The Atlanta Campaign: How the Civil War Shaped the City You See Today

When people in Atlanta talk about the “Atlanta Campaign,” they’re usually referring to a major series of Civil War battles and maneuvers in 1864 that reshaped the city’s future. If you live in Atlanta, are visiting, or simply want to understand the city better, knowing this history helps explain why Atlanta looks and feels the way it does today—from its rail lines and neighborhoods to its monuments and museums.

This guide walks you through what the Atlanta Campaign was, where it happened around metro Atlanta, and how you can still see its impact across the city.

What Was the Atlanta Campaign?

The Atlanta Campaign was a major Union military operation in 1864, led by General William T. Sherman, aimed at capturing Atlanta from Confederate control.

Atlanta mattered because it was:

• A railroad hub connecting much of the South
• A key industrial and supply center
• A symbolically important city for the Confederacy

The campaign ran roughly from May to September 1864, moving from northwest Georgia toward the city and ending with the fall of Atlanta and the burning of much of its industrial and railroad infrastructure.

For Atlanta today, the campaign explains:

• Why the city became such a critical transportation hub
• Why there are relatively few pre–Civil War buildings still standing
• Why certain neighborhoods and suburbs—like Kennesaw, Marietta, and Jonesboro—are dotted with Civil War markers and parks

Key Phases of the Atlanta Campaign (with Local Landmarks)

You don’t have to be a historian to follow the Atlanta Campaign. You can actually trace major phases of it through locations you might already know around the metro area.

1. Approaching Atlanta from the Northwest

The campaign started in northwest Georgia and moved toward Atlanta, passing through what are now suburbs many Atlantans commute through daily.

Important nearby sites:

• Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

  • Location: 900 Kennesaw Mountain Dr, Kennesaw, GA 30152
  • What happened: Major fighting in June 1864 as Sherman’s forces advanced toward Atlanta.
  • Why it matters today: The park preserves trenches, earthworks, and cannon positions, and offers views toward Atlanta’s skyline on clear days.

• Marietta

  • The town was occupied by Union forces as they moved toward Atlanta.
  • Around Marietta, you’ll find multiple historical markers, cemeteries, and preserved earthworks related to the campaign.

For someone living in or visiting Atlanta, these locations are some of the easiest and most scenic ways to visualize how the fighting moved toward the city.

2. The Battles on Atlanta’s Doorstep

As Sherman’s forces neared Atlanta, several major battles were fought on ground that is now firmly inside the modern metro area.

Key battle areas you can still visit:

Battle of Peachtree Creek (July 20, 1864)

• Area: Around Buckhead and South Buckhead, near Peachtree Creek
• What happened: Confederate forces attacked Union troops north of the city to try to halt their advance.
• Today:
  • You can find Peachtree Creek battlefield markers in residential and commercial areas.
  • Many Atlantans drive over these battlefields daily without realizing it, especially around Peachtree Road and surrounding neighborhoods.

Battle of Atlanta (July 22, 1864)

• Area: East of Downtown, including parts of Inman Park, Edgewood, Kirkwood, and East Atlanta
• What happened: One of the most intense battles of the campaign, as Confederate forces tried a major counterattack against Sherman’s forces.
• Today:
  • The neighborhoods are now mostly residential and commercial but include markers, murals, and small parks that reference the battle.
  • The famous 1886 painting “The Battle of Atlanta,” known as the Cyclorama, used to be housed in Grant Park and is now preserved by the Atlanta History Center (discussed more below).

Battle of Ezra Church (July 28, 1864)

• Area: Westside Atlanta, near Mozley Park and Westview
• What happened: Another attempt by Confederate forces to break the Union’s siege lines west of the city.
• Today:
  • Historical markers and small preserved sites are near churches, neighborhoods, and streets that are part of everyday Westside life.

These battles show how the front lines once ran right through areas that are now parts of daily Atlanta life—from coffee shops to BeltLine-adjacent neighborhoods.

3. Siege and Fall of Atlanta

By late summer 1864, Atlanta was under siege. Union forces shelled the city and cut off key railroads.

Key points:

• Confederate forces evacuated Atlanta in early September 1864.
• Union forces entered the city on September 2, 1864.
• Military orders led to the destruction of many railroad facilities, factories, and military-related buildings. Much of central Atlanta was heavily damaged or burned.

This destruction is a major reason Atlanta is often described as a city that had to “reinvent itself” and why its historic architecture often dates from after the war rather than before.

4. “March to the Sea” and Atlanta’s Next Chapter

After taking Atlanta, Sherman launched his “March to the Sea” toward Savannah. Atlanta served as the starting point for this next campaign.

