Near Marietta in Cobb County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Fall of Atlanta
After the battle of Kennesaw Mountain, the muddy roads dried, allowing Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman to return to his flanking strategy. On July 2, Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's Confederate soldiers abandoned their Kennesaw line for other prepared defenses at Smyrna and then the Chattahoochee River, only to have the larger Union Army go around them each time.
President of the Confederacy Jefferson Davis, dissatisfied with Johnston's retreats, replaced him with the combative Lt. Gen. John Bell Hood. With the Union Army closing in on Atlanta, Hood went on the offensive with his beleaguered Confederate Army.
[Captions (left to right)]
Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman, USA
Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, CSA
Gen. John Bell Hood, CSA
Sherman's army severed Atlanta's railroads with victories against Hood at Peachtree Creek, Atlanta, Ezra Church, and Jonesboro. The city's capture on Setember 2 was a bitter blow to the Confederacy.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 2, 1864.
Location. 33° 58.58′ N, 84° 34.745′ W. Marker is near Marietta, Georgia, in Cobb County. Marker can be reached from Pigeon Hill/Big Mountain Hike trail south of Kennesaw Mountain Drive parking lot, on the left when traveling south. Marker is near the summit of Kennesaw Mountain, approximately 700 feet from the parking lot, in Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Marietta GA 30060, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Atlanta Falls (here, next to this marker); The Atlanta Campaign (within shouting distance of this marker); The Atlanta Campaign ~ 1864 (within shouting distance of this marker); Trading Hard Blows (within shouting distance of this marker); War Comes To Kennesaw (within shouting distance of this marker); Dueling Cannons (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tribute to Georgian Generals (about 700 feet away); Atlanta - Prize of War (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marietta.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 121 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 29, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.