Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
Cold Day Next to the Mountain
It was Christmas Eve morning and most of the family was either still asleep or just slowly waking when I left. I could not convince anyone to trade a relaxing morning in a warm house and with walking around a Civil War battlefield in sub-freezing temperatures. Odd. Very odd. This is a continuation of our December road trip and staying with family within 15 minutes of the park was too good to pass up. So out to Kennesaw Mountain I went. By myself.
Getting on the trail to the Illinois Monument at Kennesaw Mountain
I originally planned to go to the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park visitors center first but got turned around. This was not the first time this has happened, just check out my visit to the Petersburg Battlefield Park. After noticing my error, I found myself at the parking area for the Kolb Farm West trail that led to the Illinois Monument. Since I was here, I put on my hiking pack and headed out.
Roaming Monk Tip: As of this writing, there is an entrance fee for the Kennesaw National Battlefield Park. Make a note to either pay at the Visitor Center before you drive around, or ensure your yearly pass is up to date.
It was brisk and the trail had a bit of incline/decline but was well marked and easily traveled. The Trail takes you along the Union positions before the charge up the hill toward the confederate earthworks, and several signs clearly indicated the Division and companies. I was also sharing the trail with several deer. I do not believe they were part of the Union cause as they ran in the wrong direction.
The Confederate position on this hill, called the dead angle, is where the Tennessee regiment stood and held the line against a huge advance of Unions soldiers. The Illinois Monument illustrates the no man’s land between the Federal position of the Illinois regiment, and where the Confederate line was dug in, only 30 yards apart (!). Here they stayed for six days, with only one truce to allow both sides to clear fallen comrades from the field. Intense.
A tunnel was dug by the union soldiers toward the confederate line so they could blow up the Confederate line. Two days before this was to be executed, a flanking maneuver by Sherman’s forces, caused the Confederates to fall back and continue their retreat toward Atlanta.
Interesting note: There is a curve archway next to the Illinois Monument that illustrates the location of this tunnel.
There is no way I could do justice to all the intricacies of the battle, but taking little bits of the battle, like the above, I think brings life to what is just a stone pillar next to a field. Standing there it is hard to imagine the brutality and savagery that must have been on display those days.
Pigeon Hill at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield
After walking back to the car, I continued toward the Visitors Center, and had to stop by the base of Pigeon Hill. There is a trail head across the street that allows you to hike Toward the Hill, and up to the Confederate positions. There is also a way to go around the hill toward the visitors Center on the other side. I did not have the time, and it was frankly rather too cold, to make that trek. The signage around the trail head gave great information on Sherman’s plan but was ultimately not successful. Johnsons army was eventually able to retreat toward Atlanta.
After walking back to the car, I continued toward the Visitors Center, and had to stop by the base of Pigeon Hill. There is a trail head across the street that allows you to hike Toward the Hill, and up to the Confederate positions. There is also a way to go around the hill toward the visitors Center on the other side. I did not have the time, and it was frankly rather too cold, to make that trek. The signage around the trail head gave great information on Sherman’s plan but was ultimately not successful. Johnsons army was eventually able to retreat toward Atlanta.
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Visitors Center
I finally made it! The Visitor Center is apparently a happening place during the summer, as signs indicate overflow parking at nearby parking areas. Given this was the day before a major holiday and it was below freezing out, I did not have any issues with finding a spot. The building is rather large, with a sizable gift shop. The stamping location is right next to the register.
The exhibit space is sizable and has a very in-depth view of not only Sherman’s campaign but of the entire war. You could easily spend over an hour or two taking in all the information. In the main lobby they also have large, detailed maps of the battlefield and the various trails in the park. My one regret was not walking up to the top of Kennesaw Mountain. I was running low on time and my wrong turns caused me to have to end my visit at the Visitors Center.
At the stamping location, they did have a nice Bonus Stamp with cool graphic!
Considering we have family in the area, I am sure I will be able to make it back to Kennesaw National Battlefield Park soon. I am looking forward to exploring more of the trail system and taking that long walk to the top of Kennesaw Mountain. Until then, I hope you make it out here as well!
Check out more National Park Sites in the Southeast USA HERE
Unit: Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
Path to 428#: 60
Region: Southeast
Month/Year: December 2022
