Issue 23, summer 2014

THE SESQUICENTENNIAL COMMEMORATION

In June, July and August of 1864, with less than ten months left in the War, fierce and deadly battles continued. There were a myriad of “smaller” engagements throughout the South as well as the major conflicts at Cold Harbor, Atlanta and the Marietta Operations, Kennesaw Mountain and the slaughter at Petersburg. One bright spot for Confederate Prisoners the South was Forrest’s performance at

Brice’s Crossroads but one inspired victory Prisoner exchange had virtually ceased and could not offset the continued critical loss of this further added to the Southern woes. As men and materiel by the Confederacy. we now know the lack of exchange also Sherman had designs on Atlanta and Grant created places like Andersonville. wanted to attack Richmond and the armies of the South were dwindling. It was a time of The summaries of the summer Battles begin crisis but Lee, Johnson, Hood and the others on the next page. fought on.

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The Summer Battles

Grant continued his Overland Campaign and Accepting his loss and abandoning the well- on May 31 the bloody Battle of Cold Harbor defended approaches to Richmond, Grant began. This included the Cavalry engagement sought to shift his army quickly south of the at Trevilian Station and a concluding battle river to threaten Petersburg. known as Saint Mary’s Church. Summaries of these three combats follow.

Cold Harbor

Location: Hanover County VA Campaign: Grant’s Overland Campaign (May-June 1864) Dates: May 31-June 12, 1864 Principal Commanders: Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and Maj. Gen. George G. Meade [US]; Gen. Robert E. Lee [CS] Artist Concept of Cold Harbor Battle Forces Engaged: 170,000 total (US 108,000; CS 62,000) Estimated Casualties: 15,500 total (US 13,000; CS 2,500) Description: On May 31, Sheridan’s cavalry seized the vital crossroads of Old Cold Harbor. Early on June 1, relying heavily on their new repeating carbines and shallow entrenchments, Sheridan’s troopers threw back an attack by Confederate infantry. Confederate reinforcements arrived from Richmond and from the Totopotomoy Creek lines. Late on June 1, the Union VI and XVIII Cold Harbor Battle Lines Corps reached Cold Harbor and assaulted the Confederate works with some success. By June 2, both armies were on the field, forming on a seven-mile front that extended from Bethesda Church to the Chickahominy River. At dawn June 3, the II and XVIII Corps, followed later by the IX Corps, assaulted along the Bethesda Church-Cold Harbor line and were slaughtered at all points. Grant commented in his memoirs that this was the only attack he wished he had never ordered. The armies confronted each other on these lines until the night of June 12, Recovering Bodies at Cold Harbor when Grant again advanced by his left flank, marching to the James River. On June 14, the II Corps was ferried across the river at Wilcox’s Landing by transports. On June 15, the rest of the army began crossing on a 2,200-foot long pontoon bridge at Weyanoke.

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Trevilian Station Saint Mary’s Church

Location: Gordonsville VA Location: Charles City VA Campaign: Grant’s Overland Campaign Campaign: Grant’s Overland Campaign (May-June 1864) (May-June 1864) Dates: June 11-12 1864 Date: June 24, 1864 The Battle of Trevilian Station was the Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. Philip largest all-cavalry battle of the Civil War. In Sheridan [US]; Maj. Gen. Wade Hampton June 1864, Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant ordered [CS] Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan to make a raid Forces Engaged: Divisions along the Virginia Central Railroad, destroy Estimated Casualties: 630 total the road at the crucial junction town of Description: On June 24, Maj. Gen. Wade Gordonsville, and then march to Hampton’s cavalry attempted to cut off Charlottesville, destroy the supply depot Sheridan’s cavalry returning from their raid there, and rendezvous with the army of Maj. to Trevilian Station. Sheridan fought a Gen. David Hunter. The combined force delaying action to protect a long supply train would then march east, where it would join under his protection, then rejoined the Union the Army of the Potomac at Petersburg. army at Bermuda Hundred. Sheridan marched on June 7, taking two divisions of cavalry and four batteries of horse artillery, about 9,000 men. Maj. Gen. Wade Hampton, leading two divisions of Confederate cavalry pursued the next day, and by utilizing shorter, interior routes of march, Hampton, along with the division of Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, got across Sheridan's route of march at Trevilian Station, a stop on the Virginia Central six miles west of Louisa and six miles southeast of Gordonsville, on June 10. The battle, ranging over 7,000 acres, raged for two days. Saint Mary’s Church

This ended Grant’s Overland Campaign and Union forces withdrew to regroup and resupply before the upcoming Richmond- Battle of Trevilian Station Petersburg Campaign.

In the meantime Sherman had initiated his attempts to attack, surround and capture Atlanta. He and Joe Johnson were now beginning their cat and mouse game of seeing who could trap who! General Johnson was relieved by John Bell Hood during this time and Sherman changed some of his plans because of that but continued his overall Battlefield Marker strategy. The map on the following page indicates the location of the many battle sites in the Atlanta Campaign.

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The Atlanta Campaign Marietta Operations

Operations in the Atlanta Campaign began in The Battle of Marietta was a series of military May of 1864 and lasted through September. operations from June 9 through July 3, 1864, The summer battles are covered in this issue in Cobb County, Georgia. The Union forces, of the newsletter. From June 10 until July 4 led by Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh there were continuous battles and skirmishes Sherman, encountered the Confederate Army in and around Marietta. Battle lines would be of Tennessee, led by Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, formed by the Confederates only to be entrenched near Marietta, Georgia. A series broken or circumvented by Union troops and of engagements were fought during this four- vice-versa. The battle field was unstable as week period, including the battles of Brushy each Commander tried to outwit the other. Mountain, Pine Mountain, Gilgal Church, Not a lot of detail is available for some of Lost Mountain, Mcafee’s Cross Roads, Mud these engagements simply because of the Creek, Neal Dow Station, Noonday Creek, continually fluctuating state of the Battlefield. Pine Knob, Rottenwood Creek, Ruff’s Mill, Kolb's Farm and Kennesaw Mountain.

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Battle Summaries: On June 15th, the Federal 23th Corps Forces Engaged: Military Division of the struck Hardees line at Pine Knob. The Mississippi [US]; Army of Tennessee [CS] attack did not succeed in driving the confederates from their main Description: During the Atlanta Campaign, entrenchments, but they did force the instead of frontally attacking Johnston’s confederate skirmishers to fall back and army which would cause too many casualties, allowed the Federal troop to gain a Sherman usually attempted to maneuver the foothold near the Confederate lines. enemy out of defensive positions. Thus, when During the night of the 15th Hardee pulled Sherman first found Johnston entrenched in back to Mud Creek. the Marietta area on June 9, he began extending his lines beyond the Confederate lines, causing some Rebel withdrawal to new positions. On June 18-19, Johnston withdrew to an arc-shaped position centered on Kennesaw Mountain. Sherman made some unsuccessful attacks on this position but eventually extended the line on his right and forced Johnston to withdraw from the Marietta area on July 2-3.

From 4 June to 18 June 1864, the Confederates occupied a 10-mile long line from Lost Mountain to Brushy Mountain. From 4 June to 15 June, they also occupied an advance position on Pine Mountain. On June 14, 1864, Confederate General Leonidas Polk became a casualty of the war. He was scouting enemy positions near Marietta, Georgia with his staff when he was killed in action by a Federal 3-inch (76 mm) shell at Pine Mountain. The artillery fire was initiated when Sherman spotted a cluster of Confederate officers— Polk, Hardee, Johnston, and their staffs—in an exposed area. He pointed them out to Maj. Gen. Oliver O. Howard, commander of the IV Corps, and ordered him to fire on them. The 5th Indiana Battery, commanded by Capt. Peter Simonson, obeyed the order within minutes. The first round came close and a second even closer, causing the men to The Mud Creek Line was occupied 17-18 disperse. The third shell struck Polk's left June, during which time Lieutenant General arm, went through the chest, and exited Leonidas Polk’s nephew, Brigadier General hitting his right arm then exploded against a Lucius Polk, was wounded in the knee, tree, cutting Polk nearly in two. rendering him incapable of field service for the rest of the war.

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Mud Creek on June 17. Sherman moved Hooker to the south to join Schofield in a maneuver designed to potentially outflank Kennesaw Mountain.

Noonday Creek/McAFee’s Crossroads

General Garrard was ordered by General Sherman to interpose between General Joseph Wheeler's cavalry and detached infantry at Noonday Creek, which was just a few miles from Sherman's headquarters at Big Shanty. When, after a week, Garrard failed to do so, two brigades of infantry and three brigades of cavalry with artillery support were advanced against the Confederate positions on June 9. Two charges failed, and the Union Army retired from the Federal infantry probed the Lost Mountain- field, however, Wheeler's cavalry was moved Brushy Mountain Line at several points on to a position between Bell's Ferry and Canton several occasions, while cavalry operations Road. On June 10, the 15th regiment Iowa were near continuous on both flanks. Noting Veteran Volunteer Infantry pushed the that the Federals were in position to flank his enemy across Noonday Creek after heavy line to the south, Johnston withdrew from the fighting. Mud Creek Line and Brushy Mountain Line On June 15, a division of Union Cavalry to the Kennesaw Mountain Line on the attacked and was repelled. On June 17, the evening of 18-19 June. Federals pushed Wheeler down Bell's Ferry Road, where he retired to Doctor Robert Gilgal Church McAfee's house. On June 19, the Union Army attacked but was driven off with heavy Hardee had established his center in the losses. vicinity of Mud Creek. On June 15, 1864, On June 23, Colonel Eli Long, USA, crossed Sherman ordered a general advance because Noonday Creek with his brigade. He was of the Rebel withdrawal from Pine Mountain attacked at that time but repelled the and found them again in a line anchored by attackers. dependable Pat Cleburne from Gilgal Church to Kennesaw Mountain. Sherman ordered Hooker to engage the Rebel left in a general attack while McPherson engaged the Army of Tennessee in the vicinity of Acworth.

