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re: 150 years ago this day...
Posted on 8/25/14 at 7:53 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Posted on 8/25/14 at 7:53 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Friday, 26 August 1864
In Georgia, the Federal Army of the West began its major move to cut off Atlanta completely. Yankees marched toward the city’s south side toward Jonesboro, as the Union troops of General John Schofield were gathering around East Point, Georgia, southeast of Atlanta. The name East Point derives from the fact that it is the place where the Atlanta & West Point Railroad ends in the east, just as West Point, Georgia, is the place where the rail line ends in the west. There they performed a maneuver called a “demonstration”. This very common tactic was not exactly a skirmish, and not really an assault. It basically consisted of an army assembling, flags flying and trumpets blowing and cannons glistening in the sun in full view of the enemy, and doing...pretty much nothing.
The point was to impress one’s foe with the might assembled against them. In this morning’s case, it also served to tie some of General John Bell Hood’s Confederate defenders in place just in case the demonstration turned into the real thing. This allowed more units of General William T. Sherman’s army to move up into position. Federals continued to threaten the last supply lines in and out of Atlanta still controlled by General John Bell Hood’s Confederate Army of Tennessee. Fighting began erupting at various points.
In the Shenandoah Valley, General Jubal Early’s Confederate Army of the Valley threatened to launch another invasion of Maryland and Pennsylvania since Major General Philip H. Sheridan’s Federal Army of the Shenandoah was in an impregnable position at Harpers Ferry. Fighting erupted at various points, but the Potomac River fords were heavily guarded by Federals, preventing Early from crossing, so the Rebels headed toward Bunker Hill and Stephenson’s Depot. Two Confederate divisions forded Opequon Creek and forced a Union cavalry division back to Charles Town.
In Georgia, the Federal Army of the West began its major move to cut off Atlanta completely. Yankees marched toward the city’s south side toward Jonesboro, as the Union troops of General John Schofield were gathering around East Point, Georgia, southeast of Atlanta. The name East Point derives from the fact that it is the place where the Atlanta & West Point Railroad ends in the east, just as West Point, Georgia, is the place where the rail line ends in the west. There they performed a maneuver called a “demonstration”. This very common tactic was not exactly a skirmish, and not really an assault. It basically consisted of an army assembling, flags flying and trumpets blowing and cannons glistening in the sun in full view of the enemy, and doing...pretty much nothing.
The point was to impress one’s foe with the might assembled against them. In this morning’s case, it also served to tie some of General John Bell Hood’s Confederate defenders in place just in case the demonstration turned into the real thing. This allowed more units of General William T. Sherman’s army to move up into position. Federals continued to threaten the last supply lines in and out of Atlanta still controlled by General John Bell Hood’s Confederate Army of Tennessee. Fighting began erupting at various points.
In the Shenandoah Valley, General Jubal Early’s Confederate Army of the Valley threatened to launch another invasion of Maryland and Pennsylvania since Major General Philip H. Sheridan’s Federal Army of the Shenandoah was in an impregnable position at Harpers Ferry. Fighting erupted at various points, but the Potomac River fords were heavily guarded by Federals, preventing Early from crossing, so the Rebels headed toward Bunker Hill and Stephenson’s Depot. Two Confederate divisions forded Opequon Creek and forced a Union cavalry division back to Charles Town.
1
Posted on 8/26/14 at 8:24 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Saturday, 27 August 1864
The maneuvers to completely surround Atlanta, Georgia, were nearing completion today. General William Tecumseh Sherman had pretty much had his way with the area since the Battle of Atlanta more than a month ago. With every step from Peachtree Creek to Ezra Church to today, the Federal Armies of the Cumberland, the Ohio, and the Tennessee would attack, the defenders would retreat, and General John Bell Hood would blame once again General William Joseph Hardee for one lapse or another. The final assault was nearing today as Sherman launched the assault on the Macon & Western Railroad lines. The loss of this final supply route would force Hood to surrender, die....or evacuate.
In failing health and with the assault on the city of Mobile, Alabama, delayed indefinitely awaiting adequate troops, Rear Admiral David G. Farragut wrote Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles requesting to be relieved of his duties: "It is evident that the army has no men to spare for this place beyond those sufficient to keep up an alarm, and thereby make a diversion in favor of General Sherman...Now, I dislike to make of show of attack unless I can do something more than make a menace, but so long as I am able I am willing to do the bidding of the Department to the best of my abilities. I fear, however, my health is giving way. I have now been down in this Gulf and the Caribbean Sea nearly five years out of six, with the exception of the short time at home last fall, and the last six months have been a severe drag on me, and I want rest, if it is to he had." Two months later the great leader set course to the North for a well earned leave.
The USS Niphon, under Acting Lieutenant Joseph B. Breck, and USS Monticello, Acting Master Henry A. Phelon in charge, conducted an expedition up Masonboro Inlet, North Carolina, to silence a Confederate battery which was reported to have been erected in the vicinity. The two screw steamers shelled the shoreline and a number of buildings at Masonboro; landing parties went ashore and captured a quantity of rifles, ammunition and foodstuffs.
In the Shenandoah Valley, General Jubal Early’s Confederate Army of the Valley arrived at Bunker Hill and Stephenson’s Depot, with fighting erupting at points along the way.
A Federal campaign against Native Americans began this morning from Fort Boise in the Idaho Territory, with several skirmishes from today ongoing throughout the fall.
Federals started an expedition from Little Rock and DeValls Bluff, a town in and the county seat of the southern district of Prairie County, Arkansas.
The maneuvers to completely surround Atlanta, Georgia, were nearing completion today. General William Tecumseh Sherman had pretty much had his way with the area since the Battle of Atlanta more than a month ago. With every step from Peachtree Creek to Ezra Church to today, the Federal Armies of the Cumberland, the Ohio, and the Tennessee would attack, the defenders would retreat, and General John Bell Hood would blame once again General William Joseph Hardee for one lapse or another. The final assault was nearing today as Sherman launched the assault on the Macon & Western Railroad lines. The loss of this final supply route would force Hood to surrender, die....or evacuate.
In failing health and with the assault on the city of Mobile, Alabama, delayed indefinitely awaiting adequate troops, Rear Admiral David G. Farragut wrote Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles requesting to be relieved of his duties: "It is evident that the army has no men to spare for this place beyond those sufficient to keep up an alarm, and thereby make a diversion in favor of General Sherman...Now, I dislike to make of show of attack unless I can do something more than make a menace, but so long as I am able I am willing to do the bidding of the Department to the best of my abilities. I fear, however, my health is giving way. I have now been down in this Gulf and the Caribbean Sea nearly five years out of six, with the exception of the short time at home last fall, and the last six months have been a severe drag on me, and I want rest, if it is to he had." Two months later the great leader set course to the North for a well earned leave.
The USS Niphon, under Acting Lieutenant Joseph B. Breck, and USS Monticello, Acting Master Henry A. Phelon in charge, conducted an expedition up Masonboro Inlet, North Carolina, to silence a Confederate battery which was reported to have been erected in the vicinity. The two screw steamers shelled the shoreline and a number of buildings at Masonboro; landing parties went ashore and captured a quantity of rifles, ammunition and foodstuffs.
In the Shenandoah Valley, General Jubal Early’s Confederate Army of the Valley arrived at Bunker Hill and Stephenson’s Depot, with fighting erupting at points along the way.
A Federal campaign against Native Americans began this morning from Fort Boise in the Idaho Territory, with several skirmishes from today ongoing throughout the fall.
Federals started an expedition from Little Rock and DeValls Bluff, a town in and the county seat of the southern district of Prairie County, Arkansas.
Posted on 8/27/14 at 8:08 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Sunday, 28 August 1864
The end was nearing for the siege of Atlanta. Major General William Tecumseh “Cump” Sherman was directing three armies today. Oliver Otis Howard, known as “the Christian General”, with his Army of The Tennessee was in possession of the railroad near Fairburn. Mount Gilead Church saw the progress of General John McAllister Schofield and the Army of the Ohio. While all this was going on, the Twentieth Corps under General Henry Warner Slocum guarded the city limits, keeping General John Bell Hood and company from interfering much with the Union lines. What little fighting there was took place around Red Oak and Sandtown.
