The worst sustained fighting of the war took place. The armies in Virginia fought throughout May, and Robert E. Lee lost two top lieutenants. William T. Sherman edged closer to the prized city of Atlanta, but other Federal efforts were not as effective. Both the Lincoln and Davis administrations faced increasing criticism and resentment from their constituencies.
Preparing to Move in Northern Virginia
In preparation for the Federal offensive, Ulysses S. Grant prepares to direct the Army of the Potomac in battle. Meanwhile, Robert E. Lee plans a defensive Confederate strategy to counter the Federal advance.
Nothing but Destruction Awaits
The Federal Red River campaign is fizzling out. Frederick Steele’s Army of Arkansas begins returning to Little Rock, while Federal naval forces on the Red River in Louisiana are in grave danger of being stranded in shallow water.
The Georgia Campaign: Final Preparations
William T. Sherman assembles three Federal armies to confront Joseph E. Johnston’s Confederate army in northern Georgia. This is part of Ulysses S. Grant’s overall strategy of putting all major Federal armies in motion simultaneously.
Obstinate Fighting is Apprehended
Final preparations are made for the massive Federal offensive about to take place in northern Virginia.
The James River Campaign Begins
Another front opens in Virginia, as Benjamin F. Butler’s Federal Army of the James boards transports at Yorktown to move up the James River and cut the Richmond & Petersburg Railroad.
The Army of the Potomac Moves Out
The Federal Army of the Potomac moves out to begin its long-awaited offensive, now with Ulysses S. Grant in overall command. Robert E. Lee, commanding the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, strategizes to counter this massive movement.
The Confederate Army of Northern Virginia catches the Federal Army of the Potomac in the forbidding Wilderness. Both sides engage in fierce combat, with confusing and chaotic fighting in the dense brush marking the opening of the spring campaign.
The Battle of the Wilderness: Day Two
Fighting rages a second day in the Wilderness as Ulysses S. Grant learns that Robert E. Lee would not be an easy foe to overcome.
William T. Sherman’s three Federal armies begin their part of the grand offensive by moving into northern Georgia to confront Joseph E. Johnston’s Confederate Army of Tennessee. Sherman plans to use maneuver to coax the Confederates out of their defenses and into the open where they can be destroyed.
Spotsylvania: Attacking the Mule Shoe
Ulysses S. Grant learns that his Federal Army of the Potomac has lost the race to Spotsylvania Court House to Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. Grant approves a massed assault on a salient in Lee’s defense line, which results in more horrific casualties.
Philip Sheridan embarks on a Federal cavalry raid intended to disrupt Confederate supply lines and destroy the famed command of Jeb Stuart. Sheridan engages the Confederates just a few miles outside Richmond, where Stuart is mortally wounded.
Spotsylvania: Terrible Fighting at the Mule Shoe
Ulysses S. Grant orders a massive Federal assault on a salient in the line of Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. This results in some of the most savage fighting of the entire war and produces significant casualties.
The “Cavalier of Dixie” succumbs to a wound suffered at the Battle of Yellow Tavern, and another legendary Confederate general was gone. This deeply saddens the South and has significant repercussions on the ongoing conflict.
Georgia: The Armies Gather at Resaca
William T. Sherman’s Federals miss a golden opportunity to cripple Joseph E. Johnston’s Confederates. Sherman shifts southeast to try moving around Johnston’s flank, but Johnston shifts to block them while hoping to stretch Sherman’s line of supply.
Spotsylvania: Getting by the Right Flank
Both the Armies of the Potomac and Northern Virginia assess the damage done in the terrible fighting around Spotsylvania on May 12. Ulysses S. Grant, the overall Federal commander, decides to try moving around Robert E. Lee’s Confederate flank once more.
Showdown Looms in the Shenandoah Valley
John C. Breckinridge’s Confederates move out to confront Franz Sigel’s Federal Army of West Virginia advancing south “up” Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Smaller operations take place in West Virginia, including a clash at Cloyd’s Mountain.
William T. Sherman’s Federals and Joseph E. Johnston’s Confederates clash in northern Georgia, resulting in heavy casualties for both sides. Sherman still looks to slide around Johnston’s flank.
