HistoricSiteMarkers
Civil War

Battle of Atlanta Began Here

Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia

Marker Inscription

Battle of Atlanta Began Here. July 22, 1864. Sweeny's 2nd div., Dodge's 16th A.C., [USA], having been held in reserve N. of the Ga. R.R. (Candler Park), was ordered to support the left of Blair's 17th Corps in East Atlanta. Marching via Clay Rd., Sweeny's column halted here at noon to await further orders. Mersy's brigade led the advance, followed by Rice's. Thus, by mere accident, the two brigades were posted where they intercepted the surprise attack by Walker's and Bate's divs. (Hardee's A.C.) [CSA], aimed at the rear of Blair's 17th A.C. intrenched along Flat Shoals Rd., 1 mile W. of this point, thereby precipitating the battle. 044-46 GEORGIA HISTORIC MARKER 1983

Erected by Georgia Historical Commission

The Story

By accident of timing, the Battle of Atlanta ignited near this spot on July 22, 1864. Sweeny's division of Dodge's 16th Corps, held in reserve and marching to support Blair's 17th Corps, halted here at noon to await orders. When Confederate divisions under Walker and Bate swept forward aiming at the rear of Blair's line, they instead collided with Mersy's and Rice's brigades posted here — a chance encounter that touched off one of the campaign's largest battles.

Why it matters

A fortunate deployment blunted a surprise Confederate attack, shaping the course of the Battle of Atlanta and the fate of the city.

Plan your visit

Nearby

Make a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.

Museums & culture

Attractions

Food & drink

Places to stay

Places data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hours and details change — call ahead.

Own a business near here? Add it to the map.

Related people

  • · Thomas W. Sweeny
  • · Grenville M. Dodge
  • · Frank P. Blair
  • · William H. T. Walker
  • · William B. Bate

Related events

  • · Battle of Atlanta

Themes & tags

Civil WarLandmark

Nearby & related markers

Benton's & Coltart's Brigades

Atlanta, GA

On July 22, 1864, during the Battle of Atlanta, Benton's Mississippi and Coltart's Alabama brigades of Cheatham's corps struck the Federal line east of here, dislodging Union brigades and briefly seizing ground astride the Georgia Railroad before reinforced counterattacks recovered it. Colonel Samuel Benton was mortally wounded in the fighting and died days later at a hospital in Griffin.

Civil War

Attack from the West

Atlanta, GA

During the Battle of Atlanta on July 22, 1864, Confederate divisions under Gen. George Maney and Gen. Patrick Cleburne struck the front and rear of Giles Smith's Union division on the Flat Shoals Road, forcing it back to Leggett's Hill. Aided by Stevenson's division from the city fortifications, the Confederates hammered the 17th Corps from front, flank, and rear. Despite repeated assaults, they failed to dislodge the entrenched Union defenders.

Civil War

Brown's and Clayton's Divisions

Atlanta, GA

At 3:30 on the afternoon of July 22, 1864, during the Battle of Atlanta, Confederate divisions under Gen. John Bell Hood struck the Union Fifteenth Corps astride the Georgia Railroad. The eight brigades of Brown's and Clayton's divisions smashed through four entrenched Federal brigades at the point of the assault, the battle's critical moment, later immortalized in the Atlanta Cyclorama at Grant Park.

Civil War

Baker's Brigade

Atlanta, GA

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.

Civil War