What was the most significant event on May 9 during the U.S. Civil War?

Wednesday, May 9, 1860: The Constitution Union Party meeting in Baltimore which began on May 8, 1860 concluded on May 9 with a platform taken heavily from the U. S. Constitution and selects John Bell of Tennessee for President and Edward Everett of Massachusetts for Vice-President. It represents southern Whigs and Know-nothings (American Party). Sometimes called the Bell-Union Party
Friday, May 9, 1862: The Richmond Daily Dispatch publishes an editorial that denies the reports that Southern ladies in New Orleans are engaged in insulting behavior toward Union officers–something that Gen. Butler has said he would put a stop to: We do not believe that Southern ladies would condescend to make indelicate and unladylike manifestations of their detestation of the invaders. They would not put themselves on a level with such creatures, nor unnecessarily expose themselves to insult. Their abhorrence of them is too intense and profound to babble like a shallow brook. It is too sacred and dignified to fret away its force in idle words.
Monday, May 9, 1864: General John Sedgwick [US] is killed by a Confederate sharpshooter during the battle of Spotsylvania. He is replaced by Horatio Wright.
Monday, May 9, 1864: Both the USA and CSA spend time building earthworks during the battle of Spotsylvania.
Pictures: 1864 Spotsylvania Court House Fortifications, Sedgwick, and Hancock; 1864 ATLANTA CAMPAIGN, Union advance: Chattanooga to Etowah (May 7-19, 1864); 1864 The death of General John Sedgwick at Spotsylvania Court House, VA; xx

Below are several journal entries from 1862, 1863, 1864 and 1865 which shed light on what life was like for soldiers and civilians – the good, the bad and the ugly. … I am including journal entries from Sergeant Alexander G. Downing, Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry, Third Brigade, "Crocker's Brigade," Sixth Division of the Seventeenth Corps, Army of the Tennessee for each year. I have been spending some time researching Civil War journals and diaries and editing them to fit into this series of Civil War discussions.
In 1862, southerner Sarah Morgan, formerly of New Orleans, and now of Baton Rouge, writes of her defiance of the new Yankee occupiers of her city
In 1863, Sergeant Harrison Wells of the 13th Georgia Infantry writes home to his sweetheart Mollie Long, and includes his reflections (and boasts) of the action he saw in the Second Battle of Fredericksburg.
In 1864, a Confederate artilleryman George Michael Neese serving in the Army of Northern Virginia gave a quick assessment of Grant’s strategy from a soldier’s view, on the Rebel side.
Friday, May 9, 1862: Journal of Sergeant Alexander G. Downing, Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry, Third Brigade, “Crocker's Brigade,” “We heard some very heavy firing off to the left towards Farmington. General Pope was compelled to fall back from Farmington, but has again taken the town.”
Friday, May 9, 1862: Sarah Morgan, formerly of New Orleans, and now of Baton Rouge, writes of her defiance of the new Yankee occupiers of her city: This is a dreadful war, to make even the hearts of women so bitter! I hardly know myself these last few weeks. I, who have such a horror of bloodshed, consider even killing in self-defense murder, who cannot wish them the slightest evil, whose only prayer is to have them sent back in peace to their own country, — I talk of killing them! For what else do I wear a pistol and carving-knife? I am afraid I will try them on the first one who says an insolent word to me. Yes, and repent for it ever after in sackcloth and ashes. Of if I was only a man! Then I could don the breeches, and slay them with a will! If some few Southern women were in the ranks, they could set the men an example they would not blush to follow. Pshaw! there are no women here! We are all men!
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=May+9%2C+1862
Saturday, May 9, 1863: Journal of Sergeant Alexander G. Downing, Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry, Third Brigade “Crocker's Brigade,” “It is quite pleasant. Had battalion drill this forenoon. The boys are all in fine spirits, expecting at any moment to receive marching orders. Our division teams returned from the landing with provisions and went on down to Carthage, where they will load them on boats for Grand Gulf.”
