lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Jul 13, 2024 7:06:07 GMT
Day 458 of the United States Civil War, July 13th 1862
District of Columbia
(United States) President Abraham Lincoln indicated to (United States) Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles and (United States) Secretary of State William Henry Seward his conclusion that emancipation of the slaves had become a military and political necessity. This new departure in policy came as something of a surprise and attention was focused on the further development of an achievable policy to end slavery.
Virginia
United States forces entered Rapidan Station where they encountered a small Confederate guard and forced them to leave. The United States troops destroyed the railroad bridge over the Rapidan River and returned to camp.
United States Army, Major General John Pope started the advance of the Army of Virginia towards the vital railroad junction at Gordonsville with 50,000 men. In response, Confederate States Army, General Robert Edward Lee detached a force of 12,000 to 14,000 men from the defence of Richmond to halt the advance. Confederate States Army, Major General Thomas Jonathan Jackson took his own division under Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Charles Sidney Winder and that of Confederate States Army, Major General Richard Stoddert Ewell. The infantry first travelled by train via Hanover Junction to Louisa Court House, fifteen miles from Gordonsville, while the cavalry and artillery marched.
Kentucky
Skirmish at Springfield.
Skirmish at Midway.
Skirmish at Harrodsburg.
(Kentucky) Confederate Heartland Offensive - Kentucky Campaign - First Battle of Murfreesboro
YouTube (First Battle of Murfreesboro July 13 1862)
On June 10th 1862, United states Army, Major General Don Carlos Buell, commanding the Army of the Ohio, started a leisurely advance toward Chattanooga. United states Army, Brigadier General James S. Negley and his force threatened the city on June 7–8. In response to the threat, the Confederate government sent Confederate State Army, Brigadier General Nathan Bedford Forrest to Chattanooga to organize a cavalry brigade. By July, Confederate cavalry under the command of Forrest and Confederate State Army, Colonel John Hunt Morgan were raiding into Middle Tennessee and Kentucky.
Forrest left Chattanooga on July 9th with two cavalry regiments and joined other units on the way, bringing the total force to about 1,400 men. The major objective was to strike Murfreesboro, an important Union supply center on the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad, at dawn on July 13th.
The Murfreesboro garrison was camped in three locations around town: the 7th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment (United States) and 9th Michigan Infantry Regiment (United States) in the town and on the Woodbury Pike east of Murfreesboro and the 3rd Minnesota Infantry Regiment (United States) and Hewitt's Battery on Wilkinson's Pike west of the town. United states Army, Brigadier General Thomas Turpin Crittenden, who had just arrived on July 12th took command of the garrison from United states Army, Colonel Lester of the 3rd Minnesota Infantry Regiment (United States). Between 4:15 and 4:30 a.m. on the morning of July 13th, a group of 15 cavalrymen avoided the midnight patrols and surprised the United States pickets on the Woodbury Pike, east of Murfreesboro. The firing did not ignite reaction from the units in and east of Murfreesboro, allowing Forrest to move on the town itself.
Confederate cavalry and infantry poured into the city streets in three columns. The first, under Confederate State Army, Colonel John Warton of the 8th Texas Cavalry Regiment (Confederate States) moved north to the Maney House and overran the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment (United states) without inflicting or taking any casualties. The second column under Forrest and the 1st Georgia Cavalry Regiment (Confederate States) rode to the city square and liberated the prisoners in the jail. The third column composed of the Confederate State Army, Colonel William Lawton's 2nd Georgia Cavalry Regiment (Confederate States) and the attached infantry battalions moved north to the Lebanon Pike and cut off an escape route for the 9th Michigan Infantry Regiment (United States). The courthouse was set ablaze and the guards inside surrendered to put out the fire. Around this time, Brig Gen. Crittenden was awoken by Confederate cavalrymen and captured. Now being the highest-ranking officer inside Murfreesboro, United State Army, Colonel Duffield gave United State Army, Lieutenant Colonel Parkhurst the command to form the 9th Michigan Infantry Regiment (United States) on their company streets as more enemy cavalry approached. United State Army, Colonel Duffield then ordered his men into square, which they were unable to execute under the awkward circumstances. Wharton's Texans struck the Michiganders, compelling them to withdraw to the fence line in front of the Maney House where they would hold their position against multiple attacks.
Hearing the firing, United State Army, Colonel Lester had his regiment formed into line alongside United State Army, Captain Hewitt's Battery on a high ridge in front of the Murfree house northwest of the town. Advancing a quarter mile to the timber in front, Confederates of the 2nd Georgia Cavalry Regiment (Confederate States) fired at the Minnesotans. Skirmishers on both sides exchanged fire as artillery from Hewitt's battery crashed into the woods. The 3rd's skirmishers fell back into line with the rest of the regiment, and the 2nd Georgia Cavalry Regiment (Confederate States) charged. However, the charge quickly dithered under the fire of Lester's men. Both sides proceeded to exchange shots once again. Confederate State Army, Colonel Lawton was impressed by the 3rd Minnesota Cavalry Regiment (United States), later remarking that "the enemy sharpshooters were quite effective".
Forrest, seeing that the Georgians were repulsed, gathered 200 men to instead attack the 3rd's camp, guarded by about 30 men under Confederate State Army, Corperal Charles H. Green of Company I. Despite the difference in numbers, the first two assaults on the camp were repulsed; the third, however, overran it. An engaged United states Army, Colonel Lester was unable to provide support with infantry or artillery, so he sent scouts to the camp of the 9th Michigan. However, they were unable to bypass United State Army, Colonel Lawton's men on the pike. Another messenger, this time from the 9th Michigan, revealed to United State Army, Colonel Lester that the 9th was surrounded and needed relief. A second reconnaissance confirmed that the blocking forces were to large for the 3rd to break through. The United States troops continued to stave off rebel efforts and hold their ground until the late afternoon. The 3rd Minnesota Infantry Regiment (United States) and 9th Michigan Infantry Regiment (United States) then finally surrendered to Forrest.
Mississippi
United states Navy, Captain David Glasgow Farragut reported that his fleet on the Mississippi above Vicksburg would soon be stranded by the falling waters of the river and he advised its urgent withdrawal.
Tennessee
Confederate cavalry attacked and burned part of a United States supply train from United states Army, Major General William Tecumseh Sherman’s division near Wolf River.
Missouri
The Confederate Missouri State Guard is relieved from duty east of the Mississippi River and ordered to join Confederate State Army, Major General Thomas Carmichael Hindman.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Jul 14, 2024 4:55:49 GMT
Day 460 of the United States Civil War, July 14th 1862
District of Columbia
The West Virginia statehood bill was passed by the United States Senate by a vote of 23-17.
The United States Congress passed an act ending the issue of an alcoholic spirit ration in the United States Navy and forbidding the issue of alcohol on board vessels of war, except as medical stores. A daily pay rise of five cents per day was authorised in lieu of the abolished spirit ration.
Special Message of the (United States) President Abraham Lincoln:
July 14, 1862 Fellow-Citizens of the Senate and House of Representatives:
Herewith is a draft of a bill to compensate any State which may abolish slavery within its limits, the passage of which substantially as presented I respectfully and earnestly recommend.
Abraham Lincoln.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That whenever the President of the United States shall be satisfied that any State shall have lawfully abolished slavery within and throughout such State, either immediately or gradually, it shall be the duty of the President, assisted by the Secretary of the Treasury, to prepare and deliver to such State an amount of 6 per cent interest-bearing bonds of the United States equal to the aggregate value at $____ per head of all the slaves within such State as reported by the census of the year 1860; the whole amount for any one State to be delivered at once if the abolishment be immediate, or in equal annual installments if it be gradual, interest to begin running on each bond at the time of its delivery, and not before.
And be it further enacted, That if any State, having so received any such bonds, shall at any time afterwards by law reintroduce or tolerate slavery within its limits contrary to the act of abolishment upon which such bonds shall have been received, said bonds so received by said State shall at once be null and void, in whosesoever hands they may be, and such State shall refund to the United States all interest which may have been paid on such bonds.
Virginia
Richard Heron Anderson, is appointed Major Confederate in the United States Army.
United States Army, Major General John Pope’s confident attitude has not diminished. He boldly calls upon his Army of Virginia to engage the enemy, touting his earlier successes along the Mississippi River to bolster his credentials: “Let us understand each other. I have come to you from the West, where we have always seen the backs of our enemies; from an army whose business it has been to seek the adversary and to beat him when he was found, whose policy has been attack and not defense. . . . Meantime, I desire you to dismiss from your minds certain phrases, which I am sorry to find so much in vogue amongst you. I hear constantly of ‘taking strong positions and holding them,’ of ‘lines of retreat,’ and of ‘bases of supplies.’ Let us discard such ideas. . . . Let us study the probable lines of retreat of our opponents, and leave our own to take care of themselves. Let us look before us, and not behind. Success and glory are in the advance, disaster and shame lurk in the rear.”
