o July 22, 1864

o Sherman began the Atlanta Campaign in May

o The city of Atlanta eventually fell to the Union on Sept. 1

o General William Tecumseh Sherman o General John B. Hood

o 34,000 troops o 40,000 troops
o 3,600 casualties o 5,500 casualties
 Why did the Union want Atlanta?
o Lincoln and Grant knew the war needed to end quickly if the Union
was to be restored

o Atlanta was in the heart of the Deep South

o major railroad hub o key manufacturing center

Without Atlanta the Confederate Army would lose
the city that provided it with clothing, weapons, food,
and other supplies.
o Hood and his Confederate Army were inside the city’s fortifications
ready to defend it
 o Sherman led the Atlanta Campaign
o Sherman and his Army pushed the Confederates south towards
Atlanta
o By mid-July he was 5 miles north of Atlanta
o He knew a direct attack would not be successful
o Sherman planned a siege similar to Grant’s at Vicksburg
Sherman planned to take control of all supply lines
running in and out of Atlanta.
o By mid-August all supply lines were under Union control

Sherman inside
Atlanta’s fortifications
after the Union victory.
UNION WON!
o Once the Union took control of Atlanta, civilians had to leave

Civilians rushed to board the trains

leaving Atlanta with as many of their
belongings as possible.

o Atlanta was a symbol of Confederate strength and pride

o Sherman knew the Rebels would try to retake the supply lines
o For the next two months Sherman built up a weapons supply
o On Nov. 15 Sherman was ready to leave the city
 Sherman ordered the destruction of Atlanta.
o He did not want the Confederates to use the manufacturing factories
or railroads

Union soldiers
destroy railroads
Atlanta laid in
ruins.