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Atlanta Georgia - 39th Infantry
American Civil War
July 22, 1864
Following the Battle of Peachtree Creek, Hood determined to attack Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson's Army of the Tennessee. He
withdrew his main army at night from Atlanta' s outer line to the inner line, enticing Sherman to follow. In the meantime, he sent William
J. Hardee with his corps on a fifteen-mile march to hit the unprotected Union left and rear, east of the city. Wheeler's cavalry was to
operate farther out on Sherman's supply line, and Gen. Frank Cheatham's corps were to attack the Union front. Hood, however,
miscalculated the time necessary to make the march, and Hardee was unable to attack until afternoon. Although Hood had
outmaneuvered Sherman for the time being, McPherson was concerned about his left flank and sent his reservesGrenville Dodge's
XVI Army Corpsto that location. Two of Hood's divisions ran into this reserve force and were repulsed. The Rebel attack stalled on
the Union rear but began to roll up the left flank. Around the same time, a Confederate soldier shot and killed McPherson when he rode
out to observe the fighting. Determined attacks continued, but the Union forces held. About 4:00 pm, Cheatham's corps broke through
the Union front at the Hurt House, but Sherman massed twenty artillery pieces on a knoll near his headquarters to shell these
Confederates and halt their drive. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan' s XV Army Corps then led a counterattack that restored the Union line.
The Union troops held, and Hood suffered high casualties.
Result(s): Union victory
Location: Fulton County
Campaign: Atlanta Campaign (1864)
Date(s): July 22, 1864
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman [US]; Gen. John Bell Hood [CS]
Forces Engaged: Military Division of the Mississippi [US]; Army of Tennessee [CS]
Estimated Casualties: 12,140 total (US 3,641; CS 8,499)
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