Saturday, May 9, 1863: Sergeant Harrison Wells of the 13th Georgia Infantry writes home to his sweetheart Mollie Long, and includes his reflections (and boasts) of the action he saw in the Second Battle of Fredericksburg: By the bye, I liked have forgotten to tell you about the fight – the "little twist" we have had for the last few days. Our Regt was the first to give them a reception and a hearty one it was too. They commended putting in their pontoons just opposite where our Regt was on picket, some four miles below Fredericksburg, on the morning of the 29th Apr just before day, and our boys turned loose on them with such sudden effect, that it threw them into confusion. Col Smith and many others say that they never heard such a rumpus. The waggoners hallooing to their teams, rattling of planks, splashing of boats as they threw them in the water hurried commands of officers trying to rally their men, cries of the wounded and shouts of our boys rose in a continued din through the misty darkness. They could not withstand such firing until they received reinforcements. The fight was hot until our ammunitions gave out, and the Yanks had driven back a N.C. Regt in our right and tried to cut us off. Our Regt then fell back to the railroad near Hamilton’s crossing. One corps of Yanks crossed at Fredricksburg and just below, and our division only was left here to hold them back. The main bodies of the two armies met some twenty miles above here at Chancellorsville and had a bloody fight there on Saturday and Sunday. It is said to have been the bloodiest battle of the war; their dead lay in heaps in their entrenchments and were scattered for five miles where our men had charged them. They wouldn’t stand at all except those that engaged A. P. Hill’s Div, who stood for about two hours. They skedaddled like rabbits, and our Brigade with the exception of the skirmishers did not get a shot at them. Our Brigade charged and retook Marie’s heights, captured many horses, wagons, cannon, & prisoners and drove the Yanks across the river at Fredericksburg. ‘Twas a splendid charge, straight forward for two miles, while their cannon were pouring an iron hail into our ranks. We went so fast however that they could not keep us in range and the damage was slight. Our regt lost only one man killed in the charge. Our company had only one man wounded, that could be called a wound, as he was shot through the hand. Jimmie Caldwell was severely shocked by a bomb. This is a most brilliant victory for us. Out loss total killed wounded & missing will not exceed 10000, and theirs is at least 30000. Some say 50000. God grant that they may open their eyes now to the truth of our strength and induce them to end this war. Our greatest loss was the wound of Gen Jackson. He lost his left arm and was wounded in the right hand. Love to all and write to me soon. I want your type very much. Yours as ever Harry.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=May+9%2C+1863
Monday, May 9, 1864: Journal of Sergeant Alexander G. Downing, Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry, Third Brigade, “Crocker's Brigade,” “The weather is warm and pleasant and things are growing fine. The order of the day in camp is as follows: Reveille at 4 o'clock, roll call and breakfast call at 6, doctor's call at 6:30, guard mount and company inspection from 8 till 9, company drill 9 to 10, dinner call and roll call at 12 noon; in the afternoon, company drill from 2 to 3 o'clock, dress parade and supper call at 6, tattoo and roll call at 8, taps at 8:30, when all lights must be out and every man not on duty must be in his bunk. This is the way the days pass with a soldier in camp, in time of war.”
Monday, May 9, 1864: George Michael Neese, a Confederate artilleryman serving in the Army of Northern Virginia, gives a quick assessment of Grant’s strategy from a soldier’s view, on the Rebel side: General Grant, who is in command of all the Yankee forces in the army of the Potomac, is getting out of the Wilderness by moving to his left and toward tide-water. His first forward march to Richmond through the Wilderness went up in death, defeat, and frustration, and the next move will be by the Wilderness, on toward the Rebel capital. But before he fights another week he will learn that he is not fooling with General Pemberton at Vicksburg. Our army is moving rapidly to the right, trying to keep up with General Grant’s flanking process and base-changing business. General A. P. Hill’s corps passed us at Shady Grove, marching rapidly toward Spotsylvania Court House.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=May+9%2C+1864
Tuesday, May 9, 1865: Journal of Sergeant Alexander G. Downing, Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry, Third Brigade “Crocker's Brigade,” “We started at 3 o'clock this morning and marched fifteen miles, going into bivouac on the banks of the James river near Manchester. Sherman's entire army is arriving at this place and will lie here three or four days, after which we are to start for Washington City to be mustered out of the service.”
