CAMPAIGN: Forrest's Expedition Into West Tennessee and Kentu
DATE(S): February 1864
PRINCIPAL COMMANDERS: Major General George Thomas [US] Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Johnston [CS]
FORCES ENGAGED: 0 total (US 0; CS 0;)
ESTIMATED CASUALTIES: 429 total (US 289; CS 140;)
DESCRIPTION:
From Vicksburg, Mississippi, 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, Confederate President Jefferson Davis ordered troops into the area. While these operations unfolded, Thomas determined to probe Gen. Johnston's army in the hope that Johnston's loss of two divisions, sent to reinforce Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk as he withdrew from Meridian to Demopolis, Alabama, would make him vulnerable. Skirmishing and intense fighting occurred throughout the demonstration. At Crow Valley on the 25th, Union troops almost turned the Rebel right flank, but ultimately it held. On the 27th, Thomas's army withdrew, realizing that Johnston was ready and able to counter any assault.
RESULTS: Confederate Victory
CAMPAIGN: Morgan's Raid Into Kentucky
DATE(S): May-September 1864
PRINCIPAL COMMANDERS: Major General James Steedman [US] Major General Joseph Wheeler [CS]
FORCES ENGAGED: 0 total (US 0; CS 0;)
ESTIMATED CASUALTIES: 0 total (US 0; CS 0;)
DESCRIPTION:
Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler and his cavalry raided into North Georgia to destroy railroad tracks and supplies. They approached Dalton in the late afternoon of August 14 and demanded the surrender of the garrison. The Union commander, Col. Bernard Laibolt, refused to surrender and fighting ensued. Greatly outnumbered, the Union garrison retired to fortifications on a hill outside the town where they successfully held out, although the attack continued until after midnight. Skirmishing continued throughout the night. Around 5:00 am, on the 15th, Wheeler retired and became engaged with relieving infantry and cavalry under Maj. Gen. James B. Steedman's command. Eventually, Wheeler withdrew. The contending forces' reports vary greatly in describing the fighting, the casualties, and the amount of track and supplies captured and destroyed. This engagement was inconclusive, but since the Confederates withdrew, it may be termed a Union victory.
RESULTS: Union Victory
OTHER NAME: Whitfield
CAMPAIGN: unknown
DATE(S):
PRINCIPAL COMMANDERS: Major General James Steedman [US] Major General Joseph Wheeler [CS]
FORCES ENGAGED: 0 total (US 0; CS 0;)
ESTIMATED CASUALTIES: 751 total (US 751; CS 0;)
DESCRIPTION:
In late September following the fall of Atlanta, CS General Hood headed north, striking the Federals' supply line, the Western & Atlantic Railroad, and the small garrisons that guarded it. At Allatoona on October 5 the garrison held out in a fierce contest. Hood bypassed Resaca because its fortifications were too strong and marched on to Dalton. On October 15 US General Schofield barely escaped by rail before the Confederates surrounded the town. CS Major General William Bate's soldiers captured the garrison, 751 men of the U. S. 44th Colored Infantry commanded by US Colonel Lewis Johnson. They paroled the officers and returned some of the African American soldiers to slavery. Hood headed into Alabama to prepare for his march toward Franklin and Nashville. US General Sherman gave US General Thomas the responsibility for stopping Hood in Tennessee. As soon as he obtained US Lieutenant General Grant's approval, Sherman returned to Atlanta to begin his March to the Sea.
RESULTS: Confederate Victory