American Battlefield Trust

Commanding three armies, under George Henry Thomas, James B. McPherson, and John M. Schofield, General William T. Sherman used his superior numbers to consistently outflank Confederate troops under Joseph E. Johnston, and capture Atlanta, Georgia September 2, 1864. After the fall of Atlanta, Sherman left the forces under Thomas and Schofield to continue to harass the Confederate Army of Tennessee under John Bell Hood. Meanwhile, Sherman cut off all communications to his army and commenced his now-famous “March to the Sea," leaving in his wake a forty to sixty-mile-wide path of destruction through the heartland of Georgia.

William T. Sherman This is a biography of the Civil War Union Major General William Tecumseh Sherman.

On the second day of the Battle of Jonesborough, September 1, 1864, Union General William Tecumseh Sherman’s forces aimed to capture Jonesborough and force Confederate General John Bell Hood to abandon Atlanta. He sent Major General William B. Hazen’s division and other Union troops to attack and seize the town. Hood, aware of the importance of Jonesborough, reinforced the defense under the command of Lieutenant General William J. Hardee. Union forces launched a coordinated assault on the Confederate defenses at Jonesboro. The Union troops faced fierce resistance, but their superior numbers and persistent attacks eventually overwhelmed the Confederate positions. The Union forces successfully captured Jonesborough, forcing Hood’s Confederates to retreat. This victory effectively cut off the last major supply line to Atlanta, allowing it to fall into Union hands. The capture of Atlanta was a significant boost to Union morale and played a role in President Abraham Lincoln’s re-election in November 1864.

Jonesborough Our Battle of Jonesborough page contains historical maps, history articles, commander bios, recommended reading, web links and more on this 1864 Civil War battle in the Atlanta campaign.

The Battle of Chantilly, or the Battle of Ox Hill, took place September 1, 1862, near Chantilly, Virginia, shortly after the Confederate victory at Second Bull Run. Confederate General Robert E. Lee attempted to cut off the retreating Union forces under Major General John Pope before they could reach Washington, D.C. Union generals Isaac Stevens and Philip Kearny led a defensive effort but were killed in the battle, impacting Union morale. The Confederate failure to decisively cut off the Union forces meant that Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia missed an opportunity to inflict a greater defeat. While small, this battle was an important engagement that marked the end of the Northern Virginia Campaign and set the stage for the Maryland Campaign, culminating in the Battle of Antietam.

Chantilly The Battle of Chantilly (Ox Hill) page includes battle maps, history articles, historical facts, recommended books, web links, and more on this 1862 Civil War battle in Virginia.

The Battle of Newport, fought in August 1778, was one of the first French-American operations during the American Revolution and the first battle for the 1st Rhode Island Infantry, a brigade of European Americans, Native Americans, and African Americans.

Newport was located on Aquidneck Island, south of the capital of Rhode Island, Providence, and had been occupied by the British since 1776. The Americans, led by John Sullivan, had just received news that the Marquis de Lafayette and French forces were coming with reinforcements to attack the British-held city. On July 29, a Council of War met, including the French commander, the Comte d’Estaing. Sullivan suggested that the Americans attack from the east while the French forces attack from the west to isolate the British forces on the island's northern end. Unfortunately for the American and French forces, British General Sir Robert Pigot learned of these plans through spies in the area. In response, he moved all of his forces to Newport, consolidated the island's livestock, and leveled out many trees so the British forces had clear lines of sight for the American attack.

On August 8, the Comte d'Estaing’s French forces arrived, but due to a bad storm on August 10 and 11, the fleet sailed to Boston, Massachusetts, for repairs. This left the Americans with no extra reinforcements, while the British reinforced their position with an additional 4,000 men. With the Americans being so outnumbered, the siege of Newport was abandoned on August 28.

Sullivan consolidated his forces so he could protect all areas and take a defensive position across the entire island. The American’s line was split into two while Pigot’s forces followed closely behind. With the siege no longer happening, the main battle erupted on August 29. The Americans fought stubbornly until the British decided the American position was too strong, and the battle ended inconclusively.

