This Day in Georgia History
August 06, 1864
Battle of Utoy Creek
Following Sherman’s orders, Maj. Gen. Schofield marched on Confederate Maj. Gen. Bates’ division at Utoy Creek southwest of Atlanta. The strategy was to advance through the Confederate lines and capture the railroad junction at East Point. At 10 am, the Battle of Utoy Creek began. Twice, Union Brig. Gen. Reilly’s brigade charged the Confederates, but on each occasion they were turned back. Schofield then called the battle off. Union casualties exceeded 300, while the Confederates losses were about 20. Though not a major battle, the Confederate victory convinced Sherman to abandon frontal attacks on Atlanta’s Confederate defenders.
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Source: Don Hogan
