- Kilpatrick on Bryan Neck State
Historical Marker
- Located at intersection of Ga. 144 and Ga. 144 Spur,
5.4 miles east of U.S. 17
- 31°53.400, 081° 15.680
-
- KILPATRICK ON BRYAN
NECK
On Dec. 12, 1864, the 3rd Cavalry Division
[US], Brig. Gen. J. L. Kilpatrick, USA, covering the right rear
of Gen. Sherman's army which was then closing in on Savannah,
crossed the Great Ogeechee River near Fort Argyle and the Canoochee
River near Bryan Court House (Clyde) on pontoon bridges laid
by the 1st Missouri Engineers [US] and moved down Bryan Neck.
That night, Kilpatrick made his headquarters at the plantation
home of Lt. Col. Joseph L. McAllister, 7th Georgia Cavalry [CS],
which stood near the river immediately north of this site.
On the 13th, Kilpatrick sent Murray's brigade
into Liberty County to scout the country to Sunbury. He ordered
Atkins' brigade and the 10th Wisconsin Battery to camp at "Cross
Roads" (Richmond Hill) then, with two of Atkins' regiments,
He moved down Bryan Neck. Approaching Fort McAllister, he skirmished
with the Confederate pickets, driving them back to the fort.
After examining the approaches to the fort, he moved on to Kilkenny
Bluff (8 miles SE) where he was able to make contact with the
USS "Fermandina" and forward dispatches to the flag-ship
[US] reporting the arrival of Gen. Sherman's army at Savannah.
On the 14th, Kilpatrick moved with the
balance of his command to Midway Church. After scouting the country
and stripping it of livestock and provisions, he returned to
Bryan County and went into camp at "Cross Roads" to
picket the country to the south and west, and to protect the
Union supply depot at King's Bridge.
015-13 GEORGIA HISTORICAL
COMMISSION 1959
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