Sherman in Georgia

Mobile BayPort for blockade runners in the GulfEntrance to the bay heavily fortified with

artillery and mines (torpedos)David Farragut leads amphibious assault

against Mobile in August 1864In battle says “Damn the torpedoes, full

speed ahead”City surrenders

next spring

Bloody Bill AndersonPart of Quantrill’s Raiders (Lawrence, KS)

along with Frank and Jesse JamesRaided town of Centralia, MO on

September 27, 1864 killing 24 unarmed Federals

Anderson overtakes troops sent to capture him, kills 123 after surrender

Killed on October 27 in Albany, MO by Federal soldiers

Red River CampaignNathaniel Banks leads 40,000 up Red

River through Louisiana with Porter’s fleet of 58 ships

Attempts to cut off Confederates from junction with French Mexico by taking Shreveport, LA

Banks stopped at Sabine Crossroads by less than 13,000 Federals as level of river drops

Federals retreat from region

Sand Creek MassacreRetaliation for raids on Colorado settlersNovember 29, 1864 – John Chivington and

700 cavalry attack Black Kettle’s settlement of 500 killing over 180 Indians

Subsequent investigations characterized assault on Cheyenne & Arapaho as a massacre with many women & children slaughtered

Event begins war on Native Americans throughout US for the next 30 years

Brice’s CrossroadsJune 10, 1864Sherman sends Samuel

Sturgis into northern Mississippi to find Forrest

Forrest’s cavalry attacks in day long battle that routs Federals

Sherman diverts Forrest from supply lines

“That Devil Forrest”Sherman said capture of Nathan Bedford

Forrest worth 10,000 menA.J. Smith sent with 14,000 troops to

ensure safety of Sherman’s railroad supply lines

Forrest forced to wait on reinforcements before attack

Smith encounters Forrest and Stephen D. Lee (8,000) at Tupelo, MS and force Confederate retreat

Fort PillowConfederate fortification abandoned after

Island #10 above MemphisFort occupied by small Federal garrisonForrest storms the fort in April 1864 with

2,500 cavalry against 600 Federals White regiments suffered 33% casualties –

Black regiments 64%

Forrest in MemphisNathan Bedford Forrest’s motto: “Get there

first with the most”Raids his Union held hometown hoping to

free Confederate POWs & capture 3 Federal generals on August 21

Surprises sentries but fails objectiveTakes 500 other prisoners while capturing

supplies and horsesConcern withdraws US troops

out of northern Mississippi

Sherman In CommandNever won a major battle

prior to assuming command of the Army of the Tennessee

Friend of Grant’sWest Point grad (5th in class),

served in MexicoHead of LA Military Academy

at secessionMarches toward Atlanta

Atlanta CampaignSherman replaces

Rosecrans for FederalsJohnston replaces Bragg for

ConfederatesSherman pushes toward

Atlanta attempting to flank Confederates at Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, New Hope Church, Pickett’s Mill & Dallas

Kennesaw MountainJune 27, 1864Sherman

launches full frontal assault after Confederate flanks found protected

Confederates dug in – repulse FederalsFederals casualty rate 3 to 1 of

Confederates

Battle for AtlantaConfederates fall back to keep from being

flankedSkirmishing at

Chattahoochee River, Peachtree Creek as Sherman heads for Atlanta

President Davis replaces Johnston with John Bell Hood, who attacks

Fighting in and around Atlanta continues through August

Hood evacuates Atlanta on September 1

Johnston v. HoodJefferson Davis never liked

JohnstonPerformance in GA convinced

president he needed a fighter as head of the Army of Tennessee

Hood intense warrior – Lost arm at Gettysburg, leg at Chickamauga

Brave to the point of wreckless

March to the SeaSherman cut 60 mile wide swath through

Georgia as he marches toward Savannah mostly unopposed

Makes neckties out of rails and causes $80 million in damage

Hardee with 10,000 evacuates Savannah

Sherman telegrams Lincoln with a “Christmas present” on December 21

Sherman Heads NorthMoves to junction with GrantSherman begins march through Carolinas

to disrupt supply route of Lee’s armySacks Columbia,

SC with main force and small forays to other areas including Fayetteville, NC

Election of 1864Lincoln fearful of losing during warOpposed by former General George

McClellan

Battle of FranklinHood moves into Tennessee to harass

FederalsChases fleeing Federals

to town of Franklin who create hurried breastworks

Hood makes 13 charges, never taking Federal position

Casualties: CS 6,300 – US 2,300Both armies move toward Nashville

Battle of NashvilleHood follows George Thomas back to Nashville’s

defensesConfederates too weak to attack, entrench and

wait for FederalsLincoln threatens to replace Thomas if he does

not attackDecember 15 – Thomas launches assault

pushing Confederates backDecember 16 – Thomas hits Hood againCasualties: CS 13,000 – US 2,900

End of Army of TennesseeBattles of Franklin and Nashville rendered

Army uselessArmy of Tennessee fought no further battlesJohn Bell

Hood resigns commission in January 1865

Sherman in Georgia