Hunter Hills in Atlanta in Fulton County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Union Dispositions

Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 10, 2019

1. The Union Dispositions Marker

Inscription. While the 15th Corps was feeling its way south through the densely wooded country behind Blair's right, increasing resistance by Confederate cavalry skirmishers (dismounted), and occasional artillery fire, warned Howard of impending battle. He had not expected that his shift to the right would proceed undetected, and he was aware that it was vital to the security of Atlanta that the railroads which supplied its defenders should be held. Convinced that Hood would strike again, despite his costly failures at Peachtree Creek and East Atlanta, he ordered Logan to extend to the right and deploy his three divisions on what would shortly be the battle line. Although stubbornly resisted, the deployment was completed without delay. On the extreme right. Lightburn's brigade, of M. L. Smith's division, drove enemy skirmishers from the ridge northwest of the (later) sanitarium and established a strong right flank. On Lightburn's left, Martin's brigade extended the line southeast to connect with Williams' brigade, of Harrow's division, near Westlake Avenue. Williams' left connected with Oliver's right on the school grounds.

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Oliver's left extended to the tip of the salient. Walcutt's brigade, perpendicular to Oliver's line, occupied the southeast face of the salient. On Walcutt's (Harrow's) left, Wangelin's, Williamson's and Milo Smith's brigades of Woods' division, extended the line northeast to connect with the right of Blair's corps, north of the railroad. Ezra Church, the little Methodist chapel from which the battle took its name, stood behind Wangelin's line. Skirmishers were thrown out and all along Logan's front officers and men worked desperately to cover their lines with logs and rails. Some of Wangelin's men took the benches from Ezra Church and filled them with knapsacks to serve as breastworks. Although the line northwest of Mozley and Racine was on low ground, both Oliver's and Walcutt's men at the salient, Williams on the school site, and Lightburn's and Martin's on the sanitarium grounds were on commanding ridges which they quickly made strong. They were none too soon. About noon, the first Confederate attack struck the right of Logan's position. Earlier, Sherman had arrived. From the ridge occupied by Lightburn's men, enemy

The Union Dispositions Marker is third from the left. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 10, 2019

2. The Union Dispositions Marker is third from the left.

List of forces engaged is the marker on far right.

activities convinced him too, that Hood intended a third attack. Satisfied with Howard's dispositions, he rode back to his headquarters to arrange to send reinforcements forward should they become needed.

Erected by Georgia Historical Commission, Georgia Civil War Centennial Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list.

Location. 33° 45.201′ N, 84° 26.213′ W. Marker is in Atlanta, Georgia, in Fulton County. It is in Hunter Hills. It can be reached from M.L.K. Jr Drive SW east of Wellington Street SW, on the left when traveling east. Located in Mozley Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1565 MLK Jr Dr SW, Atlanta GA 30314, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont.

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

Last marker on right listing units and names of Union & Confederate Forces engaged. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 10, 2019

3. Last marker on right listing units and names of Union & Confederate Forces engaged.

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 walking distance of this marker: The Confederate Attack (here, next to this marker); The Battle of Ezra Church / The Preliminary Operations (here, next to this marker); Battle of Ezra Church (a few steps from this marker); Clayton's Div., Lee's A.C. (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Clayton’s Div., Lee’s A.C. (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Ezra Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Battle of Ezra Ch. (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Battle of Ezra Ch. (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlanta.

Other markers no longer nearby. Battle Hill (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing); Site of Ezra Church (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing); The Federal Salient (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named

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Clayton's Div., Lee's A.C. (was approx. half a mile away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on the Battle of Ezra Church. (Submitted on November 29, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 409 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 29, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.