A Day in the Life of the Civil War

A Back Up Battle

2012-02-03T01:45:00.000-08:00

The Battle of Dover was fought February 3^rd 1863 in Steward County, Tennessee.

Confederate Major General Joseph Wheeler took two brigades of cavalry to the Cumberland River, to try to disrupt shipping near Palmyra. Union troops caught wind of the plan and stopped sending boats up the river. So with the original plan fouled, Wheeler’s men attacked the Union garrison at Dover, Tennessee.

Wheeler’s soldiers began moving on Dover about 2 am on February 3^rd 1863. The Union garrison of about 800 troops was under the command of Colonel Abner C Harding. Harding had placed his men around town, digging rifle pits and installing battery emplacements. The Confederates attacked using heavy artillery, but the well dug in Union troops repulsed them. As the day came to a close both side were about out of ammunition. The Union side had lost about 126 men, while the Confederates had casualties on about 670.

Wheeler decided to withdraw his cavalry. This left the Union in control of Middle Tennessee.

A Corps For Washington

2012-02-02T05:10:00.000-08:00

The Twenty-second Union Army Corps was created on February 2^nd 1863.

Created on February 2^nd 1863 the Union Army XXII Corps, made up of the Military District of Washington, and consisted of all troops garrisoned in Washington, DC. It included H Judson Kilpatrick’s Cavalry and three divisions of infantry. The XXII was under the command of Union Brigadier General James S Wadsworth. Its area of posting ran from Piscataway Creek, to Annapolis Junction, to the Monocacy River, south to the Bull Run Mountains and back by way of the Occoquan River. This area would expand by the end of the war to include Maryland and Virginia.

The XXII Corps held the defense of Washington, DC when Confederate General Jubal Anderson Early made his raid on the city in 1864. During the defense of Fort Stevens on July 11^th 1864 as part of Early’s raid the XXII lost 73 men killed or wounded.

A Day To Remember Freedom

2012-02-01T05:47:00.000-08:00

The first commemoration of National Freedom Day was on February 1^st 1942 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

National Freedom Day, observed on February 1^st, was created to honor the day Abraham Lincoln signed the 13^th Amendment. A former slave; United States Major Richard Robert Wright, gathered together local Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and national leaders to stump for the national holiday. Calling themselves the National Freedom Association they proposed a holiday that would highlight the struggles made by African Americans. The first remembrance took place February 1^st 1942 at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, and included the lying of a wreath at the Liberty Bell.

President Harry Truman signed the bill proclaiming National Freedom Day on February 1^st every year, on June 30^th 1848.

Lifting The Blockade

2012-01-31T04:48:00.000-08:00

The CSS Palmetto State and CSS Chicora made a surprise attack January 31^st 1863 on the Union blockading force off Charleston, South Carolina.

The CSS Palmetto State was an ironclad ram built by the Cameron and Company of Charleston, South Carolina and under the command of Confederate Lieutenant Commander John Rutledge. The CSS Chicora was her sister ram, also an ironclad was under Commander John Randolph Tucker.

The two Confederate ships slipped through a pre-dawn haze on January 31^st 1863 to make a surprise attack on the Union blockading force located off Charleston, South Carolina. The ships sat low in the water, which allowed the Palmetto to ride under the guns of the USS Mercedita. The Palmetto rammed the Union ship and fired into her, disabling the Mercedita. The Confederate ram then went for the USS Keystone State. The Keystone was hit by shells, puncturing her steam chests, putting her out of power and needing a tow. As this was going on a long range gun battle ensued between the Chicora and the other Union blockaders, with little damage being done to either side.

The Palmetto and Chicora moved safely back into Charleston Harbor. The battle caused a temporary lifting of the blockade of Charleston.

The Church Seceded Too

2012-01-30T04:54:00.000-08:00

As southern states seceded from the Union, dioceses of the Episcopal Church in the south began forming the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Confederate States of America on January 30^th 1861.

As southern states began to secede from the Union in December 1860, the dioceses of the Episcopal Church in those states began to struggle over what their status was going to be. The first diocese to separate from the main church was Louisiana’s. The Episcopal bishop of Louisiana, Leonidas Polk on January 30^th 1861 issued a proclamation, saying, "The State of Louisiana having, by a formal ordinance, through her Delegates in Convention assembled, withdrawn herself from all further connection with the United States of America, and constituted herself a separate Sovereignty, has, by that act, removed our Diocese from within the pale of 'The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States.” Although some bishops disagreed with Polk as to the causes, they did agree that the separation was made compulsory by changing politics.

The Confederate dioceses requested that representatives from all the dioceses of the seceded state meet at Montgomery, Alabama on July 3^rd 1861. At the meeting a draft of the new constitution and canons were drawn up. The meeting ended with the declaration that the “secession of the States ... from the United States, and the formation by them of a new government, called the Confederate States of America, renders it necessary and expedient that the Dioceses within those States should form among themselves an independent organization.”

After the end of the Civil War, with the southern states back in the Union the members of the Confederate Episcopal Church, rejoined the Episcopal Church of United States at a general convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

A good web site if you are looking for more information on this topic is, ORGANIZATION OF THE Protestant Episcopal Church OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES

A Real Princess

2012-01-29T04:32:00.000-08:00

The British blockade runner the Princess Royal was captured by the Union Navy January 29^th 1863 at Charleston, South Carolina.

The British ship the Princess Royal was a 774 ton iron hulled screw steam boat built in Glasgow, Scotland. She was trying to run the Union blockade of Charleston, South Carolina on January 29^th 1863 when she was captured by the USS Unadilla. She was purchased from the Philadelphia Prize Court in March 18^th 1863 and refitted as a cruiser. Commissioned May 29^th 1863, she was placed under the command of Melancthon B Woolsey.

The USS Princess Royal was sent to the Gulf of Mexico in June 1863. Her first Union action was an engagement against Confederates in Donaldson, Louisiana on June 28^th 1863. While serving off the Texas coast between 1863 and the end of the war in 1865, she captured or wrecked a number of blockade runners. The Princesses last capture was the CSS Anna Sophia in February 7^th 1865 in Galveston Bay, a cotton loaded schooner.

Following the end of the war the Princess was sold, and she became a merchant steamer. She was sunk January 10^th 1874 off the Cape Fear, North Carolina.

The Pass To New Orleans

2012-01-28T05:30:00.000-08:00

Fort Macomb in Louisiana was occupied by the Confederates on January 28^th 1861.

Fort Macomb was built in 1822 on the western shore of Chef Menteur Pass. It was a few miles from New Orleans. Chef Menteur Pass is a water route to Lake Pontchartrain from the Gulf of Mexico. It was seized by Confederate troops on January 28^th 1861 and used for a garrison. The Union re-took the fort a year later.

A Battle In The Fog

2012-01-27T05:24:00.000-08:00

The Battle of Fair Garden was fought January 27^th 1864 in Sevier County, Tennessee.

Confederate Lieutenant General James Longstreet who commanded the Department of East Tennessee ordered his troops to stop Union movements south the French Broad River. On January 26^th 1864 Union Brigadier General Samuel D Sturgis positioned his cavalry watching two fords on the river. There was some minor skirmishing between cavalry that day, but nothing decisive.

On the morning of January 27^th 1864 Union scouts detected Confederates assembling on the Fair Garden Road. Sturgis ordered an attack. Union Colonel Edward M McCook attacked in a heavy fog and drove Confederate Major General William T Martin’s troopers back. The fighting continued until about 4pm when the Union men charged with sabers drawn and smashed the Confederates. The Union saw losses of about 100 men. The Confederate Cavalry casualties numbered about 165.

Another State Leaves The Union

2012-01-26T05:15:00.000-08:00

The Louisiana Secessionist Convention voted to secede January 26^th 1861 by a vote of 112 to 17.

A hundred and thirty men met at Baton Rouge, Louisiana to hold the Louisiana Secession Convention. The fact that the Governor of Louisiana had, since the beginning of the new year seized Federal Fort and properties made Convention a forgone conclusion. The vote on January 26^th 1861 was 113 to 17 to secede straightaway from the Union. The Ordinance of Secession was signed by 120 of the delegates.

“An ORDINANCE to dissolve the union between the State of Louisiana and other States, united with her under the compact entitled "The Constitution of the United States of America."

We, the people of the State of Louisiana, in Convention assembled, do declare and ordain, and it is hereby declared and ordained, That the ordinance passed by us in Convention on the 22d day of November, in the year 1811, whereby the Constitution of the United States of America and the amendments of the said Constitution were adopted; and all laws and ordinances by which the State of Louisiana became a member of the Federal Union, be and the same are hereby repealed and abrogated; and that the union now subsisting between Louisiana and other States, under the name of "The United States of America," is hereby dissolved.

We do further declare and ordain, That the State of Louisiana hereby resumes all rights and powers heretofore delegated to the Government of the United States of America; that her citizens are absolved from all allegiance to said Government; and that she is in full possession and exercise of all those rights of sovereignty which appertain to a free and independent State.

We do further declare and ordain, That all rights acquired and vested under the Constitution of the United States, or any act of Congress, or treaty, or under any law of this State, and not incompatible with this ordinance, shall remain in force, and have the same effect as if this ordinance had not been passed.”

A Doctor, A Lawyer, A General

2012-01-24T03:23:00.000-08:00

Union Brigadier General Stephen Gardner Champlin died January 24^th 1864, from wounds he received.

Stephen Gardner Champlin was born July 1^st 1827 in Kingston, New York, the son of Jeffrey Clark and Allis Ellen Champlin. He attended local academies and then began studying medicine. In 1845 Champlin had a medical practice in Warwarsing, Ulster, New York. He decided in 1849 to become a lawyer and attended a law school in Balston Spa, New York. He was admitted to the New York State bar and opened a practice in Albany, New York. Champlin moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1853 where he opened a law practice with Lucius Patterson. Champlin joined the Michigan state militia and was elected the Captain of the Grand Rapids Light Artillery. In the fall of 1858 Champlin was elected the Prosecuting Attorney of Kent County, Michigan.

Champlin entered the Union Army June 10^th 1861 as a Major in the 3^rd Michigan Infantry. Their first action was a reconnaissance near Bailey’s Corners in Virginia on August 30^th 1861 for which Union Major General George B McClellan said of Champlin, I am “pleased with Major Champlin's dispositions on the occasion”. Champlin was promoted to Colonel of the 3^rd Michigan October 28^th 1861. He was wounded in the hip at the Battle of Seven Pines. After partially recovering Champlin led the regiment at the Second Battle of Bull Run, and was again wounded. While recovering from both wounds in Washington, DC, Champlin was promoted on November 29^th 1862, to Brigadier General.

Champlin was placed in command of the Draft Depot at Camp Cleveland, Ohio in 1863. He was then re-assigned on September 22^nd 1863 to the Draft Depot in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Champlin’s wounds did not heal well, and on November 8^th 1863 he resigned his commission. He died January 24^th 1864 at his home as a result of complications of his wounds and is buried in the Fulton Street Cemetery in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Another web site about Stephen Gardner Champlin that I think is worth looking at is Men of the 3rd Michigan Infantry

A Killing in North Carolina

2012-01-19T16:38:00.000-08:00

The Shelton Laurel Massacre in North Carolina on January 19^th 1863 left 15 men and boys dead.

The Appalachian area of North Carolina found its citizens of divided loyalties. Yancey County, North Carolina actually split, with the eastern part breaking away and forming the pro-Confederate county of Mitchell. As the Civil War continued, the government showed its ineffectualness, and food became short, the residence became violent against one another.

In late 1862 Union sympathizer and Confederate deserters of the Shelton Laurel Valley in Madison County, North Carolina decided to take matters into their own hands. Looking for promised government rations the grouped moved into Marshall, North Carolina where they made raids on private homes. The men stole from and destroyed houses along the way. They took the home of Confederate Colonel Lawrence Allen; who commanded the 64^th North Carolina. Allen wasn’t home, but the group of men intimidated his wife and children, and took all their food and other supplies.

The citizens of Marshall were infuriated, and they went after the men, hunting them down in the Shelton Laurel Valley. Most of the men fled, but on January 19^th 1863 fifteen men from the age of 15 to 60 were rounded up. The men were started back to Marshall. Somewhere along the way two of the Shelton Laurel Valley group escaped. The rest of the men were lined up and executed their bodies place in a shallow grave.

When the residents of Shelton Laurel learned of the massacre, they removed their men from the quickly dug grave. The bodies where decently buried in a single grave by their families.

A Solid Ironclad

2012-01-18T05:46:00.000-08:00

The USS Weehawken was commissioned January 18^th 1863 under the command of Captain John Rodgers.

