American Civil War Game Club (ACWGC)

September 9, 1861 Monday
President Lincoln was troubled over the operations in the West and Gen Fremont, his commander there. The influential Blair family was urging the removal of Fremont. Lincoln sent Maj Gen David Hunter to advise and aid the general. President writes Gen. Hunter about Gen. Fremont and his difficulty in Dept. of West: "Gen. Fremont needs assistance. . . . His cardinal mistake is that he isolates himself, & allows nobody to see him; and by which he does not know what is going on in the very matters he is dealing with. He needs to have, by his side, a man of large experience. Will you not, for me, take that place? Your rank is one grade too high to be ordered to it; but will you not serve the country, and oblige me, by taking it voluntarily?"

There was a skirmish at Shepherdstown, western Virginia as the threat of new major action loomed in that area. Federal forces under Rosecrans moved toward Confederates near Carnifix Ferry, Cox and other Federals were operating in the Kanawha Valley, while a third force dug in at Cheat Mountain to face Confederate operations under the general command of Gen R.E. Lee. New Mexico Territorial Governor Henry M. Connelly issues proclamation in English and Spanish urging people to arms to fight the Confederates.

Ormsby MacKnight Mitchel, USA, was appointed to Brigadier General.

_________________
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

September 10, 1861 Tuesday
Rosecrans’ Federal command struck Confederates at Carnifax Ferry, western Virginia, but failed to break the Southern lines. However, outnumbered and in a bad position, Brig Gen John B. Floyd withdrew his Confederates during the night toward Dogwood Gap and Sewell Mountain. Casualties were light, but the Northern victory was useful in holding western Virginia for the Union (http://www.americancivilwar.com/statepic/wv/wv006.html and http://www.wvpubcast.org/newsarticle.aspx?id=21719 ). Meanwhile, to the north, Gen R.E. Lee was planning his assault on Cheat Mountain. At Lewinsville, Virginia there was a small skirmish. U.S.S. Conestoga, commanded by Lieutenant S. L. Phelps, and U.S.S. Lexington, under Commander Stembel, covering a troop advance, silenced the guns of a Confederate battery and damaged gunboat C.S.S. Yankee at Lucas Bend, Missouri. U.S.S. Pawnee, under Commander Rowan, captured schooner Susan Jane in Hatteras Inlet. Other blockade runners, unaware that the Union Navy now controlled the inlet, were also taken as prizes. U.S.S. Cambridge, under Commander W. A. Parker, captured British blockade running schooner Revere off Beaufort, North Carolina, with cargo of salt and herring.

Gen Albert Sidney Johnston was appointed to the command of Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas, and Kentucky for the Confederates and became, actually, commander of the Western armies of the South. Brig Gen George H. Thomas, a Virginian who remained with the Union, was assigned to command Camp Dick Robinson in eastern Kentucky.

Late at night President Lincoln had a visitor – Mrs John Charles Fremont, who had traveled from St Louis to protest the treatment of her husband and to urge support of his emancipation and confiscation order. Although accounts vary, Mr Lincoln is said to have received the demanding lady coolly.

_________________
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

September 11, 1861 Wednesday
For five days Gen R.E. Lee and his Confederates campaigned actively against the Federals, the heavy rains of the season, and the rugged mountains in western Virginia. Dividing his forces into five columns, Lee planned to attack the separated Union forces of J.J Reynolds at Cheat Mountain Summit and Elkwater. There was light fighting at Conrad’s Mill; on the 12th one Confederate column under Col Albert Rust failed to attack in what was to be the signal for a general assault. The element of surprise was now gone and the weather growing worse. By the 13th it was clear that Lee’s plan had failed miserably, both because it required complicated movements and close cooperation, and because of the rough terrain and incessant rains. On the 15th the Confederates pulled back and the northern part of western Virginia was secured for the Union. Casualties were light on both sides, but coupled with Carnifax Ferry, it was a considerable disaster to Confederate plans to regain western Virginia. Furthermore, the campaign brought forth severe criticism of Lee from newspapers, civilians, and soldiers, and dimmed his reputation for some months. ( http://civilwar.bluegrass.net/battles-c ... 11-13.html )

