Hampton in Henry County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Kilpatrick's Raid
Photographed By David Seibert, March 1, 2008
1. Kilpatrick's Raid Marker
Inscription.
Kilpatrick's Raid. . After the failed McCook and Stoneman raids, Union Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman mounted one last effort to cut Atlanta's railroads with his cavalry. Just before dark, August 18, 1864, Brig. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick led 4,500 troopers of the 2nd and 3rd Cavalry Divisions from their bivouac at Sandtown. Crossing Camp Creek they collided with Brig. Gen. Sul Ross's Texas cavalry and a running fight began as the outnumbered Texans grudgingly retreated toward the Atlanta and West Point R.R. After tearing up the track near Fairburn, Kilpatrick's men fought their way into Jonesboro on August 19, where they wrecked four miles of the Macon and Western R.R. As Confederate forces closed in, the raiders quietly slipped away, reaching Lovejoy the next morning. Overtaken by Rebel infantry and Ross's pursuing cavalry, Kilpatrick formed his compact columns on a ridge just west of the Nash farm. With sabers drawn and bugles blaring, they rode over Ross's Texans in one of the most dramatic cavalry charges of the Civil War. Escaping across South River, the raiders reached Sherman's lines on August 22. By that time, hasty Confederate repairs to the railroads already had trains rolling into Atlanta again.
After the failed McCook and Stoneman raids, Union Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman mounted one last effort to cut Atlanta's railroads with his cavalry. Just before dark, August 18, 1864, Brig. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick led 4,500 troopers of the 2nd and 3rd Cavalry Divisions from their bivouac at Sandtown. Crossing Camp Creek they collided with Brig. Gen. Sul Ross's Texas cavalry and a running fight began as the outnumbered Texans grudgingly retreated toward the Atlanta & West Point R.R. After tearing up the track near Fairburn, Kilpatrick's men fought their way into Jonesboro on August 19, where they wrecked four miles of the Macon & Western R.R. As Confederate forces closed in, the raiders quietly slipped away, reaching Lovejoy the next morning. Overtaken by Rebel infantry and Ross's pursuing cavalry, Kilpatrick formed his compact columns on a ridge just west of the Nash farm. With sabers drawn and bugles blaring, they rode over Ross's Texans in one of the most dramatic cavalry charges of the Civil War. Escaping across South River, the raiders reached Sherman's lines on August 22. By that time, hasty Confederate repairs to the railroads already had trains rolling into Atlanta again.
Erected by Henry County, Georgia.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil
Click or scan to see this page online
. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.
Location. 33° 27.559′ N, 84° 17.47′ W. Marker is in Hampton, Georgia, in Henry County. Marker is on Jonesboro Road, 0 miles west of Babbs Mill Road, on the right when traveling east. Marker is at the Nash Farm Battlefield Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4361 Jonesboro Rd, Hampton GA 30228, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,600 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 2, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 3. submitted on January 1, 2011, by Michael Dover of Ellerslie, Georgia. 4. submitted on August 2, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
