Lovejoy in Clayton County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Georgia Militia at Lovejoy's Station

Photographed By Debra Oliver, June 15, 2017

1. Georgia Militia at Lovejoy's Station Marker

Inscription. On Oct. 12, 1864, Maj. Gen. G.W. Smith, CSA (Street Commissioner, New York City, 1858-1861), assembled a force of militia at Lovejoy's Station (0.5 miles NE) to support Iverson's division of Wheeler's cavalry corps, which was picketing the roads south from Atlanta in anticipation of a movement by Gen. Sherman's army toward Macon and Savannah. Gen. Smith's force consisted of 2800 infantry of the 1st Division, Georgia Militia, 3 batteries, and about 250 local reserve cavalry.

On Nov. 15th, Gen. Sherman began his March to the Sea. The leading element of his Right Wing -- the 15th Corps, Maj. Gen P. J. Osterhaus, USA -- marched from White Hall (West End) toward Jonesboro (6 miles N), apparently enroute to Macon via Jonesboro and Lovejoy's Station. Its right was covered by Kilpatrick's cavalry division on roads to the west. At Morrow's Station (4 miles N of Jonesboro) the 15th Corps turned SE toward Stockbridge and McDonough. Kilpatrick's cavalry closed on Jonesboro and drove Iverson's smaller command toward Lovejoy's Station.

His position turned, Gen. Smith withdrew his force to Griffin (13 miles S), a fortified hospital center, to cover that point and to keep his force between Macon and the Union advance.

Erected 1957 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 031-19.)

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Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is October 12, 1864.

Location. 33° 25.832′ N, 84° 19.232′ W. Marker is in Lovejoy, Georgia, in Clayton County. Marker is on Tara Boulevard (U.S. 19/41) 0.1 miles south of Talmadge Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lovejoy GA 30250, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Cavalry Action at Lovejoy's Station (approx. 1.3 miles away); The Crawford-Dorsey House (approx. 1.6 miles away); Constantine Memorial (approx. 2.4 miles away); Kilpatrick's Raid at the Nash Farm (approx. 2.6 miles away); The "Right Flank" on the McDonough Road (approx. 2.6 miles away); "The Old Bronze Gentleman of Lovejoy's Station" (approx. 2.6 miles away); Locomotive Bell from the Nancy Hanks (approx. 2.6 miles away); Kilpatrick's Raid (approx. 2.6 miles away).

Photographed By Tom Bosse, April 3, 2018

2. Georgia Militia at Lovejoy's Station Marker

Maj. Gen. G.W. Smith, CSA image. Click for full size.

circa 1861

3. Maj. Gen. G.W. Smith, CSA

This photo is from the Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs Division.

Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman, USA image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mathew Brady, January 1, 1863

4. Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman, USA

This colorized photo by Brady is from the National Archives.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 6, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 8, 2018, by Debra Oliver of Jonesboro, Georgia. This page has been viewed 377 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 8, 2018, by Debra Oliver of Jonesboro, Georgia. 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 3, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.