The USS Weehawken was enlarged version of the USS Monitor, a Passaic class ironclad. She was launched by the Zeno Secor & Company of Jersey City, New Jersey on November 5^th 1862. Accompanied by the USS Iroquois bound for duty as part of the South Atlantic Blocking Squadron they left New York January 18^th 1863. They encountered high winds and heavy seas off the coast of New Jersey, but the Weehawken was better designed then her archetype the Monitor, and her commander Captain John Rodgers put her safely into Norfolk on February 1^st 1863.

On April 7^th 1863 the Weehawken led the first assault against Confederate installations in the Charleston, South Carolina harbor. During the failed action the Weehawken took 53 direct hits and a torpedo. She did not suffer any real damage. Her next action was again the CSS Atlanta in Wassaw Sound, Georgia. With just five shots the crew of the Weehawken put the Atlanta out of action, and got Captain Rodgers a commendation from Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles and a promotion to Commodore.

Fourty Acres And A Mule

2012-01-16T05:20:00.000-08:00

Union General William Tecumseh Sherman issued Special Field Orders Number 15 on January 16^th 1865.

As Union General William Tecumseh Sherman’s army marched across Georgia to the sea, tens of thousands of former slaves joined the march. The slaves joined the Union troops looking for support and protection. Sherman after meeting with minister of the black community in Savannah, Georgia and United States Secretary of War Edwin M Stanton about the problem raised by these former slaves, issued Special Field Order Number 15 on January 16^th 1865.

Special Field Order Number 15 provided for the seizure of four hundred thousand acres of land along the coast from Charleston, South Carolina to St John’s River, Florida. The land was to be divided into 40 acre lots to be given to the 40,000 freed slaves in the area. Union Brigadier General Rufus Saxton; an abolitionist from Massachusetts, was placed in charge of executing the order. The order clearly called for black families to settle on the confiscated land, and for the newly freed men to join the Union army. Sherman also latter ordered that the newly settled farmer be loaned mules by the army.

The Order was revoked in the fall of 1865 by President Andrew Johnson. Johnson had all lands returned to the planters who had originally owned it.

If you would like to see the actual wording of SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS, No. 15. look at this web site.

The Army West Of The Rockies

2012-01-15T05:03:00.000-08:00

The Union Army reorganized the Department of the Pacific on January 15^th 1861 by consolidating the Departments of California and Oregon.

The Department of the Pacific was first organized at San Francisco, California October 31^st 1853. It reported to Army headquarters in Washington, DC and oversaw the military in California and the Oregon and Washington Territories. It moved its headquarters to Benicia, California for a short time in 1854, but was back in San Francisco by 1857. In 1858 the Utah Territory was included this department. The Department was disbanded on September 13^th 1858.

On January 15^th 1861, with the Civil War about to start, the Union Army reorganized the Department of the Pacific. The first commander was Union Colonel Albert Sidney Johnston. He served as commander until March 1861, when Johnston resigned his commission to join the Confederate Army. He was replaced by Union Brigadier General Edwin Vose Sumner.

A Short Life As A Union Ship

2012-01-14T05:38:00.000-08:00

The USS Diana was a part of the Union engagement at Brashear City and Bayou Teche, Louisiana on January 14^th 1863.

The USS Diana was built in 1858 in Brownsville, Pennsylvania. She was a 239 ton side wheeled steamship.

On April 27^th 1862 Diana was captured from the Confederacy at New Orleans, Louisiana. She was turned over to Union General Benjamin Franklin Butler. For the next few months she was used as a Union transport ship. In November 1862 the USS Diana was transferred to the Union Navy. On January 14^th 1863 Diana took part in an attack on Confederate forces at Bayou Teche, Louisiana, and the demolition of the CSS J A Cotton.

The USS Diana was doing reconnaissance on Grand Lake, Louisiana and the Atchafalaya River when she was captured by the Confederates March 28^th 1863. A few weeks later the Diana was destroyed by Union forces.

The First To Serve

2012-01-13T04:48:00.000-08:00

The 1^st Kansas Colored Infantry was mustered January 13^th 1863 into the Union Army.

Six companies or one battalion of the 1^st Kansas Colored Infantry was mustered into Union service January 13^th 1863 at Fort Scott, Kansas. They were place under the command of Colonel James M Williams of the 5^th Kansas Cavalry. The regiment was recruited without Union authorization by James H Lane a Union recruiter for the Kansas territory. It took only 60 days to raise the 500 men.

The 1^st saw duty with the Department of Kansas, participating in actions at Cabin Creek, Island Mound, Baxter Springs, Elk Creek, Honey Springs, and Steele’s Camden Expedition among others. They were also attached to Armstrong’s Battery of Light Artillery. No other Kansas regiment saw more casualties then the 1^st. They had 178 men killed and 166 die of disease.

The 1^st Kansas Colored Infantry stopped being on December 13^th 1864, when it became the 79^th United States Colored Infantry.

If you’re interested, this web site has more information on the First Kansas, First to Serve

The Last Confederate Senator

2012-01-12T05:37:00.000-08:00

Missouri Confederate State Senator George Graham Vest, who was appointed to fill a vacancy, resigned his seat January 12^th 1865.

George Graham Vest was born December 6^th 1830 in Frankfort, Kentucky. He graduated in 1848 from Centre College, and then with a law degree from Transylvania University. He was admitted to the bar in 1853. On his way to California, Vest defended a black man who was accused of murder in Pettis County, Missouri. He settled after winning the case in Georgetown, Missouri. In 1860 Vest was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives, where he chaired the Committee on Federal Relations.

When the Civil War first started Vest was a Unionist, but changed and by October 1861 he had written the Secession Ordinance that passed the Missouri legislature. For a short time Vest was the Judge Advocate for the Army of Missouri under the command of Confederate General Sterling Price. Vest was appointed to fill a vacant seat from Missouri in the Confederate State Senate on February 1862. He resigned his seat January 12^th 1865.

When the war was over Vest returned to his law practice in Sedalia, Missouri. It was here in 1869 that he took the case of Burden and his hunting dog Old Drum. He moved to Kansas City in 1877 and was elected to the United States Senate in 1879. Vest served on the Committee of Public Buildings and Grounds, Public Health and the Committee on Epidemic Diseases. He retired from public service March 4^th 1903. He died at his summer home in Sweet Springs, Missouri August 9^th 1904 and is buried in the Bellefontaine Cemetery in St Louis, Missouri. Vest was the last living Confederate States Senator.

Another web site that might interest you about this subject is George Graham Vest A Tribute To A Dog

A Wheeler Dealer

2012-01-11T05:10:00.000-08:00

Simon Cameron resigns January 11^th 1861 as the United States Secretary of War.

Simon Cameron was born March 8^th 1799 in Maytown, Pennsylvania the son of Charles and Martha [Pfoutz] Cameron. He was an orphan by the time he was nine, and was apprenticed to Andrew Kennedy the editor of the Northumberland Gazette. Cameron became an editor himself in 1821 when he took over the helm of the Bucks County Messenger, before moving to Washington, DC where he worked for Gales and Seaton Printers. After moving back to Pennsylvania Cameron was the state printer from 1825 to 1827, the Pennsylvania state adjutant general in 1826, the founder of several rail lines, a bank, and the state commissioner of claims for the Winnebago Indians.

After being a Whig, Cameron joined the Democratic Party and was voted into the United State Senate in 1844. He switched to the Republican Party and was nominated for President at the 1860 Republican National Convention. As part of the wrangling of the Convention, Cameron threw his support behind Abraham Lincoln. The payoff was that Cameron was named the United States Secretary of War. While in office he centralized recruiting, but was criticized for awarding contracts and positions through favoritism. Cameron was notoriously corrupt and was forced to resign January 10^th 1862. When discussing Cameron’s corruption; Thaddeus Stevens told Lincoln that, "I don't think that he would steal a red hot stove".

Cameron finished out the years of the Civil War, as the United States Minister to Russia. In 1866 he ran and was elected again to the United States Senate from Pennsylvania. He served until 1877, when the Pennsylvania General Assembly assured him if he resigned, his son James Donald Cameron would be placed in his seat. Cameron retired to his estate near Maytown, Pennsylvania. He died June 26^th 1889 at his home. Cameron is buried the Harrisburg Cemetery in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Another good web site for information Simon Cameron

The Third State

2012-01-10T05:27:00.000-08:00

Florida joined two other southern states January 10^th 1861, when they seceded from the Union.

A convention of delegate from around Florida met in Tallahassee early in January 1861, to deliberate on whether Florida should seceded from the United States. The Governor Madison Starke Perry and the Governor elect John Milton both supported secession.

After days of debate the delegates voted on January 10^th 1861, sixty two to seven for Florida to break away from the United States. The next day a public ceremony was held on the capital steps, where the Ordinance of Secession was formally signed. There were local celebrations once news of the event got around.

Florida was the third southern state to leave to Union. She sent three men; James Patton Anderson, Jackson Morton and James Byeram Owens to the 1861-62 Provisional Confederate Congress at Montgomery, Alabama, and then in Richmond, Virginia.

A Union Star

2012-01-09T13:45:00.000-08:00

The USS Star of the West was fired on January 9^th 1861 as it entered Charleston Harbor by cadets from the Citadel.

The Star of the West was built in 1852 for Cornelius Vanderbilt, and was launched June 17^th 1852. It was a 1,000 ton steamer with a wooden hull, two masts, and a side paddle wheel. She worked for the United States Mail Steamship Company running between New York City, Havana Cuba, and New Orleans, Louisiana until January 1861.

A week after South Carolina had seceded the USS Star of the West was fired on when she tried to enter Charleston Harbor on January 9^th 1861. Cadets from the Citadel fired a warning shots across the Stars’ bow as she was attempting the get supplies to the garrison at Fort Sumter. The Star was hit three times. She gave up trying to get Fort Sumter and returned to her home port in New York Harbor.

The Star then went to work as troop transport, picking up seven companies of Union troops at Indianola, Texas. She was captured April 18^th 1861 while anchored in Matagorda Bay by Confederate Colonel Earl Van Dorn. Taken to New Orleans her name was changed to CSS St Philip. The Confederates had her sunk near Greenwood to block the Union flotilla from making it up river to Vicksburg.

One Of Three Forts

2012-01-08T05:21:00.000-08:00

Confederate troops under Colonel William Henry Chase demanded the surrender of the Union held Fort Barrancas located near Pensacola, Florida January 8^th 1861.

Fort Barrancas was a hilltop fort built near Pensacola, Florida. The fort was built of brick with a connected underground walkway to a battery located down the hill at sea level. United States General Andrew Jackson fought two battles at Fort Barrancas against the Spanish in 1814 and again in 1818. The United State acquired Florida from Spain in 1821 and Fort Barrancas, along with Fort McRee and Fort Pickens were designed to defend Pensacola Bay.

At the start of the Civil War in 1861 Fort Barrancas was manned by 50 Union soldiers, under the command of Lieutenant Adam J Slemmer. Florida militia under the command of Confederate Colonel William Henry Chase made a call for the surrender of the Union troops holding the Fort on January 8^th 1861. Slemmer ordered that warning shots be made on the militia. Knowing that he could hold Fort Pickens more easily, Slemmer had the guns of Fort Barrancas spiked, and the Fort’s supplies and ammo loaded on a flatboat. He moved the Union company to Fort Pickens, which was held the rest of war by the Union.

A Blockade Runner Catcher

2012-01-07T04:57:00.000-08:00

The USS Sacramento was commissioned January 7^th 1863 under Commander Andrew E K Benham.

The USS Sacramento was launched from the Portsmouth Navy Yard in Kittery, Maine April 28^th 1862. Her first assignment after being commissioned on January 7^th 1863 with Commander Andrew E K Benham in charge was blockade duty off the North Carolina coast. She captured the blockade runner the British ship the Wanderer off the coast of Wilmington, North Carolina on May 1^st 1863. In February 1864 the Sacramento was ordered to European waters where she cruised off the British and French coasts looking for Confederate blockade runners.

The Sacramento took part in detaining the CSS Rappahannock in France and the CSS Stonewall off Spain in early March 1865. Following the end of the Civil War the Sacramento left Queenstown, Ireland July 25^th 1865 and arrived in Boston, Massachusetts on August 12^th 1865. She was decommissioned at the Boston Navy Yard August 21^st 1865 and remained inactive until 1866.

How Far North Did They Secede

2012-01-06T05:11:00.000-08:00

The mayor of New York City, Fernando Wood proposed on January 6^th 1861 that the city should secede from the United States.

