Rocky Face in Whitfield County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Battle of Mill Creek Gap
Buzzard's Roost - May 7 to 12, 1864
— Atlanta Campaign Heritage Trail —
Photographed By Mark Hilton, November 19, 2019
1. Battle of Mill Creek Gap Marker
Inscription.
Battle of Mill Creek Gap. Buzzard's Roost - May 7 to 12, 1864 . After their defeat at Missionary Ridge near Chattanooga in November 1863, the Confederate “Army of Tennessee” spent the winter of 1863-64 around Dalton, fortifying its defense. As the weather warmed and dirt roads dried, heavy fighting resumed. On Saturday, May 7, 1864, the Federal 14th Corps, led by Major General John M. Palmer, marched from their camps near Ringgold about ten miles north. They pushed through Confederates at Tunnel Hill before approaching Mill Creek Gap (a.k.a. Buzzard's Roost) near Dalton. Viewing the heights of Rocky Face Ridge one soldier noted that “buzzards are roosting (up there)” waiting for us to die.
The gap was dammed and flooded by Confederate engineers, and soldiers were well-entrenched along Rocky Face Ridge. Two Confederate divisions, led by Major Generals Alexander P. Stewart and William B. Bate, lined the ridge and gap. Commanding Union Major General William T. Sherman decided to probe Confederate positions while sending Major General James B. McPherson's 24,000-man “Army of the Tennessee” around the Confederate southwest flank through Snake Creek Gap. Sherman's hope was to cut the Confederates railroad supply line at Resaca, fifteen miles to the south, and trap the Confederate army in Dalton. He ordered the 61,000-strong “Army of the Cumberland” under Major General George H. Thomas to test Confederate defenses at Mill Creek Gap and occupy their attention while McPherson's army flanked them.
On May 8th, Union Brigadier General James D. Morgan's brigade advanced into Mill Creek Gap but was halted by strong fire from Confederate Brigadier General Randall L. Gibson's brigade. Other Federal attacks against Rocky Face Ridge, and an attempt to dismantle the dam flooding the gap, also failed. “The enemy was concealed from our view and we did not have the poor satisfaction of shooting at them," recalled Sergeant George H. Puntenney of the 37th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
By May 10th, drenching “rain was falling steadily and the pungent smell of battle smoke filled the valleys,” recalled Sergeant Henry J. Aten of the 85th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment. The next day General Sherman began withdrawing much of his force to follow General McPherson's army through Snake Creek Gap. Believing the Confederates were beginning to evacuate Dalton, on the 11th Sherman also renewed attacks at Mill Creek Gap. The result was disastrous as Confederates had not evacuated. Over five days the Confederates lost about 65 men and the Federals nearly 300.
On Thursday, May 12th, after discovering most of General Sherman's armies marching through Snake Creek Gap, commanding Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston ordered his army's evacuation of Dalton. By the following dawn the opposing armies were positioned at Resaca. Sherman had maneuvered Johnston out of Dalton, although Johnston had eluded the potential Federal trap.
This “Pocket Park” is one of five along or very near the historic driving route of the Atlanta Campaign Heritage Trail”. The other four are in Ringgold, Resaca, Cassville and New Hope (near Dallas). They were built as public works projects during the “New Deal” Depression years of the 1930s.
After their defeat at Missionary Ridge near
Chattanooga in November 1863, the Confederate
“Army of Tennessee” spent the winter of
1863-64 around Dalton, fortifying its defense.
As the weather warmed and dirt roads dried,
heavy fighting resumed. On Saturday, May 7,
1864, the Federal 14th Corps, led by Major
General John M. Palmer, marched from their
camps near Ringgold about ten miles north.
They pushed through Confederates at Tunnel
Hill before approaching Mill Creek Gap (a.k.a.
Buzzard's Roost) near Dalton. Viewing the
heights of Rocky Face Ridge one soldier noted
that “buzzards are roosting (up there)” waiting
for us to die.
The gap was dammed and flooded by
Confederate engineers, and soldiers were
well-entrenched along Rocky Face Ridge. Two
Confederate divisions, led by Major Generals
Alexander P. Stewart and William B. Bate, lined
the ridge and gap. Commanding Union Major
General William T. Sherman decided to probe
Confederate positions while sending Major
General James B. McPherson's 24,000-man
“Army of the Tennessee” around the
Confederate southwest flank through Snake
Creek Gap. Sherman's hope was to cut the
Confederates railroad supply line at Resaca,
fifteen miles to the south, and trap the
Confederate army in Dalton. He ordered the
61,000-strong “Army
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of the Cumberland”
under Major General George H. Thomas to test
Confederate defenses at Mill Creek Gap and
occupy their attention while McPherson's army
flanked them.
On May 8th, Union Brigadier General James D.
Morgan's brigade advanced into Mill Creek Gap but
was halted by strong fire
from Confederate Brigadier
General Randall L. Gibson's
brigade. Other Federal
attacks against Rocky Face
Ridge, and an attempt to
dismantle the dam flooding
the gap, also failed. “The
enemy was concealed from
our view and we did not
have the poor satisfaction of shooting at them,"
recalled Sergeant George H. Puntenney of the 37th
Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
By May 10th, drenching “rain was falling
steadily and the pungent
smell of battle smoke filled
the valleys,” recalled Sergeant
Henry J. Aten of the 85th
Illinois Volunteer Infantry
Regiment. The next day
General Sherman began
withdrawing much of his
force to follow General
McPherson's army through
Snake Creek Gap. Believing the Confederates were
beginning to evacuate Dalton, on the 11th Sherman
also renewed attacks at Mill Creek Gap. The result
was disastrous as Confederates had not evacuated.
Over five days the Confederates lost about 65 men
and the Federals nearly 300.
On Thursday, May 12th, after discovering most
of General Sherman's armies marching through
Snake
Photographed By Mark Hilton, November 19, 2019
2. Marker in pocket park at Georgia Department of Public Safety.
Creek Gap, commanding Confederate
General Joseph E. Johnston ordered his army's
evacuation of Dalton. By the following dawn the
opposing armies were positioned at Resaca. Sherman
had maneuvered Johnston out of Dalton, although
Johnston had eluded the potential Federal trap.
This “Pocket Park” is one of five along or very
near the historic driving route of the Atlanta
Campaign Heritage Trail”. The other four are in
Ringgold, Resaca, Cassville and New Hope (near
Dallas). They were built as public works projects during
the “New Deal” Depression years of the 1930s.
Erected 2019 by Georgia Civil War Heritage Trails, Inc. (Marker Number 9.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 7, 1864.
Location. 34° 48.079′ N, 85° 0.722′ W. Marker is in Rocky Face, Georgia, in Whitfield County. Marker can be reached from Chattanooga Road (U.S. 41) north of Willowdale Road, on the left when traveling north. Located at foot of Georgia State Patrol Offices. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2401 Chattanooga Road, Rocky Face GA 30740, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Atlanta Campaign (a few steps from this marker); Mill Creek Gap
4. Map of battlefield core and study areas by the ABPP.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 24, 2019. It was originally submitted on November 24, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 420 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 24, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
