Prater’s Mill and The Civil War
1861-1865
October 1862 – The first Confederate troops arrive in Whitfield County.
1826 – 1864 – Benjamin Franklin Prater sells corn, hay, fodder, bacon, split rails and planks to the Confederacy for $1,591.17 Confederate dollars.
February 23, 1864 – Union forces under Colonel Eli Long camp at Prater’s Mill with 350 mounted infantry, 250 cavalry and 12 prisoners.
April 13, 1864 – Confederate General Joseph Wheeler’s Cavalry camp at Prater’s Mill.
May 9, 1864 – Battle of Varnell’s Station. General Joseph Wheeler, CSA, with 900 men, routed 5,000 Federals under Brigadier General Edward McCook. Ten Confederates and 150 Federals are killed. Wheeler takes over 100 prisoners. During the battle, Ben Prater’s slaves were gathered on the porch of the mill. They could hear gunfire in the distance.
May 1865 – The war is over. Ben Prater’s seventeen slaves are freed and live at Stockburger Crossing.
On Some Civil War maps, Prater’s Mill is listed at Barrett’s or Russell’s Mill. Barret was a former owner of the property while Russell was a Prater relative hired as the miller.
Erected by Prater’s
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is January 19, 1861.
Location. 34° 53.732′ N, 84° 55.219′ W. Marker is near Varnell, Georgia, in Whitfield County. It is on Prater Mill Road NE (Georgia Route 2), on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Varnell GA 30756, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Mountains. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, 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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Prater's Mill (here, next to this marker); Water Turbine
Also see . . . Prater's Mill Historic Site. Explore Georgia website entry (Submitted on July 19, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,121 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 19, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 3. submitted on April 10, 2021, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia. 4, 5. submitted on July 19, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
