What Happened in 1864

Battle of the Wilderness - Grant and Lee Meet

The Battle of the Wilderness was fought on May 5-6, 1864. It was the beginning of the Overland Campaign, the bloodiest campaign in American history... Read more

Battle of Albemarle Sound

Description: On May 5, CSS Albemarle fought seven blockading Union ships to a draw at the mouth of the Roanoke River. Federals recaptured the... Read more

Battle Of The Wilderness - James E. Longstreet is Wounded

On May 6, 1864, Confederate General James E. Longstreet was seriously wounded, caught in the fire of his own troops during the second day of... Read more

Battle of Calcasieu Pass

The Battle of Calcasieu Pass was a minor skirmish fought on May 6, 1864, in southwestern Louisiana, at the mouth of the Calcasieu River, during the... Read more

Union Forces Destroy Railroad at the Battle of Port Walthall Junction

Description:In conjunction with the opening of Grant’s Overland Campaign, Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler’s Army of the James, 33,000 strong, disembarked... Read more

Battle of Todd's Tavern - Confederates Win Race to Spotsylvania

On May 4, 1864, Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant led Major General George G. Meade's Union Army of the Potomac across the Rapidan River... Read more

Battle of Rocky Face Ridge

Description: Gen. Joseph E. Johnston had entrenched his army on the long, high mountain of Rocky Face Ridge and eastward across Crow Valley. As... Read more

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House

Other Names: Combats at Laurel Hill and Corbin’s Bridge (May 8); Ni River (May 9); Laurel Hill, Po River, and Bloody Angle (May 10); Salient or... Read more

Battle of Cloyd's Mountain - Union Forces Destroy Railroad Bridges

Description: On May 9, Crook’s three brigades (6,100 men) on a raid into southwestern Virginia encountered a patchwork Confederate force under... Read more

Battle of Chester Station

Description: On May 10, elements of Maj. Gen. Robert Ransom’s division conducted a reconnaissance-in-force against a portion of Butler’s army that... Read more

Battle of Cove Mountain - Confederates Delay Union Advance

Description: On May 10, Brig. Gen. W.W. Averell’s raiders encountered a brigade under William “Grumble” Jones near Cove Mountain. After delaying... Read more

Battle of Yellow Tavern

Description: As the battle between Grant and Lee raged at Spotsylvania Court House, the Union cavalry corps under Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan... Read more

Battle of Meadow Bridge - Union Forces Rebuild Bridge

The Battle of Meadow Bridge (also known as the Battle of Richmond Heights) was an engagement on May 12, 1864, in Henrico County, Virginia, during... Read more

Battle of Resaca - Sherman Defeats Johnston

Description: Gen. Joseph E. Johnston had withdrawn from Rocky Face Ridge to the hills around Resaca. On the 13th, the Union troops tested the Rebel... Read more

First Soldier Buried In What Is Now Arlington National Cemetery

On May 13, 1864, a Confederate prisoner of war was buried on the grounds of Arlington House, now Arlington National Cemetery. The prisoner, who had... Read more

Battle of New Market

Description: In conjunction with his Spring offensive, Lt. Gen. U.S. Grant ordered Maj. Gen. Franz Sigel to move up the Shenandoah Valley along the... Read more

Battle of Mansura

Other Names: Smith’s Place, Marksville Location: Avoyelles Parish Campaign: Red River Campaign (1864) Date(s): May 16, 1864 Principal... Read more

Battle of Adairsville

Description: Following the Battle of Resaca, May 13-15, Gen. Joseph E. Johnston’ s army retreated southward while Sherman pursued. Failing to find... Read more

Battle of Yellow Bayou

Other Names: Norwood’s Plantation Location: Avoyelles Parish Campaign: Red River Campaign (1864) Date(s): May 18, 1864 Principal... Read more

Battle of North Anna - Lee Outmaneuvers Grant

Description: After the fighting at Spotsylvania Court House, Grant continued his Overland Offensive against Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. He was... Read more

Battle of Wilson's Wharf - Union Black Regiments Defeat Fitzhugh Lee

Description:On May 24, Fitzhugh Lee’s cavalry division (about 3,000 men) attacked the Union supply depot at Wilson’s Wharf and was repulsed by two... Read more

Battle of New Hope Church - Hooker's Forces Defeated

Description: After Johnston retreated to Allatoona Pass on May 19-20, Sherman decided that he would most likely pay dearly for attacking Johnston... Read more

President Lincoln Signed the Enabling Act Creating Montana

On May 26, 1864, President Lincoln signed an enabling act creating the Territory of Montana. Twenty-five years later, on November 8, 1889, Montana... Read more

Battle of Pickett's Mill - Sherman's Attack Fails

Description: After the Union defeat at New Hope Church, Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman ordered Maj. Gen. O.O. Howard to attack Gen. Joseph E.... Read more

Battle of Totopotomoy Creek

Description: Operations along Totopotomoy Creek opened with cavalry combats at the Pamunkey River crossing at Dabney’s Ferry (Hanovertown) and at... Read more