May 1, 1864---A bloody spingtime: Billy Yank and Johnny Reb in the Eastern Theatre

MAY 1, 1864:     

After a long hiatus in the Eastern Theatre, the Army of The Potomac and The Army of Northern Virginia are about to grapple again. 

The Army of Northern Virginia is in northern Virginia, just south of the Rapidan River, miles inland, west of the Atlantic coast which is occupied by General Benjamin Butler’s Army of The James, comprised of 30,000 men.   

To the north, just across the Rapidan River, lies the main body of The Army of The Potomac, 125,000 strong, under Generals Grant and Meade.   

To the South, in Tennessee and Georgia, William Tecumseh Sherman is in overall command of The Army of The Cumberland, The Army of The Tennessee, and The Army of The Ohio (a total of 100,000 men). 

Any of these forces could move to attack Lee, or all of them. Against more than a quarter-million Union troops, Lee has 65,000 men.

April 30, 1864---The Battle of Jenkins' Ferry

APRIL 30, 1864:       

The Battle of Jenkins’ Ferry. Union troops trying to cross the Saline River are violently attacked by Confederate forces in one of the bloodiest battles for its size during the war.

Although the Red River is still all but a waterless ditch, the Saline is in flood, leaving the Union troops no escape route with their backs to the river. 10,000 Confederate troops essentially drive 12,000 Union troops into the water; much equipment, foodstuffs, weapons, and other gear and supplies are left behind as the Union troops flounder in the river. An unknown number drown. The supply train is stuck in the mud anyway.

It is a foggy, wet morning, and the mist combined with gunsmoke blinds most men who are firing wildly, often hitting their own men. Casualties on both sides total more than 1,000 each, with several hundred dead. U.S.C.T. men charge a Confederate line and begin bayoneting Rebels while shouting, “Remember Poison Spring!” Both sides lose a General officer in the battle.

Once across the river, Union artillery begins to blast Confederate positions which become untenable. The mired wagons are left behind as the Confederates withdraw. Considered a Union victory because the Yankees attained their goal of crossing the river without being pursued, Jenkins’ Ferry is a place where everything went wrong for everyone. The Red River Campaign is all but over.

April 29, 1864---The Union outlaws unions

APRIL 29, 1864:        

General William D. Rosecrans U.S.A. issues General Order Number 65, banning labor unions in Missouri. The union members are arrested by Union troops.

Admiral David Dixon Porter remains aground in the Red River.

April 28, 1864---The Battle of Princeton, Arkansas

APRIL 28, 1864:         

The Battle of Princeton, Arkansas. Confederate troops cross the Ouachita River with difficulty and engage Union troops at Princeton, Arkansas. Intelligence gathered from the resulting firefight confirms that the Union has abandoned Camden. 

April 27, 1864---A Confederate olive branch

APRIL 27, 1864:          

Confederate Commissioners are sent to Canada by Jefferson Davis, who wants the Canadians to act as intermediaries and hosts of a Peace Conference between the warring States of America. For reasons unknown nothing comes of the plan.