West Virginia
Border state congressmen, including John S. Carlile, signed a majority response to (United States) President Abraham Lincoln's appeal of July 12.
Arkansas
Operations on White River ended.
Skirmish at Batesville.
Skirmish near Helena.
Kentucky
Skirmish at Lawrenceburg.
Skirmish at Harrodsburg.
Skirmish at Versailles.
Skirmish at Georgetown.
Skirmish at Mackville involving Confederate Colonel John Hunt Morgan’s raiders.
Mississippi
The Confederate ironclad ram CSS ARKANSAS steamed fifteen miles down the Yazoo River to the mouth of the Sunflower River where the crew could hear the United states fleet practising its gunnery. Steam escaped from the boiler and soaked a powder magazine. This forced a temporary halt while the powder was dried as much as was possible, and then the ship resumed its progress towards the Mississippi.
Tennessee
United States Army, Brigadier General William Nelson was ordered to march with his division for the relief of Murfreesboro. They arrived too late to save the garrison which had already surrendered, or to catch Confederate States Army, Colonel Nathan Bedford Forrest’s cavalry raiders.
Texas
The fast wooden-hulled sidewheel steamship USS DE SOTO captured the British schooner WILLIAM as it attempted to run the blockade into Sabine Pass.
Indian Territory
United States reconnaissance from Grand River to Fort Gibson, Park Hill, and Tahlequah began, resulting in skirmishes with the pro-Confederate Cherokee nation.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Jul 15, 2024 2:50:23 GMT
Day 461 of the United States Civil War, July 15th 1862District of ColumbiaThe United States submarine ALLIGATOR was held at the Washington Navy Yard. Its commander, United States Navy, Lieutenant Thomas O Selfridge traveled to the New York Navy Yard to recruit new volunteers for the crew from the receiving ship USS NORTH CAROLINA. Expecting no response, he was surprised to find there were many volunteers to serve aboard the dangerous prototype. Virginia Skirmish at Middletown. Skirmish at Orange Court House. West Virginia Some border state congressmen, including William G. Brown, J. B. Blair, and Waitman T. Willey, signed a minority response to (United States) President Abraham Lincoln's appeal of July 12. GeorgiaConfederate States Army, Major General David Emanuel Twiggs, dies of old age near Augusta, GA. TennesseeSkirmish at Wallace’s Cross Roads near Decatur, Alabama involving troops from the command of United States Army, Brigadier-General George Washington Morgan. ArkansasUnited States cavalry from the command of United States Army, Brigadier General Egbert Benson Brown defeated a Confederate force in a skirmish at Fayetteville. KentuckyUnited States forces including United States Army, Lieutenant Colonel John J Landram’s 18th Kentucky Infantry Regiment (United States) captured Cynthiana against opposition from Confederate States Army, Lieutenant Colonel F M Nix’s 1st Georgia Partisan Rangers. Mississippi Incident at Vicksburg. United States Army, Major General Ulysses Simpson Grant conferred with United States Army, Major General Henry Wager Halleck about changes to the United States high command in the western theatre. Halleck announced his own appointment to the position of General-in-Chief and described the ensuing changes he proposed for the western theatre. Grant was to receive the command of most of the theatre, including the Army of the Tennessee and the Army of the Mississippi, and also of a reorganised Department covering northern Mississippi, west Tennessee, and Kentucky west of the Cumberland River. This decision, endorsed by (United States) President Abraham Lincoln who valued Grant’s pugnacity, gave Grant primacy for impending operations between the Mississippi and the Appalachians. The primary objective would be to complete the conquest of the Mississippi River valley. (Mississippi) Escape of CSS ARKANSAS at VicksburgYouTube (Vicksburg Naval Actions - "Mississippi Gunrunner")The CITY-class ironclad gunboat USS CARONDELET under the command of United states Navy, Commander Henry Walke, USS TYLER under the command of United states Navy, Lieutenant William Gwin, and the steam ram USS QUEEN OF THE WEST, took a crew of army sharpshooters on a reconnaissance of the Yazoo River to investigate reports of the construction of an enemy ironclad warship. The Confederate ironclad ram CSS ARKANSAS had escaped in an incomplete state from its yards at Memphis to Greenwood on the Yazoo River and then moved to Yazoo City where the facilities were better to complete and arm the vessel. The CSS ARKANSAS, commanded by Lieutenant Isaac Newton Brown CSN, had set off at 3 am from Haines Bluff to engage the Union fleet. After continual breakdowns, the CSS ARKANSAS maintained very slow progress. At daylight, it was still in the Yazoo and entered Old River, a ten-mile lake cut off from the river when it spotted the three United States warships approaching in line abreast, with USS CARONDELET in the centre. The unarmed USS Queen of the West turned immediately and fled. The other two warships opened fire with their bow guns to no effect and then turned to escape with their stern guns protecting their flight. The CSS Arkansas concentrated its fire on the USS CARONDELET and partially disabled it. The Confederate ironclad was unharmed by the Union guns, although one sailor was decapitated when he raised an iron port to look outside. USS TYLER dropped back to help the USS CARONDELET and opened fire with riflemen. Brown was directing the ship from outside the casemate and was wounded but stayed in command to direct the fire. The USS CARONDELET veered into the shore and was abandoned by its crew and the sharpshooters when steam escaped from its boilers. Entering the Mississippi, CSS ARKANSAS remained on the tail of the USS TYLER. The United States fleet was surprised by the arrival of the ironclad. The CSS ARKANSAS ran through the fire from the United States fleet, evading the United States rams by keeping close to the wooden ships, and attempted to find refuge under the guns of the Vicksburg batteries. One United States gunboat was hit and its boiler burst, forcing the crew to abandon the ship. The CSS ARKANSAS was fired on from numerous ships and was badly damaged. One 11-inch shot penetrated the armour and annihilated sixteen men in a single gun crew and a rifle shot killed eleven more. The iron prow was broken off, a whole section of iron plating was torn away and the over-worked engines threatened to explode. CSS ARKANSAS successfully gained the Mississippi and turned southward to reach the protection of the Confederate shore batteries at Vicksburg, with sixty casualties aboard. Drawing: ARKANSAS running through the Federal fleet above Vicksburg, Mississippi, 15 July 1862![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/CSS_Arkansas_h73378.jpg?20150125105423) United States Navy, Captain David Glasgow Farragut attempted to pursue CSS ARKANSAS with his seagoing warships but it was too dark by the time they reached Vicksburg to see the enemy properly. Fearful for his two gunboats, the mortar flotilla, and the wooden screw sloop USS BROOKLYN which were still south of Vicksburg, Farragut was determined to run the batteries to rejoin them with his main fleet. As the fleet passed by Vicksburg during the night, it was pounded by the shore batteries and each ship exchanged a broadside with the shattered CSS ARKANSAS, which was tied up under the bluffs. One shot from USS HARTFORD smashed through the ironclad’s armour and wrecked the engine room. The Union fleet continued downriver below Vicksburg although the UNADILLA-class gunboat USS WINONA under the command of United States Navy, Lieutenant Edward T Nichols, and the cottonclad ram USS SUMTER under the command of United States Navy, Lieutenant Henry Erben, were damaged in the process. The United States lost 5 men killed and 16 wounded while the Confederates had at least 10 more men killed and 15 wounded. Indian TerritoryReconnaissance to Fort Gibson. A United States force under United States Army, Colonel William Weer (10th Kansas Infantry) and part of the 6th Kansas Cavalry Regiment (United States) seized the fort. (Arizona Territory (Confederate States) Engagements in Confederate Arizona - Battle of Apache PassThe 2500 men of the California Column traveled across the arid Southwest in staggered groups to allow water sources to replenish. In early 1862, United States Army, Colonel James H. Carleton sent units from Fort Yuma to Tucson, Arizona, which had recently been occupied by a Confederate force, Company A, Arizona Rangers. After a small engagement known as the Battle of Picacho Pass just north of Tucson between a detachment of Carleton's cavalry and Confederate pickets, the United States forces advanced on Tucson in three columns. They arrived in Tucson on May 20, forcing the heavily outnumbered Confederate garrison to withdraw to Texas without a fight. After capturing Confederate Arizona's western outpost, Carleton prepared to march east with his main body in July, intending to enter New Mexico through Apache Pass in southeast Arizona. To prepare for the advance of his main force, he sent a column ahead 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), accompanied by two 12-pounder mountain howitzers under the command of United States Army, Sergeant James D. Monihon, a 22-man cavalry escort from Company B, 2nd Regiment California Volunteer Cavalry , led by United States Army, Captain John C. Cremony and 21 wagons plus 242 mules and horses. After Roberts reached the San Pedro River, it became necessary to learn whether Dragoon Springs, 28 miles further east, could supply both companies with water or whether they would be forced to separate into smaller detachments. Capt. Roberts led the advance detachment with his infantry