why was the battle of atlanta significant to the course of the civil war

Atlanta became a target because of its unique political, economic, and psychological importance to the Confederacy. It was a principal railroad hub, a vital source of material support for the war effort, and a bastion of hope for the South as its military fortunes waned.

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Why did Sherman burn much of Atlanta?

Why did William Sherman burn Atlanta? Through October, Sherman built up a massive cache of supplies in Atlanta. He then ordered a systematic destruction of the city to prevent the Confederates from recovering anything once the Yankees had abandoned it .

Why was Atlanta important to the US Civil War?

• The General Hospital was located on the fairground, on Fair Street.
• The Distribution Hospital was located on the southeast corner of Alabama and Pryor Streets.
• The Atlanta Female Institute on Courtland Street was used as a hospital.
• The Atlanta Medical College was used as a surgical hospital.

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Why was Atlanta such an important city for the Confederacy?

Why was Atlanta so important to the Confederate war effort? A tlanta was a major strategic city for the Confederacy that served as a railroad terminus, supply depot, and manufacturing hub. Given Atlanta’s position south of the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia, capturing the city would severely threaten the stability of the Confederacy.

Why was the Battle of Bosworth so important?

These were:

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• Mediterranean Theatre (Principally British Commonwealth with US support vs. ...
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Why is the Battle of Atlanta important to the Civil War?

Atlanta Campaign, in the American Civil War, an important series of battles in Georgia (May–September 1864) that eventually cut off a main Confederate supply centre and influenced the Federal presidential election of 1864.

What was the impact of the Atlanta battle?

The impact of the fall of Atlanta was instrumental in the eventual victory for the Federal forces. It boosted morale in the North and insured the reelection of President Abraham Lincoln which meant that the war would continue to the South's capitulation.

Why did Atlanta become an important goal for the Union?

Because of its location and commercial importance, Atlanta was used as a center for military operations and as a supply route by the Confederate army during the Civil War. Therefore, it also became a target for the Union army. General William Tecumseh Sherman and his troops captured the city in 1864.

What is an interesting fact about the Battle of Atlanta?

Of the 34,863 Union troops engaged at the Battle of Atlanta, 3,722 were killed, wounded, captured, or reported missing. Confederate forces suffered an estimated 5,500 casualties of the 40,438 engaged. The battle had special significance for Abraham Lincoln, who was seeking a second term as U.S. president.

Who was the general who fought in the Battle of Atlanta?

Before the Battle. On July 21, 1864, Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman ’s three armies are separated on the outskirts of Atlanta. Major General James B. McPherson ’s Army of the Tennessee, facing Atlanta from the east astride the Georgia Railroad, has its left flank “in the air” (Sherman has sent his cavalry to wreck the railroad further east).

What was the name of the battle that Hood ordered the Confederates to attack?

At the end of the afternoon, the Confederates retire back to their initial positions. The Battle of Atlanta, the bloodiest of Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign, is over.

What battle did Hood fight in?

Within days, Hood launched two attacks on Sherman—one at Peach Tree Creek on July 20 and the other along the Georgia Railroad (known as the Battle of Atlanta) on July 22. Both ended in defeat and led to the fall of Atlanta in September.

What battle did Johnston win?

Johnston entered the Civil War as one of the South’s senior officers. He had an early victory at the First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) in July 1861, and while his performance earned him a promotion to full general, it also set off a feud with Davis, who criticized him for not pursuing the retreating Union Army.

When did Hood and Sherman abandon Atlanta?

Hood and Sherman continued to battle for the crucial Confederate city throughout the summer until Hood was finally forced to abandon Atlanta to Union forces on September 1, 1864.

What was the name of the battle that led to the capture of Savannah?

Fulton County, GA | Jul 22, 1864. The Union victory in the largest battle of the Atlanta Campaign led to the capture of that critical Confederate city and opened the door for Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman’s most famous operation—the March to the Sea and the capture of Savannah.

Who attacked McClellan at the Battle of Seven Pines?

After making a defensive stand at the Battle of Williamsburg, the general continued to retreat. Under continued pressure from Davis, Johnston finally attacked McClellan at the Battle of Seven Pines on May 31, 1862. The offensive succeeded in blocking the Union advance, but Johnston was severely wounded in the fight.

Who was the historian of the Battle of Atlanta?

The Battle of Atlanta in the American Civil War. Kennedy Hickman is a historian, museum director, and curator who specializes in military and naval history. He has appeared on The History Channel as a featured expert. The Battle of Atlanta was fought July 22, 1864, during the American Civil War ...

How many casualties did the Union have in the Battle of Atlanta?

