Kyle’s Bridge was key for Union General William T. Sherman’s army during the crucial campaign for Atlanta in the summer of 1864. Atlanta was called the “Gate City of the South” because of its Confederate rail lines, industry, and manufacturing. To Major-General H. W. Halleck, Sherman wrote, “...I call your attention...to the Roswell factories [a city near Atlanta]. They were very valuable, and were burned by my order. They have been engaged almost exclusively in manufacturing cloth for the Confederate Army…” Lincoln wanted Atlanta before the 1864 election in order to assure his victory and end the war.

        The Army of the Cumberland, under Sherman’s command, consisted of almost 60,000 men. They converged on Atlanta in July 1864. Sherman detailed their plan of attack in a field order on July 14:

“...1st Genl Thomas will prepare to cross his Army at Powers & Pace’s Ferries and take position out from the Chattahoochee till he controls the Country from Island Creek to Kyles Bridge over Nancys Creek....The Whole Army will thus form a concave Line behind Nancy’s Creek, extending from Kyles Bridge to Buckannons…”

Powers and Pace’s Ferries were other sites used to cross Nancy Creek, and Palmer’s and Hooker’s Corps were subdivisions of the Union Army.

Palmer’s Corps—consisting of about 20,000 men—crossed Nancy Creek at Kyle’s Bridge along what is West Paces Ferry Road today, then marched across higher ground that is now the campus of the Westminster Schools. Simultaneously, General Thomas positioned Hooker’s Corps farther north: they crossed near the modern-day Tophat Soccer Club and advanced towards what is now the Governor's Mansion.

Confederate General Joseph Wheeler commanded the defense of the area. He sent Ferguson’s Mississippi Brigade to stop Palmer’s advance, and both Iverson’s Georgian Brigade and Allen’s Alabama Brigade to prevent crossings elsewhere. Palmer’s Corps had to force their way across Kyle’s Bridge facing Iverson’s and Ferguson’s troops.

Palmer struggled to navigate tough terrain and distinguish friend from foe. Leonard H. Eicholtz, an engineer, wrote that the territory was “rough and mountainous and well adapted to defence.” On July 18, two Union Companies fired at each other repeatedly before realizing they were on the same side. Iverson retreated to aid Allen’s brigade as Hooker’s Corps gained ground. However, this allowed Palmer to cross Kyle’s Bridge, which led to a Union victory at Peachtree Creek and eventually the siege of Atlanta.

Credits and Sources:

Researched and written by Taylor Penn and Maddie Turner, students at the Westminster Schools.

 

Eicholtz, Leonard H. Letter, June 27, 1864. Atlanta History Center, Atlanta, GA.

 

Hitt, Michael D. The Left Flank: Military Operations in the Roswell Area July 5, 1864-July 17, 1864. Third ed. N.p.: Michael D. Hitt, 1984.

 

Jenkins, Robert D., Sr. "The Battles for Buckhead: From Nancy Creek to Peach Tree Creek in the Battle for Atlanta." Reporter Newspapers. Last modified May 6, 2010. Accessed January 18, 2016.

 

Martin, Thomas H. Atlanta and Its Builders: A Comprehensive History of the Gate City of the South. Vol. 1. Atlanta, GA: Century Memorial Publishing Company, 1902.

 

Penn, Taylor. Photograph. January 21, 2016. JPEG.

 

Scaife, William R. The Campaign for Atlanta. 4th ed. Atlanta, GA: William R. Scaife, 1993.

 

Sherman, William Tecumseh. Letter, "Sherman Field Order No. 35," July 14, 1864. General William Tecumseh Sherman Field Orders Collection. Atlanta History Center, Atlanta, GA.

 

Turner, Maddie. Photograph. January 21, 2016. JPEG.