Atlanta Campaign

Overview

The Atlanta campaign was a series of battles fought in the western theater of the American Civil War throughout northwest Georgia and the area around Atlanta during the summer of 1864. Union Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman invaded Georgia from the vicinity of Chattanooga, Tennessee, beginning in May 1864, opposed by the Confederate general Joseph E. Johnston.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

The Atlanta Campaign was a sustained Union offensive through northwest Georgia during the summer of 1864, constituting a central operation in the western theater of the American Civil War. Union Major General William T. Sherman advanced from the vicinity of Chattanooga, Tennessee, into Georgia opposed by Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston. The Union force of over 112,000 men faced a Confederate army of approximately 60,000. Combined casualties exceeded 66,000 across both sides. Command of the Confederate Army of Tennessee passed from Johnston to John B. Hood during the campaign. The fall of Atlanta carried significant strategic and political weight within the broader conflict of 1864.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (13)