Pickett's Mill, GA

Date(s): May 27, 1864

Location: Please click on link below for map.

Campaign(s): Atlanta Campaign (1864)

Battles in Campaign:

• Rocky Face Ridge, GA - May 7-13, 1864 C¹

• Resaca, GA - May 13-15, 1864 C¹

• Adairsville, GA - May 17, 1864 C¹

• New Hope Church, GA - May 25-26, 1864 C¹

• Dallas, GA - May 26-June 1, 1864 C¹

• Pickett's Mill, GA - May 27, 1864 C

• Marietta, GA - June 9-July 3, 1864 B

• Kolb's Farm, GA - June 22, 1864 C ¹

• Kennesaw Mountain, GA - June 27-July 1, 1864 B

• Peachtree Creek, GA - July 20, 1864 B

• Atlanta, GA - July 22, 1864 B

• Ezra Church, GA - July 28, 1864 B

• Utoy Creek, GA - August 5-7, 1864 C¹

• Dalton, GA II - August 14-15, 1864 D¹  

• Lovejoy's Station, GA - August 20, 1864 D¹

• Jonesborough, GA - August 31–September 1, 1864 A

Situation:

Commanders:

• Union:  Maj. Gen. Oliver Otis Howard

• Confederate: Maj. Gen. Patrick R. Cleburne

Principal Forces:

• Union: IV Corps

• Confederate: Cleburne’s Division and Brig. Gen. John H. Kelly’s Brigade

Description:

• After the Union defeat at New Hope Church, Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman ordered Maj. Gen. O. O. Howard to attack Gen. Joseph E. Johnston’ s right flank which Sherman thought was exposed.

• The Confederates were ready for the attack, which did not occur as planned because supporting Union troops never appeared.

• The Confederates repulsed the attack causing high casualties.

Photo Gallery:²

Pickett's Mill Historic Site	Description of the Battle of Pickett's Mill	Pickett's Mill Visitor Center	Graphic on Principles of War
Painting of Pickett's Mills (background) and artillery shells (foreground)	Weapons of War	Commanders at Pickett's Mill	New Hope Church Battle Map
Hazen's Unsupported Attack Fails - 4:30-5:45 pm	Pickett's Mill - 5:45-6:30 pm	Battlefield Activity - 5:45-6:30 pm	Battlefield Activity - 5:45-6:30 pm
Battlefield Activity - 6:30-10:00 pm	Clear the Ravine - 10:00-12:00 am	Clear the Ravine - 10:00-12:00 am	12-pound Field Howitzer
Map Showing Battles of Dallas, New Hope Church and Pickett's Mill	Keys to Map Showing Battles of Dallas, New Hope Church and Pickett's Mill		Description of Battlefield Tactics
Map of Atlanta Campaign
Site of the Pickett Residence Pickett operated the mill. The well was dug by hand. The house was probably destroyed during the battle.
			Site of Pickett's Mill The mill was used to grind corn and wheat into flour. Intense fight ocurred here between Scriber's Union troops and Kelly's dismounted Confederate Cavalry.
			Line Held by Scribner at the Edge of Wheatfield The Union line attacked Kelley's troops on the top of a hill and three regiments crossed the creek, Kelley was forced to withdraw, but he had delayed the Union attempt to reinforce Hazen.
		Trenches built during the battle by Federal Reserve Troops Prior to the construction of the earthworks, Scribner began his advance across the wheat field.
Union Trench Line Built After the Battle The line is at a right-angle from the previous trenches. The line protected troops from Confederate enfilading fire coming across the creek and it provided a supporting line for any troops driven out of the main line by an enemy attack.
Second Line of Hazen's Brigade Veers Left The second line of Hazen's brigade veers to the left when they are unable to see the first line.			Position on the Opposite End of Granbury's Line The area illustrates the difficult terrain which impeded the Union attack. Union troops had to go down the steep slope, cross the ravine and up an equally steep slope to engage Granbury's Confederate troops.
	Position Held Federal Brigades Assaulting Granbury's Line Granbury's troops held off three successive assaults (Hazen, Gibson and Knefler).

The photos were taken along the Blue Loop Trail with comments based on The battle of Pickett's Mill - A Complete Trail Guide.  The site has three trails: White (1.1 miles), Red (2 miles) and Blue (1.5 miles).  Please see the link below to plan your visit.

Classification³: C

Casualties⁴:

• Union:  1,600

• Confederate: 500

Results: Confederate Victory

Battlefield Websites: 

• Pickett's Mill Battlefield Historic Site

• Atlanta: The Battle for the Heart of the South - HistoryAnimated

Recommended Resources:

¹ National Park Service summary.

² Please click on the image to enlarge it. You may copy the images if you include the following note and link with each image: "Courtesy of civil-war-journeys.org."

³ Classification:

• A - having a decisive influence on a campaign and a direct impact on the course of the war

• B - having a direct and decisive influence on their campaign

• C - having observable influence on the outcome of a campaign

• D - having a limited influence on the outcome of their campaign or operation but achieving or affecting important local objectives

⁴ Casualties are someone killed, injured, wounded, captured or missing.

Revised 01/02/2009