Daniel Butterfield, probably most famous for composing "Taps" during the Seven Days Retreat, and a portion of John Geary's Division struck Cleburne from the north while Milo Haskall, a brigadier under Schofield, moved in from the west. After a sharp engagement known as the Battle of Gilgal Church with between 800-1,000 causalities Hardee withdrew Cleburne and Noonday Creek formed a line running north and south along

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Kolb's Farm

Neal Dow/Ruff’s Mill Date: June 22, 1864 Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. John M. Schofield and Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker [US]; On July 1, 1863, the 23rd Army Corp Lt. Gen. John B. Hood [CS] established a position at the Moss House Forces Engaged: Two corps [US]; Hood s (Floyd Station). This placed the 23rd AC Corps [CS] closer to the Chattahoochee River than the Estimated Casualties: 1,350 total (US 350; CS Confederates at Kennesaw. The Confederate 1,000) forces under General Johnston withdrew Description: On the night of June 18-19, Gen. from their Kennesaw Line the night of July 2- Joseph E. Johnston, fearing envelopment, 3 and took up a new position at a double line moved his army to a new, previously selected of breastworks, prepared in advance, running position astride Kennesaw Mountain, an from the old Smyrna Camp Ground east of entrenched arc-shaped line to the west of the R.R. From this point, the Confederate line Marietta, to protect his supply line, the ran east to Nickajack Creek, south of Ruff´s Western & Atlantic Railroad. Having Mill. Maj. Gen. William W. Loring's Corp on encountered entrenched Rebels astride the right, Lieut. Gen. William J. Hardee Kennesaw Mountain stretching southward, Corp. held the center and Lieut. Gen. John B. Sherman fixed them in front and extended his Hood's Corp the left. This line became known right wing to envelop their flank and menace as the Smyrna-Ruff Mill line. the railroad. Joe Johnston countered by The Battle of Neal Dow (Smyrna Camp moving John B. Hood’s corps from the left Ground) then took place on July 3 and the flank to the right on June 22. Arriving in his Battle of Ruff's Mill at Nickajack Creek new position at Mt. Zion Church, Hood occurred on July 4. decided, on his own, to attack. Schofield and Hooker, having learned of Hood´s plans from On July 4th, 1864, the 4th AC, commanded some captured Confederates, ordered their by Maj. Gen. Oliver O. Howard, attacked the troops to dig in. At 4:00 p.m. Hood sent two Confederate forces east of the rail line in of his three divisions towards the waiting Smyrna but failed to break the Confederate Federals. After several unsuccessful charges line. Concurrent with this attack, Brig. Gen. through the woods, fields, and swamps across John Fuller´s Brigade, 4th division of the 16th the road, the battered Confederates AC, attacked Gen. Hood´s Corps along withdrew. Although the victor, Sherman’s Nickajack creek. This attack also failed. attempts at envelopment had failed. Later on the 4th, Gen. Fuller´s men, supported by Brig. Gen. Thomas W.

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Sweeny´s 2nd division succeeded in capturing the first line of breastworks. Maj. Gen. Francis P. Blair´s 17th AC of the Army of the Tennessee was also able to drive Maj. Gen. Gustavus Smith’s Georgia Militia and Brig. Gen. L.S. Ross´ Texas Cavalry Brigade back toward Smyrna. With his left threatened, General Johnston was forced to retreat to a prepared position west of the Chattahoochee at the Railroad Crossing. Most of the buildings in the battle area were burned by Sherman's troops. Notable exceptions were the Smyrna Academy which served as a Confederate and Union hospital, Ruff's Mill, the Ruff family home and the Gann House.

Kennesaw Mountain

Date: June 27, 1864

Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman [US]; Gen. Joseph E. Johnston [CS] Forces Engaged: Military Division of the Mississippi [US]; Army of Tennessee [CS] Estimated Casualties: 4,000 total (US 3,000; CS 1,000) Description: On the night of June 18-19, Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, fearing envelopment, withdrew his army to a new, previously selected position astride Kennesaw Mountain. This entrenched arc-shaped line, to the north and west of Marietta, protected the Western & Atlantic Railroad, the supply link to Atlanta. Having defeated General John B. Hood troops at Kolb's Farm on the 22nd,

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Sherman was sure that Johnston had battlefields around Kennesaw Mountain. He stretched his line too thin and therefore would now turn southward toward the decided on a frontal attack with some Chattahoochee River and the prize of diversions on the flanks. On the morning of Atlanta. June 27, Sherman sent his troops forward after an artillery bombardment. At first, they Sherman’s activities meant that Johnston made some headway overrunning must abandon his strong positions at the Confederate pickets south of the Burnt mountain and retire southward to protect his Hickory Road, but attacking an enemy that railroad lifeline to Atlanta. What followed was dug in was futile. The fighting ended by would be a race for the Chattahoochee with noon, and Sherman had suffered very high an opportunity, Sherman believed, to casualties. embarrass Johnston’s Confederates in the act of crossing the river. Instead he found the Rebels with new defenses along an east-to- west-running ridge just north of Smyrna; flanks anchored near Rottenwood Creek at the river on the east, and fish-hooked at the west on a hill two miles from Ruff’s Mill. At 4 p.m. on July 4, a column of six regiments from Dodge’s Sixteenth Corps led by Colonel E.F. Noyes (39th Ohio Infantry) attacked an advanced position near this angle, capturing the line and about 100 prisoners.

Kennesaw Mountain 1864

Rottenwood Creek Gorge

Kennesaw Mountain Today As the Marietta Operations wound down Sherman set his sights on Atlanta. Rottenwood Creek Sherman and Johnson would now move south with their attacks and counter- With roads dried out, with sufficient supplies attacks. However, Johnson would not be accumulated, and with the last units of given the opportunity to continue battling McPherson’s Army of the Tennessee shifted Sherman. On July 17, Confederate from positions at Brushy Mountain and President Jefferson Davis replaced General elsewhere for purposes of coordinating with Johnston with John Bell Hood as commander and eventually replacing Schofield’s army in of the Army of Tennessee. turning the Confederate left, Sherman abandoned his month-long focus on the

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Davis, impatient with Johnston's defensive Atlanta was still the goal and Sherman strategy in the Atlanta campaign, felt that wasted no time in preparing to continue to Hood stood a better chance of saving Atlanta carry the battle to the Confederates. from the forces of Union General William T. Sherman. In a telegram informing Johnston of his decision, Davis wrote, "You failed to arrest the advance of the enemy to the vicinity of Atlanta, far in the interior of Georgia, and express no confidence that you can defeat or repel him, you are hereby relieved from command of the Army and Department of Tennessee, which you will immediately turn over to General Hood."

New Confederate Commander John Bell Hood

Hood immediately challenged Sherman At the Battle of JOHNSON SHERMAN Peachtree Creek

Battle Summary Date: July 20, 1864 Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas [US]; Gen. John B. Hood [CS] Forces Engaged: Army of the Cumberland [US]; Army of Tennessee [CS] Estimated Casualties: 6,506 total (US 1,710; CS 4,796) Description: Under Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, the Army of Tennessee had retired south of Peachtree Creek, an east to west flowing stream, about three miles north of Atlanta. Sherman split his army into three columns for the assault on Atlanta with George H. Thomas’s Army of the Cumberland moving from the north. Johnston had decided to attack Thomas, but Confederate President Jefferson Davis relieved him of command and General Johnson yielded Command to appointed John B. Hood to take his place. General Hood. Sherman, learning of the Hood attacked Thomas after his army change had strategy meetings with his staff to crossed Peachtree Creek. The determined change plans as required to battle the more assault threatened to overrun the Union aggressive Hood. troops at various locations. Ultimately, though, the Yankees held, and the Rebels fell back.

