Battle of Atlanta Facts, Details, and Timeline

Definition

The Battle of Atlanta was fought between the United States of America and the Confederate States of America on July 22, 1864, during the American Civil War.

Quick Facts

• Date Started: The Battle of Atlanta started on Monday, July 22, 1864.
• Date Ended: The fighting ended on July 22, 1864.
• Location: The battle took place in Fulton County, near Atlanta, Georgia.
• Who Won: The United States of America won the Battle of Atlanta.
• Civil War Campaign: The Battle of Atlanta was part of the Atlanta Campaign.

This illustration depicts fighting at the Battle of Atlanta. Image Source: Library of Congress.

Interesting Facts

• Throughout the summer of 1864, the Confederate and Union armies engaged in a series of battles between Dalton and Atlanta in northern Georgia.
• William T. Sherman was in command of the Union army.
• Joseph E. Johnston was in command of the Confederate army.
• By mid-July, Sherman had driven Johnston to the outskirts of Atlanta.
• On July 22, Hood ordered an attack on the left flank of the Union army.
• The Union forces were able to hold their position, despite the loss of their commanding officer, James B. McPherson.
• Hood launched a second attack, this time on the center of the Union army.
• In response, Sherman personally directed artillery fire on the Confederates, halting their surge and inflicting heavy casualties.
• The Federals then launched a counterattack and restored their lines.
• With the Union lines stabilized on both fronts and Rebel losses rising to unacceptable levels, Hood called off the attacks.

Commanders and Forces Involved

Principal Union Commanders

• Major General William T. Sherman (overall)
• Major General James B. McPherson
• Major General John M. Schofield
• Major General George H. Thomas

Principal Confederate Commanders

• General John B. Hood

Union Forces Engaged

• Army of the Tennessee
• Army of the Ohio
• Army of the Cumberland

Confederate Forces Engaged

• Army of Tennessee

Casualties and Statistics

Number of Union Soldiers Engaged

• Roughly 34,863

Number of Confederate Soldiers Engaged

• Roughly 40,438

Estimated Union Casualties

• 3,600 (killed, wounded, captured/missing)

Estimated Confederate Casualties

• 8,500 (killed, wounded, captured/missing)

Results of the Battle of Atlanta

• The outcome of the Battle of Atlanta was a Union victory.
• Following the Battle of Atlanta, Union General William T. Sherman Sherman settled into a siege, shelling the city and cutting off supplies, until Confederate commander John B. Hood was forced to evacuate Atlanta six weeks later.
• After Hood evacuated Atlanta, Sherman was able to launch his “March to the Sea.”

Timeline of the Battle of Atlanta

This list shows the main battles and events that took place before and after the Battle of Atlanta, and how it fits into the chronological order of the Atlanta Campaign.

• 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 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