Pictures: 1864 Spotsylvania Court House Fortifications, Sedgwick, and Hancock; 1864 ATLANTA CAMPAIGN, Union advance: Chattanooga to Etowah (May 7-19, 1864); 1864 The death of General John Sedgwick at Spotsylvania Court House, VA; xx


Since RallyPoint truncates survey selection text I am posting events that were not included and then the full text of each survey choice below:

A. Friday, May 9, 1862: The Engagement at Farmington, Mississippi; By May 4, the Union Army was within 10 miles of Corinth. The Confederates began a series of small scale attacks. May 9 brought a fierce engagement to Farmington, a small town just east of Corinth. Gen. Pope had moved his two brigades into Farmington. Confederate Gen. Paine, commanding 6 regiments, engaged them. Fierce fighting took place for six hours. The Union troops were ordered to fall back to their former camp one mile away and the Confederate troops fell back over 7 Mile Creek.
B. Monday, May 9, 1864: Battle of Cloyd's Mountain, Virginia. Union victory. US Brigadier General George Crook's three brigades (6,100 men) on a raid into southwestern Virginia encountered a patchwork Confederate force under Brigadier General Albert Jenkin at Cloyd's Mountain. Fighting was furious and hand-to-hand. Casualties were heavy for the size of the forces engaged: Union 10%, Confederate 23%. Jenkins was mortally wounded.
Crook afterwards joined forces with Averell, who had burned the New River Bridge, and the united column withdrew to Meadow Bluff after destroying several important railroad bridges.
Campaign: Crook-Averell Raid on the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad (May 1864) next battle in campaign Campaigns
C. Monday, May 9, 1864: Sheridan's Raid on Richmond. At 6:00 on the morning of May 9, Sheridan’s three divisions, commanded by Wesley Meritt, David M. Gregg, and James H. Wilson, left their camp near the Spotsylvania Courthouse and set off for Richmond. The raid had begun, and the Cavalry Corps was a stunning sight: a single column of ten thousand horsemen four abreast, along with six batteries of horse artillery, and nearly thirteen miles long (Rhea 100). Telegraph Road would take them south to cross North Anna River near the junction of the two railroad lines, but the bridge there was known to be well-defended. Therefore Sheridan decided to alter his route and approach the river from the northeast. The Federals would head toward Beaver Dam Station, by way of Anderson’s Ford, which would not be difficult to cross. After ten miles on Telegraph Road, they turned off at Jerrel’s Mill, onto a road leading to the ford.
Although Stuart knew of Sheridan’s movement by 8:00 a.m., he could not send his cavalry after his enemy until Jubal Early’s cavalry entrenched near the Spotsylvania Courthouse in the early afternoon, leaving Stuart’s men free to go. Confederate Brigadier General Williams C. Wickham’s cavalry brigade galloped down Telegraph Road and was the first to reach Sheridan’s column, between 2:00 and 3:00 in the afternoon. Brigadier General Henry Davies commanded the rear ranks of Sheridan’s column, and three of his units were able to successfully fight off Wickham’s cavalry. Davies was deterred for only half an hour, although for the next several hours Wickham harassed the column’s rear and flank. At 5:00 at Mitchell’s Shop, confrontation escalated. The Federals, with the advantage, assaulted the Confederate column, which returned the assault. During the conflict, confusion ensued, and by the end of Wickham’s actions against the Federal rear Davies had lost seventy-six men, including some as prisoners. But the rest of the column had been able to move on, safe from fire.
Later in the day, Sheridan’s troops reached Anderson’s Ford. Most camped on the north side of the river, while General Armstrong Custer’s brigade crossed the river to end at Beaver Dam Station. Around 8:00 they sighted 278 Union infantry prisoners from the Battle of the Wilderness being escorted to the station, which was a terminal for the Virginia Central Railroad, to be transported to Richmond. After easily liberating the captives and taking Confederate prisoners, the Federals captured two trains’ worth of supplies, including bacon, rations, and medical stores. That night they burned the station, derailed trains, and ripped up eight to ten miles of railway and telegraph lines.
