American Civil War Game Club (ACWGC)

May 1, 1862 Thursday
Steadily increasing Federal pressure was soon to force decisive action by besieged Confederates at Yorktown, Virginia. The siege guns of the Federals under McClellan were being mounted. And when Yorktown went, so would Norfolk, the naval yard, and other important points along the James River. Maj Gen Benjamin F. Butler, with his troops, officially took over in New Orleans ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capture_of_New_Orleans ), beginning a reign of efficiency in sanitary and other conditions, corruption in administration, and suppression of the people. Citizens of New Orleans were never to forget or forgive Butler for what were termed “bestial acts.” Others, mostly Northerners, then and later, mitigated the charges. Controversy still surrounds Butler’s rule. Elsewhere, Federal Brig Gen James G. Blount assumed command of the Department of Kansas. Skirmishing was considerable at Rapidan Station, Virginia; Clark’s Hollow and Camp Creek in Stone River Valley, western Virginia; and near Pulaski, Tennessee. In northern Alabama there were two days of operations around Athens ( http://civilwar.bluegrass.net/battles-c ... 20502.html ), Mooresville, Limestone Bridge, and Elk River.

President Davis wrote Gen Joseph E. Johnston at Yorktown, “accepting your conclusion that you must soon retire, arrangements are commenced for the abandonment of Navy Yard and removal of public property both from Norfolk and Peninsula.” But the plan to withdraw so soon did take Davis by surprise. At the same time President Lincoln wired McClellan on the Peninsula that the general’s call for heavy guns “alarms me – chiefly because it argues indefinite procrastination. Is anything to be done?” President Lincoln writes Gen Halleck: "I am pressed by the Missouri members of Congress to give General Schofield independent command in Missouri. . . . Please answer, telling me whether anything, and what, I can do for them without injuriously interfering with you."

_________________
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

May 2, 1862 Friday
Gen Beauregard called on the soldiers of the Confederacy to defend Corinth, Mississippi from the invading “despoilers of our homes,” as the Federal army under Halleck began to move toward the Southern concentration point. There was skirmishing at Tevilian’s Depot and Louisa Court House, Virginia; at Litchfield, Arkansas; and near Deep Gully on the Trenton Road, North Carolina. Edward Stanly was appointed Federal military governor of North 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

May 3, 1862 Saturday
Faced by overwhelming numbers, giant siege guns and a threat from more Federals to the north on the Rappahannock River, Gen Joseph E. Johnston withdrew his Confederate army from Yorktown on the Virginia Peninsula before McClellan could mount his major bombardment. The Confederates pulled back through Williamsburg toward Richmond. They had defied the Army of the Potomac for over a month; their strength finally reached about 55,000 compared to nearly twice that many for McClellan. Still, the Federal commander believed that Washington had deprived him of manpower and that the Confederates seriously outnumbered his host. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Yorktown_(1862)

In other military action, bridges were destroyed on Lookout Creek near Lookout Mountain and there was skirmishing at Watkins Ferry, Georgia; and at Farmington near Corinth; and on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad in Mississippi. Near Batesville, Arkansas there was yet another skirmish ( http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/e ... 861+-+1874)&parent=&grandparent= ), and in southwest Virginia the Confederates proclaimed martial law. Gen Halleck told Washington he was personally leaving Pittsburg Landing and that his army would be in front of Corinth by the night of May 4.

