145th Battle of Atlanta LH July 17-19th

[Tom Dodson]

Re: 145th Battle of Atlanta LH July 17-19th

I would highly recommend reading William R. Scaifes's "The Campaign for Atlanta". Pages 65-72 especially tell what happened in the area where the event is held. It is an honor to help recreate what went on here in Atlanta on July 22, 1864.
The "Western Theater" has been woefully neglected by many writers who seem to feel that if is not ANV related then it doesn't matter. We know better.
Sometimes Atlanta itself seems to try to wipe out any vestige of it's "politically incorrect history" That cannot be allowed to happen.
Tom Dodson
47th Ga

[Tom Dodson]

Re: 145th Battle of Atlanta LH July 17-19th

More Photos. If you go to:

http://www.civilwaralbum.com/atlanta/index/htm

there are many photos of modern era Atlanta. If you scroll down the left and click on 1954/55 photos you will see photos of Fort Walker as I first remember it.
Sorry to monopolize this site but I thought there could be a lot of people interested in these photos if you haven't seen them. Besides I am really excited about this one.
Tom Dodson
47th Ga

[Tom Dodson]

Re: 145th Battle of Atlanta LH July 17-19th

Sorry guys.
After all that typing the website appears to be gone now. My apologies.
Tom Dodson

[PogueMahone]

Re: 145th Battle of Atlanta LH July 17-19th

The website is working. I was able to find images of Atlanta here: Atlanta virtual tour

[PetePaolillo]

Re: 145th Battle of Atlanta LH July 17-19th

Couple of informative links....

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/union-g...le-atlanta.htm

http://www.civilwaralbum.com/atlanta/atlanta1.htm

Sherman’s unsuccessful attempts to dislodge Johnston from the Kennesaw Line convinced him to explore alternatives to direct assaults on the rebel entrenchments. A break in the weather and improved conditions on the roads in the area provided the opportunity the Federal commander had been waiting for and, on July 2, Schofield and McPherson had repositioned themselves to interpose between Johnston and Atlanta on the Confederate flank. Realizing that his position was now untenable, Johnston withdrew that same day, eventually forming a new line of defense on the north side of the Chattahoochee River. However, less than a week had elapsed before Sherman once again flanked his opponent out of his positions, crossing the river five miles north of Johnston’s position at the mouth of Sope Creek. Johnston was forced to retire to works behind Peachtree Creek where he prepared to counterattack Sherman as he came up on Atlanta. At long last Johnston thought he saw an opportunity to fight the decisive battle of the campaign. However, on the evening of July 17th Johnston received a telegram from Richmond relieving him of command. President Jefferson Davis was frustrated with Johnston’s repeated withdrawals and his apparent unwillingness to fight the invaders. Influenced by a stream of criticisms of Johnston’s performance by his advisor, Braxton Bragg, and John Bell Hood, Davis finally decided to turn command of the Army of the Tennessee over to Hood. When he heard of the change, Sherman was elated. Schofield, who had attended West Point with Hood told Sherman, "He’ll hit you like hell, now, before you know it." Aggressive, even foolhardy action from the commander of a force that was numerically inferior was just what the Union command wanted. As Schofield had predicted, the Federals didn’t have long to wait. On July 20th Hood launched an uncoordinated set of attacks, roughly following Johnston’s original plans, near Peachtree Creek. However, all of the Confederate assaults were repulsed with severe losses. Hood immediately planned a second thrust, this time to the east against McPherson who was approaching Atlanta from Decatur. As Hardee arrayed his battle lines in preparation to attack McPherson, Confederate Gen. William Walker was killed by Federal pickets. The Confederates fiercely attacked, and within hours had broken through the Federal line and were threatening their opponents’ rear. Gen. McPherson attempted to coordinate a defense but rode into a gap in his lines and was surrounded by rebels. Instead of surrendering, he waved and rode off, only to be shot dead from his horse. Sherman and his commanders rallied their broken troops, and, in a maelstrom of the most intense fighting of the campaign, were successful in recapturing their trenches and in beating off the Confederates who retired to their entrenchments around Atlanta. In three days Hood had lost almost 13,000 men, crippling his army, and Sherman’s army now closely invested Atlanta and began to shell the city at close range.

