Cartographic Image by Orlando M. Poe, 1864: Map illustrating the Siege of Atlanta, Ga. by the U.S. Forces, under Command of Maj. Gen. W.T. Sherman from the passage of Peach Tree Creek, July 19th 1864 to the commencement of the movement upon the Enemy’s Lines of communication south of Atlanta, August 26, 1864
The Atlanta Campaign takes center stage today as Union General William T. Sherman‘s forces further expand their lines around Atlanta.
Under Sherman’s command are three large armies: the Army of the Tennessee, Army of the Cumberland, and Army of the Ohio. Spreading the armies out, the Union general has effectively enveloped the outskirts of Atlanta in a semi-circular formation from the southwest to the west to the north to the northeast and now, to the east.
Among the skirmishes that take place today on the perimeter of Atlanta is a Union excursion along the banks of the meandering Peach Tree Creek (or Peachtree Creek), near Moore’s Mill. The Federals cross the creek at its junction with Green Bone Creek and, despite fire from Confederate forces on a high bluff, capture Moore’s Mill. The defending Confederates are forced to evacuate on the morrow.
Meanwhile, a second mill near Atlanta is also captured this day. Union forces move to fill a gap between Peace Tree Creek and Pea Vine Creek at the Paden plantation (later Emory University). En route the Federals march from Buckhead, crossing by Peachtree Baptist Church and the South Fork of Peach Tree Creek. On the morrow they reach Durand’s Mill and plug the gap.
On a third front, the Army of the Tennessee, under the command of General John McPherson, reaches the village of Stone Mountain further to the east. By the end of the day, the village is destroyed.
The day, in short, bodes ill for the Confederacy. Overwhelmed Confederate forces have fallen back about as far as they can, with the Federals closing in on the city from three sides. The maze of creeks bisecting the area are proving to be of little hindrance to the Union advance.
Peachtree Baptist Church is but the latest of many Baptist churches that have witnessed the march of the Union armies from Chattanooga in May to the outskirts of Atlanta this day. Some have been destroyed in the course of battles. Peachtree Baptist is much more fortunate.
Sources: “Battle at Moore’s Mill,” Historical Marker (link); “4th A.C. at Durand’s Mill,” Historical Marker (link); “History,” City of Stone Mountain (link); Franklin M. Garrett, Atlanta and Environs: A Chronicle of Its People and Events, 1820s-1870s, Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1969, pp. 600-621 (link); David Rumsey Map Collection, image (link)
