February 27, 1865
Operations (Final) in the Shenandoah Valley, VA. 2/27-4/23/1865.
Federal expedition from Winchester, VA, to the front of Petersburg, VA. 2/27-3/28/1865.
Maj. Gen. Philip Henry Sheridan’s US command starts from Winchester, VA, to Petersburg, VA, as Brig. Gen. Wesley Merritt, USA, moves with 10,000 Union Cavalry to operate against the Virginia Central Railroad and the James River Canal. Merritt is also ordered to capture Lynchburg, VA. Lieut. Gen. Jubal Early, CSA, attempts to gather as many Confederates as possible to deflect this latest Union advance.
Gen. Robert E. Lee, CSA, is and has been concerned over the large number of desertions his army has been facing. The Confederate Army of Northern Virginia’s strength is rapidly dwindling.
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 #9: Reports of Bvt. Brigadier General Henry L. Abbot, 1st CT HA, commanding Siege Train, Jan 1-Mar 31, 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
- 150 Years Ago Today at Petersburg: February 27, 1865