American Civil War Game Club (ACWGC)

September 24, 1861 Tuesday
President Lincoln, General McClellan, other officers, department heads, foreign dignitaries, and others reviewed artillery and cavalry near Washington. There was a slight skirmish at Point of Rocks, Maryland. U.S.S. Dart, commanded by Acting Master William M. Wheeler, captured Confederate schooner Cecelia off Louisiana, thereafter fitted out as Union cruiser by U.S.S. Huntsville, under Commander Cicero Price. James Ewell Brown (JEB) Stuart, CSA, 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 25, 1861 Wednesday
Smithland, Kentucky at the mouth of the Cumberland River and not far from Paducah, was occupied by Federal troops. There was fighting near Lewinsville, Virginia; Canada Alamosa, New Mexico Territory; near Chapmansville, western Virginia; and at Kanawha Gap, western Virginia as the forces of Lee and Rosecrans felt each other out in the Kanawha Valley. Confederate Brig Gen Henry A. Wise was relieved from command in western Virginia after long, confusing, and acrimonious arguments with his superior, Gen Floyd. President Davis continued to dispute with Gen J.E. Johnston over reinforcements, supplies, strategy, and policy in general. Until Oct 5 a Federal expedition ranged from San Bernardino to Temecula Ranch and Oak Grove, California. By now the Confederate commerce raider Sumter was operating off South America’s east coast. C.S.S. Sumter, under Commander Semmes, captured American ship Joseph Park off northeast coast of South America; three days later burned her at sea. U.S.S. Jacob Bell, commanded by Lieutenant Edward P. McCrea, and U.S.S. Seminole, commanded by Lieutenant Charles S. Norton, engaged Confederate battery at Freestone Point, Virginia.

Secretary of the Navy Welles instructed Flag Officer Du Pont, commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron: "The Department finds it necessary to adopt a regulation with respect to the large and increasing number of persons of color, commonly known as 'contrabands,' now subsisted at the navy yards and on board ships-of-war. These can neither be expelled from the service, to which they have resorted, nor can they be maintained unemployed, and it is not proper that they should be compelled to render necessary and regular services without compensation. You are therefore authorized, when their services can be made useful, to enlist them for the naval service, under the same forms and regulations as apply to other enlistments. They will be allowed, however, no higher rating than 'boys,' at a compensation of ten dollars per month and one ration per day."

Thomas Fenwick Drayton, CSA and Lafayette McLaws, CSA, were appointed to Brigadier General. Colonel George, 9th U.S. Infantry, USA, is assigned command of the newly created District of Southern California, consisting of the counties of Buena Vista, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, and Tulare. Major General Gustavus Woodson Smith, CSA, is assigned command of the 2nd Army Corps, the Army of Northern Virginia.

_________________
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 26, 1861 Thursday
It was a day of “humiliation, prayer and fasting” in the North. At telegraph office President Lincoln jokes with employees: "Gentlemen, this is a fast day and I am pleased to observe that you are working as fast as you can." But the fighting went on anyway with skirmishing near Fort Thorn, New Mexico Territory; at Hunter’s Farm near Belmont, Missouri; and at the mouth of the Muddy River in Kentucky. A Federal expedition went out Sept 26-30 from Cumberland Ford, with light skirmishing, in Laurel County, Kentucky.

_________________
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 27, 1861 Friday
General McClellan met with President Lincoln and the Cabinet and held a rather heated discussion over military policy as there were increasing cries for action by the Federal forces in Virginia. A skirmish near Norfolk, Missouri was the only fighting of even moderate note.

_________________
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 28, 1861 Saturday
Confederate forces evacuated Munson’s Hill, Virginia near Alexandria, after a brief affair near Vanderburgh’s House today and on the 29th. U.S.S. Susquehanna, commanded by Captain Chauncey, captured Confederate schooner San Juan, bound for Elizabeth City, North Carolina, with cargo of salt, sugar, and gin. Edward Denison Morgan, USA, was appointed to Major General; and the following appointments were made to Brigadier General: Thomas Carmichael Hindman, CSA; John Milton Brannan, USA; William Thomas Harbaugh Brooks, USA; William Wallace Burns, USA; William Henry French, USA; John Porter Hatch, USA; Randolph Barnes Narcy, USA; Isaac Ingalls Stevens, USA; David Sloane Stanley, USA; William Kerley Strong, USA; George Sykes, USA; Thomas Williams, USA; and George Wright, 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

September 29, 1861 Sunday
President Lincoln told a complaining Governor Oliver P. Morton of Indiana, “As to Kentucky, you do not estimate that state as more important than I do; but I am compelled to watch all points.” President Lincoln receives letter written by Colonel Blair to Adjutant General Thomas containing charges against official conduct of General Fremont. There was skirmishing at Albany and Hopkinsville, Kentucky; Travisville, Tennessee; and Berlin, Maryland. Brigadier General Daniel H. Hill of the Confederate Army was ordered to North Carolina as it was feared there would be further Federal action there. U.S.S. Susquehanna, commanded by Captain Chauncey, captured schooner Baltimore off Hatteras Inlet.

