Chapter 60: Sherman’s Move South Slowed at New Hope Church

Since resuming his chase after the rebel army in 1864, Sherman has moved from Chattanooga into Georgia at Resaca, crossed over the Etowah River, and is now approaching New Hope Church.

Sherman arrives at New Hope expecting little resistance, only to find that Johnston has established a solid defensive stance across the road to Dallas, just northwest of Possum Creek. Johnston has 4,000 troops on hand under John Bell Hood, with Stevenson on his right, AP Stewart in the center and Hindman to his left. Coming at him is Hooker’s XX Corps with 18,000 men led by Generals Butterfield, Geary and Williams.

At 5:00pm on May 25, the Union emerges from the forest and attacks the entrenched rebels. A three hour long fight ensues with Hooker’s men being repulsed and withdrawing in the early evening. Sounds of the fight reach Atlanta only 30 miles away.

Sherman is highly critical of Hooker’s late arrival at the battle. (And he will get him to resign in late July.) But the Union regroups and resumes its march south on May 27.

The Union reports 1,665 casualties versus only 400 for the Confederates.