An Outburst Of Applause

Two hundred people gathered at Four Locks, Maryland January 31^st 1861 to raise a “Union Pole, and listen to speeches made by local dignitaries.

Four Locks, Maryland was a small community located in Washington County and lying along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.  The town was on a peninsula known as Prather’s Neck.  The locks which gave the town its name were built between 1836 and 1838 to avoid a four mile long loop in the Potomac River.  As it was located about half way between Cumberland, Maryland and Washington, DC and was a frequent stop for canal boats.

With southern states moving toward secession, parts of Maryland held fast to the Union.  A pro-Union meeting was held in Four Locks, Maryland January 31^st 1861.  About 200 people there put up a 113 foot tall “Union Pole” with a banner on the top reading “The Union Forever”.  There many speaker including Lewis P Firey; a member of the Constitutional Union Party, whose speech caused “the wildest outburst of applause”.

That summer many of the residents enlisted in units that formed in the nearby town of Clear Spring, Maryland.  Four Locks was also located on the path of Confederate cavalry on their way to raid Chambersburg, Pennsylvania in 1864.  The Confederate burnt several buildings on their way through.

Carrying Out His Duties Bravely

Union Navy Landsman Richard Stout was awarded the Medal of Honor for his action on January 30^th 1863 on board the USS Isaac Smith.

Richard Stout was born 1836 in New York.

He was a Landsman serving in the Union Navy during the Civil War.  On January 30^th 1863 Stout was on the USS Isaac Smith in the Stono River in South Carolina when it was attack by a Confederate force.  As the ship was under attack Stout was wounded in action.  He was awarded the Medal of Honor on April 16^th 1864.

Stout died August 6^th 1896 in New York.  He is buried in the Evergreen Cemetery in Owego, New York.

His Citation reads: Serving on board the U.S.S. Isaac Smith, Stono River, 30 January 1863. While reconnoitering on the Stono River on this date the U.S.S. Isaac Smith became trapped in a rebel ambush. Fired on from two sides, she fought her guns until disabled. Suffering heavy casualties and at the mercy of the enemy who was delivering a raking fire from every side, she struck her colors out of regard for the wounded aboard, and all aboard were taken prisoners. Carrying out his duties bravely through this action, Stout was severely wounded and lost his right arm while returning the rebel fire.

A Western District

Union Colonel George Washington Bowie became the commander of the District of Arizona January 29^th 1864.

George Washington Bowie was born 1827 in Maryland.  He moved to the Iowa Territory town of Burlington, where he would be a delegate in the Second Constitutional Convention.  When America entered the Mexican American War, Bowie became a First Lieutenant in Company K of the United States 15^th Infantry.  He was brevetted Major for his action at the Battle of Churubusco.  Following his mustering out in 1848, he returned to Burlington, Iowa and his legal practice.  In 1850 Bowie immigrated to California where he was elected to the California state assembly in 1854.

When the Civil War started Bowie became the Colonel of the Union 5^th California Infantry.  The 5^th served mostly in the New Mexico Territory which was part of the military District of Arizona.  He became the commander of the District on January 29^th 1864, a position he held until November 1864 when he and the 5^th mustered out of service.  Bowie received a brevet to Brigadier General of Volunteers March 13^th 1865.

Bowie died August 11^th 1901, and is buried in the Alhambra Cemetery in Martinez, California.

To Replace The National Flag

The flag adopted by the Confederate State of South Carolina on January 28^th 1861 had a white palmetto tree on a blue background.

South Carolina has had a flag since 1765 when the opponents of the British Stamp Acts carried one in protest with three white crescents on a blue background.  In 1861 the people of the state added the palmetto tree, symbolizing the use of the tree by Moultrie during the Revolution, which with sand laid over withstood British cannons.

It was decided after many designs that the Republic of South Carolina would replace the national flag.  It would have a blue background with an upward facing crescent.  The South Carolina General Assembly added a golden palmetto tree encircled by a white background.  This flag became known as the two day flag as the gold palmetto was changed two days latter to a plain white tree on January 28^th 1861.  It was this flag which was raised over Fort Sumter April 14^th 1861 when the fort surrendered to Confederate General PTG Beauregard.

