P.G.T. Beauregard launches a Confederate attack on Benjamin F. Butler’s Federals as they timidly approach Richmond from the south.
Tag: P.G.T. Beauregard
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 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.
Federals Begin Operations in Florida
Federal forces are assigned to invade Florida to try restoring the state to the Union. The Federals soon find that there is not as much Union sentiment in Florida as expected. As they move westward from the Atlantic coast, Confederates scramble to put up a defense near the hamlet of Olustee.
Bragg Leaves the Army of Tennessee
Braxton Bragg turns the Confederate Army of Tennessee over to William Hardee, and President Jefferson Davis begins looking for a permanent army commander.