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Post by lordroel on Dec 30, 2023 9:21:32 GMT
Day 263 of the United States Civil War, December 30th 1861
District of Columbia
The Civil War and the need for heavy government borrowing put American banks under pressure from the start. By the end of 1861, a combination of over-extended lending to the United States Treasury, poor news from the battlefields, and a possible rift with Britain over the Trent Affair, led to depositor withdrawals so heavy that the New York banks suspended all payment in specie. Banks in Boston and Philadelphia followed suit the same day. The suspension, and the February 1862 Legal Tender Act, hastened the widespread use of paper money.
Virginia
Incidents at New Market Bridge, Braxton County, Webster County, and Clay County.
New York
The innovative ironclad warship USS MONITOR had steam applied to its boilers for the first time.
Texas
The wooden-hulled, three-masted sailing frigate USS SANTEE under the command of United States Navy, Captain Henry Eagle, captured the schooner GARONNE off Galveston.
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Post by lordroel on Dec 31, 2023 8:05:26 GMT
Day 264 of the United States Civil War, December 31st 1861
District of Columbia
(United States) President Abraham Lincoln spends part of his time drafting a letter to a disgruntled United States Army, Major General David Hunter over what that officer has deemed a “banishment” to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, that has left him “humiliated, insulted and disgraced,” in addition to depriving him of a command, “suitable to my rank.” The exasperated United States Army commander in chief responds: “Yours of the 23rd, is received; and I am constrained to say it is difficult to answer so ugly a letter in good temper. I am, as you intimate, losing much of the great confidence I placed in you, not from any act or omission of yours touching the public service, up to the time you were sent to Leavenworth, but from the flood of grumbling dispatches and letters I have seen from you since.”
The United States Department of the Navy reported that the fleet had expanded to a force of 164 ships manned by 22,000 sailors. It had already expanded three to four times its original strength at the outbreak of hostilities in April 1861. The majority of the expansion was to provide adequate ships to impose and sustain the blockade of the Southern coastline.
Virginia
Expedition to Huntersville began.
Kentucky
Expedition to Viola and Camp Beauregard ended.
United States Army, Brigadier General George Henry Thomas’s division left Lebanon to attack the Confederate fortified camp of Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Felix Zollicoffer near Fishing Creek. United States Army, Brigadier General Albin Francisco Schoepf’s 1st Brigade was already in the vicinity at Somerset and United States Army, Colonel Mahlon Dickerson Manson’s 2nd Brigade, two regiments from United States Army, Colonel Robert Latimer McCook’s 3rd Brigade, a battalion of Wolford’s 1st Kentucky Cavalry battalion and Kinney’s Battery C, 1st Ohio Artillery arrived to reinforce them.
Mississippi
The port of Biloxi surrendered to a United States landing party of seamen and Marines covered by USS WATER WITCH, USS NEW LONDON and USS HENRY LEWIS. The expedition returned to Ship Island after destroying a small Confederate battery and capturing two guns and a schooner.
New York
The New York Times publishes an account of the Mississippi gunboat and mortar fleet,“a thing of such vast proportions and of so formidable a character, that it seems almost incredible that it should have been got to its present stage of readiness in five short months. The whole flotilla, consisting of twelve enormously strong gunboats, mounting nearly two hundred of the heaviest guns, and sixty-six mortarboats and their aids, are now at Cairo, taking aboard the powder and shot that will soon burst as thunder and lightning over the heads of the rebels of the Great Valley.”
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Post by lordroel on Jan 1, 2024 7:41:58 GMT
Day 265 of the United States Civil War, January 1st 1862
District of Columbia
1st United States income tax (3% of incomes > $600, 5% of incomes > $10,000) goes into effect.
A new year offers fresh opportunities and perspectives for the leaders and peoples of the United States and Confederate States of America. For (United States) President Abraham Lincoln, this beginning is fraught with concern. George McClellan remains ill, but is improving and the president wants other chief commanders to handle matters in his absence.
Virginia
For (Confederate States) President Jefferson Davis, the possibilities appear less harrowing on the surface. The new nation has survived into an early infancy that may yet hold the promise of longevity, but criticism grows concerning his leadership and the lack of follow-up to the victory at Manassas.
