Lt R. Blackwell 4th Texas
Sergeant
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2014
- Location
- Atlanta
What Atlanta Campaign Forum wouldn't need a begining at Rocky Face Ridge? This was the first of the Atlanta Campaign battles and set the stage for the flanking manuevers that would be indicative of the campaign. With nearly 100,000 men Sherman began his march into north Georgia on May 4th with Johnston opposing him with a little over 55,00 maybe as high as 60,000. The Confederates had well fortified their position along the 10 mile stretch of rock known as Rocky Face Ridge. The Union had Thomas in the center McPherson on the right and Shcofield on the left. The way I see it, there is no way that Johnston could expect a headlong assault on a ridge so well defended and fortified. So what could Johnston have done differently to help guard against what was sure to be a flanking manuever that was coming? It seems to me that he (Johnston) had all his eggs in the same basket because he only had the one basket. He simply did not have the troop strength to protect both of his flanks. McPherson alone had over 25,000 men to the south. Any thoughts?
Although I am sure this will draw some fire, I will never understand why Johnston, the defensive mastermind, did not place at least two brigades in Snake Creek Gap and fortify it. Johnston had four months to prepare for Sherman's offensive and failed to take even basic steps. Heck, the Union troops almost broke through at Dug Gap!
The more I read about Johnston, the less I think of him. Sorry, but there it is.