United States Civil War (1861 – 1865) in Real Time

Day 144 of the United States Civil War, September 2nd 1861

District of Columbia

James McKinstry,is appointed Brigadier General in the United States Army.

(United States) President Abraham Lincoln has a political crisis on his hands that he wants to diffuse. United States Army, Major General John C. Frémont’s August 30th proclamation has the potential to alienate critical constituencies, ranging from Pro-United States supporters in the South to wavering supporters in the border states. He expresses his concerns directly to General Fremont in a “Private and confidential” message that focuses on the possibility of Confederate retaliation and the worry that the general’s actions regarding emancipation “will alarm to our Pro-United States supporters Southern friends, and turn them against us—perhaps ruin our fair prospect for Kentucky."

Virginia

Two companies of the 13th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment (United States) killed 3, wounded 5, and captured 20 Confederate cavalrymen in an encounter at Worthington, five and a half miles from Harper’s Ferry, losing two men of their own in the clash.

Skirmish near the Hawk’s Nest.

Skirmish at Beller’s (or Seller’s) Mill, near Harper’s Ferry.

Confederate military operations in Arkansas and Missouri were placed under the command of Confederate States Army, Major General Leonidas Polk. Polk already commanded the Confederate Western Department (Department No 2), which directed operations along the Mississippi River and in western Tennessee. This latter region east of the Mississippi was differentiated by being designated as the First Geographical Division of the Western Department.

Missouri

Skirmish at Dallas.

Expedition to Columbia, Boone County, and Iberia.

Confederate States Army, General M. Jeff. Thompson, issues a proclamation threatening retaliation, in Missouri, because of United States Army, Major General John C. Frémont's, proclamation.

(Missouri) Operations to Control Missouri - Battle of Dry Wood Creek

Following his victory at Wilson’s Creek, pro-Confederate Missouri State Guard, Major General Sterling Price and the Missouri State Guard had occupied Springfield. Price then headed northwestwards with 6,000 poorly trained and under-equipped guardsmen in order to capture Fort Scott in Kansas. Former Kansas “Jayhawker” and United States Army, Colonel James Henry Lane (also United States Senator from Kansas) led a 600-man battalion of United States cavalry from Fort Scott to discover the whereabouts of the Confederate force. They encountered the Confederates under Price and Colonel James Edward Rains (8th Division, Missouri State Guard) near Big Dry Wood Creek. Lane’s Kansas Cavalry Brigade surprised the Missouri State Guard, but numerical superiority soon turned the outcome in the Confederates’ favour. The Confederates forced the United States cavalry to retire with 14 casualties and captured their mules, while the Confederates (with 4 killed and 16 wounded) continued onwards towards Lexington. Lane returned with his force to secure Fort Scott.

Florida

United States Army, Colonel Harvey Brown sent a boat crew of eleven men from Fort Pickens to destroy the dry dock at Pensacola Navy Yard. He suspected the Confederates were also going to block the sea channel opposite Fort McRae by sinking vessels. The raid was successfully accomplished.

Harper's Weekly: Burning the Pensacola dry dock, off Fort Pickens, Florida

Day 146 of the United States Civil War, September 4th 1861

District of Columbia

The United States Department of War, directs that certain paroled prisoners are to be discharged from the military service of the United States.

Kentucky

Confederate States Army, Major General Leonidas Polk at Columbus, Kentucky proclaimed that the Federal government had disregarded the neutrality of Kentucky by establishing camps and depots for armies, by organizing troops and by an alleged build – up in Missouri.

There was light shooting between Federal gunboats and shore batteries at Hickman and Columbus, Kentucky as the Confederates began strengthening their strategically important position on the bluffs of the Mississippi.

Maryland

Skirmish at Great Falls involving one regiment from United States Army, Brigadier General George Archibald McCall’s command.

Georgia

The sloop-of-war USS JAMESTOWN under the command of United States Navy, Commander Charles Green, captured the Confederate schooner COLONEL LONG, removed her cargo, and scuttled her off the coast of Georgia.

Missouri

A Confederate force entered the town of Shelbina. They engaged the local United States force commanded by United States Army, Brigadier General Stephen Augustus Hurlbut. The United States garrison of United States Army, Brigadier General Lewis Wallace and Hurlbut abandoned the town to the Confederates.