_________________
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

May 4, 1862 Sunday
The Army of the Potomac entered Yorktown, Virginia following Confederate evacuation. The month-long siege had been successful in part, but Johnston’s Confederate army had not been attacked. McClellan declared, “The success is brilliant.” Brief skirmishes broke out near Williamsburg as forward units of the Federals battled with retiring Confederates. There was more skirmishing at Farmington Heights, Mississippi as Halleck’s army closed in toward Corinth, and there was a raid on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad near Bethel and a skirmish near Purdy, Tennessee. W.T. Sherman’s division was within six miles of Corinth’s defenses. There was a skirmish at Pulaski, Tennessee south of Nashville. In view of Col Carleton’s “California Column” moving east from California, Confederates evacuated Tucson, 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

May 5, 1862 Monday
A sharp engagement broke out just east of the old capital of Williamsburg, Virginia as advancing units of McClellan’s Army of the Potomac under Joseph Hooker and Phil Kearny clashed with rearguard divisions of James Longstreet and then D.H. Hill. There was heavy fighting for a line of defensive redoubts built earlier by Magruder. The Federals were unsuccessful at first, but eventually, as more troops came in, they managed to occupy a part of the line, Winfield S. Hancock’s division outflanking the Confederates. In the evening the last of the Southerners pulled out as Johnston’s army continued its retreat west toward Richmond. Federals had about 40,000 engaged, to some 31,000 Confederates. Rather uncertain figures show Federal losses ran 456 killed, 1410 wounded, and 373 missing for 2239; Confederates killed and wounded 1570 and 133 missing, total 1703 – heavy casualties for what was essentially a delaying and a probing action. http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/ba ... sburg.html and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Williamsburg

Other fighting this day was at Lebanon, Tennessee; Princeton and Franklin, western Virginia; and Columbia Bridge, Virginia. In the evening President Lincoln, with Cabinet members Stanton and Chase, left by ship for Fort Monroe to take a personal look at the advance into 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

May 6, 1862 Tuesday
Union forces occupied Williamsburg, Virginia close behind the retiring enemy on the Peninsula. Stonewall Jackson’s ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonewall_Jackson ) Confederates had arrived at Staunton in the Shenandoah Valley after their stay at Conrad’s Store. They confused the Federals under Banks ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathaniel_Prentice_Banks ) at Harrisonburg, who fell back toward New Market and went on to Strasburg by May 13. It was the beginning of the main portion of Jackson’s famous Valley Campaign ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson%27 ... y_Campaign and http://www.historyanimated.com/Valley.html ). Jackson and his reinforced command marched westward toward McDowell, aiming at Federal forces in that area. There was a brief skirmish near Harrisonburg; and in western Virginia at Camp McDonald and Arnoldsburg; as well as a skirmish on the White River out in Arkansas. Near Corinth, Mississippi Halleck’s advance from Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee decelerated, and soon became more of a siege than an offensive.

Presidential party spends day on journey down river. Docks at 10 P.M. After brief conference with Gen Wool, commanding at Fortress Monroe, Lincoln visits flagship of Flag Officer Goldsborough. Makes trip to flagship near midnight in tugboat. Returns to revenue cutter "Miami" for night.

_________________
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

May 7, 1862 Wednesday
On the Pamunkey River near the mouth of the York on the Virginia Peninsula, William B. Franklin’s ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_B._Franklin ) division of Federals advancing toward Richmond was attacked at Eltham’s Landing by Confederates under G.W. Smith ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustavus_Woodson_Smith ), who were protecting the wagon trains withdrawing from Williamsburg and Yorktown. It was a sharp engagement, known as West Point, Barhamsville, or Eltham’s Landing ( http://www.nps.gov/hps/abpp/battles/va011.htm ). Elsewhere there was a skirmish at Horse Creek, Missouri; another at Purdy, Tennessee; as well as a two-day reconnaissance to Mulberry Point on the James River in Virginia; and a two-day Federal expedition from Roanoke Island toward Gatesville, North Carolina. Still more light fighting occurred near Wardensville, western Virginia and Somerville Heights, Virginia.

Presidential party arises early and rows out to board yacht "Vanderbilt" before breakfast. After 9 A.M. breakfast with Gen Wool in Quarters No. 1 Lincoln goes aboard U.S.S. Monitor and U.S.S. Stevens, then visits Fort Wool, Virginia. Returns to Fortress Monroe, Virginia for conference with Flag Officer Goldsborough. In afternoon rides horseback to view ruins of town of Hampton, Virginia., burned by Confederates, and to review troops at Camp Hamilton, Virginia. Sends message to Goldsborough to send U.S.S. Galena and two other gunboats up James River if they can be spared. Holds conference in Wool's quarters and spends night.