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At the Peachtree Creek Bridge, Thomas in person emplaced Ward´s two batteries on the high ground along Peachtree Hills Avenue. Canister from these guns shattered Bate´s right. Already suffering from Bradley´s musketry, his men fell back. Having no reserves, Hardee could not renew the attack so he withdrew. About 4:00, Stewart´s corps attacked. Loring moved forward with Featherston´s brigade on the right, Scott on the left. Featherston´s men crossed Tanyard Branch and moved through dense wood into a wide clearing. They reformed their lines Peachtree Creek Marker (astride Dellwood Drive) under fire from Geary´s batteries, firing from their left. Peachtree Marker text Sweeping back the Federal picket line On July 20th, Hood ordered the attack to barricaded along it, they charged over Collier begin at 1:00 P.M. Hardee and Stewart were Road and into the gap between Newton´s to advance, drive the enemy back to the right and Geary´s left; but a cross fire of creek, and then west into the angle formed by musketry from those positions, together with the creek and the river; but events east of Ward´s arrival, drove them back with severe Atlanta caused the line to be shifted about a losses. Ward´s men took position along mile to the east, delaying the attack until all Collier Road. but Ward´s division of the enemy had occupied strong ground in line of battle. Bate´s division (Hardee´s right) halted with its right on Clear Creek and its left reaching Atlanta Walker´s right near Peachtree and Spring Street. Walker´s left met Maney´s right near Location: Fulton County Brookwood Station. Maney´s left joined the Campaign: Atlanta Campaign (1864) right of Loring´s division (Stewart´s right) Date: Beginning July 22, 1864 which now occupied Loring Heights. Loring´s Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. William left extended to meet Walthall´s right near T. Sherman [US]; Gen. John Bell Hood [CS] Northside Drive and Bellemeade Avenue. Forces Engaged: Military Division of the Walthall´s left regiment halted west of Howell Mississippi [US]; Army of Tennessee [CS] Mill Road. About 3:30, Hardee moved forward, Stewart a half hour later. Walker´s Description: Following the Battle of advance, astride Peachtree Road, was Peachtree Creek, Hood determined to attack impeded by uncut forest growth, Maney´s by Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson’s Army of miry creek bottom and steep hills, Bates by the Tennessee. He withdrew his main army at swampy, densely-thicketed bottom of Clear night from Atlanta’s outer line to the inner Creek. At Collier Road, Walker´s charging line, enticing Sherman to follow. In the men met a withering fire of musketry and meantime, he sent William J. Hardee with his canister from Newton´s lines. Although they corps on a fifteen-mile march to hit the fought desperately, heavy losses forced them unprotected Union left and rear, east of the back. On their left, Maney´s men also met city. Wheeler’s cavalry was to operate farther defeat. In the creek bottoms, Bates swung out on Sherman’s supply line, and Gen. around Newton´s left flank to attack his rear; Frank Cheatham’s corps was to attack the but Bradley´s men, massed along the road Union front. Hood, however, miscalculated overlooking the creek, met them with the time necessary to make the march, and musketry. Hardee was unable to attack until afternoon.

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Although Hood had outmaneuvered Sherman On July 27, Sherman resumed operations for the time being, McPherson was concerned against the city by shifting to the west side to about his left flank and sent his reserves— cut the Macon & Western Railroad. Several Grenville Dodge’s XVI Army Corps—to that additional battles occurred outside of the city location. Two of Hood’s divisions ran into this before Atlanta's fall on September 2. reserve force and were repulsed. The Rebel attack stalled on the Union rear but began to roll up the left flank. Around the same time, a Confederate soldier shot and killed McPherson when he rode out to observe the fighting. Determined attacks continued, but the Union forces held. About 4:00 pm, Cheatham’s corps broke through the Union front at the Hurt House, but Sherman massed twenty artillery pieces on a knoll near his headquarters to shell these Confederates and halt their drive. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan’s XV Army Corps then led a counterattack that restored the Union line. The Union troops held, and Hood suffered high Attack! casualties.

Battle of Atlanta

The Battle of Atlanta cost Union forces 3,641 casualties while Confederate losses totaled Counter Attack! around 5,500. For the second time in two days, Hood had failed to destroy a wing of Sherman's command. Though a problem Ezra Church earlier in the campaign McPherson's cautious nature proved fortuitous as Sherman's initial orders would have left the Union flank Other Name: Battle of the Poor House completely exposed. In the wake of the Location: Fulton County fighting, Sherman gave command of the Campaign: Atlanta Campaign (1864) Army of the Tennessee to Major General Date: July 28, 1864 Oliver O. Howard. This greatly angered XX Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. Oliver O. Corps commander Major General Joseph Howard [US]; Gen. John B. Hood [CS] Hooker who felt entitled to the post and who Forces Engaged: Army of the Tennessee blamed Howard for his defeat at the Battle of [US]; two corps of Army of Tennessee [CS] Chancellorsville. Estimated Casualties: 3,562 total (US 562; CS 3,000)

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Description: Earlier, Maj. Gen. William T. Utoy Creek Sherman’s forces had approached Atlanta from the east and north. Hood had not Location: Fulton County defeated them, but he had kept them away Campaign: Atlanta Campaign (1864) from the city. Sherman now decided to attack Dates: August 5-7, 1864 from the west. He ordered the Army of the Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. John M. Tennessee, commanded by Maj. Gen. O.O. Schofield [US]; Gen. John B. Hood [CS] Howard, to move from the left wing to the Forces Engaged: Army of the Ohio [US]; right and cut Hood’s last railroad supply line Army of Tennessee [CS] between East Point and Atlanta. Hood Estimated Casualties: Unknown foresaw such a maneuver and determined to Description: After failing to envelop Hood’s send the two corps of Lt. Gen. Stephen D. Lee left flank at Ezra Church, Sherman still and Lt. Gen. Alexander P. Stewart to wanted to extend his right flank to hit the intercept and destroy the Union force. Thus, railroad between East Point and Atlanta. He on the afternoon of July 28, the Rebels transferred John M. Schofield’ s Army of the assaulted Howard at Ezra Church. Howard Ohio from his left to his right flank and sent had anticipated such a thrust, entrenched one him to the north bank of Utoy Creek. of his corps in the Confederates’ path, and Although Schofield’s troops were at Utoy repulsed the determined attack, inflicting Creek on August 2, they, along with the XIV numerous casualties. Howard, however, Corps, Army of the Cumberland, did not failed to cut the railroad. cross until the 4th. Schofield’s force began its

movement to exploit this situation on the morning of the 5th, which was initially successful. Schofield then had to regroup his forces, which took the rest of the day. The delay allowed the Rebels to strengthen their defenses with abatis, which slowed the Union attack when it restarted on the morning of the 6th. The Federals were repulsed with heavy losses by Bate’s Division and failed in an attempt to break the railroad. On the 7th, the Union troops moved toward the Battle of Ezra Church Confederate main line and entrenched. Here (Picture from Harper’s Weekly) they remained until late August.

Ezra Church House Utoy Creek

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Dalton II Lovejoy’s Station

Location: Whitfield County Location: Clayton County Campaign: Atlanta Campaign (1864) Campaign: Atlanta Campaign (1864) Dates: August 14-15, 1864 Date: August 20, 1864 Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. James B. Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. H. Judson Steedman [US]; Maj. Gen. J. Wheeler [CS] Kilpatrick [US]; Brig. Gen. William H. Forces Engaged: District of Etowah [US]; Jackson [CS] Wheeler’s cavalry force [CS] Forces Engaged: Kilpatrick’s Cavalry Estimated Casualties: Unknown Division [US]; Jackson’s Cavalry Division Description: Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler and [CS] his cavalry raided into North Georgia to Estimated Casualties: Unknown destroy railroad tracks and supplies. They Description: While Confederate Maj. Gen. approached Dalton in the late afternoon of Joseph Wheeler was absent raiding Union August 14 and demanded the surrender of supply lines from North Georgia to East the garrison. The Union commander, Col. Tennessee, Maj. Gen. William Sherman, Bernard Laibolt, refused to surrender and unconcerned, sent Judson Kilpatrick to raid fighting ensued. Greatly outnumbered, the Rebel supply lines. Leaving on August 18, Union garrison retired to fortifications on a Kilpatrick hit the Atlanta & West Point hill outside the town where they successfully Railroad that evening, tearing up a small area held out, although the attack continued until of tracks. Next, Kilpatrick headed for after midnight. Skirmishing continued Lovejoy’s Station on the Macon & Western throughout the night. Around 5:00 am, on the Railroad. In transit, on the 19th, Kilpatrick’s 15th, Wheeler retired and became engaged men hit the Jonesborough supply depot on with relieving infantry and cavalry under the Macon & Western Railroad, burning Maj. Gen. James B. Steedman’s command. great amounts of supplies. On the 20th, they Eventually, Wheeler withdrew. The reached Lovejoy’s Station and began their contending forces’ reports vary greatly in destruction. Rebel infantry (Cleburne’s describing the fighting, the casualties, and the Division) appeared and the raiders were amount of track and supplies captured and forced to fight into the night, finally fleeing to destroyed. prevent encirclement. Although Kilpatrick had destroyed supplies and track at Lovejoy’s Station, the railroad line was back in operation in two days.