company, joined by three wagons, the howitzers and seven of Cremony's best horsemen to serve as scouts and couriers. United States Army, Captain Cremony remained behind with 15 cavalrymen and ten of Roberts' infantrymen, including the detachment left as a garrison at the river, where an adobe stage station building provided shelter and a defensive position to guard the remaining wagons and animals. Roberts found the water at Dragoon Springs was enough to support the entire force, and Cremony joined with him the next day. Together they advanced on the springs at Apache Pass in the same manner, leaving Cremony with the guard detachment. At noon on July 15th, Roberts' detachment had just entered Apache Pass. After traveling about two-thirds of the way through, his force was attacked by about 500 Apache warriors led by Mangas Coloradas and Cochise. The United States soldiers were not in a good situation. The infantrymen had walked dozens of miles across the hot Arizona desert, heading for the spring at Apache Pass, which was now blocked to them by the well-armed Chiricahua warriors. Low on water and realizing a retreat back to Tucson without water could cost him many men, Roberts chose to fight. The Apaches had thrown up defenses, which consisted of several breastworks made of stone. They had also surprised the invaders with an ambush, waiting until the soldiers came within 30–80 yards of their positions before opening fire. Behind almost every mesquite tree and boulder hid an Apache with his rifle, six-shooter and knife. At first the United States troops could barely see their attackers. After a few minutes of intense combat Roberts ordered retreat, and his force withdrew to the mouth of Apache Pass. His men regrouped and unlimbered the mountain howitzers for an advance against the Apaches. This was one of the first times the United States Army had been able to use artillery against the Indians in the Southwest. Roberts ordered his infantry to take the hills overlooking the pass, while he remained in the pass to direct the artillery support. The skirmishers moved forward, where they were able to take cover in an abandoned Butterfield Overland Mail station. The soldiers were now about 600 yards from the spring. Overlooking the spring were two hills, one on the east, the other on the south. The Apache riflemen behind the breastworks on the hills were delivering a deadly fire against the attackers. Roberts advanced with his howitzers and had them open fire. Their effectiveness was limited by the fact that they were 300–400 feet below the Apache defenses. Roberts moved his guns ahead to a better position, all the time under heavy fire. Once the guns were in effective range, the artillery opened fire in earnest. The Apaches held their positions until nightfall, when they fled, allowing the United States troops to reach the spring. After allowing his tired men to enjoy a meal, Roberts retreated to bring up Cremony's detachment. The next morning the Apaches returned, but they fled once the artillery opened fire on them. BermudaUnited States Consul at Bermuda, Charles Allen laments to his wife the loneliness of his post in Bermuda: “ I had my flag-staff cut down on 3rd July so could not hoist my flag on the 4th.” Some of his earlier compatriots have departed and there is now less traffic bound for New York than before the war, leaving him “in such a God-forsaken place as this with scarcely one friendly person to speak to[.] I have once been attacked in my office and once knocked down in the street within a few days; the general sentiment is ‘It’s good enough for him; he’s a damn Yankee.’”
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Jul 16, 2024 2:46:33 GMT
Day 462 of the United States Civil War, July 16th 1862
District of Columbia
The United States Congress authorised the transfer of the gunboat flotilla being operated currently by the Army on western rivers to the jurisdiction of the Navy Department.
David Glasgow Farragut was promoted to Rear Admiral United States Navy, the first officer to hold that rank in the history of the United States Navy. The measure passed by Congress to create the rank of Rear Admiral also reorganised the existing structure to include the grades of Commodore and Lieutenant-Commander and established the permissible number of Rear Admirals at 9; Commodores, 18; Captains, 36; Commanders, 72; and the remaining grades through Ensign at 144 each. Rear Admirals were deemed to rank as the equivalents of Major-Generals in the Army. The new grade of Commodore was deemed equivalent to Brigadier-General and Navy Captain to Army Colonel.
The following are appointed Brigadier Generals in the United States Army:
- Jacob Ammen. - Catharinus Putnam Buckingham. - Charles Cruft. - Francis Jay Herron. - Alfred Pleasonton. - Benjamin Stone Roberts. - Frederick Salomon. - Joshua Woodrow Sill. - Morgan Lewis Smith. - Fitz-Henry Warren. - Cadwallader Golden Washburn.
Virginia
United States reconnaissance along the Richmond Road to Westover and St Mary’s Church.
West Virginia
Governor of the Restored Government of Virginia, Francis Harrison Pierpont called for a creation of a unit from the Restored State of Virginia to be provided to the United States army to fill President Lincoln's call to arms for the nation:
Executive Department, Wheeling, Va, July 16th, 1862
To the People of Virginia:
The large area of territory won by the arms of the nation requiring numerous garrisons to hold the military positions thereof; the casualties incident to war, together with the threatened interference of two or three of the great Powers of Europe to destroy our greatness and diminish our power, have caused the President of the United States to call for 300,000 men, to secure the nation's integrity and, if needs be, to punish properly the impermanent Intermeddling with our national affairs. Of this number, the State of Virginia has been called upon to furnish 2,000 men, as her proportion, for the term of three years or during the war.
To aid and assist in the work of furnishing the States quotes, I desire all the Senators and members of the House of Delegates to act as agents in procuring volunteers in their respective districts and counties, that they associate with themselves discreet persons in each magisterial district in their several counties as recruiting committees; that they recommend active, intelligent, and brave men to be commissioned as second Lieutenants of the companies raised therein; and that they exercise their discretion as to the most effective means of obtaining volunteers, by holding public meetings and otherwise.
Volunteers from the counties east of the Chesapeake bay, and south of the Rappahannock river, and cast of the Blue Ridge, will rendezvous at Norfolk, and from the residue of counties east of the Blue Ridge at Alexandria. Those from the Valley district will rendezvous at Martinsburg; and those from the Wheeling Congressional district, (except the county of Pleasants) at Wheeling and Grafton. Those furnished by the residue of the counties of the State will rendezvous at Charleston, Guyandotte, Parkersburg, and Clarksburg, as may be most convenient.
A premium of $2 will be paid for each accepted volunteer, and upon his acceptance by the regimental surgeon $25, (part of the $100 bounty,) and $13, (one month's pay,) will be advanced, thus enabling the volunteer to leave $38 with his family or friends, should be desire to do so.
Loyal men of Virginia! although internecine war has devastated our lands, brought grief to our homes and sadness to our hearts, yet I do not doubt that you will voluntarily respond to this call, and fly to assist your brave brethren in this last struggle for home, country, and constitutional freedom, and secure forever, to ourselves and to our children, the priceless legacy bequeathed us by our fathers. Your sister States are nobly responding by voluntary enlistment. Let it not be said that it was left for Virginia to furnish her quota by resorting to a draft.
F. H. Pierpoint, Governor.
By
the Governor:
L. A. Hagans Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Tennessee
The District of West Tennessee, United States Army, Major General Ulysses S. Grant, commanding, is extended to embrace the Army of the Mississippi.
Tennessee
United States Army, Major General Henry Halleck, relinquishes immediate command of the troops in the Department of the Mississippi, to assume his new role as General-in-chief of all United States land forces.
Mississippi
United States Army, Major General William Tecumseh Sherman demonstrates his early strategic vision to Henry Halleck: “I attach more importance to the West than the East. The one has a magnificent future, but enveloped in doubt. The other is comparatively an old country. The man who at the end of this war holds the military control of the Valley of the Mississippi [River] will be the man.”
Alabama
Reconnaissance to Decatur ended.
Mississippi
United States Navy, Rear Admiral David Glasgow Farragut reunited his ocean-going and river-based fleets south of Vicksburg after running past the batteries at Vicksburg.
Arizona Territory
Apaches contested the passage of Apache Pass in the Arizona Territory against the vanguard of the California Column but they retreated when shelled by howitzers. United States Army, Colonel James Henry Carleton established a post (later named Fort Bowie) to prevent further depredations by the native warriors.
Trans-Mississippi Department (Confederate States)
Confederate States Army, Major General Theophilus H. Holmes, is assigned to the command of the Confederate Trans-Mississippi Department.
Bahamas
USS HUNTSVILLE under the command of United States Navy, Acting Lieutenant William C Rogers, seized the British blockade-running schooner AGNES off Abaco with a cargo of cotton and rosin.
