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Post by lordroel on May 14, 2024 2:46:28 GMT
Day 399 of the United States Civil War, May 14th 1862
Virginia
Skirmish at Gaines Cross Road.
Confederate States Army, Major General Thomas Jonathan Jackson’s Army of the Valley left McDowell and headed for Harrisonburg.
(United States) President Abraham Lincoln and (United States) Secretary of War Stanton traveled by steamer and rail from Washington DC to visit United States Army, McClellan's headquarters outside Fredericksburg, Virginia. Lincoln heard McClellan's plea for more men for his advance on Richmond, inspected several regiments, and in the afternoon toured Fredericksburg itself on horseback. The presidential party returned to the capital that evening.
Alabama
Expedition to Rogersville ended.
Raid to Mobile & Ohio Railroad.
Incident at Lamb’s Ferry.
Arkansas
Reconnaissance to Grand Glaize.
Skirmish at Cotton Plant.
California
Skirmish with Indians at Angel’s Ranch on the Mad River.
Louisiana
The gunboat USS CALHOUN under the command of United States Navy, Lieutenant Joseph E Dehaven, captured the schooner VENICE in Lake Pontchartrain with a cargo of cotton.
Missouri
Incident at Licking.
Tennessee
Skirmish at Fayetteville.
Texas Operation at Galveston began.
New Mexico Territory
Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Henry Hopkins Sibley assembled his troops at Fort Bliss and decided to continue his withdrawal towards San Antonio, Texas, thereby abandoning all hope of winning the western Territories for the Confederacy. He had learned that the United States California Column was on its way to oppose him. These men and the United States troops of United States Army, Brigadier General Edward Richard Sprigg Canby greatly outnumbered his demoralised and unsupplied remnants. His departure effectively ended the existence of the so-called Arizona Territory which he had proclaimed as a Territory of the Confederacy.
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Post by lordroel on May 15, 2024 2:45:13 GMT
Day 400 of the United States Civil War, May 15th 1862(YouTube) Civil War Week By Week - Butler's Infamous Order (May 9th - 15th, 1862)District of ColumbiaThe House of Representatives had voted overwhelmingly in February 1862 for an amendment to establish a Department of Agriculture seperate from farming's former home in the Patent Office. Only seven representatives voted against it, with 125 in favor. (United States) President Abraham Lincoln signed the final bill on this day and the new department, without cabinet status, came into being six weeks later on July 1, 1863. Isaac Newton of Pennsylvania was named as its first Commissioner. VirginiaJames Green Martin, is appointed Brigadier General in the Confederate States Army. Skirmish at Ravenswood. Skirmish at Wolf Creek involving Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Humphrey Marshall. The Confederates were defeated and retreated to Jackson River Depot, Skirmish at Gaines Cross Roads, three miles from Richmond. Skirmish at Linden. Confederate States Army, General Joseph Eggleston Johnston’s army abandoned the middle and lower stretches of the Chickahominy River, taking an intermediate position nearer Richmond. United States Army, Major-General George Brinton McClellan advanced his base of operations and main supply depot about fifteen miles from West Point to White House on the Pamunkey River. He now had access to a railroad to bring supplies forward from his port. Senator Robert Ruffin Collier, representing Petersburg, introduced a joint resolution in the Virginia Senate suggesting that slavery was "a fundamental doctrine of Southern civilization" and a 240 year-old institution that can only be ended when the bondsman is educated and prepared for freedom, and then only as decided upon by slaveholders. The issue was debated over many months and Collier gave lengthy remarks, later published in pamphlet form, in its support on the Virginia Senate floor on October 12th 1863. (Virginia) Peninsula Campaign - Battle of Drewry's BluffYouTube (Drewry's Bluff: Richmond Animated Battle Map) a detachment of the United States Navy's North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, under the command of United States Navy, Commander John Rodgers steamed up the James River from Fort Monroe to test the Richmond defenses. The flotilla consisted of the ironclad gunboats USS MONITOR (commanded by Lieutenant William N. Jeffers) and GALENA (the flagship), the UNADILLA-class gunboat AROOSTOOK, the double-ended gunboat USS PORT ROYAL, and the twin-screw semi-submersible ironclad USRC NAUGATUCK (1 × 100-pounder Parrott Rifle and 2 × 12-pounder howitzers). At 07:45, GALENA closed to within 600 yd (550 m) of the fort and anchored, but before Rodgers could open fire, two Confederate rounds pierced the lightly armored vessel. The battle lasted over three hours and during that time, GALENA remained almost stationary and took 45 hits. Her crew reported casualties of 14 dead or mortally wounded and 10 injured. MONITOR was a frequent target, but her heavier armor withstood the blows. Contrary to some reports, MONITOR, despite her squat turret, did not have difficulty bringing her guns to bear and fired steadily against the fort. NAUGATUCK sustained little damage compared to the MONITOR and GALENA due to her semi-submersible design, but had to withdraw when her 100-pounder Parrott rifle exploded. The two wooden gunboats remained largely out of range of the big guns, but the captain of PORT ROYAL was wounded by a sharpshooter. Around 11:00, the United States ships withdrew to City Point. Harper's weekly: line engraving of Battle of Drewry's BluffCaliforniaUnited States Army, Colonel James H. Carleton, 1st CA Infantry, relinquishes command of the District of Southern California. Arkansas United States troops seized the ferry at Chalk Bluff. Louisiana United States Army, Major General Benjamin Franklin Butler issued the infamous General War Order No 28, which accused any woman who verbally insulted any United States soldier stationed in New Orleans to be “pandering her profession:” HDQRS. Department of the Gulf
New Orleans, May 15, 1862.
As the officers and soldiers of the United States have been subject to repeated insults from the women (calling themselves ladies) of New Orleans in return for the most scrupulous non-interference and courtesy on our part, it is ordered that hereafter when any female shall by word, gesture, or movement insult or show contempt for any officer or soldier of the United States she shall be regarded and held liable to be treated as a woman of the town plying her avocation. By command of Major-General Butler:
Geo. C. Strong,
Assistant Adjutant-General and Chief of StaffMississippiThe gunboat USS SEA FOAM (1 × 13 in (330 mm) mortar and 2 × 32-pounder guns) under the command of United States Navy, Acting Master Henry E Williams and the gunboat USS MATTHEW VASSAR (1 × 13 in (330 mm) mortar and 2 × 32-pounder guns) under the command of United States Navy, Acting Master Hugh H Savage, captured the sloops SARAH and NEW EAGLE off Ship Island with a cargo of cotton. MissouriUnited States reconnaissance to Little Blue River began. Skirmish near Independence with Confederate ambushers. Skirmish near Butler in Bates County. North Carolina Expedition to Trenton began. Reconnaissance to Young’s Cross Roads began. Skirmishes at Pollocksville, Young’s Cross Roads, and Trenton Bridge, involving United States Army, Colonel Thomas Jonathan Coffin Amory (17th Massachusetts Infantry). TennesseeUnited States reconnaissance towards the Memphis & Charleston railroad. TexasUnited States naval demonstration at Galveston. United KingdomThe screw sloop-of-war CSS ALABAMA (6 × 32 lb (15 kg) cannons, 1 × 110 lb (50 kg) cannon and 1 × 68 lb (31 kg) cannon) was launched at Liverpool for the purpose of acting as a commerce raider.
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Post by lordroel on May 16, 2024 2:50:45 GMT
Day 401 of the United States Civil War, May 16th 1862
District of Columbia
John Ellis Wool, is appointed Major General in the United States Army.
Virginia
In Richmond, (Confederate States) President Jefferson Davis gains a renewed sense of his capital’s defensibility, but vows to his wife that the city will be destroyed before it is surrendered.
