American Civil War Game Club (ACWGC)

May 16, 1863 Saturday
Grant’s army advanced from Jackson toward Vicksburg, threatening to cut the feeble communications between Pemberton, near Edwards’ Station, and Johnston to the north. Pemberton, after refusing to attempt to join Johnston the day before, responded now to a second order and marched out to make the junction in order that together they might fight Grant. The Confederates were blocked, however, by Federal forces at Champion’s Hill. A division of McClernand’s Union corps attacked a bit before noon, driving the Confederates back on the left. Confederates counterattacked successfully. Grant reinforced his right with McPherson’s men and in midafternoon the hill changed hands a third time. Pemberton failed to rally and began to withdraw toward Vicksburg and the Big Black River. Federal effectives for the battle of Champion’s Hill or Baker’s Creek numbered about 29,000 with 410 killed, 1844 wounded, and 187 missing for 2441 casualties. Confederate effectives are estimated at under 20,000 with 381 killed, about 1800 wounded, and 1670 missing for a total of 3851 casualties ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Champion_Hill and http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/champion-hill.html and http://www.civilwaralbum.com/vicksburg/ch.htm ). Pemberton had no choice but to fall back toward Vicksburg. Grant’s campaign was rising to its climax. Brigadier General Lloyd Tilghman ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lloyd_Tilghman ), CSA, is killed by a shell fragment to his chest, while directing fire by his artillery battery, during the Battle of Champion's Hill, Mississippi

Fighting elsewhere included skirmishes near Carthage, Missouri; at Elizabeth Court House and Ravenswood, West Virginia; Tickfaw Bridge, Louisiana; Berry’s Ferry and Piedmont Station, Virginia; and Charles Town, West Virginia.

Democrats protested the conviction of Vallandigham.

Commander Bulloch wrote Secretary Mallory from London: I had understood, and Mr. Slidell was under the impression, that French builders, being anxious to establish business connections with the South and to compete with England for the custom of the Confederate States after the war, would be willing to deal with us largely upon credit . . . I found that French builders, like the English, wanted money, and were not willing to lay down the ships unless I could give security in the shape of cotton certificates. Chronic currency shortage constantly blocked Confederate ambitions abroad.

U.S.S. Two Sisters, commanded by Acting Master's Mate John Boyle, captured schooner Oliver S. Breese off the Anclote Keys, Florida, bound from Havana to Bayport, Florida.

Store ship U.S.S. Courier, commanded by Acting Master Walter K. Cressy, captured blockade running sloops Angelina and Emeline off the South Carolina coast, bound from Charleston to Nassau with cargoes of cotton.

U.S.S. Powhatan, commanded by Captain Steedman, captured sloop C. Routereau off Charleston with small cargo of cotton and turpentine.

_________________
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 17, 1863 Sunday
Confederate Gen Pemberton, with his back to the Big Black River between Vicksburg and Jackson, awaited a missing division. The division was cut off from Pemberton and forced to join Johnston. The Union army opened fire on the entrenched Confederates, who, in danger of being cut off from crossing the river, retired in disorder and burned the bridges. Grant’s army was temporarily halted. Pemberton continued to pull back to the defenses of Vicksburg while the Federals hastened to bridge the swampy lowlands and the Big Black. Federal losses were 39 killed, 237 wounded, and 3 missing for 279. Some 1700 Confederates were captured ( http://battleofchampionhill.org/history/big-black.htm and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_ ... ver_Bridge and http://www.civilwaralbum.com/vicksburg/ ... _river.htm ).

Meanwhile, Banks’ Federals moved into position with operations on the west side of the Mississippi River across from Port Hudson. There was skirmishing near Bridgeport, Mississippi; Dumfries, Virginia; and on the Bradyville Pike, Tennessee. A Federal scout operated from La Grange, Tennessee.

Confederate blockade runner Cuba was burned by her crew in the Gulf of Mexico to prevent capture by U.S.S. De Soto, commanded by Captain W. M. Walker. Rear Admiral Bailey reported: "Her cargo cost $400,000 in specie at Havana, and was worth at Mobile a million and a quarter."

U.S.S. Courier, commanded by Acting Master Cressy, captured schooner Maria Bishop at sea off Cape Romain, South Carolina, with cargo of cotton.

Flag Officer Silas H. Stringham, in U.S.S. Minnesota, reported the capture of schooner Almira Ann near the Chickahominy River, Virginia, with cargo of timber.

U.S.S. Kanawha, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Mayo, captured schooner Hunter bound from Mobile to Havana with cargo 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

May 18, 1863 Monday
One of the great campaigns of military history came to an end as Grant’s triumphant Federal army moved across the Big Black River, took Haynes’ Bluff, and began to invest Vicksburg. Confederate Pemberton, ordered by Johnston to evacuate the city, considered the problems – how to get out, and the effect of losing such a position – and, advised by his under-officers, decided to stay. The siege had begun ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Vicksburg and http://www.civilwarhome.com/siegeofvicksburg.htm ).

Minor fighting elsewhere included affairs at Hog Island, Bates County, Missouri and near Cheneyville, Louisiana. Skirmishes broke out near Island No 82 above Greenville, Mississippi and on Horn Lake Creek, Tennessee. Operations lasting a day or two occurred around Fayetteville, West Virginia and near Merritt’s Plantation and on the Bayou Sara Road, Louisiana.

President Davis called for civilians and militia to join Gen J.E. Johnston in Mississippi. He urged Johnston to link up with Pemberton and attack the enemy.