France
Confederate commissioner John Slidell secures an audience with Napoleon III of France, as the diplomat continues to make the case for French involvement in America’s war.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Jul 17, 2024 2:45:35 GMT
Day 463 of the United States Civil War, July 17th 1862
District of Columbia
Due to a shortage of metal coins, (United States) President Abraham Lincoln signed into law a bill authorizing the use of postage stamps as money.
The United States Congress passed the Militia Act, which allowed “persons of African descent” to serve in the United States military.
The United States Congress permitted the President to organise the designation of Army Corps for commands comprising two or more divisions. This instruction formalised the previously unofficial use of the term “Army Corps” or “Corps” and resulted in the renumbering of some existing commands in the eastern theatre.
(United States) President Abraham Lincoln signs a measure of the United States Congress entitled, "An act to suppress insurrection, to punish treason, and rebellion, to seize and confiscate the property of rebels, and for other purposes,” United States Senator from Illinois, Lyman Trumbull had introduced the Second Confiscation Act in early December, 1861. After months of debate and amendment the measure passed both houses. It gave the first clear instructions on the confiscation and emancipation of slaves in the states in rebellion. Slave owners there were given sixty days to return to the United States or have their slaves freed. All escaped or confiscation slaves were to be declared free. The act also included a controversial proviso to fund the colonization of freed blacks.
Speaker Galusha Grow of Pennsylvania gaveled the second session of the Thirty-seventh Congress of the United States to a close. The House sat for for 228 days and was in adjournment till December 5, 1862.
The following are appointed Major Generals in the United States Army:
- Thomas Leonidas Crittenden. - William Nelson.
The following are appointed Brigadier Generals in the United States Army:
- Henry Shaw Briggs. - John Cochrane. - Conrad Feger Jackson. - James Dada Morgan. - James Blair Steedman. - Henry Dwight Terry. - John Basil Turchin. - August von Willich.
Virginia
St. John Richardson Liddell is appointed Brigadier General in the Confederate States Army.
Reconnaissance to Culpeper Court House, Madison Court House, and Orange Court House ended.
United States forces from United states Army, Major General John Pope’s Army of Virginia attacked a small Confederate force near Gordonsville. The Confederates were forced to retreat, leaving the way open for the United States troops to capture Gordonsville. Gordonsville was an important junction on the supply line of the Virginia Central Railroad from the Shenandoah Valley to Richmond.
North Carolina
Confederate States Army, Major General Daniel Henry Hill, is assigned to command of the Department of North Carolina.
Kentucky
Confederate States Army, Colonel John Hunt Morgan and two cavalry regiments continued a six-day ride from Lebanon to Cynthiana, passing through Harrodsburg, Lawrenceburg, Versailles, and Georgetown. They engaged United States militia at Cynthiana and headed for Somerset. Actions also occurred at Georgetown and Cynthiana.
Mississippi
Twenty United States Marines and twenty sailors from frigate USS POTOMAC made an expedition up the Pascagoula River under United states Marine Corps, Lieutenant George W Collier on the gunboat USS NEW LONDON and gunboat USS GREY CLOUD. Their mission was to capture or destroy three vessels being loaded with cotton and to destroy telegraphic communications between Pascagoula and Mobile. The expedition succeeded in disrupting communications but as the force pursued the Confederate vessels upstream, they were engaged by cavalry and infantry and forced to turn back.
Tennessee
Skirmish between Columbia and Mount Pleasant.
Indian Territory
Reconnaissance to Grand River, Park Hill, and Tahlequah ended.
Reconnaissance to Fort Gibson ended.
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Post by lordroel on Jul 18, 2024 2:48:16 GMT
Day 464 of the United States Civil War, July 18th 1862
District of Columbia
The following are appointed Major Generals in the United States Army:
- John Gray Foster. - John Grubb Parke. - Joseph King Fenno Mansfield. - Jesse Lee Reno. - Isaac Ingalls Stevens (posthumously).
George Foster Shepley is appointed Brigadier General in the United States Army.
Department No. 2 (Confederate States)
The Confederate Department No. 2, is extended to embrace all of Mississippi, East Louisiana, and West Florida.
Missouri
Confederates raided near Memphis and ambushed a party from the 2nd Missouri Cavalry Regiment (United States), causing several casualties.
Tennessee
Incident at Murfreesboro.
The Confederate cavalry brigades of Confederate States Army, Colonel Joseph Wheeler and Confederate States Army, Colonel Frank Armstrong Crawford advanced from Tupelo towards Grand Junction and Tuscumbia, Alabama, to screen the movement of the Army of Mississippi to Chattanooga and to divert United States attention.
Indiana
Raid on Newburg by United States troops from the command of United States Army, Brigadier General William Kerly Strong,
Kentucky
A Confederate cavalry raiding party, commanded by Confederate States Army, Colonel John Hunt Morgan entered the town of Henderson below Evansville and Newburg, Indiana. One group crossed the Ohio River to raid Newburg. Actions also occurred at Georgetown and Paris. Among them, Confederate States Army, Colonel Adam Rankin Johnson of the 10th Kentucky Partisan Rangers led 12 men with two stovepipes disguised as “Quaker cannons” and gained the nickname “Stovepipe” Jackson.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Jul 19, 2024 7:38:25 GMT
Day 465 of the United States Civil War, July 19th 1862
District of Columbia
(United States) President Abraham Lincoln names John S. Phelps, the son of a Connecticut lawyer, as military governor of Arkansas. Resident of Springfield, Missouri since the 1830s, he is veteran of the fighting at Pea Ridge, Arkansas, where he led a regiment of Missouri infantry.
The following are appointed Brigadier Generals in the United States Army:
- James Streshly Jackson. - John Smith Phelps.
Virginia
United States expedition from Fredericksburg to Beaver Dam Station began. United States troops entered Beaver Dam Station and dispersed the Confederate militia guarding the area. They spent two days destroying Confederate military stores and the railroad station.
Confederate States Army, Major General Thomas Jonathan Jackson, with his own division and that of Confederate States Army, Major-General Richard Stoddert Ewell, reached Gordonsville from Louisa Court House. They reached the vital junction ahead of the United States forces advancing from Culpeper.
West Virginia
United States Army, Captain Ewald, commander of Camp Carlile in Wheeling gave notice to people improperly wearing insignia of United States soldiers to cease or be arrested, and also to soldiers "on furlough" to report or be arrested:
Headquarters Camp Carlile, Wheeling, Va., July 19, 1862.
Special Order No. 120.] Notice is hereby given to all persons wearing the insignia of officers or soldiers of the United States army, and not entitled to do so, to immediately remove the same, else they will be publicly stripped of them and placed under arrest.
All soldiers absent "on furlough" or otherwise, are again ordered to report immediately to avoid arrest as deserters.
By order Capt. Ewald Over, Commanding Post.
W. A. Widney, Act. Post Adj't.
Kentucky
United States troops under United States Army, Brigadier General Green Clay Smith entered Paris near Owensville. They discovered Confederate States Army, Colonel John Hunt Morgan’s Confederate raiders and drove them out of town. Skirmish at Winchester.
Missouri
United States reconnaissance in Polk and Dallas Counties began.
Tennessee
Confederate guerrillas raided Brownsville.
Confederate States Army, Colonel Nathan Bedford Forrest resumed his raid in Tennessee, departing from McMinnville in the direction of Lebanon. He pursued the United States garrison of Lebanon to Nashville and destroyed two railroad bridges south of the city, cutting off the division of United states Army, Major General William Nelson which had been sent to catch him. As a result of the raid, the Nashville & Stevenson Railroad was out of action from July 20th to July 27th. Two United States divisions (Nelson’s and Brigadier-General Thomas John Wood’s) were diverted to guard the railroads, delaying the advance by United states Army, Major General Don Carlos Buell’s army towards Chattanooga.
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Post by lordroel on Jul 20, 2024 6:22:22 GMT
Day 466 of the United States Civil War, July 20th 1862
Virginia
Expedition to Beaver Dam Station ended.
Incident at Turkey Island Creek Bridge.
Tennessee
Incident at Battle Creek.
Confederate States Army, Major General Edmund Kirby Smith telegraphed General Braxton Bragg that United States Army, Major General Don Carlos Buell’s army had reached Stevenson, thirty miles west of Chattanooga. He also indicated that Confederate cavalry raiders had broken the United States lines of communications around Nashville and Murfreesboro. This presented an opportunity for Bragg to exploit this diversion and to advance into Middle Tennessee while Smith collaborated with an advance from eastern Tennessee. Bragg initially resisted the suggestion but by the following day, he had firmly resolved to transfer his army from Tupelo, Mississippi, to Chattanooga.
