Western Theater Overview (1861 – 1865)

This article presents an overview of major military and naval operations in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. In warfare, a theater or theatre is normally used to define a specific geographic area within which armed conflict occurs. ... The American Civil War (1861–1865) was fought in North America between the United States of America, called the Union and the Confederate States of America, a new nation formed by 11 seceding states. ...

Theater of operations

The Western Theater was an area defined by both geography and the sequence of campaigning. It originally represented the area east of the Mississippi River and west of the Appalachian Mountains. It excluded operations against the Gulf Coast and the Eastern Seaboard, but as the war progressed and William Tecumseh Sherman's Union armies moved southeast from Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1864 and 1865, the definition of the theater expanded to encompass their operations in Georgia and the Carolinas. This page is about the river in the United States; there is also a Canadian Mississippi River (Ontario). ... A rainy day in the Great Smoky Mountains, Western North Carolina The Appalachian Mountains are a vast system of North American mountains, partly in Canada, but mostly in the United States, extending as a zone, from 100 to 300 miles wide, running from Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, 1500 miles south... The Gulf of Mexico is a major body of water bordered and nearly landlocked by North America. ... Regional definitions vary from source to source. ... William Tecumseh Sherman (February 8, 1820 – February 14, 1891) was an American soldier, businessman, and author. ... The 21st Michigan Infantry, a company of Shermans veterans. ... Nickname: Scenic City (official), River City, Chatty, Chatt-Town, Chattavegas Motto: Official website: http://www. ... 1864 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1865 is a common year starting on Sunday. ... The Carolinas is a collective term used in the United States to refer to the states of North and South Carolina together. ...

The West was by some measures the most important theater of the war. The Confederacy was forced to defend with limited resources an enormous land mass, which was subject to Union thrusts along multiple avenues of approach, including major rivers that led directly to the agricultural heartland of the South. Concentration on the West was one of the key tenets of Union General Winfield Scott's Anaconda Plan. Motto: Deo Vindice (Latin: With God As Our Vindicator) Anthem: God Save the South (unofficial) Dixie (popular) Capital Montgomery, Alabama February 4, 1861–May 29, 1861 Richmond, Virginia May 29, 1861–April 9, 1865 Danville, Virginia April 3–April 10, 1865 Largest city New Orleans February 4, 1861–May 1... Southern United States. ... General is a high military rank, used by nearly every country in the world. ... Winfield Scott Winfield Scott (June 13, 1786 – May 29, 1866) was a United States Army lieutenant general, diplomat, and presidential candidate. ... The Anaconda Plan was drawn up by General Winfield Scott to end the American Civil War in favor of the North. ...

The Eastern Theater received considerably more attention than the Western, both at the time and in historical accounts. This is undoubtedly due to the proximity of the opposing capitals, the concentration of newspapers in the major cities of the East, and the fame of Eastern generals such as Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. Because of this, a shadow was cast on the enormous and almost inexorable progress that Union forces made in defeating Confederate armies in the West and carving great slices from their territory. Military historian J. F. C. Fuller has described this as an immense turning movement, a left wheel that started in Kentucky, headed south down the Mississippi River, and then east through Tennessee, Georgia, and the Carolinas. With the exception of the Battle of Chickamauga and some daring raids by cavalry or guerrilla forces, the four years in the West marked a string of almost continuous defeats for the Confederates; or, at best, tactical draws that eventually turned out to be strategic reversals. And the arguably most successful Union generals of the war (Grant, Thomas, Sherman, and Sheridan) came from this theater, consistently outclassing most of their Confederate opponents (with the possible exception of cavalry commander Nathan Bedford Forrest). Robert E. Lee, 1863 Portrait by Julian Vannerson Robert Edward Lee (January 19, 1807 – October 12, 1870) was a career army officer and the most successful general of the Confederate forces during the American Civil War. ... Stonewall Jackson For the 1960s country music artist, see Stonewall Jackson (musician); for the submarine, see USS Stonewall Jackson (SSBN-634). ... J.F.C. Fuller (September 1, 1878 – February 10, 1966), full name John Frederick Charles Fuller, was a British Major General, military historian and strategist, notable as an early theorist of modern armoured warfare, including categorising principles of warfare. ... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders William S. Rosecrans George H. Thomas Braxton Bragg James Longstreet Strength Army of the Cumberland (56,965) Army of Tennessee (66,000) Casualties 1,657 killed, 9,756 wounded, 4,757 captured/missing 2,312 killed, 14,674 wounded, 1... Cavalry is also a common misspelling of the Biblical hill Calvary. ... Distinguish from the type of ape called a gorilla. ... Ulysses S. Grant (April 27, 1822 – July 23, 1885) was the 18th President of the United States (1869–1877). ... General George H. Thomas George Henry Thomas (July 31, 1816 – March 28, 1870), the Rock of Chickamauga, was a career U.S. Army officer and a Union general during the American Civil War. ... William Tecumseh Sherman (February 8, 1820 – February 14, 1891) was an American soldier, businessman, and author. ... Philip Sheridan Philip Henry Sheridan (March 6, 1831 – August 5, 1888) was a career U.S. Army officer and one of the great generals in the American Civil War. ... Nathan Bedford Forrest Nathan Bedford Forrest (July 13, 1821 – October 29, 1877), was a Confederate general and perhaps the American Civil Wars most highly regarded cavalry and partisan ranger (guerrilla leader). ...

The campaign classification established by the United States National Park Service^[1] is more fine-grained than the one used in this article. Some minor NPS campaigns have been omitted and some have been combined into larger categories. Only a few of the 117 battles the NPS classifies for this theater are described. Boxed text in the right margin show the NPS campaigns associated with each section. The National Park Service (NPS) is the United States federal agency that manages all National Parks, many National Monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations. ...

Principal commanders of the Western Theater

Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, USA

Maj. Gen. Henry W. Halleck, USA

Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman, USA

Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas, USA

Maj. Gen. Don Carlos Buell, USA

Maj. Gen. William Rosecrans, USA

Image File history File links Download high resolution version (974x1570, 166 KB)Lt. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (974x1570, 166 KB)Lt. ... Ulysses S. Grant (April 27, 1822 – July 23, 1885) was the 18th President of the United States (1869–1877). ... File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Henry Wager Halleck (1815 - 1872) was an American soldier and politician. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (662x1024, 64 KB) Summary Picture of General Sherman. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (662x1024, 64 KB) Summary Picture of General Sherman. ... Portrait of William Tecumseh Sherman by Mathew Brady William Tecumseh Sherman (February 8, 1820 – February 14, 1891) was an American soldier, businessman, and author. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1104x1392, 301 KB)General George Henry Thomas source This image comes from the National Archives and Records Administration, the vast majority of whose images and documents are in the public domain. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1104x1392, 301 KB)General George Henry Thomas source This image comes from the National Archives and Records Administration, the vast majority of whose images and documents are in the public domain. ... General George Henry Thomas (July 31, 1816 - March 28, 1870), Northern general during the American Civil War, was born in Southampton County, Virginia. ... before 1900 This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... before 1900 This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Don Carlos Buell ( 23 March 1818- 19 November 1898) was an American assistant adjutant general who fought in the Seminole War, the Mexican-American War, and the Civil War. ... File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... William Rosecrans William Starke Rosecrans (September 6, 1819 – March 11, 1898) was an inventor, coal-oil company executive, diplomat, politician, and U.S. Army officer. ...

Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, CSA

Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard, CSA

Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, CSA

Gen. Braxton Bragg, CSA

Lt. Gen. John Bell Hood, CSA

Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, CSA

Albert Sidney Johnston (19th century photo) This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Albert Sidney Johnston (19th century photo) This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Albert Sidney Johnston Albert Sidney Johnston (February 2, 1803 – April 6, 1862) was a career U.S. Army officer and a Confederate general during the American Civil War. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1053x1434, 408 KB)Gen. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1053x1434, 408 KB)Gen. ... Pierre Gustave Toutant de Beauregard Pierre Gustave Toutant de Beauregard (BO-rih-gahrd) (May 28, 1818 – February 20, 1893), best known as a general for the Confederate Army during the American Civil War, was also a writer, civil servant, and inventor. ... Download high resolution version (1076x1425, 224 KB)Mid 19th century photograph of General Joseph E. Johnston. ... Download high resolution version (1076x1425, 224 KB)Mid 19th century photograph of General Joseph E. Johnston. ... Joseph E. Johnston Joseph Eggleston Johnston (February 3, 1807 – March 21, 1891) was a career U.S. Army officer and one of the most senior generals in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. ... Download high resolution version (612x789, 387 KB)TITLE: General Braxton Bragg SUMMARY: Braxton Bragg, half-length portrait, facing right. ... Download high resolution version (612x789, 387 KB)TITLE: General Braxton Bragg SUMMARY: Braxton Bragg, half-length portrait, facing right. ... Braxton Bragg Braxton Bragg (March 22, 1817 – September 27, 1876) was a career U.S. Army officer and a general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. ... Download high resolution version (1124x1363, 133 KB)John Bell Hood, photograph taken in the mid 19th century. ... Download high resolution version (1124x1363, 133 KB)John Bell Hood, photograph taken in the mid 19th century. ... John Bell Hood John Bell Hood (June 1, 1831 – August 30, 1879) was a Confederate general during the American Civil War. ... Nathan Bedford Forrest (19th century photo) This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Nathan Bedford Forrest (19th century photo) This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Nathan Bedford Forrest Nathan Bedford Forrest (July 13, 1821 – October 29, 1877), was a Confederate general and perhaps the American Civil Wars most highly regarded cavalry and partisan ranger (guerrilla leader). ...

