Nathaniel P. Banks’s Federals move out of Grand Ecore, Louisiana, on their way back to their expedition’s starting point at Alexandria. Meanwhile, the Federal naval squadron continues to struggle to get back down the Red River and out of harm’s way.
Tag: Ulysses S. Grant
No More Than Dead Men
Ulysses S. Grant issues “most emphatic” orders to take no action on agreeing to exchange prisoners of war without further notification. This is intended to deprive the Confederacy of manpower, but since it promises to worsen conditions for both Confederate and Federal prisoners, Grant’s directive initiates a grim new war policy.
Reorganizing the Army of the Potomac
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.
The Grand Federal Military Strategy
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.
Red River: Federals Target Alexandria
Federal army-navy forces follow up their capture of Fort DeRussy by continuing up the Red River toward Alexandria, Louisiana.
The Grand Federal Military Reorganization
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.