In the Shenandoah Valley, General Philip Sheridan’s Federals advanced to Charles Town, West Virginia with no opposition after General Jubal Early’s withdrawal.
Federal plans to destroy Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor by exploding a raft filled with explosives failed when the blast caused little or no damage to the fort.
Union General Alfred Terry is promoted today from brigadier general to major general of the United State Volunteers.
A native of Connecticut, Terry studied law and became a clerk of the New Haven Superior Court before the War. He was a colonel in the Second Connecticut when the conflict began, and his regiment fought at the First Battle of Manassas, Virginia, in July 1861. Terry and his troops fought at Port Royal, South Carolina, in the fall of 1861. He spent the next two and a half years fighting along the southern coast. For his service, he was promoted to brigadier general and given temporary command of the captured Fort Pulaski in Georgia.
At the end of 1863, Terry was assigned to General Benjamin Butler's Army of the James. He participated in the early stages of the siege of Petersburg, Virginia, before his promotion to major general, and assumed temporary command of the Tenth Corps when General David Birney died of malaria.
At the end of 1864, Terry would participate in an attempt to capture Fort Fisher in North Carolina, a stronghold that protected the approach to Wilmington, the Confederacy's most important blockade-running port. Led by General Benjamin Butler, the expedition was a dismal failure. General-in-chief Hiram U. Grant was so disappointed with Butler that he removed him from command and placed Terry in charge of the next attempt. In January 1865, Terry will team with Admiral David Porter to make another attempt on Fort Fisher. While Porter's ships shell the fort, and Terry will lead nearly 10,000 troops on multiple attacks that effected a surrender by the Confederate garrison inside.
Terry went on to a distinguished postwar military career. He commanded the Department of Dakota in the late 1860s, then took over the Department of the South during Reconstruction. He returned to the Department of Dakota, and he was the overall commander of the expedition that resulted in the massacre of George Custer and his entire command at the Battle of the Little Bighorn on June 25, 1876. Terry retired in 1888, and he died in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1890 at age 63.
The end was nearing for the siege of Atlanta. Major General William Tecumseh “Cump” Sherman was directing three armies today. Oliver Otis Howard, known as “the Christian General”, with his Army of The Tennessee was in possession of the railroad near Fairburn. Mount Gilead Church saw the progress of General John McAllister Schofield and the Army of the Ohio. While all this was going on, the Twentieth Corps under General Henry Warner Slocum guarded the city limits, keeping General John Bell Hood and company from interfering much with the Union lines. What little fighting there was took place around Red Oak and Sandtown.
In the Shenandoah Valley, General Philip Sheridan’s Federals advanced to Charles Town, West Virginia with no opposition after General Jubal Early’s withdrawal.
Federal plans to destroy Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor by exploding a raft filled with explosives failed when the blast caused little or no damage to the fort.
Union General Alfred Terry is promoted today from brigadier general to major general of the United State Volunteers.
A native of Connecticut, Terry studied law and became a clerk of the New Haven Superior Court before the War. He was a colonel in the Second Connecticut when the conflict began, and his regiment fought at the First Battle of Manassas, Virginia, in July 1861. Terry and his troops fought at Port Royal, South Carolina, in the fall of 1861. He spent the next two and a half years fighting along the southern coast. For his service, he was promoted to brigadier general and given temporary command of the captured Fort Pulaski in Georgia.
At the end of 1863, Terry was assigned to General Benjamin Butler's Army of the James. He participated in the early stages of the siege of Petersburg, Virginia, before his promotion to major general, and assumed temporary command of the Tenth Corps when General David Birney died of malaria.
At the end of 1864, Terry would participate in an attempt to capture Fort Fisher in North Carolina, a stronghold that protected the approach to Wilmington, the Confederacy's most important blockade-running port. Led by General Benjamin Butler, the expedition was a dismal failure. General-in-chief Hiram U. Grant was so disappointed with Butler that he removed him from command and placed Terry in charge of the next attempt. In January 1865, Terry will team with Admiral David Porter to make another attempt on Fort Fisher. While Porter's ships shell the fort, and Terry will lead nearly 10,000 troops on multiple attacks that effected a surrender by the Confederate garrison inside.
Terry went on to a distinguished postwar military career. He commanded the Department of Dakota in the late 1860s, then took over the Department of the South during Reconstruction. He returned to the Department of Dakota, and he was the overall commander of the expedition that resulted in the massacre of George Custer and his entire command at the Battle of the Little Bighorn on June 25, 1876. Terry retired in 1888, and he died in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1890 at age 63.
This post was edited on 8/28/14 at 4:20 am
Posted on 8/28/14 at 9:28 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Monday, 29 August 1864
Major General Sterling “Old Pap” Price, commander of the Confederate District of Arkansas, had been the Southern commander in the first major battle of the War in the Trans-Mississippi, at Wilson’s Creek, Missouri. He had even won the battle, killing Union General Nathaniel Lyon and driving General Franz Sigel’s men off in confusion and disarray, but had lost the state when he and Governor Claiborne Jackson had retreated into Arkansas following a Union coup. Jackson had set up a “Government in Exile”, and Price had gone on to fight valiantly in many other battles. This morning, Price took charge of a force that was leaving from Princeton, Arkansas, assigned to command an expedition intended to reclaim Missouri for the South.
While removing Confederate obstructions from the channel leading into Mobile Bay, five sailors were killed and nine others injured when a Confederate torpedo exploded. Rear Admiral David G. Farragut regretted the unfortunate loss, but resolutely pressed on with the work: "As it is absolutely necessary to free the channel of these torpedoes, I shall continue to remove them, but as every precaution will be used, I do not apprehend any further accident." Like the loss of the Tecumseh, however, this event demonstrated that although some torpedoes had been made inactive by long immersion, many were very much alive when Farragut made the instant decision: "...Damn the torpedoes..."
In the Shenandoah Valley, Philip Sheridan’s Federals continued advancing after winning a fight on the Opequon River.
In Georgia, William T. Sherman’s Federals continued probing operations, with fighting erupting at various points.
The 1864 Democratic National Convention convened this morning at The Amphitheatre in Chicago, Illinois, to nominate a presidential candidate that would challenge President Abraham Lincoln in the upcoming election. The party was divided between War Democrats who supported continuing the war to restore the Union and “Copperheads,” or Peace Democrats, who wanted peace at any price, even if it meant Southern Independence.
Democratic National Committee chairman Augustus Belmont declared, “Four years of misrule by a sectional, fanatical and corrupt party, have brought our country to the verge of ruin.” Committees formed, and former Federal General-in-Chief George Brinton McClellan was considered the frontrunner for the presidential nomination.
A Federal expedition began from Helena, Arkansas.
Major General Sterling “Old Pap” Price, commander of the Confederate District of Arkansas, had been the Southern commander in the first major battle of the War in the Trans-Mississippi, at Wilson’s Creek, Missouri. He had even won the battle, killing Union General Nathaniel Lyon and driving General Franz Sigel’s men off in confusion and disarray, but had lost the state when he and Governor Claiborne Jackson had retreated into Arkansas following a Union coup. Jackson had set up a “Government in Exile”, and Price had gone on to fight valiantly in many other battles. This morning, Price took charge of a force that was leaving from Princeton, Arkansas, assigned to command an expedition intended to reclaim Missouri for the South.
While removing Confederate obstructions from the channel leading into Mobile Bay, five sailors were killed and nine others injured when a Confederate torpedo exploded. Rear Admiral David G. Farragut regretted the unfortunate loss, but resolutely pressed on with the work: "As it is absolutely necessary to free the channel of these torpedoes, I shall continue to remove them, but as every precaution will be used, I do not apprehend any further accident." Like the loss of the Tecumseh, however, this event demonstrated that although some torpedoes had been made inactive by long immersion, many were very much alive when Farragut made the instant decision: "...Damn the torpedoes..."
In the Shenandoah Valley, Philip Sheridan’s Federals continued advancing after winning a fight on the Opequon River.
In Georgia, William T. Sherman’s Federals continued probing operations, with fighting erupting at various points.
