Pigeon Hill

Pigeon Hill offers just one of the many splendid views in the park.

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

North of Burnt Hickory parking lot, south of Little Kennesaw Peak.

Significance:

Site of major Union assault during Battle of Kennesaw Mountain.

Designation:

National Battlefield Park.

Amenities

1 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

The Union frontal assault at Pigeon Hill was one of two attempts to break the Confederate defenses along the Kennesaw line on June 27^th, 1864. While there were not as many casualties here as there were at Cheatham Hill, the assault was still especially difficult. This was largely due to the steep and rocky terrain. The Confederates held the high ground, using the natural defenses to their advantage. It had been raining for nearly 3 weeks prior to the battle, so the Union forces also had the marshy, muddy ground at the foot of the hill to contend with. A portion of the force became lost and began climbing up the draw between Pigeon Hill and Little Kennesaw, right into the face of the cannon positioned there. The only Union victory happened at the foot of the hill, when they drove 7 companies of green Confederate troops from the 63^rd GA out of their rifle pits during a frenzy of hand- to- hand fighting. This soon turned to disaster, however, as they tried to clamber up the hill itself. The US Army monument (in the open field) was erected to commemorate this small victory. The battered Union troops waited until nightfall and then slipped back to their camps, defeated.

Pigeon Hill can most easily be accessed by parking in the Burnt Hickory Parking Lot and hiking north across the road. This area can also be reached from the other direction by hiking south from Little Kennesaw Mountain.