_________________
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 30, 1861 Monday
The month came to a quiet end, but it was clear that there was considerably more war to be fought on both sides. President Lincoln was concerned with Fremont in Missouri, stabilizing the situation in Kentucky, and the rising impatience over inaction in Virginia. In western Virginia rains and the rough country impeded operations in the struggle for control of the pro-Union area. The Confederacy was fighting to establish a strong front in Kentucky, was apprehensive over the ever increasing Federal army along the Potomac, and had to watch threatened spots on all its boundaries, including 3500 miles of seacoast. U.S.S. Dart, commanded by Acting Master Wheeler, captured schooner Zavalla off Vermillion Bay, Louisiana. U.S.S. Niagara, commanded by Captain John Pope, captured pilot boat Frolic at South West Pass of the Mississippi River. Cecelia, prize and tender to U.S.S. Huntsville, under Commander Price, captured blockade running schooner Ranchero west of Vermillion Bay. Adley Hogan Gladden, CSA, and Albin Francisco Schoepf, USA, were 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

October 1, 1861 Tuesday
President Davis, Generals Joseph E. Johnston, Beauregard, and G.W. Smith held a conference on grand strategy at Centreville, Virginia; early in the month. The main topic was the future of the army in Virginia and what it should or should not do. Recognizing the cry of the populace for an offensive, it was finally decided that the Confederate Army could not be reinforced and supplied sufficiently to invade the North and would have to await Union attack and the distant spring. While the generals advised concentration in Virginia, it was recognized that politically, as well as militarily, the Confederacy had to defend numerous points on its vast frontier.

Confederate naval forces, including C.S.S. Curlew, Raleigh, and Junaluska, under flag Officer William F. Lynch, CSN, captured steamer Fanny (later C.S.S. Fanny) in Pamlico Sound with 31 Union troops on board. Colonel Claiborne Snead, CSA, reported: "The victory was important in more respects than one. It was our first naval success in North Carolina and the first capture made by our arms of an armed war-vessel of the enemy, and dispelled the gloom of recent disasters. The property captured [two rifled guns and large amount of army stores] was considerable, much needed, and highly esteemed . . ."

Secretary Welles, in a letter to Secretary Seward, opposed issuing letters of marque because it would be "a recognition of the assumption of the insurgents that they are a distinct and independent nationality."
The Federal War Department created the Department of New England under command of Major General Benjamin F. Butler, which was mainly a mechanism for recruiting troops to be used in future expeditions; in this case it turned out to be the New Orleans campaign force.

President Lincoln wrote a memo ( http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/te ... ln4%3A1034 ) calling for a movement into east Tennessee and toward Cumberland Gap, with particular attention to the railroad connecting Virginia and Tennessee. He also asked for an expedition on the east coast which became the Port Royal operation of November. Meanwhile, the Federal Cabinet met with Generals Scott and McClellan. President Lincoln is reading Moncure D. Conway's book, "The Rejected Stone: or Insurrection vs. Resurrection in America," sent to him by Sen. Sumner (Mass.).

The following appointments were made to Brigadier General: John Gray Foster, USA; James Scott Negley, USA; Lovell Harrison Rousseau, USA; and Nelancthon Smith Wade, 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

October 2, 1861 Wednesday
There was a brief skirmish at Springfield Station, Virginia; in Missouri Federals from Bird’s Point near Cairo, Illinois broke up a Confederate camp at Charleston. The Confederate government made a peace treaty with the Great Osage Indian tribe. Governor A.B. Moore of Alabama issued a proclamation against tradesmen charging exorbitant prices for necessities of life. President Lincoln sympathizes with Abd ul Aziz Khan, Padischah of Empire of Ottoman Family, on the death of his brother and congratulates him on accession to the throne. At noon he attends the military funeral of General George Gibson ( http://www.congressionalcemetery.org/ma ... e-c-gibson ). In conversation with John G. Nicolay, President Lincoln refers to despair of Sec. Chase, unpopularity of Sec. Cameron, military and financial confusion in West.

_________________
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

October 3, 1861 Thursday
Federal troops from Cheat Mountain in western Virginia made a reconnaissance to the Greenbrier River and retired after an engagement ( http://americancivilwar.com/statepic/wv/wv007.html and http://www.wvculture.org/history/sesqui ... 11003.html ). Other Federal troops occupied Pohick Church area, Virginia; and there was a skirmish at Springfield Station, Virginia. Governor Thomas O. Moore of Louisiana issued a proclamation banning the sending of cotton to New Orleans “during the existence of the blockade.” This was part of the plan to withhold cotton from Europe, to add weight to the cause for recognition of the Confederacy. President Lincoln orders Uintah Valley in Utah set apart as Indian reservation. Captain Eagle, commanding U.S.S. Santee, reported return of U.S.S. Sam Houston to Galveston with schooner Reindeer, captured off San Luis Pass, Texas. The schooner, deemed worthless, was sunk.