_________________
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

May 8, 1862 Thursday
Stonewall Jackson fought Federal troops at the Battle of McDowell or Bull Pasture Mountain, Virginia. Jackson’s roughly 10,000 troops were attacked by around 6,000 under Robert Schenck ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Schenck ) from Fremont’s command. The Confederates repulsed the Federals, who were forced to withdraw toward Franklin, western Virginia. Jackson attempted a pursuit but halted after reaching Franklin May 12. He then returned to the Shenandoah Valley and proceeded north. Federal casualties at McDowell were 26 killed, 227 wounded, 3 missing for 256; Confederate casualties were 75 killed, 423 wounded for 498. It was Jackson’s first battle victory of his campaign, and already his forces were feared in the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding mountain country. Rapid movement on foot was becoming his trademark. http://www.americancivilwar.com/statepic/va/va102.html and http://www.historyofwar.org/Maps/maps_c ... owell.html

In Mississippi Halleck’s Federal army, within a few miles of Corinth, sent out a reconnaissance toward the Confederate-held rail center. There was a skirmish at Glendale, Mississippi. In Hampton Roads, Virginia Federal gunboats carried out a demonstration against Sewell’s Point and it batteries. President Lincoln consults with Flag Officer Goldsborough at Fortress Monroe, Virginia on attempt to land troops on Sewell's Point under cover of navy fire. Lincoln, with Secs Chase and Stanton, goes to Fort Wool, Virginia to watch action. Later from tugboat stationed mile behind gunboats watches shelling of Sewell's Point and Craney Island all afternoon. Other fighting occurred at Athens, Alabama.

_________________
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

May 9, 1862 Friday
Confederate forces evacuated Norfolk, Virginia and its valuable naval and army supply depot in face of Federal occupation of the Peninsula across Hampton Roads and the threat of invasion. The loss of this major base was a severe blow to Confederate control of southside Virginia and northern North Carolina. Supplies and machinery were destroyed, but enough was left to give the Federals a fine haul when they marched in the following day. Most important, C.S.S. Merrimack (or Virginia) was left without a port from which to operate and it, too, would have to be disposed of.

In northeastern Mississippi there was severe fighting between forward units of Halleck’s forces advancing on Corinth, Mississippi and Confederates at Farmington and another skirmish nearer Corinth as well.

Near McDowell, Virginia, Jackson’s forces followed retreating Federals toward Franklin, western Virginia. Other fighting was on Elk River near Bethel, Tennessee and at Slatersville, Virginia. Confederate forces began evacuating the Pensacola, Florida area after holding out in the city against Fort Pickens and the naval squadron since the start of the war. By May 12 Union forces had occupied the town and nearby region.

Maj Gen David Hunter at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina ordered emancipation of slaves in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, and authorized the arming of all able-bodied Negroes in those states. This order, without approval of Congress or President Lincoln, caused a lively ferment at the North and was disavowed May 19 by Lincoln. But it did indicate support for emancipation among some army officers, at least as a war measure.

President Lincoln remained at Hampton Roads, Virginia and toured the area by boat, looking for a place for Federal soldiers to land near Norfolk. He also told Gen McClellan, slowly moving up the Peninsula toward Richmond, that he did not want the corps structure of the Army broken up. He urged greater cooperation between McClellan and his corps commanders.

