Ezra Church, GA

Date(s): July 28, 1864

Location: Battlefield Unavailable - Lost Integrity

Campaign(s): Atlanta Campaign [1864]

Battles in Campaign:

• Rocky Face Ridge, GA - May 7-13, 1864 C¹

• Resaca, GA - May 13-15, 1864 C¹

• Adairsville, GA - May 17, 1864 C¹

• New Hope Church, GA - May 25-26, 1864 C¹

• Dallas, GA - May 26-June 1, 1864 C¹

• Pickett's Mill, GA - May 27, 1864 C¹

• Marietta, GA - June 9-July 3, 1864 B

• Kolb's Farm, GA - June 22, 1864 C¹

• Kennesaw Mountain, GA - June 27-July 1, 1864 B

• Peachtree Creek, GA - July 20, 1864 B

• Atlanta, GA - July 22, 1864 B

• Ezra Church, GA - July 28, 1864 B

• Utoy Creek, GA - August 5-7, 1864 C¹

• Dalton, GA II - August 14-15, 1864 D¹  

• Lovejoy's Station, GA - August 20, 1864 D¹

• Jonesborough, GA - August 31–September 1, 1864 A

Situation:

• Earlier, Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman’s forces had approached Atlanta from the east and north.

• Although Hood's troops had not defeated them, they had kept the Federals away from the city.

• Sherman decided to attack from the west.

Commanders:

• Union: Maj. Gen. Oliver O. Howard

• Confederate: Gen. John B. Hood

Principal Forces:

• Union: Army of the Tennessee

• Confederate: two corps of Army of Tennessee

Description:

• Sherman ordered the Army of the Tennessee, commanded by Maj. Gen. O. O. Howard, to move from the left wing to the right and cut Hood’s last railroad supply line between East Point and Atlanta.

• Hood foresaw such a maneuver and determined to send the two corps of Lt. Gen. Stephen D. Lee and Lt. Gen. Alexander P. Stewart to intercept and destroy the Union force.

• On the afternoon of July 28th, the Confederates attacked Howard's forces at Ezra Church.

• Howard had anticipated such a thrust and entrenched one of his corps in the Confederates’ path.

• Although , and repulsed the determined attack, inflicting numerous casualties. Howard, however, failed to cut the railroad.

Slide Presentation: None [Battlefield Lost Integrity]

Classification²: B

Casualties³:

• Union: 562

• Confederate: 3,000

Results: Union Victory

Battlefield Websites: 

• Georgia Civil War Battlefields

• Georgia's Blue and Gray Trail - Atlanta Campaign

• Atlanta: The Battle for the Heart of the South - HistoryAnimated

Recommended Resources:

¹ National Park Service summary.

² Classification:

• A - having a decisive influence on a campaign and a direct impact on the course of the war

• B - having a direct and decisive influence on their campaign

• C - having observable influence on the outcome of a campaign

• D - having a limited influence on the outcome of their campaign or operation but achieving or affecting important local objectives

³ Casualties are someone killed, injured, wounded, captured or missing.

Revised 01/02/2009