MAY 27, 1864:
In Virginia, Grant is moving due south along the Pamunkey
River. Lee is moving directly south, overland.
The Battle of
Pickett’s Mill:
Still scarred from the Battle of New Hope Church, General
William T. Sherman U.S.A. crosses swords this day with General Patrick Cleburne
C.S.A.
Troops under the command of Sherman’s subordinate General William B. Hazen U.S.A. attack the end of Cleburne’s line, which reacts as if stung. A vicious firefight breaks out during which the Union is outmatched in sheer ferocity. Three Union attack waves are each beaten back.
The battle, which begins at 4:30 P.M. lasts until after 10:00 P.M., making it one of the few night actions of the Civil War. Sherman sustains more than 1,600 casualties to top Cleburne’s 500.
Although Sherman has moved south toward Atlanta from the Tennessee border with incredible rapidity (especially for a 19th Century force) and is within striking distance of Marietta, for the first time in this campaign, after the twin losses of New Hope Church and Pickett’s Mill, Sherman’s forward momentum is checked. He is forced to withdraw elements of his vanguard in order to return them to the railhead to resupply.
Troops under the command of Sherman’s subordinate General William B. Hazen U.S.A. attack the end of Cleburne’s line, which reacts as if stung. A vicious firefight breaks out during which the Union is outmatched in sheer ferocity. Three Union attack waves are each beaten back.
The battle, which begins at 4:30 P.M. lasts until after 10:00 P.M., making it one of the few night actions of the Civil War. Sherman sustains more than 1,600 casualties to top Cleburne’s 500.
Although Sherman has moved south toward Atlanta from the Tennessee border with incredible rapidity (especially for a 19th Century force) and is within striking distance of Marietta, for the first time in this campaign, after the twin losses of New Hope Church and Pickett’s Mill, Sherman’s forward momentum is checked. He is forced to withdraw elements of his vanguard in order to return them to the railhead to resupply.
