Sherman's Preparations for the Atlanta Campaign: The Rome and Snake Gap Plans

This paper covers the history of Sherman's spring campaign from the date he acceded to the command of the Military Division of the Mississippi on March 18, 1864, until the end of the Snake Creek Gap affair on May 13, 1864. It includes a history of both the Rome and Snake Creek Gap plans, with emphasis on how they were affected by strategic cooperation, and by Sherman's logistics difficulties. Studies of Forrest's invasion and Polk's Department of Alabama, Mississippi and East Louisiana point out the lack of direction in Confederate efforts and weaknesses in their departmental system. Three maps are provided: Two in the text--one showing Forrest's invasion of west Tennessee, and one showing the Snake Creek Gap movement; a third in the rear of the paper shows the entire theatre. The maps are not referred to in the text.