JENKINS	 COUNTY, GA - HISTORY  Buckhead Creek 

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Buckhead Creek. 

With Gen. William T. Sherman's [US] sweep through
Georgia, Union calvary under the command of Brig. Gen.
Judson Kilpatrick [US] advanced toward Waynesborough
(present day Waynesboro) in late November 1864 with the
intent of destroying the railroad bridge over Briar
Creek. They also were to release any Union prisoners
being held at Camp Lawton just north of Millen.
Confederate calvary under Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler [CS]
came down from Augusta and prevented the destruction of
the RR bridge although Union forces did destroy some
railroad track in the area. The Union calvary moved
southwest to rejoin Sherman's main force with
Confederate calvary in pursuit. They caught up with the
Union forces at Buckhead Creek southwest of
Waynesborough. Union calvary supported by artillery
stopped the Confederates and burned the bridge over
Buckhead Creek. Confederate loses were heavy.

See the battle summary found at the National Park
Service website Civil War Soldiers & Sailors System
(Reference 1 below). See also the follow-on battle
(Battle of Waynesborough) (same reference), fought a
few days after the Buckhead Creek battle.

There are two Georgia State historical markers in front
of Buckhead Church and another at the intersection of
US25 and CR81 (northwest corner of the intersection).

Directions: Take US25 (Waynesboro Highway) north from
Millen. Turn left at the intersection of US25 and CR81
(Big Buckhead Church Road) at Perkins Community which
is about 7.5 miles north of Millen. Follow the road
west for about 3.5 miles to the Big Buckhead Church.
Buckhead Creek bridge is just beyond the church.