Chronological History of the American Civil War

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Even as the war seemed to be just dragging along, Lincoln knew one day it would have to come to an end, and the word "Reconstruction" begins to be in use around this time. Today, President Lincoln tables or vetoes a bill called the "Wade-Davis Bill", which would have barred any man who had ever borne arms against the Union from voting or holding office. Essentially the debate was over whether Congress or the President would control the rebuilding process. Lincoln knew he would have to have some Southern leadership and support, in order to keep peace. Tuesday, July 5, 1864 : Now it was Major General Andrew J. Smith’s (U.S.) turn at trying to capture Major General Nathan Bedford Forrest (CSA) as he moves his command from La Grange, Tennessee in search of him. In Georgia, on the Chattahoochee River, Major General William T. Sherman (U.S.) skirmishes at Howell’s, Turner’s, and Pace’s Ferries, Isham’s Ford, and other points as he presses General Joseph E. Johnston’s (CSA) line. A call for 24,000 militia goes out to New York and Pennsylvania to help defend Washington, D.C., from the advance of Lieut. General Jubal A. Early (CSA). Lincoln suspended habeas corpus again in Kentucky, as he believes that the South was receiving too much help from the state’s citizens. Martial law is once again introduced throughout the state. Editor of the New York Times, Horace Greeley receives a letter with a Confederate proposal for peace negotiations to be held in Canada. He forwards the letter to President Lincoln. Wednesday, July 6, 1864 : Lieut. General Jubal A. Early’s (pictured) (CSA) Confederates

captures Hagerstown, Maryland and Early instructs Cavalry Brig. General John McCausland, (CSA) to demand $200,000 from the city officials of Hagerstown for damages caused by Major General “Black David” Hunter (U.S.) in the Shenandoah Valley, but McCausland felt the amount was too large, so he asked for $20,000. After receiving the money, Early’s army turned southeast toward Washington. Thursday, July 7, 1864 : In Georgia, General Johnston (CSA) was fighting a losing battle on both ends. Not only from Sherman’s (U.S.) attacks and now his own Confederate President Jefferson Davis, as he criticizes his decision to withdraw to the Chattahoochee. He also informed Johnston that he would receive no more reinforcements.

In Memphis, General Washburn, orders about 40 citizens that had served in the Confederacy to be “conscripts” (arrested or drafted) to act as “train guards” between Memphis and Saulsbury, Tennessee, so guerrillas infesting the line of railroad from this city will stop attacking it. These “guards” are to be placed on trains so Rebels will not shoot at or wreck the trains. Friday, July 8, 1864 : Part of Sherman’s army (U.S.) outflanked the defenses at Chattahoochee and Johnston decided to withdraw to Atlanta. Major General Andrew J. Smith (U.S.) skirmishes at Kelly’s Mill, Mississippi, and continues on Tupelo destroying everything in his path. Saturday, July 9, 1864 : Now in Frederick, Maryland, Brig. General McCausland (CSA) did the same thing again as he did in Hagerstown. He demanded money, the whole amount this time, $200,000 and got it, and then they left town. A hastily assembled Union force under General Lew Wallace (U.S.) of 6,000 fought the South by the banks of the River Monocacy. General Early’s Southern 10,000 men, most were experienced and battle-hardened, overwhelmed the Union troops. By the end of the day, General Early had given the South their northernmost Confederate victory of the war, and Wallace was retreating toward Baltimore, leaving behind