HistoricSiteMarkers
Civil War

Baker's Brigade

Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia

Marker Inscription

Baker's Brigade. July 22, 1864. Baker's Alabama brigade (Col. J.H. Higley comdg.), Clayton's div., Cheatham's A.C., [CSA] was diverted N.E. in Clayton's attack on the 15th A.C. eastward, thus forming the extreme left of the line extending S. to Glenwood Ave. Higley's troops faced the right sector of the 15th A.C. held by 2 brigades of Woods' div. on the S. slope of Copenhill. A gap of 250 yds. in the swampy area of Clear Creek valley, separated Woods from the right of Morgan Smith's div. where the DeGress battery was posted. Woods' flank attack on Manigault's line at the Troup Hurt house not only retrieved the battery, but forced Baker's brigade to withdraw. 060-101 GEORGIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 1956

Erected by Georgia Historical Commission

The Story

On July 22, 1864, during the Battle of Atlanta, Baker's Alabama brigade of Clayton's division was drawn northeast to form the far left of the Confederate attack against the Union 15th Corps. Facing Woods's Federal division across a swampy gap in the Clear Creek valley, the assault at first threatened the Union line and the DeGress battery near the Troup Hurt house. But a Federal counterattack retook the guns and forced Baker's Alabamians to withdraw.

Why it matters

This sharp local action was part of the desperate Confederate effort to break Sherman's grip on Atlanta — an effort that ultimately failed.

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Related people

  • · Alpheus Baker
  • · J. H. Higley
  • · Henry D. Clayton

Related events

  • · Battle of Atlanta

Themes & tags

Civil WarLandmark

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