August 18, 1864---The Second Battle of The Weldon Railroad

AUGUST 18, 1864:   

The Second Battle of The Weldon Railroad. Union forces cut the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad and destroy many miles of track.  The Confederacy is forced to create a 30 mile detour in order to re-route supplies and trains moving between Petersburg and Richmond. The Union immediately begins to attack the new spur. 

August 17, 1864---"A bull-dog grip."

AUGUST 17, 1864:   

General Grant gives rare vent to frustration regarding the progress of the war in the Eastern Theatre. Abraham Lincoln responds: "Hold on with a bull-dog grip, and chew and choke."

August 16, 1864---The Battle of Guard Hill

AUGUST 16, 1864:    

The Battle of Guard Hill (The Battle of Crooked Run; The Battle of Cedarville):  

In his first major engagement as Commander of the Shenandoah Valley, General Philip Sheridan U.S.A.’s forces rout Confederate cavalry in the Valley. 

August 15, 1864---The Second Battle of Deep Bottom (Day Two)

AUGUST 15, 1864:   

The Second Battle of Deep Bottom (The Battle of Fussell’s Mill) (Day Two): Union troops renew the attack at Deep Bottom, and successfully take the Confederate emplacements though they are unable to hold them for very long. The Second Battle of Deep Bottom degenerates into area skirmishing that continues for another five days. Although the Union is unable to mount an assault against Richmond, making Second Deep Bottom a Union tactical defeat, Robert E. Lee is forced to detach troops from the Siege of Petersburg in order to protect the approach to Richmond, making Second Deep Bottom a Union strategic victory. 

August 14, 1864---The Second Battle of Deep Bottom (Day One)

AUGUST 14, 1864:    

The Second Battle of Deep Bottom (The Battle of Fussell’s Mill) (Day One):  The Union Tenth Corps crossed the James River at Deep Bottom near Richmond and attacked the Confederate left flank. The Confederates fell back to New Market Heights, where they regrouped and successfully drove off a combined infantry and cavalry attack near Fussell’s Mill. 

August 13, 1864---Downstream from Richmond

AUGUST 13, 1864:    

A flotilla of Union gunboats begins striking at points along the James River, hoping to divert Confederate troops from the Siege of Petersburg.