Early operations (June 1861 – January 1862)

From Belmont (November 1861) to Shiloh (April 1862)

The focus early in the war was on two critical states: Missouri and Kentucky. The loss of either would have been a crippling blow to the Union cause. Due primarily to the successes of Captain Nathaniel Lyon and his victory at Boonville in June, Missouri was held in the Union. The state of Kentucky, with a pro-Confederate governor and a pro-Union legislature, had declared neutrality between the opposing sides. This neutrality was first violated on September 3, when Confederate Major General Leonidas Polk occupied Columbus and two days later Union Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant, displaying the personal initiative that would characterize his later career, seized Paducah. Henceforth, neither adversary respected the proclaimed neutrality of the state. This sequence of events is considered a victory for the Union because Kentucky never formally sided with the Confederacy and if the Union had been prevented from maneuvering within Kentucky, its later successful campaigns in Tennessee would have been impossible. The National Park Service (NPS) is the United States federal agency that manages all National Parks, many National Monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations. ... The Battle of ivy Mountain was fought in 1861 and was a battle of the American Civil War While recruiting in southeast Kentucky, Rebels under Col. ... Charleston defenses, Belmont battlefield by Julius Bien & Co. ... Official language(s) English Capital Jefferson City Largest city Kansas City Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 21st 69,709 mi²; 180,693 km² 240 mi; 385 km 300 mi; 480 km 1. ... Official language(s) English Capital Frankfort Largest city Louisville Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 37th 104,749 km² 225 km 610 km 1. ... Nathaniel Lyon Nathaniel Lyon (July 14, 1818 - August 10, 1861) was the first Union general to be killed in the American Civil War and is noted for his action in the state of Missouri at the beginning of the conflict. ... The Battle of Boonville, Missouri sketched by Orlando C. Richardson The Battle of Boonville was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on June 17, 1861 in Cooper County, Missouri. ... September 3 is the 246th day of the year (247th in leap years). ... Leonidas Polk, The Fighting Bishop Leonidas Polk (April 10, 1806 – June 14, 1864) was a Confederate general who was once a planter in Maury County, Tennessee, and a cousin of President James K. Polk. ... Columbus is a city located in Hickman County, Kentucky. ... Ulysses S. Grant (April 27, 1822 – July 23, 1885) was the 18th President of the United States (1869–1877). ... Paducah is a city located in McCracken County, Kentucky at the confluence of the Tennessee River and the Ohio River. ...

On the Confederate side, a single general, Albert Sidney Johnston, commanded all forces from Arkansas to the Cumberland Gap. He was faced with the problem of defending a broad front with numerically inferior forces, but he had an excellent system of lateral communications, permitting him to move troops rapidly where they were needed, and he had two able subordinates, Polk and Maj. Gen. William J. Hardee. The Union military command in the West, however, suffered from a lack of unified command, organized by November into three separate departments: the Department of Kansas, under Maj. Gen. David Hunter, the Department of Missouri, under Maj. Gen. Henry W. Halleck, and the Department of the Ohio, under Brig. Gen. Don Carlos Buell (who had replaced Brig. Gen. William T. Sherman). By January 1862, this disunity of command was apparent because no strategy for operations in the Western theater could be agreed upon. Buell, under political pressure to invade and hold pro-Union eastern Tennessee, moved slowly in the direction of Nashville, but achieved nothing more substantial than a minor victory at Mill Springs, under Brig. Gen. George H. Thomas. In Halleck's department, Grant demonstrated up the Tennessee River to divert attention from Buell's intended advance, which did not occur. On February 1, 1862, Halleck authorized Grant to move against Fort Henry on the Tennessee.
Albert Sidney Johnston Albert Sidney Johnston (February 2, 1803 – April 6, 1862) was a career U.S. Army officer and a Confederate general during the American Civil War. ... Official language(s) English Capital Little Rock Largest city Little Rock Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 29th 137,732 km² 385 km 420 km 2. ... Cumberland Gap in winter The Cumberland Gap is a pass across the Cumberland Mountains region of the Appalachian Mountains. ... William J. Hardee (1817-1873) was a Confederate general in the American Civil War. ... David Hunter David Hunter (July 21, 1802 – February 2, 1886) was a Union general in the American Civil War. ... Henry Wager Halleck (1815 - 1872) was an American soldier and politician. ... Don Carlos Buell ( 23 March 1818- 19 November 1898) was an American assistant adjutant general who fought in the Seminole War, the Mexican-American War, and the Civil War. ... Portrait of William Tecumseh Sherman by Mathew Brady William Tecumseh Sherman (February 8, 1820 – February 14, 1891) was an American soldier, businessman, and author. ... Battle of Mill Springs Conflict American Civil War Date January 19, 1862 Place Pulaski County and Wayne County, Kentucky Result Union victory The Battle of Mill Springs, also known as Logans Cross Roads was a decisive Union victory that made a Union invasion into Tennessee possible. ... General George Henry Thomas (July 31, 1816 - March 28, 1870), Northern general during the American Civil War, was born in Southampton County, Virginia. ... February 1 is the 32nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1862 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Fort Henry, Ontario, is a National Historic Site of Canada. ...

Tennessee, Cumberland, and Mississippi Rivers (February – June 1862)

From Corinth (May 1862) to Perryville (October 1862)

Grant moved swiftly, starting his troops on river transports on February 2. His operations in the campaign were well coordinated with U.S. Navy Flag Officer Andrew H. Foote. Fort Henry was poorly situated on a flood plane and virtually indefensible against gunboats, with many of its guns under water. Due to the previous neutrality of Kentucky, the Confederates could not build river defenses at a more strategic location inside the state, settling for site just inside the border of Tennessee. Brig. Gen. Lloyd Tilghman withdrew almost all of his garrison on February 5, moving them across country 11 miles to the east, to Fort Donelson. The Tennessee River was now open for future Union operations into the South. Battle of Middle Creek Conflict American Civil War Date January 10, 1862 Place Floyd County, Kentucky Result Union strategic victory The Battle of Middle Creek was an engagement during the American Civil War. ... Battle of Mill Springs Conflict American Civil War Date January 19, 1862 Place Pulaski County and Wayne County, Kentucky Result Union victory The Battle of Mill Springs, also known as Logans Cross Roads was a decisive Union victory that made a Union invasion into Tennessee possible. ... The Battle of Fort Henry was fought February 6, 1862, in western Tennessee, during the American Civil War. ... The Battle of Fort Donelson was fought February 12–16, 1862 in the American Civil War. ... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders Ulysses S. Grant Don Carlos Buell Albert S. Johnston† P.G.T. Beauregard Strength Army of West Tennessee (33,085 men) and Army of the Ohio (32,000 men) Army of the Mississippi (44,968 men) Casualties 1,754 killed... The Battle of Corinth I (also known as the Siege of Corinth) was a United States Civil War battle fought from April 29, 1862 – June 10, 1862 in Corinth, Mississippi. ... Battle of Island No. ... Battle of Memphis I Conflict American Civil War Date June 6, 1862 Place Shelby County, Tennessee Result Union victory The Battle of Memphis was a naval battle fought on the Mississippi River on June 6, 1862 during the American Civil War. ... February 2 is the 33rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Andrew Hull Foote (12 September 1806 _ 26 June 1863) was an admiral in the United States Navy who served during the Civil War. ... The Battle of Fort Henry was fought February 6, 1862, in western Tennessee, during the American Civil War. ... Lloyd Tilghman Lloyd Tilghman (1816–May 16, 1863) was a Confederate general in the American Civil War after graduating from West Point. ... February 5 is the 36th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ...

Fort Donelson, on the Cumberland River, was more defensible than Henry and Navy assaults on the fort were ineffective. Grant's army marched cross-country in pursuit of Tilghman and attempted immediate assaults on the fort from the rear, but they were unsuccessful. On February 15, the Confederate forces under Brig. Gen. John B. Floyd attempted to escape and launched a surprise assault against the Union right flank (commanded by Brig. Gen. John A. McClernand), driving McClernand's division back, but not creating the opening they needed to slip away. Grant recovered from this temporary reversal and assaulted the now weakened Confederate right. Trapped in the fort and the town of Dover, Tennessee, Confederate Brig. Gen. Simon B. Buckner surrendered his command of 11,500 men and many needed guns and supplies to Grant's demand for "unconditional surrender". The combined victories at Henry and Donelson were the first significant Union victories in the war and now two major rivers were available for invasions into Tennessee. The Battle of Fort Donelson was fought February 12–16, 1862 in the American Civil War. ... February 15 is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... John Buchanan Floyd (June 1, 1807–August 26, 1863), American politician, was born at Blacksburg, Virginia. ... John Alexander McClernand John Alexander McClernand ( May 30, 1812 – September 20, 1900) was an American soldier and lawyer. ... Dover is a city located in Stewart County, Tennessee. ... Simon Bolivar Buckner may refer to several articles in Wikipedia: Simon Bolivar Buckner, Sr. ...

Johnston's forward defense was now broken. As Grant had anticipated, Polk's position at Columbus was untenable and he withdrew soon after Donelson fell. Grant had also cut the Memphis and Ohio Railroad that previously had allowed Confederate forces to move laterally in support of each other. General P.G.T. Beauregard had arrived from the East to report to Johnston in February, and he commanded all Confederate forces between the Mississippi and Tennessee Rivers, which effectively divided the unity of command so that Johnston controlled only a small force at Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Beauregard planned to concentrate his forces in the vicinity of Corinth, Mississippi, and prepare for an offensive. Johnston moved his force to concentrate with Beauregard's by late March. Pierre Gustave Toutant de Beauregard Pierre Gustave Toutant de Beauregard (BO-rih-gahrd) (May 28, 1818 – February 20, 1893), best known as a general for the Confederate Army during the American Civil War, was also a writer, civil servant, and inventor. ... Murfreesboro is a city located in Rutherford County, Tennessee. ... Corinth is a city located in Alcorn County, Mississippi. ...

