This volume provides a panoramic view of the Civil War unavailable elsewhere.Grant continued the siege of General Robert E. Lee s Army of Northern Virginia at Petersburg, but as summer ended, his armies had dramatic success elsewhere. On September 2, Major General William T. Sherman occupied Atlanta; September 19, Major General Philip H. Sheridan defeated Lieutenant General Jubal A. Early at the battle of Winchester; and on October 19 Sheridan again defeated Early at the battle of Cedar Creek.President Abraham Lincoln s re-election spelled doom for the Confederacy. Sherman prepared to march; Major General George H. Thomas waited for Hood; Major General Edward R. S. Canby prepared to attack Mobile; Sheridan dominated the Shenandoah Valley; the end neared."