The DeGress Battery
July 22, 1864. Light Battery H, 1st Ill. (four 20-pounders), Capt. Francis DeGress, was posted here on right of M.L. Smith´s div., Logan´s 15th A.C. Shells from these guns are said to have been the first to fall in Atlanta.
Late afternoon. Manigault´s brigade (Confederate) broke the Federal line at the R.R., forcing Martin´s brigade, S. of it & Lightburn´s N. of it, to wthdraw DeGress´ gunners spiked the pieces & the horses were shot to prevent the removal of the guns by their Confederate captors.
The line was retaken in a counter-charge by Martin & Lightburn, aided by Mersy´s 16th A.C. brigade. Capt. DeGress re-possessed his guns.
GHM 060-96 GEORGIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 1956
Plaque courtesy Lat34North.com.
Original page, with additional info, here.
Photo credit: Byron Hooks of Lat34North.com.