An official website of the State of Georgia.
Griswoldville Battlefield
This Civil War site is marked by a memorial plaque, which commemorates the November 22, 1864 battle during General Sherman's March to the Sea between Georgia State Line Militia and Athens and Augusta Defense Battalions (Confederate) and Union 15th Corps under General Charles Walcutt. The battle raged just east of the smoking ruins of Griswoldville's famous pistol factory. Although the battle was a defeat for the Confederates, their bravery to charge repeatedly under intense fire awed veteran Union soldiers, who were surprised to find that many of the dead and wounded were gray-haired old men and young boys no older than 15. Surprisingly, out of about 500 wounded (including almost a fourth of the Confederates forces), only 64 soldiers were killed. The Georgia Militia later won the Battle of Honey Hill in South Carolina.
Today, visitors can see a memorial and walk in a field that was a portion of the battlefield (17 acres) near the Union line. Historic markers at the battlefield and along the road between the memorial and Griswoldville tell the story of the battle. No other facilities are available. The site is overseen by Jarrell Plantation Historic Site. Griswoldville Battlefield Memorial is about 10 miles east of Macon via U.S. 80 and Ga. Hwy. 57 towards Gordon on Baker Rd. Signs direct visitors from U.S. 80.