[Tom Dodson]

Re: 145th Battle of Atlanta LH July 17-19th

Thanks Joe. That was the site I was looking for. Lots of good photos.
Tom Dodson
47th Ga

[Coatsy]

Re: 145th Battle of Atlanta LH July 17-19th

Joe,

That's a great link that you posted. The website has the remaining "highlights" around Atlanta. A quick overview of Atlanta with Google Earth will also net some photos.

Just to let everyone Gilliam Park is a small green space surrounded by a homes and schools. Most of us Civil War buffs know this, but there are still some small areas that give you hints of what the terrain was like in 1864.

We'll be conducting a small memorial service at the Walker and McPherson monuments during the weekend as well. With a Confederate contingent heading to the Walker monument and the Federal contingent going to the McPherson monument.

[PetePaolillo]

Re: 145th Battle of Atlanta LH July 17-19th

If anybody is going to this event from Florida and would like to car pool please let me know. I am coming from the Tampa area heading North up I75. I would be happy to drive but would welcome some company and a little help with gas money. Thanks and let me know.:D

[Jim of The SRR]

Re: 145th Battle of Atlanta LH July 17-19th

The Federals will portray the 39th Ohio, Co B "Koenig's German Rifles" from Marietta, Washington County, OH

Here is their unit history:

http://www.ohiocivilwar.com/cw39.html

Here is info on their Capt John Gallaher (he escaped from Libby Prison!):

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ohwarren/military/cwg.htm

Here is another good site with an account from the 39th OH from East Point, GA during the Atlanta campaign:

http://genealogytrails.com/ohio/athens/39th_OVI.htm

We have 19 people signed up for the Federal side. Please contact me if you wish to be added to the roster at unionguy1@comcast.net

Jim Butler
SRR www.geocities.com/saltriverrifles
SCAR www.geocities.com/scar_civilwar

[Mgreer]

Re: 145th Battle of Atlanta LH July 17-19th

I went by the fortifications the other day and they are comming along very well in the next few weeks Wayne said he will need some help clearing the areia. I told him call me. If anyone else is interested in helping let Herb, Kiev or my self know.

Marvin

[Coatsy]

Re: 145th Battle of Atlanta LH July 17-19th

The Federal slots are getting close to full, but there is still room for folks on the Confederate roster. (Can't belive I just said that) Please contact me if you are interested in attending.

I will be posting the "List" soon.

[trippcor]

Re: 145th Battle of Atlanta LH July 17-19th

I have come accross an intreresting fact about the 66th Georgia. It appears they were using Gilham's Drill manual. You may ask how I know that. Well by amazing circumstance, Keith Bohannon was in a rare bookstore in the DC area last week and stumbled on a copy of Gilham's Manual inscribed: Presented to B.H. Napier by Stanford E. Chaille Aug. 2d 1863.

Briggs Napier was commander of Co. A 66th Ga and my great great grandfather. Since this manual was presented to him at the same time the 66th was being formed and we know several Georgia units used Gilham's, I think we can assume safely that at least Co. A of the 66th was using that manual.

Now I need to come up with $1,500 to buy the Manual from the book store. It would be great to reunite the sword and manual carried by Capt. Napier.

[Michael Comer]

Re: 145th Battle of Atlanta LH July 17-19th

With those ties, you've got to get that manual Tripp. No two ways about it!

[Greg Barnett]

Re: 145th Battle of Atlanta LH July 17-19th

I have come accross an intreresting fact about the 66th Georgia. It appears they were using Gilham's Drill manual. You may ask how I know that. Well by amazing circumstance, Keith Bohannon was in a rare bookstore in the DC area last week and stumbled on a copy of Gilham's Manual inscribed: Presented to B.H. Napier by Stanford E. Chaille Aug. 2d 1863.

Briggs Napier was commander of Co. A 66th Ga and my great great grandfather. Since this manual was presented to him at the same time the 66th was being formed and we know several Georgia units used Gilham's, I think we can assume safely that at least Co. A of the 66th was using that manual.

Now I need to come up with $1,500 to buy the Manual from the book store. It would be great to reunite the sword and manual carried by Capt. Napier.

Tripp,
I bet we could all donate a few bucks to help you get that manual. I'll throw in ten bucks for the cause!

[trippcor]

Re: 145th Battle of Atlanta LH July 17-19th

I appreciate that Greg. I might just take you up on that. Thanks