherman has accepted the resignation of Palmer, who will be on a train back to Chattanooga by the afternoon, and  the Federals had formed up their lines and everyone was in place to attempt an advance across Utoy Creek towards the railroad in East Point.  With Palmer’s resignation, Robert W. Johnson, a division commander within the XIV Corps, was appointed Commander of the XIV Corps and placed under the command of Schofield.  Displeased with the performance of the XIV Corps on the previous day, Schofield had moved his XXIII Corps to the right of the XIV Corps.  The XXIII Corps is now the Federal right flank and the XIV Corps is the left flank with Logan’s XV Corps in support to their left.  Palmer’s Corp was fanned out in an arch following the current Beecher Road south to Benjamin E. Mays and making a slight turn to the west, just north of Cascade Road.  Palmer’s right ended near Willis Mill Road.  Schofield’s left was adjacent to Palmer’s right with Cox’s Division along Cascade Road and stretching out west.  Hascall’s Division of Schofield’s Corps turn south making a 90 degree turn to the east and was facing the end of the Confederate line at the Confederate left flank.  Just west of Cascade Springs Nature Preserve.

On the morning of the 6th general Jacob Dolson Cox commanded the 3rd Division of the XXIII Corps of the Army of the Ohio, under Maj. Gen. John M. Schofield. His 3rd Division provided the main effort in the assault at the Battle of Utoy Creek. 


Jacob Dolson Cox, Jr.  - After the war, he served as president of the University of Cincinnati, the 28th governor of Ohio and as United States Secretary of the Interior.

Stop two of the TRD Driving tour would include a visit to the Lionel Hampton Park (Autobahn Park at Flamingo Road). It is a wooded 105-acre park that contains hundreds of yards of well-preserved Federal earthworks used during the fighting around Utoy Creek on the 6th.
 

The trenches are just off the new Belt Line Bike Path in the park. Looking north along the bike path in Lionel Hampton – Beecher Hills Park.  Cox’s Division of Schofield’s 23rd Corps (US) established their lines on the ridge line at the top of the hill in the distance.


Portion of Federal earthworks manned by Cox’s Division.


A fairly long stretch of earthworks occupied by Cox’s Division of Schofield’s 23rd Corps (US) inside Lionel Hampton – Beecher Hills Park.


A dead tree lies across the remnants of Federal earthworks of Cox’s Division.  The log helps demonstrate the depth of the remaining earthworks that are tucked away in the forest of Lionel Hampton – Beecher Hills Park.

Cox was ordered to make a reconnaissance with one brigade, supporting it with the rest of his division ready to follow up any advantage gained. The battle began when Cox’s Division moved south and Hascall’s Division moved east to press the Confederate flank. The 11th Kentucky Regiment (Federal) of Cox’s Division was at the front of the advancing line and made first contact with the 4th Kentucky (CS), who were posted as skirmishers in front, the famed Kentucky Orphan Brigade.  This action happened in the area of the waterfall in what is now Cascade Springs Nature Preserve.

Stop 3 of the TRD Driving Tour brings us to the Cascade Springs Nature Preserve.

James W. Reily's brigade was selected to lead the movement, 200 men were added to the skirmish line, which advanced and drove the enemy back from the works in front of the Union right center, where the timber offered some protection. The 104th Ohio was then sent forward to support the skirmishers in a farther advance, which resulted in the enemy being driven into his works along the entire length of the ridge above the Utoy Creek Valley. Encouraged by conditions thus far developed, Reilly now advanced with his whole brigade and assaulted the main line of entrenchments. After crossing Utoy Creek, the men became entangled in the network of fallen trees, many of which were cut only half off, then bent over and interlaced, forming an almost impassable barrier. This was all along present day Cascade Road in SW Atlanta. 

James William Reilly - May have had a bad day here, but later at the Battle of Franklin, his troops initially broke in disarray under a heavy Confederate assault, General Reilly managed to rally them and repulse the attack, capturing more than 1,000 prisoners and seizing 22 Confederate battle flags.

While the men were struggling with these obstructions, they were subjected to a merciless fire from the Confederate works on yet another higher ridge above the Sandtown Road in the present day Cascade Springs Nature Preserve. Cox’s attack was repulsed and he suffered a severe loss.  He reformed for another attempt, but was repulsed a second time after which he withdrew from the assault. 

Now this heavily wooded park still retains the feel for the battle scene 150 years ago today. Confederate reinforcements were constantly arriving. The Federals were repulsed with heavy losses by William B. Bate's division and failed in an attempt to break the main defenses to gain the railroad.


