American Civil War Game Club (ACWGC)

March 2, 1862 Sunday
The final units of the Confederate garrison of the batteries of Columbus, Kentucky under Gen Polk, pulled out, leaving the town and bluffs on the Mississippi River to the Federals. Most of the 140 guns (two were left behind) were taken south to Island No 10 and nearby batteries, as that place and Fort Pillow were the new Mississippi River posts. With the end of Columbus the last fragment of the Confederate Kentucky line was gone and, while not again a line, new defense points were mainly in Tennessee and northern Mississippi. There was a light skirmish near New Madrid, Missouri as advance units of the Federals fought Confederates. In the far Southwest, H.H. Sibley's Confederates, marching north along the Rio Grande in their invasion of New Mexico Territory, forced the abandonment of Albuquerque by the Federals. Brigadier General Frederick West Lander, USA, dies at Camp Chase, Paw Paw, Virginia, from dysentery contracted the previous weeks while operating in the Shenandoah Valley, 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

March 3, 1862 Monday
On the Mississippi River Federals under Pope began the siege of New Madrid, Missouri ( http://www.7score10years.com/index.php/ ... new-madrid ). Other Federals occupied evacuated Columbus, Kentucky to the north. There was a skirmish at Martinsburg, western Virginia as Federals occupied that town; Confederates evacuated Amelia Island, Florida; Cubero, New Mexico Territory was taken by the Southerners; an action occurred at Comanche Pass, New Mexico Territory , and there were several days of Federal operations around Berryville, Arkansas ( http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ances ... rry04.html ). In Richmond President Davis recalled Gen Lee from Charleston and South Carolina to be a military adviser in Virginia. Daniel Marsh Frost, CSA, and John Bell Hood, CSA, were appointed to Brigadier General.

Flag Officer Du Pont, commanding joint amphibious expedition to Fernandina, Florida, reported to Secretary of the Navy Welles that he was "in full possession of Cumberland Island and Sound, of Fernandina and Amelia Island, and the river and town of St. Mary's." Confederate defenders were in the process of withdrawing heavy guns inland from the area and offered only token resistance to Du Pont's force. Fort Clinch on Amelia Island, occupied by an armed boat crew from U.S.S. Ottawa, had been seized by Confederates at the beginning of the war and was the first fort to be retaken by the Union. Commander Drayton on board Ottawa took a moving train under fire near Fernandina, while launches under Commander C. R. P. Rodgers captured steamer Darlington with a cargo of military stores. Du Pont had only the highest praise for his association with Brigadier General Wright, commanding the brigade of troops on the expedition: "Our plans of action have been matured by mutual consultation, and have been carried into execution by mutual help. "The Fernandina operation placed the entire Georgia coast actually in the possession or under the control of the Union Navy. Du Pont wrote Senator Grimes three days later that: "The victory was bloodless, but most complete in results." Du Pont also noted that: "The most curious feature of the operations was the chase of a train of cars by a gunboat for one mile and a half-two soldiers. were killed, the passengers rushed out in the woods. . . ." (but the Confederate version of this chasing a train was a bit different http://civilwarflorida.blogspot.com/201 ... es-at.html ). The expedition was a prime example of sea-land mobility and of what General Robert E. Lee meant when he said: "Against ordinary numbers we are pretty strong, but against the hosts our enemies seem able to bring everywhere, there is no calculating."

In Washington President Lincoln orders Sec Stanton to prepare formal nominations for appointment of nine major generals and nine brigadier generals ( http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/te ... oln5%3A305 ). Gen Halleck in St Louis was authorized by Washington to place Brig Gen C.F. Smith in command of the expedition from Fort Henry up the Tennessee River, after Halleck accused Grant of not reporting properly at the time of Fort Donelson and other misconduct. Senator Andrew Johnson was appointed military governor of Tennessee to govern from Nashville.

_________________
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

March 4, 1862 Tuesday
Confederate forces in New Mexico Territory under H.H. Sibley entered Santa Fe after Federals retired to Fort Union to the northeast. The Confederate invasion of the Southwest had reached its crest ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Mexico_Campaign ). In Florida Amelia Island was occupied by Federals; for a week there was a Federal scout through Laclede, Wright, and Douglas counties of Missouri.

In command changes Grant was told to stay at Fort Henry, Tennessee as district commander while C.F. Smith was put in charge of the Federal advance up the Tennessee River, a direct slap at Grant by Gen Halleck. Maj Gen John C. Pemberton assumed command of the Confederate Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and East Florida in place of R.E. Lee. President Davis was having difficulties with Gen J.E. Johnston over reenlistment of troops in Virginia, over furloughs, and with Confederate congressmen who wanted more guns for defense of the Mississippi River, athough the government was doing all it could to supply such guns.

