5th » American Civil War: The Battle of the Wilderness begins in Spotsylvania County, Virginia or Spotsylvania County.
7th » American Civil War: The Army of the Potomac, under General Ulysses S. Grant, breaks off from the Battle of the Wilderness and moves southwards.
9th » Second War of Schleswig: The Denmark Danish navy defeats the Austrian Empire Austrian and Kingdom of Prussia Prussian fleets in the Battle of Heligoland (1864) Battle of Heligoland.
10th » American Civil War: Colonel Emory Upton leads a 10-regiment "Attack-in-depth" assault against the Confederate works at The Battle of Spotsylvania, which, though ultimately unsuccessful, would provide the idea for the massive Benjamin T. Brockman Battle of
12th » American Civil War: The Battle of Spotsylvania Court House: Thousands of Union and Confederate soldiers die in "the Bloody Angle".
13th » American Civil War: Battle of Resaca the battle begins with Union (American Civil War) or Union General William Tecumseh Sherman or Sherman fighting toward Atlanta, Georgia.
15th » American Civil War: Battle of Resaca, Georgia (U.S. state) called Georgia ends.
15th » American Civil War: Battle of New Market, Virginia: Students from the Virginia Military Institute fight alongside the Confederate States of America known as Confederate Army to force Union (American Civil War) e.g Union General Franz Sigel out of the Shen
20th » American Civil War: Battle of Ware Bottom Church in the Virginia Bermuda Hundred Campaign, 10,000 troops fight in this Confederate victory.
21st » Russia declares an end to the Russian–Circassian War and many Circassians are forced into exile. The day is designated the Circassian Day of Mourning.
21st » American Civil War: the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House ends.
26th » Montana is organized as a Political divisions of the United States called United States territory.
29th » Emperor of Mexico named Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico arrives in Mexico for the first time.
31st » American Civil War Overland Campaign: Battle of Cold Harbor The Army of Northern Virginia under Robert E. Lee engages the Army of the Potomac under Ulysses S. Grant and George Meade.
Famous Birthdays on May in 1864
4th » Marie Booth, English daughter of William Booth e.g William and Catherine Booth (d. 1937)
5th » Nellie Bly, American journalist and author (d. 1922)
17th » Louis Richardet, Swiss target shooter (d. 1923)
17th » Ante Trumbić, Croatian politician, 27th Mayor of Split (d. 1938)