Near Conyers in Rockdale County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Hightower Trail

Federal Troops March Past Philadelphia Church

— March to the Sea Heritage Trail —

Hightower Trail Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, January 24, 2018

1. Hightower Trail Marker

Inscription. Just imagine, on Tuesday, November 15, 1864, you look west and see the smoke and red sky from the burning of Atlanta. In fear and apprehension you wonder where Union Major General William T. Sherman's army is heading next. Two days later, on November 17th, approximately 14,000 soldiers in the Federal 20th Corps, plus several hundred wagons, more than a dozen artillery pieces and the animals needed to pull them march past Philadelphia Methodist Church on the Hightower Trail. The soldiers of the 20th Corps, composed primarily of men from northeastern states, are commanded by Brigadier General Alpheus S. Williams and accompanied by Major General Henry W. Slocum, commander of the "Left Wing" of Sherman's army.

Crossing the shallow fords of the Piedmont region between Augusta (Gerogia) and Alabama, the Hightower Trail began as a notable trading route dividing the Cherokee Nation and Creek Confederacy long before also being used by early European settlers. Its name is believed to come from the Native American word "italwa" (Etowah), for town, people or tribe. Philadelphia Church, established 1/4 mile to the west in 1837, stood

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at this site in 1864. The church was a reference point on Federal army maps used during their march to the sea.

One of the reasons the March to the Sea is unique in history is that General Sherman succeeded in moving an army of 62,000 men through 300 miles of enemy territory without the chance for military re-supply. At first their march led them through areas picked clean during the earlier battles around Atlanta. By the time Federal troops reached present-day Rockdale County they began to encounter "plenty of forage along road, corn, fodder, finest sweet potatoes, pigs, chickens" essential to feeding the large force as it moved across Georgia. Daily foraging details, 50 men strong, systematically stripped the farms of food, carriages, wagons and livestock, sometimes helping themselves to other valuables along the way. A local story tells of a little girl's pony being taken yet leaving the small saddle on a fence post.

Almost four miles east of Philadelphia Church the 20th Corps crossed Big and Little Haynes Creeks to reach Dial Mill. This mill, built before 1830, was owned by James M. Summers. During his absence while serving

Hightower Trail marker in front of the Philadelphia United Methodist Church. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, January 24, 2018

2. Hightower Trail marker in front of the Philadelphia United Methodist Church.

in the Confederate army the mill was under the care of Mrs. Winnie Puckett. A Federal officer ordered dry corn shucks placed in the mill doorway and set afire. He had not counted on the small woman's determination. Winnie pleaded with him to spare the mill for the women and children of the area. The officer relented and to seal the deal Winnie offered him a tobacco twist she had in her apron pocket. Trusted Federal soldiers were left to protect the mill from other passing soldiers.

At dusk on the 17th the 1st Division, rear guard of the 20th Corps, passed the Sheffield Community Post Office, left present-day Rockdale County and marched on toward Centreville (Jersey) and Social Circle.

Erected by Georgia Civil War Heritage Trails, Inc. (Marker Number L5.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Sherman’s March to the Sea series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 15, 1864.

Location. 33° 43.93′ N, 83° 58.412′ W. Marker is near Conyers, Georgia, in Rockdale County. It is on West Hightower Trail

A view of the marker near the Philadelphia Methodist Church Cemetery. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, January 24, 2018

3. A view of the marker near the Philadelphia Methodist Church Cemetery.

west of Wilzman Trail, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2194 West Hightower Trail, Conyers GA 30012, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont

and in Metro Atlanta.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The March to the Sea (approx. 4.7 miles away); Conyers Methodist Church (approx. 5.1 miles away); Rockdale County (approx. 5.1 miles away); "Flame of Freedom" (approx. 5.1 miles away); Rockdale County World War I and World War II Memorial (approx. 5.1 miles away); Rockdale County Korea and Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 5.1 miles away); City of Conyers (approx. 5.2 miles away);

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Rev. Henry Quigg, D.D. (approx. 5.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Conyers.

Regarding Hightower Trail. Philadelphia Church was a reference point on Civil War military maps along this famous Native American trading route. Approximately 14,000 men of the Federal 20th Corps marched past this landmark along the Hightower Trail on November 17, 1864.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2018. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,211 times since then and 87 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 26, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.