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

Day 204 of the United States Civil War, November 1st 1861

District of Columbia

George Washington Cullum is appointed Brigadier General in the United States Army.

(United States) President Abraham Lincoln issues Executive Order—General Orders No. 94: Retiring General Winfield Scott and Appointing General George B. McClellan His Successor which reads as:

General Orders, No. 94
War Department

Adjutant-General'S Office

The following order from the President of the United States, announcing the retirement from active command of the honored veteran Lieutenant-General Winfield Scott, will be read by the Army with profound regret:

Executive Mansion,

Washington, November 1, 1861.

On the 1st day of November, A.D. 1861, upon his own application to the President of the United States, Brevet Lieutenant-General Winfield Scott is ordered to be placed, and hereby is placed, upon the list of retired officers of the Army of the United States, without reduction in his current pay, subsistence, or allowances.

The American people will hear with sadness and deep emotion that General Scott has withdrawn from the active control of the Army, while the President and a unanimous Cabinet express their own and the nation's sympathy in his personal affliction and their profound sense of the important public services rendered by him to his country during his long and brilliant career, among which will ever be gratefully distinguished his faithful devotion to the Constitution, the Union, and the flag when assailed by parricidal rebellion.

Abraham Lincoln.

The President is pleased to direct that Major-General George B. McClellan assume the command of the Army of the United States. The headquarters of the Army will be established in the city of Washington. All communications intended for the Commanding General will hereafter be addressed direct to the Adjutant General. The duplicate returns, orders, and other papers heretofore sent to the Assistant Adjutant-General, Headquarters of the Army, will be discontinued.

By order of the Secretary of War:

L. Thomas,

Adjutant-General.

United States Army, Major General George B. McClellan issued General Orders, No. 19 (Headquarters of the Army) announcing that he was assuming command of the Armies of the United States:

General Orders, No. 19.

Headquarters of the Army
Washington, November 1, 1861

In accordance with General Orders, No. 94, from the War Department, I hereby assume command of the Armies of the United States. In the midst of the difficulties which encompass and divide the nation, hesitation and self-distrust may well accompany the assumption of so vast a responsibility; but confiding as I do in the loyalty, discipline, and courage of our troops, and believing as I do that Providence will favor ours as the just cause, I cannot doubt that success will crown our efforts and sacrifices.

The Army will unite with me in the feeling of regret that the weight of many years and the effect of increasing infirmities, contracted and intensified in his country’s service, should just now remove from our head the great soldier of our nation–the hero who in his youth raised high the reputation of his country on the fields of Canada, which he hallowed with his blood; who in more mature years proved to the world that American skill and valor could repeat if not eclipse the exploits of Cortez in the land of the Montezumas; whose whole efforts have been directed to uphold our honor at the smallest sacrifice of life–a warrior who scorned the selfish glories of the battle-field when his greatest qualities as a statesman could be employed more profitably for his country; a citizen who in his declining years has given to the world the most shining instance of loyalty, in disregarding all ties of birth and clinging still to the cause of truth and honor. Such has been the career, such the character, of Winfield Scott, whom it has long been the delight of the nation to honor both as a man and a soldier. While we regret his loss, there is one thing we cannot regret–the bright example he has left for our emulation. Let us all hope and pray that his declining years may be passed in peace and happiness, and that they may be cheered by the success of the country and the cause he has fought for and loved so well. Beyond all that, let us do nothing that can cause him to blush for us; let no defeat of the Army he has so long commanded embitter his last years, but let our victories illuminate the close of a life so grand.

Geo. B. McClellan
Major-General, Commanding U.S. Army

Virginia

Skirmishes at Gauley Bridge and Cotton Hill. A Confederate force commanded by Confederate States Army, Brigadier General John Buchanan Floyd opened fire with artillery on the United States camp of United States army, Brigadier General William Starke Rosecrans at Cotton Hill near Gauley Bridge. The Confederates attempted for two days to dislodge the United States troops from their position but had no means of crossing the New River. The Confederates held their ground so Rosecrans planned his next movement to force their withdrawal.

