The Battle of Resaca

The Battle of Resaca which was fought on 14-15 May, 1864, was the first major battle of th Atlanta Campaign. When the smoke cleared, both of these great armies suffered about 5500 casualties. More soldiers were engaged at Resaca than at Kennesaw or Chickamauga. Located between Chattanooga and Atlanta is the small, now peaceful town of Resaca, Georgia.

Historic events that occurred in and around Resaca during the War Between the States were all but peaceful when war erupted on this  Georgia soil. Early on the morning of the 13th of May, 1864, General Joseph Johnston's Confederate army is firmly entrenched north and west of Resaca. Only four days earlier, Union troops under McPherson had approached Resaca from Snake Creek Gap. Seeing that the town was already fortified, and fearing that he was out numbered, he pulled back to Snake Creek Gap. When in fact, Resaca was only lightly held, the main Confederate army was still at Dalton at that time, the town could have easily been over run.

By midday on the 13th, the entire Federal army is in position and the battle begins. Confederate troops are driven from the hills just west of Camp Creek Bridge back to their main line. Union artillery is places on these hills and they open fire on the Confederate line and also on the river bridge. The fighting continues off and on along the lines until dark.

The fighting resumes early on the 14th when Union troops attack along the angle in the Confederate line. Three attacks are made across Camp Creek but each attack is beaten back with heavy losses. Confederate Cavalry gets word to General Johnston that the Union left is open to attack. General Johnston orders the attack on the Union left. They drive the Union troops back past Nance Springs until stopped by the 5th Indiana Battery who with the help of Union reinforcements drive the Confederates back to their entrenchments. About this same time, a Union Division is sent southward to cross the OOSTANAULA River to try to get to the railroad behind the Confederate Army.

Late in the afternoon Union troops attack the Confederate left and push them back to their last line of defense on the outskirts of Resaca. Fighting ends for the day. Before noon on the 15th, another Union attack is made on the Confederate line, this time on the northern end of the line where Confederate artillery had been placed out in front of the main line. The artillery of Van Corputs battery was overrun by Union troops who were quickly driven back over the front of the earthworks by Confederate rifle fire from the main line. The artillery was left in between the lines until nightfall, when Union troops pulled the guns down the hill with ropes. Confederates again attack the Union left but suffer heavy losses. General Johnston learns that Union troops are again threatening his rear. He then states to prepare his troops to withdraw across the river. Under cover of darkness, the Confederate army retreats from Resaca and set fire to the Bridge, then they head south to fight again...The Battle of Resaca is over. The Battle for Atlanta begins...

Taken from: The Campaign for Atlanta by William R. Scaife