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Battle of Brown's Mill

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

The Brown's Mill Battlefield is a 140 acre historical site dedicated to the soldiers that lost their lives during the Civil War battle on July 30, 1864. Brown's Mill Battlefield features walking trails with signage telling the story of the battle at Brown's Mill. Brown's Mill is the only Civil War site located south of Atlanta. This Civil War site is one of only two in the nation that features a cavalry battle. Brown's Mill Battle reenactment's are scheduled by the Brown's Mill Battlefield Association.

Images

Newnan, GA

Newnan, GA

Brown's Mill Battlefield

Brown's Mill Battlefield

Battle of Brown's Mill Marker

Battle of Brown's Mill Marker

Major General Edward M. McCook

Major General Edward M. McCook

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

The plan of Major General William T. Sherman began on July 27, 1864 to be led by Federal Brigadier General Edward M. McCook and Major General George Stoneman to wreck the Confederate railroads.  The journey began with 2400 troops crossing the Chattahoochee River. McCook's men captured and burned Confederate trains with supplies and destroyed the Macon and Western Railroad. Stoneman did not make it to join forces which caused McCook to retrace his ride back to the Chattahoochee River.

Confederate cavalry of brigadier generals W. H. Jackson and Lawrence Ross forced McCook to retreat westward. Early on July 30, 1864 McCook's exhausted guard entered the town of Newnan only to find a train full of Confederate Soldiers.  Brigadier General Phillip D. Roddey and his 550 Alabama Cavalry had to stop at Newnan due to the destroyed track from McCook and his men.

McCook again having to retreat searched for another route out of Newnan.  General Joe Wheeler had divided his forces to strike against McCook.  Colonel Henry M. Ashby had 200 men that ambushed McCook and his men. McCook's men was forced to fight on foot and McCook shouted "every man for himself" after believing they were surrounded. McCook retreated yet again traveling south to later be captured.

The Brown's Mill Battle caused Sherman to stop his attempt to cut Atlanta's railroad.

Sources

http://battleofbrownsmill.org/ http://www.friendsofbrownsmillbattlefield.com/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Brown%27s_Mill http://www.exploregeorgia.org/listing/10205-browns-mill-battlefield-historic-site http://www.gacivilwar.org/story/battle-of-browns-mill

Additional Information