Rocky Face Ridge
Other Names: Combats at Buzzard Roost, Mill
Creek, Dug Gap
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
Description: 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.)
CWSAC Reference #: GA007
Preservation Priority: II.3 (Class C)