New Hope Church

See our collection of photos from the New Hope Church battlefield.

(10 photos in gallery)

New Hope Church

Douglas Ullman, Jr.

Located just east of the town of Dallas, New Hope Church was the scene of heavy fighting when A.P. Stewart's Confederates intercepted Joseph Hooker's Federals on May 25, 1864.

Confederate Earthworks

National Archives

Confederate troops immediately began entrenching upon arrival at New Hope Church. These works were strengthened during the days following battle as both sides faced one another.

Remnant Earthworks

Douglas Ullman, Jr.

A portion of the Confederate works in this area have been recreated as a continuation of the original trenches, which are in the adjacent woods.

New Hope Cemetery

Douglas Ullman, Jr.

While most of A.P. Stewart's troops dug trenches, some men of his division took cover in this cemetery, many using headstones as makeshift breastworks. Federal troops advanced from the woods beyond.

Preserved Land at New Hope Church

Douglas Ullman, Jr.

The Civil War Trust and its partners have preserved this 5-acre portion of the New Hope Church battlefield, a deep ravine through which Hooker's men had to advance in their charge on May 25.

The Hell Hole

Douglas Ullman, Jr.

Hooker's men charged into this ravine during their May 25 assault before clambering up the other side and into the fire of Confederates in New Hope Cemetery. The men trapped in this ravine called it the "Hell Hole."

Trenches at New Hope Church

National Archives

After the fighting on May 25, both sides hunkered down and strengthened--or in the Yankees' case constructed--earthworks. When the armies left, this area was covered with such works.

Unknown Confederates

Douglas Ullman, Jr.

The New Hope Cemetery is the final resting place for 17 unidentified Confederate soldiers killed during the Atlanta Campaign.

Benjamin Pickett's Grave

Douglas Ullman, Jr.

Following the fight at New Hope Church, the two armies fought several miles to the east at Pickett's Mill. The mill belonged to Lt. Benjamin Pickett, who was killed at Chickamauga and is buried in New Hope Cemetery.

The End of the Fighting in the Hell Hole

Douglas Ullman, Jr.

Though the Confederate line near New Hope Church, Pickett's Mill, and Dallas had remained intact, Johnston was again compelled to withdraw, this time toward Marietta, just 20 miles from Atlanta.