Massachusetts
On November 30, 1861, Lord Russell, British Foreign Secretary, authorized Lord Lyons, the British ambassador to Washington, to demand the release of the Confederate commissioners taken by force from the British mailship Trent off Cuba three weeks before. For a month following the seizure Britain and the United States seemed to be approaching war but cooler heads prevailed. The Confederate diplomats were "cheerfully liberated" from Fort Warren in Boston to the British CAMELION-class sloop HMS RINALDO (5 × 40-pounder breech-loading guns and 12 × 32-pounder muzzle-loading guns), ending a dangerous international incident.
Florida
United States guns at Fort Pickens bombarded Fort McRae and Fort Barrancas in Pensacola Bay.
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Post by lordroel on Jan 2, 2024 8:58:16 GMT
Day 266 of the United States Civil War, January 2nd 1862
Virginia
The Honorable William G. Brownlow, accused of treason, states his case to (Confederate States) President Jefferson Davis, and asks leave to withdraw from the Confederacy.
North Carolina
United States Navy Captain Louis Malesherbes Goldsborough ordered the gunboat USS LOUISIANA, steamer USS LOCKWOOD, steamer USS I N SEYMOUR, steam operated tugboat USS SHAWSHEEN, and gunboat USS WHITEHALL (which had previously been forced to return to Newport News, Virginia, because of engine trouble) to Hatteras Inlet. On arrival, they would join a squadron now comprising twelve ships. Extensive preparations for the joint attack on Roanoke Island, the key to Albemarle Sound, had been underway since early December.
South Carolina
The steamer ELLA WARLEY evaded the sloop-of-war USS MOHICAN (2 × 11 in (280 mm) guns, 4 × 32-pounder guns) under the command of United States Navy, Commander Sylvanus William Godon, in heavy fog and ran the blockade into Charleston.
(South Carolina) Battle of Port Royal Ferry
A three-day operation to attack Confederate positions at Port Royal Ferry and along the Coosaw River began. The United States naval squadron was led by United States Navy, Commander Christopher Raymond Perry Rodgers, and included the gunboats USS OTTAWA, USS PEMBINA, USS SENECA, and four armed boats carrying howitzers. They joined a United States Army force to make an amphibious attack. The expedition was jointly commanded by United States Army, Brigadier General Isaac Ingalls Stevens and Rodgers aboard the flagship USS WABASH. The United states land force consisted of the 8th Michigan Infantry Regiment (United States), the 100th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment (United States), 50th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment (United States), 79th New York Infantry Regiment (United States), the 47th New York Infantry Regiment (United States) and 48th New York Infantry Regiment (United States). Stevens’ brigade advanced on Port Royal, about 25 miles from Hilton Head, and took possession of the Confederate batteries after a short skirmish with their Confederate defenders. They were assisted by the gunboats, which covered the army’s advance, by shelling the batteries from the shoreline. Some guns and naval gunners were landed for closer support. Army signal officers acted as gunfire observers and coordinators on board the ships. The United States troops pursued the Confederates to strong fortifications about six miles from the Charleston Railroad. The Confederates left behind one large gun, which they had spiked. This action disrupted Confederate plans to erect batteries that would isolate the Coosaw River and the United States troops on Port Royal Island.
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Post by lordroel on Jan 3, 2024 3:51:29 GMT
Day 267 of the United States Civil War, January 3rd 1862
District of Columbia
In an act of clemency, (United States) President Abram Lincoln responds to a case that has come to his attention with the note: “Let this woman have her boy out of Old Capitol Prison.”
Virginia
In one of the first large prisoner exchanges of the war, 240 United States soldiers were released from Richmond prisons for a similar number of Confederates. The United States soldiers and officers were transported aboard the Confederate steamer NORTHAMPTON, which met the United States vessel GEORGE WASHINGTON outside of Newport News, Virginia. From there they sailed to Fortress Monroe at Hampton. Most had been captured at Bull Run.
United States reconnaissance from Camp Hamilton to occupy Big Bethel.
Skirmish at Bath (Berkeley Springs) as Confederate States Army, Major General Thomas Jonathan Jackson left Winchester for Romney. On the way, he attempted to destroy dams along the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal and to disrupt traffic on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad.
The Confederate army had established a defensive line that ran from Centreville and along the Occoquan River to the Potomac River. In October 1861, they constructed batteries at Evansport, Freestone Point, Shipping Point, and Cockpit Point to close the Potomac River to shipping and isolate Washington, DC. By mid-December, the Confederates had mounted 37 heavy guns in various positions along the river and these were commanded by Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Samuel Gibbs French. The Confederate battery at Cockpit Point was shelled by the steamer USS ANACOSTIA (two 9" Dahlgren smoothbore guns) under the command of United States Navy, Lieutenant Oscar C Badger and the tugboat USS YANKEE (two 32-pounder guns) under the command of United States Navy, Lieutenant Eastman, with neither side gaining an advantage. The USS YANKEE was slightly damaged. No casualties were reported.
