Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
Confederates regain Marye’s Heights outside Fredericksburg, as John Sedgwick’s Federals retreat across the Rappahannock River.
Federals attack the Confederate defenders on Marye’s Heights in a fight reminiscent of the Federal disaster at Fredericksburg last December.
Robert E. Lee’s Confederates resume their attacks in hopes of cutting off the Federal Army of the Potomac before it can reach the Rappahannock River.
Ulysses S. Grant’s Federal Army of the Tennessee heads east toward the Mississippi capital of Jackson after its victory at Port Gibson. From there, Grant plans to turn west and target the Confederate stronghold of Vicksburg.
Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson’s Confederates attack the unsuspecting Federal right flank, but Jackson is seriously wounded in the aftermath.
Ulysses S. Grant’s Federals try pushing inland from the Mississippi River to gain a foothold on the ground south of Vicksburg. Confederates block their advance at Port Gibson.