Silence Of The Press

The owner of the “Philadelphia Evening Journal, Albert D Boileau was arrested on January 27^th 1863 for allegedly printing anti-Union stories.

Albert D Boileau was the proprietor of the Philadelphia Evening Journal.  On the night of January 27^th 1863 Union military authorities arrested him under a warrant drawn up by the War Department in Washington, DC.   The charge was that he was printing anti-Union propaganda.  It centered around an editorial he had published on January 20^th 1863 entitled “Davis’ Message”.  Boileau was held for a few days at Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland until he made an apology and was released.

“I, ALBERT D. BOILEAU, citizen of Philadelphia, editor and publisher of the Philadelphia Evening Journal, now confined in Fort McHenry, for the publication of an editorial article, under the title of "Davis' Message," in that newspaper, Jan. 20, 1863, and for the publication of other articles of like dangerous character, tending to the support and encouragement of the rebellion against the Government of the United States, do hereby freely and voluntarily express my regret for the publication of that article, or of any other article of like tendency or character, and distinctly disavow such-article or articles being published with my proper authority or knowledge, and declare that each publication has been made by other persons, agents or employees, without my sanction and intention, and I do hereby further give to Maj.-Gen. HOBERT C. SCHENCK, commanding the Middle Department and Eighth Army Corps, by whose order, in behalf of the Government, I have been arrested, my sacred parole of honor that upon being discharged from my present imprisonment, and the suspension of the publication of my newspaper being removed, I will not write, print, or publish, or permit others in my name to write, print, or publish, any articles having such dangerous character, or tending to the support or encouragement of the rebellion; but will demean myself in all things as true and loyal citizen of the United States, intending only to support the Government, the Constitution and the Union as a faithful citizen should; and it is to be further understood that these declarations and pledges are made as well to relate to matter hereafter to be published in the weekly newspaper called the Democratic Leader, made up from the daily Philadelphia Evening Journal itself, and to any other newspaper that may be published or controlled by me.”

Indiana Artillery

The 12^th Indiana Battery Light Artillery was mustered into Union service January 25^th 1862.

The 12^th Indiana Battery Light Artillery was organized in Indianapolis and Jeffersonville, Indiana.  It mustered into Union service January 25^th 1862 for a term of three years.  They left the same for Louisville, Kentucky.  The men took part in the siege of Corinth, Mississippi during May of 1862. The 12^th joined the Army of the Ohio in June 1862 before being moved the Defenses of Nashville in September of that year.  The 12th would also be on duty at the battles of Chattanooga, and the Battle of Nashville in 1864.

The men of the 12^th mustered out of service July 7^th 1865.  The Battery lost 24 men killed in action, and another 24 who from disease.

Blockade Runner To Blockader

The CSS Calhoun a blockade runner was captured by the USS Colorado January 23^rd 1862 off Southwest Pass, Louisiana.

The CSS Calhoun started life in 1851 as the Cuba, and was built in New York City.  She was commissioned by the Confederate Navy May 15^th 1861 for use as a blockade runner.  She was captured off the coast of Southwest Pass, Louisiana on January 23^rd 1862 by the USS Colorado.

She was commissioned into Union service as the USS Calhoun under the command of Lieutenant J E DeHaven.  She became a part of the West Gulf Blockading Squadron March 19^th 1862.

Always A Colonel

Confederate Colonel John Mercer Brockenbrough resigned his commission on January 21^st 1864.

John Mercer Brockenbrough was born August 1^st 1830 in Richmond County, Virginia, the son of Moore Fauntleroy and Sarah Waller (Smith) Brockenbrough.  He attended and graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1850.

Brockenbrough was appointed the Colonel of the 40^th Virginia at the start of the Civil War.  They were a part of Confederate Major General A P Hill’s Light Division.  Brockenbrough led his men during the Seven Days Battles seeing casualties of about 50%.  At the Battle of Chantilly he moved up to Brigade command, and continued there through the battles of Harpers Ferry, Sharpsburg, and Fredericksburg.  In the early part of the 1863 Confederate Brigadier General Henry Heth replaced Brockenbrough as the brigade commander.  But, when A P Hill was wounded at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Heth moved up and Brockenbrough got his brigade back.  His men saw action at Gettysburg on the afternoon of July 1^st 1863, fighting against Union Colonel Roy Stone’s Pennsylvania Buck Tails, and as part of Pickett’s Charge on the 3^rd.