William Brimage Bate - After the Reconstruction era, he served as the 23rd governor of Tennessee from 1883 to 1887. He was elected to the United States Senate from Tennessee, serving from 1887 until his death.


The route of the Union attack of August 6 traversed across the Sandtown Road and up a steep incline through rough terrain and well-prepared barricades against positions defended by Kentucky's famed Orphan Brigade of Major General William B. Bate's division. 

Reilly thought he had flanked the Southerners, but they enveloped him in a ravine of sorts just like at Picketts Mill. Florida troops firing down on Michigan men.


The Federals could get no closer to the Confederate trenches than 30 yards before the fierce resistance forced them to fall back. Reily held his ground however, until Casement's brigade was sent to cover his withdrawal.


John Stephen Casement - He was a noted railroad contractor and civil engineer. No Civil War uniform image but here he is directing the construction of the Union Pacific's section of the Transcontinental Railroad, which linked the Western United States with the East. He had to drive the Golden Spike when the Southern Pacific guy was not able to hit the spike properly. He later built a railroad to the Pacific in Costa Rica in 1897. Casement had the misfortune to be in San Jose, California when the 1906 San Francisco earthquake struck. Staying at the Vendome Hotel with his wife, he was pinned in his bed and suffered three broken ribs when parts of the hotel collapsed.

 

In the meantime, back up present day Cascade Road, Hascall was hindered by the South Fork of Utoy Creek and made minimal gains in his assault. He moved his division to the right to endeavor to capture a battery that enfiladed Cox's position. He did reach the rear of an artillery battery, which withdrew to the east to another position on high ground from which they still had a commanding view. There is still a long trench just south of Cascade up crossing Woodland Terrace where the Confederates had the high ground. Cooper's and Swaine's brigades were moved through the woods beyond Sandtown Road back east toward Atlanta. They were in a position to make the assault before they were discovered. Then both brigades charged up the hill and pressed forward. Taking heavy losses, they drove the enemy back into his secondary works, though they managed to save the guns. 


Joseph Alexander Cooper - Born in Kentucky, grew up in Tennessee, he was a Southern Unionist. After the war, Cooper commanded the Tennessee State Guard, a state militia organized by Governor William G. Brownlow to quell postwar violence across Tennessee. He served as an internal revenue agent in the Knoxville area during the 1870s before moving to Kansas, where he spent the final decades of his life.   


Peter Tyler Swaine - After the War he was in command of Fort Keogh, Mont. and commanded Department of Dakota to Dec. 10, 1894.

The XIV Corps, now commanded by Johnson, has sat idle most of the day and did not make an attempt to attack until late afternoon and he only attacked with one division.  He gained no headway and retired before anything larger than a skirmish developed.

Late in the afternoon, one of Schofield's divisions managed to flank Bates out of his position, and Hood came to the conclusion that his left flank was being turned. The Confederates fell back to a new line of prepared earthworks closer to the railroad that night. In a complete reversal of the lopsided numbers against the Confederates at Ezra Church, the Union losses today were put at 850, and the Confederate line held with a loss of only 35 killed, wounded, or missing while defending their heavily entrenched and fortified lines.



 A reenactment of Utoy Creek at the Nash Farm near Jonesboro last summer.


Cascade Springs Nature Preserve (2800 Cascade Road) consists of 137 wooded acres and is the core area of fighting for the Battle of Utoy Creek. Many earthworks and rifle pits remain on the property along with the cascading waterfall for which the area was named. They are trying to put up a monument to the Michigan men killed there.
 

Here are a few of the Earthworks from the Battle of Utoy Creek. These pics actually didn't come out very good. 


The trenches are much more obvious in real life than they appear in these pics.

We found this recollection of the battle from a member of the Orphan Brigade…..

On August 6th at Utoy Creek on the Sandtown road leading Southwest from Atlanta. The Orphan Brigade and Tyler's Tennessee Brigade had been pushed forward on a kind of salient to the left and front of the main line and touching the little stream known as Utoy Creek. Here occurred the battle known by the above name. I here recognize more distinctly than any other place, so far visited, the general appearance of the ground and especially the falls of the little creek at which on the day previous to the battle I enjoyed the only refreshing bath for several days. It is quite an interesting place to the writer. I here witnessed on the morning of the battle the capture of Lieut. Isham Dudley, in command of the videttes, together with some half dozen men of the Orphan Brigade, they having been completely surprised just at daybreak by a sudden and unexpected rush of the enemy.
 
