Union victory:
51-833: The Carolinas campaign (January 1 – April 26, 1865), also known as the campaign of the Carolinas , was the final campaign conducted by the Union Army against the Confederate Army in the Western Theater of the American Civil War . On January 1, Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman advanced north from Savannah , Georgia , through the Carolinas , with the intention of linking up with Union forces in Virginia . The campaign culminated in
102-481: A permanent installation of a military authority in the occupied area. Military campaigns, inside and outside defined wars, may exceed the original or even revised planning parameters of scope, time and cost. Such stalled campaigns, for example the western front in World War I, were formerly called " stalemates " but in the late 20th century the metaphor of a quagmire was often applied, and " frozen conflict " in
153-504: A major battle and felt it unwise to change an army commander on the eve of battle. Thus Buell remained in command of the Army and Thomas was made his second-in-command. The battle Thomas foresaw occurred on October 8, 1862, west of Perryville , Kentucky. Confederate General Braxton Bragg had marched into Kentucky to recruit soldiers and take the state from the Union. The full force of Buell's command
204-428: A military campaign is to achieve a particular desired resolution of a military conflict as its strategic goal . This is constrained by resources, geography and/or season. A campaign is measured relative to the technology used by the belligerents to achieve goals, and while in the pre-industrial Europe was understood to be that between the planting (late spring) and harvest times (late autumn), it has been shortened during
255-539: A month after seizing Fort Fisher , on February 22 Union troops captured the important port of Wilmington, North Carolina , after a small battle . Schofield planned to advance inland from Wilmington, NC , in February. At the same time, he assigned Maj. Gen. Jacob D. Cox to direct Union forces from New Bern toward Goldsboro. On March 7, Cox's advance was stopped by divisions under Gen. Braxton Bragg's command at Southwest Creek south of Kinston, North Carolina . On March 8,
306-410: A number of battles over a protracted period of time or a considerable distance, but within a single theatre of operations or delimited area. A campaign may last only a few weeks, but usually lasts several months or even a year". In premodern times, campaigns were usually interrupted during the winter season, during which the soldiers retreated into the winter quarters (or 'cantonments') to get through
357-846: The Army of the Ohio , with Buell in command. Early in 1862, the army fought its first battle at Mill Springs , although only the 1st Division, commanded by Brig. Gen. George H. Thomas , was engaged. The whole army marched to reinforce Grant 's Army of the Tennessee at the Battle of Shiloh . Buell was replaced as commander of the Department of the Ohio by Brig. Gen. Horatio G. Wright in August 1862, but because of Wright's junior rank, Maj. Gen. Henry W. Halleck ordered Thomas to replace Wright in command. However, Thomas foresaw
408-700: The Army of the Potomac and the Army of the James in Virginia, where Grant was bogged down in the Siege of Petersburg against Confederate General Robert E. Lee . Sherman had bigger things in mind. He persuaded Grant that he should march north through the Carolinas instead, destroying everything of military value along the way, similar to his 'March to the Sea' through Georgia . Sherman was particularly interested in targeting South Carolina , as
459-470: The fall of Atlanta . At the Battle of Franklin , Schofield inflicted a severe defeat on Hood's army before joining with Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas and the Army of the Cumberland for the Battle of Nashville . On February 9, 1865, Schofield was transferred to command the Department of North Carolina. When Schofield departed to assume departmental command, Maj. Gen. Jacob D. Cox temporarily assumed command of
510-543: The 21st. Such a situation may arise of various factors such as: Army of the Ohio The Army of the Ohio was the name of two Union armies in the American Civil War . The first army became the Army of the Cumberland and the second army was created in 1863. General Orders No. 97 appointed Maj. Gen. Don Carlos Buell to command the Department of the Ohio . All the forces of the department were then organized into
