Battles & Campaigns · 1864
Battle of Kennesaw Mountain
Kennesaw Mountain, near Marietta, Georgia, USA
What happened
Union armies under William T. Sherman attacked a Confederate army under Joseph E. Johnston. For weeks Sherman had moved around Johnston's flanks on the way to Atlanta. At Kennesaw Mountain the Confederates were dug in, and Sherman ordered a big head-on attack. The main assaults were driven back, though a move on the Confederate left gained ground.
Why it matters
It was a Confederate win, but it did not stop Sherman's advance on Atlanta. It was Sherman's last big frontal attack of the war.
What came next
Sherman went round Johnston's flank again. Johnston was replaced by John Bell Hood, and Sherman entered Atlanta on 2 September.
Did you know?
The battlefield has been protected as a national park since 1917.
Timeline
- 27 Jun 1864Battle of Kennesaw Mountain.
- 2 Jul 1864Johnston withdraws.
- 17 Jul 1864Hood replaces Johnston.
- 2 Sep 1864Sherman enters Atlanta.