Walter Coffey's Blog, page 175

The Civil War This Week: Jul 7-13, 1864

Thursday, July 7

Federal troops were hurried to Washington and Maryland to protect against a potential Confederate invasion led by General Jubal Early.

In Charleston Harbor, Federals abandoned James Island after a Confederate counterattack and returned to Navy transports. Meanwhile, 784 Federal rounds were fired into Fort Sumter in another major bombardment.

Confederate President Jefferson Davis informed General Joseph E. Johnston, commanding the Confederate Army of Tennessee, that he was “more apprehensive for the future” due to Johnston’s continuous withdrawals toward Atlanta, Georgia. Skirmishing occurred in Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Missouri, and Arkansas.

Friday, July 8

Federal President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation explaining his veto of the controversial Wade-Davis Reconstruction Bill. Lincoln argued that the bill was improperly dictatorial, that Congress had no authority to abolish slavery except by constitutional amendment, and that the bill would undermine reconstruction efforts already underway in Louisiana and Arkansas.

In Georgia, Major General John Schofield’s Federal forces crossed the Chattahoochee River, threatening Joseph Johnston’s Confederate right flank. Skirmishing occurred in Alabama, Mississippi, and Missouri.

Saturday, July 9

The Battle of Monocacy occurred in Maryland, as Jubal Early’s Confederates routed a makeshift Federal force attempting to block the path to Washington. Although the Federals were defeated, they stalled the Confederate advance long enough for defenses to be prepared around the capital. Meanwhile, Confederates collected $200,000 in ransom from the officials of Frederick, Maryland.

In Virginia, Major General George Meade ordered the construction of regular Federal siege lines around Petersburg to increase pressure on General Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. In Georgia, Joseph Johnston’s Confederates withdrew across the Chattahoochee River as Federals attempted to move around their right flank. President Davis dispatched General Braxton Bragg to Georgia to observe Johnston.

President Lincoln responded to New York Tribune editor Horace Greeley’s suggestion that the Confederates might be willing to negotiate peace. Lincoln stated that anyone representing the Confederacy who sought to restore the U.S. and acknowledge an end to slavery would be welcomed at the White House.

Sunday, July 10

Jubal Early’s Confederates slowly approached Washington, destroying railroads, warehouses, and private property along the way. President Lincoln and his family returned from the Soldier’s Home on Washington’s outskirts to avoid danger. Lincoln wired Baltimore officials, “Let us be vigilant but keep cool. I hope neither Baltimore or Washington will be sacked.”

Skirmishing occurred in Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, and Arkansas.

Monday, July 11

Jubal Early’s Confederates invaded the Washington suburbs and burned the homes of prominent officials. District of Columbia militia, government clerks, and invalids were organized to defend the capital. The Confederates launched a small assault on Fort Stevens, the northernmost defense point, about five miles from the White House. President and Mrs. Lincoln visited the fort and witnessed the attack.

The Federal dollar dropped in value to 39 cents, its lowest worth of the war. Skirmishing occurred in Alabama and Mississippi.

Tuesday, July 12

Jubal Early’s Confederates began withdrawing from Washington after another unsuccessful attack on Fort Stevens. The attack was witnessed by President Lincoln, who came under enemy fire and was admonished by young officer Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., “Get down, you fool!”

President Davis wrote to Robert E. Lee about Joseph Johnston’s continuous withdrawals in Georgia, “Genl. Johnston has failed and there are strong indications he will abandon Atlanta… It seems necessary to relieve him at once. Who should succeed him? What think you of (General John Bell) Hood for the position?”

Skirmishing occurred in Virginia, Georgia, and Tennessee.

Wednesday, July 13

Jubal Early’s Confederates continued their withdrawal from Washington by hurrying toward the Potomac River at Leesburg. Early’s raid caused temporary panic in the North, but it did not relieve Federal pressure on Petersburg as he had hoped.

Skirmishing occurred in Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Arkansas.

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Primary Source: Long, E.B. and Long, Barbara, The Civil War Day by Day (New York: Da Capo Press, Inc., 1971)

The Civil War This Week: Jun 30-Jul 6, 1864

Thursday, June 30

Federal President Abraham Lincoln accepted the resignation of Treasury Secretary Salmon Chase. Chase had offered to resign several times before, but Lincoln opted to keep Chase in his cabinet so he would not become a rival in the upcoming presidential election. But now that Lincoln had been nominated for a second term, Chase was expendable. Lincoln wrote to Chase that “you and I have reached a point of mutual embarrassment in our official relation which it seems can not be overcome, or longer sustained, consistently with the public service.”

President Lincoln signed the Internal Revenue Act of 1864 into law. This raised Federal income taxes and import tariffs, and also imposed taxes on items such as matches and photographs. These taxes were considered an emergency wartime measure.

In Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, General Jubal Early’s Confederate Army of the Valley continued advancing northward and arrived at New Market. Skirmishing occurred in Virginia and Georgia.

Friday, July 1

The Federal Senate confirmed President Lincoln’s appointment of Maine Senator William Fessenden to replace Salmon Chase as treasury secretary. Fessenden served on the Senate Finance Committee and, like most Republicans, supported higher taxes and opposed inflation.

Major General Irvin McDowell was appointed to command the Federal Department of the Pacific. Skirmishing occurred in Georgia, Missouri, and Arkansas.

Saturday, July 2

In Georgia, General Joseph Johnston’s Confederate Army of Tennessee withdrew from Kennesaw Mountain to previously prepared defenses near Marietta. Major General William T. Sherman’s Federal Army of the West was shifting around Johnston’s left flank to approach the vital industrial city of Atlanta, and Johnston’s position at Kennesaw was no longer tenable.

General Early’s Confederates reached Winchester, Virginia with little Federal opposition. Skirmishing occurred in Tennessee and Mississippi.

Sunday, July 3

General Early’s Confederates entered Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia, as a small Federal force under General Franz Sigel withdrew across the Potomac River. Northern citizens began panicking, and concern grew in Washington.

In Charleston Harbor, a Federal attempt to capture Fort Johnson from Morris Island failed, with 140 Federals captured. Also, about 5,500 Federals landed on James Island and pushed Confederate defenders back.

In Georgia, fighting erupted at General Sherman’s Federals advanced toward Marietta. Skirmishing occurred in Missouri.

Monday, July 4

The first session of the Thirty-Eighth Federal Congress adjourned. President Lincoln signed several bills into law, including establishing public lands in the Pacific Northwest for railroad and telegraph lines to Puget Sound; incorporating the Northern Pacific Railroad; opening land for settlement from Lake Superior to the Pacific; establishing an Immigration Commission and encouraging immigrants by guaranteeing them a 12-month labor contract; and repealing certain provisions of the Enrollment Act.

Lincoln refused to sign the controversial Wade-Davis Reconstruction Bill, which required 50 percent of a seceded state’s voters to swear allegiance to the U.S. before calling a convention to reconstruct the state under a new constitution that outlawed slavery. The bill also provided suffrage to adult black men in seceded states while prohibiting voting rights for Confederates. Lincoln believed this bill was improperly dictatorial and declared that such a measure would interfere with reconstruction efforts currently underway in Louisiana and Arkansas.

In Georgia, General Sherman’s right flank (General James McPherson’s Federal Army of the Tennessee) skirted around the Confederate left at Smyrna and reached the Chattahoochee River. General Johnston’s Confederates were forced to withdraw to another line of previously prepared defenses along the river.

General Early’s Confederates operated near Harper’s Ferry in preparation for crossing the Potomac River and invading the U.S. Skirmishing occurred in West Virginia, Louisiana, Missouri, and Arkansas.

Tuesday, July 5

General Early’s Confederates began crossing the Potomac River and entering Shepherdstown, Maryland. In Georgia, fighting erupted as General Sherman’s Federals probed the new Confederate defensive line. A.J. Smith’s Federal cavalry left La Grange, Tennessee to confront General Nathan Bedford Forrest’s Confederates in northern Mississippi.

