American Civil War Game Club (ACWGC)

August 7, 1861 Wednesday
The village of Hampton, Virginia near Fort Monroe was burned by Confederate forces under Brig Gen John Bankhead Magruder in operations against Butler’s Federal forces. Magruder said he had learned Butler had intended to use the town for what he called “runaway slaves” and what Butler called “contraband.” Butler claimed the few residents remaining were given fifteen minutes to leave and that it was a “wanton act.” http://www.lwfaam.net/cw/hampton/magruder1.htm and http://www.lwfaam.net/cw/hampton/phelps.htm

Federal authorities ordered construction of seven special ironclad gunboats of a new type from James B. Eads of St Louis for operation on western waters. These, along with some converted steamers, were to become the backbone of the Union river flotilla.

August 7-10 there was a small Federal expedition from Cape Girardeau, operating to Price’s Landing, Commerce, Benton, and Hamburg, Missouri.

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Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

August 8, 1861 Thursday
President Davis signed acts of the Confederate Provisional Congress to grant commissions to raise volunteers by persons of Kentucky, Missouri, Maryland, and Delaware; for deporting enemy aliens; and for public defense.

There was a brief skirmish at Lovettsville, Virginia. Indians attacked an emigrant train near Great Salt Lake, Utah Territory. Newly named Brig Gen U.S. Grant assumed command of the District of Ironton, Missouri. The office of the Concord, New Hampshire Democratic Standard was mobbed by soldiers of the 1st New Hampshire Volunteers because of an article reflecting on them. The 15th Massachusetts left Worcester and were said to be “all tall, muscular, men, possessing the lightness of limb and full development of natural powers which denote the true specimen of a soldier.”

Sec of War Cameron wrote Gen Butler in reply to his request for clarification of the policy on Negroes coming into the Federal lines: while the fugitive slave laws must be respected in the states of the Union, in the states in insurrection the situation was different, and the problem varied in military areas. Of course, those slaves escaping from Confederate slaveholders could not now be returned.

President Lincoln and Postmaster Gen. Blair observe experiments with Maynard's rifle and Alexander's cartridge. Thomas M. Key, volunteer aide to Gen. McClellan, delivers to President copy of McClellan's letter to Gen. Scott. http://www.familytales.org/dbDisplay.ph ... washington

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Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

August 9, 1861 Friday
Confederate and Missouri state troops were moving closer to Springfield, Missouri. They were now ten miles to the southwest along an insignificant stream called Wilson’s Creek. The evening of the ninth the Federal army, commanded by Nathaniel Lyon, left Springfield to seek out the secessionists.

Confederate privateer York captured schooner George G. Baker. York was set afire off Cape Hatteras by her crew to prevent capture by Union. U.S.S. Union, under Commander J. R. Goldsborough, recaptured George G. Baker.

The following appointments were made to Brigadier General: Daniel Ruggles, CSA; Isaac Ridgeway Trimble, CSA; Louis Ludwig Blenker, USA; John Henry Martindale, USA; George Webb Morrell, USA; Israel Bush Richardson, USA; Henry Warner Slocum, USA; and James Samuel Wadsworth, USA.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

August 10, 1861 Saturday
In the rolling hill country southwest of Springfield, Missouri amid the dense undergrowth of blackjack, hazel, and scraggly oaks, the major battle of the Civil War in Missouri was fought. Bitter, headstrong, but exceedingly capable Brig Gen Nathaniel Lyon led his outnumbered Federals into the attack. Separating his force of some 5400 men, Lyon allowed Brig Gen Franz Sigel to try to strike the Confederate rear, an unwise effort that failed miserably. Sigel, being dispersed, withdrew precipitately, and was heard of no more that day. Confederates under Gen Benjamin McCullough and Missouri state troops under Sterling Price, ill armed and supplied, were at first driven back by Lyon’s main force but rallied and counterattacked. Two strong Confederate drives on Oak Hills or Bloody Ridge were repulsed by the Federals. Units were confused as to who was who in the smoking August heat. In midmorning a worried Lyon rallied his troops only to fall, killed at the head of his men. A third Confederate charge was halted, but the uncertain Federals, bereft of a commander, were withdrawn from the field by Maj Samuel D. Sturgis. Many thought the Federals would have been victorious if they had remained on Bloody Ridge; others disagreed. As the army struggled back to Springfield the hard-used Confederates were unable to follow closely. But Springfield was not far enough; the Federal army withdrew clear back to Rolla, Missouri southwest of St Louis, abandoning a huge section of the state to the Confederates and pro-secessionists. The loss of Lyon, the defeat of Sigel and his German troops, the retreat of the main Federal force, loss of a primary outpost in Missouri, all emphasized the Confederate victory. The second significant battle of the Civil War had been fought and won by the South, this time out beyond the Mississippi. But Wilson’s Creek, Oak Hills, or Springfield was described by one soldier as being “a purty mean-faught fite.” The figures prove it: Federal total for duty 5400, killed 258, wounded 873, missing 186 for total of 1317; Confederate effectives 11000, killed 279, wounded 951 for total of 1230. Missouri was never to see its like again. An argument between McCullough and Price over who was to command had been settled in favor of Ben McCullough. Both leaders and their somewhat ragtag Southern forces had performed well in victory. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Wilson%27s_Creek , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathaniel_Lyon , http://www.americancivilwar.com/statepic/mo/mo004.html , http://www.civilwarhome.com/wilsonscreek.htm , http://www.civilwarhome.com/missouri6.htm , http://www.civilwarhome.com/deathoflyon.htm , and http://www.nps.gov/wicr/index.htm

President Lincoln called on Lieutenant General Scott at home to try to ease friction between the General-in-Chief and youthful George B. McClellan. Prince Napoleon takes leave of President Lincoln and returns to New York.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

August 11, 1861 Sunday
The disorganized and beaten Federals pulled away from Wilson’s Creek, leaving the Springfield area to the Confederate and pro-Southern Missouri troops. Confederate sympathizers in Missouri and elsewhere took heart. There was a minor affair at Hamburg, Missouri. In the Kanawha Valley of western Virginia, Brig Gen John B, Floyd, former member of President Buchanan’s Cabinet, assumed command of Confederate forces. The appointment was a controversial one and led to trouble between Floyd and former governor Henry A. Wise, now Floyd’s subordinate.

Blockade runner Louisa, pursued by U.S.S. Penguin, under Commander John L. Livingston, struck shoal near Cape Fear, North Carolina, and sank.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

August 12, 1861 Monday
In Missouri Confederate Gen Ben McCulloch proclaimed the victory at Wilson’s Creek and said Missouri “must be allowed to choose her own destiny.” He said Union people would be protected, but “you can no longer procrastinate. Missouri must now take her position, be it North or South.” Home Guards were organized in California to cooperate with the Federal army there. President Lincoln designated the last Thursday in September “as a day of humiliation, prayer and fasting for all the people of the nation.”

Three wooden gunboats – Tyler, Lexington, and Conestoga, converted from riverboats – arrived at Cairo. They were to bear the brunt of the river war for months, until the ironclads were ready.

A 16 man Confederate detachment rode into an ambush set by Chief Nicholas of the Mescalero Apaches in the Big Bend country south of Fort Davis, Texas. Fifteen Southerners were killed, only the Mexican guide escaping. Generally the Confederates took little offensive action against the Apaches, involved as they were with the invasion of the Southwest. Indian depredations rapidly increased.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

August 13, 1861 Tuesday
There was a skirmish near Grafton, western Virginia. In Washington President Lincoln conferred with Gen McClellan and with now Brig Gen Robert Anderson when the hero of Fort Sumter dined with the President. President Lincoln writes Sec. Cameron: "Let now Brigadier Genl. David Hunter be a Major General of Volunteers . . . let George H. Stoneman, and William F. Smith, both now in the service, each be a Brigadier General of Volunteers. Also Henry W. Benham, a Brigadier General of Volunteers." In Richmond President Davis discharged from arrest Thomas A.R. Nelson of Tennessee, who had opposed his state’s action, as the policy of the Confederacy was “not to enter into questions of differences of political opinion heretofore existing.” U.S.S. Powhatan, commanded by Lieutenant D. D. Porter, recaptured schooner Abby Bradford off the mouth of the Mississippi River.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

August 14, 1861 Wednesday
Maj Gen John Charles Fremont declared martial law in St Louis city and county, which was followed by the suppression of two allegedly pro-Southern newspapers. Members of the 79th New York Volunteers mutinied near Washington and refused to obey orders. Their desire for a furlough was one of the grievances. A number were arrested and the entire regiment put under guard. James William Denver, USA, was appointed to Brigadier General. The Union blockader, Mohawk, which had been operating off the coast of St. Marks, Florida captured and scuttled a Confederate ship to close off the channel to further use.

President Davis proclaimed the banishing of enemy aliens who did not acknowledge the authority of the Confederate States of America. Brigadier General Earl Van Dorn, CSA, is relieved of command of the Confederate forces in Texas and Colonel Paul O. Hebert, was assigned to command Confederate forces in Texas (he is promoted to Brigadier General 3 days later).

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

August 15, 1861 Thursday
Federal Brig Gen Robert Anderson of Fort Sumter fame was named commander of the Department of the Cumberland, consisting of Kentucky and Tennessee, with headquarters at Cincinnati. There was a brief Federal expedition from Ste Genevieve, Missouri. U.S.S. Tyler and Conestoga, commanded by Lieutenant S. L. Phelps, scouted the Mississippi for Confederate fortifications and movements as far south as New Madrid, Missouri, while U.S.S. Lexington, commanded by Lieutenant Roger N. Stembel, operating with the Army, made a similar reconnaissance of the river north to Cape Girardeau, Missouri. U.S.S. Resolute, commanded by Acting Master W. Budd, while on a reconnaissance mission, engaged Confederate troops at Mathias Point, Virginia. Meanwhile, unionists in Missouri feared that the Confederate forces of McCulloch and Price would further invade the state. Fremont called for reinforcements, and President Lincoln saw to it the War Department requested the governors of western states to aid him. Sixty men of the 2nd Maine who had refused to obey orders were transferred to fatigue duty on Dry Tortugas off Key West, Florida. Federal troops operated until August 22 against Indians from Fort Crook to the Pitt River, California. The following appointments were made to Brigadier General: George Bibb Crittenden, CSA; John Breckinridge Grayson, CSA; Albert Pike, CSA; and Roswell Sabine Ripley, CSA.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

August 16, 1861 Friday
President Lincoln proclaimed that the inhabitants of the Confederate States “are in a state of insurrection against the United States, and that all commercial intercourse,” with certain exceptions, between loyal and rebellious states was unlawful. Charges of disloyalty for alleged pro-Southernism were brought against the New York Journal of Commerce, Daily News, Day Book, Freeman’s Journal, and Brooklyn Eagle in U.S. Circuit Court. An alleged pro-secessionist or peace meeting was broken up at Saybrook, Connecticut. There were Federal operations around Fredericktown, Missouri, and for four days around Kirksville, Missouri.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

August 17, 1861 Saturday
The Federal departments of Northeastern Virginia, of Washington, and of the Shenandoah were merged into the Department of the Potomac, from whence came the name of the main Northern army in Virginia, the Army of the Potomac. President Lincoln appointed Henry Wager Halleck a major general in the Regular Army and also secretly provided for a commission as Brigadier General of Volunteers for Simon Bolivar Buckner of Kentucky. Buckner, however, declined and later joined the Confederate Army. Elderly but competent Major General John E. Wool superseded Benjamin F. Butler in command of the Department of Virginia. Butler took command of the land forces organizing to attack the Cape Hatteras area. There was minor fighting at Hunnewell, Palmyra, and Brunswick, Missouri. Orders were issued providing for forty cents per day and one ration for nurses in the Northern Army. The following appointments were made to Brigadier General: Paul Octave Hébert, CSA; George Henry Thomas, USA; and Egbert Ludovicus Viele, USA.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

August 18, 1861 Sunday
Another quiet Sunday with a skirmish of cavalry at Pohick Church, Virginia, and a minor Confederate attack near Sandy Hook, Maryland. Confederate privateer Jefferson Davis, commanded by Captain Coxetter, wrecked on the bar trying to enter St. Augustine, Florida, ending a most successful cruise. Charleston Mercury (26 August 1861) said: "'The name of the privateer Jefferson Davis has become a word of terror to the Yankees. The number of her prizes and the amount of merchandise which she captured have no parallel since the days of the Saucy Jack [1812 privateer]."

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

I'll be gone for a few days so multiple days are posted tonight. See you again Monday night.

August 19, 1861 Monday
The Confederate Congress at Richmond agreed to an alliance with Missouri and virtually admitted the state into the Confederacy. Thus the state officially had two governments, one Union and one Confederate. Another act authorized a produce loan of $100,000,000 to be taken up by planters to help finance the war. ( http://www.usrarecoininvestments.com/co ... 1558_d.htm )

In Washington President Lincoln made several appointments. Advises Sec. Cameron: "At the request of Brigadier General Anderson, I have concluded to appoint George H. Thomas, of the 2nd. Cavalry, a Brigadier General of Volunteers. Also, let the Hon. James Shields, now of California, be appointed a Brigadier General of Volunteers. Also, Col. Michael Corcoran, now a prisoner at Richmond." He ordered Maj Gen Henry W. Halleck, then in California, to report to Washington. It was thought Halleck would be named to a top command. Newspapers at West Chester and Easton, Pennsylvania were raided by unionists, and a publisher in Haverhill, Massachusetts was tarred and feathered by a mob for alleged pro-Southern sentiments.

There was a skirmish at Klapsford, Missouri; Federal forces from Bird’s Point, opposite Cairo, railroaded to Charleston, Missouri and defeated a force of Missouri state troops. U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Navy Fox ordered 200 Marines to report to Commander Dahlgren at the Washington Navy Yard for duty on board ships of the Potomac Flotilla for the purpose of scouring the Maryland countryside--especially Port Tobacco--for locations suspected of being Confederate depots for provisions and arms to be used for invading Maryland.


August 20, 1861 Tuesday
Major General George B. McClellan assumed command of the newly organized Department and the Army of the Potomac for the Union. A convention in Wheeling, western Virginia provided for setting up a new pro-Union state to be called Kanawha. M. Romero confers with President Lincoln concerning proposed intervention of European powers in Mexican affairs. Skirmishing occurred at Hawk’s Nest and Laurel Ford Creek, western Virginia; and at Fish Lake, Missouri. Confederates attacked a railroad train near Lookout Station, Missouri. William Farquhar Barry, USA and John Fulton Reynolds, USA were appointed to Brigadier General. Brigadier General Richard Caswell Gatlin, USA, assumes command of the defenses of North Carolina.

President Davis wrote General Joseph E. Johnston at Manassas about complaints in the Confederate Army of improper food and lack of care for the sick. Davis approved a bill increasing Confederate artillery and calling for other military measures. At Springfield, Missouri, General Sterling Price proclaimed the great Southern victory at Wilson’s Creek and said Northern oppressors of Missouri had been defeated.


August 21, 1861 Wednesday
The Federal government ordered that copies of New York newspapers suppressed for allegedly aiding rebellion should not be carried by the mails, and papers were confiscated in Philadelphia. There was a skirmish at Jonesboro, Missouri. Brig Gen Roswell S. Ripley was named to command the Confederate Department of South Carolina, and Brig Gen John B, Grayson the Department of Middle and East Florida. President Davis approved an act of the Confederate Congress to name two more commissioners to Europe, and another measure authorizing the President to cooperate and extend aid to Missouri. U.S.S. Vandalia, under Commander Samuel Phillips Lee, captured Confederate blockade runner Henry Middleton off Charleston with a cargo of spirits, turpentine, and rosin.



August 22, 1861 Thursday
Suppression of alleged pro-Southern Northern newspapers continued in New York; Canton, Ohio; and Philadelphia. President Lincoln writes Sec. Cameron: "Victor B. Bell [Illinois businessman], now of Colorado, is one of my most valued friends; . . . I would like for him to be an Asst. Quarter Master or Commissary of Subsistence of Volunteers. Can you not fix it for me?"

Brig. Gen. Henry H. Sibley and brigade of 3,700 men called the "Confederate Army of New Mexico" depart San Antonio, Texas, for New Mexico.

Commander J. Rodgers reported that six hundred Confederate troops occupying Commerce, Missouri, withdrew at the approach of the Union gunboats. This action prevented the erection of Confederate batteries at a location which would have effectively impeded navigation.

U.S.S. Lexington, under Commander Stembel, seized steamer W. B. Terry at Paducah, Kentucky, for trading with Confederates.

Steamer Samuel Orr was seized by Confederates at Paducah, Kentucky, and taken up the Tennessee River.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

August 23, 1861 Friday
As military build-up continued both North and South with regiments joining the armies, the military action increased slightly. There was engagement of two Federal steamers (Yankee and Release) with Confederate batteries at the mouth of Potomac Creek, Virginia. Skirmishing broke out at Springfield, western Virginia; Medoc, Missouri; and Fort Craig, New Mexico Territory. Gov Isham Harris of Tennessee appealed to mothers, wives, and daughters for clothing and blankets for the soldiers in the field.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

August 24, 1861 Saturday
President Davis named commissioners to Europe; Pierre A. Rost to Spain, James M. Mason to Great Britain, and John Slidell to France. Their task was to attempt to obtain foreign recognition of the Confederacy and also to act as purchasing agents for guns, ammunition, and supplies. In Washington several persons were arrested, including Mrs Philip Phillips and Mrs Rose Greenhow, on charges of corresponding with the Confederates. Raids continued on “secessionist” newspapers in the North with several suppressions by the government. President Lincoln told Gov Beriah Magoffin of Kentucky that he could not and would not remove the pro-Union forces being organized in Kentucky despite claims of the state to neutrality. The Federal Department of Pennsylvania is absorbed into the Department, or Army, of the Potomac.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00