Pine Mountain (Cobb County, Georgia) facts for kids
Pine Mountain is a natural hill located in Cobb County, Georgia. It's found near the town of Kennesaw. This small mountain is known for its interesting geography and its role in American history.
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Exploring Pine Mountain's Location
Pine Mountain is located at about 33°59' North and 84°38' West. This small "mountain" reaches an elevation of about 1,292 feet (394 meters) above sea level. Being "above sea level" means how high a place is compared to the ocean's surface.
Even though it's called Pine Mountain, it has many different kinds of trees that lose their leaves in the fall. However, pine trees are often the first to grow back after forests are cut down. So, it's likely that pine trees covered the mountain when it was named in the 1800s.
Water Flow Around Pine Mountain
Pine Mountain is part of a ridge that divides two major water collection areas in the county. These areas are called "watershed basins." To the north and west of the mountain, water flows towards Lake Allatoona. To the south and east, water flows towards the Chattahoochee River. This dividing line continues across other nearby mountains like Lost Mountain and Kennesaw Mountain.
Pine Mountain's Role in History
Pine Mountain was an important site during the American Civil War. On June 14, 1864, Confederate Lieutenant General Leonidas Polk was killed here.
Why Pine Mountain Was Important in the War
Because Pine Mountain was the highest point between Kennesaw Mountain and Lost Mountain, both the Confederate and Union armies were interested in controlling it. It was a great spot for observing enemy movements.
From June 5 to June 15, Confederate forces built defenses and held Pine Mountain. It served as an outpost, which is like a small military base, for their main battle line. The Confederates placed large guns, called artillery, on top of Pine Mountain. These guns belonged to different units, including the Washington Artillery of Louisiana and a South Carolina Battery.
The Union Army's Response
On June 10, the Union army moved their own artillery to face Pine Mountain. They hoped to stop the Confederates from using their guns effectively from the mountain's top.
The Death of General Polk
On June 14, Confederate Generals Johnston, Hardee, and Polk were on Pine Mountain. They were observing the Union lines when Union guns fired at them. General Polk was hit in his upper body by an artillery shell and died right away.
The very next day, the Confederates left the observation outpost on Pine Mountain. They rejoined their main battle line. Today, near the top of the mountain, there is a tall stone marker. It shows the exact spot where General Polk was standing when he was killed.
