Cannon at the summit of Kennesaw Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
Kennesaw Mountain was at the northern end of Confederate general Joseph E. Johnston’s battle line. The Confederates installed artillery batteries at all elevated points along the line: Kennesaw Mountain, Little Kennesaw Mountain, Pigeon Hill, and Cheatham Hill. For the most part, there was no significant fighting on Kennesaw Mountain due to it being a superior Confederate position (1,800 feet above the surrounding areas). There were, however, constant exchanges of artillery fire between the Confederate and Union artillery down below for ten days prior to and on the day of the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain (June 27, 1864). And at the start of the battle, Union general William T. Sherman did order a small force up the slopes to distract Johnston from his true intentions of a major attack at the center of the Confederate line between the south side of Little Kennesaw Mountain and Cheatham Hill, with Pigeon Hill being in the middle of it all.
Map by Hal Jespersen, www.cwmaps.com
When Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Site (the original park name) was created in 1917, only the Kennesaw Mountain area was included. Today, authentic Civil War-era cannon and / or wayside exhibits are located at the top of Kennesaw Mountain, at the base and top of Little Kennesaw Mountain, and at Pigeon Hill. While it is possible to drive to these three areas, hiking up Kennesaw Mountain and continuing south to Pigeon Hill, a 5.4-mile loop hike, is the only way to see everything.
Also in the area is the 24-Gun Battery, a grouping of four Union artillery batteries of six cannon each that was set up to bombard Confederate positions. Visitors can drive to the site or hike to it on the 24-Gun Battery Trail.
The Wallis House is also part of Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, but it is currently in poor condition and not open to the public. It is possible to drive to it and take a photo from the street, but only the most ardent Civil War buffs will get anything out of making the trip.
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Last updated on April 21, 2025