Just previous to the start of the Civil War as southern states began to secede the Democratic Mayor of New York City, Fernando Wood proposed that the city secede. Wood who was consider to be the most unethical mayor in the city’s history, suggested the city become a sovereign city state called Free City of Tri-Insula. It would have included Long Island, Manhattan, and Staten Island. Wood addressed the Common Council on January 6^th 1861 in which he articulated a commiseration with the seceded southern states, stating that the city would find a great profit in maintaining cotton shipping.

The idea of seceding from the United States was to extreme for the Council, and after the south bombed Fort Sumter in April 1861 it fell apart. As a side note though the upstate New York town of Town Line did vote to secede from the Union, and did not officially rejoin until 1946.

A very good web site for information about Fernando Wood and his proposed secession is The Bowery Boys, A History of New York City

Up The River

2012-01-04T05:40:00.000-08:00

The USS Signal got underway January 4^th 1863 on an expedition to attack Fort Hindman.

The USS Signal was a small 190 ton steamship which the Navy outfitted as a gunboat. There is no record of when she was commissioned, but it is known that the Signal was in operation October 22^nd 1862. She departed on that date from Carondelet, Missouri as part of the campaign against Confederate held Vicksburg. On November 29^th 1862 the Signal entered the Yazoo River on a reconnaissance expedition. She was fired on from time to time by Confederates on the river bank, but returned that afternoon unscathed.

On January 4^th 1863 the Signal started on an expedition up the White River to attack Confederate held Fort Hindman. After a three day long battle the Fort surrendered. The Signal continued up the White River to make reconnaissance on Little Rock, Arkansas. In February the Signal returned to the Yazoo where she probed until the fall of Vicksburg.

A Blockade Of The Potomac

2012-01-03T05:07:00.000-08:00

A part of the Potomac River blockade, the Battle of Cockpit Point took place January 3^rd 1862 in Prince William County, Virginia.

The Confederate Army established a defensive line after the Battle of First Manassas from the Occoquan to the Potomac River. They used the rivers to set up gun positions to stop Union boats. By December 1861 they had 37 heavy guns along the river.

On January 3^rd 1862 the Union ships the USS Anacostia and USS Yankee shelled the Confederate location at Cockpit Point. Neither side made any headway.

Union ship would again approach the point on March 9^th 1862, only to find the Confederates had left the area. But the Confederates had sealed off the Potomac River for almost five months.

Another Davis

2012-01-02T05:20:00.000-08:00

George Davis; no relation to Jefferson Davis, was appointed Confederate Attorney General January 2^nd 1864.

George Davis was born March 1^st 1820 at Porter’s Neck, near Wilmington, North Carolina. He was the valedictorian of the class of 1838 of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Davis became a lawyer in 1840, and in 1848 the general counsel of the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad.

As the country moved toward Civil War, Davis served as a delegate at the Washington Peace Conference from North Carolina in 1861. He then served on the Provisional Confederate Congress and the Confederate Senate from 1861 through 1864. Confederate President Jefferson C Davis appointed Davis Attorney General January 2^nd 1864 a position he held until the last days of the Confederacy on April 24^th 1865.

Davis was captured by a Union force October 18^th 1865 in Key West, Florida and served several months at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, New York before being pardoned on January 1^st 1866. He returned to his law practice in Wilmington, North Carolina. Davis was offered, but turned down a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court. He died February 23^rd 1896.

He Would Not Surrender His Ship

2012-01-01T09:43:00.000-08:00

William Bainbridge Renshaw died in an explosion of his ship during the Second Battle of Galveston January 1^st 1863.

William Bainbridge Renshaw was born October 11^th 1816 in Brooklyn, New York the son of United States Commodore James Rneshaw. He went into the family business and joined the Navy where he was appointed a midshipman December 22^nd 1831. Renshaw served for the next twenty years on an assortment of ships and outposts.

At the beginning of the Civil War Renshaw was appointed Commander on April 26^th 1861, and assigned the steamer the USS Westfield. He was attached to Union Admiral David G Farragut’s squadron, and was part of the Mortar Flotilla on the Mississippi River in 1862. The end of 1862 found Renshaw in charge of the Union ships preforming blockade duty on the port of Galveston, Texas. During the Second Battle of Galveston on January 1^st 1863 Renshaw refused to surrender his ship the USS Westfield; which had ran aground on a sandbank. He set her on fire to keep the Confederates from capturing it. The fire caused an explosion and Renshaw died during it.

Stuck On A Sandbar

2011-12-29T05:20:00.000-08:00

The CSS Caroline Gertrude was sunk in the Ochlockonee River December 29^th 1863.

The CSS Caroline Gertrude, a schooner ran aground on a sandbar in the mouth of the Ochlockonee River. The USS Stars and Stripes; a 400 ton steamer, came upon the schooner and attempted to capture it. The crew of the Stars and Stripes tried to refloat the Confederate schooner but came under fire from Confederate cavalry on the shore. After several hours of gunfire the Union sailors set the Caroline Gertrude on fire and sank her on December 29^th 1863. The Stars and Stripes didn’t recover the schooner’s cargo of cotton, but did gain a number of prisoners.

The Castle Fell

2011-12-27T05:14:00.000-08:00

Castle Pinckney was the first Union military position seized on December 27^th 1860 by a Confederate state government.

Castle Pinckney was built in 1810 on Shutes’ Folly Island about a mile off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina. The fort was started in 1797 as a stick and earth structure to protect the city from naval attack and was named for American Revolutionary War hero Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. It was replaced in 1809 by a brick structure that reminded people of a castle. The fort was garrisoned in the War of 1812 and during the Nullification Crisis of 1832. The rest of the time the fort was used as a storehouse for military supplies.

As the country closed in on Civil War, Castle Pinckney was a part of the Union defense of Charleston harbor which included Fort Moultrie and Fort Sumter. Pinckney was protected by 28 guns of various sizes in 1860. Once week after South Carolina seceded from the Union, on December 27^th 1860 the Castle was stormed by a small force using ladders to climb over the parapet. The Union soldiers garrisoned at Pinckney turned it over to a South Carolina militia without firing a shot and joined Union Major Robert Anderson at Fort Sumter. This move made Castle Pinckney the first Union holding to fall to a Confederate force.

Castle Pinckney was manned after Fort Sumter fell by the Charleston Zouave Cadets. After the First Battle of Manassas, Pinckney was used to hold 154 Union prisoners of war. Although Pinckney was bombed heavily during the war it stayed in Confederate hands until after Charleston fell. The Union reoccupied the fort February 18^th 1865.

May As Well Lose Them Here

2011-12-26T04:31:00.000-08:00

The opening engagement of the Vicksburg Campaign, the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou was fought December 26^th through the 29^th of 1862.

Union Major General Ulysses S Grant started a campaign in November 1862 to capture the city of Vicksburg, Mississippi. He spilt his army of 70,000 men into two wings, commanding one himself and placing the other under Major General William Tecumseh Sherman. Sherman wing was authorized as the XV Corps of the Army of the Tennessee on December 22^nd 1862. He organized his troops into four divisions under Brigadier Generals George W Morgan, Andrew Jackson Smith, Morgan L Smith and Frederick Steele. Sherman’s men disembarked on the Yazoo River at Johnson’s Plantation on December 24^th 1862

On December 26^th 1862 Sherman deployed three brigades to make a reconnaissance of the Confederate defenses around Chickasaw Bayou. The ground was ruff and swampy. They skirmished with Confederate Stephen D Lee’s men.

Sherman ordered an artillery attack on December 29^th 1862 to weaken Confederate defenses. It went on for about four hour, but didn’t do much damage. At about 11 am the Union troops deployed into lines of battle. Sherman knew it was going to be hard fighting and said, "We will lose 5,000 men before we take Vicksburg, and may as well lose them here as anywhere else."

The assault started at noon. Union troops crossed water barriers and other obstacles, moving forward against the Confederates by the force of sheer numbers. Once they reached the main Confederate line and came under heavy fire the Union line began to crumble. Sherman’s men fell back on a corduroy bridge. Confederate General Lee made a counterattack, capturing a number of battle flags and 332 Union soldiers.

After another day of fighting Sherman decided fighting more in the same location would be pointless. The Union saw 1,776 casualties.

A Soldier's Desk

2011-12-25T09:04:00.000-08:00

A patent for a pocket writing desk was applied for December 25^th 1861 by Andrew J Ritter.

Patent number 35,781 was applied for by Andrew J Ritter of Rahway, New Jersey for a pocket writing desk. The pocket desk was meant to hold paper, pen or pencil, sewing needles and thread, and a checker board with the checkers. When the Civil War started it became a much sought after device for both sides. The patent was granted to Ritter on July 1^st 1862.

Returning Slaves After 1812

2011-12-24T05:06:00.000-08:00

The Treaty of Ghent, ending the War of 1812, between the United States and England was signed December 24^th 1814, and included a return of slaves.

Members of negotiation teams in Ghent Belgium signed and affixed seals to the document known as the Treaty of Ghent on December 24^th 1814. It was sent on to be ratified by the governments to end the War of 1812. The treaty called for the release of prisoners and boats, as well as the return of about 10,000,000 acres of land along Lakes Michigan and Superior and in Maine. There was also a promise made by England to return all black slaves who had been encouraged during the war to cross into English held territory.

To view the actual wording check out this web site, The Treaty of Ghent

With Sabers Drawn

2011-12-23T05:22:00.000-08:00

An engagement in Madison County, Alabama, the Affair at Indian Creek Ford on December 23^rd 1864, was a small cavalry tousle.

Parts of the Union 10^th and 13^th Indiana Cavalry and the 2^nd Tennessee Cavalry under the command of Lieutenant Colonel W F Prosser were in Madison County, Alabama on a very cold December 23^rd 1864. They found and attacked a Confederate force of about 300 dismounted cavalry under the command of Colonel J R B Burtwell. The Union troopers charged the Confederates with sabers drawn. Burtwell and his men made a disorganized retreat.

Prosser lost 4 men, 1 killed and 3 wounded. The Confederates had 54 wounded and captured, and unknown number of fatalities.

The Irish General

2011-12-22T04:26:00.000-08:00

Michael Corcoran the Irish American General and Colonel of the 69^th New York died December 22^nd 1863.

Michael Corcoran was born September 21^st 1827 in Carrowkeel, Sligo, Ireland, the only child of Thomas and Mary [McDonagh] Corcoran. When he was 18 he took a job with the Revenue Police, searching for illegal stills and other distilling activities in Donegal County, Ireland. Corcoran immigrated to the United State on August 30^th 1849. He settled in New York City, where he found work in the Hibernian House, a tavern in Manhattan. Corcoran enlisted in the New York City Militia the 69^th, and was their Colonel on October 11^th 1860 when he refused to march in a parade put on for the visiting Prince of Wales. He was removed from command and was placed under a court martial when the Civil War started.

At the beginning of the Civil War, Corcoran’s charges were dropped and he was restored to command of the 69^th New York. While the Regiment served in Washington, DC early in the year, they worked on defenses of the city, building Fort Corcoran. Corcoran led the 69^th at the First Battle of Bull Run, and was taken prisoner. He was released in a prisoner exchange in August 1862 and was promoted to Brigadier General in the Union army. Following Corcoran’s release he was placed in command of the 1^st Division of the 12 Corps. He saw action at the Battle of Deserted House and the Siege of Suffolk, before returning to the defenses of Washington, DC. Corcoran was riding alone on December 22^nd 1863 when his horse fell on him. He died from a fractured skull. Corcoran is buried in the Calvary Cemetery at Woodside, Queens, New York.

Another web site that might interest you about Corcoran is

A hero to the Irish soldiers

To Destroy The Saltworks

2011-12-21T04:24:00.000-08:00

The Second Battle of Saltville was fought near the town of Saltville, Virginia December 21^st 1864.

Union General George Stoneman put together a force to move against the saltworks located at Saltville, Virginia. Stoneman defeated a Confederate unit on December 18^th 1864 at Marion, Virginia, and then began his advance.

The town of Saltville, Virginia was held by Confederate General John C Breckinridge with about 500 men. They were waiting on an additional brigade of General Basil W Duke’s cavalry. Two Union columns moved into the town and despite heavy skirmishing quickly overwhelmed the Confederate defenses. When Breckinridge ordered a retreat, Stoneman’s men moved into town and demolished the saltworks, which was the purpose of the raid.

Lack Of Experence

2011-12-19T04:26:00.000-08:00

The Skirmish at Blackwater Creek on December 19^th 1861 took place in central Missouri, and is also known as the Skirmish at Milford.

