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'On
to Richmond'
US Grant's Campaign in Virginia May 1864
to the fall of Richmond April 1865
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U.S.
Grant’s Campaign in Virginia May 1864 to the fall of Richmond
April 1865
When U.S. Grant took command of
all Union forces in early 1864, he devised a plan to put
pressure on all Confederate armies in the field. His multi-pronged
attack in Virginia sent Federal troops into the Shenandoah
Valley and south of Richmond at Bermuda Hundred. Grant chose
to accompany the Army of the Potomac.
"The art of war is simple enough.
Find out where the enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can.
Strike at him as hard as you can and as often as you can
and keep moving on"
(U.S Grant 1864 campaign)
This Army crossed the Rapidan River early in May; confronted at every
river he fought his way south, eventually settling into
a siege outside Richmond & Petersburg. Nine and half
months would pass before the rebellion would be finally
brought to hand
Example
of Hotels
Day
1
Fly into Washington
Dulles Airport from London.
Drive to Culpeper for overnight stay, welcome wine & cheese
reception with overview tour.
Day
2
During the winter of
1863/64 the town of Culpeper and the surrounding area was
home to many thousands of Union soldiers under the command
of General Warren. We will follow Warren's Corps along modern
route 3 towards the Wilderness, crossing the Rapidan River
at Germanna Ford, our first stop will be at Warren's headquarters,
Elwood, (incidentally Stonewall Jackson's left arm is buried
in the cemetery behind the house). Advancing from Orange towards
Warren's men is Ewell's Confederate Corps. We will examine
in detail the fierce fighting in amongst the trees and on
the open ground at Saunders Field and will Gordon's flank
attack. Generals A.P Hill and Longstreet in the meantime were
also moving their men towards Parkers Store on the Orange
Plank Road, the fighting here was equally brutal with Longstreet
receiving a serious wound.
Overnight in Fredericksburg.
 Day
3
At the Wilderness Lee
did not stop Grant and instead of the latter withdrawing,
he continued his march south, the race was on. As we follow
the armies the short distance to the next major engagement
at Spotsylvania we stop at Todd's Tavern where on the 6 &
7 May 1864, a cavalry engagement took place, Between the 8-21
May, over 30,000 Americans were to become casualties in and
around the Spotsylvania Battlefield. We can still walk much
of the battlefield, around the 'Mule Shoe Salient' with the
'Bloody Angle' where some of the most desperate hand-to-hand
fighting of the war took place. Various attacks and counter
attacks took place before Grant broke off the action and continued
his relentless push towards Richmond.
Second night in Fredericksburg.
Day
4
After leaving Fredericksburg
this morning and before continuing Grant's route, we will
stop at Guinea Station where in May 1863 Stonewall Jackson
died after being wounded at Chancellorsville. As we leave
Guinea Station our route takes us past, Bethel Green Church(HQ
of Grant) , Milford Station and Carmel Church. It was here
that the Union Corps who had been following different routes
joined up prior to crossing North Anna River. Here on the
24/25 May the Confederates thwarted Union attacks. At Nelson's
Crossing on the Pamunkey River, the Union 11 & V1 crossed.
Fighting occurred at Haw's Shop and Bethesda Church, before
the Armies concentrated in the Cold Harbor area.
Overnight stay in Richmond
Day
5
This morning we will
visit the Richmond Battlefield center located on the grounds
of the Confederate Hospital at Chimborazo and the Museum of
the Confederacy. After lunch we will drive to Cold Harbor
where between 31 May & 12 June strong and in some places
suicidal attacks were made by Union soldiers against well-entrenched
Confederates. As at Spotsylvania Grant disengages his forces
and crosses the Chickahominy River at Long Bridge.
Second night in Richmond.
'On
to Richmond'
Day
6
The Union Army crossed
the James River at Wilcox's landing by a pontoon bridge, we
will continue to follow their route by joining it south of
the river at Flowerdew Hundred where the Army regrouped before
moving onto Petersburg. At Baylor's Farm on the 15 June US
colored troops were involved in an action here. Just the northeast
is City Point where General Grant established his headquarters
and that of the Union Supply Depot during the siege of Petersburg.
We end the day by visiting the Petersburg National Battlefield
Center and drive the Confederate defense lines, which in part
stood strong until April of 1865.
Third night in Richmond.
Day
7
Recently a new museum
has opened to the south of Petersburg. The Pamplin Historical
Park & National Museum of the Civil War Soldier has seven
interactive galleries, extensive walking trails that lead
through well preserved trench lines and Confederate camps.
An antebellum plantation house has been restored and interprets
both its civilian and military wartime roles.
After leaving here we will drive to Five Forks where on 1
April 1865 General Sheridan attacked Confederate troops commanded
by George Pickett. He had been ordered to 'hold at all hazards
- - - prevent Union forces from striking the southside railway.
Unable to defeat the Federals, Pickett withdrew, the door
to Petersburg & Richmond was fully open. Within 6 days
Lee would surrender his army at Appomattox Court House.
Fourth night in Richmond, final dinner as a group.
Day
8
This morning before
leaving Richmond, there will be an opportunity to visit other
sites in Richmond, such as Monument Avenue, Hollywood cemetery
and Tredegar Ironworks.
Drive to Washington Dulles for early evening flight to London.
Day
9
Arrive London early
am
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