A Confederate expeditionary force commanded by Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Edward Johnson attacked the local Union forces at Huntersville and drove them away from the town.
Missouri
Expedition to Dayton, Morristown, and Rose Hill ended.
Skirmish at Hunnewell.
Tennessee
Confederate troops in Greenville, hang two East Tennesseans who were caught burning the Lick Creek bridge.
New Mexico Territory
Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Henry Hopkins Sibley began to march with four mounted regiments towards Fort Thorn.
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Post by lordroel on Jan 4, 2024 3:52:35 GMT
Day 268 of the United States Civil War, January 4th 1862District of Columbia(United States) President Abraham Lincoln is still anxious to offer relief at the earliest juncture to the Pro-United States sympathizers of East Tennessee. To Don Carlos Buell in Louisville, Ky., he inquires about the shipment of arms into the region: “Please tell me the progress and condition of the movement, in that direction. Answer.” West Virginia At dawn on New Year's Day, Confederate States Army, Major General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson , marched a large force north from Winchester, Virginia with the aim to cut the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and clear the Union forces from the area. Three days later, he occupied Bath in Morgan County (now part of West Virginia) and the federal forces withdrew across the Potomac into Washington County, Maryland. Jackson's artillery shelled Hancock, Maryland across the river the next day but did not follow. Missouri Newspaper clipping from Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper: Print of the construction of mortar boats along shoreline with a riverboat in the background and several figures in the foreground, one is pushing a wheelbarrow, Upper Ferry, St. Louis, Missouri Indian TerritoryUnited States operation to Hopoeithleyoho ended. Gibraltar The Confederate commerce raider CSS SUMTER captured six American ships between late November and January 1862, while cruising from the Western Hemisphere to European waters. Anchoring at Cadiz on 4 January 1862, the cruise was permitted only to make necessary repairs without refuelling and was forced to run for Gibraltar. Unable to obtain essential repairs in Gibraltar, the ship was laid up in April 1862 and remained inactive, watched through the year by a succession of United States Navy warships, among them the sloop of war USS KEARSARGE and gunboat USS CHIPPAWA. Confederate States Navy, Captain Raphael Semmes and many of her officers were then re-employed in the new cruiser CSS ALABAMA (6 × 32 lb (15 kg) cannons, 1 × 110 lb (50 kg) cannon, 1 × 68 lb (31 kg) cannon). Disarmed and sold at auction on 19 December 1862 to the Fraser-Trenholm interests, the CSS SUMTER continued in service to the Confederacy under British colours as the blockade runner GIBRALTAR of Liverpool. Her career as a warship had lasted barely six months, during which time she took 18 prizes, of which eight were burned, nine released and bonded, and one was recaptured.
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Post by lordroel on Jan 5, 2024 9:06:53 GMT
Day 269 of the United States Civil War, January 5th 1862
Virginia
In Centreville, Thomas J. Goree offers a scathing assessment of Jefferson Davis as commander in chief. He observes: "But we are more than all crippled by an unfortunate misunderstanding which unhappily exists between Pres. Davis and the leading generals of this army. . . . Mr. Davis’ motto seems to be: ‘Rule or Ruin.’ Mr. Davis is undoubtedly a great man, but he has his faults, his whims, and his unbounded prejudices. I have nearly lost all the admiration I ever had for him as an honest man and a patriot.”
West Virginia
Confederate States Army, Major General Thomas Jonathan Jackson, had marched a large force north from Winchester, Virginia with the aim to cut the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. He had occupied Bath in Morgan County (now part of West Virginia) the day before and the federal forces withdrew across the Potomac into Washington County, Maryland. Jackson's artillery shelled Hancock, Maryland across the river the next evening but did not follow. The Confederates did destroy the B&O's Big Capacon Bridge over the river.
Kentucky
Confederate States Army, Brigadier general Zollicoffer sends out a proclamation to the state of Kentucky explaining that his continuing presence in Kentucky is not to invade them but to protect them from incursions by abolitionists and other “Northern hordes.”
Missouri
United States Army, Lieutenant Colonel D R Antony of the 1st Kansas Cavalry Regiment (United States) began operations in Lafayette County and Johnson County and skirmished at Columbus.