561-613: The Aiken Home Guard, which were under the command of Joseph Wheeler fought Kilpatrick's cavalry corps. Wheeler formed his troopers into a "V" formation, and deployed skirmishers in front of his cavalry. He planned for Kilpatrick to attack the skirmishers, who would then retreat to the center of the "V." His cavalry would then charge and surround Kilpatrick's force. When the battle started, a Confederate soldier shot his gun prematurely. This resulted in Wheeler ordering all his soldiers to attack
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#1732852672783612-623: The Army and Department of the Ohio on December 9. Foster's time in command of the Army was short. On February 9, 1864, Maj. Gen. John M. Schofield assumed command of the Department of the Ohio, and then the Army of the Ohio and the XXIII Corps in April. During this time the XXIII Corps and the Army of the Ohio were synonymous. Schofield led the Army during the Atlanta Campaign and pursued Confederate Lt. Gen. John Bell Hood into Tennessee after
663-412: The Army. The XXIII Corps was ordered to North Carolina and only Cox's division was present for the Battle of Wilmington . It was not until March 1865 that the rest of the XXIII Corps landed at New Bern, North Carolina . Upon the arrival of the XXIII Corps in its entirety, Schofield joined that corps with the X Corps under Maj. Gen. Alfred H. Terry to form the Army of the Ohio. The Army was designated
714-516: The Confederacy, although some smaller forces held out, particularly in the Trans-Mississippi region, into the summer. Military campaign A military campaign is large-scale long-duration significant military strategy plan incorporating a series of interrelated military operations or battles forming a distinct part of a larger conflict often called a war . The term derives from
765-558: The Confederate side had considerably fewer men. The primary force in the Carolinas was the battered Army of Tennessee , again under the command of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston (who had been relieved of duty by Confederate President Jefferson Davis during the Atlanta campaign against Sherman and restored after John Bell Hood led a disastrous invasion of Tennessee ). His strength was recorded in mid-March at 9,513 and 15,188 by mid-April. The army
816-611: The Confederates attempted to seize the initiative by attacking the Union flanks. After initial success, their attacks stalled because of faulty communications. On March 9, the Union forces were reinforced and beat back Bragg's renewed attacks on March 10 after heavy fighting. Bragg withdrew across the Neuse River and was unable to prevent the fall of Kinston on March 14. As Sherman's army advanced into North Carolina, Maj. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick 's Cavalry Division screened its left flank. On
867-690: The Department of the Ohio headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. On March 19, 1863, two divisions of the IX Corps under Maj. Gen. John G. Parke had been ordered from Virginia to Burnside's department. On April 27, 1863, the War Department ordered all troops in Kentucky not belonging to IX Corps to be organized into the XXIII Corps under the commanded of Maj. Gen. George L. Hartsuff . By May 1863 Burnside had consolidated
918-493: The Union advance for nearly two days. While Slocum's advance was stalled at Averasborough by Hardee's troops, the right wing of Sherman's army under Howard marched toward Goldsboro. On March 19, Slocum encountered the entrenched Confederates of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston who had concentrated to meet his advance at Bentonville. Johnston had increased his forces to about 21,000 men by absorbing the troops under Bragg, who had abandoned Wilmington. Late afternoon, Johnston attacked, crushing
969-409: The Union army. They engaged in hand-to-hand combat. Kilpatrick was defeated and forced back to Montmorenci . On February 17, Sherman captured Columbia , SC and Hampton's cavalry retreated from the city. Union forces were overwhelmed by throngs of liberated Federal prisoners and emancipated slaves . Many soldiers took advantage of ample supplies of liquor in the city and began to drink. Fires began in
1020-467: The United States government. The confusion on this issue lasted until April 26, when Johnston agreed to purely military terms and formally surrendered his army and all Confederate forces in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida . It was the second significant surrender that month. On April 9, Robert E. Lee had surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House . It was the virtual end for