The preparations for the Union campaign did not proceed smoothly and Halleck seemed more concerned with his standing in relation to General-in-Chief George B. McClellan than he did with understanding the Confederate army was divided and could be defeated in detail. Further, he could not agree with his peer, Buell, now in Nashville, on a joint course of action. He sent Grant up the Tennessee River while Buell remained in Nashville. On March 11, President Lincoln appointed Halleck the commander of all forces from the Missouri River to Knoxville, thus achieving the needed unity of command, and Halleck ordered Buell to join Grant's forces at Pittsburg Landing on the Tennessee. George McClellan George Brinton McClellan (December 3, 1826 – October 29, 1885) was a major general (and briefly the general-in-chief of all the Union armies) during the American Civil War. ... 11 March is the 70th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (71st in Leap year). ... The Missouri River is a tributary of the Mississippi River in the United States. ... Eastern view of Knoxville Nickname: The Marble City, K-Town, Big Orange Country, Knox Vegas Motto: {{{motto}}} Official website: http://www. ...

On April 6–7, the combined Confederate forces under Beauregard and Johnston surprised Grant's unprepared Army of West Tennessee with a massive dawn assault at Pittsburg Landing in the Battle of Shiloh. In the first day of the battle, the Confederate onslaught drove Grant back against the Tennessee, but could not defeat him. That day also saw the death of Johnston, considered by many to be the most effective general in the Confederacy at that time. On the second day, Grant received reinforcements from Buell and launched a counterattack that drove back the Confederates. Grant failed to pursue the retreating enemy and received enormous criticism for this and for the great loss of life, more casualties (almost 24,000) than all previous American battles combined. April 6 is the 96th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (97th in leap years). ... April 7 is the 97th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (98th in leap years). ... The Army of West Tennessee was a Union army commanded by Major General Ulysses S. Grant which was to become the famous Army of the Tennessee. ... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders Ulysses S. Grant Don Carlos Buell Albert S. Johnston† P.G.T. Beauregard Strength Army of West Tennessee (33,085 men) and Army of the Ohio (32,000 men) Army of the Mississippi (44,968 men) Casualties 1,754 killed...

Union control of the Mississippi River began to tighten. On April 7, while the Confederates were retreating from Shiloh, Union Maj. Gen. John Pope defeated Beauregard's isolated force at Island Number 10, opening the river almost as far south as Memphis. On May 18, Admiral David Farragut captured New Orleans, the South's most significant seaport. Army Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler occupied the city with a strong military government that caused considerable resentment among the civilian population. April 7 is the 97th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (98th in leap years). ... Major General John Pope John Pope (March 18, 1822 – September 23, 1892) was a career Army officer and general in the American Civil War. ... Battle of Island No. ... Nickname: The River City, The Bluff City Motto: Official website: http://www. ... May 18 is the 138th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (139th in leap years). ... Admiral David Glasgow Farragut David Glasgow Farragut (July 5, 1801 – August 14, 1870) was the commander-in-chief of the U.S. Navy during the American Civil War. ... Nickname: The Big Easy Motto: Official website: http://www. ... Benjamin Franklin Butler Benjamin Franklin Butler (November 5, 1818 – January 11, 1893) was an American lawyer, soldier and politician. ...

Although Beauregard had little concentrated strength available to oppose a southward movement by Halleck, the Union general showed insufficient drive to take advantage of the situation. He waited until he assembled a large army, combining the forces of Buell's Army of the Ohio, Grant's Army of West Tennessee, and Pope's Army of the Mississippi to converge at Pittsburg Landing. He moved slowly in the direction of the critical rail junction at Corinth, taking four weeks to cover the twenty miles from Shiloh, stopping nightly to entrench. The slowness of this movement has led this campaign to be nicknamed the Siege of Corinth. When he finally reached the fortified city, his opponent, Beauregard, decided not to make a costly defensive stand and withdrew without hostilities on May 29. The Battle of Corinth I (also known as the Siege of Corinth) was a United States Civil War battle fought from April 29, 1862 – June 10, 1862 in Corinth, Mississippi. ... May 29 is the 149th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (150th in leap years). ...

Grant did not command directly in this Corinth campaign. Halleck had reorganized his army, giving Grant the powerless position of second-in-command and shuffling divisions from the three armies into three "wings". When Halleck moved East to replace McClellan as general-in-chief, Grant resumed his field command. But before he left, Halleck squandered any opportunity to pursue and destroy Beauregard. He sent Buell to take Chattanooga, Sherman to Memphis, one division to Arkansas, and Pope was ordered to hold a covering position south of Corinth.
Nickname: Scenic City (official), River City, Chatty, Chatt-Town, Chattavegas Motto: Official website: http://www. ...

Kentucky, Tennessee, and Northern Mississippi (June 1862 – January 1863)

While Halleck accomplished little following Corinth, Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg succeeded Beauregard (on June 27, due to reasons of health) in command of his 56,000 troops of the Army of Tennessee, now in Tupelo, Mississippi, due south of Corinth. But he determined that an advance directly north from Tupelo was not practical. He left Maj. Gens. Sterling Price and Earl Van Dorn to distract Grant and shifted 35,000 men by rail through Mobile, Alabama, to Chattanooga. Even though he did not leave Tupelo until July 21, he was able to reach Chattanooga before Buell could. Bragg's general plan was to invade Kentucky in a joint operation with Maj. Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith, cut Buell's lines of communications, defeat him, and then turn back to defeat Grant. Categories: Possible copyright violations ... The Battle of Murfreesboro I was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on July 13, 1862 in Rutherford County, Tennessee. ... The Battle of Richmond, Kentucky, the most complete Confederate victory in the Civil War, took place on what is now the grounds of the Bluegrass Army Depot. ... Battle of Munfordville Conflict American Civil War Date September 14-17, 1862 Place Hart County, Kentucky Result Confederate victory In the 1862 Confederate offensive into Kentucky, Gen. ... The Battle of Perryville was an important but largely neglected encounter in the American Civil War. ... The Battle of Iuka was a United States Civil War battle fought from October 3 - September 19, 1862 in Iuka, Mississippi. ... The Battle of Corinth II was a United States Civil War battle fought from October 3 - October 4, 1862 in Corinth, Mississippi. ... The Battle of Hatchies Bridge was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on October 5, 1862 in Hardeman County and McNairy County, Tennessee. ... The Battle of Hartsville was fought on December 7, 1862, in central Tennessee at the opening of the Stones River Campaign the American Civil War. ... The Battle of Stones River or Second Battle of Murfreesboro (in the South, simply the Battle of Murfreesboro), was fought from December 31, 1862, to January 3, 1863, in central Tennessee, as the culmination of the Stones River Campaign in the American Civil War. ... Braxton Bragg Braxton Bragg (March 22, 1817 – September 27, 1876) was a career U.S. Army officer and a general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. ... June 27 is the 178th day of the year (179th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 187 days remaining. ... The Army of Tennessee was formed in November 1862. ... Tupelo, birthplace of Elvis Presley and the seventh largest city in Mississippi, is located in northeast Mississippi between Memphis, Tennessee and Birmingham, Alabama. ... General Price Sterling Old Pap Price (September 20, 1809 – September 29, 1867) was an antebellum politician from the U.S. state of Missouri and a Confederate major general during the American Civil War. ... Earl Van Dorn Earl Van Dorn (September 17, 1820 – May 7, 1863) was a Confederate Major General during the American Civil War. ... Motto: Nickname: The Azalea City Location in Alabama Founded 1702 Incorporated 1814 County Mobile County Borough {{{borough}}} Parrish {{{parrish}}} Mayor Sam Jones Area  - Total  - Water 412. ... July 21 is the 202nd day (203rd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 163 days remaining. ... Portrait of Edmund Kirby Smith during the Civil War Edmund Kirby Smith (May 16, 1824 – March 28, 1893) was a career U.S. Army officer, an educator, and a general in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War, notable for his command of the Trans-Mississippi Department of the...

Kirby Smith left Knoxville on August 14, forced the Union to evacuate Cumberland Gap, defeated a small Union force at the Battle of Richmond (Kentucky), and reached Lexington on August 30. Bragg departed Chattanooga just before Smith reached Lexington, while Buell moved north from Nashville to Bowling Green. But Bragg moved quickly and by September 14 had interposed his army on Buell's supply lines from Louisville. Bragg was reluctant to develop this situation because he was outnumbered by Buell; if he had been able to combine with Kirby Smith, he would have been numerically equal, but Smith's command was separate and Smith believed that Bragg could capture Louisville without his assistance. August 14 is the 226th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (227th in leap years), with 139 days remaining. ... The Battle of Richmond, Kentucky, the most complete Confederate victory in the Civil War, took place on what is now the grounds of the Bluegrass Army Depot. ... It has been suggested that Fayette County, Kentucky be merged into this article or section. ... August 30 is the 242nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (243rd in leap years), with 123 days remaining. ... Bowling Green is a city located in Warren County, Kentucky. ... September 14 is the 257th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (258th in leap years). ... Nickname: Derby City or, River City Motto: Official website: http://www. ...

Buell, under pressure from the government to take aggressive action, was almost relieved of duty (and only the personal reluctance of George H. Thomas to assume command from his superior prevented it). As he approached Perryville, Kentucky, he began to concentrate his army in the face of Confederate forces there. Bragg was not present with his army, having decided to attend the inauguration ceremony of a Confederate governor of Kentucky in Frankfort. On October 8, fighting began at Perryville over possession of water sources. Polk's Army of Mississippi (the portion of Bragg's army at Perryville) and Buell's Army of the Ohio attacked and counterattacked with little tactical result. That evening Bragg realized that he was facing Buell's entire army and ordered a retreat to Harrodsburg, where he was joined by Kirby Smith's Army of Kentucky on October 10. Despite now having a strong combined force, Bragg made no attempt to regain the initiative. Buell was equally passive. Bragg retreated through the Cumberland Gap and returned to Murfreesboro by way of Chattanooga. Perryville is a city located in Boyle County, Kentucky. ... Frankfort is the capital of Kentucky, a state of the United States of America. ... October 8 is the 281st day of the year (282nd in leap years). ... The Battle of Perryville was an important but largely neglected encounter in the American Civil War. ... The Army of the Ohio was the name of two Union armies in the American Civil War. ... Harrodsburg is a city located in Mercer County, Kentucky. ... October 10 is the 283rd day of the year (284th in Leap years). ...

