Who Led the Union During Atlanta’s Civil War Campaign?

If you live in Atlanta or are visiting the city and exploring its Civil War history, you’ll quickly run into references to the Atlanta Campaign. This series of battles in 1864 shaped not only the Civil War, but also the future of Atlanta as a major Southern city.

The Union leader of the Atlanta Campaign was Major General William Tecumseh Sherman.

But for Atlantans, that name is more than a trivia answer—it’s tied to local landmarks, battlefields, and even how the city rebuilt itself afterward.

Quick Answer: Who Was the Union Leader of the Atlanta Campaign?

Here’s a simple overview you can keep in mind while touring historic sites around Atlanta:

When you see historic markers or museum exhibits about Sherman’s March to the Sea, remember: that famous march began in Atlanta, after Sherman’s Union army captured the city.

Who Was William Tecumseh Sherman?

For Atlanta-focused history, you don’t need a full biography, but it helps to know a few core points.

Sherman was:

• A Union major general in the U.S. Civil War
• The commander of the Military Division of the Mississippi, which included the armies that advanced on Atlanta
• Known for using relentless, large-scale military pressure on Confederate forces and infrastructure

By 1864, Sherman was the Union general assigned to push into the deep South. His job: defeat Confederate armies in the region and capture key logistical centers—and Atlanta was at the top of that list.

Why Was Atlanta So Important to Sherman?

If you look at a modern MARTA or freight rail map, you’ll see Atlanta is still a major transportation hub. That was also true in 1864.

During the Civil War, Atlanta was:

• A railway center, with multiple major rail lines connecting it to the rest of the Confederacy
• A manufacturing and supply center, producing war materials and supplies
• A vital logistics hub for Confederate armies

Sherman understood that taking Atlanta would break a major Confederate supply network. For someone living in Atlanta today, it’s similar to imagining all the major interstate junctions and freight routes being cut at once. That’s why he directed multiple Union armies toward the city in one coordinated campaign.

How Sherman Led the Atlanta Campaign

The Atlanta Campaign wasn’t one battle—it was a months-long series of maneuvers and fights across North Georgia.

The Union Forces Under Sherman

Sherman directly commanded a large Union force composed of several armies:

• The Army of the Cumberland (under George H. Thomas)
• The Army of the Tennessee
• The Army of the Ohio

From an Atlanta resident’s perspective, it’s helpful to know that these armies approached from the northwest, pushing through areas that are now part of the greater metro region and North Georgia communities.

The Confederate Leaders Sherman Faced

You may see these names on markers around Atlanta:

• General Joseph E. Johnston – commanded Confederate forces for much of the early campaign, using defensive tactics and retreating gradually toward Atlanta
• General John Bell Hood – replaced Johnston in July 1864 and took a much more aggressive, attack-focused approach around the city

These leadership changes on the Confederate side directly affected how battles unfolded near present-day Atlanta neighborhoods and suburbs.

Key Atlanta-Area Sites Connected to Sherman

If you want to follow the story of Sherman’s leadership on the ground, there are several accessible sites in and around Atlanta that highlight the Union role in the campaign.

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

• Location: 900 Kennesaw Mountain Dr, Kennesaw, GA 30152
• About 20+ miles northwest of downtown Atlanta
• Preserves the site of the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain (June 27, 1864)

Here, Sherman launched a frontal assault against well-fortified Confederate positions. It was one of the few times in the campaign he tried a direct attack instead of flanking maneuvers, and it came at a high cost. The park’s visitor center offers exhibits on:

• Sherman’s overall strategy moving toward Atlanta
• Maps showing Union and Confederate positions
• Artifacts and interpretive trails that help you visualize troop movements

For modern Atlantans, Kennesaw Mountain is both a popular hiking spot and a way to understand how close major fighting came to what is now the metro area.

