Battle of Marietta facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Marietta
Part of the American Civil War
Attack on the Enemy's Centre, Near Marietta, Georgia
Date June 9, 1864– July 3, 1864 Location Cobb County, Georgia Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States (Union)	CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
William T. Sherman	Joseph E. Johnston Leonidas Polk  †
Units involved
Military Division of the Mississippi	Army of Tennessee
Casualties and losses
unknown	unknown

The Battle of Marietta was a series of important military actions during the American Civil War. These events took place from June 9 to July 3, 1864, in Cobb County, Georgia. It was a fight between the Union army and the Confederate army.

The Union forces were led by Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman. They faced the Confederate Army of Tennessee, commanded by Gen. Joseph E. Johnston. The Confederate army had set up strong defenses near Marietta, Georgia.

Key Battles and Movements

Map showing the battlefields around Marietta, Georgia.

During these four weeks, several smaller battles happened. These included the battles of Pine Mountain (June 14), Gilgal Church (June 15), Kolb's Farm (June 22), and Kennesaw Mountain (June 27).

General Sherman used clever tactics to try and force the Confederates out of their strong positions. He tried to move his troops around Johnston's army to threaten their supply lines. This strategy worked partly, as Johnston had to move some of his forces on June 18. However, the Union army did not fully win until July 3.

Death of a Confederate General

On June 14, 1864, a sad event happened for the Confederates. General Leonidas Polk was killed during the fighting. He was a high-ranking Confederate officer. Polk was also a second cousin to former U.S. President James K. Polk.

General Polk was looking at the Union army's positions near Marietta. He was with other officers, including Generals William J. Hardee and Johnston. They were in an open area when Union General Sherman spotted them. Sherman ordered his artillery to fire at the group.

A Union battery, the 5th Indiana Battery, quickly fired its cannons. The first shots landed close to the officers. The third shell hit General Polk, causing a fatal injury. He died instantly. This was a significant loss for the Confederate army.