Following a reckless charge on Union troops at the Battle of Falling Waters on July 14^th 1863; a part of the Confederate retreat from Gettysburg, Brockenbrough was removed from Brigade command and he resumed command of the 40^th Virginia.  He led the 40^th the Battles of Bristoe and Mine Run, before resigning his command January 21^st 1864 still as a Colonel.

Brockenbrough lived in Norfolk and Richmond, Virginia following the war.  He died August 25^th 1892 in Richmond, Virginia and is buried in the Hollywood Cemetery there.

A Raid On Home Ground

The George’s Schoolhouse Raid in Lovettsville, Virginia on January 17^th 1865 was the last move in Loudoun County by White’s Comanche’s.

The end of 1864 found Confederate Colonel Elijah V White the commander of the 35^th Battalion of Virginia Cavalry in the Shenandoah Valley.  His rations were running out, and men leaving the ranks in recorded numbers.  White moved his men back into their home territory of Loudoun County, Virginia, to forage and regroup.  About the same time Union cavalry Colonel Thomas C Devin on a regular patrol of the area made camp northwest of Lovettsville near George’s Schoolhouse.

On January 12^th 1865 some members of White’s 35th were at a party in Hillsborough, Virginia when they were surprised by the Union leaning Loudoun Rangers.  One member of the 35^th was killed and two captured.  White put together a unit of about 80 men made up of the 35^th and Mosby’s Rangers.

On the night of January 17^th 1865 White’s raiding party moved on Devin’s camp, capturing the pickets.  The raiding party charged the Union cavalry camp, only to find that Devin had recently been reinforced and had about 400 men.  Union men assembled in the dark, most in a state of undress, and advanced on the raiders.  The raiders quickly broke off the attack, making a retreat, taking about 50 captured horses with them.

Going On To Shore

The USS Hatteras pulled into Cedar Key, Florida January 16^th 1862 destroying some Confederate ships and damaging the community.

The USS Hatteras was a 1,126 ton steamer, which was outfitted by the Union Navy at the Philadelphia Navy Yard as a gunboat, and assigned to Confederate blockading duty.  She started life as the St Mary and was purchased on September 25^th 1861.  She was placed under the command of Commander George F Emmons in October 1861.  The Hatteras sailed to Key West, Florida in November 1861 becoming a part of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

She was assigned to Cedar Key, Florida, and moved there on January 7^th 1862.  After blocking the harbor for nine days, on January 16^th 1862, she made a raid on the shore.  The men on the ship burned seven blockade runners found in the harbor.  Then they moved on to burning the Florida Railroad wharf, the depot, a telegraph office and several flatcars.  To end the day the Hatteras took the Confederate garrison located in Cedar Key, capturing the commanding officer and about 20 men.

A Marine At Fort Fisher

Union Corporal John Rannahan was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on January 15^th 1865 at the Second Battle of Fort Fisher.

John Rannahan was born about 1835 - 1836 in Monaghan County, Ireland. He immigrated to the United States.

Rannahan volunteered in 1861 to serve as a United States Marine.  His enlistment was credited to Pennsylvania, and he was assigned to the USS Minnesota.  On January 15^th 1865 he was part of a landing party that was to storm the Confederate held Fort Fisher on the coast of North Carolina.  The storming party was made up of marines, sailors and soldiers under the joint command of Union Admiral David Dixon Porter and General Alfred Terry.

Rannahan was awarded the Medal of Honor on June 22^nd 1865.  The citation reads, “The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Corporal John Rannahan, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in action on board the U.S.S. Minnesota in the assault on Fort Fisher, 15 January 1865. Landing on the beach with the assaulting party from his ship, Corporal Rannahan advanced to the top of the sand hill and partly through the breach in the palisades despite enemy fire which killed or wounded many officers and men. When more than two-thirds of the men became seized with panic and retreated on the run, he remained with the party until dark when it came safely away, bringing its wounded, its arms and its colors.”

