The Atlanta Campaign of 1864

By Zeke

You people of the South don't know what you are doing. This country will be drenched in blood, and God only knows how it will end. It is all folly, madness, a crime against civilization! You people speak so lightly of war; you don't know what you're talking about. War is a terrible thing! You mistake, too, the people of the North. They are a peaceable people but an earnest people, and they will fight, too. They are not going to let this country be destroyed without a mighty effort to save it… Besides, where are your men and appliances of war to contend against them? The North can make a steam engine, locomotive, or railway car; hardly a yard of cloth or pair of shoes can you make. You are rushing into war with one of the most powerful, ingeniously mechanical, and determined people on Earth — right at your doors. You are bound to fail.

Only in your spirit and determination are you prepared for war. In all else you are totally unprepared, with a bad cause to start with. At first you will make headway, but as your limited resources begin to fail, shut out from the markets of Europe as you will be, your cause will begin to wane. If your people will but stop and think, they must see in the end that you will surely fail. William Tecumseh Sherman in a letter to Professor David F. Boyd at the Louisiana State Seminary (24th December 1860)

The American Civil War has been raging for nearly three years

The country is effectively spilt into two halves

United States of America

Confederate States of America

In the East Robert E. Lee and his famed Army of Northern Virginia confound their Union opponents and inflict a string of humiliating defeats culminating at Chancellorsville.

In the West However it is the Union were prevailing with Maj. Gen. U. S Grant winning a string of victories finishing with the capture of the rebel citadel of Vicksburg in July 1863.

At virtually the same time as the fall of Vicksburg Lee is defeated at the Battle of Gettysburg. The Union seem to be gaining the upper hand…..

But Lee and his army is allowed to escape and the war falls into a virtual stalemate…..

In Washington a hugely frustrated Abraham Lincoln now faces the almost impossible task not only fighting and winning a civil war but also a Presidential election…….

….It’s an election most believe he cannot win.

He desperately needs another victory on Confederate soil….

In November 1863 the town of Chattanooga known as the "Gateway to the South” was captured by Union Forces under the command of Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant after a brilliant campaign that culminated with the battle of Lookout Mountain and the following day with the Battle of Missionary Ridge

Confederate commander Gen Braxton Bragg humiliated by these defeats resigns his command on 29th November 1864

Grant was soon promoted to Lt General of all Federal Forces and he left for Washington leaving his Western forces under the control of his friend and able lieutenant Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman. Sherman drew his forces together amassing a force of over 100,000 men split between 3 Union armies they were now poised to march into Georgia .

Opposing Sherman in Georgia was the newly installed General Joseph E. Johnson and the Army of Tennessee with 50 - 55,000 men.

“Gosh I’d follow that man to Hell!” - A young drummer on seeing Sherman

“You may have to before this campaign is over!” - a nearby older soldier remarked

Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas's - Army of the Cumberland: This was the largest force in Sherman command comprising of around 60,000 men: Maj. Gen. Oliver O. Howard (IV Corps), Maj. Gen. John M. Palmer (XIV Corps), Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker (XX Corps) and Brig. Gen. Washington L. Elliott (Cavalry Corps)Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson's Army of the Tennessee. This force had been Sherman’s prior to his promotion force comprised of 30,000 men Maj. Gen. John A. Logan (XV Corps), Maj. Gen. Grenville M. Dodge (XVI Corps), and Maj. Gen. Frank P. Blair, Jr. (XVII Corps)Maj. Gen. John M. Schofield's Army of the Ohio, consisting of Schofield's XXIII Corps and a cavalry division commanded by Maj. Gen. George Stoneman. The smallest force it number around 11,000

A superb organiser Sherman based at Nashville and then later Chattanooga formed his force into the ‘Military Division of the Mississippi’ this unassuming named command actually consisted of three armies and was second only in size to Meade’s Army of the Potomac in the East.

Sherman

Johnston

Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee – ‘Hardee’s Corps’ included the divisions of Maj. Gen’s Benjamin F. Cheatham, Patrick R. Cleburne, William H.T. Walker, and William B. Bate.

Lt. Gen. John Bell Hood – ‘Hood’s Corps’ included the divisions of Maj. Gen’s Thomas C. Hindman, Carter L. Stevenson, and Alexander P. Stewart.

Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk – ‘Polk’s Corps’ (also called the Army of Mississippi) with the infantry divisions of Maj. Gen’s William W. Loring, Samuel G. French, and Edward C. Walthall, and a cavalry division under Brig. Gen. William Hicks Jackson.Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler – ‘Wheeler’s Cavalry Corps’ with the divisions of Maj. Gen William T. Martin and Brig. Gen’s John H. Kelly and William Y.C. Humes.

Against this force was General Joseph E. Johnston and the Army of Tennessee. Johnston’s army based in Dalton numbered around 50-55,000 men at the start of the campaign. It would be organised into 4 Army Corps (reinforcements from Alabama would soon swell the ranks to around 68,000 men)

"In this army one hole in the seat of the breeches indicates a Captain, two holes a Lieutenant and the seat of the pants all out indicates the individual is a private." An unknown Texan outside of Atlanta in 1864

Sherman

Johnston

Atlanta

Sherman’s orders from Grant were simple: Strike at the interior of the South and cripple confederate forces in the area.

