The Atlanta Campaign of 1864

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, after the victories at Chattanooga, Major General Ulysses S. Grant, the commander of the Federal Western theater and his favorite subordinate, Major General William Tecumseh Sherman, contemplated the destruction of the Army of Tennessee and an invasion into the interior of Georgia to demolish the Confederate resources in Atlanta. The author points out that Atlanta fell on September 2nd, which the Confederacy deemed a major disaster and began to feel that defeat was now almost inevitable. The paper concludes that Sherman's victories around Atlanta boosted the Northern morale because they finally appeared to be heading towards an end and victory.

From the Paper:

"Newly promoted Lieutenant General Grant hoped to launch at least two simultaneous movements into Georgia by the beginning of May while he remained in Virginia to oversee a drive against the Army of Northern Virginia. One part of the offensive would be under Sherman, advancing south from Chattanooga towards Atlanta. On 4 April, Grant sent a dispatch to Sherman detailing the objectives set for his subordinate. Sherman's advance would be accompanied by another offensive, under Major General Nathaniel P. Banks. Banks was to take the port city of Mobile, Alabama, and advance northeast into Georgia. As Sherman and Banks advanced through Georgia, and Grant directed the Federal offensive against Richmond, all assaults would work to block any cooperation or reinforcement between Colonel Robert E. Lee and General Joseph E. Johnston. Grant and Sherman, in formulating their offensives of 1864 into Virginia and Georgia, had developed a brilliant strategy."

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