Missouri

Expedition from Rolla began.

Skirmish at Renick.

United States forces under the command of United States Army, Brigadier General Alexander Asboth and United States Army, Brigadier General Franz Sigel reported that the Confederate advanced guard was at Wilson’s Creek, nine miles away from their own camps. The enemy’s main body was detected on the road leading from the headquarters of Pro-Confederate Missouri State Militia, Major General Sterling Price at Cassville.

South Carolina

The United States expeditionary fleet approaching Port Royal maintained its formation as it moved down the coast until it had passed Cape Hatteras. As it passed into South Carolina waters, however, the wind increased to gale force. In the mid-afternoon, United States Navy Captain Samuel Francis Du Pont ordered the fleet to disregard the order of sailing and for each ship to make its own way. Most of the ships managed to ride out the storm, some had to abort their mission and return home for repairs, while others were lost. The gunboat USS ISAAC SMITH (one 30-pounder Parrott rifle and eight 8" Dahlgren smoothbores) had to jettison most of her guns in order to stay afloat. Three ships carrying food and ammunition (UNION, PEERLESS, and OSCEOLA) were sunk or driven ashore without loss of life. Confederate authorities deduced from observation that the objective of the large United States naval expedition that left Hampton Roads, Virginia on 27-28 October 1861 was Port Royal.

Texas

Incident at Peosi River. A Confederate force commanded by Confederate States Army, Colonel Henry Eustace McCullough engaged a group of Indians at the Peosi River and drove them away.

Day 206 of the United States Civil War, November 3rd 1861

District of Columbia

At 4 a.m. United States Army, Major General George B. McClellan rode with his staff and a cavalry squadron through strong wind and rain to bid a final farewell to United States Army, General Scott at the Washington Depot. This was the same wooden railroad station where McClellan had arrived from western Virginia to take command of the Army of the Potomac. Scott was leaving for retirement at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.

Scott, who had read General Orders Number 19, complimented the new general-in-chief as one of the greatest commanders of all time. The generals exchanged kind words, with Scott imparting good wishes to McClellan’s wife and newborn child. The retiring general boarded the train and received a farewell salute as the train pulled out. That night, McClellan wrote his wife Ellen:

“It may be that at some distant day I, too, shall totter away from Washington, a worn-out soldier, with naught to do but make my peace with God. The sight of this morning was a lesson to me which I hope not soon to forget. I saw there the end of a long, active and ambitious life, the end of the career of the first soldier of his nation; and it was a feeble old man scarce able to walk; hardly anyone there to see him off but his successor. Should I ever become vainglorious and ambitious, remind me of that spectacle.”

Virginia

(Confederate States) President Jefferson Davis wrote Confederate States Army, General J.E. Johnston of his concern over what he called the false reports that Davis prevented Confederate States Army, General P. G. T. Beauregard from following the enemy after Manassas. He asked for Johnston's support.

Incidents at Cotton Hill and Gauley Bridge. Confederate States Army, Brigadier General John Buchanan Floyd ended his attempts to dislodge the United States from Cotton Hill and withdrew.

Maryland

A nine-day expedition to assert United States control in Lower Maryland began under United States Army, Brigadier General Henry Warner Slocum and United States Army, Brigadier General Oliver Otis Howard.

Missouri

Before relinquishing his command of the Western Department, United States Army, Major General John Charles Frémont had learned that the Confederates were planning to reinforce their forces in Arkansas, and he ordered United States Army, Brigadier General Ulysses Simpson Grant to make a feint toward Columbus, Kentucky, to tie the Confederates down. Grant sent about 3,000 men under United States Army, Colonel Richard James Oglesby into southeastern Missouri. Their initial aim was to intercept the movements of pro-Confederate forces under the command of Missouri State Guard, in the vicinity of the St Francis River.

