LaFayette in Walker County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Battle of LaFayette
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 20, 2014
1. The Battle of LaFayette Marker
On June 24th, about 3 A.M. he was attacked by Brig. Gen. Gideon J. Pillow, CSA, who, with about 1600 cavalry (CS) was moving to North Georgia to burn the railroad bridges over Chickamauga Creek and harass Gen. Sherman's communications.
Although surprised, Watkins' men barricaded their quarters and fought stubbornly: but without water, and with ammunition running low, their plight was becoming desperate when, about 8:30 A.M., relief arrived. Escaping the Confederate encirclement, one of the Union pickets had ridden for help and, at Rock Springs Church (8 miles N), he had found the 4th Kentucky Mounted Infantry (US), Col. John T. Croxton, encamped for the night.
Riding hard to LaFayette, Croxton surprised in turn Pillow's heavily engaged force and stampeded many of their horses. Uncertain of Croxton's strength, and with his own ammunition depleted, Pillow abandoned the attack and withdrew.
Losses:
this page online
(CS) 24 killed, 53 wounded, 78 captured: total 155
Erected 1957 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 146-16.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1836.
Location. 34° 42.52′ N, 85° 16.863′ W. Marker is in LaFayette, Georgia, in Walker County. Marker is on Main Street (State Highway 1 / 136), on the right when traveling north. The marker is located in Joe Stock Memorial Park. A group of markers and monuments are located here. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: La Fayette GA 30728, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Army of Tennessee (here, next to this marker); Walker County (a few steps from this marker); General LaFayette (a few steps from this marker); Bragg's Headquarters Shell Monument (a few steps from this marker); To Our Confederate Soldiers (a few steps from this marker); John B. Gordon Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Chattooga Academy - John B. Gordon Hall (within
Photographed By David Tibbs, October 12, 2008
2. The Battle of LaFayette Marker
Also see . . . Historic Couthouse Tour. (Submitted on October 31, 2008, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia.)
Additional commentary.
1. Battle of LaFayette
Just an aside, the Battle of LaFayette was a strange little battle in many ways, one of the most notable being that all the forces involved were southern, Colonel Louis Watkins was born in Florida, and his brigade was all Kentuckians. Also, Watkins and his men were in the area looking for John Gatewood and his guerillas. Gatewood deserves his own marker for the terror he brought to North Georgia, a real sociopath who was a threat to all the families in the area.
— Submitted November 18, 2008, by Lee White of Villanow, Georgia.
Photographed By David Tibbs, October 12, 2008
3. The Battle of LaFayette
A Confederate memorial stands to the left. The marker is on the right hand side of the picture.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, August 20, 2014
4. The Battle of LaFayette
A Confederate memorial stands in the center foreground, with two sets of two markers in the background, two on the right (including the featured marker) and two on the left.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 22, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2008, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia. This page has been viewed 3,087 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 29, 2015, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 2, 3. submitted on October 31, 2008, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia. 4. submitted on April 29, 2015, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