Battle of Dalton

Dalton Reenactment Lovejoy’s Station Monument

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Jonesboro The “Atlanta Campaign” was over and Sherman prepared for his scorched earth At the Battle of Jonesboro, General Sherman March to the Sea. Although the War had less launched the attack that finally secured than a year before its end the fighting was Atlanta for the Union, and sealed the fate of still fierce and continuous. As the fighting Confederate General John Bell Hood's army, around Atlanta ended, Nathan Bedford which was forced to evacuate the area. Forrest headed west to Mississippi where he The Battle of Jonesboro was the culmination was assigned to defend that state as much as of Sherman’s four-month campaign to he could. He began with a surprising victory capture Atlanta. He had spent the summer at a place called Brice’s Cross Roads. He also driving his army down the 100-mile corridor engaged the Union forces at Tupelo and made from Chattanooga against a Confederate a raid on Memphis. force led by General Joseph Johnston. General Hood, who replaced Johnston in July ***** on the outskirts of Atlanta, proceeded to attack Sherman in an attempt to drive him Brice's Cross Roads northward. However, these attacks failed, and by August 1 the armies had settled into a Other Names: Tishomingo Creek siege. Campaign: Forrest’s Defense of Mississippi In late August, Sherman swung his army Date: June 10, 1864 south of Atlanta to cut the main rail line Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. Samuel D. supplying the Rebel army. Confederate Sturgis [US]; Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford General William Hardee's corps moved to Forrest [CS] block Sherman at Jonesboro, and attacked Forces Engaged: Three-brigade division of the Union troops on August 31, but the infantry and a division of cavalry (about Rebels were thrown back with staggering 8,500 ) [US]; cavalry corps [CS] losses. The entrenched Yankees lost just 178 Estimated Casualties: 3,105 total (US 2,610; men, while the Confederates lost nearly 2,000. CS 495) On September 1, Sherman attacked Hardee. The Battle of Brice's Crossroads was fought Though the Confederates held, Sherman on June 10, 1864, near Baldwyn in Lee successfully cut the rail line and effectively County, Mississippi, during the American trapped the Rebels. Hardee had to abandon Civil War. It pitted a force of about 2000 men his position, and Hood had no choice but to led by Confederate Major General Nathan withdraw from Atlanta. Atlanta had fallen. Bedford Forrest against an 8,500-strong Union force led by Brigadier General Samuel D. Sturgis. The battle ended in a rout of the Union forces and cemented Forrest's reputation as one of the great cavalrymen. The battle remains a textbook example of an outnumbered force prevailing through better tactics, terrain mastery, and aggressive offensive action. Union Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman had long known that his fragile supply and communication lines through Tennessee were in serious jeopardy because of depredations by Forrest's cavalry raids. To effect a halt to Forrest's activities, he ordered Gen. Sturgis

to conduct a penetration into northern Mississippi and Alabama with a force of

15 around 8,500 troops to destroy Forrest and his command. Sturgis, after some doubts and trepidation, departed Memphis on June 1. Gen. Stephen D. Lee, alerted of Sturgis's movement, warned Forrest. Lee had also planned a rendezvous at Okolona, Mississippi, with Forrest and his own troops but told Forrest to do as he saw fit. Already in transit to Tennessee, Forrest moved his cavalry (less one division) toward Sturgis, but remained unsure of Union intentions. Forrest soon surmised, correctly, that the Brice’s Cross Roads Monument Union had actually targeted Tupelo,

Mississippi, located in Lee County, about 15 miles south of Brice's Crossroads. Although badly outnumbered, he decided to repulse Tupelo Sturgis instead of waiting for Lee, and selected an area to attack ahead on Sturgis's Other Names: Harrisburg projected path. He chose Brice's Crossroads, Location: Lee County in what is now Lee County, which featured Campaign: Forrest’s Defense of Mississippi four muddy roads, heavily wooded areas, and Dates: July 14-15, 1864 the natural boundary of Tishomingo Creek, Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. A.J. which had only one bridge going east to west. Smith [US]; Lt. Gen. Stephen D. Lee and Forrest, seeing that the Union cavalry moved Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest [CS] three hours ahead of its own infantry, devised Forces Engaged: 1st and 3rd Infantry a plan that called for an attack on the Union Divisions and Cavalry Division, XVI Army cavalry first, with the idea of forcing the Corps, and 1st Brigade, U.S. Colored Troops enemy infantry to hurry to assist them. Their (14,000) [US]; Department of Alabama, infantry would be too tired to offer real help Mississippi, and East Louisiana [CS] and the Confederates planned to push the Estimated Casualties: 1,948 total (US 648; CS entire Union force against the creek to the 1,300) west. Forrest dispatched most of his men to Description: Maj. Gen. A.J. Smith, two nearby towns to wait. Forrest’s ploy commanding a combined force of more than worked just as he planned. His brilliant 14,000 men, left LaGrange, Tennessee, on tactical victory against long odds July 5, 1864, and advanced south. Smith’s demonstrated his mastery of the use of mission was to insure that Maj. Gen. Nathan cavalry in battle situations. B. Forrest and his cavalry did not raid Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman’s railroad lifeline in Middle Tennessee and, thereby, prevent supplies from reaching him in his campaign against Atlanta. Laying waste to the countryside as he advanced, Smith reached Pontotoc, Mississippi, on July 11. Forrest was in nearby Okolona with about 6,000 men, but his commander, Lt. Gen. Stephen D. Lee, told him he could not attack until he was reinforced. Two days later, Smith, fearing an ambush, moved east toward Tupelo. On the previous day, Lee arrived near Pontotoc with 2,000 additional men and, under his Brice’s Cross Roads Confederate Cemetery

16 command, the entire Confederate force Description: At 4:00 am on the morning of engaged Smith. Within two miles of the August 21, 1864, Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Federals, on the night of the 13th, Lee Forrest made a daring raid on Union-held ordered an attack for the next morning. Lee Memphis, Tennessee, but it was not an attacked at 7:30 am the next morning in a attempt to capture the city, occupied by 6,000 number of uncoordinated assaults which the Federal troops. The raid had three Yankees beat back, causing heavy casualties. objectives: to capture three Union generals Lee halted the fighting after a few hours. posted there; to release Southern prisoners Short on rations, Smith did not pursue but from Irving Block Prison; and to cause the started back to Memphis on the 15th. recall of Union forces from Northern Criticized for not destroying Forrest’s Mississippi. Striking northwestward for command, Smith had caused much damage Memphis with 2,000 cavalry, Forrest lost and had fulfilled his mission of insuring about a quarter of his strength because of Sherman’s supply lines. exhausted horses. Surprise was essential. Taking advantage of a thick dawn fog and claiming to be a Union patrol returning with prisoners, the Confederates eliminated the sentries. Galloping through the streets and exchanging shots with other Union troops, the raiders split to pursue separate missions. One Union general was not at his quarters and another escaped to Fort Pickering dressed in his night-shirt. The attack on Irving Block Prison also failed when Union troops stalled the main body at the State Female College. After two hours, Forrest decided to withdraw, cutting

Tupelo Battlefield Marker telegraph wires, taking 500 prisoners and large quantities of supplies, including many Marker Text horses. Although Forrest failed in Memphis, his raid influenced Union forces to return To our Confederate dead that gave their lives there, from northern Mississippi, and provide in the battle here on July 14, 1864. For their protection and thus was considered a rights. Erected 1918 Confederate victory.

Memphis

Location: Shelby County TN Campaign: Forrest’s Defense of Mississippi Date: August 21, 1864 Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. C.C. Washburn [US]; Brig. Gen. Nathan Bedford

Forrest [CS] Forrest at the Irving Block Prison in Memphis Forces Engaged: Troops stationed at Memphis [US]; Forrest’s Cavalry (approx. 400) [CS] Estimated Casualties: 94 total (US 160; CS 34)

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PETERSBURG CAMPAIGN General Butler’s leading elements crossed the Appomattox River and attacked the Petersburg defenses on June 15. The 5,400 In the wake of his defeat at the Battle of Cold defenders of Petersburg under command of Harbor in early June 1864, Lieutenant Gen. Beauregard were driven from their first General Ulysses S. Grant continued pressing line of entrenchments back to Harrison south towards the Confederate capital at Creek. On June 16, the II Corps captured Richmond. Departing Cold Harbor on June another section of the Confederate line; on 12, his men stole a march on General Robert the 17th, the IX Corps gained more ground. E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia and Beauregard stripped the Howlett Line crossed the James River on a large pontoon (Bermuda Hundred) to defend the city, and bridge. This maneuver led Lee to become Lee rushed reinforcements to Petersburg concerned that he might be forced into a siege from the Army of Northern Virginia. The II, at Richmond. This was not Grant's intention, XI, and V Corps from right to left attacked as the Union leader sought to capture the on June 18 but was repulsed with heavy vital city of Petersburg. Located south of casualties. By now the Confederate works Richmond, Petersburg was a strategic were heavily manned and the greatest crossroads and railroad hub which supplied opportunity to capture Petersburg without a the capital and Lee's army. Its loss would siege was lost. make would Richmond indefensible The stage was set for the battles in and Petersburg, located in south central Virginia, around Petersburg which would become the was the second-largest city in the state at the longest lasting campaign of the War. Besides outset of the War. Originally sharing the the attempts to take the city itself, battles and conservative political stance of most business- skirmishes for control of supply lines, oriented cities in the Upper South, railroad routes and other critical sites Petersburg's white citizens eagerly embraced continued for months. Covered in this issue the Confederate cause after Virginia's are the summer battles. They occurred on the Convention of 1861 voted to secede in April Jerusalem Plank Road, the Staunton River, at 1861. The city hosted a variety of Confederate a little church known as Sappony Baptist installations, particularly hospitals, and Church, places called Ream’s Station and served as headquarters for a number of Deep Bottom and near a little road house Confederate military departments that bore named Globe Tavern. One of the bloodiest responsibility for southern Virginia and engagements occurred when Union soldiers eastern North Carolina. Petersburg attempted to blow up the Confederate line at experienced its first nearby combat in the Petersburg with mines placed in a tunnel spring of 1864 during the Bermuda Hundred underneath the Confederates. The explosion Campaign and then became the focal point of killed and wounded many Rebels but then the the Petersburg Campaign between June 1864 crater created a killing field as Federals and April 1865. The city capitulated to Union swarmed into it and were unable to climb out. forces on April 3, 1865, initiating the The Confederates were able to fire from Appomattox Campaign and just six days above and it became a death trap for the before Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army Union soldiers. Participants from both sides of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court called it the most frantic and deadly battle House, ninety miles west of Petersburg they ever witnessed. This battle was so significant that it became known as the Battle Marching from Cold Harbor, Union General of the Crater and is treated as a separate Meade’s Army of the Potomac crossed the battle from the main Petersburg battles. James River on transports and a 2,200-foot long pontoon bridge at Windmill Point.

