HistoricSiteMarkers
Civil War

Battle of Ruff's Mill

Mableton, Cobb County, Georgia

Marker Inscription

Battle of Ruff's Mill. July 4, 1864. Early a.m., Brig. Gen. John Fuller's brigade, 4th div., 16th A. C. [US] moved 1 mi. E. from the Nickajack Cr. Bridge, Concord Rd., to ascertain the strength of Hood's A. C. [CS]. Finding it strongly posted, Fuller returned to Ruff's Mill. Late p.m., Fuller's men again advanced, supported by Sweeney's 2nd div., and after a bitter struggle seized the first line of works on Hood's rt. near the present Gann Cemetery. This Federal assault on Johnston's left & the one at Smyrna, on his rt., were incidental to his retreat from Kennesaw to the river. Col. Edward Noyes, 39th O.V.V.I. (Governor of Ohio 1872-1874), lost a leg in this battle. 033-74 GEORGIA HISTORIC MARKER 1954

Erected by Georgia Historical Commission

The Story

On July 4, 1864, Union Brig. Gen. John Fuller's brigade probed east from Nickajack Creek to test the strength of the Confederate position near Ruff's Mill. Finding it strongly held, Fuller returned, then advanced again with support and after a bitter struggle seized the first line of Confederate works. The action, paired with fighting at Smyrna, was part of pressuring Johnston's retreat from Kennesaw toward the Chattahoochee.

Why it matters

Ruff's Mill was one of the sharp holding actions that accompanied the Confederate withdrawal to the river line, a step closer to Atlanta in Sherman's grinding advance.

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Related people

  • · John Fuller
  • · Thomas Sweeney
  • · Edward Noyes
  • · Joseph E. Johnston

Related events

  • · Battle of Ruff's Mill
  • · Atlanta Campaign

Themes & tags

Civil WarBattlefield

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