Robert E. Lee issues his first order as the new general-in-chief of the Confederacy. This is intended to reduce President Jefferson Davis’s tendency to micromanage the military.
Tag: John C. Breckinridge
The Third Battle of Winchester
Philip Sheridan’s Federals attack the weakened Confederate army outside Winchester and Stephenson’s Depot as part of Sheridan’s overall effort to drive the Confederates out of the Shenandoah Valley.
Hunter Reaches Lynchburg
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.
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.
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.
The Battle of New Market
John C. Breckinridge leads a makeshift Confederate army in trying to stop Franz Sigel’s Federal drive up Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.