Who Led the Atlanta Campaign? A Local’s Guide to the Civil War Offensive That Shaped the City

If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting and exploring local history, you’ll see the phrase “Atlanta Campaign” everywhere—from markers in Downtown to exhibits at the Atlanta History Center. But who actually led the Atlanta Campaign, and how does that connect to the places you can visit around the city today?

Here’s a clear, Atlanta-focused breakdown.

The Short Answer: Who Led the Atlanta Campaign?

The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, a major series of battles in the American Civil War, was led on the Union side by Major General William Tecumseh Sherman.

He commanded the Union forces advancing toward and ultimately capturing Atlanta, a critical railroad and industrial center for the Confederacy.

On the Confederate side, leadership changed during the campaign:

• General Joseph E. Johnston initially commanded the Confederate Army defending Atlanta.
• In July 1864, he was replaced by General John Bell Hood, who then led the Confederate forces during the final phase of the fighting around the city itself.

If you’re in Atlanta and wonder “Who was in charge when the fighting reached the city?”:

• Sherman was the overall Union commander throughout.
• Hood was the Confederate commander by the time the major battles around Atlanta took place.

Key Leaders of the Atlanta Campaign (At a Glance)

Here’s a simple overview you can keep in mind as you explore Atlanta’s historic sites:

When local markers or museum exhibits reference “Sherman,” “Johnston,” or “Hood,” they’re referring to these three central figures.

Why Sherman Targeted Atlanta

If you’re standing near Downtown Atlanta, especially close to old rail corridors or near the Fox Theatre and the Old Fourth Ward, it helps to know why Atlanta mattered so much.

In 1864, Atlanta was a major transportation and supply hub, with:

• Multiple rail lines converging in the city
• Factories and workshops supplying Confederate armies
• Strategic importance for moving troops and equipment

Sherman’s goal as the Union commander was to:

• Break Confederate supply lines
• Capture Atlanta to damage the South’s ability to continue the war
• Open a path for his later movement toward the Atlantic coast

From an Atlanta perspective, that means the modern city center sits on ground that was once the focus of a massive military campaign directed by Sherman.

Sherman’s Role: The Union Leader Behind the Atlanta Campaign

William Tecumseh Sherman, operating from the Union side, is the central figure when people ask, “Who led the Atlanta Campaign?”

His responsibilities included:

• Planning and directing the overall strategy from north Georgia down to Atlanta
• Coordinating multiple Union armies moving through areas that today include:
  • Northwest Georgia (toward Chattanooga and Dalton)
  • Areas around Kennesaw, Marietta, and Smyrna north of modern Atlanta
• Ordering operations that eventually forced the evacuation of Atlanta in early September 1864

If you explore Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park (just northwest of Atlanta), most of the story told there connects directly back to Sherman’s decisions and movements during his push toward Atlanta.

The Confederate Commanders: Johnston and Hood

On the other side, two Confederate leaders are closely connected to the Atlanta Campaign:

General Joseph E. Johnston

Johnston:

• Commanded the Confederate Army of Tennessee early in the campaign
• Focused on defensive maneuvers, withdrawing step by step toward Atlanta
• Attempted to slow Sherman without risking the destruction of his army

As Union troops moved closer to Atlanta, Confederate leadership grew frustrated with Johnston’s cautious approach, which led to a change in command.

General John Bell Hood

In July 1864, shortly before the heaviest fighting around the city, John Bell Hood replaced Johnston.

Hood:

• Took command as the Confederates tried to hold the defenses around Atlanta
• Favored more aggressive attacks on Sherman’s forces
• Led Confederate troops during the major battles near and around the city, including:
  • Battle of Peachtree Creek
  • Battle of Atlanta
  • Battle of Ezra Church

When you read about Peachtree Creek or see historic markers referring to “Hood’s army” in neighborhoods north and west of Downtown, that’s the same Hood who assumed command during the Atlanta Campaign.

Where You Can See Atlanta Campaign History in and Around Atlanta

If you want to connect the names Sherman, Johnston, and Hood to real places in and around Atlanta, there are several key sites and resources.

1. Atlanta History Center (Buckhead)

• Address: 130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
• The Atlanta History Center offers Civil War exhibits that discuss:
  • The Atlanta Campaign
  • Major military leaders, including Sherman, Johnston, and Hood
  • How the campaign affected the people and landscape of Atlanta

You’ll often see maps and artifacts that show troop positions and explain how leadership decisions shaped the city’s fate.

2. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

• Location: Kennesaw, GA (northwest of Atlanta; accessible by car from the city)
• This site preserves a major battlefield from the campaign, where Sherman’s and Johnston’s forces clashed.
• Interpretive signs and exhibits explain:
  • Sherman’s advance toward Atlanta
  • Johnston’s defensive tactics
  • The importance of high ground and rail routes leading into the city

Many Atlanta residents visit for both the history and the hiking, making it a good option if you want to combine outdoor time with learning more about the leaders of the campaign.

3. Battlefield Markers Within the City

Across modern Atlanta, especially in older intown neighborhoods, you may notice historical markers that mention:

• Battle of Peachtree Creek (north of Downtown)
• Battle of Atlanta (in and around areas like East Atlanta and Inman Park)
• Fortifications and lines of battle near current roads and neighborhoods

These markers frequently name:

• Hood, as the Confederate leader defending the city
• Sherman, as the Union leader pressing the attack

As you drive or walk through these areas, the markers help you visualize where leaders made key choices that affected Atlanta’s future.

How the Atlanta Campaign Shaped Modern Atlanta

Knowing who led the campaign also helps explain why Atlanta looks the way it does today.

Because Sherman’s forces eventually took the city and destroyed key military and industrial assets, Atlanta:

• Faced extensive wartime damage
• Then rebuilt in the late 19th century, leading to:
  • A new skyline
  • Growth around rail and later highway routes
  • Its emergence as a major Southern urban center

The leaders of the Atlanta Campaign, especially Sherman, indirectly shaped:

• The location of modern rail lines and industrial corridors
• The city’s historic identity as a place that “rose from the ashes”
• Landmarks and commemorative spaces that you can visit today

When you see symbols like the Phoenix on Atlanta’s official seal or on city buildings, they refer to the city’s rebirth after the destruction tied to Sherman’s campaign.

Quick FAQ for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

Was Sherman the only Union leader in the Atlanta Campaign?
Sherman was the overall commander, but several subordinate Union generals led individual armies and corps. When people in Atlanta refer to “who led the campaign,” they usually mean Sherman, since he directed the larger strategy and decisions.

Who was in charge of defending Atlanta itself?
By the time major battles were fought around Atlanta, General John Bell Hood was commanding the Confederate forces defending the city. Johnston had already been replaced.

Can I visit places connected to the Atlanta Campaign within the city limits?
Yes. While much of the heavy battlefield preservation is outside the core city, you can find markers, monuments, and exhibits in various neighborhoods and at institutions like the Atlanta History Center.

Why is the Atlanta Campaign still important to understand today?
For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta, understanding who led the Atlanta Campaign helps explain:

• How the city became such a major transportation hub
• Why certain neighborhoods and corridors developed the way they did
• Why Atlanta embraces the theme of rebuilding and resilience

In summary, the Atlanta Campaign was led by Union General William Tecumseh Sherman, opposed first by Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston and then by General John Bell Hood. Their decisions and actions played a central role in shaping the Atlanta you see and experience today.