The Battle of Bald/Leggett's Hill

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Southeast_Side_of_Leggetts_Hill_June_24_1929.jpg

This is supposedly a photo of the southeastern slope of Bald Hill, taken June 24, 1929. Photograph by Walter Sparks, Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Source)

Bald Hill was located a couple miles east of Atlanta. In an effort to slow the Federal advance on the city, Maj. Gen. Patrick Cleburne's Division and elements of Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler's Cavalry Corps defended this position on July 21, 1864, against Maj. Gen. Francis P. Blair's XVII Corps. The Confederates were entrenched on top of the hill facing east, the Federals attacking up the slope. Both sides fought to a standstill after a small but very fierce battle, Cleburne stating that it was "the bitterest fight" of his life. The fight produced over 1,000 casualties; Blair had lost around 700 men and Cleburne near 300.

The Confederates withdrew from the position that night, Cleburne's linking up with the rest of Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee's Corps and marching around the Federal Army of the Tennessee's left flank, culminating in the Battle of Atlanta the following day.

The hill was also a critical terrain feature in the Battle of Atlanta, July 22, situated at the Federal center and again fiercely contested by both sides. It would later be known as "Leggett's Hill," after Brig. Gen. Mortimer D. Leggett, who's division attacked the hill on July 21 and defended it on July 22.

Like the rest of the Atlanta battleground, today the hill is completely paved over. It was leveled during highway construction in the 1960s and is now the intersection of Moreland Avenue and I-20.

A virtual tour of the area can be viewed here: http://www.inheritage.org/almanack/battle-of-atlanta-today-history-tour-american-civil-war-02/

ATLANTA_OM3.jpg


Leggetts_Hill_v._2_Cyclorama.jpg

Image from the Atlanta Cyclorama of Confederate troops attacking Bald Hill during the Battle of Atlanta, July 22, 1864.
 
A few accounts of the battle for the anniversary....


Report of Brig. Gen. James A. Smith commanding what is best known as Granbury's Texas Brigade in Cleburne's Division:

Macon, Ga., August 5, 1864.​
I have the honor to report as follows concerning the part taken by my brigade in the action on 21st of July, 1864, near Atlanta, Ga.:​
The brigade was moved into position on the extreme right of the army, about a mile south of the Atlanta and Augusta Railroad, at daylight, relieving some cavalry who occupied the position previous to the arrival of my brigade. I immediately proceeded to construct such works.for protection as the limited means at my disposal would permit. Owing, however, to the position being much exposed and the close proximity of the enemy, who occupied a strongly intrenched position, our progress was slow. About 7 o’clock he opened a battery on my left, about 800 yards distant, which swept my line from left to right, committing dreadful havoc in the ranks. I have never before witnessed such accurate and destructive cannonading. In a few minutes 40 men were killed and over 100 wounded by this battery alone. In the Eighteenth Texas Cavalry Regiment (dismounted) 17 of the 18 men composing one company were placed hors de combat by one shot alone. When the cannonading ceased the enemy’s infantry moved on our front in heavy force, and succeeded in driving the cavalry on my right in confusion from its position, thereby causing the right regiment of my brigade to give way. This regiment, the Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth Texas Cavalry (dismounted), was soon rallied and in turn drove back the enemy with heavy loss, regaining its position in the line.​
During the fearful cannonading on our flank and rear both officers and men demeaned themselves with marked coolness and courage. Not a man left his post, but quietly awaited the coming charge, which was repulsed with heavy loss, the enemy leaving a number of his killed and wounded in our hands.​
The loss of the brigade in this affair was 47 killed, 120 wounded, and 19 captured. Among the wounded were Lieutenant-Colonel Neyland, commanding the Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth Texas Cavalry (dismounted); Captain Fisher, commanding the Sixth and Fifteenth Texas Regiments, and Captain Houston, who succeeded him in the command of the regiment. Among the killed was Captain Bennett, of the Tenth Texas Regiment, a most gallant and meritorious officer.​
J. A. SMITH,​
Brigadier- General.​
Capt. I. A. Buck,​
Assistant Adjutant-General, Cleburne’s Division.​
Diary entry of Capt. Samuel T. Foster, Co. H, 24th Texas Cavalry (dismounted):

