The fall of Atlanta and Sherman’s march

source : ‘the American civil war story’ BBC history magazine

While Grant was entrenching outside Petersburg, Union forces under the command of general William T Sherman made a momentous breakthrough at Atlanta, which fell to Union forces on 2 september 1864.

Atlanta campaign : final phase (august 1 – september 2 1864)

source : ‘the atlas of the civil war’ by James M. McPherson, Courage Books, 2005

On august 10, hoping to take advantage of the virtual destruction of two federal cavalry divisions at the end of july, Hood dispatched the bulk of Wheeler’s cavalry across the Chattahoochee river into northern Georgia.

‘DeGress’ battery’ by Don Troiani

battles for Atlanta (july 20-28 1864)

source : ‘the atlas of the civil war’ by James M. McPherson, Courage Books, 2005

On july 17, confederate president Jefferson Davis, displeased with Johnston’s failure to stop Sherman’s advance and doubting that he would make a determined effort to defend Atlanta, removed Johnston from command and replace him with John B Hood, who had a well-deserved reputation as a bold, aggressive fighter.

‘thunder on little Kennesaw’ by Don Troiani

Sherman’s Atlanta campaign (may 21 – july 9 1864)

source : ‘the atlas of the civil war’ by James M. McPherson, Courage Books, 2005

After crossing the Etowah, Johnston took up another impregnable position at Allatoona.

Sherman’s Atlanta campaign : phase 1 (may 7-20 1864)

source : ‘the atlas of the civil war’ by James M. McPherson, Courage Books, 2005

By early may, Sherman had assembled a force of 100.000 men in Chattanooga area.

‘valiant sons of Arkansas’ by Rick Reeves

‘the gray wall’ by Don Troiani

campaign of Atlanta GA (may 7 – september 1 1864)

‘Pickett’s mill’ by Rick Reeves