_________________
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

May 10, 1862 Saturday
Federal mortar boats appeared on the Mississippi River just north of Fort Pillow, Tennessee. The ill-disciplined, makeshift Confederate River Defense Fleet, puny in firepower and protection, attacked the mortars and the strong Federal ironclad flotilla of seven boats under Capt Charles H. Davis. Capt James E. Montgomery boldly commanded the Confederates. The unarmored Southern flotilla drove at the ironclads, although it was almost suicidal. Fighting valiantly, the Confederates managed to ram and sink ironclads U.S.S. Cincinnati and Mound City, in shoal water. Later they were raised. Four of the eight Confederate boats were badly disabled and rendered helpless by the superior firepower of the Federals. Montgomery had to withdraw his remnants to Fort Pillow and then to Memphis. The Battle of Plum Run Bend or Plum Point (http://www.civilwar.n2genealogy.com/bat ... 0510b.html and http://www.civilwarhome.com/plumpoint.htm ) is nearly forgotten in history, but it was one of the few “fleet actions” of the war, and on a river at that.

Federal troops were occupying Norfolk and Portsmouth in Virginia, watched by President Lincoln. They also took over Pensacola in Florida, climaxing a day of defeat for the South. In the fighting near Corinth there was another skirmish near Farmington ( http://www.geni.com/projects/The-Battle ... -Civil-War ) and a reconnaissance on the Alabama Road and toward Sharp’s Mill, Mississippi. Other action was at Bloomfield, Missouri; Lamb’s Ferry, Alabama; and Giles Court House, western Virginia. Jackson continued his advance toward Franklin, western Virginia.

In New Orleans Gen Butler furthered his popularity by seizing $800,000 in gold from the Netherlands consulate.

President Davis wrote Gen Johnston on the Peninsula, “I have been much relieved by the successes which you have gained, and I hope for you the brilliant result which the drooping cause of our country now so imperatively claims ….” But he was also concerned about the enemy advance on the Fredericksburg route.

_________________
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

May 11, 1862 Sunday
C.S.S. Merrimack was no more. Scuttled off captured Norfolk, Virginia by the Confederates, the noble antagonist of U.S.S. Monitor went down. There was no place she could be taken for safety, so destruction was a galling necessity forced by land warfare. President Lincoln returned from Fort Monroe to Washington and heard the news on the way. The President wired Gen Halleck, “Norfolk in our possession, Merrimac blown up, & Monitor & other boats going up James River to Richmond. Be very sure to sustain no reverse in your Department.” Halleck was being quite sure as his advance upon Corinth had slowed so drastically that it was hardly distinguishable from a siege. Other fighting broke out at Pulaski, Tennessee; Cave City, Kentucky; Princeton, western Virginia; and on the Bowling Green Road near Fredericksburg, 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

May 12, 1862 Monday
Farragut’s Federal flotilla from New Orleans briefly occupied Natchez, Mississippi receiving the surrender of the city from the mayor. To the northeast there was more skirmishing near Farmington, Mississippi between men of Halleck’s and Beauregard’s armies not far from Corinth, Mississippi. Other skirmishing occurred at Lewisburg, western Virginia and at Monterey, Virginia. Jackson’s army left the Franklin, western Virginia area for the Shenandoah Valley and Banks’ Federals. There was a convention of pro-unionists at Nashville, Tennessee as the military government was taking hold. President Lincoln proclaimed the opening to commerce of the ports of Beaufort, North Carolina; Port Royal, South Carolina; and New Orleans.

_________________
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

May 13, 1862 Tuesday
In the Shenandoah Valley Jackson was on his way back from Franklin and McDowell toward the main valley to face Banks’ reduced force at Strasburg. Gen Fremont, meanwhile, reached Franklin with his Union troops. There was a skirmish at Baltimore Crossroads near New Kent Court House, and an affair on the Rappahannock River, Virginia. Near Corinth, Mississippi Federal troops raided the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, and in Alabama Union forces under Gen Mitchel occupied Rogersville and skirmished at Lamb’s Ferry.

