22 JUL--This Day in US Military History

2015-07-22T10:04:37-04:00

1864 – Confederate General John Bell Hood continues to try to drive General William T. Sherman from the outskirts of Atlanta when he attacks the Yankees on Bald Hill.

The attack failed, and Sherman tightened his hold on Atlanta. Confederate President Jefferson Davis had appointed Hood commander of the Army of Tennessee just four days before the engagement at Atlanta. Davis had been frustrated with the defensive campaign of the previous commander, Joseph Johnston, so he appointed Hood to drive Sherman back North. Hood attacked Peachtree Creek on July 20, but he could not break the Federals. Two days later, Hood tried again at Bald Hill.
The Union force under Sherman consisted of three armies: James McPherson’s Army of the Tennessee, John Schofield’s Army of the Ohio, and George Thomas’ Army of the Cumberland. Thomas’ force pressed on Atlanta from the north, at Peachtree Creek, while McPherson swung to Atlanta’s eastern fringe to cut the Georgia Railroad, which ran to Decatur. Hood struck at McPherson on July 22, but several problems blunted the Confederate attack. The broken, rugged terrain made coordination difficult, and the attack, which had been planned for dawn, did not begin until after noon. Most important, and unbeknownst to Hood, McPherson extended his line east. The Confederates had assembled along a line—which they thought was behind the Union flank—but was now directly in front of fortified Federal soldiers.
Hood’s men briefly breached the Union line, but could not hold the position. The day ended without a significant change in the position of the two armies. For the second time in three days, Hood failed to break the Union hold on Atlanta. His already-outnumbered army fared poorly. He lost more than 5,000 men, while the Union suffered 3,700 casualties. Among them was General McPherson, who had been killed while scouting the lines during the battle. He was one of the most respected and promising commanders in the Union army.

https://thisdayinusmilhist.wordpress.com/2005/07/22/july-22/

July 22

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Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 10:08 AM

2015-07-22T10:08:28-04:00

Thanks for sharing. Actually had a good conversation about Gen. Sherman the other day.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jul 22 at 2015 10:11 AM

2015-07-22T10:11:43-04:00

Sherman's campaign in Georgia and his march to the sea are considered examples of total warfare being executed in America. His actions may well have shortened the war; but, he has become somewhat infamous as a result. Thanks for posting MSG Private RallyPoint Member.
It is interesting that Fort Hood was named after John Bell Hood and the M-4 Sherman tank was a mainstay of the US Army in WWII succeeding the M-3 Lee/Grant tank