July 19 - September 1, 1864: Sherman vs. John Bell Hood
September 2, 1864 - The Union army occupies Atlanta, the city surrenders.
Atlanta had a population of about 20,000 prior to Sherman's arrival. 80% - 90% had evacuated by the time of his arrival.
Sherman shells the city for several weeks, shooting perhaps 50,000 shells. About 50 civilians die.
Preparing to pull out, Confederate forces accidentally set Atlanta on fire while destroying military resources to keep them from the Union army.
Sherman orders the rest of civilians to evacuate the city.
Sherman will destroy everything in Atlanta except the residential neighbors and 60 miles of railroad track back towards Chattanooga before leaving on this march to Savannah in mid-November.
Georgia Historical Society - the Burning of Atlanta
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