Near Washington there was a reconnaissance by Federals from Chain Bridge to Lewinsville, Virginia and some action. http://mcleanvrginia.blogspot.com/2010/ ... -1861.html

President Lincoln, after his interview with Mrs. Fremont of the night before, wrote the general that he would order that the clause in relation to confiscation of property and emancipation of slaves in his famous proclamation be modified to conform with the acts of Congress. The Kentucky legislature passed a resolution calling on the governor to order the Confederate troops in the state to depart. The Governor vetoes the resolution, which was afterwards passed over his veto, and accordingly the Governor issued the required proclamation. Another resolution calling for both Northern and Southern troops to leave was defeated. Unionists appeared to be in control of the political machinery of Kentucky.

U.S.S. South Carolina, under Commander Alden, captured Soledad Cos with a cargo of coffee off Galveston.

_________________
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

September 12, 1861 Thursday
In addition to the marching and fighting around Cheat Mountain and Elkwater ( http://www.americancivilwar.com/statepic/wv/wv005.html and http://www.wvculture.org/history/sesqui ... 10912.html ), there was skirmishing at Petersburg and near Peytona, western Virginia, and in Missouri on the Blackwater. In the northwestern part of that state, on the Missouri River, Gen Price and his Missouri troops converged on the commercial town of Lexington, where a Federal force under Col James Mulligan was posted. Vastly outnumbering the Federals, Price’s men pushed aside the pickets and began what became a nine-day siege of Lexington ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Battle_of_Lexington ).

The Federal government ordered the arrest of allegedly disloyal members of the Maryland legislature scheduled to convene in Frederick Sept 17th. Numerous arrests were made between Sep 12th and 17th and Maryland remained firmly loyal to the Union. President Lincoln wrote Mrs Fremont that he protested “against being understood as acting in any hostility” toward the general and "It is not exactly correct . . . to say that I sent Post-Master-General Blair to St. Louis to examine into that Department, and report. . . . No impression has been made on my mind against the honor or integrity of Gen. Fremont." But he did send Joseph Holt to St Louis to deliver to Fremont Lincoln’s letter modifying the emancipation order. Despite Lincoln’s instruction, Fremont freed at least two slaves of a Confederate officer.

At Russellville, Kentucky, Simon Bolivar Buckner called upon Kentuckians to defend their homes against the invasion of the North.

Braxton Bragg, CSA, was promoted to Major General.

_________________
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

September 13, 1861 Friday
The siege of Lexington, Missouri was well under way as Confederate lines pressed in upon Union forces dug in around a small college. There was a minor action at Boonville, Missouri, but no indication that Fremont and his commanders were doing much to relieve Mulligan at Lexington. The main action at Cheat Mountain, western Virginia, came to an end. President Davis wrote Gov Letcher of Virginia protesting the governor’s allegation of lack of security for the state. Colonel Benjamin L. Beall, 1st US Dragoons, USA, assumes command of the District of Oregon.

U.S.S. Susquehanna, commanded by Captain John S. Chauncey, captured blockade running British schooner Argonaut, with cargo of fish, bound from Nova Scotia to Key West. C.S.S. Patrick Henry, under Commander John R. Tucker, exchanged fire with U.S.S. Savannah, commanded by Captain Hull, and U.S.S. Louisiana, commanded by Lieutenant Alexander Murray, off Newport News; shot on both sides fell short.

_________________
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

September 14, 1861 Saturday
President Davis rejected a complaint by Gen Joseph E. Johnston about the ranking of Confederate generals, one of the most galling incidents in a long series that led to the estrangement of the President and his general. There was a skirmish at Old Randolph, Missouri.

