War Stories - March to Atlanta, Part 5: The Fall of Atlanta

As August began, Sherman opted to cut off the Confederacy's supply lines entirely rather than attack Atlanta directly. Atlanta relied on railroads, making it difficult for the South to defend the city if its supply routes were severed. Starting August 25th, Sherman moved his forces significantly southward to attack the railroads connected to Atlanta. On August 31st, Union and Confederate forces clashed at Jonesboro, and the Union army succeeded in cutting off the Confederate rail supply lines. Hood, deeming it impossible to hold Atlanta any longer, withdrew from the city on the night of September 1st. The following day, September 2nd, Sherman's Union army entered Atlanta, effectively ending the Atlanta Campaign, which had lasted about four months. The fall of Atlanta resulted in the loss of a crucial industrial and railroad hub for the South. Simultaneously, it held significant political importance for the North, boosting President Lincoln's chances of reelection. Sherman then began his 'March to the Sea,' advancing from Atlanta to the Atlantic coast, further weakening the South's ability to wage war. Next, we'll cover the end of the Civil War!