Pickett's Mill Battlefield State Historic Site, Dallas GA

The wooded ravine at Pickett’s Mill where Union troops attacked on May 27, 1864

Photo: Thomson200, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Pickett’s Mill Battlefield State Historic Site near Dallas is one of the best-preserved Civil War battlefields in the country. You can walk the same roads the armies used, see earthworks the soldiers dug, and follow trails down into the ravine where hundreds died in a single evening in May 1864.

The 765-acre site has about 4 miles of trails, a visitor center and museum, and a pioneer cabin, all in the Paulding County woods about 45 minutes northwest of Atlanta.

GroundsDaily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
MuseumFri.-Sun., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Admission$6 adults, $4.50 seniors, $3.50 ages 6-17
Phone770-443-7850

The Battle of Pickett’s Mill

After Confederates stopped Sherman’s advance on Atlanta at New Hope Church on May 25, 1864, Sherman ordered Maj. Gen. Oliver O. Howard to swing around Gen. Joseph E. Johnston’s right flank. About 14,000 Federal troops made a five-hour march to the area and attacked at about 5 p.m. on May 27. Waiting for them were about 10,000 Confederates under Maj. Gen. Patrick Cleburne.

Supporting Union troops never arrived, and the assault through the ravine continued into the night. At daybreak the Confederates still held the field. The Federals lost about 1,600 men to the Confederates’ 500, and the victory delayed the Union advance on Atlanta by about a week.

Date & Campaign

May 27, 1864, during the Atlanta Campaign, in Paulding County.

Commanders

Union: Maj. Gen. Oliver O. Howard (IV Corps). Confederate: Maj. Gen. Patrick R. Cleburne, with Brig. Gen. John H. Kelly’s cavalry.

Result

Confederate victory. About 2,100 casualties: roughly 1,600 Union and 500 Confederate.

Visiting the Site

Trails

About 4 miles of trails loop through the battlefield. Pick up a map at the visitor center; the ravine trails are steep in places.

Facilities

Visitor center and museum, picnic tables, a playground, bus parking and a group shelter you can reserve ahead. The pioneer cabin opens for tours during select events.

Closed

Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Group rates are available with two weeks’ notice, and annual passes are sold.

Directions

4432 Mount Tabor Church Rd., Dallas, GA 30157. From I-20, take Exit 44 and go west on Thornton Road (U.S. 278) for about 10 miles. Turn right onto GA 92 and follow the brown Pickett’s Mill signs north for about 6 miles. Pass Due West Road and continue half a mile; the entrance is on the left.

More Civil War Sites

Photos

Civil War earthworks in the forest at Pickett’s Mill Battlefield

EarthworksTrenches still visible in the woods

Open field and tree line at Pickett’s Mill Battlefield in autumn

The Open FieldAlong the battlefield trails

Log pioneer cabin with a stone chimney at Pickett’s Mill

Pioneer CabinOpen for tours during events

12-pound cannon on display in the Pickett’s Mill museum

MuseumCannon and exhibits

Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Thomson200, public domain; Thomson200, public domain; George Puvvada, CC BY-SA 3.0; Thomson200, public domain.

Pickett’s Mill is one stop on our north-to-south guide to Atlanta Campaign Civil War sites.

Sources we checked

Facts in this guide were checked against the agencies and operators that run these places:

Georgia State Parks: Pickett’s Mill Battlefield – hours, fees, facilities and battle summary
American Battlefield Trust: Pickett’s Mill – commanders and casualties

Spot something out of date? Email Contact@n-georgia.com and we’ll check it against the official source. Read how we research our guides.