Union General William T. Sherman captured Atlanta, a crucial Confederate stronghold, after a four-month military campaign. This victory proved decisive for the Union cause, boosting Northern morale and helping secure President Lincoln's re-election.
The fall of Atlanta stands as one of the most pivotal moments in the American Civil War. On September 2, 1864, Union General William Tecumseh Sherman captured this crucial Confederate stronghold after a four-month military campaign that would reshape the course of the conflict.
Atlanta's strategic importance as a major railroad hub and industrial center made it a prime target for Union forces. Sherman's successful capture of the city dealt a devastating blow to Confederate morale and proved instrumental in securing President Abraham Lincoln's re-election. The victory demonstrated the Union's growing military dominance and marked the beginning of Sherman's infamous March to the Sea, which would bring the harsh reality of total war to the Confederate heartland.
The Atlanta Campaign: Sherman's March Through Georgia
#The Atlanta Campaign began on May 7, 1864, as Union General William Tecumseh Sherman led 100,000 troops from Chattanooga, Tennessee, toward Atlanta. This military operation demonstrated Sherman's innovative tactics of targeting both military and economic resources.
Union Strategy and Military Objectives
#Sherman's campaign focused on three primary objectives: destroy the Confederate Army of Tennessee, capture Atlanta's industrial resources and disrupt its transportation network. His forces consisted of three armies:
- Army of the Tennessee (25,000 troops)
- Army of the Cumberland (60,000 troops)
- Army of the Ohio (15,000 troops)
The Union strategy incorporated:
- Flanking maneuvers to avoid frontal assaults
- Targeting railroad infrastructure
- Securing supply lines through railroad repairs
- Coordinated movements between multiple army groups
Confederate Defenses Under Joseph E. Johnston
#General Joseph E. Johnston commanded 65,000 Confederate troops defending Atlanta through a series of fortified positions:
| Defensive Position | Date Occupied | Distance from Atlanta |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Face Ridge | May 7-12, 1864 | 85 miles |
| Resaca | May 13-15, 1864 | 75 miles |
| Allatoona Pass | May 20, 1864 | 30 miles |
| Kennesaw Mountain | June 19, 1864 | 20 miles |
Johnston's defensive tactics included:
- Establishing elaborate earthworks
- Using terrain advantages
- Conducting strategic withdrawals
- Preserving Confederate forces through minimal engagement
Johnston's army maintained strong defensive positions while implementing a strategy of controlled withdrawal toward Atlanta's fortifications. This approach preserved his army but created tension with Confederate leadership's aggressive combat preferences.
The Siege of Atlanta Begins
#The siege of Atlanta commenced on July 20, 1864, marking a crucial phase in Sherman's Atlanta Campaign. Union forces implemented a strategic encirclement of the city while targeting its vital supply lines.
Hood Replaces Johnston as Confederate Commander
#Confederate President Jefferson Davis replaced General Joseph E. Johnston with General John Bell Hood on July 17, 1864. Hood's aggressive combat style contrasted sharply with Johnston's defensive tactics, leading to a series of costly offensive operations. The new commander launched three major attacks against Sherman's forces between July 20-28, resulting in 11,000 Confederate casualties compared to 5,500 Union losses.
Key Battles Around Atlanta
#The battle for Atlanta intensified through several significant engagements:
Battle of Peachtree Creek (July 20, 1864)
- Hood's first offensive resulted in 2,500 Confederate casualties
- Union forces under George Thomas repelled the attack
- Confederate troops failed to exploit gaps in Union lines
Battle of Atlanta (July 22, 1864)
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Major Confederate assault on Union's eastern flank
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Union General James B. McPherson killed in action
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Hood's forces suffered 8,000 casualties versus 3,700 Union losses
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Confederate attack on Sherman's western extension failed
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Union forces maintained defensive positions
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Hood lost 3,000 men compared to 700 Union casualties
| Battle | Date | Confederate Losses | Union Losses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peachtree Creek | July 20, 1864 | 2,500 | 1,700 |
| Atlanta | July 22, 1864 | 8,000 | 3,700 |
| Ezra Church | July 28, 1864 | 3,000 | 700 |
Fall of Atlanta on September 2, 1864
#General William T. Sherman's forces entered and occupied Atlanta on September 2, 1864, after Confederate General John Bell Hood evacuated the city under cover of darkness. The capture marked a decisive turning point in the Civil War, strengthening Union resolve and demoralizing Confederate resistance.
Sherman's Occupation of the City
#Sherman established his headquarters at the Trout House hotel after receiving Atlanta's formal surrender from Mayor James Calhoun. Union forces secured strategic points across the city including:
- Railroad depots at terminal stations
- Government buildings along Whitehall Street
- Military installations near the city's fortifications
- Industrial facilities producing Confederate war materials
The occupation transformed Atlanta into a military garrison as Sherman ordered:
- Evacuation of civilian residents within 5 days
- Conversion of warehouses into Union supply depots
- Dismantling of industrial machinery for shipment north
- Construction of defensive works around the city perimeter
Military and Political Impact
#The capture of Atlanta delivered significant strategic advantages to the Union cause:
| Impact Category | Specific Results |
|---|---|
| Military Gains | 3,800 prisoners captured, 27 artillery pieces seized, 250 rail cars secured |
| Infrastructure | 4 major railroad lines controlled, 12 miles of fortifications captured |
| Industrial Assets | 8 factories, 3 foundries, 2 rolling mills secured |
| Supply Network | 80% reduction in Confederate supply capacity to eastern armies |
Sherman's victory generated crucial political outcomes:
- Boosted Northern morale after 3 years of costly warfare
- Secured President Lincoln's re-election in November 1864
- Demonstrated Union military superiority in the Deep South
- Undermined Confederate civilian support for continuing the war
The fall of Atlanta provided Sherman with a strategic base to launch his subsequent March to the Sea campaign, which began on November 15, 1864.
