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Civil War Raids & Skirmishes in 1864 | |
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Link To This Page — Contact Us —Civil War Raids & Skirmishes in 1864JANUARYJanuary 3, 1863 in Salem, Virginia - On January 3, a group of Federals from the 1st maine Cavalry and the 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry spotted a group of Confederate raiders in Salem. They attacked the raiders and sent them scattering into the nearby woods. January 4, 1864 in Warrenton, Virginia - On January 4, Col. John S. Mosby sent a 25-man party of Confederate raiders, commanded by Lt. William T. Turner, to Warrenton. It was a cold day with snow covering the area. These conditions helped the Confederates to surprise the Union camp. The Confederates managed to attack the camp and capture 25 prisoners and 45 Union horses. January 7, 1864 in Waccamaw Neck, South Carolina - On January 7, a lieutenant and a private of the 21st Georgia Cavalry captured 25 Union troops on Waccamaw Neck, located near Charleston. January 7, 1864 in Sulpher Springs, Virginia - On January 7, at 4:00 A.M., a group of Confederate raiders attacked a Union picket post on the Sulpher Springs Road, manned by part of the 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry. They made a cavalry charge into the rear of the Union position. Besides the Union 6 wounded & 18 captured union casualties, the Confederates also managed to capture 43 Union horses. Luckily for the Confederates, the snowstorm muffled the sounds of the battle, keeping them from being pursued from a Union patrol. January 10, 1864 in Loudoun Heights, Virginia - On January
10, Col. John S. Mosby and his Confederate raiders entered the Louden Heights area. There, a Confederate scout informed Mosby about a Union camp at the foot of the heights that contained about 300 Federals, commanded by Maj. Henry A. Cole. Mosby led his men around the Union pickets and when they arrived within a mile of them. The Confederates travelled through the woodline and halted again when
they were within 200 yards from the rear of the Union camp. Mosby ordered a detachement of 10 men to go to Cole's headquarters, which was located in a nearby house, and wait for the main attack to occur. At that point, the detachment would attack the house and hopefully capture Cole and his commanders. January 10, 1864 in Lockwood's Folly Inlet, South Carolina - On January 10, the Union blockader USS Iron Age was lost off Lockwood's Folly Inlet. It had run aground and was unable to free itself. Nearby Confederates noticed the ship and began to bombard it from land. The ship was eventually destroyed. January 17, 1864 in Dandridge, Tennessee - Union forces
under Maj. Gen. John G. Parke advanced on Dandridge, Tennessee, near the East Tennessee & Virginia Railroad, on January 14, forcing Lt. Gen. James Longstreet's Confederate troops to fall back. Longstreet, however, moved additional troops into the area on the 15th to meet the enemy and threaten the Union base at New Market. On the 16th, Brig. Gen. Samuel D. Sturgis, commanding the
Cavalry Corps, Army of the Ohio, rode forward to occupy Kimbrough's Crossroads. Within three or four miles of his objective, Sturgis's cavalry met Confederate troops, forcing them back towards the crossroads. As the Union cavalry neared the crossroads, they discovered a Confederate infantry division with artillery that had arrived the day before.
January 26, 1864 in Athens, Alabama - Each side had cavalry
forces engaged, under a regiment in strength. Confederate cavalry, numbering about 600 men, attacked Athens, held by about 100 Union troops, around 4:00 A.M. on the morning of January 26, 1864. After a 2-hour battle, the Confederates retreated. January 30, 1864 in Medley, West Virginia - On January 29,
Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Rosser entered Moorefield with his Confederate force. He had learned of a large Union supply train that was heading to Petersburg. FEBRUARYFebruary 6-7, 1864 in Barnett's Ford, Virginia - On February
6, in the morning, Brig. Gen. Wesley Merritt's 1st Cavalry Division drove out the Confederate pickets from the Robertson River all the way to the Rapidan River. At 4:00 P.M., Col. ?? Chapman, with parts of 2 brigades, was opposed by 3 Confederate cavalry regiments of Brig. Gen. Lunsford L. Lomax's brigade. February 6-7, 1864 in Orange and Culpeper Counties, Virginia
- To distract attention from a planned cavalry-infantry raid up the Peninsula on Richmond, the Union army forced several crossings of the Rapidan River on February 6. February 11, 1864 near Kearneysville, West Virginia - On February 11, a group of Confederate raiders, commanded by Maj. H.W. Gilmor, attacked the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad near Kearneysville. The attack threw a train off the tracks. The raiders then proceeded to rob the train's crew and passengers. February 20, 1864 near Upperville, Virginia - On February
20, Maj. Henry A. Cole and his Union force arrived at Blakely's School Grove, located about 3 miles northeast of Upperville. he halted his men and set them up in a defensive position. They were being follwed by Col. John S. Mosby and some Confederate raiders. The Confederates arrived at the grove and got into a line of battle across the fields. The opposing forces exchanged gunfire. The Federals
then went forward in a charge and the Confederates beat them back. Cole ordered two more charges and both times was beaten back. February 22-27, 1864 in Dalton, Georgia - From Vicksburg,
Mississippi, Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman launched a campaign to take the important railroad center at Meridian and, if the situation was favorable, to push on to Selma and threaten Mobile, in order to prevent the shipment of Confederate men and supplies. To counter the threat, Pres. Jefferson Davis ordered troops into the area. February 26, 1864 in Albemarle County, Virginia - In the
early afternoon of February 26, Brig. Gen. George A. Custer and about 1,000-3,000 Union soldiers advanced towards the town of Charlottesville. This raid was an attempt by the Union to divert attention on to Charlottesville while an attempt was made to free prisoners of war held in Richmond. MARCHMarch 1, 1864 in Ely's Ford, Virginia - On March 1, Lt. Henry A.D. Merritt and his Union force attacked a Confederate post at Ely's Ford. They captured 2 sentries and learned from them that the outpost reserve was located in a nearby house. The Federals attacked the house and captured the remainder of the Confederates. March 2, 1864 in Walkerton, Virginia - On February 28, Brig.