Waterfall still at Cascade Springs nature center. Some of the first combat during the Battle of Utoy Creek occurred near here between the Federal 11th Kentucky Infantry Regiment and Confederate 4th Kentucky Infantry Regiment (of the famed “Orphan Brigade”). Numerous soldiers had bathed here the previous day.

The writer had the honor to command the skirmish line covering the Confederate position and had a fine opportunity to witness the charge of the two Federal brigades, which were composed chiefly of East Tennesseans, as they swept past the right of our skirmish line, they doubtless not knowing that they were about to encounter breastworks of a formidable character, receiving at the same time a scathing flank fire from the Fourth Kentucky and the skirmish line above alluded to. But they were plucky fellows and charged to within a few yards of our works, paying dearly for their courage and temerity. In this affair we were attacked by a force somewhat superior in numbers, but the advantage that our breastworks afforded us made the victory easily won. I here quote the order of General S. D. Lee, commanding corps, congratulating them and incidentally complimenting the defenders.
 
The springhouse still at Cascade Springs.

"The lieutenant general commanding takes pleasure in announcing to the officers and men of this corps the splendid conduct of a portion of Bates' Division, particularly Tyler's Brigade and the Second and Fourth Kentucky regiments of Lewis' Brigade, in sustaining and repulsing on yesterday afternoon three assaults of the enemy in which his loss in killed, wounded and prisoners was from eight hundred to a thousand men, with three stands of colors, three or four hundred small arms and all of his entrenching tools. Soldiers who fight with the coolness and determination that these men did will always be victorious over any reasonable number."

In this engagement we lost only about eighteen men all told, while the enemy's loss in killed alone was 160. I walked over the ground ten minutes after it occurred and found the crest of the hill covered with the dead and wounded, swords, guns, cartridge boxes and other paraphernalia of war.

I found here the thing I need and coveted most of all at this time, a fine black sombrero, which furnished me ample protection thereafter from the intense rays of the August sun. I "swapped" my spoon-bill cap with the fellow who had worn this hat, to which he, of course, raised no objection. Others provided themselves in like manner, which was entirely legitimate, of course, the original owners having no further use for such things. But a flanking column that night, as usual, compelled us to abandon the position of our recent victory and we retired to our original position in the circle of entrenchments.

I have this day, May 13, 1912, carefully and studiously reviewed the very spot on which those 160 men lay dead, and I feel safe in saying that it is not larger than one-half a city block. They were met square in front and were fired on from both flanks, and had they attempted to remain there as much as one hour there would not have been a man of them left on his feet. It was a death trap similar to the one into which we Orphans fell at Dallas.
 
I could hardly control my emotions when viewing this place, and my mind was almost overwhelmed as I walked along on top of these still distinct and undisturbed parapets, stopping now and then to pick up a "Yankee bullet" lodged in them, or a small stone that had been thrown out by the Confederates. The surroundings here are perfectly familiar to me, notwithstanding opinions of friends at home to the contrary. So interesting is this spot that I have made the second visit to it.

Here the time from August 7 to 29, 1864, was spent in listening to the music of the rifle and the cannon and an occasional sweet, faint and harmonious symphony from the enemy's brass bands as they played, seemingly for our entertainment, "The Star Spangled Banner," "Hail Columbia," "Yankee Doodle" and, to taunt us, "Dixie." At night they would vary the entertainment by sending up innumerable rockets, which some of the men interpreted to mean the arrival of a new command or shift of position, but to most of us it was "Greek and Hebrew."

The Battle of Utoy Creek was a major victory for the Confederates and a terrible loss to the Union Army under Sherman. Sherman's original plan for capturing Atlanta, poorly executed as it was by Schofield, forced Sherman into an unwinnable siege war. The significance of the Battle of Utoy Creek has long been underemphasized by historians, because General Sherman underreported his battle casualties and battle failures to Washington, so as not to impair President Lincoln's re-election chances. It was only after General Sherman outflanked the Confederate Army to the south of East Point, and cut the railroad ties at Jonesborough, that he secured a Confederate victory in the Battle of Atlanta, thus ensuring President Lincoln's re-election, and the fall of the Confederacy.

Mixing corps cost the Union unit integrity, Schofield did not have good intelligence on the enemy and Sherman goaded him to make an ill-fated attack at Utoy Creek. The Army major quotes advice he said Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant once gave to Sherman. "Never call an attack an attack if it is not successful."

