Move On The Left Flank

The Battle of Kolb’s Farm between Union Major General Joseph Hooker’s men and Confederate troops under Lieutenant General John Bell Hood was fought June 22^nd 1864.

Confederate General Joseph E Johnston’s Army of Tennessee moved into a line between Big Kennesaw Mountain and Little Kennesaw Mountain.  Union Major General William Tecumseh Sherman started probing this line on June 19^th 1864, looking for a week spot.  Sherman decided the spot was the left flank, and he sent Hooker’s XX Corps with the support of Major General John McAllister Schofield to take on that flank near Powder Springs.  Johnston predicted the Union movement and sent Confederate Lieutenant General John Bell Hood’s Corps to cover the Union movement.

Confederate Major General Cater L Stevenson one of Hood’s division commanders moved on the afternoon of June 22^nd 1864 toward Kolb’s Farm on the south Powder Springs Road.  They ran into heavy skirmishing with the Union 14^th Kentucky and 123^rd New York.  Hood ordered his whole Corps; about 11,000 men, to advance up the Powder Springs Road pushing the Union troops ahead of them.  Hooker had information about Hood’s coming troops and had entrenched his Corps of about 15,000 men across the Powder Springs Road.  The marshy terrain and well placed Union artillery stalled Hood’s attack and caused him to have to withdraw.

It was a one sided battle with the Union side coming out on top.  Confederate losses were about 1,000, the Union only had about 350 casualties.

If you would like to read more look at The Battle of Kolb's Farm

They Built Breastworks

The 123rd New York returned to Culp’s Hill on July 2nd 1863 to find their trenches in the possession of Rebel troops.

Formed in Washington Co NY [about an hour north east of Albany NY] in August 1862, the 123rd saw service with the Army of the Potomac at Chancellorsville, before marching to Gettysburg PA. On the first of July the men of the 123rd marched from Littlestown PA, about 11 miles to Gettysburg. They bivouacked near the Baltimore Pike on Wolf Hill. The next day they moved into line on Culp’s Hill where they built a breastwork of logs, under the ordered of Brigadier General George Sears Greene. The regiment was ordered to support the left of the Union line near Little Round Top at about 6pm. Returning to their works after dark they ran into the enemy, who had occupied the breastwork.

A large monument was dedicated to the 123rd on Culp’s Hill in Gettysburg on September 4th 1888. The monument is over 18 feet high and shows “Clio” the muse of history. It cost $4,000.