Confederate Colonel Franklin S Robertson a store owner in Saline County, Missouri was recruiting to fill out a Confederate regiment after being commissioned by Major General Sterling Prince. Union Brigadier General John Pope who was in command of the District of Central Missouri was set on quashing the Confederates working in Missouri and end southern recruiting.

Robertson rounded up his recruits and on December 16^th 1861 took his 750 men and marched them south. They were going to meet up with other recruits near Warrensburg, Missouri. They were to join up with Price. Robertson and his men camped on December 18^th 1861 near Milford, Missouri. Pope learning of the encampment moved to encircle them by sending Union Colonel Jefferson C Davis’ brigade to the Blackwater Bridge and the 2^nd Missouri Cavalry around them to the northeast.

Finding himself surrounded on December 19^th 1861, Robertson formed a line, and ordered his men to take the bridge before the Union troops could hold it. When fired on the new recruits holding the bridge fled. The 4^th United States Cavalry, 2^nd Missouri Cavalry and 1^st Iowa Cavalry chased them into Robertson’s line, where the Confederates surrendered.

They Held For Three Charges

2011-12-18T05:07:00.000-08:00

Confederate Brigadier General Nathan Bedford Forrest’s Cavalry push out a detachment of Union cavalry December 18^th 1862 near Lexington, Kentucky.

Union troops received reports on December 16^th 1862 that Confederate Brigadier General Nathan Bedford Forrest had crossed the Tennessee River just north of Savannah, Tennessee. The intelligence said that Forrest had 2,000 men with him and was heading for the Mobile & Ohio Railroad. Acting on this information the Union sent Colonel Robert G Ingersoll with about 700 men, including 2 guns that were part of an Indiana Battery to defend the town of Lexington, Tennessee.

Ingersoll prepared for the Confederates advance by positioning pickets east of town along Beech Creek and burning two bridges that crossed the creek southeast of town. Forrest was spotted on the night of December 17^th 1862. Union troops pulled in to within two miles of town and Ingersoll prepared to fight along the State and Lower Roads. Union Major Otto Funke, located 4 miles down the State Road began the fight with Forrest’s troopers at dawn on December 18^th 1862. After several hours of fighting the Confederates overtook Funke’s force. Forrest sent most of his men up Lower Road. Ingersoll tried to mass his troops on Lower Road, but was to late. The Union men held for three charges, before being overrun.

Forrest’s men captured both of the Union cannons and 149 men including Ingersoll. The Union prisoners were held at Trenton, Tennessee for a few days before being paroled.

The Man Behind Terry's Texas Rangers

2011-12-17T05:24:00.000-08:00

Benjamin Franklin Terry, the first commander of the 8^th Texas Cavalry was killed December 17^th 1861 during the Battle of Rowlett’s Station.

Benjamin Franklin Terry the son of Joseph R and Sarah D [Smith] Terry, was born February 18^th 1821 in Russellville, Kentucky. His father left the family in 1833 and his mother moved the family to Texas to live with a Grandmother. He was a wealthy land holder in Fort Bend County, Texas and builder of railroads. A big, popular man, Terry was elected as a delegate to Texas’ Secession Convention. It was while at the Convention that Terry and fellow delegates Thomas S Lubbock and John A Wharton decided to raise a company of cavalry.

In early 1861 Terry was involved in the campaign to disarm Union troops at Brazos Santiago. In June 1861 he sailed from Galveston, Texas to New Orleans and then by train onto Richmond, Virginia to offer his service to the Confederate Army. He was appointed Colonel and made an aide to General James Longstreet. Following First Manassas the Confederate War Department gave Terry permission to raise a Cavalry Regiment. Making a call for volunteers at Houston, Texas on August 12^th 1861, the unit was organized in November 1861 as the 8^th Texas Cavalry with 1,170 men. The 8^th was known as Terry’s Texas Rangers. They head for Virginia, but were re-routed to Bowling Green, Kentucky.

The 8^th first battle was near Woodsonville, Kentucky, the Battle of Rowlett’s Station on December 17^th 1861. Terry was killed during the battle, which ended in victory for the Confederates. Terry’s body was sent by train to Nashville, Tennessee where he laid in state in the Capitol, then on to New Orleans and finally Houston. He is buried in the Glenwood Cemetery in Houston, Texas.

A web site with more infortion about Benjamin Franklin Terry is the Texas State Historical Association

A Killing And An Earthquake

2011-12-16T05:16:00.000-08:00

George Lewis, known as Slave George was killed the night of the first New Madrid Earthquake December 16^th 1811 by his owner’s sons Lilburn and Isham Lewis.

George Lewis was born a slave in Virginia in 1794. He was owned by the Lewis family and was raised as a house slave. When the Lewis’ moved to Kentucky in 1806, they took their slaves with them. One son, Randolph died in 1810, and the mother of the family died shortly after. By 1812 Lilburne the oldest brother in the family was having deep personal and financial troubles.

On the night of December 16^th 1811 Lilburne and his brother Isham had been drinking heavily. George knocked over a pitcher that had belonged to the brother’s mother, breaking it. In a drunken anger they killed George. The brothers tied him to the floor and attacked him with an ax, killing him and dismembering his body. The attack was brought to a halt by the first of the New Madrid Earthquakes.

In order to hide what they had done, the Lewis brothers had George’s body placed in a chimney that was being re-built following the quake. This chimney collapsed again when the final and largest of the New Madrid Quakes hit on February 7^th 1812. When George’s remains turned up, the brothers were arrested. Lilburne committed suicide and Isham disappeared from jail.

South Carolina's First Son

2011-12-15T05:42:00.000-08:00

Confederate Brigadier General Maxcy Gregg was killed December 15^th 1862 during the Battle of Fredericksburg.

Maxcy Gregg was born in Columbia, South Carolina August 1^st 1814. He attended South Carolina College, and after passing the bar practiced law with his father. When the Mexican – American War started Gregg served as a Major in the 12^th United States Infantry. In the years leading up to the Civil War he was an advocate of secessionists. He wrote a pamphlet called, "An Appeal to the State Rights Party of South Carolina."

In December 1860, when South Carolina seceded, Gregg went to work organizing the 1^st South Carolina, a six month regiment. He served as their Colonel. The 1^st took part in the bombing of Fort Sumter. He would move up to become Brigadier General on December 14^th 1862; he took command of a brigade made up of South Carolina regiments in Confederate General Ambrose Powell Hill’s Division at the Battles of Gaines’ Mills and Second Manassas. While fighting at the Battle of Antietam Gregg was wounded in the thigh by the same bullet which had killed Confederate Brigadier General Lawrence O’Bryan Branch.

While fighting at the Battle of Fredericksburg, Gregg was commanding at a point in the Confederate line where there was a gap. Union Major General George Gordon Meade’s soldiers were attacking that part of line lines. As Gregg rallied his troops a bullet passed through his body, hitting his spine. He died two days later on December 15^th 1862. Gregg is buried in the Elmwood Cemetery in Columbia, South Carolina.

The End Of Winter Campaigning

2011-12-14T04:53:00.000-08:00

A part of the Knoxville Campaign, the Battle of Bean’s Station was fought December 14^th 1863 in Grainger County, Tennessee.

Confederate General James Longstreet had his troops ahead of the Union forces, and decided to circle back and capture Bean’s Station. He set up his three columns and artillery so they would catch the Union troops between them as they approached Bean’s Station. Skirmishing broke out about 2 in the morning on December 14^th 1863. The Union troops under the command of Brigadier General J M Shackleford held their line until after nightfall, at which time they retreated through Bean’s Gap and onto Blain’s Cross Roads. Longstreet followed them in the morning, but found the Union force was strongly entrenched at Blain’s Cross Road. The Confederates retired into their winter camp and that ended the Knoxville Campaign.

The casualties in the battle were about 700 Confederates and 900 Union soldiers.

A Proud Secessionist

2011-12-13T05:21:00.000-08:00

Confederate Colonel Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb was killed during the Battle of Fredericksburg December 13^th 1862.

Thomas Reade Roots Cobb was born in Jefferson County, Georgia April 10^th 1823, the son of John A and Sarah [Rootes] Cobb. He graduated from Franklin College in 1841 and was admitted to the bar in 1842. Cobb reported for the Supreme Court of Georgia from 1849 through 1857. He was a fervent secessionist and served as a delegate to the Georgia Secession Convention. He was also one of the founders of the University Of Georgia School Of Law.

When the Civil War started Cobb served in the Confederate Congress, where he was the chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs, and helped with the drafting of the Confederate constitution. In 1861 he organized Cobb’s Legion. Cobb was commissioned the Legion’s Colonel August 28^th 1861. They saw heavy action in the Battles of Seven Days, Second Manassas, and Antietam, which prompted Cobb’s promotion to Brigadier General in November 1862. He still hadn’t received a confirmation of the promotion when he was mortally wounded.

Cobb was carried inside the Stephens house near the Sunken Road on Marye’s Heights during the Battle of Fredericksburg on December 13^th 1862 after an artillery shell exploded near his posision. A piece of the shrapnel damaged the femoral artery in Cobb’s thigh and he bleed to death. He is buried in the Oconee Hill Cemetery in Athens, Georgia.

Another web site with more information about Thomas R. R. Cobb (1823-1862) worth taking a look at.

Baseball During The Civil War

2011-12-11T05:18:00.000-08:00

The National Association of Base Ball Players held its annual convention December 11^th 1861 in New York City.

The National Association of Base Ball Players or the NASSP held there annual convention at the Mercantile Library in New York City December 11^th 1861. Do to the Civil War it was not well attended. All 61 teams sent representatives and three new clubs from Brooklyn, the Constellations, Favorita and Resolutes were admitted to the club.

The NABBP was the first governing body of baseball, and was founded in 1857. Their founding was based on developing rules for the game. It was made up of ball clubs in the five boroughs of New York. It was found by the NABBP that players were being paid under the table in the early 1860’s, and so they helped open Brooklyn’s Union Ground, the first enclosed ballpark. This allowed teams to charge, and so could begin to make money and pay professional ball players.

When the Civil War ended the NABBP had grown to include Base Ball Clubs from all over the United States and numbered over 100 teams.

A web site for more information is National Association of Base Ball Players

The First African American Governor

2011-12-09T04:57:00.000-08:00

The first African American to become a United States Governor, Pinckney Benton Stewart Pinchback was sworn in December 9^th 1872.

Pinckney Benton Stewart Pinchback was born May 10^th 1837 in Macon, Bibb, Georgia to Eliza Stewart a former slave and her former owner William Pinchback. His father bought a large plantation in Mississippi shortly after Pinchback’s birth and he moved his family there. Pinchback was raised white and was sent to school in Cincinnati, Ohio. When his father died in 1848 he left school and worked for a while on the river before settling in Terre Haute, Indiana where he worked at a hotel.

When the Civil War started Pinchback went to New Orleans where he received a commission to Captain in the Union 1^st Louisiana Native Guards, an all black regiment. After being passed over for promotion in favor of white officers, he resigned his command in 1863.

After the war Pinchback became active in the Republican Party in New Orleans. He was elected as a State Senator in 1868 and served as the senate president pro tem. When Oscar Dunn died in 1871 Pinchback became Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana. In 1872 the Republican governor Henry Clay Warmoth was impeached and Pinchback became governor on December 9^th 1872. He served for 35 days. He went on to be elected to the United State House of Representatives and the Senate, but his elections were overturned with his Democratic opponent seated instead. In 1885 Pinchback went to Dillard University and became a lawyer, final moving to Washington, DC where he practiced.

Pinchback died December 21^st 1821 in Washington, DC. His buried in the Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans. It wouldn’t be until 1990 when Douglas Wilder became governor of Virginia that the United States had another African American governor.

Governors of Louisiana

A Critic of Jefferson Davis

2011-12-08T05:40:00.000-08:00

The Confederate Senator from Mississippi, Henry Stuart Foote condemned Jefferson Davis’ military policies on December 8^th 1863.

Henry Stuart Foote was born February 28^th 1804 in Fauquier County, Virginia. He entered Washington College in 1819, but didn’t graduate. After which Foote study law and was admitted to the bar in 1823. He set up a practice in Tuscumbia, Alabama, where he also started a newspaper, library and the LaGrange College. Foote moved to Mississippi where he was elected to the United State Senate. He served in the Senate from 1847 to 1852, when he left to become the Governor of Mississippi. Foote defeated Jefferson Davis in 1851 running on the Unionist platform. Following his term as Governor Foote moved to California in 1854. He returned to Mississippi and then in 1859 to Nashville, Tennessee.

