George N. Barnard climbed into the cupola of the Atlanta Female Institute in 1864 for this view of Atlanta looking southwest toward the center of the city. At the far left is the domed Atlanta Medical College with the Atlanta Machine Works visible above and to the right. Today, the Sheraton Atlanta
Photograph by George N. Barnard
Battle of Atlanta
The Battle of Atlanta took place during the Atlanta campaign of the American Civil War on July 22, 1864, just southeast of Atlanta, Georgia. Continuing their summer campaign to seize the important rail and supply hub of Atlanta, Union forces commanded by William T. Sherman overwhelmed and defeated Confederate forces defending the city under John B. Hood. Union Major General James B. McPherson was killed during the battle, the second-highest-ranking Union officer killed in action during the war. Despite the implication of finality in its name, the battle occurred midway through the Atlanta campaign, and the city did not fall until September 2, 1864, after a Union siege and various attempts to seize railroads and supply lines leading to Atlanta. After taking the city, Sherman's troops headed south-southeastward toward Milledgeville, the state capital, and on to Savannah with the March to the Sea.
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