Category Archives: American Civil War

Union suffers heavy casualties at Cold Harbor 150 years ago this hour (June 3 1864)


Video: 'Civil War Combat - Battle of Cold Harbor' (June 3, 1864, at 7:37)

(Friday, June 3, 1864, 4:30 a.m. local time; during the Battle of Cold Harbor, part of the Overland Campaign of the American Civil War) — Union Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant ordered a frontal assault on entrenched Confederates at Cold Harbor, Virginia, today, resulting in 3,000-7,000 Union casualties, compared to only 1,500 for the Confederates. Continue reading Union suffers heavy casualties at Cold Harbor 150 years ago this hour (June 3 1864)

Grant delays Union attack on Confederates at Cold Harbor 150 years ago today (June 2 1864)


Video: 'Civil War Combat - Battle of Cold Harbor' (June 2, 1864, at 3:50)

(Thursday, June 2, 1864; during the Battle of Cold Harbor, part of the Overland Campaign of the American Civil War) — After Union Maj. Gen. Winfield S. Hancock’s men marched almost all night and arrived in position too worn-out for an immediate attack this morning, Union Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant agreed to let the men rest and postponed an attack until 5 p.m., and then again until 4:30 a.m. on June 3.

2nd Connecticut fights first battle at Cold Harbor 150 years ago this hour (June 1 1864)


Video: 'Civil War Combat - Battle of Cold Harbor' (June 1, 1864, at 7:16)

(Wednesday June 1, 1864, 4:30 p.m. local time; during the Battle of Cold Harbor, part of the Overland Campaign of the American Civil War) — The 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery Regiment, having been sent to the Army of the Potomac in May 1864 where it was assigned to the Second Brigade, First Division, VI Corps, fought its first battle today at Cold Harbor, suffering 323 men killed or wounded. Continue reading 2nd Connecticut fights first battle at Cold Harbor 150 years ago this hour (June 1 1864)

Battle of Cold Harbor begins near Mechanicsville, Virginia 150 years ago this hour (May 31 1864)


Video: 'Civil War Combat - Battle of Cold Harbor'

(Tuesday, May 31, 1864, 4:00 p.m. local time; during the Battle of Cold Harbor, part of the Overland Campaign of the American Civil War) — The Battle of Cold Harbor, remembered as one of American history’s bloodiest, most lopsided battles, began today as Union cavalry seized the crossroads of Old Cold Harbor, about 10 miles northeast of the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia, holding it against Confederate attacks until the Union infantry arrived.

Thousands of Union, Confederate soldiers die in ‘The Bloody Angle’ 150 years ago today (May 12 1864)


Video: 'The battle at Bloody Angle 1864'

(Thursday, May 12, 1864; during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, part of the Overland Campaign of the American Civil War) — Attacks today by Maj. Gen. Horatio G. Wright on the western edge of the Mule Shoe (a prominent salient) in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, which became known as the “Bloody Angle,” involved almost 24 hours of desperate hand-to-hand fighting, some of the most intense of the Civil War.

Grant moves south, Battle of the Wilderness ends 150 years ago today (May 7 1864)


Video: 'Ulysses S. Grant and the Battle of the Wilderness' (May 7, 1864, at 34:17)

(Saturday, May 7, 1864; during the Overland Campaign of the American Civil War) — Following two days of intense fighting in the Battle of the Wilderness, the Army of the Potomac, under the command of Union General Ulysses S. Grant, moved south today.

Grant’s forces had clashed with Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia in a pitched and confused two-day battle in which neither side gained a clear victory.

Confederate general struck down during Battle of the Wilderness 150 years ago today (May 6 1864)


Video: 'Ulysses S. Grant and the Battle of the Wilderness' (May 6, 1864, at 32:52)

(Friday, May 6, 1864; during the Overland Campaign of the American Civil War) — Confederate General James Longstreet was caught in the fire of his own troops during the Battle of the Wilderness today near Fredericksburg, Virginia, leaving his right arm paralyzed.

Grant crosses Rapidan, launching Overland Campaign 150 years ago today (May 4 1864)


Video: 'Ulysses S. Grant and the Battle of the Wilderness' (May 4, 1864, at 24:42)

(Wednesday, May 4, 1864; during the Overland Campaign, part of the American Civil War) — Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, general-in-chief of all Union armies, crossed the Rapidan River today, seeking to defeat Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia by quickly placing his forces between Lee and Richmond and inviting an open battle.