1071-499: The army's only line of communication and retreat. Mower withdrew, ending fighting for the day. During the night, Johnston retreated across the bridge at Bentonville. Union forces pursued at first light, driving back Wheeler's rearguard and saving the bridge. Federal pursuit was halted at Hannah's Creek after a severe skirmish. Sherman, after regrouping at Goldsboro, pursued Johnston toward Raleigh . Sherman's Carolina campaign, in which his troops marched 425 miles (684 km) in 50 days,
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#17328526727831122-408: The belligerent military forces defeats the opposing military force within the constraints of the planned resource, time and cost allocations. The manner in which a force terminates its operations often influences the public perception of the campaign's success. A campaign may end in conquest, and be followed by the transition of military authority to a civil authority and the redeployment of forces, or
1173-512: The city, and high winds spread the flames across a wide area. Most of the central city was destroyed, and the city's fire companies found it difficult to operate in conjunction with the invading Union army, many of whom were also trying to put out the fire. The burning of Columbia has engendered controversy ever since, with some claiming the fires were accidental, others stating they were a deliberate act of vengeance as in Atlanta, and others claiming that
1224-412: The coldest months with warmth and protection. For example, the ancient Romans had easily movable castra aestiva ('summer quarters', with leather tents) but more stationary castra hibera ('winter quarters', with wooden barracks). In favourable weather and with proper equipment and supplies, however, military campaigns could be extended from the 'campaigning season' into winter in an attempt to catch
1275-612: The crossing of the Salkehatchie River by the right wing of Sherman's army. The Union division under Maj. Gen. Francis P. Blair (Howard's army) crossed the river and assaulted McLaws' flank. McLaws withdrew to Branchville , causing only one day's delay in the Union advance. This battle took place entirely in South Carolina. During the Battle Hugh Judson Kilpatrick attacked the city of Aiken . Cavalry corps and
1326-427: The defeat of Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston 's army at the Battle of Bentonville , and its unconditional surrender to Union forces on April 26, 1865. Coming just two weeks after the defeat of Robert E. Lee's army at the Battle of Appomattox Court House , it signaled that the war was effectively over. Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman had taken a large force through Georgia in the 1864 Atlanta campaign , capturing
1377-656: The enemy off-guard. For example, in the Flanders campaign , French general Jean-Charles Pichegru unexpectedly crossed the frozen Great Rivers during the harsh winter of 1794–95, and conquered the Dutch Republic . But ill-prepared winter campaigns often had disastrous consequences due to high mortality amongst the soldiers; the most notorious example of this is the French invasion of Russia by Napoleon (24 June – 14 December 1812). Therefore, army commanders sought to take into account
1428-526: The enemy's military power and resources were never greater and may be increased to any extent desired. ... My small force is melting away like snow before the sun. On April 18, three days after the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln , Johnston signed an armistice with Sherman at Bennett Place , a farmhouse near Durham Station . Sherman faced political resistance for offering terms of surrender to Johnston that encompassed political issues as well as military, without authorization from General Grant or
1479-529: The evening of March 9, two of Kilpatrick's brigades encamped near the Charles Monroe House in Cumberland (now Hoke ) County. Early on March 10, Hampton's Confederate cavalry surprised the Federals in their camps, driving them back in confusion and capturing wagons and artillery. The Federals regrouped and counterattacked, regaining their artillery and camps after a desperate fight. With Union reinforcements on
1530-440: The fighting was over, and therefore Perryville is considered a strategic victory for the Union. Buell was subsequently relieved of all field command. Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans was appointed to command the Army of the Ohio. He was also appointed to the command of the Department of the Cumberland and subsequently renamed his forces the Army of the Cumberland . On 25 March 1863, Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside assumed command of
