Survey of the Proposed Oakdale Road Extension (Project S-1385)

Our survey of the area of the proposed Oakdale Road extension (Protect S-1385 L in Cobb County, Georgia, has been completed. Mr. Condrey reports to me that he found no prehistoric sites within the area of the proposed road work. However, he did record an extensive line of Civil War fortifications along the top of the ridge that is to be occupied by the road. A map at the scale of l inch - 40 feet was made by Mr. Condrey and is enclosed with this report. Also, enclosed with a copy of the U.S.G.S. Topographic Map (Mapleton Quad.) on which the site is located, and a copy of the Georgia State University Site Survey Form The fortifications are part of a Confederate defense line established on the north side of the Chattahoochee River by Gen. J.E. Uohnston in late June of 1064. They were designed to block, or at least detain, the encroachment upon Atlanta of Gen. W.T. Sherman's Federal forces. This particular set of lines includes breastworks, artillery emplacements, traverse lines- (to prevent flanking attacks), and forward rifle pits. These include most of the typical elements of trench warfare tactics developed during the Atlanta Campaign of 1864. It is very unfortunate that we are rapidly losing most of the remaining Civil War fortifications around Atlanta. This was an Important period in Atlanta's history, and at least a representative sample of the most significant artifacts (i.e. the fortifications) of the period should be preserved. The trenches are located mainly on the hill tops and high ridges, where development is taking place at the greatest pace.