Books on the Atlanta Campaign

CyleKostello

Sergeant
Joined
Jan 27, 2021
Location
Washington, DC
Hi all,

Was wondering if y'all had any recommendations for books on the Atlanta campaign?

Currently transcribing the diaries of a soldier in the 31st OVI and his 1864 diary talks a fair bit about engagements on the way to atlanta, so now I'm looking to learn more about the Atl. campaign.

Thanks in advance!
 
Hi all,

Was wondering if y'all had any recommendations for books on the Atlanta campaign?

Currently transcribing the diaries of a soldier in the 31st OVI and his 1864 diary talks a fair bit about engagements on the way to atlanta, so now I'm looking to learn more about the Atl. campaign.

Thanks in advance!
Castel, Decision in the West, is still the "go-to" campaign history. A good succinct campaign study is Steve Davis's Joe Johnston and the Yankee Heavy Battalions. For battle narratives Earl Hess has done good books on Kennesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, and Ezra Church. Gary Ecelbarger has done good books on Battle of Atlanta (Day Dixie Died) and Ezra. Brad Butkovich has done one on Picketts Mill. Steve Davis's Hood bio, vol. 1, is also worthwhile.
 
Castel, Decision in the West, is still the "go-to" campaign history. A good succinct campaign study is Steve Davis's Joe Johnston and the Yankee Heavy Battalions. For battle narratives Earl Hess has done good books on Kennesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, and Ezra Church. Gary Ecelbarger has done good books on Battle of Atlanta (Day Dixie Died) and Ezra. Brad Butkovich has done one on Picketts Mill. Steve Davis's Hood bio, vol. 1, is also worthwhile.
Fantastic, thank you!
 
Fantastic, thank you!
You'll find a lack of good battle narratives on Resaca, New Hope Church, and Jonesboro (word is that Dave Powell may be bringing his excellent talents to some of that). Steve Davis and Russell Bonds have turned out decent works on the siege. And - for cavalry operations - David Evans Sherman's Horsemen is well-done.

Looks like we both have "Boston-Seattle" connections.
 
Bill Scaife
His style was easy to understand. His maps were revolutionary. However, research since his passing has shown some of his maps were not correct. He was first to do ATL Campaign modern maps so a little understanding is appropriate

Phil Secrist on Resaca is an excellent reference book. Bob Jenkins has several very detailed books. Gary Ecelbager is working on a book about the battle of Dallas. Gary and Scott Patchan are finishing one on Jonesboro. They have uncovered some new information on the exact location of the 2nd days battle.
 
Hi all,

Was wondering if y'all had any recommendations for books on the Atlanta campaign?

Currently transcribing the diaries of a soldier in the 31st OVI and his 1864 diary talks a fair bit about engagements on the way to atlanta, so now I'm looking to learn more about the Atl. campaign.

Thanks in advance!
I know its already been recommended, but Castel's Decision in the West I can back up; personally its one of my favorite books of all time, not just the Civil War or the Atlanta Campaign or history in general.
 
Bill Scaife
His style was easy to understand. His maps were revolutionary. However, research since his passing has shown some of his maps were not correct. He was first to do ATL Campaign modern maps so a little understanding is appropriate

Phil Secrist on Resaca is an excellent reference book. Bob Jenkins has several very detailed books. Gary Ecelbager is working on a book about the battle of Dallas. Gary and Scott Patchan are finishing one on Jonesboro. They have uncovered some new information on the exact location of the 2nd days battle.
Thanks. I had heard Ecelbarger was working on something about Dallas - is he including New Hope? Hadn't heard about the (long overdue) possibility of something on Jonesboro. Patchan is phenomonal on terrain. The Secrist book is pretty thin - I find the article in Blue & Gray to be the most useful substitute for now. Hoping that Dave Powell takes on Resaca.
 
Castel, Decision in the West, is still the "go-to" campaign history. A good succinct campaign study is Steve Davis's Joe Johnston and the Yankee Heavy Battalions. For battle narratives Earl Hess has done good books on Kennesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, and Ezra Church. Gary Ecelbarger has done good books on Battle of Atlanta (Day Dixie Died) and Ezra. Brad Butkovich has done one on Picketts Mill. Steve Davis's Hood bio, vol. 1, is also worthwhile.
The Hess work on Ezra Church was superb.
 
Castel's book is my favorite for the overall campaign.
I still love Co Aytch by Sam Watkins as what the common soldier saw. Albeit, you have to take a lot of his stuff as memory and not certain facts. But it does have some value, plus it is a fun book to read.
Advance and Retreat by John Hood, well I like it because it really shows you just how much Hood dislike Johnston and did everything to ruin his reputation.
Of course I find so many gold nuggets in the O.R., I still use it as my main source.
 
I'm currently reading "What the Yankees did to us" by Stephen Davis. Not a campaign heavy book but a big focus on life during the bombardment and many references to contemporary sources. I'm enjoying it, because I love the human angle. It's also making me want to read more about Uncle Billy.
 
Steve Davis’ What the Yankees did to us and his recent 2 volume set about Hood in Georgia and Tennessee are well worth reading. More about the people involved rather than full of battle detail but all the better for that.
 
Steve Davis’ What the Yankees did to us and his recent 2 volume set about Hood in Georgia and Tennessee are well worth reading. More about the people involved rather than full of battle detail but all the better for that.
Actually, I'd say that Steve's comparisons of Hood's July 22 plan compared to Jackson's Chancellorsville attack in vol. 1 and of Hood's attack at Franklin compared to "Pickett's Charge" in vol. 2 are worth investing in the Hood books even without more.
 
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