Foote was elected to the Confederate House of Representatives when the war started. He ran down Confederate President Jefferson Davis’ war policies in a speech December 8^th 1863. In January 1865 Foote tried to cross Union lines to travel to Washington, DC, but Confederate authorities arrested him before he could. He finally made it to Washington, DC, where he tried to have a meeting with President Abraham Lincoln. Arrested by the Union Foote was given the choice of leaving the county or being sent back to the Confederacy. Foote moved to Canada.

After the Civil War ended Foote moved back to Washington, DC where he opened another low practice. He wrote several books, and was appointed as Superintendent of the New Orleans Mint by President Rutherford B Hayes. Foote died in Nashville, Tennessee May 20^th 1880 and is buried in the Mount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville. His grave is not marked.

Taking Out A Dam

2011-12-07T05:17:00.000-08:00

Confederate General Thomas Stonewall Jackson destroyed Dam Number 5 on the Potomac River on December 7^th 1861.

One of the first tests of Confederate General Thomas Stonewall Jackson’s army was an attack on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Dam. The C & O Canal Company built dams in the 1830’s to have water to feed its locks. Numbers 4 and 5 were originally wood cribbing, but had been replaced by stone in 1850’s. Union troops were re-building the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad between Grafton, Virginia and Point of Rock, Maryland, and were using the C & O Canal to move the rail building supplies.

Union troops were located at Williamsport, Maryland about 6 miles south of Dam Number 5. Jackson sent troops about another 5 miles downstream on the Potomac River. The Confederate troops moved on Dam Number 5, getting there on December 7^th 1861. Jackson’s 5,000 men were on one side of the river and the Union’s 13^th Massachusetts on the other side. Jackson deployed his men, and they went into the cold water to destroy the dam. The men of the 13^th ; armed with smooth bore guns, could do very little stop Jackson’s men, and only hit and killed one man from their far side of the river. The Confederates worked through the night pulling the dam apart.

The next morning a second company of the 13^th arrived on a flatboat, these Union men were armed with Enfield rifles. The Union soldiers opened fire on Jackson’s troops driving them off. Jackson had partially destroyed Dam Number 5, and withdrew his men to Winchester.

The End Of Slavery

2011-12-06T05:13:00.000-08:00

The Thirteenth Amendment which abolished slavery was adopted December 6^th 1865.

The Thirteenth Amendment formally abolished slavery and forced servitude, except when used as punishment for crimes. It was adopted December 6^th 1865. It was the first of the Reconstruction Amendments. President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 made slavery against the law only in the Confederate states. The Thirteenth was the first new amendment to be added to the United States Constitution in more than sixty years.

The Senate passed the Thirteenth Amendment by a vote of 38 to 6 on April 8^th 1864. The House of Representatives declined to take action. It was reintroduced and with President Lincoln’s push, the Thirteenth passed the House January 31^st 1865 by 119 to 56. The archival copy of the amendment includes the President’s signature along with the Speaker of House and the President of the Senate.

A web site to view the Thirteenth Amendment--Slavery and Involuntary Servitude

Commanding Artillery

2011-12-05T05:33:00.000-08:00

Confederate Colonel Robert Franklin Beckham was wounded just before the Battle of Franklin and died December 5^th 1864.

Robert Franklin Beckham was born May 6^th 1837 in Culpeper, Virginia. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and graduated 6^th out of 22 in the class of 1859. He served with the United State Topographical Engineers as a Lieutenant through 1861.

Beckham resigned his commission when the Civil War started. He was commanding an artillery battery at First Manassas. In January 1862 he served on the staff of Confederate General Gustavus Woodson Smith, where he saw action at the Battle of Seven Pines. Following the death of Confederate Major John Pelham, Beckham took over command of the Stuart Horse Artillery in the Army of Northern Virginia in April 1863. Beckham was transferred to the Confederate Army of Tennessee and ordered to report to General John Bell Hood in February 1864, and received a promotion to Colonel.

While commanding artillery at Columbia, Tennessee, Beckham was mortally wounded on November 29^th 1864. This occurred just one day before the Battle of Franklin. He died December 5^th 1864, and is buried in the St John’s Churchyard Cemetery in Ashwood, Tennessee.

A Great Escape

2011-11-27T16:32:00.000-08:00

Confederate General John Hunt Morgan and several of his men broke out of prison November 27^th 1863 in Ohio and made their escape to the south.

John Hunt Morgan was raised in Kentucky. His served in the United States Army during the Mexican American War, under General Zachary Taylor. When the Civil War started and the state of Kentucky didn’t secede, Morgan moved to Alabama. He made several raids into the north between 1862 and 63. On the last of these raids Morgan led his band of men through Kentucky, southern Indiana and into Ohio. After a tour through Cincinnati the raiders head for the Ohio River, their route was blocked at Buffington Island, Ohio by Union soldiers and about 700 of Morgan’s men were captured. Morgan turned his men back north, but most were captured along with Morgan at Salineville on July 26^th 1863.

Morgan was placed in the newly built Ohio State Penitentiary along with some of his officers at Columbus, Ohio. Morgan and his men cut a hole into a ventilation space under Thomas Hines’ cell, through which they tunneled out into the inner yard; they then scaled the wall on November 27^th 1863. Morgan caught a train for Cincinnati, and then hired a boat to take him across the river. They made their way back to Tennessee and safety in Confederate territory.

Capture The Flag

2011-11-26T03:47:00.000-08:00

Private Thomas Evans was awarded the Medal of Honor November 26^th 1864 for his actions at Piedmont, Virginia.

Thomas Evans was born 1824 in Wales.

He joined the Union Army at Huntington on February 9^th 1864, and was a member of Company D of the 54^th Pennsylvania. His commander Colonel J M Campbell wrote in his report that Evans tore the flag from the color bearer of the 45^th Virginia Infantry regiment, capturing the man in the process. This happened during a battle at Piedmont, Virginia on June 5^th 1864. Evans received the Congressional Medal of Honor November 26^th 1864.

Evans died shortly after the end of the war in 1866. He is buried in the Bethel Cemetery in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania.

Ambushed At His Mother's Home

2011-11-25T05:16:00.000-08:00

Confederate Captain Redmond Burke was killed November 25^th 1862 as he approached a home in Shepherdstown, Virginia.

Redmond Burke was born in Ireland in 1816. He lived in Harpers Ferry and worked as a stonecutter.

When the Civil War started Burke enlisted as a Private in the 1^st Virginia Cavalry. He was transferred to serve on Confederate Major General JEB Stuart’s staff as aide de camp and scout and was portrayed as "a man of great presence of mind and courage and had done some deeds of desperate gallantry". He was commissioned on April 3rd 1862 as a Lieutenant. He was wounded twice, once in the leg at the Battle of Brandy Station and in the wrist at Fredericksburg. Burke had reached the rank of Captain by November 1862.

Burke and several companions went to the home of his mother in Shepherdstown, Virginia on November 25^th 1862. It was here that Union soldiers ambushed him. He was killed. When Stuart learned of Burke’s death he wrote of him that “he possessed a heart intrepid, a spirit invincible, patriotism too lofty to admit a selfish thought and a conscience that scorned to do a mean act. A devoted champion of the South, his gray hairs have descended in honor to the grave, leaving a shining example of heroism and patriotism to those who survive…”

They Leapt The Lines

2011-11-24T05:02:00.000-08:00

Fort Connor

A part of Union Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer’s Michigan Brigade, the 6^th Michigan Cavalry was mustered out of service November 24^th 1865.

The 6^th Michigan Cavalry was organized in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and mustered into Union service October 13^th 1862 with 1,229 men. The 6^th was part of the famed Michigan Brigade, and saw it first actions at Hanover, Hunterstown and Gettysburg under the command of Union Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer. The 6^th made a notable charge against the retreating Confederates at Falling Waters, Maryland July 14^th 1863, where they leapt their horse over the Confederate lines.

Once the Civil War ended the 6^th was ordered to duty in west to fight Indians. They received a new commander, Brigadier General Patrick Edward Connor. They spent the summer constructing Fort Connor, a supply depot that was used during the Powder River Expedition. The 6^th mustered out of service November 24^th 1865. They lost 135 officers and enlisted who were killed in action or died of their wounds. They also saw 251 men die from diseases.

For more information take a look at this web site 6th Regiment Michigan Volunteer Cavalry

A Wound Of Honor

2011-11-22T04:30:00.000-08:00

Union Brigadier General Francis Engle Patterson died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound November 22^nd 1862.

Francis Engle Patterson was born March 7^th 1821 into a military family in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of General Robert and Sarah [Engle] Patterson. Patterson began his military career as a Second Lieutenant in the United State artillery during the Mexican American War. After the war he stayed in the military, transferring to the infantry. He received a promotion in 1855 to Captain as part of the 9^th United Infantry. Patterson left the military in 1857.

When the Civil War started Patterson rejoined the army. He served under his father in the 17^th Pennsylvania with a rank of Colonel. In April 1862 Patterson was placed in command of the 2^nd New Jersey and promoted to Brigadier General. He led his troops in the Battles of Fair Oaks and Seven Pines.

While posted at Catlett’s Station in November he received unconfirmed reports that there were Confederate troops in the area, and he purportedly ordered a withdrawal. His Division commander Union General Daniel E Sickles had him relieved of his command, and requested that an inquiry into Patterson’s actions be held, however before that could happen Patterson died. His death on November 22^nd 1862 was caused by a self-inflicted gunshot, while in his tent near Occoquan, Virginia. It was determined the shot was an accidental discharge, but there was talk about suicide. Patterson is buried in the Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia.

The War Secretary

2011-11-21T04:39:00.000-08:00

James Alexander Seddon was appointed the Secretary of War for the Confederacy November 21^st 1862 by Jefferson Davis.

James Alexander Seddon was born in Falmouth, Stafford, Virginia July 13^th 1815. His health was never good and do to this he was educated at home. When he turned twenty-one Seddon entered the University of Virginia where he studied the law. After graduating in 1835 he settled in Richmond, Virginia where he had a successful law practice. Seddon was elected to Congress in 1845 as a Democrat. After serving two non-consecutive terms, his health caused him to leave politics. Seddon retired to his estate on the James River.

The Peace Convention; an attempt to prevent the coming war, was held in Washington, DC in 1861, and Seddon attended. When the Peace Convention fell through, Seddon attended the Confederate Provisional Congress. Confederate President Jefferson Davis named Seddon the Secretary of War November 21^st 1862; he would hold the post until January 1^st 1865.

After the war was over Seddon returned to his estate and retired from political life. He died August 19^th 1880.

First Spoken Outloud

2011-11-19T05:57:00.000-08:00

The first public meeting where there was a call for secession was held November 19^th 1860 in the Chesterfield County Courthouse in South Carolina.

At a meeting held in the town of Cheraw, South Carolina on November 19^th 1860 the first public call for secession was spoken. John A Inglis of Cheraw proposed a resolution to the group that the State of South Carolina secede from the Union. The resolution read in part that, “the state of South Carolina should forthwith secede from the Federal Union”.

Inglis along with Henry McIver also of Cheraw, South Carolina was named to the committee that would write the document that outlined South Carolina’s secession. Inglis would be the committee’s chairmen.

To Improve Marksmanship

2011-11-17T05:14:00.000-08:00

The National Rifle Association was started by former Civil War veterans and was granted a charter November 17^th 1871 by the state of New York.

The Union Infantry was equipped with rifles but more often than not fought using tactics formulated for smoothbore muskets. Even when using these outmoded volley tactics the Union Army records show that for each Confederate soldier hit about 1,000 rounds were fired.

Led by “Army and Navy Journal” editor Union Colonel William Conant Church; Civil War veterans organized the National Rifle Association in New York November 17^th 1871. Union General Ambrose E Burnside was the first President and General George Wood Wingate was the secretary. Wingate studied marksmanship training programs of European armies while traveling, and he wrote a marksmanship manual. The NRA got the New York state legislature to build a range on Long Island for long range shooting competitions. The New York Herald wrote to support training in military marksmanship and promoted the NRA.

The manual written by Wingate went on become the United States Army’s marksmanship instruction manual. Ulysses S Grant and General Philip H Sheridan were the eight and ninth presidents of the NRA.

A Race To The Cross Road

2011-11-16T04:45:00.000-08:00

The Battle of Campbell’s Station was fought November 16^th 1863 in the Farragut, Knox, Tennessee area.

Confederate Lieutenant General James Longstreet took a detachment of two divisions and 5,000 cavalry from the Army of Tennessee, with orders to attack Union Major General Ambrose E Burnside who was traveling to Knoxville, Tennessee. Both armies traveled similar routes trying to beat the other to Campbell’s Station. Campbell’s Station was the point where the Kingston Road and Concord Road meet, and Burnside had to get there first if he was going to get to Knoxville. If Longstreet could get to Campbell’s Station before the Union troops, they would be forced to fight outside of the works around Knoxville.