In Charleston Harbor, Federals withdrew from James Island after being repulsed at Stono. The Federals returned to Navy transports.

President Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus and proclaimed martial law in Kentucky in response to charges that Kentuckians were aiding “the forces of the insurgents.”

New York Tribune editor Horace Greeley informed President Lincoln that he had received a letter stating that Confederate emissaries were at Niagara Falls “with full & complete powers for a peace.” Greeley urged Lincoln to meet the emissaries, stating that “our bleeding, bankrupt, almost dying country also longs for peace–shudders at the prospect of fresh conscriptions, of further wholesale devastations, and of new rivers of human blood…”

A Federal expedition began from New Madrid, Missouri.

Wednesday, July 6

General Early’s Confederates collected $20,000 from the citizens of Hagerstown, Maryland in retribution for General David Hunter’s Federal depredations in the Shenandoah. Washington officials conferred on reinforcing and defending the capital.

Skirmishing occurred in Virginia, Georgia, Arkansas, and Missouri.

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Primary Source: Long, E.B. and Long, Barbara, The Civil War Day by Day (New York: Da Capo Press, Inc., 1971)

The Civil War This Week: Jun 23-29, 1864

Thursday, June 23

General Jubal Early’s newly named Confederate Army of the Valley advanced from Lynchburg, Virginia as Federals under General David Hunter withdrew into West Virginia. In one of the war’s biggest gambles, Early was to advance northward and threaten Washington to ease Federal pressure on Petersburg and Richmond.

Outside Petersburg, a Confederate attack drove off Federal cavalry that briefly held a section of the Weldon Railroad. This kept the railroad in Confederate hands and prevented the Federals from extending their lines west.

In Georgia, Major General William T. Sherman planned an attack on Confederate defenses at Kennesaw Mountain as weather cleared and roads dried. President Abraham Lincoln returned to Washington late this afternoon after visiting the Army of the Potomac. Skirmishing occurred in Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, and Mississippi.

Friday, June 24

Federal cavalry under Major General Philip Sheridan fought off Confederate attacks while trying to return to the Army of the Potomac outside Petersburg.

Delegates to the Maryland constitutional convention approved abolishing slavery in the state.

The flag over Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor was replaced under Federal bombardment. Jo Shelby’s Confederates attacked three Federal steamers on the White River, capturing and destroying U.S.S. Queen City. Skirmishing occurred in Georgia.

Saturday, June 25

Federal engineers began digging a tunnel under Confederate lines at Petersburg that would enable them to detonate explosives beneath the enemy earthworks. Skirmishing occurred in Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas.

Sunday, June 26

The flag over Fort Sumter was replaced again under Federal bombardment. Jubal Early’s 14,000 men reached Staunton, Virginia. Skirmishing occurred in West Virginia, Missouri, and Arkansas.

Monday, June 27

The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain occurred, as William Sherman lost patience with continuous flanking maneuvers and ordered a direct assault on Confederate defenses. Federals advanced on several positions, including a salient that became known as the “Dead Angle.” The Confederates easily repulsed the attacks, winning the largest battle of the campaign thus far. Federals suffered 2,051 casualties while Confederates lost just 442. Sherman was highly criticized for this ill-conceived attack.

President Lincoln formally accepted the National Union Party’s presidential nomination. The flag over Fort Sumter was replaced again under Federal bombardment. A Federal expedition began from Brownsville, Arkansas. Skirmishing occurred in Kentucky, Alabama, and Missouri.

Tuesday, June 28

Jubal Early’s Confederates advanced northward down the Shenandoah Valley, causing concern among Washington officials. President Lincoln signed a bill into law repealing the Fugitive Slave Acts. In Georgia, General Joseph Johnston began preparing new defenses along the Chattahoochee River, behind the Kennesaw Mountain line. Skirmishing occurred in Virginia and Georgia.

Wednesday, June 29

The Battle of Ream’s Station occurred outside Petersburg, as Federals attempting to extend their lines westward were surprised by Confederates blocking their path. The Federals were almost completely surrounded before abandoning their artillery and supply wagons and fighting back to the main army line. Each side lost about 600 men.

President Jefferson Davis informed Georgia Governor Joseph Brown that he had sent Joseph Johnston “all available reinforcements, detaching troops even from points that remain exposed to the enemy.” Skirmishing occurred in West Virginia, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Arkansas.

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Primary Source: Long, E.B. and Long, Barbara, The Civil War Day by Day (New York: Da Capo Press, Inc., 1971)

The Civil War This Week: Jun 16-22, 1864

Thursday, June 16

The Battle of Petersburg occurred, as the Federal Army of the Potomac began pouring into the region after crossing the James River and attacked Confederate defenses outside the city at 6 a.m. Some 14,000 Confederates under General P.G.T. Beauregard defended against about 50,000 Federals. The Federals captured some outposts, but they were stopped by nightfall.

Meanwhile, Federals attacked and recaptured Bermuda Hundred on the Virginia peninsula. Confederate General Robert E. Lee, still unaware that the Army of the Potomac had crossed the James, sent two divisions to retake Bermuda Hundred, which they did by 6 p.m.

In Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, General David Hunter’s Federals advanced on Lynchburg. However, about 2,000 Confederates under General John Breckinridge reached the town first and prepared defenses. Confederate skirmishers slowed the Federal advance as General Jubal Early’s Confederates hurried to reinforce Lynchburg.

President and Mrs. Lincoln, along with son Tad, traveled to Philadelphia to attend the Great Central Fair benefiting the U.S. Sanitary Commission. The Lincolns were cheered as they rode up Broad Street to Chestnut Street in an open carriage. In the fair’s main address, Lincoln said, “War, at the best, is terrible, and this war of ours, in its magnitude and in its duration, is one of the most terrible… We accepted this war for an object, a worthy object, and the war will end when that object is attained.”

The Confederate War Department authorized Lieutenant Bennett H. Young to organize raiders in Canada for a potential invasion of New England.

In Georgia, Confederate General Joseph Johnston responded to Federal advances on his left by withdrawing his Army of Tennessee to Mud Creek. A Federal Army-Navy force captured five enemy schooners near the mouth of the Pamlico River, North Carolina. A Federal expedition began from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Skirmishing occurred in West Virginia, Arkansas, and Missouri.

Friday, June 17

The Battle of Petersburg continued as the Confederates withdrew to stronger defenses after midnight and repulsed more Federal attacks. The Confederates successfully counterattacked later today. Robert E. Lee finally realized that most of the Army of the Potomac was south of the James, and he ordered two corps of his Army of Northern Virginia to Petersburg.

In Georgia, the right flank of Major General William Sherman’s Federal Army of the West launched a fierce attack on Joseph Johnston’s new Confederate line at Mud Creek. The Federals made some gains against the Confederate corps under General William Hardee.

President Lincoln and family returned to Washington from their Philadelphia trip. An explosion occurred in the cartridge-manufacturing building of the Washington Arsenal, killing or mortally wounding 18 and injuring up to 20 people.

In the Shenandoah, Jubal Early’s Confederates joined John Breckinridge’s defenders at Lynchburg to face David Hunter’s advancing Federals. Skirmishing occurred in Missouri and Arkansas.

Saturday, June 18

Most of Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia arrived to defend Petersburg. The battle continued, but Federal attacks were repulsed due to exhaustion, poor leadership, and Confederate resolve. The 1st Maine lost 632 men, the heaviest battle loss of any regiment in the war. Four days of heavy fighting had cost another 8,150 Federal casualties without any substantial result.

Major General George Meade, commanding the Federal Army of the Potomac, ordered the Federals to dig entrenchments. Meade conceded that the “moral condition of the army” was broken after two months of continuous fighting. Federal General-in-Chief Ulysses S. Grant arrived and admitted that Petersburg could not be captured by direct assault. He told his subordinates, “I have determined to try to envelop Petersburg.”