D. Monday, May 9, 1864: Battle of Spotsylvania Virginia. Over the night of May 8–9, the Confederates were busy erecting a series of earthworks, more than four miles long, starting at the Po River, encompassing the Laurel Hill line, crossing the Brock Road, jutting out in a horseshoe shape and then extending south past the courthouse intersection. The earthworks were reinforced with timber and guarded by artillery placed to allow enfilade fire on any attacking force. There was only one potential weakness in Lee's line—the exposed salient known as the "Mule Shoe" extending more than a mile in front of the main trench line. Although Lee's engineers were aware of this problem, they extended the line to incorporate some minor high ground to Anderson's right, knowing that they would be at a disadvantage if the Union occupied it.
The Union soldiers were also busy building their own entrenchments. At about 9 a.m., Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick was inspecting his VI Corps line when he was shot through the head by a Confederate sharpshooter's bullet, dying instantly, having just made the celebrated remark "they couldn't hit an elephant at this distance". Sedgwick was one of the most beloved generals in the Union Army and his death was a hard blow to his men and colleagues. Meade ordered Maj. Gen. Horatio G. Wright, the senior division commander, to replace Sedgwick.
On the Union left, Burnside's IX Corps approached on the Fredericksburg Road from Alrich, led by Brig. Gen. Orlando B. Willcox's division, but they were delayed by Fitzhugh Lee's cavalrymen. When they reached close enough to observe that the Confederates were at Spotsylvania Court House, Burnside became concerned that he was too far in advance of Meade's force and ordered his men to begin entrenching. At this same time, Hancock was reporting from the right flank that Early's men had pulled back from his front. Grant absorbed these two observations and concluded that the Confederates were shifting their men from west to east, opening an opportunity for an attack. He ordered Hancock to cross the Po and attack the Confederates' left flank, driving them back toward Burnside's position near the Ni River, while the rest of his command, in the center, watched for an opening to attack there as well.
Hancock's II Corps advanced across the Po, but he became nervous that the Confederates had the Block House Bridge heavily defended and decided to delay his attack until the morning. This error was fatal to Grant's plan. That night, Lee moved two divisions of Jubal Early's corps from Spotsylvania Court House into position against Hancock. Mahone's division was placed directly in Hancock's path of advance while Henry Heth's division swung around to approach Hancock's right flank



1. Wednesday, May 9, 1860: The Constitution Union Party meeting in Baltimore which began on May 8, 1860 concluded on May 9 with a platform taken heavily from the U. S. Constitution and selects John Bell of Tennessee for President and Edward Everett of Massachusetts for Vice-President. It represents southern Whigs and Know-nothings (American Party). Sometimes called the Bell-Union Party
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/1860
2. Thursday, May 9, 1861: C.S.A. Secretary of the Navy Stephen Mallory commissions James D. Bulloch of Georgia a commander in the Confederate Navy, and sent him to Great Britain to begin acquiring naval vessels and stores from British shipyards.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=May+9%2C+1861
3. On Friday, May 9, 1862, following the Confederate evacuation of Norfolk, the Virginia was destroyed by its crew. The Monitor—with 16 crewmen—was lost during a gale off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, on December 31, 1862. The wreck of the Monitor was located in 1973, and in 2002 marine salvagers raised the ship’s gun turret and other artifacts from the wreckage.
