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May 13-15, 1864 - Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman (right) fights the Battle of Resaca during his Atlanta Campaign. Pushing south from Chattanooga, Sherman sought to turn Gen. Joseph E. Johnston out of his strong position at Dalton, GA by exploiting an undefended mountain pass at Snake Creek Gap and capturing Resaca. Advancing through the gap, Maj. Gen. James McPherson's Army of the Tennessee failed to take the town on May 9 allowing Johnston to retreat south. Taking a position north and west of Resaca, Johnston repelled Union assaults on May 14 and counterattacked against Sherman's left flank. The fighting resumed the next day as Sherman attacked from the north and Johnston attempted another flanking maneuver. Learning that afternoon that Union troops were crossing the Oostanaula River and threatening his rear, Johnston withdrew south after nightfall.
Photograph Courtesy of the National Archives & Records Administration
American Civil War: Sherman Attacks at Resaca originally appeared on About.com Military History on Monday, May 14th, 2012 at 01:00:28.
May 12, 1863- Union forces under Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson (right) win the Battle of Raymond. After crossing the Mississippi River south of Vicksburg, Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant pushed northeast to sever the city's rail connections to Jackson, MS. Advancing on the Union right, McPherson's XVII Corps encountered an over-strength Confederate brigade near Raymond on May 12. Led by Brig. Gen. John Gregg, this force initially moved to attack the Union troops until realizing it was badly outnumbered. In the fighting, McPherson's men overwhelmed the Confederates and sent them retreating back to Jackson.
American Civil War - Fighting in the West:
- Battle of Shiloh
- Battle of Stones River
- Battle of Chickamauga
- Battle of Chattanooga
- Battle of Franklin
Photograph Courtesy of the Library of Congress
American Civil War: Confederates Routed at Raymond originally appeared on About.com Military History on Saturday, May 12th, 2012 at 01:00:10.
May 10, 1775 - American forces capture Fort Ticonderoga (right). Located at the southern end of Lake Champlain, Fort Ticonderoga was a key location during the French & Indian War. In the years after the war, its importance waned and the garrison dwindled to around fifty men. With the beginning of the American Revolution, colonial forces began moving against Fort Ticonderoga with the goal of capturing its large supply of artillery and securing the northern frontier. On May 10, 1775, American forces led by Colonels Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold successfully stormed the fort. Later that year, Fort Ticonderoga's guns were transported to Boston by Colonel Henry Knox. Emplaced on Dorchester Heights, they compelled the British to abandon the city in March 1776.
American Revolution - Key Battles
Photograph Source: Public Domain
American Revolution: Fort Ticonderoga Falls originally appeared on About.com Military History on Thursday, May 10th, 2012 at 01:00:28.
May 8, 1822 - Major General John Stark (right) dies. A native of New Hampshire, Stark first saw military service with Roger's Rangers during the French & Indian War. Having proved himself a gifted soldier, he was given command of a New Hampshire regiment at the start of the American Revolution. In this role, Stark first saw action during the Siege of Boston and the Battle of Bunker Hill. Accepted into the Continental Army, he spent much of 1776 in northern New York before returning south for the victories at Trenton and Princeton. Ordered home to recruit new troops, Stark resigned in protest in 1777 when he was passed over for promotion. Accepting a role in the New Hampshire militia, he led his men to victory at the Battle of Bennington that August. This triumph earned him a promotion to brigadier general and he returned to the Continental Army. Stark served for the remainder of the war and took part in the Battle of Springfield as well as sat on the board that sentenced British spy Major John Andre. Brevetted to major general in 1783, Stark retired to New Hampshire where he died in 1822.
American Revolution - Commanders:
- Major General Nathanael Greene
- Marquis de Lafayette
- Major General Henry Knox
- Major General Anthony Wayne
Photograph Source: Public Domain
American Revolution: Stark Dies originally appeared on About.com Military History on Tuesday, May 8th, 2012 at 01:00:32.
