Chronological History of the American Civil War

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officer, Lt. General Stephen D. Lee (CSA) assumed command of the Confederate forces. Lt. General Stephen D. Lee (CSA) attacks at 7:30 a..m. in a number of uncoordinated assaults, which the Union troops beat back, causing heavy casualties. General Stephen D. Lee struck one flank and Forrest struck the other. Lee halted the fighting after a few hours. The Union victory resulted in an estimated 649 Union casualties and 1,300 Confederate. General Forrest (CSA) is one of these casualties, shot in the right foot during the battle. Pursued by Union troops, General Early’s (CSA) men as they retreated from Washington, D.C., and headed back toward Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. Preisident Lincoln (U.S.) was upset and expresses his belief that the pursuit had not been vigorous enough. The New York Times reporting on Georgia writes: “Reports reach Nashville that Sherman’s forces have reached the Chattahoochee River, captured 3,000 prisoners, and recovered numerous deserters.” Friday, July 15, 1864 : Short on rations, General Andrew Jackson Smith (U.S.) does not pursue General Forrest, but goes back to Memphis, in fact Forrest’s men follow him with a few more encounters. General Smith (U.S.) is criticized for not destroying Forrest’s command; Smith had caused much damage and had fulfilled his mission of ensuring Sherman’s supply lines safety. Saturday, July 16, 1864: President Jefferson Davis (CSA) was beginning to lose faith in General Johnston’s (CSA) ability to win, and telegraphed him today, demanding to know, specifically his plans. Johnston could only reply that his plan “...must therefore depend upon that of the enemy. It is mainly to watch for a opportunity to fight to advantage. We are trying to put Atlanta in condition to be held for a day or two by the Georgia militia, that army movements may be freer and wider.” The unemployment line seems to be in Johnston’s future. Sunday, July 17, 1864 : For nearly three months, Generals Johnston (CSA) and Sherman (US) had maneuvered around the rugged terrain from Chattanooga to Atlanta, with Johnston now backed up to the outskirts of Atlanta. President Davis (CSA) lowers the ax and fires him replacing him with Lt. General John Bell Hood or with what is left of him. Hood lost the use of his left arm at Gettysburg and at the Battle of Chickamauga was wounded again, requiring the amputation of his right leg. Davis hoped that his fighting spirit and undoubted bravery would rub off on the men tasked with the defense of Atlanta. The Battle of Cool Springs was an attempt for the Union to block General Jubal Early’s (CSA) retreat from Washington, D.C. to the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. The battle will continue for another day, but Early’s men will win this one, too. In Opelika, Alabama, Brig. General Lovell H. Rousseau and his Union force attack the town. The Federals take or burn large quantities of supplies. They then destroy 30 miles of track and burn several railroad stations and warehouses. Monday, July 18, 1864 : Horace Greeley is sent to Canada to negotiate an end to the Civil War. Lincoln gives him broad powers to come to a settlement, only requiring that it include the restoration of the Union and a renunciation of slavery. The Confederates would not accept these conditions. President Lincoln asks for another 500,000 volunteers for military service, this luxury the South did not have. Tuesday, July 19, 1864 : Lt. General, Jubal A. Early (CSA) renewed his raids on the B&O Railroad at Martinsburg, Virginia badly disperses his four remaining infantry divisions. General Sheridan (U.S.) 39,000 troops advances toward Winchester, Virginia, but are delayed crossing Opequon Creek long enough for General Early to regather his 15,000 forces for a fight. The Confederate line was gradually driven back toward the town. Even with the Union’s 5,020 casualties and the South’s 3,610, it is still considered a Union victory.