Army of the Tennessee Calendar

The Army of the Tennessee was one of the Union Army’s most important and successful military formations during the American Civil War. It was established in the fall of 1861 under the command of General Ulysses S. Grant, tasked with securing the Mississippi River and the surrounding territories. This Army played a central role in the Union’s efforts to divide the Southern states and disrupt Southern logistics by controlling key rivers and railroads. Initially composed of a mix of infantry, artillery, and cavalry, the Army of the Tennessee grew significantly in size and strength as the war progressed. The Army first gained national prominence after the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson in early 1862, marking a major victory in the Western Theatre. The Union’s success at these forts opened up much of Tennessee to further invasion. The Army’s rapid movements and bold tactics were integral to securing these victories, establishing Grant’s reputation as one of the Union’s most capable commanders. In April 1862, the Army of the Tennessee was heavily engaged in the Battle of Shiloh, one of the war’s bloodiest clashes. Although the Union Army suffered heavy casualties, it ultimately defeated the Southern forces and gained control of much of the region. In 1863, the Army of the Tennessee played a key role in the Union’s successful campaign to capture the strategic city of Vicksburg, Mississippi. General Grant, now in command of the entire Western Theatre, employed a series of innovative strategies to isolate and besiege the Southern forces entrenched in Vicksburg. The eventual surrender of Vicksburg on July 4, 1863, marked a major turning point in the war, as it gave the Union control over the Mississippi River, effectively splitting the Southern states in two. The Army of the Tennessee’s role in this victory cemented its reputation as a formidable force. Following Vicksburg, the Army of the Tennessee continued to play a critical role in the Union’s Western campaigns. It participated in General William Tecumseh Sherman’s famous "March to the Sea" in late 1864, advancing through Georgia and eventually capturing Atlanta. The Army's success in this campaign demonstrated its strength and endurance, providing crucial support to Sherman’s overall strategy of total war. After the war, the Army of the Tennessee was disbanded, but its legacy lived on through the achievements and strategies that helped pave the way for Union victory in the Civil War.