Federals in the Trans-Mississippi targeted Little Rock, Arkansas while Federals in eastern Tennessee targeted Knoxville. The Lincoln administration discussed launching an operation on the Texas-Louisiana coasts. Another major Confederate city fell, and the Western Theater’s most terrible battle took place.
Desirable to Sacrifice the Garrison
Federal forces continue bombarding the fortifications in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, in preparation for another infantry attack.
The Springfield National Union Rally
Some 50,000 people attend a rally in President Abraham Lincoln’s hometown of Springfield, Illinois, in support of Lincoln and his war policies.
With Federal forces closing in on Chattanooga, it is decided that a detachment of the Army of Northern Virginia be sent west to reinforce the Confederate defenders at this key railroad town.
General Ulysses S. Grant suffers a serious riding accident in New Orleans, with witnesses claiming that he was drunk.
Charles Francis Adams, U.S. minister to Great Britain, threatens war unless the British honor their neutrality and stop construction on a warship allegedly being built for the Confederacy.
The Confederacy Looks to France
Edmund Kirby Smith urges Confederate foreign envoy John Slidell to get France to intervene on the Confederacy’s behalf so that the French puppet regime in Mexico will have a friendly neighbor to the north.
Confederate forces finally abandon Morris Island in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, after enduring relentless pressure for nearly two months. The Federals then look to capture Fort Sumter.
Leading elements of the Federal Army of the Ohio enter Knoxville, the key city of eastern Tennessee. This cuts Virginia’s direct railroad line to the west.
From William Nugent, 28th Mississippi
Letter from Capt. William G. Nugent of the 28th Mississippi Cavalry to his wife.
A Federal army-navy expedition to the Texas-Louisiana border meets with embarrassing defeat by less than 50 Confederates defending Sabine Pass.
The Richmond Strategy Conference
As William S. Rosecrans’s Federals close in on Chattanooga, participants at the high-level conference in Richmond decide to maintain the status quo in Virginia while reinforcing Braxton Bragg’s Confederate Army of Tennessee.
William S. Rosecrans’s Federal Army of the Cumberland captures the important city of Chattanooga, Tennessee, without firing a shot. But Rosecrans soon finds his army dangerously spread out in rugged, hostile country.
Frederick Steele’s Federal Army of Arkansas enters the state capital after two top Confederate commanders fight a duel and Sterling Price’s Confederate army withdraws.
Bragg Looks to Attack in Northern Georgia
Confederate reinforcements head out from Virginia to reinforce Braxton Bragg’s Army of Tennessee, while Bragg devises a plan to trap an isolated segment of the Federal Army of the Cumberland south of Chattanooga.
Bragg’s Second Golden Opportunity
Braxton Bragg’s Confederates squander an opportunity to destroy an isolated segment of the Federal Army of the Cumberland, but Bragg quickly sees another chance to attack before the Federals can concentrate their forces.
Braxton Bragg’s Confederates squander a second chance to destroy a part of the Federal Army of the Cumberland south of Chattanooga. Bragg nevertheless decides to try attacking a third time.
George G. Meade plans to advance against Robert E. Lee’s weakened Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, but only as part of a probing action.
Armies Concentrate in Northern Georgia
Braxton Bragg directs his Confederate Army of Tennessee to move around William S. Rosecrans’s Federal left flank near Chickamauga Creek. But Bragg is unaware that Rosecrans has extended that flank and put Federals directly in his path.
A terrible but inconclusive battle begins in northwestern Georgia between Braxton Bragg’s Confederate Army of Tennessee and William S. Rosecrans’s Federal Army of the Cumberland.
The Battle of Chickamauga: Day Two
The terrible battle in northwestern Georgia enters its second day and threatens to result in Federal disaster.
The Battle of Chickamauga: Aftermath
Confederates learn the extent of their victory at Chickamauga but squander precious time while the Federals escape into Chattanooga.
Last Updated: 9/21/2023