Battle of Altamaha Bridge

The Battle of Altamaha Bridge, also known as the Battle for the Doctortown Railroad Trestle, was an American Civil War engagement fought December 19, 1864, in Wayne County, Georgia, during Sherman's March to the Sea. The Confederate victory prevented Federal forces from destroying a vital railroad bridge during Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman's siege of Savannah, keeping open Confederate supply lines to the city.

Battle of Altamaha Bridge
Part of the American Civil War

Historical marker
DateDecember 19, 1864 (1864-12-19)
Location
Wayne County, Georgia
Result Confederate victory
Belligerents
 United States  Confederate States
Commanders and leaders
Colonel Smith D. Atkins Gen. Henry Kent McCay
Strength
2,000 [1] 1,000 [2]
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

On December 1, 1864, the Fourth Brigade Georgia Militia under Brig. Gen. Henry Kent McCay arrived in Wayne County to prepare a defense of the Atlantic and Gulf Railroad bridge over the Altamaha River. The Confederates built earthworks on the north bank of Morgan's Lake, which was bisected by the railroad and located just north of the river. On the southern side of the river, two 32-pounder rifled guns were mounted at Doctortown (also spelled Doctor Town), to sweep the bridge if attacked. A light gun mounted on an engine supported two companies of Confederate militia at Morgan's Lake.

On December 16, General Sherman, stalled outside Savannah, sent Union troops to destroy the railroad from the Ogeechee River all the way to the bridge. A brigade of Maj. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick's cavalry under Col. Smith D. Atkins attacked the bridge and destroyed a trestlework past Morgan's Lake, but was unable to capture the bridge or seize the Confederate battery at Doctortown on December 19. The Federals withdrew to the Ogeechee River.

References
  1. "December 17, Colonel Atkins, with upward of 2,000 men of my command, moved, in conjunction with a division of infantry under General Mower, to destroy a portion of the Gulf railroad, and, if possible, the railroad bridge over the Altamaha." Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume 44, page 366.
  2. "About 1,000 men, composed of Colonel Hood's cavalry and a portion of the militia, under General McKay, were at the Altamaha bridge, on the Savannah and Gulf Railroad, at my last advices, on the 19th instant." Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume 44, page 989.

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