Introduction
The Civil War resulted from the conflict between the system of wage labor in the North and slavery in the South. This confrontation repeatedly raised the issue of secession of the South, which was not in the government’s interests. As a result, the victory of Abraham Lincoln in the presidential election forced the planters to defend their interests, leading to the Civil War’s beginning. During the four years, there were many significant battles, each impacting the course of the war. One of the most defining battles was the Battle of Jonesborough, in which the victory of the Union army marked the end of the war and determined the outcome for each side.
Discussion
The Battle of Jonesborough took place on August 31 – September 1, 1864, in the city of Jonesboro during the Atlanta Campaign. The railroads leading to Atlanta provided the city with an almost continuous supply of everything it needed. Therefore, William Tecumseh Sherman decided that it was necessary to destroy all railroads to the city to force the Confederate army to surrender Atlanta. Sherman’s army bypassed the Southern corps and headed for the railroad in the enemy’s rear. It is noteworthy that the army of the North did not have dynamite, so it was forced to destroy the railway by hand. In response to Sherman’s actions, the Confederate army led by William J. Hardee tried to defeat the North troops. However, “a Union corps broke through Hardee’s troops which retreated to Lovejoy’s Station” (The Civil War battle detail: Jonesborough, n.d., para. 6), and John Bell Hood was forced to evacuate Atlanta.
Conclusion
The defeat of the Southern army in The Battle of Jonesborough significantly impacted the war. The railroad to Atlanta was destroyed, and the Southern army occupied the city. The capitulation of Atlanta by the Hood showed the clear superiority of the Union forces and brought their victory closer.
Reference
The Civil War battle detail: Jonesborough (n.d.). National Park Service. Web.