Arkansas
Skirmishes at Gaines Landing and Pitman’s Ferry involving United States Army, Major General Samuel Ryan Curtis’ Army of the Southwest.
Kentucky
Actions occurred at Winchester, Richmond, and Crab Orchard.
Mississippi
A Confederate force arrived at Hatchie Bottom where they learned of a nearby United States cavalry camp. The Confederates surrounded the camp and attacked forcing the United States cavalry company to surrender.
Skirmish at Taberville.
Missouri
A Confederate force arrived at Greenville and made a surprise attack to overrun a United States camp nearby.
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Post by lordroel on Jul 21, 2024 6:26:31 GMT
Day 467 of the United States Civil War, July 21st 1862
District of Columbia
(United States) President Abraham Lincoln read an early draft of his proposed Emancipation Proclamation to the Cabinet. Lincoln intended this as a military pronouncement concerned less with legality and politics and more with enabling a more effective prosecution of the conflict and the preservation of the United States. Responses were mixed but all agreed that the proclamation could not be issued until the United States could demonstrate a significant and unquestionable military victory.
(United States) President Abraham Lincoln issues a Executive Order - In Regard to Behavior of Aliens:
July 21, 1862 General Orders, No. 82.
War Department,
Adjutant-General's Office
The following order has been received from the President of the United States:
Representations have been made to the President by the ministers of various foreign powers in amity with the United States that subjects of such powers have during the present insurrection been obliged or required by military authorities to take an oath of general or qualified allegiance to this Government. It is the duty of all aliens residing in the United States to submit to and obey the laws and respect the authority of the Government. For any proceeding or conduct inconsistent with this obligation and subversive of that authority they may rightfully be subjected to military restraints when this may be necessary. But they can not be required to take an oath of allegiance to this Government, because it conflicts with the duty they owe to their own sovereigns. All such obligations heretofore taken are therefore remitted and annulled. Military commanders will abstain from imposing similar obligations in future, and will in lieu thereof adopt such other restraints of the character indicated as they shall find necessary, convenient, and effectual for the public safety. It is further directed that whenever any order shall be made affecting the personal liberty of an alien reports of the same and of the causes thereof shall be made to the War Department for the consideration of the Department of State.
By order of the Secretary of War:
L. Thomas,
Adjutant-General.
Virginia
The following are appointed Brigadier Generals in the Confederate States Army:
- Nathan Bedford Forrest. - Martin Edwin Green. - Johnson Hagood.
Incident at Columbia Bridge.
Luray was occupied by United States troops.
West Virginia
A meeting was held in Marshall County to respond to the president's request for additional troops and at which a resolution calling for John Carlile to resign was approved.
Tennessee
Incident at Nashville.
Confederate cavalry raiders under Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Nathan Bedford Forrest captured United States pickets five miles from Nashville. They continued along the Chattanooga road and Forrest fired the guns he had captured at Murfreesboro within sight of the state capitol to celebrate the anniversary of the victory at Manassas. The raiders wrecked three bridges over Mill Creek. United States Army, Major-General William Nelson’s division was in close pursuit but was unable to detect Forrest’s men in their overnight bivouac. Forrest ended his destructive Tennessee raid by returning overnight to McMinnville, along with 1,200 paroled prisoners taken from various garrisons. The United States army attempted to repair the damaged railroads so that United States Army, Major General Don Carlos Buell could be re-supplied to resume his advance on Chattanooga.
Confederate States Army, General Braxton Bragg advised (Confederate States) President Jefferson Finis Davis that he had decided to move his army to Chattanooga and to commence offensive operations into Middle Tennessee while leaving behind sufficient troops to defend northern Mississippi under Confederate States Army, Major General Sterling Price. He had been speculating about this operation for some time but the success of cavalry raids on the United States supply lines and railroads provided an opportunity that he wished to exploit.
Florida
The gunboat USS HUNTSVILLE under the command of United States Navy, Acting Lieutenant W C Rogers, captured the steamer RELIANCE in the Bahama Channel.
Kentucky
Actions occurred at Crab Orchard and Somerset.
The United States steamers CLARA DOLSEN and ROB ROY and tug RESTLESS under United States Navy, Commander Alexander Mosely Pennock arrived with troops from Cairo to protect Evansville, Indiana, from Confederate raiders. The troops landed and retook Henderson from Confederate guerrillas, burned several boats, and patrolled the Ohio River against attack from the Kentucky side.
Mississippi. Confederate artillery at Argyle Landing destroyed the Union naval transport Sallie Woods.
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Post by lordroel on Jul 22, 2024 2:47:22 GMT
Day 468 of the United States Civil War, July 22nd 1862
District of Columbia
This day represents another evolution in the process by which (United States) President Abraham Lincoln links the institution of slavery to the war for the United states. Employing a constitutional and legislative framework, he advances the notion of gradual compensated emancipation, while applying the threat of “forfeitures and seizures” as punishment for “treason and rebellion,” already stipulated by the United States Congress for those who do not “cease participating in, aiding, countenancing, or abetting the existing rebellion, or any rebellion against the government of the United States, and [thereby do not] return to their proper allegiance to the United States.” Finally, as concomitant of confiscation, the President is prepared “as a fit and necessary military measure . . . as Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States [to]declare that on the first day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand, eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any state or states, wherein the constitutional authority of the United States shall not then be practically recognized, submitted to, and maintained, shall then, thenceforward, and forever, be free.”
In the Cabinet session, Postmaster General Montgomery Blair argues that the move will prove detrimental to elections in the fall, while (United States) Secretary of State William Seward insists that the administration will be best served to wait for a military success to announce the policy. (United States) Secretary of the Treasury Salmon Chase offers support for a measure that will also allow for the arming of the freed slaves, but the President is unwilling to embrace that aspect at this point.
(United States) President Abraham Lincoln issues a Executive Order - Authorizing Employment of "Contrabands":
July 22, 1862 War Department
1. Ordered, That military commanders within the States of Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas in an orderly manner seize and use any property, real or personal, which may be necessary or convenient for their several commands as supplies or for other military purposes; and that while property may be destroyed for proper military objects, none shall be destroyed in wantonness of malice.
2. That military and naval commanders shall employ as laborers within and from said States so many persons of African descent as can be advantageously used for military or naval purposes, giving them reasonable wages for their labor.
3. That as to both property and persons of African descent accounts shall be kept sufficiently accurate and in detail to show quantities and amounts and from whom both property and such persons shall have come, as a basis upon which compensation can be made in proper cases; and the several Departments of this Government shall attend to and perform their appropriate parts toward the execution of these orders.
By order of the President:
Edwin M. Stanton,
Secretary of War.
Virginia
United states reconnaissance to Wyoming County began along the Guyandotte River via Flat Top Ridge, Barke’s Ridge, Peak’s Ridge, and Miam’s Ridge.
Reconnaissance to James City ended.
United States Army, Brigadier General John Gibbon began a reconnaissance from Fredericksburg towards Orange Court House.
West Virginia
At a meeting in Taylor County to encourage enlistments, a resolution calling for United States Senator from Virginia, John Carlile to resign was approved.
Alabama
Incidents at Pond Springs and Trinity.
Arkansas
United States cavalry expedition began from Helena to Marianna.
Florida
The gunboat USS QUAKER CITY United States Navy, Commander James M Frailey, captured the blockade runner ORION at Campeche Bank, south of Key West.
Georgia
The gunboat USS OCTORORA (one 80-pounder Parrott rifle, one 9-inch Dahlgren smoothbore gun and four 24-pounder guns) under the command of United States Navy, Commander David Dixon Porter, captured the British blockade runner TUBAL CAIN east of Savannah.
Louisiana
A United States force on the Amite River discovered a small group of Confederates near Benton’s Ferry. A surprise attack overran and scattered the Confederates.
United States Navy, Rear Admiral David Glasgow Farragut withdrew his ocean-going fleet from Vicksburg on the Mississippi River. The falling water level of the river and sickness among his ships’ crews necessitated its withdrawal southwards to Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Confederate control of Vicksburg enabled the South to receive supplies from Texas, Arkansas, and western Louisiana. To prevent this as far as possible, a combined Army-Navy expedition was planned to move along the Mississippi from Helena, Arkansas, to Vicksburg.
Mississippi
Expedition to Vicksburg ended.
Skirmish at White Oak Bayou.
Missouri
Skirmish at Fulton and Moore’s Mill.
Skirmish near Santa Fe.
North Carolina
United States expedition from New Bern to Pollocksville and Trenton began under United States Army, Major General John Gray Foster.
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Post by lordroel on Jul 23, 2024 2:47:42 GMT
Day 469 of the United States Civil War, July 23rd 1862
District of Columbia
United States Army, Major General Henry W. Halleck assumes the command of the Federal Armies of the United States.
