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PostPosted: Sun Oct 23, 2011 6:30 pm 
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October 24, 1861 Thursday
Given impetus by the war, work on the first transcontinental telegraph was completed by Western Union. Though often to be broken by wind, weather, buffalo, and Indians, it represented a gigantic step forward in communications. The new segment of the line ran from Denver to Sacramento across the high mountains, linking earlier completed lines. http://www.ieeeghn.org/wiki/index.php/M ... ph%2C_1861 and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Tran ... _Telegraph

The people of western Virginia voted overwhelmingly in favor of forming a new state by ratifying the action of the Wheeling Convention. There was an attack by Confederates on Camp Joe Underwood, Kentucky.

President Lincoln wrote Brig Gen S.R. Curtis that he should deliver enclosed orders to Maj Gen Fremont and Gen David Hunter in the West. The orders, culmination of a long problem, relieved Fremont from command of the Western Department and put Maj Gen Hunter temporarily in his place. However, Curtis was not to deliver the orders if Fremont had fought and won a battle or should “be in the immediate presence of the enemy, in expectation of a battle.” Writes Gen Hunter: "The command of the Department of the West having devolved upon you, I propose to offer you a few suggestions . . . give up the pursuit [of Gen Sterling Price (CSA)], halt your main army, divide it into two corps of observation, one occupying Sedalia, and the other Rolla . . . then recruit the condition of both corps." This same day the President attended the funeral of Col and Sen Baker in Washington. Previously, Baker had practiced law in Springfield, Illinois where he became acquainted with Lincoln.

President Davis expressed his worries over the enemy’s plans in northern Virginia, the force gathering for coastal invasion, a possible attack at Yorktown, Virginia, and a descent on North Carolina, adding, “Oh, that we had plenty of arms and a short time to raise the men to use them!”

The Knoxville, Tennessee Whig of pro-unionist Parson William Brownlow was forced by Confederates to suspend publication and Brownlow was charged with treason, one of the few instances of Southern press suppression.

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PostPosted: Mon Oct 24, 2011 7:54 pm 
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October 25, 1861 Friday
With a cry of “Fremont and the Union” the cavalry of Fremont under Maj Charles Zagonyi charged into Springfield, Missouri routing a small Confederate force. It was a relatively minor affair, but was blown up by Fremont partisans into a full-scale battle ( http://www.nps.gov/hps/abpp/battles/mo008.htm ). Fremont now occupied Springfield, but was far from halting Price’s retreat from Lexington or bringing him to battle. Fremont had intimations that his days were numbered and allegedly made arrangements to prevent anyone trying to relieve him from reaching his camp. A Federal force under Brig Gen Kelley left New Creek, western Virginia in a drive on Romney.

But most important, and unheralded, at Greenpoint, Long Island, the keel of the ironclad U.S.S. Monitor was laid. President Davis continued to have difficulty with ambitious commanders, including Beauregard, who did not receive the commissions or commands they expected.

Flag Officer Du Pont wrote Assistant Secretary of the Navy Fox of the continuing importance of amphibious training: "'Landing a brigade today to exercise Ferry boats and Surf boats--reaping immense advantages from the experiment by seeing the defects." U.S.S. Rhode Island, commanded by Lieutenant Stephen D. Trenchard, captured schooner Aristides off Charlotte Harbor, Florida.

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Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
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PostPosted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 7:55 pm 
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October 26, 1861 Saturday
Federal troops under Brig Gen Kelley took Romney, an important post in the northern part of western Virginia, with small losses. There was also action at South Branch Bridge and Springfield, western Virginia. The Federal converted gunboat U.S.S. Conestoga carried Union troops up the Cumberland River for a successful attack on Confederate cavalry at Saratoga, Kentucky. With John Hay, President Lincoln visits Gen McClellan's headquarters to converse about "Jacobin Club." C.S.S. Nashville, commanded by Lieutenant Pegram, ran the blockade out of Charleston. William Henry Carroll, CSA, is appointed to Brigadier General. Brig Gen Alexander Robert Lawson, CSA, is assigned command of the Department of Georgia. Col George Wright, 9th US Infantry, USA, assumes command of the Department of the Pacific.