Rhode Island The Battle of Newport, Rhode Island sometimes called the battle of Quaker Hill and the Siege of Newport took place on August 29, 1778 and is noteworthy that...

On the last day of the month, August 31, 1864, Union and Confederate forces went head to head in Jonesborough, a town 20 miles south of Atlanta, Georgia. Union Major General William T. Sherman struggled to capture Atlanta from the hands of the Confederate forces. The capital held three different railroad lines that continued to feed the Confederate forces. By August, the city was under siege and surrounded by Union forces, but there was still one supply line left supporting the city: the Macon & Western Railroad located in Jonesborough, Georgia.

In the small town of Jonesborough, the Southerners were greatly outnumbered. They had only 20,000 troops compared to the North’s 70,000 men. This difference posed a great difficulty to the Confederates; how were they going to keep their supply line open?
In an attempt to stop the Union, Confederate commander William J. Hardee attacked west of Jonesborough and drove the Union away from the railroad. Unfortunately, the Union still had a chance to destroy the rail line.

Later that night, Major General John Bell Hood withdrew one corps from Lieutenant General William J. Hardee. Hood believed that the Union was going to launch an attack on Atlanta either that night or the next day. He was right. A Union attack broke through Hardee’s lines on August 31 and headed straight for Atlanta, where the city surrendered to the Union on September 2nd.

Jonesborough Our Battle of Jonesborough page contains historical maps, history articles, commander bios, recommended reading, web links and more on this 1864 Civil War battle in the Atlanta campaign.

An update on the great preservation progress being made at Antietam National Battlefield by our friends at the Save Historic Antietam Foundation.

The Battle of Second Manassas ended August 30, 1862, with a Confederate victory. The morning of August 30th was quiet, with little action, but this quickly changed. After receiving mixed intelligence reports of a Confederate retreat, Union commander John Pope ordered a pursuit around midday, but the advance quickly ended when Pope’s troops encountered Confederate forces. The Confederates and their artillery launched a counterattack led by General Robert E. Lee and Major General James Longstreet. The Union mounted a defense at Chinn’s Ridge, 30 minutes south of Henry’s Hill, where Pope attempted to move his troops, and the line held until the Confederate counterattack concluded. When it got dark, Pope pulled his men off the field, and they retreated across Bull Run. This battle was a decisive victory for the Confederates and showed that Lee could pull off a strategic offensive against a larger force. Less than a week later, Lee crossed the Potomac River into western Maryland and began to head north.

Second Manassas The Battle of Second Manassas (Second Bull Run) page includes battle maps, history articles, photos, and expert video on this important 1862 Civil War battle.

Fort Mims was brutally attacked by the Red Sticks August 30, 1813, during the Creek War of 1813-1814. The Creek War was a regional conflict between the local Native American tribes, the Europeans, and the Americans. After the end of the Revolutionary War, American settlers pushed into Creek homelands, and this encroachment caused a split in the tribe: some embraced the expansion of white society, while others detested it. One faction that detested this expansion was the Red Stick faction, named for the wooden clubs they carried. Followers of the Shawnee leaders Tenskwatawa and his brother Tecumseh, the Red Sticks advocated for the death of any Indians who allied with the Americans and preached adherence to traditional Indian practices.

Because of these beliefs, the Red Sticks were determined to destroy a community of Creek Indians who had taken refuge amongst white men at Fort Mims. At the fort, there were a total of 400 American settlers, US-allied Creeks, and enslaved African Americans. On August 30th, a force of 700 Red Sticks arrived at Fort Mims, where they killed 250 defenders and took at least 100 captives. The attack on the fort and, particularly, the mass killing of American men, women, and children by the Red Sticks sparked outrage in the federal government and prompted military action against the Creek nation.

The Creek War of 1813-1814 While the armies of Great Britain and the United States grappled for the Old Northwest and along the Canadian front from 1812 to 1813, a new war erupted...