Gen. Judson Kilpatrick left his encampment at Stevensburg with 4,000 picked men to raid Richmond. Col. Ulric Dahlgren, son of Rear Adm. John Dahlgren, commanded an advance force of 500 men. While the main body under Kilpatrick rode along the Virginia Central Railroad tearing up track, Dahlgren rode south to the James River, hoping to cross over, penetrate Richmond's defenses from the rear, and
release Union prisoners at Belle Isle. March 9, 1864 in Greenwich, Virginia - On March 9, Col. John S. Mosby and a group of 40 Confederate raiders attacked a Union force at Greenwich. The Federals were routed and along with 9 prisoners, the Confederates captured 10 Union horses. March 10, 1864 in Kabletown, Virginia - On March 10 , Lt.
Dolly Richards led between 50-60 Confederate raiders into the Shenandoah valley. There, they attacked a Union picket post of the 1st New York Cavalry. A detachment of 25 men of the New York Cavalry, commanded by Maj. Jerry A. Sullivan, were ordered to pursue the Confederates. March 21, 1864 in Bayou Rapides, Louisiana - On March 21, a Union force, led by Col. ?? Mower, followed the Confederate force to Bayou Rapides. During the rainy night, Mower led 2 cavalry brigades and artillery on a mission to envelop and assault the Confederates. They were startled and routed by the Federals. Around 250 Confederates were taken prisoner along with 4 field guns. March 25, 1864 in Paducah, Kentucky - Shortly after noon on
March 25th, Gen. Nathan B. Forrest and 2,800 of his cavalrymen, having ridden 100 miles in 50 hours, suddenly descended on the Ohio River town of Paducah, KY. They were on another of their slashing raids deep into Union territory with the multipurpose expedition (recruit, reoutfit, disperse Federals, etc.) and capturing and destroying Union
supplies. March 29, 1864 in Bolivar, Tennessee - After several weeks
of raiding through Tennessee, Maj. Gen. Nathan B. Forrest's troops were in need of some supplies. Forrest knew that the best place to collect some was at Fort Pillow. As Forrest was planning his raid on the fort, the Union force in Memphis was told of Forrest's presence nearby. Brig. Gen. Benjamin Grierson ordered Col. Fielding Hurst to take some cavalry to harass and stop Forrest and his
men. APRILApril 1, 1864 in Natchitoches, Louisiana - On April 1, the Union force entered the town of Natchitoches. Once there, a small skirmish erupted between the Federals and the Confederate force. April 4, 1864 in Kings and Queens Courthouse, Virginia - On April 4, Brig. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick was commanding a Union force consisting of 2 cavalry brigades, 3 infantry regiments, and an artillery battery. They attacked a Confederate camp near King and Queen Court House. The Federals routed the 1,200-man Confederate force, destroyed the military stores, and took 35 prisoners. April 7, 1864 in Pleasant Hill, Louisiana - On April 7, the Union force, commanded by Brig. Gen. Albert L. Lee, met and skirmished with the Confederate force, commanded by Brig. Gen . Tom Green. Green's Texas cavalry attacked Lee's cavalry several times. The Confederates kept up a steady rifle-fire between their two ranks. Lee was soon reinforced by some infantry and fought off the Confederates. April 9, 1864 off Newport News, Virginia - On April 9, the Confederate torpedo boat, CSS Squib, was just off Newport news. It spotted the USS Minnesota nearby and decided to engage it. The Squib exploded a torpedo, damaging the Minnesota, and managed to escape before the Minnesota had a chance to respond to the attack. April 12-13, 1864 in Pleasant Hill Landing, Louisiana -
After the battle of Pleasant Hill on April 9, Brig. Gen. Tom Green led a detachment of Confederate cavalry to Pleasant Hill Landing on the Red River, where, about 4:00 P.M. on the 12th, they discovered grounded and damaged Union transports and gunboats, the XVI and XVII Corps river transportation, and Union gunboats, with supplies and armament aboard. Brig. Gen. Thomas Kilby Smith's Provisional
Division, XVII Corps, troops, and the gunboats furnished protection for the army transports. Smith moved guns from 3 of the transports to shore, where they opened fire on the Confederates. April 15, 1864 in Camden, Arkansas - On April 15, Brig. Gen. Frederick Steele was heading to Camden. He met up with a group of Confederate cavalry when he entered Camden. After a brief fight, the Confederates were driven out of town. Steele soon established a base at the town. He soon sent out a foraging party to gather some supplies for his starving troops. April 21, 1864 in Natchitoches, Louisiana - On April 21, the Confederates saw the Union rear guard as the Federals were retreating from Grand Encore. They were on their way to Cloutierville. The Union force was being commanded by Brig. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks. The Confederates, commanded by Brig. Gen. Gabriel C. Wharton, attacked the rear guard. This forced the Federals to abandone their positions in Natchitoches. MAYMay 4, 1864 in Sand Mountain, Alabama - Union Col. Abel D.