(United States) Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant arrived at Cairo, Missouri where he established his headquarters and face the problem of fast – changing military situations.

New Mexico Territory

Henry Connelly became the 4th Civilian Governor of New Mexico Territory.

Day 148 of the United States Civil War, September 6th 1861

Virginia

Skirmish at Rowett’s Run.

Kentucky

The gunboats USS TYLER and USS LEXINGTON accompanied an operation by United States Army, Brigadier General Ulysses Simpson Grant to occupy key points in Kentucky. United States Navy, Captain Andrew Hull Foote and his two warships seized Paducah and Smithland at the mouths of the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers to counter the Confederate advance into Kentucky. Grant then moved forward a garrison to hold the towns. This was the first use of riverine strength by Grant.

Confederate States Army, Major General Leonidas Polk moved his headquarters to Columbus and directed that the defensive works at New Madrid and Island No 10 be completed further south. He recognised the importance of maintaining a safe line of communications in his rear. However, the move to Columbus had forced the Confederates to leave their defences at New Madrid unfinished and not all of these intended plans could be carried out at once with the available manpower. Missouri State Guard, Brigadier General Meriwether Jefferson Thompson and his pro-Confederate contingent of the Missouri State Guard resumed the work with inadequate resources and expertise. Confederate States Army, Colonel Edward Gantt, commanding two Arkansas regiments, was assigned to New Madrid to complete an earthwork fort. Confederate States Army, Captain A B Gray of the Topographical Engineers was then assigned the task of laying out and completing a series of land batteries at Island Number 10, using local slave labour.

United States Army, Brigadier General Charles Ferguson Smith, is assigned to the command in Western Kentucky.

Missouri

Skirmish at Monticello Bridge.

United Kingdom

The United States consul in London reported the purchase by Confederate agents of the steamers BERMUDA, ADELAIDE and VICTORIA.

Day 150 of the United States Civil War, September 8th 1861

Tennessee

As winter approaches, Governor of Tennessee, Isham G. Harris issues a call “to the Patriotic Mothers, Wives and Daughters” of Tennessee for “jeans, linseys, socks, blankets, comforts, and all other articles which will contribute to the relief, health and comfort of the soldier in the field.”

Kentucky

United States Army, Brigadier General Charles Ferguson Smith took command of the United States outposts at Paducah and along the Kentucky shore of the Mississippi. His newly-established District of Western Kentucky would provide the springboard for the southward advance along the Tennessee River, the Cumberland River, and the eastern bank of the Mississippi River.

Missouri

Reconnaissance to Columbus began.

United States Army, Brigadier John Pope began a two-day operation against Confederate guerrillas in Missouri.

New Mexico Territory

Operations at Fort Stanton ended.

Day 152 of the United States Civil War, September 10th 1861

Virginia

The Confederate War Department issued Special Orders, No. 149, appointing General Albert Sidney Johnston to command of Confederate forces in the Western Theater:

Special Orders, No. 149.

AdJj’t and insp. generals office,
Richmond, Va., September 10, 1861.

General Albert Sidney Johnston, C. S. Army, is assigned to the command of Department No. 2, which will hereafter embrace the States of Tennessee and Arkansas and that part of the State of Mississippi west of the New Orleans, Jackson and Great Northern and Central Railroad; also, the military operations in Kentucky, Missouri, Kansas, and the Indian country immediately west of Missouri and Arkansas.

He will repair to Memphis, Tenn., and assume command, fixing his headquarters at such point as in his judgment will best secure the purposes of the command.

By command of the Secretary of War:

Jno. Withers,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

(Virginia) Operations in western Virginia - Battle of Carnifex Ferry

In late August 1861, Confederate forces under Confederate States Army, Brigadier General John B. Floyd crossed the Gauley River and surprised the 7th Ohio Infantry Regiment (United States) under the command of United States Army, Colonel Erastus Tyler at Kessler's Cross Lanes. Outnumbered, Tyler's inexperienced men routed, and Floyd camped near Carnifex Ferry. The Confederates began throwing up entrenchments on the Henry Patteson farm (located on the rim of the Gauley River Canyon near Summersville).

