American Civil War Game Club (ACWGC)

May 15, 1864 Sunday
Every spring at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) at Lexington, Virginia an impressive, solemn review is held in honor of the cadets who fell in the Battle of New Market ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_New_Market and http://www.civilwarhome.com/newmarke.htm ). Threatened in the Shenandoah Valley from the north by Franz Sigel’s Federal advance, Maj Gen Breckinridge had gathered in everyone he could find, including 247 students from VMI. The Federal line lay across the Valley Pike and toward the north fork of the Shenandoah River. Breckinridge attacked, and by late morning Sigel was falling back. After trying futilely to hold, Sigel retreated to Strasburg. From about 5500 troops, Federals suffered 93 killed, 482 wounded, and 256 missing for 831 casualties; Confederates had 42 killed, 522 wounded, and 13 missing for 577 from about 5000, though as usual figures are in dispute. Of the VMI contingent 10 were killed and 47 wounded. The sharp defeat proved somewhat humiliating for the Federals; the pressure eased momentarily in the Shenandoah Valley. The courage of the cadets has made New Market a legend, though they were a small part of the victorious Southern force.

In front of Resaca, Georgia Hood’s reinforced Confederate corps advanced; Hooker’s Federal corps advanced. They met in battle and Hood’s men were driven back. Fighting raged all along the line and at Lay’s Ferry on the Oostenaula River south of Resaca. Sherman sent out cavalry and an infantry division, planning to make a flanking movement south of the Oostenaula. Johnston’s Resaca position was too strong for direct attack. However, realizing the danger of being flanked with the river at his back, the Confederate general withdrew from Resaca during the night. His troops burned the railroad bridge over the Oostenaula and headed toward Calhoun and Adairsville (http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/re ... 14-15.html and http://resacabattlefield.org/FoRstart.html ). There was also skirmishing near Rome and at Armuchee Creek, Georgia.

In the Spotsylvania area the only fighting was a skirmish at Piney Branch Church. However, the Federals were changing their positions and reestablishing their main lines. The whole battle front moved more to the east and south of Spotsylvania; tactical maneuver temporarily replaced the fighting. Sheridan’s cavalry, frustrated in its efforts to reach Butler’s troops, recuperated at Haxall’s Landing on the James River. At Drewry’s Bluff Butler planned an attack but was occupied with arranging his defensive lines. Telegraph wire was strung on stumps, one of the first uses of wire entanglements in Virginia, although it had been previously at Knoxville.

Shelby’s Confederates skirmished near Dardanelle, Arkansas; in West Virginia Federals scouted from Beverly into Pocahontas, Webster, and Braxton counties. Confederates attacked Mount Pleasant Landing, Louisiana; and skirmishes occurred at Centre Star, Alabama; and Avoyelles or Marksville Prairie, on the Red River, in Louisiana.

President Davis called to Virginia all troops he could from South Carolina, Georgia, and part of Florida. The President was particularly concerned by the threat to Drewry’s Bluff. He warned Gen Lee not to expose himself to the enemy for “The country could not bear the loss of you….” In Washington President Lincoln seemed confident after hearing news from the fronts.

U.S.S. Kansas, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Pendleton G. Watmough, captured blockade running British steamer Tristram Shandy at sea east of Fort Fisher with cargo of cotton, tobacco, and turpentine.

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Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

May 16, 1864 Monday
At Drewry’s Bluff and the Fort Darling area on the James River, Beauregard’s ten Confederate brigades attacked in the dense fog of early morning. The Federal right under W.F. Smith was badly hurt, but Union troops held in the center. Heavy fighting on the Federal left under Q.A. Gillmore was indecisive, but Smith and Butler thought they had to withdraw the Union forces due to the danger on the right. Some of Beauregard’s hastily gathered army did not get under way in time to press the Federals. Furthermore, the Southern force expected to come up in the Federal rear from Petersburg never arrived. Butler pulled back in the rain toward Bermuda Hundred, beaten in his attempt to take Petersburg and possibly Richmond. Ineptness in top Union command was never evident than in this campaign. Drewry’s Bluff or Fort Darling ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_ ... %27s_Creek and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bermuda_Hundred_Campaign ) could have been disastrous to the entire state of Virginia and possibly Lee’s army as well. Over 16,000 Federals faced some 18,000 Confederates. There were 390 Union soldiers dead, 2380 wounded, and 1390 missing for 4160 total; 355 Confederates were killed, 1941 wounded, and 210 missing for 2506.

