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Atlanta Campaign facts for kids

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The Atlanta Campaign was a major series of battles during the American Civil War. It happened from May 6 to September 2, 1864. This important campaign was led by Union Army General William T. Sherman. His main goals were to defeat the Confederate Army of Tennessee and capture the key city of Atlanta. Sherman did capture Atlanta, which was a big win for the Union.

Why the Campaign Happened

The American Civil War had been going on for three years. Ulysses S. Grant became the main commander of the Union Army. The Confederates, though smaller, had often won battles by moving their troops quickly. Grant decided to change this. He wanted all Union armies to attack the Confederates at the same time. This would stop the smaller Southern armies from moving around.

Grant himself would lead the Army of the Potomac against Confederate General Robert E. Lee near Richmond. Richmond was the capital city of the Confederacy. At the same time, General Sherman would move his army towards Atlanta. Atlanta was the second-largest city in the South. Capturing Atlanta would help end the war faster. It would also help President Abraham Lincoln win reelection in November. If they failed, the Southern states might stay separate forever.

The Campaign Begins

By 1864, the Confederates knew they couldn't fully defeat the stronger Union army. Their plan was to keep fighting until the Union got tired and asked for peace. General Lee had to protect Richmond. General Joseph E. Johnston had to defend Atlanta and keep their supply lines open.

Sherman had over 100,000 soldiers, divided into three armies. Johnston had about 53,800 men, later getting 15,000 more. Even with more troops, Johnston's army was still only about half the size of Sherman's. In the first few weeks, Sherman pushed Johnston's Confederates back. Sherman often sent two of his armies to fight Johnston. A third army, led by James B. McPherson, would threaten Johnston's supply lines. McPherson's army also used flanking maneuvers, moving around the side of the enemy.

Sherman's armies kept moving closer to Atlanta. Johnston's armies kept falling back. Finally, Johnston retreated into Atlanta around July 9–10. Confederate President Jefferson Davis was unhappy that Johnston hadn't stopped Sherman. He removed Johnston from command. John B. Hood, Johnston's second-in-command, took over. Hood had a very tough job. Sherman's army was only five miles from Atlanta when Hood became commander.

The Siege of Atlanta

On July 20, Hood ordered his men to attack Sherman's army. These attacks failed. By July 22, Hood had lost about 8,000 men, while Sherman lost around 3,000. Hood's army retreated back into Atlanta. Sherman then set up his cannons and began to bombard Atlanta. This shelling lasted for a month.

Later, Sherman moved most of his armies away from Atlanta, leaving only a small force. Hood's army followed them to Jonesboro, Georgia. This was a trap. Sherman's army cut off Hood's escape route back to Atlanta. The Battle of Jonesborough lasted two days, ending on September 1. After losing many soldiers, Hood's remaining army burned their supplies and ammunition. They then left Atlanta.

Sherman then took control of Atlanta. This was a huge loss for the Confederacy. It almost guaranteed that President Lincoln would win reelection. The capture of Atlanta also led to Sherman's next big campaign, called Sherman's March to the Sea.


Images for kids

  • Atlanta campaign

    Atlanta Campaign 1864

  • ATLANTA OM1

    ATLANTA CAMPAIGN, Union advance: Chattanooga to Etowah (May 7–19, 1864).

  • ATLANTA OM2

    ATLANTA CAMPAIGN, Union advance: Etowah River to Jonesboro (May 23 – September 2, 1864).

  • ATLANTA OM3

    ATLANTA CAMPAIGN: Atlanta and Vicinity (Summer 1864).

  • Thure de Thulstrup - Siege of Atlanta

    The Siege of Atlanta by Thure de Thulstrup (c. 1888)

  • Potter house atlanta

    Palisades and chevaux-de-frise in front of the Ponder House, Atlanta, Georgia, 1864

  • Atlanta, GA, 1864. Destruction of Hood's Ordnance train, Georgia Central Railroad

    Ruins of Rolling Mill and railroad cars destroyed by rebels on evacuation of Atlanta, Ga.

  • Atlanta roundhouse ruin3

    Roundhouse in Atlanta, following extensive damage from the Atlanta Campaign. Digitally restored albumen print, 1866.

  • William-Tecumseh-Sherman
    Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman
  • George Henry Thomas - Brady-Handy
    Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas
  • Brady-GeneralMcPherson
    Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson
  • John Schofield
    Maj. Gen. John Schofield
  • Oliver Otis Howard
    Maj. Gen. Oliver O. Howard
  • Lt. Gen. John B. Hood
    Lt. Gen. John Bell Hood
  • William J. Hardee
    Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee
  • Polk, Leonidas, 1806-1864
    Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk
  • JWheelerCSAGenseated
    Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler
  • SHERMAN'S MARCHES

    Map 1: Sherman's advance: Tennessee, Georgia and Carolinas (1863–65).

  • ATLANTA CAMPAIGN MAP 1

    Map 2: Atlanta Campaign: First epoch.

  • ATLANTA CAMPAIGN MAP 2

    Map 3: Atlanta Campaign: Second epoch.

  • ATLANTA CAMPAIGN MAP 3

    Map 3: Atlanta Campaign: Third epoch.

  • ATLANTA CAMPAIGN MAPS 4-5

    Maps 4-5: Atlanta Campaign: Fourth and Fifth epoch.

  • ATLANTA CAMPAIGN MAP 6 (SIEGE)

    Map 6: Atlanta Campaign: Siege of Atlanta.

  • Atlanta Campaign May7-Jul2

    Map 1: The Atlanta Campaign from Dalton to Kennesaw Mountain (May 7 – July 2, 1864).

  • Kennesaw Mountain

    Map 2: Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, June 27, 1864.

  • BATTLE OF PEACHTREE CREEK

    Map 3: A sketch of the Battle of Peachtree Creek, July 20, 1864.

  • BATTLE OF ATLANTA

    Map 3: A sketch of the Battle of Atlanta, July 22, 1864.

  • BATTLE OF EZRA CHURCH

    Maps 4-5: A sketch of the Battle of Ezra Church, July 28, 1864.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Campaña de Atlanta para niños

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