Closing the Gap
July 20, 1864. A critical factor in the alignment of Federal troops moving on Atlanta, from Peachtree Creek valley, was a wide gap between Peachtree Rd. (the left of Thomas’ forces) & Schofield’s 23d A.C. posted at the intersection of N. Decatur & Briarcliff roads.
To fill this gap, Stanley’s & Wood’s 4th A.C. divs. were moved S.E. from Buckhead. Crossing S. Fork Peachtree Cr. at Durand’s Mill, Wood’s div. was deployed W. on Rock Spring Rd.; Stanley’s, in the valley W. of here & Schofield’s 23 A.C. prolonged Stanley’s line southward.
Sherman directed placement of these troops from his h’dq’rs at the crossroads July 20, 21.
Marker is on Briarcliff Road (Georgia Route 42) 0.1 miles north of University Drive, on the right when traveling south.
Courtesy hmdb.org
