Andrew Rapp
Battle of Atlanta
Date/ Location
July 22nd- September 2nd, 1864 (Paul)
The Battle of Atlanta was fought on the outskirts of Atlanta.
Union Objectives
Major General William T. Sherman was the Union Commander of the Battle of Atlanta. Sherman's goal was to capture Atlanta city, the second most fortified city in the Confederacy, and crush the confederate army pushing them deeper south so they could not go to the aid of Lee in Virginia (HistoryNet & Webb). Also a decisive victory was needed badly for the Union as most of the Union forces were in dead lock across the east (Brinkley. 343). If Sherman could capture Atlanta then there would be boosted Northern morale in the war effort which would be critical in recapturing the south. If Sherman is defeated it is likely that the Northern people would lose interest in the war and give up on the war.
Confederate Objective
General John B. Hood was the Confederate Commander of the Battle of Atlanta (HistoryNet). Hood's goal was to hold off Sherman at all costs and to try and destroy the Union's Atlanta campaign. If Hood can hold off Sherman and potentially push him out of Georgia then the Northern people could lose all interest in the costly war and leave the south be. If Hood loses Atlanta then the heart of the south is captured and Sherman can go on rampage across the south crushing the rebels supplies and homeland destroying their morale into submission (Paul).
Summary of the Battle
The Battle of Atlanta began on July 22nd when an elaborate Confederate attack went terribly wrong (Civilwar.org). The Confederates miscalculated the time it would take to get behind Union General McPherson's left rear and instead of attacking at day break when they were supposed to, the Confederates attacked around noon (Civilwar.org). Hood's plan was to crush McPherson's force and then push through the Union forces and attack Sherman. Hood hoped the end result would be to crush Sherman's force and force them back north away from Atlanta (Civilwar.org). Confederate Major General W.H.T. Walker was killed in setting up his men for the attack which was a big dilemma but soon Union Major General James B. McPherson was also killed (AboutNorthGeorgia). The Confederates pushed back the Union at great cost capturing the artillery but soon the Union rallied and pushed the Confederates back (HistoryNet). That day alone 3,722 Union soldiers were killed in comparison to the estimated 5,500 Confederate deaths (Civilwar.org). The Union destroyed railroads into the city starving out the Confederates. Hood and his weakened Confederate force left the city, and on September 2nd, Sherman and the Union forces took control over the city. The Union had won the Battle of Atlanta (NPS). The end casualties were 8499 Confederates and 3641 Unions (NPS).
Outcome
The Battle of Atlanta boosted Northern morale and boosted support for the Republicans. Soon thereafter Abraham Lincoln won election for a second term crushing his opponent McClellan 212 to 21 electoral votes (Brinkley.343). Now that Sherman had control of Atlanta the North crushed the morale of the deep south and afterwards Sherman's famous March to the Sea destroyed Confederate supplies and ravaged the countryside in Georgia (NPS). The capture of the Atlanta was a foreshadowing to the soon Union victory in the war as the South was now in Union control.
Citations
Pictures
Background- https://i1.wp.com/i25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/rs13141/Dec%2012%20Cheatham%20Hill/100_1330.jpg
Battle Scene on Left- http://s3-media4.ak.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/hd69YJTD2c9R5MG-vyM-aA/l.jpg
Battle Scene on Right- http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/the-battle-of-atlanta-july-22-1864-everett.jpg
Confederate Flag- http://www.confederatecolonel.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_7465_cr.jpg
Map of the Battle of Atlanta- http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/atlanta/atlanta-maps/atlanta-july-22-1864.jpg
"The Battle of Atlanta." Council on Foreign Relations. Council on Foreign Relations, n.d. Web. 18 Jan. 2016.
United States. National Park Service. "Battle Summary: Atlanta, GA." National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, n.d. Web. 18 Jan. 2016.
Historynet. "Battle Of Atlanta." History Net Where History Comes Alive World US History Online. History Net, n.d. Web. 18 Jan. 2016.
Paul. "The Battle For Atlanta." The Battle For Atlanta. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Jan. 2016
AboutNorthGeorgia. "Battle of Atlanta." Battle of Atlanta. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Jan. 2016.
Brinkley, Alan. The Unfinished Nation: A Concise History of the American People. Vol. 1. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2004. Print.
Garrison, Webb B. A Treasury of Civil War Tales. Nashville, TN: Rutledge Hill, 1988. Print.
