March 24, 1864

March 24, 1864

---Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, with his cavalry, raid Union City, Tennessee, taking prisoner the Federal garrison there.

 

---Red River Campaign:  At Alexandria, Louisiana, Gen. Nathaniel Banks arrives to take command.  He is dismayed to find that he is required to return A.J. Smith's division to Sherman by April 15.  He is also dismayed to find that the Red River is so low this year that it may prevent Porter's fleet ascending the river.

 

---Gen. Grant joins the Army of the Potomac.  He reveals his plan for joints, coordinate movement in all theaters: The Army of the Potomac would go after Lee in Virginia; the combined forces in Chattanooga (Army of the Tennessee, Army of the Cumberland, Army of the Ohio, XX Corps) under Sherman  would move against Johnston in northern Georgia, with Atlanta as the target; the Army of the James under Butler would move from Fortress Monroe towards Richmond; the Army of the Shenandoah under Sigel will begin moving up the Shenandoah Valley to flank Richmond; Gen. Crook with a column of cavalry and artillery in West Virginia will move to cut the railroad that runs from Knoxville to Virginia.