The Battle of Newtown occurred August 29, 1779, and was the only major battle during the Sullivan Expedition. The Sullivan Expedition was a U.S. military campaign against the Iroquois Nation in western NY. The expedition aimed to cause as much destruction against Iroquois villages as possible, force them out of the area, and break their morale so they wouldn’t fight against the Continental Army. After preparing for many months, General George Washington gave the orders to advance into Iroquois territory in the summer of 1779. General John Sullivan led this leg of the expedition and followed the orders until they reached Newtown, NY. When they arrived, they found an army of Loyalists and an army of Iroquois ready to defend their settlement.

The British, led by Walter Butler, helped the Iroquois defend their territory against the Patriots. However, the British forces were heavily outnumbered. One brigade attacked from the right, and the other two attacked from the left, leaving Butler’s troops almost surrounded by Patriots. However, the swampy terrain of the area slowed down Sullivan’s men just enough so the Iroquois and Loyalists could escape before they were entirely encircled. The battle was a crushing defeat for the Iroquois , who were left demoralized. Sullivan continued the expedition, operating virtually unopposed for the next several weeks.

Newtown The American Battlefield Trust's summary of the Revolutionary War Battle of Newtown, fought on August 29, 1779

The capture of Forts Hatteras and Clark occurred August 29, 1861. The forts were built by the Confederates and enslaved people at the southern end of Hatteras Island in North Carolina to protect their commerce-raiding activity and the Hatteras Inlet during the Civil War. But, as the war began, the forts could not hold up against the onslaught of Flag Officer Silas H. Stringham’s forces.

On August 29th, there was a heavy Union bombardment, with an estimated 3,000 shells fired at the fort in 3 hours. This bombardment was the heaviest and most incessant firing that Fort Hatteras had ever seen. As the Confederate position began to be untenable, Stringham made an offer of unconditional surrender. Hoping to save as many soldiers as he could, Confederate Commander Samuel Barron held off until he could send some of his men to New Bern, 100 miles away. Only when his men were safely on their way did he surrender. The capture of both forts was a significant defeat to the Confederates and eliminated their privateering in the area. For the Union, the capture of the forts provided a fueling station for the Union Navy and a military post for Northeast North Carolina.

The Civil War on the Outer Banks - Cape Hatteras National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service) The Civil War on the Outer Banks

We're celebrating National Make-A-Will Month at the American Battlefield Trust!

Creating (or updating) your will both benefits and protects your family and loved ones. Many people also include charities or causes they care about, like battlefield preservation and education. Please consider making the protection of hallowed ground part of your life's work—today and for the future.

Get started on your legacygiving journey today by requesting FREE planning guides from our website! Learn more: https://americanbattlefieldlegacy.org/resources

📸 Bladensburg Battlefield photographed by Robert James

Thank you to everyone who turned out for tonight’s reception at The Winery at Bull Run to raise proceeds for the legal challenge against the Prince William Digital Gateway proposed to border the Manassas National Battlefield Park. The event is a partnership between the Coalition to Protect Prince William County and the American Battlefield Trust.

To join the fight and help : https://www.battlefields.org/stop-prince-william-digital-gateway

Photos: Melissa A. Winn

One year after the Confederate victory at the First Battle of Manassas in July 1861, Confederate prospects were uncertain. General Ulysses S. Grant was attempting to keep the Southerners at bay in the West, while General George B. McClellan kept them in check in the East. Frustrated by the failure of the troops to gain ground, Abraham Lincoln appointed Major General John Pope to command the Army of Virginia. The Lincoln administration had given Pope the tasks of shielding Washington and trying to take the pressure off of McClellan’s army. During the morning August 28, 1862, Pope was made aware that Lee and Longstreet had reached Thoroughfare Gap, about 16 miles from Manassas, and would be marching towards them any day. That evening, Jackson’s forces struck a lone Union division on the Warrenton Turnpike, resulting in a fierce engagement at the Brawner Farm, starting the Second Battle of Manassas.

Second Manassas The Battle of Second Manassas (Second Bull Run) page includes battle maps, history articles, photos, and expert video on this important 1862 Civil War battle.

In August 1781, Sallie Salter entered a Loyalist camp under the command of John Sligsby and David Godden in Bladen County, North Carolina, to sell eggs to the soldiers stationed there. Unbeknownst to the Loyalists, Sallie was a spy tasked with reporting their location to the Patriot forces nearby. With her intel, the Patriot commanders, Thomas Robeson and Thomas Brown, decided to attack the encampment, leading to the Battle of Elizabethtown August 28, 1781.