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Map of Petersburg and Vicinity June 21-22, 1864

Petersburg 1861 U. S. Engineering Battalion in Petersburg

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The Petersburg Campaign Battles June 9-August 25, 1864

Petersburg I

Other Names: Old Men and Young Boys Location: City of Petersburg Date: June 9, 1864 Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. Quincy Gillmore [US]; Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard Forces Engaged: 7,000 (US 4,500; CS 2,500) Estimated Casualties: 120 total Description: On June 9, Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler dispatched about 4,500 cavalry and infantry against the 2,500 Confederate Confederate Fortifications at Gracie’s Salient defenders of Petersburg. While Butler’s infantry demonstrated against the outer line Petersburg II of entrenchments east of Petersburg, Kautz’s cavalry division attempted to enter the city from the south via the Jerusalem Plank Road Other Names: Assault on Petersburg but was repulsed by Home Location: City of Petersburg Guards. Afterwards, Butler withdrew. This Dates: June 15-18, 1864 was called the “battle of old men and young Principal Commanders: Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. boys” by local residents. On June 14-17, the Grant and Maj. Gen. George G. Meade [US]; Army of the Potomac crossed the James Gen. Robert E. Lee and Gen. P.G.T. River and began moving towards Petersburg Beauregard [CS] to support and renew Butler’s assaults. Forces Engaged: 104,000 total (US 62,000; CS Result: Confederate victory 42,000) Estimated Casualties: 11,386 total (US 8,150; CS 3,236) Description: Marching from Cold Harbor, Meade’s Army of the Potomac crossed the James River on transports and a 2,200-foot long pontoon bridge at Windmill Point. Butler’s leading elements (XVIII Corps and Kautz’s cavalry) crossed the Appomattox River at Broadway Landing and attacked the Petersburg defenses on June 15. The 5,400 defenders of Petersburg under command of Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard were driven from their first line of entrenchments back to Harrison Creek. After dark the XVIII Corps was relieved by the II Corps. On June 16, the II Corps captured another section of the Confederate line; on the 17th, the IX Corps

Female Seminary in Petersburg gained more ground. Beauregard stripped the Howlett Line (Bermuda Hundred) to defend the city, and Lee rushed reinforcements to Petersburg from the Army of Northern Virginia.

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The II, XI, and V Corps from right to left Description: On June 22, the cavalry attacked on June 18 but was repulsed with divisions of Brig. Gen. James Wilson and heavy casualties. By now the Confederate Brig. Gen. August Kautz were dispatched works were heavily manned and the greatest from the Petersburg lines to disrupt opportunity to capture Petersburg without a Confederate rail communications. Riding via siege was lost. The siege of Petersburg began. Dinwiddie Court House, the raiders cut the Union Gen. James Morton, chief engineer of South Side Railroad near Ford’s Station that the IX Corps, was killed on June 17. evening, destroying tracks, railroad Result: Confederate victory buildings, and two supply trains. On June 23, Wilson proceeded to the junction of the Richmond & Danville Railroad at Burke Station, where he encountered elements of Jerusalem Plank Road William H.F. Lee’s cavalry between Nottoway Court House and Blacks and Whites Other Names: First Battle of Weldon (modern-day Blackstone). Wilson followed Railroad Kautz along the South Side Railroad, Location: Dinwiddie County and Petersburg destroying about thirty miles of track as he Dates: June 21-24, 1864 advanced. On June 24, while Kautz remained Principal Commanders: Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. skirmishing around Burkeville, Wilson Grant and Maj. Gen. George G. Meade [US]; crossed over to Meherrin Station on the Gen. Robert E. Lee [CS] Richmond & Danville and began destroying Forces Engaged: Corps track. On June 25, Wilson and Kautz Estimated Casualties: 4,000 total continued tearing up track south to the Description: On June 21, the Union II Corps, Staunton River Bridge, where they were supported by the VI Corps, attempted to cut delayed by Home Guards, who prevented the Weldon Railroad, one of the major supply destruction of the bridge. Lee’s cavalry lines into Petersburg. The movement was division closed on the Federals from the preceded by Wilson’s cavalry division which northeast, forcing them to abandon their began destroying tracks. On June 22, troops attempts to capture and destroy the bridge. from Lt. Gen. A.P. Hill’s corps led by Brig. By this time, the raiders were nearly 100 Gen. William Mahone counterattacked, miles from Union lines. forcing the II Corps away from the railroad Result: Confederate victory to positions on the Jerusalem Plank Road. Although the Federals were driven from their advanced positions, they were able to extend their siege lines farther to the west. Result: Indecisive but Union gained ground

Staunton River Bridge

Other Names: Blacks and Whites, Old Men and Young Boys Location: Halifax County and Charlotte Date: June 25, 1864 Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. James Staunton River Today Wilson and Brig. Gen. August Kautz [US]; Maj. Gen. William H.F. “Rooney” Lee [CS] Forces Engaged: Divisions (4,000 total) Estimated Casualties: 150 total

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Forces Engaged: Divisions Estimated Casualties: 1,817 for entire raid Description: Maj. Gen. William H.F. “Rooney” Lee’s cavalry division pursued Wilson’s and Kautz’s raiders who failed to destroy the Staunton River Bridge on June 25. Wilson and Kautz headed east and, on June 28, crossed the Nottoway River at the Double Bridges and headed north to Stony Creek Depot on the Weldon Railroad. Here, they were attacked by Maj. Gen. Wade Hampton’s cavalry division. Later in the day, William H.F. Lee’s Division arrived to join forces with Hampton, and the Federals were heavily pressured. During the night, Wilson and Kautz disengaged and pressed north on the Halifax Road for the supposed security of Reams Station, abandoning many fleeing slaves who had sought security with the Federal raiders. Result: Confederate victory

Staunton River Battlefield Marker

Marker Text

The Battle of Staunton River Bridge was fought here June 25, 1864 Capt. Ben J.L. Farinholt 53rd VA Inf. with 296 men reinforced by 642 citizens and soldiers from Halifax, Charolette and Mecklenburg counties Virginia Defeated Col. R.M. West 5th Penn Cavalry supported by the 3rd New York Sappony Church Battlefield Marker This monument placed by Halifax Chapter U.D.C. and the State of Virginia Ream’s Station I

Sappony Church Location: Dinwiddie County Date: June 29, 1864 Other Names: Stony Creek Depot Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. James Location: Sussex County Wilson and Brig. Gen. August Kautz [US]; Date: June 28, 1864 Maj. Gen. William Mahone and Maj. Gen. Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. James Fitzhugh Lee [CS] Wilson and Brig. Gen. August Kautz [US]; Forces Engaged: Divisions Maj. Gen. Wade Hampton [CS]

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Estimated Casualties: 600 total (1,817 for Forces Engaged: Corps entire raid) Estimated Casualties: 1,000 total Description: Early morning June 29, Brig. Description: During the night of July 26-27, Gen. August Kautz’s division reached Ream’s the Union II Corps and two divisions of Station on the Weldon Railroad, which was Sheridan’s cavalry under command of Maj. thought to be held by Union Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock crossed to the infantry. Instead, Kautz found the road north side of James River to threaten barred by Mahone’s Confederate infantry Richmond. This demonstration diverted division. Wilson’s division, fighting against Confederate forces from the impending elements of William H.F. “Rooney” Lee’s attack at Petersburg on July 30. Union efforts cavalry, joined Kautz’s near Ream’s Station, to turn the Confederate position at New where they were virtually surrounded. About Market Heights and Fussell’s Mill were noon, Mahone’s infantry assaulted their front abandoned when the Confederates strongly while Fitzhugh Lee’s cavalry division reinforced their lines and counterattacked. threatened the Union left flank. The raiders During the night of July 29, the Federals re- burned their wagons and abandoned their crossed the river leaving a garrison as artillery. Separated by the Confederate heretofore to hold the bridgehead at Deep attacks, Wilson and his men cut their way Bottom. through and fled south on the Stage Road to Result: Confederate victory cross Nottoway River, while Kautz went cross-country, reaching Federal lines at Petersburg about dark. Wilson continued east to the Blackwater River before turning north, eventually reaching Union lines at Light House Point on July 2. The Wilson-Kautz raid tore up more than 60 miles of track, temporarily disrupting rail traffic into

