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

Closing the Gap

Photographed by Felch Dumas, July 20, 2008

1. Closing the Gap Marker

Inscription. July 20, 1864. A critical factor in the alignment of Federal troops moving on Atlanta, from Peachtree Creek valley, was a wide gap between Peachtree Rd. (the left of Thomas’ forces) & Schofield’s 23d A.C. posted at the intersection of N. Decatur & Briarcliff roads.

To fill this gap, Stanley’s & Wood’s 4th A.C. divs. were moved S.E. from Buckhead. Crossing S. Fork Peachtree Cr. at Durand’s Mill, Wood’s div. was deployed W. on Rock Spring Rd.; Stanley’s, in the valley W. of here & Schofield’s 23 A.C. prolonged Stanley’s line southward. Sherman directed placement of these troops from his h’dq’rs at the crossroads July 20, 21.

Erected 1954 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 044-29.)

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 20, 1879.

Location. 33° 47.41′ N, 84° 20.319′ W. Marker is in Atlanta, Georgia, in DeKalb County. It is in Druid Hills. It is on Briarcliff Road (Georgia Route 42) 0.1 miles north of University Drive, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Atlanta GA 30306, 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. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this

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marker, measured as the crow flies: Historic Ground (approx. half a mile away); 4th A.C. at Durand's Mill (approx. half a mile away); Stanley’s & Wood’s Sector (approx. 0.8 miles away); Durand's Mill (approx. 0.9 miles away); Site: Judge James Paden House: Gen. J.D. Cox’s H’dq’rs (approx. one mile away); Alpha Delta Pi (approx. 1.1 miles away); Lynching in America / The Lynching of Porter Turner (approx. 1.1 miles away); Old Williams Mill Rd. (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlanta.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Cheatham's Salient (was approx. ¾ mile away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Felch Dumas, July 20, 2008

2. Closing the Gap Marker

Briarcliff Road in the direction of North Decatur Road intersection image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Felch Dumas, July 20, 2008

3. Briarcliff Road in the direction of North Decatur Road intersection

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 24, 2008, by Felch Dumas of Decatur, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,231 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 24, 2008, by Felch Dumas of Decatur, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.