Grant resolved to surround the city and seize the five railroads and primary roads supplying Petersburg. These were the siege tactics that Grant had used at Vicksburg last year, and it initiated a new style of trench warfare. It also ended six weeks of movement and battle that had begun at the Rapidan River.

In the Shenandoah, David Hunter decided against attacking Lynchburg, convinced he was facing 20,000 Confederates. Hunter’s failure to advance on Charlottesville first as Ulysses S. Grant had urged enabled the Confederates to seize a vital railroad that threatened the Federal line of retreat. Hunter hurriedly withdrew toward Staunton.

In Georgia, Joseph Johnston’s Confederates realigned their defenses once more, forming a semicircle above Marietta along the Big and Little Kennesaw Mountains. Opposing forces skirmished at Acworth and Allatoona, as William Sherman began planning to attack this nearly impregnable defense.

A Federal expedition began from Kansas City. Skirmishing occurred in Virginia and Missouri.

Sunday, June 19

Famed Confederate commerce raider C.S.S. Alabama was destroyed by U.S.S. Kearsarge off Cherbourg, France. Alabama was in Cherbourg being refitted when challenged to fight by Kearsarge beyond the three-mile international boundary. Alabama sailed out to answer the challenge and opened fire shortly before 11 a.m. The ships fired as they circled each other, but soon Alabama’s superstructure was destroyed, and Captain Raphael Semmes ordered his men to abandon ship. Semmes and other survivors were rescued by nearby civilian vessels. Alabama sunk at 12:24 p.m.

The Confederacy’s most dangerous commerce raider was destroyed in the most spectacular naval battle of the war. Over nearly two years, Alabama had captured 65 ships and hundreds of Federal prisoners while traveling some 75,000 miles on the high seas. Federal officials blamed the British for Alabama’s depredations because the ship had been built in British harbors; after the war, the U.S. demanded that Britain pay $19 million in damages caused by British-built Confederate commerce raiders.

David Hunter’s Federals withdrew from the Shenandoah and moved back into the Kanawha Valley in West Virginia. Hunter had succeeded in pushing all the way to Lynchburg and prompting Robert E. Lee to dispatch Jubal Early to stop him. But Hunter had failed in joining with Philip Sheridan’s cavalry, and his retreat into West Virginia left the Shenandoah wide open for Early to launch a northern offensive.

Robert E. Lee’s Confederates continued digging entrenchments around Petersburg. In Georgia, William Sherman discovered Joseph Johnston’s new defensive line and advanced to test it despite rain and mud. A Federal expedition began from Mount Vernon, Missouri. Skirmishing occurred in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and the Indian Territory.

Monday, June 20

In Georgia, William Sherman’s Federals continued probing Confederate defenses at the Kennesaw Mountains. Fighting erupted at various points. David Hunter’s Federals skirmished as they continued withdrawing from the Shenandoah.

President Lincoln left Washington with son Tad and Assistant Navy Secretary Gustavus Fox to visit the Army of the Potomac on the James River. Before leaving, he urged the Ohio governor to watch prominent Copperhead Clement Vallandigham closely and “arrest all implicated” if Vallandigham resumed organizing war protests.

Federal expeditions began from Lewisville, Arkansas; Cassville, Missouri; White River, Arkansas; and Batchelder’s Creek, North Carolina. Skirmishing occurred in Tennessee.

Tuesday, June 21

Ulysses S. Grant ordered Federal cavalry to scout lines and Federal troops to extend the siege lines left toward the Appomattox River, west of Petersburg. The goal was to form a semicircle of trenches south of the city with both ends anchored on the bending Appomattox.

President Lincoln visited Grant and other Federal officers at Grant’s new headquarters at City Point on the James River. Lincoln hoped the visit would ease his concerns about the costly Virginia campaign. The men visited aboard the steamer Baltimore before Grant escorted Lincoln on a horseback tour of the Petersburg lines.

Confederate President Jefferson Davis reluctantly accepted the resignation of Treasury Secretary Christopher Memminger, telling him, “I knew of the extreme difficulty of conducting the Treasury Department during the pending struggle.” Memminger had been intensely criticized for imposing economic policies that harmed the Confederacy. However, Federal military success played a larger role in disrupting the southern economy.

In Georgia, Joseph Johnston responded to heavy Federal pressure on his left by shifting General John Bell Hood’s corps to that area of the defensive line. Skirmishing occurred in Tennessee.

Wednesday, June 22

The Battle of Globe Tavern occurred outside Petersburg, as Ulysses S. Grant ordered a Federal attack where the Weldon Railroad delivered supplies from Wilmington, North Carolina and the South Side Railroad delivered supplies from Lynchburg in the Shenandoah. As Federals destroyed tracks west of Petersburg, General A.P. Hill’s Confederate corps positioned itself between two Federal units and pushed them back, taking 1,700 prisoners. This kept the Weldon Railroad in Confederate hands and prevented the Federal line from extending west.

Meanwhile, two Federal cavalry divisions headed toward Burkeville to disrupt the South Side Railroad. They were nearly annihilated, but Federals destroyed some 60 miles of track that took the Confederates substantial time to repair.

President Lincoln and General-in-Chief Grant steamed up the James River to meet with General Benjamin Butler commanding the Federal Army of the James and Admiral Samuel Lee commanding the naval squadron. Lincoln left for Washington this afternoon.

Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan assumed command of the Confederate Department of Western Virginia and Eastern Tennessee. In Georgia, John Bell Hood’s Confederates launched a strong attack near Zion Church and Culp’s Farm, but Federals ultimately repulsed the drive.

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Primary Source: Long, E.B. and Long, Barbara, The Civil War Day by Day (New York: Da Capo Press, Inc., 1971)

The Civil War This Week: June 9-15, 1864

Thursday, June 9

Delegates from the National Union Convention arrived in Washington to congratulate President Abraham Lincoln on being nominated for a second term yesterday. Lincoln expressed support for a constitutional amendment abolishing slavery. He added that southerners had been offered the chance to return to the U.S. without having “the overthrow of their institution,” but had refused to do so. This evening, a brass band serenaded Lincoln at the White House.

In Kentucky, General John Hunt Morgan’s Confederate raiders were driven out of Mount Sterling and pushed toward Winchester.

In Georgia, Major General William T. Sherman prepared his Federal Army of the West to confront the Confederate Army of Tennessee under General Joseph E. Johnston defending the Lost, Pine, and Brush mountains.

Major General Benjamin Butler’s Federal Army of the James broke out of Bermuda Hundred on the Virginia peninsula but failed to capture Petersburg. Confederates had not expected an attack on Petersburg, which was defended by only about 1,000 troops. But the slow Federal advance allowed the Confederates to build defenses as men were pulled from hospitals, offices, and even military prisons. The Federal attack was poorly coordinated, and General Quincy A. Gillmore, concerned about Confederate reinforcements, ordered a withdrawal.

General-in-Chief Ulysses S. Grant issued orders for the Federal Army of the Potomac near Cold Harbor, Virginia to prepare defenses to cover the army’s planned crossing of the James River. Confederate President Jefferson Davis warned General Robert E. Lee, opposing Grant at Cold Harbor, “The indications are that Grant despairing of a direct attack is now seeking to embarrass you by flank movements.” Davis was also worried about the threat at Petersburg and Johnston’s failure to attack in Georgia.

A Federal expedition began from Cassville, Missouri. Skirmishing occurred in Tennessee and Missouri.

Friday, June 10

The Battle of Brice’s Crossroads occurred between the forces of Federal General Samuel Sturgis and Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest about 100 miles southeast of Memphis, Tennessee. Forrest correctly predicted that mud and hot weather would result in Federal cavalry arriving first, and he attacked while the enemy was relatively equal in numbers.

