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Civil War

Augustus Hurt Plantation

Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia

Marker Inscription

Augustus Hurt Plantation. The outer Confederate defense line of Atlanta, located on E. slope of this hill, July 18, was evacuated the night of the 21st, 1864. July 22. The Federal 23d A. C., under Schofield marching from the N. E. via Williams Mill Rd. intrenched a line W. & S. of Augustus Hurt's house, where it supported the rt. wing of the Army of the Tenn. in the Battle of Atlanta. July 26. With the shift of that army to the W. side of Atlanta, the 23d A. C. became the extreme right S. W. of the city. The 4th A. C., its left resting at the Augustus Hurt house, became the left of the line until Aug. 25. 060-80 GEORGIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 1956

Erected by Georgia Historical Commission

The Story

This hill overlooking the Augustus Hurt plantation was a hinge of the Union lines outside Atlanta in July and August 1864. After Confederate defenders abandoned the outer defense works on its eastern slope, Schofield's 23rd Corps marched in via the Williams Mill Road and entrenched, supporting the right of the Army of the Tennessee during the Battle of Atlanta. As Sherman shifted forces around the city, this position swung from the far right to the far left of the Federal line.

Why it matters

The maneuvering recorded here shows how Sherman methodically encircled Atlanta, a campaign that broke the Confederacy's western heartland.

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Related people

  • · Augustus Hurt
  • · John Schofield

Related events

  • · Battle of Atlanta

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Civil WarLandmark

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Augustus Hurt House

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