Battle of Atlanta Began Here

Battle of Atlanta Began Here is a Georgia historical marker in DeKalb County, dedicated 1983.

At the intersection of Memorial Drive and Clay Street in Atlanta.

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July 22, 1864. Sweeny's 2nd div., Dodge's 16th A.C., [US], having been held in reserve N. of the Ga. R.R. (Candler Park), was ordered to support the left of Blair's 17th Corps in East Atlanta. Marching via Clay Rd., Sweeny's column halted here at noon to await further orders. Mersy's brigade led the advance, followed by Rice's. Thus, by mere accident, the two brigades were posted where they intercepted the surprise attack by Walker's and Bate's divs. (Hardee's A.C.) [CS], aimed at the rear of Blair's 17th A.C. intrenched along Flat Shoals Rd., 1 mile W. of this point, thereby precipitating the battle.

Marker not in place due to damage or maintenance. Note from the marker program.

TodayHistorical map

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David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries

Historical maps covering this location

1856 · Georgia. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
1864 · Colton's Georgia (1864) (Barry Lawrence Ruderman Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
1866 · Georgia. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
1869 · Georgia. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
1874 · Military Operations of the Atlanta Campaign. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)

Georgia, 1866, covering the location of Battle of Atlanta Began Here, with a pin at the marker's coordinates — Georgia, 1866, covering this location. David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries. The pin is ours, placed from the marker's coordinates.

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This historical marker is part of the Georgia Historical Marker Program and was erected by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Marker texts and locations come from the Society's own marker database.

Battle of Atlanta Began Here

Historical maps covering this location

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