First Battle of Dalton Facts

February 22–27, 1864

First Dalton Battle facts, including dates, location, casualties, leaders, who won, and more interesting facts you might not know. This fact sheet provides a quick overview of the battle and is for kids doing research and students preparing for the AP U.S. History (APUSH) exam.

George Henry Thomas, Civil War General

Major General Thomas (pictured here) could not force Confederate General Joseph Johnston’s force from their defenses at the First Battle of Dalton, but his reconnaissance proved valuable at the Battle of Rocky Face Ridge in August. [Wikimedia Commons]

Date:

  • February 22 – February 27, 1864

Location:

  • Whitfield County, Georgia

Campaign:

  • Atlanta

Principal Union commander(s):

  • Major General George Thomas

Principal Confederate commander(s):

  • General Joseph E. Johnston

Union forces engaged:

  • Army of the Cumberland

Confederate forces engaged:

  • Army of Tennessee

Number of Union soldiers engaged:

  • Undetermined

Number of Confederate soldiers engaged:

  • Undetermined

Estimated Union casualties:

  • 140 (killed, wounded and missing/captured)

Estimated Confederate casualties:

  • 300 (killed, wounded and missing/captured)

Result:

  • Confederate victory