Third Division 23rd Corps Attack ⎯⎯⎯ Second Division 23rd Corps Attack

Retyping this years later and I see Colonel Bennett got his historical Marker at Cascade Springs. Erected 2016 by Georgia Civil War Commission, Lt Col Perry Bennett-Army Historian and Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Dept of GA & SC. Dedicated by Atlanta City Councilman Julian Bond, Jr, the GA Civil War Commission and Colonel Bennett Army Historian for the 335th SIG CMD (Theater) US Army. The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil war provided and honor guard, presented the colors and sponsored the event jointly with the GA Civil War Commission.

It is in Cascade Heights. It can be reached from the intersection of Old Sandtown Road Southwest and Cascade Road Southwest. Located in the Cascade Springs Nature Preserve parking lot.


Third Division 23rd Corps Attack Marker


Second Division 23rd Corps Attack Marker - Hascall's Division Attacked by 23rd Corps at Battle of Utoy Creek Aug 6, 1864

 
Area view of marker with access to Utoy Creek in background. View of marker looking west in the Cascade Springs Nature Preserve.


Artist Marc Stewart, Commander USN, Ret, shows one of his two prints on the battle of Utoy Creek. His print depicts the action described on the marker.

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Battle of Utoy Creek "paying dearly for their courage and temerity" — Atlanta Campaign Heritage Trail —


Marker is in same parking lot at Cascade Springs.

So small ... Inscription. By late July 1864 three major battles...Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta and Ezra Church...had weakened but not defeated the Confederate army defending Atlanta. By that time Union Major General William T. Sherman had begun inching his troops southwest around the city. His new plan was to destroy the two railroads still transporting vital supplies from Montgomery and Macon via East Point to Atlanta. To protect these railroads, the Confederates constructed a new line of trenches eventually stretching approximately eight miles generally southwest from their main defensive entrenchments encircling the city. Positioned along the new extended line was Confederate Major General William B. Bate's division on high ground running parallel to and south of the Sandtown road (present day Cascade Road). Confederate Lieutenant Lot D. Young of the 4th Infantry Regiment in the Kentucky "Orphan Brigade" recalled the battlefield. After his return visit in 1912, Young wrote, “I here recognize...the falls of the little creek at which on the day previous to the battle I enjoyed the only refreshing bath for several days.”

General Sherman's plan involved a two-pronged attack against the western end of the extended line. On Saturday morning, August 6th, Union Brigadier General James W. Reilly's brigade in Brigadier General Jacob D. Cox's division advanced south toward the "Orphan Brigade” of Brigadier General Joseph H. Lewis. The Confederates were entrenched and ready. They had also cut down trees, pointing their branches toward the enemy. Ironically, two of the first opposing units engaged were from the same state, the Federal 11th Kentucky and Confederate 4th Kentucky Infantry Regiments. Lieutenant Young recalled, "[The Federals] swept past. . .doubtless not knowing that they were about to encounter breastworks of a formidable character...But they were plucky fellows and charged to within a few yards of our works, paying dearly for their courage and temerity.” Cox rushed reinforcements forward but after two failed attempts his division retired with losses of several hundred casualties while General Bate's division suffered fewer than twenty.

A second Federal division aimed at the western flank of the Confederate line. After struggling across South Utoy Creek, Union Brigadier General Milo S. Hascall's division forced Confederate dismounted cavalry and two cannon to retreat a short distance. But Hascall's men pushed no further. A late afternoon supporting attack by one division of the Federal 14th Corps ended almost before it began. Yet commanding Confederate General John B. Hood, concerned about his army's exposed left flank, ordered General Bate's division to retire east to their previous position.

The strong extended Confederate siege line, ultimately stretching from Atlanta to East Point, persuaded General Sherman to exert additional pressure on the city by initiating a heavy artillery bombardment. He wrote, "[Atlanta] will be a used-up community by the time we are done with it." But Sherman was impatient about a long siege. In late August he moved six of his seven infantry corps further southwest, outflanking the Confederate extended line thus threatening the last two railroads supplying Atlanta. The opposing armies would clash again at Jonesborough.



Leaving Cascade Springs, you come past these historical markers along Cascade Road. Stop 4 of the TRD Driving Tour.

Battle of Utoy Creek Marker


Marker is at the intersection of Cascade Road (Georgia Route 154) and Woodland Terrace, on the right when traveling west on Cascade Road. 