http://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-the-Monitor-and-Merrimack
4. Friday, May 9, 1862: General David Hunter [US] frees the slaves in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186205
5. Friday, May 9, 1862: Confederates withdraw from Norfolk, destroying the base as they leave
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186205
6. Friday, May 9, 1862 --- Hilton Head, South Carolina: Maj. Gen. David Hunter, commander of the U.S. Department of the South, discovers that his bases, on the sea islands of South Carolina and Georgia, are nearly overrun by escaped blacks, whose masters have evacuated the coastal plantations—more than 12,000 escaped slaves. His plan: declare them to be freedmen, and draft them into the Army. (This in spite of the fact that the North does not use a military draft yet.) His proclamation declares: "The persons in these States — Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina— heretofore held as slaves, are therefore declared forever free." He then authorizes organzing the men into squads, companies, and eventually a regiment. He claims authority from the President for both measures–which he does not in fact have. Lincoln had no intention of a general arming of the slaves. Union troops visit contraband encampments to force black men into the colored troops companies.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=May+9%2C+1862
7. Friday, May 9, 1862 --- On this date, Confederate forces evacuate the city of Pensacola, Florida. The Rebels set fire to the forts, naval yard, and all military property.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=May+9%2C+1862
8. Friday, May 9, 1862 --- Confederate forces begin to evacuate Norfolk and the Naval Yard at Gosport across the Elizabeth River.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=May+9%2C+1862
9. Friday, May 9, 1862 --- In Washington, North Carolina, a fierce skirmish breaks out as Rebel cavalry make a dash into the town in a raid to capture Union officers. Pickets of the 24th Massachusetts Infantry clash with them, and fired raking volleys into their ranks, killing the Rebel captain and several of his troopers, thus routing the raiding party. Rebel raiders do kill two Tarheel men who had volunteered for the new 1st North Carolina Infantry Regiment, Union, by bashing out their brains.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=May+9%2C+1862
10. Friday, May 9, 1862 --- The Richmond Daily Dispatch publishes an editorial that denies the reports that Southern ladies in New Orleans are engaged in insulting behavior toward Union officers–something that Gen. Butler has said he would put a stop to: We do not believe that Southern ladies would condescend to make indelicate and unladylike manifestations of their detestation of the invaders. They would not put themselves on a level with such creatures, nor unnecessarily expose themselves to insult. Their abhorrence of them is too intense and profound to babble like a shallow brook. It is too sacred and dignified to fret away its force in idle words.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=May+9%2C+1862
11. Friday, May 9, 1862 --- This is followed, in the same issue, with this editorial savaging Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, whose gentlemanly qualities are scoffed at: Bombastes Furioso [Butler] and his myrmidons are now in possession of New Orleans, and if anything could add to our sympathy with the generous and warm-hearted people of that city, it is that such a specimen of Yankeedom should be their Military Governor. A more polished and chivalric population cannot be found on this continent, and every instinct of their natures must revolt at the gross, vulgar tool of Yankee tyranny who is now lording it over a community who have never before seen such a being outside the guard-house. It was bad enough that they should be given over without a blow to the hands of the enemy, that their fortifications should be abandoned and blown up, their army taken away, and their own private arms taken with them; but that B. F. Butler should be put in command of the forsaken city, is the last drop in the bitter cup of humiliation and shame.–Of all the Yankee Generals, he has the least pretensions to the qualities of the soldier and the gentleman. A verier humbug, in a military point of view, was never created. . . . He is now in his element, sporting laurels which do not belong to him — an ass in a lion’s skin. We predict that General Butler will leave before the weather becomes excessively warm. His oleaginous carcass will evaporate speedily before the burning sun. The yellow fever will, before long, put an end in one way or another to the dominion of Bombastes, and open batteries upon his forces generally which can neither be resisted by power nor paralyzed by treason. . . .
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=May+9%2C+1862
12. Friday, May 9, 1862 --- The Spirit of Southern Women (who seem quite capable of insulting Union officers)-- Julia LeGrand, a woman of New Orleans, writes in her diary: New Orleans, May 9th [1862]. It has been long since we heard from our dear brother, for the letters I sent to his last encampment must have failed to reach him, and of late have had no means of communicating with him. I would have told him of events which have come to pass in this city at the time of their passing, but I have been too excited to take orderly note of anything. Before he sees this, if ever he does, he will have heard of the surrender of the city. A pitiful affair it has been. In the first place, Lovell, a most worthless creature, was sent here by Davis to superintend the defense of this city. He did little or nothing and the little he did was all wrong. Duncan, the really gallant defender of Fort Jackson, could get