South Carolina

The first 25 of the scattered ships of the United States Expedition to Port Royal began to arrive at the entrance to Port Royal Sound and the remainder continued to straggle in for the next four days. The sound was guarded by two Confederate forts on opposite sides of the entrance, Fort Walker on Hilton Head Island to the south and Fort Beauregard on Phillip’s Island to the north. United states Navy, Captain Samuel Francis Du Pont immediately began operations to replace channel markers and buoys previously removed by the Confederate defenders.

Department of the West (United States)

United States Army, Major General David Hunter took over active command of the Western Department from Fremont at Springfield Missouri.

Day 208 of the United States Civil War, November 5th 1861

Virginia

Operation at New River began.

Department of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida (Confederate States)

The coasts of South Carolina, Georgia, and East Florida are constituted a Confederate Department., under the command of Confederate States Army, General Robert Edward Lee.

Kentucky

Forces under United States Army, Brigadier General William “Bull” Nelson move into Prestonsburg, Kentucky. The dynamic, but acerbic naval officer, now converted to a land command, has alienated Pro-United States as well as Southern sympathizers in the Bluegrass state, but demonstrated an unquestionable presence there.

(South Carolina) - Battle of Port Royal

Early in the morning of November 5, gunboats USS OTTAWA, USS SENECA, USS PEMBINA, USS CURLEW, USS ISAAC SMITH, and USS PAWNEE, made another incursion into the harbor, this time seeking to draw enemy fire so as to gauge their strength. Again the Confederate flotilla came out to meet them, and again they were driven back.

Missouri

United States Army, Brigadier General Ulysses Simpson Grant had attempted for two days to divert Confederate attention in southeastern Missouri and to intercept Confederate reinforcements heading across the Mississippi from Columbus, Kentucky. When he learned that Confederate troops were moving across Missouri in the direction of United States Army, Colonel Richard James Oglesby’s column, he ordered United States Army, Brigadier General Charles Ferguson Smith to move from Paducah into southwestern Kentucky to distract the Confederates. Grant chose to strike against Belmont, a ferry landing and tiny hamlet consisting of just three shacks, some 2,000 feet across the river from Columbus. Grant’s expedition consisted of 3,114 men organised into two brigades under United States Army, Brigadier General John Alexander McClernand and United States Army, Colonel Henry Dougherty, plus two cavalry companies and an artillery battery. Grant’s force travelled aboard the steamers ALECK SCOTT, CHANCELLOR, KEYSTONE STATE, BELLE MEMPHIS, JAMES MONTGOMERY and ROB ROY, under the protection of gunboats USS LEXINGTON and USS TYLER.

Day 210 of the United States Civil War, November 7th 1861

District of Columbia

(United States) President Abraham Lincoln sends (United States) Secretary of War, Simon Cameron to deliver a letter to United States Army, Brigadier General Samuel R. Curtis, which asks Curtis if he believed United States Army, Major General John C. Fremont, should be relieved of command.

In Washington D.C. conferences and meetings were held by the cabinet and others with the President in regard to Fremont and his military problems.

Virginia

The following are appointed Major Generals in the Confederate States Army:

- William Joseph Hardee.
- Theophilus Hunter Holmes.
- Benjamin Huger.
- Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson.
- James "Pete" Longstreet.
- Mansfield Lovell.
- John Bankhead Magruder.

Alabama

Confederate States Army, Major General Braxton Bragg, command is extended over the coast and state of Alabama.

Kentucky

Demonstration at Columbus and Paducah began.

United States Army, Major General George Brinton McClellan sent a letter to United States Army, Brigadier General Don Carlos Buell, who was about to be appointed to command in Kentucky, to respect the constitutional rights of Kentuckians in their slave property.

While United States Army, Brigadier General Ulysses Simpson Grant was engaged at Belmont, United States Army, Major General David Hunter repudiated the unauthorised Frémont-Price convention on prisoner exchanges agreed in Missouri on October 26th 1861.

Missouri

Expedition to Belmont ended.

