February 25, 1865
Second Corps commander Andrew A. Humphreys arrives at Second Corps headquarters at 2 am, fresh from his leave of absence.
Brigadier General William Hays, reporting to the Siege of Petersburg for duty, is assigned to command of Second Division, Second Corps, Army of the Potomac.
Ulysses S. Grant warns Army of the James commander Major General Edward O. C. Ord to beware of a possible Confederate ironclad ram attack on his front due to the high water in the James River.
Ulysses S. Grant discusses the impending movement of Major General Sheridan and his cavalry divisions from the Shenandoah Valley to join Major General William T. Sherman in North Carolina.
Confederate Secretary of War Breckinridge tells Robert E. Lee that he has issued the necessary orders to prepare for the removal of supplies from Richmond and Petersburg, but asks Lee if he can hold out 10-12 more days.
Generals Longstreet and Ord meet between the lines on New Market Road east of Richmond to discuss military matters, and Ord mistakenly lays the groundwork for Grant and Lee to discuss peace.
Robert E. Lee orders Richard S. Ewell to destroy any cotton and tobacco in the city of Richmond where the owner cannot remove it quickly, though Ewell does not act immediately.
Note: All “Today In The Petersburg Campaign” blog entries are used with permission from Ronald A. Mosocco’s Chronological Tracking of the American Civil War per the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion. Order the book HERE.
Copyright © 1993, 1994 by Ronald A. Mosocco
Mentions of This Date at The Siege of Petersburg Online:
- OR XLVI P1 #4: Itineraries of the Army of the Potomac, Sheridan’s Cavalry Command, and the Army of the James, January-April 1865
- OR XLVI P1 #176: Reports of Bvt. Major Peter S. Michie, Chief Engineer, Army of the James, Feb 4-Mar 18, 1865
- OR XLVI P1 #180: Returns for the Army of Northern Virginia, Jan 10, 26-31, 31, Feb 10, 20, Feb 24-Mar 1, 1865