Ineffective command led to Federal disaster; the cavalry was easily defeated, and when the infantry finally arrived, the exhausted troops were quickly routed and sent fleeing in panic. The Federals suffered 2,240 casualties, including 1,623 captured, while Confederates lost only 492. This was Forrest’s greatest victory.

John Hunt Morgan’s Confederates raided Lexington, Kentucky, burning the Federal depot and stables, and capturing about 7,000 horses. Morgan’s men then broke into two columns, with Morgan’s unit advancing on Cynthiana.

In Georgia, William Sherman’s three Federal armies moved cautiously toward the mountains, with various fighting breaking out.

The combined Federal Armies of the Shenandoah and the Kanawha under Generals David Hunter and George Crook continued their advance southward up the Shenandoah Valley to Lexington and Lynchburg. To stop them, General Robert E. Lee sent Confederates under General John Breckinridge back to the Valley.

The Confederate Congress expanded the Conscription Act by increasing the military draft eligibility age range from 18 and 45 to 17 and 50.

Skirmishing occurred in Virginia, West Virginia, Missouri, and Arkansas.

Saturday, June 11

Samuel Sturgis’s retreating Federals fought rearguard actions at Ripley and Salem, Mississippi after their defeat at Brice’s Crossroads yesterday.

John Hunt Morgan’s Confederate column raided Cynthiana, Kentucky, capturing some 300 Federals.

Robert E. Lee dispatched General Wade Hampton and about 4,700 Confederate cavalrymen to prevent Federal General Philip Sheridan’s cavalry from joining David Hunter in the Shenandoah Valley. The Battle of Trevilian Station occurred, as dismounted Confederates attacked Federal troopers on the Trevilian road, but Confederate reinforcements under General Fitzhugh Lee did not arrive. When the Federals attacked in full force, Hampton withdrew. However, Hampton linked with Lee and attacked near Trevilian Station; their surge was met by Federal reinforcements.

David Hunter’s Federals captured Lexington amidst skirmishing. The Federals destroyed homes, barns, and farms, including most of Lexington’s livestock. They also burned the Virginia Military Institute, prompting Virginia Governor John Letcher to endorse guerrilla warfare “upon the vandal hordes of Yankee invaders.” When Hunter learned of Letcher’s proclamation, he ordered the burning of the governor’s home.

C.S.S. Alabama arrived at Cherbourg, France for refitting. The Federal Navy had long sought the dangerous and elusive raider.

Fighting broke out a various points between units of William Sherman and Joseph Johnston’s armies. Skirmishing occurred in Virginia and Missouri.

Sunday, June 12

This evening, the 100,000-man Federal Army of the Potomac began one of the great movements in military history by preparing to secretly cross the 2,100-foot wide James River. A token force of one corps remained at Cold Harbor to feign an attack and deceive the Confederates, which succeeded. For the first time, Robert E. Lee misunderstood Ulysses S. Grant’s strategy.

The Battle of Trevilian Station continued, as Federals under General George A. Custer attacked Wade Hampton’s Confederates west of Trevilian Station. However, Fitzhugh Lee’s Confederate troopers arrived and repulsed Custer with heavy losses. The battle was a Federal victory, but the Confederates prevented Philip Sheridan’s cavalry from linking with David Hunter in the Shenandoah Valley. Sheridan withdrew to rejoin the Army of the Potomac, moving leisurely to keep the Confederate cavalry occupied as long as possible. Federals suffered 1,007 casualties during the campaign, while Confederates lost 612.

John Hunt Morgan’s Confederates were badly defeated at Cynthiana, Kentucky. Morgan withdrew to Abingdon in southwestern Virginia. Morgan’s Kentucky raid served no significant purpose except to boost southern morale. Attempts to draw Federal manpower away from other points to defend Kentucky were generally unsuccessful.

Samuel Sturgis’s shattered Federal force continued retreating to Memphis, with fighting breaking out along the way. In Georgia, William Sherman continued positioning his troops and strengthening his supply and communication lines from Chattanooga. Skirmishing occurred in Missouri.

Monday, June 13

The bulk of the Federal Army of the Potomac moved rapidly from Cold Harbor toward the James River. Learning that the Federals at Cold Harbor were gone, Robert E. Lee sent troops across the Chickahominy River to guard the Richmond approaches, failing to realize that Richmond was not Ulysses S. Grant’s objective. As Lee prepared to attack the Federals outside Richmond, the Federals were crossing the James below the capital. The lead Federal unit–the Second Corps–reached the James while pontoon bridges were still under construction. Meanwhile, Grant ordered Benjamin Butler to obstruct navigation of the James by sinking old hulks in the river.

Lee, unaware of Grant’s move and concerned about David Hunter in the Shenandoah, further divided his army by sending his Second Corps under General Jubal Early west. Early was instructed to defend Lynchburg, drive Hunter from the Valley, and if possible, move north to threaten Maryland or even Washington. This would force Grant to send troops to defend the capital, thus easing Federal pressure on Richmond.

Confederate President Davis replied to complaints of neglect by General Edmund Kirby Smith in the Trans-Mississippi Department that “my ability to sustain you will be the measure of the assistance rendered to you.” There was little help Davis could offer.

Lieutenant General Richard Ewell was assigned to command the Department of Richmond. He replaced Major General Robert Ransom, Jr., who was assigned to the Department of Western Virginia.

Federal expeditions began from Morristown, Tennessee and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. In Georgia, fighting erupted between units of William Sherman and Joseph Johnston’s armies. Samuel Sturgis’s defeated Federals returned to Tennessee.

Tuesday, June 14

Ulysses S. Grant transferred Eighteenth Corps to Benjamin Butler’s Army of the James via water and ordered them to attack Petersburg once more. Grant assured General-in-Chief Henry W. Halleck that Petersburg would be captured before Confederate reinforcements could arrive. Meanwhile, the Army of the Potomac’s Second Corps began crossing the James, and Federals continued indicating to Robert E. Lee they intended to attack north of the James.

In Georgia, William Sherman sent Federal skirmishers forward. They were observed from the crest of Pine Mountain by Joseph Johnston and his top commanders, Generals William Hardee and Leonidas Polk. A Federal artillery shell killed Polk, the Confederates’ most beloved general. Polk’s death was a serious blow to Johnston’s command.

U.S.S. Kearsarge arrived at Cherbourg to confront C.S.S. Alabama. Kearsarge was commanded by Captain John A. Winslow, who had sailed from the Dutch coast in response to a challenge from Alabama Captain Raphael Semmes to fight.

The Confederate Congress passed a law imposing new taxes on property and income and then, due to Federal military pressure on Richmond, adjourned.

Skirmishing occurred in Virginia, Tennessee, and Missouri.

Wednesday, June 15

Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee did not heed warnings from General P.G.T. Beauregard that the Federal Army of the Potomac would target Petersburg, not Richmond. Beauregard could muster only 3,000 men to face an attacking force of about 16,000. Beauregard placed most of his troops on the eastern defense line and wired Lee to hurry to Petersburg.

Meanwhile, the lead Federal unit withdrew because its commander overestimated the city’s defenses, and Eighteenth Corps had been decimated at Cold Harbor and was reluctant to attack. After several hours of vacillation, the Federals finally advanced, but it was too late to capture Petersburg. The Federal Second Corps arrived at 7 p.m. but deferred to the Federal commanders already on the scene. Meanwhile, Confederate reinforcements began pouring into the city, and the opportunity to capture the vital railroad city was lost.

The Federal Army of the Potomac continued crossing the James River. President Lincoln wired Ulysses S. Grant, “… I begin to see it. You will succeed. God bless you all.”

In Georgia, General George Thomas’s Federal Army of the Cumberland moved around Joseph Johnston’s right flank, advancing on Kennesaw Mountain. The Federal Armies of the Tennessee and the Ohio also pressed ahead against Confederate entrenchments, and fighting occurred at various points.