United States Army, Major General David Hunter repudiated the unauthorised Frémont-Price convention on prisoner exchanges agreed in Missouri on October 26th 1861.

(Missouri) Operations at the Ohio and Mississippi River Confluence - Battle of Belmont

At 8:30 a.m. on November 7, United States Army, Brigadier General Ulysses Simpson Grant's force disembarked at Hunter's Farm, 3 miles north of Belmont, out of range of the six Confederate batteries at Columbus. (The Columbus heavy water batteries featured 10-inch Columbiads and 11-inch howitzers and one gun, the "Lady Polk", was the largest in the Confederacy, a 128-pounder Whitworth rifle.) He marched his men south on the single road, clearing the obstructions of fallen timber that formed an abatis. A mile away from Belmont, they formed a battle line in a corn field. The line consisted of the 22nd Illinois Infantry, 7th Iowa Infantry, 31st Illinois Infantry, 30th Illinois Infantry, and 27th Illinois Infantry, intermixed with a company of cavalry. The Confederate battle line, on a low ridge northwest of Belmont, from north to south, was made up of the 12th Tennessee Infantry Regiment (Confederate States), 13th Arkansas Infantry Regiment (Confederate States), 22nd Tennessee Infantry Regiment (Confederate States), 21st Tennessee Infantry Regiment (Confederate States), and 13th Tennessee Infantry Regiment (Confederate States).

Grant's attack drove in the Confederate skirmish line and for the remainder of the morning, both armies, consisting of green recruits, advanced and fell back repeatedly. By 2 p.m., the fighting became one-sided as Pillow's line began to collapse, withdrawing toward Camp Johnston. The orderly retreat began to panic when four Federal field pieces opened up on the retreating soldiers. A volley from the 31st Illinois Infantry Regiment (United States) killed dozens of Confederates, and the United States soldiers attacked from three sides and surged into the camp. The Confederates abandoned their colors and their artillery, and ran toward the river, attempting to escape. Grant was constantly at the front, leading his men. His horse was shot from under him, but his aide United States Army, Captain William S. Hillyer offered his mount and Grant continued to lead.

British Library: The gunboats LEXINGTON and TYLER duel the Confederate batteries



Grant's inexperienced soldiers became, in his own words, "demoralized from their victory." United States Army, Brigadier General McClernand walked to the center of the camp, which now flew the Stars and Stripes, and asked for three cheers. A bizarre, carnival-like atmosphere prevailed; the troops were carried away by the joy of their victory, having captured several hundred prisoners and the camp. To regain control of his men, who were plundering and partying, Grant ordered the camp set on fire. In the confusion and blinding smoke, wounded Confederate soldiers in some of the tents were accidentally burned to death, causing returning Confederates to believe the prisoners had been deliberately murdered.

The Federals began to march back to their transports, taking with them two captured guns and 106 prisoners. They were suddenly attacked by Confederate reinforcements brought over from Columbus on the transports PRINCE and CHARM, who threatened to cut off Grant's retreat. These were the men of the 15th Tennessee Infantry Regiment (Regiment), the 11th Louisiana Infantry Regiment (Confederate States), and mixed infantry under Pillow and Confederate States Army, Colonel Benjamin F. Cheatham. By this time Confederate States Army, Major General Leonidas Polk had also crossed the Mississippi River from Columbus and took charge of Confederate forces during the fighting. As the United States men turned to face the Confederate reinforcements, the cannon "Lady Polk" fired into their ranks from Columbus and numerous other Confederate guns opened fire. The Union gunboats exchanged fire in a battle with the Confederate batteries. Grant said, "Well, we must cut our way out as we cut our way in."

Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper: Battle of Belmont



When Grant reached the landing, he learned that one United States regiment was unaccounted for. He galloped back to look for it, but found only Confederate soldiers moving in his direction. He spun his horse and raced for the river, but saw that the riverboat captains had already ordered the mooring lines cast off. Grant wrote in his memoirs,

"The captain of the boat that had just pushed out recognized me and ordered the engineer not to start the engine: he then had a plank run out for me. My horse seemed to take in the situation. He put his fore feet over the bank without hesitation or urging, and, with his hind feet well under him, slid down the bank and trotted on board."