Petersburg, but at a great cost in men and mounts. Deep bottom Battlefield Result: Confederate victory

The First Battle of Deep Bottom

Other Names: Darbytown, Strawberry Deep Bottom Battle Scene Plains, New Market Road, Gravel Hill Published in Harper’s Weekly Location: Henrico County

Dates: July 27-29, 1864

Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock [US]; Maj. Gen. Charles Field [CS]

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Battle of the Crater

Other Names: The Mine Location: Petersburg Date: July 30, 1864 Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside [US]; Gen. Robert E. Lee [CS] Forces Engaged: IX Corps [US]; elements of the Army of Northern Virginia [CS] Estimated Casualties: 5,300 total Description: After weeks of preparation, on July 30 the Federals exploded a mine in Burnside’s IX Corps sector beneath Pegram’s Salient, blowing a gap in the Confederate defenses of Petersburg. From this propitious Union Sketch of the Mine beginning, everything deteriorated rapidly for the Union attackers. Unit after unit charged into and around the crater, where soldiers milled in confusion. The Confederates quickly recovered and launched several counterattacks led by Maj. Gen. William Mahone. The break was sealed off, and the Federals were repulsed with severe casualties. Ferrarro’s division of black soldiers was badly mauled. This may have been Grant’s best chance to end the Siege of Petersburg. Instead, the soldiers settled in for The Mine Entrance Preserved Today another eight months of trench warfare. Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside was relieved of command for his role in the debacle. Result: Confederate victory The Second Battle of Deep Bottom

Other Names: New Market Road, Fussell’s Mill, Bailey’s Creek, Charles City Road, and White’s Tavern Location: Henrico County Dates: August 13-20, 1864 Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock [US]; Gen. Robert E. Lee and Maj. Gen. Charles Field [CS] Forces Engaged: Corps Estimated Casualties: 4,600 total Description: During the night of August 13- 14, the Union II Corps, X Corps, and Gregg’s cavalry division, all under command of Maj. View of the Mine preparations Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock, crossed James Note Tarping on Trench in middle of picture River at Deep Bottom to threaten Richmond, coordinating with a movement against the Weldon Railroad at Petersburg.

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On August 14, the X Corps closed on New command of Maj. Gen. G.K. Warren were Market Heights while the II Corps extended withdrawn from the Petersburg the Federal line to the right along Bailey’s entrenchments to operate against the Weldon Creek. During the night, the X Corps was Railroad. At dawn August 18, Warren moved to the far right flank of the Union line advanced, driving back Confederate pickets near Fussell’s Mill. On August 16, Union until reaching the railroad at Globe Tavern. assaults near Fussell’s Mill were initially In the afternoon, Maj. Gen. Henry Heth’s successful, but Confederate counterattacks division attacked driving Ayres’s division drove the Federals out of a line of captured back toward the tavern. Both sides works. Heavy fighting continued throughout entrenched during the night. On August 19, the remainder of the day. Confederate Maj. Gen. William Mahone, whose division general John Chambliss was killed during had been hastily returned from north of cavalry fighting on Charles City Road. After James River, attacked with five infantry continual skirmishing, the Federals returned brigades, rolling up the right flank of to the southside of the James on the 20th, Crawford’s division. Heavily reinforced, maintaining their bridgehead at Deep Warren counterattacked and by nightfall had Bottom. retaken most of the ground lost during the Result: Confederate victory afternoon’s fighting. On the 20th, the Federals laid out and entrenched a strong defensive line covering the Blick House and Globe Tavern and extending east to connect with the main Federal lines at Jerusalem Plank Road. On August 21, Hill probed the new Federal line for weaknesses but could not penetrate the Union defenses. With the fighting at Globe Tavern, Grant succeeded in extending his siege lines to the west and cutting Petersburg’s primary rail connection with Wilmington, North Carolina. The Confederates were now forced to off-load rail

Crossing the James River at Deep Bottom cars at Stony Creek Station for a 30-mile wagon haul up Boydton Plank Road to reach Petersburg. Confederate general John C.C. Sanders was killed on August 21. Globe Tavern Result: Inconclusive, Union gained ground

Other Names: Second Battle of Weldon Railroad, Yellow Tavern, Yellow House, Blick’s Station Location: Dinwiddie County Dates: August 18-21, 1864 Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. G.K. Warren [US]; Gen. Robert E. Lee, Lt. Gen. A.P. Hill, Maj. Gen. Henry Heth, and Maj. Gen. William Mahone [CS] Forces Engaged: Corps (34,300 total) Est. Casualties: 5,879 ttl (4,279 US; 1,600 CS) Description: While Hancock’s command demonstrated north of the James River at Globe Tavern Deep Bottom, the Union V Corps and elements of the IX and II Corps under

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Ream’s Station II PHOTOS OF THE WAR

Location: Dinwiddie County Date: August 25, 1864 Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock [US]; Maj. Gen. Henry Heth [CS] Forces Engaged: Corps Estimated Casualties: 3,492 total Description: On August 24, Union II Corps moved south along the Weldon Railroad, tearing up track, preceded by Gregg’s cavalry division. On August 25, Maj. Gen. Henry Heth attacked and overran the faulty Union position at Ream’s Station, capturing 9 guns, 12 colors, and many prisoners. The old II Corps was shattered. Maj. Gen. Winfield A Chance to Take a Bath! Scott Hancock withdrew to the main Union line near the Jerusalem Plank Road, bemoaning the declining combat effectiveness of his troops. Result: Confederate victory

Charleston

Second Battle of Ream’s Station

This concludes the summaries of battles which occurred in the summer of 1864. Important and notable engagements, skirmishes and battles continued into the fall of 1864, some of which were very critical to the outcome of the war and these will be summarized in the September issue.

Cold Harbor Bones

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MATCHING 15. This Virginia town changed hands over Match the Numbers with the letters. seventy times during the war. 16. According to legend what did a Rebel 1. What weapon did Confederate General soldier holler when he saw a rabbit run John Bell Hood declare the Yankees across the field at Gettysburg? could use against him? 2. What did Confederate General Richard A. 125 wagons and their teams Ewell say when he was hit in the leg? B. The McClellan cavalry saddle 3. How did one Confederate relate the speed of the Army of Northern C. The Loudoun Rangers of the Virginia's advance towards Piedmont region Pennsylvania? D. “Run, rabbit, run, if I was an ole’ 4. For what military contribution is Federal rabbit I’d run too!” General George McClellan most widely E. Sixty rounds per man remembered? 5. Upon meeting General Lee, after being F. The Black Hats of the Iron Brigade out of contact for days, what did G. The barrels became too hot to General J.E.B. Stuart announce he had hold and the powder taken from the Federals? spontaneously ignited. 6. The name of this Gettysburg prominence held ironic meaning for the H. Cemetery Ridge Confederates who assaulted it. I. “Breakfast in Virginia, whiskey in 7. This Gettysburg hill fell into Maryland, and supper in Confederate hands late on July 2. Pennsylvania” 8. Most soldiers at Gettysburg carried into J They could “roll rocks down on you!” battle a standard issue of musket balls— K. Winchester, Virginia what is a standard issue? L. Pittsburgh, some hundred-fifty miles 9. The battle of Gettysburg is claimed to be one of the loudest man-made noises to the west heard in the United States. What distant M. “It does not hurt a bit to be shot in city is reported to have heard the a wooden leg.” thunder of the cannon on July 3? 10. The fighting was so severe at N. “Old Jack’s foot-cavalry Gettysburg that many soldiers suffered O. Devil’s Den, named either for a what hazard of rifles fired too rapidly? large snake which inhabited the 11. Not all Virginians served in Lee's rocks, or the grotesquely shaped army; name the unit which supported rocks themselves the Lincoln government. P. Measles 12. What name did Stonewall Jackson's men give themselves after marching ANSWERS four hundred miles and fighting in five 1.J 5.A 9.L 13.P different battles? 2.M 6.H 10.G 14.F 13. What illness affected nearly two 3.I 7.O 11.C 15.K thousand Confederate troops just before First Manassas? 4.B 8.E 12.N 16.D 14. Early in the fight at Gettysburg, Confederates quickly realized they were facing regular Federal troops and not militia because of what uniform

feature?