New York
The 90th New York "Hancock Guard" Infantry Regiment (United States), recruited in New York City, Brooklyn, and Unadilla, Otego and Nineveh New York left for service in Key West, Florida on January 5th 1862. The unit was mustered in New York City prior to leaving for active service.
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Post by lordroel on Jan 6, 2024 9:07:30 GMT
Day 270 of the United States Civil War, January 6th 1862
District of Columbia
Private Michael Lanaham of Company A , 2nd Infantry Regiment (United States), was convicted of murdering a sergeant named Brenner who had hit him while he was in the guardhouse. Lanaham had soon after the initial incident loaded his musket and shot the sergeant to death. He was convicted of murder and hanged in northern Washington D.C. with units from five regiments of the regular infantry watching on.
United States Army, General Buell’s hesitation to assume an operation aimed at East Tennessee, in preference to one that pushes instead for Nashville, prompts a strong response from the president that emphasizes his disappointment. In addition to his desire to inflict damage on a major transportation artery of the Confederacy—the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad—he notes: “But my distress is that our friends in East Tennessee are being hanged and driven to despair, and even now I fear, are thinking of taking rebel arms for the sake of personal protection. In this we lose the most valuable stake we have in the South.”
Virginia
Henry Heth is appointed Brigadier General in the Confederate States Army.
Captains of nine companies of the 12th Georgia Infantry Regiment (Confederate States), stationed at Camp Allegheny, filed a written complaint against regimental surgeon Henry K. Green.
Expedition to Huntersville ended.
West Virgina
Confederate States Army, Major General Thomas Jonathan Jackson continued the bombardment of Hancock. Total casualties for both sides were estimated at 25.
Missouri
The United States Navy was encountering problems in finding crews for the new ironclad and armoured gunboats, which were being completed at St Louis and Mound City for operations on the western rivers. The Navy Department sent a draft of 500 seamen but the rest of the crews had to be recruited or detailed from the Army.
United States Army, Brigadier General Schuyler Hamilton assumed command of the district around St Louis.
Wisconsin
Louis P Harvey succeeded Alexander W Randall as Governor of Wisconsin.
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Post by lordroel on Jan 7, 2024 8:24:29 GMT
Day 271 of the United States Civil War, January 7th 1862
District of Columbia
United States Army, Major General George B. McClellan issued General Orders, No. 2 creating the Department of North Carolina and naming Brigadier General Ambrose E. Burnside as commander:
General Orders, No. 2
Headq’rs of the Army, Adj’t General’s Office
Washington, January 7, 1862
The State of North Carolina will hereafter constitute a separate military command, known as the department of North Carolina, under the command of Brigadier General Burnside.
By Command of Major General McClellan:
L. Thomas,
Adjutant General
Virginia
Skirmishes near Romney at Bloomery Gap, Blue’s Gap, and Hanging Rock Pass. Part of Confederate States Army, Major General Thomas Jonathan Jackson’s force was defeated by United States troops under the command of United States Army, Colonel Dunning. Jackson pressed on through freezing weather from Hancock, Maryland, towards Romney.
Kentucky
The gunboats USS TYLER, USS LEXINGTON, and USS ESSEX reconnoitred down the Mississippi. The latter ship was one of the first new river-based ironclads. Pursuing a Confederate gunboat, United States Navy Captain Andrew Hull Foote brought his gunboats within range of the artillery batteries at Columbus, and found one of several “submarine batteries” or obstructions although the river was found to be generally clear of obstructions.
The Confederate brigade of Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Gideon Johnson Pillow was withdrawn by rail from Bowling Green to Clarksville, Tennessee. At Clarksville, there were vital ironworks to be defended and Pillow focused more on that task than to strengthen the garrisons at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, sixty miles away. The brigades of Confederate States Army, Brigadier General John Buchanan Floyd and Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Simon Bolivar Buckner were also pulled back from Bowling Green and sent to Russellville, halfway to Clarksville.
(Kentucky) Skirmish at Jennie’s Creek and Paintsville
United States Army, Colonel James Abram Garfield commanded the 18th Brigade of the Department of the Ohio, numbering approximately 1,500 men. Garfield sent his 40th Ohio Infantry Regiment (United States) to march from Lexington to Prestonsburg to cut off the Confederate line of retreat from Middle Creek while the 42nd Ohio Infantry Regiment (United States) and the 14th Kentucky Infantry Regiment (United States) and 22nd Kentucky Infantry Regiment (United States) proceeded up the Big Sandy Valley from their base at Catlettsburg. At Louisa, they were joined by the 1st Ohio Infantry Regiment (United States), the 1st Kentucky Infantry, and the 2nd West Virginia Cavalry Regiment (United States). The brigade then advanced slowly over muddy roads towards Paintsville.
Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Humphrey Marshall’s brigade was made up of the 29th Virginia Infantry Regiment (Confederate States) and 54th Virginia Infantry Regiment (Confederate States), strengthened by Confederate States Army, Captain Jeffress’ Virginia battery. Marshall and his men had reached Pound Gap in December, where they were reinforced by Confederate States Army, Colonel John Stuart Williams and the 5th Kentucky Infantry Regiment (Confederate States), after their defeat at Ivy Mountain. Williams’ men had established winter quarters at Pound Gap following their retreat from Pikeville on November 8th 1861. Marshall marched down the Big Sandy Valley and established a fortified camp at Hager Hill and a cavalry camp at the mouth of Jennies Creek, near Paintsville. The 2nd West Virginia Cavalry Regiment (United States) surprised the Confederate cavalry as they were breaking camp at the mouth of Jennie’s Creek. They initially routed them but their pursuit halted in an ambush. Garfield advanced on Hager Hill to find that the Confederates had abandoned their camp. When Garfield’s message to Colonel Jonathan Cranor, who was advancing from Salyersville, was intercepted, he ordered Cranor and his regiment, the 40th Ohio Infantry Regiment (United States), to join him at Paintsville. Meanwhile, Marshall was moving south to the Forks of Middle Creek. There he hoped to avoid the planned entrapment and guard his supply line and line of retreat into Virginia.
Maryland
Confederate States Army, Major General Thomas Jonathan Jackson abandoned the bombardment of Hancock and withdrew towards Romney in western Virginia.
North Carolina
Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Henry Alexander Wise arrived at Roanoke Island in preparation to assume command of forces in the area.
Expedition to Roanoke Island began.
Tennessee
The gunboat USS Conestoga under the command of United states Navy, Lieutenant Seth Ledyard Phelps made an expedition up the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers and gained valuable intelligence about Confederate activity at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson. At Fort Donelson near Dover, they discovered obstructions in the river, twelve miles below their battery and they decided that the forts could only be attacked with a powerful naval force. Despite his dissatisfaction with the selection of unsuitable locations for Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, Confederate Brigadier-General Lloyd Tilghman failed to either abandon them or to start new works in better positions. He was reinforced to a strength of 5,700 men (3,400 men at Fort Henry and 2,300 men at Fort Donelson) and continued his unpromising engineering projects.
Department of North Carolina (United States)
The Department of North Carolina was established, comprising the parts of North Carolina occupied by Union forces detached from the Department of Virginia.
United States Army, Brigadier General Ambrose Everett Burnside was appointed to command the Department of North Carolina.
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Post by lordroel on Jan 8, 2024 3:53:01 GMT
Day 272 of the United States Civil War, January 8th 1862
Virginia
Skirmishes at Cheat River and Dry Fork of Cheat River.
Kentucky
Skirmish at Fishing Creek near Somerset.
Maryland
Augustus W Bradford succeeded Thomas H Hicks as Governor of Maryland.
(Missouri) Operations in Northeast Missouri - Battle of Roan's Tan Yard
Rumours and sightings of a Confederate force in the Howard County area of Missouri had circulated for more than a week but United States troops could not locate them. Information finally came to hand that Confederate States Army, Colonel J A Poindexter and his force were camped at Roan’s Tan Yard on Silver Creek. Detachments from various United States units came together under United States Army, Major W M G Torrance and headed towards the Confederate camp about 14 miles northwest of Fayette. The United States force included detachments from the 1st Missouri Cavalry Regiment (United States), 2nd Missouri Cavalry Regiment (United States), 4th Ohio Cavalry Regiment (United States), and 1st Iowa Cavalry (United States), numbering about 450 men together. After finding the camp, the United States force attacked and routed the Confederates. Two companies of United States cavalry were ordered to cut off the Confederates’ retreat but darkness and heavy fog together with thick underbrush made this impossible. The United States forces destroyed the camp to prevent its further use and the Confederates abandoned Randolph County as a base for recruiting and raiding.
United States losses were reported as 6 killed and 19 wounded, and Confederate as 40 killed, 80 wounded and 28 captured.
