Chronological History of the American Civil War

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General Sherman (U.S.) in Cartersville sends his last message to General Thomas in Nashville, Tennessee. He will be out of communication with the North, until December 13 . (I guess Sherman plans on being out of telegraph range for awhile.) At Bull’s Gap, Tennessee, both sides attack, but little progress is made by either side. Sunday, November 13, 1864 : In the past five months General Jubal Early (CSA) and his force have been detached from the siege at Petersburg. Their goal was to pull Union troops away from Petersburg by attacking in the North. General Early's (CSA) company of Rebels had marched nearly 1,700 miles and fought 72 battles in these five months, but to no avail. The men General Early (CSA) has left are now being brought back to Richmond for the defense effort. The Shenandoah Valley now pretty well belongs to General Phil Sheridan (U.S.) and his Yankee cavalry. The fighting continues at Bull’s Gap in Tennessee, but the Confederates do not assault the Union lines. The Union forces, short on everything from ammunition to rations, withdraw toward Russellville late in the evening. Monday, November 14, 1864 : Lincoln accepts the resignation of Major-General George McClellan – the man who had opposed him in the election. Lincoln promotes Sheridan (U.S.) to the rank of Major-General. General Sherman (U.S.) rejoins his troops that he had left in Atlanta and divides his 62,000 men into a Left Wing and Right Wing. In Tennessee, General Breckinridge (CSA) pursues the Federals and engages them near Russellville, causing a Union defeat. The Federals fall back to Strawberry Plains, (outside of Knoxville) where Breckinridge again engaged his forces in another fight with Federal troops. This time Federal reinforcements soon arrive, and foul weather begins to play havoc with the roads and streams. Tuesday, November 15, 1864 : Those who were not marching yet completed their final duty in Georgia’s largest city: they burned it. Sherman wrote to his general-in-chief, Ulysses S. Grant (U.S.), that if he could march through Georgia it would be “proof positive that the North can prevail.” He told Grant that he would not send couriers back, but to “trust the Richmond papers to keep you well advised.” Facing Sherman’s large army was just 20,000 Confederate troops with few supplies. The fighting moves next, today in Georgia to East Point, Jonesborough, Rough and Ready, and Stockbridge. General Forrest joins Hood’s Army of Tennessee (CSA) in Florence, Alabama. Wednesday, November 16, 1864 : As Atlanta lies in ruins, the last two units of General Sherman’s army leave the city. (Sherman will bring the realities of the battlefield’s suffering to the civilian population that have supported their Rebel troops. This new style of war targets the home front instead of the soldier on the battlefield. The Union would live off the land entirely, taking or destroying everything in their path. The bitterness this “dishonorable” style of war leaves in the hearts of Georgians and all Southerners is immense.) Sherman’s “March to the Sea” Campaign continues with fighting at Cotton River Bridge, at Lovejoy’s Station, and at Bear Creek Station. Few more skirmishes at Strawberry Plains in Tennessee with Union troops, but the Confederate victory at the Battle of Bull’s Gap is a setback in the Federal plan to rid East Tennessee of Confederate military presence. Thursday, November 17, 1864 : The power of the press is very powerful; Lincoln knows this best of all. President Lincoln proposes a plan to the U. S. Secretary of State, William Henry Seward to purchase the remaining 36 newspapers still in print in the Confederacy. Many are broke or going broke, and a controlling interest could be brought. Lincoln writes, “There are in the South a large number of intelligent Union men, who are able writers, and would hail with joy an opportunity to assist in putting down the rebellion.” President Davis was having his problems too, as he objects to any motion by several Georgia State Senators to discuss a separate peace