Former Democratic Congressman Clement Vallandigham returned to Ohio after being exiled to the Confederacy by President Lincoln last year. Vallandigham had been banished for opposing the war and encouraging men to evade the draft. Lincoln urged the Ohio governor to watch the former congressman closely and “arrest all implicated” if Vallandigham resumed organizing war protests.

The Federal House of Representatives voted 95 to 66 to approve a constitutional amendment abolishing slavery, but it failed to obtain the two-thirds majority needed for passage. The amendment had previously passed the Senate by the required two-thirds margin.

Federal evacuated Pass Cavallo, Texas. U.S.S. Lexington captured three riverboats at Beulah Landing, Mississippi. Skirmishing occurred in Louisiana, Tennessee, Missouri, the Indian Territory.

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Primary Source: Long, E.B. and Long, Barbara, The Civil War Day by Day (New York: Da Capo Press, Inc., 1971)

The Civil War This Week: Jun 2-8, 1864

Thursday, June 2

In Virginia, Federal General-in-Chief Ulysses S. Grant ordered another attack on Confederates at Cold Harbor, but various delays postponed the general assault until tomorrow. This evening, many Federal veterans pinned cloth and paper bearing their names to their coast, hoping their bodies would be identified after being killed in the upcoming fight.

In Georgia, Federal Major General William T. Sherman abandoned plans to flank the Confederates southward and instead moved his forces northeast toward Allatoona and the Chattanooga-Atlanta railroad. Fighting erupted at various points.

In Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, Federal General David Hunter’s 16,000-man Army of the Shenandoah skirmished at Covington as they advanced toward Staunton. Opposing them were roughly 8,000 Confederates under Brigadier General William E. “Grumble” Jones.

Friday, June 3

In Virginia, the Battle of Cold Harbor occurred as Federals attacked Confederate positions at dawn. Three Federal corps totaling 60,000 men advanced, but the Confederates were heavily entrenched with access to enfilade fire. Advancing over open ground, the Federals were easy targets. About 7,000 were killed or wounded within a half-hour. The Confederates lost less than 1,500 men. Grant later admitted that ordering this assault was the worst mistake he ever made. This ended a month of nearly continuous warfare that had cost the Federals nearly 80,000 casualties.

General Robert E. Lee, commanding the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, wrote to Confederate President Jefferson Davis about the victory at Cold Harbor, “Our loss today has been small, and our success, under the blessing of God, all that we could expect.” But Lee lacked the reserves to drive the Federals off, and the Confederate capital at Richmond remained in grave danger.

In Georgia, Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston learned of William Sherman’s movement around Johnston’s right. Johnston planned to abandon the New Hope Church area and respond to a Federal movement once more.

President Abraham Lincoln signed the National Banking Act of 1864 into law. This established a national currency through the sale of government bonds. This also established a Bureau of Currency with an Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, authorized to regulate nationally chartered banks. The banking laws enacted by Lincoln and the Republican Congress gave government a virtual monopoly over currency, ending the currency competition that had facilitated the nation’s rapid economic growth prior to the war. Besides emancipation, these new banking laws fundamentally changed the U.S. more than anything else in the war.

Lincoln wrote to a New York political group, “My previous high estimate of Gen. Grant has been maintained and heightened by what has occurred in the remarkable campaign he is now conducting…”

Skirmishing occurred in Missouri and Arkansas.

Saturday, June 4

In Georgia, Joseph Johnston’s Confederates shifted in a night rainstorm from New Hope Church northward to an already prepared position along Lost, Pine, and Brush Mountains. The mountains intersected the Western & Atlantic Railroad, about eight miles below Ackworth. Johnston again shifted into the Federals’ front before they could complete their movement and established a strong defensive position. Fighting erupted at various points.

In the Shenandoah, David Hunter’s Federals destroyed homes and farms while advancing toward Staunton. In Virginia, the Federal and Confederate armies remained entrenched after yesterday’s battle at Cold Harbor.

Brigadier General Samuel D. Sturgis’s 8,000 Federal cavalrymen advanced from Memphis into northern Mississippi to confront 3,500 Confederate troopers under General Nathan Bedford Forrest. Forrest was harassing Federal operations on the Mississippi River and threatening William Sherman’s long supply lines from Memphis. Sturgis was hampered by heavy rain, but he had canceled a similar expedition last month and refused to cancel another.

General John Hunt Morgan’s Confederate raid into Kentucky that began last month continued, as Morgan skirmished with Federal defenders while advancing on Lexington. A Federal expedition began from Huntersville, Arkansas. Skirmishing occurred in Georgia, Mississippi, and the Indian Territory.

Sunday, June 5

The Battle of Piedmont occurred in the Shenandoah, as William “Grumble” Jones’s Confederates tried stopping the Federal advance of David Hunter. Both sides surged back and forth until Jones was killed. Demoralized by his death, the Confederates retreated into the Blue Ridge. The Federals suffered about 420 casualties while the Confederates lost about 1,600, of whom 1,000 were taken prisoner.

In Georgia, William Sherman’s Federals continued shifting northeastward toward Joseph Johnston’s new line on the mountains in front of Marietta.

Ulysses S. Grant proposed to Robert E. Lee a truce to collect the dead and wounded in the field at Cold Harbor. Grant had resisted contacting Lee because according to military tradition, the commander who loses a battle requests a ceasefire, and Grant would not admit to losing. Wounded soldiers languished for days before dying of injury, thirst, or exposure. When medical teams finally entered the field, only two survivors remained.

Federal forces fired 319 rounds into Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor. In Washington, politicians speculated whether President Lincoln’s vice president should be replaced with a pro-war Democrat in the upcoming nominating convention.

Monday, June 6

In the Shenandoah, David Hunter’s Federals occupied Staunton and destroyed warehouses, mills, workshops, and railroads. Troops looted private homes and businesses, and Hunter became the most hated man among Valley residents.

Fighting erupted as William Sherman’s Federals continued shifting in Georgia. The Federal and Confederate armies remained entrenched in Virginia. Skirmishing occurred in West Virginia and Arkansas.

Tuesday, June 7

A convention assembled in Baltimore to nominate candidates for president and vice president in the upcoming election. To broaden support, the Republican Party changed its name to the National Union Party and invited pro-war Democrats to join them. Delegates from 25 northern states attended. Despite his waning popularity, most delegates supported re-nominating Abraham Lincoln for president.

In Virginia, the Federal and Confederate armies remained entrenched. The Federals could not penetrate the Confederate line to get to Richmond, and they had no more room to maneuver north of the James River. Therefore, Ulysses S. Grant devised a daring plan to move the massive Army of the Potomac across the James to attack both Richmond and Petersburg from the south. To mask his move, Grant send a Federal cavalry detachment under Major General Philip Sheridan west to attack Confederate railroad supply lines and divert Confederate cavalry from scouting the main movement. The Federal Army of the James would also assist by attempting a breakout from Bermuda Hundred, where they were pinned on the Virginia peninsula by Confederates.

President Davis wrote to a Louisiana citizen that he hoped “to prevent the oppression and redress the wrongs of citizens, but I cannot hope to have effected all I desired.” Skirmishing occurred in Mississippi, Arkansas, and Missouri.

Wednesday, June 8

In Georgia, Federals marched through rain and mud to the Western & Atlantic Railroad. William Sherman’s forces were depleted by garrisoning the railroad back to Chattanooga. Fighting erupted at various points.

In the Shenandoah, David Hunter’s Federals were joined by General George Crook’s Army of the Kanawha arriving from the west. With 18,000 men and 30 guns, Hunter continued advancing up the Valley to Lexington and Lynchburg.

