September 27, 2013

September 27, 2013

During the Civil War, Sherman fortified the road cut here at Allatoona Pass, GA because all his supply trains from Chattanooga had to funnel through here. And they still do! Yesterday a noisy train passed within a hundred yards of us every fifteen minutes. I like learning about history, but not when it slaps me in the face.

A half hour closer to Atlanta we reach Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. We start with the obligatory film and then run through the large museum. The history covers Sherman’s 1864 progress from Chattanooga to Atlanta. Outnumbering the Rebels, Sherman was able to end run (or flank) his enemy’s every movement, forcing them to retreat. Everywhere, but here on this twin-humped mountain. Temporarily stymied, he made a frontal assault uphill against a fortified position. The attack failed and he went back to flanking. On September 1, the Rebels evacuated Atlanta to avoid a siege and total destruction.

We drove around the sprawling battlefield. It is packed with people pushing strollers and walking dogs. The park is pretty but is not terribly interesting militarily. This battle wasn’t that pivotal. From the top of Kennesaw Mountain we do get a good view of Atlanta in the distance.

From Kennesaw we drove east to Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. This park encompasses the lazy Chattahoochee River as it winds through Atlanta suburbs. It is a snoozer, not worthy of National Park status.