1581-609: The fires were set by retreating Confederate soldiers who lit bales of cotton on their way out of town. Sherman's forces then destroyed virtually anything of military value in Columbia, including railroad depots, warehouses, arsenals, and machine shops. On the evening of February 17, the Fort Sumter garrison and all remaining Confederate forces in the Charleston area evacuated north to avoid being cut off by Sherman's advancing army. More than
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1632-414: The first state to secede from the Union, for the effect it would have on Southern morale. Grant acceded, and Sherman received the go ahead on Christmas Eve. The rest of the year was spent in preparations. Sherman intended the bulk of the Army moved out in mid-January 1865, but maneuvering began on December 30, 1864. Sherman's army commenced toward Columbia, South Carolina , in late January 1865. After
1683-461: The forces of Kentucky into the IX Corps and XXIII Corps which he styled the Army of the Ohio . Thus, Burnside became one of the few officers to directly command two completely different armies (he had earlier commanded the Army of the Potomac ). The IX Corps was soon transferred to Mississippi in June to participate in the siege of Vicksburg but was returned to the Army of the Ohio in August. Meanwhile,
1734-680: The line of the XIV Corps. Only strong counterattacks and desperate fighting south of the Goldsborough Road blunted the Confederate offensive. Elements of the XX Corps were thrown into the action as they arrived on the field. Five Confederate attacks failed to dislodge the Federal defenders, and darkness ended the first day's fighting. During the night, Johnston contracted his line into a "V" to protect his flanks, with Mill Creek to his rear. On March 20, Slocum
1785-481: The locals to live off. The destruction of property was to be ordered only by the Corps commanders, which would reflect the level of harassment the army received. If the army were left unbothered, no property was to be destroyed. But if guerilla action impeded the army, the area would be destroyed commensurate with the level of activity. Compliance with the foraging orders varied; some foragers were apt to steal considerably from
1836-473: The locals. The journey through the Carolinas would be muddy and difficult, especially given that roads were to be for vehicles only; men would have to walk through the wilderness alongside. Military pioneers were used extensively to build bridges, and vast lengths of corduroy road . Noted one Confederate soldier: "If Sherman's army had gone to hell and wanted to march over and there were no other way, they would corduroy it and march on." Sherman's opponents on
1887-467: The main Confederate line and a counterattack. Mid-morning, the Federals renewed their advance with strong reinforcements and drove the Confederates from two lines of works, but they were repulsed at a third line. Late afternoon, the Union XIV Corps began to arrive on the field but was unable to deploy before dark because of the swampy ground. Hardee retreated during the night of March 16, after holding up
1938-787: The namesake city itself in September. The fall of 1864 was focused on countering Confederate Gen. John Bell Hood in the Franklin–Nashville campaign . Sherman eventually pulled out from the campaign, leaving Gen. George H. Thomas to deal with Hood, while the main army returned to Atlanta. Sherman then began his " March to the Sea ", culminating in the December capture of Savannah. At this point, Sherman had 60,000 veteran troops under his command, which Union Army general-in-chief Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant wanted redeployed for use in Virginia. Grant ordered Sherman to embark his army on ships to reinforce
1989-408: The need to return their troops to their winter quarters, or establish new winter quarters in a secure location, well before the winter set in, so as to not leave their soldiers vulnerable to the enemy nor the elements. The success of a military campaign is evaluated based on the degree of achievement of planned goals and objectives through combat and noncombat operations. That is determined when one of
2040-549: The new Army of the Ohio' XXIII Corps repelled Morgan's Ohio raid , although the entire army rarely functioned as one complete unit during this campaign. Reunited with the IX Corps and the addition of a cavalry division, Burnside moved to Knoxville, Tennessee . There he defeated the Confederates at the Battle of Fort Sanders in the Knoxville Campaign . After the battle, he asked to be relieved of command due to illness. Maj. Gen. John G. Foster replaced Burnside as commander of