Confederate States Army, General Robert Edward Lee sent explicit and urgent orders to Confederate States Army, Major General Thomas Jonathan Jackson to make an aggressive and active demonstration in the Shenandoah Valley to divert United States reinforcements and attention away from Richmond.
(Virginia) Jackson's Valley campaign - Battle of Princeton Court House
Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Humphrey Marshall was reinforced by Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Henry Heth and then attacked part of United States Army, Brigadier General Jacob Dolson Cox’s Kanawha Division at Princeton (primarily Colonel Augustus Moor’s 2nd provisional brigade). Cox was forced to retreat from the town to avoid encirclement, losing about 113 casualties compared to about 15 Confederates.
Louisiana
United States Army, Major General Benjamin F. Butler, closes two New Orleans newspapers, the Bee, and the Delta, New Orleans, LA.
Mississippi
A United States naval squadron under United States Navy, Commander Samuel Phillips Lee onboard the MOHICAN-class screw sloop-of-war USS ONEIDA ascended the Mississippi River and shelled Grand Gulf.
Missouri
Operation in Dunklin County began. Incident at Independence.
North Carolina
Expedition to Trenton ended.
Reconnaissance to Young’s Cross Roads ended.
Incident at Pollocksville.
Tennessee
Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Joseph Lewis Hogg, dies from dysentery, near Shiloh, TN, shortly after joining Confederate States Army, General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard's, Confederate Army.
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Post by lordroel on May 17, 2024 6:11:01 GMT
Day 402 of the United States Civil War, May 17th 1862
District of Columbia
Alvin Peterson Hovey, is appointed Brigadier General in the United States Army.
(United States) President Abraham Lincoln foreshadows his reaction to United States Army, major general David Hunter’s emancipation proclamation in a message to a Cabinet official: “No commanding general shall do such a thing, upon my responsibility, without consulting me.”
Virginia
Thomas Lanier Clingman, is appointed Brigadier General in the Confederate States Army.
United States Army, Major General Irvin McDowell was ordered to advance with the field forces of his Department of the Rappahannock (formerly I Corps of the Army of the Potomac) from Fredericksburg and to combine with the United States Army of the Potomac in the advance on Richmond. In order to make McDowell’s junction with the Army safer, United States Army, Major General George Brinton McClellan was required to extend his right flank across the Chickahominy River and north of Richmond. At this time there were no substantial Confederate troops north of the capital that could oppose McDowell’s advance. However, the extension of the United States right flank north of the Chickahominy would leave that element of the army exposed to the risk of a possible counter-attack.
Confederate States Army, Major General Richard Stoddert Ewell learned that the United states division of United States Army, Brigadier General James Shields had crossed the Blue Ridge, with the intention of leaving the Shenandoah Valley to join United States Army, Major General Irvin McDowell at Fredericksburg. Ewell’s orders were to shadow this movement but, seeing an opportunity to strike the weakened United States forces left behind in the Shenandoah Valley, he rode to confer with Confederate States Army, Major General Thomas Jonathan Jackson before departing in pursuit of Shields. Meanwhile, Jackson’s force reached Harrisonburg on their way from Staunton.
A United States expedition including the gunboat USS SEBAGO (1 × 100-pounder Parrott rifle, 1 × 9 in (230 mm) Dahlgren gun smoothbore and 4 × 24-pounder howitzers) and the gunboat USS CURRITUCK escorted troops aboard the transport Seth Low up the Pamunkey River as far as twenty-five miles above White House. The Confederates burned seventeen vessels and their cargo to avoid their capture. The river was so narrow at this point that the Union gunboats were compelled to return stern foremost for several miles.
Incidents at Princeton and Charlestown.
Confederate States Army, General Joseph Eggleston Johnston’s army left the positions it had adopted on 15 May and established a new line on the outskirts of Richmond. The left flank was placed at the Fairfield Race Course on the northeastern edge of the city and the right flank was on the northern bank of the James River, opposite Drewry’s Bluff. There could be no further retreat without abandoning Richmond.
California
United States Army, Colonel George W. Bowie, 5th California Infantry Regiment (United States), assumes the command of the District of Southern California.
Arkansas
A United States foraging party and its wagon train were operating along the Little Red River when they were spotted by a group of Confederates and captured.
Louisiana
The gunboat USS HATTERAS under the commad of United States Navy, Commander George F Emmons, captured the sloop POODY off Vermillion Bay.
Mississippi
United States Army, Colonel Morgan Lewis Smith was leading a regiment towards a causeway and a small bridge on the approach to Russell’s House, which stood on a ridge near Corinth. Confederate forces held the Russell House and the surrounding buildings. Smith deployed skirmishers and at mid-afternoon four United States guns opened fire on the Confederates hiding in the house and buildings. The artillery fire scattered the defenders in confusion from their positions. The Confederates lost at least twelve men killed and the Union forces suffered 10 men killed and 31 wounded.
Missouri
Reconnaissance to Little Blue River ended.
Texas
The town of Galveston refused a demand to surrender to United States naval forces.
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Post by lordroel on May 18, 2024 8:29:15 GMT
Day 403 of the United States Civil War, May 18th 1862
District of Columbia
Alvin Peterson Hovey, is appointed Brigadier General in the United States Army.
Virginia
United States Army, Brigadier General Fitz John Porter, assumes the command of the 5th United States Army Corps, the Peninsula Campaign, VA.
United States reconnaissance to Old Church and Cold Harbor began.
Skirmish at Woodstock.
Confederate States Army, Major General Richard Stoddert Ewell and Confederate States Army, Major General Thomas Jonathan Jackson conferred about plans to attack and distract the United States Army in the Shenandoah Valley. Jackson overruled Ewell’s orders to shadow United States movements to the Rappahannock and told him to stay at Conrad’s Store while Jackson marched to attack United States Army, Major General Nathaniel Prentiss Banks. Banks had 9,000 men in all. In Winchester were 1,500 men guarding his base of supplies, at Front Royal 1,000 men guarded the Manassas Gap Railroad where it crossed the Shenandoah River, and 6,500 men were on the Valley Turnpike at Strasburg.
Citizens of the small Virginia town of Suffolk are on their way to church when United States cavalry appear. A mother and child take note of the arrival of the blue-coated mounted troops, with the boy raising his cap and shouting, “Hurrah for Jeff Davis!” The Union commander rides over, wags his finger gently in the lad’s direction and admonishes, “You little traitor,” as the mortified parent grabs her child and races for the security of their home. The war has hit home for this previously quiet community.
North Carolina
The side-wheel, steam-powered gunboat USS HUNCHBACK (3 × 9 in (230 mm) guns and 1 × 100-pounder Parrott rifle), under the command of United States Navy, Acting Lieutenant Colhoun, and the tugboat USS SHAWSHEEN (2 × 20-pounder Parrott rifles), under the command of United States Navy, Acting Master Thomas J Woodward, captured the schooner G H SMOOTin Potecasi Creek.
Mississippi
United States Navy, Commander S. Phillips Lee, sent demands for Vicksburg's surrender to its civilian and military government. Mayor Lazarus Linsey replied that "neither the municipal authorities nor the citizens will consent to surrender the city." The local military commander was more direct, saying that Mississippians did not know how to surrender and if United States commanders can teach them "let them come and try."
Louisiana
Operation at Houma ended.
Pennsylvania
United States Army, Brigadier General William High Keim, dies at Harrisburg, PA, from camp fever developed during the Peninsula Campaign, VA.
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Post by lordroel on May 19, 2024 6:53:16 GMT
Day 404 of the United States Civil War, May 19th 1862
District of Columbia
(United States) President Abraham Lincoln met with Maryland congressmen and a delegation of fifty slaveholders from Prince George's County, Maryland. Half the population there were slaves and the owners were in Washington to complain about the non-enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act, particularly by the military authorities. Eight hundred slaves had already escaped from the county. Commenting on a thorny issue, Lincoln expressed his confidence in United States Army, General James Wadsworth but assured the delegation that he would examine the issue and see justice done.