Streight led a provisional brigade on a raid to cut the Western & Atlantic Railroad that supplied Gen. Braxton Bragg's Confederate army in Middle Tennessee. From Nashville, Tennessee, Streight's command traveled to Eastport, Mississippi, and then proceeded east to Tuscumbia, Alabama, in conjunction with another Union force commanded by Brig. Gen. Grenville
Dodge. May 5, 1864 in Dunn's Bayou, Louisiana - On May 5, a duel occured between the Confederate shore batteries and 2 wooden Union gunboats and a transport. All three ships were lost in the fight. May 9, 1864 in Beaver Dam Station, Virginia - On May 9, a
Union cavalry brigade, under Brig. Gen. George A. Custer, entered Beaver Dam Station. Without any Confederate resistance, Custer and his men proceeded to destroy 2 locomotives, over 100 railroad cars, 10 miles of tracks, and several reserve medical stores. They found some warehouses containing Confederate foodstuffs and destroyed 504,000 bread rations and 915,000 meat rations.
May 10, 1864 in Chesterfield County, Virginia - On May 10,
elements of Maj. Gen. Robert Ransom's division conducted a reconnaissance-in-force against a portion of maj. Gen. Butler's army that was destroying the railroad at Chester Station. May 10, 1864 on Cove Mountain in Wythe County, Virginia - On May 10, Brig. Gen. W.W. Averell's raiders encountered a brigade under Brig. Gen. William "Grumble" Jones near Cove Mountain. After delaying the Union advance, the Confederates withdrew. The next day, Averell reached the New River Bridge on the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad, which he burned. May 10, 1864 in Crockett's Cove, Virginia - On May 10,
Col. John H. Morgan was commanding a small Confederate cavalry force. Brig. Gen. William W. Averell and Brig. Gen. George Crook were leading a Union force in the same area. The two sides clashed in a brief battle. The Confederates managed to push the Federals back. May 11, 1864 in Ashland, Virginia - On May 11, the 1st Massachusetts Cavalry attacked the railroad and depot at Ashland. They destroyed railroad tracks, and a train of cars. When they were finishing up this destruction, they were attacked by the 2ns Virginia Cavalry, commanded by Col. Thomas T. Mumford. At the end of the attack, both sides claimed victory. May 11, 1864 in Ground Squirrel Bridge, Virginia - On May 11, at dawn, Brig. Gen. John B. Gordon and his Confederate force discovered a ford near Ground Squirrel Bridge. They caught the Union brigade by surprise. The Federals, commanded by Brig. Gen. David M. Gregg, lost their camp and was forced to retreat. They did not flee the area, though. A brisk fight ensued with the Federals soon receiving some artillery reinforcements. This ended the fight, with the Confederates withdrawing. May 16, 1864 in Mansura, Louisiana - As Maj. Gen. Nathaniel
P. Banks's Red River Expeditionary Force retreated down Red River, Confederate forces under Maj. Gen. Richard Taylor attempted to slow the Union troops' movements and, if possible, deplete their numbers or, better yet, destroy them. The Union forces passed Fort DeRussy, reached Marksville, and then continued east. At Mansura, Taylor massed his forces in an open prairie that controlled access to
the three roads traversing the area, where he hoped his artillery could cause many casualties. May 22, 1864 in Guard Hill, Virginia - On May 21, Col. John
S. Mosby and his Confederate raiders headed to Guard Hill. Guard Hill was a wooded knoll that was located 4 miles from Front Royal on the road to Winchester. During the night, the Union garrison held a party that ended with a fight between the Federals themselves. During this confusion, Mosby sent a few of his men and they captured the Union pickets. They learned from the prisoners that the
garrison consisted of 200 soldiers of the 15th New York Cavalry. May 26, 1864 in City, South Carolina - On May 26, the Union transport USS Boston was traveling on the Ashepoo River when it suddenly came under fire from some Confederate batteries on shore. The Confederate fire forced the Boston to become grounded at Chapman's Fort. After several attempts to free the ship, its crew decided to destroy the ship before leaving. May 29, 1864 in Salem, Arkansas - On May 29, a Union wagon train was traveling through the town of Salem when it was spotted by some local Confederate force in the area. The train was lightly guarded and the Confederates attacked it. In a short time, the wagon train was in possession of the Confederates. JUNEJune 3, 1864 in Ossabaw Sound, Georgia - The USS Water Witch
was a 378 ton side-wheel steamer that the Union had used at the beginning of the war to help blockade the mouth of the Mississippi River. In 1864, the Water Witch, with a crew of 68 officers and men commanded by Lt. Austin Pendergrast, was serving off the coast of Georgia and assisting with the blockade of Savannah. June 4, 1864 near Waverly, Kansas - On June 4, the USS Prairie Rose, commanded by Capt. William Eads, was near Waverly when it came under fire from Confederate guerrillas on the riverbank. Eads turned his ship around and fled downriver. The pilothouse was riddled with bullets and noone was hurt. June 6, 1864 in Chicot County, Arkansas - Maj. Gen. A.J.
