Battle of Resaca opens Sherman's advance toward Atlanta

Background. The Atlanta campaign began in May 1864 in northwest Georgia. Sherman invaded from Chattanooga, opposing Joseph E. Johnston's Army of Tennessee. Johnston initially held strong defensive positions at Buzzard's Roost Gap and Rocky Face Ridge, hoping Sherman would assault them. Sherman avoided frontal assaults, instead maneuvering to flank these defenses. Johnston withdrew toward Resaca, where reinforcements gathered, setting the stage for the battle.

Commanders. Union General William Tecumseh Sherman led forces tasked by Grant to break up Johnston's army and damage Confederate resources. Sherman had accumulated supplies by prioritizing railroad use. Joseph E. Johnston commanded the Confederate Army of Tennessee. Johnston hoped to fight defensively, but Sherman's flanking maneuvers forced him to retreat from position to position, including from Resaca.

Outcome. The battle ended with Johnston abandoning Resaca on the night of May 15 due to a threatened line of retreat. He retreated south to Adairsville. Sherman's actions pushed Johnston back toward Atlanta and prevented him from sending troops to Lee. This engagement was part of a series of flanking maneuvers by Sherman against Johnston during the campaign.