The Atlanta Campaign Ends
Note: This is the final installment of my high level overview of the Atlanta Campaign which I began back in May. The situation west of Atlanta on August 28, 1864. Sherman has disengaged from the city except along the trench line at East Point. A large force under Thomas and Howard is concentrated for a bold move south to cut the Macon and Western Railroad, the lifeline to Hood's army. Hood has suspicions but no clear idea what is about to happen. August 31. Sherman's troops are assembled along an 8-mile front to attack the rail road. Hood has hastily dispersed his infantry and handful of cavalry to protect the rail line. He correctly thinks that Sherman will attack at Jonesboro, but he fails to realize the threat is much more widespread than that. Hood's attacks at Jonesboro will be pointless as most of the Union forces are positioned further north. Atlanta is doomed. President Abraham Lincoln was worried. The Union armies and navy had won many vic