Kennesaw in Cobb County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Atlanta - Prize of War
September 26, 2023
1. Atlanta - Prize of War Marker
Sherman aimed for the South's manufacturing and railroad hub.
Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman had two objectives during his Georgia campaign of 1864; defeat the Confederate army, and damage the South's war arsenals. By capturing Atlanta, he could do both.
Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston intended to delay or stop Sherman. Kennesaw Mountain offered Johnston a strong defensive position from which to draw Sherman's larger army into battle.
The fate of Atlanta - with its citizens, factories, armories, warehouses, and railroads - hung in the balance.
PHOTO CAPTION
The northern Georgia landscape of 1864 (above) consisted of dense woods, boggy creeks, dirt roads, and sparsely settled towns. One Federal general called it a "wilderness of mire." Just beyond lay Atlanta (left) - the industrial and transportation hub of the southeast.
Erected by Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park - National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.
Location. 33° 58.675′ N, 84° 34.647′ W. Marker is in Kennesaw, Georgia, in Cobb County. Marker is on Kennesaw Mountain Drive, 1.7 miles south of
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Mountain Stronghold (a few steps from this marker); Tribute to Georgian Generals (within shouting distance of this marker); Dueling Cannons (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Fall of Atlanta (about 800 feet away); The Atlanta Campaign (about 800 feet away); Atlanta Falls (about 800 feet away); The Atlanta Campaign ~ 1864 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Trading Hard Blows (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kennesaw.
Also see . . . Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. National Park Service (Submitted on March 15, 2015.)
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, February 7, 2015
2. Atlanta - Prize of War Marker
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, February 7, 2015
3. Atlanta - Prize of War Marker
Detail of the landscape map featured on the marker
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, February 7, 2015
4. Atlanta - Prize of War Marker
Looking south toward Atlanta
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, February 7, 2015
5. Atlanta - Prize of War Marker
Photo at lower left of the marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 10, 2015, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. This page has been viewed 627 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 28, 2024. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 10, 2015, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