While the riverboats were returning to Paducah, the missing Illinois regiment was seen marching upriver and the men were taken aboard. In the retreat, Grant lost his bay horse, saddle, mess chest, and gold pen, while McClernand lost his "handsome iron-framed cot," field desk with dispatches, and an inkstand inscribed with his name.

British Library: Grant's troops withdraw after the battle



United States losses were 607 (120 dead, 383 wounded, and 104 captured or missing). Confederate casualties were slightly higher at 641 (105 killed, 419 wounded, 106 captured, and 11 missing). A noteworthy result of the battle was the combat and large unit command experience Grant gained. It also gave (United States) President Abraham Lincoln, who was desperate for his armies to attack the Confederates somewhere, a positive impression of Grant.

Texas

Francis R Lubbock became Governor of Texas.

(South Carolina) - Battle of Port Royal

On November 7, the air was calm and gave no further reason for delay. The fleet was drawn up into 2 columns and moved to the attack. The main body consisted of 9 ships with guns and one without. In order, they were USS WABASH (DuPont's flagship), USS SUSQUEHANNA, USS MOHICAN, USS SEMINOLE, USS PAWNEE, USS UNADILLA, USS OTTAWA, USS PEMBINA, USS ISAAC SMITH, and USS VANDALIA. ISAAC SMITH had jettisoned her guns during the storm, but she would now contribute by towing the sailing vessel VANDALIA. Five gunboats formed the flanking column: USS BIENVILLE, USS SENECA, USS PENGUIN, USS CURLEW and USS AUGUSTA. Three other gunboats, USS R. B. FORBES, USS MERCURY, and USS PENGUIN remained behind to protect the transports.

The fight started at 09:26, when a gun in Fort Walker fired on the approaching fleet. (This first shell exploded harmlessly a short distance out of the muzzle.) Other shots followed, the fleet replied by firing on both forts, and the action became general. Shells from the fleet ripped into the forts, although many of them passed harmlessly overhead and landed well beyond. Because the motion of the ships disrupted their aim, most of the shots from the forts missed; generally, they aimed too high, sending the missiles that were on target into the masts and upper works of the vessels. The ships proceeded according to Du Pont's orders through the first turn, but then the plan fell apart. First to leave was the third ship in the main column, USS MOHICAN, under United States Navy, Commander Sylvanus W. Godon. Godon found that he could enfilade the water battery from a position safe from return fire, so he dropped out. Those following him were confused, so they also dropped out. Only WANASH and SUSQUEHANNA continued in the line of battle. The two ships made their second and third passes, and then were joined, inexplicably, by gunboat BEINILLE.

Harper's Weekly: Federal warships, under Flag Officer Samuel F. DuPont, USN, bombarding Fort Beauregard (at right) and Fort Walker (at left). The Confederate squadron commanded by Commodore Josiah Tattnall is in the left center distance. Subjects identified below the image bottom are (from left): tug MERCURY, FORT WALKER, USS WABASH (DuPont's flagship), SCREAMER (?), USS SUSQUEHANNA , USS HUNTSVILLE, COMMO. TATTNALL, USS BIENVILLE, USS PEMBINA, USS SENECA, USS OTTAWA, USS UNADILLA , USS PAWNEE, USS MOHICAN, USS ISAAC SMITH, USS CURLEW, USS VANDALIA, USS PENGUIN, USS POCAHONTAS, USS SEMINOLE, FORT BEAUREGARD, USS R. B. FORBES and "REBEL CAMP".



The bombardment continued in this way until shortly after noon, when POCAHONTAS, delayed by the storm, put in her appearance. Her captain, United States Navy, Commander Percival Drayton, placed the ship in position to enfilade Fort Walker and joined the battle. Commander Drayton was the brother of Thomas F. Drayton, the Confederate general who commanded the forces ashore.

