Battle of Rocky Face Ridge

May 8-11, 1864

The first major battle of Gen. William T. Sherman's Atlanta Campaign was fought in Whitfield County at a long mountain known as Rocky Face Ridge. The Battle of Rocky Face Ridge was a series of Union attacks on Confederate defenders at two passes through the mountain. The main gap was Mill Creek Gap (also known as Buzzard's Roost Pass), which led to Dalton, Ga. on the eastern side of the mountain.To the south was a smaller and more difficult pass known as Dug Gap. Confederate forces under Gen. Joseph E. Johnston were well entrenched to defend each pass. [Click here to view map.]

On May 8, a portion of Sherman's forces stormed Dug Gap. Two advances were thrown back under heavy fire by the Confederates, and Union commanders decided against further attempts to take the pass by sheer force of manpower.

Battle of Dug Gap

May 8, 1864

On May 8, Sherman also launched a major attack on Confederate defenders of Mill Creek Gap (Buzzard's Roost). Again, the Confederates held. Serious fighting continued through May 11, when Sherman pulled out most of his army and headed south in an effort to take Resaca and outflank Johnston. On May 12, Gen. Joseph E. Johnston pulled Confederate forces out of the pass and headed south to defend Resaca. Early on the morning of May 13, the remaining Union forces marched through Mill Creek Gap unopposed and headed south in pursuit of Johnston's army.

Battle of Mill Creek Gap

May 8-11, 1864

The battles of Dug Gap and Mill Creek Gap -- collectively known as the Battle of Rocky Face Ridge -- ended inconclusively. Until they withdrew to Resaca, the Confederates held the passes in the face of Union attacks. But the confrontation soon shifted to the south end of Rocky Face Ridge and the little town of Resaca.

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