<P> In 1864 , as feared by Jeremy F. Gilmer , Atlanta did indeed become the target of a major Union invasion . The area now covered by metropolitan Atlanta was the scene of several fiercely contested battles , including the Battle of Peachtree Creek , the Battle of Atlanta , Battle of Ezra Church and the Battle of Jonesboro . On September 1 , 1864 , Confederate Gen. John Bell Hood evacuated Atlanta , after a five - week siege mounted by Union Gen. William Sherman , and ordered all public buildings and possible Confederate assets destroyed . </P>
<P> In 1864 , as feared by Jeremy F. Gilmer , Atlanta did indeed become the target of a major Union invasion . The area now covered by metropolitan Atlanta was the scene of several fiercely contested battles , including the Battle of Peachtree Creek , the Battle of Atlanta , Battle of Ezra Church and the Battle of Jonesboro . On September 1 , 1864 , Confederate Gen. John Bell Hood evacuated Atlanta , after a five - week siege mounted by Union Gen. William Sherman , and ordered all public buildings and possible Confederate assets destroyed . </P>
who burned down atlanta in the civil war
who burned down atlanta in the civil war
Confederate Gen. John Bell Hood
Confederate Gen. John Bell Hood