Major General William T. Sherman possessed a gift for catchphrases. One of his best-known quips is “So Atlanta is ours and fairly won.” These words appeared in a telegram sent to the War Department on Sept. 3, 1864.
The victorious Sherman observed in the same message, “Since May 5 we have been in one constant battle or skirmish, and need rest.” This line highlights the varied flanking maneuvers and strategic battles, including Resaca, Dalton, Kennesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek and many other clashes, which can be difficult for any student of the Civil War to contextualize and fully appreciate.
If you are looking for a comprehensive yet concise view of the military operations that is richly illustrated, The Atlanta Campaign, 1864, more than meets the need. The two 120-page volumes feature a pleasing balance of readable narrative, profiles of key leaders, maps, photographs, and art.
Each volume begins with a timeline to orient the reader, followed by chapters that detail the various events in the larger campaign. Profiles of the major actors are interspersed throughout the chapters, humanizing the narrative.
Author David A. Powell, a Virginia Military Institute graduate with a BA in history, is no stranger to writing about the Civil War and this sector of the conflict. His previous books, essays, and articles, including Chickamauga, Chattanooga, The Tullahoma Campaign, Shiloh and Gettysburg, are well-researched and informative.
Powell brings his knowledge and experience into full play in The Atlanta Campaign. The result of his efforts is a handy reference guide that is convenient for research at home or a helpful traveling companion on tours of the battlegrounds and other places described in the books. Moreover, it is useful for both the veteran campaigner and newcomers to the study of the Civil War interested in orienting themselves to the long months of hard campaigning and generalship from North Georgia to the city.
Powell’s The Atlanta Campaign is valuable reference. Get both volumes for your library, as a gift for a friend, or as a donation to a local library or historical society.
The Atlanta Campaign, 1864
By David A. Powell
128 pages
Casemate Publishers
Softcover (available through major booksellers and casematepublishers.com)
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