David Hunter’s Federal Army of West Virginia closes in on the key railroad town of Lynchburg, with only a small Confederate force under John C. Breckinridge opposing. But a larger Confederate force is hurrying to defend the town.
Category: Virginia
The Second Battle of Petersburg: Day Three
Federal forces from the Armies of the Potomac and the James launch another assault on Petersburg’s eastern defenses. P.G.T. Beauregard’s Confederates try to maintain their defenses as Robert E. Lee is uncharacteristically slow to respond.
The Second Battle of Petersburg: Day Two
Federals launch renewed attacks on the vital railroad city of Petersburg, while Confederates scramble to strengthen the defenses outside town.
The Second Battle of Petersburg
Some 10,000 Federal troops advance on just 2,200 Confederates defending the vital transportation center of Petersburg, south of Richmond. This becomes one of the Federals’ greatest opportunities to destroy the Confederates in Virginia and win the war.
Federals Prepare to Move on Petersburg
Ulysses S. Grant orders Benjamin F. Butler’s Federals to capture Petersburg, the vital railroad city south of the Confederate capital of Richmond. Butler assembles his army and prepares to attack.
I Hope God Almighty Will
Robert E. Lee finally discovers that Ulysses S. Grant’s Federals are crossing the James River to strike at Petersburg, south of Richmond. P.G.T. Beauregard hurries to assemble a makeshift Confederate force to defend the key city while waiting for Lee’s help.