The Chattahoochee River Line was revolutionary
in its design and formidable in its strength. It was called "one of
the strongest pieces of field fortifications I ever saw" by Union general
William Tecumseh Sherman.
Stretching along the northern bank of the Chattahoochee River, General Joseph Johnston's Confederates took up the line as a defensive position following the battle of Kennesaw Mountain. They occupied 36 distinctive, small forts called "Shoupades" (after their designer, Confederate general Francis Shoup) and a network of trenches connecting them.
The River Line was such a well-engineered defensive system that Union forces declined a direct assault; instead they dug themselves in to engage in daily artillery duels. Eventually, however, Johnston abandoned the River Line, drawing immense criticism and leading to his subsequent removal from command.
Threat: As late as the 1950s, a visitor could still walk the length of the River Line, but major suburban development has devastated the site. Of the original Shoupades, the earthen remains of only nine are identifiable. Sadly, most of these are damaged and many are threatened. Cobb County maintains a parcel containing one of the Shoupades, infantry trenches and an artillery position at the far left of the line; the rest are privately owned.
Many of the River Line's features were destroyed over the decades by landowners who feared that such historic details would impede their development plans. In the Fort Drive section of the Confederate Line, three Shoupades remain, one pressed against the fence for I-285. In the same area, recent rezonings have led to approval of a development of 100 detached homes and townhouses.
Although the developer will not harm the Shoupades themselves, their context will be erased by the construction, leaving only a view of houses rather than woods and fields.
There is no comprehensive CWSAC priority classification for the River Line.