Ashore, Fort Walker was suffering, with most of the damage being done by the ships that had dropped out of the line of battle. The exhausted gunners had only three guns left in the water battery, the others being disabled. About 12:30, General Drayton left the fort to collect some reserves to replace the men in the fort. Before leaving, he turned command over to Colonel William C. Heyward, with instructions to hold out as long as possible. As he was returning at 14:00, he found the men leaving the fort. They explained that they were almost out of powder for the guns, and had therefore abandoned their position.

The departure of the soldiers from the fort was noticed by sailors in the fleet, and signal was soon passed to cease fire. A boat crew led by Commander John Rodgers went ashore under a flag of truce and found the fort abandoned. Rodgers therefore raised the Union flag. No effort was made to further press the men who had just left the fort, so the entire surviving Confederate force was permitted to escape to the mainland.

Map: A map of the battle



Fort Beauregard had not suffered punishment as severe as that given to Fort Walker, but Colonel Robert Gill Mills Dunovant was concerned that the enemy could easily cut off his only line of retreat. When the firing at Fort Walker ceased and cheering in the fleet was heard, he realized that his command was in peril. Rather than be trapped, he ordered the troops on Philip's Island to abandon their positions. This they did without destroying their stores, because to do so would have attracted the attention of the fleet. Their departure was not noted, and not until a probing attack by gunboat Seneca elicited no reply was it realized that the fort was unmanned. As it was then very late in the day, raising the United States flag on Fort Beauregard was delayed until the following morning.

British Library: United States troops raise the Stars and Stripes over Fort Walker



Cuba

John Slidell, appointed as Confederate commissioner to France, and James Murray Mason, appointed as commissioner to Great Britain, accompanied by their private secretaries and their families, had sailed from Charleston on October 16, 1861. Slipping through the United States blockade around the harbor aboard the small steamer THEODORE, the party reached Havana in Cuba. There they boarded the British mail packet TRENT on the next step in their journey.

The United States consul in Havana, aware of their journey, alerted officials in Washington. United States Navy, Captain Charles Wilkes, commanding the screw frigate USS SAN JACINTO, was also aware, and he intended to stop the envoys by awaiting the Trent’s passage through Bahama Channel.

Day 212 of the United States Civil War, November 9th 1861

District of Columbia

Jeremiah Tilford Boyle, is appointed Major General in the United States Army.

Virginia

George Bibb Crittenden, is appointed Brigadier General in the Confederate States Army.

Expedition to Mathias Point by United States troops under United States Army, Brigadier General Joseph Hooker and United States Army, Brigadier General Daniel Edgar Sickles.

Confederates under Confederate States Army, Colonel John Stuart Williams reached Abingdon after abandoning Pikeville. The Confederate rearguard skirmished briefly with United States Army, Colonel Joshua Woodrow Sill’s command near Pikeville.

Kansas

As part of the organisation after the discontinuation of the Western Department, the United States Department of Kansas was established to operate on the far western fringe of operations. The Department began with fielded five regiments of infantry from Kansas and Wisconsin, and five cavalry regiments from Kansas and Ohio. All were untested but three Regular Army regiments provided contingents to strengthen them. United States Army, Major General David Hunter was assigned to take command in Kansas.

Kentucky

Demonstration at Columbus and Paducah ended.

Incident at Piketon.

Confederate States Army, Brigadier General George Bibb Crittenden was promoted to Major General to give him authority to coordinate the haphazard operations in Eastern Kentucky.

Missouri

Expedition to Rolla ended.

The United States army in Missouri fell back from Springfield to Sedalia, as United States Army, Major General David Hunter feared for its exposed position. It was threatened by a Confederate force under pro-Confederate Major-General of the Missouri State Guard, Major General Sterling Price near Pineville and a second under Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Benjamin McCulloch near Keetsville by the Arkansas border.

