R.S. Webb & Associates Cultural Resource Management Consultants 2800 Holly Springs Parkway, Suite 200 • P.O. Drawer 1319 Holly Springs, Georgia 30142 Phone: 770-345-0706 • Fax: 770-345-0707 July 12, 2006 Ms. Karen Adams KASP Properties, LLC 500 Bishop Street, Suite C-4 Atlanta, Georgia 30318 Subject: Archeological Field Reconnaissance Approximately 9-Acre Acworth-Due West Road Development Tract Cobb County, Georgia R.S. Webb & Associates No. 06-065-104 Dear Ms. Adams: BACKGROUND On July 10, 2006, R.S. Webb & Associates (RSWA) conducted an archeological reconnaissance of the 9-acre proposed development tract located at 741 and 751 Acworth Due West Road in Cobb County, Georgia (Figure 1). The study included an in-house review of Civil War era maps and a pedestrian inspection of the project tract. The goal of the study was to determine if obvious Civil War era features (e.g. trenches, rifle pits) are present in the project area. To achieve this goal surface inspection was used throughout the project area. PHYSICAL SETTING The project tract is located west of Acworth Due West Road, north of the intersection with Burnt Hickory Road. The property is bounded on the east by Acworth Due West Road, on the north and the south by private property, and on the west by a houses fronting Pine Lake Drive. Two modern (less than 50 years old) houses and five associated sheds are also located within the project tract. Gravel and asphalt driveways lead to the houses from Acworth Due West Road. Wooded areas are located near the southeast and the northwest boundaries of the property. Soil north of the houses is extremely eroded. RESULTS Map and Literature Review: Military records of the period (Davis et al. 1983) attest to the presence of many Union and Confederate earthworks in this general area. Civil War era maps (Braley 1987; Official Map of Cobb County: Locations of Civil War Earthworks 1992) indicate the presence of Civil War earthworks north and south of the project area. The project area is located within or very near the Battle of Gilgal Church battlefield (Braley 1987). A portion of the Confederate defensive line between Lost Mountain and Pine Mountain was located south of the project tract, south of Due West Road. Figure 6 in the Braley (1987:16) report indicates that a trench running northeast-southwest is located north of the north boundary of the present project tract. Several segments of the line of earthworks between Lost Mountain and Pine Mountain were identified by Wood et al. (1987) during an archeological survey for an electric power transmission line. Subsequently, Braley (1987) excavated segments of this trench line within an electric power transmission line right-of-way. Findings: 9-Acre Acworth Due West Road Tract Page 2 Cobb County, Georgia July 12, 2006 In late May 1864, General Joseph Johnston's Confederate troops retreated from battles at Dallas, New Hope Church, and Picket's Mill in Paulding County. By early June, Johnston's troops had entrenched along the highest ridges in west Cobb County (the Lost Mountain, Pine Mountain, and Brushy Mountain lines) awaiting the advancing Union forces (Scaife 1993). By June 14-15, Union lines ranged across a 12.9 km (eight mile) front near Kennesaw Mountain. Union and Confederate forces clashed in battles at Gilgal Church, Pine Mountain, and Noonday Church. On June 14, Confederate General Leonidas Polk was killed on Pine Mountain. That night, General Johnston's troops abandoned Pine Mountain, withdrawing south to heavily fortified positions on the Lost Mountain to Brushy Mountain line. On the 18th, Union forces pressed even closer to Kennesaw Mountain in the Battle of Latimer's Farm. Before daylight on June 19 the Confederates abandoned their line and retreated to Kennesaw Mountain. On June 25, Union General William T. Sherman initiated a direct assault on Kennesaw Mountain to begin at 8:00 a.m. on June 27. Field Survey: No evidence of Civil War features was identified within the project area as a result of this survey. CONCLUSIONS No archeological sites or Civil War-era features were identified within the project tract boundaries. We recommend that archeological clearance be granted to proceed with development of the 9-acre Acworth Due West Road tract. CLOSING COMMENTS Ms. Adams, we appreciate the opportunity to work with KASP Properties, LLC on this project. If you have questions concerning our findings, or need additional copies of this report, please contact me at 770-345-0706. Sincerely, R.S. WEBB & ASSOCIATES (Signer's identity unknown, the document has been updated since signed) Signed by William R. Jordan Time: 2006.07.12 14:19:18 -04'00' William R. Jordan Principal Archeologist Attachments: Figure 1 Findings: 9-Acre Acworth Due West Road Tract Page 3 Cobb County, Georgia July 12, 2006 REFERENCES CITED Braley, C. O. 1987 The Battle of Gilgal Church: An Archeological and Historical Study of Mid-Nineteenth Century Warfare in Georgia. Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc., Athens, GA. Davis, G.B., Perry, L.J. and Kirkley, J.W., compiled by C. D. Cowles 1983 Atlas to Accompany the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Reprint of the 1891-1895 edition. The Fairfax Press, New York, NY. Scaife, W.R. 1993 The Campaign for Atlanta. Private Publication, Atlanta, GA. Wood, W.D., C.O. Braley, and R. F. Etheridge 1987 A Cultural Resources Survey of the Lost Mountain Transmission Line and Due West Substation. Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. Athens, GA. Figure 1 Plat of the Project Tract