Event Summary

We will cover the entire campaign through our visits to Kennesaw Battlefield, the Cyclorama, museums and cemeteries. We will tell the stories of the flesh-and-blood soldiers of both sides and the citizens of Atlanta who were caught up in the devastation of the War. As the sesquicentennial of the War Between the States draws to a close, join us for a one-of-a-kind tour of the sites and sounds of the climactic fight for Atlanta.

 


Atlanta Cyclorama


Kennesaw Mountain Park


Illinois Monument at Kennesaw


Sam Watkins, Co. H


Great Locomotive Chase


Oakland Cemetery


General Sherman


Joseph E. Johnston


Lion Memorial


Marietta Museum


Atlanta History Museum 2


John Bell Hood


Bill Potter


Rich Fellowship

Tour Highlights

The Atlanta Campaign helped decide the outcome of the War Between the States. Fighting and maneuvering through North Georgia, Union General William Tecumseh Sherman and Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston fought a series of engagements that were both bloody and indecisive. At Kennesaw Mountain Sherman finally threw the whole weight of his veteran army against the entrenched Confederate line, both sides fighting to the death. His repulse only served to bring about the final slide past the Confederates, to cross the Chattahoochee River and attack Atlanta. The railroad, manufacturing, and communication center of the lower Confederacy withstood a siege from July 22nd to September 2nd, 1864 before General John Bell Hood took the Confederate army north into Tennessee and Sherman struck out for Savannah, burning a forty mile wide path through Georgia.


General Sherman


Battle of Kennesaw Mountain


Joseph E. Johnston

We will cover the entire campaign through our visits to Kennesaw Battlefield, the Cyclorama, museums and cemeteries. We will tell the stories of the flesh and blood soldiers of both sides and the citizens of Atlanta who were caught up in the devastation of the war. As the sesquicentennial of the War Between the States draws to a close, join us for a one of a kind tour of the sites and sounds of the climatic fight for Atlanta. If you are a Georgian or Alabamian and you have neglected visiting these places or you only visited them on your own, don’t let another fifty years go by till the Bicentennial to travel with historians who view the past from biblical and Providential presuppositions and love to relate the stories of the men and women of the past, who deserve remembrance and who left lessons for us all.


The Atlanta Cyclorama

Our tour will include a visit to the Marietta Museum where we can stand in the same room that the secret raiders stood as they planned to hijack the train to Chattanooga and destroy the bridges and tracks to bring about the capture of that city. (hint: it was exciting, but it didn’t work).

Event Speakers

Historian Bill Potter

Historian Bill Potter

An experienced historian and avid bibliophile, Bill Potter combines a lifelong study of American history with an uncommon ability to captivate audiences of all ages as he traces the providential acts of God throughout the ages. Mr. Potter has taught history in high schools and colleges, has led many tours of American and European historical sites and brings to each event a wealth of experience and knowledge. An experienced researcher and writer, Mr. Potter possesses a practical knowledge of antiquarian books, documents, and artifacts and has published several short books and has penned many articles and book reviews for publication. Bill has earned a well-deserved reputation as a man gifted in communicating the story of God’s providential hand in American history. As a father of eight children, he appreciates the necessity of passing on to the succeeding generations the richness of both our regional and national history. He and his wife, Leslie, reside in Georgia where Bill serves as an elder at Chalcedon Reformed Presbyterian Church.

Event Schedule

Note: Schedule times are subject to change.

Wednesday, April 8
  12 miles ≈ 20 mins. from Renaissance Waverly Hotel
(2450 Galleria Parkway, Atlanta)
8:30am Kennesaw Mountain National Park Visitor Center
(900 Kennesaw Mountain Drive, Kennesaw GA)
2.5 miles ≈ 10 mins.
1:00pm Gazebo in Glover Park in Marietta Square
(50 N. Park Square NE, Marietta, GA 30060)
0.1 miles ≈ 1 min.
2:00pm Marietta Museum of History
(1 Depot St #200, Marietta, GA)
21 miles ≈ 30 mins.
3:30pm Oakland Cemetery
(248 Oakland Avenue Southeast, Atlanta)
18 miles ≈ 25 mins.
5:30pm Marietta Diner — Dinner on own / bonus lecture and fellowship
(306 Cobb Parkway South)
Thursday, April 9
  15 miles ≈ 20 mins.
8:30am Atlanta Civil War Cyclorama
(800 Cherokee Avenue Southeast)
11:30am Lunch Break
2 miles ≈ 10 mins.
1:00pm Capitol Building
Character studies of General John B. Gordon, Alexander Stephens, Robert Toombs, The Cobbs & More
(206 Washington Street Southwest—metered street parking — consider the Pete Hackney Lot)
2:30pm Tour Ends — Free to Explore On Your Own

Note: Following the tour, Bill Potter will be speaking at the Teach Them Diligently homeschool convention in Atlanta. Those desiring to attend will need to register separately through the TTD web site.

Accommodations

For those attending the Teach Them Diligently Conference at the Cobb Galleria, convention rates are available through Teach Them Diligently. If you are coming just for the tour, there is a wide variety of accommodations throughout the Atlanta area.

Ticket Information

Full Tour Tickets

Adults (12+):$79 $65
Child (5-12):$55 $45
Family *:$319 $255

Single Day Tickets (Wednesday or Thursday)

Adults (12+):$49 $39
Child (5-12):$35 $29
Family *:$199 $159

* Unlimited immediate family members of the same household, please. Note: Early Bird rates shown above available through March 19.

Included in This Tour

  • Admission to all venues
  • All guide and docent fees throughout the tour
  • Electronic headset receiver for ease of hearing guides
  • Biblical/providential interpretation from Bill Potter
  • Rich fellowship with other brothers and sisters in Christ
  • Landmark Events’ signature service throughout the tour

Not Included in This Tour

  • Transportation, tolls and parking fees
  • Accommodations
  • Meals (plenty of places to picnic!)

Study Prep

Key People

  • General Joseph Johnston
  • General John Bell Hood
  • General William T. Sherman
  • Private Sam Watkins
  • James J. Andrews
  • Conductor William Fuller
  • Margaret Mitchell

Key Issues

  • Battle of Resaca
  • Battle of Pickett’s Mill
  • Shoupades
  • Tunnel Hill
  • Roswell Mills Girls
  • Cyclorama

Bibliography / Recommended Reading List

Decision in the West: The Campaign for Atlanta, by Albert Castel

What the Yankees Did To Us: Sherman’s Bombardment and Wrecking of Atlanta, by Stephen Davis

Sherman, Johnston, and the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, by Earl Hess

The Hard Hand of War: Union Military Policy Toward Southern Civilians, by Mark Grimsley (pro-Union)

Stealing the General: The Great Locomotive Chase, by Russell Bond

Charged With Treason: Ordeal of 400 Mill Workers During Military Operations in Roswell, Georgia by Michael Hitt

Upcoming Events

Mobile Bay Tour
March 20-23, 2024

Cradle of Liberty Tour
Aug 15-20, 2024