Smith ordered Brig. Gen. Joseph A. Mower to demonstrate against Lake Village. Mower camped near Sunnyside Landing on the evening of June 5 and took up his line of march again the next morning. The skirmishing Confederates fell back to Red Leaf where Col. Colton Greene and his men were encamped. As the Federals advanced, Greene's men, assisted by artillery, fought a delaying action at Ditch Bayou
and then withdrew to Parker's landing on Bayou Mason. June 6, 1864 in Stauton, Virginia - On June 6, Brig. Gen. ?? Hunter led his Union force into Stauton. They proceeded to destroy the Virginia Central Railroad tracks and property, war material, factories, bridges, and telegraph lines. The railroad was totally destroyed for 3 miles out of Stauton and partially destroyed for an additional 3 miles. They released all of the prisoners from the jail and then destroyed the jail. June 8-9, 1864 in Mount Sterling, Virginia - On June 8, Brig. Gen. John H. Morgan and his Confederate raiders captured the town of Mount Sterling. They skirmished the the Union garrison and drove them out. Next, Morgan went into the local bank and stole $18,000. They soon afterwards left town. June 10, 1864 in Lexington, Kentucky - On June 10, Brig. Gen. David Hunter and his Union force were headed to the town of Lexington. The briefly skirmished with some local forces and entered Lexington. Once inside, they proceeded to burn all of the Virginia Military Institute buildings. June 11, 1864 in Lexington, Kentucky - On June 11, Col. John H. Morgan and his Confederate raiders entered the town of Lexington. After driving off a small number of Federals, they proceeded to torch the Federal horse stables and let about 7,000 Union horses loose. June 15, 1864 on the Arkansas River, Arkansas - On June 15,
Col. Stand Watie and his Confederate Indian force captured the USS J.R. Williams on the Arkansas River. The Williams contained $100,000 worth of supplies. June 21, 1864 in New Castle Road, Virginia - On June 21, Brig. Gen. John McClausland attacked the Union trains and artillery at New Castle Road. The Union trains belonged to Brig. Gen. David Hunter. The Confederates took 3 guns and spiked 5 guns. They then left the area. June 24, 1864 at Saint Mary's Church, Virginia - On June 24,
Maj. Gen. Wade Hampton's cavalry attempted to cut off Sheridan's cavalry returning from their raid to Trevilian Station. June 24, 1864 in White River, Arkansas - On June 24, Col. Jo Shelby led his Confederate cavalrymen to the White River. Once there, he spotted 3 Union steamers traveling towards his position. Once the ships were within range, he ordered his men to open fire. They attacked all 3 ships. Two of the ships managed to escape, but the USS Queen City was captured, looted, and then destroyed before the Confederates left the area. JULYJuly 6, 1864 in Hagerstown, Maryland - On July 6, Brig. Gen. John McClausland and his Confederate cavalry entered Hagerstown. McClausland levied the town for $20,000 in retaliation for the Maj. Gen. David Hunter's raid and destruction in the Shenandoah Valley. After getting their money, the Confederates left town. July 6, 1864 in Jackson County, Missouri - On July 6, Capt. George Todd and his Confederate guerrillas ambushed a Union patrol of the 2nd Colorado Cavalry. The Federals were quickly scattered and 8 union soldiers were killed. July 8, 1864 in Frederick, Maryland - On July 8, Brig. Gen. John McClausland and his Confederate cavalry entered Frederick. McClausland levied the town for $200,000 in retaliation for the Maj. Gen. David Hunter's raid and destruction in the Shenandoah Valley. Just 2 days earlier, McClausland did the same thing at Hagerstown. Once again, after the Confederates got their money, they quickly left town. July 11-12, 1864 in Fort Darling, Washington, D.C. - On July
11, Lt. Gen. Jubal A. Early’s exhausted Confederates reached the outskirts of Washington near Silver Spring. Skirmishers advanced to feel the fortifications which at the time were manned only by Home Guards, clerks, and convalescent troops. During the night, veteran units from the Union VI Corps disembarked from troop transports and marched north through the streets of Washington to bolster the
defenses. July 17, 1864 in Opelika, Alabama - On July 17, Brig. Gen. Lovell H. Rosseau and his Union force attacked the town of Opelika. The local Confederate force was under the command of Maj. Gen. Gideon J. Pillow. The Federals took or burned large quanities of supplies. They then took off down the West Point Railroad. While doing this, they destroyed 30 miles of track and burned several railroad stations and warehouses. July 20, 1864 on Ruthersford Farm in Frederick &
Winchester County, Virginia - On July 20, Brig. Gen. W.W. Averell's Union division attacked Maj. Gen. S.D. Ramseur's Confederate division at Rutherford's and Carter's farms. This sudden assault came in on the flank of Hoke's brigade as it was deploying, throwing it into a panic. Ramseur retreated toward Winchester in confusion. July 20, 1864 in Stephenson's Depot, Virginia - The
Confederate force, commanded by Maj. Gen. Jubal Early, was heading back to the Shenandoah Valley after threatening Washington, D.C. The Union force, commanded by Brig. Gen. William W. Averell, had been trailing the Confederates. July 30-31, 1864 in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania - Nearly
2,600 Confederate cavalrymen halted on the outskirts of Chambersburg about 3:00 A.M. on July 30th. Their commander, Brig. Gen. John McClausland, carried written orders from Lt. Gen. Jubal A. Early demanding from the citizens of this southern Pennsylvania town $100,000 in gold or $500,000 in greenbacks as compensation for 3 Virginia houses burned by Maj. Gen. David hunter's Union troops. According
to the orders, if the payment was not made, the town would be "laid in ashes in retaliation". July 30, 1864 in Macon, Georgia - On July 30, Brig. Gen.
