When Was the Battle of Atlanta? A Local’s Guide to the Date, Place, and Why It Still Matters
The Battle of Atlanta took place on July 22, 1864, during the American Civil War.
If you live in Atlanta, drive our streets, or visit our neighborhoods, you’re moving through ground shaped by what happened that summer. Understanding when the Battle of Atlanta happened also helps you understand where it happened and what you can still see today.
The Short Answer: Key Dates at a Glance
Here’s a quick overview of the Battle of Atlanta in context:
| Event | Date | What It Means for Atlanta |
|---|---|---|
| Union forces begin approaching Atlanta | May–June 1864 | Start of the Atlanta Campaign |
| Battle of Atlanta | July 22, 1864 | Major battle just east & southeast of downtown |
| Other key battles around Atlanta | July–August 1864 | Peachtree Creek, Ezra Church, Utoy Creek |
| Atlanta surrenders | September 2, 1864 | City falls to Union forces |
So when you hear people ask, “When was the Battle of Atlanta?”, the specific answer is:
It was fought on July 22, 1864, as part of the larger 1864 Atlanta Campaign.
What Was Happening in Atlanta in July 1864?
By summer 1864, Atlanta was a major Confederate transportation and supply hub.
Rail lines converged in the city, and factories, depots, and warehouses supported the Confederate war effort. Because of that, Atlanta became a prime target.
- Union General William T. Sherman led a long campaign moving south from Tennessee toward Atlanta.
- Confederate forces under General John Bell Hood tried to defend the city and push Sherman’s army back.
By mid-July, battles were being fought all around what is now metro Atlanta, not just in one spot.
Where the Battle of Atlanta Took Place in Today’s City
Although the fighting happened in 1864, it was centered in areas many Atlantans still know well.
The Battle of Atlanta unfolded primarily:
- East and southeast of downtown Atlanta
- In areas that now include parts of Inman Park, Cabbagetown, Edgewood, Reynoldstown, and stretches along what’s now I‑20 and the MARTA east line
Key modern reference points connected to the battle include:
- Oakland Cemetery – 248 Oakland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
A major landmark with many Civil War-era graves and monuments, very close to the areas contested during the campaign. - Neighborhoods near Moreland Avenue, Memorial Drive, and DeKalb Avenue
These corridors roughly trace parts of the lines and movements connected to the fighting.
When you drive along Memorial Drive SE, for example, you’re close to places that saw intense action during the battle and the surrounding campaign days.
How the Battle of Atlanta Fits into the Bigger Atlanta Campaign
It’s easy to think of the Battle of Atlanta as one isolated event, but it was one of several major battles around the city in 1864. Knowing that helps make sense of the timeline.
Major Civil War Dates Near Atlanta
- July 20, 1864 – Battle of Peachtree Creek
Fought north of today’s downtown area, near what we now call Buckhead and surrounding neighborhoods. - July 22, 1864 – Battle of Atlanta
The most famous of the local battles, east and southeast of the city center. - July 28, 1864 – Battle of Ezra Church
Fought to the west of downtown, in what is now the Westview/Southwest Atlanta area. - August 1864 – Continued fighting around the city
Including battles such as Utoy Creek, as Union forces tried to cut the railroads. - September 2, 1864 – Fall of Atlanta
Confederate forces evacuate; Union troops enter and occupy the city.
So while the specific battle date is July 22, 1864, the Campaign for Atlanta stretched over months and reshaped the city’s future.
Why the Date Matters for Atlanta Today
Living in or visiting Atlanta, it helps to understand why July 22, 1864, still shows up in local history, art, and conversation.
1. It shaped the city’s physical and cultural landscape
- Many older neighborhoods and cemeteries, especially on the east and southeast sides, still reflect the city’s Civil War-era footprint.
- Street names, plaques, and historic markers in and around Grant Park, Oakland, Edgewood, Reynoldstown, and Inman Park reference the 1864 fighting and events tied closely to the Battle of Atlanta.
