For ten months the Federals have laid siege to Petersburg, facing off against Confederate General Robert E. Lee‘s Army of Northern Virginia. The trenches are all that separate Union forces from the Confederate capital of Richmond, with the siege lines now stretching northward some 25 miles to the edge of Richmond. Defending Confederate forces are…
Today Union General George Stoneman makes his way south of Atlanta toward Macon, carrying out orders from General William T. Sherman to disrupt Confederate infrastructure and, hopefully, secure the release of Union prisoners in Macon and Andersonville. On both accounts, Stoneman fails. Two days hence, while attempting to withdraw to the safety of Union lines…
In Georgia, Union General William T. Sherman, hunkered down overlooking Atlanta, gives General George Stoneman free reign to ride south of Atlanta in an effort to disrupt the rebel supply line. Stoneman’s Raid is underway, with Macon as the destination. The disruption of Southern railroads between Atlanta and Macon is the prime objective. At Petersburg,…