Fighting for Atlanta

Tactics, Terrain, and Trenches in the Civil War

By Earl J. Hess | Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press

About the book

As William T. Sherman’s Union troops began their campaign for Atlanta in the spring of 1864, they encountered Confederate forces employing field fortifications located to take advantage of rugged terrain. While the Confederates consistently acted on the defensive, digging eighteen lines of earthworks from May to September, the Federals used fieldworks both defensively and offensively. With 160,000 troops engaged on both sides and hundreds of miles of trenches dug, fortifications became a defining factor in the Atlanta campaign battles. These engagements took place on topography ranging from Appalachian foothills to the clay fields of Georgia’s piedmont.

Leading military historian Earl J. Hess examines how commanders adapted their operations to the physical environment, how the environment in turn affected their movements, and how Civil War armies altered the terrain through the science of field fortification. He also illuminates the impact of fighting and living in ditches for four months on the everyday lives of both Union and Confederate soldiers. The Atlanta campaign represents one of the best examples of a prolonged Union invasion deep into southern territory, and, as Hess reveals, it marked another important transition in the conduct of war from open field battles to fighting from improvised field fortifications.

Editions of Fighting for Atlanta

Hardcover
ISBN 9781469643427
Paperback
ISBN 9781469661483
EBook
ISBN 9781469643441
EBook
ISBN 9798890856371
EBook
ISBN 9781469643434
PDF
ISBN 9798890856364

Read an Excerpt

As William T. Sherman’s Union troops began their campaign for Atlanta in the spring of 1864, they encountered Confederate forces employing field fortifications located to take advantage of rugged terrain. While the Confederates consistently acted on the defensive, digging eighteen lines of earthworks from May to September, the Federals used fieldworks both defensively and offensively. With 160,000 troops engaged on both sides and hundreds of miles of trenches dug, fortifications became a defining factor in the Atlanta campaign battles. These engagements took place on topography ranging from Appalachian foothills to the clay fields of Georgia’s piedmont.

Leading military historian Earl J. Hess examines how commanders adapted their operations to the physical environment, how the environment in turn affected their movements, and how Civil War armies altered the terrain through the science of field fortification. He also illuminates the impact of fighting and living in ditches for four months on the everyday lives of both Union and Confederate soldiers. The Atlanta campaign represents one of the best examples of a prolonged Union invasion deep into southern territory, and, as Hess reveals, it marked another important transition in the conduct of war from open field battles to fighting from improvised field fortifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fighting for Atlanta about?

As William T. Sherman’s Union troops began their campaign for Atlanta in the spring of 1864, they encountered Confederate forces employing field fortifications located to take advantage of rugged terrain. While the Confederates consistently acted on the defensive, digging eighteen lines of earthworks from May to September, the Federals used fieldworks both defensively and offensively. With 160,000 troops engaged on both sides and hundreds of miles of trenches dug, fortifications became a defining factor in the Atlanta campaign battles. These engagements took place on topography ranging from Appalachian foothills to the clay fields of Georgia’s piedmont.

Leading military historian Earl J. Hess examines how commanders adapted their operations to the physical environment, how the environment in turn affected their movements, and how Civil War armies altered the terrain through the science of field fortification. He also illuminates the impact of fighting and living in ditches for four months on the everyday lives of both Union and Confederate soldiers. The Atlanta campaign represents one of the best examples of a prolonged Union invasion deep into southern territory, and, as Hess reveals, it marked another important transition in the conduct of war from open field battles to fighting from improvised field fortifications.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Fighting for Atlanta?

Society and Social Sciences > Warfare and defence > Military and defence strategy

Where can I read a sample of Fighting for Atlanta?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469643427

How long is Fighting for Atlanta and how many pages does it have?

Fighting for Atlanta has 408 page(s)

Is Fighting for Atlanta part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?

Yes it is a part of series Civil War America

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Fighting for Atlanta?

Earl J. Hess

Who is the Publisher of the book Fighting for Atlanta?

The University of North Carolina Press

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Fighting for Atlanta is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469643427) and paperback(ISBN 9781469661483) and ebook(ISBN 9781469643441) and ebook(ISBN 9798890856371) and ebook(ISBN 9781469643434) and pdf(ISBN 9798890856364)

Where can I buy Fighting for Atlanta online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Fighting for Atlanta from below

Where can I buy Fighting for Atlanta?