As Buell was facing Bragg's threat in Kentucky, Confederate operations in northern Mississippi were aimed at preventing Buell's reinforcement by Grant, who was preparing for his upcoming Vicksburg campaign. By this time, Halleck had departed for Washington and Grant was left without interference as commander of the District of West Tennessee. On September 14, Maj. Gen. Sterling Price moved his Confederate Army of the West to Iuka, 20 miles east of Corinth. He intended to link up with Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn's Army of the West and operate against Grant. But Grant sent forces under Maj. Gens. William S. Rosecrans and Edward Ord to attack Price and Van Dorn at Iuka. Rosecrans won a minor victory at the Battle of Iuka (September 19), but poor coordination of forces allowed Price to escape from the intended Union double envelopment. September 14 is the 257th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (258th in leap years). ... General Price Sterling Old Pap Price (September 20, 1809 – September 29, 1867) was an antebellum politician from the U.S. state of Missouri and a Confederate major general during the American Civil War. ... The Army of the West, a unit of the Union Army during the American Civil War, was created on Jan 29, 1862. ... Iuka is a city located in Tishomingo County, Mississippi. ... Earl Van Dorn Earl Van Dorn (September 17, 1820 – May 7, 1863) was a Confederate Major General during the American Civil War. ... The Army of the West, a unit of the Union Army during the American Civil War, was created on Jan 29, 1862. ... William Starke Rosecrans (September 6, 1819 - March 11, 1898), nicknamed Old Rosy, served as an American military officer. ... Edward Ord Edward Otho Cresap Ord (October 18, 1818 – July 22, 1883) was the designer of Fort Sam Houston, and a U.S. Army officer who saw action in the Seminole War, the Indian Wars, and the Civil War. ... The Battle of Iuka was a United States Civil War battle fought from October 3 - September 19, 1862 in Iuka, Mississippi. ... September 19 is the 262nd day of the year (263rd in leap years). ...

Price and Van Dorn decided to attack the concentration of Union troops at Corinth and then advance into West or Middle Tennessee. In the second Battle of Corinth (October 3–4), they attacked the fortified Union troops, but were repulsed with serious losses. Retreating to the northwest, they escaped pursuit by Rosecrans's exhausted army, but their objectives of threatening Middle Tennessee and supporting Bragg were foiled. The Battle of Corinth II was a United States Civil War battle fought from October 3 - October 4, 1862 in Corinth, Mississippi. ... October 3 is the 276th day of the year (277th in Leap years). ... October 4 is the 277th day of the year (278th in Leap years). ...

As winter set in, the Union government lost all patience with Don Carlos Buell and replaced him with William S. Rosecrans. After a period of resupplying and training his army in Nashville, Rosecrans moved against Bragg at Murfreesboro just after Christmas. In the Battle of Stones River, Bragg surprised Rosecrans with a powerful assault on December 31, pushing the Union forces back to a small perimeter against the Tennessee River. But on January 2, 1863, further attempts to assault Rosecrans were beaten back decisively and Bragg withdrew his army southeast to Tullahoma. In proportion to the size of the armies, the casualties at Stones River (about 12,000 on each side) made it the bloodiest battle of the war. At the end of the campaign, not only had Bragg's threat against Kentucky been defeated, but he effectively yielded control of Middle Tennessee as well.
Don Carlos Buell ( 23 March 1818- 19 November 1898) was an American assistant adjutant general who fought in the Seminole War, the Mexican-American War, and the Civil War. ... William Starke Rosecrans (September 6, 1819 - March 11, 1898), nicknamed Old Rosy, served as an American military officer. ... The Battle of Stones River or Second Battle of Murfreesboro (in the South, simply the Battle of Murfreesboro), was fought from December 31, 1862, to January 3, 1863, in central Tennessee, as the culmination of the Stones River Campaign in the American Civil War. ... December 31 is the 365th day of the year (366th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... January 2 is the second day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1863 (MDCCCLXIII) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar). ... Tullahoma is a city located in Coffee County, Tennessee, in the south-central part of the state. ...

Vicksburg Campaigns (December 1862 – July 1863)

From Vicksburg (December 1862 – July 1863) to Chickamauga (September 1863)

For more details on this topic, see Vicksburg Campaign.

Abraham Lincoln believed that the river fortress city of Vicksburg, Mississippi, was a key to winning the war. Vicksburg and Port Hudson were the last remaining strongholds that prevented full Union control of the Mississippi River. Situated on high bluffs overlooking a sharp bend in the river, and called the "Gibraltar of the Mississippi", Vicksburg was nearly invulnerable to naval assault. Admiral David Farragut had found this directly in his failed operations of May 1862. The Vicksburg Campaign was a series of battles and maneuvers in the American Civil War directed against Vicksburg, Mississippi, a fortress city that dominated the last Confederate-controlled section of the Mississippi River. ... The Battle of Jackson was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on December 19, 1862 in Madison County, Tennessee. ... The Battle of Parkers Cross Roads was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on December 31, 1862 in Henderson County, Tennessee. ... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders William T. Sherman John C. Pemberton Strength 32,000 men 15,000 men Casualties 1,176 killed, wounded, or captured/missing 187 killed, wounded, or captured/missing Template:Campaignbox Vicksburg Campaign The Battle of Chickasaw Bayou, also called the Battle... Battle of Fort Hindman / Battle of Arkansas Post Conflict American Civil War Date January 9-11, 1863 Place Arkansas County, Arkansas Result Union victory The Battle of Fort Hindman (January 9 - 11, 1863) was a battle of the American Civil War which took place near the mouth of the Arkansas... Battle of Jackson Grants Operations against Vicksburg The Battle of Jackson, fought on May 14, 1863, in Jackson, Mississippi, was part of the Vicksburg Campaign in the American Civil War. ... The Battle of Port Gibson was fought on May 1, 1863 between Union and Confederate forces. ... The Battle of Raymond, Mississippi, was a key engagement in the campaign for the city of Vicksburg, Mississippi, during the American Civil War. ... Grants Operations against Vicksburg The Battle of Champion Hill, or Bakers Creek, fought May 16, 1863, was the pivotal battle in the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War. ... Grants Operations against Vicksburg The Battle of Big Black River Bridge, or Big Black, fought May 17, 1863, was part of the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War. ... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders Ulysses S. Grant John C. Pemberton Strength Army of the Tennessee Army of Vicksburg Casualties 10,142 9,091 The Battle of Vicksburg or Siege of Vicksburg was the final significant battle in the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil... The Battle of Millikens Bend, fought June 7, 1863, was part of the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War. ... Battle of Helena Conflict American Civil War Date July 4, 1863 Place Phillips County, Arkansas Result Union victory The Battle of Helena was a land battle of the American Civil War fought on 4 July 1863 at Helena, Arkansas. ... Illinois Memorial in Vicksburg National Military Park. ... Battle of Port Hudson Conflict American Civil War Date May 21-July 9, 1863 Place East Baton Rouge Parish and East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana Result Union victory The Siege of Port Hudson occurred in 1863 when 30,000 Union Army troops surrounded the Mississippi River town of Port Hudson, Louisiana. ... Admiral David Glasgow Farragut David Glasgow Farragut (July 5, 1801 – August 14, 1870) was the commander-in-chief of the U.S. Navy during the American Civil War. ...

The overall plan to capture Vicksburg was for Ulysses S. Grant to move south from Memphis and Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks to move north from Baton Rouge. Banks's advance was slow to develop and bogged down at Port Hudson, offering little assistance to Grant, who became the main actor in two campaigns against Vicksburg. Nickname: The River City, The Bluff City Motto: Official website: http://www. ... Nathaniel Prentiss Banks (January 30, 1816–September 1, 1894), American politician and soldier, was born at Waltham, Massachusetts. ... Motto: Authentic Louisiana at every turn Nickname: Red Stick Map Political Statistics Founded 1699 Sister Cities {{{sister cities}}} Incorporated 16 January 1817 County {{{county}}} Borough {{{borough}}} Parrish {{{parrish}}} Mayor Melvin Kip Holden Geographic Statistics Area  - Total  - Water 204. ...

Grant's first campaign was a two-pronged movement. William T. Sherman sailed down the Mississippi River with 32,000 men while Grant was to move in parallel through Mississippi by railroad with 40,000. Grant advanced only 80 miles before his supply lines were cut by Confederate cavalry under Earl Van Dorn at Holly Springs, forcing him to fall back. Sherman reached the Yazoo River just north of the city of Vicksburg, but, without support from Grant's half of the mission, was repulsed in bloody assaults against Chickasaw Bluffs in late December. Holly Springs is a city located in Marshall County, Mississippi. ... hTe Yazoo River is a river in the U.S. state of Mississippi and the second longest tributary of the Mississippi River that flows into that river from the east (the longest is the Ohio River). ...

Political considerations then intruded. Illinois politician and Maj. Gen. John A. McClernand obtained permission from Lincoln to recruit an army in southern Illinois and command it on a river-born expedition aimed at Vicksburg. He was able to get Sherman's corps assigned to him, but it departed Memphis before McClernand could arrive. When Sherman returned from his debacle on the Yazoo, McClernand asserted control. He inexplicably detoured away from his primary objective, by capturing Arkansas Post on the Arkansas River, but before he could resume his main advance, Grant had reasserted control and McClernand became a corps commander in Grant's army. For the rest of the winter, Grant attempted five separate projects to reach the city by moving through, or reengineering, rivers, canals, and bayous to the north of Vicksburg. All five were unsuccessful; Grant explained after the fact that he had expected these setbacks and was simply attempting to keep his army busy and motivated, but many historians believe he really hoped that some would succeed and that they were simply too ambitious. John Alexander McClernand John Alexander McClernand ( May 30, 1812 – September 20, 1900) was an American soldier and lawyer. ... Battle of Fort Hindman / Battle of Arkansas Post Conflict American Civil War Date January 9-11, 1863 Place Arkansas County, Arkansas Result Union victory The Battle of Fort Hindman (January 9 - 11, 1863) was a battle of the American Civil War which took place near the mouth of the Arkansas... Lower Arkansas River The Arkansas River is a tributary of the Mississippi which flows east and southeast through Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and the state of Arkansas. ...