George Stoneman and his Union force encountered light Confederate resistance about 7 miles from macon. The townpeople were in a panic, trying to leave the city before the Union force arrived. The leaders were sending private and public property on trains out of the city. Much of this property was taken and destroyed by the Federals. The Confederates were forced to destroy the bridges over the
Ocmulgee River to stall the Union force. July 30, 1864 in Clinton, Georgia - On July 30, Brig. Gen. George Stoneman and his Union force was forced to abandon their attack on Macon. They headed back to Clinton, where they encountered a Confederate force. The Federals drove the Confederates through the town, rescuing some of the Union foragers along the way. The foragers had been taken prisoner earlier that day and was placed in the town's jail. The Federals then burned down the jail and continued their march out of town. July 31, 1864 in Hillsboro, Georgia - On July 30, Brig. Gen.
George Stoneman and his Union raiders were travelling towards Hillsboro. They were encountering Confederate resistance along the way. AUGUSTAugust 1, 1864 in Allegany County, Maryland - After burning
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, on July 30, Johnson's and McCausland's cavalry brigades rode towards Cumberland, Maryland, to disrupt the B&O Railroad. Brig. Gen. Benjamin Kelly organized a small force of soldiers and citizens to meet the Confederate advance. August 9, 1864 in City Point, Virginia - On August 9, two
Confederate agents, John Maxwell and R.K. Dillard, arrived at City Point. City Point was a small hamlet and river port at the confluence of the Appomattox River and James River. It was nicknamed the Cockade City, and located about 10 miles northeast of Petersburg. August 20, 1864 at Lovejoy's Station in Clayton County, Georgia
- While Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler was absent raiding Union supply lines from north Georgia to east Tennessee, Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman, unconcerned, sent Brig. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick to raid Confederate supply lines. August 21, 1864 at Summit Point in Jefferson County, West Virginia
- Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan had pulled back up the Valley because of (erroneous) reports of substantial Confederate reinforcements. He also wanted to work out the kinks in his new command – troops brought together from all over who needed to grow accustomed to one another and a new HQ. But the Confederates read Sheridan’s withdrawal another way, as timidity.
August 25-29, 1864 at Smithfield Crossing in Jefferson and Berkeley Counties, West Virginia - On August 29, 2 Confederate infantry divisions crossed Opequon Creek at Smithfield and forced back Merritt's Union cavalry division back along the road to Charles Town. Ricketts's infantry division was brought up to stop the Confederate advance. The federals suffered 20 killed, 61 wounded and 100 captured. The confederates suffered 300 killed and wounded. This was part of Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley Campaign SEPTEMBERSeptember 2-6, 1864 in Lovejoy, Georgia - On September 2,
the Confederate force, under Maj. Gen. William Hardee, had arrived at Lovejoy after retreating from Jonesboro. They immediately started to dig in and put up breastworks. They knew that Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman's Union army would be right behind them. September 4, 1864 in Greeneville, Tennessee - On September 4, Brig. Gen. John H. Morgan, the famed Confederate raider, was inside the town of Greenville. Some Union troops entered the town and upon discovering Morgan's presence there, they quickly found Morgan. Morgan dashed into a garden before the Federals opened fire, hitting Morgan in the chest and back. Morgan died instantly. September 10-11, 1864 at Davis' Cross Roads in Dade and Walker
Counties, Georgia - After the Tullahoma Campaign, Maj. Gen. William Rosecrans renewed his offensive, aiming to force the Confederates out of Chattanooga. The III corps, comprising Rosecrans's army, split and set out for Chattanooga by separate routes. Hearing of the Union advance, Braxton Bragg concentrated troops around Chattanooga. While Col. John T. Wilder's artillery fired on
Chattanooga, Rosecrans attempted to take advantage of Bragg's situation and ordered other troops into Georgia. They raced forward, seized the important gaps, and moved out into McLemore's Cove. September 11, 1864 in Sycamore Church, Virginia - On September 11, Maj. Gen. Wade Hampton and a Confederate raiding party attacked a smaller Union force at Sycamore Church. The Union force was composed of the 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry and the 1st District of Columbia Cavalry. The Confederates managed to push the Federals back to Coggin's Point. September 16, 1864 in Sycamore Church, Virginia - On
September 16, a force of the 7th Virginia Cavalry arrived at Sycamore Church to raid the Union cattle area. The Confederates made a dismounted assault on the Union cavalry force. Maj. Gen. Wade Hampton arrived to lend assistance to the Virginia cavalry. The Federals decided to not let the Confederates take the cattle, so they broke down the corral fences and stampeded the
cattle. September 16, 1864 in Coggin's Point, Virginia - On September 16, the Union force that had retreated from the Confederate attacks at the Battle of Sycamore Church were once again attacked by the Confederates. They had followed the Federals here and was trying to destroy them before they could link back up with Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's force. The Confederates managed to push the Federals back even further. September 18, 1864 in Martinsburg, Virginia - On September 18, Maj. Gen. Jubal Early moved part of his Confederate force north to the town of Martinsburg. There, they encountered and drove off a group of Union cavalry. Later that night, the Confederates had pulled back to Bunker Hill. September 19, 1864 in Cabin Creek, Oklahoma - On September
19, Brig. Gen. Stand Watie led his 800-man Confederate force of Cherokees, creeks, and Seminole Indians in a coup. The area was just north of Fort Gibson at Cabin Creek. The Union forces. Assisting Watie was Col. Richard M. Gano's brigade of 1,200 Texans. Together, they captured a Northern train of 300 government and sutler wagons from Fort Scott. They were loaded with $1,500,000 worth of food,