John Hunt Morgan’s Confederates captured the Federal garrison at Mount Sterling during their Kentucky raid. The Confederates robbed $18,000 from the local bank; Morgan blocked future investigations of this crime and never explained why it was perpetrated or the extent of his involvement.

At the National Union Convention, delegates nominated Abraham Lincoln for a second term as president. All delegations except Missouri voted for Lincoln; Missouri then switched from Ulysses S. Grant to Lincoln to make it unanimous. Republican Vice President Hannibal Hamlin of Maine was replaced by pro-war Democrat Andrew Johnson of Tennessee to broaden the ticket’s appeal. Johnson had been the only southern senator who did not resign his seat when his state seceded, and Lincoln had rewarded him by appointing him Tennessee’s military governor.

The National Union platform supported continuing the war until the rebellion was suppressed, and “as Slavery was the cause, and now constitutes the strength, of this Rebellion… (we) demand its utter and complete extirpation from the soil of the Republic.” This call for a constitutional amendment abolishing slavery undermined the Radical Republicans’ platform, which had also called for such an amendment last month. However, the platform did not endorse the Radicals’ call for confiscating the property of Confederates.

Skirmishing occurred in Mississippi and Louisiana.

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Primary Source: Long, E.B. and Long, Barbara, The Civil War Day by Day (New York: Da Capo Press, Inc., 1971), p. 515-518

The Civil War This Week: May 26 – Jun 1, 1864

Thursday, May 26

In Virginia, the Battle of the North Anna ended as Confederate General Robert E. Lee stopped Federal General-in-Chief Ulysses S. Grant’s advance once more. At nightfall, Grant directed Major General George G. Meade’s Army of the Potomac to continue southward, across the Pamunkey River toward Hanovertown, far around the right flank of Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia.

In Georgia, Federals under Major General James McPherson reached Dallas, while Major General John Schofield’s Federals reached the Dallas-New Hope Church area. Both Federals and Confederates began entrenching.

In Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, Federals under new commander David Hunter advanced from Strasburg and Cedar Creek toward Staunton.

Major General John G. Foster assumed command of the Federal Department of the South. Congress approved an enabling act creating the new Montana Territory separate from the Dakota Territory. The Federal transport Boston was destroyed by her crew after being grounded by Confederate fire on the Ashepoo River in South Carolina. Skirmishing occurred in Alabama and Missouri.

Friday, May 27

In Virginia, Major General Philip Sheridan’s Federal cavalry occupied Hanovertown, south of the Pamunkey River. Skirmishing occurred at various points. Robert E. Lee learned of Ulysses S. Grant’s advance and began moving his Confederates from near Hanover Junction to the southeast.

In Georgia, Federals under General Oliver O. Howard attempted to move around Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston’s right near Pickett’s Mill and Mount Zion Church, about two miles northeast of New Hope Church. Heavy fighting ensued in dense woods, and the Federal attacks were easily repulsed. The Federals suffered over 1,600 casualties, while the Confederates lost only about 500.

General Jo Shelby assumed command of Confederate troops north of the Arkansas River. Skirmishing occurred in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Missouri, and California.

Saturday, May 28

In Virginia, Robert E. Lee’s Confederates moved through Mechanicsville and reached Hanovertown ahead of Ulysses S. Grant’s Federals. Cavalry skirmishes occurred. President Jefferson Davis told Lee that General P.G.T. Beauregard, south of Richmond, was strengthening his defenses but was still outnumbered by at least two-to-one.

In Georgia, Joseph E. Johnston determined that the Federal right was weak based on Oliver O. Howard’s attack yesterday. Johnston sent General William Hardee’s Confederates to attack James McPherson’s Federals near Dallas. The Federals were initially pushed back, but a late charge regained the lost ground. Nevertheless, McPherson’s Federals were trapped south of Dallas.

Archduke Maximilian of Hapsburg landed at Vera Cruz to become the king of Mexico. Maximilian was supported by Emperor Napoleon III of France, who hoped to expand the French Empire into the Western Hemisphere by establishing a puppet regime in Mexico. The Lincoln administration opposed this move because it violated the Monroe Doctrine. Opposition also came from deposed Mexican ruler Benito Juarez.

Skirmishing occurred in Missouri as Confederates sacked Lamar. Other skirmishing occurred in Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas, and California.

Sunday, May 29

In Virginia, Ulysses S. Grant’s Federals continued advancing while Robert E. Lee prepared his lines. In Georgia, positions shifted and skirmishing continued. Confederates captured a wagon train at Salem, Arkansas. Skirmishing occurred in Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

Monday, May 30

In Virginia, Ulysses S. Grant moved further south toward the Totopotomoy River, marking the closest the Federals had come to Richmond since the Peninsular campaign of 1862. Despite the deep advance into Virginia, Robert E. Lee’s army was still strong and Richmond was still safe. Heavy fighting ensued as the Federals probed Lee’s line.

In Georgia, both Federal and Confederate lines still held around the Dallas-New Hope Church area, and skirmishing continued. Confederate raiders under John Hunt Morgan launched another incursion into Kentucky to disrupt Major General William T. Sherman’s communications and relieve pressure on Joseph E. Johnston.

Federals under Brigadier General George Crook started from Meadow Bluff, West Virginia toward Lynchburg, Virginia as part of the Federal move by Hunter against Lynchburg.

Federal naval forces began bombarding Fort Sumter, firing 319 rounds between today and June 5. A Federal expedition began from Morganza, Louisiana. Skirmishing occurred in Tennessee and Missouri.

Tuesday, May 31

In Virginia, Robert E. Lee established defensive positions near Cold Harbor, about 10 miles northeast of Richmond on the Chickahominy River. Ulysses S. Grant shifted part of his line toward Cold Harbor to get around Lee’s right, and Lee shifted to meet him. Skirmishing broke out at various points, as both sides established positions where another major battle was imminent.

Both Grant and William T. Sherman were much closer to Richmond and Atlanta than when fighting started this month. Federals and Confederates each lost about 9,000 men in the May campaign. But Grant and Sherman were beginning to stall.

Dissident Radical Republicans gathered in Cleveland to nominate a presidential candidate for the November election. The Radicals opposed President Abraham Lincoln’s moderate emancipation and reconstruction policies, instead supporting immediate abolition of slavery and harsh punishment for the seceded states. General John C. Fremont was nominated for president and Brigadier General John Cochrane of New York was nominated for vice president. Convention attendance was small, and Lincoln worked to garner Radical support to unite the Republican Party against the Democrats.

Wednesday, June 1

The Battle of Cold Harbor began in Virginia as a Federal attack was sharply repulsed. The Confederates continued shifting right to meet the Federal advance. Both sides prepared defenses, and Ulysses S. Grant planned to renew the attacks tomorrow morning.

President Davis ordered Major General Robert Ransom, commanding at Richmond, to summon all local forces possible to the Chickahominy and meet the threat to the capital. Robert E. Lee urged P.G.T. Beauregard to move forces north if possible, covering the area from the James north to the Chickahominy in front of Richmond.

In Georgia, General George Stoneman’s Federal cavalry captured Allatoona Pass, which held the vital railroad and enabled William T. Sherman to receive supplies from Chattanooga. Sherman’s Federals shifted northward away from the New Hope Church area, skirmishing along the way.

Brigadier General S.D. Sturgis and 8,000 Federals left Memphis to destroy Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest and his threat to Sherman’s supply lines. Sturgis headed toward Ripley, Mississippi while Forrest was at Tupelo regrouping from a northern raid.

John Hunt Morgan’s Confederate raid into Kentucky continued. Skirmishing occurred in Missouri and Arkansas.

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Primary Source: Long, E.B. and Long, Barbara, The Civil War Day by Day (New York: Da Capo Press, Inc.), p. 509-13

The Civil War This Week: May 19-25, 1864

Thursday, May 19

The Battle of Spotsylvania ended. Following the horrible carnage from the Wilderness and Spotsylvania, Federal General-in-Chief Ulysses S. Grant planned to move against the Confederate right flank once more.

