ON THIS DAY IN UNITED STATES HISTORY
March 29, 1865
The Appomattox Campaign Begins in the American Civil War
On this day in 1865, Federal cavalry under General Sheridan and General Warren's V Corps began to flank the
Confederate forces under Robert E. Lee as the Appomattox Campaign began.
During the flanking movement, they encoutered General Johnson's Confederate brigade and pushed them back forcing
Lee to shift his reinforcements to meet the advancing Union forces.
Over the next 10 days, battles broke out between Union and Confederate forces which left Lee's army severely
weekened from exaustion, disease, and desertion. Lee had hoped to withdraw to the southwest and unite his army with
forces in North Carolina but Grant kept the pressure on. Outnumbered and short on supplies and with no where else
to turn, Lee agreed to surrender his army on April 9 at Appomattox Court House.
|