Following Federal victories at Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge in November 1863, the Confederate army withdrew to Dalton, Georgia, while the Federal army at Chattanooga sent periodic patrols into Walker County to forage and conduct reconnaissance under regulations that required requisitioning horses, mules, and food and confiscating all firearms. There was a continuing Federal presence at Lee and Gordon's Mill, where citizens were required to report their conduct to a Provost Marshall's Office. In the spring of 1864, as General William T. Sherman prepared for the Atlanta Campaign, General James B. McPherson and the Federal Army of the Tennessee were assigned to Lee and Gordon's Mills as part of Sherman's plan to flank the Confederates at Dalton by moving south through Snake Creek Gap to Resaca. Under Sherman's orders for concentration near Chattanooga by May 5, the Federal armies assembled at Ringgold, Cleveland, and Gordon's Mills on the Chickamauga, and on May 6 they advanced, with General Thomas moving on Tunnel Hill, General Schofield approaching Dalton from the north, and McPherson aiming for Resaca through Snake Creek Gap and Sugar Valley. Sherman intended McPherson to reach the railway at Resaca, destroy it in Johnston's rear, and hold a strong defensive position near the mouth of the gap to operate on the Confederate flank during a retreat, but although McPherson reached Resaca with little difficulty, he did not break the railroad. Sherman then moved the whole army to Resaca, but because the Confederates at Dalton could see the movement from Rocky Face Ridge and had a shorter, better route, they evacuated Dalton and occupied Resaca in force before Sherman arrived on May 13. He attacked there, gradually enveloped the Confederates, and pressed them until they evacuated Resaca during the night of May 15 and retreated south by the good roads.

Photo: Dale K. Benington

Photo: Dale K. Benington

Photo: Dale K. Benington

Photo: Dale K. Benington

Photo: Dale K. Benington

Photo: Dale K. Benington

Photo: Dale K. Benington

Photo: Dale K. Benington