May 7, 1763 - Pontiac's Rebellion begins when Pontiac (right) attempts to capture Fort Detroit. In the wake of the British victory in the French & Indian War, the Native America tribes of present-day Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois quickly became unhappy with the policies of Gen. Jeffery Amherst. These saw him reduce gifts to the tribes as well as restrict the sale of gunpowder and weapons. In May 1763, the Ottawa leader Pontiac attempted to capture Fort Detroit. When this failed, he laid siege. His actions sparked tribes around the region to rise up. By the end of June many of the British forts along the frontier had fallen and Fort Pitt was also under siege. While Fort Pitt was relieved in August after the Battle of Bushy Run, the situation on the frontier remained dire. In 1764, Maj. Gen. Thomas Gage, working with Indian department head Sir William Johnson, was able to bring the conflict to a conclusion through a mix of negotiation and military campaigns.
French & Indian War - Battles:
Photograph Source: Public Domain
Pontiac's Rebellion Begins originally appeared on About.com Military History on Sunday, May 6th, 2012 at 01:00:12.
May 3-5, 1811 - Viscount Wellington holds off the French at the Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro. Advancing after turning Marshal Andre Massena back at the Lines of Torres Vedras, Wellington advanced with British and Portuguese forces and laid siege to the border towns of Ciudad Rodrigo, Almeida, and Badajoz. Moving to relieve Almeida, Massena attacked Wellington at the village of Fuentes de Oñoro on May 3. Repulsed, he took the next day to scout the enemy's position. Finding that Wellington's right was weak, Massena struck there on May 5 while also attacking the village. In heavy fighting, the Allied forces successfully turned back the French efforts. While Massena fell back to Ciudad Rodrigo, Wellington completed the capture of Almeida on May 11.
The Peninsular War - Battles:
Photograph Source: Public Domain
Peninsular War: Wellington Holds at Fuentes de Onoro originally appeared on About.com Military History on Friday, May 4th, 2012 at 01:00:14.
Having won earlier in the day at the Battle of Contreras, American forces pushed up both sides of a large lava field known as the Pedregal and converged on Churubusco. Having seen his defensive line south of Mexico City shattered, Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna directed that the bridge at Churubusco be held at all costs to allow the army to retreat. Opening the Battle of Churubusco shortly after noon, Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott's men assaulted the bridge and nearby San Mateo Convent. A second column was sent across a bridge to the west at Coyoacan and threatened Portales to the north. In several hours of bloody fighting, the Americans carried both the bridge and convent. Pushing towards Portales, Scott's army forced Santa Anna's men to flee back to Mexico City.
Photograph Source: Public Domain
Mexican-American War: Battle of Churubusco originally appeared on About.com Military History on Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012 at 01:00:16.
Advancing into the heart of Mexico, Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott approached Mexico City from the south. Initially stymied by Mexican forces at San Antonio, he elected to push part of his army across a lava field to the west known at the Pedregal. Using a route scouted by Maj. Robert E. Lee, American troops succeeded in getting behind a Mexican force led by Gen. Gabriel Valencia on August 19. The next morning, they attacked at dawn and routed the Mexicans in the Battle of Contreras. The defeat shattered the Mexican defenses south of the city and set the stage for the Battle of Churubusco later that day.
Battles of the Mexican-American War:
- Battle of Palo Alto
- Battle of Resaca de la Palma
- Battle of Monterrey
- Battle of Buena Vista
- Siege of Veracruz
- Battle of Cerro Gordo
Photograph Source: Public Domain
Mexican-American War: Battle of Contreras originally appeared on About.com Military History on Monday, April 30th, 2012 at 01:00:12.
Launched in 1936, USS Enterprise (CV-6) joined the fleet two years later. After brief service in the Atlantic, it was transferred to the US Pacific Fleet in early 1939. Away from Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked on December 7, 1941, Enterprise was at the center of the many of the Pacific war's campaigns. Earning a record 20 battle stars, Enterprise saw took part in the Doolittle Raid, Midway, the Guadalcanal Campaign, Eastern Solomons, Santa Cruz, Philippine Sea, Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. It also conducted numerous raids against Japanese bases including Truk. Badly damaged by a kamikaze while off Okinawa, Enterprise was in the yard when the war ended in August 1945. In the final months of that year, it was employed in Operation Magic Carpet and transported over 10,000 US servicemen home from Europe. Decommissioned in 1947, the "Big E" was sold for scrap in 1958 when fundraising efforts to turn the ship into a museum failed. Its name was reborn in 1961 with the commissioning of USS Enterprise (CVN-65).
US Navy Aircraft Carriers of World War II:
Photograph Courtesy of the US Naval History & Heritage Command
World War II: The Big E originally appeared on About.com Military History on Saturday, April 28th, 2012 at 01:00:28.