Sherman was well aware of the strategic significance of the city of Atlanta. It was a main transport hub and one of the few remaining centres of manufacture and supply for the Confederate war effort.

i.e. Destroy The Army of Tennessee

Johnston

If Atlanta was therefore threatened Johnson and the Army of Tennessee would be forced to defend it.

Atlanta

Fighting breaks out April 24th 1864 with forward Union Scouts Skirmishing with Confederate pickets around Tunnel Hill in the following days fighting breaks out around Ringgold, Varnell, Catoosa Springs and Red Clay.

This is followed by a series of Battles starting from the 8th May 1864 at……

Dug Gap May 8th

Rocky Face Ridge May 7th–13th

Resaca May 13th–15th

Adairsville May 17th

New Hope Church & Pickett's Mill May 25th–27th

Dallas, Ga. May 26th-June 4th

Kennesaw Mountain June 27th

Marietta June 9th-July 3rd & Kolb’s Farm June 22nd

At New Hope Church

Federals were

repulsed men referred

to it as "H

ell's Hole."

On June 14th 1864 Confederate Corps commander Lt Gen Leonidas Pope is killed by artillery fire. He was hit by a Federal 3-inch at Pine

Mountain The artillery fire was initiated when Sherman spotted a cluster of Confederate officers which turned out to be the unfortunate Polk, Hardee, Johnston and their staffs in an exposed area.

June 27th 1864 At Kennesaw Mountain Sherman relents from

his flanking move and assaults the heights of Kennesaw mountain. The attacks were poorly coordinated and the Federals were bloodily repulsed losing over 3,100 men

confederate losses were fewer than a 1000 men

"Sherman will never go to hell. He'll flank the devil and make heaven despite the guards!" -An unknown Confederate Soldier

Atlanta

After a series of heavy skirmishes Johnston telegraphs Richmond that he is withdrawing once again to around Peach Tree Creek only a few miles from Atlanta.

President Jefferson Davis is deeply concerned by Johnson’s defensive tactics as they appear only to concede ground to the enemy….. On the 17th July 1864 Davis relieves Gen. Joseph E. Johnston of command of the Army of Tennessee.

It proves a deeply unpopular decision to the men in the Confederate ranks….

…But is much approved of in the Union ranks

On hearing of Johnston’s removal Sherman asked about his new opponent John Bell Hood General Howard remembered him as a cadet as “a rather think headed fellow.” But General Schofield knew Hood better…..

“He’ll hit like hell itself!”

Atlanta

Peachtree Creek 20th July

Atlanta 22nd July

Ezra Church 28th July

Utoy Creek 4th -7th Aug

Lovejoy's Station 20th Aug

Jonesborough 31st Aug – 1st Sept

In a fateful decision a desperate Davis orders John Bell Hood to take command of the Army of Tennessee. Offensively minded and seeing an opportunity to attack part of Sherman’s force he therefore immediately goes on the offensive…..

July 20th 1864 At Peach Tree Creek the newly appointed John Bell Hood launches a frontal assault against the Thomas’ Army of the Cumberland. Hood loses 2,700 men in savage fighting before being forced back by their Federal Foe - Union losses numbered

some 1,900 men.

July 22nd 1864 Maj. Gen. James Birdseye McPherson commander of The Army of Tennessee is killed near the town of Decatur whilst riding his horse with a single aide toward his old XVII Corps, a line of Confederates from Hood Corps appeared, shouting for them to surrender. McPherson raised his hand as if to removed his hat and wheeled his horse attempting to escape, the Confederates opened fire and mortally wounded McPherson he raised only a wry smile before dying. He is replaced by Maj. Gen. Oliver Howard

July 28th 1864 Hood launches another frontal assault against federal forces near Ezra Church Confederate losses were over 3,000 whilst fewer than 700 federals fell Among the Confederate wounded was newly appointed corps commander Alexander P. Stewart.

August 4th –7th 1864 Federal forces – Schofield’s Army of the Ohio are halted and then repulsed by Hoods entrenched force at Utoy Creek. The federals lose over 850 men Confederate losses were far lower numbering fewer than 50 men. This rare Union reversal forces

Sherman to change tactics and move on the confederate lines of communication instead.

August 31st –September 1st 1864 – Lt. Gen. William J Hardee and two Confederate corps were sent by Hood the Union troops near Jonesboro. However, Hood failed to realize that most of Sherman's army was approaching in force causing Hardee and his command to be vastly outnumbered. Hardee launched a frontal assault against entrenched union forces resulting in high losses. The following day the Union forces launched a massive counter attack and after hard fighting routed Hardee’s men – Confederate losses numbered 2,700 compared to 1,100 Federal casualties.

