The opening actions of the Atlanta Campaign occurred around Dalton in early May 1864 as Union Major General William T. Sherman used demonstrations against Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston's Army of Tennessee while Major General James B. McPherson's Army of Tennessee made a flanking movement through Snake Creek Gap to try to break Johnston's railroad supply line at Resaca and trap the Confederates in Dalton. On May 8, Federal movements began against Johnston's fortified defenses around Dalton, including assaults on the western slope of Rocky Face Ridge near Mill Creek Gap and Dug Gap and an attack by Brigadier General John Newton's division on the ridge's northern edge. North of Dalton in Crow Valley, Union Major General John Schofield's Army of the Ohio, also known as the 23rd Corps, about 13,500 strong, was ordered to feel the enemy's position. His three infantry divisions stretched across the valley between Rocky Face and Hamilton Mountain, with divisions under Brigadier Generals Henry Judah and Jacob Cox advancing, Brigadier General Alvin Hovey's inexperienced division in reserve, and Brigadier General Edward McCook's cavalry covering the left flank. Opposing them were Confederate divisions under Major Generals Carter Stevenson and Thomas Hindman, 12,400 effectives in strongly entrenched positions. Early on May 9, Judah's and Cox's divisions advanced toward the Confederate lines, pushed back skirmishers with support from Newton's division atop Rocky Face Ridge, and drove the defenders into their main works while occupying their attention until dark. Several lines of barricades and artillery batteries, especially from Potato Hill, impeded the Federal advance, and Brigadier General Milo Hascall reported that the Confederate position was too strong to be carried without great slaughter. That morning McCook's cavalry was severely repulsed by Confederate cavalry and infantry at Poplar Springs, threatening Schofield's left flank, so Schofield sent one brigade from Hovey's division and additional cavalry to reinforce it. About 15,000 soldiers from both sides were engaged in Crow Valley. Schofield's infantry lost about 60 casualties, McCook reported about 140 losses, and partial Confederate reports indicate about 130 casualties on Rocky Face Ridge and in Crow Valley. Sporadic skirmishing continued for the next three days until both armies marched south toward Resaca; Schofield shifted north of Rocky Face Ridge on May 10, followed McPherson through Snake Creek Gap on May 12, Johnston abandoned Dalton that night, and the Battle of Resaca began on May 14.

Photo: Brandon Fletcher

Photo: Brandon Fletcher

Photo: Brandon Fletcher

Photo: Brandon Fletcher

Photo: Brandon Fletcher