Confederate President Jefferson Davis informed General Robert E. Lee of the Confederate victory over General Benjamin Butler’s Federal Army of the James at Drewry’s Bluff. Davis advised Lee to use his own discretion about the future.

The Red River campaign ended as the Federals crossed the Atchafalaya on their retreat from Alexandria, Louisiana. In this complete Federal failure, the Federals lost about 8,000 men, nine ships, and 57 guns. General Nathaniel Banks, commanding the Federal Army of the Gulf, was largely disowned by his troops and his political career ended.

In Georgia, Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston ordered an attack on Major General William T. Sherman’s Federal Army of the West while it was separated near Cassville.

Famed writer Nathaniel Hawthorne died at Plymouth, New Hampshire at age 60. The New England school of writers had recognized Hawthorne as a classic American author.

Skirmishing occurred in West Virginia, Tennessee, Florida, and Arkansas.

Friday, May 20

Ulysses S. Grant issued orders for George G. Meade’s Federals to cross the Mattaponi River and establish positions around Guiney’s Station. As the lead Federal corps reached Guiney’s Station, Confederate General Robert E. Lee prepared to move his Army of Northern Virginia south to block Grant once more.

In Georgia, William T. Sherman tried turning Joseph E. Johnston’s left before the Confederates crossed the Etowah River, but Johnston managed to slip away. Pulling back through Cartersville, the Confederates crossed the Etowah and formed a strong position at Allatoona Pass.

President Davis wrote to Robert E. Lee about Confederate efforts on the other fronts, but he left Confederate operations in northern Virginia to Lee’s discretion.

President Abraham Lincoln requested that the Army and Navy refrain from interfering with traders in conquered territory if those traders operated according to Treasury Department regulations. This was part of a continuing effort to maintain trade in occupied regions or with the enemy.

Skirmishing occurred in West Virginia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Arkansas.

Saturday, May 21

In Virginia, fighting ensued at Guiney’s Station and Stanard’s Mill, and Ulysses S. Grant directed the Federals to continue moving southeast toward Hanover Junction. Robert E. Lee ordered a withdrawal to the North Anna River late today.

Grant replaced Major General Franz Sigel as commander of the Federal Department of West Virginia with Major General David Hunter. Under Hunter, the Federals planned to advance in the Shenandoah Valley once more.

In Georgia, William T. Sherman regrouped his Federal forces while Joseph E. Johnston’s Confederates positioned themselves around Allatoona Pass. As Sherman advanced deeper into Confederate territory, President Lincoln urged western state governors to continue sending forward 100-day troops to “sustain Gen. Sherman’s lengthening lines…”

Skirmishing occurred in Virginia, South Carolina, Missouri, and Arkansas.

Sunday, May 22

As Ulysses S. Grant’s Federals moved south from Guiney’s Station toward the North Anna River, Robert E. Lee beat them to Hanover Junction and established defensive positions.

In Georgia, Federal cavalry skirmished at Cassville this evening, and William T. Sherman issued orders to head toward Dallas.

U.S.S. Stingaree was captured by Confederates off Brazos, Texas, then recaptured by Federals. Skirmishing occurred in Virginia, Mississippi, and Arkansas.

Monday, May 23

The Battle of the North Anna began as Robert E. Lee formed a strong line between Hanover and the North Anna River. Fighting began at 6 p.m. with a Confederate attack on Federals crossing the river that was eventually repulsed. The Federals were divided on both sides of the river, but a lack of coordination and Lee’s illness prevented the Confederates from capitalizing.

William T. Sherman’s Federals headed toward Dallas from the Cassville area, once again trying to turn Joseph E. Johnston’s left in Georgia. Sherman crossed the Etowah River as Johnston tried determining Sherman’s plan from Allatoona Pass.

Confederates captured U.S.S. Columbine in Florida. A Federal expedition began from Warrensburg, Missouri. Skirmishing occurred against Indians in California.

Tuesday, May 24

The Battle of the North Anna continued as Ulysses S. Grant’s Federals continued crossing the river. However, the Federal army was divided in three parts due to the bend in the river and Robert E. Lee’s apex-shaped line. The long-absent Federal cavalry under Major General Philip Sheridan returned to aid Grant. Lee held firm during the brief fight.

In Georgia, William T. Sherman advanced on Dallas from the Etowah River, with skirmishing breaking out at several points. Joseph E. Johnston realized Sherman’s intent and tried blocking him by moving the Confederates through New Hope Church to get in Sherman’s front. Although Sherman was closing in on the vital industrial city of Atlanta, his supply lines were dangerously extended and Johnston blocked his path to the railroad.

Colonel Colton Greene’s Confederate raiders harassed Federal shipping and captured two vessels on the Mississippi River. Skirmishing occurred in Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas.

Wednesday, May 25

The Battle of the North Anna continued as the Federal right advanced before Ulysses S. Grant realized that Robert E. Lee’s position was too strong. Fighting was inconclusive, with Lee once more checking Grant’s advance. However, both armies were much closer to Richmond than when they had begun fighting 20 days ago.

In Georgia, a Federal force under General Joseph Hooker attacked General John Bell Hood’s entrenched Confederates at New Hope Church but were repulsed in a heavy thunderstorm. The Federals suffered about 1,665 casualties, while the Confederates lost less than half that amount. The Federals began entrenching in the Dallas-New Hope Church region as William T. Sherman probed for weaknesses in the Confederate line.

Colton Greene’s Confederate raiders captured U.S.S. Lebanon. General Jo Shelby’s Confederates operated at Buck Horn, Arkansas. The crew of a small boat failed to destroy C.S.S. Albemarle near Plymouth, North Carolina. A joint Federal Army-Navy operation up the Ashepoo and South Edisto Rivers in South Carolina failed to break the Charleston & Savannah Railroad. A Federal expedition began from Fort Wingate, New Mexico Territory.

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Primary Source: Long, E.B. and Long, Barbara, The Civil War Day by Day (New York: Da Capo Press, Inc., 1971) p. 505-509

The Civil War This Week: May 12-18, 1864

Thursday, May 12

In Virginia, the Battle of Spotsylvania renewed with fury at 4:30 a.m. This was one of the most murderous days of the war, as roughly 20,000 Federals broke through the “Mule Shoe” salient and captured about 4,000 enemy troops. The Confederates fell back to a second line of defense and halted the advance. General Robert E. Lee attempted to lead an attack himself but was prevented by his own troops.

Federal attacks on the left and right were repulsed. The fight went on past midnight as the armies fought for nearly 20 consecutive hours, and the Confederate center became known as the “Bloody Angle.” Results were inconclusive, but the heavy losses wore on the Confederates. In the North, critics began accusing General-in-Chief Ulysses S. Grant of sacrificing too much human life for too little gain.

General Philip Sheridan’s Federal cavalry skirmished with Confederates while trying to reach General Benjamin Butler’s Federals on the James River. Meanwhile, Butler’s Federals began advancing on Drewry’s Bluff and Fort Darling on the south side of the James. Butler’s objectives were either Petersburg or the Confederate capital of Richmond.

Southerners celebrated the repulse of Philip Sheridan’s Federal cavalry from Richmond in yesterday’s Battle of Yellow Tavern, but they grieved the death of General Jeb Stuart, the “Cavalier of Dixie.” When Robert E. Lee received a telegram notifying him of Stuart’s death, he said, “I can scarcely think of him without weeping.”

In Georgia, most of General William T. Sherman’s Federal Army of the West advanced through Snake Creek Gap and approached Resaca. General Joseph E. Johnston, commanding the Confederate Army of Tennessee, learned of Sherman’s move and evacuated Dalton in the night, positioning his forces to block Sherman at Resaca. This marked the first large-scale maneuver of the Georgia campaign.