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Post by lordroel on Jan 9, 2024 3:48:26 GMT
Day 273 of the United States Civil War, January 9th 1862
District of Columbia
Calls for the immediate expulsion of the two Missouri senators had been made in December 1861 but the Senate insisted on proper procedure. The United States House Committee on the Judiciary took up the case and found that both had crossed into Confederate territory, had sworn oaths of allegiance there, and were therefore guilty of treason. The Committee recommended expulsion.
Virginia
John George Walker is appointed Major General in the Confederate States Army.
Skirmish at Pohick Run.
Kentucky
Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Humphrey Marshall had led a force into southeast Kentucky for recruiting activity. From his headquarters in Paintsville on the Big Sandy River northwest of Prestonsburg, Marshall recruited many Kentuckian volunteers to his command. He had raised a force of more than 2,000 men by early January but could only partially arm and equip them.
United States Army, Brigadier General Don Carlos Buell directed Colonel James Abram Garfield to force Marshall to retreat back into western Virginia. Leaving Louisa, Garfield took command of the 18th Ohio Infantry Regiment (United States) and began his march south on Paintsville. He compelled the Confederates to abandon Paintsville and retreat to the vicinity of Prestonsburg. Garfield slowly headed south but swamps and numerous streams slowed his movements until he arrived in the vicinity of Marshall’s camps.
Louisiana
United States Navy, Captain David Glasgow Farragut was given responsibility for the proposed expedition to capture New Orleans. The bounds of his Western Gulf Blockading Squadron command extended from West Florida to the Rio Grande, but a second purpose beyond the blockade lay in his instructions to capture New Orleans, the South’s richest and most populous city.
Maryland
United States Army, Brigadier General Ambrose Everett Burnside’s expedition to the North Carolina coasts began to get underway from Annapolis, with orders to rendezvous at Fort Monroe, Virginia.
Missouri
Skirmish at Columbus.
The United States Army of the Southwest advanced from Rolla to Lebanon. The Army was led by United States Army, Brigadier General Samuel Ryan Curtis and was organised into four divisions each of two brigades, commanded by United States Army, Brigadier General Franz Sigel (1st), United States Army, Colonel Alexander Asboth (2nd), United States Army, Brigadier Genera Jefferson Columbus Davis (3rd), and United States Army, Colonel Eugene Asa Carr (4th).
Humboldt Military District (United States)
United States Army, Colonel Francis J. Lippitt, 2nd California Infantry Regiment (United states), assumes command of the Humboldt Military District, Northern California.
New York
The men of the 91st New York Infantry Regiment (United States) left Albany and headed for Washington D.C. The regiment’s soldiers came from Albany, Schenectady, Chatham, Castleton, and Hudson.
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Post by lordroel on Jan 10, 2024 3:50:20 GMT
Day 274 of the United States Civil War, January 10th 1862
District of Columbia
With McClellan ill, (United States) President Abraham Lincoln calls a White House meeting with Irvin McDowell, William Franklin, Salmon Chase, Edwin Stanton, and Thomas Scott. Lincoln told them "..if McClellan is not going to use the Army anytime soon, I would like to borrow it."
The United States House Committee on the Judiciary who recommended expulsion the day before of two Missouri senators now results in sees the senate vote, ending the tenure of Waldo Porter Johnson and Trusten Polk on votes of 35-0 and 36-0, respectively.
United States Army, Brigadier General Montgomery Cunningham Meigs (Quartermaster-General of the United States Army) proposed a military conference of the Army of the Potomac, to make plans in response to the illness of United States Army, Major General George Brinton McClellan with typhoid. McClellan’s illness was anticipated to be lengthy and Meigs wanted to ensure that contingency plans were in place. (United States) President Abraham Lincoln met United States Army, Major General Irvin McDowell, United States Army, Major General William Buel Franklin, and several cabinet ministers, to sound out their views regarding McClellan’s strategic plans. McDowell favoured advancing by the overland route via Manassas while Franklin supported McClellan’s plans for an amphibious operation.
Virginia
The Congress of the Confederate States of America passed a resolution thanking Confederate States Army, Colonel Edward Johnson and troops for services in the December Battle of Alleghany Mountain.
West Virginia
At the Constitutional Convention, delegates debated how representation would be distributed among the counties with particular attention to ensuring equality between counties with large and small populations.
California
Thirty-seven year-old railway entrepreneur and Lincoln supporter A. Leland Stanford had been elected Republican governor of California on September 4th 1861. took office, succeeding the seventh governor, Democrat John Gately Downey.
