Battle of Rocky Face Ridge

Johnston

In Georgia the main Confederate army was under the command of General Joseph E. Johnston. He placed his men in a strong position on Rocky Face Ridge. Major General William Sherman, the Union commander, needed to defeat his army or get past him to continue south towards Atlanta. Johnston hoped that Sherman would attack his position from the front, so he could defeat him in a defensive battle. Sherman, however, was not that foolish. Instead he skirmished with the Confederates on their front while another column moved around their southern flank. When Sherman withdrew all of his forces from Johnston's front to march around his flank, Johnston made a move that would become characteristic of the campaign – he retreated. Johnston was unwilling to risk an attack on Sherman and was unable to prevent a flanking movement, so he fell back towards Resaca 150 years ago today.

Atlanta Campaign