Rocky Face Ridge Civil War Battle

The Mill Creek Gap historical marker at Rocky Face Ridge, Georgia
Photo: public domain
Gen. Joseph E. Johnston had entrenched his army on the long, high mountain of Rocky Face Ridge and eastward across Crow Valley.
Continued Battle Description and Results
As Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman approached, he decided to demonstrate against the position with two columns while he sent a third one through Snake Creek Gap, to the right, to hit the Western & Atlantic Railroad at Resaca.

The two columns engaged the enemy at Buzzard Roost (Mill Creek Gap) and at Dug Gap. In the meantime, the third column, under Maj. Gen. James Birdseye McPherson, passed through Snake Creek Gap and on the 9th advanced to the outskirts of Resaca where it found Confederates entrenched. Fearing defeat, McPherson pulled his column back to Snake Creek Gap.

On the 10th, Sherman decided to take most of his men and join McPherson to take Resaca. Thenext morning, Sherman’ s army withdrew from in front of Rocky Face Ridge. Discovering Sherman’s movement, Johnston retired south towards Resaca on the 12th.

Results: Union victory (Union casualties were high, but they did force the Confederates off Rocky Face Ridge.)
General Information
BulletLocation: Whitfield County
BulletOther Names: Combats at Buzzard Roost, Mill Creek, Dug Gap
BulletCampaign: Atlanta Campaign (1864)
BulletDates: May 7-13, 1864
BulletPrincipal Commanders: Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman [US]; Gen. Joseph E. Johnston [CS]
BulletForces Engaged: Military Division of the Mississippi [US]; Army of Tennessee [CS]
BulletEstimated CCasualties:
Unknown
Visiting the Site Today
Sherman's flanking move through Snake Creek Gap at Rocky Face Ridge opened the Atlanta Campaign and set the template Sherman would use again and again: threaten a flank rather than attack Johnston's strong defensive lines head-on. A historical marker at Mill Creek Gap, along US 41 north of Dalton, marks part of the battlefield today.
 

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