Elsewhere there was more action than usual – an action at Big Bushes near Smoky Hill, Kansas; skirmishing at Dry Wood Creek, Missouri; and an Indian affair at Spirit Lake, Minnesota; an engagement at Mansura, Belle Prairie or Smith’s Plantation, Louisiana on the Red River; a skirmish on the Ashepoo River, South Carolina; and a skirmish at Pond Creek in Pike County, Kentucky. In addition, Federal expeditions operated from Patterson to Bloomfield and Pilot Knob, Missouri; and from Fort Craig, New Mexico Territory to Fort Goodwin, Arizona Territory against Indians. Union naval vessels dueled with enemy shore batteries on the Mississippi River near Ratliff’s Landing, Mississippi, part of the continuing small war on the river.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

May 17, 1864 Tuesday
Pulling back southeastward toward Atlanta from Calhoun, Johnston set up his lines briefly at Adairsville, Georgia followed up by Sherman. The Federal Army of the Cumberland under Thomas was in Johnston’s front and Schofield and McPherson were moving around both flanks. Again Johnston ordered a withdrawal during the night; two corps went to Cassville and one toward Kingston (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Adairsville ). Skirmishing broke out at Adairsville with action also at Rome, Georgia. An affair occurred at Madison Station, Alabama.

The Spotsylvania front in Virginia remained relatively quiet except for some shifting of positions. To the south Butler’s Army of the James withdrew completely from the Drewry’s Bluff area, pushed by Beauregard. By this day the Army of the James was around Bermuda Hundred, again prevented from threatening Petersburg by geography, by Beauregard’s army, and by its own ineffectiveness. Butler was pinned between the James River on the north, the Appomattox River on the south, and the Confederates in front. Some likened his position to “being corked in a bottle.” A dangerous threat to Richmond had been stopped.

In Arkansas Shelby’s Confederate raiders captured Dardanelle and in Louisiana skirmishing flared at Yellow Bayou and an action took place at Moreauville. In Virginia Sheridan’s cavalry had left Haxall’s Landing on the James River and headed north again, endeavoring to get back to Grant’s army.

The Federal Congress passed measures setting up what became the postal money order system. President Lincoln prepares order for draft of 300,000 men, "to increase the active and reserved force of the Army, Navy, & Marine Corps of the United States." [Order seems not to have been issued.]

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

May 18, 1864 Wednesday
Sherman’s armies in Georgia, still on the march ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta_Campaign ), followed Johnston’s withdrawing forces through Adairsville and toward Kingston. By evening, Schofield, Thomas, and McPherson converged on the Confederates in the Cassville-Kingston area and fighting broke out near Cassville, near Kingston, and at Pine Log Creek.

The several days of comparative quiet around Spotsylvania Court Hour, Virginia ended. The corps of Hancock and Wright led a dawn assault on Lee’s left, mainly against Ewell’s troops fighting from behind stanch new entrenchments. The Federals charged several times without success. Gen Meade ordered the futile drive abandoned. Farther to the Federal left, Burnside also attacked and failed. During the night further shifts went on in the Federal lines. Grant, deciding the enemy was too strong to be defeated in his present position, once more started sidling toward his own left to attempt to get around Lee’s right flank.

Farther south Beauregard was completing his investment of Butler’s Army of the James at Bermuda Hundred. Fighting occurred at Foster’s Plantation and near City Point. Sheridan’s cavalry made its way back toward the Army of the Potomac from its resting places on the north side of the James River.

