Definition
The Atlanta Campaign is defined as a Union offensive fought in northern Georgia from May to September of 1864.
Date and Location
- May 7–September 2, 1864
- Northern Virginia
Timeline of the Atlanta Campaign
These are the main battles and events of the Atlanta Campaign in chronological order.
- May 7–13, 1864 — Battle of Rocky Face Ridge
- May 9, 1864 – Battle of Buzzard’s Roost
- May 13–15, 1864 — Battle of Resaca
- May 17, 1864 — Battle of Adairsville
- May 25–26, 1864 — Battle of New Hope Church
- May 26–June 1, 1864 — Battle of Dallas
- May 27, 1864 — Battle of Pickett’s Mill
- June 9–July 3, 1864 — Operations around Marietta
- June 14, 1864 — Battle of Pine Mountain
- June 15, 1864 — Battle of Gilgal Church
- June 22, 1864 — Battle of Kolb’s Farm
- June 27, 1864 — Battle of Kennesaw Mountain
- July 16, 1864 — Jefferson Davis replaced Joseph E. Johnston with John Bell Hood.
- July 20, 1864 — Battle of Peachtree Creek
- July 22, 1864 — Battle of Atlanta
- July 28, 1864 — Battle of Ezra Church
- August 5–7, 1864 — Battle of Utoy Creek
- August 14–15, 1864 — Second Battle of Dalton
- August 20, 1864 — Battle of Lovejoy’s Station
- August 31–September 1, 1864 — Battle of Jonesborough
- September 2, 1864 — Union forces occupied Atlanta.
End of the Atlanta Campaign
The Atlanta Campaign ended when Confederate General John Bell Hood ordered the Army of Tennessee to evacuate Atlanta on September 1, 1864, enabling Sherman to occupy the city on the next day.
Principal Union Commanders
The overall commander of the combined Union forces, known as the Military Division of the Mississippi, during the Atlanta Campaign was Major General William T. Sherman. The commanders of the individual Union armies were:
- Major General James B. McPherson, commanding the Army of the Tennessee.
- Major General John M. Schofield, commanding the Army of the Ohio.
- Major General George H. Thomas, commanding the Army of the Cumberland.
Principal Confederate Commanders
At the beginning of the Atlanta Campaign, General Joseph E. Johnston commanded the Confederate Army of Tennessee.
On July 17, 1864, Confederate President Jefferson Davis relieved General Joseph E. Johnston of command of the Army of Tennessee and replaced him with Lieutenant General John Bell Hood.
Union Forces Engaged
The Union armies that fought in the Atlanta Campaign were all part of the Military Division of the Mississippi. The individual armies were:
- The Army of the Tennessee, commanded by Major General James B. McPherson.
- The Army of the Ohio, commanded by Major General John M. Schofield.
- The Army of the Cumberland, commanded by Major General George H. Thomas.
Confederate Forces Engaged
The Confederate army that fought in the Atlanta Campaign was the Army of Tennessee.
Number of Union Soldiers Engaged
- The number of Union soldiers engaged in the Atlanta Campaign varied from about 98,500 to 112,000.
Number of Confederate Soldiers Engaged
- The number of Confederate soldiers engaged in the Atlanta Campaign was roughly 50,000–65,000
Estimated Union Casualties
Union casualties during the Atlanta Campaign were about 31,600.
- Killed: 4,423
- Wounded: 22,822
- Captured or Missing: 4,442
Estimated Confederate Casualties
Confederate casualties during the Atlanta Campaign were about 35,000.
- Killed: 3,044
- Wounded: 18,952
- Captured or Missing: 12,983
Result of the Atlanta Campaign
- The result of the Atlanta Campaign was a Union victory.
Impact of the Atlanta Campaign
The impact of the Atlanta Campaign was a major success for the Union, however, Confederate forces were able to escape, which extended the war.
- The capture of Atlanta was an important factor in President Abraham Lincoln’s re-election.
- The capture of Atlanta opened the door for Sherman’s “March to the Sea.”
- Union forces occupied Atlanta for the rest of the war and throughout Reconstruction.