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

‘on empty rifles’ by Rick Reeves

‘to the last round’ by Keith Rocco

‘Cleburne at Chickamauga, 2nd Tennessee regiment’ by Don Troiani

‘Alabama valor – Dixie pride’ by Rick Reeves

‘triumph at Chickamauga’ by John Paul Strain

Chickamauga (september 19-20 1863)

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

General Bragg’s plan on september 19 called for his army to complete its crossing of Chickamauga creek and commence a drive south toward Lee and Gordon’s mill, where he believed the left flank of the federal army of the Cumberland was located.

Chickamauga campaign (september 10-18 1863)

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

General Rosecrans’s decision to pursue the confederate army of Tennessee into the mountains of northern Georgia was based upon the overt testimony of deserters, and his own intuitive belief that Bragg was beaten.

Chickamauga 1863 – background to battle

source : ‘Chickamauga 1863 – the river of death’ campaign 017, Osprey publishing

In mid-summer 1863 the end appeared near for the Confederate States of America.

‘the bloody sixth’ by Rick Reeves

‘eagle of the 8th’ by Don Troiani

siege and capture of Vicksburg (18 may – 4 july 1863)

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

The army of the Tennessee crossed the Big Black river on may 17, and closed on Vicksburg.

‘general of the Confederacy’ by Don Troiani

Grant’s second Vicksburg campaign phase 2 (may 2-17 1863)

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

Having secured his beachhead, Grant assessed his options: attacking Vicksburg from the south would capture the city, but Pemberton would escape northeast; Grant could march east and strike the Southern railroads, pivot west, and close on Vicksburg from the east.

Grant’s second Vicksburg campaign phase 1 (january 8 – may 2 1863)

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

Grant determined to operate against Vicksburg from a base on the Mississippi, and in the last days of january 1863 he established his headquarters at Milliken’s Bend.