Pumpkinvine Creek, 1864
at the William Harris Homestead
Walton County, Georgia
May 31 - June 2, 2002
Welcome to the site for the Pumkin Vine Creek, 1864 Civil War re-enactment.  This will be a semi-immersion event located on the William Harris Homestead in northern Walton County, Georgia.  The event is sponsored by Company B, 1st Regt. Ga. State Line Infantry and 1st Georgia Regulars Infantry and will take place in conjunction with the Georgia Trust Walton County Tour of Homes. 

The event will re-create the events that took place on the same time frame in 1864, during the Atlanta Campaign.  This will in effect be an attempt at "time travel."  The action focuses on two specific units; Company G, 42nd Georgia Vol. Infantry (Confederate) and Company E, 104th Illinois Vol. Infantry (Federal.)  These two units opposed each other in the trenches near Pumpkinvine Creek for several days during 1864. 

The event will take place on the property of the William Harris Homestead, a refurbished circa 1850's log farmhouse and historic site.  The site is today a working cattle farm and is relatively free of modern intrusions.  About the only modern hindrance participants will encounter is the noise of traffic along Ga. Hwy. 11.  The highway is NOT visible from the vantage point of the event.  Specifically, the action will take place along opposite sides of a pasture lined with old-growth oak and pine trees.  There the participants will entrench, making use of existing ditches and wash-outs.  The property owner is not opposed to such activity.

Spectators will be on-site Saturday, June 1, 2002 during the hours of 2:00 - 5:00 PM.  The spectators are members of the Georgia Historic Trust.  It is anticipated that they will have about 150 present.

This event is a fund raiser for battlefield preservation.  The recipient of such funds raised will be Pickett's Mill State Historic Site in Paulding County, Georgia.  The tour is expected to generate roughly $400 - $800 towards battlefield preservation.  The William Harris Homestead will receive a portion of the proceeds as well.
Historic Background

Confederate Portrayal

Confederate Reports

Confederate Guidelines

Confederate Contact

Federal Portrayal

Federal Reports

Federal Guidelines

Federal Contact

Discussion Forum

The Harris Homestead

Participant Application

The Commanders:

Charles Heath (CSA)

Jerry Gouge (USA)
The photo to the left is a copy print of an original 1/9 plate ambrotype of the four McWilliams brothers.  The four brothers served the Confederacy within the ranks of Company D, "Dekalb Rangers," 42nd Regiment Georgia Volunteer Infantry.  The exact identity of the four brothers has been lost over the years, but their names are:  Sgt. Galen McWilliams, Sgt. David McWilliams, Pvt. James L. McWilliams and Pvt. Samuel McWilliams.  All are dressed in the distinctive early-war uniforms peculiar to this company.  Three of the men are armed with rather fiercesome D-guard "bowie" knives and the middle brother holds a civilian rifle upon his knee.  This photo was probable taken at Camp McDonald.  Photo owned by Robert Mitchell.
"On the afternoon of May 28, Johnston met his three corps leaders at his headquarters.  A new offensive plan which Hood proposed was adopted.  Hood would withdraw from his position on Cleburne's left that night and move to the extreme right.  There Hood would deploy at right angles to Cleburne, facing the Union left flank.  At daylight he would attack and roll up Sherman's left, while Polk and Hardee would then join the assualts.
Again Hood proved more sanquine in talk that in his actions.  Daylight came and no sound of artillery or small arms was heard near Pumpkinvine Creek.  Anxiously, Johnston and Hardee waited together until a messenger appeared at 10 A.M. with a note from Hood.  The general had found it inexpedient to attack.  Daylight had revealed that the Federal left was protected by a division thrown back at right angles to the main line, and heavily entrenched."  (From Autumn of Glory, page 356, by Thomas L. Connelly)
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