January 26,1864-Confederate General James Longstreet's forces are dislodged from Russellville, Tennessee by Union cavalry commanded by General Samuel Sturgis, part of the IX Corps of General John G. Parke, currently at Knoxville. Confederate cavalry under the command of General William T. Martin then drives General Sturgis back toward Seiverville, Tennessee.
January 27,1864-General Braxton Bragg, suffering health problems, is summoned to Richmond for conference with President Davis as long as his health permits.
January 27,1864-Continuous skirmishing between General Sturgis' Union cavalry and General William Martin's Confederate cavalry results in Confederate troop losses of 200 and Union losses of about 65 killed, captured, wounded, or missing. Union troops also capture two cannons.
January 28,1864-In an effort to secure forage for their horses and cattle for beef to feed the Confederate Army, General Jubel Early dispatched Generals Edward Thomas and Thomas Rossiter, (Infantry and Cavalry commanders), to raid Union positions around New Market, Virginia.
January 28,1864-General George Stoneman is assigned to lead XXII Corps and General John M. Schofield is promoted to command the Department of the Ohio.
January 28,1864-The skirmishing in Tennessee continues with General William Martin's forces being defeated near Fair Gardens, Tennessee by Union General Sturgis. Confederate General Bushrod R. Johnson's infantry then drives General Sturgis' back to Seiverville, Tennessee and General Martin moves back to Fair Gardens.
January 29,1864-Confederate raiders led by Generals Thomas and Rossiter successfully overtake a Union wagon train, capturing 80 men, 1,200 head of cattle, 500 sheep, and 95 wagons. The 12th Virginia Cavalry and the 35th Battalion of Virginia Cavalry arrive in support of Thomas and Rossiter to complete this raid.
January 30,1864-General Rossiter continues his raid, moving from Medley, Virginia to Petersburg where he takes additional Union supplies, including ammunition.
January 30,1864-At Mattoon, Illinois, men of the 54th Illinois kill a Democrat who refuses to take the Oath of Loyalty.
January 30,1864-William Rosecrans becomes the commander of the Department of the Missouri.
January 31,1864-President Lincoln again urges General Nathaniel Banks to institute civilian authority in New Orleans. General William T. Sherman instructs General Banks to cooperate fully with Admiral David Porter as he prepares for the upcoming Red River Campaign in Louisiana.
January 31 & February 1,1864-A Confederate Army move to New Bern, North Carolina is coordinated by General George Pickett. Pickett leads about 13,000 troops in three Brigades of General Robert Hoke's Division. He has 14 cannons, the off shore assistance of Commander John T. Woods' fleet, and cavalry support. Pickett attacks the Union force of General Innis N. Palmer, inflicting 326 casualties, and driving the Union troops back through New Bern. Two Confederate columns led by General Seth Barton and Colonel James Dearing judge the Union Forces to be too formidable and delay further advance.
February 1,1864-President Lincoln authorizes a draft of 500,000 men for three years service or the duration of the rebellion.
February 1,1864-With a possible promotion for General Ulysses S. Grant in mind, the U.S. House of Representatives creates the rank of lieutenant general, U.S. Army.
February 1,1864-General W.T.Sherman starts to consolidate his army to Meridian, Mississippi by ordering General William Sooy Smith to arrive in Meridian no later than April 10th.