Commander Daniel B. Ridgely, U.S.S. Santiago de Cuba, reported the capture of sloop O.K. off Cedar Keys, Florida, in February. Proceeding to St. Mark's, Florida, O.K. foundered in heavy seas.

The following appointments were made to Brigadier General: Hamilton Prioleau Bee, CSA; Thomas James Churchill, CSA; Patrick Ronayne Cleburne, CSA; Winfield Scott Featherston, CSA; Samuel Bell Maxey, CSA; Albert Rust, CSA; William Booth Taliaferro, CSA; and Andrew Johnson, 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

March 5, 1862 Wednesday
Federal troops under Nathaniel Banks advanced up the Shenandoah Valley from Harper's Ferry toward Winchester, Virginia and Jackson's command. There was a skirmish at Bunker Hill, north of Winchester, and over near Washington another skirmish at Pohick Church. In the West Beauregard at Jackson, Tennessee assumed command of the Confederate Army of the Mississippi, a sprawled-out army meant to defend the Mississippi Valley. Meanwhile, Albert Sidney Johnston's forces were moving west from Murfreesboro, Tennessee toward Corinth, Mississippi to block the Federal move up the Tennessee River. The first of a large Federal force under C.F. Smith arrived at Savannah, Tennessee, northeast of Corinth, soon followed by 80 troop transports and 3 gunboats. In northwest Arkansas Gen Earl Van Dorn had joined Sterling Price in an effort to stop Federal Samuel Curtis, who, vastly superior, had pushed Price out of Missouri. Van Dorn decided to attack, and hurriedly concentrated his forces beyond Fayetteville and Elm Springs.

Flag Officer Foote observed that the gunboats could not immediately attack the Confederate defenses at Island No. 10, down the river from Columbus. "The gunboats have been so much cut up in the late engagements at Forts Henry and Donelson in the pilot houses, hulls, and disabled machinery, that I could not induce the pilots to go in them again in a fight until they are repaired. I regret this, as we ought to move in the quickest possible time, but I have declined doing it, being utterly unprepared, although General Halleck says go, and not wait for repairs; but that can not be done without creating a stampede amongst the pilots and most of the newly made officers, to say nothing of the disasters which must follow if the rebels fight as they have done of late." Two days later he added other information: "The Benton is underway and barely stems the strong current of the Ohio, which is 5 knots per hour in this rise of water, but hope, by putting her between two ironclad steamers to-morrow, she will stem the current and ,work comparatively well . . . I hope on Wednesday [12 March] to take down seven ironclad gunboats and ten mortar boats to attack Island No. 10 and New Madrid. As the current in the Mississippi is in some places 7 knots per hour, the ironclad boats can hardly return here, therefore we must go well prepared, which detains us longer than even you would imagine necessary from your navy-yard and smooth-water standpoint . . . We are doing our best, but our difficulties and trials are legion."

Flag Officer Farragut issued a general order to the fleet in which he stressed gunnery and damage control training. "I expect every vessel's crew to be well exercised at their guns . . . They Must be equally well trained for stopping shot holes and extinguishing fire. Hot and cold shot will no doubt be freely dealt us, and there must be stout hearts and quick hands to extinguish the one and stop the holes of the other."

U.S.S. Water Witch, commanded by Lieutenant Hughes, captured schooner William Mallory off St. Andrew's Bay, Florida.

James Morrison Hawes, CSA, and James Gallant Spears, 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

March 6, 1862 Thursday
By late afternoon the four Federal divisions of Samuel R. Curtis' army in Arkansas were in position at Sugar Creek north of Fayetteville and well entrenched, looking south. However, Confederate Earl Van Dorn would not risk a frontal attack and decided late in the day, after some moderate fighting, to pass around the Federals by means of a night march, and attack from the north at Pea Ridge. ( http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/pea-ridge.html and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Pea_Ridge and http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/e ... ntryID=508 )

Near New York the revolutionary new iron ship, U.S.S. Monitor, after very limited trials, left for Fort Monroe, Virginia where the Federal squadron had been anticipating an attack from the Confederate ironclad C.S.S. Merrimack (or Virginia). Lieutenant Worden reported U.S.S. Monitor had passed over the bar in New York harbor with U.S.S. Currituck and Sachem in company. "In order to reach Hampton Roads as speedily as possible, " Worden wrote Secretary of the Navy Welles, "whilst the fine weather lasts, I have been taken in tow by the tug [Seth Low]. Awaiting her was C.S.S. Virginia, a heavy-draft ironclad, well armed and well protected, reconstructed from the former Federal frigate Merrimack. She was expected to control Hampton Roads and the harbor area, threatened by the Federals.

