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.
Skirmish at Shakerag. . 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.
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 County Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1941.
Location.
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33° 25.233′ N, 84° 32.367′ W. Marker is near Fayetteville, Georgia, in Fayette County. Marker 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.
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 June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 3,104 times since then and 212 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.
