Near Fayetteville in Fayette County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Skirmish at Shakerag

Photographed by David Seibert, May 7, 2011

1. Skirmish at Shakerag Marker

Inscription. Just before dawn, July 30, 1864, during a daring cavalry raid to cut the last two railroads supplying Atlanta, Union Brig. Gen. Edward M. McCook ordered the 4th Kentucky Mounted Infantry to halt near the Asa Mitchell house at Shakerag. While two companies dismounted and began barricading the road where it crested this ridge, Lt. Col. Robert Kelly deployed the rest of his men to hold any pursuing Confederates at bay until daylight. When hoof beats approached in the darkness, they opened fire. Recoiling before “a murderous volley,” Confederate Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler ordered Lt. Col. Paul Anderson’s 4th Tennessee Cavalry to dismount and attack on foot while troopers from the 8th Texas, 1st Tennessee, and the 9th Tennessee Battalion spurred toward both flanks. Kelly’s men repulsed five separate assaults. Both sides suffered many casualties before Wheeler led a headlong charge that broke the Union line, capturing Kelly, about 200 of his men, and routing the rest. These heavy losses destroyed McCook’s rear guard. Leaving the wounded with local families, Wheeler continued his relentless pursuit of the raiders toward Newnan.

Erected by Fayette

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County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 30, 1864.

Location. 33° 25.233′ N, 84° 32.367′ W. Marker is near Fayetteville, Georgia, in Fayette County. It is on Ebenezer Road 0.1 miles north of Davis Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fayetteville GA 30214, 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 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. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Flat Rock African Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 2 miles away); Holly Grove African Methodist Episcopal Church (approx.

Photographed by David Seibert, May 7, 2011

2. Skirmish at Shakerag Marker

4½ miles away); Grady L. Huddleston (approx. 5 miles away); Fayette County Veterans Memorial (approx. 5.2 miles away); 1850’s (approx. 5.2 miles away); Governor Hugh M. Dorsey (approx. 5.2 miles away); The Holliday-Dorsey-Fife House (approx. 5.2 miles away); Fayette County (approx. 5.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fayetteville.

Photographed by David Seibert, May 7, 2011

3. Skirmish at Shakerag Marker

Looking north on Ebenezer Road toward Fayetteville

Photographed by David Seibert, May 7, 2011

4. Skirmish at Shakerag Marker

Looking south on Ebenezer Road toward Davis Road

Credits. This page was last revised on October 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 6,122 times since then and 398 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 11, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.