Rannahan died June 1^st 1892 in Millwood, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania.  He is buried in the Saint Martins Cemetery in New Derry, Pennsylvania.

A Confederate Territory

The Arizona Territory was officially created through legislation by the Confederacy January 13^th 1862, and was accepted by Confederate President Jefferson Davis in February of that year.

The New Mexico Territory was expanded in 1853 with the Gadsden Purchase.  There were several proposals looking at separating the land into two territories.  Most of the proposals were related to whether the government in Santa Fe, New Mexico could be effective in administering the southern portions of the large territory.  In January 1857 a bill was introduced to the United States House of Representatives, but it was defeated on the grounds that the population was still too small.  The real controversy was caused by the perception that the territory was controlled by southern sympathizers who were interested in expanding slavery.  New Mexico tried again in 1858 suggesting a north south border along the 109^th meridian.

When the Civil War started the territory was strongly in favor of the Confederacy.  It held Territorial secession conventions in Mesilla and Tucson in March 1861.  They adopted secession and set up a Provisional Confederate Territory of Arizona, and sent a petition to the Confederate Congress for admission.  They elected Granville H Oury as a delegate to the Confederate Congress, and he drafted the legislation which would organize the Territory of Arizona.  The legislation passed the Confederate Congress January 13^th 1862, and signed into law by Confederate President Jefferson Davis on February 14^th 1862.

I Have Served Her Forty Years

William Conway the United States Quartermaster at the Pensacola Navy Yard refused on January 12^th 1861 to lower the United States flag when the fort was take over.

William Conway was born about 1802 in Camden, Maine.

When a militia force from Florida and Alabama numbering about 600, took control of the Pensacola Navy Yard [sometimes called the Warrington Navy Yard] on January 12^th 1861 Confederate Lieutenant Frederick B Kinshaw ordered Conway to strike the National flag.  Conway replied, "I have served under that flag for forty years, and I won't do it."  He was placed under arrest and put in irons.  After being released Conway was commended by the Union Secretary of the Navy, Gideon Welles.  He was also presented with a gold medal, made in his honor from the city of San Francisco, California.

Conway lived out the rest of his life in Brooklyn, New York, dying at the Brooklyn Navy Yard November 30^th 1865.  His place of burial is unknown, but there is a monument to his honor in his home town of Camden, Maine, a granite boulder with a plaque.  It is located on Elm and School Street, and was dedicated August 30^th 1906.  One of the speakers at the dedication was Union General Joshua L Chamberlain who said, "Now aloft on every topmost pinnacle runs for this token the reverenced, redeemed old flag; and the authority, the dignity, the majesty of the United States of America voices in the thunder of her guns of powder what she accounts the man who, alone, amidst the threatening, the fearing, the forsaking, the surrendering, stood for her honor.”

A Secret Ship

The Confederacy secretly took ownership of the CSS Stonewall on January 10^th 1865 from France.

The CSS Stonewall was built in Bordeaux, France for the Confederate Navy at the request of John Slidell the Confederate commissioner to France.  It was a 1390 ton ironclad ram.  Just before she was ready to launch in February 1864, the French government enacted an embargo, and sold the ship to Denmark.  When it was completed however the Danish government would not accept delivery.

The Confederate Navy secretly took possession of the ship January 10^th 1865 and commissioned her the CSS Stonewall.  She was placed under the command of Captain T J Page.  She sailed for the Azores on her way to America, looking for Union Navy and commercial ships to attack.  A storm forced the Stonewall into Ferrol, Spain where she was confronted by the USS Niagara and USS Sacramento in March 1865.  Those two wooden ships declined to attack the heavily armed Stonewall.  She reached Havana, Cuba in May after the Civil War ended, and was turned over to Spanish authorities.

The Stonewall was turned over the United States government in July 1865.  After sitting for two years in the Washington, DC Navy Yard, she was sold to Japan.

New Hampshire's First

The 1^st New Hampshire Cavalry was officially detached from the 1^st New England Cavalry January 7^th 1864.

