Peachtree Creek, GA

Date(s): July 20, 1864

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:

Commanders:

• Union:  Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas

• Confederate: Gen. John B. Hood

Principal Forces:

• Union: Army of the Cumberland

• Confederate: Army of Tennessee

Description:

• Under Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, the Army of Tennessee had retired south of Peachtree Creek, an east to west flowing stream, about three miles north of Atlanta.

• Sherman split his army into three columns for the assault on Atlanta with George H. Thomas’ Army of the Cumberland moving from the north.

• Johnston planned to attack Thomas, but Confederate President Jefferson Davis relieved him of command and appointed John B. Hood to take his place.

• Hood attacked Thomas after his army crossed Peachtree Creek.

• The determined assault threatened to overrun the Union troops at various locations, however, the Federal troops held and forced Hood's forces to fall back.

Slide Presentation: None [Battlefield Lost Integrity]

Classification²: B

Casualties³:

• Union: 1,710

• Confederate: 4,796

Results: Union Victory

Battlefield Websites: 

• Battle of Peachtree Creek - Answers.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 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 02/21/2011