The War Board, which had been organised to advise (United States) President Abraham Lincoln while there was no active General-in-Chief, was discontinued.
The former Chair of the War Board, United States Army, Major General Ethan Allen Hitchcock, was assigned to administrative duties and the supervision of prisoner exchanges.
Virginia
Reconnaissance to Madison Court House and Malvern Hill.
Skirmish at Alderson Ferry.
United States cavalry left Fredericksburg under United States Army, Colonel Hugh Judson Kilpatrick and arrived at Carmel Church where they engaged with Confederate cavalry guarding supplies. Both sides broke off the action after taking casualties. Kilpatrick’s raid was made under the direction of United States Army, Brigadier General Rufus King in preparation for a southward advance by the Army of Virginia.
West Virginia
A meeting was held in Wetzel County to respond to the president's request for additional troops.
Mississippi
After repelling the attack of the previous day by USS ESSEX and USS QUEEN OF THE WEST, Confederate States Navy, Commander Isaac N Brown steamed the CSS ARKANSAS defiantly up and down the Mississippi river under the protection of the Vicksburg batteries.
Missouri
Skirmishes at Blackwater Creek, Columbus, and West Prairie
Skirmish at Bole’s Farm near Florida.
Louisiana
Twelve vessels from the United States mortar fleet used to capture New Orleans had been waiting fruitlessly for an army expedition to extend the operations at Vicksburg. Since those operations were indefinitely delayed, they were now ordered to support operations in the James River in Virginia.
Mississippi
Expedition to Coldwater began.
Arkansas
A United States expedition set off from Helena aboard the steamboat Catahoula to travel to Coldwater.
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Post by lordroel on Jul 24, 2024 2:49:37 GMT
Day 470 of the United States Civil War, July 24th 1862
Virginia
Fitzhugh Lee is appointed Brigadier General in the Confederate States Army.
United States reconnaissance to Wyoming County began along the Guyandotte River via Flat Top Ridge, Barke’s Ridge, Peak’s Ridge, and Miam’s Ridge.
Reconnaissance to James City ended.
United States Army, Brigadier General John Gibbon began a reconnaissance from Fredericksburg towards Orange Court House.
Louisiana
For a second time in a week, a slave has made his way into a United States camp in Louisiana. This individual has done so despite “wearing a 64 pound ball, attached to his foot by a cable chain five feet long. . . . He had traveled 40 miles. How he loved slavery.” By evening, yet another fugitive will join them, carrying on his neck “an iron yoke weighing 13 pounds, covered with long crooked prongs, seeking some mode of exit from the ‘house of bondage,’ which he is supposed to love so well.”
Mississippi
Expedition to Vicksburg ended.
Skirmish at White Oak Bayou.
Missouri
Skirmish at Fulton and Moore’s Mill.
Skirmish near Santa Fe.
North Carolina
United States expedition from New Bern to Pollocksville and Trenton began under United States Army, Major General John Gray Foster.
New York
Former (United States) President Martin Van Buren, dies at Lindenwald, NY, at the age of 79.
Louisiana
A United States force on the Amite River discovered a small group of Confederates near Benton’s Ferry. A surprise attack overran and scattered the Confederates.
United Sates Navy, Rear Admiral David Glasgow Farragut withdrew his ocean-going fleet from Vicksburg on the Mississippi River. The falling water level of the river and sickness among his ships’ crews necessitated its withdrawal southwards to Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Confederate control of Vicksburg enabled the South to receive supplies from Texas, Arkansas, and western Louisiana. To prevent this as far as possible, a combined Army-Navy expedition was planned to move along the Mississippi from Helena, Arkansas, to Vicksburg.
Alabama
Incidents at Pond Springs and Trinity.
Arkansas
United Sates cavalry expedition began from Helena to Marianna.
Florida
USS QUAKER CITY under the command of United States Navy, Commander James M Frailey, captured the blockade runner ORION at Campeche Bank, south of Key West.
Georgia
The gunboat USS OCTORORA under the command of United States Navy, Commander David Dixon Porter, captured the British blockade runner TUBAL CAIN east of Savannah.
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Post by lordroel on Jul 25, 2024 2:45:33 GMT
Day 471 of the United States Civil War, July 25th 1862
District of Columbia
(United States) President Abraham Lincoln issues a Executive Order - Executive Order [on the death of Martin van Buren]:
July 25, 1862 General Orders, No. 89.
War Department,
Adjutant- General Office,
Washington, July 25, 1862.
I. The following order of the President of the United States communicates information of the death of ex-President Martin Van Buren:
Washington, July 25, 1862.
The President with deep regret announces to the people of the United States the decease, at Kinderhook, N.Y., on the 24th instant, of his honored predecessor Martin Van Buren.
This event will occasion mourning in the nation for the loss of a citizen and a public servant whose memory will be gratefully cherished. Although it has occurred at a time when his country is afflicted with division and civil war, the grief of his patriotic friends will measurably be assuaged by the consciousness that while suffering with disease and seeing his end approaching his prayers were for the restoration of the authority of the Government of which he had been the head and for peace and good will among his fellow-citizens.
As a mark of respect for his memory, it is ordered that the Executive Mansion and the several Executive Departments, except those of War and the Navy, be immediately placed in mourning and all business be suspended during to-morrow.
It is further ordered that the War and Navy Departments cause suitable military and naval honors to be paid on this occasion to the memory of the illustrious dead.
Abraham Lincoln.
II. On the day after the receipt of this order the troops will be paraded at 10 o'clock a. m. and the order read to them. The national flag will be displayed at half-staff. At dawn of day thirteen guns will be fired, and afterwards at intervals of thirty minutes between rising and setting sun a single gun, and at the close of the day a national salute of thirty-four guns. The officers of the Army will wear crape on the left arm and on their swords and the colors of the several regiments will be put in mourning for the period of six months.
By order of the Secretary of War:
L. Thomas ,
Adjutant-General.
(United States) President Abraham Lincoln issues a Executive Order - Proclamation 92—Warning to Rebel Sympathizers:
July 25, 1862
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation In pursuance of the sixth section of the act of Congress entitled "An act to suppress insurrection and to punish treason and rebellion, to seize and confiscate property of rebels, and for other purposes," approved July 17, 1862, and which act and the joint resolution explanatory thereof are herewith published, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do hereby proclaim to and warn all persons within the contemplation of said sixth section to cease participating in, aiding, countenancing, or abetting the existing rebellion or any rebellion against the Government of the United States and to return to their proper allegiance to the United States on pain of the forfeitures and seizures as within and by said sixth section provided.
In testimony 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 25th day of July, A. D. 1862, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty- seventh.
Abraham Lincoln.
By the President:
William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.
An Act to suppress insurection, to punish treason and rebellion, to seize and confiscate the property of rebels, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That every person who shall hereafter commit the crime of treason against the United States, and shall be adjudged guilty thereof, shall suffer death, and all his slaves, if any, shall be declared and made free; or, at the discretion of the court, he shall be imprisoned for not less than five years and fined not less than $10,000, and all his slaves, if any, shall be declared and made free; said fine shall be levied and collected on any or all of the property, real and personal, excluding slaves, of which the said person so convicted was the owner at the time of committing the said crime, any sale or conveyance to the contrary notwithstanding.
SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That if any person shall hereafter incite, set on foot, assist, or engage in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof, or shall give aid or comfort thereto, or shall engage in or give aid and comfort to any such existing rebellion or insurrection, and be convicted thereof, such person shall be punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding ten years, or by a fine not exceeding $10,000, and by the liberation of all his slaves, if any he have; or by both of said punishments, at the discretion of the court.
SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That every person guilty of either of the offenses described in this act shall be forever incapable and disqualified to hold any office under the United States.
SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That this act shall not be construed in any way to affect or alter the prosecution, conviction, or punishment of any person or persons guilty of treason against the United States before the passage of this act, unless such person is convicted under this act.
SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That to insure the speedy termination of the present rebellion it shall be the duty of the President of the United States to cause the seizure of all the estate and property, money, stocks, credits, and effects of the persons hereinafter named in this section, and to apply and use the same and the proceeds thereof for the support of the Army of the United States; that is to say:
First. Of any person hereafter acting as an officer of the army or navy of the rebels in arms against the Government of the United States.
Secondly. Of any person hereafter acting as president, vice-president, member of congress, judge of any court, cabinet officer, foreign minister, commissioner, or consul of the so-called Confederate States of America.
Thirdly. Of any person acting as governor of a State, member of a convention or legislature, or judge of any court of any of the so-called Confederate States of America.