The Battle of Atlanta cost Union forces 3,641 casualties while Confederate losses totaled around 5,500. For the second time in two days, Hood had failed to destroy a wing of Sherman's command. Though a problem earlier in the campaign, McPherson's cautious nature proved fortuitous as Sherman's initial orders would have left the Union flank completely exposed.

What was Hood's plan for the attack on the Union?

Hood's attack plan called for the Confederate troops to swing around the Union flank to reach Decatur on July 22.

What was the second battle of the Civil War?

The second in a series of battles around the city, the fighting centered on a Confederate attempt to defeat Major General James B. McPherson's Army of the Tennessee east of Atlanta. While the attack did achieve some success, including killing McPherson, it was ultimately repulsed by Union forces. Following the battle, Sherman shifted his efforts ...

What battle did Hood strike at Thomas' men?

Assuming command, Hood elected to move forward with the operation and he struck at Thomas' men at the Battle of Peachtree Creek on July 20. In heavy fighting, the Union troops mounted a determined defense and turned back Hood's assaults. Though unhappy with the result, it did not deter Hood from remaining on the offensive.

What was Hood's role in the war?

An offensive-minded commander, Hood had served in General Robert E. Lee 's Army of Northern Virginia and had seen action in many of its campaigns including the fighting at Antietam and Gettysburg. At the time of the change in command, Johnston had been planning an attack against Thomas' Army of the Cumberland.

What happened on July 22, 1862?

On the morning of July 22, Sherman initially received reports that the Confederates had abandoned the city as Har dee's men had been seen on the march. These quickly proved to be false and he resolved to begin cutting the rail links into Atlanta.

What was the significance of the loss of Atlanta?

The Confederacy’s loss of Atlanta was the clearest indication to the Union that the South was truly on its last legs and the end of the Civil War was in sight. This ensured the reelection of Abraham Lincoln and that the war would continue until the South surrendered. Before Atlanta, despite the growing Union strength and several significant victories (Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Chattanooga), there seemed to be no clear end to the war in sight, only a multiplying body count. Lincoln’s reelection was very much in doubt, and his challenger (ironically George McClellan, the Union general deposed by Li

Why did the Union Army stop fighting?

The fighting stopped so the Army could concentrate on getting soldiers to the ballot boxes.

How many Confederates and Union soldiers were in Picacho Pass?

The Battle of Picacho Pass, AZ, where about twenty Confederates and Union Soldiers held off a Apache raid together.

What was Sibley's plan for the Confederacy?

Sibley’s plan was to march up the Rio Grande river, capture Fort Union on the Santa Fe Trail, then capture Colorado and California, giving the Confederacy not only Gold & Silver mines, but access to Open Ocean in one fell swoop. His plan to supply his army, was to forage off the land. If this was the Shenandoah valley, this would have worked, but this is New Mexico, where we can’t grow very many crops for ourselves.

What was the only Axis victory in the war?

China: The only Axis victory here - Operation Ichi-Go ( April to December 1944) that left Japan masters of the Chinese Theatre.

Why was Grant delayed command over the Union armies?

Grant had been delayed command over the Union armies due to Lincoln’s suspicions that Grant might have political ambitions. Though concerns were not set aside until March 65. Grant cobbled together orders for a whole sale strategic offensive for all Departments. The short time frame to D-Day made it impossible to consider the reallocation of forces between commands and objectives.

Where did the Confederate troops end up?

In the end, the Confederate’s were repulsed at the Battle of Glorieta, forced through the Bear Mountain’s where there was no food or water, but plenty of hungry bear’s, having to avoid Fort Craig, and eventually ending up back where they started, in Texas.

What was the Battle of Atlanta?

Battle Of Atlanta Summary: The Battle of Atlanta was fought on July 22, 1864, just southeast of Atlanta, Georgia. Union forces commanded by William T. Sherman, wanting to neutralize the important rail and supply hub, defeated Confederate forces defending the city under John B. Hood. After ordering the evacuation of the city, Sherman burned most of the buildings in the city, military or not. After taking the city, Sherman headed south toward Savannah, beginning his Sherman’s March To The Sea.

Who was the eyewitness at the Battle of Atlanta?

Eyewitness to the Battle of Atlanta. In late July 1864, Major General William T. Sherman’ s Union army closed in on General John B. Hood’s Confederate army defending Atlanta. On July 20 Hood lashed out against the Union right wing north of the city.

What was the significance of the Battle of Sherman?

After taking the city, Sherman headed south toward Savannah, beginning his Sherman’s March To The Sea. The battle is known not only for it strategic and military significance but for its political importance.

Why did Sherman move the army of the Tennessee west of the city?

