June 5th, 2014 Express Newspaper

The Express Newspaper – May 29, 2014

Battle of the Wilderness Part 2 – by S. McBride

 

As Grant planned to get to the vital crossroads at Spotsylvania before Lee’s army could, Lee met the challenge. He sensed what Grant was thinking, and he was sure of the strategy the Union’s new commander would put in place.  Lee sent Jeb Stuart’s cavalry to delay the advancing Federals at Todd’s Tavern, which gave his infantry time to go by back roads to reach the courthouse before the Union army got there.

 

Read the entire article in the May 22nd issue of the Express.

 

The Express Newspaper – May 8, 2014

The Red River Campaign April 1864 – by Sandy McBride

Although Ulysses S. Grant’s army had won a crucial victory at Vicksburg in July of 1863, taking control of trade and travel on the Mississippi River for the Union, the Confederacy had maintained control of the Trans-Mississippi region to the west of the river.  They were able to continue trade through Texas and Mexico, selling cotton to the nations of Europe in exchange for guns, thereby keeping their efforts to gain their independence going.

Grant had been given control of all the Union armies in March, 1864, and he had a plan to end the War Between the States by November.  He would concentrate the bulk of Union forces in the east to go after Robert E. Lee in Virginia and Joseph E. Johnston in Georgia.  He would push them back and force them to give up the fight.

Read the entire article in the April 24th issue of the Express

 

The Express Newspaper – April 17, 2014