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Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
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PostPosted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 7:10 pm 
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October 27, 1861 Sunday
There was a skirmish at Spring Hill, Missouri. Gen Fremont stated at Springfield, Missouri, he was going to pursue and fight Confederate Gen Price, who was believed to be advancing on Springfield from the southwest. Actually, Price was moving daily farther from the area and had no plans to attack Fremont at this time. A boat expedition from U.S.S. Louisiana led by Lieutenant Alfred Hopkins surprised and burned three Confederate vessels at Chincoteague Inlet, Virginia ( http://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/38100 ). U.S.S. Santee, commanded by Captain Eagle, captured brig Delta off Galveston. C.S.S. Sumter, under Commander Semmes, captured and burned American schooner Trowbridge in the Atlantic after removing a five months' supply of provisions.

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Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 9:04 pm 
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October 28, 1861 Monday
Confederate Gen Albert Sidney Johnston assumed immediate command of the Army of Central Kentucky at Bowling Green relieving Brig Gen Simon Bolivar Buckner. There was a skirmish near Budd’s Ferry, Maryland on the Potomac; another at Laurel Bridge in Laurel County, Kentucky; and a Federal scout to Fulton, Missouri. A pro-secessionist was ridden out of Baintree, Massachusetts on a rail. The Cherokee Nation officially aligned itself with the Confederacy ( http://www.cherokee.org/AboutTheNation/ ... ation.aspx ).

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Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 7:22 pm 
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October 29, 1861 Tuesday
The huge combined land and sea expedition, under Brig Gen Thomas W. Sherman and Flag Officer Samuel F. Du Pont, left Hampton Roads, Virginia for the Carolina coast and Port Royal, north of Savannah, Georgia. Port Royal Sound, about equi-distant from Savannah and Charleston, was of recognized importance, and one of the first locations fortified by the Confederates against the entrance of Union ships. There were 77 vessels and about 12,000 to 16,000 troops. The expedition, the largest ever assembled by the United States, soon encountered heavy gales off Cape Hatteras, suffering severely. There were skirmishes at and near Woodbury, Kentucky.

President Lincoln and Gen McClellan again discussed military plans for the Army of the Potomac as they did so often during this fall of organization but offensive inactivity. In England pro-Union and pro-Confederate meetings were held, with considerable speechmaking by both sides. Lack of supplies and manpower were reported to be hurting both armies in western Virginia. Hugh Weedon Mercer, CSA, was appointed to Brigadier General.

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Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 8:10 pm 
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October 30, 1861 Wednesday
President Davis took Gen Beauregard to task for permitting portions of his controversial report on the Battle of Manassas to be printed in the newspapers and saying that “it seemed to be an attempt to exalt yourself at my expense.” http://jeffersondavis.rice.edu/Content.aspx?id=91

"Believing there is no law conferring the power upon me to appoint" chaplains at hospitals, President Lincoln thinks fit to write Rev. F. M. Magrath, "that if you will voluntarily enter upon, and perform the appropriate duties of such position, I will recommend that Congress make compensation therefor at the same rate as Chaplains in the army are compensated."

Confederate privateer Sallie captured American brig B. K. Eaton. Confederate forces sank stone-filled barges to obstruct Cumberland River near Fort Donelson, Tennessee, against the advance of Union gunboats. Humphrey Marshall, CSA, was appointed to Brigadier General.

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Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
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PostPosted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 5:29 pm 
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October 31, 1861 Thursday
A remnant of the Missouri legislature voted the state out of the Union and into the Confederacy at Neosho, which in effect created Missouri as a state in both nations ( http://www.csawardept.com/documents/sec ... index.html ). There was also skirmishing at Greenbrier and Cotton Hill, western Virginia and near Morgantown, Kentucky.

President Lincoln received a formal request from General-in-Chief Winfield Scott to retire from his post ( http://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/38138 ). The elderly Scott was unable to cope with the heavy duties of office and had been pressed by the young and ambitious McClellan, who believed his superior unfit to command.

