The capture of Atlanta by Union forces signified a crucial moment in the Atlanta Campaign, which aimed to seize this strategic city from Confederate control. Under the command of Major General William Tecumseh Sherman, the Union army advanced to Atlanta, where Confederate General John Bell Hood commanded the defending troops. The Confederates, recognizing the untenable position in which they found themselves after weeks of intense siege and skirmishing, decided to abandon the city in hopes of regrouping and preserving their forces elsewhere. As the Union troops entered the city, they encountered little resistance, leading to a swift occupation. This not only bolstered Union morale but also provided a major logistical advantage. Following the fall of Atlanta, Sherman's forces could further utilize the city's railroads and supplies to support their campaigns in the South.

The impact of capturing Atlanta reverberated throughout the nation, as it was a noteworthy victory for the Union at a time when hopes for a swift resolution to the war were waning. Moreover, it played a pivotal role in influencing the upcoming presidential election, as Sherman’s success reinvigorated Republican support for President Abraham Lincoln. With the city in Union hands, Sherman would later execute his famous 'March to the Sea', which aimed to devastate the Confederacy's economic resources and morale. The strategic victory at Atlanta is thus viewed as a turning point in the Civil War, leading to the eventual defeat of the Confederacy.