Local Atlanta Artist Mark Stewart, Commander USN, Retired and Major Leonard Perry Bennett view the painting by Mr. Stewart on the 145th Anniversary of the Main Attack at Utoy Creek on Cascade Road, SW Atlanta, GA   

The Embattled Ridge Marker

Marker is at the intersection of Cascade Road (Georgia Route 154) and Woodland Terrace, on the right when traveling west on Cascade Road. Located between between Dodson Road and Woodland Terrace.


The marker is at the base of the ridge assaulted three times by Major General Schofields 23rd Army Corps (USA) and near the junction with the 14th Army Corps under Major General Jefferson Davis (USA) defended by Bate's Division attached to Lt. General Steven D. Lee's Corps (CSA).

This marks the Western position held by Bate's Division (CSA) attached by order to LTG Steven D. Lees's Corps (CSA) for defense of the Railroad lines. This was the Main attack on 6 August 1864. Bate's Division received a commendation for its being three times assaulted by superior numbers and in capturing two stands of colors from the Federal Forces engaged. Bate and his division withdrew to the next ridge South West on 7 August 1864. US Forces lost 800 killed and over a thousand wounded and the Confederates lost twenty killed on in this decisive engagement.

Submitted July 5, 2008, by Lieutenant Colonel Perry Bennett, Army Historian of Atlanta, Georgia.

Stop 5 of the TRD Driving Tour comes to the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation off Cascade Road.

Private Samuel Grimshaw of the XIV Army Corps, USA was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions against a Confederate Artillery Battery along the Sandtown (Cascade Road) during the main attack on 6 August 1864. He picked up a red hot unexploded Confederate shell and threw it in the Creek saving all the men in his regiment. He suffered severe burns and had scars on his hands for the rest of his life. This happened right at the front parking lot of the present day Episcopal Church of the Incarnation off Cascade Road.
 
Private Van Raalte was nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor for the recovery of the Unit Colors of the 25th Michigan Infantry, Hascalls Division, XXIII Army Corps, USA. The Twenty Fifth Michigan Volunteers took part in the heavy fighting at Utoy Creek, near East Point on the outskirts of Atlanta. On August 6 the regiment lost both color bearers, and the regimental flag was left on the field when the Union forces were driven back. The Federal Colors were captured by the Confederates of Armstrong's Brigade of Cavalry dismounted as infantry. During the night, Ben Van Raalte crept through the Confederate lines and somehow laid hands on the flag which they had lost. He brought it back to his own position, and for the rest of the war he carried the flag which he had rescued. In later years he always proudly carried the flag when the regiment was on parade.

It's also interesting that in this fighting, there were Tennessee Union troops, fighting alongside the 14th Michigan as part of the overall XIV Corps, and fighting against brothers, cousins and neighbors from the same place in Tennessee who were in the Confederate ranks. A very amazing battle and piece of the story not often told or much known about.

The Federal Colors were captured by the Confederates of Armstrong's Brigade of Cavalry dismounted as infantry. The Confederate Corps Commander, Lt General Steven D. Lee cited Bate's Division and especially Tyler's and Lewis's Brigades for the repulse of a superior enemy force, capture of 200 prisoners and three stands of Colors.

Much evidence of the fighting that took place at Utoy Creek is still evident today in Atlanta's West End neighborhood along Cascade Road. The Confederate trench is still found faintly, between homes up on Woodland Terrace.




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Although Schofield’s troops were at Utoy Creek on August 2, they, along with the XIV Corps, Army of the Cumberland, did not cross until August 4. An initial attack by the Regular Brigade against J. Patton Anderson's Division CSA of Stephen Dill Lee's Corps was unsuccessful. In addition the Confederates dismounted a brigade of cavalry, Armstrong's, in the front of the federals in a deception plan, a feinted attack that was successful in delaying the combined force of the XXIII and XIV Corps USA. Schofield made an additional movement to exploit this situation on the morning of August 5. Although initially successful, Schofield had to regroup his forces, which took the rest of the day. The delay allowed the Confederates to strengthen their defenses with an abatis, which slowed the Union attack when it restarted on the morning of August 6.

The Federals were repulsed with heavy losses by William B. Bate's division and failed in an attempt to break the main defenses to gain the railroad. On August 7, the Union troops moved toward the Confederate main line skirmishing and extending to their right and entrenched. Several attacks were made at Sandtown Road (Campbellton at Adams Park) on 10 August and East Point on 18 August. Here US Forces remained, as far south as the Atlanta Christian College, until late August 1864 when the failure of Schofield's offensive operations convinced Sherman to move on the Confederate lines of communication and supply.

