When Nashville fell in February 1862, all of its arsenal facilities and stores were relocated to Atlanta along with its commander, Col. Moses H. Wright, staff and many of its contractors. A huge facility was built over the next three years consisting of thirteen buildings and employing at its peak, over five thousand people. Atlanta was the primary manufacturing center and cross roads for supply to the Army of Tennessee and other Western troops.

    Ordnance records of receipts and deliveries show other Confederate Arsenals often assisted in meeting Atlanta’s requisitions for cavalry equipment including two thousand sets from Richmond in 1863. Significant additional equipment came from Macon, Columbus, Montgomery, Selma and frequent shipments were made from Augusta. Atlanta in turn was also a major supplier and distribution center for horse equipment to the Army of Tennessee and other western troops including some to the coastal commands served by the Charleston Arsenal.

    In July and August of 1864, as Federal Gen. W.T. Sherman closed in on Atlanta its operation and machinery were dismantled and shipped to other ordnance facilities including Macon and Columbus. That September the city was burned.

The Atlanta Arsenal Pattern Saddle & Horse Equipment: To obtain more detailed information about Atlanta Arsenal horse equipment patterns, production and issue numbers including Confederate Ordnance Manual specifications for leather and hardware send $10 to Ken R. Knopp, Confederate Horse Equipment, P.O. Box 1322, Hattiesburg, Miss. 39403.

*****    Please be sure to request Atlanta Arsenal Production specs!