Today, in 1864, the Battle of Atlanta took place. This pivotal Civil War battle proved to be the "death knell" of the Confederacy.
The fighting began around noon in Kirkwood (corner of Memorial Dr and Clay St) and raged along a battlefront line that roughly ran up the modern-day Moreland Ave from East Atlanta Village to Inman Park.
The interactive map below includes historical markers, key sites and several bike and walking tours that you can take if you would like to explore the battlefield.
Several years ago, it occurred to me that everyone who lives in Candler Park, Edgewood, East Atlanta, Inman Park, Kirkwood and Reynoldstown puts their head down every night where a soldier likely fell or was killed.
By the time the sun set on that fateful day, survivors reported seeing a river of blood flowing down "Bald Hill" (aka, Leggett's Hill) which was located where the I-20 / Moreland Ave interchange is today.
75,000+ forces engaged on July 22, 1864. Estimated casualties were 9,222. Among the dead were two major generals: Gen. James B. McPherson (Union Army) and Gen. William H.T. Walker (CSA). Gen. Sherman watched the battle unfold from the Augustus Hurt house, which stood where the Jimmy Carter Library is today. Gen. John Bell Hood watched the battle from a house that was located where Historic Oakland Cemetery is today.
If you see burgundy colored ribbons on some of the historical markers in the next few days, they were placed there to commemorate this battle and honor these soldiers.
May they rest in peace.
Steve Saenz, ATLsherpa