From October through December 1861 there were four companies of cavalry organized in Concord, New Hampshire.  These companies were attached as a battalion to the 1^st New England Cavalry as Companies I, K, L and M.  The battalion was detached on January 7^th 1864 and officially became the 1^st New Hampshire Volunteer Cavalry.  Under the command of Colonel John L Thompson they were ordered to Washington, DC April 23^rd 1864.  They were attached to the 2^nd Brigade of the 3^rd Division of the Army of the Shenandoah.  A part of the regiment was in service at the Battle of Cold Harbor from June 1^st to 12^th 1864.  They were involved in all of Union Philip H Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign, including the Battle of Cedar Creek.  They were on guard and patrol duty in the defenses of Washington, DC in March of 1863 against raids of Mosby’s Raiders.

During their service they had 33 men killed of mortally wounded, and 114 who died from disease.  The 1^st mustered out of service July 1865.

A Skirmish Over Hancock

The Battle of Hancock a part of Jackson’s Romney Expedition was fought January 5^th and 6^th 1862.

Confederate General Thomas J Jackson led his men on January 1^st 1862 from Winchester, Virginia to Bath, Virginia for an attack on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.  They arrived on the Potomac River on January 5^th 1862 across the river from the town of Hancock, Maryland.

There was a skirmish with the Union soldiers garrisoned in the town.  Jackson had artillery moved to Orrick’s Hill, and they opened fire on the town.  The garrison commander Union Brigadier General Frederick W Lander refused to surrender his position.  Jackson continued the bombing of Hancock for two days.

Jackson withdrew his men on January 7^th 1862 and they moved on to Romney, Virginia.

The Yankees Are Sending Babes

John Lincoln Clem a Union drummer boy, who was only 9 years old when he tried to join the army, became a paid member of the 22^nd Michigan January 5^th 1863.

John Lincoln Clem was born John Joseph Klem, August 13^th 1851 in Newark, Ohio the son of Roman and Magdalene (Weber) Klem.  Following his mother’s death when he was 9, he ran away to become a drummer boy in Union army.  Clem’s first attempt to join up in May 1861 was rejected by the 3^rd Ohio Infantry because he was so small and young.  From here he moved onto the 22^nd Michigan.  They also turned him down, but this time he just “joined” them.  The men of the 22^nd adopted the boy as their mascot and he became their drummer boy.  The officers of the 22^nd chipped in to pay Clem a soldier’s wage.

The legend around Clem is that he precipitated in the Battle of Shiloh, where his drum was said to have been smashed by an artillery round. On January 5^th 1863 he officially became enlisted in Company C of the 22^nd.  Clem became famous during the Battle of Chickamauga.  He was seen riding an artillery caisson and on the front line shooting a musket which had been remade to fit his small size.  During a retreat of the Union, Clem refused to surrender to a Confederate Colonel and shot him instead.  Following the battle he was promoted to Sergeant, the youngest ever non commissioned officer in Union service.  Clem was captured October 1863 in Georgia by Confederate cavalry.  He was exchanged in a short time, but the Confederate newspapers reported on Clem’s young age to show "what sore straits the Yankees are driven, when they have to send their babes out to fight us."  After serving with the Army of the Cumberland and being wounded twice, Clem was discharged in September 1864 at the age of 13.

After the war Clem finished his early education.  He served as the Captain of the “Washington Rifles” a militia unit in the District of Columbia in 1871.  After an attempt to enter the United States Military Academy failed, Clem with the help of President Ulysses S Grant became a Second Lieutenant in the 24^th United States Infantry December 18^th 1871.  He would become a First Lieutenant in 1874.  Clem would continue with Army serving in the Spanish American War and rising in rank and becoming the Chief Quartermaster at Fort Sam Houston by 1906 in Texas as a Colonel.  He retired at the mandatory age of 64 in 1915, with the retirement rank of Major General.  He was the last Civil War veteran to be on active military duty.  Clem died in San Antonio, Texas May 13^th 1937.  He is buried in the Arlington National Cemetery.

Protecting The Northern Border

Major Johiah Grout Jr

The Union Frontier Cavalry was organized by the authority of the War Department, and it’s first unit was organized on January 4^th 1865 to patrol New England’s northern border.