President Lincoln sent Congress a messsage calling for cooperation with any state that would adopt gradual abolition of slavery, and giving such states financial aid, to be used at their discretion. Lincoln had long urged and spoken for gradual, compensated emancipation as a war measure and an answer to the slavery problem, just as he had urged colonization of free Negroes in Central America and Africa. In Richmond the Confederate Congress passed a measure stipulating that military authorities should destroy cotton, tobacco, and other property if it could not be removed before it fell into the hands of the enemy. President Davis wrote Gen Joseph E. Johnston in Virginia that he was aware of his problems and the possible need to retreat before McClellan's Army of the Potomac, expected to advance at any moment.

President Lincoln attends the funeral service for Brig Gen Frederick W. Lander ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_W._Lander ) at the residence of Sec Chase. President Lincoln also approves an act requiring that the oath of allegiance be administered to masters of American vessels clearing for foreign or other ports during the present rebellion.

Commander Semmes, C.S.S. Sumter, wrote J. M. Mason, Confederate Commissioner in London, " . . . it is quite manifest that there is a combination of all the neutral nations against us in this war and that in consequence we shall be able to accomplish little or nothing outside of our own waters. The fact is, we have got to fight this war out by ourselves, unaided, and that, too, in our own terms . . ." The foreign intervention so much hoped for by the Confederacy was in large measure forestalled by the impressive series of Union naval successes and the effectiveness of the blockade.

U.S.S. Pursuit, commanded by Acting Lieutenant David Cate, captured schooner Anna Belle off Apalachicola, Florida.

Sterling Price, CSA, was appointed to Major General and George Hume Steuart, CSA, 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

March 7, 1862 Friday
The weather was clear but cold after recent storms in northwest Arkansas as two Confederate columns passed around the Federal flank and Van Dorn's ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Van_Dorn ) army attacked that of Curtis ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Ryan_Curtis ) from the north at Pea Ridge or Elkhorn Tavern. The Federals, expecting a frontal attack form the south, discovered the move and quickly swung around. At first the Confederates, aided by Indian forces, were successful. All day it was a swirling battle of gain and repulse. Van Dorn finally withdrew troops from his western wing to help his main attack. The death of Brig Gen Benjamin McCulloch on the Confederate right caused much confusion. Brig Gen James McIntosh likewise fell. Curtis concentrated his Federals by nightfall and determined to await renewal of the drive by Van Dorn the next day. The biggest battle west of the Mississippi River during the Civil War was being fought. It was a frontier-type struggle, with much rough infighting and personal courage. A German-Yankee cried, "Boys, now strike that the chips fly." Both sides did just that. Charges of Confederate Indians scalping numbers of fallen Federals have been largely discounted. ( http://www.civilwaralbum.com/cwa_map20.htm and http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/pe ... gemap.html )

From Washington McClellan's Federal Army of the Potomac, finally on the move, advanced ponderously southwestward toward Joseph E. Johnston's ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_E._Johnston ) Confederates at Manassas, first step in the long-awaited Federal drive into Virginia. But, alerted, the much weaker Johnston began to pull out from Evansport, Dumfries, the Occoquan, and Manassas, heading south toward Fredericksburg. McClellan's army made a splendid sight as, after long, formal training and a winter's idleness, it paraded out to expected victory. At Winchester, Virginia there was a skirmish between front units of Banks' advancing Federals and Jackson's small Confederate command. In Missouri lesser action occurred at Fox Creek, Point Pleasant, and Bob's Creek, with four days of operations in Saline County. And down in South Carolina Federals carried out reconnaissance up the Savannah River and to Elba Island. President Lincoln transmits to the Senate a treaty and papers signed at Paola, Kans., with united tribes of Kaskaskia, Peoria, Piankashaw, and Wea Indians.

Brigadier General Ben McCulloch, CSA, ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_McCulloch ) the second highest ranking Confederate Brigadier General, dies after being shot in the chest by a Federal sharpshooter during the Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas. Brigadier General James McQueen McIntosh, CSA, ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_M._McIntosh ) dies shortly after McCulloh's death, shot in the heart while leading a cavalry charge towards Federal lines during the Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas. Brigadier General William Yarnel Slack, CSA, ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Y._Slack ) is mortally wounded by a musket ball to his hip during the Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, dying March 21, 1862.