While the march moved away from Atlanta, its beginning here cemented the city’s place in Civil War history classrooms and tours nationwide.

How the Atlanta Campaign Shaped Modern Atlanta

Even if you’re not a history enthusiast, the campaign’s legacy shows up in practical, everyday ways.

1. Transportation and Rail Lines

Atlanta was originally chosen as a railroad hub before the war, but the Atlanta Campaign reinforced its strategic importance.

Today:

• Major freight rail lines that run through downtown and across the city trace back to Civil War–era routes.
• The way interstates (I-75, I-85, I-20) and key corridors intersect near downtown reflects Atlanta’s long-standing role as a transportation crossroads.

If you’ve ever wondered why so much heavy rail and industrial infrastructure is concentrated near the center of the city, the Civil War and the Atlanta Campaign are a big part of the answer.

2. City Layout and Rebuilding

Because so much of wartime Atlanta was destroyed or damaged, the city had to rebuild quickly in the late 1800s.

That rebuilding led to:

• A focus on commerce, rail, and business—the foundation of today’s downtown and Midtown.
• Fewer pre-war buildings compared to some other Southern cities, which is why Atlanta often feels newer and more vertical.
• New neighborhoods developing along former battlefields and military roads, which later evolved into modern streets and communities.

When you walk through older neighborhoods like Grant Park, Inman Park, and West End, you’re seeing areas that grew up as Atlanta redefined itself after the campaign.

3. Identity and Symbolism

The idea of Atlanta as a “Phoenix City,” rising from the ashes, is closely tied to the burning and rebuilding after the Atlanta Campaign.

You can see this symbolism in:

• The Phoenix used in city seals and public art
• The narrative of Atlanta as a resilient, reinventing, forward-looking city
• Local museums and memorials that connect the Civil War to later chapters, including the Civil Rights Movement

Where to Explore the Atlanta Campaign in and Around the City

If you’d like to experience Atlanta Campaign history first-hand, there are several accessible, visitor-friendly sites in and around the city.

Atlanta History Center

• Address: 130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
• Highlights:
  • Extensive exhibits on the Civil War and Atlanta’s growth
  • The restored Cyclorama painting of the Battle of Atlanta
  • Artifacts, maps, and interactive displays that help you understand how fighting moved across what’s now the metro area

This is one of the best starting points for understanding the Atlanta Campaign in context.

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

• Address: 900 Kennesaw Mountain Dr, Kennesaw, GA 30152
• About 20–25 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta
• What you’ll find:
  • Preserved earthworks, cannon positions, and trails
  • A visitor center with maps and interpretive exhibits
  • Scenic overlooks where you can sometimes see the Atlanta skyline in the distance

This park gives you a big-picture view of how Union troops approached Atlanta from the north and west.

Local Battle-Related Neighborhoods and Markers

Several areas across Atlanta and nearby cities feature smaller but meaningful reminders of the campaign:

• Peachtree Creek area (Buckhead/South Buckhead) – markers and small sites connected to the Battle of Peachtree Creek
• East Atlanta, Edgewood, Kirkwood – community markers, murals, and plaques referencing the Battle of Atlanta
• Westview/Mozley Park – markers and historic sites related to the Battle of Ezra Church
• Jonesboro (south of Atlanta) – connected to later fighting that helped cut off Confederate forces and rail links

If you live in these neighborhoods, local markers can help you see how streets, creeks, and hills shaped the fighting—and still shape the community layout today.

Quick Reference: Major Atlanta Campaign Sites for Today’s Visitor

Practical Tips for Exploring Atlanta Campaign History

If you’re planning to explore the Atlanta Campaign around the city:

• Start indoors 🏛️
  Begin with the Atlanta History Center to get a solid overview, then visit outdoor sites with that context in mind.

• Pair history with everyday errands
  If you live in Atlanta, you can add a quick stop at a local marker or historic park near where you already work, shop, or walk the dog.

• Use visitor centers and posted maps
  At places like Kennesaw Mountain, the official visitor center can help you pick trails and viewpoints that match your time and interest level.

• Be mindful of residential areas
  Many historic sites—especially in in-town neighborhoods—are embedded in residential and commercial streets, so be respectful of local traffic and property.

Understanding the Atlanta Campaign isn’t just about memorizing battle names and dates. In Atlanta, it’s about seeing how a 19th-century military campaign shaped:

• The city’s transportation web
• Its neighborhood patterns and architecture
• Its identity as a rebuilt, forward-looking metropolis

Whether you’re a long-time resident or a short-term visitor, viewing Atlanta through this lens can make familiar places feel newly meaningful.