Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
George G. Meade, commanding the Federal Army of the Potomac, is summoned to Washington to testify before Congress. He directly addresses allegations that he had planned to retreat at the Battle of Gettysburg and tries to address personal attacks on his leadership.
Ulysses S. Grant takes up headquarters with the Army of the Potomac in northern Virginia, which is undergoing a massive reorganization. Grant’s presence leads to rumors of his influence, but Meade defends Grant and expresses hope for successful operations.
Ulysses S. Grant meets with William T. Sherman at Nashville, where Grant issues his first order since becoming general-in-chief of all Federal armies. Sherman takes Federal command of the Western Theater, while Grant goes east to join the Army of the Potomac. Grant envisions Federal advances on all fronts designed to exhaust Confederate resources.
When Ulysses S. Grant receives official authority to assume command of all Federal armies, he is already in the field with the Army of the Potomac, where he meets with George G. Meade and sets about reorganizing the Federal military.
President Jefferson Davis holds a cabinet meeting at Richmond to discuss what measures should be taken in response to the controversial Federal raid on Richmond and the discovery of incriminating papers on the body of Ulric Dahlgren.
The Federal Army of the Potomac and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia return to their respective camps, as George G. Meade waits to be removed from command.