The DeGress Battery

July 22, 1864. Light Battery H, 1st Ill. (four 20-pounders), Capth. Francis DeGress, was posted here on right of M.L.Smith’s div., Logan’s 15th A.C. Shells from these guns are said to have been the first to fall in Atlanta.<br><br> Late afternoon, Manigault’s brigade (CS) broke the Federal line at the R.R., forcing Martin’s brigade, S. of it & Lightburn’s N. of it, to withdraw. DeGress’ gunners spiked the pieces & the horses were shot to prevent the removal of the guns by their Confederate captors.<br><br> The line was retaken in a counter-charge by Martin & Lightburn, aided by Mersy’s 16th A.C. brigade; Capt. DeGress re-possessed his guns.