During the night, the Patriots launched a surprise attack, pretending they had more forces than they had. In the ensuing skirmish, both Slisby and Godden were mortally wounded, and retreating Loyalist troops fell into a ravine, later known as the “Tory Hole.” This patriot victory proved that a small militia had the ability to defeat an army three times their size.

Battle of Elizabethtown (I-11) Whigs broke Tory power in Bladen Co., August, 1781, driving them into Tory Hole, 50 yards N.

Come march across the fields of Pickett’s Charge, the site of one of the most famous battlefield charges in U.S. History. Join the American Battlefield Trust for a special Generations Event! Bring the kids or grandkids and charge into the stories of Gettysburg and the Civil War with hands-on learning, battlefield hiking, and experiences on Saturday, September 7, 2024, from 2 pm to 5 pm.

Details and FREE Registration here: https://www.battlefields.org/events/generations-event-gettysburg

The Battle of Bayou Meto occurred August 27, 1865, in Jacksonville, Arkansas. Earlier that month, Union forces had left Helena, Arkansas, to move towards the Confederate-dominated capital of Arkansas of Little Rock. On the way, the 10th Illinois Cavalry Regiment ran into Confederate soldiers 5 miles from the town of Bayou Meto, about a day's march from Little Rock.

Initially, the cavalry forced the Confederates to retreat for two miles and drove the Confederates, under the command of John S. Marmaduke, over Reed’s Bridge. In their wake, the Confederates burned the bridge, which made it close to impossible for the Union troops to cross the river and follow the Southern forces. After hours of artillery fire, Union Brig. Gen. John W. Davidson left the field and retreated. While Marmaduke and his men won the battle, they also retreated from the area and took up a new position less than 5 miles from Little Rock. Although the action at Bayou Meto slowed the Union advance on Little Rock, the Union campaign was renewed on September 6.

Bayou Meto, Action at - Encyclopedia of Arkansas Location: Pulaski County Campaign: Advance on Little Rock (1863) Date: August 27, 1863 Principal Commanders: Brigadier General John W. Davidson (US); ...

The Battle of Brooklyn was fought August 27, 1776, on Long Island in New York. This battle was General George Washington’s effort to fortify New York City from the British forces and was one of the largest battles in the Revolutionary War. For the British, New York was a prime spot to capture because it was a central point in splitting the colonies between north and south and a perfect place for trade and other commerce in the colonies.

General William Howe and his troops arrived a few days prior to the battle. One of Washington’s men said it looked like “London afloat” as the British fleet arrived in the area. Despite his men’s fears, Washington sought to fight a battle and inflict some damage before abandoning his position. He split his forces into two, one section in Brooklyn and another in Manhattan. This separation proved a mistake because it did not allow the Continental troops to cover certain areas like Jamaica Pass, which the British regulars later exploited. By nightfall on August 27th, the Americans were stuck between Brooklyn Heights and the East River behind them. Many British regulars attempted to persuade Howe to command another assault against the Americans, but he refused. Washington decided to retreat across the river to avoid losing another life. The British took over New York City and held it for the rest of the war.

Brooklyn George Washington’s efforts to fortify New York City from a British attack led to the Revolutionary War’s biggest battle. The crushing defeat for the...

Pickett's Charge, the High Water Mark of the Confederacy, was the climactic phase of the Battle of Gettysburg. On July 3, 1863, more than 12,000 Confederate soldiers assaulted the Federal position along Cemetery Ridge. In less than an hour, the Southern forces were dealt a stunning defeat.

In the newest episode of our podcast, Boom Goes the History, explore The Angle, the High Water Mark, and the Copse of Trees with Wayne Motts of the Gettysburg Foundation, Chris Gwinn of Gettysburg National Military Park, and Garry Adelman and Kris White of the American Battlefield Trust. Hear the stories of Medal of Honor recipients. Walk the ground once tread by Union and Confederate veterans, Dwight Eisenhower, and the United States Marine Corps.

🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3MlkZLd

The Battle at White Sulphur Springs occurred August 26, 1863, in Greenbrier County, West Virginia. At the time, West Virginia had only been a state for a few months, and its inhabitants were split between the Union and Confederate causes. There were a total of three expeditions led by Brigadier General William W. Averell into the state in the latter half of 1863. This first expedition had multiple targets, including the saltpeter works, a Confederate cavalry force, and the law books from the law library of the Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals in Lewisburg, West Virginia. Comparatively, the Confederates believed that Averell’s mission was to destroy sections of the railroad that were important for moving materials and men.

On August 27, Confederate Colonel George S. Patton’s forces had been marching for 24 hours in search of the Union forces. Patton learned that Averell would be approaching an intersection at White Sulphur Springs, 10 miles east of Lewisburg, from the southeast. Around 9:30 pm, the battle began with Captain Edmund S. Read and his Company B firing upon Averell and his forces from the southern part of the intersection. Both sides made numerous charges against one another, but neither gained much ground. Ultimately, the Union never made it to Lewisburg, and they were forced to retreat north while being pursued by Confederate forces.

William W. Averell William Woods Averell graduated in the lower third of the United States Military Academy in 1855. He was made a second lieutenant in the United States Army...

George Washington wrote to the Governor of Virginia, Henry Lee August 26, 1794, for assistance in subduing the Whiskey Rebellion. The Whiskey Rebellion was a violent protest that began in 1791 in response to the whiskey tax, the first tax to be imposed on domestic goods by the newly formed federal government. This tax was issued to generate revenue to help pay off some of the debt owed from the Revolutionary War. However, many of the most vocal resisters to the tax were war veterans who fought to end “no taxation without representation,” and they used violence and intimidation to prevent federal officials from collecting the tax.

Once Washington got wind of the rebellion, he sent peace commissioners to try to negotiate with the resisters. When peaceful means failed, he called on the governors of Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, and Pennsylvania to gather a militia. With 13,000 men in the militia, Washington rode at the head and led them to western Pennsylvania to suppress the rebellion. When they arrived, there was no confrontation, and 20 men were arrested, all of whom were acquitted or pardoned. Washington’s shutdown of the resisters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was the first test of federal power in the newly formed government of the United States.

The Whiskey Rebellion Just years after the successful American Revolution and the creation of the United States of America, rebellion occurred. This insurrection proved to be the...

As the Union siege of Petersburg began to take hold, General Ulysses S. Grant looked for ways to sever the railroads supplying the city and the Confederates stationed there. One of these critical routes to the city was the Weldon Railroad, which led from Petersburg to the South’s remaining port at Wilmington, North Carolina. The Army of the Potomac Second Corps tore up the railroad track backed by Union Brigadier General David McMutrie Gregg’s cavalry division. In response, General Robert E. Lee ordered the Confederate forces to attack the Union position near the railroad in the afternoon August 25, 1864. His attack was successful. Union commander Winfield Scott Hancock attempted to rally his men but could not stop the breach. The Second Battle of Ream’s Station ended with Confederate forces capturing nine guns, 12 colors, and numerous prisoners.

Reams Station Our Battle of Reams Station page includes battle maps, history articles, photos, recommended books, and the latest preservation news for this 1864 Civil War battle in Virginia.

The Battle of Bladensburg was fought in Maryland August 24, 1814. Although neither side had gained a clear advantage during the first two years of the War of 1812, that changed in the spring of 1814. The British were able to disentangle themselves from Napoleon’s war and were able to focus on winning the war against the Americans. The British’s plan to end the war was to take control of the New England states and focus an attack on New Orleans to cut off prime transportation routes. In addition to destroying American trade, they also planned to attack coastal cities like Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Charleston, and Savannah.

American General William Winder organized his forces, believing that DC and Baltimore weren’t heavily defended, at Bladensburg, just northeast of DC, making it a prime spot to defend both cities. The Americans positioned themselves near a bridge over the eastern branch of the Anacostia River to block the incoming artillery but were overwhelmed when the British attacked at noon on August 24th. British General Robert Ross’ 4,500 men steadily advanced onto the American forces with artillery and rifle fire. As the British began to attack the left side of the forces, the rest fled the scene. Now, the young capital of the United States was ripe for the taking. The British marched from Bladensburg and began to burn the city, which was a symbol of American democracy and freedom. The British burned public buildings and the President’s mansion which would be rebuilt as the White House.