President Lincoln consults with Sec. Cameron and they decide to ask Gen. Fremont to send 5,000 well-armed infantry to Washington. Lincoln writes to Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase on behalf of an old friend. Lincoln explains, "Mr. Thomas Alsop is my personal acquaintance of near twenty years standing, and one of the truest men I ever knew. He is needy now; and if you can at once, or in a reasonable time, find a clerkship for him, I shall be greatly obliged to you."

Colonel George Wright, 9th U.S. Infantry, USA, is assigned command of all Federal troops serving in southern California. The following appointments are made to Brigadier General: Simon Bolivar Buckner, CSA; and Edward Otho Cresap Ord, USA.

In the early morning darkness sailors and Marines from U.S.S. Colorado, rowing in to Pensacola Harbor, boarded and burned Confederate privateering schooner Judah, and spiked guns at Pensacola Navy Yard. U.S.S. Albatross, under Commander Prentiss, captured schooner Alabama near the mouth of the Potomac 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

September 15, 1861 Sunday
President Lincoln and the Cabinet met again to discuss possible removal of Gen Fremont, who was a sore problem to the Federal President at this time but decides to await report of emissaries examining case.. The President also defended his government’s action in arresting, without charges, allegedly disloyal citizens of Maryland. There was a light skirmish at Pritchard’s Mill, Virginia, near Antietam Ford, Maryland ( http://www.wvculture.org/history/sesqui ... 10915.html ). Gen Albert Sydney Johnston assumed command of the Confederate armies in the West, superseding Maj Gen Polk. In Missouri the uproar against Gen Fremont was heightened when he had colonel-politician Frank Blair arrested.

_________________
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

September 16, 1861 Monday
At Lexington, Missouri, Maj Gen Price began his major push against the besieged Federal forces under Col Mulligan. Confederates, on the other hand, evacuated Ship Island, Mississippi not far from the mouth of the Mississippi and a few hours later it was occupied by Federal troops in small numbers. There was skirmishing opposite Seneca Creek, Maryland, in Virginia; at Magruder’s Ferry, Virginia; and at Princeton, western Virginia. The following appointments were made to Brigadier General: William Nelson, USA; and Horatio Gouverneur Wright, USA.

Ironclad Board reported to Secretary of the Navy Welles: "For river and harbor service we consider iron-clad vessels of light draught, or floating batteries thus shielded, as very important . . . Armored ships or batteries may be employed advantageously to pass fortifications on land for ulterior objects of attack, to run a blockade, or to reduce temporary batteries on the shores of rivers and the approaches to our harbors." The Board recommended construction of three ironclads (Monitor, Galena, and New Ironsides). These ships, and those that followed, revolutionized naval warfare.

U.S.S. Conestoga, commanded by Lieutenant S. L. Phelps, captured Confederate steamers V. R. Stephenson and Gazelle on Cumberland River, Kentucky.

Landing party from U.S.S. Pawnee, under Commander Rowan, destroyed guns and fortifications on Beacon Island, closing Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina. Admiral D. D. Porter later wrote: "The closing of these inlets [Hatteras and Ocracoke] to the Sounds of North Carolina sent the blockade runners elsewhere to find entrance to Southern markets, but as channel after channel was closed the smugglers, chance diminished . . ."

_________________
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

September 17, 1861 Tuesday
The legislature of Maryland decided not to assemble at Frederick after the arrest of a number of its members. Federals completed the seizure of Ship Island, Mississippi, soon to be used as a base to prepare for further operations along the Gulf Coast. There was fighting at Blue Mills Landing, Missouri ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Liberty and http://timelines.com/1861/9/17/battle-of-liberty ). Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina was closed to blockade-runners by the destruction of Confederate fortifications by the Federal Navy. Skirmishing occurred near Harper’s Ferry, western Virginia and near Point of Rocks, Maryland. Brigadier General Benjamin Mayberry Prentiss, USA, is assigned command along and north of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad line, in Missouri. Leroy Pope Walker, CSA, was appointed to Brigadier General. Judah P. Benjamin succeeds Leroy P. Walker as the Confederate Secretary of War, and Thomas Bragg replaces Judah P. Benjamin as Confederate Attorney General.