(United States) President Abraham Lincoln signs Proclamation 90—Revoking United States Army, Major General David Hunter's Order of Military Emancipation:
May 19, 1862
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Whereas there appears in the public prints what purports to be a proclamation of Major-General Hunter, in the words and figures following, to wit:
Headquarters Department of the South,
Hilton Head, S.C., May 9, 1862.
General Orders, No. 11.--The three States of Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, comprising the Milltary Department of the South, having deliberately declared themselves no longer under the protection of the United States of America. and having taken up arms against the said United States, it becomes a military necessity to declare them under martial law This was accordingly done on the 25th day of April, 1862. Slavery and martial law in a free country are altogether incompatible; the persons in these three States--Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina--heretofore held as slaves are therefore declared forever free.
David Hunter,
Major-General Commanding.
Official:
Ed. W. Smith,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
And whereas the same is producing some excitement and misunderstanding:
Therefore I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, proclaim and declare that the Government of the United States had no knowledge, information, or belief of an intention on the part of General Hunter to issue such a proclamation, nor has it yet any authentic information that the document is genuine; and, further, that neither General Hunter nor any other commander or person has been authorized by the Government of the United States to make proclamations declaring the slaves of any State free, and that the supposed proclamation now in question, whether genuine or false, is altogether void so far as respects such declaration.
I further make known that whether it be competent for me, as Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy, to declare the slaves of any State or States free, and whether at any time, in any ease, it shall have become a necessity indispensable to the maintenance of the Government to exercise such supposed power, are questions which, under my responsibility, I reserve to myself, and which I can not feel justified in leaving to the decision of commanders in the field. These are totally different questions from those of police regulations in armies and camps.
On the 6th day of March last, by a special message, I recommended to Congress the adoption of a joint resolution to be substantially as follows:
Resolved, That the United States ought to cooperate with any State which may adopt a gradual abolishment of slavery, giving to such State pecuniary aid, to be used by such State, in its discretion, to compensate for the inconveniences, public and private, produced by such change of system.
The resolution, in the language above quoted, was adopted by large majorities in both branches of Congress, and now stands an authentic, definite, and solemn proposal of the nation to the States and people most immediately interested in the subject-matter. To the people of those States I now earnestly appeal--I do not argue; I beseech you to make the arguments for yourselves; you can not, if you would, be blind to the signs of the times. I beg of you a calm and enlarged consideration of them, ranging, if it may be, far above personal and partisan politics. This proposal makes common cause for a common object, casting no reproaches upon any. It acts not the Pharisee. The change it contemplates would come gently as the dews of heaven, not rending or wrecking anything. Will you not embrace it? So much good has not been done by one effort in all past time as, in the providence of God, it is now your high privilege to do. May the vast future not have to lament that you have neglected it.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this 19th day of May, A. D. 1862, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty-sixth.
Abraham Lincoln
By the President:
William H. Seward, Secretary of State.
Virginia
Reconnaissance to Old Church ended.
Skirmishes at Gaines Mill and Bottom’s Bridge.
A United States landing party landed at City Point but as soon as they arrived, a detachment of the 4th Georgia Infantry Regiment (Confederate States) commanded by Confederate States Army, Captain William H Willis attacked and forced their withdrawal back to their transport ship.
Illinois
Recruiting for the United States Army had been deliberately reduced in the early months of the year but the recent military operations and resultant casualties were beginning to tell on unit strenghts. Governor of Illinois, Richard Yates issued a proclamation that stated that many of the state's regiments were below complement and called for patriots to enlist.
Arkansas
Incident at Little Red River.
Confederate States Army, Major General Thomas Carmichael Hindman launched a campaign of deception aimed at convincing the United States invading forces that Confederate reinforcements were arriving at Little Rock from Texas.
(Arkansas) Operations Near Cache River, Arkansas - Battle of Whitney's Lane
United States Army, General Curtis continued to worry about logistical problems, as his supply line was unable to provide the necessities for his army. He ordered United States Army, Colonel Peter J. Osterhaus to send a strong foraging party to nearby farms. It consisted of seven companies of mixed infantry and cavalry from the 17th Missouri Infantry Regiment (United States) and the 4th Missouri Cavalry Regiment (United States). The forage party crossed the Little Red River and proceeded to two farms along Whitney's Lane.
Scouting parties reported the movement of these companies to United States Army, Colonel Emory Rogers, commander of approximately 150 Texas cavalrymen and local volunteers. About 300 additional Confederate troops were on the way, but Rogers decided to attack even though he was outnumbered. He divided his forces into two groups of Texans and one of Arkansans and ordered a mounted charge down the lane.
The initial charge overran Company H of the 17th Missouri Infantry Regiment (United States), which dissolved under fire and fled toward Company F, which was attempting to set up a defensive position in a treeline. The combined companies fought bravely for a few minutes, as more Confederates came up to press them. The untrained and undisciplined Texans and local volunteers attacked furiously, and in some cases apparently ignored United States soldiers' attempts to surrender. Within a short time, Company F had been routed as well.
Meanwhile, Company G of the 17th and some United States cavalry moved forward and traded volleys with the Confederate horsemen. Major Eugen Kielmansegge of the 4th Missouri Cavalry ordered the rest of the available Union troopers to charge the Confederates. Company C of the 4th Missouri Cavalry Regiment (United States) plowed into the attackers and managed to drive them back into the woods between the foraging detail and the rest of the Federal army. Other Federal cavalry continued to arrive at the position. Kielmansegge, having concentrated his forces, set up a defensive position and continued to exchange fire with the Confederates as they prepared for another attack.
Meanwhile, other companies of the 17th Missouri Infantry Regiment (United States) had heard firing from the base camp across the Little Red River and marched out to relieve the forage party. Confederate Major Rogers ordered his men to retreat to the southwest and most did, though the Arkansans and some Texans remained on the field and attacked the relief column before withdrawing. The 300 expected Confederate reinforcements arrived on the field just after the retreat had been sounded and joined in the withdrawal.
The battle at Whitney's Lane had lasted one hour and resulted in 51 United States men killed or wounded and approximately 10 Confederate casualties.
Mississippi
Skirmish at Farmington.
North Carolina
Skirmish at Clinton.
(United States) President Abraham Lincoln appointed Pro-United States sympathizer Edward Stanly as provisional Military Governor of North Carolina, with his office among the United States garrisons on the Atlantic coast.
Tennessee
Expedition by Army and Navy forces to Fort Pillow began, led by United States Army, Brigadier General Isaac Ferdinand Quinby.
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Post by lordroel on May 20, 2024 6:05:59 GMT
Day 405 of the United States Civil War, May 20th 1862
District of Columbia
(United States) President Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act into law. It provided 160 acres of public land to any man or woman over the age of twenty-one willing to develop it for five years.
Virginia
Operation at Bottom’s Bridge and New Bridge by United States Army, Major General Erasmus Darwin Keyes began.
Skirmish at Bottom’s Bridge.
Confederate States Army, Major General Thomas Jonathan Jackson marched north from Harrisonburg and camped south of New Market behind a screen of cavalry. He was joined by one brigade (Brigadier-General Richard Taylor’s) detached from Confederate States Army, Major General Richard Stoddert Ewell’s division which had trekked across the southern end of Massanutten Mountain. Ewell’s other two brigades were directed towards Luray. An order from Confederate States Army, General Joseph Eggleston Johnston instructed Ewell to cross the Blue Ridge in pursuit of the United States division of United States Army, Brigadier General James Shields but Jackson ordered Ewell to stand fast while he sought a veto from Confederate States Army, General Robert Edward Lee in Richmond. The countermanding order arrived by telegraph before dawn and Jackson launched his next offensive move.
