Federals rout an isolated Confederate force southwest of Petersburg. This begins the campaign to end the war in Virginia.
Tag: George Pickett
Dinwiddie Court House and the White Oak Road
Confederates repel a Federal advance in the southwestern sector of the Petersburg siege lines, but the Federals will not be denied for long.
Ready to Go Smashing Things
Robert E. Lee plans a Confederate assault, while Philip Sheridan pleads with the Federal high command to launch an attack of his own.
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.
A New Federal Army on the Peninsula
Ulysses S. Grant orders Benjamin F. Butler and his new Federal army to begin moving up the Virginia Peninsula from Fort Monroe by May 5. Grant’s goal is to eventually link the Armies of the Potomac and the James for a drive on Richmond or Petersburg. Meanwhile, P.G.T. Beauregard is brought up from South Carolina to prepare the Confederates to defend against Butler’s army.
North Carolina: Confederate Deserters Executed
Thirteen men who deserted the North Carolina militia to join the Federal army are executed by Confederate officials, despite having never officially joined the Confederate army.