_________________
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

September 18, 1861 Wednesday
Confederate forces occupied Bowling Green, Kentucky with Brig Gen Simon Bolivar Buckner in command of the Central Division of Kentucky. Confederate Brig Gen Paul O. Hebert assumed command of the Department of Texas, and for the Federals Capt S.F. Du Pont took over the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Mr Lincoln’s Cabinet met to hear reports of Gen. Meigs and Postmaster Gen. Blair who had investigated Fremont’s Western command. Lincoln also informed Navy Sec Welles that the contemplated expedition of the Army and Navy to the Southern coastline should be ready to move early in October. The Louisville, Kentucky Courier was banned from the mails because of hostility to the Federal government. William Thomas Ward, USA, was appointed to Brigadier General. U.S.S. Rescue, commanded by Master Edward L. Haines, captured Confederate schooner Harford with cargo of wheat and tobacco on the Potomac River. The state of North Carolina authorized the issuance of currency ( http://www.rebelstatescurrency.com/north_carolina.html ).

_________________
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

September 19, 1861 Thursday
Fighting intensified at Lexington, Missouri and it became obvious that the Federals would soon have to surrender to Price’s Missourians unless relieved. Confederate forces under Brig Gen Felix K. Zollicoffer advanced from east Tennessee and dispersed Kentucky Federal troops at Barboursville, Kentucky ( http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/abpp/battles/ky001.htm ). This action completed the setting up of the three strong points of the Confederate western defense line: Columbus, Kentucky; Bowling Green, Kentucky; and the area around Cumberland Gap. The Union government also authorized the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron to operate to the southern boundary of North Carolina under the command of Capt L.M. Goldsborough, while the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron operated south of it under S.F. Du Pont. The offices of the Louisville, Kentucky Courier were seized and several arrests made by Federal authorities. Mrs. Lincoln has a few friends, including Gen. and Mrs. Samuel P. Heintzelman, at White House for evening party. John Blair Smith Todd, USA, was appointed to Brigadier General. The following promotions were made to Major General: Gustavus Woodson Smith, CSA; and Earl Van Dorn, CSA. U.S.S. Gemsbok, commanded by Acting Master Edward Cavendy, captured blockade running schooner Harmony, en route from Nova Scotia to Ocracoke, North Carolina. The Federal Department of Western Virginia is constituted. The Federal Department of the Ohio is reorganized.

_________________
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

September 20, 1861 Friday
Col James Mulligan, after a heartbreaking defense of his hilltop position at Lexington, surrendered his force of about 3600 Federal troops to Gen Sterling Price’s Missourians, numbering about 18,000. During the nine days of siege and fighting Price lost 25 killed and 72 wounded, while the Federals had 39 killed and 120 wounded. The later stages of the siege were made famous by the effective Confederate use of dampened hemp bales as breastworks, which they pushed ahead of them as they assaulted the Federal post. Mulligan had rightfully expected Fremont to send aid from St Louis or from Pope at Jefferson City via the Missouri River; but none came, leading to new charges against Fremont of dereliction of duty. Barren of important strategic results, the siege of Lexington was a showy victory for the pro-secessionist Missourians, although they soon retreated and many of the soldiers dropped off at village and farm en route south toward Arkansas.

There was a brief skirmish in Virginia opposite Seneca Creek, Maryland. Confederate forces evacuated Mayfield, Kentucky.

The Maryland political prisoners were sent to Fort Lafayette in New York by Federal authorities. Brig Gen Robert Anderson, hero of Fort Sumter, in command at Cincinnati, was authorized to organize Union forces in Kentucky and establish headquarters at Louisville. Sept 20 thru Oct 7 there were operations by Federal troops against Indians from Camp Robledo, New Mexico Territory.

