It was one of the dramatic Union victories that came just in time (Autumn '64) to save Northern morale, and encourage them to vote Lincoln back in.
The capture of Atlanta had not been a big priority with Grant. Technically Sherman had failed in his mission to destroy the Army of Tennessee. But 'Atlanta Falls' made big headlines all the same.
So did the other two victories - the liberation of the port of Mobile (David Farragut.), and the clearing of Confederates out of the Shenandoah Valley (Phil Sheridan).
According to Grant's strategy, it wasn't important at all. As General-in-Chief, he was not interested in capturing territory, only in destroying the Confederate armies, wherever they might be. Sherman's orders were to target Joe Johnston and the Army of Tennessee. But when they got out of Atlanta and headed for the mountains, Sherman did not succeed in capturing them. So he decided to occupy Atlanta instead, realising that it would sound like big news in the North and help Lincoln's re-election chances.
One of them was the liberation of the port of Mobile, Alabama. Another was the final victory over Jubal Early in the Shenandoah by Phil Sheridan. Put together, these three Union victories restored Northern morale after months of depressing news, and revived Lincoln's chances of winning the November 1864 election.
The victories boosted Lincoln's popularity, helping him win reelection.
Atlanta had little importance for Grant, who had told Sherman simply to destroy the Army of Tennessee wherever it was. It was when Sherman failed to do this that the capture of Atlanta seemed like the next best thing, a morale-booster for the war-weary North, with the General Election getting near.
Sherman commanded the Union troops that captured Atlanta in September 1864.
The answer is General William Tecomsen Sherman
According to Grant's strategy, it wasn't important at all. As General-in-Chief, he was not interested in capturing territory, only in destroying the Confederate armies, wherever they might be. Sherman's orders were to target Joe Johnston and the Army of Tennessee. But when they got out of Atlanta and headed for the mountains, Sherman did not succeed in capturing them. So he decided to occupy Atlanta instead, realising that it would sound like big news in the North and help Lincoln's re-election chances.
One of them was the liberation of the port of Mobile, Alabama. Another was the final victory over Jubal Early in the Shenandoah by Phil Sheridan. Put together, these three Union victories restored Northern morale after months of depressing news, and revived Lincoln's chances of winning the November 1864 election.
He was greatly helped by three timely Union victories - Sheridan clearing the Shenandoah Valley, Sherman capturing Atlanta, and Farragut liberating the port of Mobile. These military successes restored Northern morale in the run-up to the Election. G
Sherman was the union general in Atlanta.
The victories boosted Lincoln's popularity, helping him win reelection.
The victories boosted Lincoln's popularity, helping him win reelection.
Atlanta Neighborhood Union was created in 1908.
No. If he had lost the Election, there might have been a compromise peace, which could only have meant Southern independence. But by November 1864, the war was going better for the Union, with Grant keeping Lee on the defensive in Petersburg, Sherman capturing Atlanta, Sheridan dominating the Shenandoah, and the blockade-runners' port of Mobile being liberated.
It was one of the Union victories that came just in time to revive Northern morale and save Lincoln from being voted out of office. Ironically, the capture of Atlanta was no part of Grant's strategy. It actually reflected Sherman's failure to destroy the Army of Tennessee. It was really a gesture that would make big headlines in the North.
The union gained control of the Mississippi after the capture of Vicksburg.
The capture of Atlanta, Georgia, and then the capture of Savannah, Georgia, and the Battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia, were all important factors. Additionally, General Sherman's victory in Atlanta helped Abraham Lincoln win re-election in 1864.