A United States cavalry raid was mounted against the Virginia Central Railroad at Jackson’s River Depot about ten miles from Covington. The raiders destroyed several bridges in the area.
North Carolina
USS Whitehead, Acting Master French, captured the schooner Eugenia in Bennet’s Creek.
Edward Stanly, a former congressman from North Carolina who had moved to California where he had been an unsuccessful Republican candidate for governor, was appointed as military governor of eastern North Carolina with the rank of brigadier general. He was authorized sweeping powers, including the suspension of habeus corpus.
South Carolina
UNADILLA-class gunboats USS UNADILLA, USS PEMBINA and USS OTTAWA, under the command of United States Navy, Commander Marchand, occupied the Stono River above Cole’s Island and shelled Confederate positions. The Confederate barracks above Legareville were burned, and the Stono River was secured for further operations against Charleston.
Florida
A United States landing party was sent along the Crooked River but they were ambushed by Confederates and most of the party were either killed or captured.
Missouri
Operation in Dunklin County ended.
Tennessee
Skirmish at Elk River.
(Arizona Territory) Engagements in Confederate Arizona - Occupation of Tucson
United States Army, Brigadier General James Henry Carleton reached Tucson with one of his three detachments of the California Column. The Confederate garrison of Company A, Arizona Rangers retreated without offering opposition. Carleton prepared to continue his march to New Mexico Territory by way of Apache Pass. To prepare for the advance of his main force, he organised a vanguard to prepare the way, just as he had on his march from Yuma to Tucson. The column was led by United States Army, Captain Thomas L Roberts of Company E, 1st California Infantry Regiment (United States) with two 12-pounder mountain howitzers and a 22 man cavalry escort from Company B, 2nd California Cavalry Regiment (United States) led by United States Army, Captain John C Cremony.
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Post by lordroel on May 21, 2024 2:44:41 GMT
Day 406 of the United States Civil War, May 21st 1862
District of Columbia
Barely six weeks earlier, (United States) Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton had suspended all further army recruiting efforts and returned recruiters to their regiments. Heavy fighting on several fronts during those weeks forced a reversal, however, and recruiting offices were once again opened across the North.
Virginia
Reconnaissance to Clay County and Roane County ended.
Incident at Woodstock.
United States n troops began to cross the Chickahominy River at Bottom’s Bridge, launching the next phase of the advance towards Richmond.
Reconnaissance to Brownton (Browton) and Front Royal.
The United States army in the Shenandoah Valley under United States Army, Major General Nathaniel Prentiss Banks, numbering about 9,000 men, was concentrated in the vicinity of Strasburg with two companies of infantry detached at Buckton Depot. United States Army, Colonel John Reese Kenly commanded a further garrison of 1,063 men and two guns in Front Royal at the head of the Luray Valley. A reserve was held in the rear at Winchester. Confederate cavalry under Confederate States Army, Colonel Turner Ashby confronted Banks near Strasburg to mask the main Confederate army, which was crossing Massanutten Mountain via New Market Gap to reach Luray. Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Richard Taylor’s brigade marched along the Valley turnpike through New Market and then deviated back across the Massanutten Mountain into the Luray valley which he had left the day before, ending a gruelling march of 25 miles. His initial movement persuaded Banks at Strasburg that a heavy force was advancing northwards along the Valley Pike towards him and his detour was undetected. By the end of the day, the bulk of the Confederate army was actually in the Luray valley.
United States Army, Colonel Samuel Augustus Gilbert and the 44th Ohio Infantry Regiment (United States )captured a Confederate battery at Lewisburg.
Arkansas
Skirmish at Village Creek.
Mississippi
Incident at Phillips’ Creek.
Skirmish at Widow Serratt’s near Corinth.
North Carolina
A boat expedition from the gunboat USS HUNCBACK under the command of United States Navy, Acting Lieutenant Colhoun, and the gunboat USS WHITEHEAD under the command of United States Navy, Acting Master Charles A. French captured the schooner WINTER SHRUB in Keel’s Creek with a cargo of fish.
South Carolina
Skirmish near Battery Island.
New Mexico Territory
Skirmish at Parajie.
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Post by lordroel on May 22, 2024 2:46:07 GMT
Day 407 of the United States Civil War, May 22nd 1862
(YouTube) Civil War Week By Week - Confederate Infighting and Promises Kept (May 16th - 22nd 1862)
District of Columbia
West Hughes Humphreys had been appointed to the United States District Court of Tennessee, his home state, in March 1853. When Tennessee seceded in 1861 he took up an appointment on the corresponding Confederate District Court. The United States House of Representatives had voted to impeach Humphreys three days before and his trial was organized in the Senate. The trial itself took place on June 24th 1862. Humphreys was found guilty on all seven counts against him and disqualified as a federal judge by a vote of 36-0.
Virginia
United States reconnaissance to New Castle Ferry and Hanovertown Ferry by United States Army, Colonel Richard H Rush (6th Pennsylvania Cavalry).
With the United States occupation of Norfolk, Confederate States Navy, Captain Josiah Tatnall of the CSS VIRGINIA (the "MERRIMAC") evacuated and set the famous ironclad afire at her moorings near Craney Island at around four in the morning on May 11th 1862. Eleven days later, a Confederate States Navy board of enquiry convened in Richmond. It found three weeks later the decision to scuttle the VIRGINIA too hasty but took no action against Tatnall or his officers.
(United States) President Abraham Lincoln met United States Army, Major General Irvin McDowell at Fredericksburg to discuss the strategy of the Peninsula Campaign. McDowell advised United States Army, Major General George Brinton McClellan that he expected the imminent arrival of United States Army, Brigadier General James Shields’ division, which had been transferred from the Shenandoah Valley. He reported that he would then begin his march southwards to Richmond on 24 May. McDowell had already sent United States Army, Brigadier General William Buel Franklin’s division from his Department of the Rappahannock to the peninsula, and Shields’ division was essential as a replacement before he could begin to march south from Fredericksburg.
The Confederate Army of the Valley under Confederate States Army, Major General Thomas Jonathan Jackson advanced down the North Fork of the Shenandoah River towards Strasburg. Strasburg was held by United States Army, Major General Nathaniel Prentiss Banks with a reinforced division of about 7,000 men. Jackson had screened the routes to Strasburg with cavalry under Confederate States Army, Colonel Turner Ashby and then had crossed unpredictably over the Massanutten Mountains by the New Market Road on 1 May. Ashby’s 7th Virginia Cavalry Regiment (Confederate States) moved forward at daybreak and by mid-morning, they were at Buckton Station, a key stop on the Manassas Gap Railroad between Strasburg and Front Royal. The Confederates occupied the station and then left for Front Royal to rejoin Jackson. Meanwhile, Jackson’s main force was reinforced at Luray by the remainder of Confederate States Army, Major General Richard Stoddert Ewell’s division, which arrived from Swift Run Gap to raise the army’s strength to about 16,500 men. Jackson’s combined force of two divisions advanced along the muddy Luray Road to within ten miles of Front Royal. Jackson set up his headquarters at Cedar Point. Confederate States Army, Colonel Thomas Taylor Munford’s cavalry regiment was sent east to close off Manassas Gap and to cut communication between Front Royal and Washington, DC.
Mississippi
United States reconnaissance to Burnsville and Iuka began.
Skirmish near Farmington.
Skirmish at Florida.
North Carolina
Skirmish at the Pollocksville-Trenton Cross Roads, near New Bern.
The gunboat USS MOUNT VERNON under the command of United States Navy, Commander Oliver S Glisson, captured the steamer CONSTITUTION attempting to run the blockade at Wilmington.