The 1864 Democratic National Convention convened this morning at The Amphitheatre in Chicago, Illinois, to nominate a presidential candidate that would challenge President Abraham Lincoln in the upcoming election. The party was divided between War Democrats who supported continuing the war to restore the Union and “Copperheads,” or Peace Democrats, who wanted peace at any price, even if it meant Southern Independence.
Democratic National Committee chairman Augustus Belmont declared, “Four years of misrule by a sectional, fanatical and corrupt party, have brought our country to the verge of ruin.” Committees formed, and former Federal General-in-Chief George Brinton McClellan was considered the frontrunner for the presidential nomination.
A Federal expedition began from Helena, Arkansas.
Posted on 8/29/14 at 8:38 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Tuesday, 30 August 1864
There was a Democratic convention going on at The Amphitheatre over in Chicago, Illinois, today. A very unpopular Republican president was conducting an even more unpopular--some thought unconstitutional-- war, and the “peace faction” was in firm control today. Their main nominees for the presidential race: former Major General George McClellan and former Connecticut governor Thomas Seymour. McClellan had battled with President Abraham Lincoln before, but that was when he was in charge of the Army of the Potomac. Lincoln kept encouraging him to attack for virtually his entire tenure, although McClellan seldom complied. The mocking rumor now started to go around that his pacifism was motivated by a desire to keep as many Union soldiers alive as possible, so that they could now cast absentee votes on his behalf.
Summary: At the Democratic National Convention this morning, a platform was adopted that was mostly written by the Peace Democrats. It declared that President Abraham Lincoln had violated individual rights and the Republicans had illegally assumed “...war power higher than the Constitution...” and as such, “...justice, humanity, liberty (for) the public welfare demand that immediate efforts be made for a cessation of hostilities with a view to an ultimate convention of the States...”
The Democratic Party was bitterly split between the War Democrats and the Peace Democrats. Also making matters complicated were the factions that existed among the Peace Democrats. Moderate Peace Democrats who supported the War against the Confederacy, such as Horatio Seymour, were preaching the wisdom of a negotiated peace. George McClellan and former Connecticut Governor Thomas H. Seymour would ultimately vie as candidates for the nomination. Senator L.W. Powell and former President Franklin Pierce withdrew their names from consideration. McClellan was the frontrunner, even though he was a War Democrat who opposed much of the Democrats’ “Peace” platform.
The Convention finally nominated Major General George B. McClellan from New Jersey for President, and Representative George H. Pendleton of Ohio for Vice President. McClellan, age 37 at the time of the convention and Pendleton, age 39, are the youngest presidential ticket ever nominated in American history.
The small, stern-wheeler USS Fawn--operating as a patrol and escort vessel in Confederate waterways under Acting Master J. R. Grace--convoyed Union infantry and artillery embarked in the transport Kate Hart, on an expedition up the White River from DeValls Bluff, Arkansas. The troops were to join with General Joseph R. West's cavalry, then searching for General Joseph Shelby's force of Confederate raiders. Fawn and the transport returned to DeValls Bluff on 2 September, and commenced a second foray with larger forces embarked in the transports Nevada, Commercial, and Celeste that afternoon. Next day, above Peach Orchard Bluffs, Confederate batteries opened on the convoy, but were dislodged from their riverbank position by Fawn's gunfire. Unable to proceed water-borne because of the low level of the river, scouts and cavalry were sent ahead to communicate with General West, and returned, escorted by the Fawn, to DeValls Bluff on 6 September. Shelby's forces continued to elude the Union troops and harass shipping on the White River.
In the Shenandoah Valley, General Philip Sheridan’s Federals moved to threaten Winchester once more.
Major General George R. Crook replaced the ineffective Major General David "Black Dave" Hunter in command of the Federal Department of West Virginia under Sheridan.
In Georgia, William Tecumseh Sherman’s Federals severed one of the last two railroads in and out of Atlanta and marched rapidly toward the Macon line. John Bell Hood countered by attacking the Federal flank at Jonesboro. Fighting erupted at several points, but Sherman’s three armies were too numerous and well positioned for the Confederates.
A Union mission consisting of the 9th Infantry, Connecticut; 2nd Infantry, Louisiana; 15th Battery Light Artillery, Massachusetts; and the 12th Infantry, Maine; headed toward Natchez Bayou, Louisiana.
There was a Democratic convention going on at The Amphitheatre over in Chicago, Illinois, today. A very unpopular Republican president was conducting an even more unpopular--some thought unconstitutional-- war, and the “peace faction” was in firm control today. Their main nominees for the presidential race: former Major General George McClellan and former Connecticut governor Thomas Seymour. McClellan had battled with President Abraham Lincoln before, but that was when he was in charge of the Army of the Potomac. Lincoln kept encouraging him to attack for virtually his entire tenure, although McClellan seldom complied. The mocking rumor now started to go around that his pacifism was motivated by a desire to keep as many Union soldiers alive as possible, so that they could now cast absentee votes on his behalf.
Summary: At the Democratic National Convention this morning, a platform was adopted that was mostly written by the Peace Democrats. It declared that President Abraham Lincoln had violated individual rights and the Republicans had illegally assumed “...war power higher than the Constitution...” and as such, “...justice, humanity, liberty (for) the public welfare demand that immediate efforts be made for a cessation of hostilities with a view to an ultimate convention of the States...”
The Democratic Party was bitterly split between the War Democrats and the Peace Democrats. Also making matters complicated were the factions that existed among the Peace Democrats. Moderate Peace Democrats who supported the War against the Confederacy, such as Horatio Seymour, were preaching the wisdom of a negotiated peace. George McClellan and former Connecticut Governor Thomas H. Seymour would ultimately vie as candidates for the nomination. Senator L.W. Powell and former President Franklin Pierce withdrew their names from consideration. McClellan was the frontrunner, even though he was a War Democrat who opposed much of the Democrats’ “Peace” platform.
The Convention finally nominated Major General George B. McClellan from New Jersey for President, and Representative George H. Pendleton of Ohio for Vice President. McClellan, age 37 at the time of the convention and Pendleton, age 39, are the youngest presidential ticket ever nominated in American history.
The small, stern-wheeler USS Fawn--operating as a patrol and escort vessel in Confederate waterways under Acting Master J. R. Grace--convoyed Union infantry and artillery embarked in the transport Kate Hart, on an expedition up the White River from DeValls Bluff, Arkansas. The troops were to join with General Joseph R. West's cavalry, then searching for General Joseph Shelby's force of Confederate raiders. Fawn and the transport returned to DeValls Bluff on 2 September, and commenced a second foray with larger forces embarked in the transports Nevada, Commercial, and Celeste that afternoon. Next day, above Peach Orchard Bluffs, Confederate batteries opened on the convoy, but were dislodged from their riverbank position by Fawn's gunfire. Unable to proceed water-borne because of the low level of the river, scouts and cavalry were sent ahead to communicate with General West, and returned, escorted by the Fawn, to DeValls Bluff on 6 September. Shelby's forces continued to elude the Union troops and harass shipping on the White River.
In the Shenandoah Valley, General Philip Sheridan’s Federals moved to threaten Winchester once more.
Major General George R. Crook replaced the ineffective Major General David "Black Dave" Hunter in command of the Federal Department of West Virginia under Sheridan.
In Georgia, William Tecumseh Sherman’s Federals severed one of the last two railroads in and out of Atlanta and marched rapidly toward the Macon line. John Bell Hood countered by attacking the Federal flank at Jonesboro. Fighting erupted at several points, but Sherman’s three armies were too numerous and well positioned for the Confederates.
A Union mission consisting of the 9th Infantry, Connecticut; 2nd Infantry, Louisiana; 15th Battery Light Artillery, Massachusetts; and the 12th Infantry, Maine; headed toward Natchez Bayou, Louisiana.