Burnside’s troops marched hard through the rain on November 16^th 1863, arriving at the intersection at Campbell’s Station just 15 minutes ahead of the Confederates. Longstreet planed an attack against both flanks of Union force, with Confederate Major General Lafayette McLaws hitting the right flank and Brigadier General Micah Jenkins the left. The Union right was hit hard and had to redeploy, but the Union left held its ground. Burnside’s withdrew his men three quarters of mile in an orderly movement. Longstreet halted his attack and Burnside was able to move his troops to Knoxville.

Union casualties in the battle were about 400. The Confederate’s lost about 570 men.

The Other Minnesota Regiment

2011-11-14T15:54:00.000-08:00

The 3^rd Minnesota was completely mustered into Union service November 14^th 1861 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota.

Mustered into the Union Army by companies at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, between October 2^nd and November 14^th 1861, the 3^rd Minnesota was sent to Kentucky. There the unit was placed on garrison duty in Kentucky and Tennessee. Must of the men of the 3^rd were taken prisoner July 13^th 1862 by Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest at Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The men were paroled and sent to Benton Barracks in St Louis, Missouri to wait for exchange. The official exchange took place August 27^th 1862, and the 3^rd was transferred back to Minnesota. In it’s home state the men were used to suppress the September 1862 Dakota War.

The 3^rd was reorganized at Fort Snelling following the Dakota War, and they returned in January 1863 to garrison duty in Kentucky and Tennessee. They were called to join the Siege of Vicksburg, and they participated in the capture of Little Rock, Arkansas on September 10^th 1863. The 3^rd would remain in the city on garrison duty until April 28^th 1864. The 3^rd took part in an expedition up the White River in Arkansas, which ended in the Battle of Fitzhugh’s Woods April 1^st 1864.

The 3^rd was discharged from military duty September 16^th 1865 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. They lost 17 men who died in battle or of their wounds. They also saw 279 soldiers die from disease.

God And Money

2011-11-13T05:14:00.000-08:00

The phrase “In God We Trust” was suggested by Reverend M R Watkinson November 13^th 1861 in a letter to United States Secretary of Treasury Salmon P Chase.

During the Civil War there was an increased religious feeling in the country. The Reverend M R Watkinson of Ridleyville, Pennsylvania, wrote a letter November 13^th 1861 to US Treasury Secretary Salmon P Chase asking that a proclamation be placed on our money recognizing “Almighty God”. Chase wrote soon after to the Director of the Philadelphia Mint, that no “nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe except in His defense. The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins"

Chase wouldn’t formally submit the motto to the treasury until December 9^th 1863. The act ratified that the motto be placed on the one cent and a newly designed two cent piece on April 22^nd 1864.

The wording of the original letter from Reverend Watkinson is:

"Dear Sir: You are about to submit your annual report to the Congress respecting the affairs of the national finances.

One fact touching our currency has hitherto been seriously overlooked. I mean the recognition of the Almighty God in some form on our coins.

You are probably a Christian. What if our Republic were not shattered beyond reconstruction? Would not the antiquaries of succeeding centuries rightly reason from our past that we were a heathen nation? What I propose is that instead of the goddess of liberty we shall have next inside the 13 stars a ring inscribed with the words PERPETUAL UNION; within the ring the allseeing eye, crowned with a halo; beneath this eye the American flag, bearing in its field stars equal to the number of the States united; in the folds of the bars the words GOD, LIBERTY, LAW.

This would make a beautiful coin, to which no possible citizen could object. This would relieve us from the ignominy of heathenism. This would place us openly under the Divine protection we have personally claimed. From my hearth I have felt our national shame in disowning God as not the least of our present national disasters.

To you first I address a subject that must be agitated."

No Draft

2011-11-12T05:35:00.000-08:00

One of the first draft riots during the Civil War occurred November 12^th 1862 in Wisconsin.

On the morning of November 12^th 1862, William Pors a Wisconsin draft officer entered the County Court House at Port Washington, Wisconsin to begin working on a draft. A mob made up mostly of immigrants dragged him out of the Courthouse and threw Pors down the steps. Pors hid in the basement of the Post Office while the mob marched on his home and other nearby houses. They moved on through the town chanting “No draft, no draft” looting, starting fires and causing destruction. The mob took the town cannon, normally used in the 4^th of July celebration. The rioters formed a line along the river and prepared to battle the Union Army, which they heard was on its way.

Union troops located in Ulao, Wisconsin marched to Port Washington where they set up a line surrounding the village. In the meantime the 28^th Wisconsin was brought up by steamer and dropped behind the rioters. Most of the mob fled, but 136 were captured were transported to Madison, Wisconsin and placed in Camp Randall, where they were held for about a month. Of these 13 were drafted into the army.

The End Of A Prophet

2011-11-11T04:27:00.000-08:00

Nathaniel Turner the leader of a slave rebellion in Virginia was hung November 11^th 1831.

Nat Turner was born October 2^nd 1800 in Virginia, a slave owned by Samuel Turner. He was a bright man who learned to read and write when a child. Turner was quite religious and was often found reading the Bible. When he was 22 Turner ran away from his owner, but returned in about a month, after he “received” a vision from God telling him to. He began to preach to other slaves, and was known as “The Prophet”.

In May 1828 Turner was working in the fields when he had a message from God telling him to "slay my enemies with their own weapons." Beginning in February 1831, Turner came to believe that certain atmospheric conditions were to be interpreted as a sign that he should begin preparing for a rebellion against the slave owners. A solar eclipse occurred in Virginia February 11^th 1831 and Turner took it as sign that the time for the revolt was near. When another eclipse occurred on August 13^th 1831, Turner took it as the final sign; he began the rebellion a week later. With a few fellow slaves, Turner moved from house to house killing white people and freeing slaves. They used axes, hatchets, knives and whatever else was handy. Turner confessed to killing a woman with a fence post. Before the local militia could respond Turner’s group killed 60 people.

The revolt was put down within two day, but Turner stayed on the run until October 30^th 1831 when he was found hiding in a hole. He was placed on trial and sentenced to death November 5^th 1831. Turner was hung in Jerusalem, Virginia November 11^th 1831, after which his body was desecrated.

A Slow Death

2011-11-10T05:13:00.000-08:00

Heinrich Hartmann Wirz the commander of the Confederate Prisoner War Camp known as Andersonville was executed November 10^th 1865.

Heinrich Hartmann Wirz was born in Zurich, Switzerland November 25^th 1823. He attended the University of Zurich and practiced medicine before immigrating to the United States in 1849. Wirz married in Kentucky a widow who had two daughters. They moved to Louisiana where Wirz started another medical practice and added another daughter to his family.

When the Civil War started Wirz joined the 4^th Louisiana Volunteers as a private. While serving during the Battle of Seven Pines he was wounded and lost the use of his right arm. Do to the loss of his arm Wirz was assigned to the staff of Confederate General John Henry Winder, who was in charge of Confederate prisoner of war camps. In March 1864 Wirz was placed in command of Camp Sumter located near the railroad depot of Anderson, Georgia, which would come to be batter known as Andersonville. The prison was designed to be used as a temporary holding place for Union prisoners waiting to be exchanged. With the end of prisoners exchanges Andersonville would end up holding about 32,000 Union prisoners.

Wirz was arrested in May 1865 and taken to Washington, DC where he was placed on trial for causing the deaths of Union prisoners of war. A military tribunal was convened July 1865 and presided over by Union Major General Lew Wallace. The court took testimony from Union prisoners of war, residents who lived near Andersonville and Confederates who had served with Wirz. The commission found Wirz guilty of conspiracy and eleven counts of murder. He was sentenced to death. He wrote a letter to President Andrew Johnson asking for clemency, but never received a reply. He was hung to death November 10^th 1865 on First Street in Washington, DC where the Supreme Court building is located. Wirz’s neck didn’t break when the gallows dropped and so he slowly strangled to death. Wirz is buried in the Mount Olivet Cemetery in Washington, DC.

The Fort Only Lasted A Year.

2011-11-03T04:35:00.000-07:00

Fort Duffield built outside of West Point, Kentucky was started November 3^rd 1861, and finished in two months.

Union General William Tecumseh Sherman was worried about the Confederates located at Bowling Green and Columbus, Kentucky, and a possible attack using the Ohio River and the Louisville Nashville Turnpike. He ordered a fort the be built on Pearman Hill at West Point Kentucky to protect the Union supply base located at Elizabeth, Kentucky. The 37^th Indiana and 9^th Michigan began construction of the fort on November 3^rd 1861. They finished it in two months.

The Fort Duffield was named after Rev George Duffield of Detroit, Michigan. The Rev’s son Colonel William W Duffield was the commander of the 9^th Michigan. The fort wasn’t built in the traditional star like shape, but had more of a serpentine shaped wall about 1000 foot long. There was a fresh water source inside in the fort and the trees were removed for a mile around the fort. About 61 men died from disease while working on the fort. There were about 950 soldier stationed in Fort Duffield.

Fort Duffield never saw any action, and was abandoned in the fall of 1862. Interestingly had the Fort remained in use, they may have stopped Confederate General John Hunt Morgan’s 1863 Raid, which was carried out in the area.

A Small Bayou Battle

2011-11-02T04:27:00.000-07:00

The Battle of Bayou Bourbeux was fought November 2^nd 1863 in Southwestern Louisiana.

The Battle of Bayou Bourbeux [also known as Battle of Grand Coreau] took place west of the town Grand Coteau, Louisiana November 2^nd 1863. Confederate Brigadier General Thomas Green received orders to make an attack on the Union camp located there, from Confederate Major General Richard A Taylor. The Union camp was under the command of Brigadier General Stephen Gano Burbridge.

The casualties were light with 26 Union dead and 42 Confederate dead.

He Ordered The Great Train Chase

2011-10-30T05:39:00.000-07:00

Union Major General Ormsby McKnight Mitchel who ordered the Great Locomotive Chase died October 30^th 1862.

Ormsby McKnight Mitchel was born August 28^th 1809-10 in Union County, Kentucky. He grew up in Lebanon, Ohio where he worked as a clerk until receiving an appointment to West Point in 1825. Mitchel graduated 15^th out of 46 in 1829. He stayed on at West Point for three years where he taught mathematics. Mitchel passed the bar and became an attorney, before returning to teaching mathematics and natural philosophy at Cincinnati College. In 1845 Mitchel was appointed director of the observatory at the College, which had the second largest refracting telescope in the world. In 1859 he moved on the Dudley Observatory in Albany, New York, as their superintendent.

When the Civil War started Mitchel joined the Union army as a Brigadier General. He commanded the Union Department of the Ohio from September to November 1861. During this time Mitchel worked with James J Andrew to steal a train in Georgia to disrupt Confederate railroads, at the time Mitchel planned an attack on Chattanooga, Tennessee. Although the plan failed and Andrew was captured and hanged the raid become known as “The Great Locomotive Chase”. Mitchel led a division in the Army of the Ohio until July 1862. He seized the city of Huntsville, Alabama without a shot being fired in April 1862. He received a promotion to Major General for this. Mitchel was place in command of Tenth Corps and the Department of the South at Hilton Head, South Carolina in September 1862. He died in Beaufort, South Carolina of Yellow Fever October 30^th 1862, and is buried in the Green Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.

Fighting In The Dark

2011-10-29T05:45:00.000-07:00

The Battle of Wauhatchie; a rare night battle was fought October 29^th 1863 along the Georgia Tennessee boarder.

On October 28^th 1863 Union General Joseph Hooker moved his soldiers through Lookout Valley. He detached a division under Brigadier General John W Geary to Wauhatchie Station to protect his communications as well as the road to Kelley’s Ford. Geary had about 1,500 men and was posted in an isolated area. Confederate General James Longstreet determined to attack this Union force. Longstreet ordered a night attack be made by Brigadier General Micah Jenkins. At the same time Longstreet moved against Hooker to keep him from reinforcing Geary.

The battle was supposed to open by 10 pm on October 28^th 1863, but was delayed until after midnight. Geary was expecting an attack and had sent out pickets, but he was still surprised. As the Union troops were hit from the north they formed a V-shaped battle line facing east and north. When Hooker heard the sounds of the battle he ordered Union Major General Carl Schurz to march to Wauhatchie Station and reinforce Geary. In the confusion however Union Brigadier General Adolph von Steinwehr got moving first. Steinwehr’s men were fired on from a hill while passing Brown’s Ferry, and Hooker deployed more troops toward the area against Confederate Brigadier General Evander M Law. With all this going on, no got out to Wauhatchie Station to help Geary.