Bladensburg The Battle of Bladensburg was fought in Maryland on August 24, 1814 and this British victory left Washington D.C. perilously open to British invasion. The...

Join the American Battlefield Trust at Gettysburg Battlefield in Pennsylvania for a special Generations Event, designed to help adults share their passion for history with younger people. See you on Saturday, September 7, 2024?

Learn more, register for FREE, and bring the kids or grandkids for a couple of hours of not-boring history: https://www.battlefields.org/events/generations-event-gettysburg

With neither supplies nor reinforcements, Fort Morgan fell August 23, 1864, after Confederate forces surrendered it to Admiral David G. Farragut and his Union forces. Earlier that month, on August 5th, Union Admiral David Farragut was given orders to attack one of the last open Confederate ports, Mobile Bay, so he could render it useless to the Confederate forces. As they got closer and closer to the fort, the Southerners began to attack the ships with torpedoes, and, in response, Farragut said, “Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!” Despite the bombardment from Confederate Admiral Franklin Buchanan, Farragut continued to push toward the fort. Buchanan’s ship, the CSS Tennessee, was unprepared for the loads of gunfire unleashed by the Union forces. With her slow engine and lack of artillery, she succumbed to her injuries. About two weeks after this loss, Fort Morgan fell and was surrendered to Union forces.

Mobile Bay Our Battle of Mobile Bay page includes battle maps, history articles, photos, expert video, preservation news, and other resources for this great 1864 Civil War battle in Alabama.

Did you know that many of your classic childhood songs have historical roots? Nostalgic tunes such as “Yankee Doodle” and “Home on the Range” are not only catchy but reflect national attitudes during significant events in American history. Often, these songs served as responses to the wartime activities the United States became embroiled in. While the exact origins of many of these tracks are unknown, their impact on American culture and memory have cemented them as the songs of the nation. Learn more about “Yankee Doodle,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” and “Home on the Range” in our newest Head-Tilting History!

Echoes of Courage: Folk Music’s Ties to America's Wars Did you know that many of your classic childhood songs have historical roots? Nostalgic tunes such as “Yankee Doodle” and “Home on the Range” are...

When the Civil War broke out, Rose O’Neal Greenhow prided herself on being a “Southern woman” and aligned herself with the Confederacy. Within the first year of the conflict, she became a Confederate spy. Through Henry Wilson, a chairperson on the Senate Military Affairs Committee, she overheard that the Union army was consolidating its forces and planned to advance on Manassas. She shared this information with another fellow spy named Bettie Duvall, who used her hair to disguise a cipher that Rose had inscribed with the information. Bettie quickly delivered it to the Confederate-occupied Fairfax Court House, where the commanders were stunned by Bettie’s creative delivery. With the information, the Confederates were able to consolidate their forces and prepare for a Federal attack. This engagement, known as the First Battle of Manassas, was a Confederate victory.

However, Rose was great at collecting information but not so great at hiding it. The Union began to catch on. They had assigned the work to Alan Pinkerton, head of the Union Intelligence Service and founder of America’s first detective agency in Chicago. On August 22, 1861, Pinkerton had cased Greenhow’s house and saw a Union officer entering. He peered through her front parlor window and saw Greenhow and the officer speaking in hushed tones over a map of Union fortifications. This was enough information for the War Department, and they sent Union soldiers to find and arrest her August 23, 1861. Instead of being sent to prison, she was kept on house arrest so she could remain with her youngest daughter, “Little” Rose. Despite being on house arrest, Rose’s espionage activities did not stop. She did her best to send messages through others, and her selection of colored handkerchiefs, she waved out of her window. Eventually, she was moved to Old Capitol Prison with her daughter on January 18, 1862.

Rose O'Neal Greenhow Rose O’Neal Greenhow was born into obscurity, but became one of the most powerful women in Washington, D.C. Unfortunately for the Federal government, she...