On the Road to Atlanta: two soldiers at Peach Tree Creek – July 20, 1864

The Battle of Peach Tree Creek has been described as a “Soldier’s fight.” For the most part, neither side benefited from entrenchments, especially in the area just east of Collier’s Mill, where Winfield S. Featherston’s Brigade attacked the Third Division, Union Twentieth Corps.

Private Richard Craig, a member of the 22nd Mississippi’s Company H, lost his uncle, Frank Craig during this fight. Frank was “shot through the breast. . . . We run the enemy out of their works,” wrote Richard, but “they formed in a ravine about one hundred [yards] beyond their works which we were not able to drive them from. . . . Uncle Frank was killed between their works and the ravine.” Offering what consolation he could to Frank’s wife, “Aunt Ruth,” Richard continued, “tell her that he joined the Presbyterian Church while we were at Montevala [Montevallo, AL] He told us while we were at Risaca [Resaca, GA] that if he got killed to tell Aunt Ruth that he hoped to meet her in heaven.” Major Oatis reported that upon meeting this charge, “we were forced to fall back” to the line along the road “where the temporary works afforded us partial protection.”[1]

Viewing the scene the next day, Pvt. Justin Austin of the 19th Michigan described it as “an open hand to hand fight. Our division had to meet the rebs in an open field & close up in less than 10 rodds before we were allowed to open on them. . . . When we did unhitch I tell you their lines broke and they could not get them in shape again.” To his wife, Private Austin confessed mixed feelings about his role that day. “I was lucky for once,” he wrote, since he and a comrade had gone to fill their messmates’ canteens just before the fight started and were absent when the 19th moved forward. Not wanting to search for his regiment while “facing the whole storm,” he explained that “I stayed to the rear untill it was more safe for me to come to the front.” However, he confessed, in doing so “I never felt so worked up & queer in my life as I remember of.”[2]

[1]“Dear Sis,” July 23, 1864, Richard Albert Barry Craig Letters, BOFT.

[2]“Dear Wife,” July 21st, 1864, Justin L. Austin letters, UMICH.