Law held his hill top though he was heavily outnumbered. After standing up to several assaults Law began a drawback, but just as his men were leaving their entrenchments the Union soldiers spilled in and captured some of the Confederates who hadn’t gotten the order to retreat.

Geary’s men were running low on ammunition, but were still holding tight. Just as the Confederates were looking at victory they received information that Union reinforcement were arriving. Jenkins broke off and retreated with the rest of the Confederates to Lookout Mountain. In the fight at Wauhatchie Station the Confederates had losses that numbered 356. Union casualties numbered 216; including Geary’s own son, an artillery lieutenant who died in his father’s arms.

Anti-Abolitionist Riots

2011-10-28T05:34:00.000-07:00

The Boston Riot of October 28^th 1835 occurred when a pro-slavery mob went looking British abolitionist George Thomas.

There were riots in New York City and Philadelphia in 1834 led by anti-abolitionist. In early 1835 British abolitionist George Thompson and the poet John Greenleaf Whittier were stoned in Concord, New Hampshire by pro-slavery people. In October 1835 Thompson was invited to speak at the Female Anti-Slavery Society of Boston, Massachusetts. Boston was where William Lloyd Garrison published “The Liberator” a popular abolitionist newspaper.

A mob of anti-abolitionist formed October 28^th 1835 and went to the Society looking for Thompson. They found Garrison instead, tied him and dragged him by the rope through the streets. Boston’s mayor rescued Garrison, and put him in jail for the night, for his own safety.

Across The River At Brown's Ferry

2011-10-27T13:36:00.000-07:00

Fought in Hamilton County, Tennessee, the Battle of Brown’s Ferry took place October 27^th 1863.

After the Union defeat at the Battle of Chickamauga, the Army found itself trapped by Confederate General Braxton Bragg’s Army of Tennessee in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Bragg settled in to siege the Union position. He sent Confederate Brigadier General Evander Law downstream, where Law was to stop any Union supply trains. Union commander Brigadier General William S Rosecrans telegraphed Washington to say, "We have no certainty of holding our position here." In response Washington sent reinforcements under the command of General Ulysses S Grant.

Grant started on October 26^th 1863 to open a supply route from Brown’s Ferry to Chattanooga. The planned route was designed by Chief Engineer Brigadier General William F "Baldy" Smith. The new supply line was named the “Cracker Line”, by soldiers who running low on food. Smith’s two brigades under Brigadier Generals William B Hazen and John B Turchin would split, with Turchin’s men marching across land to hold Brown’s Ferry, while Hazen’s would ferry down the river in pontoon boats.

Hazen’s troops made the landing point at 5am on October 27^th 1863. Although they were moving quietly some of the men were fired on by Confederate pickets. The Confederates quickly formed for an attack, however at this time Turchin’s men were being ferry across the river. The combined force of Union men outflanked the Confederate soldiers who withdrew toward Wauhatchie. By latter that afternoon the 1^st Michigan Engineers had a pontoon bridge across river and open.

Protecting The West

2011-10-26T05:31:00.000-07:00

Officially established on October 26^th 1862, Camp Douglas in Utah was named for Stephen A Douglas.

It was necessary to recall regular army troop back from frontier duty when the Civil War started. This left the overland mail route and telegraph open to attack from Indians. Camp Douglas was a small garrison located about three miles east of Salt Lake City, Utah. Union Colonel Patrick Edward Conner of the 3^rd California Infantry was chosen to set up a camp in the Utah Territory, and he selected the site. The Camp was named after late Illinois Senator Stephen A Douglas by Abraham Lincoln and was formally established on October 26^th 1862. The first winter the post was made up of quickly built dugouts. Connor had troops from California and Nevada posted at the Camp during the Civil War. It became the headquarters of the Department of the Pacific and the District of Utah.

A Charge On Springfield

2011-10-25T05:15:00.000-07:00

The First Battle of Springfield [aka Zagonyi’s Charge] was fought October 25^th 1861 in Green County, Missouri.

Union Major General John C Fremont made plans to push Confederate Major General Sterling Price’s troops out of Missouri and take the fight on south. Fremont left St Louis, Missouri on October 7^th 1861 with about 20,000 troops. He also had a cavalry force of about 5,000 under Major Charles Zagonyi. The cavalry was to ride in the front and scout for Fremont.

As the Union troops neared Springfield, Missouri, Confederate state guard commander Colonel Julian Frazier called for more soldiers. Fremont stopped about 50 miles from Springfield on the Pomme De Terre River, but Zagonyi’s cavalry continued onto Springfield. Frazier used his roughly 1,300 men to set up a trap on the road the Union cavalry was traveling to Springfield on. Instead of ambushing Zagonyi’s horse soldiers, the Union troopers charged the Confederates. Frazier’s men were routed.

Zagonyi continued into town, were the released Union prisoners. Fearing a counterattack of Frazier’s Confederates, Zagonyi left Springfield before night fall.

The Little Gamecock

2011-10-24T05:04:00.000-07:00

Confederate General James Jay Archer died October 24^th 1864 from an illness he developed while a Prisoner of War.

James Jay Archer was born December 19^th 1817 near Havre de Grace, Maryland the son of John and Ann [Stump] Archer. He attended Princeton University; where he picked up the nickname “Sally” do to his small stature. Archer graduated in 1835 and attending Bacon College in Georgetown, Kentucky he went on to study law at the University of Maryland. He had a successful law practice going when the Mexican – American War broke out. Archer volunteered for service and was cited for bravery at Chapultepec receiving a brevet to Major. He moved to Texas following the war in 1848 were he was wounded in a duel. Archer returned to law in Maryland, but decided in 1855 to join the United States Army as a Captain in 9^th US Infantry. He served mostly in the Pacific Northwest.

When the Civil War started Archer was at Fort Walla Walla in Washington Territory. He resigned March 14^th 1861, and shortly after was a member of the Confederate Army. Archer was made a Colonel in the 5^th Texas Infantry, and served with excellence at the Battle of Eltham’s Landing and Seven Pines. On June 3^rd 1862 he was promoted to Brigadier General and give command of three Tennessee regiments. They fought as part of Major General A P Hill’s “Light Division” at Cedar Mountain and Second Bull Run, where he had a horse shot from under him. His men called him “The Little Gamecock”. Archer was to sick to ride a horse during the Maryland Campaign of September 1862, and led them from an ambulance. His men contributed to the victories at the Battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. By the summer of 1863 Archer’s brigade was part of Major General Henry Heth’s Division, A P Hill’s Corps.

On July 1^st 1863 Archer was taken prisoner at Gettysburg. Union Private Patrick Maloney of the 2^nd Wisconsin captured him, making Archer the first general to be captured in the Confederate army since General Robert E Lee took command. Archer was sent to Johnson’s Island on Lake Erie where the Ohio winter cause his health to decline. After a year at the Fort Johnson prisoner of war camp, Archer was sent with 600 other Confederate officers to Charleston Harbor. He was exchanged late in the summer of 1864. He rejoined the Confederate army on August 9^th 1864 as part of the Army of Tennessee, but due to his poor health was order to Petersburg. He collapsed following the Battle of Peebles’ Farm. Archer died October 24^th 1864 in Richmond, Virginia and is buried Hollywood Cemetery.

They Served Well Past The Nine Months

2011-10-23T05:23:00.000-07:00

The Second Nebraska Cavalry was organized October 23^rd 1862.

The 2^nd Nebraska Cavalry was formed as a nine month regiment in Omaha, Nebraska on October 23^rd 1862. There were 1,384 men in the Second. They saw action in the Indian wars in Western Nebraska and the Dakotas under Union General Alfred Sully. The Second took part in the Battle of White Stone Hill on September 3^rd 1863. Sully’s troops battled somewhere near 2,000 Yankton Sioux, including Chief Two Bears. During this fight 7 men from the Second were killed and 14 wounded.

Although the men of the Second were enlisted as nine month men they served over a year. The regiment mustered out of service on December 23^rd 1863. Many of the men of the Second re-enlisted in the 1^st Nebraska Cavalry, and served out the rest of the war.

In The Indian Territories

2011-10-22T05:29:00.000-07:00

The Battle of Old Fort Wayne was fought October 22^nd 1862 in eastern Oklahoma.

Confederates started concentrating forces in July 1862 at Fayetteville, Arkansas for a raid into Missouri. After weeks spent recruiting, Colonel Douglas Hancock Cooper took his men through Indian Territory to Old Fort Wayne, located on the edge of Beatties Prairie. He placed pickets in Maysville about four mile north, near the Arkansas and Indian Territory boarder. This put Coopers troops in support of Confederate John Sappington Marmaduke’s Texans located at Cross Hollows, near Lowell, Arkansas.

The closest Union troops were at Pea Ridge, Arkansas. The Union soldiers were part of John Schofield’s Army of the Frontier. Schofield received information that there was a Confederate force under Cooper at Maysville. The scouts told Schofield that it included two of Stand Watie’s Cherokee Regiment and numbered about 7,000 men.

About 5am on October 22^nd 1862 Union Brigadier General James G Blunt sent the 2^nd Kansas Cavalry to attack the Confederates at Maysville. The 2^nd drove in the pickets and followed them three miles into Indian Territory. At this point they came up against Cooper’s battle line. Even though the Union report had Cooper’s force at 7,000 in truth had only about 1,500 men and four guns of Howell’s Texas Battery, in a line about a mile long. As the rest of the Union force came up they hit the center of the Confederate line hard, opening a wide hole in the line. Cooper’s men put up a hard fight for about a half hour, before they were overwhelmed and went into retreat, with Union troops pursuing them for seven miles.

The Union lost about 14 men. The Confederate’s saw about 150 wounded or dead, including 50 who reported to have been buried on the field. The Confederates pulled back to Fort Gibson on the Arkansas River, leaving the Indian Territory north of the river in Union control.

The First Union Win

2011-10-21T04:33:00.000-07:00

General Felix Kirk Zollicoffer

Fought in Laurel County, Kentucky, the Battle of Camp Wildcat was one of the first Union victories on October 21^st 1861.

Confederates under Brigadier General Felix Kirk Zollicoffer moved from Tennessee into central Kentucky, hoping to gain control of the state. The 5,400 Confederates took control of the Cumberland Gap, pushing out the home guard near Barbourville. Union Brigadier General George Henry Thomas ordered Colonel Theophilus T Garrard to move troops forward to a ford on the Rockcastle River, in the heavily forested Wildcat Mountain area to block the Wilderness Road. Garrard was out numbered 7 to 1, before Brigadier General Albin F Schoepf moved into the area bring the Union troops to about 7,000.

The two sides met in the late afternoon of October 20^th 1861 in a heated battle. The morning of October 21^st 1861 opened with an intense ground fight. From behind fortifications the Union soldiers held off repeated attacks by the Confederate forces. The Confederates withdrew during the night and continued to the Cumberland Ford. There were 4 Union dead and 18 wounded. The Confederates lost 11, with 42 wounded or missing.

Hung For His Killings

2011-10-20T04:33:00.000-07:00

Confederate guerrilla Samuel “Champ” Ferguson was hung October 20^th 1865 for killing a large number of Union soldiers and sympathizers.

Samuel “Champ” Ferguson was born along the Tennessee border in Clinton County, Kentucky November 29^th 1821. He grew up to be a farmer with a streak of violence. In 1858 Ferguson was said to have killed James Reed a Tennessee sheriff by tying him a tree and riding around the tree hacking the man to death. He moved with his family to the Calfkiller River Valley in White County, Tennessee in the 1850’s.

Ferguson’s reasons for fighting anything Union related are many. Some say his wife and daughters were raped by Union soldiers, and others say it was because the Confederates promised to forgive previous murder charges. The area of East Tennessee was evenly divided between Union and Confederate supporters, which gave rise to many guerrilla bands and irregular military groups on both sides of the fight. At the start of the Civil War Ferguson put together a unit which attacked Union supporters. His band worked from time to time with Confederate Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan and Major General Joseph Wheeler. Ferguson was even held once for two months by Confederate officials for the murder in Wytheville, Virginia of a government representative. It is claimed that he personally killed over 100 men during the course of the war.

