Battle of Resaca
Resaca, Gordon County, Georgia
Marker Inscription
Battle of Resaca. May 16, 1864. Johnston's forces, [CSA] withdrew from Resaca via pontoon, R. R. & trestle bridges over the Oostanaula River. The 4th & two divs. of the 14th Corps [USA] rebuilt 2 bridges which had been burned & followed the retreating Confederates S., along R. R. and highway. Davis' ( 2d ) Div., 14th A. C. [USA] moved W. of R. to Rome. The 20th & two divs. of 23d A.C. [USA] moved E. to Fites Ferry, Conasauga R., enroute to Coosawattee R. crossings - McClure's Ferry & the one at Fields Mill. Army of the Tenn. [USA] crossed Oostanaula R. at Lay's Ferry near Snake Cr., 6 mi. S.W. 064-11 GEORGIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 1953
Erected by Georgia Historical Commission
The Story
On May 16, 1864, Gen. Johnston's Confederate army slipped across the Oostanaula River on pontoon and railroad bridges, ending the Battle of Resaca. Union forces rebuilt the burned bridges and pursued southward while other columns fanned out toward Rome and the Coosawattee crossings, and the Army of the Tennessee forded the river downstream at Lay's Ferry.
Why it matters
The Confederate withdrawal from Resaca set the pattern for the entire Atlanta Campaign—entrench, resist, then retreat—as Sherman steadily pressed toward the vital rail hub.
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Related people
- · Joseph E. Johnston
- · Jefferson C. Davis
Related events
- · Battle of Resaca
- · Atlanta Campaign
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
Battle of Resaca
Gordon County, GA
During the Battle of Resaca on May 13–14, 1864, Union corps deployed along ridges west of Camp Creek opposite Leonidas Polk's Confederate corps. On May 14 the Federals drove Polk's men across the creek and, by evening, carried and held his new position on the hills beyond, forcing Polk to fall back toward the Dalton–Resaca road.
Atlanta Campaign: Resaca
Gordon County, GA
On May 13–15, 1864, the opening major clash of the Atlanta Campaign unfolded near Resaca, where Confederate lines north and west of town held firm against Federal attacks. Unable to break the position by assault, Sherman executed a flanking movement to the west and south that rendered Johnston's line untenable. The Confederates were compelled to fall back deeper into Georgia, setting the campaign's pattern.
Battle of Resaca
Gordon County, GA
On May 13, 1864, Union Gen. McPherson's corps emerged from Snake Creek Gap to open the Battle of Resaca, with Judson Kilpatrick's cavalry leading the advance until he was wounded by Confederate skirmishers. Over the next day Federal forces deployed along ridges overlooking Camp Creek as the battle opened in earnest against Hood's and Hardee's lines.
Battles of Tilton
Whitfield County, GA
In 1864 the rail towns of northwest Georgia became a battleground during Sherman's drive on Atlanta. This spot saw a May delaying action as Confederates withdrew toward Resaca, and an October assault in which part of French's Division shelled a blockhouse held by some 300 men of the 17th Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, forcing their surrender after a fight of several hours.