 In the Atlanta Campaign , Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman commanded the Union forces of the Western Theater . The main Union force in this battle was the Army of the Tennessee , under Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson . He was one of Sherman 's and Grant 's favorite commanders , as he was very quick and aggressive . Within Sherman 's army , the XV Corps was commanded by Maj. Gen. John A. Logan , the XVI Corps was commanded by Maj. Gen. Grenville M. Dodge , and Maj. Gen. Frank P. Blair Jr. commanded the XVII Corps . 
