Civil War Sites Advisory Commission

Battle Summaries

National Park Service

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For Additional Information: See Ezra Church in the "Choose Battlefield" Menu

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Ezra Church

CWSAC Reference #: GA018

Other Names: %Battle of the Poor House"

Preservation Priority: IV.2 (Class B)

Location: Fulton County

Campaign: Atlanta Campaign (1864)

Date(s): July 28, 1864

Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. Oliver O. Howard [US]; Gen. John B. Hood [CS]

Forces Engaged: Army of the Tennessee [US]; two corps of Army of Tennessee [CS]

Estimated Casualties: 3,562 total (US 562; CS 3,000)

Description: Earlier, Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman's forces had approached Atlanta from the east and north. Hood had not defeated them, but he had kept them away from the city. Sherman now decided to attack from the west. He ordered the Army of the Tennessee, commanded by Maj. Gen. O. O. Howard, to move from the left wing to the right and cut Hood's last railroad supply line between East Point and Atlanta. Hood foresaw such a maneuver and determined to send the two corps of Lt. Gen. Stephen D. Lee and Lt. Gen. Alexander P. Stewart to intercept and destroy the Union force. Thus, on the afternoon of July 28, the Rebels assaulted Howard at Ezra Church. Howard had anticipated such a thrust, entrenched one of his corps in the Confederate's path, and repulsed the determined attack, inflicting numerous casualties. Howard, however, failed to cut the railroad.

Result(s): Union victory

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Original Source: http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/ga018.htm

Last Updated: 2/26/1996

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(Source: Civil War Sites Advisory Commission Report: Battle Summaries, published by the National Park Service.)