When the Civil War came to an end Ferguson returned to his home, where he was quickly arrested by Union troops. He was taking to Nashville, Tennessee and place on trial for 53 murders. Ferguson admitted to the killing, but contended they were committed as a part of military duty, this included the killing of wounded men and prisoners following the Battle of Saltville. He was found guilty of murder October 10^th 1865 and sentenced to hang. Ferguson told the court following his sentencing, "I am yet and will die a Rebel ... I killed a good many men, of course, but I never killed a man who I did not know was seeking my life. ... I had always heard that the Federals would not take me prisoner, but would shoot me down wherever they found me. That is what made me kill more than I otherwise would have done. I repeat that I die a Rebel out and out, and my last request is that my body be removed to White County, Tennessee, and be buried in good Rebel soil."

Ferguson was hanged to death October 20^th 1865. He is buried north of Sparta, Tennessee in the France Cemetery.

Off To The Races

2011-10-19T05:13:00.000-07:00

The Battle of Buckland Mill was a cavalry fight between Union Brigadier General H Judson Kilpatrick and Confederate Major General JEB Stuart, fought October 19^th 1863.

Following the Confederate defeat at Bristoe, Confederate Major General JEB Stuart with a cavalry division under Major General Wade Hampton, were covering General Robert E Lee’s retreat from the Manassas Junction area. The Confederate cavalry was in the Buckland Mills area. They were being pursued along the Warrenton Turnpike by Union Brigadier General Judson Kilpatrick. On October 19^th 1863 the Union troops were ambushed when Stuart turned on the Union cavalry, while Confederate Major General Fitzhugh Lee charged into the Union flank. Kilpatrick’s men were overwhelmed, and they bolted to Haymarket five miles away. The Confederate commanders said it was like a fox hunt and called the Battle, “The Buckland Races”.

Ending Of A Slave Revolt

2011-10-18T05:40:00.000-07:00

United States Colonel Robert E Lee led a detachment of Marines against John Brown on October 18^th 1859, bringing an end to the Raid on Harpers Ferry.

John Brown led an armed slave revolt against the United States Arsenal in Harpers Ferry, Virginia, October 1859. Brown rented the Kennedy House in Washington County, Maryland, about 4 miles from Harpers Ferry, where he used the name Isaac Smith. He led a group of 21 men, including 4 free black men and 1 fugitive slave. His plan was to capture the arms located at the Arsenal and arm slaves to create a revolt of slaves against their masters. Brown expected around 400 slaves to join him in a rebellion.

Brown and his followers were trapped in the Harpers Ferry fire engine house on October 18^th 1859, when Lee sent United States Lieutenant JEB Stuart in to negotiate for a surrender of Brown and his followers. Lee then ordered United States Lieutenant Israel Greene to lead the marines against the engine house if Brown refused to capitulate. Brown would not accept any terms, and two marines armed with sledgehammers tried to break down the door. They switched to using a ladder and ten marines busted through the door. Green described the scene, "Quicker than thought I brought my saber down with all my strength upon [Brown's] head. He was moving as the blow fell, and I suppose I did not strike him where I intended, for he received a deep saber cut in the back of the neck. He fell senseless on his side, then rolled over on his back. He had in his hand a short Sharpe's cavalry carbine. I think he had just fired as I reached Colonel Washington, for the Marine who followed me into the aperture made by the ladder received a bullet in the abdomen, from which he died in a few minutes. The shot might have been fired by someone else in the insurgent party, but I think it was from Brown. Instinctively as Brown fell I gave him a saber thrust in the left breast. The sword I carried was a light uniform weapon, and, either not having a point or striking something hard in Brown's accouterments did not penetrate. The blade bent double.”

The whole action only took about three minutes. Brown and his raiders where take prisoner.

The Death Of The South's Hero

2011-10-12T16:08:00.000-07:00

Confederate General Robert E Lee died October 12^th 1870 in Lexington, Virginia.

Robert E Lee spent the day of September 28^th 1870 going about his duties as the President of Washington and Lee University. He attended a meeting of the Vestry of Grace Church in the afternoon, and then went home. Sitting down to tea, he started to say grace, but when Lee opened his mouth, no sound came out, and he slid in his chair. Lee had suffered a stroke.

Hope was that the attack was not serious and Lee would soon be back at work. Once the doctors reached him Lee was diagnosed to have a Congestion of the Brain, as he lay in a coma. Very little changed with his condition and on October 12^th 1870, while surround by family Lee passed away about 9:30 in the morning. He is buried under the Lee Chapel at the Washington and Lee University.

A web site that I strongly recommend is http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/print-friendly/41167

Chambersburg's First Time

2011-10-11T04:45:00.000-07:00

Confederate Major General J E B Stuart’s cavalry raided the town of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania and tried to burn railroad bridges October 11^th 1862.

On October 9^th 1862 Confederate Major General J E B Stuart headed north from Virginia with about 1800 cavalry. As they moved north, Stuart was gathering intelligence on Union General George B McClellan’s Army of the Potomac, as well as cutting supply lines. On the evening of October 10^th 1862 Stuart and his men road into the town of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Chambersburg was a Union army supply and railroad center. The local bureaucrats fled the town, as Stuart took over.

On the morning of October 11^th 1862 the Confederates cut telegraph lines, seized supplies and horse and destroyed pretty much everything else. They moved on about five miles north to demolish the railroad bridge that crossed the Conococheague Creek, but found the steel structure to be more than they had planned for. Stuart and his men began the trip back to Virginia in the afternoon.

Traveling through Emmitsburg, Maryland, Stuart moved south using back lanes to avoid Union troops in Fredrick, Maryland. He crossed the Potomac River on October 12^th 1862. Stuart’s three day raid had lasted 130 miles, and cost the north $250,000. He returned south with 1,200 horses, 500 guns, and numerous local officials that had been captured. The Confederates only had one wounded, and two missing men.

Training Navy Men

2011-10-10T05:14:00.000-07:00

The United States Naval Academy was opened October 10^th 1845 in Annapolis, Maryland under George Bancroft.

The United States Naval Academy is the second oldest of the five service academies. It was established under Secretary of the Navy, George Bancroft and opened October 10^th 1845. The Academy was located on 10 acres of the former grounds of the United State Army’s Fort Severn, where the Severn River flows into the Chesapeake Bay, about 33 miles east of Washington, DC. On the opening day it had 50 Midshipman students and 7 professors. Commodore Matthew Perry assisted with the curriculum and reinforced the apprentice system to train seamen.

Students originally studied for five years, with the first and last years spent at the school and the middle three years spent at sea. This was changed to a four year school in 1851. The first class to graduate from the Academy was on June 10^th 1854. The Tripoli Monument was moved to the Academy ground in 1860, also the year that the USS Constitution was refurbished for use as a school ship for fourth year Midshipmen. When the Civil war started the United States government moved the school to Fort Adams, Newport, Rhode Island where it set up temporary facilities. All the upper class Midshipmen where ordered to sea. The Academy was moved back to Annapolis in summer of 1865.

A Northern State Remebered In The South

2011-10-06T05:19:00.000-07:00

The Rhode Island Monument to her Civil War soldiers, was dedicated October 6^th 1909 in New Bern, North Carolina.

The Rhode Island Monument was donated to the New Bern, North Carolina National cemetery, in honor of her volunteers who died in the state during the Civil War. The monument is of a bronze classical female figure standing on top of a pink granite base. It was designed and sculpted by William Whitney Manatt of the Gorham Manufacturing Company of Providence, Rhode Island. The monument was dedicated October 6^th 1909, and the inscription on it reads, “Erected by the state of Rhode Island to commemorate the services of Rhode Island Volunteers who gave up their lives in North Carolina during the Civil War 1861 – 1865. Fourth Rhode Island Infantry. Fifth Rhode Island Heavy Artillery. Battery F First Rhode Island Light Artillery.”

A Battle Over A Railroad Cut

2011-10-05T05:47:00.000-07:00

The Battle of Allatoona Pass was fought October 5^th 1864 in Bartow County, Georgia and was a part of the Franklin Nashville campaign.

After Atlanta, Georgia fell, Confederate Lieutenant General John Bell Hood moved his Army of Tennessee north to threaten Union Major General William Tecumseh Sherman’s supply line. A Confederate corps under Lieutenant General Alexander P Stewart hit garrisons and damaged track along the Western and Atlantic Railroad between October 2^nd and 4^th. Under orders from Hood, Stewart moved to attack the Union supply base where the railroad ran through a gap in the Allatoona Mountain.

The Union garrison was commanded by Colonel John Eaton Tourtellotte, who had the 93^rd Illinois, 4^th Minnesota and 18^th Wisconsin under his command. Just before the southern troops came up, Union Brigadier General John M Corse joined Tourtellotte with another brigade and took over total command. The Union position was a strong one, with two earthen fortifications on each side of the deep railroad cut.

Confederate Major General Samuel G French’s division arrived near Allatoona in the early morning hours of October 5^th 1864. A two hour long artillery assault was opened by Confederate Captain Alcide Bouanchaud. French sent in a demand for surrender but Union force declined. At this point French sent in his infantry, with Brigadier General Claudius Sears moving from the north, and Brigadier General Francis M Cockrell from the west. The Union men stood up to a two hour attack against its fortifications. It looked as though the Union forces would have to surrender. Then around noon French received a faulty report from his cavalry that a Union force was advancing, and so he grudgingly called his soldiers off.

Although a small battle it had high casualties, with about 706 Union men killed, wounded, or captured, and 897 Confederate. Union Brigadier General Corse was wounded, sending a message to Sherman that said, "I am short a cheek bone and one ear, but am able to lick all hell yet." The Confederates were unable to take the Union garrison or seize the railroad cut.

Another web site to look at for more information is http://ngeorgia.com/history/allapass.html”> The Battle of Allatoona Pass

Fourth Try Is The Charm

2011-10-04T05:41:00.000-07:00

The Kansas state constitution, known as the Wyandotte Constitution was approved October 4^th 1859, making Kansas a free state.

The State Constitution of Kansas; known as the Wyandotte Constitution, to differentiate it from the three constitutions that came before it. The Wyandotte Constitution was approved by voters on October 4^th 1859 by a vote of 10,421 to 5,530. Kansas was admitted to the Untied States as a free state on January 29^th 1861. The Constitution was the result of a compromise over several sticky issues. It banned slavery, confirmed women’s property rights along with their right to vote in school elections. The three constitutions which came before were the 1855 Topeka Constitution, the 1857 Lecompton Constitution and the 1858 Leavenworth Constitution.

A good web site to look at for more about this is http://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/wyandotte-constitution/13884">Wyandotte Constitution

The Bull Was Killed

2011-09-29T13:58:00.000-07:00

Union General William “Bull” Nelson was killed September 29^th 1862.

William “Bull” Nelson was born September 27^th 1824. He attended school at Maysville Academy, and then at age 13 he went to Norwich University in Vermont. At 15 Nelson received, with the help of Congressman Garrett Davis a midshipman position on the USS Delaware. After five years sailing in the South Pacific he became part of the first class at the United States Naval School at Annapolis. Nelson graduated in 1846 and reported for duty on the USS Raritan.

When the Civil War started Nelson was detached from the Navy and sent to recruit troops in the East Tennessee area. He was placed with his troops in Camp Dick Robinson and made Brigadier General of United States volunteers September 16^th 1861. Nelson organized a brigade at Camp Kenton and marched them to Olympian Springs, Bath, Kentucky. In late October 1861 his men routed Confederates at West Liberty, and on November 8^th 1861 Confederate Captain Andrew Jackson May fought a delaying action against Nelson on Ivy Mountain. At the end of the month Nelson was place under Union General Don Carlos Buell as part of the Army of the Ohio. His men arrived at Shiloh Church on April 5^th 1862 and saw heavy fighting. Nelson got into an argument after entering Corinth on May 30^th 1862 with Union General John Pope over who should get credit for occupying the town.

On September 18^th 1862 Nelson assigned Union Brigadier General Jefferson C Davis to command the Home Guard. Davis felt that this assignment was an insult and on September 29^th 1862 he publicly demanded an apology from Nelson in the lobby to the Galt House. Nelson refused to apologize and this publicly shamed Davis. Davis obtained a pistol and shot Nelson in the heart. Although Davis was prosecuted the case was dropped from the court docket in 1864 and Davis was never convicted. Nelson was buried in Cave Hill Cemetery. His body was latter moved to a family plot March 8^th 1872 in the Maysville Cemetery.

A Recreational Gathering

2011-09-28T05:13:00.000-07:00

The first baseball game played with all black teams was held September 28^th 1860 in New Jersey.

Held at Elysian Fields in Hoboken, New Jersey the first all black baseball game was played September 28^th 1860. The final score of the game was 11-0 and was played between “The Weeksville”, who won the game and “The Colored Union Club”. The sport wasn’t officially organized at the time, but was more of a recreational gathering.