Sherman’s Fiery Valentine – Burning Meridan, Feb. 14, 1864

Sherman’s Fiery Valentine – Burning Meridan, Feb. 14, 1864

This day 150 years ago in Rebel Raiders’ History

-Dedicated to Civil War episodes, battles, people and ships that also appear in my game, GMT’s Rebel Raiders on the High Seas.

February 14, 1864 – Sherman Burns Meriden

Historical Event:  On February 14, 1864 General William Tecumseh Sherman brushed aside the ineffectual and heavily outnumbered Confederate forces of General Leonidas Polk to capture the rail depot at Meridan, Mississippi.  For nearly a week Sherman and his men worked to tear up track, destroy rolling stock, torch warehouses and arsenals and wreck anything of military value.  Sherman was, however, convinced to retire to Vicksburg when a reinforcing column under General William Smith coming out of Memphis was ambushed and sent packing a week later by Rebel cavalry led by General Nathan Bedford Forrest.

Game Connection:  The city of Meridan is depicted on the Rebel Raiders map; while its loss is not as painful to the South as is the capture of major cities and ports by the Union, its loss will cost the South a few victory points. More important, it is the bridge between Vicksburg and Montgomery, and Meridan is thus an important stepping stone for any Northern drive from the Mississippi into the heart of the  Confederacy.  Both Sherman and Forrest are represented in the game, by USN Card 50 and CSN Card 85 – “That Devil Forrest.”