July 21st​
Made breastworks of logs, and by nine Oclock a.m. the Yanks artillery open on us from our left, their shell enfalading our lines. They have heard us chopping down trees and building our works and have our range—and the woods are so thick we can’t see them. Their artillery are killing our men very fast—One company just to my left after finishing their works sat down to rest in a little ditch they had dug, when a shell came and took them at one end and killed and crippled every man in the ditch. Knocked one man in a hundred piece—one hand and arm went over the works and his cartridge box was ten feet up in a tree.​
My Company had completed their works when as I was lying down resting on my elbow—and another man in about the same position with our heads about two feet apart and our feet in opposite directions, a shell (schrapnell) exploded just between us—blowing me one way and him the other hurting neither one of us but killing three men about 10 ft. from us eating their breakfast.​
About the middle of the day the small arms open on us in front of us and as soon as our pickets came in a general fight opens along our line.​
There are some dismounted cavalry to our right making our line longer and when the Yanks make the charge the cavalry shoot their guns off as fast as possible, while our pickets are getting in front of them. The pickets could do nothing but lie down and be captured by the Yanks—I lost three thus. As soon as the cavalry discharge their guns they all break and run like good fellows which leaves our right exposed and the Yanks following the cavalry pass by the right end of our line while those in front of us are held back by us.​
Our Regt. which is on the right are taken out of the works and form a line at a double quick behind our works and perpendicular to it, which puts the left of the regt at the works—while the right is the length of the regt. off—We go forward quick time and drive the Yanks out in short order, and swing around and occupy our line again—then we are put in single file so as to cover the ground that had been occupied by the cavalry.​
Here is where Lt Boerner of Capt Flys Co and Bud Martin same company were killed—both shot in the head, and while we were driving the Yanks out from our rear, one man (Joe Harrison) of my Co. ran up to a Yank, that was cursing a wounded Confed, put the muzzle of his gun to his back and blew him up.​
I lost today out of my Company Sergt [ ] Chas Pepper and John Sutton killed—Thos Fisher wounded; and three captured on the picket line.​
I am put in charge of the Picket line today to bring off the Pickets tonight—Our whole corps (Hardees) will move tonight some where, and the Yanks are so close to us in front that it is a dangerous maneuver—and requires considerable skill.​
(One of Cleburne's Command: The Civil War Reminiscences And Diary of Captain Samuel T. Foster)
 
Report of Maj. Gen. Joe Wheeler.

Headquarters Cavalry Corps,​
October 9, 1864.​
Colonel: I have the honor to submit the following brief report of the operations of my command from the date General Hood assumed command of the Army of Tennessee to the present time: My command consisted of two divisions of cavalry, under Generals Kelly and Iverson, and one small brigade, under General Williams, in all. General Kelly with his entire command had been detached to guard the Augusta railroad, and General Williams had also been detached and was reporting direct to Major-General Cheatham. With the remainder of my command, numbering about 1,600 men, re-enforced by Ferguson’s brigade, I was engaged during the 17th and 18th of July opposing the advance of General Thomas, and during the 19th and 20th of July in opposing the advance of General McPherson’s entire army, consisting of three army corps. During this time we fought behind successive lines of breast-works, inflicting heavy losses upon the enemy, and repulsing several assaults of his skirmish lines, which were almost dense enough to make them lines of battle, and were always supported by strong lines of battle. On the 19th and 20th I was so heavily pressed as to be obliged to call for re-enforcements, but none could be sent me. About 4 o’clock the enemy charged my line with a heavy line of battle. General Ferguson, who was on the right, gave way, but on reaching his position I re-established his line on ground equally as favorable, and maintained the line thus established until night.​
About daylight the following morning (21st) General Cleburne with his division of infantry came, pursuant to General Hood’s orders, to relieve me, while I was ordered to extend my line to the right. General Cleburne placed his troops so closely together that only a little more than half my line was occupied by General Cleburne’s troops. While changing position, and before my troops had faced toward the enemy, a general attack was made on my own and General Cleburne’s front. General Ferguson, who was on the right, reported a force turning his right flank, when, at the same moment, a general assault of several lines of battle was made by the enemy. Ferguson gave way in some confusion, which exposed the right of Allen’s brigade, which, with the Georgia brigade, nevertheless, fought brilliantly, repulsing a desperate assault and killing the enemy in hand-to-hand conflicts. On the enemy’s second assault both the Georgia and Alabama brigades, with the right brigade of Cleburne’s division, were forced from their works by an overwhelming force. After falling back a short distance the Georgia and part of the Alabama brigades, rallied, charged the enemy, and retook the works, with 2 officers and 20 privates, beside a number of the enemy’s dead and wounded, some of whom were killed in our rifle-pits. This was a most brilliant feat, and the Georgia brigade deserves great credit for its conduct upon that day.​
Our loss in killed and wounded was not severe, and we did not lose any prisoners. The loss of the enemy was severe. I then established my line and maintained my position until relieved late in the day by Cheatham’s division.​
 
Report of Col. George E. Bryant, acting commander of Brig. Gen. Manning F. Force's brigade after his wounding in the battle of Atlanta, July 22. Force's brigade made the assault on Bald Hill on July 21 and also defended it the following day.

Hdqrs. First Brig., Third Div., 17th Army Corps,​
Near Atlanta, Ga., September 11, 1864.​
Captain: I have the honor to submit the following in brief of the part taken by the First Brigade, Third Division, Seventeenth Army Corps, consisting of the Twentieth, Thirtieth, Thirty-first, and Forty-fifth Illinois and Sixteenth Wisconsin Regiments, from May 1, 1864, to July 22, 1864:​
[. . . .]​
On the 16th of July the brigade marched from its position on the right of the army, via Marietta, Ga., and Roswell, passing through Decatur, Ga., July 20, and bivouacking four miles from that place, our line of battle, facing west, at foot of hill occupied by the enemy.​
At 7 a. m. on the 21st the brigade was ordered to charge and hold the hill in its front. The Twelfth and Sixteenth Wisconsin Regiments formed the advance of the charging column, supported by the Twentieth, Thirtieth, and Thirty-first Illinois Regiments. The charge was made under very heavy musketry, the enemy being protected by intrenchments on the crest of the hill. The works were taken at the point of the bayonet and held, with aggregate loss to the First Brigade of (except Twentieth Illinois Regiment) about 258 killed, wounded, and missing. The steady and unwavering advance of the columns under the terrible fire from the enemy’s line (Cleburne’s famous division), advantageously posted behind intrenchments, was such as to merit for both officers and men the highest record for courage and skill. In this charge the Twelfth Wisconsin Regiment lost out of less than 600 men engaged 134 men killed and wounded. It captured more small-arms than it had men engaged, many of the arms still loaded and capped. It had 5 color bearers shot and 2 flag-staffs shot off. Other regiments of the brigade behaved with equal gallantry, but suffered less loss.​
 
