Kirkwood in Atlanta in DeKalb County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

An Unexpected Clash

Photographed by Felch Dumas, July 16, 2008

1. An Unexpected Clash Marker

Inscription. July 22, 1864. The attack by Walker's & Bate's divs. (Hardee's A.C.) (C.S) struck the two brigades Mersy's & Rices's, of Sweeny's 16th A.C. div. (U.S.) enroute to support the 17th in E. Atlanta.

Walker's troops came up Sugar Cr. valley from the S.; Bates's from the high ground eastward. Sweeny's men hastily formed defensively - Rice facing E., Mersy S., the apex of the lines atop the hill where Laird's 14th Ohio Battery was posted & where Murphy High School stands. Blodgett's Missouri Battery H was at Rice's center, facing E. Though greatly outnumbered, Sweeny managed to hold the position, thereby foiling Hardee's thrust at the Federal rear.

Erected 1988 by Georgia Historic Marker. (Marker Number 044-49.)

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. A significant historical date for this entry is July 22, 1864.

Location. 33° 44.834′ N, 84° 19.911′ W. Marker is in Atlanta, Georgia, in DeKalb County. It is in Kirkwood. It is at the intersection of Clifton Street SE and Memorial Drive SE (Georgia Route 154), on the left when traveling south on Clifton Street SE. The Marker is located near Alonzo Crim High School grounds. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Atlanta GA 30317, 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 the North Atlantic Region,

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.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Battle of Atlanta Began Here (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mersy’s Brigade (approx. ¼ mile away); Sweeny's March South (approx. 0.4 miles away); Wheeler Delays Blair (approx. 0.4 miles away); McPherson's Last Ride (approx. half a mile away); Gresham's Division (approx. half a mile away); Walker's Division In Sugar Creek Valley (approx. half a mile away); Bate's Div. at Terry's Mill Pond (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlanta.

Other markers no longer nearby. Bate’s Battle Line (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been confirmed missing); Fuller's Div. 16th A.C. (was approx. half a mile away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. Alonzo Crim High School was formerly Murphy High School, as mentioned in the text of the Marker and in the text of Mersy's Brigade Marker.

Photographed by Felch Dumas, July 16, 2008

2. An Unexpected Clash Marker

Alonzo Crim High School image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Felch Dumas, July 16, 2008

3. Alonzo Crim High School

View towards Mersy's Brigade Marker on Memorial Drive SE image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Felch Dumas, July 16, 2008

4. View towards Mersy's Brigade Marker on Memorial Drive SE

View towards The Battle of Atlanta Started Here Marker on Clay Street at Memorial Drive image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Felch Dumas, July 16, 2008

5. View towards The Battle of Atlanta Started Here Marker on Clay Street at Memorial Drive

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2008, by Felch Dumas of Decatur, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,280 times since then and 51 times this year. Last updated on April 5, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 17, 2008, by Felch Dumas of Decatur, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.