Other skirmishing occurred in Virginia, Alabama, Louisiana, and the Nebraska Territory.

Friday, May 13

The Battle of Spotsylvania continued as Federals advanced to attack the “Mule Shoe” salient again but found it abandoned. Confederate President Jefferson Davis wired Robert E. Lee, “If possible will sustain you in your unequal struggle so long and nobly maintained.” Ulysses S. Grant wired Chief of Staff Henry W. Halleck, “The enemy are obstinate and seem to have found the last ditch.” Grant continued probing Lee’s right, looking to try flanking him once more.

In Georgia, Joseph E. Johnston’s Confederates established defensive positions at Resaca. Johnston was joined by reinforcements under General Leonidas Polk. Skirmishing occurred with William T. Sherman’s advancing Federals.

On the Red River, General Nathanial Banks’s Federal infantry and gunboats continued their retreat. To the north, General Frederick Steele’s Federals returned to Little Rock, making the Red River campaign a Federal failure.

Federal naval forces bombarded Fort Sumter. Jo Shelby’s Confederate cavalry began a new campaign north of the Arkansas River. Skirmishing occurred in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri.

Saturday, May 14

The Battle of Resaca occurred in Georgia, as fighting erupted while William T. Sherman’s Federals advanced around Joseph E. Johnston’s left to avoid a direct confrontation and flank him out of his strong position.

In Virginia, Ulysses S. Grant continued shifting troops to the left (i.e., southeast) as both armies sought to recover from the terrible battle. The hard march and heavy rain suspended orders for a Federal attack. Jefferson Davis wrote Robert E. Lee, “Affairs here are critical…” in reference to Benjamin Butler’s advance on Drewry’s Bluff and Petersburg.

In the Shenandoah Valley, Confederate Major General John C. Breckinridge led 5,000 men to join John D. Imboden’s Confederates in opposing a Federal advance of 9,000 troops under Major General Franz Sigel. Sigel continued his southern advance to deprive Robert E. Lee’s army of vital foodstuffs, despite the withdrawal of George Crook’s Federals into West Virginia.

Skirmishing occurred in Virginia and Louisiana.

Sunday, May 15

The Battle of Resaca continued in Georgia, as General Joseph Hooker’s Federals drove back Confederates under General John Bell Hood. This prompted William T. Sherman to move south of the Oostenaula River to flank Joseph E. Johnston. Seeing that he was about to be flanked with his back to the river, Johnston withdrew from Resaca in the night, burning the railroad bridge before moving toward Calhoun and Adairsville. The fighting around Resaca resulted in about 3,500 Federal and 2,600 Confederate casualties.

The Battle of New Market occurred this morning as John C. Breckinridge’s Confederates attacked Franz Sigel’s Federals in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Breckinridge plugged a gap in his line with 247 cadets from the nearby Virginia Military Institute, who helped rout the Federals and send them north to Strasburg. The Federals suffered 841 casualties, while the Confederates lost 577. This humiliating Federal defeat temporarily relieved pressure on the Valley.

Skirmishing occurred at Spotsylvania as the Federals continued changing their positions and reestablishing their main lines. The whole battle front moved more to the east and south of Spotsylvania. Jefferson Davis called all available troops from South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida to Virginia. He warned Robert E. Lee not to expose himself to the enemy because “The country could not bear the loss of you…” In Washington, President Abraham Lincoln expressed confidence after receiving news from the fronts.

Philip Sheridan’s Federal cavalry was unable to link with Benjamin Butler’s Federals on the James River. South of Richmond, Butler’s slow Federal advance on Drewry’s Bluff and Fort Darling enabled Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard to establish a firm defense that included stringing telegraph wire along tree stumps to trip up the Federals.

A Federal expedition began from Beverly, West Virginia. Jo Shelby’s Confederates skirmished near Dardanelle, Arkansas. Other skirmishing occurred in Alabama and Louisiana.

Monday, May 16

The Battle of Drewry’s Bluff occurred as P.G.T. Beauregard’s 20,000 Confederates launched a preemptive attack on Benjamin Butler’s Federal Army of the James. Fighting on the Federal left was inconclusive, but Butler withdrew because he believed his right was in danger. Butler’s attempt to take Petersburg and possibly Richmond failed. The Federals suffered 4,160 casualties while the Confederates lost 2,506. Butler withdrew to the peninsula formed by a loop in the James River called Bermuda Hundred.

In Georgia, Joseph E. Johnston’s Confederate Army of Tennessee was safely across the Oostenaula River, where they began establishing defensive positions once more.

Federal expeditions began from Patterson and Pine Knob, Missouri; and from Fort Craig in the New Mexico Territory. Federal naval vessels dueled with Confederate batteries on the Mississippi River near Ratliff’s Landing, Mississippi. Skirmishing occurred in Kentucky, South Carolina, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, and Kansas.

Tuesday, May 17

In Georgia, Joseph E. Johnston’s Confederates established defensive positions at Adairsville. Once more, William T. Sherman’s Federal Army of the West sought to move around Johnston’s left flank rather than attack directly. As George Thomas’s Federals feinted in Johnston’s front, Federals under Generals John Schofield and James McPherson moved around both of Johnston’s flanks. Johnston ordered another withdrawal in the night, moving toward Cassville and Kingston amid skirmishing.

In Virginia, Federal and Confederate positions continued shifting around Spotsylvania.

Benjamin Butler’s Federal Army of the James withdrew to Bermuda Hundred. P.G.T. Beauregard’s Confederates advanced and trapped the Federals on the peninsula, pinning them between the James River on the north, the Appomattox River on the south, and the Confederates in front. Ulysses S. Grant later said that Butler’s army seemed “as if it had been in a bottle strongly corked.” Since the narrow neck of the “bottle” only needed a token Confederate force to guard, Beauregard not only stopped a Federal threat to Richmond, but he was also able to send reinforcements to Robert E. Lee.

In Washington, Congress passed measures setting up what became the postal money order system. Jo Shelby’s Confederates captured Dardanelle, Arkansas. Skirmishing occurred in Louisiana.

Wednesday, May 18

The Battle of Spotsylvania resumed with a Federal attack at dawn. Major General George G. Meade, commanding the Federal Army of the Potomac under Grant, ended the attack after several unsuccessful charges. Ulysses S. Grant finally decided that Robert E. Lee’s position was too strong to penetrate and began shifting the Federals to the southeast once more.

Philip Sheridan’s Federal cavalry returned to the Army of the Potomac, unable to reach Benjamin Butler’s Federals on the James River. Meanwhile, P.G.T. Beauregard’s Confederates were corking the bottle on Butler’s Federals at Bermuda Hundred.

In Georgia, William T. Sherman’s Federals advanced on Joseph E. Johnston toward Kingston. Fighting erupted near Cassville, Kingston, and Pine Log Creek. Jefferson Davis expressed disappointment in Johnston for his recent retreats.

The New York World and the Journal of Commerce published a false proclamation from President Lincoln calling for 300,000 more troops. Lincoln ordered that the military seize the newspaper offices and arrest the editors and publishers. The newsmen were eventually released after explaining that a stock manipulator had given them a fraudulent story.

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Primary Source: Long, E.B. and Long, Barbara, The Civil War Day by Day (New York: Da Capo Press, Inc., 1971), p.

Sealy Spring Picnic – Battles for Texas

I attended the Spring Picnic and Battles for Texas reenactments last month in Sealy, Texas. Being as it was my first time visiting Sealy (which is close to my home town), it was great to be part of the event. Many people were there selling arts and crafts, and there was a classic car procession that showcased some beautiful vintage cars:

There were also encampments of soldiers who reenacted a battle. The soldiers represented Texas throughout its sovereign history, from the time of the war of independence from Mexico up through the Civil War:

I thank the people of Sealy, Texas for allowing me to be a part of their great event!