William Duncan Smith, CSA, and Thomas Alfred Davies, 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

March 8, 1862 Saturday
In the wet early spring in northwest Arkansas, Federal troops of Gen Curtis victoriously drove Confederates from Pea Ridge in what was really the third day of the battle near Elkhorn Tavern. Van Dorn’s weakened Confederates retreated somewhat precipitately toward the Arkansas River, arriving at Huntsville on the ninth and then moving on to Van Buren, Arkansas. The battle meant, probably, the permanent loss of Missouri, and its adverse effects hampered Confederate plans to maintain the Mississippi River. It was the last major offensive of the South in the Trans-Mississippi until 1864. For Gen Curtis it was his high point in the war. He and his outnumbered army had fought well. The Federals had about 11,000 troops, with 203 killed, 980 wounded, and 201 missing or captured; compared to Van Dorn’s about 14,000 with probably 600 killed and wounded and 200 captured or missing. Curtis, contemplating the scene, wrote his brother, “The enemy is again far away in the Boston Mountains. The scene is silent and sad – the vulture and the wolf now have the dominion and the dead friends and foes sleep in the same lonely graves.”

There was a different scene in Virginia. As McClellan’s army stalked out after the disappearing Confederates in northern Virginia, a new type of battle broke out in Hampton Roads near Norfolk and Fort Monroe. The clumsy, ill-engined, but heavily armored C.S.S. Virginia, more generally called by its Yankee name, Merrimack, steamed slowly out of Norfolk Harbor under command of Flag Officer Franklin Buchanan. Opposed to the ironclad Merrimack was the old-type, traditional wooden fleet, including the forty-gun screw frigates Roanoke and Minnesota, the frigate Congress, fifty guns, and the sloop Cumberland, twenty-four guns. The sluggish Merrimack bore down firing, rammed Cumberland and forced badly damaged Congress aground. Cumberland went down fighting and Congress was burned after surrendering. Other Federal vessels went aground, including damaged Minnesota. Buchanan was wounded and succeeded by Lieutenant Catesby ap Roger Jones. Merrimack returned to Norfolk confidently expecting to finish Minnesota on the morrow. Confederate losses were light and the vessel was still in reasonably good shape. Federal casualties were high, and higher still was the loss in prestige, occasioned by the destruction of two ships in unequal battle. “Pains, death, wounds, glory – that was the sum of it,” according to a Southern officer. There was consternation in Washington and elsewhere. In the evening the new iron vessel, Monitor, after a harrowing trip south from New York, during which she was almost swamped, pulled into Hampton Roads and surveyed the damage. Confederate and Federal alike knew the Battle of Hampton Roads was not over. ( http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/even ... 8mar62.htm )

In other fighting Federal forces occupied Leesburg, Virginia; there were operations about Rolla, Missouri; Confederate cavalry under John Hunt Morgan raided suburbs of Nashville; and Chattanooga was occupied by Confederate forces. Meanwhile, W.T. Sherman’s division embarked at Paducah, Kentucky for its trip up the Tennessee River. Confederate E. Kirby Smith reached Knoxville and assumed command of troops in east Tennessee. Flag Officer Foote's doctor reported on the busy commander's injury received at Fort Donelson where, as always, he was in the forefront: "Very little, if any, improvement has taken place in consequence of neglect of the main [requirements] of a cure, viz, absolute rest and horizontal position of the whole extremity." U.S.S. Bohio, commanded by Acting Master W. D. Gregory, captured schooner Henry Travers off Southwest Pass, mouth of the Mississippi River. By the direction of Confederate Secretary of State Judah P. Benjamin, William G. Brownlow is escorted to the Union lines in east Tennessee. James Edward Slaughter, CSA, is appointed to Brigadier General.

In Washington President Lincoln conferred with McClellan over his planned move via Aquia Creek or the Peninsula southeast of Richmond, and also met with division commanders, who voted eight to four in favor of McClellan’s plan. The President provided in General War Orders No 2 and 3 that sufficient forces be left to defend Washington while McClellan made his move to the Peninsula. It was clear that President Lincoln intended to protect the spiritual and governmental center of the nation, although he would in most things let his commander have his own way. President Lincoln reports the rumor that McClellan intends to turn the capital and government over to the enemy. McClellan protests. President Lincoln disclaims any intent to accuse him.

