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BATTLE OF GRISWOLDVILLE
Southern forces suffered resounding defeat at Griswoldville
By James Palmer
The Macon Telegraph
A freak snowfall had landed around Griswoldville in late November 1864. That meant the force of Georgia Militia was marching through freezing slosh as it made its way from Macon to Augusta. The militia was charged with protecting a key ammunition supply in the east Georgia City.
When the milita arrived in Griswoldville, it found the town had been burned Nov. 21 by Sherman's troops as they marched to the sea. Union forces destroyed Samuel Griswold's Confederate arms plant in the process.
About 2,300 members of Georgia Militia, made up mostly of young boys and old men under the command of Brig. Gen. Pleasant J. Phillips, ran into a Union force of 1,500 battle-hardened troops east of the town.
Thinking he held the upper hand, Phillips ordered his troops to attack. The battle began at 3 p.m. Nov. 22 with Confederate troops making a full, frontal assault on entrenched Union positions. Union troops, commanded by Brig. Gen. C.C. Walcutt, had Spencer repeating rifles, compared to the Southern troops' outdated muskets.
What followed was a three-hour battle that was not much more than a slaughter. Confederate troops repeatedly charged the Union positions and were cut down. Southern casualties were almost 100 killed and 500 wounded. Union forces had 13 dead and 86 wounded.
"Old, gray-haired men and weakly looking men and little boys not over 15 years old lay dead or writhing in pain," wrote one Union officer.
To get to the Griswoldville battlefield site, take U.S. 80 east to Ga. 57 toward Gordon. Turn left onto Henderson Road. Go about 1 1/4 miles and turn onto Griswoldville Road, just before Henderson Road cross train tracks. This portion of Griswoldville Road is unmarked. Go about 1 1/2 miles to Baker Road. Turn left and look for the battlefield site on the left.
 Group sees gold in state's Civil War heritage | |
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