2. It influenced Atlanta’s role in the nation
The fighting around the city, combined with the fall of Atlanta in September 1864, is often described as a major turning point in the Civil War.
For Atlanta residents and visitors today, that means:
- The city’s reputation as a transportation hub and strategic center goes back well before the modern airport and interstate system.
- The Civil War era helped set the stage for Atlanta’s later emergence as a regional economic and cultural center.
Seeing Battle of Atlanta History Around Atlanta
If you’re in Atlanta and you know the date—July 22, 1864—you might also want to know where you can see related historical sites today. Here are some key local spots tied to the broader story of the Battle of Atlanta and its era.
Oakland Cemetery
Address: 248 Oakland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
What you’ll find:
- Graves of soldiers and civilians from the Civil War era
- Monuments and markers that explain Atlanta’s role in the conflict
- A clear sense of how close the war came to what is now the heart of the city
It’s one of the most accessible places to connect the date of the battle to real people and real stories from that time.
Atlanta History Center
Address: 130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
While the center is located north of where the main Battle of Atlanta took place, it offers:
- Exhibits on the Civil War in Atlanta, including the broader Atlanta Campaign
- Artifacts, maps, and interpretive materials that place July 22, 1864 in context
- Outdoor spaces and historic houses that help explain how the city evolved before and after the war
Historical Markers and Neighborhood Context
As you move around the city, especially on the east side, you may encounter local historical markers tied to Civil War actions:
- Markers along or near Memorial Drive SE
- Signs in or around Inman Park, Edgewood, and Reynoldstown
- Markers naming specific engagements, movements, or fortifications
These don’t always say “Battle of Atlanta” in big letters, but they relate to operations and actions that formed part of the same campaign and the days around July 22, 1864.
FAQ: Common Questions Atlantans Have About the Battle of Atlanta
Was the Battle of Atlanta the same as the burning of Atlanta?
No.
- The Battle of Atlanta happened on July 22, 1864.
- The burning and destruction of parts of Atlanta happened later in November 1864, when Union forces began their March to the Sea and destroyed many military and industrial assets as they left.
The battle and the burning are connected in the broader story of the war, but they are separate events months apart.
Did the Battle of Atlanta happen downtown?
The main fighting did not take place exactly in what we now consider the central business district of Downtown Atlanta, but it happened:
- Just east and southeast of downtown
- In areas now well within the city limits and close to today’s urban core
If you’re standing near Oakland Cemetery or traveling along I‑20 east of the connector, you’re very close to the landscapes shaped by the Battle of Atlanta.
How long did the Battle of Atlanta last?
The Battle of Atlanta was primarily fought over the course of a single day, July 22, 1864, although:
- Movements, skirmishes, and preparations took place before and after that date.
- The overall Atlanta Campaign lasted for months, culminating in the city’s fall in September 1864.
How to Explore Battle of Atlanta History as an Atlanta Local or Visitor
If the date July 22, 1864 has sparked your curiosity, here are some practical ways to explore the history around you:
- 🏛 Visit museums and centers
- Atlanta History Center – for exhibits on the Atlanta Campaign and Civil War history.
- 🪦 Walk historic sites
- Oakland Cemetery, which offers a tangible connection to the period.
- 🚶 Explore neighborhoods with an eye for history
- When in Inman Park, Cabbagetown, Edgewood, and surrounding areas, look for historical markers and plaques that reference 1864 events.
- 📚 Check with local libraries or archives
- The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System and local branches often have books, maps, and documents on the Civil War in Atlanta and the Battle of Atlanta specifically.
In summary, if you’re asking “When was the Battle of Atlanta?”, the direct historical answer is:
The Battle of Atlanta took place on July 22, 1864.
For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta, that date is not just a page in a history book—it lines up with the neighborhoods, streets, and landmarks you move through every day.
