Inman Park in Atlanta in Fulton County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

The DeGress Battery

Photographed by Felch Dumas, July 22, 2008

1. The DeGress Battery Marker

Inscription. July 22, 1864. Light Battery H, 1st Ill. (four 20-pounders), Capth. Francis DeGress, was posted here on right of M.L.Smith’s div., Logan’s 15th A.C. Shells from these guns are said to have been the first to fall in Atlanta.

Late afternoon, Manigault’s brigade (CS) broke the Federal line at the R.R., forcing Martin’s brigade, S. of it & Lightburn’s N. of it, to withdraw. DeGress’ gunners spiked the pieces & the horses were shot to prevent the removal of the guns by their Confederate captors.

The line was retaken in a counter-charge by Martin & Lightburn, aided by Mersy’s 16th A.C. brigade; Capt. DeGress re-possessed his guns.

Erected 1956 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 060-96.)

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, 1852.

Location. 33° 45.617′ N, 84° 21.195′ W. Marker is in Atlanta, Georgia, in Fulton County. It is in Inman Park. It is at the intersection of DeGress Avenue and DeKalb Avenue, on the left when traveling north on DeGress Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Atlanta GA 30307, 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

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walking distance of this marker: The Troup Hurt House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Manigault's Brigade (about 800 feet away); The 15th Corps Sector (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site: The Pope House (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Railroad Cut (approx. 0.2 miles away); Federal Signal Station (approx. 0.2 miles away); Baker's Brigade (approx. 0.3 miles away); Springvale Park (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlanta.

Photographed by Felch Dumas, July 22, 2008

2. The DeGress Battery Marker

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 2,616 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 24, 2008, by Felch Dumas of Decatur, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.