April 26, 1896 - Lt. Ernst Udet (right) is born. Initially turned away by recruiters at the beginning of World War I due to his small stature, Udet briefly served as a volunteer messenger before learning that the German Air Service would accept trained pilots without question. Seeking out private flying lessons, he earned his civilian license in April 1915. Accepted into the service, he first flew for observation squadrons before transitioning to fighters. Quickly proving a gifted pilot, Udet built his kill total through 1916 and early 1917. This period saw him engage in a famous encounter with French ace Captain Georges Guynemer. After sparring for some time, the Guynemer let Udet escape after the German's guns jammed. Later recruited by Manfred von Richthofen (The Red Baron) for his elite Jagdgeschwader 1, Udet rapidly began increasing his score. By the end of World War I, he had downed 62 enemy aircraft making him Germany's second-highest scorer behind the Red Baron. Following the war, Udet remained famous as a stunt flyer and movie star. Recruited into the Nazi Party and Luftwaffe in 1933, he later oversaw Germany's aircraft development. In this role, he championed dive bombing and the Ju 87 Stuka. Unhappy in his role and with the direction of the Luftwaffe, he frequently came into conflict with his superiors. As a result, Udet was made the scapegoat for the Luftwaffe's defeat in the 1940 Battle of Britain. Increasingly depressed, he committed suicide on November 17, 1941.
World War I Aces:
Photograph Source: Public Domain
World War I: Ernst Udet Born originally appeared on About.com Military History on Thursday, April 26th, 2012 at 01:00:07.
April 25, 1862 - Union naval forces capture New Orleans, LA (left). The largest city in the Confederacy, New Orleans was considered a vital objective by Union planners. Gathering a fleet at Head of Passes, Flag Officer David G. Farragut, commanding the West Gulf Blockading Squadron, began operations against the city's defenses on April 18, 1862. This initial move consisted of an extended bombardment of Forts Jackson and St. Philip which blocked the Union advance up the Mississippi River. Led by Commander David D. Porter, mortar boats pounded the forts for five days. On April 20, Farragut ordered sailors from USS Itasca and USS Pinola to move forward and severe a chain barrier that the Confederates had stretched across the river. By the 23rd, Farragut had become dissatisfied with the results of the bombardment as both forts were still offering resistance. Rather than wait to completely reduce the fortifications, Farragut elected to run his fleet past the forts on the night of April 24. Moving forward, the Union ships pounded the two forts before defeating a small Confederate gunboat squadron. When the fighting ended, Farragut had succeeded in passing the forts with minimal losses. Steaming up the river, he received the surrender of New Orleans the following day.
Civil War at Sea:
Photograph Courtesy of the US Naval Historical Center
Civil War 150th: Farragut Captures New Orleans originally appeared on About.com Military History on Tuesday, April 24th, 2012 at 01:00:28.
April 1863 - Col. Benjamin Grierson (right) leads Union troops on a raid through Mississippi. A music teacher before the Civil War, Grierson joined the Union Army in 1861 and initially served as an aide to Brig. Gen. Benjamin Prentiss. Transferring to the 6th Illinois Cavalry, he was made the regiment's commander in April 1862. Serving in central Tennessee, he later joined in Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's advance on Vicksburg. In April 1863, Grierson was ordered to conduct a raid through Mississippi to destroy Confederate railroads and distract the enemy while Grant moved down the west bank of the Mississippi River. Riding south, his men tore up tracks and burned bridges while skirmishing with enemy forces. Reaching Louisiana, Grierson's men joined in the Siege of Port Hudson. In 1864 and 1865, Grierson remained in Mississippi and Alabama and battled noted Confederate cavalryman Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest. After the war, Grierson stayed in the army and later formed the 10th Cavalry, one of the first "Buffalo Soldier" regiments. Serving in various commands along the frontier, he retired in 1890.
Civil War Cavalry Commanders:
- Major General John Buford
- Major General J.E.B. Stuart
- Major General Philip Sheridan
- Major General Joseph Wheeler
Photograph Source: Public Domain
American Civil War: Grierson Moves South originally appeared on About.com Military History on Sunday, April 22nd, 2012 at 01:00:54.