The Burning of Atlanta
#Following Atlanta's capture, General Sherman ordered the systematic destruction of the city's military assets. This strategic decision transformed Atlanta from a vital Confederate industrial center into a devastated urban landscape.
Destruction and Evacuation
#Sherman initiated the destruction of Atlanta on November 15, 1864, targeting military industrial facilities, railroad infrastructure, and government buildings. Union troops demolished 40% of the city through controlled fires, including:
| Category | Structures Destroyed |
|---|---|
| Industrial Buildings | 170 |
| Commercial Properties | 250 |
| Residential Homes | 625 |
| Railroad Facilities | 89 |
The destruction focused on facilities that supported Confederate military operations, including munitions factories, railroad repair shops, foundries, and machine works. Union engineers dismantled railroad tracks, heated the rails until malleable, and twisted them around trees to create "Sherman's neckties."
Civilian Experience
#Atlanta's civilian population endured significant hardships during the burning. Sherman's Special Field Order No. 67 mandated the evacuation of Atlanta's 3,600 civilians, offering them three options:
- Travel north to Union territory
- Move south toward Confederate lines
- Remain in refugee camps near Tennessee
The civilian exodus occurred primarily through:
- Organized wagon trains carrying 2,000 residents south
- Railroad transport moving 800 people north
- Military escorts guiding groups to nearby towns
Essential items like food, medicine, and clothing became scarce, with prices increasing tenfold. Disease outbreaks affected displaced residents, particularly typhoid and dysentery. Documentation from civilian diaries recorded temperatures dropping to 40°F (4.4°C) during their forced relocation, adding to their hardship.
Sherman's March to the Sea
#Sherman's March to the Sea began on November 15, 1864, marking a 285-mile military campaign from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia. The operation included 62,000 Union troops divided into two wings: the right wing led by Major General Oliver O. Howard and the left wing commanded by Major General Henry W. Slocum.
The Union forces advanced in a 60-mile wide path, systematically destroying military targets, industrial resources and civilian infrastructure:
- Destroyed 300 miles of railroad tracks through heating and twisting rails
- Burned 5,000 bales of cotton in warehouses and plantations
- Seized 13,000 head of cattle and 9,500 horses and mules
- Confiscated 9.5 million pounds of corn and 10.5 million pounds of fodder
During the march, Sherman's troops implemented a "scorched earth" policy targeting specific infrastructure:
- Military facilities and equipment
- Railroad tracks and depots
- Government buildings and records
- Industrial complexes and warehouses
- Communication lines and bridges
The army maintained a rapid pace, covering 10-15 miles per day while living off the land through organized foraging. Sherman's "Special Field Orders No. 120" established strict guidelines:
- Foraging parties limited to one per brigade
- Soldiers required to leave families with minimal provisions
- Property destruction focused on military resources
- Livestock and food supplies collected systematically
- Personal valuables and non-military items left untouched
| Location | Date Reached | Distance from Atlanta |
|---|---|---|
| Milledgeville | November 23 | 100 miles |
| Sandersville | November 26 | 140 miles |
| Millen | December 3 | 180 miles |
| Savannah | December 21 | 285 miles |
The campaign concluded with the capture of Savannah on December 21, 1864, presenting the city to President Lincoln as a "Christmas gift." The operation resulted in $100 million in Confederate property damage and demonstrated the Union's ability to project military power deep into Confederate territory.
Key Takeaways
#- Atlanta fell to Union forces on September 2, 1864, when General William Tecumseh Sherman captured the city after a four-month military campaign
- The Atlanta Campaign began on May 7, 1864, with Sherman leading 100,000 Union troops against 65,000 Confederate defenders under General Joseph E. Johnston
- Confederate General John Bell Hood replaced Johnston on July 17, launching three costly battles (Peachtree Creek, Atlanta, and Ezra Church) that resulted in heavy Confederate losses
- Sherman's capture of Atlanta was strategically crucial, securing vital railroad networks and industrial resources while boosting Union morale and helping ensure President Lincoln's re-election
- After the capture, Sherman ordered the evacuation of civilians and systematic destruction of military assets, destroying about 40% of the city before beginning his March to the Sea on November 15, 1864
Conclusion
#The fall of Atlanta on September 2 1864 stands as one of the Civil War's most pivotal moments. Sherman's successful campaign demonstrated the Union's military superiority and strategic prowess while dealing a devastating blow to Confederate morale. This victory not only secured President Lincoln's re-election but also set the stage for Sherman's infamous March to the Sea.
The capture of this vital Confederate stronghold proved that the Union's military strategy of targeting both military and economic assets was highly effective. Atlanta's fall marked the beginning of the end for the Confederacy and highlighted how industrial warfare would shape future military campaigns.