clothing, boots, shoes, medicine, guns, ammunition, and other supplies for the soldiers and Indian refugees at Fort Gibson. September 23-24, 1864 in Athens, Alabama - A Confederate
raid had been ordered by President Jefferson Davis and Lt. Gen. John B. Hood. The purpose was to enter northern Alabama and middle Tennessee and disrupt the Union operations. Maj. Gen. Nathan B. Forrest was to lead this raid. The purpose was to harass Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman's supply line during his Atlanta Campaign. September 23, 1864 in Front Royal, Virginia - The famous
Confederate raider Lt. Col. John S. Mosby and his 43rd Virginia Cavalry Battalion were terrorizing the Federals all throughout Maj. Gen. Phil Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley Campaign. Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant had ordered Sheridan to "hang without trial" any of Mosby's men who might be captured. September 24, 1864 in Milford Haven, Virginia - On September 24, a Union naval force destroyed 4 small Confederate ships, captured 5 other ships, and leveled a fishery at Milford haven. Milford haven was located in the Rappahannock River area. September 27, 1864 in Campbellton, Florida - On September
26, Brig. Gen. Alexander Asboth pushed into Jackson County in the morning. His men continuing to raid farms and homes along their route as they went. September 28, 1864 in Vernon, Florida - Believing that
Confederate forces were en route and having achieved their objective of capturing Marianna and many of its defenders, the Federals withdrew from the town before sunrise on the morning of September 28. They rode south down the St. Andrews Bay Road and then veered west onto the Vernon road. OCTOBEROctober 3, 1864 in Harrisonburg, Virginia - On October 3,
after learning that some of his men were executed by the Federals, Lt. Col. John S. Mosby sought some payback. Mosby found Lt. John R. Meigs returning to the Union camp at Harrisonburg. Meigs was a topographical engineer and the son of Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs. October 4, 1864 in Acworth, Georgia - On October 4 , a Confederate corps entered the towns of Acworth and Big Shanty. In both towns, they quickly captured the Union garrison and tore up a total of 15 miles of railroad tracks. October 4, 1864 in Salem, Virginia - On October 4 , Col.
John S. Mosby and his 250 Confederate raiders headed to Salem. At Salem, a Union force and work crews were there to repair damaged railroad tracks. Mosby organized his force and 2 cannon south and east of the village. The cannon unlimbered on Stephenson's Hill, 1/2 mile from Salem. The skirmishers dismounted and fanned out while the main body remained mounted to charge through the streets. The
Federals were working on the tracks and building a camp. October 6, 1864 in Brock's Gap, Virginia - On October 6, a Confederate cavalry force, commanded by Col. Thomas L. Rosser, attacked 2 Union regiments, commanded by Maj. Gen. George A. Custer, at Brock's Gap. Brock's gap was located near Fisher Hill in the Shenandoah valley. Custer's force repulsed the Confederate attack. October 8, 1864 in Yew Hill, Virginia - On October 8 , a Union force consisting of 3 companies of the 8th Illinois Cavalry was moving from Rectortown to Piedmont. About a mile southeast of Piedmont, Col. John S. Mosby and 8 Confederate raiders attacked the Federals at "Yew Hill." Yew Hill was the 116-year old home of a Shacklett family. Hand-to-hand fighting occured between the opposing forces. After a brief skirmish, the Federals decided to retreat, which they did. After the fight, the raiders dispersed. October 10, 1864 in Eastport, Mississippi - On October 10, a Union force was taken upstream on the Tennessee River to Eastport. They were planning to make an attack against the Confederate force there, commanded by Lt. Gen. Nathan B. Forrest. Confederate gunfire damaged the gunboat USS Undine and disabled two transport ships. The transport ships pulled away, leaving most of the troops. The abandoned Union troops were able to make their escape back to friendly lines. October 11, 1864 near Fort Donelson, Tennessee - On October 11, a force of Confederate cavalry attacked a Federal Negro recruiting detachment located near Fort Donelson. After a short skirmish, the Confederates were driven off. October 11, 1864 in Newton, Virginia - On October 11 , Lt. Dolly Richards and a group of 35 Confederate raiders discovered a Union ambulance and a 50-man escort from the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry near Newton. Newton was located just south of Winchester. The Confederates charged into the Federals. After a brief resistance, the Federals fled into the nearby woods. 12 federals were captured. October 11, 1864 near Clarendon, Arkansas - On October 11, a group of Confederate bushwhackers were on the White River, near Clarendon, when they spotted the Union steamer USS Reolute coming their way. They laid in hiding until the ship was near and then attacked it. They Resolute was soon forced away. October 13, 1864 in Kearneysville, West Virginia - On
October 13, Col. John S. Mosby led his Confederate Rangers into West Virginia. When they were near Kearneysville, west of Harper's Ferry, they took up a section of railroad tracks. They then wrecked a passenger train, and seized $173,000, largely from two army paymasters. October 13, 1864 at Darbytown Road in Henrico County, Virginia - On October 13, Union forces advanced to find and feel the new Confederate defensive line in front of Richmond. While mostly a battle of skirmishers, a Union brigade assaulted fortifications north of Darbytown Road and was repulsed with heavy casualties. The Federals retired to their entrenched lines along New Market Road. This was part of Petersburg Campaign October 14, 1864 in Harper's Ferry, West Virginia - On
October 13, Lt. Col. John S. Mosby and his Confederate raiders set out for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at Harper's Ferry. This was perhaps his most celebrated raid in the war, and was called by some the "Greenback Raid." The purpose was to harass and achieve a measure of terrorism against a supposedly secure rail line.
