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

The 23d Corps at Soap Creek

Photographed By David Seibert, December 11, 2011

1. The 23d Corps at Soap Creek Marker

Inscription. July 8, 1864. The first passage of the Chattahoochee River by Federal forces was made at mouth of Soap Cr. by Cox’s div., 23d A.C. Cameron’s brigade crossed cr. at the dam and passing the blackened ruins of the Paper Mills, scaled the high ridge E. wading the river at a fish-dam, Cameron moved S. to support a contingent crossing in pontoons at mouth of Cr.

A Confederate cav. outpost and field-piece were captured. This Federal crossing forced Johnston to abandon his River Line at and below Bolton; he withdrew to the Fulton Co. side of the Chattahoochee River, July 9.

Erected 1985 by Georgia Department of Natural Resources. (Marker Number 033-92.)

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 8, 1901.

Location. 33° 56.267′ N, 84° 26.6′ W. Marker is near Marietta, Georgia, in Cobb County. Marker is on Road to parking lot for Chattahoochee River NRA, 0 miles south of Paper Mill Road, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Marietta GA 30067, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Soap Creek Paper Mills (here, next to this marker); The 23D Corps at Soap Creek

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Gantt House (approx. 1.2 miles away); Confederate Battery Position (approx. 1.4 miles away); Isom's Ferry (approx. 1.7 miles away); Genuine Parts Company (approx. 2 miles away); Garrard & Newton Move on Roswell (approx. 2.3 miles away); The River Patrol & Cochran’s Ford (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marietta.

More about this marker. The "correct” location for this marker is a few feet from here (see http://www.hmdb.org/Marker.asp?Marker=17012). The original marker with this title was erected in the 1950s by the Georgia Historical Commission on Paper Mill Road near the Soap Creek bridge, a short distance away. That marker disappeared, so in 1985 the Georgia Department of Natural Resources had a replacement marker cast and installed here, at the parking lot off Paper Mill Road.

About 1990 the 1985 marker disappeared too. Again the DNR had a replacement marker cast and installed in 1992 (17012). Then the 1985 marker turned up, and was returned to the state Marker Shop as a spare.

In 2007 a marker

Photographed By David Seibert, December 11, 2011

2. The 23d Corps at Soap Creek Marker

at this location (Sope Creek Industries, http://www.hmdb.org/markeradd2.asp?MarkerID=53526) vanished, leaving an empty pole. The DNR had an extra/duplicate marker with a text which applied to this location (although its replacement was standing only a few feet away), so in 2009 this marker was installed on the Sope Creek Industries post.

Today the passerby will see three posts with three markers, just as the site looked in the 1980s. A closer look will reveal that two of the markers are essentially identical, the 1985 and 1992 editions of “The 23d Corps at Soap Creek;” the third is “Soap Creek Paper Mills.” “Sope Creek Industries,” which should stand on this post, remains missing.

The 23d Corps at Soap Creek Marker(s) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By David Seibert, December 11, 2011

3. The 23d Corps at Soap Creek Marker(s)

From left: The 23d Corps at Soap Creek (1992); Soap Creek Paper Mills; and The 23d Corps at Soap Creek (1985) on the post from Sope Creek Industries.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 14, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 729 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 14, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.