Jonesborough, GA

Date(s): August 31–September 1, 1864

Location: Please click on link below for map.

Campaign: 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:

Commanders:

• Union: Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman

• Confederate: Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee

Principal Forces:

• Union: Six corps

• Confederate: Two corps

Description:

• Sherman had successfully cut Hood’s supply lines in the past by sending out detachments, but the Confederates quickly repaired the damage.

• In late August, Sherman determined that if he could cut Hood’s supply lines—the Macon & Western and the Atlanta & West Point Railroads—the Confederates would have to evacuate Atlanta.

• Sherman decided to move six of his seven infantry corps against the supply lines.

• The army began pulling out of its positions on August 25th to hit the Macon & Western Railroad between Rough and Ready and Jonesborough.

• To counter the move, Hood sent Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee with two corps to halt and possibly rout the Union troops, not realizing Sherman’s army was there in force.

• On August 31st, Hardee attacked two Union corps west of Jonesborough but was easily repulsed.

• Fearing an attack on Atlanta, Hood withdrew one corps from Hardee’s force that night.

• The next day, a Union corps broke through Hardee’ s troops forcing the Confederates to retreat to Lovejoy’s Station.

• On the night of September 1st, Hood evacuated Atlanta.

• While Sherman did cut Hood’s supply line he failed to destroy Hardee’s command.

Slide Presentation: None [Battlefield Lost Integrity]

Classification: A

Casualties:

• Union: 1,149

• Confederate: 2,000

Results: Union Victory

Battlefield Websites:

• The Battle of Jonesborough- Wikipedia

• The Battle of Jonesboro - Ngeorgia.com

• 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 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

² Casualties are someone killed, injured, wounded, captured or missing.

Revised 06/05/2008