_________________
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

March 9, 1862 Sunday
President Lincoln receives a report from Gen Wool at Fortress Monroe, Virginia that Confederate ship "Merrimac" entered Hampton Roads the preceding day and destroyed U.S.S. "Cumberland" and U.S.S. "Congress," and that other ships and Fortress Monroe itself are in danger. President Lincoln calls an emergency cabinet meeting to discuss defense measures in the event "Merrimac" starts toward Washington. That afternoon Sec Stanton divulges information that preparations are under way to stop "Merrimac" from reaching Washington by blocking the river channel. About nine o’clock in the morning the modern era of naval warfare began. The iron-constructed U.S.S. Monitor, with a single revolving turret housing two eleven-inch Dahlgren guns, battled the ironclad C.S.S. Virginia (Merrimack). The success of the wooden-hulled, iron-plated, floating battery of the South of the day before was forgotten. Now it was a duel of two revolutionary gladiators of the sea, circling, charging, ramming, and withdrawing. Shells bounced and slid over both vessels, neither one suffering serious damage. After more than two hours of fighting U.S.S. Monitor withdrew temporarily, due to the eye injury of Lieutenant John L. Worden, but soon returned to the scene to find that C.S.S. Virginia, also suffering some minor injuries, had withdrawn to Norfolk. By the end of the battle both vessels were commanded by their executive officers, Lieutenant Samuel Dana Greene for U.S.S. Monitor, Lieutenant Catesby ap Roger Jones for C.S.S. Virginia. For the most part the strong Federal fleet and the small Confederate escort stood idly by – obsolete in such a fight. Tactically the struggle was a draw. Neither vessel had been seriously damaged; neither had given up. Strategically, however, the edge went to the Federals, though for weeks there was dread that C.S.S. Virginia would sally forth to destroy the fleet or even appear off Washington or New York. But her poor engines and heavy draft imprisoned her in Hampton Roads. In Washington news of the battle brought a sigh of relief at the White House, and in Richmond a stronger realization that the time had come when Norfolk and the eastern end of the Peninsula, perhaps even Richmond, could be seriously threatened from the James River. Both nations feared the new machines of war they could not understand. U.S.S. Monitor’s chief engineer, Alban Stimers, wrote his father correctly that the fight “was the first of its kind that ever occurred in history.” ( http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/even ... 9mar62.htm )

Other things happened this day: skirmishing near Nashville on the Granny White Pike; at Big Creek and Mountain Grove, Missouri; and at Sangster’s Station, Virginia. Federal troops of Grant’s army, led by C.F. Smith, for several days probed toward Purdy, Tennessee in operations from Crump’s Landing near Savannah on the Tennessee River. President Lincoln asks Henry J. Raymond to reconsider compensated emancipation and to print another article in the New York "Times." "One half-day's cost of this war would pay for all the slaves in Delaware, at four hundred dollars per head."

In northern Virginia there was no fighting, although an important move continued. Gen Joseph E. Johnston’s Confederates pulled out of Centreville, and the whole army was moving toward the Rappahannock River, reaching Rappahannock Station and a new line by the eleventh. The Federal army, substantially outnumbering its foe, was marching out, too, but not to battle – only to occupy the unoccupied Confederate camps for a brief time before returning to Alexandria. They found scant supplies, abandoned huts and fortifications, some of them still mounting fake wooden guns. McClellan’s “victory” was hollow indeed. In New Orleans two precious Confederate powder mills blew up, with five killed.

Naval force under Commander Godon, consisting of U.S.S. Mohican, Pocahontas, and Potomska, took possession of St. Simon's and Jekyl Islands and landed at Brunswick, Georgia. All locations were found to be abandoned in keeping with the general Confederate withdrawal from the seacoast and coastal islands. ( http://blog.jekyllisland.com/diversions ... history-2/ )

U.S.S. Pinola, commanded by Lieutenant Crosby, arrived at Ship Island, Mississippi, with prize schooner Cora, captured in the Gulf of Mexico.

Landing party from U.S.S. Anacostia and Yankee of the Potomac Flotilla, Lieutenant Wyman, destroyed abandoned Confederate batteries at Cockpit Point and Evansport, Virginia, and found C.S.S. Page blown up.

Charles William Field, 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

March 10, 1862 Monday
After all the excitement of the last few days it was a quiet time on the battle fronts, though the press was full of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, the battle of the Monitor and Merrimack, the advance and withdrawal in northern Virginia, and the build-up of Federals on the Tennessee River at Savannah and Pittsburg Landing. Citizens were studying maps, usually without such places yet on them. Only a brief skirmish in La Fayette County, Missouri is recorded for the day. In Richmond President Davis tried to reassure Gen Joseph E. Johnston, falling back in Virginia: “you shall be promptly and adequately reinforced.” In Washington President Lincoln wrote that “General McClellan is after him,” but, of course, all the Army of the Potomac was doing was getting exercise. Lincoln and Washington remained keyed up over the Monitor-Merrimack fight and the President paid a visit to Lieutenant Worden, commander of Monitor, who suffered an eye injury in the melee. Congress discussed various aspects of slavery. President Lincoln writes Gen Buell: "The evidence is very strong that the enemy in front of us here is breaking up and moving off. General McClellan is after him. Some part of the force may be destined to meet you. Look out and be prepared. I telegraphed Halleck, asking him to assist you, if needed."

