July 20, 1864---The Battle of Peachtree Creek

JULY 20, 1864:         

The Battle of Peachtree Creek. 

Following a battle plan already designed by his former commander Joseph E. Johnston C.S.A., General John Bell Hood decides to stop the Union advance at Peachtree Creek. 

Unfortunately for the notoriously aggressive Hood, he fails to reconnoiter the Union lines sufficiently, and thus is unsure where the Union lines are weakest. Hood’s lack of knowledge in ordering the battle leads to a three hour delay as his subordinates shift troops hither and thither to place their strongest forces into positions that will allow them to attack the Union’s strongest forces. While this shuffling of regiments goes on, the Federals are constructing defensive earthworks which strengthen their positions even more. An impatient Hood finally tires of what he sees as dithering, and launches his attack three hours late, yet prematurely, before his units are fully in place. 

Although the attack is full of elan and the welkin rings with the spine-tingling Rebel Yell, Hood’s forces are battered against the Yankee positions.   

Hood loses 3,000 men to Sherman’s 2,000, and he is unable to drive the Union away from Peachtree Creek. 

Hood, though more aggressive than Johnston, has accomplished nothing in this battle but to bring Johnston’s nightmare to life in losing irreplaceable men even while gaining nothing. 

The aftermath of the Battle of Peachtree Creek. Confederate graves, marked with wooden headstones, are visible.

Having lost his first battle as commander of one of the main Southern armies John Bell Hood, however, is undeterred.