Overview
The First Battle of Dalton was fought in Whitfield County, Georgia, from February 22 through February 27, 1864, prior to the start of the Atlanta Campaign. General George Thomas and his Union forces tested General Joseph E. Johnston’s Confederate defenses near Rocky Face Ridge after Confederate troops left Georgia to reinforce forces in Mississippi. Thomas withdrew after Johnston’s soldiers returned to Dalton, resulting in a Confederate victory.
Essential Facts
- Date: February 22–27, 1864.
- Location: Whitfield County, Georgia.
- Participants: United States of America (USA), Confederate States of America (CSA).
- USA Commanders: George Thomas.
- CSA Commanders: Joseph E. Johnston.
- Who Won: The Confederate States won the First Battle of Dalton.
- Campaign: Atlanta Campaign (1864).
- Era: Civil War, 1864, January–June, Civil War.
Statistics
United States of America
- Casualties: 140 soldiers killed, wounded, missing, or captured.
- Forces Engaged: Army of the Cumberland.
- Troop Strength: Unknown.
Confederate States of America
- Casualties: 300 soldiers killed, wounded, missing, or captured.
- Forces Engaged: Army of Tennessee.
- Troop Strength: Unknown.
Significance
The First Battle of Dalton is important to American History because it tested Confederate defenses in northern Georgia before the Atlanta Campaign. General George Thomas could not force General Joseph E. Johnston from his strong position near Rocky Face Ridge, especially after Confederate troops returned from Mississippi. However, the operation allowed Thomas and his officers to gather useful information about the terrain and Johnston’s defenses. Although the Confederacy held Dalton and forced the Union army to withdraw, the knowledge gained from the fighting later helped Union forces in operations at Rocky Face Ridge during the Atlanta Campaign.
History
In September 1863, Confederate General Braxton Bragg’s Army of Tennessee was attempting to recapture Chattanooga, Tennessee, from federal forces by besieging the city. Union leaders responded by sending Major General Ulysses S. Grant and reinforcements to Chattanooga with designs to break the siege. After establishing a new supply line into the city, Grant ordered a breakout offensive in late November that successfully drove Bragg’s army back into northern Georgia.
Sherman on the Move
Following the breakout at Chattanooga, Grant sent Major General William T. Sherman with 25,000 soldiers to relieve Union forces at Knoxville, which was under siege by Confederate General James Longstreet. After helping drive Longstreet away from Knoxville, Sherman returned to Ohio, where he spent Christmas with his family. In February, he traveled to Vicksburg, where he started a campaign against General Leonidas Polk’s troops at Meridian, Mississippi. Confederate President Jefferson Davis countered Sherman’s threat against Meridian by ordering General Joseph Johnston, who had replaced Bragg, to send troops to reinforce Polk.
Thomas Clashes with Johnston at Dalton
When Grant learned that Davis had reduced the size of Johnston’s force in Georgia, he ordered Major General George Thomas, commanding the Army of the Cumberland, to probe Johnston’s depleted defenses at Rocky Face Ridge, near Dalton, on February 22, 1864. The Federals enjoyed some success in early skirmishing, but Thomas found Johnston’s position to be strong.
When Polk withdrew from Meridian, Johnston’s soldiers returned to Dalton. Facing a larger foe, Thomas withdrew from the area on February 27.
Aftermath
Casualties at the First Battle of Dalton were light on both sides. The Union lost fewer than 300 soldiers (killed, wounded, captured, or missing), while the Confederacy lost roughly 140 men. Although Thomas could not remove Johnston from his defenses, his reconnaissance proved valuable at the Battle of Rocky Face Ridge in August during the Atlanta Campaign.
Timeline
- 1863, November — Union forces under Ulysses S. Grant lifted the Confederate Siege of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
- Union forces won the Battle of Lookout Mountain (November 24)
- Union forces won the Battle of Missionary Ridge (November 25).
- Confederate forces marched southward to Dalton, Georgia.
- 1863, December — William T. Sherman spent Christmas with his family in Ohio after helping force James Longstreet away from Knoxville.
- 1864, February — Sherman traveled to Vicksburg and launched a campaign against Leonidas Polk’s troops at Meridian, Mississippi.
- 1864, February 22 — George H. Thomas moved against Joseph E. Johnston’s defenses at Rocky Face Ridge, initiating the First Battle of Dalton, which resulted in a Confederate victory.
- 1864, February 25 — Union and Confederate forces engaged in the inconclusive Battle of Crow Valley, near Dalton.
- 1864, February 27 — Thomas withdrew after Johnston’s soldiers returned to Dalton.
AP US History
Definition
First Battle of Dalton (1864) — The First Battle of Dalton was fought in Whitfield County, Georgia, from February 22 through February 27, 1864. Union General George Thomas led the Army of the Cumberland against Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston’s Army of Tennessee. Thomas tested Johnston’s defenses after Confederate troops were sent to Mississippi, gained limited success in early fighting, and found the position at Rocky Face Ridge too strong. Johnston’s troops returned to Dalton, and Thomas withdrew, giving the Confederacy the victory.
Alignment
The First Battle of Dalton is part of the following AP US History sections:
