Started By
Message
re: 150 years ago this day...
Posted on 7/4/14 at 9:22 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Posted on 7/4/14 at 9:22 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Tuesday, 5 July 1864
In 1862, an invasion had occurred in Maryland with a battle around Sharpsburg at Antietam Creek. In ‘63, the northward march was halted just outside Gettysburg at Cemetery Ridge. So when this summertime came around, it caused a general sesne of nervousness in the North. General Jubal Early hoped that President Abraham Lincoln would likely order the recall of the troops surrounding Petersburg if he could threaten Washington, DC. Deciding against an assault on Harper’s Ferry, Early’s Confederates began crossing the Potomac River and entered Shepherdstown, Maryland. They fought smaller battles in Point of Rocks, Keedysville, Nolands Ferry and elsewhere. Rather than bother General Hiram U. Grant, Lincoln called for militia reinforcements from New York and Pennsylvania to meet the threat.
In Georgia, fighting erupted as General William T. Sherman’s Federals probed the new Confederate defensive line.
General Andrew Jackson Smith’s Union cavalry left La Grange, Tennessee to confront General Nathan Bedford Forrest’s Confederates in northern Mississippi.
In Charleston Harbor, Federals withdrew from James Island after being brutally repulsed at Stono. The Yankees returned to Navy transports.
President Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus and proclaimed martial law in Kentucky in response to charges that Kentuckians were aiding “...the forces of the insurgents.”
New York Tribune editor Horace Greeley informed Lincoln that he had received a letter stating that Confederate emissaries were at Niagara Falls “...with full and complete powers for a peace.” Greeley urged Lincoln to meet the emissaries, stating that “...our bleeding, bankrupt, almost dying country also longs for peace--shudders at the prospect of fresh conscriptions, of further wholesale devastations, and of new rivers of human blood...”
A Federal expedition began from New Madrid, Missouri.
In 1862, an invasion had occurred in Maryland with a battle around Sharpsburg at Antietam Creek. In ‘63, the northward march was halted just outside Gettysburg at Cemetery Ridge. So when this summertime came around, it caused a general sesne of nervousness in the North. General Jubal Early hoped that President Abraham Lincoln would likely order the recall of the troops surrounding Petersburg if he could threaten Washington, DC. Deciding against an assault on Harper’s Ferry, Early’s Confederates began crossing the Potomac River and entered Shepherdstown, Maryland. They fought smaller battles in Point of Rocks, Keedysville, Nolands Ferry and elsewhere. Rather than bother General Hiram U. Grant, Lincoln called for militia reinforcements from New York and Pennsylvania to meet the threat.
In Georgia, fighting erupted as General William T. Sherman’s Federals probed the new Confederate defensive line.
General Andrew Jackson Smith’s Union cavalry left La Grange, Tennessee to confront General Nathan Bedford Forrest’s Confederates in northern Mississippi.
In Charleston Harbor, Federals withdrew from James Island after being brutally repulsed at Stono. The Yankees returned to Navy transports.
President Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus and proclaimed martial law in Kentucky in response to charges that Kentuckians were aiding “...the forces of the insurgents.”
New York Tribune editor Horace Greeley informed Lincoln that he had received a letter stating that Confederate emissaries were at Niagara Falls “...with full and complete powers for a peace.” Greeley urged Lincoln to meet the emissaries, stating that “...our bleeding, bankrupt, almost dying country also longs for peace--shudders at the prospect of fresh conscriptions, of further wholesale devastations, and of new rivers of human blood...”
A Federal expedition began from New Madrid, Missouri.
1
Posted on 7/5/14 at 9:05 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Wednesday, 6 July 1864
General Jubal Early had decided against capturing Harper’s Ferry, but that did not mean Maryland was completely safe. This morning, Early’s cavalry, under Brigadier General John McCausland, swooped down on Hagerstown and presented them with a bill. In retribution for the scorched earth raids, for lands destroyed and towns sacked in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, by Federal troops under General “Black Dave” David Hunter, McCausland demanded a ransom of $20,000 and a large amount of supplies. The city fathers pointed out that they had had no control over Hunter, and gained no benefit from his looting, so at first declined to pay. But to save the town from being burned, several banks in Hagerstown provided the necessary funds while business owners and townspeople relinquished clothing and other goods. According to historians, Hagerstown was somewhat lucky that the ransom was only $20,000, and some chalk up the amount to a misprinted order; it was originally to be $200,000. Washington officials conferred on reinforcing and defending the capital.
Illustrating the great paucity of Confederate naval power and the strategic importance of the CSS Albemarle to the defense of North Carolina, Brigadier General Lawrence S. Baker, CSA, wrote to Commander John Newland Maffitt, captain of the ironclad, cautioning him against risking his vessel: "I beg leave to remind you of the importance to the Confederacy of the country opened to us by the taking of Plymouth, to suggest that its recapture now engages the serious attention of the U.S. Government, and that the loss of the gunboat which you command would be irreparable and productive of ruin to the interests of the government, particularly in this State and district, and indeed would be a heavy blow to the whole country...I have no doubt that in event of an attack by you the most desperate efforts will be made to destroy your boat, and thus open the approach to Plymouth and Washington [North Carolina]." While criticism was leveled at the Confederate Navy Department for not bringing Albemarle into action, her presence at Plymouth constituted a powerful threat to Union control of the North Carolina sounds, demanded a vigilant patrol by many Northern ships, and prevented recapture of the area by Union troops. Few ships better illustrate the important relationship between a nation's land and sea-based power.
Captain Cicero Price, commanding the USS Jamestown, wrote Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles from Yokohama, Japan, regarding the celebration of Independence Day in that far-off port: "The Fourth was very handsomely celebrated here, all the foreign ships of war participating by dressing their ships, as well as saluting. It was very marked on the part of the British." With the tide of war ashore as well as afloat having swung irrevocably in favor of the Union, British intervention on behalf of the South could no longer be considered a possibility.
Skirmishing occurred in Virginia, Georgia, Arkansas, and Missouri.
General Jubal Early had decided against capturing Harper’s Ferry, but that did not mean Maryland was completely safe. This morning, Early’s cavalry, under Brigadier General John McCausland, swooped down on Hagerstown and presented them with a bill. In retribution for the scorched earth raids, for lands destroyed and towns sacked in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, by Federal troops under General “Black Dave” David Hunter, McCausland demanded a ransom of $20,000 and a large amount of supplies. The city fathers pointed out that they had had no control over Hunter, and gained no benefit from his looting, so at first declined to pay. But to save the town from being burned, several banks in Hagerstown provided the necessary funds while business owners and townspeople relinquished clothing and other goods. According to historians, Hagerstown was somewhat lucky that the ransom was only $20,000, and some chalk up the amount to a misprinted order; it was originally to be $200,000. Washington officials conferred on reinforcing and defending the capital.
Illustrating the great paucity of Confederate naval power and the strategic importance of the CSS Albemarle to the defense of North Carolina, Brigadier General Lawrence S. Baker, CSA, wrote to Commander John Newland Maffitt, captain of the ironclad, cautioning him against risking his vessel: "I beg leave to remind you of the importance to the Confederacy of the country opened to us by the taking of Plymouth, to suggest that its recapture now engages the serious attention of the U.S. Government, and that the loss of the gunboat which you command would be irreparable and productive of ruin to the interests of the government, particularly in this State and district, and indeed would be a heavy blow to the whole country...I have no doubt that in event of an attack by you the most desperate efforts will be made to destroy your boat, and thus open the approach to Plymouth and Washington [North Carolina]." While criticism was leveled at the Confederate Navy Department for not bringing Albemarle into action, her presence at Plymouth constituted a powerful threat to Union control of the North Carolina sounds, demanded a vigilant patrol by many Northern ships, and prevented recapture of the area by Union troops. Few ships better illustrate the important relationship between a nation's land and sea-based power.
Captain Cicero Price, commanding the USS Jamestown, wrote Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles from Yokohama, Japan, regarding the celebration of Independence Day in that far-off port: "The Fourth was very handsomely celebrated here, all the foreign ships of war participating by dressing their ships, as well as saluting. It was very marked on the part of the British." With the tide of war ashore as well as afloat having swung irrevocably in favor of the Union, British intervention on behalf of the South could no longer be considered a possibility.
Skirmishing occurred in Virginia, Georgia, Arkansas, and Missouri.
Posted on 7/7/14 at 4:37 am to BadLeroyDawg
Thursday, 7 July 1864
The battles for Charleston, or at least her harbor, just kept on running at full tilt. This morning, the gunboats USS Lehigh and Montauk continued firing onto the banks of the Stono River at Confederate riflemen. The Yankees had been rudely chased off Johns Island the day before, but the Rebels persisted in trying to hamper the Union disembarkation as well as the rebuilding of their fortifications.
Later, the Union sharpshooters opened fire from some small houses, but the Confederate artillery quickly routed them. All was quiet until about 4:00pm, when the 26th US Colored Troops--about 1,000 strong--attacked the Confederate rifle pits. They advanced under cover of woods until they were about 200 yards from the Confederate line, where they entered the open field, charging and taking the works, creating a number of Southern casualties.
But then the 26th stopped still. Their lines begin to waver, then break and soon they ran all out in hasty retreat. The fighting was heavy. The Confederates soon recaptured their works, driving the Federals over them, killing and wounding many. The Southerners decisively won the day.
The small schooners USS Ariel, under Acting Master Russell, Sea Bird, Acting Ensign Ezra L. Robbins piloting, and Stonewall, Acting Master Henry B. Carter in charge, and the 29-ton sloop Rosalie, commanded by Acting Master Coffin, transported Union troops on a raid at Brooksville, Florida. After disembarking the soldiers, the Ariel and Sea Bird proceeded to Bayport, Florida, where a landing party captured a quantity of cotton and burned the customs house. The Union troops joined the two schooners at Bayport on 11 July, and the force returned to Anclote Key, near Tarpon Springs, the next day.
This afternoon, General William T. Sherman ordered everyone--mainly 400 women and children--connected with the Roswell Mills in Georgia to be charged with treason. Mill workers were rounded up on the square where they waited a day before being sent to the Georgia Military Institute in Marietta. There, they were housed with women and children from other mills. Then they were put on boxcars, ostensibly bound for points in the midwest. Many of the prisoners were put out just north of the Ohio River in Kentucky, in what amounted to little more than the first recorded concentration camp.
A block east of the Roswell Town Square is a small park on Sloan Street with a monument dedicated to the memory of the 400 women mill workers and children. A few of the women eventually returned to Roswell after the War, but most of the women's and children's fates remain an unsolved mystery.
This evening, in response to multiple requests from Joseph E. Johnston for more men, Confederate President Jefferson Davis informed Johnston of his decision not to send any additional troops. Skirmishing continued across a wide front, mostly to the north and west of Atlanta over the next few days. Braxton Bragg arrived to "investigate" Johnston's "failure to stop" General Sherman. Davis had already asked General Robert E. Lee who should be Johnston's replacement.
The battles for Charleston, or at least her harbor, just kept on running at full tilt. This morning, the gunboats USS Lehigh and Montauk continued firing onto the banks of the Stono River at Confederate riflemen. The Yankees had been rudely chased off Johns Island the day before, but the Rebels persisted in trying to hamper the Union disembarkation as well as the rebuilding of their fortifications.
Later, the Union sharpshooters opened fire from some small houses, but the Confederate artillery quickly routed them. All was quiet until about 4:00pm, when the 26th US Colored Troops--about 1,000 strong--attacked the Confederate rifle pits. They advanced under cover of woods until they were about 200 yards from the Confederate line, where they entered the open field, charging and taking the works, creating a number of Southern casualties.
But then the 26th stopped still. Their lines begin to waver, then break and soon they ran all out in hasty retreat. The fighting was heavy. The Confederates soon recaptured their works, driving the Federals over them, killing and wounding many. The Southerners decisively won the day.
The small schooners USS Ariel, under Acting Master Russell, Sea Bird, Acting Ensign Ezra L. Robbins piloting, and Stonewall, Acting Master Henry B. Carter in charge, and the 29-ton sloop Rosalie, commanded by Acting Master Coffin, transported Union troops on a raid at Brooksville, Florida. After disembarking the soldiers, the Ariel and Sea Bird proceeded to Bayport, Florida, where a landing party captured a quantity of cotton and burned the customs house. The Union troops joined the two schooners at Bayport on 11 July, and the force returned to Anclote Key, near Tarpon Springs, the next day.
This afternoon, General William T. Sherman ordered everyone--mainly 400 women and children--connected with the Roswell Mills in Georgia to be charged with treason. Mill workers were rounded up on the square where they waited a day before being sent to the Georgia Military Institute in Marietta. There, they were housed with women and children from other mills. Then they were put on boxcars, ostensibly bound for points in the midwest. Many of the prisoners were put out just north of the Ohio River in Kentucky, in what amounted to little more than the first recorded concentration camp.
A block east of the Roswell Town Square is a small park on Sloan Street with a monument dedicated to the memory of the 400 women mill workers and children. A few of the women eventually returned to Roswell after the War, but most of the women's and children's fates remain an unsolved mystery.
This evening, in response to multiple requests from Joseph E. Johnston for more men, Confederate President Jefferson Davis informed Johnston of his decision not to send any additional troops. Skirmishing continued across a wide front, mostly to the north and west of Atlanta over the next few days. Braxton Bragg arrived to "investigate" Johnston's "failure to stop" General Sherman. Davis had already asked General Robert E. Lee who should be Johnston's replacement.
Posted on 7/7/14 at 8:37 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Friday, 8 July 1864
It had been moving almost like a dance, from a distance at least, as Major General William T. Sherman’s Union men constantly moved to flank General Joseph E. Johnston’s Confederates, who would then pull back to a safer position. This had been going on before and after Sherman had been decisively whipped by Johnston at Dallas-New Hope Church-Pickett's Mill and Kennesaw Mountain, using frontal assaults which he had now foresworn. They called it the “Georgia sidestep”, and another movement was taken today as General John McAllister Schofield, with Sherman’s left flank, crossed the Chattahoochee River just where it is joined by Soap Creek. Johnston didn’t oppose them because he didn't know they were there, until he realized, too late, that his right flank had been turned yet again. The pullback this time reached Peachtree Creek.
The USS Fort Jackson, under Captain Benjamin F. Sands, captured the blockade running British steamer Boston at sea off the South Carolina coast with a cargo of copperas (iron sulphate), salt, and soap.
The USS Kanawha, Lieutenant Commander Bushrod B. Taylor piloting, forced the blockade running steamer Matagorda aground near Galveston. Kanawha, joined by USS Penguin and Aroostook, opened fire and destroyed the steamer, which carried a large cargo including bales of cotton.
The CSS Florida, commanded by Lieutenant Charles M. Morris, captured the whaling bark Golconda at sea southwest of Bermuda with 1,800 barrels of whale oil. "After taking what supplies of oil we required," Morris reported, "I burned her."
The USS Sonoma, operating under Lieutenant Commander Edmund O. Matthews, captured the steamer Ida off the Stono River, South Carolina, with a cargo of cotton.
The USS Azalea, Acting Master Frederick W. Strong commanding, and USS Sweet Brier, Acting Ensign J. D. Dexter in charge, captured the blockade running schooner Pocahontas off Charleston with a cargo of cotton. Already weak at sea, the South could not protect by convoy the daring merchantmen that sought to run the Federal blockade.
Union President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation explaining his veto of the controversial Wade-Davis Reconstruction Bill. Lincoln argued that the bill was improperly dictatorial, that Congress had no authority to abolish slavery except by constitutional amendment, and that the bill would undermine reconstruction efforts already underway in parts of Louisiana and Arkansas.
It had been moving almost like a dance, from a distance at least, as Major General William T. Sherman’s Union men constantly moved to flank General Joseph E. Johnston’s Confederates, who would then pull back to a safer position. This had been going on before and after Sherman had been decisively whipped by Johnston at Dallas-New Hope Church-Pickett's Mill and Kennesaw Mountain, using frontal assaults which he had now foresworn. They called it the “Georgia sidestep”, and another movement was taken today as General John McAllister Schofield, with Sherman’s left flank, crossed the Chattahoochee River just where it is joined by Soap Creek. Johnston didn’t oppose them because he didn't know they were there, until he realized, too late, that his right flank had been turned yet again. The pullback this time reached Peachtree Creek.
The USS Fort Jackson, under Captain Benjamin F. Sands, captured the blockade running British steamer Boston at sea off the South Carolina coast with a cargo of copperas (iron sulphate), salt, and soap.
The USS Kanawha, Lieutenant Commander Bushrod B. Taylor piloting, forced the blockade running steamer Matagorda aground near Galveston. Kanawha, joined by USS Penguin and Aroostook, opened fire and destroyed the steamer, which carried a large cargo including bales of cotton.
The CSS Florida, commanded by Lieutenant Charles M. Morris, captured the whaling bark Golconda at sea southwest of Bermuda with 1,800 barrels of whale oil. "After taking what supplies of oil we required," Morris reported, "I burned her."
The USS Sonoma, operating under Lieutenant Commander Edmund O. Matthews, captured the steamer Ida off the Stono River, South Carolina, with a cargo of cotton.
The USS Azalea, Acting Master Frederick W. Strong commanding, and USS Sweet Brier, Acting Ensign J. D. Dexter in charge, captured the blockade running schooner Pocahontas off Charleston with a cargo of cotton. Already weak at sea, the South could not protect by convoy the daring merchantmen that sought to run the Federal blockade.
Union President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation explaining his veto of the controversial Wade-Davis Reconstruction Bill. Lincoln argued that the bill was improperly dictatorial, that Congress had no authority to abolish slavery except by constitutional amendment, and that the bill would undermine reconstruction efforts already underway in parts of Louisiana and Arkansas.
Posted on 7/9/14 at 4:59 am to BadLeroyDawg
Saturday, 9 July 1864
It wasn't really the the fault of the men in Blue that they did poorly at the Monocacy River in Maryland today. Raw recruits, short-term enlistees, a few veterans on leave; it was a rag-tag force of about 6000 defenders that General Lew Wallace cobbled together to oppose the almost 14,000 Confederates of General Jubal Early who were marching on Washington. Losing a third of their force, including 1200 missing or captured, they nevertheless delayed Early’s march for a day. A part of the regular army’s Sixth Corps was rushing up from City Point, Virginia, to assist in Early's ouster. Meanwhile, the Confederates collected $200,000 in ransom from the officials of Frederick, Maryland.
Another report: On July 9, 1864, a makeshift Union force under Major General Lew Wallace attempted to arrest General Jubal Early’s invading Confederate divisions along the Monocacy River, just east of Frederick. Wallace, joined by Ricketts’s Division of the VI Corps that had been rushed from the Petersburg lines, was outflanked by Gordon’s Division and defeated after putting up a stiff resistance. Hearing of Early’s incursion into Maryland, Grant embarked the rest of the VI Corps on transports at City Point, sending it with all dispatch to Washington. Wallace’s defeat at Monocacy bought time for these veteran troops to arrive to bolster the defenses of Washington. Early’s advance reached the outskirts of Washington on the afternoon of July 11, and the remaining divisions of the VI Corps began disembarking that evening. Monocacy was called the “Battle that Saved Washington.”
In a confidential letter to Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles, Rear Admiral Samuel P. Lee disclosed the plans then being considered for an expedition to destroy the Confederate ram, CSS Albemarle. "I concur in Captain Smith's opinion that it would be inexpedient to fight the ram with our long double-enders in that narrow river [the Roanoke]. I proposed to Lieutenant Cushing a torpedo attack, either by means of the India rubber boat heretofore applied for, which could be transported across the swamp opposite Plymouth, or a light-draft, rifle-proof, swift steam barge, fitted with a torpedo." Cushing, who had already proved his audacity and ability on earlier expeditions into the Cape Fear River immediately began plans for the new adventure, destined to be one of the most dramatic and dangerous of the War. He wrote Lee: "Deeming the capture or destruction of the rebel ram Albemarle feasible, I beg leave to state that I am acquainted with the waters held by her, and am willing to undertake the task." The Admiral saw In Cushing an officer with the spirit and skill to accomplish this difficult mission, and noted in closing his letter to Welles: "He is entirely willing to make an attempt to destroy the ram, and I have great confidence in his gallantry."
Major John Tyler, CSA, Assistant Adjutant General, wrote Major General Sterling Price regarding a proposed attack on Point Lookout, Maryland, to release Confederate prisoners: "The plan is that he [Lieutenant General Jubal Early] shall seize Baltimore and hold it with his infantry while his cavalry proceeds to Point Lookout to liberate our prisoners there concentrated to the extent of nearly 30,000. in the meantime Captain [John Taylor] Wood, of the Navy, proceeds from Wilmington with five gunboats and 20,000 stand of arms for the same point by water. If successful in thus liberating and arming our imprisoned soldiers, Washington will be assaulted and no doubt carried. This I regard as decidedly the most brilliant idea of the war." Rumors of this daring plan reached Lieutenant Stuyvesant, USS Minnesota, on 18 July and he warned the Navy Department and Rear Admiral Lee that Wood was reported to have left Richmond with 800 volunteers on the 7th and 8th. While the projected expedition caused considerable excitement among the Union authorities, President Davis had already, on 10 July, advised against the attempt. Wood reported that he was ready to run the blockade out of Wilmington on 9 July, but the Confederate President replied: "The object and destination of the expedition have somehow become so generally known that I fear your operations will meet unexpected obstacles." The idea was abandoned, but illustrated the bold and daring measures considered by the South during the last year of the war.
The CSS Florida, commanded by Lieutenant Charles M. Morris, captured and burned the bark Greenland, with a cargo of coal, and the schooner Margaret Y. Davis, in ballast, at sea off Cape Henry, Virginia.
The USS Gettysburg, Acting Master William M. Gloin in charge, captured the blockade running steamer Little Ada at sea off Cape Romain with a cargo of pig lead and potash after a lengthy chase.
In Virginia, Major General George Meade ordered the construction of regular Federal siege lines around Petersburg to increase pressure on General Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia.
President Abraham Lincoln responded to New York Tribune editor Horace Greeley’s suggestion that the Confederates might be willing to negotiate peace. Lincoln stated that anyone representing the Confederacy who sought to restore the U.S. and acknowledge an end to slavery would be welcomed at the White House.
This morning on Johns Island, at about 5:45 AM, the Confederates formed their battle lines. A group of skirmishers was deployed in front of the Confederate works and the start of battle was in the works. The skirmish line was then ordered forward, advancing under coverage of darkness. The advancing skirmishers drove the Union pickets back and the battle lines advanced over the works into the open field. The Confederates attacked the Union line with great spirit and force, only to be repulsed in about 15 minutes.
The Confederates reformed and attacked again. Their advance was bloodily contested and they quickly had over 100 casualties. There was no wind that morning and the dense smoke from the Union lines firing artillery and rifles made it very hard to see. When the Union forces began to be pushed back from the open field, some of the Georgia reserve troops were sent into action. The Union artillery had no effect on the Confederate line. The Southerners forced the Union troops to fall back over the bridge to their entrenchments on the other side. Orders were given not to continue the assault, but to hold the ground they had already taken.
It wasn't really the the fault of the men in Blue that they did poorly at the Monocacy River in Maryland today. Raw recruits, short-term enlistees, a few veterans on leave; it was a rag-tag force of about 6000 defenders that General Lew Wallace cobbled together to oppose the almost 14,000 Confederates of General Jubal Early who were marching on Washington. Losing a third of their force, including 1200 missing or captured, they nevertheless delayed Early’s march for a day. A part of the regular army’s Sixth Corps was rushing up from City Point, Virginia, to assist in Early's ouster. Meanwhile, the Confederates collected $200,000 in ransom from the officials of Frederick, Maryland.
Another report: On July 9, 1864, a makeshift Union force under Major General Lew Wallace attempted to arrest General Jubal Early’s invading Confederate divisions along the Monocacy River, just east of Frederick. Wallace, joined by Ricketts’s Division of the VI Corps that had been rushed from the Petersburg lines, was outflanked by Gordon’s Division and defeated after putting up a stiff resistance. Hearing of Early’s incursion into Maryland, Grant embarked the rest of the VI Corps on transports at City Point, sending it with all dispatch to Washington. Wallace’s defeat at Monocacy bought time for these veteran troops to arrive to bolster the defenses of Washington. Early’s advance reached the outskirts of Washington on the afternoon of July 11, and the remaining divisions of the VI Corps began disembarking that evening. Monocacy was called the “Battle that Saved Washington.”
In a confidential letter to Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles, Rear Admiral Samuel P. Lee disclosed the plans then being considered for an expedition to destroy the Confederate ram, CSS Albemarle. "I concur in Captain Smith's opinion that it would be inexpedient to fight the ram with our long double-enders in that narrow river [the Roanoke]. I proposed to Lieutenant Cushing a torpedo attack, either by means of the India rubber boat heretofore applied for, which could be transported across the swamp opposite Plymouth, or a light-draft, rifle-proof, swift steam barge, fitted with a torpedo." Cushing, who had already proved his audacity and ability on earlier expeditions into the Cape Fear River immediately began plans for the new adventure, destined to be one of the most dramatic and dangerous of the War. He wrote Lee: "Deeming the capture or destruction of the rebel ram Albemarle feasible, I beg leave to state that I am acquainted with the waters held by her, and am willing to undertake the task." The Admiral saw In Cushing an officer with the spirit and skill to accomplish this difficult mission, and noted in closing his letter to Welles: "He is entirely willing to make an attempt to destroy the ram, and I have great confidence in his gallantry."
Major John Tyler, CSA, Assistant Adjutant General, wrote Major General Sterling Price regarding a proposed attack on Point Lookout, Maryland, to release Confederate prisoners: "The plan is that he [Lieutenant General Jubal Early] shall seize Baltimore and hold it with his infantry while his cavalry proceeds to Point Lookout to liberate our prisoners there concentrated to the extent of nearly 30,000. in the meantime Captain [John Taylor] Wood, of the Navy, proceeds from Wilmington with five gunboats and 20,000 stand of arms for the same point by water. If successful in thus liberating and arming our imprisoned soldiers, Washington will be assaulted and no doubt carried. This I regard as decidedly the most brilliant idea of the war." Rumors of this daring plan reached Lieutenant Stuyvesant, USS Minnesota, on 18 July and he warned the Navy Department and Rear Admiral Lee that Wood was reported to have left Richmond with 800 volunteers on the 7th and 8th. While the projected expedition caused considerable excitement among the Union authorities, President Davis had already, on 10 July, advised against the attempt. Wood reported that he was ready to run the blockade out of Wilmington on 9 July, but the Confederate President replied: "The object and destination of the expedition have somehow become so generally known that I fear your operations will meet unexpected obstacles." The idea was abandoned, but illustrated the bold and daring measures considered by the South during the last year of the war.
The CSS Florida, commanded by Lieutenant Charles M. Morris, captured and burned the bark Greenland, with a cargo of coal, and the schooner Margaret Y. Davis, in ballast, at sea off Cape Henry, Virginia.
The USS Gettysburg, Acting Master William M. Gloin in charge, captured the blockade running steamer Little Ada at sea off Cape Romain with a cargo of pig lead and potash after a lengthy chase.
In Virginia, Major General George Meade ordered the construction of regular Federal siege lines around Petersburg to increase pressure on General Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia.
President Abraham Lincoln responded to New York Tribune editor Horace Greeley’s suggestion that the Confederates might be willing to negotiate peace. Lincoln stated that anyone representing the Confederacy who sought to restore the U.S. and acknowledge an end to slavery would be welcomed at the White House.
This morning on Johns Island, at about 5:45 AM, the Confederates formed their battle lines. A group of skirmishers was deployed in front of the Confederate works and the start of battle was in the works. The skirmish line was then ordered forward, advancing under coverage of darkness. The advancing skirmishers drove the Union pickets back and the battle lines advanced over the works into the open field. The Confederates attacked the Union line with great spirit and force, only to be repulsed in about 15 minutes.
The Confederates reformed and attacked again. Their advance was bloodily contested and they quickly had over 100 casualties. There was no wind that morning and the dense smoke from the Union lines firing artillery and rifles made it very hard to see. When the Union forces began to be pushed back from the open field, some of the Georgia reserve troops were sent into action. The Union artillery had no effect on the Confederate line. The Southerners forced the Union troops to fall back over the bridge to their entrenchments on the other side. Orders were given not to continue the assault, but to hold the ground they had already taken.
Posted on 7/9/14 at 8:28 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Sunday, 10 July 1864
Fear, panic and a great desire to be elsewhere gripped residents of Washington, D.C., today. Included among the relocation victims were Union President Abraham and First Lady Mary Lincoln, who normally spent the summer at the Soldier’s Home but were summoned back to the White House as the Confederate forces of General Jubal Early neared the outer suburbs. Fighting flared in Rockville and Gunpowder Ridge, Maryland, as General Lew Wallace continued to defend with raw recruits, 100-day men, and convalescent veterans.
Early’s Confederates slowly approached Washington, destroying railroads, warehouses, and private property along the way; small payback for the massive destruction General David "Black Dave" Hunter caused earlier in the Shenandoah Valley. President Lincoln and his family quickly returned from Washington’s outskirts to avoid danger. Lincoln wired Baltimore officials, “Let us be vigilant but keep cool. I hope neither Baltimore or Washington will be sacked.”
The CSS Florida, commanded by Lieutenant Charles M. Morris, captured and burned the bark General Berry with a cargo of hay and straw. The action took place only 35 miles from Maryland's eastern shore as Morris continued his dashing raid on Union coastal shipping. Shortly thereafter, Morris gave chase to the bark Zelinda, which he captured in ballast. He reported: "Put an officer and prize crew on board of her, with orders to follow us, went in chase of a schooner to the eastward. Found her to be the Howard, with a cargo of fruit belonging to English merchants. Bonded the schooner for $6,000, and put all of the prisoners (sixty-two in all) on board..." Morris then removed Zelinda's provisions and burned her. Florida made yet another capture that day, the mail steamer Electric Spark, her passengers were transferred to a passing British ship, the Lane. Seeking to create the impression that he had made a tender of the Electric Spark, Morris scuttled her during the night rather than putting her to the torch. This prize had yielded a quantity of cash in addition to other important articles, including mail. Morris, recognizing that Union ships would by this time be in hot pursuit of him, turned Florida on an easterly course into the broad Atlantic, whose vastness provided ready refuge for commerce raiders.
Reflecting the widespread concern caused by the recent captures made by the CSS Florida, under Lieutenant Morris, off the coast of Virginia and Maryland, Rear Admiral Samuel P. Lee dispatched the screw steamers USS Mount Vernon, piloted by Lieutenant Commander Henry A. Adams, Jr., and the USS Monticello, Lieutenant William Barker Cushing in charge, to "...cruise together, and on finding the Florida will make a joint attack on her and capture her." The career of the Florida, one of the most successful raiders, was nearing an end, but the honor of capturing her was to go neither to Adams nor Cushing. Many ships went out after her, but few got even a glimpse of the wily cruiser. This date Lee also ordered out the USS Ino, under Acting Lieutenant Charles A. French, with another approach in mind: "Disguise the Ino, her battery, officers, and crew, and play the merchantman in appearance so as to entice her [CSS Florida] alongside, when you, being prepared, will open upon her suddenly and effectually."
The USS Monongahela, Commander James Hooker Strong, USS Lackawanna, Captain John B. Marchand, USS Galena, Lieutenant Commander Clark H. Wells, USS Sebago, Lieutenant Commander William E. Fitzhugh, all opened fire on the steamer Virgin, described as "a very large" blockade runner, aground near Fort Morgan, at Mobile Bay, Alabama. Under cover of Fort Morgan's cannon, a river steamer attempted to tow Virgin off, but was forced to withdraw by the accurate shelling from the blockaders. The next day, however, the Confederates towed Virgin into Mobile Bay.
The USS Roebuck, under Acting Master William L. Martine, captured the blockade running British schooner Terrapin, at Jupiter Inlet, Florida, with a cargo of cotton and turpentine.
Fear, panic and a great desire to be elsewhere gripped residents of Washington, D.C., today. Included among the relocation victims were Union President Abraham and First Lady Mary Lincoln, who normally spent the summer at the Soldier’s Home but were summoned back to the White House as the Confederate forces of General Jubal Early neared the outer suburbs. Fighting flared in Rockville and Gunpowder Ridge, Maryland, as General Lew Wallace continued to defend with raw recruits, 100-day men, and convalescent veterans.
Early’s Confederates slowly approached Washington, destroying railroads, warehouses, and private property along the way; small payback for the massive destruction General David "Black Dave" Hunter caused earlier in the Shenandoah Valley. President Lincoln and his family quickly returned from Washington’s outskirts to avoid danger. Lincoln wired Baltimore officials, “Let us be vigilant but keep cool. I hope neither Baltimore or Washington will be sacked.”
The CSS Florida, commanded by Lieutenant Charles M. Morris, captured and burned the bark General Berry with a cargo of hay and straw. The action took place only 35 miles from Maryland's eastern shore as Morris continued his dashing raid on Union coastal shipping. Shortly thereafter, Morris gave chase to the bark Zelinda, which he captured in ballast. He reported: "Put an officer and prize crew on board of her, with orders to follow us, went in chase of a schooner to the eastward. Found her to be the Howard, with a cargo of fruit belonging to English merchants. Bonded the schooner for $6,000, and put all of the prisoners (sixty-two in all) on board..." Morris then removed Zelinda's provisions and burned her. Florida made yet another capture that day, the mail steamer Electric Spark, her passengers were transferred to a passing British ship, the Lane. Seeking to create the impression that he had made a tender of the Electric Spark, Morris scuttled her during the night rather than putting her to the torch. This prize had yielded a quantity of cash in addition to other important articles, including mail. Morris, recognizing that Union ships would by this time be in hot pursuit of him, turned Florida on an easterly course into the broad Atlantic, whose vastness provided ready refuge for commerce raiders.
Reflecting the widespread concern caused by the recent captures made by the CSS Florida, under Lieutenant Morris, off the coast of Virginia and Maryland, Rear Admiral Samuel P. Lee dispatched the screw steamers USS Mount Vernon, piloted by Lieutenant Commander Henry A. Adams, Jr., and the USS Monticello, Lieutenant William Barker Cushing in charge, to "...cruise together, and on finding the Florida will make a joint attack on her and capture her." The career of the Florida, one of the most successful raiders, was nearing an end, but the honor of capturing her was to go neither to Adams nor Cushing. Many ships went out after her, but few got even a glimpse of the wily cruiser. This date Lee also ordered out the USS Ino, under Acting Lieutenant Charles A. French, with another approach in mind: "Disguise the Ino, her battery, officers, and crew, and play the merchantman in appearance so as to entice her [CSS Florida] alongside, when you, being prepared, will open upon her suddenly and effectually."
The USS Monongahela, Commander James Hooker Strong, USS Lackawanna, Captain John B. Marchand, USS Galena, Lieutenant Commander Clark H. Wells, USS Sebago, Lieutenant Commander William E. Fitzhugh, all opened fire on the steamer Virgin, described as "a very large" blockade runner, aground near Fort Morgan, at Mobile Bay, Alabama. Under cover of Fort Morgan's cannon, a river steamer attempted to tow Virgin off, but was forced to withdraw by the accurate shelling from the blockaders. The next day, however, the Confederates towed Virgin into Mobile Bay.
The USS Roebuck, under Acting Master William L. Martine, captured the blockade running British schooner Terrapin, at Jupiter Inlet, Florida, with a cargo of cotton and turpentine.
This post was edited on 7/10/14 at 4:45 am
Posted on 7/10/14 at 8:20 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Monday, 11 July 1864
General Jubal Early’s Confederate forces did what no other Southern men accomplished during the entire War: he invaded at least the suburbs of Washington D.C. Silver Spring, Maryland, suffered the brunt of the attack, with particular attention to what might seem like an unusual military target, the home of the Postmaster General. Nearly forgotten today, Montgomery Blair was an immensely powerful man in the District of Columbia in those times. Both in his own right and through several sons, sons-in-law and nephews he had fingers in a great number of pies, even to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was heavily involved in the St. Louis Massacre of 10 May 1861 when the duly elected governor, Claiborne Jackson, was eventually ousted in a Northern coup attempt.
Defending the city was General Lew Wallace, better known today as the author of the novel “Ben-Hur”. He was not doing well with his cobbled-together army of convalescents and new recruits, and was anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Sixth Corps regulars from City Point, Virginia.
Early’s Southerners invaded the Washington suburbs and burned the homes of prominent officials. District of Columbia militia, government clerks, and invalids were organized to defend the capital. The Confederates launched a small assault on Fort Stevens, the northernmost defense point, about five miles from the White House. Union President Abraham and Mrs. Mary Todd Lincoln visited the fort and witnessed the attack.
At about the time Major General Horatio G. Wright's command was arriving in Washington, Early's corps began to arrive at the breastworks of Fort Stevens, yet Early delayed the attack because he was still unsure of the Federal strength defending the fort, much of his army was still in transit to the front, and the troops he had were exhausted due to the excessive heat and the fact that they had been on the march and fighting since June 13.
Around 3 p.m., with the bulk of their force present, the Confederates commenced skirmishing, probing the defense maintained by Brigadier General Martin D. Hardin's division of the XXII Corps with a line of skirmishers backed by artillery. Near the start of the Confederate attack the lead elements of the VI and XIX Corps arrived at the fort, reinforcing it with battle-hardened troops. The battle picked up around 5 p.m. when Confederate cavalry pushed through the advance Union picket line. A Union counterattack drove back the Confederate cavalry and the two opposing lines confronted each other throughout the evening with periods of intense skirmishing. The Union front was aided by artillery from the fort, which shelled Confederate positions, destroying many houses that Confederate sharpshooters used for protection.
A landing party from the USS James L. Davis, Acting Master William N. Griswold, destroyed Confederate salt works near Tampa, Florida. The works were capable of producing some 150 bushels of salt per day. On 16 July a similar raid near Tampa was carried out in which a salt work consisting of four boilers was destroyed.
The Federal dollar dropped in value to 39 cents, its lowest worth of the War.
General Jubal Early’s Confederate forces did what no other Southern men accomplished during the entire War: he invaded at least the suburbs of Washington D.C. Silver Spring, Maryland, suffered the brunt of the attack, with particular attention to what might seem like an unusual military target, the home of the Postmaster General. Nearly forgotten today, Montgomery Blair was an immensely powerful man in the District of Columbia in those times. Both in his own right and through several sons, sons-in-law and nephews he had fingers in a great number of pies, even to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was heavily involved in the St. Louis Massacre of 10 May 1861 when the duly elected governor, Claiborne Jackson, was eventually ousted in a Northern coup attempt.
Defending the city was General Lew Wallace, better known today as the author of the novel “Ben-Hur”. He was not doing well with his cobbled-together army of convalescents and new recruits, and was anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Sixth Corps regulars from City Point, Virginia.
Early’s Southerners invaded the Washington suburbs and burned the homes of prominent officials. District of Columbia militia, government clerks, and invalids were organized to defend the capital. The Confederates launched a small assault on Fort Stevens, the northernmost defense point, about five miles from the White House. Union President Abraham and Mrs. Mary Todd Lincoln visited the fort and witnessed the attack.
At about the time Major General Horatio G. Wright's command was arriving in Washington, Early's corps began to arrive at the breastworks of Fort Stevens, yet Early delayed the attack because he was still unsure of the Federal strength defending the fort, much of his army was still in transit to the front, and the troops he had were exhausted due to the excessive heat and the fact that they had been on the march and fighting since June 13.
Around 3 p.m., with the bulk of their force present, the Confederates commenced skirmishing, probing the defense maintained by Brigadier General Martin D. Hardin's division of the XXII Corps with a line of skirmishers backed by artillery. Near the start of the Confederate attack the lead elements of the VI and XIX Corps arrived at the fort, reinforcing it with battle-hardened troops. The battle picked up around 5 p.m. when Confederate cavalry pushed through the advance Union picket line. A Union counterattack drove back the Confederate cavalry and the two opposing lines confronted each other throughout the evening with periods of intense skirmishing. The Union front was aided by artillery from the fort, which shelled Confederate positions, destroying many houses that Confederate sharpshooters used for protection.
A landing party from the USS James L. Davis, Acting Master William N. Griswold, destroyed Confederate salt works near Tampa, Florida. The works were capable of producing some 150 bushels of salt per day. On 16 July a similar raid near Tampa was carried out in which a salt work consisting of four boilers was destroyed.
The Federal dollar dropped in value to 39 cents, its lowest worth of the War.
Posted on 7/10/14 at 9:09 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Hell yes. Those were men.
Posted on 7/10/14 at 10:23 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Whenever the rant dumbs me down I always come into this thread to feel like I did something with my time on the internet 
Posted on 7/11/14 at 5:12 pm to DirtyDawg
Thanks y'all. It has been a long year, but the South's leadership is getting set to make some (in retrospect) seriously bad decisions.
Posted on 7/11/14 at 5:34 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Tuesday, 12 July 1864
General Jubal Early, CSA, had accomplished what no other Confederate had pulled off during the entire War: attacking the enemy capital. After skirmishing in the suburbs of Silver Spring with the hastily thrown together defensive forces of General Lew Wallace, Early had hoped to assault the seat of Federal power in the center of the city. After examining the area of Fort Stevens and finding it inhabited by regulars of the Sixth Corps he changed his mind. Joining the regulars to view the situation was Union President Abraham Lincoln. A young Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., was alarmed when bullets began to hit nearby. “Get down, you damn fool!” he shouted at his commander-in-chief. Lincoln obediently took cover.
Another report: Additional Union reinforcements from the VI and XIX Corps arrived last night into early morning and were placed in reserve behind the line. The skirmishing continued throughout the day, when Early finally decided that Washington could not be taken without heavy losses which would be too severe to warrant the attempt. Union artillery from Fort Stevens attempted to clear out Confederate sharpshooters hidden in the buildings and fields in front of the fort; when the artillery fire failed to drive them off, the IV Corps brigade of Daniel Bidwell, supported by Oliver Edwards' brigade and two Veteran Reserve Corps regiments, attacked at about 5 p.m. The attack was successful, but at the cost of over 300 men.
Early's force withdrew this evening, headed back into Montgomery County, Maryland, and crossed the Potomac River on July 13 at White's Ferry into Leesburg, Virginia. The Confederates successfully brought the supplies they seized during the previous weeks with them into Virginia. Early remarked to one of his officers after the battle, "Major, we didn't take Washington but we scared Abe Lincoln like hell."
The USS Whitehead, under Acting Ensign George W. Barrett, and USS Ceres, Acting Master Henry H. Foster in charge, in company with the transport steamer Ella May, conducted a joint expedition up the Scuppernong River to Columbia, North Carolina. Whitehead, a small tinclad, and Ceres, a 140-ton paddle- wheeler, landed troops near Columbia, and the soldiers succeeded in destroying a bridge and a quantity of grain.
The USS Penobscot, piloted by Lieutenant Commander Andrew E.K. Benham, captured the blockade running schooner James Williams off Galveston with a cargo including medicines, coffee, and liquor.
Confederate President Jefferson Davis wrote to Robert E. Lee about General Joseph E. Johnston’s continuous withdrawals in Georgia, “Genl. Johnston has failed and there are strong indications he will abandon Atlanta...It seems necessary to relieve him at once. Who should succeed him? What think you of (General John Bell) Hood for the position?”
General Jubal Early, CSA, had accomplished what no other Confederate had pulled off during the entire War: attacking the enemy capital. After skirmishing in the suburbs of Silver Spring with the hastily thrown together defensive forces of General Lew Wallace, Early had hoped to assault the seat of Federal power in the center of the city. After examining the area of Fort Stevens and finding it inhabited by regulars of the Sixth Corps he changed his mind. Joining the regulars to view the situation was Union President Abraham Lincoln. A young Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., was alarmed when bullets began to hit nearby. “Get down, you damn fool!” he shouted at his commander-in-chief. Lincoln obediently took cover.
Another report: Additional Union reinforcements from the VI and XIX Corps arrived last night into early morning and were placed in reserve behind the line. The skirmishing continued throughout the day, when Early finally decided that Washington could not be taken without heavy losses which would be too severe to warrant the attempt. Union artillery from Fort Stevens attempted to clear out Confederate sharpshooters hidden in the buildings and fields in front of the fort; when the artillery fire failed to drive them off, the IV Corps brigade of Daniel Bidwell, supported by Oliver Edwards' brigade and two Veteran Reserve Corps regiments, attacked at about 5 p.m. The attack was successful, but at the cost of over 300 men.
Early's force withdrew this evening, headed back into Montgomery County, Maryland, and crossed the Potomac River on July 13 at White's Ferry into Leesburg, Virginia. The Confederates successfully brought the supplies they seized during the previous weeks with them into Virginia. Early remarked to one of his officers after the battle, "Major, we didn't take Washington but we scared Abe Lincoln like hell."
The USS Whitehead, under Acting Ensign George W. Barrett, and USS Ceres, Acting Master Henry H. Foster in charge, in company with the transport steamer Ella May, conducted a joint expedition up the Scuppernong River to Columbia, North Carolina. Whitehead, a small tinclad, and Ceres, a 140-ton paddle- wheeler, landed troops near Columbia, and the soldiers succeeded in destroying a bridge and a quantity of grain.
The USS Penobscot, piloted by Lieutenant Commander Andrew E.K. Benham, captured the blockade running schooner James Williams off Galveston with a cargo including medicines, coffee, and liquor.
Confederate President Jefferson Davis wrote to Robert E. Lee about General Joseph E. Johnston’s continuous withdrawals in Georgia, “Genl. Johnston has failed and there are strong indications he will abandon Atlanta...It seems necessary to relieve him at once. Who should succeed him? What think you of (General John Bell) Hood for the position?”
Posted on 7/12/14 at 9:34 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Wednesday, 13 July 1864
Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest’s cavalrymen rode into Tupelo, Mississippi today, with Union General Andrew Jackson Smith not far at all behind. The future home of Elvis Presley was not yet a major War Between the States battlefield, however, as the action shifted to Camargo Crossroads nearby. Smith had well over 14,000 troops behind the cavalry, and he placed them in a strong position on a low ridge near the crossroads. Forrest, on the other hand, with less than 6000 men had speed, ingenuity, and an absolute genius for improvisation, so any tendency to overconfidence on the part of Federal commanders going up against him had long since evaporated.
Colonel Albert J. Myer, USA, forwarded intelligence regarding the naval defenses of Mobile Bay to Rear Admiral David G. Farragut. Myer reported: "A line of piles driven under water extends from the shoal water near Fort Gaines, across Pelican Pass Channel, and to the edge of the main ship channel..." One informant describes this obstruction as five rows of piles driven closely together. The other informant does not know how many are the piles or how closely driven.
From the western edge of the main ship channel, where the fixed obstructions terminate, a torpedo line extends eastward across that channel to a point differently estimated as at 400 yards and as at nearly one-half mile from Fort Morgan." A "torpedo party" of seven men was reported to be in charge of the underwater weapons. These torpedoes almost turned back the Admiral's assault on Mobile Bay less than a month later.
Flag Officer Samuel Barron wrote Secretary of the Navy Stephen Mallory from Paris: "In the course of this week...I hope to have the pleasure of reporting the Rappahannock at sea...She is strictly watched by Federal cruisers in the channel: Kearsarge at Dover, Niagara at or off Cherbourg, and Sacramento off Ushant. This disposition of the enemy's ships increases the risks and affords decided chances of capture; but if we be permitted to leave port with the number of officers and men on board I shall assuredly encounter all the chances and risks, knowing your anxiety and the great importance of keeping a sufficient number of vessels afloat to keep up the rates of maritime insurance in the United States, and a wholesome dread of our active and enterprising little Navy amongst their commercial marine." Despite Barron's strong efforts, however, the Rappahannock remained in port until the war ended.
General Jubal Early’s Confederates continued their withdrawal from the Washington, DC, area by hurrying toward the Potomac River at Leesburg. Early’s raid caused temporary panic in the North, but it did not relieve the intense Federal pressure on Petersburg as he had hoped.
Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest’s cavalrymen rode into Tupelo, Mississippi today, with Union General Andrew Jackson Smith not far at all behind. The future home of Elvis Presley was not yet a major War Between the States battlefield, however, as the action shifted to Camargo Crossroads nearby. Smith had well over 14,000 troops behind the cavalry, and he placed them in a strong position on a low ridge near the crossroads. Forrest, on the other hand, with less than 6000 men had speed, ingenuity, and an absolute genius for improvisation, so any tendency to overconfidence on the part of Federal commanders going up against him had long since evaporated.
Colonel Albert J. Myer, USA, forwarded intelligence regarding the naval defenses of Mobile Bay to Rear Admiral David G. Farragut. Myer reported: "A line of piles driven under water extends from the shoal water near Fort Gaines, across Pelican Pass Channel, and to the edge of the main ship channel..." One informant describes this obstruction as five rows of piles driven closely together. The other informant does not know how many are the piles or how closely driven.
From the western edge of the main ship channel, where the fixed obstructions terminate, a torpedo line extends eastward across that channel to a point differently estimated as at 400 yards and as at nearly one-half mile from Fort Morgan." A "torpedo party" of seven men was reported to be in charge of the underwater weapons. These torpedoes almost turned back the Admiral's assault on Mobile Bay less than a month later.
Flag Officer Samuel Barron wrote Secretary of the Navy Stephen Mallory from Paris: "In the course of this week...I hope to have the pleasure of reporting the Rappahannock at sea...She is strictly watched by Federal cruisers in the channel: Kearsarge at Dover, Niagara at or off Cherbourg, and Sacramento off Ushant. This disposition of the enemy's ships increases the risks and affords decided chances of capture; but if we be permitted to leave port with the number of officers and men on board I shall assuredly encounter all the chances and risks, knowing your anxiety and the great importance of keeping a sufficient number of vessels afloat to keep up the rates of maritime insurance in the United States, and a wholesome dread of our active and enterprising little Navy amongst their commercial marine." Despite Barron's strong efforts, however, the Rappahannock remained in port until the war ended.
General Jubal Early’s Confederates continued their withdrawal from the Washington, DC, area by hurrying toward the Potomac River at Leesburg. Early’s raid caused temporary panic in the North, but it did not relieve the intense Federal pressure on Petersburg as he had hoped.
Posted on 7/13/14 at 8:38 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Thursday, 14 July 1864
Fans of the great Confederate cavalry leader General Nathan Bedford Forrest are quick to note that he was only ever beaten in battle twice and never when not outnumbered. If you know such a person you may wish to offer them a drink, or at least a black armband of mourning, because today was one of these occasions. It was the Battle of Tupelo, also known as the Battle of Harrisburg, Mississippi, and it may have gone badly because it was not Forrest’s style of combat at all. Opposing General Andrew Jackson Smith had gotten his forces in possession of a ridgeline and dug in. Although it was far from a towering height, the usual rule still applied: it is better to have the higher ground than the lower. Forrest, on the left wing, did not coordinate well with Stephen D. Lee’s men on the right, and in any case neither wing could budge the Federals. As usual the attacking force got the worse end of the casualties, losing nearly twice as many men (1350 out of a force of 9500) as the Federals did (647 out of 14,000). Again as usual, the Union could replace the losses, while the South could not.
In order to protect the rear of Federal Army emplacements around Annapolis, Maryland, against Confederate raiders Lieutenant Commander Braine, of the USS Vicksburg, detailed a boat expedition under the command of Acting Ensign Francis G. Osborn to destroy all means of crossing South River.
Acting Master George R. Durand, of the USS Paul Jones, was captured while making an attempt in Ossabaw Sound, Georgia, to destroy the CSS Water Witch, a former Union ship which had been taken in June, 1864. Durand, concealing himself and his men by day and moving by night, made his way toward the prize steamer only to be discovered and captured by an alert Confederate patrol.
The screw steamer USS Pequot, under Lieutenant Commander Stephen Quackenbush, and the converted ferryboat USS Commodore Morris, Acting Master Robert G. Lee in charge, engaged Confederate batteries in the vicinity of Malvern Hill, on the James River, Virginia, for four hours, sustaining no serious damage. Two days later the batteries opened on the USS Mendota, under Commander E.T. Nichols, the Pequot and Commodore Morris. Mendota, a double-ender, sustained minor damage and several casualties. Presence of the battery below Four Mile Creek temporarily closed the navigation of the James River.
Fans of the great Confederate cavalry leader General Nathan Bedford Forrest are quick to note that he was only ever beaten in battle twice and never when not outnumbered. If you know such a person you may wish to offer them a drink, or at least a black armband of mourning, because today was one of these occasions. It was the Battle of Tupelo, also known as the Battle of Harrisburg, Mississippi, and it may have gone badly because it was not Forrest’s style of combat at all. Opposing General Andrew Jackson Smith had gotten his forces in possession of a ridgeline and dug in. Although it was far from a towering height, the usual rule still applied: it is better to have the higher ground than the lower. Forrest, on the left wing, did not coordinate well with Stephen D. Lee’s men on the right, and in any case neither wing could budge the Federals. As usual the attacking force got the worse end of the casualties, losing nearly twice as many men (1350 out of a force of 9500) as the Federals did (647 out of 14,000). Again as usual, the Union could replace the losses, while the South could not.
In order to protect the rear of Federal Army emplacements around Annapolis, Maryland, against Confederate raiders Lieutenant Commander Braine, of the USS Vicksburg, detailed a boat expedition under the command of Acting Ensign Francis G. Osborn to destroy all means of crossing South River.
Acting Master George R. Durand, of the USS Paul Jones, was captured while making an attempt in Ossabaw Sound, Georgia, to destroy the CSS Water Witch, a former Union ship which had been taken in June, 1864. Durand, concealing himself and his men by day and moving by night, made his way toward the prize steamer only to be discovered and captured by an alert Confederate patrol.
The screw steamer USS Pequot, under Lieutenant Commander Stephen Quackenbush, and the converted ferryboat USS Commodore Morris, Acting Master Robert G. Lee in charge, engaged Confederate batteries in the vicinity of Malvern Hill, on the James River, Virginia, for four hours, sustaining no serious damage. Two days later the batteries opened on the USS Mendota, under Commander E.T. Nichols, the Pequot and Commodore Morris. Mendota, a double-ender, sustained minor damage and several casualties. Presence of the battery below Four Mile Creek temporarily closed the navigation of the James River.
Posted on 7/14/14 at 8:44 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Friday, 15 July 1864
Union Major General of Volunteers Andrew Jackson Smith was supposed to be keeping the dreaded Confederate Major General Nathan Bedford Forrest out of Major General William Tecumseh Sherman’s hair, or at least out of his supply and rail lines. Smith had accomplished part of this task yesterday in a fair-sized battle in the Tupelo-Harrisburg area of Mississippi when his entrenched forces repelled Forrest's and, his commander, Lieutenant General Stephen Dill Lee’s troops in an unusual dismounted cavalry/infantry battle.
Today, Smith stayed put right there on the very defendable ridge he had held the day before and fought off continued multiple intermittent attacks. Suddenly, in mid-afternoon, the rear units of his force began to pack up and move off for Memphis, Tennessee. Forrest, unaccustomed to failure, reassembled his horsemen and followed but could not provoke a major battle. Smith cited "supply shortages" as the reason for the hasty retreat. This once again allowed Forrest’s Confederates to wreak havoc in northern Mississippi and southwestern Tennessee.
From raising cane in Maryland and Washington, DC, General Jubal Early’s Confederates settled back into Virginia after crossing the Potomac at White's Ford, near Leesburg on 14 July. Some Union forces had pursued Early whose men fought a rearguard action at Poolesville, Maryland.
After Early crossed the Potomac, General Horatio Gouverneur Wright advised his superiors against pursuit but President Abraham Lincoln did not agree. The Lincoln administration would face stern criticism for allowing Early to escape back into Virginia.
This morning, a Union expedition began from Jacksonville, Florida.
Union Major General of Volunteers Andrew Jackson Smith was supposed to be keeping the dreaded Confederate Major General Nathan Bedford Forrest out of Major General William Tecumseh Sherman’s hair, or at least out of his supply and rail lines. Smith had accomplished part of this task yesterday in a fair-sized battle in the Tupelo-Harrisburg area of Mississippi when his entrenched forces repelled Forrest's and, his commander, Lieutenant General Stephen Dill Lee’s troops in an unusual dismounted cavalry/infantry battle.
Today, Smith stayed put right there on the very defendable ridge he had held the day before and fought off continued multiple intermittent attacks. Suddenly, in mid-afternoon, the rear units of his force began to pack up and move off for Memphis, Tennessee. Forrest, unaccustomed to failure, reassembled his horsemen and followed but could not provoke a major battle. Smith cited "supply shortages" as the reason for the hasty retreat. This once again allowed Forrest’s Confederates to wreak havoc in northern Mississippi and southwestern Tennessee.
From raising cane in Maryland and Washington, DC, General Jubal Early’s Confederates settled back into Virginia after crossing the Potomac at White's Ford, near Leesburg on 14 July. Some Union forces had pursued Early whose men fought a rearguard action at Poolesville, Maryland.
After Early crossed the Potomac, General Horatio Gouverneur Wright advised his superiors against pursuit but President Abraham Lincoln did not agree. The Lincoln administration would face stern criticism for allowing Early to escape back into Virginia.
This morning, a Union expedition began from Jacksonville, Florida.
Posted on 7/15/14 at 8:58 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Saturday, 16 July 1864
Moving east from Marietta, Georgia, Major General William T. Sherman's Union forces spread across the open land north of Atlanta. Southern President Jefferson Davis was beginning to despair of General Joseph E. Johnston’s ability to stop him and telegraphed the Confederate commander this morning demanding to know, specifically, his strategy to defeat the Yankees. “...I wish to hear from you as to present situation and your plan of operations so specifically as will enable me to anticipate events.”
Replying to that inquiry made by Davis about his plans, Johnston writes, "As the enemy has double our number, we must be on the defensive. My plan of operations, therefore, must depend upon that of the enemy. It is mainly to watch for a opportunity to fight to advantage. We are trying to put Atlanta in condition to be held for a day or two by the Georgia militia, that army movements may be freer and wider." As panicked citizens began evacuating Atlanta, Davis believed that giving up the city without a fight was entirely unacceptable.
Johnston’s assignment was straightforward, if not exactly simple. Keep Sherman’s army out of as much of Georgia as possible, and most definitely out of Atlanta. Unfortunately Johnston’s notion of how to accomplish this had so far consisted of retreating almost every time Sherman got close to him. Sherman’s habit of maneuvering to flank Johnston’s lines, except for Dallas-New Hope Church and Kennesaw Mountain, contributed a lot to this tendency.
Johnston established Confederate defenses behind Peachtree Creek, a tributary of the Chattahoochee River just five miles from Atlanta. Sherman, commanding three Federal armies opposing Johnston, wired Washington, “We now commence the real game for Atlanta.” Sherman prepared to move his whole army across the Chattahoochee, and Johnston waited for them to separate so he could attack. Meanwhile, Confederates strengthened their defenses along the Atlanta & Decatur Railroad.
Union President Abraham Lincoln dispatched his secretary, John Hay, to New York to determine if a Confederate peace overture was legitimate. A Confederate envoy had indicated to Lincoln through New York Tribune editor Horace Greeley that he might be willing to negotiate peace.
General Jubal Early’s Confederates began returning to Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley after departing the area around Leesburg.
Moving east from Marietta, Georgia, Major General William T. Sherman's Union forces spread across the open land north of Atlanta. Southern President Jefferson Davis was beginning to despair of General Joseph E. Johnston’s ability to stop him and telegraphed the Confederate commander this morning demanding to know, specifically, his strategy to defeat the Yankees. “...I wish to hear from you as to present situation and your plan of operations so specifically as will enable me to anticipate events.”
Replying to that inquiry made by Davis about his plans, Johnston writes, "As the enemy has double our number, we must be on the defensive. My plan of operations, therefore, must depend upon that of the enemy. It is mainly to watch for a opportunity to fight to advantage. We are trying to put Atlanta in condition to be held for a day or two by the Georgia militia, that army movements may be freer and wider." As panicked citizens began evacuating Atlanta, Davis believed that giving up the city without a fight was entirely unacceptable.
Johnston’s assignment was straightforward, if not exactly simple. Keep Sherman’s army out of as much of Georgia as possible, and most definitely out of Atlanta. Unfortunately Johnston’s notion of how to accomplish this had so far consisted of retreating almost every time Sherman got close to him. Sherman’s habit of maneuvering to flank Johnston’s lines, except for Dallas-New Hope Church and Kennesaw Mountain, contributed a lot to this tendency.
Johnston established Confederate defenses behind Peachtree Creek, a tributary of the Chattahoochee River just five miles from Atlanta. Sherman, commanding three Federal armies opposing Johnston, wired Washington, “We now commence the real game for Atlanta.” Sherman prepared to move his whole army across the Chattahoochee, and Johnston waited for them to separate so he could attack. Meanwhile, Confederates strengthened their defenses along the Atlanta & Decatur Railroad.
Union President Abraham Lincoln dispatched his secretary, John Hay, to New York to determine if a Confederate peace overture was legitimate. A Confederate envoy had indicated to Lincoln through New York Tribune editor Horace Greeley that he might be willing to negotiate peace.
General Jubal Early’s Confederates began returning to Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley after departing the area around Leesburg.
This post was edited on 7/16/14 at 4:16 am
Posted on 7/16/14 at 8:22 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Sunday, 17 July 1864
The long anticipated axe fell on the career of General Joseph Eggleston Johnston today. His tenure as head of the Army, as well as the Department, of Tennessee--after Braxton Bragg was sacked--had been one of almost continual decline, retreat, maneuver and desperate battles when presented the opportunity. Johnston had been, in many ways, one of the great Confederate generals since the days of First Manassas, but his talents were not up to taking on Major General William Tecumseh Sherman, whose three armies combined into a force more than twice as large as Johnston's single unit.
What had finally sunk Johnston’s job was the fateful act of actually telling the truth to his Commander-in-Chief, President Jefferson Davis, that without reinforcements, it was not possible for him to prevent Sherman from eventually taking Atlanta, Georgia. Davis wrote today that “...as you failed to arrest the advance of the enemy to the vicinity of Atlanta, far in the interior of Georgia, and express no confidence that you can defeat or repel him, you are hereby relieved from the command of the Army and Department of Tennessee, which you will immediately turn over to General Hood.” Appointed to replace him was what was physically, and some say mentally, left of General John Bell Hood.
Another account: This evening, Joseph Johnston received a telegram from Jefferson Davis that relieved him of his command. Johnston had maneuvered brilliantly against William Sherman’s overwhelming Federal forces, but he had consistently retreated when finally flanked, and John Bell Hood was considered a more aggressive fighter. Meanwhile, the Federal army continued building pontoon bridges to cross the Chattahoochee River and advance on Atlanta.
President Abraham Lincoln wrote to General-in-Chief Hiram U. Grant overseeing the Federal siege of Petersburg, Virginia. Having suffered a terrible number of casualties since late April, Lincoln hoped that Grant “...may find a way that the effort shall not be desperate in the sense of great loss of life.”
Federal expeditions began from Columbus, Kentucky and from the South Platte River in the Colorado Territory.
The long anticipated axe fell on the career of General Joseph Eggleston Johnston today. His tenure as head of the Army, as well as the Department, of Tennessee--after Braxton Bragg was sacked--had been one of almost continual decline, retreat, maneuver and desperate battles when presented the opportunity. Johnston had been, in many ways, one of the great Confederate generals since the days of First Manassas, but his talents were not up to taking on Major General William Tecumseh Sherman, whose three armies combined into a force more than twice as large as Johnston's single unit.
What had finally sunk Johnston’s job was the fateful act of actually telling the truth to his Commander-in-Chief, President Jefferson Davis, that without reinforcements, it was not possible for him to prevent Sherman from eventually taking Atlanta, Georgia. Davis wrote today that “...as you failed to arrest the advance of the enemy to the vicinity of Atlanta, far in the interior of Georgia, and express no confidence that you can defeat or repel him, you are hereby relieved from the command of the Army and Department of Tennessee, which you will immediately turn over to General Hood.” Appointed to replace him was what was physically, and some say mentally, left of General John Bell Hood.
Another account: This evening, Joseph Johnston received a telegram from Jefferson Davis that relieved him of his command. Johnston had maneuvered brilliantly against William Sherman’s overwhelming Federal forces, but he had consistently retreated when finally flanked, and John Bell Hood was considered a more aggressive fighter. Meanwhile, the Federal army continued building pontoon bridges to cross the Chattahoochee River and advance on Atlanta.
President Abraham Lincoln wrote to General-in-Chief Hiram U. Grant overseeing the Federal siege of Petersburg, Virginia. Having suffered a terrible number of casualties since late April, Lincoln hoped that Grant “...may find a way that the effort shall not be desperate in the sense of great loss of life.”
Federal expeditions began from Columbus, Kentucky and from the South Platte River in the Colorado Territory.
Posted on 7/17/14 at 8:49 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Monday, 18 July 1864
President Jefferson Davis, not unlike his Northern counterpart, ruled personally on the hiring and firing of generals of armies. Joining the ranks of the unemployed today was Joseph Eggleston Johnston. Davis had written that since he “...express(ed) no confidence that you can defeat or repel...” Sherman, who had just started crossing the last major physical obstacle, the Chattahoochee River, before Atlanta, he was sacked and went into semi-retirement. His replacement today as commander of the Army of Tennessee was Lieutenant General John Bell Hood. Sporadic, but at times heavy, fighting erupted along the Chattahoochee River as the Federals continued crossing.
Rear Admiral David G. Farragut wrote of his plans for the attack on Mobile Bay: "I propose to go in according to programme– fourteen vessels, two and two, as at Port Hudson; low steam; flood tide in the morning with a light southwest wind; ironclads on the eastern side, to attack the Tennessee, and gunboats to attack rebel gunboats as soon as past the forts." It was characteristic of the Admiral's farsighted attention to detail to have battle plans drawn up and his fleet ready for action when the most favorable moment to move forward arrived.
Governor Samuel Corry of Maine wrote Union Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles regarding the exploits of the CSS Florida. Gravely concerned by the captures the cruiser had made recently, he asked that one or two gun-boats constantly patrol the coast, and stated: "We are at war with a brave, energetic adversary, fruitful in resources, ready to strike at any exposed point, and which, with one or two piratical cruisers, besides destroying a great amount of tonnage, has driven a large share of our commerce under the protection of the flags of other nations."
Confederate Secretary of the Navy Stephen Mallory wrote Commander James Dunwoody Bulloch in Liverpool, England, that "...we can operate effectually against the enemy's blockading fleets with torpedo boats...As these boats select their own time for operating and may thus secure a smooth sea, and as they must operate at night, and avoid being seen, it is important that they should be as low in the water as may be consistent with their safety. They are expected to carry from five to seven men, coal for twenty-four hours, and four torpedoes with their shifting poles, and to go at least 10 miles an hour with all on board...The torpedo is usually made of copper or iron boiler plate, contains from 40 to 100 pounds of powder and is prepared with three sensitive tubes which explode on impact...The torpedo boats are miniature swift steamers, and they must be strongly built and as light as may be consistent with strength...I suppose these boats might be built and sent to us without interference by the authorities; but if not they might be built in sections and thus sent over. We are so destitute of mechanics, however, that they should be sent us complete as possible..."
New York Tribune editor Horace Greeley and President Lincoln’s secretary John Hay arrived at Niagara Falls and met with J.R. Gilmore, a consultant to President Davis. Gilmore insisted that any peace terms must include recognizing Confederate independence. When Gilmore was told that this was unacceptable (Lincoln insisted on restoring the Union and ultimately ending slavery), the peace talks dissolved.
Another account: Horace Greeley is sent to Canada to negotiate an end to the War Between the States. Lincoln gives him broad powers to come to a settlement, only requiring that it include the restoration of the Union and an eventual renunciation of slavery, even though he knew the Confederates would not likely accept these conditions.
President Lincoln issued a call for 500,000 more volunteers to refill the depleted ranks following the devastating losses in Virginia. The Union Army had suffered a staggering 135,000 casualties in the first six months of 1864 alone.
President Davis appointed Charleston merchant George Trenholm as the new Confederate Secretary of the Treasury, replacing Christopher Memminger. Trenholm reluctantly accepted.
A Federal expedition began to the Pinal Mountains in the Arizona Territory.
President Jefferson Davis, not unlike his Northern counterpart, ruled personally on the hiring and firing of generals of armies. Joining the ranks of the unemployed today was Joseph Eggleston Johnston. Davis had written that since he “...express(ed) no confidence that you can defeat or repel...” Sherman, who had just started crossing the last major physical obstacle, the Chattahoochee River, before Atlanta, he was sacked and went into semi-retirement. His replacement today as commander of the Army of Tennessee was Lieutenant General John Bell Hood. Sporadic, but at times heavy, fighting erupted along the Chattahoochee River as the Federals continued crossing.
Rear Admiral David G. Farragut wrote of his plans for the attack on Mobile Bay: "I propose to go in according to programme– fourteen vessels, two and two, as at Port Hudson; low steam; flood tide in the morning with a light southwest wind; ironclads on the eastern side, to attack the Tennessee, and gunboats to attack rebel gunboats as soon as past the forts." It was characteristic of the Admiral's farsighted attention to detail to have battle plans drawn up and his fleet ready for action when the most favorable moment to move forward arrived.
Governor Samuel Corry of Maine wrote Union Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles regarding the exploits of the CSS Florida. Gravely concerned by the captures the cruiser had made recently, he asked that one or two gun-boats constantly patrol the coast, and stated: "We are at war with a brave, energetic adversary, fruitful in resources, ready to strike at any exposed point, and which, with one or two piratical cruisers, besides destroying a great amount of tonnage, has driven a large share of our commerce under the protection of the flags of other nations."
Confederate Secretary of the Navy Stephen Mallory wrote Commander James Dunwoody Bulloch in Liverpool, England, that "...we can operate effectually against the enemy's blockading fleets with torpedo boats...As these boats select their own time for operating and may thus secure a smooth sea, and as they must operate at night, and avoid being seen, it is important that they should be as low in the water as may be consistent with their safety. They are expected to carry from five to seven men, coal for twenty-four hours, and four torpedoes with their shifting poles, and to go at least 10 miles an hour with all on board...The torpedo is usually made of copper or iron boiler plate, contains from 40 to 100 pounds of powder and is prepared with three sensitive tubes which explode on impact...The torpedo boats are miniature swift steamers, and they must be strongly built and as light as may be consistent with strength...I suppose these boats might be built and sent to us without interference by the authorities; but if not they might be built in sections and thus sent over. We are so destitute of mechanics, however, that they should be sent us complete as possible..."
New York Tribune editor Horace Greeley and President Lincoln’s secretary John Hay arrived at Niagara Falls and met with J.R. Gilmore, a consultant to President Davis. Gilmore insisted that any peace terms must include recognizing Confederate independence. When Gilmore was told that this was unacceptable (Lincoln insisted on restoring the Union and ultimately ending slavery), the peace talks dissolved.
Another account: Horace Greeley is sent to Canada to negotiate an end to the War Between the States. Lincoln gives him broad powers to come to a settlement, only requiring that it include the restoration of the Union and an eventual renunciation of slavery, even though he knew the Confederates would not likely accept these conditions.
President Lincoln issued a call for 500,000 more volunteers to refill the depleted ranks following the devastating losses in Virginia. The Union Army had suffered a staggering 135,000 casualties in the first six months of 1864 alone.
President Davis appointed Charleston merchant George Trenholm as the new Confederate Secretary of the Treasury, replacing Christopher Memminger. Trenholm reluctantly accepted.
A Federal expedition began to the Pinal Mountains in the Arizona Territory.
Posted on 7/19/14 at 6:24 am to BadLeroyDawg
Tuesday, 19 July 1864
George Crook and his better-known colleague General David “Black Dave” Hunter had been the scourge of some Confederate forces, but mostly civilians, in the Shenandoah Valley for most of the late spring and summer, and Jubal Early had been sent in part to decrease their depredations. “Black Dave” did not get his nickname for nothing and went, with Crook, on the hunt himself. They caught up with Early near Berryville, and a nasty fight was held at Berry Ford. This battle caused Early to decide to reposition his troops at Winchester.
Full report: Following the Battle of Fort Stevens on July 11, 1864, and his failure to take Washington, DC, Confederate Lt. Gen. Jubal Early withdrew to the Shenandoah Valley to regroup. President Abraham Lincoln had ordered an immediate pursuit of the Confederates in hopes of seizing an opportunity to crush Early’s command while it was separated from General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia, which at the time was struggling against General Ulysses S. Grant’s armies in the trenches around Petersburg and Richmond.
The pursuit of Early’s army was led by Maj. Gen. Horatio Wright, commanding the Union Sixth Corps and elements of the Nineteenth Corps. Wright was soon joined by a portion of the Eighth Corps, under Brig. Gen. George Crook. This column of approximately 10,500 men was to pursue Early until it was certain that he was returning to the Richmond and Petersburg front.
On July 17, Early’s command entered the Shenandoah Valley. Early established his headquarters in Berryville, Virginia, and left Maj. Gen. John B. Gordon’s division to guard Snicker’s Ford on the Shenandoah River. Union cavalry followed Early and seized Snicker’s Gap, making several attempts to cross at Snickers Ford, also known as Castleman’s Ferry, but were repulsed by Gordon’s men.
Growing uneasy about the increasing Union presence at Snicker’s Ford and determined to resist any further pursuit the next day, Early moved Maj. Gen. Robert Rodes’ and Brig. Gen. Gabriel Wharton’s divisions within supporting distance of Gordon.
Union general Wright believed that Snickers Ford was held only by a strong rearguard and decided to attack. On July 18, Wright ordered the 3,250-man division under Col. Joseph Thoburn of Crook’s Eighth Corps to cross at Island Ford, one mile north of Gordon’s position. While Wright kept the Confederates focused on Snickers Ford, at 3pm Thoburn moved under cover of the hills and trees to Island Ford and intended to swing south to take Gordon’s division in the flank and rear.
From prisoners captured in crossing at Island Ford, Thoburn learned he was not facing a determined rear guard, but in fact the bulk of Early’s command. Word was immediately sent back to Wright regarding these developments while Thoburn continued to push his command across the ford and deploy his artillery on the heights to the east.
Thoburn was ordered to await reinforcements from the Sixth Corps before proceeding further and deployed his division in two lines of battle on the flood plains west of the Shenandoah River. The first line was advanced 100 yards from the river into a wheatfield, while the second line took cover behind a low stone wall near the river.
As news of the Union crossing reached Early in Berryville, Rodes’ and Wharton’s divisions were sent to support Gordon. Wharton’s command was moved directly towards Island Ford, Rodes Division advanced past Cool Spring farm forming on Wharton’s left.
Rodes attacked Thoburn’s right and heavy fighting erupted for possession of a stone wall that bisected the wheat field. Wharton joined the attack and began to exact a heavy toll on Thoburn’s men, forcing them to fall back in disorder to the protection of the second stone wall near the river. A final desperate attempt was made by the Confederates to dislodge Thoburn, but they were severely cut up by the hail of artillery fire from the bluffs on the east side of the Shenandoah River. Stiffening Union resistance at the second wall, coupled with deadly artillery support, forced the Confederate divisions to pull back beyond the ridge line in the Union front. Although reinforcements from the Sixth Corps arrived on the east bank of the river, Wright realized the futility of further escalation and ordered Thoburn to fall back across the river during the night. Some 400 men on each side were killed, wounded or captured.
Both forces cautiously watched each other throughout the next day. On July 19, Maj. Gen. David Hunter broke the stalemate, sending a force from Harpers Ferry to pressure Early's position from the north by moving into Martinsburg, WV. Early withdrew from the Berryville area the following day, thereby setting in motion the Shenandoah Campaign of 1864.
William Sherman’s Federals–mainly General George Thomas’s Army of the Cumberland–advanced along Peachtree Creek, north of Atlanta. General John Schofield’s Federal Army of the Ohio also advanced on Atlanta from farther east. General James McPherson’s Federal Army of the Tennessee was east of Atlanta near Decatur. New Confederate commander John Bell Hood prepared to attack Thomas’s Federals along Peachtree Creek while they were separated from Schofield and McPherson.
George Crook and his better-known colleague General David “Black Dave” Hunter had been the scourge of some Confederate forces, but mostly civilians, in the Shenandoah Valley for most of the late spring and summer, and Jubal Early had been sent in part to decrease their depredations. “Black Dave” did not get his nickname for nothing and went, with Crook, on the hunt himself. They caught up with Early near Berryville, and a nasty fight was held at Berry Ford. This battle caused Early to decide to reposition his troops at Winchester.
Full report: Following the Battle of Fort Stevens on July 11, 1864, and his failure to take Washington, DC, Confederate Lt. Gen. Jubal Early withdrew to the Shenandoah Valley to regroup. President Abraham Lincoln had ordered an immediate pursuit of the Confederates in hopes of seizing an opportunity to crush Early’s command while it was separated from General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia, which at the time was struggling against General Ulysses S. Grant’s armies in the trenches around Petersburg and Richmond.
The pursuit of Early’s army was led by Maj. Gen. Horatio Wright, commanding the Union Sixth Corps and elements of the Nineteenth Corps. Wright was soon joined by a portion of the Eighth Corps, under Brig. Gen. George Crook. This column of approximately 10,500 men was to pursue Early until it was certain that he was returning to the Richmond and Petersburg front.
On July 17, Early’s command entered the Shenandoah Valley. Early established his headquarters in Berryville, Virginia, and left Maj. Gen. John B. Gordon’s division to guard Snicker’s Ford on the Shenandoah River. Union cavalry followed Early and seized Snicker’s Gap, making several attempts to cross at Snickers Ford, also known as Castleman’s Ferry, but were repulsed by Gordon’s men.
Growing uneasy about the increasing Union presence at Snicker’s Ford and determined to resist any further pursuit the next day, Early moved Maj. Gen. Robert Rodes’ and Brig. Gen. Gabriel Wharton’s divisions within supporting distance of Gordon.
Union general Wright believed that Snickers Ford was held only by a strong rearguard and decided to attack. On July 18, Wright ordered the 3,250-man division under Col. Joseph Thoburn of Crook’s Eighth Corps to cross at Island Ford, one mile north of Gordon’s position. While Wright kept the Confederates focused on Snickers Ford, at 3pm Thoburn moved under cover of the hills and trees to Island Ford and intended to swing south to take Gordon’s division in the flank and rear.
From prisoners captured in crossing at Island Ford, Thoburn learned he was not facing a determined rear guard, but in fact the bulk of Early’s command. Word was immediately sent back to Wright regarding these developments while Thoburn continued to push his command across the ford and deploy his artillery on the heights to the east.
Thoburn was ordered to await reinforcements from the Sixth Corps before proceeding further and deployed his division in two lines of battle on the flood plains west of the Shenandoah River. The first line was advanced 100 yards from the river into a wheatfield, while the second line took cover behind a low stone wall near the river.
As news of the Union crossing reached Early in Berryville, Rodes’ and Wharton’s divisions were sent to support Gordon. Wharton’s command was moved directly towards Island Ford, Rodes Division advanced past Cool Spring farm forming on Wharton’s left.
Rodes attacked Thoburn’s right and heavy fighting erupted for possession of a stone wall that bisected the wheat field. Wharton joined the attack and began to exact a heavy toll on Thoburn’s men, forcing them to fall back in disorder to the protection of the second stone wall near the river. A final desperate attempt was made by the Confederates to dislodge Thoburn, but they were severely cut up by the hail of artillery fire from the bluffs on the east side of the Shenandoah River. Stiffening Union resistance at the second wall, coupled with deadly artillery support, forced the Confederate divisions to pull back beyond the ridge line in the Union front. Although reinforcements from the Sixth Corps arrived on the east bank of the river, Wright realized the futility of further escalation and ordered Thoburn to fall back across the river during the night. Some 400 men on each side were killed, wounded or captured.
Both forces cautiously watched each other throughout the next day. On July 19, Maj. Gen. David Hunter broke the stalemate, sending a force from Harpers Ferry to pressure Early's position from the north by moving into Martinsburg, WV. Early withdrew from the Berryville area the following day, thereby setting in motion the Shenandoah Campaign of 1864.
William Sherman’s Federals–mainly General George Thomas’s Army of the Cumberland–advanced along Peachtree Creek, north of Atlanta. General John Schofield’s Federal Army of the Ohio also advanced on Atlanta from farther east. General James McPherson’s Federal Army of the Tennessee was east of Atlanta near Decatur. New Confederate commander John Bell Hood prepared to attack Thomas’s Federals along Peachtree Creek while they were separated from Schofield and McPherson.
Posted on 7/20/14 at 6:15 am to BadLeroyDawg
Wednesday, 20 July 1864
The Battle of Peachtree Creek occurred outside Atlanta after several Confederate delays and miscommunications. Fierce assaults against George Thomas’s Federals were initially successful but ultimately repulsed with heavy losses. When it was learned that James McPherson’s Federals were advancing from the east, the Confederates withdrew. Federals suffered 1,779 casualties while Confederates lost 4,796. John Bell Hood blamed corps commander William Hardee for delays and lack of aggression in the defeat at Peachtree Creek. While Joseph Johnston had worked to preserve Confederate manpower, Hood suffered tremendous casualties that could not be replaced. William Sherman’s Federals now controlled nearly half of Atlanta’s outer perimeter; the only open routes remaining were to the south and southwest.
A third major bombardment of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor reduced the fort to rubble. In the 14-day bombardment, the Federals fired 4,890 rounds at Sumter, mortally wounding Commandant J.C. Mitchel. But the defenders refused to surrender.
Jubal Early’s Confederates clashed with Federals at Stephenson’s Depot, just north of Winchester, Virginia. A Confederate brigade broke, and some 250 Confederates were captured. Early continued withdrawing southward toward Strasburg.
A Federal expedition began from Fort Boise in the Idaho Territory.
The Battle of Peachtree Creek occurred outside Atlanta after several Confederate delays and miscommunications. Fierce assaults against George Thomas’s Federals were initially successful but ultimately repulsed with heavy losses. When it was learned that James McPherson’s Federals were advancing from the east, the Confederates withdrew. Federals suffered 1,779 casualties while Confederates lost 4,796. John Bell Hood blamed corps commander William Hardee for delays and lack of aggression in the defeat at Peachtree Creek. While Joseph Johnston had worked to preserve Confederate manpower, Hood suffered tremendous casualties that could not be replaced. William Sherman’s Federals now controlled nearly half of Atlanta’s outer perimeter; the only open routes remaining were to the south and southwest.
A third major bombardment of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor reduced the fort to rubble. In the 14-day bombardment, the Federals fired 4,890 rounds at Sumter, mortally wounding Commandant J.C. Mitchel. But the defenders refused to surrender.
Jubal Early’s Confederates clashed with Federals at Stephenson’s Depot, just north of Winchester, Virginia. A Confederate brigade broke, and some 250 Confederates were captured. Early continued withdrawing southward toward Strasburg.
A Federal expedition began from Fort Boise in the Idaho Territory.
Posted on 7/21/14 at 4:49 am to BadLeroyDawg
Thursday, 21 July 1864
Major General Francis Blair’s total military experience consisted of being the son of president Abraham Lincoln’s Postmaster General. He proved to be one of the few “political generals” who actually had some talent for the job as his men today defeated renown Southern artillerist Major General Patrick Cleburne. The point of contention was a rise known as Bald Hill, later renamed Leggett’s Hill. From the top of this hill by the end of the day, Blair and his men looked down on the city of Atlanta. It was very hot in Georgia in July this year, in more ways than one.
A full account: During the night of July 20 – 21, Major General Patrick R. Cleburne moved his division to support wheeler´s 3,000 cavalrymen. Gen. Cleburne assumed command of the confederates defense of Bald Hill at 2:30 a.m. Gen. Cleburne´s Division was organized into 3 Major General Patrick R. Cleburne's Brigades, Brigadier General James A. Smith´s Brigade, Brigadier General Daniel C. Govan´s Arkansas Brigade and Brigadier General Mark P. Lowrey´s Brigade. The confederate line ran north from Wheeler´s position on top of Bald Hill. Smith´s Brigade was on Wheeler´s left. Next was Govan Brigade and Lowery´s Brigade formed the left (north) end of the Confederate line.