Having advanced to the outskirts of Mexico City, Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott paused and entered negotiations with the Mexican government to end the war. These quickly failed and he began making preparations for assaulting the city. As planning moved forward, Scott was alerted that a Mexican force was present in the Molino del Rey (King's Mills). Located southwest of Mexico City, the Molino had been previously used as flour and gunpowder mills. Believing that a minor operation could clear the facility, Scott directed Maj. Gen. William Worth to attack the Molino on September 8, 1847. Attacking, Worth found the Molino and nearby fortifications to be strongly defended. In two hours of intensely bitter fighting, American troops captured the Molino but at a high cost. Though intended to be small engagement, the Battle of Molino del Rey became one of the war's bloodiest contests. Moving forward a few days later, Scott captured the city after the Battle of Chapultepec.
Battles of the Mexican-American War:
- Battle of Palo Alto
- Battle of Resaca de la Palma
- Battle of Monterrey
- Battle of Buena Vista
- Siege of Veracruz
- Battle of Cerro Gordo
Photograph Source: Public Domain
Mexican-American War: Blood at Molino del Rey originally appeared on About.com Military History on Friday, April 20th, 2012 at 01:00:49.
April 19, 1922 - Ace Erich Hartmann (right) is born at Weissach, Germany. The son of glider pilot Elisabeth Hartmann, Erich Hartmann took to skies at an early age. A glider instructor at age 14 and licensed pilot at 19, he entered the Luftwaffe in 1940. Entering combat on the Eastern Front in late 1942, Hartmann's early performances were poor. Gaining in skill and confidence, his kill total exploded in 1943. Using a philosophy of closing on enemy aircraft and bringing them down with short, accurate bursts from his Messerschmitt Bf 109, he downed over 90 aircraft by the end of August. Known as the "Black Devil" to the Soviets, Hartmann ended the war with 352 kills - the most ever by a fighter pilot. In addition, he never lost a wingman killed in combat, though one was shot down. During the course of his career, Hartmann crashed fourteen times but was never brought down by enemy fire. Held prisoner by the Soviets until 1955, he later served in the West German Bundesluftwaffe.
World War II Aces:
- Major Thomas McGuire
- Colonel Gregory "Pappy" Boyington
- Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader
- Air Vice Marshal Johnnie Johnson
Photograph Source: Public Domain
World War II: Top Scoring Ace Born originally appeared on About.com Military History on Wednesday, April 18th, 2012 at 01:00:49.
April 16, 1945 - Soviet forces open the Battle of the Seelow Heights. Having driven into Germany, Soviet forces under Marshal Georgy Zhukov (right) sought to break through the last line of German defenses in front of Berlin by capturing the Seelow Heights. Moving forward on April 16, they were hampered by soggy terrain and a tenacious German defense. Led by Colonel General Gotthard Heinrici, the Germans succeeded in holding their position until April 19 and inflicted massive losses on the assaulting Soviets. Lacking reinforcements, they were ultimately overwhelmed and forced to retreat towards Berlin. Though bloodied, Zhukov followed and opened the Battle of Berlin a few days later.
The Eastern Front of World War II:
Photograph Source: Public Domain
World War II: Soviets Attack the Seelow Heights originally appeared on About.com Military History on Monday, April 16th, 2012 at 01:00:40.
April 14, 1471 - The Earl of Warwick is killed at the Battle of Barnet as King Edward IV fights to reclaim his throne. Having been forced to flee to Burgundy by the Earl of Warwick, Edward IV returned to England in March 1471 with an army. Building his strength, he sought battle with Warwick but the earl refused to engage him. Occupying London, Edward soon learned that Warwick was approaching the city with a reinforced army. Taking a position at Barnet, the earl awaited the king. Clashing early on the morning of April 14, the two armies battled in a heavy fog. While Warwick's Lancastrians had some early success, it was negated when his men mistakenly fired on his ally's, the Earl of Oxford, men. As Oxford's men left the field, the Lancastrian line began to waver under cries of treachery. Taking advantage and striking hard, Edward drove off the Lancastrians, killing Warwick in the process. The victory effectively secured his throne until his death in 1483.
The Wars of the Roses - Battles:
Wars of the Roses: Warwick Killed at Barnet originally appeared on About.com Military History on Saturday, April 14th, 2012 at 01:00:49.
