Kennesaw Mountain, Battle of

The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain is fought on June 27, 1864, during the Atlanta Campaign of the American Civil War.

It is the most significant frontal assault launched by Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman against the Confederate Army of Tennessee under Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, ending in a tactical defeat for the Union forces.Sherman's 1864 campaign against Atlanta, Georgia, is initially characterized by a series of flanking maneuvers against Johnston, each of which compelling the Confederate army to withdraw from heavily fortified positions with minimal casualties on either side.

After two months and 70 miles (110 km) of such maneuvering, Sherman's path is blocked by imposing fortifications on Kennesaw Mountain, near Marietta, Georgia.

The Union general chooses to change his tactics and orders a large-scale frontal assault on June 27, 1864.

Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson feints against the northern end of Kennesaw Mountain, while his corps under Maj. Gen. John A. Logan assaults Pigeon Hill on its southwest corner.

At the same time, Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas launches strong attacks against Cheatham Hill at the center of the Confederate line.

Both attacks are repulsed with heavy losses, but a demonstration by Maj. Gen. John M. Schofield achieves a strategic success by threatening the Confederate army's left flank, prompting yet another Confederate withdrawal toward Atlanta and the removal of General Johnston from command of the army.

No related events match the current filters.