The Union forces facing the confederates where made up by parts of two Division. One part consisted of a section of Col. Robert K. Scott´s 1st Brigade, Third Division, positioned on the Union left (south). This Brigade was south of Wheelers men on top of the hill. Next was the 1st Brigade commanded by Brigadier General Manning F. Force, also of the 3rd Division. To the right (north) of Force´s 1st Brigade were the 3rd Brigade, 4th Division, commanded by Col. William Hall, and then the 1st Brigade, commanded by Benjamin Potts, held the Federal right.
By daylight on the 21st, general Cleburne´s Division had moved up on Wheelers left. Cleburne´s men marched as quietly as possible so as not to alert the federal forces of their presents, but they were not entirely successful and they took casualties. Early on the morning of July 21, while Colonel Samuel Adams of the 33rd Alabama was inspecting and positing his troops, he was shot in the chest and died on the battle field.
Brigadier General James A. Smith´s (CSA) Brigade was positioned on the right of Cleburne´s Division and took position on the North Slope of Bald Hill with Wheeler´s Calvary on their right. At 7:00 a.m., the 1st Iowa battery, commanded by Captain William Gay, opened fire on the confederates. The battery of ten pounder rifled cannons was positioned on high ground 800 yards north east of Bald Hill. The rain of canister and solid shot was devastating from such a close range.
General Smith describes the action as follows: “I immediately proceeded to construct such works for protection as the limited means at my disposal would permit. Owing, however, to the position being much exposed and the close proximity of the enemy, who occupied a strongly entrenched position, our progress was slow. About 7 O´clock he opened a battery on my left, about 800 yards distant, which swept my line from left to right, committing dreadful havoc in the ranks. I have never before witnessed such accurate and destructive cannonading. In a few minutes 40 men were killed and over 100 wounded by this battery alone. In the Eighteenth Texas Cavalry Regiment (dismounted) 17 of the 18 men composing one company were placed hors de combat by one shot alone.”
General Blair´s plan was to attack at dawn, but due to an injury to Brig. Gen. Walter Q. Gresham command fell to Brig. Gen. Giles A. Smith. The order to attack reached General Leggett at about 8:00 a.m. The First Brigade, commanded by Brig. Gen. Manning F. Force, was in front of Bald Hill. The 12th Wisconsin and the 16th Wisconsin regiments were in the front line with the 12th on the right. The 3 Illinois regiments of the Brigade would follow the two regiments from Wisconsin. As the Brigade emerged from the woods, they were met by a murderous fire. They not only faced the rifle fire of the infantry defending the hill, but from two batteries from Arkansas and Mississippi that opened fire from their flank. General Blair order them men down and then for them to fix bayonets. He the ordered them back up and to continue the assault. The confederate Calvary on the hill fled and the Union Brigade was able to reach the top of Bald Hill and gain the confederate breastworks. On the confederate left, General James A. Smith´s Brigade held their place and hand to hand combat ensued.
With Cleburne´s Division in place, Wheeler was ordered to extend his line to the right to face the 1st Brigade of Col. Robert K. Scott. It was just as Wheelers men were moving that the Union forces attacked.
General Wheeler reports that: “About daylight the following morning General Cleburne with his Division of infantry came, pursuant to General Hood's orders, to relieve me, while I was ordered to extend my line to the right. General Cleburne placed his troops so closely together that only a little more than half my line was occupied by General Cleburne's troops. While changing position, and before my troops had faced toward the enemy, a general attack was made on my own and General Cleburne's front. General Frerguson, who was on the right, reported a force turning his right flank, when, at the same moment, a general assault of several lines of battle was made by the enemy. Ferguson gave way in some confusion, which exposed the right of Allen's Brigade, which, with the Georgia Brigade, nevertheless, fought brilliantly, repulsing a desperate assault and killing the enemy in hand-to-hand conflicts. On the enemy's second assault both the Georgia and Alabama Brigades, with the right Brigade of Cleburne's Division, were forced from their works by an overwhelming force. After falling back a short distance the Georgia and part of the .Alabama Brigades, rallied, charged the enemy, and retook the works, with 2 officers and 20 privates, beside a number of the enemy's dead and wounded, some of whom were killed in our rifle-pits. This was a most brilliant feat, and the Georgia Brigade deserves great credit for its conduct upon that day. ”
“Our loss in killed and wounded was not severe, and we did not lose any prisoners. The loss of the enemy was severe. I then established my line and maintained my position until relieved late in the day by Cheatham's Division.”
Smith´s Brigade attempted to retake the hill and were able to temporarily gain 200 yards of breastworks on the hill, but they were forced to retreat before the rest of Cleburne's Division could re-enforce them. With Union forces on the hill, Captain Gay´s 1st Iowa battery could no longer fire towards the northern slope of Bald Hill. The Confederates took advantage of this and assaulted General Force´s right flank. The 20th Illinois found themselves in a crossfire from Confederate forces attacking from the north and others firing from the shelter of trees north west of the hill.
To secure the right flank, General Blair ordered the 4th Division, commanded by Brigadier General Giles A. Smith, forward. The Division moved forward with the 1st Brigade commanded by Col. Benjamin F. Potts on the right (North) and the 3rd Brigade commanded by Col. William Hall on the left (South).
The 3rd Brigade was aligned with the 15th Iowa on the left and the 13th Iowa on the right with the 11th and 16th Iowa in support. At first the terrain protected the Iowa men from the confederate defenders, but this changed as the approached the right of General Force´s position. They were as they reached the spine of the ridge they were met with a devastating barrage of musketry and artillery fire. The Iowans were forced to drop to the ground and fire from a prone position.
Major General Francis Blair’s total military experience consisted of being the son of president Abraham Lincoln’s Postmaster General. He proved to be one of the few “political generals” who actually had some talent for the job as his men today defeated renown Southern artillerist Major General Patrick Cleburne. The point of contention was a rise known as Bald Hill, later renamed Leggett’s Hill. From the top of this hill by the end of the day, Blair and his men looked down on the city of Atlanta. It was very hot in Georgia in July this year, in more ways than one.
A full account: During the night of July 20 – 21, Major General Patrick R. Cleburne moved his division to support wheeler´s 3,000 cavalrymen. Gen. Cleburne assumed command of the confederates defense of Bald Hill at 2:30 a.m. Gen. Cleburne´s Division was organized into 3 Major General Patrick R. Cleburne's Brigades, Brigadier General James A. Smith´s Brigade, Brigadier General Daniel C. Govan´s Arkansas Brigade and Brigadier General Mark P. Lowrey´s Brigade. The confederate line ran north from Wheeler´s position on top of Bald Hill. Smith´s Brigade was on Wheeler´s left. Next was Govan Brigade and Lowery´s Brigade formed the left (north) end of the Confederate line.
The Union forces facing the confederates where made up by parts of two Division. One part consisted of a section of Col. Robert K. Scott´s 1st Brigade, Third Division, positioned on the Union left (south). This Brigade was south of Wheelers men on top of the hill. Next was the 1st Brigade commanded by Brigadier General Manning F. Force, also of the 3rd Division. To the right (north) of Force´s 1st Brigade were the 3rd Brigade, 4th Division, commanded by Col. William Hall, and then the 1st Brigade, commanded by Benjamin Potts, held the Federal right.
By daylight on the 21st, general Cleburne´s Division had moved up on Wheelers left. Cleburne´s men marched as quietly as possible so as not to alert the federal forces of their presents, but they were not entirely successful and they took casualties. Early on the morning of July 21, while Colonel Samuel Adams of the 33rd Alabama was inspecting and positing his troops, he was shot in the chest and died on the battle field.
Brigadier General James A. Smith´s (CSA) Brigade was positioned on the right of Cleburne´s Division and took position on the North Slope of Bald Hill with Wheeler´s Calvary on their right. At 7:00 a.m., the 1st Iowa battery, commanded by Captain William Gay, opened fire on the confederates. The battery of ten pounder rifled cannons was positioned on high ground 800 yards north east of Bald Hill. The rain of canister and solid shot was devastating from such a close range.
General Smith describes the action as follows: “I immediately proceeded to construct such works for protection as the limited means at my disposal would permit. Owing, however, to the position being much exposed and the close proximity of the enemy, who occupied a strongly entrenched position, our progress was slow. About 7 O´clock he opened a battery on my left, about 800 yards distant, which swept my line from left to right, committing dreadful havoc in the ranks. I have never before witnessed such accurate and destructive cannonading. In a few minutes 40 men were killed and over 100 wounded by this battery alone. In the Eighteenth Texas Cavalry Regiment (dismounted) 17 of the 18 men composing one company were placed hors de combat by one shot alone.”
General Blair´s plan was to attack at dawn, but due to an injury to Brig. Gen. Walter Q. Gresham command fell to Brig. Gen. Giles A. Smith. The order to attack reached General Leggett at about 8:00 a.m. The First Brigade, commanded by Brig. Gen. Manning F. Force, was in front of Bald Hill. The 12th Wisconsin and the 16th Wisconsin regiments were in the front line with the 12th on the right. The 3 Illinois regiments of the Brigade would follow the two regiments from Wisconsin. As the Brigade emerged from the woods, they were met by a murderous fire. They not only faced the rifle fire of the infantry defending the hill, but from two batteries from Arkansas and Mississippi that opened fire from their flank. General Blair order them men down and then for them to fix bayonets. He the ordered them back up and to continue the assault. The confederate Calvary on the hill fled and the Union Brigade was able to reach the top of Bald Hill and gain the confederate breastworks. On the confederate left, General James A. Smith´s Brigade held their place and hand to hand combat ensued.
With Cleburne´s Division in place, Wheeler was ordered to extend his line to the right to face the 1st Brigade of Col. Robert K. Scott. It was just as Wheelers men were moving that the Union forces attacked.
General Wheeler reports that: “About daylight the following morning General Cleburne with his Division of infantry came, pursuant to General Hood's orders, to relieve me, while I was ordered to extend my line to the right. General Cleburne placed his troops so closely together that only a little more than half my line was occupied by General Cleburne's troops. While changing position, and before my troops had faced toward the enemy, a general attack was made on my own and General Cleburne's front. General Frerguson, who was on the right, reported a force turning his right flank, when, at the same moment, a general assault of several lines of battle was made by the enemy. Ferguson gave way in some confusion, which exposed the right of Allen's Brigade, which, with the Georgia Brigade, nevertheless, fought brilliantly, repulsing a desperate assault and killing the enemy in hand-to-hand conflicts. On the enemy's second assault both the Georgia and Alabama Brigades, with the right Brigade of Cleburne's Division, were forced from their works by an overwhelming force. After falling back a short distance the Georgia and part of the .Alabama Brigades, rallied, charged the enemy, and retook the works, with 2 officers and 20 privates, beside a number of the enemy's dead and wounded, some of whom were killed in our rifle-pits. This was a most brilliant feat, and the Georgia Brigade deserves great credit for its conduct upon that day. ”
“Our loss in killed and wounded was not severe, and we did not lose any prisoners. The loss of the enemy was severe. I then established my line and maintained my position until relieved late in the day by Cheatham's Division.”
Smith´s Brigade attempted to retake the hill and were able to temporarily gain 200 yards of breastworks on the hill, but they were forced to retreat before the rest of Cleburne's Division could re-enforce them. With Union forces on the hill, Captain Gay´s 1st Iowa battery could no longer fire towards the northern slope of Bald Hill. The Confederates took advantage of this and assaulted General Force´s right flank. The 20th Illinois found themselves in a crossfire from Confederate forces attacking from the north and others firing from the shelter of trees north west of the hill.
To secure the right flank, General Blair ordered the 4th Division, commanded by Brigadier General Giles A. Smith, forward. The Division moved forward with the 1st Brigade commanded by Col. Benjamin F. Potts on the right (North) and the 3rd Brigade commanded by Col. William Hall on the left (South).
The 3rd Brigade was aligned with the 15th Iowa on the left and the 13th Iowa on the right with the 11th and 16th Iowa in support. At first the terrain protected the Iowa men from the confederate defenders, but this changed as the approached the right of General Force´s position. They were as they reached the spine of the ridge they were met with a devastating barrage of musketry and artillery fire. The Iowans were forced to drop to the ground and fire from a prone position.
Page 20 of 46
Popular
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News