While Sherman was laying siege to Atlanta and bombarding it he sent his cavalry out on a raid east as far as Covington. His orders on July 20 to General Kenner Garrard were to "Take the road [Covington Hwy] by Latimar's [Covington and Panola Roads], touching the railroad at or beyond Lithonia, and thence substantially along the railroad, destroying it effectually all the way, especially the Yellow River bridge this side of Covington, as well as the road bridge over Yellow River, after you have passed. From Covington send detachments to destroy the rail and road bridges east of Covington over the Ulcofauhachee [Alcovy]. Try and capture and destroy some locomotives and cars, and the depots and stores at Covington, but of private property only take what is necessary for your own use, except horses and mules, of which you will take all that are fit for service, exercising, of course, some judgment as to the animals belonging to the poor and needy. On your return select your own route, but I would suggest that by way of Sheffield, Rock Bridge, and Stone Mountain, or even farther north if you prefer."

Garrard's force rode out of Decatur along the Lawrenceville-Decatur Road on the evening of July 21 amid pelting rain. They passed Browning's Courthouse [Tucker] and at Choice's store turned southeast down Rockbridge Road where they crossed Rockbridge at midnight and camped. While Garrard slept, his men ransacked Thomas Maguire's "Promised Land". "Great excitement. At 12 or 1 Oclock at night the Yankees came here in force. Knocked us up. The house was soon filed [sic] with the thieving Yankees robed [sic] us of nearly every thing they could carry off. Broak open all our trunks drawers and carried off the keys. They must have practiced roguery from there childhood up. So well the[y] appeared to know the art. Yankees left about 8 Oclock on there way to Covington and to the Sircle [Social Circle] and back by Lawrenceville & Monroe some by Dewrans mills and a few by here The Yankees set Rockbridge on fire before they left. After they were gone I sent some hands to put it out. Plank nearly all burned and sleepers badly enjured but folks can cross on foot. Bad feelings against the Yankees. I hope they will never come back again"

Garrard's men reached Loganville around noon July 23 having spent the previous day pillaging Conyers, Covington, and Oxford. It was here that Robert Minty's Brigade was detached to Lawrenceville. They were met on the way near Tilford McConnell's farm, four miles southeast of Lawrenceville, by about 50 Confederates who scattered when the Federals charged them. Captain Heber S. Thompson observed, "Lawrenceville has been a really nice little place. In Covington, Oxford and indeed all the towns in Georgia, the conduct of our Division has been disgraceful-houses plundered, women insulted and every species of outrage committed. In Lawrenceville on the contrary, when our Brigade was alone nothing of the kind occurred. The people, especially the ladies, and the town contained some really nice ones, were very much pleased with our orderly conduct." Since a fire several weeks before had destroyed the town's only major industry, a large cotton mill, there was little else to steal or burn. "We found plenty of corn for our horses ... but nothing else, as it had all been taken off before we got there". Minty halted his men for the night about three miles out of town on the banks of Yellow River. Records don't say but this was likely on what is now Old Norcross Road because the next day they rode to Flint Hill Church, turned south down Peachtree Road, and passed through Cross Keys. Garrard, with the other two brigades, returned by way of Rockbridge and, turning right onto the road to Choice's Store, halted three miles north and made camp at 6 p.m. on a branch of Stone Mountain Creek at Trickum's Crossroads [Mountain Park]. "We went into camp … at a very pretty spot among the hills; pleasant groves, and streams of water on every side". The next day they continued the march and at Choice's Store turned left and back to Decatur.