Below is what was written in a letter home to his wife by Major Sims H. Giles (QM Ferguson`s Cavalry Brigade / Col. Robert O. Perrin`s 11th Regiment Mississippi Cavalry) on 21-22 Jul 1864 regarding the fighting at Bald Hill:

"We have fallen back to this place (Bald Hill) and have had heavy fighting last evening (20th) and this morning. Our Brigade (Ferguson`s) is doing good service, we are losing some men but not many as yet, none of our friends are hurt as yet. Our horses are all nearly a mile inside of the fortifications and the only danger we are in is from an occasional stray shell which we have learned to dodge, so I tell you again not to be at all uneasy about me. I think we will have a very hard fight here and will be sure to give the Yanks a good thrashing if they stand up to the fight. So we may be here for several days before anything decisive is known, but you will hear before you get this that we are alright and whipped the Yanks.

...I wish you could be here for just two hours to witness a battle. There was the artillery almost drowning the fire of the small arms. To see the shells exploding is all grand to behold. Now while I write there is a constant roar of musketry and artillery. We are driving the Yanks back, but expect to have a hard day`s work. I will write more this evening... 6 O`clock PM; our men are all safe, we have had heavy skirmishing and fighting all day, but you will hear all this before you get any letter so I will close, but keep this (letter) open until morning so as to add the very latest news... 22nd July, 7 O`clock PM; We have just won a great victory (at Decatur and later back at the southern base of Bald Hill where Maj. General James B. McPherson was killed during the fighting) our regiment ( and Brigade) was in all the fight. None of our friends are hurt. More tomorrow."

What I find interesting about his account is that it comes from the Quartermaster of Ferguson`s Cavalry Brigade, who was in the rear during the whole fight. As the action was taking place he was writing home to his wife what he was experiencing and witnessing. At this time Brig. General Samuel Wragg Ferguson`s Cavalry Brigade was comprised of the 2nd Regiment Alabama Cavalry, the 56th Alabama Partisan Rangers, the 12th Regiment Mississippi Cavalry, the 11th Regiment Mississippi Cavalry and the 9th Regiment Mississippi Cavalry. While Major Giles was writing this letter the rest of the Brigade was in the trenches fighting as dismounted cavalry on the right of Maj. General Joseph Wheeler and the left of Brig. General William Wirt Allen`s Alabama Cavalry, to include the Georgia Brigade of Maj. General Patrick Cleburne`s division.
 
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Here is the current view of that same location/view

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The hill and all the surrounding battlefield area were completely destroyed in order to put in Interstate 20 in the 1960's. They did discover several caches of discarded weapons and ammunition while putting in the interstate.
 
Below is what was written in a letter home to his wife by Major Sims H. Giles (QM Ferguson`s Cavalry Brigade / Col. Robert O. Perrin`s 11th Regiment Mississippi Cavalry) on 21-22 Jul 1864 regarding the fighting at Bald Hill:

"We have fallen back to this place (Bald Hill) and have had heavy fighting last evening (20th) and this morning. Our Brigade (Ferguson`s) is doing good service, we are losing some men but not many as yet, none of our friends are hurt as yet. Our horses are all nearly a mile inside of the fortifications and the only danger we are in is from an occasional stray shell which we have learned to dodge, so I tell you again not to be at all uneasy about me. I think we will have a very hard fight here and will be sure to give the Yanks a good thrashing if they stand up to the fight. So we may be here for several days before anything decisive is known, but you will hear before you get this that we are alright and whipped the Yanks.

...I wish you could be here for just two hours to witness a battle. There was the artillery almost drowning the fire of the small arms. To see the shells exploding is all grand to behold. Now while I write there is a constant roar of musketry and artillery. We are driving the Yanks back, but expect to have a hard day`s work. I will write more this evening... 6 O`clock PM; our men are all safe, we have had heavy skirmishing and fighting all day, but you will hear all this before you get any letter so I will close, but keep this (letter) open until morning so as to add the very latest news... 22nd July, 7 O`clock PM; We have just won a great victory (at Decatur and later back at the southern base of Bald Hill where Maj. General James B. McPherson was killed during the fighting) our regiment ( and Brigade) was in all the fight. None of our friends are hurt. More tomorrow."

What I find interesting about his account is that it comes from the Quartermaster of Ferguson`s Cavalry Brigade, who was in the rear during the whole fight. As the action was taking place he was writing home to his wife what he was experiencing and witnessing. At this time Brig. General Samuel Wragg Ferguson`s Cavalry Brigade was comprised of the 2nd Regiment Alabama Cavalry, the 56th Alabama Partisan Rangers, the 12th Regiment Mississippi Cavalry, the 11th Regiment Mississippi Cavalry and the 9th Regiment Mississippi Cavalry. While Major Giles was writing this letter the rest of the Brigade was in the trenches fighting as dismounted cavalry on the right of Maj. General Joseph Wheeler and the left of Brig. General William Wirt Allen`s Alabama Cavalry, to include the Georgia Brigade of Maj. General Patrick Cleburne`s division.
Thanks for posting this account.

