Pickett's Mill Battlefield Historic Site
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Closest available address
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4432 Mt. Tabor Church Rd, Dallas , GA 30157
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Open 9:00-5:00 Thur.-Sat.
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770-443-7850
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2 hours
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February 2011
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All year
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$0-9
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Dallas
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Georgia
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Website
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Historical
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Battlefields
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First review
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The Battle of Pickett’s Mill was a minor Confederate victory that delayed but did not stop Union General Sherman’s drive to capture Atlanta in the US Civil War. The battlefield today is essentially unchanged from its appearance during the war.
Embarking from Tennessee in 1864, Sherman used a series of flanking maneuvers to evade strong Confederate defensive positions as he made his way south. At Pickett’s Mill 14,000 Union men attacked an area of the Southern line deemed weak and which was defended by 10,000 Confederate soldiers. Union forces launched several uncoordinated evening attacks, but were repulsed with heavy losses.
This 765 acre park has a small visitor center and museum. The museum is fairly basic but the film provides good background on the engagement. The battlefield can be seen via several walking trails. The blue trail traces most of the key sections of the battle and can be covered in an hour. Be aware that the park includes hills, steep ravines and narrow paths, so you should be in fairly good shape to walk the trails. Old earthworks are visible in places but are modest in size. The trails provide a below average sense of the fighting. More interpretive signs and displays would help improve the experience. While the battlefield is well-preserved, from a historical perspective a visit here will have only marginal interest even for diehard Civil War fans due to the minor nature of the engagement and lack of information on the trails. For recreational purposes, people in good shape will find this park to be an attractive choice for a walk/hike and it is an easy drive from Atlanta which is limited in park alternatives.
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