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Colonel Robert F. Webb Buffalo in Ft. Bend County and the The Last Colonel of the Bloody Sixth North Runaway Scrape Carolina 1836 Robert F. Webb was a 38 year-old farmer who enlisted 5-20-61 as a Captain in Co. B., Right after the Alamo fell to Santa Anna and NC 6th Infantry and rose to full Colonel. He his Mexican Army, Santa Anna headed east was wounded at Sharpsburg, taken prisoner to find and defeat the rest of the Texas Army at Rappahannock station and confined at led by General Sam Houston. Johnson’s Island for a year and a half, When Santa Anna’s action became apparent, released on Oath of Allegiance 6-25-65. This the landowners and settlers east of San is his personal account of his capture. Antonio started traveling toward the safety of “Many of my men escaped by swimming the Louisiana border because the Mexicans the river; others dispersed through the were ransacking and burning everything in sight. This in history is called the “Runaway country and got off. Some of my officers Scrape.” The people that were living on the escaped, but how, I was never able to west side of the Brazos River were ready to go ascertain. I cannot describe to you the but couldn’t leave at their chosen time terrible anguish I endured at the thought of because of a large herd of buffalo blocking being captured, as gradually that host of their way. They had to wait for the herd to armed men surrounded me.” pass before leaving. “I knew that my escape was impossible. I have faced death often, but never have I Apparently this large herd of between 3000 endured such fearful hours of horror as I and 4000 buffalo came down from the north did that night. I thought of loved ones -- through the Brenham area and continued wife, children, and home. Tears ran down moving south between the San Bernard River my cheeks, the first I had shed during the and the Brazos River. war. I was aroused from my reverie by a stout arm grasping me by the shoulder. Do The herd crossed to the east side of the you surrender? No was my quick response, Brazos somewhere south of where Highway not to a private. Are you an officer? I am, I 59 now crosses the River, near the town of replied. A colonel rode up to me. It was the Richmond (old Fort Bend). The herd Fifth Maine. Do you surrender, Sir? says continued on into Brazoria County to some he. I presume that I do, I replied as I have place south of the present day town of no discretion in the matter, being already Pearland. your prisoner.” When Col. Webb was captured, he held his After the herd passed, the settlers were able to cross the river and then traveled to sword in his one good hand. His other hand Harrisburg and continued east to the was in a sling from his terrible wound at Lynchburg Ferry located near the present Sharpsburg. day San Jacinto Monument. Upon arriving Beginning immediately after his capture at at the ferry they found themselves with about Rappahannock Bridge, Webb writes, “I 5000 other people waiting to cross the San was moved that night about two miles to the Jacinto River. This crossing took them three rear in company with my brother officers, days. Their route took them north of and I must do the enemy the justice to say Galveston Bay as they headed toward the that they treated me kindly. They gave me Sabine River. It is assumed there was also a some whiskey, of which I stood much in ferry across the Trinity River, probably at need!” present day Liberty, Texas. It is also assumed that old Highway 90 was the original route to Louisiana.

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A large part of the Mexican Army stayed in the Ft. Bend area while General Santa Anna went to engage General Sam Houston and the A Poetic Tribute Texas Army. The two Generals eventually found each other at San Jacinto and… it was In 1907 Julia Ward Howe who wrote the the worst eighteen minutes of General Battle Hymn of the Republic penned these Antonio López de Santa Anna’s life. words on the anniversary of Gen. Lee's birth: Thanks to Compatriot David G. Whitaker for this bit of Texas History. A gallant foeman in the fight, A brother when the fight was o’er, Source: Texas Tears and Texas Sunshine by The hand that led the host with might Jo Ella Powell Exley. Texas A&M Press, 1985. The blessed torch of learning bore.

No shriek of shells or roll of drums, No challenge fierce, resound far When reconciling Wisdom comes To heal the cruel wounds of war.

Thought may the minds of men divide, Love makes the heart of nations one, And so, thy soldier grave beside, We honor thee, Virginia's son.

TRIVIA

JEFFERSON QUOTES A. Although General Rosecrans reported a Union victory at Stones River TN, how did his casualties compare with those of "To compel a man to subsidize with his the Confederates? taxes the propagation of ideas which he B. In what state did the engagement of disbelieves and abhors is sinful and Coffeeville take place? tyrannical." C. When Indian fighter John R. Baylor recruited 1,000 fellow Texans in spring "I believe that banking institutions are 1861, actually to secure the New Mexico more dangerous to our liberties than Territory for the Confederacy, what did standing armies. If the American people he say his mission was? ever allow private banks to control the D. What Confederate cavalryman issue of their currency, first by inflation, sometimes demanded surrender as then by deflation, the banks will deprive “Brigadier General of Cavalry, C.S.A.”? the people of all property - until their E. After Pea Ridge AR, who succeeded children wake-up homeless on the Lew Wallace as the youngest Union continent their fathers conquered." General?

Trivia Answers on page 35

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The Coleman Scouts

The tactics and strategy of warfare depend on information as well as on soldiers and guns. Spies and scouts are sent into enemy territory to gather news concerning movements of troops, to secure newspapers, and to obtain any vital information about enemy resources. Both the Northern and Southern armies during the War Between the States availed themselves of this medium of securing A Scout Reports to a Band of Guerillas information. Sam Davis In 1862 following the general practice of organizing scouting operations to keep the Early in 1863, a young man named Sam commanders informed of enemy operations, a Davis became a member of "Coleman's group of young men under Captain Henry B. Scouts." The Yankees were constantly on the Shaw was brought together. These scouts, lookout for these spies, whom they called known interchangeably as Shaw's Scouts or Coleman's Scouts after the pseudonym, E.C. Coleman's Scouts, were to play an important Coleman, that Shaw used. On November 20, part in the operation of Bragg's Army. 1863, they caught a 21 year old man in Confederate uniform with information about federal troop positions and a pass signed by "E. Coleman." Among the papers found concealed on Sam was information that could have only come from the desk of Union General Grenville Dodge. Convinced that one of his own officers was supplying information to the Confederates, Dodge decided to put pressure on Sam to identify the source of the documents.

The federal soldiers especially wanted to know where "E. Coleman" was, but Davis would say nothing, even when General Grenville M. Dodge interrogated him and Captain Shaw (Coleman) and the Remaining Men of offered not to hang him as a spy if he would the Coleman Scouts in a Secret Reunion in 1866 turn over the information. Davis refused and insisted that he was not a spy but simply a Shaw, the Captain of the group, assumed the courier. He was quickly and illegally tried, name of Coleman to hide his real identity. He convicted, and hanged. Throughout the operated within the enemy lines under the ordeal he composed himself bravely. He guise of an itinerant herb doctor. Information stoically refused to betray "Coleman," secured by Shaw was passed from him to the causing Dodge to exclaim as he saw the body scouts and then relayed to Confederate dangle from the gallows: headquarters. "He was too brave to die."

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The Yankees did not know it, but they had Less glamorous is the story of another "Coleman" in the same jail cell as Davis. Coleman Scout, Dewitt Smith Jobe and his Shaw, described by his captors as "an old, two cousins, Dee Smith and Thomas Benton seedy, awkward-looking man in citizen's Smith. These cousins were natives of the clothes," was known to the Yankees only by Mechanicsville community. Dewitt Jobe’s his real name and had been arrested father, Elihu C. Jobe, was a cabinetmaker separately from Davis. Shaw had once been and farmer in Mechanicsville. He was also Davis's teacher and they were friends, though known for his coffins. Dee Smith was with the they were careful to make sure their captors 45th Tennessee. Thomas Benton Smith was a did not know. Davis's execution was clearly “boy” general with the 20th Tennessee. visible to his friend in the jail cell. Each met a tragic – horrible – end at the Davis's patriotism and willingness to die for hands of Federal troops. his country was praised in print and stone throughout the South and caused him to be known as a Confederate Nathan Hale." Sam’s last words still resonate: “If I had a thousand lives to live, I would give them all, rather than betray a friend or my country.”

Brig. General Thomas Benton Smith

Gen. Thomas Benton Smith

In 1862 Thomas Benton Smith fought in the Battle of Stone's River, where he suffered a Sam Davis serious wound that put him out of action for

much of 1863. After his recuperation, Smith resumed field duties, but was again wounded at the Battle of Chickamauga in September. After another lengthy recovery period, he returned to action during the 1864 Atlanta Campaign. He was promoted to brigadier general on July 29, 1864. His First action as a General officer was on the extreme left of the Confederate flank at the Battle of Utoy Creek where he personally led his Brigade in a charge against attacking Union soldiers capturing some 30 Union Soldiers and the 2 Colors of the 8th Tennessee Infantry, USV Sam Davis Monument and 112th Illinois Infantry, USV of Riley's Nashville Tennessee Brigade, Cox Division of the US XXIII Army Corps.

