Ulysses S. Grant suffered one of his worst defeats but pressed on toward Richmond and Petersburg. William T. Sherman continued pushing into Georgia. In the North, Republicans allied with War Democrats to form a new National Union Party. A legendary Confederate vessel was sunk, and Robert E. Lee sent a Confederate force north in a desperate attempt to relieve pressure on Virginia.
Armies Converge on Cold Harbor
Despite delays and miscommunications, Federal forces attack Confederates at the Old Cold Harbor crossroads near Richmond. This leads to Ulysses S. Grant planning for a massed Federal assault the next day.
Georgia: Sherman Reconnects to the Railroad
William T. Sherman’s Federals move northeast to reconnect to their railroad supply line, while Joseph E. Johnston’s Confederates fall back to strong defensive positions in the mountains separating Sherman from Atlanta. From there, Sherman looks to sidestep Johnston once more.
Cold Harbor: A Major Assault is Imminent
Robert E. Lee concentrates his Confederate Army of Northern Virginia outside Richmond. Ulysses S. Grant plans to launch an all-out Federal assault, but oppressive heat and soldier fatigue cause delays.
The Federal Army of the Potomac suffers one of its most horrifying defeats while attacking Robert E. Lee’s impregnable Confederate defenses just outside Richmond.
Federals remain pinned down by the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia following the terrible battle at Cold Harbor. Personal and strategic tensions among the Federal leadership emerge, with Grant and Meade facing mounting criticism over their decisions and actions.
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.
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 National Union Convention Assembles
Republicans and some Democrats supporting the war effort gather at Baltimore’s Front Street Theater on the first day of a convention to decide who would be the presidential and vice-presidential candidates in the upcoming national election. The re-nomination of Abraham Lincoln is a foregone conclusion, despite initial dissatisfaction with his record as president.
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.
The National Union Convention Adjourns
Delegates to the National Union Convention re-nominate Abraham Lincoln for president as expected. Delegates draft a platform dominated by the Republican Party, but they opt to replace the current vice president with a southern Democrat supportive of the war effort.
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.
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.
The Battle of Brice’s Crossroads
Nathan Bedford Forrest scores one of his greatest victories against the Federal effort to stop his Confederates from harassing William T. Sherman’s supply lines in northern Mississippi.
Morgan Leaves Empty Shelves and Pockets
Confederate raider John Hunt Morgan leads a raid into Kentucky to weaken Federal forces in the Western Theater. Morgan soon finds that his presence is not as welcomed in his home state as it previously had been.
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.
Trans-Mississippi Operations in June 1864
West of the Mississippi River, A.J. Smith’s Federals confront Confederate raiders in Arkansas, Richard Taylor expresses frustration over missed opportunities during the Red River campaign, and Confederates attack Federal shipping near the Indian Territory.
Georgia: Johnston Compacts His Line
William T. Sherman’s Federals attempt to maneuver around the strong defenses of Joseph E. Johnston’s Confederates near Marietta, Georgia. Federal forces kill a prominent Confederate commander, Johnston contracts his Confederate line, and Sherman tries moving southeast around Johnston’s left.
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.
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.
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.
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: 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.
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.
The Second Battle of Petersburg: Day Four
Federal forces launch yet another assault on the Petersburg defenses, but by this time Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia is arriving to resist.
The Alabama Battles the Kearsarge
A dramatic naval battle off the coast of France results in the destruction of the Confederacy’s most feared commerce raider on the high seas.
The Siege of Petersburg Begins
Ulysses S. Grant announces his intention to use two Federal armies to starve the city of Petersburg into submission. But Grant’s tactics come into question, and President Abraham Lincoln visits Grant to see for himself the progress he has made.
As William T. Sherman’s Federals continue advancing through Georgia, Confederates on Joseph E. Johnston’s left flank attack a portion of Sherman’s force near Marietta, Georgia.
The Battle of the Weldon Railroad
As the Federal armies prepare to surround Petersburg, Ulysses S. Grant aims to cut off the city’s supply lines by capturing the two main railroads south and west of town.
Petersburg: The Tunneling Expedition Begins
A Federal colonel proposes opening a gap in the Confederate siege lines by digging a tunnel under them and detonating explosives.
Early Takes the Fight to the North
Jubal Early’s Confederate army reaches Staunton after repelling Federal forces in the Shenandoah Valley. Hoping to capitalize on northern war weariness, Early plans a new offensive intended to clear the Valley of Federals weaken the Federal siege of Petersburg.
The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain
William T. Sherman’s Federals assault Confederates who are heavily defended on an eminence 15 miles north of Atlanta. This battle forces Sherman to recognize the need for diverse tactics.
William T. Sherman’s Federals look to outflank the Confederate Army of Tennessee in their quest to capture the vital city of Atlanta. Georgia Governor Joseph E. Brown pleads with President Jefferson Davis to send more men to defend his state.
Ulysses S. Grant sends two Federal cavalry divisions to destroy Confederate supply lines outside Petersburg, Virginia. The raid does not go as planned.
The Resignation of Salmon P. Chase
Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase submits his fourth letter of resignation, but this time President Abraham Lincoln surprises him by accepting.
Last Updated: 7/2/2024