In Virginia, Grant continued to attempt to turn Lee’s flank. As Union cavalry occupied Hanovertown, south of the Pamunkey River, Lee moved back on shorter lines from his position near Hanover Junction, heading south and then eastward to confront Grant. On May 27 and 28, 1864 cavalry skirmishing erupted at Hanover Junction, Sexton’s Station, Carmel Church, Dabney’s Ferry, Jones’ Farm, and numerous other places as Lee’s army once again moved in front of Grant’s forces, thus protecting the Confederate capital at Richmond. Grant was as close to Richmond as McClellan had been in 1862, but once again the Confederates barred his way. In private correspondence to Lee, Jefferson Davis confirmed that General Beauregard was strengthening Richmond’s southern defenses against Butler’s Union forces but was outnumbered at least two to one.
00000174-b11b-ddc3-a1fc-bfdbb1a20000The Schreiner University Department of History is honoring the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War with a series of short vignettes focusing on events from 1861 through 1865. The Civil War was the most destructive conflict in American history, but it was also one of our most defining moments as a people and as a nation. Let us know what you think about "This Week in the Civil War." E-mail your comments to Dr. John Huddleston at jhuddles@schreiner.edu.Airs: Weekdays at 5:19 a.m., 8:19 a.m., 4:19 p.m. on KTXI and 4:49 a.m., 9:29 p.m. on KSTX.