The Battle of Atlanta: When It Started, When It Ended, and Where It Happened in Today’s City

For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta, Georgia, the question “When did the Battle of Atlanta start and end?” is more than a history trivia prompt—it helps you understand why certain streets, neighborhoods, and landmarks look the way they do today.

Below is a clear breakdown of the dates, timeline, and local context of the Battle of Atlanta, plus how you can still see traces of it around the modern city.

Key Dates: Start and End of the Battle of Atlanta

The Battle of Atlanta was a major Civil War battle fought as part of the Atlanta Campaign.

Here’s the essential answer:

• Date of the battle:July 22, 1864
• Start of fighting: Early morning on July 22, 1864
• End of major combat: Evening of July 22, 1864
• Result: The Union army repelled a large Confederate attack, but the city of Atlanta itself did not fall that day. Atlanta was later captured on September 2, 1864 after additional fighting and siege operations.

So, when people ask “When did the Battle of Atlanta start and end?”, they’re usually referring to a single intense day of combat on July 22, 1864, even though the broader fighting for the city stretched across several months.

Quick Timeline at a Glance

Here is a simple overview connecting the Battle of Atlanta to the larger Atlanta Campaign:

Where the Battle of Atlanta Took Place in Today’s City

If you live in or are visiting Atlanta, the Battle of Atlanta wasn’t way out in the countryside. Much of the fighting took place in areas that are now intown neighborhoods.

Key modern areas related to the battle include:

• East Atlanta Village – Core area of the July 22 fighting
• Kirkwood – Site of major movements and clashes
• Ormewood Park / Edgewood – Near several significant positions
• Just southeast of downtown – Along what are now major streets and rail lines

Today, these neighborhoods are full of homes, businesses, restaurants, and parks, but the ground beneath them was once part of one of the pivotal battles of the Civil War.

How the Battle Unfolded on July 22, 1864

If you want a bit more than just dates, here is how that single day generally unfolded, mapped to the Atlanta you know now:

Morning: Opening Moves

• On July 22, 1864, Union forces under Major General William T. Sherman were positioned on the east side of Atlanta.
• Confederate troops under General John Bell Hood attempted a surprise flank attack from the south and east.
• Much of the movement and fighting occurred in what are now the East Atlanta and Kirkwood areas.

Midday to Afternoon: Intense Fighting

• Heavy combat unfolded in and around East Atlanta Village, with both sides pushing back and forth.
• Artillery fire and infantry assaults swept across ground that is now crossed by Moreland Avenue, local side streets, and nearby rail corridors.
• A Union general, James B. McPherson, was killed during the battle, one of the highest-ranking officers killed in the Civil War.

Evening: Fighting Winds Down

• By evening on July 22, the main Confederate attack had failed to break the Union lines.
• The Union army still held its positions east and southeast of Atlanta.
• Combat died down into scattered skirmishing and artillery fire, and by nightfall, the Battle of Atlanta was effectively over—though the larger struggle for the city would continue.

The Battle of Atlanta vs. the Fall of Atlanta

Many people in Atlanta mix up two closely related but separate events:

1. The Battle of Atlanta (July 22, 1864)

   • One day of intense combat
   • Took place mostly east and southeast of the city center
   • Resulted in heavy casualties on both sides
   • Did not immediately give the Union control of Atlanta

2. The Capture of Atlanta (September 2, 1864)

   • Came after weeks of additional battles, maneuvers, and siege
   • Confederate forces evacuated the city
   • Union forces moved in and occupied Atlanta

If you’re answering a school assignment, museum prompt, or planning a themed visit, keep in mind:

• Battle date:July 22, 1864
• City falls:September 2, 1864

Both dates are important in Atlanta’s local history.

Visiting Battle of Atlanta Sites in Atlanta Today

If you want to connect the dates and events to real places you can visit, here are some key local spots tied to the Battle of Atlanta and the wider campaign:

Atlanta History Center

• Location: 130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
• While not on the July 22 battlefield itself, the Atlanta History Center has Civil War exhibits, artifacts, and interpretive materials that explain the Battle of Atlanta and the overall campaign in context.
• This is a good starting point if you want a big-picture understanding before heading to specific neighborhood sites.

Oakland Cemetery

• Location: 248 Oakland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
• Just southeast of downtown, Oakland Cemetery existed during the Civil War and includes graves of soldiers and historical markers.
• The surrounding area was within the broader defensive network around the city during the fighting.

Battle of Atlanta Neighborhood Markers

Across East Atlanta, Kirkwood, and surrounding neighborhoods, you can find:

• Historical markers describing troop positions, movements, and specific clashes
• Small monuments or plaques at key intersections or corners
• These markers often mention July 22, 1864 and explain what happened on that exact ground

Because marker locations can change slightly and new signage is sometimes added, it can help to:

• Use local visitor information desks, such as at Atlanta City Hall (55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303), or
• Ask at major history-focused institutions like the Atlanta History Center for current guidance on self-guided Battle of Atlanta walking or driving routes

Why the Battle of Atlanta Still Matters to Atlantans

Understanding when the Battle of Atlanta started and ended helps you make sense of:

• Street patterns and rail lines – Many routes around East Atlanta and southeast of downtown trace back to Civil War-era roads and rail corridors that were strategically important in 1864.
• Neighborhood identity – Areas like East Atlanta Village and Kirkwood often acknowledge their Civil War-era roots through public art, markers, and community events.
• Atlanta’s role in national history – The Union victory in the Atlanta Campaign, anchored by battles like the one on July 22, helped shape the outcome of the Civil War and the city’s later growth.

For someone living in Atlanta today, those dates in 1864 are directly tied to the modern map, local culture, and neighborhood character.

Simple Answer for Quick Reference

If you just need a clear, direct statement you can remember or reuse:

• The Battle of Atlanta was fought on July 22, 1864.
• Major fighting began in the morning and ended by that evening.
• The city itself did not fall that day; Atlanta was occupied by Union forces later, on September 2, 1864, after additional battles and siege operations.

These are the key details most relevant to Atlanta residents, visitors, and anyone trying to understand local history.