Griswoldville Battlefield

I have lived in Georgia for the better part of all my life and never visited this place until recently. I live almost an hour from it. One of the first things you will notice when crossing the railroad tracks into the community is the Georgia State Historical Markers that are set up on the side of the road. They tell the story of the Griswoldville town and its part in the Civil War.

This is drawing of the Town of Griswoldville as it look at the time The Federals burned it to the ground.
This was a thriving community in 1864. The town also contained a soap and candle factory.

                                     

During its years in operation, The Griswoldville pistol factory manufactured
over five thousand .36 cal pistols for the Confederate Government. At its peak. It was producing
Five pistols a day. A low number compared to Colt Firearms.

The Church is standing close to the original location of the Griswold Pistol factory.

The Post Office and train depot would have been on the left side of the road by the rail road tracks.
Also present was the Candle and Soap Factory, A Saw Mill and Grist Mill. General Sherman
 made sure that no one washed themselves with soap in the candle light.

North is top of the page. West is to the left of the page. West is also the direction of Macon Georgia.
 The origin of the State Militia that attacked the Federals outside Griswoldville.

The Battlefield Monument is situated of Baker Road which  is off of Old Griswoldville Road in Jones County Georgia. The Monument is placed basically where the center of the front line would have been. The Confederates would have advanced toward the monument from the treeline in the distance.

Arvin Nye Gunnison, Sam Griswold's business partner in the firearms factory.

Samuel Griswold. The founder of the town

The Athens Battalion of teh Home Guard would have advanced from the treeline in the distance. There is a home and private property behind me. I wonder how it feels knowing your home is sitting on the fron line of where people have died?

Battle of Cutter Farm Part 2

Battle of Cutter Farm Part 1

Following the success of Hilltop Farm the Confederates decided to take the battle to the Union troops. They sent Maj. General Rufus and his two brigades up the valley. a small troop of cavalry located a Federal Division holding the fields near Cutter farm. The small dirt roads where designed for carriages on a Sunday ride, not an army on the march. The travel was difficult and the first brigade of Confederates where on battle line by mid afternoon.

Maj. Gen. Rufus CSA                                 Maj. Gen. Michael USA
Brig Gen Pierre   1st Brigade                      Brig. Gen. Douglas 1st Penn Brigade                                   (Confederate Left Flank)                            (Union Left Flank)
Brig Gen Robert  2nd Brigade                     Brig. Gen. Arthur  2nd Penn Brigade                                   (Confederate Right Flank)                            (Union RightFlank)

Turn 1. Federal Initiative. General Douglas brings his field glasses to his eyes and surveys
the field to his front. Earlier this morning it was an open field ready for planting. This afternoon it has become
filled with gray uniforms and banners of war. "General Robert's boys." He says as he recognizes the regiments in front of him. "He seems ready to make a fight of it today." General Douglas turns in his saddle to his aide. "Let us say 'Hello'. shall we?"
The signal is given and the Federal battery opens up with a barrage.

General Robert sits on his white horse. he checks the time on his fob watch. he knows that ever moment is critical. He cannot
Advance until General Pierre is in position. Suddenly the cannonade is commenced and shells fall into the
Confederate lines. The southern made Napoleons respond as counter battery.

The lead regiment of General Pierre's Brigade moves swiftly to the tree line in their front. They had already traveled
a good distance since this morning. Many of the men haven't eaten since breakfast. General Pierre urges his men onward.

General Rufus takes his hat from his head and wipes the sweat from his brow. Nothing is going as planned. he too hears the federal guns open up and he is concerned about the time.

The 2nd Pennsylvania Brigade commanded by Brig Gen Arthur holds positions in the farm yard.
One of the regiments is using an old split rail fence as cover.

A small Pennsylvania Regt. Holds the fence.

Maj General Michael in conference with the First Pennsylvania Brigade Commander, Brig General Douglas.

Turn 2.  The artillery contest continues. The Federal battery fires on the Confederate battery which returns fire. Brig. General Pierre advances his brigade at the double quick. The woods in his front conceal and hinder him. Pierre knows that if the enemy can't see him they can't fire on him. He hopes that he can get in close and open fire. It will be tough going through the woods.

Turn 3. Federal Initiative. The Barrage of the cannons is starting to take its toll on General Robert's brigade. He steadies his horse as a shell explodes close by and spooks the animal. He looks to his aide as he consults his watch yet again. "Where is General Pierre?"

Turn 4. Confederate Initiative. With a little help from General Rufus, The last of Brigadier General Pierre's Brigade enter the woods. He orders his men into line of battle and right shoulder shift.

A stray shot from the federal Artillery comes bouncing through the edge of the woods. A young private foolishly sticks his foot out into its path trying to stop the ordnance. He screams and falls to the ground as the ball removes his foot from the mid calf and rolls on into the field behind.

General Rufus Waves his hat at the passing regiments of General Pierre's brigade. "Go get 'em." He whispers under his breath. General Rufus knows that there will be a terrible contest at the treeline.

General Pierre in the middle of the brigade moving it forward. He is concerned that the Battery is not making as good a progress as the infantry. The broken ground and underbrush of the woods is hell on horse, limber, and cannon.

Turn 5. General Michael Knows there is something afoot. Only the batteries are responding to his Artillery. He notices that the Confederate Infantry is making no advance. What could be the reason? He surveys the line and sees the woods in front of Brig General Arthur's Brigade. He motions for a courier. He quickly scribbles down these words. "Arthur, Prepare for possible assault. Gen Michael." he hands the note to the courier as he makes for Gen Arthur's position.

The Pennsylvania Infantry stand ready. listening to every sound. They notice that the birds have stopped singing. Suddenly the immediate front burst open with gray and butternut. The Confederate Colonel yells as the human wave stops. "Ready!" Every musket comes to rest over their cap box. "Aim!" The second part of the command brings every musket to the shoulder in unison. By this time the Federal Infantry are aware of the situation. Drummers beat the long roll and Sergeants steady there men.

Turn 6. "FIRE!"