Map of the battle



Concerned about Floyd's drive to reclaim the Kanawha Valley, United States Army, Brigadier General William S. Rosecrans led three brigades of infantry southward from Clarksburg to support Tyler's regrouped regiment. Moving into position on the afternoon of September 10th, Rosecrans advanced against Floyd's campsite and attacked. The Confederate lines repulsed the attacks and the Federal casualties were significantly higher than the defenders. The strength of Rosecrans's artillery proved to be problematic however, and Floyd decided to retreat that night across the ferry to the south side of the Gauley River. He subsequently moved eastward to Meadow Bluff near Lewisburg.

Drawing: After the Battle of Carnifex Ferry, Confederate troops under John B. Floyd retreat across the Gauley River



Kentucky

United States Army, Brigadier-General George Henry Thomas was ordered to take command at Camp Dick Robinson and to prepare the recruits for a campaign in eastern Kentucky.

Reconnaissance to Columbus ended.

Missouri

United States Army, Brigadier General John Alexander McClernand began a reconnaissance to Norfolk.

The gunboats USS CONESTOGA under the command of United States Navy, Lieutenant Seth Ledyard Phelps and USS LEXINGTON under the command of United States Navy, Commander Stembel covered a troop advance and silenced the guns of a Confederate battery. They also put an 8-inch shot through the side and the wheelhouse of the gunboat CSS JACKSON (formerly the steamer YANKEE) at Lucas Bend, forcing the ship to retire on one engine.

South Carolina

Members of New York’s 79th Infantry Regiment (United States), taken prisoner during the 1st Battle of Bull run were sent to Fort Pinckney at Charleston, South Carolina. This was one of the many fort’s, including Fort Sumter, which had been built to protect the port from attack.

North Carolina

The sloop-of-war USS PAWNEE under the command of United States Navy, Commander Stephen Clegg Rowan captured the schooner SUSAN JANE off Beaufort in Hatteras Inlet.

The gunboat USS CAMBRIDGE under the command of United States Navy, Commander W A Pqrker captured the British blockade-running schooner REVERE off Beaufort with a cargo of salt and herring.

Day 154 of the United States Civil War, September 12th 1861

Virginia

Braxton Bragg, is appointed Major General in the Confederate States Army.

In an attempt to resolve the command problems in western Virginia, (Confederate States) President Jefferson Finis Davis authorised Confederate States Army, General Robert Edward Lee to transfer Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Henry Alexander Wise and his Wise’s Legion to any command other than that of Confederate States Army, Brigadier General John Buchanan Floyd, with whom Wise had failed to achieve any cooperation and whose authority he disputed. To replace Wise’s command, the 20th Mississippi Infantry Regiment (Confederate States) and Phillips’ Georgia Legion were assigned to join Floyd.

United States Army, Brigadier General Jacob Dolson Cox pushed forward from Carnifex Ferry. Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Henry Alexander Wise fell back before them to Sewell Mountain.

(Virginia) Operations in western Virginia - Battle of Cheat Mountain

Confederate States Army, General Robert E. Lee was sent to western Virginia by (Confederate States) President Jefferson Davis to coordinate the various Confederate forces in the region and regain lost Confederate territory. He arrived at the camps of the Army of the Northwest, commanded by Confederate States Army, Brigadier General William W. Loring, near the end of July; although he did not replace Loring, Lee did issue orders through him. After personally scouting the area around the United States positions, Lee devised a strategy that included a two-pronged simultaneous attack against Kimball's position on the summit of Cheat Mountain and against Reynolds's camp.

The plan used Loring's Army of the Northwest, which was divided into six brigades for the battle. Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Henry R. Jackson's brigade would create a diversion in front of Fort Milroy while Confederate States Army, Colonel Albert Rust's brigade would make the main assault on the fort and Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Samuel Anderson's brigade would capture the turnpike west of the fort; Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Daniel Donelson and Confederate States Army, Colonel Jesse S. Burke would seize the paths behind Camp Elkwater across the valley west of Cheat Mountain. with Confederate States Army, Colonel William Gilham's brigade in reserve. Loring was given command of Burke's and Gilham's brigades during the battle.