Browns Mill 30th July

Atlanta

As many men as Joe Johnston had lost in 8 months

In the space of a 8 weeks Hood loses over 9,000 men

On September 3rd Sherman wires

Washington "Atlanta is ours, and fairly won"

Henry Slocum's XX Corps moves into Atlanta on the 2nd September 1864, accepting the surrender of the city from Mayor James Calhoun.  

Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman ‘The Conquer of Atlanta’ was now a national hero in the north – But he was feared and vilified in the south where he would later ‘make Georgia howl’ famously marching his army through Georgia to the city of Savannah, presenting it as a Christmas present to a delighted Abraham Lincoln in Washington.

On April 26th 1865 he accepted the surrender of his old foe Gen. Joseph E. Johnston and all remaining confederate forces at the Bennett Place in Durham, North Carolina. After the war he would rise to the rank of Lt. General and died on February 14th 1891 (aged 71). Today he is widely regarded as one of the greatest generals in US military history.

John Bell Hood remained as commander of the Army of Tennessee after the fall of Atlanta. In November 1864 he marched his supply-starved Army of the Tennessee into the state of which the army was named. At Franklin (Nov 30th 1864) and then Nashville (Dec 15th –16th 1864) this once proud army was destroyed by forces under Maj. Gen. John Schofield and Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas. Hood resigns his command the following month and returned to Richmond in February 1865, He commands no further troops during the war and surrendered himself in Natchez, Mississippi, where he was paroled in May 1865.

After the war he makes his living selling insurance however his business is ruined by a yellow fever epidemic in New Orleans in the winter of 1878. Hood himself succumbed to the disease the following year and dies on 30th August 1879 aged just 48. He remains one of the most misunderstood generals of the civil war.

Joseph E Johnston was given command of the remaining fragments of the Army of Tennessee in January 1865 along with the Department of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida he would fight Sherman one more time at Bentonville March 19th–21th 1865 but was forced back in retreat Johnston surrendered his command the next month at the Bennett Place in Durham, North Carolina. Less famous than Appomattox it was actually the site of the largest surrender of Confederate soldiers and effectively ended the American Civil War

Johnston would never forgive Jefferson Davis for removing him from command in 1864. Never popular with Richmond – ‘Old Joe’ was second only to Robert E. Lee in the affection of the officers and men who served under him.

After the war Sherman and Johnston became firm friends and would meet regularly to discuss past battles

When Sherman died in February 1891 one of the honorary Pall-bearers at his state funeral ( Feb 19th 1891) was an aging Joseph E. Johnston. A bitterly cold day he refused to wear his hat telling an aide “If I were in his place and he were standing here in mine, he would not put on his hat."

The frail 84 year old Johnston caught a cold that day that turned into pneumonia and he died just 10 days later.

November 8th 1864 Abraham Lincoln achieved what nobody thought was possible earlier that year and won re-election as President of the United States of America.

There is little doubt that the fall of Atlanta greatly assisted Lincoln in his task.

“Fervently do we pray—that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue, until all the wealth piled by the bond-man's 250 years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said 3,000 years ago, so still it must be said, the judgments of the Lord, are true and righteous altogether. With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan – to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.” Abraham Lincoln in his second inaugural address March 4th, 1865

In the crowd that day was the young actor named John Wilkes Booth

He must not have been listening to Lincoln’s words

Lincoln was shot and mortally wounded in the Ford’s Theatre in Washington on the 14th April 1865. He died the next day leaving the country distraught with grief.

But he had forever changed America as a nation and freed an entire people of its chains. Today Abraham Lincoln is regarded as one of the greatest political figures in American and World history

Sherman left Atlanta on November 15th 1864…..

He would never return to the City. 

Before leaving Sherman gives orders for the business district of Atlanta to be reduced and for the population of the city to be vacated by civilians - by force if necessary

Its a tactic that Sherman faces criticism over both in the South but also in the North after the war the Ohioan will famously say: "war is cruelty and you cannot refine it"

nearly 40 percent of the city was destroyed by fire

Atlanta would never forgive Sherman for his actions

The Fall of Atlanta was one of the biggest blows to the Confederacy during the war.Confederate casualties by the end of the campaign numbered 34,979 - 3,044 Men killed,18,952 wounded, 12,983 missing or captured.

Union casualties totalled 31,687 - 4,423 men killed, 22,822 wounded,4,442 missing or captured. But they had achieved one of the greatest victories of the war

The Fall of Atlanta did not diminish the will of the people of the South to fight on

The war would continue for another 8 months

By it’s end over 622,000 lives had been lost

2% of the entire population

Today it would equate to almost 6.3 Million

To the fallen of the Civil War – Less we forget

Presentation made for Zeke’s Atlanta 1864 OOB Pack a MOD for ……

The End ……

For now!!….Zeke

Thankyou to the creators and contributors of this amazing game and a special thanks to all the modder's out there in The SOWG forum: http://www.norbsoftdev.net/forum/modificationsScourge of War Website: http://www.scourgeofwar.com/index.shtml