A Little-Known Civil War Battle-- The Battle of LaFayette, Georgia

From the September 30th Chattanooga Pulse.

Eighteen of 24 Confederate soldiers buried in LaFayette, Georgia's city cemetery have been identified through the efforts of the local Sons of Confederate Veterans camp.

They were killed in the 1864 Battle of LaFayette. The SCV camp is continuing research on the names of the final six. Nationally, some 300,000 soldiers from both sides remain unknown.

I had never heard of the Battle of LaFayette so went to dear old Wikipedia. It was a part of Sherman's Atlanta Campaign.

On June 18, 1864, a Union force of 450 men from the 4th, 6th and 7th Kentucky Cavalry regiments which had made its headquarters at the county court house in LaFayette. The rest of the men were scattered in housing about the square.

On June 24th, they were attacked by 1600 Confederate cavalrymen under the command of General Gideon Pillow. Pillow was moving along to destroy railroad bridges to disrupt Sherman's supply line.

The Kentuckians were surrounded and in bad shape before reinforcements arrived and drove the Confederates off.

US losses: 4 killed, 7 wounded, 53 captured.
CS losses: 24 killed, 53 wounded, 78 captured.

Travelers should also visit smaller battles as well as the big ones.

Didn't Know About It. --RoadDog