_________________
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

September 21, 1861 Saturday
General R.E. Lee was in immediate command of Confederate forces in the Kanawha Valley of western Virginia around Big Sewell Mountain, where he was preparing to oppose Rosecrans’ main forces ( http://www.wvculture.org/history/sesqui ... 10923.html ). General Albert Sidney Johnston called upon Tennessee for 30,000 men, and Major General Polk was assigned to the Western Division of Johnston’s department. For the Federals Brigadier General O.M. Mitchel assumed command of the Department of the Ohio. President Lincoln investigates charge of disloyalty against Isaac S. Miller, government employee, and recommends that he retain his job at the Arsenal. Boat under Midshipman Edward A. Walker from U.S.S. Seminole, under Commander Gillis, captured sloop Maryland on the Potomac River. Albert Gallatin Blanchard, CSA, is appointed to Brigadier General; and Edward Dickinson Baker, USA, is appointed to Major General.

_________________
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

September 22, 1861 Sunday
President Lincoln, writing to a friend (Sen. Browning (Ill.)), said Fremont’s proclamation “as to confiscation of property, and the liberation of slaves, is purely political, and not within the range of military law, or necessity.” President Lincoln receives a telegram from Gov. Morton (Ind.) and forwards it to Gen Fremont: "Owensboro, 40 miles above Evansville, in possession of secessionists. Green river is navigable. Owensboro, must be seized. We want a gunboat sent up from Paducah for that purpose." The Confederate government called upon Arkansas and Mississippi for 10,000 men each for service in the West.

Federals carried out a reconnaissance from Cairo, Illinois toward Columbus, Kentucky with a skirmish at Mayfield Creek. Federal jayhawker James Henry Lane of Kansas and his men, who had been committing numerous depredations on the Kansas-Missouri border (as had their Confederate counterparts), raided, looted, and burned the town of Osceola, Missouri. James H. Lane and his Kansas Brigade entered the town of Osceola. The townspeople were pro-Southern and when Lane discovered that there were military supplies and munitions in the local warehouses, this gave him a reason to destroy the town. Lane gathered up some wagons and loaded up as much supplies as he could carry. Nine citizens were court-martialed and shot, and then all but 3 buildings were set on fire, including the courthouse. Lane's force left town with 350 horses and mules and 200 slaves. The town ceased to exist with $1,000,000 worth of property stolen or destroyed. This was another incident in the cruel, irrational infighting in western Missouri and eastern Kansas, where no man knew where his neighbor stood and wasn’t always sure about himself ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacking_of_Osceola ). U.S.S. Gemsbok, commanded by Acting Master Cavendy, captured schooner Mary E. Pindar off Federal Point, North Carolina, attempting to run the blockade with cargo of lime. Flag Officer McKean assumed command of the Gulf Blockading Squadron.

_________________
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

September 23, 1861 Monday
Federal troops descended upon Romney, western Virginia, Sept 23-25 with affairs at Mechanicsburg Gap and Hanging Rock Pass. There was also fighting at Cassville, western Virginia and Albany, Kentucky. In St Louis Fremont closed the Evening News and arrested the editor for criticizing the conduct of the Lexington siege. At the same time in Washington Lincoln was discussing with Sec of State Seward the problem of Fremont himself. U.S.S. Lexington, under Commander Stembel, proceeded to Owensboro, Kentucky, "'for the purpose of keeping the Ohio River open" and in order to protect Union interests in the area. Such expeditions deep into territory with Confederate sympathies were fundamental in containing Southern advances in the border states. U.S.S. Cambridge, under Commander W. A. Parker, captured British schooner Julia bound for Beaufort, North Carolina. Flag Officer L. M. Goldsborough assumed command of North Atlantic Blockading Squadron including operations in the Chesapeake. The following appointments were made to Brigadier General: Gabriel James Rains, CSA; John Gross Barnard, USA; Winfield Scott Hancock, USA; John Newton, USA; Innis Newton Palmer, USA; Stewart Van Vliet, USA; and Seth Williams, 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