While Major Giles was writing this letter the rest of the Brigade was in the trenches fighting as dismounted cavalry on the right of Maj. General Joseph Wheeler and the left of Brig. General William Wirt Allen`s Alabama Cavalry, to include the Georgia Brigade of Maj. General Patrick Cleburne`s division.
There was no brigade of Georgians in Cleburne's Division at this time. My understanding is that Granbury's Texas Brigade (under James A. Smith) was positioned to the left (north) of Wheeler's cavalry, elements of both on the hill itself. To the Texans' left was Lowrey's Brigade of Mississippi and Alabama troops, and to their left was Govan's Arkansas Brigade, the line running off to the side of Bald Hill.

James A. Smith later did take command of a brigade of Georgians (formerly Mercer's) that was transferred to Cleburne's Division after William H.T. Walker's Division was broken up following his death in the battle of Atlanta, July 22.
 
At the time of Peach Tree Creek / Bald Hill / Battle of Decatur and Atlanta, Brig. General William Wirt Allen's Brigade was composed of the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 9th, 12th, and 51st Alabama Cavalry regiments, and they served in the corps of Joseph Wheeler in the Army of Tennessee. Allen led the brigade throughout the Alabama Campaign. I believe that in early August 1864 the Georgia cavalry brigade of which Wheeler made mention in his summary of the Battle of Bald Hill was added to Allen's force, and later, Anderson's Brigade. This gave Allen a full division, which served in the Atlanta Campaign, as well as during Sherman's March to the Sea (Savannah Campaign). I was thinking that it was with Cleburne`s division, if not maybe it was with Allen temporarily on detached service until early August when it was permanently assigned to him.

"General Cleburne placed his troops so closely together that only a little more than half my line was occupied by General Cleburne's troops. While changing position, and before my troops had faced toward the enemy, a general attack was made on my own and General Cleburne's front. General Ferguson, who was on the right, reported a force turning his right flank, when, at the same moment, a general assault of several lines of battle was made by the enemy. Ferguson gave way in some confusion, which exposed the right of (Brig. General William Wirt) Allen's brigade, which, with the Georgia brigade, nevertheless, fought brilliantly, repulsing a desperate assault and killing the enemy in hand to-hand conflicts.

On the enemy's second assault both the Georgia and Alabama brigades, with the right brigade of Cleburne's division, were forced from their works by an overwhelming force. After falling back a short distance the Georgia and part of the Alabama brigades, rallied, charged the enemy, and retook the works, with 2 officers and 20 privates, beside a number of the enemy's dead and wounded, some of whom were killed in our rifle-pits. This was a most brilliant feat, and the Georgia brigade deserves great credit for its conduct upon that day."

Do you know specifically to whom Wheeler was referring (Georgia Brigade) in his summary of the Battle of Bald Hill in his activity report?
 
Below is what was written in a letter home to his wife by Major Sims H. Giles (QM Ferguson`s Brigade / Perrin`s Regt.) on 19 Jul 1864 regarding Ferguson`s Cavalry Brigade`s move to Decatur while skirmishing against Maj. General George H. Thomas and his forces while protecting the Augusta Railroad from Atlanta to Decatur:

"We made a forced march to this place (Decatur, Ga.) last night (18 Jul 1864), (we) got here about 11 O`clock. Our purpose is to protect the Railroad in this vicinity. We are 8 miles from Atlanta and have a good camp and I think we will have but little to do for the next few day`s if we remain here. We are all in deep distress, because General Johnston has been relieved from duty. I very much fear that this will have a bad effect upon out soldiers (as a whole). They have been very confident and fully satisfied that we would whip the fight whenever it did come off, but I fear this change will cause dissention and demoralization. All the troops seem to be very indignant about it."

Major Sims H. Giles (QM Ferguson`s Brigade / Perrin`s Regt.) continued to write in his letter on 19-20 Jul 1864 regarding the fighting between Decatur and Peach Tree Creek on this day:

"The bugle is now blowing to "Saddle Horses" (Boots and Saddles). We instead of the nice quiet time we expected to have, we had one of the hardest days we have ever had. We were ordered to saddle up to meet the Yanks, they came on us in heavy force. Two Army Corps, 30,000 strong, we had two Brigades and had to fight a pull back all day - the Yanks got the R/R at this place later in the evening (20th). We have fallen back 2 miles towards Atlanta. We will drive them back today or have a big fight. General Wheeler has reinforced us. We had heavy fighting all day yesterday (19th July) - but lost 5 men - killed and wounded - none from our Regt. (Perrins)."

He continued to write:

"Saddle up horses is the order again, so I must stop. Well we have pitched into very heavy skirmishing and while I write the cannons and musket balls are circulating around rapidly. I am in a safe place and can see some and hear all of it, we are driven back to with-in 1 mile of Atlanta - fighting for every foot of ground - we have no infantry on this line, but will have plenty here in one or two hours - more anon."