nothing that he needed, though he continually applied to Lovell. . . . First and last then, this city, the most important one in the Confederacy, has fallen, and Yankee troops are drilling and parading in our streets. Poor New Orleans! What has become of all your promised greatness! . . . Behold, what has now come to the city! Never can I forget the day that the alarm bell rang. I never felt so hopeless and forsaken. The wretched generals, left here with our troops, ran away and left them. Lovell knew not what to do; some say he was intoxicated, some say frightened. Of course the greatest confusion prevailed, and every hour, indeed almost every moment, brought its dreadful rumor. After it was known that the gunboats had actually passed, the whole city, both camp and street, was a scene of wild confusion. The women only did not seem afraid. They were all in favor of resistance, no matter how hopeless that resistance might be. . . . My dear, dear brother! We are filled with anxiety for him! Even if he is spared through this fight, when and where can we see him again! I feel wretched to think of his hardships and loneliness, hearing nothing from home. . . . This is a cruel war. These people [Federal troops] are treated with the greatest haughtiness by the upper classes and rudeness by the lower. They know how they are hated and hang their heads. Shopkeepers refuse to sell to them, and the traitor who hurried them up the river has to have a guard.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=May+9%2C+1862
13. Saturday, May 9, 1863 --- Gen. Joseph Johnston is ordered by Confederate Secretary of War James Seddon to proceed to Mississippi and assume command of the theatre of war there. He is promised few reinforcements, however, to attempt a turnaround of Southern fortunes in that department, however, with Grant storming through the middle of the state.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=May+9%2C+1863
14. Saturday, May 9, 1863: Utica, Mississippi - On May 9, Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson's advancing Union troops made a brief attack against some local Confederate cavalry at Utica. Utica was located just east of Rocky Springs. Col. Clark Wright's 6th Missouri Cavalry was the first Union troops to enter Utica and fought with the Confederates, forcing them into a retreat. http://www.mycivilwar.com/battles/1863s.html#sthash.WYaVzKFW.dpuf
15. Monday, May 9, 1864 --- Atlanta Campaign, Georgia: Today, after routing a small force of Rebels at Snake Creek Gap, Grenville Dodge’s corps of McPherson’s army pushes toward the railroad town of Resaca, where Dodge made contact with Rebels. There is inconclusive skirmishing through the day, but because of Dodge’s lack of resolution, he does not push his troops harder to take the railroad there and thus cut off Johnston’s escape route.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=May+9%2C+1864
16. Monday, May 9, 1864 --- Further advances today by Butler’s troops in the Bermuda Hundred area along Swift Creek result in the Rebels repulsing every gain made by Federal forces.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=May+9%2C+1864
17. Monday, May 9, 1864 --- In Louisiana, the construction of the dam that should allow the Red River flotilla under Porter to continue safely downstream continues. This morning, four vessels are able to float over the spillway, but part of the dam gives way, so efforts are combined to re-build and alter the design.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=May+9%2C+1864
18. Monday, May 9, 1864 --- RESPONSE TO A SERENADE, a crowd of admirers pay a visit to President Lincoln at the White House and, after the music, the President comes out to speak to the group, including comments on the campaigning in Virginia: FELLOW-CITIZENS—I am very much obliged to you for the compliment of this call, though I apprehend it is owing more to the good news received to-day from the Army, than to a desire to see me. I am indeed very grateful to the brave men who have been struggling with the enemy in the field, to their noble commanders who have directed them, and especially to our Maker. Our commanders are following up their victories resolutely and successfully. I think, without knowing the particulars of the plans of General Grant, that what has been accomplished is of more importance than at first appears. I believe, I know (and am especially grateful to know) that General Grant has not been jostled in his purposes, that he has made all his points, and to-day he is on his line as he purposed before he moved his armies. I will volunteer to say that I am very glad at what has happened, but there is a great deal still to be done. While we are grateful to all the brave men and officers for the events of the past few days, we should, above all, be very grateful to Almighty God, who gives us victory.
There is enough yet before us requiring all loyal men and patriots to perform their share of the labor and follow the example of the modest General at the head of our armies, and sink all personal consideration for the sake of the country. I commend you to keep yourselves in the same tranquil mood that is characteristic of that brave and loyal man. I have said more than I expected when I came before you. Repeating my thanks for this call, I bid you good-bye.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=May+9%2C+1864
19. Monday, May 9, 1864: Coming out of Snake Creek Gap, Georgia, General James McPherson runs into a Rebel force at Resaca that was stronger than expected. He returns to the gap rather than attack.
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186405
20. Monday, May 9, 1864: Stephen D. Lee [CS] is ordered to take command of the Department of Alabama, Mississippi and East Louisiana, but there is little to command.