Posted on 8/31/14 at 7:13 am to BadLeroyDawg
Wednesday, 31 August 1864
The Democratic National Convention wrapped up in Chicago today with more decorum than would be the case in later years. The nominee for President of the United States in the Year of Our Lord 1864 would be...George Brinton McClellan, formerly Major General in the Federal Army, formerly rather lethargic leader of the Army of the Potomac. His nomination was made by acclamation at the proposal of one Clement Laird Vallandigham, former member of the US House of Representatives from Ohio and dedicated opponent of the War. These views had gotten him exiled by the Lincoln Administration from the United States to the Confederacy, which didn’t much want him either. He spent most of the War years in Canada. As this convention was made up of Peace Democrats, nobody there much cared.
The blockade running British steamer Mary Bowers ran aground between Rattlesnake Shoals and Long Island, South Carolina, and was reported a total loss. She was bound for Charleston, South Carolina, where--it was rumored--she was to load a cargo of cotton for Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The Federal expedition to Bayou Natchez, Louisiana, continued.
On this day in 1864, at the Battle of Jonesboro, Georgia, General William Tecumseh Sherman launches the attack that finally secures Atlanta, Georgia, for the Union, and seals the fate of Confederate General John Bell Hood's army, which is forced to evacuate the area.
The Battle of Jonesboro was the culmination of a four-month campaign by Sherman to capture Atlanta. He had spent the summer driving his army down the 100-mile corridor from Chattanooga, Tennessee, against a Confederate force led by General Joseph Eggleston Johnston. General Hood, who replaced Johnston in July on the outskirts of Atlanta, proceeded to attack Sherman in an attempt to drive him northward. However, these attacks ultimately failed, and by August 1 the armies had settled into a siege.
In late August, Sherman swung his army south of Atlanta to cut the main rail line supplying the Rebel army. Confederate General William Joseph Hardee's corps moved to block Sherman at Jonesboro, and attacked the Union troops on August 31, but the Rebels were thrown back with staggering losses. The entrenched Yankees lost just 178 men, while the Confederates lost nearly 2,000.
On September 1, Sherman will attack Hardee. Though the Confederates hold, Sherman successfully cuts the Macon & Western Railroad between Jonesboro and Atlanta and effectively traps the Rebels. Hardee has to abandon his position, and Hood sees no choice but to withdraw from Atlanta. The fall of Atlanta was instrumental in eventually securing the re-election of Abraham Lincoln in the fall.
Estimated total casualties were 3,149: 1,149 Union, 2,200 Confederate
The Democratic National Convention wrapped up in Chicago today with more decorum than would be the case in later years. The nominee for President of the United States in the Year of Our Lord 1864 would be...George Brinton McClellan, formerly Major General in the Federal Army, formerly rather lethargic leader of the Army of the Potomac. His nomination was made by acclamation at the proposal of one Clement Laird Vallandigham, former member of the US House of Representatives from Ohio and dedicated opponent of the War. These views had gotten him exiled by the Lincoln Administration from the United States to the Confederacy, which didn’t much want him either. He spent most of the War years in Canada. As this convention was made up of Peace Democrats, nobody there much cared.
The blockade running British steamer Mary Bowers ran aground between Rattlesnake Shoals and Long Island, South Carolina, and was reported a total loss. She was bound for Charleston, South Carolina, where--it was rumored--she was to load a cargo of cotton for Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The Federal expedition to Bayou Natchez, Louisiana, continued.
On this day in 1864, at the Battle of Jonesboro, Georgia, General William Tecumseh Sherman launches the attack that finally secures Atlanta, Georgia, for the Union, and seals the fate of Confederate General John Bell Hood's army, which is forced to evacuate the area.
The Battle of Jonesboro was the culmination of a four-month campaign by Sherman to capture Atlanta. He had spent the summer driving his army down the 100-mile corridor from Chattanooga, Tennessee, against a Confederate force led by General Joseph Eggleston Johnston. General Hood, who replaced Johnston in July on the outskirts of Atlanta, proceeded to attack Sherman in an attempt to drive him northward. However, these attacks ultimately failed, and by August 1 the armies had settled into a siege.
In late August, Sherman swung his army south of Atlanta to cut the main rail line supplying the Rebel army. Confederate General William Joseph Hardee's corps moved to block Sherman at Jonesboro, and attacked the Union troops on August 31, but the Rebels were thrown back with staggering losses. The entrenched Yankees lost just 178 men, while the Confederates lost nearly 2,000.
On September 1, Sherman will attack Hardee. Though the Confederates hold, Sherman successfully cuts the Macon & Western Railroad between Jonesboro and Atlanta and effectively traps the Rebels. Hardee has to abandon his position, and Hood sees no choice but to withdraw from Atlanta. The fall of Atlanta was instrumental in eventually securing the re-election of Abraham Lincoln in the fall.
Estimated total casualties were 3,149: 1,149 Union, 2,200 Confederate
Posted on 8/31/14 at 8:38 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Thursday, 1 September 1864
General William Tecumseh Sherman's assault on Atlanta continued and General John Bell Hood could no longer hope to hold. The last defense was going on in a separate fight known as the Battle of Jonesborough, where Confederate Generals S. D. Stephen Dill Lee and William Joseph Hardee struggled to hold off Union troops under George Henry Thomas and John McAllister Schofield. The threat of being flanked and attacked from the side always loomed. Hood began the evacuation of Atlanta, destroying what his men could not carry to deny it to the enemy. Flames roared in the railroad yards and explosions were constant as munitions were blown up in the town.
Thinking the Federal presence at Jonesboro was just a diversion, Hood had taken a corps away from Hardee in an attempt to protect the Confederate army and Atlanta from what he perceived to be the real Union attack.
This morning, Hardee's badly depleted force of barely 13,000 fighters faced six corps of Federal troops, roughly 75,000 men. Hardee was forced to deploy just a single line of soldiers to make up for Lee's absent infantry. Although they initially held their ground, Union general Jefferson C. Davis' brigade breeched the Confederate lines, capturing 600 of Daniel Govan's men, including Govan himself.
Realizing that Atlanta was now lost, Hood began a retreat. Knowing his position was untenable, Hardee also called for a retreat from Jonesboro to Lovejoy Station. Hood called for the evacuation of Atlanta. Before leaving Atlanta to Sherman, Hood called for the destruction of any supplies left in the city.
After Jonesboro, Hardee sought a transfer from his deteriorating situation with Hood. Likewise, Hood also sought the removal of Hardee. Both men wrote to Confederate President Jefferson Davis seeking help. Initially, Davis refused such a transfer but eventually relented. On 28 September, Hood issued orders relieving Hardee from command. He would proceed to the Department of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida in Charleston.
As Hardee left, soldiers from Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas converged on Hardee's headquarters to say good bye to their "Old Reliable." To many of the soldiers, they had lost "...the pride of our corps."
General William Tecumseh Sherman's assault on Atlanta continued and General John Bell Hood could no longer hope to hold. The last defense was going on in a separate fight known as the Battle of Jonesborough, where Confederate Generals S. D. Stephen Dill Lee and William Joseph Hardee struggled to hold off Union troops under George Henry Thomas and John McAllister Schofield. The threat of being flanked and attacked from the side always loomed. Hood began the evacuation of Atlanta, destroying what his men could not carry to deny it to the enemy. Flames roared in the railroad yards and explosions were constant as munitions were blown up in the town.
Thinking the Federal presence at Jonesboro was just a diversion, Hood had taken a corps away from Hardee in an attempt to protect the Confederate army and Atlanta from what he perceived to be the real Union attack.
This morning, Hardee's badly depleted force of barely 13,000 fighters faced six corps of Federal troops, roughly 75,000 men. Hardee was forced to deploy just a single line of soldiers to make up for Lee's absent infantry. Although they initially held their ground, Union general Jefferson C. Davis' brigade breeched the Confederate lines, capturing 600 of Daniel Govan's men, including Govan himself.
Realizing that Atlanta was now lost, Hood began a retreat. Knowing his position was untenable, Hardee also called for a retreat from Jonesboro to Lovejoy Station. Hood called for the evacuation of Atlanta. Before leaving Atlanta to Sherman, Hood called for the destruction of any supplies left in the city.