The second campaign, beginning in the spring of 1863, was successful and is considered Grant's greatest achievement of the war (and a classic campaign of military history). He knew that he could not attack through Mississippi from the northwest due to his supply line vulnerability; river-born approaches had failed repeatedly. So after movement became possible on dirt roads that were finally drying from the winter rains, Grant moved the bulk of his army down the western bank of the Mississippi. On April 16, U.S. Navy gunboats and troop transports managed at great risk to slip past the Vicksburg defensive guns and were able to ferry Grant's army across the river to land south of Vicksburg at Bruinsburg. Grant employed two strategic diversions to mask his intentions: a feint by Sherman north of Vicksburg, and a daring cavalry raid through central Mississippi by Colonel Benjamin Grierson, known as Grierson's Raid. The former was inconclusive, but the latter was a spectacular success. Grierson was able to draw out significant Confederate forces, dispersing them around the state. April 16 is the 106th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (107th in leap years). ... Brigadier General Benjamin Henry Grierson (July 8, 1826, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - August 31, 1911, Omena, Michigan) was an American army officer. ... Griersons Raid was a Union cavalry raid during the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War. ...

Grant faced two Confederate armies in his campaign: the Vicksburg garrison, commanded by Maj. Gen. John C. Pemberton, and forces in Jackson, commanded by Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, the overall theater commander. Rather than simply heading directly north to the city, Grant chose to cut the line of communications (and reinforcement) between these two Confederate armies. His army headed swiftly northeast toward Jackson. Meanwhile, Grant brought with him a limited supply line. The conventional history of the campaign indicates that he cut loose from all of his supplies, perplexing Pemberton, who attempted to interdict his nonexistent lines at Raymond (May 12). In reality, Grant relied on the local economy to provide him only foodstuffs for men and animals, but there was a constant stream of wagons carrying ammunition, coffee, hardtack, salt, and other supplies for his army. General John C. Pemberton (Philadelphia, August 10, 1814 - Pennlyn, PA July 13, 1881), graduated from West Point, 27th in the Class of 1837. ... Jackson is the capital, as well as the largest city, in the U.S. state of Mississippi. ... Joseph E. Johnston Joseph Eggleston Johnston (February 3, 1807 – March 21, 1891) was a career U.S. Army officer and one of the most senior generals in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. ... The Battle of Raymond, Mississippi, was a key engagement in the campaign for the city of Vicksburg, Mississippi, during the American Civil War. ... May 12 is the 132nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (133rd in leap years). ...

Sherman's corps captured Jackson on May 14. The entire army then turned due east to confront Pemberton in front of Vicksburg. The decisive battle was at Champion Hill, the effective last stand for Pemberton before he withdrew into his elaborately prepared entrenchments around the city. Grant's army assaulted the Confederate works twice at great cost at the start of the Battle of Vicksburg, but then settled in for a lengthy siege. Battle of Jackson Grants Operations against Vicksburg The Battle of Jackson, fought on May 14, 1863, in Jackson, Mississippi, was part of the Vicksburg Campaign in the American Civil War. ... May 14 is the 134th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (135th in leap years). ... Grants Operations against Vicksburg The Battle of Champion Hill, or Bakers Creek, fought May 16, 1863, was the pivotal battle in the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War. ... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders Ulysses S. Grant John C. Pemberton Strength Army of the Tennessee Army of Vicksburg Casualties 10,142 9,091 The Battle of Vicksburg or Siege of Vicksburg was the final significant battle in the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil...

The soldiers and civilians in Vicksburg suffered greatly from Union bombardment and impending starvation. They clung to hope that General Johnston would arrive with reinforcements, but Johnston was both cut off and too cautious. On July 4, Pemberton surrendered his army and the city to Grant. In conjunction with the defeat of Robert E. Lee at the Battle of Gettysburg the previous day, Vicksburg is widely considered one of the turning points of the war. By July 8, after Banks captured Port Hudson, the entire Mississippi River was in Union hands and the Confederacy split in two.
July 4 is the 185th day of the year (186th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 180 days remaining. ... Robert E. Lee, 1863 Portrait by Julian Vannerson Robert Edward Lee (January 19, 1807 – October 12, 1870) was a career army officer and the most successful general of the Confederate forces during the American Civil War. ... HAHAHA NO MORE GETTYSBURG INFROMATIONS!=) ... There is widespread disagreement over the turning point of the American Civil War. ... July 8 is the 189th day of the year (190th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 176 days remaining. ...

Tullahoma, Chickamauga, and Chattanooga (June – December 1863)

After his victory at Stones River, Rosecrans occupied Murfreesboro for almost six months while Bragg rested in Tullahoma, establishing a long defensive line that was intended to block Union advances against the strategic city of Chattanooga in his rear. In April, Union cavalry under Col. Abel Streight moved against the railroad that supplied Bragg's army in Middle Tennessee, hoping it would cause them to withdraw to Georgia. Streight's brigade raided through Mississippi and Alabama, fighting against Nathan Bedford Forrest. Streight's Raid ended when his exhausted men surrendered near Rome, Georgia, on May 3. In June, Rosecrans finally advanced against Bragg in a brilliant, almost bloodless, campaign of maneuver, the Tullahoma Campaign, and drove Bragg from Middle Tennessee. The Battle of Dover was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on February 3, 1863 in Stewart County, Tennessee. ... The Battle of Thompsons Station was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on March 5, 1863 in Williamson County, Tennessee. ... The Battle of Vaughts Hill was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on March 20, 1863 in Rutherford County, Tennessee. ... The Battle of Brentwood was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on March 25, 1863 in Williamson County, Tennessee. ... The Battle of Franklin I was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on April 10, 1863 in Williamson County, Tennessee. ... Battle of Days Gap Conflict American Civil War (Streights Raid) Date April 30, 1863 Place Cullman County, Alabama Result Union victory in this first battle, but the raid ultimately failed and surrendered. ... The Battle of Hoovers Gap was the principal battle fought in the Tullahoma Campaign (also known as the Middle Tennessee Campaign) of the American Civil War. ... The Battle of Corydon took place July 9, 1863, in Harrison County, Indiana during Morgans Raid in the American Civil War. ... // Synopsis The Battle of Salineville is best known as the northernmost battle of the American Civil War involving the Confederate army, or in this case the cavalry [6][19]. The battle occurred on July 26, 1863 near Salineville in Columbiana County, Ohio, approximately 30 miles south of Youngstown, Ohio and... The Battle of Chattanooga II was a battle in the American Civil War, beginning on August 21, 1863, as the opening battle in the Chickamauga Campaign. ... The Battle of Davis Cross Roads, also known as the Battle of Dug Gap, was fought on September 10–11, 1863, in northwestern Georgia, as part of the Chickamauga Campaign of the American Civil War. ... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders William S. Rosecrans George H. Thomas Braxton Bragg James Longstreet Strength Army of the Cumberland (56,965) Army of Tennessee (66,000) Casualties 1,657 killed, 9,756 wounded, 4,757 captured/missing 2,312 killed, 14,674 wounded, 1... The Battle of Blountsville was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on September 22, 1863 in Sullivan County, Tennessee. ... The Battle of Blue Springs was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on October 10, 1863 in Greene County, Tennessee. ... Battle of Wauhatchie Conflict American Civil War Date October 28-29, 1863 Place Hamilton County, Tennessee Result Union victory The Battle of Wauhatchie, also known as Browns Ferry, was fought October 28–29, 1863, in Hamilton County, Marion County, and Dade County, Tennessee, in the American Civil War. ... The Battle of Collierville was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on November 3, 1863 in Shelby County, Tennessee. ... The third Battle of Chattanooga (popularly known as The Battle of Chattanooga) was fought November 23–25, 1863, in the American Civil War. ... The American Civil Wars Battle of Lookout Mountain, also known as The Battle Above the Clouds took place on November 24, 1863 in southeastern Tennessee near Chattanooga. ... The Battle of Missionary Ridge was a major battle of the American Civil War fought on November 25, 1863 in Chattanooga, Tennessee as part of the Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign. ... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders Joseph Hooker Patrick Cleburne Strength Three Divisions One Division Casualties 507 221 The battle of Ringgold Gap was a battle in the American Civil War, fought in Northwest Georgia. ... The Battle of Campbells Station was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on November 16, 1863 in Knox County, Tennessee. ... Battle of Fort Sanders Conflict American Civil War Date November 29, 1863 Place Knox County, Tennessee Result Union victory The Battle of Fort Sanders (precipitated by the Siege of Knoxville, which began on November 17, 1863) was an engagement of the American Civil War fought in Knoxville, Tennessee. ... The Battle of Beans Station was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on December 14, 1863 in Grainger County, Tennessee. ... The Battle of Mossy Creek was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on December 29, 1863 in Jefferson County, Tennessee. ... The Battle of Dandridge was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on January 17, 1864 in Jefferson County, Tennessee. ... The Battle of Fair Garden was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on January 27, 1864 in Sevier County, Tennessee. ... Abel Streight (b. ... Nathan Bedford Forrest Nathan Bedford Forrest (July 13, 1821 – October 29, 1877), was a Confederate general and perhaps the American Civil Wars most highly regarded cavalry and partisan ranger (guerrilla leader). ... Rome is the largest city in and county seat of Floyd County, Georgia, United States. ... May 3 is the 123rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (124th in leap years). ... Battle of Hoovers Gap Conflict American Civil War Date June 24– 26, 1862 Place Bedford County, Tennessee and Rutherford County, Tennessee Result Union victory The Battle of Hoovers Gap was the principal battle fought in the Tullahoma Campaign of the American Civil War. ...

