| In this next installment of the US Civil War we're going | | | | though Lee suffered fewer casualties, he was never |
| to take a look at the year 1864. This was the year | | | | able to recover from Grant's relentless assault. While |
| that Sherman began his march through Atlanta, Lincoln | | | | technically a victory for Lee, it was his last one of the |
| was reelected and the war was close to coming to an | | | | war because his army was so depleted.Also in that |
| end The early months of the war were very quiet. | | | | month was the Siege On Petersburg. This actually |
| The Confederacy was weakened, having sustained | | | | lasted from June of 1864 to April of 1865. Grant hoped |
| heavy casualties and moral was very low. Many | | | | to be able to take Petersburg, but was unsuccessful. |
| soldiers were deserting. Lee himself could see that | | | | This siege resulted in thousands of casualties for both |
| defeat was near. Yet the South fought on in one of | | | | sides.In July of 1864 the Confederate troops began |
| the bloodiest years of the war.In May of 1864, after a | | | | their march on Washington, DC. General Jubal Early |
| relatively uneventful first four months, General Grant | | | | marched his troops into Maryland to help ease some |
| began his Wilderness campaign. This was the year | | | | of the pressure on Lee's army. He only got within five |
| that Grant was promoted to commander of the entire | | | | miles of Washington but was eventually driven back to |
| Union army and was probably the smartest move | | | | Virginia on July 13, 1864.And then it happened. In August |
| Lincoln had made to that point. Grant was a true | | | | of 1864 Sherman began his march into Atlanta. The |
| leader and this appointment more than likely brought | | | | Southern army held off Sherman and his men as long |
| about a quicker end to the war. Grant had decided | | | | as they could. But having twice the number of men, |
| that he was going to engage Lee's forces in Virginia | | | | Sherman eventually took Atlanta on September 1, |
| and not let up until they were completely destroyed. | | | | 1864. This was a huge moral booster for the Union.In |
| They met in a three day battle in the wilderness. Even | | | | November of 1864 Sherman then began his march to |
| though Lee inflicted more casualties on Grant than he | | | | the sea. This was a daring move as this march cut |
| had sustained, he didn't have as many men to begin | | | | Sherman off from his supplies. But he continued on |
| with and had no reinforcements.This battle in the | | | | through Georgia, wiping out everything in his path, |
| wilderness continued until they met at Spotsylvania. | | | | including factories, bridges, railroads and public buildings. |
| Here, Grant continued to attack Lee at the | | | | This was one of the most famous marches of the |
| Spotsylvania Court House. Grant fought him for five | | | | entire war.That same month, Lincoln was reelected |
| days and vowed to fight him all summer long if he had | | | | President. There was a time that people thought |
| to.In June of 1864, Grant followed Lee into Cold Harbor. | | | | Lincoln wouldn't win reelection because of his leniency. |
| This battle was so violent that Grant lost over 7,000 | | | | But Sherman's victory in Atlanta was the one act that |
| men in a little over 20 minutes. This was the fastest | | | | sealed his reelection bid.In the final installment we'll take |
| casualty rate of any battle in the whole war. Even | | | | a look at the year 1865. |