October 14, 1864 in Danville, Missouri - On October 14, part of Col. William Anderson's 80 Confederate guerrillas attacked the town of Danville. They killed 5 militiamen, several citizens, and burned and robbed most of the stores and houses in the community. Afterwards, they headed east. October 15, 1864 in Glasgow, Missouri - While Maj. Gen.
Sterling Price led his men westward across Missouri, he decided to send a detachment to Glasgow to liberate weapons and supplies in an arms storehouse, purported to be there. This combined mounted infantry, cavalry, and artillery force laid siege to the town and the fortifications on Hereford Hill. October 19, 1864 in Lexington, Missouri - Maj. Gen. Sterling
Price's march along the Missouri River was slow, providing the Federals a chance to concentrate. Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans, commanding the Department of the Missouri, proposed a pincer movement to trap Price and his army, but he was unable to communicate with Maj. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis, commander of the Department of Kansas, to formalize the plan. Curtis was having problems because many of
his troops were Kansas militia and they refused to enter Missouri, but a force of 2,000 men under the command of Maj. Gen. James G. Blunt did set out for Lexington. On October 19, Price's army approached Lexington, collided with Union scouts and pickets about 2:00 pm, drove them back, and engaged in a battle with the main force. October 21, 1864 in Westport, Missouri - On the 20th,
Blunt's troops arrived on the Little Blue River, 8 miles east of Independence. The Union force prepared to engage the Confederates again in a strong defensive position on the west bank. Curtis, however, ordered Blunt into Independence while leaving a small force, under Col. Thomas Moonlight, on the Little Blue. October 22, 1864 in Independence, Missouri - Maj. Gen.
Sterling Price's army rode west in the direction of Kansas City. On the night of the 21st, he camped at Independence and resumed his westward march the next morning with Brig. Gen. Joe Shelby's division in the lead followed by Brig. Gen. John S. Marmaduke's division, with Brig. Gen. James Fagan's division bringing up the rear. While Shelby's men met success at Byram's Ford, the other two columns
did not fare as well. Maj. Gen. Alfred Pleasonton's Union force crossed the Little Blue, beat up a Confederate brigade in Fagan's command, and occupied Independence. Marmaduke's division then met Pleasonton about two miles west of Independence, hit the Federals hard, pressed them back, and held them at bay until the morning of the 23rd. October 22-23, 1864 in Jackson County, Missouri - Maj.
Gen. Sterling Price's Army of Missouri was headed west towards Kansas City and Fort Leavenworth. Maj. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis's Army of the Border, in and around Westport, was blocking the Confederates' way west and Maj. Gen. Alfred Pleasonton's provisional cavalry division was pressing Price's army's rear. Price had nearly 500 wagons with him and required a good ford over the Big Blue River to
facilitate the passage of his supplies. Byram's Ford was the best ford in the area and became a strategic point during the fighting around Westport. October 25, 1864 in Linn County, Kansas - The engagement at
Marais des Cygnes River was the last major fighting of Price's raid into Missouri. For almost a full month, Pleasonton had been chasing Price's raiders throughout Missouri. At Jefferson City, his defenses were extensive and threatening enough to send Price into a westward retreat. On hearing of Pric's movement, Pleasonton immediately ordered a cavalry division to follow in pursuit.
October 25, 1864 in Vernon County, Missouri - Following
the Battle of Mine Creek, Maj. Gen. Sterling Price continued his cartage towards Fort Scott. In late afternoon of October 25, Price's supply train had difficulty crossing the Marmiton River ford and, like at Mine Creek, Price had to make a stand. October 27, 1864 in Plymouth, North Carolina - On the
Poanoke River, Lt. William B. Cushing commanded an expedition to find and destroy the Confederate ironclad CSS Albemarle, commanded by Lt. Alexander P. Warley. Cushing did not want to destroy the ironclad if he had a chance to capture it. He outfitted two 32ft. steam picket boats with a 12lb. howitzer in the bow of each and a 14ft. spar torpedoe.