Garrard's report to Sherman: "GENERAL: I have the honor to report that your instructions have been carried out. My dispositions were such as to enable me to take every point by surprise and insure my safe return, with a loss of only 2 killed. Results: Three road bridges and one railroad bridge (555 feet in length) over the Yellow River, and one road and one railroad bridge (250 feet in length) over the Ulcofauhachee [Alcovy], were burned. Six miles of railroad track between the rivers were well destroyed. The depot and considerable quantity of quartermaster and commissary stores at Covington were burnt. One train and locomotive captured at Conyers and burnt. One train (platform) was burnt at Covington, and a small train (baggage) at station near the Ulcofauhachee captured and burnt. The engine to the last train was detached across the river. Citizens report a passenger train and a construction train, both with engines, cut off between Stone Mountain and Yellow River. Over 2,000 bales of cotton were burnt. A large new hospital at Covington, for the accommodation of 10,000 patients from this army and the Army of Virginia, composed of over 30 buildings besides the offices, just finished, were burnt, together with a very large lot of fine carpenters' tools used in their erection. Also a large lot of new hospital tents. In the town of Oxford, two miles north of Covington, and in Covington was over 1,000 sick and wounded in buildings used for hospitals. The convalescents able to walk scattered through the woods while the firing was going on in town, and I did not have time to hunt them up before dark. Those in hospital, together with their surgeons, were not disturbed. … Yesterday at 12 m [meridiem or noon]. I sent one brigade a little to the north to come to this place by Blake's Mill. It has not yet arrived. From the two other brigades I have received 140 prisoners and 11 officers, and about 200 negroes, who have been sent to the provost marshal, Army of the Tennessee." In his report dated September 4, Garrard added "On the 18th the railroad near Stone Mountain was broken, and on the 19th two brigades were driven from Stone Mountain, the depot burnt, and a set of colors captured. On the 22d the railroad, fifty miles east of Atlanta, was cut, and other damage done"

This success prompted Sherman to launch a large-scale cavalry raid a few days later but General George Stoneman changed the plan without notifying the other two division commanders and Confederate forces were able to defeat the scattered Union cavalry in central Georgia, chasing it across the state and destroying it piecemeal. Remnants of the raiding party circled east and north through Jug Tavern [Winder] and, five miles northwest of there at King's Tanyard, were finally routed. Garrard, meanwhile, had been waiting near Flat Rock on the South River for several days for Stoneman to rendezvous with him. Finally, he retreated to Lithonia and on July 30 left Lithonia on the Lawrenceville Road (Ga 124), traveled northeast for almost an hour, then turned northwest on the Rockbridge Road. About midday, they reached Choice's Store and, believing the Confederates had reoccupied Decatur, continued north for another six miles until the division reached Flint Hill Church. There the column turned left on the Peachtree Road, and rejoined Sherman's army.

In the "Promised Land": "Yankees over the River and at Davids [Anderson]. They took some corn I sent to mill. Some of Mr Jinkins also. Sarah E. and Mary Catherine got back in the evening and mad with the mean Yankees … no Yankees came during the night" (July 29). "Sent some corn and wheat to mill. May get some meal and flour and may have it stolen by the yankee [curses?]. In the evening David A. wrote that all the Yankees were gone and he hoped to hell. That was a fine wish for a Universalist" (July 30). "Self mending loks Drawrs and desks. got along very well" (Aug 3). "Self fixing Sideboard lock now" (Aug 4).

The citizens of Gwinnett suffered two more foraging raids before Sherman marched to the sea.

