Person:John Hill (58)

Jonesborough Other Names: None Location: Clayton County Campaign: Atlanta Campaign (1864) Date(s): August 31–September 1, 1864 Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman [US]; Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee [CS] Forces Engaged: Six corps [US]; two corps [CS] Estimated Casualties: 3,149 total (US 1,149; CS 2,000) Description: Sherman had successfully cut Hood’s supply lines in the past by sending out detachments, but the Confederates quickly repaired the damage. In late August, Sherman determined that if he could cut Hood’s supply lines—the Macon & Western and the Atlanta & West Point Railroads—the Rebels would have to evacuate Atlanta. Sherman, therefore, decided to move six of his seven infantry corps against the supply lines. The army began pulling out of its positions on August 25 to hit the Macon & Western Railroad between Rough and Ready and Jonesborough. To counter the move, Hood sent Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee with two corps to halt and possibly rout the Union troops, not realizing Sherman’s army was there in force. On August 31, Hardee attacked two Union corps west of Jonesborough but was easily repulsed. Fearing an attack on Atlanta, Hood withdrew one corps from Hardee’s force that night. The next day, a Union corps broke through Hardee’ s troops which retreated to Lovejoy’s Station, and on the night of September 1, Hood evacuated Atlanta. Sherman did cut Hood’s supply line but failed to destroy Hardee’s command. Result(s): Union victory

1. ↑ United States. Census Office. Georgia, 1850 population census schedules, M432. (Washington, D.C. : The National Archives, 1964)
   John Hill household: Fayette County roll 69, page 80; FHL film 7065.
2. ↑ United States. Census Office. Georgia, 1860 population census schedules, M653. (Washington, D.C. : The National Archives, 1950, 1967)
   John Hill household; Clayton county;roll ??, page 121, family #343; FHL 803117.
3. ↑ United States. Census Office. Nonpopulation census schedules of Georgia, 1850-1880, T1137. (Washington, D.C. : The National Archives, 1988)
   1860 Agriculture Census, Clayton county; roll 4, page 9, line 38; FHL film 1602480.
4. ↑ He lived with his wife, Mary, and four children. He was a farmer in the 29th district of the county. His land was worth $250. He was born in Georgia.
5. ↑ He lived on a farm with his wife, Mary, and seven children, ages ranging from 4 to 20. His real estate was worth $1000 and personal property worth $1600. He lives on 100 acres of land of which 60 acres are improved. He has on the farm, one horse, one mule, two milk cows, two working oxen, thirteen sheep and twelve swine. His livestock is valued at $400. For the twelve months prior to the census he farmed 300 bushels of indian corn, 6 bales of ginned cotton (400 lbs each), and 30 bushels of wheat. The population of the county was 4,466 of which 27% were slaves. Clayton county was created from parts of Fayette and Henry's counties in 1858.