April 12, 1862 - James Andrews leads Union forces on the Great Locomotive Chase. Seeking to aid in the Union capture of Chattanooga, civilian scout James Andrews led a small force into Georgia in early April 1862. His goal was to capture a locomotive and destroy the tracks and bridges of the Western & Atlantic Railroad between Atlanta and Chattanooga. Taking over the locomotive General on April 12, his men began moving north and cut telegraph wires and damaged the rails. Quickly pursued by Confederate forces, a chase ensued before the Union men were forced to abandon General just south of Ringgold. Captured by enemy forces, Andrews and his men were tried for unlawful belligerency. While Andrews and seven others were later hung, the remaining raiders either escaped or were later exchanged as prisoners of war.
Civil War in the West: 1862
Photograph Source: Public Domain
Civil War 150th: The Great Locomotive Chase originally appeared on About.com Military History on Thursday, April 12th, 2012 at 01:00:00.
April 11, 1512 - French troops led by Gaston de Foix (left) defeat Spanish and Papal forces at the Battle of Ravenna. In early 1512, French forces under Gaston de Foix, Duc de Nemours succeeded in capturing several cities in the Romagna and Veneto. With Henry VIII of England threatening to invade France, Nemours eagerly sought to defeat the forces of the Holy League before many of his troops were withdrawn to defend the homeland. After besieging Ravenna, Nemours learned that a Holy League army of Spanish and Papal troops was marching to relieve the city. Led by Ramón de Cardona, this force approached to within a mile of the French positions before halting and building a fortified camp. Seeing his opportunity, Nemours advanced on April 11, with the goal of bringing de Cardona to battle and crushing his force. Advancing, the battle opened with an artillery duel, before the Spanish cavalry attacked their French counterparts. Beaten off by the French, the Spanish cavalry began to retreat, leaving the infantry to continue the fight. Launching an attack against the enemy lines, the Spanish achieved some success until the assault was contained and defeated by the French cavalry. It was during this phase of the battle that Nemours was killed by retreating Spanish infantry. Though a victory, the success was short-lived as the majority of French forces were ordered home later that year leaving northern Italy to the Holy League.
Photograph Source: Public Domain
War of the League of Cambrai: Battle of Ravenna originally appeared on About.com Military History on Tuesday, April 10th, 2012 at 01:00:04.
April 9, 1945 - The German pocket battleship Admiral Scheer (right) is sunk at Kiel by Allied aircraft. Commissioned in 1934, Admiral Scheer was the second "pocket battleship" built by Germany. Applied by foreign navies, this term referred to the ship's relatively small size but potent armament of six 11" guns. Seeing service during the Spanish Civil War, Admiral Scheer later became the Kriegsmarine's most effective surface raider of World War II. These activities saw it conduct a lengthy cruise in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans in 1940-1941. Returning to Germany, the ship later served in Norway and conducted a raid into the Kara Sea in 1942. After spending much of the next two years as a training vessel, Admiral Scheer returned to action in early 1945 as it provided gunfire support for German forces fighting the Soviets. Berthed at Kiel for repairs in early April, it was hit by five Tallboy bombs on the night of April 9 and capsized.
Battleships of World War II:
Photograph Courtesy of the US Naval History & Heritage Command
World War II: Admiral Scheer Sunk originally appeared on About.com Military History on Sunday, April 8th, 2012 at 01:00:37.
April 6-7, 1862 - Union and Confederate troops clash at the Battle of Shiloh. Pushing deep into Tennessee, Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant encamped near Pittsburg Landing to await the arrival of Maj. Gen. Don Carlos Buell's Army of the Ohio. Launching a surprise attack on April 6, Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston's (right) Army of Mississippi succeeded in overrunning Grant's camps and forcing Union troops into a tight defensive line near the landing. In the fighting, Johnston was killed and command devolved to Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard. Reinforced that night by Buell's men, Grant launched a massive counterattack the next morning. Pushing back the Confederates, Grant reclaimed his old camps and drove Beauregard from the field. The Battle of Shiloh was bloodiest battle of the Civil War to date with total losses of 23,746.
Civil War in the West - 1862:
- Battle of Mills Springs
- Battle of Fort Henry
- Battle of Fort Donelson
- Battle of Perryville
- Battle of Stones River
Photograph Source: Public Domain
Civil War 150th: Grant Triumphs at Shiloh originally appeared on About.com Military History on Friday, April 6th, 2012 at 01:00:57.