Friday, Februry 22, 2002

Commission chair wants Brown's Mill park to look like it did in 1864 By CAROLYN CARY ccary@TheCitizenNews.com The Battle of Brown's Mill was the topic at a recent Sharpsburg Sharpshooters Sons of Confederate Veterans meeting. Coweta County Commission Chairman Jim McGuffey spoke of the 100-acre site that saw part of the Civil War battle. In January 2000, Ellen Ehrenhard, director of the Male Academy Museum for the Newnan-Coweta County Historical Society, first approached the county commissioners for permission to pursue the purchase of the battle site property from owner Temple-Inland Timber Company. In November 2000, the commissioners began seeking grant approval under Gov. Roy Barnes' green space program. Of the $400,000-plus paid for the land, $300,000 came from this program and $100,000 came from the state through Rep. Lynn Smith. Students in Northside Elementary School's Environmental Club sold t-shirts and raised an additional $1,000. The Battle of Brown's Mill took place during the week of July 27, 1864, when Brig. Gen. E. M. McCook, with 3,600 Federal cavalry, began a raid to destroy railroads south of Atlanta. Three miles south of Newnan, July 30, Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler, with 1,400 Confederate cavalry, caught and routed the Federals, saving Newnan from capture and possible destruction. "We foresee this space as a passive site," said McGuffey, "and will strive to have it as exact to July 1864 that is possible." The Sons meet second Mondays at the Sharpsburg Baptist Church at 7 p.m. Phone Kerry Elliott, 770-251-3743.   What do you think of this story? Click here to send a message to the editor. Back to News Home Page | Back to the top of the page