Amidst the Herculean labors of lightening and dragging heavy ships through the mud of the "19 ft. bar" that turned out to be 15 feet, and organizing the squadron, Flag Officer Farragut reported: "I am up to my eyes in business. The Brooklyn is on the bar, and I am getting her off. I have just had Bell up at the head of the passes. My blockading shall be done inside as much as possible. I keep the gunboats up there all the time . . . Success is the only thing listened to in this war, and I know that I must sink or swim by that rule. Two of my best friends have done me a great injury by telling the Department that the Colorado can be gotten over the bar into the river, and so I was compelled to try it, and take precious time to do it. If I had been left to myself, I would have been in before this."

Tug U.S.S. Whitehall, commanded by Acting Master William J. Baulsir, was accidentally destroyed by fire off Fort Monroe.

Benjamin Franklin Cheatham, CSA; David Rumph Jones, CSA; and John Porter McCown, CSA, were appointed to Major General; and William Henry Forney, 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

March 11, 1862 Tuesday
President Lincoln in his War Special Order No 3 ( http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index ... z1olQWEzQG ) officially relieved Maj Gen George B. McClellan from his post as General-in-Chief of the Federal Armies, but retained him in command of the Department and Army of the Potomac. In the West the departments were consolidated when Maj Gen Henry W. Halleck was given command of not only the Department of Missouri, but that of Kansas and part of the Department of the Ohio. These became the Department of the Mississippi. A new department in the mountains of Virginia and western Virginia to be termed the Mountain Department was created under command of Maj Gen Fremont, still in the Army despite the controversies over his Missouri reign. All generals were to report directly to the Secretary of War. There was to be no General-in-Chief, at least for a while. In Washington most Cabinet members and many other officials applauded Lincoln’s command changes, although some were bitter over the downgrading of McClellan.

At Manassas, Virginia the Federal Army of the Potomac found burning remains of supplies, wrecked railroad tracks and installations, but only a small amount of usable materiel, reminders of the retreating Confederate army.

There was a skirmish near Paris, Tennessee. In the Shenandoah at Stephenson’s Depot north of Winchester, Virginia, there was another brief fight. However, the main action in that important area was the withdrawal of Stonewall Jackson and his 4600 men from Winchester. The Confederates fell back rapidly up the valley, southward, followed by Federals from Banks’ larger command.

In Richmond President Davis refused to accept the reports of Brig Genls Floyd and Pillow, who had fled Fort Donelson before the surrender. Both officers were relieved from command.

Landing party from U.S.S. Wabash, under Commander C. R. P. Rodgers, occupied St. Augustine, Florida, which had been evacuated by Confederate troops in the face of the naval threat.

Two Confederate gunboats under construction at the head of Pensacola Bay were burned by Confederate military authorities to prevent their falling into Northern hands in the event of the anticipated move against Pensacola by Union naval forces.

The following appointments were made to Brigadier General: Seth Maxwell Barton, CSA; Paul Jones Semmes, CSA; and Lucius Marshall Walker, 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

March 12, 1862 Wednesday
Federal soldiers marched into Winchester, Virginia close on the heels of Stonewall Jackson’s Confederates, who were moving southward up the Shenandoah Valley. It was all a part of the general spring advance of the Northern armies. Elsewhere, Federal naval forces under Lieutenant T.H. Stevens temporarily occupied Jacksonville, Florida; and there was a skirmish near Aubrey, Kansas. A combined Federal army-navy expedition sailed from Roanoke Island, North Carolina to near the mouth of the Neuse River below New Berne.

President Davis wrote Gen Albert Sidney Johnston, “We have suffered great anxiety because of recent events in Kentucky and Tennessee.” The President was concerned about the adverse public reaction and blame that was being heaped on Johnston. However, Davis added, “I suppose the Tenn. or Mississippi river will be the object of the enemy’s next campaign, and I trust you will be able to concentrate a force which will defeat either attempt.”

U.S.S. Gem of the Sea, commanded by Lieutenant Baxter, captured British blockade runner Fair Play off Georgetown, South Carolina.

Gunboats U.S.S. Tyler, commanded by Lieutenant Gwin, and U.S.S. Lexington, commanded by Lieutenant Shirk, engaged a Confederate battery at Chickasaw, Alabama, while reconnoitering 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

March 13, 1862 Thursday
Gen McClellan and his newly named corps commanders (Major General Irvin McDowell assumes command of the I Army Corps; Brigadier General Edwin Vose Sumner assumes command of the II Army Corps; Brigadier General Samuel Peter Heintzelman assumes command of the III Army Corps; Brigadier General Erasamus Darwin Keyes assumes command of the IV Army Corps; and Major General Nathaniel Prentiss Banks assumes command of the V Army Corps) held a consequential conference at Fairfax Court House, Virginia. McClellan pressed his plan to shift the Army of the Potomac by boat to the York and James rivers and head for Richmond from the Peninsula, rather than from Urbanna near the mouth of the Rappahannock. The generals agreed, particularly as Joseph E. Johnston’s Confederates were now on the line of the Rappahannock. President Lincoln once more emphasized to McClellan, through the Secretary of War, that Manassas Junction and Washington must be left secure, although he agreed that the army could move via the Peninsula. The letter ended, “at all events, move such remainder of the army at once in pursuit of the enemy by some route.” In St Louis Gen Halleck assumed command of the new Department of the Mississippi. Federal forces of John Pope severely bombarded Confederate works at New Madrid, Missouri on the Mississippi River. Major General John P. McCown, CSA, ordered the evacuation of Confederate troops from New Madrid, Missouri, under cover of Flag Officer Hollins' gunboat squadron consisting of C.S.S. Livingston, Polk, and Pontchartrain. There was fighting at Spring River, Arkansas and Beech Creek Bridge, Tennessee.

