Chronological History of the American Civil War

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Things had changed a lot in the Colorado Territory, since the peaceful Southern Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indians signed their Treaty of 1851. GOLD and SETTLERS! But the peaceful Chief Black Kettle (pictured) and others had just signed a “new treaty” giving them only 1/13th size reservation, they once had, but some tribal leaders did not sign it. Chief Black Kettle, even flew an American flag over his lodge, since previously he had been assured that this practice would keep him and his people safe from U.S. soldiers’ aggression. But without warning, Col. John Milton Chivington (U.S.) and 700 of his men, today attack and kill 148 Indians, mostly women, and children with 9 (U.S.) soldiers killed, and then they burn the village. Wednesday, November 30, 1864 : General Hood (CSA) determined not to let Schofield (U.S.) reach the safety of Nashville, continues in his attempt to defeat the Union force now at Franklin, Tennessee. Both armies numbered 23,000 men. The Battle of Franklin produces, what was to be known as the “Pickett's Charge of the West,” with some of the most

severe hand-to-hand fighting during this four year long war. The Rebel lines moved forward in nearly perfect unison, the last great charge of the war. The North lost a total of 2,326 men, but the battle cost Hood’s army dearly – 6,252 men were lost, including six generals killed with another five were wounded, one more captured. The Union army, commanded by General Schofield, moves on to Nashville, while Hood’s men had to remain on the land in increasingly poor weather. German immigrant, Johann Albert Lotz's house was at "ground zero" during the battle at Franklin, Tennessee. The home, although partly destroyed by cannon fire, still stands, today. The Lotz family took shelter just down the street, in a neighbor's cellar at the Carter

House. Finally, after 17 hours of battle, the family returned to their home. They were horrified, to see the bodies of dead soldiers, six feet deep between the Carter House and their own. There were 17 dead horses in his small front yard, and so many dead soldiers, that their bodies had no place to fall. The Lotz House serves as a hospital for the wounded soldiers on both sides, until the following summer. Thursday, December 1, 1864 : Now in Nashville, Tennessee,

Major General John M. Schofield (U.S.) unites his forces with the well entrenched Major General George Thomas (U.S.) now, the combined forces of approximately 55,000 men are against the pursuing Lieut. General John B. Hood, (CSA) and what is left of the Confederate Army of Tennessee, and they are not that far behind. Meanwhile, at Millen’s (or Shady) Grove, Georgia, Major General William T. Sherman (U.S.) had completed more than half of his “March to the Sea” to Savannah, facing little Confederate resistance along the way. Friday, December 2, 1864 : Subordinates in Nashville are ordered by Washington to confront and defeat Hood’s Army of the Tennessee (CSA). However, very poor weather hinders both armies. Hood sends the 3 brigades of William B. Bate’s Division of Cheatham’s Corps (CSA) to attack the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad between Nashville and Murfreesboro as well as the Federal garrison in Murfreesboro. Hood approaches and digs in on the Union’s southern defensive lines around Nashville.