   "COLONEL: [Lt. Col. H. W. PERKINS, Asst Adjutant-General]
I have the honor to submit the following report of the foraging expedition made in compliance with orders from Major-General Slocum:   At 6 o'clock on the morning of the 26th instant the following troops and wagons reported to me on the Decatur road: Third Brigade, First Division, numbering 1,200 men, Third Brigade, Second Division, numbering 945 men, Second Brigade, Third Division, numbering 642 men, two batteries of artillery, and 450 cavalry under Colonel Garrard. … the total number of wagons 672. At 7 o'clock I moved toward Decatur, which I reached without incidents of note about 10 o'clock. At this place I learned from inhabitants that there was a force of the enemy variously stated as numbering from 2,000 to 4,000, between Stone Mountain and Lawrenceville. …. To guard against any attack … I detached the main force of cavalry, 700 infantry and a section of artillery, the whole under command of Colonel Garrard, to move to Stone Mountain direct and hold the roads and passes at that place. With the remainder of my command and with the train I moved from Decatur on the Lawrenceville road. I moved on this road about six miles, where I passed to the right over a wood road, and struck the main road to Stone Mountain about two miles from that place. At the mountain I was joined by Colonel Garrard. Leaving a strong cavalry guard to hold the village, I moved on the Stone Mountain and Lawrenceville road to Trickum's Cross-Roads, near which I parked the train and camped the troops on the farm of Mr. Bracewell. … During the morning several attacks were made upon the pickets and outposts, by rebel cavalry, in one of which one of my men was killed and another severely wounded. I remained in camp during the day, sending out detachments of the train under strong guards, and succeeded in loading about 300 wagons. In the afternoon Lieutenant-Colonel Way, commanding a regiment of cavalry, reported he had met the enemy near Yellow River, about 400 strong, and that the inhabitants stated that a force of 4,000 was in Lawrenceville. Soon after he reported the former party had retreated across the river and destroyed the bridge. I immediately ordered him to follow, and push toward Lawrenceville to ascertain, if possible, the whereabouts of the enemy. He moved to Lawrenceville, and, charging furiously upon the town, drove the enemy through it in great disorder, scattering them in all directions. From reports from my cavalry I learned it would be impossible to load the remainder of my train west of the river, and learning that abundance of forage could be procured east of it, I resolved to cross and forage there. Accordingly, on the morning of the 28th, I sent 250 wagons with a guard of 1,500 infantry, a regiment of cavalry, and a section of artillery, the whole under command of Colonel Robinson, with orders to cross the river and load in the fields just beyond. The remaining empty wagons I sent with a guard of 400 infantry and a section of artillery to report to Colonel Garrard, who was encamped on the Rock Bridge road, about three miles distant from the main camp, and eastward from the mountain. At 3 o'clock I learned that the wagons under charge of Colonels Robinson and Garrard had been loaded, and were ready for the returning march. Desiring to move as rapidly as possible toward Atlanta, I sent orders to Colonel Garrard to move with his trains on the road leading south of the mountain, and to the village at its base, … I started at 4 o'clock with the Second Brigades, of the Second and Third Divisions, as advance guard, leaving a picket at every road and important point along the line of march, with orders to remain until the rear of the entire train had passed. I marched two miles beyond Stone Mountain and commenced parking my trains for the night, at 7 o'clock, on the farm of Mr. Johnson, on the Decatur road. … All my troops and wagons having reached my camp by 1 o'clock, I commenced moving toward Atlanta at 7. Dividing the train into sections, and interposing between each a strong guard of infantry, … After halting for some time at Decatur to close up my train, I again resumed the march, I reached Atlanta without incident at 3 p.m., where the troops and train were ordered to rejoin their respective commands. My quartermaster reports the amount of corn procured to be 9,300 bushels, besides which were brought in 5 loads of wheat and 4 bales of cotton, and about 100 head of cattle, … I take great pleasure in commending the officers and men under my command for the hearty co-operation yielded me during the labors of the expedition. My thanks are eminently due to Colonel Garrard, his officers and men, for the activity and zeal manifested, and for information obtained. I regret to except from my commendation of the officers and men the lieutenant in command of the exterior picket captured on the 27th instant. Armed with Spencer rifles, captured in broad daylight, without firing a shot, by a force scarce more than its equal, this picket was undoubtedly guilty of gross neglect. No words of reproach can be too strong for an officer, who, allowing care for personal ease to exceed his zeal for duty, permits himself and command to be ignominiously captured.