Here we find the Union reports for today…..

NEAR ATLANTA, GA., August 6, 1864--9 p. m.
Major General H. W. HALLECK, Washington, D. C.:

We have now developed our line along with the enemy from the Augusta railroad, on our left, to Utoy Post-Office, on our right, and the enemy faces us in force at all points with equal force and superior works. 

General Schofield tried to break through at a point near our right with a brigade (General Reilly's), but his men were caught in the entanglement and lost probably 500. We have skirmished heavily along the whole line, using artillery freely, but have made no impression. I will continue to work to the right to find the extreme flank and threaten the railroad, if possible, to draw him out of Atlanta or force him to attack us; but our line is already too extended and weak. By means of his militia (of which he has the whole population of Georgia) he is enabled to use his three regular corps as reserves. Our loss to-day will foot up 1,000. I will soon need re-enforcements, and if you can replace General A. J. Smith at Memphis with African American or fresh troops I would order him here via Decatur. He must now be en route for Columbus, Miss. I have called forward a brigade from Decatur. I am now convinced that General Stoneman surrendered near Macon with 700 of his men, ordering two small brigades to break out and get in. One (Colonel Adams'), with 900 men, is in, but their time is out and they will be discharged. The other brigade (Capron's) I fear was scattered and picked up in detail. His entire loss will be about 1,300. General McCook's loss is 500. Damage done road, cars, and bridges was very large, but the enemystill run cars into Atlanta from Macon.

W. T. SHERMAN,Major-General.

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HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE OHIO, Near Atlanta, Ga., August 6, 1864.
Major-General SHERMAN:

In my movement this morning I made a circuit to the right far enough to strike beyond what appeared to be, and probably was, yesterday the enemy's flank, but found intrenchments of ordinary strength with extensive entanglements in front. Reilly assaulted gallantly and energetically, and I believe with more than ordinary confidence of success on the part of himself and men. But the obstructions were so great that it was found impossible to reach the parapet. Reilly's loss is about 500 men, including many valuable officers. After this failure, I made a much larger circuit to the right for the purpose of reaching the enemy's flank or a point of his line not protected by abatis. 

I struck the point where the Sandtown road crosses the main Utoy Creek. Here the enemy's line makes a sharp salient, bending back along the north bank of the creek. The main line was prolonged by cavalry, with artillery, toward the Chattahoochee. General Hascall sent two brigades, under General Cooper, to clear this flank, which he did by crossing the creek, but too late for any further operations. We are intrenching the ground we have gained, and will be ready for work again in the morning. The losses in Cox's and Hascall's divisions are probably not more than 1,000 men. I have not thought it advisable to put in more men than the Twenty-third Corps to-day, except in making demonstrations to draw the enemy from the points of attack. General Johnson has been with me during the day and has promptly executed all my orders. Colonel Warner, who left me late this evening, can explain to you more fully our situation. If you take the blue colored map of Atlanta and vicinity, the forks of the Utoy Creek southeast of the town of Utoy is, I believe, Hascall's position. I will determine more accurately tonight.

J. M. SCHOFIELD, Major-General.
 
Clearing the Utoy Cemetery.

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The rebel reports of course were more succinct....

ATLANTA, August 6, 1864.
Honorable J. A. SEDDON:

The enemy made two assault to-day on Finley's and Lewis's brigades, of Bate's division, in Lee's corps, both of which were handsomely repulsed, with loss to them.

J. B. HOOD, General.

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Historic Cascade Mansion and Gardens Bed and Breakfast, Circa 1860 the home of Dr William F. Pool, son in law of the first Physician in Atlanta, Dr Joshua Gilbert. Used as a Headquarters during the Civil War, Battle of Utoy Creek Ga, Aug 6-7, 1864 by Confederate Major General William B. Bate and occupied by troops of Major General Jacob D. Cox of the US XXIII Army Corps. Period Antebellum home with a large porteco, beautiful heart pine floors and great character. Used as a private residence by the Pool and Stevens Family. Established as a Bed and Breakfast by Dr. Walker and beautifully furnished by Lieutenant Colonel Bennett as a historic home in the 18th century. Located inside the library is the museum of the Battle of Utoy Creek and siege of Atlanta. Bus tours of the Battlefield, walking tours and mounted horseback excursions are available. Battlefield tours are given each Sunday at 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM for $10.00. Please RSVP by calling (404)-564-1283.