called Terminus, from its being the intended terminus of the Georgia Railroad, completed in 1845. In 1843 it was incorporated as a town under the name Marthasville, and two years later the present name was adopted, while in 1847 a city charter was secured. Atlanta's growth was very rapid, its population being about 15,000 in 1861, and, from its admirable location, it became, at the outbreak of the Civil War, one of the most important cities in the Confederacy, being used as a depot for supplies, a manufacturing centre, a shelter for refugees, and a rallying-place for recruits. In 1864 it was the objective point of General Sherman's campaign from Chattanooga (See Civil War in America.) The Federal army approached the city in July, and after fighting the battle of Peachtree Creek (q.v.), on July 20, closely invested the Confederate works. On July 22 the battle of Atlanta was fought southeast of the city. Hood, the Confederate general in command, making a bloody but unsuccessful attack on Sherman's extreme left under McPherson, who was killed early in the engagement. The Federal loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners was about 3500; the Confederate, never accurately determined, was probably as great as 8500. On the 28th another severe engagement, the battle of Ezra Church, was fought west of the city. Hood again attacking, and being again repulsed, the Federals losing about 600 and the Confederates about 4500. Meanwhile Sherman had kept up an almost continual bombardment, and on September 1, by a flank movement, compelled Hood to evacuate, the Federals taking possession on the following day. On the 4th, Sherman ordered all civilian residents to leave Atlanta within five days, and at the end of that time turned the city into a vast military camp. Here he stayed until November 15, when, leaving the larger part of the city in flames, he started for Savannah, on his famous march to the sea. Excepting its court house, churches, and a number of dwellings, Atlanta was almost totally destroyed; but after the war it was quickly built up anew, and grew with great rapidity. In 1878 it became the capital of Georgia, and in 1895-96 the celebrated Cotton States and Industrial Exposition was held here. For Atlanta during the Civil War, see Jacob D. Cox, Atlanta (New York, 1882), in the “Campaigns of the Civil War Series.” For the general history of the city, see W. P. Reed (editor), History of Atlanta (Syracuse, 1889).
ATLANTA EX′POSI′TION, or Cotton States and Industrial Exposition. An exhibition held in Atlanta, Ga., from September 18 to December 31, 1895, having for its chief purpose the presentation of the agricultural, manufacturing, and mineral resources of the Southern States. The site selected was Piedmont Park, about two miles from the centre of the city, and covered an area of 189 acres, on which over thirty buildings, mostly in the Romanesque style of architecture, were erected. Among these buildings, devoted to the purposes indicated by their names, were the following: Administration, Agriculture, Auditorium, Electricity, Fine Arts, Manufactures and Liberal Arts, Machinery, Minerals and Forestry, Negro, Transportation, United States Government, and Woman's. In addition to special State exhibits by Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and the District of Columbia, there were exhibits by the foreign governments of Austria, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Mexico, and Russia, and by several of the South American and Central American republics. The usual amusement features were collected on Midway Heights, and included Chinese, Guatemalan, Japanese, and Mexican villages that were of special interest. Numerous congresses were held during the Exposition, and to nearly every day was assigned some important feature that attracted special visitors. Among these were: Georgia Day, Confederate Day, Negro Day, etc. A Department of Awards, presided over by Daniel C. Gilman, president of the Johns Hopkins University, viewed the exhibits during the two weeks between October 15 and November 1. The total attendance was 1,179,889. and the cost of the Exposition was $960,930. while the receipts from the admissions were $500,000, from concessions $125,230, and from floor space $79,000.
ATLANTES, ăt-lăn′tēz (Gk. nom. pl. Ἄτλαντες; see Atlas.) Carved male figures used in architecture as supports to cornices, architraves, etc. They correspond to the female Caryatides, but were not so popular in Greek art. Examples are in the temple at Girgenti, the theatre at Athens, in minor parts of Mediæval decorative work, and especially, on a large scale, in late Renaissance buildings.
ATLAN′TIC. A city, the county-seat of Cass County, Iowa, 82 miles west-southwest of Des Moines, on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad (Map: Iowa, B 3). It has starch works, machine-shops, and other manufactures. Atlantic was incorporated in 1869; by the existing charter the mayor holds office for two years and the city council consists of eight members. Population, in 1890, 4351; in 1900, 5046.
ATLANTIC CA′BLE. See Atlantic Telegraph, History of.
ATLANTIC CIT′Y. A seaside resort, on a long, narrow, sandy island, known as Absecon Beach, in Atlantic County, New Jersey, 60 miles southeast of Philadelphia and 137 miles south by west of New York; on divisions of the Pennsylvania and the Reading railroads (Map: New Jersey, D 5). The island, three-quarters of a mile wide, stretches for 10 miles along the coast and is separated from the mainland by 4 or 5 miles of meadows, partly covered with water at high tide, and by a narrow strait. Absecon Lighthouse, 160 feet high, is on the north end of the beach. The city is well laid out, Atlantic Avenue being 100 feet wide; the streets are named after the States of the Union. A board walk skirts the ocean for four miles, forming a charming promenade; the boating and bathing facilities are good, and fishing and shooting are popular amusements; and hotels, boarding