John C. Breckinridge leads a makeshift Confederate army in trying to stop Franz Sigel’s Federal drive up Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.
The James River: Drewry’s Bluff
P.G.T. Beauregard’s Confederates and Benjamin F. Butler’s Federals assemble around Drewry’s Bluff, about five miles from Richmond on the James River. After Beauregard gets reinforcements and Butler stalls, both commanders plan to attack.
The Second Battle of Drewry’s Bluff
P.G.T. Beauregard launches a Confederate attack on Benjamin F. Butler’s Federals as they timidly approach Richmond from the south.
Georgia: From Adairsville to the Etowah
Joseph E. Johnston’s Confederate Army of Tennessee establishes positions around Adairsville after retreating southward from Resaca. But he soon finds this position untenable and is forced to fall back closer to the Etowah River.
Spotsylvania: Probing for Weakness
The fighting at Spotsylvania leaves both Federal and Confederate forces exhausted. Inclement weather suspends large-scale attacks, and Ulysses S. Grant orders another leftward movement to find a vulnerable spot in the Confederate line.
Spotsylvania: Federals Attack Again
Ulysses S. Grant directs the Federal Army of the Potomac to launch another attack in hopes of turning the left flank of Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. More devastating combat ensues.
A forged proclamation supposedly from Abraham Lincoln is leaked to the press in an effort to drive up the price of gold. This causes an uproar throughout the North and prompts criticism of the Lincoln administration’s handling of freedom of speech and the press.
The Shenandoah Valley: Sigel Ousted
John C. Breckinridge’s Confederates begin leaving the Shenandoah Valley after their victory at New Market. Franz Sigel is replaced by a brutal new Federal commander in the region, with orders to apply relentless pressure.
Northern Virginia: Race to the North Anna
Major fighting between the Federal Army of the Potomac and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia stops as the Confederates reach Hanover Junction and the Federals prepare to cross the North Anna River.
One of the greatest Federal military disasters of the war finally ends, leaving bitter resentment in the Red River Valley of Louisiana.
Georgia: Confederates Hold Allatoona
William T. Sherman’s Federals continue pushing back Joseph E. Johnston’s Confederates. Johnston strengthens his positions near Allatoona, but he is unaware that Sherman intends to sidestep him by moving on Dallas to the southwest.
Northern Virginia: Showdown at the North Anna
Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia arrives at the North Anna River ahead of the Federal Army of the Potomac, once again blocking Ulysses S. Grant’s southeastern movement toward Richmond. This sets the stage for another significant battle.
Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia attacks a force from the Federal Army of the Potomac as it crosses the North Anna River. Lee strategically positions his forces while Ulysses S. Grant plans his next move.
The Battle of the North Anna: Lee Sets a Trap
Robert E. Lee positions his Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in a line intended to invite a Federal attack and waits for Ulysses S. Grant to take the bait.
Robert E. Lee positions his Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in a line intended to invite a Federal attack and waits for Ulysses S. Grant to take the bait.
Ulysses S. Grant faces challenges attacking Robert E. Lee’s Confederates south of the North Anna River due to Lee’s strong defenses. Grant ultimately decides on another move by Lee’s left, thereby ending combat around the North Anna.
Battles at Pickett’s Mill and Dallas
Federals and Confederates continue fighting in Georgia, as William T. Sherman tries turning the Confederates’ right flank and secure access to the vital Western & Atlantic Railroad.
The Federal Army of the Potomac moves toward Hanovertown, Virginia, in another effort to outflank the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. A significant cavalry battle ensues at Haw’s Shop as both armies dig in once more.
Grant and Lee Shift Toward Cold Harbor
Robert E. Lee learns that Ulysses S. Grant plans to move his Federals southeast once more, this time to Old Cold Harbor.
The Radical Republican Convention
Disgruntled Republicans gather in Cleveland, Ohio, to nominate a presidential candidate that could defeat Abraham Lincoln in the upcoming election. But the convention proves less successful than many had hoped.
Last Updated: 6/11/2024