The Atlanta Campaign: Principle of the Objective Revisited
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to analyze Union offensive operations during the Atlanta Campaign of the American Civil War with respect to the principle of the objective. This highly successful campaign split the Confederacy. The problem in this study was to determine whether Sherman applied the principle of the objective prior to and subsequent to the capture of Atlanta. Among the more important conclusions of the thesis are: (1) The Union commander applied the principle of the objective during the campaign pushing the Confederate forces to a town 20 miles south of Atlanta, and forcing Confederate abandonment of Atlanta. (2) Sherman failed to apply the principle of the objective upon the occupation (capture) of Atlanta. (3) Sherman cautiously protected his railroad lifeline to Tennessee until sufficient forces were allocated to Major General George H. Thomas, his subordinate, who was defending Tennessee. Only after receiving authority from General-in-Chief Ulysses S. Grant did Sherman turn away from Hood. Trusting Thomas to protect Tennessee from Hood's army, Sherman concentrated on his new objective of destroying the southern will to fight. Planned destruction of the South's war making resources began with Sherman's subsequent march to the sea.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 06, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADB006760
Entities
People
- John G. Coombs
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College