Battle of Ezra Church

Battle of Ezra Church Battle of the Poor House Began: July 28, 1864 Ended: Same day Location: Fulton County, Georgia Theater: Western Theater Campaign: Atlanta Campaign Outcome: Union Victory Combatants Army of the Tennessee Army of Tennessee (2 corps) Commanders William T. Sherman Major General, USA Oliver O. Howard Major General, USA John B. Hood Lieutenant General, CSA Strength Casualties 562 3,000

Earlier, Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman’s forces had approached Atlanta from the east and north. Hood had not defeated them, but he had kept them away from the city. Sherman now decided to attack from the west. He ordered the Army of the Tennessee, commanded by Maj. Gen. O.O. Howard, to move from the left wing to the right and cut Hood’s last railroad supply line between East Point and Atlanta. Hood foresaw such a maneuver and determined to send the two corps of Lt. Gen. Stephen D. Lee and Lt. Gen. Alexander P. Stewart to intercept and destroy the Union force. Thus, on the afternoon of July 28, the Rebels assaulted Howard at Ezra Church. Howard had anticipated such a thrust, entrenched one of his corps in the Confederates’ path, and repulsed the determined attack, inflicting numerous casualties. Howard, however, failed to cut the railroad. (NPS summary)