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His military career ended at the Battle of Seeing that he was about to be caught, Jobe Nashville on December 16. Smith tore up the note and began to chew and surrendered during the battle. After Smith swallow it. Angered by the near miss, the had surrendered and been disarmed, Union Union patrol first threatened Jobe and then Colonel William L. McMillen, whose brigade began to torture him in an effort to get the had suffered heavily in an engagement with scout to divulge the content of the dispatch. Smith's Brigade, reportedly berated and then The Ohio troops first hanged Jobe from a attacked the Confederate general, now a bridle rein and then pistol-whipped him, disarmed prisoner, with Smith's own sword knocking out some of his teeth. (one source says "wantonly and repeatedly”). Bound and disarmed, helpless and bleeding, Smith's resultant brain injuries were so Jobe revealed nothing. The torture went on. severe that for a time it was feared he would The Yanks were whooping now, yelling so not live. Held at Johnson's Island in Ohio and loudly that they could be heard at a distant later at Fort Warren in Massachusetts, Smith farmhouse. They put out Jobe's eyes. Perhaps was not released until July 24, 1865. then it was that Jobe heaped epithets upon them. In retaliation they cut out Jobe's Dewitt Jobe tongue. The Union patrol finished off Jobe by DeWitt Smith Jobe enlisted in 1861 and dragging him to death behind his own became part of Company B of the 20th galloping horse. The event is not mentioned in Tennessee Regiment commanded by Col. Joel Official Records of the Union and Battle and his cousin Thomas B. Smith. Confederate Armies, but was preserved in He was wounded and captured at the Battle Jobe family oral history and letters and books of Fishing Creek and fought at Stones River. like Bromfield Ridley’s “Battles and Sketches Jobe was hand-picked as a scout about the of the Army of Tennessee.” time Maj. Gen. Braxton Bragg began his A Tennessee Historical Marker between retreat out of Middle Tennessee and into Nolensville and Triune commemorates Jobe’s Georgia. death: As a scout, Jobe did escape the doldrums of routine military life, but his new role with the “DeWitt Smith Jobe, a member of Coleman's Army of Tennessee was far more dangerous. Scouts, CSA, was captured in a cornfield about Many of the members of Coleman’s Scouts 1 1/2 miles west, Aug. 29, 1864, by a patrol were shot, killed or imprisoned. from the 115th Ohio Cavalry. Swallowing his And each of the Scouts knew about Sam dispatches, he was mutilated and tortured to Davis’ end on the Union gallows. make him reveal the contents. Refusing, he was dragged to death behind a galloping horse. He In August 1864, Jobe and fellow scout Tom is buried in the family cemetery six miles Joplin were far behind Union lines and northeast." reconnoitering near the towns of College Grove, Triune and Nolensville. On Monday, Aug. 29, Jobe was hiding in a cornfield after eating breakfast at the home of a family between Triune and Nolensville. He had an important message hidden on his person. With Yankee patrols in the area, the Confederate scout/spy was hiding during the day and traveling at night. Unfortunately, he was spotted by a patrol of 15 men from the 115th Ohio Regiment of the Union Army of Dewitt Smith Jobe the Cumberland.

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At the time, news of his torture spread Carmack’s Pledge to the South quickly. It pushed his cousin, Dee Smith, to exact his own bloody revenge. These words, written by Edward Ward Smith was with the 45th Tennessee, Carmack of Sumner County, commanded by Col. Anderson Searcy of Tennessee, were read into the Murfreesboro, when he heard of his cousin’s Congressional Record when he served murder. in the U.S. House of Representatives. Smith left his regiment near Chattanooga and They are also inscribed on a bronze rode back to Middle Tennessee and raised the plaque at the base of his statue on the “black flag.” He would give no quarter and Capitol grounds in Nashville, swore to kill any Yankee who crossed his Tennessee. path. Smith was a quiet killer who did his work with a butcher knife. It was said he used TEXT that knife to slit the throats of 14 Union soldiers while they slept in their tents near The South is a land that has known Tullahoma. sorrows; it is a land that has broken the ashen crust and moistened it with Dee Smith’s personal war continued for tears; a land scarred and riven by nearly two months during which he killed as the plowshare of war and billowed many as 50 Yankees before he was captured. with the graves of her dead; but a At last they surrounded him near Nolensville, land of legend, a land of song, a land Tennessee, and shot him. Afterwards they of hallowed and heroic memories. brought him twenty miles from Nolensville to Murfreesboro. Although in excruciating pain To that land every drop of my blood, when the doctors probed his wounds, he said every fiber of my being, every that he would die before his enemies should pulsation of my heart, is consecrated see him flinch. Fortunately, he died before forever. I was born of her womb; I was noon of the next day, at which time he was to nurtured at her breast; and when my be hanged. last hour shall come, I pray God that I may be pillowed upon her There’s no indication that the soldiers from bosom and rocked to sleep within her the 115th Ohio were punished for the tender and encircling arms. atrocity. Legend says the sergeant in charge of the Union patrol “became a raving THIS TABLET PLACED HERE BY THE maniac.” W.C.T.U. And for those who believe in such things, there was a bit of karmic justice meted out to the soldiers of the 115th Ohio. A number of them were captured and sent to the horrific Rebel prison at Andersonville, Ga. Other soldiers from the unit died in the Sultana Disaster on April 27, 1865. The Sultana, a side-wheeler, steam river boat, was loaded with Union soldiers headed from Memphis to Cairo, Ill. Just north of Memphis, the river boat exploded in the worst maritime tragedy in U.S. history. An estimated 1,700 died, including a number of soldiers from the 115th Ohio. Plaque at base of Statue

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The Last Naval Engagement Thus ended the last battle of the War Between the States.

When and where did the last battle of the Reprinted with Permission from: War Between the States take place? Well, THE REBEL YELL probably not when and where you think! “The Oldest Newsletter in the Confederation” In 1905, two courtly and erudite old gentlemen The Rebel Yell is the official newsletter were rowing to their residence on an island off of the Brig. Gen. Stand Watie Society the mouth of Mobile Bay. During a visit to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. the mainland to pick up a load of supplies, Editor Charles H. Smith, DCS they had picked up quite a load of another type at a local saloon. They alternately rowed and sampled a jug, all the while bemoaning the intolerable end of the War TRIVIA ANSWERS Between the States. When a US battleship entering the bay came abreast of them, they A. Union: 13,200; Confederate: 10,266 became enraged at the sight of the "hated” B. Mississippi, April 4, 1862 US flag. C. A buffalo hunt D. Nathan Bedford Forrest Grabbing a fowling piece, first one old E. Francis J. Herron gentleman and then the other fired a shot "across the bow" of the ship. One load of shot hit the bridge, resulting in a gig being lowered and the two old men being taken on board the CHAPTER COMMANDER’S REPORT ship. There they demanded to see the captain. Brought to his cabin, they demanded the surrender of the ship. The captain not only Gentlemen, possessed rich manners and a quick understanding, but also a sense of humor. There has been some email discussion about a possible project for our Chapter. We are Inviting the men to be seated, he offered thinking of doing a little advertising in hopes them cigars and politely and gravely begged of gaining some recruits. We have already for a discussion of terms. These were pre- looked into some of the costs involved, both sented during a conversation over several print and radio. I would like everyone’s bottles of champagne. Finally, a formal truce input. We need to decide if it is an idea worth was drawn. This peace treaty between the pursuing, if we have the financial support U.S. and the Confederacy was signed and needed and what the content of the sealed in duplicate. Under the terms, the ship advertising should be. Please provide your was allowed to proceed, but not to sail near feedback to me at [email protected]. the men's island, and the captain was allowed to keep his sword. I will follow-up with an email to everyone based on what input I receive. I think this is Afterward the captain escorted the the type project we can get behind. It doesn’t Confederates on deck where they were piped require any travel and therefore fits with our over the side with full naval formality. A being scattered across the state. launch waited there to tow them to their island. As the dory was towed away, one of My wife and I recently attended the Texas the old men rose in the boat, raised the Society Convention. It was well attended for a returned fowling piece, and fired a salute. non-election year. No important changes to report.

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The Society is showing a good savings by Military Order of the Stars having most members receive the Clarion and Bars Benediction Call electronically. This savings is being used to establish our Texas scholarship program. Leader: I asked God for strength, that I might There was a good sharing of Chapter projects achieve, and activities. Emphasis was, as always, on recruitment. Our membership’s average age Members: I was made weak, that I might learn keeps climbing. This focus on membership, humbly to obey. especial the younger demographic, is part of Leader: I asked for health, that I might do what prompted our looking into greater things, advertisement. There are no other Chapters Members: I was given infirmity that I might do in Texas pursuing this and it could really help better things. the Order. I spoke with Texas Society Leader: I asked for riches, that I might be Commander, Larry Wilhoite, and he feels the happy, Society could help us with funding, when we Members: I was given poverty, that I might be get a plan in place. wise. Leader: I asked for power, that I might have I hope you are all receiving some of this the praise of men, needed rain, minus the storms. Members: I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God. God Bless, Leader: I asked for all things, that I might enjoy Gary L. “Nux” Loudermilk life, Commander Major John Loudermilk Members: I was given life, that I might enjoy Chapter 264 all things. Leader: I got nothing that I asked for – but everything I had hoped for.

Members: Almost despite myself my unspoken

prayers were answered. ALL: I am, among all men, most richly blessed. BANNAL AB BRAITHREAN Prayer of an Unknown Confederate Soldier (BAND OF BROTHERS) Found on his body in the “Devil’s Den” at Is a newsletter published of Gettysburg and for the Major John Loudermilk Chapter #264 of the Military Order of the Stars and Bars It is published electronically and issued seasonally. Comments, suggestions or questions may be sent to the Editor, Gary M. Loudermilk at [email protected] Two Time Winner of the Captain John Morton Award for Best Chapter Newsletter

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