This is what Maj. General Joseph Wheeler said about Brig. General Samuel Wragg Ferguson`s Cavalry Brigade (2nd Alabama Cavalry Regiment) a few days after the battle of Peachtree Creek, Georgia was fought and waged in his daily report of battle:

"My command consisted of two divisions of cavalry, under Generals Kelly and Iverson, and one small brigade, under General Williams, in all. General Kelly with his entire command had been detached to guard the Augusta railroad, and General Williams had also been detached and was reporting direct to Major-General Cheatham. With the remainder of my command, numbering about 1,000 men, re-enforced by Ferguson's brigade, I was engaged during the 17th and 18th of July opposing the advance of General (George H.) Thomas, and during the 19th and 20th of July in opposing the advance of General McPherson's entire army, consisting of three army corps."

He further stated in his report:

"About 4 o’clock (20th) the enemy charged my line with a heavy line of battle. General Ferguson, who was on the right, gave way, but on reaching his position I re-established his line on ground equally as favorable, and maintained the line thus established until night."

So about 11 PM on the night of the 18th of July Wheeler with Ferguson arrived at or near Decatur to continue to oppose Thomas who had destroyed the Georgia Railroad to Augusta at that point and was now readying to destroy it west of Decatur between there and Atlanta. On the 19th Ferguson with Wheeler began skirmishing and fighting against General George H. Thomas as well as some of McPherson`s forces near Decatur, being driven back westward along the Railroad, as they were trying to protect it, and were gradually being pushed back throughout the day until very early on the 20th where they arrived to Cheatham`s position, from which they fought behind his successive lines of breastworks on the extreme Confederate right throughout the day of the 20th, until late afternoon (6 pm) when they were ordered by Lt. General John Bell Hood to fall back and secure Bald Hill. At which point they began to dig themselves in and put up breastworks to hold the Hill. Cleburne was ordered from Peach Tree Creek where they were held in reserve during the battle there throughout the day of the 20th. They arrived at Bald Hill early on the morning of the 21st, long before sunrise, and also began digging themselves in alongside Wheeler. At day break both were attacked by two divisions of XVII Corps, first by cannonading then followed by lines of battle being sent in with skirmishers leading the way (the battle of Bald Hill).
 
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Do you know specifically to whom Wheeler was referring (Georgia Brigade) in his summary of the Battle of Bald Hill in his activity report?
According to The Day Dixie Died by Gary Ecelbarger, it was the cavalry brigade commanded by Brig. Gen. Alfred Iverson, consisting of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th Georgia cavalry regiments. The order of battle has them in Maj. Gen. William T. Martin's Division in Wheeler's Corps, alongside Allen's Brigade.

However, I see that Wheeler says in his report that Iverson was in command of the division. He might've been acting division commander at that time.
 
That actually makes sense as Martin (Iverson and Allen), Kelly, Humes and William Hicks Jackson all had Divisions in Wheelers Corps, with the Cavalry Brigades of Ferguson, Ross and Armstrong comprising Jackson`s Division. Thanks by the way for sharing the Newspaper article above of J. G. Wray, great first hand witness account of the Battle of Bald Hill as well as the moves made as the battle was building up.

Martin made a couple of mistakes in June and July 1864 and fell out of favor with Wheeler, so he could have very well given Iverson "Temporary" command of Martin`s Division by this time. The strained relationship between Martin and Wheeler, eventually saw Martin being reassigned. In August 1864, as Wheeler was attempting to operate against Sherman’s supply line, things broke down completely between the two men. Wheeler was attempting to capture Dalton, Georgia, and counted on Martin to reinforce him. In what Wheeler thought was deliberate disobedience of a direct order, Martin never arrived, and Wheeler "officially" relieved him of command. Martin finished the war back home in Natchez commanding the District of Northwest Mississippi. An obscure assignment of little significance which did not allow Martin to see anymore action during the War.

Soon after the Atlanta Campaign Wheeler nominated Iverson for promotion to Major General because he was so impressed with him. He never received it as things began to fall apart towards the end of the War, but Wheeler was pushing hard for it. At the same time Wheeler was opposing and working against Ferguson being promoted to Major General who was nominated by General P.G.T. Beauregard. His promotion also was not pushed through because of the same reason that Iverson was not due to the timing. Lt. General S. D. Lee nominated William Hicks Jackson for the same promotion, which he was not given either.
 
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This is supposedly a photo of the southeastern slope of Bald Hill, taken June 24, 1929. Photograph by Walter Sparks, Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Source)

Bald Hill was located a couple miles east of Atlanta. In an effort to slow the Federal advance on the city, Maj. Gen. Patrick Cleburne's Division and elements of Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler's Cavalry Corps defended this position on July 21, 1864, against Maj. Gen. Francis P. Blair's XVII Corps. The Confederates were entrenched on top of the hill facing east, the Federals attacking up the slope. Both sides fought to a standstill after a small but very fierce battle, Cleburne stating that it was "the bitterest fight" of his life. The fight produced over 1,000 casualties; Blair had lost around 700 men and Cleburne near 300.

The Confederates withdrew from the position that night, Cleburne's linking up with the rest of Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee's Corps and marching around the Federal Army of the Tennessee's left flank, culminating in the Battle of Atlanta the following day.

The hill was also a critical terrain feature in the Battle of Atlanta, July 22, situated at the Federal center and again fiercely contested by both sides. It would later be known as "Leggett's Hill," after Brig. Gen. Mortimer D. Leggett, who's division attacked the hill on July 21 and defended it on July 22.

Like the rest of the Atlanta battleground, today the hill is completely paved over. It was leveled during highway construction in the 1960s and is now the intersection of Moreland Avenue and I-20.

