Chronological History of the American Civil War

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union attack would be too costly for Sherman’s army (U.S.), so day 2 of this siege continues. With everything destroyed in Sherman’s rear, there was no need to turn back for supplies, what he needs is another victory, and the fresh supplies, on Union ships waiting to come into the harbor. Major General William T. Sherman (U.S.) begins to rebuild the 1,000 foot bridge over the Ogeechee River to Fort McAllister, which was destroyed by the Confederates.

Monday, December, 12, 1864 : Communications are established between General William T. Sherman’s (U.S.) and the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, under the command of Rear-Admiral Dahlgren off the coast at Savannah, Georgia. Sherman has now truly reached the sea. Major General George H. Thomas (U.S.) (pictured) prepares to attack Lieut. General John B. Hood (CSA) outside Nashville, as soon as the ice and sleet melt. Fighting breaks out at Big Creek, near Rogersville, Tennessee. Tuesday, December 13, 1864 : The Confederate Bureau of Conscription today, issues General Circular No. 36, which authorizes

the impressment of free Negroes and slaves into the Confederate Army. Florida’s quota of such impressments was fixed at 500. In a further blow to the defenders of Savannah, Sherman’s men established a route to the sea, that would allow the Union Navy to supply his army. Fort McAllister (CSA) near Savannah, was one of Sherman’s last obstacles in securing Savannah. 4,000 Union soldiers storm the fort, held by only 230 Confederates, and in a short 15 minutes it was captured. Some of the 134 Union casualties were caused by torpedoes, a name for crude landmines that were used only rarely in the war. Now with Sherman’s supply line open, he could now prepare for the siege and capture of Savannah, a goal, he hopes to achieve by Christmas. General Grant disappointed with General Thomas (U.S.) lack of performance in Nashville, decides to replace him with Major-General John Logan (U.S.). Wednesday, December 14, 1864 : At Kingsport, Tennessee, Brig. General Basil W. Duke (CSA) commanding the remnants of the late Brig. General John Hunt Morgan’s Confederate forces, is defeated and 300 Rebels are captured by Major General George Stoneman’s (U.S.) soldiers. General Stoneman after being captured at Macon a few months earlier, was exchanged relatively quickly based on the personal request of Sherman to the Confederates, and he was returned to duty. Grant orders General Logan in Nashville to relieve General Thomas. That night in Nashville, General Thomas (U.S.) informs Major General Henry W. Halleck (U.S.) acting as Major General Ulysses S. Grant’s chief of staff, that he would attack the next day. Thomas planned to strike both of Hood’s flanks. In Missouri, at Cypress Swamp, near Cape Girardeau, Federals kill 3 guerrilla fighters. Southern hopes for a Confederate - controlled Missouri are plummeting and William Quantrill and his guerrilla band face imminent destruction. Fearing capture and execution, Quantrill gathers in about 40 bushwhackers and heads east. U.S. Naval forces begins an attack, on Confederate Forts Rosedew and Beaulieu on the Vernon River, in Georgia. The shelling of these forts, will last about a week, before they finally decide to surrender. Thursday, December 15, 1864 : In Tennessee, more than 50,000 Yankees, face a Rebel force that now totals less than 20,000 Confederates. Once the weather clears Major-General John Logan (U.S.) orders General Thomas (U.S.) to attack Hood’s army at Nashville. The only thing that saves Hood was the shortened winter’s day. Other than failing to finish off Hood’s army, the attack was an overwhelming success with 1,000 men taken prisoner.