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.