After Jonesboro, Hardee sought a transfer from his deteriorating situation with Hood. Likewise, Hood also sought the removal of Hardee. Both men wrote to Confederate President Jefferson Davis seeking help. Initially, Davis refused such a transfer but eventually relented. On 28 September, Hood issued orders relieving Hardee from command. He would proceed to the Department of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida in Charleston.
As Hardee left, soldiers from Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas converged on Hardee's headquarters to say good bye to their "Old Reliable." To many of the soldiers, they had lost "...the pride of our corps."
Posted on 9/1/14 at 9:52 am to BadLeroyDawg
In 150 years, this thread will only mention #TheFappening on August 31.
Posted on 9/1/14 at 9:24 pm to BobBarker
Well, Bob, the Democrats did nominate the youngest presidential ticket ever in American history, with George B. McClellan and George H. Pendleton. Ever watch Jeopardy?
Posted on 9/1/14 at 9:32 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Friday, 2 September 1864
The first part of a plan to consolidate Federal gains further west began to come together today as the armies of General William Tecumseh Sherman finally moved into Atlanta, Georgia, on the heels of the retreating General John Bell Hood and his diminished Army of Tennessee.
Yesterday had actually been the climactic battle, with actions at Jonesboro, Rough and Ready, and once again at Lovejoy’s Station. Unfortunately, Hood had delayed the inevitable so long that all morning large amounts of stores had to be abandoned to the enemy, and even more destroyed in order to prevent capture.
Huge fires and explosions testified to the quantities of ammunition as well as railroad equipment lost to all. Hood’s only hope at this point was to save his army for another day in an even more futile attack. He was allowed to do this as Sherman halted pursuit to consolidate his hold on the city as well as rest his hard-fought troopers.
The small, 8-gun paddlewheel, stern-wheel steamer USS Naiad, under command of Acting Master Harry T. Keene, engaged a Confederate battery near Rowe's Landing, Louisiana, and, after a brisk exchange, silenced it.
The first part of a plan to consolidate Federal gains further west began to come together today as the armies of General William Tecumseh Sherman finally moved into Atlanta, Georgia, on the heels of the retreating General John Bell Hood and his diminished Army of Tennessee.
Yesterday had actually been the climactic battle, with actions at Jonesboro, Rough and Ready, and once again at Lovejoy’s Station. Unfortunately, Hood had delayed the inevitable so long that all morning large amounts of stores had to be abandoned to the enemy, and even more destroyed in order to prevent capture.
Huge fires and explosions testified to the quantities of ammunition as well as railroad equipment lost to all. Hood’s only hope at this point was to save his army for another day in an even more futile attack. He was allowed to do this as Sherman halted pursuit to consolidate his hold on the city as well as rest his hard-fought troopers.
The small, 8-gun paddlewheel, stern-wheel steamer USS Naiad, under command of Acting Master Harry T. Keene, engaged a Confederate battery near Rowe's Landing, Louisiana, and, after a brisk exchange, silenced it.
This post was edited on 9/2/14 at 10:34 am
Posted on 9/2/14 at 8:33 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Saturday, 3 September 1864
General Jubal Early and the Army of the Valley had been sent North on a desperate mission; to wreak havoc and terrify the citizenry that Washington, DC, was threatened and about to be captured. This, the thinking went, would cause President Abraham Lincoln to recall part--or maybe even all--of General Hiram U. Grant’s army besieging Petersburg. In this Early had largely failed, and General Robert E. Lee was beginning to pressure him to get back to help with the defense. Early sent General Richard Heron Anderson’s Corps back today, but as they were heading up the Shenandoah Valley they ran into a corps of General Philip Henry Sheridan’s army. The battle, although a genuine surprise to both sides, was quite fierce for awhile and Anderson rerouted his troops back to Early’s main force. This action was instrumental in revealing Sheridan’s intention to invade the Valley against Early’s depleted army.
President Lincoln ordered a 100-gun salute at the Washington Navy Yard at noon on Monday, the 5th of September, and upon receipt of the order, at each arsenal and navy yard in the United States "...for the recent brilliant achievements of the fleet and land forces of the United States in the harbor of Mobile and in the reduction of Fort Powell, Fort Gaines, and Fort Morgan."
The President also proclaimed that on the following Sunday thanksgiving should be given for Rear Admiral David G. Farragut's victory at Mobile and for the capture of Atlanta by General William T. Sherman. These events, said Lincoln, "...call for devout acknowledgment to the Supreme Being in whose hands are the destinies of nations."
Sherman, commanding the Federal Army of the West, wired Washington at 6:00 this morning: “Atlanta is ours, and fairly won.” The capture of Atlanta strengthened the Federal fighting spirit and immediately shifted momentum in the upcoming presidential election to Lincoln.
Conversely, the loss of Atlanta demoralized the South, and crucial industrial resources in the heart of the Confederacy were lost, most for the duration. President Jefferson Davis tried gathering troops to reinforce John Bell Hood’s struggling Confederate Army of Tennessee.
General Jubal Early and the Army of the Valley had been sent North on a desperate mission; to wreak havoc and terrify the citizenry that Washington, DC, was threatened and about to be captured. This, the thinking went, would cause President Abraham Lincoln to recall part--or maybe even all--of General Hiram U. Grant’s army besieging Petersburg. In this Early had largely failed, and General Robert E. Lee was beginning to pressure him to get back to help with the defense. Early sent General Richard Heron Anderson’s Corps back today, but as they were heading up the Shenandoah Valley they ran into a corps of General Philip Henry Sheridan’s army. The battle, although a genuine surprise to both sides, was quite fierce for awhile and Anderson rerouted his troops back to Early’s main force. This action was instrumental in revealing Sheridan’s intention to invade the Valley against Early’s depleted army.
President Lincoln ordered a 100-gun salute at the Washington Navy Yard at noon on Monday, the 5th of September, and upon receipt of the order, at each arsenal and navy yard in the United States "...for the recent brilliant achievements of the fleet and land forces of the United States in the harbor of Mobile and in the reduction of Fort Powell, Fort Gaines, and Fort Morgan."
The President also proclaimed that on the following Sunday thanksgiving should be given for Rear Admiral David G. Farragut's victory at Mobile and for the capture of Atlanta by General William T. Sherman. These events, said Lincoln, "...call for devout acknowledgment to the Supreme Being in whose hands are the destinies of nations."
Sherman, commanding the Federal Army of the West, wired Washington at 6:00 this morning: “Atlanta is ours, and fairly won.” The capture of Atlanta strengthened the Federal fighting spirit and immediately shifted momentum in the upcoming presidential election to Lincoln.
Conversely, the loss of Atlanta demoralized the South, and crucial industrial resources in the heart of the Confederacy were lost, most for the duration. President Jefferson Davis tried gathering troops to reinforce John Bell Hood’s struggling Confederate Army of Tennessee.
Posted on 9/3/14 at 8:51 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Sunday, 4 September 1864
Famed and feared Confederate partisan John Hunt Morgan was a Southern cavalry leader in the style of Nathan Bedford Forrest in many ways. He operated as an independent commander, however, rather than serving as the “eyes and ears” of a larger army. He raided, he ran, he wreaked havoc on Union forces and towns, civilian as well as military. He was in Greeneville, Tennessee, last night, preparing for a raid through the Union-sympathizing territory of east Tennessee. This morning, his enemies proved that they had learned well from his methods; a large Union cavalry force snuck into town as the sun was just rising and hit Morgan’s men as they themselves had hit so many others. Morgan was shot and killed while trying to rejoin his force to escape.
An Alabama native, Morgan grew up in Kentucky and attended Transylvania University before being expelled for poor behavior. He served under Zachary Taylor in the Mexican War (1846-48) and became a successful hemp manufacturer in Kentucky afterwards. Morgan was a strong sympathizer with the Southern cause in the 1850s, and moved to Alabama when Kentucky did not secede from the Union.
After joining the Confederate army, Morgan quickly became a colonel in the cavalry. He fought at Shiloh, Tennessee, and soon became famous for his cavalry raids. In one year, starting in July 1862, Morgan made four spectacular raids on Union-held territory. In the first raid, Morgan rode 1,000 miles around Kentucky, disrupting Yankee supply lines and capturing some 1,200 Union soldiers. His force, consisting of as many as 1,800 troopers, traveled light and lived off the land. By December 1862, Morgan's raids had successfully diverted some 20,000 Union troops in order to secure supply lines and communications networks.