The gunboat USS WHITEHEAD under the command of United States Navy, Acting Master Charles A. French, captured sloop ELLA D off Keel’s Creek with a cargo of salt.
South Carolina
Confederate expedition John’s Island to attack or deter United States landing parties.
Tennessee
Skirmish at Winchester.
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Post by lordroel on May 23, 2024 2:50:04 GMT
Day 408 of the United States Civil War, May 23rd 1862
Virginia
Lafayette McLaws, is appointed Major General in the Confederate States Army.
The following are appointed Brigadier Generals in the Confederate States Army:
- Daniel Weisiger Adams. - Turney Ashby, CSA. - Samuel Garland, Jr. - Wade Hampton, CSA. - Robert Hopkins Hatton.
Operation at Bottom’s Bridge and New Bridge ended.
United states reconnaissance from Bottom’s Bridge and Turkey Island Creek Bridge towards Richmond ended.
Skirmishes at Mechanicsville, New Bridge, Hogan’s near New Bridge, Antioch Church, Ellison’s Mill near Mechanicsville
Skirmish at Buckton Depot (Buckton Station).
In Strasburg, United States Army, Major General Nathaniel Prentiss Banks demanded reinforcements to help him hold the Shenandoah Valley. He believed that the Confederates were in his immediate front. In fact, the fall of Front Royal had already exposed his rear as the Confederates drove on for Middletown, about six miles north of Strasburg. United States Army, Colonel George Henry Gordon warned Banks of this risk to his line of communications but Banks refused to retreat. Nevertheless, Gordon prudently prepared his column and transport for a rapid departure and sent away his wagon train, while he awaited the inevitable issue of the order to retreat.
United States Army, Brigadier General George Crook was attacked at Lewisburg by Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Henry Heth. Crook held his position successfully. Heth’s command of the 22nd Virginia Infantry Regiment (Confederate States) and 45th Virginia Infantry Regiment (Confederate States), with attached cavalry and artillery, withdrew, having successfully diverted United States forces from operations in the Shenandoah Valley.
(Virginia) Jackson's Valley campaign - Battle of Front Royal
Confederate States Army, Major General Thomas Jonathan Jackson’s leading brigade, under Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Richard Taylor, deployed on Prospect Hill and along the ridge to the east of Front Royal. The United States garrison of 1,000 men at Front Royal was led by United States Army, Colonel John Reese Kenly.
The 1st Maryland Infantry Regiment (Confederate States) and Confederate States Army, Major Roberdeau Cheatham Wheat’s Battalion (Louisiana “Tigers”) advanced, entered the town, and cleared it of United States skirmishers. Kenly withdrew his force to Camp Hill (Richards’ Hill), supported by a section of artillery. The United States line now extended in an arc from the South Fork to Happy Creek, defending the South Fork bridge. Kenly’s artillery opened fire and slowed the Confederate advance. The Confederate infantry advanced through the town, deploying into a line of battle under accurate artillery fire. A Confederate flanking column moved to the east, crossing Happy Creek in an attempt to force Union withdrawal without a frontal assault.
After a long delay because of the muddy roads, a Confederate battery of rifled artillery was deployed on or near Prospect Hill to counter the United States guns on Camp Hill. In the meantime, after crossing the South Fork at McCoy’s Ford, Confederate States Army, Colonel Turner Ashby’s 7th Virginia Cavalry Regiment (Confederate States) and Confederate States Army, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Flournoy’s 6th Virginia Cavalry Regiment (Confederate States) rode via Bell’s Mill and Waterlick Station to reach the United States outpost at Buckton Depot. Ashby made a mounted assault and forced the United States defenders to surrender. Ashby cut the telegraph lines, severing communication between the main United States army at Strasburg and the detached force at Front Royal. He then divided the cavalry, sending Flournoy’s regiment east toward Riverton to threaten Kenly’s rear. Ashby remained at Buckton Depot astride the railroad to prevent reinforcements from being sent to Front Royal.
On discovering Confederate cavalry approaching from the west, Kenly abandoned his position on Camp Hill, retreated across the South and North Fork bridges, and attempted to burn them. Kenly positioned part of his command at Guard Hill, while the Confederates ran forward to douse the flames, saving the bridges. While Confederate infantry repaired the bridges for a crossing, Flournoy’s cavalry arrived at Riverton and forded the river, pressing Kenly’s forces closely. As soon as the Confederate infantry crossed, the United States position could be flanked by a column moving along the river. Kenly chose to resume his withdrawal, with his outmatched cavalry fighting a rearguard action against Flournoy’s Cavalry.
Kenly withdrew along the Winchester turnpike beyond Cedarville with Flournoy’s cavalry in close pursuit. At 2 pm the 1st Battalion Maryland Cavalry (Confederate States) led an attack on the United States garrison. They broke through the picket line and attacked the main body north of the town. The Union troops were hemmed in by two forks of the Shenandoah River, crossable at three bridges. They retreated across the North Fork Bridge and defended it with two guns while the bridge was set on fire. Confederate skirmishers doused the flames and 250 cavalrymen pursued the escaping garrison.
At the Thomas McKay House, one mile north of Cedarville, Kenly turned to make a stand, deploying on the heights on both sides of the pike. Flournoy’s cavalry swept around the United States flanks, causing panic. The United States line was charged twice and scattered. When Kenly fell wounded, the Union defence collapsed and the majority of the survivors were rounded up as prisoners.
The battle is notable in that the 1st Maryland Infantry Regiment (Confederate States) fought against their fellow Marylanders of the 1st Maryland Infantry Regiment (United States), the only time in United States’ military history that two regiments of the same numerical designation and from the same state engaged each other directly in battle. Confederate States Army, Captain William Goldsborough of the Confederate 1st Maryland captured and took prisoner his brother Charles Goldsborough of the 1st Maryland Infantry Regiment (United States).
The United States lost 904 killed or captured from their force of 1,063 men. The Confederates lost 50 casualties. More than 700 Union soldiers threw down their weapons and surrendered. Alternative reports state that United States casualties were 773, of whom 691 were captured and Confederate losses were 36 killed and wounded.
Mississippi
Reconnaissance to Burnsville and Iuka ended.
Incident at Bridge Creek.
Advancing cautiously towards Corinth, Mississippi, United States Army, Major General Henry Wager Halleck assessed the strength of the enemy facing him. Scouts, rumours, deserters, and his own calculations suggested that Confederate States Army, General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard had been heavily reinforced to as many as 146,000 or even an implausible 200,000 men. Therefore, Halleck’s advance was slow and exceptionally cautious. He did not want to risk any accusations of being surprised, an accusation that had dogged United States Army, Major General Ulysses Simpson Grant after Shiloh. The combined United States armies marched less than half a mile per day on average and fortified their camps strongly every night. In actual fact, even with the 17,000 or 18,000 reinforcements arriving from Arkansas under Confederate States Army, Major General Earl Van Dorn, Beauregard could not field more than 69,000 men, of whom a high proportion was sick.
Tennessee
Expedition to Fort Pillow ended.
New Mexico Territory
Skirmish at Fort Craig.
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Post by lordroel on May 24, 2024 6:06:40 GMT
Day 409 of the United States Civil War, May 24th 1862
District of Columbia
In the evening, (United States) President Abraham Lincoln responds to reports that Henry Halleck has been seeking reinforcements by informing him: “I beg you to be assured we do the best we can. I mean to cast no blame when I tell you each of our commanders along our line from Richmond to Corinth supposes himself to be confronted by numbers superior to his own.”
Virginia
The first use of the Beardslee Telegraph, a mobile field telegraph system, occurred during the Peninsula campaign. The “Flying Telegraph Train” comprised two sets of the Beardless apparatus in two wagons, with hand-reels, insulated wire, poles, and tools Eventually 30 Flying Telegraph Trains were formed, with about sets of equipment. They were phased out in November 1863 and superseded by more efficient equipment.
