HistoricSiteMarkers
Civil War

Browning's Court House

Tucker, DeKalb County, Georgia

Marker Inscription

Browning's Court House. At or near this crossroads stood the J.P. office of Browning's Militia District No. 572; cited in reports of Federal military operations July, 1864, as Browning's Court House. July 18. Logan's 15th A.C., enroute from Roswell to Decatur, detoured via Browning's to support Garrard's cavalry in its foray on the Georgia Railroad at Stone Mountain. Lightburn's (2d) brigade, Smith's (2d) div., together with Maj. Hotaling's contingent of Logan's escort was sent from here to assist Garrard's horsemen in destroying the railroad at & near Stone Mountain depot. Logan withdrew to Henderson's Mill to camp that night. 044-14 GEORGIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 1954

Erected by Georgia Historical Commission

The Story

Near this crossroads stood the justice's office of Browning's Militia District, which Union reports of July 1864 called 'Browning's Court House.' On July 18, as Sherman's armies closed on Atlanta, part of Gen. John A. Logan's Fifteenth Corps detoured through here to support Garrard's cavalry as it tore up the Georgia Railroad near Stone Mountain, camping that night at Henderson's Mill.

Why it matters

The marker traces one thread of the Atlanta Campaign, when Union raids on the railroads slowly strangled the Confederacy's vital rail hub.

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

  • · John A. Logan

Related events

  • · Atlanta Campaign

Themes & tags

Civil WarLandmark

Nearby & related markers

Battle of Atlanta Began Here

Atlanta, GA

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.

Bate's Division

Atlanta, GA

On July 20, 1864, at the Battle of Peachtree Creek, the right of Bate's division of Hardee's corps rested here on Clear Creek before joining the Confederate assault. Moving northwest through wooded ground, Bate led off the attack against Newton's Union division posted on the ridge above Collier Road. The stroke was part of Hood's aggressive first battle after taking command of the Army of Tennessee, an attempt to smash the Federals before they could close on Atlanta.

The Battles for Atlanta

Atlanta, GA

Between July and September 1864, Union and Confederate armies fought for control of Atlanta, the Deep South's great manufacturing and railroad hub. Four inconclusive battles—Peachtree Creek, Atlanta, Ezra Church, and Utoy Creek—raged around the city before Union forces swept south and, at Jonesboro, cut the last railroad supplying it. Atlanta fell on September 2, 1864.

Augustus Hurt Plantation

Atlanta, GA

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.