Morgan's fourth raid was the most dramatic, but ended in disaster for him. Leaving Tennessee in July 1863 with 2,400 men, Morgan headed again for Kentucky. This time, he continued northward into the Union states. Morgan's force swept through southern Indiana and Ohio before heading back to the Ohio River, but Union troops blocked his passage back to Kentucky, and Yankee cavalry chased him into northeastern Ohio. He and the remnants of his force were trapped, and they surrendered at Salineville, Ohio, on July 26.
Morgan and his officers were incarcerated at the Ohio State Penitentiary in Columbus. In November 1863, he and some of his men tunneled out of the prison and escaped to the South. He returned to duty and commanded the Department of Southwestern Virginia.
The legend and terror of John Hunt Morgan would be long remembered in poems, songs, and stories.
In the Shenandoah Valley, Philip Sheridan’s Federals moved to cut the Confederate supply lines south of Winchester. Jubal Early countered by advancing along the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad from Stephenson’s Depot, north of Winchester, toward Martinsburg. Early had less than 12,000 men to oppose over 40,000 Federals.
President Abraham Lincoln replied to a letter from Eliza P. Gurney of the Society of Friends: “The purposes of the Almighty are perfect, and must prevail, though we erring mortals may fail to accurately perceive them in advance.”
A third major Federal bombardment of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor ended after 60 days. The attack included 14,666 rounds fired that inflicted 81 casualties.
Confederates attacked Union shipping on the White River in Arkansas.
Famed and feared Confederate partisan John Hunt Morgan was a Southern cavalry leader in the style of Nathan Bedford Forrest in many ways. He operated as an independent commander, however, rather than serving as the “eyes and ears” of a larger army. He raided, he ran, he wreaked havoc on Union forces and towns, civilian as well as military. He was in Greeneville, Tennessee, last night, preparing for a raid through the Union-sympathizing territory of east Tennessee. This morning, his enemies proved that they had learned well from his methods; a large Union cavalry force snuck into town as the sun was just rising and hit Morgan’s men as they themselves had hit so many others. Morgan was shot and killed while trying to rejoin his force to escape.
An Alabama native, Morgan grew up in Kentucky and attended Transylvania University before being expelled for poor behavior. He served under Zachary Taylor in the Mexican War (1846-48) and became a successful hemp manufacturer in Kentucky afterwards. Morgan was a strong sympathizer with the Southern cause in the 1850s, and moved to Alabama when Kentucky did not secede from the Union.
After joining the Confederate army, Morgan quickly became a colonel in the cavalry. He fought at Shiloh, Tennessee, and soon became famous for his cavalry raids. In one year, starting in July 1862, Morgan made four spectacular raids on Union-held territory. In the first raid, Morgan rode 1,000 miles around Kentucky, disrupting Yankee supply lines and capturing some 1,200 Union soldiers. His force, consisting of as many as 1,800 troopers, traveled light and lived off the land. By December 1862, Morgan's raids had successfully diverted some 20,000 Union troops in order to secure supply lines and communications networks.
Morgan's fourth raid was the most dramatic, but ended in disaster for him. Leaving Tennessee in July 1863 with 2,400 men, Morgan headed again for Kentucky. This time, he continued northward into the Union states. Morgan's force swept through southern Indiana and Ohio before heading back to the Ohio River, but Union troops blocked his passage back to Kentucky, and Yankee cavalry chased him into northeastern Ohio. He and the remnants of his force were trapped, and they surrendered at Salineville, Ohio, on July 26.
Morgan and his officers were incarcerated at the Ohio State Penitentiary in Columbus. In November 1863, he and some of his men tunneled out of the prison and escaped to the South. He returned to duty and commanded the Department of Southwestern Virginia.
The legend and terror of John Hunt Morgan would be long remembered in poems, songs, and stories.
In the Shenandoah Valley, Philip Sheridan’s Federals moved to cut the Confederate supply lines south of Winchester. Jubal Early countered by advancing along the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad from Stephenson’s Depot, north of Winchester, toward Martinsburg. Early had less than 12,000 men to oppose over 40,000 Federals.
President Abraham Lincoln replied to a letter from Eliza P. Gurney of the Society of Friends: “The purposes of the Almighty are perfect, and must prevail, though we erring mortals may fail to accurately perceive them in advance.”
A third major Federal bombardment of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor ended after 60 days. The attack included 14,666 rounds fired that inflicted 81 casualties.
Confederates attacked Union shipping on the White River in Arkansas.
This post was edited on 9/4/14 at 4:23 am
Posted on 9/4/14 at 9:12 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Monday, 5 September 1864
In Petersburg, Virginia, General Robert E. Lee was becoming increasingly anxious for the return of the forces of General Jubal Early from Maryland, northern and West Virginia, where he had been sent in an attempt to relieve the pressure on Richmond by threatening Washington, DC. Since the mission--although causing panic in the North--had failed in its objective, Lee had ordered Early to rejoin him as soon as practicable. Reluctant to admit that the venture had been pointless, Early had sent only one corps toward Petersburg and Richmond, that of General Richard Heron Anderson. He had promptly run into the cavalry of General Phillip Henry Sheridan, and they had settled into battle in the vicinity of Opequon Creek near Winchester, Virginia. Both sides wanted nothing more than to get past the other, but neither could find a hole in the enemy’s lines in order to accomplish this.
Unaware as yet of Rear Admiral David G. Farragut's letter of the week before regarding his failing health, Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles wrote the Admiral asking him to take command of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron and prepare to attack Wilmington, North Carolina, the last major port open to the Confederates. Welles regarded its capture as "...more important, practically, than the capture of Richmond." It was natural that, not knowing of Farragut's personal wishes, he should turn to his most successful and indomitable officer for the accomplishment of this last vital task. "You are selected," wrote Welles, "to command the naval force, and you will endeavor to be at Port Royal by the latter part of September, where further orders will await you."
It was not until mid-month that the Secretary received Farragut's letter of 27 August. On 22 September, the hero of Mobile Bay would write Welles upon receipt of his instructions to proceed to Port Royal and reiterated his request to go North on leave. Welles, meanwhile, had taken steps to select a new squadron commander in lieu of Farragut, and the same day, 22 September, he wrote Rear Admiral David D. Porter: "Rear Admiral D. G. Farragut was assigned to the command of the North Atlantic Squadron on the 5th instant, but the necessity of rest on the part of that distinguished officer renders it necessary that he should come immediately North. You will, therefore, on receipt of this order consider yourself detached from the command of the Mississippi Squadron...and relieve Acting Rear Admiral Lee in command of the North Atlantic blockading Squadron." Thus, because of Admiral Farragut's poor health, Porter was given the opportunity to prepare and lead the massive assault against the South's most important remaining seaport.
The USS Keystone State, under Commander Peirce Crosby, and USS Quaker City, Lieutenant Silas Casey, captured the blockade running British steamer Elsie off Wilmington with a cargo of cotton. Elsie had been chased the previous night upon standing out of Wilmington, but the blockading vessels had lost her in the darkness. This morning, however, the Keystone State sighted her, and with Quaker City opened fire. Elsie almost escaped, but a shell exploding in her forward hold forced her to heave to.
Louisiana voters approved the new state constitution, which included abolishing slavery. Swearing loyalty to the Union was required to vote. Although the new constitution abolished slavery throughout the state, it was effective only in the thirteen Louisiana parishes currently under Federal control. Voting rights to black men who fought for the Union, owned property, or were literate, was allowed to be authorized--but not granted--by the state legislature. Other persons of color were excluded. A free public school system was allowed for all children aged six to eighteen but the legislature established schools for whites only.
The failed Wade–Davis Bill, an unsuccessful attempt by Radical Republicans and others in the U.S. Congress to set Reconstruction policy before the end of the Civil War, included the Ironclad oath that was ultimately implemented and used until repealed by President Arthur in May, 1884. The oath excluded ex-Confederate soldiers, anyone holding office in a state that seceded from the Union, or supporters of the Confederacy. This created further tension between persons of color and ex-soldiers. The lack of voting rights, Black codes, and a recall on the Constitutional Convention, however, would ultimately result in the New Orleans Race Riot on July 30, 1866.