Atlanta History Center

• Location: 130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305

The Atlanta History Center includes detailed exhibits on:

• Sherman’s leadership of the Atlanta Campaign
• How the siege and capture of Atlanta affected residents
• The destruction of railroads, factories, and supplies ordered after Union occupation

If you’re trying to understand what Sherman did in the city itself, this is one of the most practical and informative places to start.

Oakland Cemetery

• Location: 248 Oakland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

While Sherman isn’t buried here, Oakland Cemetery holds:

• Graves of Confederate soldiers who fought against Sherman’s forces
• Monuments and markers that reflect how Atlantan memory of the war and Sherman has changed over time

Visiting gives a more personal sense of how the Atlanta Campaign affected families and communities, beyond just military strategy.

What Did Sherman Do After Capturing Atlanta?

Sherman’s capture of Atlanta in early September 1864 marked a turning point.

Military Actions Inside the City

Once Union forces controlled Atlanta:

• Confederate forces evacuated much of the city
• Sherman ordered the evacuation of many civilians, citing military necessity
• Union forces destroyed key railroads, military targets, and industrial facilities

From today’s standpoint, the burning of much of Atlanta is often summed up in the phrase “Sherman burned Atlanta.” In reality, some of the destruction was controlled, aimed at military targets and infrastructure; fires also spread beyond the original intent. But the end result was widespread damage.

For someone walking through downtown or Midtown Atlanta today, it can be hard to imagine how much of the city was reshaped in the years after Sherman’s occupation and destruction of key areas.

Beginning of the March to the Sea

After occupying Atlanta for several weeks, Sherman began his March to the Sea in November 1864, moving from Atlanta toward Savannah.

So when you hear about Sherman’s March, remember:

• The starting point was Atlanta
• Atlanta’s fall gave Sherman the secure base and supplies he needed to launch that next phase of the campaign

How Sherman’s Leadership Shaped Modern Atlanta

Even if you’re not a history buff, Sherman’s role as the Union leader of the Atlanta Campaign still shows up in the city’s identity today.

“Phoenix City” and Rebuilding

Because so much was destroyed in 1864, Atlanta had to rebuild from the ground up in many areas. Over time, that led to:

• A reputation as a “Phoenix City,” rising from the ashes
• A shift from a primarily military and industrial hub to a broader commercial and transportation center
• The development of the rail systems and, later, interstates and air travel connections that make Atlanta a major crossroads today

Sherman did not plan Atlanta’s future growth, but his capture and partial destruction of the city forced a restart that shaped how the city modernized.

Memory and Interpretation

Around Atlanta, you’ll still find a range of perspectives on Sherman:

• Some historical markers and older monuments focus heavily on Confederate viewpoints
• More recent museum exhibits and tours tend to offer more balanced interpretations, highlighting:
  • Military strategy
  • The experiences of enslaved people and civilians
  • The long-term impact on the city’s development

If you’re exploring Atlanta with kids or visitors, this can be a useful way to talk about how one leader’s decisions in war can reshape a city’s culture and physical landscape for generations.

How to Learn More About Sherman and the Atlanta Campaign Locally

If you want to go deeper into the role of William T. Sherman and the Union leadership in Atlanta’s history, there are several practical options within or near the city:

• Atlanta History Center (Buckhead area)
  Great for context on the campaign, artifacts, and multimedia exhibits tailored to local history.

• Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park (Kennesaw)
  Ideal if you want to walk actual battle sites where Sherman’s leadership decisions played out.

• Local historical markers
  Throughout neighborhoods like Inman Park, Grant Park, and around downtown, you’ll find plaques explaining Civil War sites, trenches, and skirmish locations tied to the campaign.

• Georgia State Capitol area
  The grounds and nearby markers occasionally highlight Civil War-era events and figures that connect back to Sherman and the campaign.

In summary: Major General William Tecumseh Sherman was the Union leader of the Atlanta Campaign, directing the operations that ultimately captured the city in 1864. If you live in or are visiting Atlanta, you can still see the legacy of his decisions in the city’s layout, its historical sites, and its enduring story of destruction and rebuilding.