In Alabama skirmishing broke out at Fletcher’s Ferry and in Kentucky in Pike County and along the Wolf River. In the Red River country an engagement occurred at Yellow Bayou, also known as Bayou De Glaize, Norwood’s Plantation, or Old Oaks, Louisiana. Other fighting included a skirmish at Clarksville and an affair near Searcy, Arkansas. For several days Federals scouted near Neosho and Carthage in Missouri.

President Davis expressed his disappointment to Gen Johnston over the withdrawal in Georgia. The New York World and Journal of Commerce published a spurious proclamation from President Lincoln calling for 300,000 more troops. The President believed it wicked and traitorous and ordered the arrest of the editors, proprietors, and publishers and the occupation of the offices by troops. However, the newsmen were released soon and the papers resumed publication; the editors claimed a fraud had been perpetrated upon them by a stock manipulator.

Joseph Brevard Kershaw, CSA, was appointed to Major General and John McCausland, CSA, to Brigadier General.

After encountering many difficulties and setbacks Admiral Buchanan succeeded in floating the formidable Confederate ram Tennessee over Dog River Bar and out into Mobile Bay. With Rear Admiral Farragut's fleet forming outside the bay, the stage was now being set for one of the most dramatic and decisive naval battles of the War.

C.S.S. Florida, commanded by Lieutenant Morris, captured and burned schooner George Latimer of Baltimore, with cargo of flour, lard, bread, and kerosene.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

May 19, 1864 Thursday
News of war and politics was temporarily eclipsed – Nathaniel Hawthorne died in his sleep at Plymouth, New Hampshire the night of May 18-19. One of the great New England school of writers, the sixty-year-old Hawthorne was recognized and honored as a classic American author.

Gen Lee ordered Ewell’s corps on the left of his line at Spotsylvania, Virginia to make a demonstration to determine whether Grant was once more moving to the Confederate right. Fairly severe fighting resulted, and action continued until late evening, when Ewell pulled back. But Lee was right; Grant was swinging to the east and south again, heading now for the Po River.

For the series of battles known as Spotsylvania, the Federal casualties are put at around 17,500 out of about 110,000 men engaged. The Confederates had probably over 50,000 engaged, but total losses are not reliably recorded. For the combined campaign of Wilderness and Spotsylvania, Federal losses had come to over 33,000 men, a frightful toll even though Confederate losses, much lower, could not be as readily rectified, as their total numbers were so many fewer. Maneuvers in the area continued for two more days but the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House was over.

From his position near Cassville, Georgia Gen Johnston ordered an attack on the separated units of Sherman’s army. Hood was to make the main effort, but instead of attacking he fell back on the defensive after apparently erroneous rumors of Federals on his flank and rear. Johnston had to take up a defensive position south and east of Cassville. Sherman pushed nearer; artillery opened fire. In the evening two of Johnston’s three corps commanders, Hood and Polk, felt the position could not be held, while Hardee was opposed to falling back. Johnston reluctantly yielded to retreat. The Confederates retired through Cartersville to the Etowah River and crossed on the twentieth. Dissension was again causing trouble among the generals of Johnston’s forces in the West. Sherman, on the other hand, wanted to fight before Johnston crossed the Etowah. Also in Georgia, skirmishing took place at Mill Springs Gap.

The tag end of the Red River Campaign occurred as the Federal army crossed the Atchafalaya River on their retreat from Alexandria. Fayetteville, Arkansas saw a skirmish; Shelby’s Confederate cavalry operated near Norristown, Arkansas. In Florida, May 19-27, there was small fights and other operations by both sides on the St John’s River. Union forces reached Meadow Bluff, West Virginia in their raid on the railroads of far southwestern Virginia. There was a skirmish at Dandridge, Tennessee. At Fort Sumter the guns fired on Federal small boats off the southwestern angle.