No. 34
   O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XXXIX/1 [S# 77]


Oct 27 At 10 1/2 Oclock some 30 Yankees road up took Phillips wagon and 2 horses all our meal & flour one keg of syrup and several articles from the house that I do not now know of. one bee gum the last we had. they staid some 15 or 20 minutes and put back over the River. they also took John E Saddlebags and a large tin cup
Oct 28 Mr Smith was here soon this morning. the Yankees forage wagons were in his fields yesterday evening. he thought they had got nearly there loads and were ready to go out. they were not at Mr Minors foraging yesterday as we first thought. several scouts here Henry Braswell with them. it is said the Yankees are at Mr Betts
Oct 29 Yankees said to be at Hains creek. Will came back and reports that every thing was taken from Mr Minor and David
Oct 30 cavelry left after breakfast went over the River and came back. report the Yankees gone and went down the Covington road Mr Anderson came and staid some time they did not use him as bad as I expected but bad enough

The final raid came in mid-November when Sherman left Atlanta.

"Nov 16 up last night nearly all night. News that the Yankees were coming this way after burning Atlanta Decature and some houses at stone mountain. Hid out[?] box tools horse Buggy and other things. Still hopeing they will not come this way. If they are coming they will be here at 9 Oclock. It is now 7. I went to see Mr Anderson and while I was gone the Yankees came sure enough. I did not like to go back home so I staid with David a little. After ten the Yankees were here and coming. Slocums corp came and camped all around the house. On every side hogs and sheep are being shot down and skinned to regail the Yankees palate. Mr Anderson and I slept in the woods all night.
Nov 17 still in the woods. Slept but little. The Yankees all gone about 11 Oclock. I came home at 2 tired enough and sleepy but glad to find that home folks were not abused although there was grate destruction of property
Nov 17 Gin House and s[--?] burned Stables and barn all in ashes fincing burned and disruction visible all around. the carriage and big wagon burned up. corn and potatoes gone . Horses and Steers gone. sheep chickens and geese also. syrup boiler damaged. one barrel of syrup burned. Saddles & bridles in the same fix. Now engaged in gathering up the fragments of the spoils. It is useless to try to record the distruction of property. I think we have plenty of corn wheat and syrup hid out. There was some 20 Bushells of wheat burned in the Gin House of our own. Some of Mr Minors & others. Had much to do to save the corn cribs, Gin House still burning and the straw piles also. 3 Bales of cotton burned and one other cut open to make beads for the Soldiers. the Gin Thrash[?] and fan, burned. cogg wheel and the other parts of mashienary lying in ruins
Nov 18 Self roving about trying to Save Something from the grasp of the plundering neighbors around, who are here in droves; Still we are all cheerful and hopeful that the worst is passed and the Yankees gone I hope[?] for ever. Several dead Horses and Mules lying around. we have one horse that was left. one of his hoofs nearly off. we are trying to docter him up. Several people still prowling around here and the Yankees camp, and taking any and every thing they can find no matter who the owner may be.
Nov 19 lots of folks still hunting around here for plunder
Nov 20 rained some last night and I was in hopes it would rain lots So as to give the Yankees trouble in getting along with there wagons; Atlanta is nearly a total ruin but fiew houses left.
Nov 21 raining all night and is at it this morning fine weather for Yankees
Nov 27 drew off a list of property that the Yankees stoal or destroyed"

Two stories have passed down to us of ways local residents foiled Sherman's "bummers" from taking their property. The first is an unnamed farmer who trimmed his prized horse's hooves down to the quick thereby rendering the animal so tender-footed that it could barely walk. The farmer knew that his horse, in this condition, would be of no use to the enemy. He also realized that the condition was temporary and, after the Yankees were gone, the hooves would grow out and it would be able to walk again. The other is of how Eliza Ann (Gower) Bedingfield, whose husband John F. M. died in Virginia the year before, saved her household possessions with the simple stratagem of coaching her oldest son Solomon to say four simple words. When the Yankees finally showed up one day he told them "Ma's got the smallpox". They were never bothered again.