Chronological History of the American Civil War

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be allowed to purchase slaves for work on the War, who when no longer needed would be freed. He stopped short of proposing, that they be armed as soldiers, although hinting that he might if things got desperate enough. Tuesday, November 8, 1864 : Election Day!

Abraham Lincoln is re-elected president, defeating Democrat George B. McClellan. Lincoln carries all but three states with 55 percent of the popular vote and 212 of 233 electoral votes. “I earnestly believe that the consequences of this day’s work will be to the lasting advantage, if not the very salvation, of the country,” Lincoln tells supporters. Tennessee’s votes in the national election are thrown out! Wednesday, November 9, 1864 : Major General William T. Sherman (U.S.) is preparing his army for his next move. His four corps totaled 60,000 infantry

and around 5,500 artillery pieces. Sherman orders that there would be only one wagon allowed per regiment, and that was only to carry ammunition. The policy of “live-off-the-land” was now established. He believes Major General George H. Thomas (U.S.) at Nashville can handle Lieut. General John Bell Hood (CSA). Col. John Noble (U.S.) leads an expedition out of Memphis to Moscow, Tennessee only captures a few straggling rebel soldiers on the road. Arguments are made in Tennessee on the grounds that the state did not hold a valid election, despite the fact that many of the voters signed a loyalty oath of their own design. The election results indicate to Davis and the Confederate Congress that there would be no negotiated peace settlement. Thursday, November 10, 1864 : Major General William T. Sherman (U.S.) federal troops burn Kingston, Georgia, and move back toward Atlanta. General Sherman later in his memoirs regards today as the beginning of his “March to the Sea.” Along the way they burn all railroad lines and supplies that could assist the Rebels. Near Memphis on the old Raleigh road and Germantown road, Union scouts capture 5 of the 6 suspected Confederates staying in a house, and they are sent to the Irving Block prison. Friday, November 11, 1864 : Union troops in Atlanta destroy anything that could be of use to the Confederacy. All buildings except churches and a few houses were destroyed. Confederate General Breckinridge (CSA) undertook an expedition into East Tennessee from Virginia to secure the countryside for food and forage and to drive the Federals from the area. Breckinridge attacks the Union forces at Bull’s Gap, but is repulsed by 11:00 a.m. Artillery fire continued throughout the day. Saturday, November 12, 1864 : The Federal destruction of

Atlanta continues as Major General William T. Sherman (U.S.) prepares to launch his “March to the Sea” campaign.