19th Corps

[stu613]

Tonight I atttended our CWRT and heard a presentaton on the Appomattox campaign, including the role of the 6th Corps. Given the shared campaign with the 19th corps in the Shennandoah, nothing was mentioned of the 19th Corps in the retreat/pursuit from Petersburg. What was the 19th Corps doing this time frame?

 

[General JJ]

After the Valley Campaign ended, the 19th Corps was split up. The Second Division was sent to the Department of the South, where it did garrison duty, primarily in Savannah. The First Division remained in the Shenandoah Valley with the Kanawha Division, also doing garrison duty.

It seems odd that the corps didn't really play a part in the final campaign in the East.

 

[Stryker65]

The 2nd Division remained at Savannah until March, 1865, when its 2nd and 3rd brigades were sent to Sherman's army, becoming part of the new 1st Division of the 10th Corps under Brig. Gen. Henry W. Birge. The 1st brigade remained behind in Savannah under General Grover.

(The 4th Brigade had been disbanded after Cedar Creek; the 8th and 18th Indiana transferred to the 1st Brigade, the 28th Iowa to the 2nd Brigade, and the 24th Iowa to the 3rd Brigade)

The 1st Division of the 19th Corps was now the 1st Provisional Division, Army of the Shenandoah, and was (during Appomattox) detached to Washington. Immediately following Appomattox, the division was also sent to Savannah.

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

After the Valley Campaign ended, the 19th Corps was split up. The Second Division was sent to the Department of the South, where it did garrison duty, primarily in Savannah. The First Division remained in the Shenandoah Valley with the Kanawha Division, also doing garrison duty.

It seems odd that the corps didn't really play a part in the final campaign in the East.

Good response, @General JJ.