During this period, Brig. Gen. John Hunt Morgan and his 2,460 Confederate cavalrymen rode west from Sparta in eastern Tennessee on June 11, intending to divert the attention of Ambrose Burnside's Army of the Ohio, moving toward Knoxville, from Southern forces in the state. At the start of the Tullahoma Campaign, Morgan moved northward. For 46 days as they rode over 1,000 miles, Morgan’s cavalrymen terrorized a region from Tennessee to northern Ohio, destroying bridges, railroads, and government stores before being captured; in November they made a daring escape from prison at Columbus, Ohio, and returned to the South. Confederate Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan John Hunt Morgan (June 1, 1825 – September 4, 1864) was a Confederate general and cavalry officer in the American Civil War. ... Sparta is a city located in White County, Tennessee. ... State nickname: Volunteer State Official languages English Capital Nashville Largest city Memphis Governor Phil Bredesen (D) Senators Bill Frist (R) Lamar Alexander (R) Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 36th 109,247 km² 2. ... June 11 is the 162nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (163rd in leap years), with 203 days remaining. ... Portrait of Ambrose Burnside by Mathew Brady, ca. ... The Army of the Ohio was the name of two Union armies in the American Civil War. ... Nickname: The Arch City Motto: Official website: http://www. ...

After delaying for a number of weeks in Tullahoma, Rosecrans planned to flush Bragg out of Chattanooga by crossing the Tennessee River, heading south, and interdicting the Confederate supply lines from Georgia. He began operations on August 18 and used a two-week bombardment of Chattanooga as a diversion. The Confederate high command was nervous enough about this movement that they reinforced Bragg with a division from Mississippi and a corps (Longstreet's) from Virginia. Rosecrans pursued Bragg into the rugged mountains of northwestern Georgia, only to find that a trap had been set. Bragg started the Battle of Chickamauga (September 19–20, 1863) when he launched a three-division assault against the corps of George H. Thomas. Due to a command misunderstanding that allowed a major gap to appear in the Union line as reinforcements arrived, Longstreet was able to drive his corps into that gap and send the Union Army into retreat. If not for the gallant defensive stand by a portion of the line led personally by Thomas ("The Rock of Chickamauga"), the Union army would have been completely routed. Rosecrans, devastated by his defeat, withdrew his army to Chattanooga, where Bragg besieged it, occupying the high ground dominating the city. August 18 is the 230th day of the year (231st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Battle of Chattanooga II was a battle in the American Civil War, beginning on August 21, 1863, as the opening battle in the Chickamauga Campaign. ... James Longstreet James Longstreet (January 8, 1821 – January 2, 1904) was one of the foremost Confederate generals of the American Civil War, and later enjoyed a successful post-war career working for the government of his former enemies, as a diplomat and administrator. ... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders William S. Rosecrans George H. Thomas Braxton Bragg James Longstreet Strength Army of the Cumberland (56,965) Army of Tennessee (66,000) Casualties 1,657 killed, 9,756 wounded, 4,757 captured/missing 2,312 killed, 14,674 wounded, 1... September 19 is the 262nd day of the year (263rd in leap years). ... September 20 is the 263rd day of the year (264th in leap years). ... 1863 (MDCCCLXIII) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar). ...

Back in Vicksburg, Grant was resting his army and planning for a campaign that would capture Mobile and push east. But when news of the dire straits of Rosecrans's Army of the Cumberland reached Washington, Grant was ordered to rescue them. On October 17 he was given command of the Military Division of the Mississippi, controlling all of the armies in the Western Theater. He immediately replaced Rosecrans with Thomas and traveled to Chattanooga, where he approved a plan to open a new supply line (the "Cracker Line"), allowing supplies and reinforcements to reach the city. Soon the troops were fed and they were joined by 40,000 more, under Sherman and Joseph Hooker. While the Union army expanded, the Confederate contracted; Bragg dispatched Longstreet's corps to Knoxville to hold off an advance by Burnside. Motto: Nickname: The Azalea City Location in Alabama Founded 1702 Incorporated 1814 County Mobile County Borough {{{borough}}} Parrish {{{parrish}}} Mayor Sam Jones Area  - Total  - Water 412. ... October 17 is the 290th (in leap years the 291st) day of the year according to the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about Joseph Hooker, the U.S. Civil War Major General. ...

The Battle of Chattanooga began in earnest on November 24, 1863, as Hooker took one of two dominant peaks, Lookout Mountain. The next day, Grant planned a double envelopment of Bragg's position on the other mountain, Missionary Ridge. Sherman would attack from the north, Hooker from the south, and Thomas would hold the center. But Sherman's attack bogged down in confusion and Grant ordered Thomas to launch a minor attack as a diversion to relieve pressure on Sherman. Thomas's troops, caught up in enthusiasm and anxious to redeem themselves after their humiliation at Chickamauga, continued their initial attack by charging wildly up the imposing ridge, breaking the Confederate line and causing them to retreat. Chattanooga was saved; along with the failure of Longstreet's campaign against Burnside and his siege of Knoxville, politically sensitive eastern Tennessee would be henceforth free of Confederate control. And now an avenue of invasion pointed directly to Atlanta and the heart of the Confederacy. Bragg, whose personal friendship with Confederate President Jefferson Davis saved his command following his defeats at Perryville and Stones River, was finally relieved of duty, replaced by General Joseph E. Johnston.
The third Battle of Chattanooga (popularly known as The Battle of Chattanooga) was fought November 23–25, 1863, in the American Civil War. ... November 24 is the 328th day (329th on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1863 (MDCCCLXIII) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar). ... Battle of Fort Sanders Conflict American Civil War Date November 29, 1863 Place Knox County, Tennessee Result Union victory The Battle of Fort Sanders (precipitated by the Siege of Knoxville, which began on November 17, 1863) was an engagement of the American Civil War fought in Knoxville, Tennessee. ... Nickname: The Horizon City, Hotlanta, The Big Peach Motto: Official website: http://www. ... The President of the Confederate States was the Head of State of the short-lived republic of the Confederate States of America which seceded from the United States. ... Jefferson Davis (June 3, 1808 – December 6, 1889) was an American soldier and politician, most famous for serving as the first and only President of the Confederate States, leading the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. ... Joseph E. Johnston Joseph Eggleston Johnston (February 3, 1807 – March 21, 1891) was a career U.S. Army officer and one of the most senior generals in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. ...

Atlanta Campaign (May – September 1864)

From Atlanta Campaign (May – September 1864) to the Carolinas (April 1865)

For more details on this topic, see Atlanta Campaign.

In March 1864, Grant was promoted to lieutenant general and went east to assume command of all the Union armies. Sherman succeeded him in command of the Western Theater. Grant devised a strategy for simultaneous advances across the Confederacy. It was intended to destroy or fix Robert E. Lee's army in Virginia with three major thrusts (under Meade, Butler, and Sigel) launched in the direction of Richmond and in the Shenandoah Valley; capture Mobile with an army under Nathaniel Banks; and destroy Johnston's army while driving toward Atlanta. Unfortunately for Grant's plan, most of these initiatives would go astray. Butler became bogged down in the Bermuda Hundred Campaign; Sigel was quickly defeated in the Valley; Banks became occupied in the ill-fated Red River Campaign; Meade and Grant experienced many setbacks and much bloodshed in the Overland Campaign before finally settling down to a siege of Petersburg. Sherman's Atlanta Campaign was more successful. Battle of Athens Conflict American Civil War Date January 26, 1864 Place Limestone County, United States of America (U.S. Army) Confederate States of America (Confederate States Army) Commanders Emil Adams Moses W. Hannon Strength 100 men from the 9th Illinois Mounted Infantry 600 men from the 1st Alabama Cavalry... The Battle of Meridian was fought in 1864 between Union forces led by William Tecumseh Sherman and the Confederacy. ... The Battle of Fort Pillow was fought on April 12, 1864, at Fort Pillow on the Mississippi River in Henning, Tennessee, during the American Civil War. ... Battle of Resaca Conflict American Civil War Date May 13-15, 1864 Place Gordon County and Whitfield County, Georgia Result Inconclusive The Battle of Resaca was part of the Atlanta Campaign of the American Civil War. ... Battle of Adairsville Conflict American Civil War Date May 17, 1864 Place Bartow County, Georgia Result Union victory The Battle of Adairsville was a battle of the Atlanta campaign fought during the American Civil War on May 17, 1864 just northeast (62 miles) of Atlanta, Georgia. ... {{Campaignbox {{{campaign}}}}} The Battle of Dallas was a battle in the American Civil War. ... Battle of Kennesaw Mountain Conflict American Civil War Date June 27, 1864 Place Kennesaw, Georgia Result Confederate victory The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain was fought on June 27, 1864 during the Atlanta Campaign of the American Civil War. ... Battle of Peachtree Creek Conflict American Civil War Date July 20, 1864 Place Fulton County, Georgia Result Union victory The Battle of Peachtree Creek was a battle of the American Civil War, fought in Georgia on July 20, 1864. ... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders William T. Sherman James B. McPherson John B. Hood Strength Military Division of the Mississippi Army of Tennessee Casualties 3,641 8,499 The Battle of Atlanta was a battle of the Atlanta campaign fought during the American Civil War... Battle of Ezra Church Conflict American Civil War Date July 28, 1864 Place Fulton County, Georgia Result Union victory The Battle of Ezra Church was fought on July 28, 1864, in Fulton County, Georgia, during the American Civil War. ... Battle of Utoy Creek Conflict American Civil War Date August 5-7, 1864 Place Fulton County, Georgia Result Inconclusive The Battle of Utoy Creek was fought August 5– 7, 1864, during the Atlanta Campaign in the American Civil War. ... The Battle of Lovejoys Station was fought on August 20, 1864, near what is now Lovejoy, Georgia, in Clayton County, during the Atlanta Campaign of the American Civil War. ... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders William T. Sherman Oliver Otis Howard John Bell Hood William J. Hardee Strength Army of the Tennessee Army of Tennessee Casualties 1,600 3,000 The Battle of Jonesborough (currently Jonesboro) was fought August 31 – September 1, 1864, during the... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders Samuel D. Sturgis Nathan B. Forrest Strength Three-brigade division of infantry and a division of cavalry (about 8,500) cavalry corps (about 3,200) Casualties 2,610 492 Battle of Brices Crossroads was fought on June 10, 1864... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders Andrew J. Smith Stephen D. Lee Nathan B. Forrest Strength Right Wing XVI Corps, 1st Brigade USCT (14,000) Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana (8,000) Casualties 648 1,300 The Battle of Tupelo was a Union victory... The Battle of Memphis II was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on August 21, 1864 in Shelby County, Tennessee. ... Combatants United States of America (U.S. Navy) Confederate States of America (Confederate States Navy) Commanders David Farragut (navy) Gordon Granger (army) Franklin Buchanan (navy) Dabney H. Maury (army) Strength 14 wooden ships (including 2 gunboats) 4 ironclad monitors 5,500 Land Force Three gunboats One ironclad Casualties 322 men... Combatants United States Confederate States Commanders Gordon Granger Charles D. Anderson Strength 3,300 818 Casualties  ? 818 surrendered The Siege of Fort Gaines occured during the American Civil War as part of the larger battle of Mobile Bay. ... Combatants United States Confederate States Commanders Gordon Granger Richard L. Page Strength 5,500 600 Casualties 3 killed and wounded 600 surrendered The Siege of Fort Morgan was part of the battle for Mobile Bay in 1864. ... Palisades and chevaux-de-frise in front of the Potter House, Atlanta, Georgia, 1864. ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... George Gordon Meade (December 31, 1815 - November 6, 1872) was an American military officer during the American Civil War. ... Benjamin Franklin Butler Benjamin Franklin Butler (November 5, 1818 – January 11, 1893) was an American lawyer, soldier and politician. ... Franz Sigel Franz Sigel (November 18, 1824 – August 21, 1902) was a German military officer and immigrant to the United States who was a teacher, newspaperman, politician, and served as a Union general in the American Civil War. ... Canoeing on the Shenandoah River near Winchester, VA. The Shenandoah Valley region of western Virginia, from Winchester to Staunton, is bounded by the Blue Ridge mountains to the East and the Allegheny mountains to the West. ... Nathaniel Prentiss Banks (January 30, 1816–September 1, 1894), American politician and soldier, was born at Waltham, Massachusetts. ... Federal earthworks at Bermuda Hundred The Bermuda Hundred Campaign was a series of battles fought outside Richmond, Virginia, during May, 1864, in the American Civil War. ... The Red River Campaign (also called Red River Expedition) consisted of a series of battles fought along the Red River in Louisiana during the American Civil War from March 10 to May 22, 1864. ... Ulysses S. Grant Robert E. Lee The Overland Campaign, or Grants Overland Campaign, was a series of battles fought in Virginia during May and June, 1864, in the American Civil War. ... The Siege of Petersburg (June 15, 1864 – April 2, 1865) was a ten-month long siege of Petersburg, Virginia, during the American Civil War. ... Palisades and chevaux-de-frise in front of the Potter House, Atlanta, Georgia, 1864. ...