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186405

A Friday, May 9, 1862: The Engagement at Farmington, Mississippi; By May 4, the Union Army was within 10 miles of Corinth. The Confederates began a series of small scale attacks. May 9 brought a fierce engagement to Farmington, a small town just east of Corinth. Gen. Pope had moved his two brigades into Farmington. Confederate Gen. Paine, commanding 6 regiments, engaged them. Fierce fighting took place for six hours. The Union troops were ordered to fall back to their former camp one mile away and the Confederate troops fell back over 7 Mile Creek.
http://www.corinthcivilwar.com/history.htm
B Monday, May 9, 1864: Battle of Cloyd's Mountain, Virginia. Union victory. US Brigadier General George Crook's three brigades (6,100 men) on a raid into southwestern Virginia encountered a patchwork Confederate force under Brigadier General Albert Jenkin at Cloyd's Mountain. Fighting was furious and hand-to-hand. Casualties were heavy for the size of the forces engaged: Union 10%, Confederate 23%. Jenkins was mortally wounded.
Crook afterwards joined forces with Averell, who had burned the New River Bridge, and the united column withdrew to Meadow Bluff after destroying several important railroad bridges.
Campaign: Crook-Averell Raid on the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad (May 1864) next battle in campaign Campaigns
http://www.americancivilwar.com/statepic/va/va049.html
C Monday, May 9, 1864: Sheridan's Raid on Richmond. At 6:00 on the morning of May 9, Sheridan’s three divisions, commanded by Wesley Meritt, David M. Gregg, and James H. Wilson, left their camp near the Spotsylvania Courthouse and set off for Richmond. The raid had begun, and the Cavalry Corps was a stunning sight: a single column of ten thousand horsemen four abreast, along with six batteries of horse artillery, and nearly thirteen miles long (Rhea 100). Telegraph Road would take them south to cross North Anna River near the junction of the two railroad lines, but the bridge there was known to be well-defended. Therefore Sheridan decided to alter his route and approach the river from the northeast. The Federals would head toward Beaver Dam Station, by way of Anderson’s Ford, which would not be difficult to cross. After ten miles on Telegraph Road, they turned off at Jerrel’s Mill, onto a road leading to the ford.
Although Stuart knew of Sheridan’s movement by 8:00 a.m., he could not send his cavalry after his enemy until Jubal Early’s cavalry entrenched near the Spotsylvania Courthouse in the early afternoon, leaving Stuart’s men free to go. Confederate Brigadier General Williams C. Wickham’s cavalry brigade galloped down Telegraph Road and was the first to reach Sheridan’s column, between 2:00 and 3:00 in the afternoon. Brigadier General Henry Davies commanded the rear ranks of Sheridan’s column, and three of his units were able to successfully fight off Wickham’s cavalry. Davies was deterred for only half an hour, although for the next several hours Wickham harassed the column’s rear and flank. At 5:00 at Mitchell’s Shop, confrontation escalated. The Federals, with the advantage, assaulted the Confederate column, which returned the assault. During the conflict, confusion ensued, and by the end of Wickham’s actions against the Federal rear Davies had lost seventy-six men, including some as prisoners. But the rest of the column had been able to move on, safe from fire.
Later in the day, Sheridan’s troops reached Anderson’s Ford. Most camped on the north side of the river, while General Armstrong Custer’s brigade crossed the river to end at Beaver Dam Station. Around 8:00 they sighted 278 Union infantry prisoners from the Battle of the Wilderness being escorted to the station, which was a terminal for the Virginia Central Railroad, to be transported to Richmond. After easily liberating the captives and taking Confederate prisoners, the Federals captured two trains’ worth of supplies, including bacon, rations, and medical stores. That night they burned the station, derailed trains, and ripped up eight to ten miles of railway and telegraph lines.
http://fredmarkers.umwblogs.org/2008/02/29/sheridans-raid-2-markers/
Monday, May 9, 1864: General John Sedgwick [US] is killed by a Confederate sharpshooter during the battle of Spotsylvania. He is replaced by Horatio Wright.
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186405
Monday, May 9, 1864: Battle of Spotsylvania, Virginia [May 8-21, 1864] Day 2: During the night, the Confederates have extended their entrenchments much farther, nearly four miles, and the rest of Lee’s army has arrived and are in the process of taking up their positions. The Rebel lines follow Laurel Hill, and meander across the landscape, taking advantage of the lay of the land, making a large horseshoe turn, and then turn south to cover the Brock Road behind their lines. There is spotty skirmishing along the lines today, but no major attacks.
