Civil War Events by Person - William Sherman

May 14, 1861

William Tecumseh Sherman is named a Colonel in the U.S. Army's 13th Infantry Regiment.

August 3, 1861

William T. Sherman, then a colonel in the Union ranks, is promoted to Brigadier General.

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May 1, 1862

Union General Sherman is promoted to the rank of Major General (of Volunteers).

July 21, 1862

The District of Memphis (Tennessee) now falls under the command of General Sherman.

December 26, 1862

Union forces are beaten back at Chickasaw Bayou in Vicksburg, Mississippi. This two-day engagement marks the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou. Again, a much smaller Confederate force bests a larger Union army. The battle spans into December 29th.

July 9, 1863

Jackson, Mississippi is under siege from forces directed by Union General William Sherman.

November 26, 1863

With Confederate forces in retreat from Chattanooga, Union Generals Sherman and Hooker follow in an attempt to smash the enemy.

February 3, 1864

Union General Sherman begins the Meridian Campaign, the taking of Meridian, Mississippi.

February 5, 1864

Union forces, under General Sherman, meet Confederate forces at Clinton and Jackson, Mississippi.

February 6, 1864

General Sherman reaches Jackson, Mississippi. The city is razed.

February 14, 1864

General Sherman's force takes Meridian, Mississippi and destroys much of its infrastructure.

February 19, 1864

Like General Grant, General Sherman receives an official thanks for his services in the ongoing war - namely his direction of the Chattanooga victory.

March 5, 1864

With the Meridian Campaign completed, General Sherman makes his return to Union-held Vicksburg in Mississippi.

March 9, 1864

Command of the Union armies in the West are given to General William Sherman.

May 4, 1864

Union General William Sherman begins his move towards Atlanta, Georgia.

May 9, 1864

Union General Sherman pushes towards Richmond, Virginia.

May 15, 1864

Confederate defenders at Resaca (Georgia), led by General Johnstom, are successful in holding their ground against Union attackers (General Sherman). The Battle of Resaca is determined to be inconclusive as the Confederates retreat. Nearly 100,000 Union men fought 60,000 Confederates. Losses were 4,500 to 2,800, respectively.

May 15, 1864

Confederate General Johnston withdraws his forces near Dalton, Georgia, under growing pressure from General Sherman.

May 26, 1864

The Battle of New Hope Church in Georgia sees the Military Division of the Mississippi, under the leadership of Generals Sherman and Hooker, lose to the Army of Tennessee led by General Johnston.

June 27, 1864

The Battle of Kennesaw Mountin results in a Confederate victory. General Joseph Johnston faces off against Union General William Sherman in the clash. Numbers are 17,733 to 16,225 respectively and losses include 1,000 to 3,000, respectively.

July 22, 1864

Confederate forces attempt another attack on General Sherman's army outside of Atlanta. The attack fails.

July 22, 1864

The Battle of Atlanta becomes a Union victory. 34,863 Union troops under Generals Sherman and McPherson face-off against the Army of Tennessee and its 40,438 troops led by General Hood and Hardee. Losses are 3,641 against 5,500, respectively.

July 28, 1864

Ezra Church, Georgia - outside of Atlanta - is the site of another failed Confederate attack against General Sherman's Union forces.

July 30, 1864

During the Atlanta Campaign, Union General Stoneman is captured along with his aide near Macon, Georgia by Confederates. His prison term becomes just three months as he is released, mainly in part by the direct request of Union General Sherman himself.

August 25, 1864

Atlanta falls under siege to forces led by Union General Sherman.

August 31, 1864

The Battle of Jonesborough begins in Clayton County, Georgia. General Sherman leads 70,000 Union troops against 24,000 Confederates under General Hood and General Hardee.

September 1, 1864

The Battle of Jonesborough ends as a Union victory for General Sherman.

September 2, 1864

General Sherman's force takes the city of Atlanta. This ends the Atlanta Campaign which began back in May of 1964 and is marked as a major Union victory - certainly helping President Lincoln's reelection chances.

September 7, 1864

Civilians are ordered out of the city of Atlanta following its capture by Union forces.

November 15, 1864

Union General Sherman's "March to the Sea" is begin in Georgia. The campaign would last until December 21st and result in a major Union victory. The offensive starts in Atlanta, Georgia which is now under Union control.

November 22, 1864

Union General Sherman makes a stop at the estate of Confederate General Cobb. The home is razed when the force leaves.

November 23, 1864

The city of Milledgeville - the capital of Georgia from 1804 until 1868 - is captured by Union forces numbering 30,000 under General Sherman. Much damage is had to the city but many of its classic homes are spared.

November 26, 1864

General Wheeler and his Confederate cavalry forces are unsuccessful at Griswoldville, Georgia against the forces of General Sherman.

December 13, 1864

Fort McAllister falls to Union guns. The capture is another victory for General Sherman as the Union army inches its way closer to the prize that is Savannah, Georgia.

December 20, 1864

With General Sherman's Union force gaining ground, the Confederates are forced to flee from their positions in Savannah.

December 21, 1864

Sherman's "March to the Sea" campaign ends as a Union victory. It began in captured Atlanta and ended with the fall of Savannah, Georgia.

December 21, 1864

The Confederate Navy's Savannah Squadron fleet is ordered destroyed to keep the vessels from falling into enemy hands.

December 22, 1864

Sherman's 'March to the Sea' comes to a close with the capture of Savannah, Georgia.

December 26, 1864

President Lincoln, by letter, personally thanks General William Sherman for his successful campaign - his 'March to the Sea' - which began on November 15th that finally delivered Savannah, Georgia in time for Christmas.

January 10, 1865

Congress formally congratulates General Sherman on his exploits across Georgia resulting in the capture of Savannah.

February 1, 1865

A new march by General Sherman sees his army proceed north into South Carolina and then North Carolina.

February 17, 1865

Union forces, under General Sherman, take Columbia, South Carolina.

March 19, 1865

The Battle of Bentonville takes place in Bentonville, North Carolina. It is a Union victory for General Sherman over General Johnston. Strength is 60,000 to 21,900 with losses reaching 1,527 to 2,606, respectively. Fighting goes into the 21st.

March 21, 1865

Confederate President Davis is alerted by General Lee that no more can be done to slow down General Sherman's Union army.

March 24, 1865

President Lincoln begins a three-week visit to General Grant at his headquarters in City Point, Virginia. Among those in attendance is General Sherman.

March 28, 1865

In a meeting with top officers, President Lincoln pushes for surrender of the Confederacy under softer terms.

April 18, 1865

Durham Station, North Carolina is the site of a Confederate army surrender. Union General William Sherman presides as he accepts the surrender of General Joseph Johnston and his forces.

Civil War Events by Person - William Sherman

Listing of all day-by-day events of the American Civil War related to the state of William Sherman.