The One Hundred Days of Atlanta
Peachtree Creek
August 20, 1864
Capers tells us very little about the attack at Peachtree Creek and the Battle of Atlanta in any of his writing. We know that the 24th was not fighting with the rest of Gist Brigade at Peachtree Creek. In the attack, Gist Brigade was on the extreme left of Walker's Division and made contact with the enemy first, turning its attack to the right to compensate for a bulge in the union line. This was the beginning of the end, as the attack began to fall apart. To the right of Gist's Brigade, minus the Twenty-fourth, General Clement Stevens (former commander of the Twenty-fourth) commanding his brigade of Walker's Division is killed and the attack continues to unravel. At the end of the day, other than the death of many good men little has been gained, much has been lost, and Hood has his first disaster. Capers says in his post war accounts, “On the 20th the Federal army having crossed the river and become separated in a movement toward the southeast of Atlanta, General Hood caused an attack upon Thomas on Peachtree Creek by Hardee and Stewart (Polk’s Corps), while his corps, under Cheatham, met the enemy on the east. In this fight Walker’s division made a gallant but unsuccessful assault and suffered considerable loss.”
The Order of Battle tells us that units were pumped into Gist Brigade from Jackson's Brigade during this time. General John King Jackson moved to command the Department of Florida and his brigade was broken up. The Fifth and Sixth Mississippi and Second Georgia Sharpshooters both being attached at that time. The Fifth and Sixth Mississippi would go to Lowery's Brigade late in July, following the death of Walker at the Battle of Atlanta. We also know about the replacements from the Charleston Theater.
Battle of Atlanta
August 22, 1864
Capers tells that the fighting was brisk on the 21st on the east of the city. The next day the 22nd marks the Battle for Atlanta proper, the attack is referred to as Decatur by the men of the Sixteenth. Capers says in his post-war account, " Hardee made a circuitous march and fell upon the enemy's southeastward flank and rear, while Cheatham and Stewart attacked in front. In this hard-fought battle of July 22nd the Federal right was rolled up and severely punished, but the Confederate loss was great, including General Walker, killed. Gist Brigade fought in the front line on the Federal flank."
In the battle of Atlanta on August 22, Walker's Division was deployed on the right of the line next to Bate's Divsion. Walker's left joined Cleburne's right and it was on Cleburne's right that General Mcpherson (U.S.A) was killed. Gist brigade was on the left of Walker's Division, with Mercer in the center, and Nisbet on the right. The attack was slowed by a pond and the thick undergrowth. The men of the Sixteenth (In post war accounts) say clearly that Walker was killed leading them in this attack. There are a number of accounts of Walker's death, some which differ in detail.
Capers continues, "The investment of Atlanta was actively pressed after the battles of the latter part of July to the 25th of August, 1864. During that period the Federal line was firmly established on the east, north, and west of the city, and steadily pushed southwestward."
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