![]() So we have at least 900 men plus Matson’s Sixth Indiana. Colonel Capron was joined by Major Buck with seventy men of the Eight Michigan Cavalry and Major Davidson, with his detachment on August 1, 1864. Colonel Capron reported his command at 300 on the 31 of July. These figures are as of July 30, 1864, prior to attrition from hostile Southern Riflemen.Ĭolonel Adams returned to Marietta with 490 men. The redoubtable Colonel Horace Capron immediately went into reserve two miles to the rear. The “Force” that attempted to cross the Oconee consisted of Adams’ brigade (550 men), Capron’s brigade (800 men) and Matson’s Sixth Indiana from Biddle’s brigade (350 men). General Stoneman requested and received permission to proceed to Macon and Andersonville and release United States prisoners of war being held there after fulfilling his orders to break the Macon road. General Stoneman’s only orders were to cut the Macon road. In any event the two Colonel’s precipitously departed the field of Honour sans leave, much less orders, at the first sound of Southern fire with their commands close on their heels. The Colonels, on the other hand, contend that Stoneman had passed an order that all was lost and it was every man for himself. ![]() In the afternoon the enemy attacked us, when Capron’s brigade gave way at once and was followed by Adams’ (Kentucky) brigade leaving me with Biddle’s (Indiana) brigade and the section of artillery to contend against the whole force of the enemy and cover the retreat of the remainder of my force.” “Without entering now into particulars, we were whipped, and this principally on account of the bad conduct of the Kentucky brigade in the attack during the morning and in fact throughout the day. I quote from General Stoneman’s report dated August 6, 1864: They were a disorganized rabble, fleeing for the safety of United States lines in Marietta, Georgia, randomly pillaging and burning enroute. The United Stated troops that attempted to cross the Oconee on August 2, 1864, were not under orders from General Stoneman to destroy any property in Athens. Taylor’s company then out skirmishing the Yankees the same and a few shots were exchanged a shot from one of Lumpkins’ Battery were fired at a few Yankees which sent the whole “gang” a scampering leaving behind guns, clothes, new shoes.” Mitchell’s road and towards.īut I must tell you first - the Yankees, about 80 it is supposed came upon our breastworks. Howell rode “Easter” leaving “Nellie” to rest. Howell & Hugh Harris went with the Cavalry. Cobb’s letter, page 4 “A Cavalry company was improvised from 30 of Col. 1994, Athens Banner-Herald on page 4, columns 4 & 5. This information was published in the August 3. Howell Cobb to General Howell Cobb, dated August 3, 1864. The details of this skirmish are related in a letter from Mrs. I have previously informed this paper, July 25, 1994, of the less popular skirmish that occurred on the evening of August 2, 1864, at Clarke’s Crossing. The Athens Banner-Herald’s front page story, July 7, 1995, on the events of August 2, 1864, contains, as usual, several significant historical errors of fact. I have every confidence that Athens was so important to the Confederate Cause that evidence will soon be uncovered that the Orders to Burn Athens came down from Lincoln himself on Tablets of Stone. The myths arising from Athens brief contact with the Yankee Invader have acquired a life of their own & many Athenians believe that Athens was General Sherman’s number one target when the Yankees invaded Georgia.Ī recent Athens Banner-Herald editorial on the anniversary of this important battle reported as a matter of historical fact that General Stoneman, USA had received orders from General Sherman, USA to burn Athens, Georgia during a battle with General Wheeler, CSA.Īccording to the Athens Banner-Herald General Stoneman, USA realising the importance of Athens to the Confederate cause had immediatey detatched two brigades engaged in desperate battle with General Joe Wheeler’s, CSA forces and ordered them to proceed to Athens at a gallop & reduce Athens to ashes.
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