Battle of Adairsville

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Battle of Adairsville
Began:

May 17, 1864

Ended:

Same day

Location:

Bartow County and Gordon Counties, Georgia

Theater:

Western Theater

Campaign:

Atlanta Campaign

Outcome:

Confederate delaying action

33 star flag.png
Combatants
Conf Navy Jack.png

Military Division of
the Mississippi

Army of Tennessee

Commanders

William T. Sherman
Major General, USA

Joseph E. Johnston
General, CSA

Strength
Casualties

200

Unknown

  

Following the Battle of Resaca, May 13–15, Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's army retreated southward while Sherman pursued. Failing to find a good defensive position south of Calhoun, Johnston continued to Adairsville while the Rebel cavalry fought a skillful rearguard action. On the 17th, skirmish fire continued throughout the day and into the early evening. Maj. Gen. O.O. Howard’s IV Corps ran into entrenched infantry of Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee's corps, while advancing, about two miles north of Adairsville. The 44th Illinois and 24th Wisconsin (under the command of Maj. Arthur MacArthur, father of Douglas) attacked Cheatham’s Division at Robert Saxon (the Octagon House) and incurred heavy losses. Three Union divisions prepared for battle, but Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas halted them due to the approach of darkness. Sherman then concentrated his men in the Adairsville area to attack Johnston the next day. Johnston had originally expected to find a valley at Adairsville of suitable width to deploy his men and anchor his line with the flanks on hills. The valley, however, was too wide, so Johnston disengaged and withdrew. (NPS summary)