Reconnaissance to Seven Pines began.
Skirmishes at New Bridge, Chickahominy River, Savage Station, and Seven Pines.
United States Reconnaissance by Colonel Richard Rush (6th Pennsylvania Cavalry) to Hanover Court House.
Skirmishes at Linden and Mechanicsville.
Skirmishes at Strasburg, Middletown, Berryville, Winchester, and Harper’s Ferry.
(Virginia) Jackson's Valley campaign - First Battle of Winchester
United States Army, Major General Nathaniel P. Banks learns that the Confederates had captured his garrison at Front Royal, Virginia, and were closing on Winchester, turning his position. He ordered a hasty retreat down the Valley Pike from Strasburg. His columns were attacked at Middletown and again at Newtown (Stephens City) by Jackson's converging forces. The Confederates took many United States prisoners and captured so many wagons and stores that they later nicknamed the Union general "Commissary Banks". Jackson pressed the pursuit for most of the night and allowed his exhausted soldiers only a few hours of sleep before dawn. Banks now deployed at Winchester to slow the Confederate pursuit. He had two brigades of infantry under United States Army, Colonels Dudley Donnelly and George Henry Gordon, a mixed brigade of cavalry under United States Army, Brigadier General John P. Hatch, and 16 guns. Gordon's brigade was placed on the United States right on Bower's Hill with its left flank at the Valley Pike, supported by a battery of artillery. The center of the line (Camp Hill) was held by the cavalry supported by two guns. Donnelly's brigade was placed in a crescent on the left to cover the Front Royal and Millwood roads with the rest of the artillery. At earliest light the Confederate skirmish line advanced in force driving the United States pickets back to their main line of battle.
Florida
The gunboat USS AMANDA (6 × 32-pounder smoothbore guns) under the command of United States Navy, Acting Lieutenant Nathaniel Goodwin, and USS BAINBRIDGE under the command of United States Navy, Commander Brasher, captured the steamer SWAN WEST of the Tortugas with a cargo of cotton and rosin.
Louisiana
A party of Confederate guerrillas attacked a rowboat carrying a United States naval officer at Baton Rouge. USS HARTFORD bombarded the town in retaliation, causing civilian casualties and damaging St Joseph’s Church and other buildings.
Mississippi
Skirmish near Corinth.
Expedition to Spring Hill against pro-Confederate jayhawkers.
South Carolina
USS BIENVILLE under the command of United States Navy, Commander Mullany, captured the British blockade-runner STETTIN off Charleston.
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Post by lordroel on May 25, 2024 6:47:37 GMT
Day 410 of the United States Civil War, May 25th 1862District of ColumbiaA call is made by the (United States) Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton, for all Volunteers and Militia in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin. (United States) President Abraham Lincoln issues a Executive Order — Taking Military Possession of Railroads: War Department
Ordered: By virtue of the authority vested by act of Congress, the President takes military possession of all the railroads in the United States from and after this date until further order, and directs that the respective railroad companies, their officers and servants, shall hold themselves in readiness for the transportation of such troops and munitions of war as may be ordered by the military authorities, to the exclusion of all other business.
By order of the Secretary of War:
M. C. Meigs,Quartermaster-General. VirginiaUnited States expedition from Bottom’s Bridge to the James River began, led by United States Army, Lieutenant Frank C Davis (3rd Pennsylvania Cavalry). Incidents at Harper’s Ferry and Winchester. (Virginia) Jackson's Valley campaign - First Battle of WinchesterDuring the night, the advance of Confederate States Army, Major General Richard S. Ewell's division (four brigades) reached Buffalo Lick. Jackson moved three of Ewell's brigades to the left to participate in the advance on the Valley pike, leaving Ewell with just Trimble's brigade and Bradley Johnson's Maryland regiment. At dawn, he deployed Trimble's brigade astride the Front Royal Pike and advanced against the United States left flank. His leading regiments (in particular the 21st North Carolina) came under heavy fire from United States forces deployed behind stone fences and were repulsed. Confederate forces regrouped and brought up artillery. Ewell advanced the regiments of Trimble's brigade, sending regiments to either side of the high ground to enfilade the United States position. Donnelly withdrew his brigade to a position closer to town with his right flank anchored on Camp Hill. Ewell then attempted a flanking movement to the right beyond the Millwood Road, but in response to orders from Banks, Donnelly withdrew through the town. In conjunction with Ewell's advance on the Front Royal Pike, Jackson advanced on the Valley Pike at early dawn in a heavy fog. At Jackson's command, Winder's brigade swept over a hill to the left of the pike, driving off the United States skirmishers who held it. Jackson quickly placed a section of artillery on the hill to engage United States artillery on Bower's Hill at a range of less than half a mile. United States sharpshooters along Abrams Creek began picking off the cannoneers. Jackson brought up the rest of his artillery and a duel ensued with the Union guns on Bower's Hill. Jackson then brought up the brigades of Fulkerson, Campbell, and Elzey to support Winder. Despite numerous officers being wounded, Jackson's forces were in good order and nearly ready for an attack. He then deployed Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Richard Taylor's Louisiana brigade (led by the Louisiana Tigers) reinforced by two regiments of Fulkerson's brigade and backed up by Scott's brigade, to the left along Abrams Creek. Taylor marched under fire to a position overlapping the United States right and then attacked Bower's Hill. The Confederate assault swept irresistibly forward over the crest in the face of determined resistance. With three enemy brigades in its front and three coming at its right flank, Gordon's United States brigade gave way and United States soldiers began streaming back into town. United States forces retreated through the streets of Winchester and north on the Valley Pike to Martinsburg. After resting in Martinsburg, Banks' command continued north to the Potomac River, crossing it at Williamsport. Confederate pursuit was lethargic, as the troops were exhausted from the non-stop marching of the previous week under Jackson's command. Nevertheless, many United States prisoners fell into Confederate hands. Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Turner Ashby's cavalry was disorganized from the actions of May 24th and did not pursue until Banks had already reached the Potomac. United States losses were reported as 2,019 and Confederate as 400 (68 killed, 329 wounded, 3 missing). Between 23 and 25 May Banks lost between 2,769 and 3,030 prisoners from his original 8,500 men. Of these 1,603 were lost at Front Royal. Map: Actions from Front Royal to First Winchester, May 24–25, 1862 (Red) Confederate, (Blue) United StatesMississippiUnited States forces under United States Army, Major General Henry Halleck arrived at the vital railroad hub of Corinth after a creeping 26-day advance covering the twenty miles from Pittsburg Landing on the Tennessee River. The final three miles were covered in five days. Halleck had shown extreme prudence after the surprise attack experienced at Shiloh and entrenched every night until he could prepare to besiege the town. A preliminary bombardment covered the cautious United States movements into position during the next five days. Corinth was held by Confederate States Army, General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard and troops concentrated from across the Western Department. Beauregard held a conference with his senior commanders, Confederate States Army, General Braxton Bragg, Confederate States Army, Major General Earl Van Dorn, Confederate States Army, Major General Leonidas Polk, Confederate States Army, Major General William Joseph Hardee, Confederate States Army, Brigadier General John Cabell Breckinridge and Confederate States Army, Major General Sterling Price. With the army in poor health and rapidly running out of food, the only options were to launch an immediate attack against the increasingly powerful United States entrenchments or to evacuate Corinth before the impending siege trapped them. The conference decided to retreat along the line of the Mobile & Ohio Railroad. MissouriOperation at Waverly and Miami began. South CarolinaIncidents between Dixon’s Island and James Island. A Confederate gunboat under Confederate States Navy, Captain F N Bonneau, guarding the bridge between James and Dixon Islands in Charleston harbour, exchanged fire with United States gunboats, claiming several hits on the gunboats and damage to the steamer Chesterfield. Tennessee United States Army, Major General Ormsby McKnight Mitchel abandoned his efforts to advance to Chattanooga. He had spent several weeks in northern Alabama wrecking the railroad system but conceded that he could not sustain an unsupported advance beyond Huntsville and Bridgeport. This failure, and the inability of United States Army, Brigadier General George Washington Morgan to advance beyond the Cumberland Gap to join Mitchel for a concentric advance on Chattanooga, meant that these strategic diversions had failed to divert Confederate forces away from the main United States advance towards Corinth. United States Army, Colonel Charles Ellet joined the Western River Flotilla near Fort Pillow with nine new ram vessels. They were unarmed and unarmoured, relying on powerful engines generating high speed and an immense reinforced bow spike to smash into and sink an opponent. The ships were specially braced for the shock tactic and the crews were selected for audacity and courage. Each of the nine captains was a brother, nephew, or son of Ellet himself. The United States ironclad fleet was under-strength when these strange reinforcements arrived. The two ships that had been sunk at Plum Run bend had been salvaged but needed repairs, along with a third ship that had broken down. These had all returned to Cairo, Illinois, leaving only four of the seven warships available for action until Ellet arrived. The Confederates in Memphis noted the arrival of the Ellet rams but believed that they were unarmed transports rather than ramming warships. The Confederates relied on the guns at Fort Pillow and Fort Randolph, supported by their fleet of eight gunboats which had performed successfully at Plum Run Bend. They also awaited the completion of their own monster ironclads, the CSS ARKANSAS and CSS TENNESSEE that had been laid down at Memphis. CSS ARKANSAS had been sent downriver, first to Vicksburg and then up the Yazoo River, to be fitted out. CSS TENNESSEE still lay on the stocks at Memphis awaiting iron armour to cover its decks and hull. TexasOperation at Galveston ended.