Fourthly. Of any person who, having held an office of honor, trust, or profit in the United States, shall hereafter hold an office in the so-called Confederate States of America.
Fifthly. Of any person hereafter holding any office or agency under the government of the so-called Confederate States of America, or under any of the several States of the said Confederacy, or the laws thereof, whether such office or agency be national, State, or municipal in its name or character: Provided, That the persons thirdly, fourthly, and fifthly above described shall have accepted their appointment or election since the date of the pretended ordinance of secession of the State, or shall have taken an oath of allegiance to or to support the constitution of the so-called Confederate States.
Sixthly. Of any person who owning property in any loyal State or Territory of the United States, or in the District of Columbia, shall hereafter assist and give aid and comfort to such rebellion; and all sales, transfers, or conveyances of any such property shall be null and void; and it shall be a sufficient bar to any suit brought by such person for, the possession or the use of such property, or any of it, to allege and prove that he is one of the persons described in this section.
SEC. 6. And be it further enacted, That if any person within any State or Territory of the United States, other than those named as aforesaid, after the passage of this act, being engaged in armed rebellion against the Government of the United States, or aiding or abetting such rebellion, shall not, within sixty days after public warning and proclamation duly given and made by the President of the United States, cease to aid, countenance, and abet such rebellion, and return to his allegiance to the United States, all the estate and property, moneys, stock,. and credits of such person shall be liable to seizure as aforesaid, and it shall be the duty of the President to seize and use them as aforesaid, or the proceeds thereof. And all sales, transfers, or conveyances of any such property after the expiration of the said sixty days from the date of such warning and proclamation shall be null and void; and it shall be a sufficient bar to any suit brought by such person for the possession or the use of such property, or any of it, to allege and prove that he is one of the persons described in this section.
SEC. 7. And be it further enacted, That to secure the condemnation and sale of any of such property, after the same shall have been seized, so that it may be made available for the purpose aforesaid, proceedings in rem shall be instituted in the name of the United States in any district court thereof, or in any Territorial court, or in the United States district court for the District of Columbia. within which the property above described, or any part thereof, may be found. or into which the same, if movable, may first be brought, which proceedings shall conform as nearly as may be to proceedings in admiralty or revenue cases; and if said property, whether real or personal, shall be found to have belonged to a person engaged in rebellion, or who has given aid or comfort thereto, the same shall be condemned as enemies property and become the property of the United States, and may be disposed of as the court shall decree and the proceeds thereof paid into the Treasury of the United States for the purposes aforesaid.
SEC. 8. And be it further enacted, That the several courts aforesaid shall have power to make such orders, establish such forms of decree and sale, and direct such deeds and conveyances to be executed and delivered by the marshals thereof where real estate shall be the subject of sale as shall fitly and efficiently effect the purposes of this act, and vest in the purchasers of such property good and valid titles thereto. And the said courts shall have power to allow such fees and charges of their officers as shall be reasonable and proper in the premises.
SEC. 9. And be it further enacted, That all slaves of persons who shall hereafter be engaged in rebellion against the Government of the United States, or who shall in any way give aid or comfort thereto, escaping from such persons and taking refuge within the lines of the army, and all slaves captured from such persons or deserted by them and coming under the control of the Government of the United States, and all slaves of such persons found on (or) being within any place occupied by rebel forces and afterwards occupied by the forces of the United States, shall be deemed captives of war, and shall be forever free of their servitude, and not again held as slaves.
SEC. 10. And be it further enacted, That no slave escaping into any State, Territory, or the District of Columbia from any other State shall be delivered up or in any way impeded or hindered of his liberty except for crime or some offense against the laws, unless the person claiming said fugitive shall first make oath that the person to whom the labor or service of such fugitive is alleged to be due is his lawful owner and has not borne arms against the United States in the present rebellion nor in any way given aid and comfort thereto; and no person engaged in the military or naval service of the United States shall, under any pretense whatever, assume to decide on the validity of the claim of any person to the service or labor of any other person, or surrender up any such person to the claimant, on pain of being dismissed from the service.
SEC. 11. A nd be it further enacted, That the President of the United States is authorized to employ as many persons of African descent as he may deem necessary and proper for the suppression of this rebellion, and for this purpose he may organize and use them in such manner as he may judge best for the public welfare.
SEC. 12. And be it further enacted, That the President of the United States is hereby authorized to make provision for the transportation, colonization, and settlement, in some tropical country beyond the limits of the United States, of such persons of the African race, made free by the provisions of this act, as may be willing to emigrate, having first obtained the consent of the Government of said country to their protection and settlement within the same, with all the rights and privileges of freemen.
SEC. 13. And be it further enacted, That the President is hereby authorized, at any time hereafter, by proclamation, to extend to persons who may have participated in the existing rebellion in any State or part thereof pardon and amnesty, with such exceptions and at such time and on such conditions as he may deem expedient for the public welfare.
SEC. 14. And be it further enacted, That the courts of the United States shall have full power to institute proceedings, make orders and decrees, issue process, and do all other things necessary to carry this act into effect.
Virginia
James Ewell Brown," JEB," Stuart is appointed Major General in the Confederate States Army.
Harry Thompson Hays is appointed Brigadier General in the Confederate States Army.
Incident at King’s School House.
A Confederate cavalry force rode into Summerville and discovered a United States post. They made a surprise night attack on the post and forced the United States troops to withdraw.
Alabama
A Confederate force arrived at the Courtland Bridge near Courtland. They spotted a Union force and launched a surprise attack which routed them.
Skirmish at Trinity.
The steamer Cuba evaded the Union blockade and ran into Mobile.
Arkansas
Expedition to Helena ended.
Louisiana
United States naval expedition began through Lake Pontchartrain, Pass Manchac, the Pearl River, and Tehefuncta River.
Mississippi
Expedition to Coldwater.
Expedition from Holly Springs began. A Confederate expedition set out from Holly Springs under Confederate States Army, Colonel Joseph Wheeler towards Bolivar and Jackson in Tennessee. Their aim was to ride seventy miles into United States-held territory to burn bridges and disrupt railroad and supply lines.
Missouri
Skirmishes at Santa Fe, Mountain Store, and Big Piney.
Tennessee
Incident at Brownsville.
A Confederate force attacked a Union foraging party at Clinton Ferry without success.
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Post by lordroel on Jul 26, 2024 7:14:39 GMT
Day 472 of the United States Civil War, July 26th 1862
Virginia
Confederate Governors of states in the Trans-Mississippi region requested a new commanding general and the necessary arms, money, and munitions to enable them to provide for their own defence.
United States reconnaissance from Culpeper to Raccoon Ford.
United States Army, Major General Henry Wager Halleck visited United States Army, Major General George Brinton McClellan to discuss the future operations of the Army of the Potomac. McClellan believed that his army should continue decisive operations on the Virginia peninsula, proposing a new line of operations south of the James River towards Petersburg. Halleck disagreed with this indirect approach and began to organise transportation to bring the Army of the Potomac nearer to Washington. As a consequence, the potential opportunity for the Army of the Potomac to be activated as the second jaw of a pincer on Richmond, cooperating with United States Army, Major General John Pope’s Army of Virginia approaching from the northwest, was lost. The Army of the Potomac would be substantially unavailable for action during its transfer by sea back to northern Virginia and would not be closer to Richmond for almost two years.
West Virginia
Governor of the Restored Government of Virginia, Francis Harrison Pierpont spoke at a meeting in Wheeling regarding the president's call for more troops.
North Carolina
Expedition to New Bern, Pollocksville, and Trenton ended.
United States expedition began from New Bern and Batchelder’s Creek along the Neuse River Road, led by United States Army, Captain Charles D Sandford (12th Massachusetts Cavalry).
Tennessee
Confederate States Army, Colonel John Hunt Morgan arrived at Livingston.
Skirmish at Humboldt.
Missouri
United States reconnaissance from Sedalia to Pettis County began.
Skirmishes at Bollinger’s Mill and Moore’s Mill near Fulton.
Skirmish at Cross Timbers.
United States Army, Brigadier General John McAllister Schofield and Governor of Missouri, Hamilton Rowan Gamble ordered a compulsory to raise the Enrolled Missouri Militia. The aim was to raise a sufficient body of men for local community defence. Schofield’s General Order No 19 required all able-bodied loyal men to enroll in the militia and for the disloyal to register their sympathies. A militia force was raised for garrison duty and local policing and this freed the Missouri State Militia to increase its efforts in pursuit of guerrillas and Confederate recruiters. The policy also forced those with Confederate sympathies to decide their loyalty. Thousands of Confederates joined guerrilla bands or set out to join the army.