President Davis wrote to his wife, who had been sent out of threatened Richmond, “If the withdrawal from the Peninsula and Norfolk had been done with due preparation and a desirable deliberation, I should be more sanguine of a successful defense of this city …. I know not what to expect when so many failures are to be remembered, yet will try to make a successful resistance ….” Martial law was declared in Charleston, South Carolina. In Charleston Harbor a crew of Negroes took over the steamer Planter and surrendered it to the blockaders ( http://civilwargazette.wordpress.com/20 ... y-13-1862/ ).

U.S.S. Iroquois, under Commander Palmer, and U.S.S. Oneida, under Commander S. P. Lee, occupied Natchez, Mississippi, as Flag Officer Farragut's fleet moved steadily toward Vicksburg. U.S.S. Bohio, commanded by Acting Master W. D. Gregory, captured schooner Deer Island in Mississippi Sound with cargo of flour and rice. A boat crew from U.S.S. Calhoun, commanded by Lieutenant DeHaven, captured Confederate gunboat Corypheus, moored in Bayou Bonfouca, Louisiana.

_________________
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

May 14, 1862 Wednesday
Skirmishing continued near Corinth, Mississippi on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, and on the Mobile and Ohio as well. McClellan’s army skirmished at Gaines’ Cross Roads, Virginia as it marched nearer Richmond. Other skirmishes were at Cotton Plant, Arkansas and Fayetteville, Tennessee. http://www.civilwarphotogallery.com/dis ... =27&pos=12

_________________
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

May 15, 1862 Thursday
Five Federal naval vessels, including the U.S.S. Monitor, moved up the James River toward Richmond now that the menace of the C.S.S. Virginia (Merrimack) had been eliminated. The alarm echoed in Richmond, but at Drewry’s Bluff, on the south side of the river about eight miles below the Confederate capital, Southern batteries met the Federal invasion. For four hours the guns of Fort Darling and the Federal gunboats dueled with heavy fire. Union vessels were not able to elevate their guns sufficiently to attack the land batteries directly, and U.S.S. Monitor drew too much water in the narrow, shallow river to get fully into action. U.S.S. Galena was struck eighteen times and suffered grievous damage. The well-posted Confederate guns proved that a water approach alone to Richmond was impracticable, as they forced the Federals to withdraw. http://americancivilwar.com/statepic/va/va012.html

Meanwhile, Joseph E. Johnston’s army pulled back across the Chickahominy and at some points was within three miles of Richmond. There was more fighting at Gaines’ Cross Roads and Linden, Virginia. Jackson’s Confederates reached the Shenandoah Valley once more after their excursion to McDowell and Franklin. There was fighting in western Virginia at Ravenswood, Wolf Creek, and Princeton.

Farther west there was action again along the Memphis and Charleston Railroad near Corinth, Mississippi and a Federal naval demonstration upon Galveston, Texas. In Missouri there was Federal scouting on the Little Blue with a skirmish near Independence. Other action this day occurred near Trenton Bridge at Young’s Cross Roads and near Pollocksville, North Carolina. At Liverpool, England a vessel known only as 290 was launched at the Laird shipyards. It was not a well-kept secret, however, that the ship was destined to become a Confederate raider – the famed C.S.S. Alabama.

In Washington President Lincoln approved congressional establishment of the Department of Agriculture as a branch of the Federal government, although its secretary did not obtain Cabinet status until 1889.

The most sensational news of the day was an order issued in New Orleans by the commander of the occupying forces, Maj Gen Benjamin F. Butler. “As the officers and soldiers of the United States have been subject to repeated insults from the women (calling themselves ladies) of New Orleans in return for the most scrupulous non-interference and courtesy on our part, it is ordered that hereafter when any female shall by word, gesture, or movement insult or show contempt for any officer or soldier of the United States she shall be regarded and held liable to be treated as a woman of the town plying her avocation.” Nothing in Butler’s already unpopular, dictatorial reign over New Orleans incited Confederates as did the notorious Order No 28. Throughout the South the “beast” was an object of venom, although some later historians mitigate the tyranny of the order.

_________________
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