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Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
The battle at Kennesaw Mountain included some of the heaviest fighting of the Atlanta campaign. Atlanta was a strategic target because it was located at the intersection of four railroad lines that supplied the Confederacy. As General Sherman approached Atlanta from the northwest, his path was blocked by heavy fortifications on Kennesaw Mountain. The Union forces attempted to go around the south end of the mountain, but were stopped at Kolb’s Farm. Sherman launched a large scale frontal assault at the center of the Confederate line at Cheatham’s Hill, then called Dead Angle, and at the southwestern corner of the mountain at Pigeon Hill. Both attacks were repulsed with heavy losses to the Union side. The battle is generally considered a tactical defeat for the Union army. However, Union Major General John M. Schofield achieved success by threatening the Confederate army’s left flank, forcing their withdrawal toward Atlanta. Sherman’s army was then able to advance on toward Atlanta. The Union army lost 3,000 men in the battle, and the Confederate forces lost 1,000 men. The Visitor Center at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park shows an 18 minute movie that details the Atlanta campaign and the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. A museum tells the history of the battle and gives insight to the civilian, medical, and communication aspects of the Atlanta campaign. During the week visitors can drive to the top of Kennesaw Mountain, which has an elevation of 1,808 feet. On weekends and holidays the road is closed to vehicle traffic, but a shuttle bus provides transportation to the top of the mountain. There are 18 miles of hiking trails in the park, which take visitors past historic earthworks, cannon emplacements, and monuments. There are picnic areas in the park but no concessions. The park’s Visitor Center is open daily from 8:30am-5:00pm. The battlefield grounds are open from 7:30am-6:00pm. There is no admission fee to the park; however, there is a fee to ride the shuttle bus on weekends. Ages 12 and over are $2, children 6-11 are $1, and children under 6 are free. Visitors may view a special exhibit at the Visitor Center from February 26 to March 28, 2011. The park will host the Gilder Lehrman traveling exhibit “Free At Last: A History of the Abolition of Slavery in America.” The Visitor Center is located off Stilesboro Road in Marietta, Georgia. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Jeanne Stamps, Director of Sales at the Hampton Inn and Suites Smyrna Georgia hotel . If you're looking for a great hotel in Atlanta, be a guest at this hotel in Atlanta-Galleria. It's located within walking distance of the Cobb-Galleria Convention. This Smyrna Georgia hotel also offers a broad range of services and amenities to make its guest’s stay exceptional. For more information visit: www.HAMPTONINNGALLERIA.COM |
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