Following the Battle of Atlanta Sherman moved the Army of the Tennessee west of the city for the purpose of cutting the railroad to Macon, Hood’s sole remaining supply line.

Who was the General of the Union who fought in the Battle of Atlanta?

Sherman's Atlanta Campaign was a series of military battles and maneuvers between the armies of Union General Sherman and Confederate Generals Johnston and Hood. The campaign ended with the battle of Atlanta and the Union occupation of the city.

What was the most important railroad and supply center in the Confederacy?

After Richmond, Virginia, Atlanta, Georgia was the most crucial railroad and supply center in the Confederacy. Sherman and his armies left Chattanooga in May 1864; their objective was Atlanta with its capture resulting in the following:

What battles did Sherman fight in 1864?

Fearing his army would be overrun at the battle of Marietta, General Johnston retreated again to a previously selected fortified position at Kennesaw Mountain.

What did General Hood say to Sherman?

As Union artillery damaged more and more of the city, General Hood sent a message to Sherman stating that the Confederate defense lines were a full mile outside the city. In a way that foreshadowed the twentieth century's methods of total war, Sherman replied that Atlanta was a military target, with arsenals and warehouses full of military supplies. He kept up the bombardment.

How did Sherman weaken Johnston's fortified defenses?

Sherman planned to weaken Johnston's fortified defenses by extending his Union troops to Johnston's battle lines' right and then attack at the weakened center. On June 27, 1864, Sherman attacked. After the battle, Sherman explained his reasoning for the frontal attack, despite the extent of the Confederate fortifications. Sherman is quoted saying:

What was the objective of Grant's strategy?

Therefore the objective of Grant's strategy was the destruction of the Confederate armies. Grant and Sherman met to formulate a war strategy on March 20, 1864, at the Burnet House, Cincinnati, Ohio, to initiate a plan for the Battle of Atlanta. When asked by a reporter about their meeting, Sherman replied:

Why was Cheatham's diversionary attack delayed?

Cheatham's diversionary attack was delayed for reasons running from bad leadership to lousy luck ; Cheatham's troops finally attacked at 3:00 PM. Despite early success in the attack, by about 5:00 PM, the Confederate troops could make no headway in breaking the Union lines and retreated toward Atlanta. At dusk on the bloodiest day of the Atlanta campaign, Confederate troops rallied and attacked Bald Hill from the south a final time; they were repulsed. The Battle of Atlanta was over.

Why was the Battle of Atlanta important?

At the time, President Lincoln was running for a second term in office against George B. McClellan , a conservative Democrat who ran on a platform of peace with the South. After the routing of Atlanta, Lincoln was able to point towards a victorious end to the war. With that stance, and the publicity that the Battle of Atlanta received in the North, Lincoln won the election by a landslide (212 electoral votes to 21).

Why was Atlanta important to the South?

The rationale behind that argument is that Atlanta was the key to the South’s success in any of the battles it won. It was the keystone to all of their supply routes, and by taking that away, the North effectively prevented them from supplying their troops. With Atlanta being the transportation hub to the South, it also was a major hit to their economy which had already taken a beating.

What were the effects of the Battles of Gettysburg and Vicksburg?

From a historical perspective, the twin battles of Gettysburg and Vicksburg are very popular choices for most important battles of the Civil War. The economic impact saw the coffers of the South suffer and those of the North expand. The morale of the South took a huge hit after the defeats, which gave the North yet another advantage as they pressed south. And while the war would go on for another two years, these two battles turned the tide for the North and led directly to Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Court House in 1865.

Why was the Chattanooga Campaign important?

However, there is an argument to be made that it was an important series of battles, and the reason why is simple. Without it, The Battle of Atlanta would likely not have been as easily won. Chattanooga cut off the South’s access to much of the Eastern theater and limited them to the Atlantic Coast, opening the North’s access to the Deep South.

What battle was the Library of Congress at?

The Battle of Atlanta 1864. The Library of Congress

What was the most important battle of the Civil War?

There may be no more famous Civil War battle than Gettysburg. Almost everyone knows at least something about it, if for no other reason that the site of the battle was later used for President Lincoln’s most famous address (you know the one that starts: “Four Score and Seven Years Ago”). The battle itself, along with the one that happened simultaneously at Vicksburg, is often argued as the most important battle during the entire war. The question is, why?

Which battle was won decisively by the Union?

The answer to that question is complex. The two battles were both won decisively by the Union. The Battle of Vicksburg denied the Confederacy control of the Mississippi River, which in turn prevented them from getting supplies from Texas and Arkansas. In war, major battles usually are fought over strong points that are used for transportation of supplies. It comes down to denying your opponent the ability to supply themselves.