Illinois
During the evening, USS ESSEX and the USS St LOUIS moved off in heavy fog from the ferry landings at Cairo to escort troop transports carrying United States Army, Brigadier General John Alexander McClernand’s brigade. Their path was blocked for part of the night by a steamer that had run aground north of Cairo, and a diversion by United States Navy, Commander William Porter to investigate two suspicious boats moored on the riverside. United States Navy, Captain Andrew Hull Foote’s gunboats convoyed the troops a short distance down the Mississippi before returning up the Tennessee River as a diversionary move to distract the Confederates from building up their strength at Fort Henry.
(Kentucky) Offensive in Eastern Kentucky - Battle of Middle Creek
More than 1 month after Confederate States Army, Colonel John S. Williams left Kentucky, following the fight at Ivy Mountain, Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Humphrey Marshall led another force into Eastern Kentucky to continue recruiting activities. From his headquarters in Paintsville, on the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy River, northwest of Prestonsburg, Marshall recruited volunteers. He raised a force of more than 2,000 men by early January, but could only partially equip them.
United States Army, Brigadier General Don Carlos Buell directed United States Army, Colonel James A. Garfield, (future president), to force Marshall to retreat back into Virginia. Leaving Louisa, Garfield took command of the 18th Brigade and began his march south on Paintsville. He compelled the Confederates to abandon Paintsville and retreat to the vicinity of Prestonsburg. Garfield slowly headed south, but swampy areas and numerous streams slowed his movements, and he arrived in the vicinity of Marshall on the 9th. Heading out at 4:00 a.m. on January 10th, Garfield marched a mile west near the Forks of Middle Creek, fought off the Confederate cavalry, and turned west to attack Marshall. Marshall had put his men in line of battle north and east of the creek near its forks. Garfield attacked shortly after noon, and the fighting continued for most of the afternoon until United States reinforcements arrived in time to dissuade the Confederates from assailing the Federal left. Instead, the Confederates retired south and were ordered back to Virginia on January 24th. Garfield's force moved to Prestonsburg after the fight and then retired to Paintsville. United States forces had halted the Confederate 1861 offensive in Kentucky, and Middle Creek demonstrated that their strength had not diminished.
Trans-Mississippi Department (Confederate States)
The Confederate Trans-Mississippi District of Dept. No. 2, is organized, under the command of Confederate States Army, Major General Earl Van Dorn.
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Post by lordroel on Jan 11, 2024 3:54:21 GMT
Day 275 of the United States Civil War, January 11th 1862
District of Columbia
James Abram Garfield is appointed Brigadier General in the United States Army.
(United States) Secretary of War Simon Cameron had been under fire for some time over hints of corruption in his department. He had also placed himself at odds with (United States) President Abraham Lincoln and others when the first drafts of his December 1861 report suggested the raising of black military units. In the same letter accepting his resignation, Lincoln appointed him as ambassador to Russia.
(United States) President Abraham Lincoln’s military conference with United States Army Major General Irvin McDowell and United States Army Major General William Buel Franklin concluded with a decision to follow the overland route to Richmond. Lincoln instructed them to prepare new plans for the overland campaign. This contradicted the preferred plan of the army commander United States Army Major General George Brinton McClellan who remained seriously ill and was unable to object to the executive interference in his plans.
Virginia
The United States expedition to North Carolina led by United States Army, Brigadier General Ambrose Everett Burnside set sail from Fort Monroe. Until this time, only Burnside and his immediate staff had known their destination. Once at sea, the captain of each ship opened his sealed orders and learned that his ship should proceed from Hampton Roads to the vicinity of Cape Hatteras. In an act of bravado, Burnside left his comfortable quarters aboard the transport GEORGE PEABODY and went aboard Army gunboat PICKET, the least seaworthy ship in his command. He wanted to encourage his troops by showing that he was willing to share their misery aboard a shallow draft ship.
West Virginia
Delegates to the Constitutional Convention debated the mechanics of state representation and officials' term limits.
Tennessee
Writ of habeas corpus is issued in the case of Daniel Smith and six other bridge-burners in East Tennessee.
(Kentucky) Battle of Lucas Bend
Lucas Bend was four miles north of Columbus on the Mississippi River. The United States ironclads USS ESSEX and USS ST LOUIS were transporting troops down the Mississippi in fog. They engaged the Confederate cotton-clad warships CSS GENERAL POLK, CSS IVY, and CSS JACKSON (which was towing the floating battery NEW ORLEANS Orleans). The USS ESSEX under the command of United States Navy, Commander William D Porter and the USS ST LOUIS forced the Confederate ships to fall back after an hour of skirmishing. The Confederates retreated to the safety of an onshore battery at Columbus. After giving up the chase, the USS ESSEX and USS ST LOUIS returned to Cairo to replenish ammunition and were relieved by two other vessels which took up the guard of Fort Holt.
