The Battle of Ezra Church was fought on July 28, 1864, in Fulton County, Georgia, during the American Civil War. The battle was part of the Atlanta Campaign, which featured General William T. Sherman's massive Union Army against the Army of Tennessee, now commanded by General John B. Hood, which was defending the Confederate stronghold of Atlanta, Georgia. The American Civil War was fought in the United States from 1861 until 1865 between the United States – forces coming mostly from the 23 northern states of the Union – and the newly-formed Confederate States of America, which consisted of 11 southern states that had declared their secession. ... July 28 is the 209th day (210th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 156 days remaining. ... 1864 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... div style=float:right; margin: 0 0 1em 1em;> Fulton County is a county located in the state of Georgia. ... The United States of America — also referred to as the United States, the U.S.A., the U.S., America, the States, or (archaically) Columbia—is a federal republic of 50 states located primarily in central North America (with the exception of two states: Alaska and Hawaii). ... National Motto Deo Vindice (Latin: Under God our Vindicator) Official language English de facto nationwide Various European and Native American languages regionally Capital Montgomery, Alabama February 4, 1861–May 29, 1861 Richmond, Virginia May 29, 1861–April 9, 1865 Danville, Virginia April 3–April 10, 1865 Largest city New Orleans... Portrait of William Tecumseh Sherman by Mathew Brady William Tecumseh Sherman (February 8, 1820 – February 14, 1891) was an American soldier, businessman, and author. ... Portrait of Oliver O. Howard by Mathew Brady, ca. ... John Bell Hood John Bell Hood (June 1, 1831–August 30, 1879) was a Confederate general during the American Civil War. ... Battle of Resaca Conflict American Civil War Date May 13-15, 1864 Place Gordon County and Whitfield County, Georgia Result Inconclusive The Battle of Resaca was part of the Atlanta Campaign of the American Civil War. ... Battle of Kennesaw Mountain Conflict American Civil War Date June 27, 1864 Place Kennesaw, Georgia Result Confederate victory The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain was fought on June 27, 1864 during the Atlanta Campaign of the American Civil War. ... Battle of Peachtree Creek Conflict American Civil War Date July 20, 1864 Place Fulton County, Georgia Result Union victory The Battle of Peachtree Creek was a battle of the American Civil War, fought in Georgia on July 20, 1864. ... Battle of Atlanta Conflict American Civil War Date July 22, 1864 Place Fulton County, Georgia Result Union victory The Battle of Atlanta was a battle of the Atlanta campaign fought during the American Civil War on July 22, 1864 just northeast of Atlanta, Georgia. ... Battle of Utoy Creek Conflict American Civil War Date August 5-7, 1864 Place Fulton County, Georgia Result Inconclusive The Battle of Utoy Creek was fought August 5– 7, 1864, during the Atlanta Campaign in the American Civil War. ... Battle of Lovejoys Station Conflict American Civil War Date August 20, 1864 Place Clayton County, Georgia Result Confederate victory The Battle of Lovejoys Station was fought on August 20, 1864, near what is now Lovejoy, Georgia, in Clayton County, during the Atlanta Campaign of the American Civil War. ... Battle of Jonesborough Conflict American Civil War Date August 31- September 1, 1864 Place Clayton County, Georgia Result Union victory The Battle of Jonesborough was fought August 31 – September 1, 1864, during the Atlanta Campaign in the American Civil War. ... The Battle of Ruffs Station was a battle in 1864 during the Atlanta Campaign of the American Civil War. ... July 28 is the 209th day (210th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 156 days remaining. ... 1864 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... div style=float:right; margin: 0 0 1em 1em;> Fulton County is a county located in the state of Georgia. ... The American Civil War was fought in the United States from 1861 until 1865 between the United States – forces coming mostly from the 23 northern states of the Union – and the newly-formed Confederate States of America, which consisted of 11 southern states that had declared their secession. ... During the American Civil War, the Atlanta Campaign resulted in battles that occurred throughout northern Georgia and the area around Atlanta, Georgia during the summer of 1864, leading to the eventual fall of Atlanta and a hastening of the end of the war. ... Portrait of William Tecumseh Sherman by Mathew Brady William Tecumseh Sherman (February 8, 1820 – February 14, 1891) was an American soldier, businessman, and author. ... The Army of Tennessee was formed in November 1862. ... John Bell Hood John Bell Hood (June 1, 1831–August 30, 1879) was a Confederate general during the American Civil War. ... Downtown Atlanta skyline Atlanta is the capital and largest city of Georgia, a state of the United States of America. ...

Sherman's army stretched in a inverted U around the northern defenses of Atlanta. Sherman decided to cut off the railroad supply lines from Macon, Georgia, into Atlanta, thus forcing the defending army to withdraw without a direct assault. To accomplish this goal, Sherman commanded his easternmost army, under Major General Oliver O. Howard, north and west around the rest of the Union lines to the far western side of Atlanta where the railroad entered the city. For other places called Macon, see Macon Macon is a city located in Bibb County, Georgia. ... Portrait of Oliver O. Howard by Mathew Brady, ca. ...

Hood, anticipating Sherman's maneuver, moved his troops out to oppose the Union army. Hood planned to intercept them and catch them completely by surprise. Although Hood's Confederate troops were outnumbered by the main Union army, he calculated that a surprise attack against an isolated portion of the enemy could succeed.

The armies met on the afternoon of July 28 at a chapel called Ezra Church. Unfortunately for Hood, there was no surprise for Howard, who had predicted such a maneuver based on his knowledge of Hood from their time together at West Point before the war. His troops were already waiting in their trenches when Hood reached them. The Confederate army charged, but fell back before the Union army's improvised breastwork of logs and rails. The rebels were defeated, although they managed to stop Howard from reaching the railroad line. In all, about 3,562 men were casualties; 3,000 on the Confederate side and 562 on the Union side. Alternate meanings: West Point (disambiguation). ...

References

• Foote, Shelby, The Civil War, A Narrative: Red River to Appomattox, Random House, 1974, ISBN 0-394-74913-8.