The Capture of Covington
Covington, Newton County, Georgia
Marker Inscription
The Capture of Covington. On July 22, 1864, Union Cavalry from Wilder's and Minty's Brigades, armed with Spencer repeating rifles, entered Covington under orders of General Keener Garrard. As the Battle of Atlanta raged to the west, Covinton was unprotected by Confederate troops. Covington citizen Presley Jones fired at the soldiers and was shot for killing two Union men. Troops also executed George Daniel, a furloughed Confederate soldier suspected of resistance. The Federal cavalrymen then destroyed or took with them anything useful to the Confederate war effort before riding on to Oxford. 2002.4 Erected by the Georgia Historical Society, Main Street Covington, Management Services Network, and the Newton County Historical Society 107-1
Erected by Georgia Historical Society
The Story
As the Battle of Atlanta raged to the west in July 1864, Union cavalry armed with rapid-firing Spencer repeaters swept into the undefended town of Covington. In the violence that followed, a resisting citizen and a furloughed Confederate soldier were killed, and the raiders destroyed or carried off supplies useful to the Confederacy before riding on toward Oxford.
Why it matters
The raid shows how Sherman's campaign brought the hard hand of war to Georgia's civilians far from the main battle lines.
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Related people
- · Kenner Garrard
- · Presley Jones
- · George Daniel
Related events
- · Battle of Atlanta
Themes & tags
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