NOVEMBERNovember 11, 1864 in Rome, Georgia - On November 11, a Union force arrived at Rome. Once there, they proceeded to destroy several bridges, foundries, mills, shops, warehouses, and other military and civilian property that could be used by the Confederate government. The Union soldiers then started off for Kingston and Atlanta. November 16, 1864 in Lovejoy, Georgia - On November 16, as the majority of the Army of Tennessee was retreating to Macon, 2 Confederate brigades were left at Lovejoy Station as a rearguard. Brig. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick was leading his Union cavalry force when he ran into the Confederates. A skirmish ensued when the cavalry dismounted and attacked the Confederate line. They managed to capture 2 cannon just as Col. Eli H. Murray's cavalry brigade scattered the Confederate force. This was part of Sherman's Savannah Campaign November 16, 1864 in Bear Creek Station, Georgia - On November 16, the retreating Confederates headed to Bear Creek Station. The Union cavalry force followed them and made another quick attack. They managed to capture 2 cannon and 50 Confederate prisoners. This was part of Sherman's Savannah Campaign November 22, 1864 in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee - On November 21, Lt. Gen. John B. Hood and the Army of Tennessee began their Franklin & Nashville Campaign. They moved out from Florence, Alabama. On November 22, the Confederates arrived at lawrenceburg. There, the discovered the advance guard of Maj. Gen. John M. Schofield's Union force. The Confederates overwhelmed the Federals and forced them to retreat toward Columbia. This was part of Franklin & Nashville Campaign November 24-25, 1864 in Ball's Ferry, Georgia - On November 24, Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler and his Confederate cavalry force quickly moved to block the Union advance. They caught up with the Federals and attacked the Union rearguard at Ball's Ferry. Nearby, the 1st Alabama Cavalry (Union) attacked some of Wheeler's pickets. During the night, Union engineers constucted a pontoon-bridge 2 miles away. On November 25, early in the morning, around 200 Union soldiers crossed the bridge and suddenly threatened the Confederate line. The Confederates were ultimately forced to abandon their position. This was part of Sherman's Savannah Campaign November 25-26, 1864 in Sandersville, Georgia - On November 25, Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler and his Confederate cavalry attacked Maj. Gen. Henry W. Slocum's advance guard. The Federals were driven back to the main Union force. On November 26, the fighting continued. Col. Ezra A. Carman's Union brigade assaulted the Confederate line, commanded by Maj. Alfred L. Hartridge. The Federals collapsed the Confederate line and pushed them back. With the 2 days of fighting over, the Union force was able to finally occupy Sandersville. This was part of Sherman's Savannah Campaign November 26, 1864 in Augusta, Georgia - On November 26, during the night, Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler's cavalry force overrode a Union cavalry campsite at Sylvan Grove. The Confederates rode among the sleeping Federals and took many of them as prisoners, the regimental colors, and about 50 of their horses. Maj. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick was at a nearby house and managed to escape November 26, 1864 in Sylvan Grove, Georgia - On November 26, Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler's Confederate cavalry attacked the 8th Indiana Cavalry at Sylvan Springs. The Confederates managed to drive the Federals away from their camp. November 28, 1864 in New Creek, West Virginia - On November
28, Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Rosser and his Confederate raiders headed to New Creek. New Creek was located about 22 miles southwest of Cumberland, Maryland. It was a key railroad station on the Baltimore & Orange Railroad and also an important supply depot for the Union Army. The area was guarded by two blockhouses and a 800-man garrison of Union soldiers. Rosser knew that a surprise
attack was critical for a successful raid. November 28, 1864 in Piedmont, West Virginia - On November 28, Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Rosser sent the 11th Virginia Cavalry Regiment to Piedmont. After defeating the Union forces at New Creek, the cavalrymen left for Piedmont, about 5 miles west of New Creek. After a brisk fight with the small Union garrison, the Confederates werer able to dislodge the defenders and burn down the machine shops of the Baltomore & Ohio Railroad. They then returned to the main Confederate force at New Creek. November 28, 1864 near Cumberland, Virginia - On November 28, Brig. Gen. William H.F. Payne and his Confederate brigade was advancing along the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. They soon encountered some Union pickets and opened fire on them. The pickets were quickly driven away. DECEMBERDecember 9, 1864 in Jamesville, North Carolina - On December 9, the USS Otsego and a Union tug were sunk by Confederate torpedoes in the Roanoke River near Jamesville. December 17, 1864 in Hollow's Tree Gap, Georgia - On December 17 , the Confederate force made a stand at Hollow's Tree Gap, located about 4 miles north of Franklin. They managed to hold off the Union advance until they found out that they were being outflanked on both sides. The Confederates had no choice but to retreat farther south. December 20-21, 1864 in Saltville, Virginia - After defeating a Confederate force at Marion on the December 17-18, Stoneman's expedition advanced to Saltville. After determined skirmishing on the part of the outnumbered Confederate defenders, the Federals captured and destroyed the saltworks, accomplishing the objective of their raid. December 17-18, 1864 in Marion, Virginia - Riding through
the Cumberland Gap, Stoneman's expedition advanced on the important lead mines and salt ponds around Marion and Saltville. On December 17, Stoneman defeated a makeshift force of Confederate defenders.
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