Ulysses S. Grant directs the Federal Army of the Potomac to begin crossing the James River to move against Richmond and Petersburg. Meanwhile, Robert E. Lee struggles to find where the Federals had gone.
Category: Virginia
The Battle of Petersburg
Benjamin F. Butler’s Federals advance on the nearly defenseless town of Petersburg, south of Richmond, Virginia. This marks a prime opportunity for the Federals to hasten the end of the war.
Hunter Terrorizes the Shenandoah Valley
George Crook’s Federals from West Virginia join forces with David Hunter’s Army of the Shenandoah and prepare to drive southward “up” Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley from Staunton. Meanwhile, Robert E. Lee devises a daring plan to detach one of his Confederate corps from the Army of Northern Virginia to oppose this new Federal threat in the Valley.
The Battle of Trevilian Station
Philip Sheridan’s Federal cavalry launches a raid intended to draw Confederate attention away from the Army of the Potomac’s impending crossing of the James River. The Federals clash with Wade Hampton’s Confederate horsemen at Trevilian Station on the Virginia Central Railroad.
Grant Devises a Bold New Strategy
The Federal Army of the Potomac temporarily halts for the first time in over a month as Ulysses S. Grant prepares to embark on one of the riskiest maneuvers of the war.
The Battle of Piedmont
Federals score a decisive victory over a small Confederate force, which enables David Hunter to continue his southward march “up” Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley in an effort to destroy the Virginia Central Railroad.