President Davis told Lee of Beauregard’s success in driving back Butler’s forces and told Lee to use his own discretion about the future. The following appointments were made to Brigadier General: Clement Anselm Evans, CSA; Martin Witherspoon Gary, CSA; Bryan Grimes, CSA; and William Terry, CSA.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

May 20, 1864 Friday
It was a day of movement in Georgia and in Virginia. Gen Joseph E. Johnston left Cassville and pulled back through Cartersville, Georgia across the Etowah River to a strong position at Allatoona Pass. Sherman must now revise his future maneuvers. Federal troops of Schofield’s army moved into Cartersville after a skirmish at the Etowah. Other fighting occurred around Cartersville and at Allatoona Mills.

In Virginia Grant issued orders for Meade’s Army of the Potomac to move by its left and then cross the Mattapony River. During the night of May 20-21, Hancock’s corps led the way, going to Guiney’s Station. Lee with the Army of Northern Virginia was not blinded by the large movements and prepared to pull his army out to the south to block Grant once more. To the south side of the James River a skirmish flared at Ware Bottom Church, not far from Bermuda Hundred, where Beauregard was effectively blocking Butler’s Federals.

Other action occurred at Lamar, Missouri; Greenbrier River, West Virginia; Mayfield, Kentucky; Greenville, Mississippi; and Stony Point, Arkansas.

President Lincoln ordered that no person engaged in trade in accordance with the treasury regulations should be hindered or delayed by the Army or Navy. It was part of the continuing difficulties regarding trade in occupied territory or with the enemy.

President Davis wrote Lee in detail about other fronts, but left movements in Virginia up to Lee.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

May 21, 1864 Saturday
Grant’s army in Virginia was shifting en masse to the east and south toward and around Guiney’s Station following Hancock’s advance. Lee made some preliminary shifts to counter whatever Grant might be doing. Lee planned to withdraw to the North Anna River and so ordered late in the day. Combats broke out at Guiney’s Station and at Stanard’s Mill. South of the James River a skirmish took place at Fort Powhatan but things quieted down on the front near Petersburg. Maj Gen David Hunter ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Hunter ) took over for Maj Gen Franz Sigel in the Union Department of West Virginia, following Sigel’s failure in recent Shenandoah Valley actions.

Elsewhere, a detachment from the Army of the Tennessee that had been on Banks’ Red River Campaign headed back to Vicksburg. There were three days of demonstrations on James Island near Charleston; an affair on the Blue River in Missouri; skirmishing at Pine Bluff in Arkansas; and a skirmish at Newtown, Virginia. Sheridan and his cavalry, coming north from the James River, arrived at White House en route back to Grant.

Sherman regrouped, repairing bridges and getting a brief breathing spell in the Cassville-Kingston-Cartersville area. Johnston was in position around Allatoona Pass.

President Lincoln urged Western state governors to continue sending forward hundred-day troops to “sustain Gen. Sherman’s lengthening lines….” Bushrod Rust Johnson, CSA, was appointed to Major General.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

May 22, 1864 Sunday
There was a race on in Virginia – Grant versus Lee, Grant was moving south from Guiney’s Station toward the North Anna River. Lee was moving south a few miles to the west. In the morning two corps of his troops came into Hanover Junction, beating Grant into position and staying in front of him, but much nearer to Richmond. Grant ordered the Federal army to press on the next day.

Sherman was ready to move again and in the evening cavalry engaged at Cassville. Orders were issued to the bulk of the Federal army to head toward Dallas, Georgia thus going around Johnston’s left flank, posted in the Allatoona area near the vital Chattanooga-Atlanta railroad.

Otherwise it was a quiet day with an affair near Devall’s Bluff, Arkansas; a skirmish at Front Royal, Virginia; and another near Mount Pleasant, Mississippi. U.S.S. Stingaree was taken by Confederates off Brazos, Texas and then recaptured.

U.S.S. Kineo, commanded by Lieutenant Commander John Waters, seized blockade running British schooner Sting Ray off Velasco, Texas. However, the prize crew put on board the schooner was overwhelmed by the original crew. The schooner was grounded on the Texas coast, where the Union sailors were turned over to the custody of Confederate troops.