New York

The 61st New York Infantry Regiment (United States), also known as the "Astor Regiment" recruited principally in New York City left the state under the command of United States Army, Colonel Spencer W. Cone for Washington, D.C. for three years United States service.

New Mexico Territory

As part of the reorganisation following the discontinuation of the Western Department, the Department of New Mexico was re-established, comprising New Mexico Territory from the Western Department. United States Army, Colonel Edward Richard Sprigg Canby assumed command.

South Carolina

Gunboats under the command of United States Navy, Captain Samuel Francis Du Pont’s fleet moved to occupy Port Royal and Beaufort. They blocked the mouth of Broad River, cutting direct communications between Charleston and Savannah. United States Army, Brigadier General Thomas West Sherman landed troops and occupied Beaufort, making it the headquarters for future Army operations on the South Carolina coast. The United States Navy headquarters remained at the anchorage of Port Royal. The United States success at Port Royal secured control of coastal and inland navigation, and the islands on the coast between Savannah and Charleston. Boat expeditions could now penetrate within four miles of Coosawhatchie and larger ships could ascend Broad River as far as Mackay’s Point, the mouth of the Pocotaligo, and some distance up the Coosawhatchie and Tulifinny rivers.

Department of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida (Confederate States)

Confederate States Army, General Robert Edward Lee to Secretary of War Judah P. Benjamin from his new headquarters at Coosawhatchie, South Carolina:

“The enemy having complete possession of the water and inland navigation, commands all the islands on the coast and threatens both Savannah and Charleston, and can come in his boats, within 4 miles of this place… We have no guns that can resist their batteries, and have no resources to meet them in the field… The garrisons of the forts at Charleston and Savannah and on the coast cannot be removed from the batteries while ignorant of the designs of the enemy.”

Lee met with Governor of South Carolina, Francis W. Pickens, and it was agreed that Pickens would arm the equivalent of two regiments of men to serve for the war’s duration, and Lee would issue 2,500 rifles shipped aboard the FINGAL to South Carolina units that also pledged to serve for the duration.

Department of New Mexico (United States)

The Department of New Mexico was re-established, comprising New Mexico Territory from the Western Department with United States Army, Colonel Edward Richard Sprigg Canby (19th US Infantry) assuming command of the Department of New Mexico.

Department of the Ohio (United States)

The Department of the Ohio is reorganized so as to embrace the states of Kentucky, east of the Cumberland River, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Tennessee, under the command of United States Army, Brigadier General Don Carlos Buell, who supersedes United States Army, Brigadier General William T. Sherman.

Department of the Missouri (United States)

Issued by the Headquarters of the Army on November 9th 1861, General Orders No. 97 dissolved the Department of the Cumberland and expanded the Department of the Ohio, to be commanded by United States Army, Brigadier General Don Carlos Buell:

Headq'rs of the Army, Adj't General's Office,

Washington, November 9, 1861

The following Departments are formed from the present Departments of the West. Cumberland and Ohio:

I.;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; The Department of new Mexico – to consist of the Territory of New Mexico – to be commanded by Colonel E.R.S. Canby, U.S.A.

II.;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; The Department of Kansas -; to include the State of Kansas, the Indian Territory west of Arkansas, and the Territories of Nebraska, Colorado and Dacotah – to be commanded by Major General Hunter; Headquarters at Fort Leavenworth.

III.;;;;;;;;;;;;;; The Department of the Missouri – to include the States of Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Arkansas and that portion of Kentucky west of the Cumberland river – to be commanded by Major general H.W. Halleck, U.S. A.

IV.;;;;;;;;;;;;;; The Department of the Ohio – to consist of the States of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and that portion of Kentucky east of the Cumberland River and the State of Tennessee – to be commanded by Brigadier General D.C. Buell; Headquarters at Louisville.

V.;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; The Department of Western Virginia – to consist of that portion of Virginia included in the old Department of the Ohio – to be commanded by Brigadier General W.S. Rosecrans, U.S.A.

