Atlanta, Georgia and the Civil War

Confederate troops were outnumbered by almost twenty thousand but held their position, at one point by throwing rocks when ammunition ran out . McPherson's hesitance to order an all-out assault on the Confederate supply line forced the Union troops to shift the fighting southward until both armies hit the small town of Resaca, Georgia on May 13th, where the first major encounter of the Atlanta Campaign took place. That day began with the Union troops testing their enemy's lines with small assaults to identify their exact location. Full scale fighting began the following morning. Johnson's troops were able to maintain their defensive position due to Sherman's hesitance to use his full force on the Confederate's right flank. No advantage was gained until Union soldiers were sent across the Oostanula River into Lay's Ferry, toward the railroad line supplying the Confederates. Johnston was then forced to retreat in order to prevent Sherman from taking both their supplies and gaining a significant lead. Confederate troops made their way through Georgia, pausing in Allatoona's Pass where Johnson anticipated Sherman's attempt to move around his left flank and maneuver Union troops toward Dallas. Under General Joseph Hooker's orders, Northern soldiers attacked but were brutally assaulted by the Southerner's strong defensive position. By May 26th both sides had entrenched, engaging in small skirmishes until lack of progress convinced Sherman to order another offensive attack on Johnston's right flank. The Confederates were prepared for this confrontation and again held the defensive position, inflicting high Union casualties. The Battle of Dallas occurred on May 28th when Confederate troops led by General William J. Hardee surveyed the Union defense for possible weaknesses. Action took place at two points, both of which resulted in holding off Southern forces. .
             At this point in the Campaign, Sherman's army had made little movement toward Atlanta or gained any significant advantage over the Rebels despite their extreme shortcoming in both numbers and supplies.