At the start of the campaign, Sherman's Military Division of the Mississippi consisted of three armies: James B. McPherson's Army of the Tennessee (Sherman's old army under Grant), John M. Schofield's Army of the Ohio, and George H. Thomas's Army of the Cumberland. Opposing him, the Army of Tennessee was commanded by Joseph E. Johnston. On paper, Sherman outnumbered Johnston 98,000 to 50,000, but his ranks were depleted by many furloughed soldiers and Johnston would soon receive 15,000 reinforcements from Alabama. James Birdseye McPherson (November 14, 1828 – July 22, 1864) was a general who fought in the Union Army during the American Civil War. ... The Army of the Tennessee was a Union army in the American Civil War, named for the Tennessee River. ... For John Schofield, the recipient of a Victoria Cross see John Schofield (VC). ... The Army of the Ohio was the name of two Union armies in the American Civil War. ... General George Henry Thomas (July 31, 1816 - March 28, 1870), Northern general during the American Civil War, was born in Southampton County, Virginia. ... Union army in the west during the American Civil War, commanded at various times by Generals Robert Anderson, Don Carlos Buell, William S. Rosecrans, and George Thomas. ... The Army of Tennessee was formed in November 1862. ... Official language(s) English Capital Montgomery Largest city Birmingham Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 30th 52,423 mi²/135,775 km² 190 mi/306 km 330 mi/531 km 3. ...

The campaign opened with a number of battles in May and June 1863 as Sherman pressed Johnston southeast through mountainous terrain. Sherman prudently avoided suicidal frontal assaults against most of Johnston's positions, instead maneuvering in flanking marches around the defenses. Whenever Sherman flanked the defensive lines (almost exclusively around Johnston's left flank), Johnston would retreat to another prepared position. The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain (June 27) was a notable exception, in which Sherman attempted a frontal assault and suffered significant losses. Both armies took advantage of the railroads as supply lines, with Johnston shortening his supply lines as he drew closer to Atlanta, and Sherman lengthening his own. Battle of Kennesaw Mountain Conflict American Civil War Date June 27, 1864 Place Kennesaw, Georgia Result Confederate victory The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain was fought on June 27, 1864 during the Atlanta Campaign of the American Civil War. ... June 27 is the 178th day of the year (179th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 187 days remaining. ...

Just before the Battle of Peachtree Creek (July 20) in the outskirts of Atlanta, Jefferson Davis lost patience with Johnston's strategy and replaced him with the more aggressive Lt. Gen. John Bell Hood. This turned out to be a grave strategic error because Hood, after occupying strong defensive works around Atlanta for a few weeks, chose to fight Sherman on open ground, a fight that his smaller army could not win. Sherman eventually cut Hood's supply lines from the south. Knowing that he was trapped, Hood evacuated Atlanta on the night of September 1, burning military supplies and installations, causing a great conflagration in the city. Battle of Peachtree Creek Conflict American Civil War Date July 20, 1864 Place Fulton County, Georgia Result Union victory The Battle of Peachtree Creek was a battle of the American Civil War, fought in Georgia on July 20, 1864. ... July 20 is the 201st day (202nd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 164 days remaining. ... John Bell Hood John Bell Hood (June 1, 1831 – August 30, 1879) was a Confederate general during the American Civil War. ... September 1 is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years). ...

Coincident with Sherman's triumph in Atlanta, Admiral David Farragut won the decisive naval Battle of Mobile Bay on August 24. The city itself, long a desired target of Grant's, would remain untouched until 1865, but the last seaport west of the Mississippi on the Gulf Coast was closed, further tightening the Union blockade. The capture of Atlanta and Mobile Bay together boosted Northern morale and made an enormous contribution to the re-election of Abraham Lincoln.
Admiral David Glasgow Farragut David Glasgow Farragut (July 5, 1801 – August 14, 1870) was the commander-in-chief of the U.S. Navy during the American Civil War. ... Combatants United States of America (U.S. Navy) Confederate States of America (Confederate States Navy) Commanders David Farragut (navy) Gordon Granger (army) Franklin Buchanan (navy) Dabney H. Maury (army) Strength 14 wooden ships (including 2 gunboats) 4 ironclad monitors 5,500 Land Force Three gunboats One ironclad Casualties 322 men... August 24 is the 236th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (237th in leap years), with 129 days remaining. ... The Union blockade refers to the naval actions between 1861 and 1865, during the American Civil War, in which the United States Navy maintained a massive effort on the Atlantic and Gulf Coast of the Confederate States of America designed to prevent the passage of trade goods, supplies, and arms... Presidential electoral votes by state. ...

Franklin-Nashville Campaign (September – December 1864)

For more details on this topic, see Franklin-Nashville Campaign.

While Sherman rested his army in preparation for offensive operations to the east, Hood embarked on an ambitious campaign to defeat Sherman by interfering with his lines of communications from Chattanooga. He drove west through Alabama and turned north toward Tennessee, hoping that Sherman would follow him and do battle. This was partially effective because his movements, and raids by Nathan Bedford Forrest, were causing considerable consternation to Sherman. However, the Union general did not fully take the bait. He sent Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas to Nashville to coordinate a defense against Hood, while taking the remainder of his army in the direction of Savannah. The Franklin-Nashville Campaign, also known as Hoods Tennessee Campaign, was a series of battles fought in the fall of 1864 in Alabama, Tennessee, and northwestern Georgia during the American Civil War. ... Battle of Allatoona Conflict American Civil War Date October 5, 1864 Place Bartow County, Georgia Result Union victory The Battle of Allatoona, also known as Allatoona Pass, was a battle during the American Civil War on October 5, 1864. ... The Battle of Decatur was fought October 26–29, 1864, as part of the Franklin-Nashville Campaign of the American Civil War. ... The Battle of Johnsonville was fought November 4–5, 1864, in Benton County, Tennessee, as part of the Franklin-Nashville Campaign of the American Civil War In an effort to check the Union army’s advance through Georgia, Maj. ... Battle of Spring Hill Conflict American Civil War Date November 29, 1864 Place Maury County, Tennessee Result Union victory The Battle of Spring Hill was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on November 29, 1864 in Maury County, Tennessee. ... Battle of Franklin II Conflict American Civil War Date November 30, 1864 Place Williamson County, Tennessee Result Union victory The Battle of Franklin was a major engagement of the American Civil War fought at Franklin, Tennessee on November 30, 1864. ... Battle of Murfreesboro Conflict American Civil War Date December 5-7, 1864 Place Murfreesboro, Tennessee Result Union victory The Battle of Murfreesboro III was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on December 5-7, 1864 in Rutherford County, Tennessee. ... The Battle of Nashville was a two-day battle in the Franklin-Nashville Campaign that represented the end of large-scale fighting in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. ... The Battle of Bulls Gap was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on November 11-13, 1864 in Hamblen County and Greene County, Tennessee. ... Savannah Savannah is a city located in Chatham County, Georgia. ...