The battle plans were outlined to all commanders in special order No.27 dispatched by Lee, and the order was signed by Rust instead of Lee, who wanted to avoid more negative press in case this operation turns out to be another failure after the recent defeats at Rich Mountain, Philippi and Laurel Mountain, and the disastrous retreat from Laurel Mountain across Corrick's Ford. The plan of the battle was for the three columns commanded by Anderson (western column), Rust (center column approaching from east of the mountain) and Jackson's column (from due east of the mountain) to converge at the same time and attack the union fort at the summit. This was a difficult and complex maneuver for the inexperienced commanders. Rust's column was to initiate battle by firing volleys at the United States fort, at this signal the two other columns would also attack, and the column across the valley under Donelson would also attack United States troops defending Elkwater.

The approaches by each of the three Confederate brigades were uncoordinated. Rain, fog, mountainous terrain, and a dense forest limited visibility to minimal distances. As a result, each of the three Confederate brigades assigned to attack Cheat Summit Fort acted independently and never made contact with either of the other two Confederate brigades. The march to Cheat Mountain was difficult, and was greatly exacerbated by rainy weather. The United States defenders on Cheat Summit were very familiar with the terrain and mountain trails. Rust's advancing column encountered two United States pickets who attempted to flee, confederate troops opened fire and killed these two, this alerted the nearby pickets and skirmishing ensued as the advancing rebels lost the element of surprise. Rust's troops then captured several more pickets who were interrogated, and falsely exaggerated the size of the union force at the camp, Rust believed these accounts. Two Federal probing attacks from Cheat Summit Fort were so aggressive that Rust and Anderson, each leading approximately 1500 Confederates at Cheat Mountain, were convinced that an overwhelming force confronted them. Rust decided to retreat back down the mountain without signaling the attack. At Elkwater, Reynolds's brigade faced three more Confederate brigades but refused to budge from well-prepared entrenchments.

The Confederates did not press an attack after Confederate States Army, Colonel John A. Washington, a member of Lee's staff, the great-grandnephew of George Washington and the last civilian owner of the first president's Mount Vernon estate, was killed during a reconnaissance of the United States right. Reynolds was so confident in the face of such timidity that he dispatched two of his own regiments from Elk Water up the mountain road to relieve the supposedly besieged fortress garrison, but the arriving Union reinforcements were unnecessary. Lee called off the attack and, after maneuvering in the vicinity, withdrew to Valley Mountain on September 17th. Reynolds, meanwhile, planned an offensive against the Confederate forces stationed at the Greenbrier River

Kentucky

The Kentucky legislature authorised the Governor to call out the militia to repel Confederate invaders.

Missouri

In contravention of (United States) President Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation, United States Army, Major General John Charles Frémont issued illegal deeds of manumission to two slaves who had escaped from their owners in Missouri.

Skirmish at Black River. A detachment of Indiana Cavalry and the 1st Indianan Infantry Regiment (United States) under the command of United states Army, Major Gavitt defeated a Confederate force killing five men and capturing four.

Day 156 of the United States Civil War, September 14th 1861

District of Columbia

Some of the Southern ships that have been confiscated in Northern ports are to be refitted as gunboats.

Virginia

Incident at Elkwater.

The three-masted schooner USS ALBATROSS under the command of United States Navy, Commander George A. Prentiss in command captured the boarded the schooner ALABAMA near the mouth of the Potomac River.

California

The United States District of Southern California set up its first headquarters at Camp Latham, west of Los Angeles under the command of United States Army, Colonel George Wright.

Kentucky

Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Felix Kirk Zollicoffer and his 5,400 men occupied the Cumberland Gap and took a position at the Cumberland Ford (near present-day Pineville, Kentucky). His aim was to counter Pro-United States activity in the area and to prevent United States supporters from organising and training recruits from Kentucky and eastern Tennessee at Camp Andrew Johnson near Barbourville.

Missouri

Skirmish at Old Randolph.

A Confederate camp at Kansas City was broken up with 7 men killed and 6 taken prisoner.

Florida

United States Army, Colonel Harvey Brown sent a small force from Fort Pickens to burn a Confederate cruiser in the Pensacola Navy Yard. In the early morning darkness, sailors and Marines from the three-masted steam screw frigate USS COLORADO rowed into Pensacola Harbour, boarded and burned the Confederate privateering schooner JUDAH and spiked its guns so they could not be recovered for use.

New York

Troops of the 46th New York Infantry Regiment (United States), recruited in New York City and comprised mainly of German Americans, left the state under the command of United States Army, Colonel Rudolph Rosa for Washington, D.C. and their three years of federal service.