U.S.S. Crusader, commanded by Lieutenant Peter Hays, captured schooner Isaac L. Adkins at the mouth of the Severn River, Maryland, with cargo of corn and oats.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

May 23, 1864 Monday
General Lee was ready ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_North_Anna ), south of the North Anna River between Hanover Junction and the stream. His army formed a line with an apex, a strong position, and ahead of Grant. But Grant moved, too. Late in the afternoon Warren’s Fifth Corps crossed the North Anna. A.P. Hill hit Warren near Jericho Mills about 6 P.M., gaining some, but finally being stopped by the Federals. Wright’s Sixth Corps began crossing the North Anna to Warren’s aid, arriving the morning of the twenty-fourth. Farther east Hancock’s Second Corps pushed Confederates out of positions near Old Chesterfield on the north side of the North Anna. Lee now had an opportunity to attack a divided Federal Army of the Potomac, but due to his own illness and other factors, he was unable to take advantage of it.

In Georgia Sherman’s entire army headed toward Dallas from the Cassville area, once again trying to turn Johnston’s left flank, and crossed the Etowah River. Johnston tried to determine Sherman’s action from his contracted lines around Allatoona Pass.

Minor action in Georgia was recorded at Stilesborough. Elsewhere, fighting was limited to a skirmish at Grouse Creek, California in the Humboldt River operations against Indians; and a three-day Federal scout from Warrensburg, Missouri.

U.S.S. Columbine, commanded by Acting Ensign Sanborn, was captured after a heated engagement with Confederate batteries and riflemen at Horse Landing, near Palatka, Florida. Columbine, a 130-ton side-wheeler operating in support of Union Army forces and with soldiers embarked, lost steering control and ran onto a mud bank, where she was riddled by the accurate Confederate fire. With some 20 men killed and wounded, Sanborn surrendered "to prevent the further useless expenditure of human life." Shortly after taking the prize, the Southerners destroyed her to avoid recapture by U.S.S. Ottawa, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Breese. Ottawa, cooperating with the Army in the same operation, had also been fired upon the night before and suffered damage but no casualties before compelling the Confederate battery at Brown's Landing to withdraw. Rear Admiral Dahlgren wrote: "The loss of the Columbine will be felt most inconveniently; her draft was only 5 or 6 feet, and having only two such steamers, the services of which are needed elsewhere, can not replace her."

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

May 24, 1864 Tuesday
Grant continued to move across the North Anna River. Wright’s Sixth Corps moved in on the right to aid Warren’s Fifth Corps, while farther east Hancock’s Second Corps crossed at the Chesterfield Bridge. One of Burnside’s Ninth Corps divisions crossed. The Army of the Potomac, however, was in effect divided into three parts due to the bend in the river and Lee’s apex-shaped line. Wright and Warren were on the right, Hancock on the left, and Lee in between. Most of Burnside’s men were north of the river. However, the long-absent cavalry force of Sheridan, after its raid to the James River, rejoined Grant. A brief fight broke out at Ox Ford, but Lee held his strong position.

Sherman pressed on from the Etowah River toward Dallas. Skirmishing took place at Cass Station, Cassville, Burnt Hickory or Huntsville, and near Dallas, Georgia. Much of the action involved Wheeler’s Confederate cavalry against Federal wagons in Sherman’s rear. Johnston, at Allatoona, realized Sherman’s intent and ordered his army toward Dallas by way of New Hope Church, to attempt to get in front of Sherman once more. But the New Hope-Dallas area was closer than ever to Atlanta, albeit Sherman was now quite a ways from his vital railroad supply line, and Johnston’s lines of communication were ever contracting.

Lesser action increased, with skirmishing near Nashville, Tennessee; at Holly Springs, Mississippi; near Little Rock, Arkansas; near Morganza, Louisiana; at Wilson’s Wharf, Virginia; and near Charles Town and Lewisburg, West Virginia. Confederate raiders under Col Colton Greene ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colton_Greene ) operated on the west bank of the Mississippi River until June 4, engaging Federal steamers, harassing river shipping, and capturing two Northern vessels.