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Post by lordroel on May 26, 2024 6:43:57 GMT
Day 411 of the United States Civil War, May 26th 1862District of ColumbiaIn Washington, (United States) President Abraham Lincoln responds to a resolution of censure by the United States Congress aimed at former secretary of war Simon Cameron in which he spreads responsibility widely for actions taken at the outbreak of hostilities. Although meant to provide the background and justification for the steps followed by the administration, the language is among Lincoln’s strongest regarding the events that led to the present conflict from his perspective:“The insurrection which is yet existing in the United States, and aims at the overthrow of the federal Constitution and the United States, was clandestinely prepared during the winter of 1860 and 1861, and assumed an open organization in the form of the treasonable provisional government at Montgomery, in Alabama, on the 18th day of February, 1861. On the 12th day of April, 1861, the insurgents committed the flagrant act of civil war by the bombardment and capture of Fort Sumter, which cut off the hope of immediate conciliation.” Virginia Ambrose Powell Hill is appointed Major General in the Confederate States Army. The following are appointed Brigadier Generals in the Confederate States Army: - Louis Hebert. - John Creed Moore. Expedition to James River ended. Union reconnaissance to Hanover Court House. Skirmish at Franklin. United States Army, Major General Nathaniel Prentiss Banks’ troops retreating from Winchester crossed the Potomac River at Williamsport into Maryland. Confederate States Army, Major General Thomas Jonathan Jackson allowed his troops a rest before resuming the pursuit towards the Potomac River. While skirmishing occurred all along the line between the armies near Richmond, United States Army, Major General George Brinton McClellan heard a rumour from a Virginia civilian that a Confederate force of 17,000 was moving to Hanover Court House, north of Mechanicsville. If this were true, it would threaten the army’s right flank and complicate the arrival of reinforcements from Fredericksburg to the north. A United States cavalry reconnaissance to Hanover had estimated the enemy strength as only 6,000 men, but it was still a cause for concern. McClellan ordered United States Army, Major General Fitz John Porter, commanding V Corps, to take action to counter the threat. Arkansas United States reconnaissance from Jacksonport to Augusta and Des Arc began. Skirmishes at Calico Rock and Cache River Bridge. MississippiSkirmishes at Farmington and Grand Gulf. The United States Army continued its efforts to instigate a siege at Corinth and fortified its positions as it encroached closer to the city. under the command of United States Navy, Confederate States Navy, Lieutenant Isaac Newton Brown was ordered to take command of the proposed ironclad gunboat CSS ARKANSAS at Yazoo City and to finish the completion of its armour and its armament with ten guns. The sloop-of-war USS BROOKLYN under the command of United States Navy, Captain Thomas Tingey Craven, and the UNADILLA-class gunboats USS KINEO under the command of United States Navy, Lieutenant George M Ransom and USS KATAHDIN under the command of United States Navy, Lieutenant George Henry Preble, approached Grand Gulf with troops aboard under the command of United States Army, Brigadier General Thomas Williams. They bombarded the town and a Confederate battery until the Confederate forces abandoned the position. Williams’ troops landed and captured one gun. MissouriSkirmish at Crow’s Station near Licking as Confederate raiders partially destroyed a United States wagon train. A Confederate force spotted a United States supply train at Crow’s Station. They attacked and partially destroyed the wagon train but the remainder escaped. South Carolina The iron-hulled gunboat USS HURON under the command of United States Navy, Lieutenant Downes, captured the British blockade-runner CAMBRIA off Charleston. Tennessee Incident at Fayetteville. Western Department (Confederate States)The Western Department (or, Department No 2) is extended to embrace Mississippi south of the 33rd parallel and west of the Pascagoula and the Chickasawha Rivers, and Louisiana east of the Mississippi. Trans-Mississippi Department (Confederate States)The Confederate Trans-Mississippi Department is extended to include Arkansas, the Indian Territory, Missouri, West Louisiana, and Texas. Indian Territory (Confederate States)The Confederate Indian Territory was reorganised, Confederate States Army, Colonel Douglas Hancock Cooper retained overall and nominal military command but Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Albert Pike retained effective command of the field forces, the majority of which were allied Indian nations. One Confederate company was at Fort Washita, while Fort McCulloch held the main force of two cavalry regiments, one infantry regiment, and a battalion of 14 guns. In the Choctaw Nation, there were two regiments and a battalion. In the Creek Nation there was a regiment and a battalion; in the Chickasaw Nation there was one battalion. In Seminole Country there was one battalion. In Cherokee Country there were two regiments. Cuba The gunboat USS PURSUIT (6 × 32-pounder guns) under the command of United States Navy, Acting Lieutenant Cate, captured the schooner ANDROMEDA near the coast with a cargo of cotton. Painting: Period watercolor of the USS PURSUIT alongside the Federal troopship EMPIRE CITY
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Post by lordroel on May 27, 2024 2:49:21 GMT
Day 412 of the United States Civil War, May 27th 1862Virginia United States Army, Major General John Charles Frémont reached Moorefield on his march from Franklin. Despite orders to march eastwards to Harrisonburg in an attempt to cut the Confederate lines of communications up the Shenandoah Valley, he had moved northwards instead, arguing that the road to the Shenandoah Valley was impassable. Reconnaissance to Seven Pines ended. Skirmishes at White Oaks and Garnett’s Farm. Operation at Hanover Court House began. Skirmish at Slash Church. Expedition to Norfolk began. Skirmish at Loudoun Heights near Harper’s Ferry. Confederate States Army, Major General Thomas Jonathan Jackson’s force demonstrated in front of the United states garrison at Harpers Ferry. Despite the growing threat to his rear, he had allowed a rest day and then moved his infantry to Charles Town while his cavalry was sent through Martinsburg to the crossing of the Potomac River at Williamsport. Scouts also probed the United states defences at Loudoun Heights. (Virginia) Peninsula Campaign - Battle of Hanover Court HouseUnited States Army, Brigadier General Fitz-John Porter’s V Corps had extended its lines northwards to protect the right flank of McClellan’s United States Army of the Potomac. The army now straddled the Chickahominy River with V Corps detached on the northern side. Porter was ordered to drive off the Confederates reported to be located at Hanover Court House twelve miles away, in order to cut the railroad and to open the Telegraph Road for United States reinforcements under United States Army, Major General Irvin McDowell to arrive as they marched southwards from Fredericksburg. The advance to Hanover would also help to secure the right flank and rear of the Army of the Potomac. Porter departed on his mission at 4 a.m. on May 27th with his 1st Division, under United States Army, Brigadier General George W. Morell, the 3rd Brigade of United States Army, Brigadier General George Sykes's 2nd Division, under United States Army, Colonel Gouverneur K. Warren, and a composite brigade of cavalry and artillery led by United States Army, Brigadier General William H. Emory, altogether about 12,000 men. The Confederate force, which