A virtual tour of the area can be viewed here: http://www.inheritage.org/almanack/battle-of-atlanta-today-history-tour-american-civil-war-02/

View attachment 302824

View attachment 302827
Image from the Atlanta Cyclorama of Confederate troops attacking Bald Hill during the Battle of Atlanta, July 22, 1864.
1929 photo taken in area between Maynard Terrace and Moreland looking west.
 
View attachment 302826
This is supposedly a photo of the southeastern slope of Bald Hill, taken June 24, 1929. Photograph by Walter Sparks, Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Source)

Bald Hill was located a couple miles east of Atlanta. In an effort to slow the Federal advance on the city, Maj. Gen. Patrick Cleburne's Division and elements of Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler's Cavalry Corps defended this position on July 21, 1864, against Maj. Gen. Francis P. Blair's XVII Corps. The Confederates were entrenched on top of the hill facing east, the Federals attacking up the slope. Both sides fought to a standstill after a small but very fierce battle, Cleburne stating that it was "the bitterest fight" of his life. The fight produced over 1,000 casualties; Blair had lost around 700 men and Cleburne near 300.

The Confederates withdrew from the position that night, Cleburne's linking up with the rest of Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee's Corps and marching around the Federal Army of the Tennessee's left flank, culminating in the Battle of Atlanta the following day.

The hill was also a critical terrain feature in the Battle of Atlanta, July 22, situated at the Federal center and again fiercely contested by both sides. It would later be known as "Leggett's Hill," after Brig. Gen. Mortimer D. Leggett, who's division attacked the hill on July 21 and defended it on July 22.

Like the rest of the Atlanta battleground, today the hill is completely paved over. It was leveled during highway construction in the 1960s and is now the intersection of Moreland Avenue and I-20.

A virtual tour of the area can be viewed here: http://www.inheritage.org/almanack/battle-of-atlanta-today-history-tour-american-civil-war-02/

View attachment 302824

View attachment 302827
Image from the Atlanta Cyclorama of Confederate troops attacking Bald Hill during the Battle of Atlanta, July 22, 1864.

Not much evidence of ground preservation in this photo.
 
After finding several more very reliable sources regarding the battle of Bald Hill, I now know where Wheeler, Ferguson and Cleburne were positioned on 20 Jul 1864, as each made their way to Bald Hill, specifically where Wheeler and Ferguson were skirmishing against Gresham`s division of the 17th U.S. Army Corps throughout the day, which led them to occupying and digging in atop of Bald Hill during the night of 20 Jul 1864.

On 19 Jul 1864, Maj. General Joseph Wheeler, reinforced by Brig. General Samuel W. Ferguson, had skirmished heavily against McPherson`s 17th U. S. Army Corps all day and into the night near Decatur. By 20 Jul 1864, Wheeler was behind Confederate breastworks, south of the Augusta Railroad, on Clay Street (Jesse Clay House). From here, Wheeler once again began skirmishing and fighting against General Walter I. Gresham`s division and throughout the day was driven back several miles west to the base of Bald Hill. By dusk Wheeler was on top of the hill where he was reinforced at dawn of 21 Jul 1864 by General Patrick Cleburne, who himself had been held in reserve up around Piedmont Park (Ansley Park) between Peachtree and Piedmont streets behind Hardee`s line of entrenchments, but had been ordered to march southward through the city of Atlanta to reinforce Wheeler at Bald Hill, about 5 miles away, against McPherson`s 17th U.S. Army Corps, with whom Wheeler and Ferguson had been heavily skirmishing for the last two days (Gresham and Blair).

On the morning of 20 Jul 1864, as the Battle of Peachtree Creek was being waged and fought, the 17th U.S. Army Corps, led by General Walter I. Gresham, left Decatur in a south-western direction on the Fayetteville road, which as it continued turned into Oakview Road and then Boulevard Drive. At Clay Street, Gresham`s division in the lead, deployed in heavy skirmish formation and pressed Wheeler `s Cavalry Corps, who were behind the Confederate breastworks at the corner of Boulevard Drive and Clay Street. Wheeler`s Corps and Ferguson`s Brigade both fought Gresham throughout the day as they were gradually being driven from Clay Street westward towards Atlanta. For the vast majority of the days fighting, Wheeler and Ferguson were able to fight from behind an almost continuous line of successive breastworks, as they were being driven back towards the base of Bald Hill.

Wheeler and Ferguson were initially pushed back from Clay Street across Sugar Creek and from there all the way back to the rising ground of Bald Hill (Leggett`s Hill). While on the advanced line of skirmishers, General Walter I. Gresham was badly wounded in the late afternoon by a bullet received to his left ankle. It was near this place (Fair and East side streets) that Gresham`s division halted for the night. General Blair ordered Leggett`s division of 17th U.S. Army Corps to drive Wheeler off the hill at once, but Leggett failed to get the order until early the next morning (21 Jul 1864). At which point he carried it out, but by that time Wheeler and Ferguson had already dug themselves in and by dawn of the 21st was reinforced by General Patrick Cleburne, who also had time to dig in.

Note: I-20 goes right through where Gresham was shot in the ankle against Wheeler and Ferguson. As well, I-20 passes just above where McPherson was killed and goes through the Battlefield of Bald Hill (Leggett`s Hill). All of the above occurring between Exits 60 (Hwy 23) and 61A (Maynard Terrace) in East Atlanta.

