Battle of Atlanta, the Troup Hurt House-- Part 3: Success Eluded the Confederates

A historic marker at the north end of De Gress Avenue before it turns sharply east, indicates the location of the De Gress Battery.  Together the combined action of Manigault's brigade and other elements of Brown's and Clayton's Confederate Divisions opened a half-mile gap in the Union line that could further be exploited and this could have turned the tide of battle.

However, the Confederate success was short-lived and they were soon driven back by a ferocious Union counter attack.  General Sherman, observing the action from a position three-fourths of a mile north of the Troup Hurt House, directed cannon fire against the Confederate front and behind it, thwarting further gains and preventing reinforcement.

Union Major General John A. Logan, who had earlier in the afternoon replaced the fallen Major General James B. McPherson as commander of the Army of the Tennessee gathered reinforcements and led the successful infantry counteroffensive.

The federal troops did not pursue the retreating Confederates, and the fighting in the vicinity of the Troup House came to a close.  Combat continued until dark at Leggett's Hill.

--Old secesh