actually numbered about 4,000 men, was led by Confederate States Army, Colonel Lawrence O'Bryan Branch, and included the 7th, 18th, 28th, and 37th North Carolina Infantry regiments, and the 45th Georgia Infantry Regiment (Confederate States). They had departed from Gordonsville to guard the Virginia Central Railroad, taking up position at Peake's Crossing, 4 miles (6.4 km) southwest of the courthouse, near Slash Church. Another Confederate brigade was stationed 10 miles (16 km) north at Hanover Junction. Porter's men approached Peake's Crossing in a driving rain. At about noon on May 27th, his lead element, the 25th New York Infantry Regiment (United States), encountered Confederate States Army, Colonel James H. Lane's 28th North Carolina Regiment (Confederate States) on a reconnaissance patrol at the farm owned by Dr. Thomas H. Kinney. The New Yorkers, along with the 1st U.S. Sharpshooters, skirmished briskly with the Confederates until Porter's main body arrived, driving the outnumbered Rebels up the road in the direction of the courthouse. Porter set out in pursuit with most of his force, leaving three regiments (the 2nd Maine, the 44th New York, and the damaged 25th New York), under the command of United States Army, Brigadier General John H. Martindale, to guard the New Bridge and Hanover Court House Roads intersection, a mile to the west of Kinney's farm. This movement exposed the rear of Porter's command to attack by the bulk of Branch's force, which Porter had mistakenly assumed was at Hanover Court House. Branch also made the poor assumption that Porter's force was significantly smaller than it turned out to be and so he attacked. Confederate States Army, Colonel Charles C. Lee led his own regiment, the 37th North Carolina Regiment (Confederate States), along with the 18th North Carolina Regiment (Confederate States) and two cannons from Latham's Battery. An initial assault by the 18th was repulsed, but when the 37th joined in, Martindale's force was almost destroyed by the heavy fire. The 44th New York suffered 25% casualties and its battle flag received 44 bullet holes. Map: Engagement Near Hanover Court-House, VirginiaWhen messengers reached Porter with news of the engagement, he quickly dispatched the 9th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment (United States) and 62nd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment (United States) back to the Kinney Farm. The Confederate line broke under the weight of thousands of new troops and they retreated back through Peake's Crossing to Ashland. Map: Map Illustrating the Battle of Hanover, VirginiaWith the arrival of reinforcements, Martindale was able to turn the tide. The Confederate line broke under the weight of numbers and retreated back through Peake’s Crossing to Ashland. Many men were rounded up by United States cavalry as they fled from the field. The estimates of United States casualties vary from 355 (62 killed, 233 wounded, 70 captured) to 397. The Confederates had at least 1,000 casualties with 200 dead on the field and 730 captured by Porter’s cavalry. ArkansasExpedition from Searcy Landing to Bayou Des Arc, Searcy, and West Point. Skirmish with the Union forage train at Big Indian Creek near Searcy Landing. MississippiSkirmish near Bridge Creek near Corinth. MissouriSkirmish at Monagan Springs near Osceola. North CarolinaExpedition to Edenton began. South CarolinaUSS BIENVILLE under the command of United States Navy, Commander James Robert Madison Mullany, seized the blockade-running British steamer PATRAS off Bull’s Island. The ship was on its way from Havana with a cargo of powder and arms. USS SANTIAGO DE CUBA under the command of United States Navy, Commander Daniel Bowly Ridgely, captured the schooner LUCY C HOLMES off Charleston with a cargo of cotton.
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Post by lordroel on May 28, 2024 2:48:01 GMT
Day 413 of the United States Civil War, May 28th 1862
District of Columbia
(United States) President Abraham Lincoln issues a Executive Order:
War Department
Colonel Haupt.
Sir: You are hereby appointed chief of construction and transportation in the Department of the Rappahannock, with the rank of colonel, and attached to the staff of Major-General McDowell.
You are authorized to do whatever you may deem expedient to open for use in the shortest possible time all military railroads now or hereafter required in said department; to use the same for transportation under such rules and regulations as you may prescribe: to appoint such assistants and employees as you may deem necessary, define their duties and fix their compensation; to make requisitions upon any of the military authorities, with the approval of the Commanding General, for such temporary or permanent details of men as may be required for the construction or protection of lines of communication; to use such Government steamers and transports as you may deem necessary; to pass free of charge in such steamers and transports and on other military roads all persons whose services may be required in construction or transportation; to purchase all such machinery, rolling stock, and supplies as the proper use and operation of the said railroads may require, and certify the same to the Quartermaster-General, who shall make payment therefor. You are also authorized to form a permanent corps of artficers, organized, officered, and equipped in such manner as you may prescribe; to supply said corps with rations, transportation, tools, and implements by requisitions upon the proper departments; to employ civilians as foremen and assistants, under such rules and rates of compensation as you may deem expedient; to make such additions to ordinary rations when actually at work as you may deem necessary.
You are also authorized to take possession of and use all railroads, engines, cars, buildings, machinery, and appurtenances within the geographical limits of the Department of the Rappahannock, and all authority heretofore given to other parties which may in any way conflict with the instructions herein contained are and will be without force and effect in the said Department of the Rappahannock from and after this date.
By order of the President, Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States:
Edwin M. Stanton,
Secretary of War.
Virginia
Operation at South Anna River and South Anna Bridge began. Incidents at Ashland and Hanovertown Ferry.
Skirmishes at Harper’s Ferry, Charles Town, Franklin, and Wardensville.
Alabama
Expedition to Mobile & Ohio Railroad began.
Arkansas
Incident at Cache River Bridge.
Mississippi
United States Army, Major General Henry Wager Halleck’s three combined armies were entrenched within artillery range of Corinth. They faced the Confederate entrenchments and waited for developments. A fierce cannonade took place from dawn to dusk, as the United States gunners tested for weak points in the defences. Meanwhile, Confederate States Army, General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard continued his efforts to evacuate the town, sending away all his sick men, baggage, equipment, and suppliesby rail before the United States attack could be launched.
Missouri
Operation at Waverly and Miami ended.
North Carolina
The gunboat USS STATE OF GEORGIA (6 × 8 in (200 mm) 55-cwt guns, 2 × 32-pounder guns and 1 × 30-pounder Parrott rifle) under the command of United States Navy, Commander James F Armstrong and the gunboat USS VICTORIA (one 30-pounder Parrott rifle and two 8" smoothbore guns) under the command of United States Navy, Acting Master Joshua D Warren, captured the steamer NASSAU near Fort Caswell.
Louisiana
The Confederate District of West Louisiana is constituted, under the command of Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Paul O. Hebert.
New Mexico Territory
Incident at Fort Craig.
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