Flag Officer Foote advised Major General Halleck of the problems presented the partly armored ironclads by an attack downstream, much different difficulties than those encountered going up rivers in Tennessee: "Your instructions to attack Island No. 10 are received, and I shall move for that purpose to-morrow morning. I have made the following telegram to the Navy Department, which you will perceive will lead me to be cautious, and not bring the boats within short range of the enemy's batteries. Generally, in all our attacks down the river, I will bear in mind the effect on this place and the other rivers, which a serious disaster to the gunboats would involve. General Strong is telegraphing Paducah for transports, as there are none at Cairo. The ironclad boats can not be held when anchored by stern in this current on account of the recess between the fantails forming the stern yawing them about, and as the sterns of the boats are not plated, and have but two 32-pounders astern, you will see our difficulty of fighting downstream effectually. Neither is there power enough in any of them to back upstream. We must, therefore, tie up to shore the best way we can and help the mortar boats. I have long since expressed to General Meigs my apprehensions about these boats' defects. Don't have any gunboats for rivers built with wheels amidships. The driftwood would choke the wheel, even if it had a powerful engine. I felt it my duty to state these difficulties, which could not be obviated, when I came here, as the vessels were modeled and partly built."

Commander D. D. Porter reported the arrival of the mortar flotilla at Ship Island, and five days later took them over the bar and into the Mississippi in preparation for the prolonged bombardment of Forts Jackson and St. Philip.

Under cover of the Navy, Federal troops under Burnside landed on the west bank of the Neuse River south of New Berne, North Carolina and advanced at once.

In Richmond Gen Lee was charged by President Davis with the conduct of military operations in the armies of the Confederacy, which seemed to be a sort of advisory post, never clearly defined. Gen Johnston wrote President Davis regarding his troop dispositions and future plans ( http://scholarship.rice.edu/jsp/xml/1911/27261/1/ ).

An additional Federal Article of War is approved forbidding all U.S. Army officers and soldiers from aiding in the capture and return of fugitive slaves to their disloyal, Confederate owners.

John Bordenave Villepigue, CSA, and Daniel Tyler, 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

March 14, 1862 Friday
After the Federal capture of Roanoke Island, Gen Burnside, with some 11,000 men, moved on the important old community of New Berne, North Carolina. He captured it after some fighting, driving back the Confederate force of about 4,000 under L. O’B. Branch. The attack began on the thirteenth and worked its way up the right, or west, bank of the Neuse River through rain and over muddy roads. Joint amphibious attack under Commander Rowan and Brigadier General Burnside captured Confederate batteries on the Neuse River and occupied New Bern, North Carolina, described by Rowan as "an immense depot of army fixtures and manufactures, of shot and shell . . ." Commander Rowan, with 13 war vessels and transports carrying 11,000 troops, departed his anchorage at Hatteras Inlet on 12 March, arriving in sight of New Bern that evening. Landing the troops, including Marines, the following day under the protecting guns of his vessels, Rowan continued close support of the Army advance throughout the day. The American flag was raised over Forts Dixie, Ellis, Thompson, and Lane on 14 March, the "formidable" obstructions in the river--including torpedoes--were passed by the gunboats, and troops were transported across Trent River to occupy the city. In addition to convoy, close gunfire support, and transport operations, the Navy captured two steamers, stores, munitions, and cotton, and supplied a howitzer battery ashore under Lieutenant Roderick S. McCook, USN. Wherever water reached, combined operations struck heavy blows that were costly to the Confederacy. Casualties were 471 for the Federals, including 90 killed, to nearly 600 for the Confederates, most of them captured or missing, with 64 killed. Another serviceable base had been established for Federal inland expeditions and a new vantage point gained for cultivating the considerable pro-Union elements of North Carolina. ( http://www.americancivilwar.com/statepic/nc/nc003.html , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_New_Bern , and http://civil-war-journeys.org/new_berne_nc.htm )

On the Mississippi after severe Union cannonading on the thirteenth, it was found that Confederates had evacuated the works at New Madrid, Missouri, fleeing to Island No 10 or across the river. Gen John Pope had not yet conquered this bastion on the Mississippi River, but he had made a good start. Federals now occupied the New Madrid earthworks, had secured considerable supplies and guns, and began to concentrate on the island itself and the fortifications east of the river in Tennessee ( http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/ba ... adrid.html ). Elsewhere in Tennessee there was fighting at Big Creek Gap and Jacksborough; on the Tennessee River W.T. Sherman, who had taken his command toward Eastport, Mississippi returned toward Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee south of Savannah; at Pittsburg Landing some explorations or reconnaissances were being carried out.