By Order:

Julius P. Garsche, Assistant Adjutant General

Day 214 of the United States Civil War, November 11th 1861

District of Columbia

United States Army, Major General George Brinton McClellan escorted his predecessor as General-in-Chief, United States Army, Major General Winfield Scott, to the railroad depot as Scott departed into retirement at West Point, New York.

Virginia

The four day trial of Confederate privateer William Smith in the United States District Court in Philadelphia resulted in a guilty verdict and a death sentence for piracy. The trial caused a sensation in the South and reprisals were threatened against United States prisoners of war. Confederate States Army, General John H. Winter visited Libby Prison in Richmond and drew lots from among the senior United States prisoners there to select who would be tried as criminals in retaliation. The trials never took place and the United States reclassified the convicted privateers as prisoners of war in February, 1862.

Incidents at Blake’s Farm and Gauley Bridge.

Skirmish at Market Bridge, near Hampton.

Maryland

Expedition to Lower Maryland ended.

Missouri

Skirmish at Little Blue River between United States Jayhawkers and Confederate guerrillas.

North Carolina

The Confederate government buys an old factory in Salisbury, North Carolina to accomodate some 1,000 United States prisoners. According to the local paper, "Our citizens don't much like the idea of such accession to their population; nevertheless, they have assented to their part of the hardships and disagreeables of war, so bring them along.

South Carolina

Expedition to Braddock’s Point and Hilton Head ended.

Tennessee

Governor of Tennessee, Isham G. Harris began ten days of action to suppress Pro-United States activists and insurrectionists in East Tennessee. The United States army failed to move forward from Kentucky to provide the aid that was promised to the protestors.

Confederate States Army, Major General George Bibb Crittenden set up headquarters at Cumberland Gap.

Kentucky

Confederate States Army, Major General and Episcopal bishop Leonidas Polk commanded the Confederacy's "Department 2" headquartered at Columbus, Kentucky. Days after the clash at Belmont, his artillerymen were demonstrating the command's heaviest cannon, named "Lady Polk" after the bishop's wife, when it exploded, a shot having been left in the barrel following the previous action. Seven soldiers were killed and Polk had his clothes blown off, his eardrums injured, and was knocked out.

New York

The 52nd New York Infantry Regiment (United States), known as the Sigel Rifles, composed of mostly Germans, left New York under the command of United States Army, Colonel Paul Frank to serve in the Army of the Potomac.

Day 216 of the United States Civil War, November 13th 1861

District of Columbia

(United States) President Abraham Lincoln, with his secretary John Hay and (United States) Secretary of State William Seward, made an evening call at new Army chief United States Army, Major General George B. McClellan's town house a few blocks from the White House on an important matter. McClellan was attending a wedding but was expected to return shortly so the group waited. When the general came in, he made his way upstairs unnoticed and then sent word that he had retired for the night.

Virginia

Skirmish near Romney.

Pennsylvania

Revener M. R. Watkinson from Ridleyville, PA, writes (United States) Treasury Secretary Salmon Chase asking the motto "God, Liberty, Law" be added to all currency to "...place us openly under the Divine protection we have personally claimed." Chase made "In God We Trust" the final wording.

Pennsylvania

The Philadelphia Inquirer says that United states sympathizers in East Tennessee “have burned numbers of railroad bridges and telegraph wires to prevent the transportation of troops.”

Tennessee

Parson Brownlow has been arrested and taken to Nashville to stand trial for treason against the Confederacy.

The Tennessee Legislature authorizes Governor of Tennessee, Isham G. Harris to seize all private arms and call 10,000 additional men into service.

Alabama

USS WATER WITCH under the command of United States Navy, Lieutenant Aaron K Hughes, captured the blockade-running British brigantine CORNUCOPIA off Mobile.

Missouri

United States expedition from Greenville to Doniphan began.

United States reconnaissance to Texas County and Wright County began.

The United States army in Missouri continued its retreat from Sedalia to Rolla, conceding possession of Springfield to the Confederates.