North Carolina
United States Navy, Captain Louis Malesherbes Goldsborough ordered USS DELAWARE, USS PHILADELPHIA, USS HUNCBACK, USS MORSE, USS SOUTHFIELD, USS COMMODORE BARNEY, USS COMMODORE PERRY, and the schooner HOWARD to Hatteras Inlet to join the naval forces preparing to attack Roanoke island.
Department of Key West (United States)
The Department of Key West, Florida is constituted, under the command of United States Army, Brigadier General John Milton Brannan.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Jan 12, 2024 8:17:49 GMT
Day 276 of the United States Civil War, January 12th 1862
Virginia
A United States amphibious expedition to capture Roanoke Island in North Carolina departed from Fort Monroe under United States Navy, Captain Officer Louis Malesherbes Goldsborough and United States Army, Brigadier General Ambrose Everett Burnside. Seizure of Hatteras Inlet by the Navy the previous August had secured control of Pamlico Sound, but the strong fortifications on Roanoke Island dominated the narrow connection between Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds, the latter of which Confederates were using for blockade running. The capture of Roanoke Island by Burnside’s soldiers would give the United States total control of Albemarle Sound. Domination of these coastal waters would allow deeper penetration into North Carolina and offer access to important railroad bridges south of Norfolk.
Expedition to Guyandotte Valley and Logan Court House was begun by United states Army, Colonel Edward Siber of the 37th Illinois Infantry Regiment (United States).
The gunboat USS PENSACOLA successfully ran down the Potomac past the Confederate batteries at Cockpit and Shipping Points. Its arrival at Hampton Roads a day latter on January 13th would demonstrated that the restrictions imposed by the numerous Confederate batteries along the shoreline were being steadily reduced by naval operations.
Missouri
Pro-Confederate Missouri State Guard, Major General Sterling Price writes United States Army, Major General Henry Wager Halleck, commanding the Department of the Missouri, to protest against the capital punishment of his men for burning bridges.
Operation in Lafayette County and Johnson County ended.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Jan 13, 2024 7:58:47 GMT
Day 277 of the United States Civil War, January 13th 1862
District of Columbia
(United States) President Abraham Lincoln appoints Edwin Stanton as the new Secretary of War, Washington, DC.
The United States House Committee on the Judiciary finds the evidence insufficient to expel Indiana Senator Jesse Bright.
While (United States) President Abraham Lincoln continued his military conference with United states Army, Major-General Irvin McDowell and United states Army, Major General William Buel Franklin, United states Army, Major General George Brinton McClellan rose from his sick bed to attend and defend his strategy. McClellan refused to divulge its details but implied that further delay would have to be accepted while he tried to coordinate the timing of his own operations with those of United states Army, Major General Don Carlos Buell in Kentucky.
(United States) President Abraham Lincoln has been contemplating the manner in which he can prompt more aggressive action from his field commanders. From the Executive Mansion in Washington, he sends a communication to General Buell in Kentucky that indicates the strategy he wishes to pursue, although is careful to remind the officer that these are suggestions and not orders. Nevertheless, the ideas suggest an understanding of martial matters for which the president is not often credited at this point in the conflict:“I state my general idea of this war to be that we have the greater numbers, and the enemy has the greater facility of concentrating forces upon points of collision; that we must fail, unless we can find some way of making our advantage an over-match for his; and that this can only be done by menacing him with superior forces at different points, at the same time; so that we can safely attack, one, or both, if he makes no change; and if he weakens one to strengthen the other, forbear to attack the strengthened one, but seize, and hold the weakened one, gaining so much.”
West Virginia
Delegates of the Constitutional Convention continued to debate the number of representatives that the house should contain.
Department of North Carolina (United States)
United States Army, Brigadier General Ambrose Everett Burnside, assumes the command of the Department of North Carolina.
Ohio
David Tod succeeded William Dennison as Governor of Ohio.
Tennessee
Reconnaissance to Fort Henry began. United States Navy, Flag Officer Andrew Hull Foote ordered three gunboats to steam up the Cumberland River, and two others up the Tennessee River, to continue diversions and demonstrations against the Confederate defences at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson.
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