Flag Officer Foote departed Cairo with seven gunboats (U.S.S. Louisville was soon forced to return for repairs) and ten mortar boats to undertake the bombardment of Island No. 10, which stood astride the sweep of Union forces down the Mississippi. Foote wired Major General Halleck: ". . . I consider it unsafe to move without troops to occupy No. 10 if we [naval forces] capture it . should we pass No. 10 after its capture, the rebels on the Tennessee side would return and man their batteries and thus shut up the river in our rear . . ."

In a change of boundaries of departments, Maj Gen John C. Pemberton was assigned to the Confederate Department of South Carolina and Georgia. Brigadier General James Heyward Trapier, CSA, was assigned command of the Confederate Department of Middle and East Florida. President Davis proclaimed martial law in threatened areas of southeastern Virginia. In Washington President Lincoln tried to explain that compensated emancipation of the slaves “would not be half as onerous, as would be an equal sum, raised now, for the indefinite prosecution of the war.” Brigadier General William Starke Rosecrans, USA, assumes command of the Mountain Department.

The following appointments were made to Brigadier General: John Stevens Bowen, CSA; Benjamin Hardin Helm, CSA; Henry Eustace McCulloch, CSA; and Andrew Jackson Smith, 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

March 15, 1862 Saturday
As the divisions of W.T. Sherman and Stephen Hurlbut came into Pittsburg Landing on the Tennessee River, Maj Gen Buell was ordered by Halleck to head from Nashville toward Savannah, Tennessee. Buell was to aid Grant’s advancing army, but he was seriously delayed by lack of bridges over the Duck River. For four days John Hunt Morgan carried out Confederate operations about Gallatin, Tennessee; and there was a skirmish near Marshall, Missouri. The Federal Department of Florida was merged into the Department of the South which included the states of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, with Maj Gen David Hunter commanding and headquarters at Hilton Head, South Carolina. President Davis told Gen Joseph E. Johnston that there was no immediate necessity for throwing troops into Richmond and that the general should decide on his new position.

President Lincoln approved an act of Congress authorizing a joint commission of the United States, France, and Great Britain to consider means of preserving Atlantic fisheries. Gen Halleck in St Louis exonerated Gen Grant of the rather superficial charges arising out of Fort Donelson and restored him to field command of the forces in Tennessee. Grant replaced C.F. Smith, incapacitated by a leg injury.

Flag Officer Foote's flotilla moved from Hickman, Kentucky, down river to a position above Island No. 10. Foote reported, "The rain and dense fog prevented our getting the vessels in position [to commence the bombardment] . . ."

_________________
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

March 16, 1862 Sunday
There was light skirmishing in the Pittsburg Landing area of Tennessee as Confederates tried to find out what the Federals were about. Other action was at Pound Gap, Kentucky and near Marshall, Missouri. Martial law was instituted by the United States in San Francisco, California as city defenses were increased in view of rumors of possible attack.

Union gunboats and mortar boats under Flag Officer Foote commenced bombardment of strongly fortified and strategically located Island No. 10 in the Mississippi River. After the loss of Forts Henry and Donelson, and as General Grant continued to wisely use the mobile force afloat at his disposal, the Confederates fell back on Island No. 10, concentrated artillery and troops, and prepared for an all-out defense of this bastion which dominated the river. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Gwin reported the operations of the wooden gunboats on the Tennessee River into Mississippi and Alabama where they kept constantly active: "I reported to General Grant at Fort Foote on the 7th instant and remained at Danville Bridge, 25 miles above, awaiting the fleet of transports until Monday morning, by direction of General Grant, when, General Smith arriving with a large portion of his command, forty transports, I convoyed them to Savannah, arriving there without molestation on the 11th. The same evening, with General Smith and staff on board, made a reconnaissance of the river as high as Pittsburg. The rebels had not renewed their attempts to fortify at that point, owing to the vigilant watch that had been kept on them in my absence by Lieutenant Commanding Shirk."

U.S.S. Owasco, Lieutenant John Guest, captured schooners Eugenia and President in the Gulf of Mexico with cargoes of cotton.

_________________
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