Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign and March to the Sea (May–December 1864)

1. Sherman launches the Atlanta Campaign from Chattanooga

   May 7, 1864Labels: William T, Chattanooga, Atlanta Campaign

   • NPS Kennesaw
   • Wikipedia Atlanta

2. Fighting at Rocky Face Ridge opens the advance

   May 7, 1864Labels: Rocky Face, Dalton, Union probe

   • Wikipedia Rocky
   • NPS Kennesaw

3. Battle of Resaca forces Johnston to withdraw

   May 13, 1864Labels: Battle of, Joseph E, Resaca

   • Wikipedia Resaca
   • Wikipedia Atlanta

4. New Hope Church fighting hardens into trench warfare

   May 25, 1864Labels: New Hope, Dallas GA, Trench warfare

   • NPS Kennesaw
   • GA CW Timeline

5. Sherman’s frontal assault fails at Kennesaw Mountain

   Jun 27, 1864Labels: Kennesaw Mountain, Frontal assault, Marietta

   • Wikipedia Kennesaw
   • NPS Kennesaw

6. Johnston is replaced by Hood in Atlanta defenses

   Jul 18, 1864Labels: Joseph E, John B, Atlanta defenses

   • Wikipedia Atlanta
   • Wikipedia Peachtree

7. Hood’s first major attack at Peachtree Creek fails

   Jul 20, 1864Labels: Peachtree Creek, John B, Union forces

   • Wikipedia Peachtree
   • Wikipedia Atlanta

8. Battle of Atlanta kills McPherson and tightens the siege

   Jul 22, 1864Labels: Battle of, James B, Atlanta siege

   • Britannica Atlanta
   • Wikipedia Atlanta Battle

9. Battle of Ezra Church blocks a Union rail-cut attempt

   Jul 28, 1864Labels: Ezra Church, Union rail, Confederate defense

   • Wikipedia Ezra
   • Wikipedia Atlanta

10. Jonesborough battle cuts Atlanta’s last major railroad

    Aug 31, 1864Labels: Jonesborough, Macon &, Rail cutoff

    • NPS Kennesaw
    • Wikipedia Jonesboro

11. Union forces occupy Atlanta

    Sep 2, 1864Labels: Occupation of, Union forces, Atlanta

    • Wikipedia Atlanta
    • Britannica Atlanta

12. Sherman orders evacuation of Atlanta’s civilians

    Sep 7, 1864Labels: Civilian evacuation, Sherman order, Atlanta

    • HISTORY Evacuation
    • Wikipedia SFO 67

13. Special Field Orders No. 120 sets rules for the march

    Nov 9, 1864Labels: Special Field, Foraging rules, Sherman

    • Wikipedia SFO 120
    • LoC Guide

14. Sherman’s March to the Sea begins as troops leave Atlanta

    Nov 15, 1864Labels: March to, Savannah campaign, Sherman

    • LoC Guide
    • Britannica March

15. Fort McAllister is captured, reopening Union supply access

    Dec 13, 1864Labels: Fort McAllister, Ogeechee River, Union naval

    • Battlefield Trust
    • LoC Guide

16. Savannah is secured and offered as a “Christmas gift”

    Dec 21, 1864Labels: Savannah capture, Christmas gift, Sherman

    • Wikipedia Savannah Siege
    • LoC Guide