Below is a map depicting the route taken by Gresham (blue) from Decatur and where Wheeler (red) first became engaged in skirmish against him on 20 Jul 1864, as well as the successive line of breastworks (red) from which Wheeler and Ferguson fought behind until being driven to the base of Bald Hill. The red circle showing the number 105 is Bald Hill and the blue circle showing the number 100 is where Gresham received his wound and went into camp on the night of 20 Jul 1864. The Battle of Bald Hill which was fought on the morning of 21 Jul 1864 was fought on the eastern slope of the hill.

2d Alabama Cavalry - Atlanta Campaign (Map and Index) - The Atlanta Constitution - Atlanta, GA...jpg
 
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this battle is a personal favorite obsession of mine. I'd say of all the battles of the Atlanta Campaign, this marked the true turning point of the war. It was the campaign's bloodiest battle; The Union lost 3800 men, while the conservative estimate for the Confederates is 5500. The margin of victory was quite narrow. Both sides put all their energy into this fight, and for many of the generals involved (Logan, Leggett, Fuller, Dodge, Cleburne, Walker, and Brown), it was their best showing of the war. In the end, the Union troops, despite poor positioning and the loss of their commander, won the day. Sadly, unlike Kennesaw or Chickamauga, nothing remains of the battlefield; most of it has been paved over and made part of the Eastern district of Atlanta.
 
this battle is a personal favorite obsession of mine. I'd say of all the battles of the Atlanta Campaign, this marked the true turning point of the war. It was the campaign's bloodiest battle; The Union lost 3800 men, while the conservative estimate for the Confederates is 5500. The margin of victory was quite narrow.
This is one of my most researched battles during the Atlanta Campaign. My 3rd Great Grandfather who served in the 2nd Alabama Cavalry, brigaded under Brig. General Samuel Wragg Ferguson, was driven off of this hill along with Wheeler and Cleburne after a hard fight on 21 Jul 1864. Then after fighting all day at nearby Decatur on 22 Jul 1864, Ferguson returned to the base of the hill to reinforce Hardee during the Battle of Atlanta, where his cavalry brigade experienced more heavy fighting there. After the fighting of the 22nd, Ferguson dismounted his cavalry and occupied Hardee`s trench line at the base of Bald Hill for several days until finally being ordered to leave and fight elsewhere. Several of the men from the 2nd Alabama Cavalry, 56th Alabama Partisan Rangers and Perrin`s 11th Mississippi Cavalry, all under Ferguson, wrote letters home and made entries in their daily journals complaining of the horrible stench of the decaying corpses which were barely covered over with dirt in those trenches, on which they had been walking and some crawling to avoid sniper fire. Some men from the 56th Alabama Partisan Rangers and 11th Mississippi Cavalry came across the dead corpses of some of their friends and comrades from back home while crawling through the trenches at Bald Hill.

Basically, before dawn on 22 Jul 1864, General John Bell Hood had dispatched General Wheeler and his Cavalry (Ferguson`s brigade) to Decatur to attack McPherson's wagon train (Sprague). Wheeler found several regiments of Federal infantry posted south of Decatur. At 1:00 pm, Wheeler dismounted two of his divisions and assaulted the Federals. He pushed them north across what is now Agnes Scott College and then across the railroad tracks to the Decatur Square. The wagon train was detoured from Decatur after Wheeler started his assault. Wheeler pushed the Federals through the square and through the old city cemetery. The Federals then formed a new line along what is now North Decatur Road. Before Wheeler could attack the new Federal line, he was recalled back to Atlanta to support the attack against Hardee at the base of Bald Hill.

When Wheeler, Cleburne and Ferguson were driven from the crest of Bald Hill on 21 Jul 1864, this caused concern for Hood as he knew how important the elevated position was regarding the protection of Atlanta, so on the following day of 22 Jul 1864 Hood tried to retake the hill, but failed to do so (Battle of Bald Hill). Hood was right about the importance of Bald Hill, for as soon as Sherman was able to place his big guns on the crest of the hill, in addition to other Federal battery placements around the city, he began the siege of Atlanta which resulted in the continuous shelling of Atlanta, both day and night, for more than a month, which finally ended on 25 Aug 1864. Eight days after Sherman`s guns went silent, regarding the siege of Atlanta, on 2 Sep 1864, Atlanta was surrendered with Ferguson`s brigade being left behind on 1 Sep 1864 to destroy the munitions and Confederate equipment which could not be removed during the evacuation, and Ferguson was given strict orders from General Hood to defend Atlanta to the last man until everything of military importance could be destroyed in Atlanta. Ferguson and his cavalry brigade were the last Confederate troops to leave Atlanta, around noon of 2 Sep 1864, as Mayor Calhoun was farther out on the Marietta road surrendering the Gate City to Sherman`s army.

Pvt. Frank Moore (I-Troop), 56th Alabama Partisan Rangers wrote the following in a letter home regarding the Battle of Decatur on 22 Jul 1864, and then them returning to Bald Hill:

"We charged the Yankees on the 22nd of July and run them about one and one-half miles, the balls shot and shell fell thick and fast and I expected to be hit, but through the mercies of providence I escaped unhurt." He continued: "Our regiment are dismounted and in the ditches, on the battle ground where the infantry fought. It is a very unpleasant place. The scent of the dead is very unpleasant. They were thrown in the ditches and many of them were not entirely covered up. It is a shocking sight for a man to see. It would be well if everyone could see a battlefield."

