Rebel Breastworks

[wescul]

Please help!!!!! We are in the Atlanta area and wanted to visit a few Atlanta Campaign sites particular the following from the outlined passage......
"We rode out of Atlanta by the Decatur road, filled by the marching troops and wagons of the Fourteenth Corps; and reaching the hill, just outside of the old rebel works, we naturally paused to look back upon the scenes of our past battles. We stood upon the very ground whereon was fought the bloody battle of July 22d, and could see the copse of wood where McPherson fell. Behind us lay Atlanta, smouldering and in ruins, the black smoke rising high in air, and hanging like a pall over the ruined city. Away off in the distance, on the McDonough road, was the rear of Howard's column, the gun-barrels glistening in the sun, the white-topped wagons stretching away to the south; and right before us the Fourteenth Corps, marching steadily and rapidly, with a cheery look and swinging pace, that made light of the thousand miles that lay between us and Richmond.
1. Does anyone know the modern names of these roads?
2. Does anyone know the exact location of the old rebel breastworks? We are thinking maybe around Moreland Ave/East Atlanta area? Are there any Historical Markers standing?

 

[streetwiseprof]

The earthworks disappeared a long time ago. That's now a built up neighborhood in Atlanta. The center of the fighting, Leggett's (Bald) Hill, was leveled when constructing I-20. There are historical markers in the area, including one marking where McPherson was killed.

Sorry. I've often lamented the loss of that battlefield.

 

[streetwiseprof]

Here's a website that gives details regarding the Leggett's Hill historical marker. Here is the page for the McPherson Death Site marker. Both pages have links to nearby markers related to the 22 July battle.

The HMdb website is a good resource. Pretty much every historical marker in the US is in it.

 

[JOHN42768]

The earthworks disappeared a long time ago. That's now a built up neighborhood in Atlanta. The center of the fighting, Leggett's (Bald) Hill, was leveled when constructing I-20. There are historical markers in the area, including one marking where McPherson was killed.

Sorry. I've often lamented the loss of that battlefield.

Welcome to CWT, enjoy

 

[Chattahooch33]

Please help!!!!! We are in the Atlanta area and wanted to visit a few Atlanta Campaign sites particular the following from the outlined passage......
"We rode out of Atlanta by the Decatur road, filled by the marching troops and wagons of the Fourteenth Corps; and reaching the hill, just outside of the old rebel works, we naturally paused to look back upon the scenes of our past battles. We stood upon the very ground whereon was fought the bloody battle of July 22d, and could see the copse of wood where McPherson fell. Behind us lay Atlanta, smouldering and in ruins, the black smoke rising high in air, and hanging like a pall over the ruined city. Away off in the distance, on the McDonough road, was the rear of Howard's column, the gun-barrels glistening in the sun, the white-topped wagons stretching away to the south; and right before us the Fourteenth Corps, marching steadily and rapidly, with a cheery look and swinging pace, that made light of the thousand miles that lay between us and Richmond.
1. Does anyone know the modern names of these roads?
2. Does anyone know the exact location of the old rebel breastworks? We are thinking maybe around Moreland Ave/East Atlanta area? Are there any Historical Markers standing?

Not too much has changed in terms of names. The roads follow roughly the same paths but change names as you travel.

McDonough Rd - McDonough Blvd -> Moreland Avenue
Decatur Rd - Dacatur St- -> DeKalb Ave.


The Confederate defenses were roughly in the Hilliard and Bell St. areas. That is where Cheatham's corps came out of. Hardee's boys marched out of the middle of the city down what is now Hank Aaron Dr. to McDonough Blvd over to Flat Shoals Rd where they turned north to the Fed left.

 

[wescul]

Thanks for all of the information!