Gen. Hancock, commanding Grant’s II Corps, reports some enemy movement on the Confederate left, and Grant orders Hancock to push forward. Hancock’s men cross the Po River and drive forward, pushing through the Rebel’s former position, with Early’s Rebels in front of them, bending their flank back. But as the evening falls, Hancock hesitates to cross the Ni River, and thus loses the opportunity.
Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick, commander of the Army of the Potomac’s VI Corps, is killed by a sniper’s bullet seconds after chastening a soldier for trying to dodge Confederate bullets. Horatio Wright is given command of the VI Corps.
Meanwhile, on the Federal left, Gen. Burnside approaches with his IX Corps, Orlando Willcox’s division leading. Burnside sees the Confederate earthworks extend this flank, too, and so stops his corps and has them dig in. As the evening falls, Gen. Lee sends Mahone’s division to the left to line up with Early, and then Heth’s division on a wide sweep to hook up with Mahone and overshadow Hancock’s right flank, thus setting up a flanking attack on the Federals in the morning.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=May+9%2C+1864
Monday, May 9, 1864: Battle of Spotsylvania, Virginia. Over the night of May 8–9, the Confederates were busy erecting a series of earthworks, more than four miles long, starting at the Po River, encompassing the Laurel Hill line, crossing the Brock Road, jutting out in a horseshoe shape and then extending south past the courthouse intersection. The earthworks were reinforced with timber and guarded by artillery placed to allow enfilade fire on any attacking force. There was only one potential weakness in Lee's line—the exposed salient known as the "Mule Shoe" extending more than a mile in front of the main trench line. Although Lee's engineers were aware of this problem, they extended the line to incorporate some minor high ground to Anderson's right, knowing that they would be at a disadvantage if the Union occupied it.
The Union soldiers were also busy building their own entrenchments. At about 9 a.m., Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick was inspecting his VI Corps line when he was shot through the head by a Confederate sharpshooter's bullet, dying instantly, having just made the celebrated remark "they couldn't hit an elephant at this distance". Sedgwick was one of the most beloved generals in the Union Army and his death was a hard blow to his men and colleagues. Meade ordered Maj. Gen. Horatio G. Wright, the senior division commander, to replace Sedgwick.
On the Union left, Burnside's IX Corps approached on the Fredericksburg Road from Alrich, led by Brig. Gen. Orlando B. Willcox's division, but they were delayed by Fitzhugh Lee's cavalrymen. When they reached close enough to observe that the Confederates were at Spotsylvania Court House, Burnside became concerned that he was too far in advance of Meade's force and ordered his men to begin entrenching. At this same time, Hancock was reporting from the right flank that Early's men had pulled back from his front. Grant absorbed these two observations and concluded that the Confederates were shifting their men from west to east, opening an opportunity for an attack. He ordered Hancock to cross the Po and attack the Confederates' left flank, driving them back toward Burnside's position near the Ni River, while the rest of his command, in the center, watched for an opening to attack there as well.
Hancock's II Corps advanced across the Po, but he became nervous that the Confederates had the Block House Bridge heavily defended and decided to delay his attack until the morning. This error was fatal to Grant's plan. That night, Lee moved two divisions of Jubal Early's corps from Spotsylvania Court House into position against Hancock. Mahone's division was placed directly in Hancock's path of advance while Henry Heth's division swung around to approach Hancock's right flank
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Spotsylvania_Court_House

FYI CSM Charles Hayden SGT Tiffanie G. SGT Mary G.CPL Ronald Keyes Jr SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D MAJ Roland McDonald SSG Franklin BriantCPO William Glen (W.G.) Powell1stSgt Eugene Harless PO3 (Join to see)MSG Greg KellyMSG (Join to see)LTC Greg Henning CPT (Join to see) SGT John " Mac " McConnell LTC John Griscom LTC Thomas Tennant MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca SFC George Smith SPC Michael Terrell

I am going to have to go with the Battle of Cloyd's Mountain...not as much for the battle itself but for what it would mean going forward, breaking the communication between Virginia and the rest of the remaining CSA states and the future leaders in the battle...two future US Presidents?

Good morning - I saved it for the morning read - thanks