The Frontier Cavalry organized under the special authority of the Union War Department in December 1864.  It was a volunteer regiment and was placed under Union General John A Dix’s Department of the East.  It was organized as a response to the raid by Confederates on October 19^th 1864 in St Albans, VT.  At the beginning it was made up of returned veterans, militia and in Vermont by cadets from Norwich Military Academy.

The cavalry regiment was known as the 26^th New York Cavalry, and was made up of 7 companies from New York, 2 from Massachusetts, and 2 from Vermont.  The Vermont companies which were raised by General Order #6 were stationed in St Albans, VT; the other companies were stationed in New York along the Canadian border.  The first Vermont unit was recruited in Rutland, VT and filled out January 4^th 1865.  The commander of the regiment was Union Major Josiah Grout Jr who had served in the 1^st Vermont Cavalry.

The Vermont companies mustered out of service June 27^th 1865.

The Fort Fell Before Alabama Seceded

Fort Morgan a masonry star fort in Mobile Bay, Alabama was captured by southern forces on January 3^rd 1861, eight days before Alabama seceded.

Fort Morgan is a masonry star fort built at the mouth of Mobile Bay, Alabama, and named for Revolutionary War hero Daniel Morgan.  It was built on the site of the former stockade fort known as Fort Bowyer, which was used during the last land battle of the War of 1812.  After several other tries it was completed by Untied States Army Corps of Engineers using slave labor in March 1834.  The first command in the Fort was Company B of the 2^nd United States Artillery under Captain F S Belton.

Just eight days before Alabama seceded from the Union, in the early morning hours of January 3^rd 1861, Colonel John Todd with four companies of volunteers captured the Fort.  Fort Morgan protected the only approach to Mobile Bay that was deep enough for large ships to pass.  The Confederates worked hard to strengthen Fort Morgan’s defenses and those of Mobile Bay.  The Fort’s heavy guns were moved to cover the channel, redoubts and trenches were built to prevent land attack, and a flotilla under Confederate Franklin Buchanan patrolled the Bay.

The Fort would fall back into Union hands on August 23^rd 1864 after two weeks of siege, having been bombed from the land and sea.

I'll Send The First Union Troops

Alexander Ramsey became the second Governor of Minnesota January 2^nd 1860.

Alexander Ramsey was born September 8^th 1815 near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  His family was of Scottish and German heritage.  He attended Lafayette College; becoming a lawyer he had a practice in Harrisburg.  He served the state of Pennsylvania in the United States House of Representatives from 1843 to 1847.  Ramsey then became the first Territorial Governor of Minnesota from 1849 to 1853.  He became the mayor of St Paul, Minnesota in 1855.

On January 2^nd 1860 Ramsey became the second Governor of the State of Minnesota.  He was in Washington, DC when the fighting of the Civil War broke out, and he became the first governor to commit troops the Union cause.  It was also during his term that he called for the removal of all American Indians from Minnesota, stating on September 9^th 1862 that “The Sioux Indians of Minnesota must be exterminated or driven forever beyond the borders of the state."

He was elected to the United States Senate in 1863 and would serve in that office until 1875.  Ramsey would also serve as the United State Secretary of War under President Rutherford B Hayes from 1870 to 1881.  From 1882 through 1886 he was the chairman of the Edmunds Commission which was working on the question of Mormon polygamy and the state hood of Utah.  Ramsey died April 22^nd 1903 in St Paul, Minnesota and is buried in the Oakland Cemetery there.

The First Volunteers

Maxcy Gregg

The 1^st South Carolina Infantry known as “Gregg’s First” was constituted January 1^st 1861 by an order of South Carolina Governor Francis W Pickens.

South Carolina Governor Francis W Pickens passed an order for the formation of a regiment of soldiers for the state on January 1^st 1861.  The 1^st South Carolina Volunteers was raised for six months and mustered in at Columbia, South Carolina February 1^st 1861 under the command of Colonel Maxcy Gregg.  The regiment was made up of 11 companies, one more then called for, so Company “D” became artillery.  They moved to join other military units on Morris and Sullivan Islands and served as part of the forces bombing Fort Sumter.  In April the 1^st was sent to Richmond, Virginia, the first regiment from another state to transfer to the Army of Northern Virginia.  Their enlistment ended in early July 1861.