In Petersburg, Virginia, General Robert E. Lee was becoming increasingly anxious for the return of the forces of General Jubal Early from Maryland, northern and West Virginia, where he had been sent in an attempt to relieve the pressure on Richmond by threatening Washington, DC. Since the mission--although causing panic in the North--had failed in its objective, Lee had ordered Early to rejoin him as soon as practicable. Reluctant to admit that the venture had been pointless, Early had sent only one corps toward Petersburg and Richmond, that of General Richard Heron Anderson. He had promptly run into the cavalry of General Phillip Henry Sheridan, and they had settled into battle in the vicinity of Opequon Creek near Winchester, Virginia. Both sides wanted nothing more than to get past the other, but neither could find a hole in the enemy’s lines in order to accomplish this.
Unaware as yet of Rear Admiral David G. Farragut's letter of the week before regarding his failing health, Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles wrote the Admiral asking him to take command of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron and prepare to attack Wilmington, North Carolina, the last major port open to the Confederates. Welles regarded its capture as "...more important, practically, than the capture of Richmond." It was natural that, not knowing of Farragut's personal wishes, he should turn to his most successful and indomitable officer for the accomplishment of this last vital task. "You are selected," wrote Welles, "to command the naval force, and you will endeavor to be at Port Royal by the latter part of September, where further orders will await you."
It was not until mid-month that the Secretary received Farragut's letter of 27 August. On 22 September, the hero of Mobile Bay would write Welles upon receipt of his instructions to proceed to Port Royal and reiterated his request to go North on leave. Welles, meanwhile, had taken steps to select a new squadron commander in lieu of Farragut, and the same day, 22 September, he wrote Rear Admiral David D. Porter: "Rear Admiral D. G. Farragut was assigned to the command of the North Atlantic Squadron on the 5th instant, but the necessity of rest on the part of that distinguished officer renders it necessary that he should come immediately North. You will, therefore, on receipt of this order consider yourself detached from the command of the Mississippi Squadron...and relieve Acting Rear Admiral Lee in command of the North Atlantic blockading Squadron." Thus, because of Admiral Farragut's poor health, Porter was given the opportunity to prepare and lead the massive assault against the South's most important remaining seaport.
The USS Keystone State, under Commander Peirce Crosby, and USS Quaker City, Lieutenant Silas Casey, captured the blockade running British steamer Elsie off Wilmington with a cargo of cotton. Elsie had been chased the previous night upon standing out of Wilmington, but the blockading vessels had lost her in the darkness. This morning, however, the Keystone State sighted her, and with Quaker City opened fire. Elsie almost escaped, but a shell exploding in her forward hold forced her to heave to.
Louisiana voters approved the new state constitution, which included abolishing slavery. Swearing loyalty to the Union was required to vote. Although the new constitution abolished slavery throughout the state, it was effective only in the thirteen Louisiana parishes currently under Federal control. Voting rights to black men who fought for the Union, owned property, or were literate, was allowed to be authorized--but not granted--by the state legislature. Other persons of color were excluded. A free public school system was allowed for all children aged six to eighteen but the legislature established schools for whites only.
The failed Wade–Davis Bill, an unsuccessful attempt by Radical Republicans and others in the U.S. Congress to set Reconstruction policy before the end of the Civil War, included the Ironclad oath that was ultimately implemented and used until repealed by President Arthur in May, 1884. The oath excluded ex-Confederate soldiers, anyone holding office in a state that seceded from the Union, or supporters of the Confederacy. This created further tension between persons of color and ex-soldiers. The lack of voting rights, Black codes, and a recall on the Constitutional Convention, however, would ultimately result in the New Orleans Race Riot on July 30, 1866.
Posted on 9/5/14 at 9:04 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Tuesday, 6 September 1864
The bigger armies in Georgia and Virginia were mostly quiet today. General William T. Sherman’s men were attempting to cope with the administration of long besieged and newly conquered Atlanta, Georgia. Elsewhere, in the Petersburg-Richmond theatre, the Shenandoah Valley and other such places, no battles occurred today. This is not to say, however, that peace had settled on the divided land. Skirmishing took place in Eight Mile Post on the Natchez and Liberty Roads in Mississippi with Union Colonel Frederick A. Dyer's 4th Illinois Cavalry; at Readyville, Tennessee; around Searcy and Richland, Arkansas; and at Brazos Santiago, Texas. The port of Brazos Santiago was located on Brazos Island in what is now Cameron County.
Scouting expeditions--missions to determine enemy locations but not specifically with an intent of fighting--were conducted by the Union forces in the region of Morganza and Bayou Sara, Louisiana.
The USS Proteus, under Commander Robert W. Shufeldt, captured the blockade running British schooner Ann Louisa in the Gulf of Mexico.
A Maryland state convention adopted a new state constitution this afternoon. The 1864 constitution was largely the product of strong Unionists, who with Federal military assistance had taken control of the state. The document outlawed slavery, disenfranchised Southern partisans, and reapportioned the General Assembly based upon the number of white inhabitants. This provision further diminished the power of the small counties where the majority of the state's large former slave population lived. One of the framers' goals was to reduce the influence of Confederate sympathizers, who had almost caused the state to secede in 1861.
Lieutenant General Richard Taylor assumes command of the Confederate Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana.
An eighth minor Federal bombardment of Fort Sumter began with 573 rounds fired.
The bigger armies in Georgia and Virginia were mostly quiet today. General William T. Sherman’s men were attempting to cope with the administration of long besieged and newly conquered Atlanta, Georgia. Elsewhere, in the Petersburg-Richmond theatre, the Shenandoah Valley and other such places, no battles occurred today. This is not to say, however, that peace had settled on the divided land. Skirmishing took place in Eight Mile Post on the Natchez and Liberty Roads in Mississippi with Union Colonel Frederick A. Dyer's 4th Illinois Cavalry; at Readyville, Tennessee; around Searcy and Richland, Arkansas; and at Brazos Santiago, Texas. The port of Brazos Santiago was located on Brazos Island in what is now Cameron County.
Scouting expeditions--missions to determine enemy locations but not specifically with an intent of fighting--were conducted by the Union forces in the region of Morganza and Bayou Sara, Louisiana.
The USS Proteus, under Commander Robert W. Shufeldt, captured the blockade running British schooner Ann Louisa in the Gulf of Mexico.
A Maryland state convention adopted a new state constitution this afternoon. The 1864 constitution was largely the product of strong Unionists, who with Federal military assistance had taken control of the state. The document outlawed slavery, disenfranchised Southern partisans, and reapportioned the General Assembly based upon the number of white inhabitants. This provision further diminished the power of the small counties where the majority of the state's large former slave population lived. One of the framers' goals was to reduce the influence of Confederate sympathizers, who had almost caused the state to secede in 1861.
Lieutenant General Richard Taylor assumes command of the Confederate Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana.
An eighth minor Federal bombardment of Fort Sumter began with 573 rounds fired.
Posted on 9/5/14 at 9:26 pm to BadLeroyDawg
at the commitment Leroy
Posted on 9/5/14 at 9:29 pm to MasCervezas
Was just thinking that. The dude posts nothing other than this thread for months at a time. I kinda hate civil war history, but it's interesting.
Posted on 9/5/14 at 9:33 pm to 3nOut
Yeah I haven't actually read any of them but you gotta respect the effort
Posted on 9/6/14 at 5:58 pm to MasCervezas
Thank you, Gentlemen. It's why I am a Southerner and Damned proud to be such.
"Southern by the Grace of God"
"Southern by the Grace of God"
Posted on 9/6/14 at 7:43 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Wednesday, 7 September 1864
Possibly in preparation for his march to the sea, but more likely to make things easier on his own Army, Union Major General William T. Sherman orders the civilian population of Atlanta, Georgia, to evacuate the city this morning. There were about 446 families left in town, adding up to some 1600 people; many of them had remained staunch Unionists throughout the conflict.
