Battle of Resaca

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Battle of Resaca


caption="Battle of Resaca", by Kurz and Allison, 1889.
partof=the American Civil War
date=May 13 – May 15, 1864
place=Gordon and Whitfield counties, Georgia
result=Inconclusive
combatant1= flagicon|USA|1863 United States (Union)
combatant2= flagicon|CSA|1863 CSA (Confederacy)
commander1=William T. Sherman
commander2=Joseph E. Johnston
strength1=Military Division of the Mississippi
strength2=Army of Tennessee
casualties1=2,747
casualties2=2,800

The Battle of Resaca was part of the Atlanta Campaign of the American Civil War. The battle was waged in Gordon and Whitfield counties Georgia from May 13 to May 15, 1864. It ended inconclusively.

The battle was fought between the Military Division of the Mississippi (led by William T. Sherman) on the side of the Union and the Army of Tennessee (Joseph E. Johnston) for the Confederates. There were 5,547 casualties: 2,747 for the Union and 2,800 for the Confederacy.

Johnston had withdrawn from Rocky Face Ridge to the hills around Resaca. Sherman's men crossed the Etowah River using newly delivered Cumberland pontoon bridges and advanced toward Johnston's position.

On May 13, the Union troops tested the Rebel lines to pinpoint their whereabouts. The next day full scale fighting occurred, and the Union troops were generally repulsed except on the Rebel right flank where Sherman did not fully exploit his advantage. On May 15, the battle continued with no advantage to either side until Sherman sent a force across the Oostanaula River, at Lay’s Ferry, towards Johnston’s railroad supply line. Unable to halt this Union movement, Johnston was forced to retire.

References

* [http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/ga008.htm National Park Service battle description]