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re: 150 years ago this day...
Posted on 12/21/13 at 5:59 am to Prof
Posted on 12/21/13 at 5:59 am to Prof
True enough, Prof, on the Lees' influence throughout our history. One Virginia Yankee Lee, Samuel Phillips Lee, grandson of Richard Henry Lee, and five years junior to Robert Edward, was instrumental in the blockade of his home state and others, being named Acting Rear Admiral and given command of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron during September 1862.
Unfortunately, I believe you're right; the US was doomed to go to war if for no other reason than the division of power (and responsibility) between the individual states and the national government. The compromise that was made over slavery in the late 18th century could have easily been worked out before the dawn of the 20th century, IMHO, had fire-eaters and hard-core abolitionists been reigned in by their respective parties. Sounding familiar in today's political morass?
Unfortunately, I believe you're right; the US was doomed to go to war if for no other reason than the division of power (and responsibility) between the individual states and the national government. The compromise that was made over slavery in the late 18th century could have easily been worked out before the dawn of the 20th century, IMHO, had fire-eaters and hard-core abolitionists been reigned in by their respective parties. Sounding familiar in today's political morass?
1
Posted on 12/21/13 at 9:56 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Tuesday, 22 December 1863
The winter continued severely in most parts of the country, and those fortunate enough to have shelter did their best to remain in it as often and as long as possible. Some scouting activity took place in eastern Tennessee, one of the few parts of the state where Union forces were actually somewhat welcomed by a populace which had been largely opposed to secession from the beginning. Mountain people, it is said, seldom care to take part in the disputes of the flatlanders and wish only that the folk of the lowlands would do likewise.
Captain Raphael Semmes of the CSS Alabama noted the effect of Confederate commerce raiding on Northern shipping in the Far East: "The enemy's East India and China trade is nearly broken up. Their ships find it impossible to get freights, there being in this port [Singapore] some nineteen sail, almost all of which are laid up for want of employment...the more widely our blows are struck, provided they are struck rapidly, the greater will be the consternation and consequent damage of the enemy."
A fight occurred at Fayette, sixteen miles from Rodney, Mississippi, between a party of Federals, belonging to General Ellet's Marine Brigade, under the command of Colonel Curry, and a slightly smaller number of partisan Rebels, attached to the forces under General Wirt Adams. After a brief skirmish, the Confederates retreated, leaving ten of their number in the hands of the Yankees.
The bark Saxon arrived at New York last night, in charge of Acting Master E. S. Keyser. She was captured by the gunboat Vanderbilt, on the twenty-ninth of October, on the west coast of Africa, four hundred miles north of the Cape of Good Hope, and had on board part of the cargo of the bark Conrad which vessel was captured by the pirate Alabama, and afterward converted into the CSS Tuscaloosa.
Brigadier General Averill, arrived at Edray in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, having successfully accomplished his expedition to cut the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad.
A squad of about forty men, under Major White, of the First regiment of Confederate cavalry, made a daring dash into Cleveland, Tennessee, driving in the Federal pickets, killing one, wounding several, and capturing six, besides twelve horses, and some small arms.
John Kelly was killed by a party of partisan guerrillas, on the Arkansas shore of the Mississippi River, opposite Memphis, Tennessee.
Union General Michael Corcoran died at Fairfax Court House, Virginia, from injuries received from a fall from his mount; he was crushed to death under his horse.
General Joseph E. Johnston, in command of the Confederate Department of Mississippi, relinquished it, by order of President Jefferson Davis, to Lieutenant General Leonidas Polk, and issued farewell orders, as follows:
Having felt great pride in this army, the undersigned leaves it with much regret. He assures his brave comrades of his full appreciation of the high soldierly qualities they have exhibited. Harmony of opinion and purpose has existed in all ranks. Amid events tending to produce gloom and despondency, they have presented the rare spectacle of the constant improvement of all arms in efficiency and discipline. He offers them his best wishes for their future success.
In leaving this command, it is a source of great satisfaction to him that it devolves upon the distinguished General chosen for it by the President-one who, on each of so many bloody battle-fields, has proved himself worthy of such troops as constitute this command.
The winter continued severely in most parts of the country, and those fortunate enough to have shelter did their best to remain in it as often and as long as possible. Some scouting activity took place in eastern Tennessee, one of the few parts of the state where Union forces were actually somewhat welcomed by a populace which had been largely opposed to secession from the beginning. Mountain people, it is said, seldom care to take part in the disputes of the flatlanders and wish only that the folk of the lowlands would do likewise.
Captain Raphael Semmes of the CSS Alabama noted the effect of Confederate commerce raiding on Northern shipping in the Far East: "The enemy's East India and China trade is nearly broken up. Their ships find it impossible to get freights, there being in this port [Singapore] some nineteen sail, almost all of which are laid up for want of employment...the more widely our blows are struck, provided they are struck rapidly, the greater will be the consternation and consequent damage of the enemy."
A fight occurred at Fayette, sixteen miles from Rodney, Mississippi, between a party of Federals, belonging to General Ellet's Marine Brigade, under the command of Colonel Curry, and a slightly smaller number of partisan Rebels, attached to the forces under General Wirt Adams. After a brief skirmish, the Confederates retreated, leaving ten of their number in the hands of the Yankees.
The bark Saxon arrived at New York last night, in charge of Acting Master E. S. Keyser. She was captured by the gunboat Vanderbilt, on the twenty-ninth of October, on the west coast of Africa, four hundred miles north of the Cape of Good Hope, and had on board part of the cargo of the bark Conrad which vessel was captured by the pirate Alabama, and afterward converted into the CSS Tuscaloosa.
Brigadier General Averill, arrived at Edray in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, having successfully accomplished his expedition to cut the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad.
A squad of about forty men, under Major White, of the First regiment of Confederate cavalry, made a daring dash into Cleveland, Tennessee, driving in the Federal pickets, killing one, wounding several, and capturing six, besides twelve horses, and some small arms.
John Kelly was killed by a party of partisan guerrillas, on the Arkansas shore of the Mississippi River, opposite Memphis, Tennessee.
Union General Michael Corcoran died at Fairfax Court House, Virginia, from injuries received from a fall from his mount; he was crushed to death under his horse.
General Joseph E. Johnston, in command of the Confederate Department of Mississippi, relinquished it, by order of President Jefferson Davis, to Lieutenant General Leonidas Polk, and issued farewell orders, as follows:
Having felt great pride in this army, the undersigned leaves it with much regret. He assures his brave comrades of his full appreciation of the high soldierly qualities they have exhibited. Harmony of opinion and purpose has existed in all ranks. Amid events tending to produce gloom and despondency, they have presented the rare spectacle of the constant improvement of all arms in efficiency and discipline. He offers them his best wishes for their future success.
In leaving this command, it is a source of great satisfaction to him that it devolves upon the distinguished General chosen for it by the President-one who, on each of so many bloody battle-fields, has proved himself worthy of such troops as constitute this command.
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