(Missouri) Operations North of Boston Mountains - Battle of Moore's Mill
In Jefferson City on July 27th, Pro-United States - Missouri State Militia Colonel Odon Guitar of the 9th Missouri State Militia Cavalry (9th MSM Cavalry) received instructions to reinforce United States Army, Lieutenant Colonel Shaffer in Columbia with two companies, which he did. Guitar also received intelligence that Porter and guerrilla leader Alvin Cobb were encamped together only 11 miles north of Fulton at Brown's Spring.
Guitar selected a force of 100 men of the 9th MSM Cavalry and a section of artillery from the 3rd Indiana Battery, crossed the Missouri River and proceeded to Fulton where he was joined by 54 men of United States Army, Captain Duffield's 3rd Iowa Cavalry Regiment (United States). With these he advanced to Brown's Spring. A small skirmish ensued nearby and Guitar found the camp recently abandoned. Learning that United States Army, Lieutenant Colonel Schaeffer's had arrived nearby with 500 men, Guitar camped for the night.
Awaiting Guitar's force were at least 260 Confederates under the overall command of Confederate States Army, Colonel Porter including the 65 Boone County men of the Blackfoot Rangers under Confederate States Army, Lieutenant John Bowles and 75 guerrillas under Confederate States Army, Captain Alvin Cobb. Rather than avoiding battle, Porter prepared an ambush along the banks of Auxvasse Creek.
On the morning of July 28th Guitar advanced along the Creek and was joined by Shaffer's much larger force for a combined force of 733 men. Guitar attempted to trap Porter by sending Shaffer east across the creek in a flanking movement with 464 men. Simultaneously Guitar advanced west of the creek with 269 men, but too rapidly for Shaffer's wing to complete their movement in time. Porter's force awaited Guitar in ambush, concealed in trees and brush adjacent to the path. The rebels unleashed two devastating volleys into the federals before they could react.
Guitar ordered his men to dismount and to take cover in the woods while bringing his cannon forward. Porter lacked artillery and the federals hoped that their artillery would soon unnerve and dislodge Porter's men. After an hour Porter declared, "Boys, we can't stand this, we shall have to charge them—Forward! Charge!" The Confederates shot down the gunners and overran at least one of the two pieces, driving the Federals back in disorder.
At this stage Shaffer's force arrived on the field having countermarched after hearing volley fire and artillery. A company surged forward retaking the guns and sending the rebels reeling back to their original positions. Shaffer's men dismounted and the exchange of fire continued.
After several hours, Porter's men were short of ammunition and the order was given to withdraw. Standing or leaving cover to withdraw exposed the men and many Confederates reported that this was when many of their casualties occurred. The exhausted United States troops did not pursue immediately and the Confederates were able to withdraw.
United States casualties were considerable with 13 killed and 55 wounded. Confederate casualties can only be estimated.
Alabama
Skirmishes at Guntersville, Stevenson. and Law’s Landing.
Arkansas
Expedition from Helena to Old Town and Trenton began.
California
Indian attack at Whitney’s Ranch near Fort Anderson.
Louisiana
United States Army, Brigadier General Thomas Williams at Baton Rouge heard of the departure of Confederate forces from Camp Moore towards the Louisiana capital. Confederate States Army, Major-General John Cabell Breckinridge detrained at Ponchatoula and prepared to march the sixty miles to attack the United states garrison at Baton Rouge.
Louisiana
The gunboat USS HATTERAS under the command of United States Navy, Commander George F Emmons, captured the Confederate brig JOSEPHINE off Ship Shoal, en route to Havana with a cargo of cotton.
The Azores
The bark AGRIPPINA under the command of Captain Alexander McQueen, was ordered to rendezvous with the steamer ENRICA in the Azores. It carried guns, ammunition, coal, and other stores for the ENRICA, which was to be commissioned as a commerce raider and renamed the CSS ALABAMA.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Jul 27, 2024 7:18:33 GMT
Day 473 of the United States Civil War, July 27th 1862
District of Columbia
John Buford, is appointed Brigadier General in the United States Army.
Virginia
Having just reached the Confederate capital, a tired South Carolinian, William Porcher Dubose, is nevertheless impressed with what he witnesses in the seat of government and war: “Saw Pres’t Davis today in church. There are no end to the Confederate uniforms in the street. They are by far the commonest dress.”
Skirmish at Flat Top Mountain.
The steam-powered side-wheel tugboat USS YANKEE under the command of United States Navy, Lieutenant-Commander William Gibson and steam-powered large tugboat USS SATELLITE under the command of United States Navy, Acting Master Amos Foster, captured the schooner J W STURGES in Chippoak Creek.
At the request of Confederate States Army, Major General Thomas Jonathan Jackson, a further 10,000 to 12,000 men in the division of Confederate States Army, Major General Ambrose Powell Hill were sent from Richmond to Gordonsville. Hill was to reinforce Jackson’s command opposing the United States Army of Virginia concentrating near Culpeper. At the same time, the division of Confederate States Army, Major General Theophilus Hunter Holmes, now under Confederate States Army, Major General Daniel Harvey Hill, was sent south of the James River in order to protect Petersburg against United states troops on the James River. Confederate States Army, General Robert Edward Lee was left with a much-diminished force of 56,000 men to defend Richmond against United States Army, Major-General George Brinton McClellan’s much larger force at Harrison’s Landing. Lee welcomed two new brigades of reinforcements just arrived from South Carolina.
Tennessee
Skirmishes at Lower Post Ferry and Toone’s Station.
The first elements of the Confederate Army of Mississippi arrived by train in Chattanooga after a long rail journey from Tupelo, Mississippi, via Mobile, Alabama, and Atlanta, Georgia.
In Pulaski, Tennessee, United States Army, officer Emerson Opdycke, finds the realities of war and the policies of his government at substantial and frustrating odds with each other: “I constantly chafe at the manner the war has been conducted for the past few months. The war might be at an end this coming fall; but I see no probable end, so long as the present policy is continued. We are on a plantation of thirty-five hundred acres of excellent land, well cultivated, 500 acres in corn, in etc.: numbers of splendid horses, mules, and cattle, and hogs, all of which our army need badly; the owner is in the rebel service, doing all in his power to destroy our lives, while we protect his property.” Still, the United States officer notes with a wink and a nod that despite half rations, “the men never lived so well . . . [as] the hogs, the sheep, the roasting ears, and potatoes, come in quite freely; the men saying, ‘we pay all we are asked for them.’ I tell Co. A they must not commit depredations upon the property of rebels, but I commanded them not to starve.”
Alabama
United states expedition from Woodville to Guntersville began.
Louisiana
Skirmishes at Covington and Madisonville.
Mississippi
Expedition from Rienzi to Ripley began.
Confederate States Army, Major General John Cabell Breckinridge boarded 5,000 men on trains at Vicksburg bound for Camp Moore near Baton Rouge, Louisiana. They travelled by way of Jackson and were joined at their camp by a small infantry division led by Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Daniel Ruggles. Breckinridge had orders to exploit the retreat of the United States naval forces from Vicksburg and to recapture the state capital of Baton Rouge. Simultaneously, the Confederate fleet was preparing to steam down the Mississippi River to engage the United States ships to divert the Union gunboats near Baton Rouge.
Missouri
Operations in Livingston County, Ray County, and Carroll County began.
Skirmish at Brown’s Spring. United States Army, Colonel Odon Guitar of the 9th Missouri State Militia Cavalry (United States) received orders to send two companies from his headquarters at St Joseph to reinforce United States Army, Lieutenant Colonel Shaffer in Columbia. Guitar received intelligence that Confederate States Army, Colonel Joseph C Porter and guerrilla leader Alvin Cobb were encamped together only eleven miles north of Fulton at Brown’s Spring. Guitar selected 100 men of the 9th MSM Cavalry and a section of artillery from the 3rd Indiana Battery, crossed the Missouri River, and proceeded to Fulton where he was joined by 54 men of United States Army, Captain Duffield’s 3rd Iowa Cavalry Regiment (United States). He advanced to Brown’s Spring. A small skirmish ensued and Guitar found the guerrilla camp recently abandoned. Learning that United states Army, Lieutenant Colonel W F Schaeffer had arrived nearby with 500 more men from the 2nd Missouri Cavalry Regiment (United States) and other commands, Guitar camped for the night. Awaiting Guitar’s force were at least 260 Confederates including 65 Boone County men of the Blackfoot Rangers under Confederate States Army, Lieutenant John Bowles and 75 guerrillas under Captain Alvin Cobb. Rather than avoiding battle with his pursuers, Porter prepared an ambush along the banks of Auxvasse Creek the following day.
North Carolina
Incident at Young’s Cross Roads.
Indian Territory
Skirmish at Bayou Bernard near Fort Gibson.
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