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Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 10:03 pm 
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November 1, 1861 Friday
Youthful, self-contained, supposedly vigorous Maj Gen George Brinton McClellan succeeded aged, obese, ailing 75 year old Lt Gen Winfield Scott. The old man was stepping down voluntarily but under pressure after one of the most illustrious and lengthy careers in American military life. The Civil War was too new, too young, too immense. And furthermore, another man wanted the job. Scott realized he must go, but evidence shows he would have preferred another to the ardent 34 year old general who had been complaining about him publicly and privately for months. As Scott made his lonely trip to retirement at West Point, there was general approval that a younger man who promised so much would be at the helm as General-in-Chief. True, the fall was flitting past with little or no action, but the Army looked grand. President Lincoln and his Cabinet paid a farewell visit to the fading commander. http://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/38139

The 77 ships of the Port Royal expedition were swept by a violent storm off always dangerous Cape Hatteras on their way to South Carolina from Fort Monroe. Scattered, damaged, a transport sunk, the ships endeavored to reach their rendezvous after captains opened sealed orders prepared for such an emergency (i.e. getting separated from the fleet). U.S.S. Sabine, commanded by Captain Cadwalader Ringgold, rescued Major John G. Reynolds and a battalion of U.S. Marines under his command from U.S. transport Governor, unit of the Port Royal Sound Expedition, sinking off Georgetown, South Carolina. British steamer Bermuda ran the blockade at Charleston with 2000 bales of cotton.


There was a skirmish with Indians on the Peosi River of Texas; three days of fighting near Gauley Bridge and Cotton Hill, western Virginia. From Rolla Missouri a Federal cavalry force operated against guerrillas. Gen Fremont at Springfield signed an agreement with commissioners from Confederate Gen Price regarding exchange of prisoners and released those arrested “for mere expression of political opinions.” This agreement was soon abrogated by President Lincoln, as it went beyond local military authority. George Washington Cullum, USA, was appointed to Brigadier General.

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Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 11:29 pm 
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November 2, 1861 Saturday
The career of flamboyant, effervescent, ineffective Maj Gen John C. Fremont in the Western Department came to an end when a messenger (Capt. McKinney (Thomas J. McKenny?)) penetrated Fremont’s guards at Springfield, Missouri and handed him the orders placing Maj Gen David Hunter temporarily in command of the department. Fremont complained he should not be relieved as he was about to fight the nearby enemy at the old field of Wilson’s Creek. But Price and his Confederates were more than 60 miles away. An instant uproar rose from some of Fremont’s notorious staff, the army, and a portion of the populace in St Louis. There were rumors of actual revolt and supposedly there were those who desired Fremont to “set up for himself” his own nation in the West. This never got beyond the talking stage, however, and the disturbance caused by Fremont’s removal soon died down ( http://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/38143 ).

Meanwhile, southeastern Missouri continued to be roiled from operations of Gen Jeff Thompson’s pro-Confederates. Federal troops Nov 2-12 carried out operations against them from Bird’s Point, Cape Girardeau, and Ironton, Missouri. Confederate newspapers warned citizens of the impending invasion of the south Atlantic coast. Gov Isham G. Harris of Tennessee called for citizens to furnish shotguns and other arms for troops now gathering. John Cabell Breckenridge, CSA, was appointed to Brigadier General.

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Gen Ned Simms
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Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
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PostPosted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 8:13 pm 
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November 3, 1861 Sunday
Maj Gen David Hunter took over active command of the Western Department from Fremont at Springfield, Missouri. President Davis wrote Gen J.E. Johnston of his concern over what he called the false reports that Davis prevented Gen Beauregard from following the enemy after Manassas. He asked for Johnston’s support. http://www.familytales.org/dbDisplay.ph ... person=jed

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Gen Ned Simms
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Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
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PostPosted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 8:49 pm 
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November 4, 1861 Monday
Maj Gen Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson assumed command of his new Shenandoah Valley District, soon to be the scene of his greatest exploits. Davis, angered by his quarrel with Beauregard, wrote Genls Cooper and Lee for information in regard to rumors that the President had rejected plans “for vigorous movements against the enemy.” North of Savannah the U.S. Coast Survey Ship Vixen entered Port Royal Sound to sound the channel escorted by U.S.S. Ottawa and Seneca. The Confederate naval squadron under Commodore Tattnall took the Union ships under fire as the main Federal fleet assembled outside the sound. In Maryland, Federal Maj Gen John Adams Dix, USA, directs that negroes not be allowed to come within certain military lines.