Due to the deadline of the order they had to leave not only their homes but virtually all their possessions behind. Sherman was kind enough to specify that they could go either North or South, just as long as they went away. The motive was supposedly not wanton cruelty--Sherman suggested that he had "barely enough" food for his own 100,000 plus troops and could not possibly feed another 1600 civilians, mostly women and children, too--but he also tersely pointed out, “If the people raise a howl against my barbarity and cruelty, I will answer that war is war and not popularity-seeking.”
Sherman wrote to Confederate General John Bell Hood, “I have deemed it to the interest of the United States that the citizens now residing in Atlanta should remove, those who prefer it to go South and the rest North.” Sherman ordered all residents who had not already fled Atlanta to evacuate to make the city safer for Federal troops.
Atlanta Mayor James Calhoun called Sherman’s order “...appalling and heartrending.” Hood angrily called it “...studied and ingenious cruelty.” Sherman replied, “You cannot qualify war in harsher terms than I will. War is cruelty and you cannot refine it; and those who brought war into our country deserve all the curses and maledictions a people can pour out.”
Even though Sherman had just successfully captured Atlanta with minimal losses, he was worried about his supply lines, which stretched all the way to Louisville, Kentucky. With Confederate cavalry leader Nathan Bedford Forrest on the loose, Sherman expected to have a difficult time maintaining an open line of communication and reasoned that he could not stay in Atlanta for long. The number of troops committed to guarding the railroad and telegraph lines was almost as many as he had with him in Atlanta.
For Sherman's thinking, the defeated residents of Atlanta could only hinder him in his preparations since they represented mouths to feed in addition to his own army. Furthermore, he did not want to bear responsibility for women and children in the midst of his army. Eviction of the residents was Sherman's most logical, and simplest, solution.
The general provided transportation south of the city, where the refugees would be let loose near the defeated army of John Bell Hood. Between September 11 and 16, the 440 plus families left their homes and possessions. One young Atlanta woman, Mary Gay, lamented bitterly that her fellow citizens "...were dumped out upon the cold ground without shelter and without any of the comforts of home." They had only the "...cold charity of the world."
Sherman's order surely didn't win him any fans among the Southerners, but he was only starting to build his infamous reputation with the Confederates. In November, he would embark on his march to the sea, during which his army will destroy nearly everything that lay in its path.
In the Shenandoah Valley, portions of Philip Sheridan and Jubal Early’s armies skirmished near Brucetown and Winchester.
A Federal expedition began from Lake Natchez in Iberville Parish, Louisiana.
Possibly in preparation for his march to the sea, but more likely to make things easier on his own Army, Union Major General William T. Sherman orders the civilian population of Atlanta, Georgia, to evacuate the city this morning. There were about 446 families left in town, adding up to some 1600 people; many of them had remained staunch Unionists throughout the conflict.
Due to the deadline of the order they had to leave not only their homes but virtually all their possessions behind. Sherman was kind enough to specify that they could go either North or South, just as long as they went away. The motive was supposedly not wanton cruelty--Sherman suggested that he had "barely enough" food for his own 100,000 plus troops and could not possibly feed another 1600 civilians, mostly women and children, too--but he also tersely pointed out, “If the people raise a howl against my barbarity and cruelty, I will answer that war is war and not popularity-seeking.”
Sherman wrote to Confederate General John Bell Hood, “I have deemed it to the interest of the United States that the citizens now residing in Atlanta should remove, those who prefer it to go South and the rest North.” Sherman ordered all residents who had not already fled Atlanta to evacuate to make the city safer for Federal troops.
Atlanta Mayor James Calhoun called Sherman’s order “...appalling and heartrending.” Hood angrily called it “...studied and ingenious cruelty.” Sherman replied, “You cannot qualify war in harsher terms than I will. War is cruelty and you cannot refine it; and those who brought war into our country deserve all the curses and maledictions a people can pour out.”
Even though Sherman had just successfully captured Atlanta with minimal losses, he was worried about his supply lines, which stretched all the way to Louisville, Kentucky. With Confederate cavalry leader Nathan Bedford Forrest on the loose, Sherman expected to have a difficult time maintaining an open line of communication and reasoned that he could not stay in Atlanta for long. The number of troops committed to guarding the railroad and telegraph lines was almost as many as he had with him in Atlanta.
For Sherman's thinking, the defeated residents of Atlanta could only hinder him in his preparations since they represented mouths to feed in addition to his own army. Furthermore, he did not want to bear responsibility for women and children in the midst of his army. Eviction of the residents was Sherman's most logical, and simplest, solution.
The general provided transportation south of the city, where the refugees would be let loose near the defeated army of John Bell Hood. Between September 11 and 16, the 440 plus families left their homes and possessions. One young Atlanta woman, Mary Gay, lamented bitterly that her fellow citizens "...were dumped out upon the cold ground without shelter and without any of the comforts of home." They had only the "...cold charity of the world."
Sherman's order surely didn't win him any fans among the Southerners, but he was only starting to build his infamous reputation with the Confederates. In November, he would embark on his march to the sea, during which his army will destroy nearly everything that lay in its path.
In the Shenandoah Valley, portions of Philip Sheridan and Jubal Early’s armies skirmished near Brucetown and Winchester.
A Federal expedition began from Lake Natchez in Iberville Parish, Louisiana.
Posted on 9/7/14 at 9:07 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Thursday, 8 September 1864
It had been more than a week ago that George Brinton McClellan had been nominated as the Democratic candidate for President in this year’s election, but he did not get around to formally accepting the party nod until today. At this point he made an announcement that did not sit well with many: he disavowed the “peace plank” in the party platform. This provision insisted that there should be an “immediate cessation of hostilities” and that the Union should be reunited, if possible, by negotiation. McClellan renounced this, saying “The Union is the one condition of peace...” and that that was all that could bring the end of the war. This made McClellan look as though he was trying to have things both ways, which, as usual, endeared him to neither faction.
The USS Tritonia, Rodolph, Stockdale, and an Army transport commenced a two-day expedition under Acting Lieutenant George Wiggin to destroy large salt works at Salt House Point near Mobile Bay. Only the Rodolph and Stockdale crossed the bar and entered Bon Secours River. Arriving at the Point at mid-morning, Wiggin sent two boat crews ashore and demolition of the salt works began immediately. So extensive were the works that destruction was not completed until late afternoon the next day. Wiggin reported: "I found some of the works well built and very strong, particularly one known as the Memphis Works, said to have cost $60,000...Another work, which was very strong and well built, said to have cost $50,000." Rear Admiral David Farragut, who had ordered the attack, observed: "There were 55 furnaces, in which were manufactured nearly 2,000 bushels of salt per day, and their destruction must necessarily inconvenience the Rebels."
It had been more than a week ago that George Brinton McClellan had been nominated as the Democratic candidate for President in this year’s election, but he did not get around to formally accepting the party nod until today. At this point he made an announcement that did not sit well with many: he disavowed the “peace plank” in the party platform. This provision insisted that there should be an “immediate cessation of hostilities” and that the Union should be reunited, if possible, by negotiation. McClellan renounced this, saying “The Union is the one condition of peace...” and that that was all that could bring the end of the war. This made McClellan look as though he was trying to have things both ways, which, as usual, endeared him to neither faction.
The USS Tritonia, Rodolph, Stockdale, and an Army transport commenced a two-day expedition under Acting Lieutenant George Wiggin to destroy large salt works at Salt House Point near Mobile Bay. Only the Rodolph and Stockdale crossed the bar and entered Bon Secours River. Arriving at the Point at mid-morning, Wiggin sent two boat crews ashore and demolition of the salt works began immediately. So extensive were the works that destruction was not completed until late afternoon the next day. Wiggin reported: "I found some of the works well built and very strong, particularly one known as the Memphis Works, said to have cost $60,000...Another work, which was very strong and well built, said to have cost $50,000." Rear Admiral David Farragut, who had ordered the attack, observed: "There were 55 furnaces, in which were manufactured nearly 2,000 bushels of salt per day, and their destruction must necessarily inconvenience the Rebels."
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