Stephen Elliott, Jr., CSA, and Brickett Davenport Fry, CSA, were appointed to Brigadier General.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

May 25, 1864 Wednesday
The Federal right south of the North Anna River moved forward only slightly, for Grant realized that Lee’s position was too strong for further offensive action. The operations on the North Anna were a frustrated Federal advance, ably held off by the Confederates despite Lee’s illness. Total Union losses were 425; Confederate casualties are not clear.

Around New Hope Church, Georgia a little over twenty-five miles northeast of Atlanta, Johnston had his army in position, Hardee on the left, Polk in the center, and Hood on the right. Sherman still advanced, with Schofield on the left, Thomas in the center, and McPherson on the right. Hooker’s corps found Hood’s men along Pumpkin Vine Creek. Hooker drove toward New Hope Church but Confederates repulsed several attacks in a fierce thunderstorm. Casualties were high. Sherman’s forward side-slide ground to a halt ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_New_Hope_Church ).

Raiders were active: Colton Greene’s Confederates from the shore engaged U.S.S. Curlew on the Mississippi River and captured U.S.S. Lebanon. Shelby’s men skirmished with Federals at Buck Horn, Arkansas. Elsewhere, fighting occurred at Cripple Creek, Woodbury Pike, Tennessee; Camp Finegan, and Jackson’s Bridge near Pensacola, Florida. The crew of a small boat failed to destroy C.S.S. Albemarle near Plymouth, North Carolina. A joint Federal army-navy expedition up the Ashepoo and South Edisto rivers, South Carolina did not succeed in breaking the Charleston-Savannah Railroad.

May 25-Jul 12 a Federal expedition operated from Fort Wingate, New Mexico Territory to the Gila and San Carlos rivers, Arizona Territory.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

May 26, 1864 Thursday
As darkness fell, Grant and Meade began withdrawing the Army of the Potomac across the North Anna River. The army would then cross the Pamunkey River and head toward Hanovertown, far around Lee’s right. Sheridan’s cavalry preceded the infantry. Hanovertown was about eighteen miles southeast of Lee’s apex. Once more Lee had halted Grant, but Grant continued the strategic offensive.

Farther west, in the Shenandoah Valley, the new Federal commander, David Hunter, headed from Strasburg and Cedar Creek toward Staunton, Virginia. Hunter had about 16,000 men and was opposed by W.E. “Grumble” Jones ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_E._Jones ) (who had replaced Breckinridge) with about 8,500 men.

McPherson, on the right of Sherman’s Georgia advance, moved forward and reached Dallas early in the day. Schofield also moved up to the general area of New Hope Church – Dallas. As Sherman’s entire army pushed slowly forward, skirmishing was quite heavy. By evening the two armies were very close to each other and entrenched. The character of the Atlanta Campaign now changed from mainly a campaign of movement and occasional fighting, to a war of entrenchments on both sides. The actions were known as “about Dallas” and Burned Church, Georgia.

Cavalry engagements occurred at Decatur and Moulton, Alabama. In the Mississippi Valley an affair took place on Lane’s Prairie, Maries County, Missouri. In South Carolina on the Ashepoo River, U.S. transport Boston was destroyed by her crew at Chapman’s Fort, after being grounded and under Confederate fire. Maj Gen John G. Foster ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_G._Foster ) assumed command of the Federal Department of the South. Montana Territory was formally created largely from Dakota Territory in the continued development of the Federal West.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

May 27, 1864 Friday
Sheridan’s Federal cavalry occupied Hanovertown, Virginia south of the Pamunkey River, with little opposition. Meanwhile, the infantry corps continued their march from the North Anna River to the Pamunkey. Fighting, mainly by cavalry, erupted at Hanover Junction, Sexton’s Station, Mount Carmel Church, Dabney’s Ferry, Hanovertown, Little River, Pole Cat Creek, and Salem Church. Learning of Grant’s advance, Lee also began moving back on his shorter lines from his position near Hanover Junction, heading south and then eastward.

On the New Hope Church – Dallas line in Georgia there was some shifting of positions and rather heavy fighting, especially near Mount Zion Church. Howard’s corps attacked at Pickett’s Mills ( http://www.aboutnorthgeorgia.com/ang/Ba ... t%27s_Mill ) northeast of New Hope Church and was repulsed with fairly heavy losses in the difficult and heavily wooded country.

