Alan J. Pitts
Re: Gen. P. D. Roddey Historical Marker
Thu Apr 26 11:25:52 2001


I'd like to suggest that a memorial might include a list of units that served under his command and a list of major battles and campaigns of his command. Let us know if anything like that is of interest.

Readers interested in Roddey may not be aware that a good description of the general exists David Evans' book, Sherman's Horsemen. Many of Roddey's men were dismounted after the Battle of Tupelo, MS, July 14, 1864, and sent by rail to Atlanta. Part of the rail line between Montgomery and Opelika had just been destroyed by Rousseau's raiders, and Roddey's troops were obliged to walk to the first available rail station still iin service.

Roddey and his men arrived in Newman, GA on July 30, 1864, just as the 8th Iowa Cavalry rode in. Not expecting to be involved in a fight quite yet, there was a rush for arms and ammunition. Roddey turned back the Federals with the help of convalescents from the hospital. He then collected his men and set out on foot down the rail line in pursuit of the mounted raiders. Fortunately General Wheeler had cut off the Federals and Roddey's men arrived in time to participate in the near destruction of General McCook's Cavalry Division at a place called Brown's Mill.

It's a great story, and not one I knew anything about. It's probably among Roddey's best moments of the war. It's certainly among Joe Wheeler's best, although some of his officers later grumbled that proper handing of his forces should have insured the capture of McCook's entire command.