Near Marietta in Cobb County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Thomas Headquarters

— Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park —

September 26, 2023

1. Thomas Headquarters Marker

Inscription. Union Major General George H. Thomas had a hard decision to make here at his headquarters in the early afternoon of June 27, 1864. Frustrated that the Confederates had foiled Federal attacks that morning, Major General William T. Sherman prodded Thomas to stage a head-on assault. Confederate earthworks are "so strong," Thomas bluntly replied, "that they cannot be carried by assault except by immense sacrifice, even if they can be carried at all… We have already lost heavily to-day…one or two more such assaults would use up this army." Thomas had suffered losses of 2,000 men and officers, including two brigade commanders.

Do you think you can carry any part of the enemy's line to-day?…
I will order the assault if you think you can succeed at any point.
William T. Sherman's message to George H. Thomas, 1:30 p.m. June 27, 1864

…I do not think we can carry the works by assault at this point to-day…
George H. Thomas's reply to William T. Sherman, 1:40 p.m. June 27, 1864

(caption) George H. Thomas (seated) confers with two of his officers at his headquarters, which was known as a "Traveling Circus" because of the great number of tents Thomas carried with him into the field. His officers used the nearby tents.

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National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is June 27, 1864.

Location. 33° 55.909′ N, 84° 36.265′ W. Marker is near Marietta, Georgia, in Cobb County. It is on Cheatham Hill Road 0.3 miles south of John Ward Road SW, on the right when traveling south. Marker is a wayside exhibit on the Kolb Farm West Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 902 Cheatham Hill Rd, Marietta GA 30064, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont

and in Metro Atlanta.

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 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 walking distance of this marker: Gen. George H. Thomas' Headquarters (within shouting distance of this marker); Sherman's Command Post (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); McCook's Brigade (about 600 feet away); Five Federal Brigades (about 600 feet away); This Marks the Starting Point (approx. ¼ mile away); Union Earthworks (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Assault Falters (approx. 0.4 miles away); Monument to the Fallen (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marietta.

Also see . . . Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. National Park Service (Submitted on March 26, 2024.)

September 26, 2023

2. Thomas Headquarters Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2024. This page has been viewed 293 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 25, 2024. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.