HistoricSiteMarkers
Civil War

Baird's Div

Clayton County, Clayton County, Georgia

Marker Inscription

Baird's Div., 14th A. C. Aug. 30, 1864. Davis' 14th A. C. [US], having moved from Red Oak to Shoal Creek Ch., was divided into 2 columns when marching therefrom to the Fayetteville Rd. (Highway 139), Morgan's & Carlin's divs. went S. E. by a winding road to the Evans farm (below Riverdale). Baird's div. moved N. E. from Shoal Creek Ch., on this, the Flat Shoals Rd. where, at this crossroads, the march of Wood's & Kimball's divs. (4th A. C.) S. E. from the Marcus Long house was halted till Baird could make the turn southward. Baird's div. was aligned on the Fayetteville Rd., from here S. to Couch's (at Riverdale) where it rejoined Morgan & Carlin, at Evans' farm. 031-30 GEORGIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 1958

Erected by Georgia Historical Commission

The Story

As the Atlanta Campaign reached its climax on August 30, 1864, Davis's 14th Corps moved from Red Oak toward the Fayetteville Road, splitting into columns for the approach. At this crossroads on the Flat Shoals Road, Baird's division swung northeast and then southward, its march briefly halting the passage of two divisions of the 4th Corps until it could complete the turn. The realignment set the stage for the fighting at Jonesboro that would finally sever Atlanta's supply lines.

Why it matters

The precise choreography of these marches shows how Union commanders cut the last railroad into Atlanta, forcing the city's fall.

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Related people

  • · Absalom Baird
  • · Jefferson C. Davis
  • · James D. Morgan
  • · William P. Carlin

Related events

  • · Battle of Jonesborough
  • · Atlanta Campaign

Themes & tags

Civil WarLandmark

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