Other fighting broke out at Pond Springs, Alabama; Greenville, Mississippi; Cassville, Georgia; Shanghai, Missouri; and at Thomas’ House on the Trinity River, California. Confederate Gen Shelby ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_O._Shelby ) assumed command of Southern troops north of the Arkansas River. The Federal Department of the Missouri is merged into the Federal Military Division of West Mississippi.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

May 28, 1864 Saturday
Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia, hurrying from the North Anna River, arrived north of the Chickahominy River and Mechanicsville. Then moving southeast toward Cold Harbor, Lee again got in front of Grant’s army, which was crossing the Pamunkey River near Hanovertown. Fighting, mainly between cavalry forces, occurred at Aenon Church, Jones’ Farm, Crump’s Creek, and Haw’s Shop, as well as along the Totopotomoy River. Although Lee was in front of Grant, both he and President Davis had cause for concern. Davis told Lee that Beauregard, south of Richmond, was strengthening his defenses but was outnumbered at least two to one.

In Georgia Johnston, hoping to disrupt Federal plans for a shift to the left, ordered Hardee to make a reconnaissance in force against McPherson near Dallas. In a sharp contest, the Confederates suffered heavily and pulled back.

In Missouri Confederates sacked Lamar and skirmishes broke out at Warrensburg and Pleasant Hill. Action flared near Little Rock and at Washington, Arkansas and at Pest House opposite Port Hudson, Louisiana. A skirmish took place near Jacksonville, Florida and fighting continued at Big Flat, California during the Humboldt operations.

After a six-hour chase, U.S.S. Admiral, commanded by Lieutenant William B. Eaton, captured blockade running steamer Isabel, south of Galveston, Texas, with a cargo of powder and arms. Eaton commented in his report that "She was ably handled, and her commander evinced the most desperate courage, not surrendering until two broadsides at close quarters had been poured into him, and our Marines pouring in such an incessant fire of musketry that not a man could remain on deck, and not until then did the captain of her show a light as a signal of submission." Isabel, a highly successful blockade runner which was reported to have made more than 20 trips through the blockade at Mobile and Galveston, was severely damaged, and despite Eaton's efforts to save her, sank at Quarantine Station on the Mississippi River on 2 June.

U.S.S. Ariel, commanded by Acting Master James J. Russell, captured sloop General Finegan north of Chassahowitzka Bay, Florida. The blockade runner's crew attempted to set her afire, but Ariel saved the cargo of cotton and turpentine and then destroyed General Finegan as unseaworthy.

Far from the scene of the American Civil War, Maximilian of Hapsburg landed at Vera Cruz to take the throne of Mexico, backed by Napoleon III of France and opposed by Mexican leader Benito Juarez.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

May 29, 1864 Sunday
The Army of the Potomac marched toward Richmond south of the Pamunkey River, meeting little opposition. But Lee, a bit farther on, was preparing his lines. In Georgia there was mostly shifting of positions and more sharp skirmishing. At night Johnston opened up his artillery and outposts were pushed near McPherson’s works. The lines were close everywhere and irregular fire commonplace these days in the Georgia woodlands; commonplace, too, were the mounting casualties, not part of a big battle, but the inevitable attrition of a big campaign. Major General Jubal A. Early ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jubal_Early ), CSA, is assigned command of the 2nd Army Corps ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_S._Ewell ), Confederate Army of Northern Virginia.

Elsewhere on the war fronts there were skirmishes on Bayou Fordoche Road, Louisiana; at Hamlin, West Virginia; Middleburg and Newtown, Virginia; Moulton, Alabama; Yazoo River, Mississippi; and guerrilla depredations at Winchester, Tennessee. Confederates captured a Federal wagon train at Salem, Arkansas. U.S.S. Cowslip, commanded by Acting Ensign Richard Canfield, captured sloop Last Push off the coast of Mississippi with cargo of corn.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00