As Robert E. Lee’s Confederates returned to Virginia, the Confederate advances in Tennessee and Kentucky stalled as well. Confederates in northern Mississippi were also stifled, but Vicksburg remained safe from Federal conquest. As the major armies in the East regrouped, Lincoln continued urging George McClellan to pursue Lee with more aggression.
Abraham Lincoln leaves Washington to visit George B. McClellan and inspect the Federal Army of the Potomac after the Battle of Antietam.
Federal forces scramble to defend the vital city of Corinth after learning that Earl Van Dorn’s Confederates are about to attack.
The Army of Northern Virginia Regroups
Robert E. Lee reorganizes his battered Confederate army, in which many men lack the necessary food, clothing, and shelter.
Confederates under Earl Van Dorn and Sterling Price lose the element of surprise and with it a golden opportunity to reclaim a key city in northern Mississippi.
The Battle of Corinth: Day Two
Confederates desperately attack the Federals defending Corinth, with each army missing key opportunities to destroy the other.
Federal army-navy forces occupy one of the most important points on the Texas coast.
The Battle of Corinth: Aftermath
Confederates retreating from Corinth hold firm against an unsupported Federal assault and escape to fight another day.
Give the Enemy Battle Immediately
Don Carlos Buell’s Federal Army of the Ohio moves toward Perryville after Buell deceives Braxton Bragg’s Confederates into thinking they are heading for Frankfort.
The largest battle of the war in Kentucky ends in stalemate despite Don Carlos Buell’s Federals vastly outnumbering Braxton Bragg’s Confederates.
Abraham Lincoln urges George B. McClellan to move his Federal army back into Virginia, but McClellan is more concerned about Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.
It Was Audacious and Brilliant
“Jeb” Stuart’s Confederate cavalry makes a second uncontested ride around George B. McClellan’s Federal Army of the Potomac.
The Confederates end their unsuccessful Kentucky campaign, and Don Carlos Buell comes under harsh Federal scrutiny for not pursuing the withdrawing enemy aggressively enough.
The Federal high command continues prodding George B. McClellan to move his Army of the Potomac into Virginia, but McClellan keeps resisting.
Pemberton Takes Command in Mississippi
John C. Pemberton takes Confederate command in Mississippi, with his main task being to defend the vital stronghold of Vicksburg on the Mississippi River.
As the two Confederate armies pull out of Kentucky, John Hunt Morgan’s Confederate cavalry conduct another raid in the state.
Confederates Return to Tennessee
The two Confederate armies leave Kentucky, with one returning to eastern Tennessee and the other looking to threaten Middle Tennessee.
Vicksburg Becomes the Focal Point
Ulysses S. Grant is given new Federal responsibilities, and a secret mission to capture Vicksburg is concocted.
Heated exchanges between Ulysses S. Grant and William S. Rosecrans ultimately give Rosecrans an opportunity for an independent command.
Don Carlos Buell receives orders to turn his Federal command over to William S. Rosecrans for his failure to stop the Confederates’ escape from Kentucky and his refusal to chase them into eastern Tennessee.
The leaders of Great Britain express new reluctance to recognize Confederate independence, and Emperor Napoleon III of France proposes foreign mediation between the two warring factions.
George B. McClellan’s Federal Army of the Potomac crosses from Maryland to Virginia, nearly 40 days after the Battle of Antietam.
Federal forces push from Missouri into northwestern Arkansas, as Confederates in Arkansas are asked to provide support east of the Mississippi River.
Blind and Foolish They Will Continue
George B. McClellan’s Federal Army of the Potomac is finally back in Virginia, but McClellan continues to rail against the Lincoln administration’s perceived unwillingness to give him what he needs to succeed.
Last Updated: 10/31/2022
love the timeline with critical happenings
Specific dates would be helpful, but I’m addicted to your posts!
Thank you!
I will definitely keep dates in mind going forward– thank you for your support!