Pvt. Harry Dixon Jessop, C-Troop, 56th Alabama Partisan Rangers later stated the following regarding his experiences as a member of Ferguson`s brigade during the Atlanta Campaign to include the battlefield of Bald Hill:

"Our brigade would dismount, with horse holders in the rear, and occupy the trenches in a very thin line whilst the infantry retired and fortified new positions in the rear particularly around Atlanta. This occurred frequently as we continuously parried the enemy and sheltered in the trenches. I came across many torn and broken bodies felled by sharp shooters and on many occasions had to crawl over the shattered corpses of my friends and comrades."

Pvt. John Hull (D-Troop), 11th Regiment Mississippi Cavalry (Perrins) account of the Battle of Atlanta and Decatur on 22 Jul 1864:

"Hardee`s Corps was ordered to move on the night of the 21st (from Atlanta) to a position south of the enemy (Below Bald Hill on the previous days battlefield) and to attack them on the 22nd. Ferguson`s Brigade and a battery were sent out to attack about five-thousand of the enemy who had been thrown out at (the) first depot from Atlanta (Decatur) on the Augusta Railroad as a reserve. This station was about six miles north-east of Atlanta, and then in the rear of the Yankee army. I belonged to the latter command and noticed that there was more halting and waiting than usual, and that we soon turned to the north, instead of the south which was usual. About 1 p.m. we were ordered to dismount to fight. After forming a line of battle with several battalions we moved up to a thick woods and then halted. Everything was quiet in front of us, but there was a heavy continued roar of small arms with a regular heavy cannon fire about three or four miles in our rear. We didn`t, however, have long to wait before we were ordered to advance, and as we emerged from the thick woods a long row of bright muskets in a railroad cut told us what was in store for us. We were ordered to "charge em boys", the "Rebel Yell" was quite in evidence then for a while. Our regiment swung around to the left which flanked the enemy, who retreated as speedily as possible, closely pursued by a mounted commander and were soon out of hearing in the rear of Sherman`s army. We returned that evening to learn that many of our Winston (County, Ms.) boys had been killed and wounded. Our command was stationed on the battle ground and remained some days (Bald Hill)."

This is what Ferguson stated about the attack on Decatur, Georgia in his journal some days later:

"On the 22nd of July (1864) I was ordered to capture the town of Decatur about 7 miles from Atlanta on the road to Augusta. Other Cavalry Brigades joined (General Joseph Wheeler / W. H. Jackson`s Division) in the attack but I made the direct attack fighting on foot (at times) and in thick woods of black oak. The resistance was stubborn, we were driving the enemy back slowly when I rode into a hornets nest, my horse dashed off almost scraping me off through the thickets. My hat was knocked off and the hornets struck me on my head and neck. I was between two fires and altogether in a very hot place. As soon as an opening was reached I threw myself from my horse landing on my heels and jerked the horse down. The hornets had been distanced and for a moment or two I did not know which way to go for I had not taken note of direction in my little excursion. How ever a glance at the sun and habits as a hunter enabled me to make the way back to my command. The first man that I met had my hat in his hand. In a few minutes more we had driven the enemy from the woods and then advanced rapidly to the railroad cut. Here my horse was shot from under me. The town was on the other side of the railroad and had to be taken house by house resulting in numerous hand to hand conflicts... After it was all in our possession we were ordered to fall back and to give it all up".

Capt. William Lewis Nugent (AAG), Ferguson`s brigade, stated in a letter home to his wife Nellie, informing her of their participation during the Battle of Decatur and Atlanta (Bald Hill). He wrote:

"We attacked Decatur on the 22nd and took the town driving out a brigade of infantry and a good deal of dismounted cavalry. Our brigade (Ferguson`s) really took the town, tho` it was supported on both flanks by a brigade of cavalry dismounted. The fight lasted about two hours and was very hot for awhile. The Yankees had the hills and houses on us and fought very well for a time. Our dash was made to distract attention while Hardee (Bald Hill) made the real attack on the enemy`s flank. We captured over a hundred prisoners and killed and wounded about one hundred and fifty. Our loss about seventy killed and wounded. We have now a new General, Hood from Texas and he is for fighting all the time. He has so far done very well and gives evidence of some ability, but at what fearful cost. We have lost about 8,000 killed and wounded in the last two or three days. This sort of fighting unless we meet with some more decided success will dissipate our army very soon. Eight more such fights and we will have no army at all. The Yankees have become more cautious since, though and have quit their everlasting flanking... The Yankee Cavalry appears to be heartily afraid of ours and hunts cover whenever attacked."

So according to Capt. Nugent from 20 Jul-22 Jul 1864 spanning the Battles of Peachtree Creek, Decatur, Bald Hill and the Battle of Atlanta the Army of Tennessee lost about 8,000 men, killed and wounded, in the fighting. In the same passage above he takes note of Hood`s aggressive tactics and realizes that if they continue fighting so recklessly it would only be a matter of time before they had no army left with which to fight. Hood took command of the Army of Tennessee from General Joseph E. Johnston just five days before on 17 Jul 1864 and over that small span of time had lost about 8,000 of his men.
 
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