Thomas's forces were divided. Half were with him in Nashville and the other half with John M. Schofield, moving in pursuit from Atlanta. Hood hoped to defeat Schofield before he could concentrate his forces with Thomas. He had the chance at the Battle of Spring Hill in Tennessee (November 29, 1864), but the Union troops were able to slip through the trap. At the Battle of Franklin the following day, Hood recklessly launched repeated massive frontal assaults against strong entrenchments and suffered severe casualties. It has been said that he mortally wounded his army at Franklin, but killed it at the Battle of Nashville (December 15–16). There, facing the combined force of Schofield and Thomas, he dug in a few miles south of the city and waited. After a two-week preparation period in severe winter weather, during which he received great pressure from Grant and the Union government to attack, Thomas unleashed an overwhelming assault that sent Hood and his survivors in retreat to Franklin and then to Mississippi, never to recover as a fighting force.
Battle of Spring Hill Conflict American Civil War Date November 29, 1864 Place Maury County, Tennessee Result Union victory The Battle of Spring Hill was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on November 29, 1864 in Maury County, Tennessee. ... November 29 is the 333rd (in leap years the 334th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1864 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Battle of Franklin II Conflict American Civil War Date November 30, 1864 Place Williamson County, Tennessee Result Union victory The Battle of Franklin was a major engagement of the American Civil War fought at Franklin, Tennessee on November 30, 1864. ... The Battle of Nashville was a two-day battle in the Franklin-Nashville Campaign that represented the end of large-scale fighting in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. ... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... December 16 is the 350th day of the year (351st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ...

Sherman's March to the Sea (November – December 1864)

For more details on this topic, see Sherman's March to the Sea.

Sherman's Savannah Campaign is more popularly known as the March to the Sea. He and Grant believed that the Civil War would end only if the Confederacy's strategic, economic, and psychological capacity for warfare were decisively broken. Sherman therefore applied the principles of scorched earth, ordering his troops to burn crops, kill livestock, consume supplies, and destroy civilian infrastructure along their path. This policy is one of the key tenets of a strategy of total war. Engraving depicting Shermans March Shermans March to the Sea is the name commonly given to a military campaign conducted in late 1864 by Major General William T. Sherman of the Union Army during the American Civil War. ... A Scorched Earth policy is a military tactic which involves destroying anything that might be useful to the enemy while advancing through or withdrawing from an area. ... A US poster produced during World War II Total war is a 20th century term to describe a war in which countries or nations use all of their resources to destroy another organized countrys or nations ability to engage in war. ...

The march left Atlanta on November 15, 1864, and was conducted in two columns separated by about 60 miles, the right under Maj. Gen. Oliver O. Howard and the left under Maj. Gen. Henry W. Slocum. Between these columns, the destruction was significant and spawned hatred for generations. At Savannah, Sherman encountered about 10,000 defending troops under Maj. Gen. William J. Hardee. Following lengthy artillery bombardments, Hardee abandoned the city and Sherman entered on December 22, 1864. He telegraphed to President Lincoln, "I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the City of Savannah ...." November 15 is the 319th day of the year (320th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 46 days remaining. ... 1864 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Portrait of Oliver O. Howard by Mathew Brady, ca. ... Portrait of General Henry W. Slocum by Mathew Brady, ca. ... William J. Hardee (1817-1873) was a Confederate general in the American Civil War. ... December 22 is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1864 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865), sometimes called Abe Lincoln and nicknamed Honest Abe, the Rail Splitter, and the Great Emancipator, was the 16th President of the United States (1861 to 1865), and the first president from the Republican Party. ... Christmas (literally, the Mass of Jesus Christ) is a traditional holiday observed on 25 December. ...

Carolinas Campaign (February – March 1865)

For more details on this topic, see Carolinas Campaign.

After Sherman captured Savannah, he was ordered by Grant to embark his army on ships to reinforce the Union armies in Virginia, where Grant was bogged down in the Siege of Petersburg against Robert E. Lee. Sherman proposed an alternative strategy. He persuaded Grant that he should march north through the Carolinas instead, destroying everything of military value along the way, similar to his march to the sea through Georgia. He was particularly interested in targeting South Carolina, the first state to secede from the Union, for the effect it would have on Southern morale. Sherman in South Carolina: The burning of McPhersonville. ... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders Jacob D. Cox Braxton Bragg Strength 12,000 8,500 Casualties 1,101 1,500 The Battle of Wyse Fork was a battle fought in the Carolinas Campaign of the American Civil War that resulted in a victory for the... Battle of Averasborough Conflict American Civil War Date March 16, 1865 Place Harnett County and Cumberland County, North Carolina Result Inconclusive The Battle of Averasborough was a prelude to the Battle of Bentonville three days later. ... The Battle of Bentonville was the last major battle between the armies of William T. Sherman and Joseph E. Johnston during the American Civil War. ... Battle of Spanish Fort Conflict American Civil War Date March 27-April 8, 1865 Place Baldwin County, Alabama Result Union victory The Battle of Spanish Fort took place from March 27-April 8, 1865 in Baldwin County, Alabama, as part of the Mobile Campaign of the Main Western Theater. ... The Battle of Fort Blakely took place from April 2-9, 1865 in Baldwin County, Alabama, as part of the Mobile Campaign of the Main Western Theater. ... This history article needs to be wikified. ... The Siege of Petersburg (June 15, 1864 – April 2, 1865) was a ten-month long siege of Petersburg, Virginia, during the American Civil War. ... Robert E. Lee, 1863 Portrait by Julian Vannerson Robert Edward Lee (January 19, 1807 – October 12, 1870) was a career army officer and the most successful general of the Confederate forces during the American Civil War. ... State nickname: Palmetto State Official languages English Capital Columbia Largest city Columbia Governor Mark Sanford (R) Senators Lindsey Graham (R) Jim DeMint (R) Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 40th 82,965 km² 6 Population  - Total (2000)  - Density Ranked 26th 4,012,012 51. ... The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view. ...

Sherman's plan was to bypass the minor Confederate troop concentrations at Augusta, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina, and reach Goldsboro, North Carolina, by March 15, 1865. As with his Georgia operations, he marched his armies in multiple directions simultaneously, confusing the scattered Confederate defenders as to his first true objective, which was the state capital, Columbia. He faced the smaller and battered Army of Tennessee, again under the command of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston. Augusta is a city located in the state of Georgia. ... This article is about the city in South Carolina. ... Goldsboro is a city located in Wayne County, North Carolina. ... March 15 is the 74th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (75th in Leap years). ... 1865 is a common year starting on Sunday. ... The Army of Tennessee was formed in November 1862. ...

On February 17, Columbia surrendered to Sherman. Fires began in the city and most of the central city was destroyed. The burning of Columbia has engendered controversy ever since, with some claiming the fires were accidental, others a deliberate act of vengeance. On that same day, the Confederates evacuated Charleston. On February 18, Sherman's forces destroyed virtually anything of military value in Columbia. The last significant Confederate seaport, Wilmington, surrendered on February 22. February 17 is the 48th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... February 18 is the 49th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... For other places called Wilmington, see Wilmington Wilmington is a city located in New Hanover County, North Carolina. ... February 22 is the 53rd day of every year in the Gregorian Calendar. ...

Johnston's last stand was at the Battle of Bentonville (March 19–21), where he unsuccessfully attempted to defeat a wing of Sherman's army (under Slocum) before it could reach Goldsboro. Sherman pursued Johnston toward Raleigh. The Battle of Bentonville was the last major battle between the armies of William T. Sherman and Joseph E. Johnston during the American Civil War. ... March 19 is the 78th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (79th in leap years). ... March 21 is the 80th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (81st in leap years). ... Downtown Raleigh Skyline Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina, a state of the United States of America. ...

On April 18, three days after the death of Abraham Lincoln, Johnston signed an armistice with Sherman at Bennett Place, a farmhouse near Durham Station. Sherman got himself into political hot water by offering terms of surrender to Johnston that encompassed political issues as well as military, without authorization from General Grant or the United States government. The confusion on this issue lasted until April 26, when Johnston agreed to purely military terms and formally surrendered his army and all Confederate forces in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. It was the second significant surrender that month; on April 9, Robert E. Lee had surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House. It was the virtual end for the Confederacy, although some smaller forces would hold out, particularly in the Trans-Mississippi region, into the summer. April 18 is the 108th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (109th in leap years). ... Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865), sometimes called Abe Lincoln and nicknamed Honest Abe, the Rail Splitter, and the Great Emancipator, was the 16th President of the United States (1861 to 1865), and the first president from the Republican Party. ... Popularly known as Bennett Place, the farmhouse owned by James and Nancy Bennett (alternately and probably correctly, Bennitt) was the site of the largest surrender of troops during the American Civil War on April 26, 1865. ... Nickname: City of Medicine Motto: Official website: http://www. ... April 26 is the 116th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (117th in leap years). ... April 9 is the 99th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (100th in leap years). ... The Army of Northern Virginia was the primary military force of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War in the eastern theater. ... McLean house where General Lee surrendered. ...

See also

• Eastern Theater of the American Civil War
• Lower Seaboard Theater of the American Civil War
• Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War

Notes

1. ^  U.S. National Park Service, Civil War Battle Studies by Campaign

The National Park Service (NPS) is the United States federal agency that manages all National Parks, many National Monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations. ...

References

• Eicher, David J., The Longest Night: A Military History of the Civil War, Simon & Schuster, 2001, ISBN 0-684-84944-5.
• Esposito, Vincent J., West Point Atlas of American Wars, Frederick A. Praeger, 1959.
• Fuller, Maj. Gen. J. F. C., The Generalship of Ulysses S. Grant, Da Capo Press, 1929, ISBN 0-306-80450-6.
• Hattaway, Herman, and Jones, Archer, How the North Won: A Military History of the Civil War, University of Illinois Press, 1983, ISBN 0-252-00918-5.
• Kennedy, Frances H., Ed., The Civil War Battlefield Guide, 2nd ed., Houghton Mifflin Co., 1998, ISBN 0-395-74012-6.

J.F.C. Fuller (September 1, 1878 – February 10, 1966), full name John Frederick Charles Fuller, was a British Major General, military historian and strategist, notable as an early theorist of modern armoured warfare, including categorising principles of warfare. ...

External links

• West Point Atlas map of principal Civil War campaigns
• National Park Service Civil War at a Glance