Rocky Face Ridge
Snake Creek Gap, Mill Creek, Dug Gap Georgia
American Civil War
May 7-13, 1864
Gen. Joseph E. Johnston had entrenched his army on the long, high mountain of Rocky Face Ridge and eastward across Crow Valley. 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. The next morning, Sherman' s army withdrew from in front of Rocky Face Ridge. Discovering Sherman's
movement, Johnston retired south towards Resaca on the 12th.
Result(s): Union victory (Union casualties were high, but they did force the Confederates off Rocky Face Ridge.)
Location: Whitfield County
Campaign: Atlanta Campaign (1864)
Date(s): May 7-13, 1864
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman [US]; Gen. Joseph E. Johnston [CS]
Forces Engaged: Military Division of the Mississippi [US]; Army of Tennessee [CS]
Estimated Casualties: Unknown
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