2091-516: The plain of Campania , a place of annual wartime operations by the armies of the Roman Republic . 1. A military campaign denotes the time during which a given military force conducts combat operations in a given area (often referred to as AO, area of operation ). A military campaign may be executed by either a single Armed Service , or as a combined services campaign conducted by land , naval , air , cyber, and space forces. 2. The purpose of
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2142-418: The post-industrial period to a few weeks. However, due to the nature of campaign goals, usually campaigns last several months, or up to a year as defined by Trevor N. Dupuy . "A campaign is a phase of a war involving a series of operations related in time and space and aimed towards a single, specific, strategic objective or result in the war. A campaign may include a single battle, but more often it comprises
2193-478: The scattered Confederate defenders as to his first true objective, which was the state capital of Columbia, South Carolina . The Carolinas campaign was arranged similarly to the Atlanta campaign. Sherman's 60,079 men were divided into two wings. The right wing was the Army of the Tennessee , under Maj. Gen. Oliver Otis Howard . The left wing was made of two corps, the XIV and XX , under Maj. Gen. Henry W. Slocum , which
2244-476: The war, Sherman remarked that while his March to the Sea had captured popular imagination, it had been child's play compared to the Carolinas Campaign. Sherman's plan was to make a feint for Augusta, Georgia , and Charleston, South Carolina , while instead truly aiming for Goldsboro, North Carolina . As with his Georgia operations, Sherman marched his armies in multiple directions simultaneously, confusing
2295-521: The way, the Confederates withdrew. On the afternoon of March 15, Kilpatrick's cavalry came up against Hardee's corps deployed across the Raleigh Road near Smithville. After feeling out the Confederate defenses, Kilpatrick withdrew and called for infantry support. During the night, four divisions of the XX Corps arrived to confront the Confederates. At dawn, March 16, the Federals advanced on a division front, driving back skirmishers, but they were stopped by
2346-430: Was carried, but minimal food, animal feed, or other supplies. Sherman did not expect a resupply until he reached Cape Fear River , in the middle of North Carolina. The Army was to live off the land, and the locals. Very strict orders were issued regulating foraging. Soldiers could requisition select supplies from locals, but could not enter homes or otherwise trespass, could not harass them, and were to leave enough food for
2397-510: Was gathering when Bragg attacked. Known as the Battle of Perryville , or the Battle of Chaplin Hills, casualties were very high on both sides. Union casualties totaled 4,276 (894 killed, 2,911 wounded, 471 captured or missing). Confederate casualties were 3,401 (532 killed, 2,641 wounded, 228 captured or missing). [1] Although Union losses were comparatively much higher, Bragg withdrew from Kentucky when
2448-426: Was heavily reinforced, but fighting was sporadic. Sherman was inclined to let Johnston retreat. On March 21, however, Johnston remained in position while he removed his wounded. Skirmishing heated up along the entire front. In the afternoon, Maj. Gen. Joseph Mower led his Union division along a narrow trace that carried it across Mill Creek into Johnston's rear. Confederate counterattacks stopped Mower's advance, saving
2499-466: Was later formally designated the Army of Georgia . Reinforcements arrived regularly during his march north, and by April 1 he commanded 88,948 men after the Army of the Ohio under Maj. Gen. John M. Schofield joined up at Goldsboro, NC. Continuing the precedent set in the March to the Sea, the Army would be cut off from its supply lines to enable mobility. The Army travelled light: a great deal of ammunition
2550-503: Was organized into three corps, commanded by Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee , Lt. Gen. Alexander P. Stewart , and Lt. Gen. Stephen D. Lee . Also in the Carolinas were cavalry forces from the division of Maj. Gen. Wade Hampton and a small number in Wilmington, North Carolina , under Gen. Braxton Bragg . The following actions were fought in the Carolinas campaign. The Confederate division of Maj. Gen. Lafayette McLaws attempted to prevent
2601-495: Was similar to his march to the sea through Georgia, although physically more demanding. However, the Confederate forces opposing him were much smaller and more dispirited. When Joseph E. Johnston met with Jefferson Davis in Greensboro on April 12–13, he told the Confederate president: Our people are tired of the war, feel themselves whipped, and will not fight. Our country is overrun, its military resources greatly diminished, while
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