_________________
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

October 4, 1861 Friday
Confederates attacked an Indiana regiment at Chicamacomico, North Carolina near Hatteras Inlet. There was also skirmishing near Edward’s Ferry, Maryland and Buffalo Hill, Kentucky. U.S.S. South Carolina, under Commander Alden, captured Confederate schooners Ezilda and Joseph H. Toone off South West Pass of the Mississippi River with four to five thousand stand of arms. Brigadier General George Wright, 9th US Infantry, USA, assumes command of the District of Southern California.

President Lincoln watched a balloon ascension, conferred with officials on Fremont’s Department of the West, and approved a contract for 3 iron-clad warships (one of which would be the Monitor) to be built by John Ericsson of New York. The Confederate government signed treaties with the Shawnee and Seneca Indians, and (signed today but effective on Oct 7) with the Cherokees. President Lincoln signs proclamation relative to treaty made with Delaware Indians at Leavenworth City, Kans., July 2, 1861, and issues general order: "Flag Officers of the United States Navy, authorized to wear a square flag at the mizzen-mast head, will take rank with Major Generals of the United States Army."

_________________
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

October 5, 1861 Saturday
Two boats from U.S.S. Louisiana, commanded by Lieutenant A. Murray, destroyed Confederate schooner being fitted out as a privateer at Chincoteague Inlet, Virginia. U.S.S. Monticello, commanded by Lieutenant Daniel L. Braine, drove off Confederate troops and steamers attacking Union soldiers in the vicinity of Hatteras Inlet. The London Post editorially backed British recognition of the Confederacy, while the London Times seemed to incline to the Union. Brig Gen Joseph K.F. Mansfield was assigned to the Federal command at Hatteras Inlet. Federal troops in California operating since Sept 23rd had carried out an expedition from San Bernardino to Oak Grove and Temecula Ranch against alleged pro-Confederates.

_________________
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

October 6, 1861 Sunday
Confederate blockade-runner Alert was captured by the U.S.S. Flag, under Commander Louis C. Sartori, off Charleston, South Carolina.

_________________
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

October 7, 1861 Monday
Federal gunboats Lexington and Tyler, operating on reconnaissance from Cairo, Illinois toward Lucas Bend, Missouri engaged Confederate shore batteries at Iron Bluffs on the Mississippi, not far from Columbus, Kentucky. U.S.S. Louisiana, commanded by Lieutenant A. Murray, captured schooner S. T. Garrison, with cargo of wood, near Wallops Island, Virginia. Federal General Fremont left St Louis en route to Springfield, Missouri in his belated movement after Missourian Sterling Price, who was withdrawing from Lexington. Meanwhile, Sec of War Cameron was sent west on an inspection trip, and President Lincoln sent a letter with him to Brig Gen Samuel R. Curtis asking his judgment as to whether Fremont should be relieved. In Washington conferences and meetings were held by the Cabinet and others with the President in regard to Fremont and military problems. The Pony Express was officially discontinued after a brief but spectacular 18 month career ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pony_Express ). The Confederacy signs a peace treaty with the Cherokee Indian Nation tribe (signed on October 4, effective today). The command of Major General Braxton Bragg, CSA, is extended over the coast and state of Alabama.

The following appointments were made to Major General: William Joseph Hardee, CSA; Theophilus Hunter Holmes, CSA; Benjamin Huger, CSA; Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson, CSA; James Longstreet, CSA; Mansfield Lovell, CSA; and John Bankhead Magruder, CSA.

James F. Kennedy becomes 6th Sheriff of Santa Clara County, California ( http://www.sccgov.org/portal/site/sheri ... dc4a92____ ). Yes, this story is a stretch but it’s interesting.

_________________
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

October 8, 1861 Tuesday
Brig Gen William T. Sherman superseded Brig Gen Robert Anderson in command of the Union Department of the Cumberland with headquarters at Louisville ( http://www.factasy.com/civil_war/2011/01/28_7 ). The veteran of Fort Sumter, a Kentuckian useful in this command, had been suffering for some time from nervous exhaustion, which now apparently took the form of a severe breakdown. Anderson never returned to active service but retiring from the U.S. Army in 1863. Sherman, aggressive in his command, was soon to make such demands for troops and to express so much concern for his position that he, too, was deemed, probably with some justification, on the verge of nervous collapse. There was a light skirmish at Hillsboro, Kentucky.

The following appointments were made: Alexander Peter Stewart, CSA, to Brigadier General; and Lovell Harrison Rousseau, USA, 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