The Battle of LaFayette

The Battle of LaFayette (HM8IT)

Location: LaFayette, GA 30728 Walker County
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Country: United States of America
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N 34° 42.52', W 85° 16.863'

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Inscription
On June 18, 1864, during Gen. Sherman's campaign for Atlanta, Col. Louis D. Watkins, commanding the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (US), occupied LaFayette with about 450 men of the 4th, 6th and 7th Kentucky cavalry regiments (US) "to endeavor to rid the country of several guerilla bands." His headquarters were in the Court House, then in the center of the square, and his men were quartered in adjacent buildings.

On June 24th, about 3 A.M. he was attacked by Brig. Gen. Gideon J. Pillow, CSA, who, with about 1600 cavalry (CS) was moving to North Georgia to burn the railroad bridges over Chickamauga Creek and harass Gen. Sherman's communications.

Although surprised, Watkins' men barricaded their quarters and fought stubbornly: but without water, and with ammunition running low, their plight was becoming desperate when, about 8:30 A.M., relief arrived. Escaping the Confederate encirclement, one of the Union pickets had ridden for help and, at Rock Springs Church (8 miles N), he had found the 4th Kentucky Mounted Infantry (US), Col. John T. Croxton, encamped for the night.

Riding hard to LaFayette, Croxton surprised in turn Pillow's heavily engaged force and stampeded many of their horses. Uncertain of Croxton's strength, and with his own ammunition depleted, Pillow abandoned the attack and withdrew.

Losses: (US) 4 killed, 7 wounded, 53 captured: total 64.
(CS) 24 killed, 53 wounded, 78 captured: total 155
Details
HM NumberHM8IT
Series This marker is part of the Georgia: Georgia Historical Society/Commission series
Tags
Marker Number146-16
Year Placed1957
Placed ByGeorgia Historical Commission
Marker ConditionNo reports yet
Date Added Tuesday, September 16th, 2014 at 10:57pm PDT -07:00
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Locationbig map
UTM (WGS84 Datum)16S E 657419 N 3842080
Decimal Degrees34.70866667, -85.28105000
Degrees and Decimal MinutesN 34° 42.52', W 85° 16.863'
Degrees, Minutes and Seconds34° 42' 31.20" N, 85° 16' 51.78" W
Driving DirectionsGoogle Maps
Area Code(s)706
Closest Postal AddressAt or near 310 GA-1 Business, LaFayette GA 30728, US
Alternative Maps Google Maps, MapQuest, Bing Maps, Yahoo Maps, MSR Maps, OpenCycleMap, MyTopo Maps, OpenStreetMap

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