Chronological History of the American Civil War

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General Sherman (U.S.) continues his “March to the Sea” with fighting at Clinton, Eatonton, Gordon, Griswoldville, and near Macon in Georgia. Tuesday, November 22, 1864 : Georgia’s Governor Brown, is still in need of help. The last act of the Legislature was to pass an act for a “mass levy,” essentially drafting every citizen to come to the state’s defense. After passing this action they adjourned the session and fled for their lives. They run because Sherman’s army (U.S.) lead by General Slocum (U.S.) enters Milledgeville, Georgia’s state capitol. The city is burned and looted. After two days of fighting, the Rebels could not hold the Union forces back at Griswoldville, near Macon. The Union losses are 13 killed, 79 wounded, and 2 missing. The Confederate losses are estimated at 51 dead, 472 wounded and about 600 captured. Sherman’s “March to the Sea” continues. When asked to comment on the success of Sherman’s March, General Grant (U.S.) says, “The Southern Confederacy is a… hollow shell, and Sherman will prove it to you.” Asked how much longer the conflict would last, Grant responds, “I am not a 90-day man, but we shall see what will happen in six months.” In Tennessee, Lt. General Stephen D. Lee (CSA) moves northward to Columbia, in an attempt to concentrate there and destroy General Schofield’s (U.S.) force before he could unite with General Thomas (U.S.) at Nashville. The Confederates arrived at Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. Here, they discover the advance guard of Major General John M. Schofield’s Union force. The Confederates overwhelmed the Federals, and force them to retreat toward Columbia. Wednesday, November 23, 1864 : General William J Hardee (CSA) is given command of the army that is to oppose Sherman’s march to the sea. Union General John M. Schofield’s (U.S.) forces withdraw toward Nashville. General Nathan Bedford Forrest’s cavalry, riding ahead of the main army with Col. Edmund W. Rucker’s brigade (CSA) has a day long running battle with Schofield (U.S.) pushing them back along the pike, through Mt. Pleasant toward Columbia. A Federal expedition leaves from Vicksburg, headed to Yazoo City, Mississippi. Thursday, November 24, 2014 : Since August 31, Col. Hurst’s 6th Regiment (U.S.) has continued to be reported as “unassigned,” in the District of West Tennessee. Four of Hurst’s companies were sent to Shoal Creek, Alabama in October, but today all are ordered to Nashville, where they will be placed in the 2nd Brigade, of the newly organized 7th Cavalry Division. In Tennessee, Col. Rucker (CSA) pursues the enemy, within seven miles of Columbia, when he again encounters and routs them; following them to the edge of the town, capturing about thirty prisoners. Friday, November 25, 1864 : Earlier a group of Confederate agents led by R. C. Kennedy (CSA) had contracted with a chemist to manufacture incendiary grenades. Today, in New York City, it would be called a terrorist attack, but they planted the grenades at several prominent hotels as well as the popular Barnum’s Museum. None of the hotel bombs caused any significant damage, and the fire was quickly extinguished at Barnum’s Museum. Rumors swept the city, including one that implied the chemist intentionally made the bombs defective. Kennedy was eventually arrested, tried and hanged. The fighting moves on to near Sandersville, Georgia as the “March to the Sea,” Campaign by Major General Sherman continues. Saturday, November 26, 1864 : Confederate troops vacate Sandersville, Georgia. General Wheeler (CSA) attacks and drives Federals away from their camps at Sylvan Grove. General Kilpatrick (U.S.) abandons his plans to destroy the railroad bridge at Brier Creek and rejoins the army at Louisville, Georgia. In the Nebraska Territory at Plum Creek Station and Spring Creek more Indian fighting.