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Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 04, 2011 8:27 pm 
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November 5, 1861 Tuesday
Gen Robert E. Lee was named commander of the new Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and East Florida by the Confederate government. Although his reputation was a bit tarnished by the fruitless campaigning in western Virginia, he still maintained an influence with the people of the South. Federal forces under Brig Gen William Nelson occupied Prestonburg, Kentucky. U.S.S. Ottawa, Pembina, Seneca, and Pawnee engaged and dispersed small Confederate squadron in Port Royal Sound, plus fired on Fort Beauregard and Fort Walker. The small, weak Confederate flotilla in Port Royal Sound, South Carolina was forced up into the inland streams. Gen Halleck arrives in Washington and goes to White House with Gen McClellan to meet President Lincoln and his Cabinet.

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Gen Ned Simms
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Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
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PostPosted: Sun Nov 06, 2011 1:34 am 
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November 6, 1861 Wednesday
Voters of the Confederate States of America went to the polls to select their President and Vice-President under their “permanent” government. Chosen without opposition for a 6 year term was Jefferson Davis and Alexander Stephens, who up to now had been Provisional President and Vice President officially. Members to the first regular Confederate Congress were also selected. As yet there was only one political party – the Democratic – although within it there were various factions arising.

U.S.S. Rescue, commanded by Lieutenant William Gwin, captured and burned schooner Ada hard aground in Corrotoman Creek, Virginia. Captain Purviance, commander of U.S.S. St. Lawrence, reported capture of British schooner Fanny Lee, running the blockade at Darien, Georgia, with cargo of rice and tobacco.

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Gen Ned Simms
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Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
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PostPosted: Sun Nov 06, 2011 11:13 pm 
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November 7, 1861 Thursday
Hundreds of miles apart, two noteworthy military events of the fall broke upon the citizens of the warring nations. At one an important base was won for the Federals; at the other a Northern general received a course in offensive action. Flag Officer Du Pont led his powerful Federal naval squadron into Port Royal Sound, steaming straight in between Forts Beauregard and Walker ( http://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/32963 ). The Confederate flotilla of 4 small vessels could do little to oppose them but did rescue troops by ferrying them to the mainland from Hilton Head. Circling slowly, the fleet pounded the earthworks of Fort Walker on Hilton Head Island and then of Fort Beauregard to the north. Outgunned Confederate defenders were forced to flee the forts and withdraw inland to form a new line of defense. Casualties were light with 11 Confederates killed, 48 wounded, 3 captured, and 4 missing. For the Federals, there were 8 killed, 6 seriously wounded, and 17 slightly wounded. No major damage was done to the Federal vessels. Quickly Marines and sailors were landed to occupy the forts until turned over to Army troops under Thomas W. Sherman whose 12,000 men began their occupation of the Hilton Head–Port Royal area. The Union now had a toe hold in Confederate territory, between Savannah and Charleston. Although they did not exploit it sufficiently on land, it remained a threat throughout the war and, most importantly, furnished a base for the coaling and supplying of blockaders. Port Royal represented a valuable enclave carved in Confederate soil and its menace could never be forgotten by Confederate commanders. Later it also became a center for Negro refugees. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Port_Royal

Early the same morning far to the west, another naval flotilla carried troops down the Mississippi from Cairo, Illinois. Two wooden converted gunboats escorted other boats carrying a little over 3,000 troops under command of Brig Gen Ulysses S. Grant. Landing on the Missouri shore north of the hamlet of Belmont opposite the bluffs of Columbus, Kentucky heavily defended by Confederate guns, Grant’s men advanced swiftly to Belmont, capturing it and driving the defenders to cover. Responding with haste, reinforcements from Maj Gen Leonidas Polk’s command crossed the Mississippi, and soon forced Grant’s men to retreat. Withdrawing hurriedly while grape, canister, and shell from the gunboats scattered the Confederates, enabling Union troops to re-embark on their transports. The “battle” was really a large raid or reconnaissance. A cooperating demonstration, from Paducah toward Columbus, as a diversion had little effect. Federal losses were put at 120 killed, 383 wounded, and 104 captured or missing for 607 out of some 3,000. Confederate losses were 105 killed, 419 wounded, and 117 missing for 641 out of about 5,000 men put across the river. Aside from the casualties nothing of strategic value to either side had been gained. Grant had tested Columbus although he knew its strength anyway and had no intention of attacking it. But there was the intangible result of a Union commander getting a schooling in war in the field without being placed in a major battle before his ripening; such was the legacy of Belmont to Grant and to the Federal cause. http://www.factasy.com/civil_war/node/2147 and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Belmont

In Missouri Maj Gen Hunter repudiated the agreement of Fremont and Price in regard to political prisoners.

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


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