In Britain’s House of Lords, debate on decisions of the American prize courts brought demands that Britain actively defend the rights of her shipowners. Lord Russell said that the Crown found no objections to the prize courts’ proceedings and that Britain had no wish to interfere in the American Civil War.

U.S.S. Linden, commanded by Acting Lieutenant T. E. Smith, escorted five Army transports down the Mississippi. The lead transport, Crescent City, was fired into by a Confederate masked battery at Island No. 82, wounding some soldiers. Linden immediately opened fire, and drove the artillerists from their battery. Under the ships' guns, troops were landed and the buildings in the area were destroyed in retaliation.

U.S.S. Kanawha, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Mayo, took schooner Ripple bound from Mobile to Havana with cargo of cotton.

U.S.S. Shepherd Knapp, commanded by Acting Lieutenant Henry Eytinge, ran aground on a reef at Cape Haitien, West Indies, could not get off, and was stripped of all usable stores, provisions, and instruments before being abandoned.

Boat crew under Acting Master's Mate N. Mayo Dyer from U.S.S. R. R. Cuyler boarded, captured, and burned schooner Isabel near Fort Morgan, Mobile Bay.

U.S.S. Octorara, Commander Collins, captured British blockade runner Eagle near the Bahamas. Collins reported that the chase had failed "to heave to till we had disabled her machinery. . . ."

Confederate troops planted torpedoes in Skull Creek, South Carolina, "with a view of destroying the enemy's vessels, which are constantly passing through this thoroughfare."

_________________
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 19, 1863 Tuesday
Grant, anxious to cap his campaign with the surrender of Vicksburg, completed investing the city. Sherman stood on the north or right, McPherson in the center, and McClernand on the left. Skirmishing broke out as the Federals approached the well-prepared fortifications. Grant hoped a sudden assault would prevent Pemberton from completing his arrangements. In midafternoon Sherman attacked, despite heavy fire on the Union right, and made some advance at Stockade Redan ( http://www.nps.gov/vick/historyculture/firstassault.htm and http://www.civilwaralbum.com/vicksburg/redan_attack.htm and http://www.nps.gov/vick/historyculture/ ... -redan.htm and http://www.civilwaralbum.com/vicksburg/ ... _redan.htm ). However, he failed to penetrate the works and was driven back. McPherson and McClernand had even less success. About a 1,000 Federal casualties attested to the strong Confederate position. Federal mortars began pounding Vicksburg from the Yazoo.

Federal scouts operated from La Grange, Tennessee and there was a skirmish near Richfield, Clay County, Missouri. In Virginia a Federal force operated from Gloucester Point into Matthews County. John Wesley Frazer, CSA, was appointed to Brigadier General.

Sec of War Stanton, on orders of President Lincoln, directed that former Ohio congressman Clement L. Vallandigham, convicted of aiding the Confederates, be sent beyond the military lines of the United States and not be permitted to return, under threat of arrest.

U.S.S. Huntsville, commanded by Acting Lieutenant W. C. Rogers, seized blockade running Spanish steamer Union in the Gulf of Mexico west of St. Petersburg.

Mortar schooner U.S.S. Sophronia, commanded by Acting Ensign William R. Rude, seized schooner Mignonette at Piney Point, Virginia, attempting to smuggle whiskey.

U.S.S. De Soto, commanded by Captain W. M. Walker, captured schooner Mississippian in the Gulf of Mexico, bound from Mobile to Havana with cargo of cotton and turpentine.

_________________
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 20, 1863 Wednesday
Grant considered the problems of a direct attack on Vicksburg. President Davis had been ill for several weeks but was improving. Two blockade-runners arrived safely at Charleston, South Carolina from Nassau with valuable cargoes. But two others were captured, one off the Neuse River, North Carolina; the other near Nassau. Confederates fought with Federals near Fort Gibson, Indian Territory. Skirmishing occurred at Salem and Collierville, Tennessee and near Cheneyville, Louisiana. Troops began to gather for Banks’ major Federal push toward Port Hudson on the Mississippi River. May 20-23 there were demonstrations at Kinston, North Carolina and skirmishes at Gum Swamp and Batchelder’s Creek, North Carolina. A Federal scout operated May 20-22 from Clarksville, Tennessee; and Union troops moved to Yazoo City, Mississippi at the same time. In Virginia minor operations in the Northern Neck and in Middlesex County lasted until the twenty-sixth. David Bell Birney, USA, was appointed to Major General and Thomas Green, CSA, and Adelbert Ames, USA, were appointed to Brigadier General.

Boat crew under Acting Master's Mate Charles W. Fisher of U.S.S. Louisiana captured schooner R. T. Renshaw in the Tar River, above Washington, 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 21, 1863 Thursday
A portion of Banks’ Federals moved out of Baton Rouge on the Clinton Road toward Port Hudson. The main army, coming from Alexandria, approached Bayou Sara on the west side of the Mississippi River. Minor action occurred at Plains Store near Port Hudson. Although Federal operations were not complete, the siege of Port Hudson can be said to have begun ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Port_Hudson and http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/port-hudson.html ). At Vicksburg, Grant issued orders for a general assault on Pemberton’s lines for the twenty-second. A Federal flotilla went up the Yazoo to Yazoo City, Mississippi. Before the flotilla arrived Confederates destroyed their shops and the navy yard, including two steamboats and an unfinished gunboat.

Federal guerrillas operated on the Santa Fed Road near Kansas City, Missouri. May 21-22 a Federal expedition moved from Murfreesboro to Middleton, Tennessee and fought a skirmish; May 21-26 another Federal expedition probed from La Grange, Tennessee to Senatobia, Mississippi. Operations on the Teche Road between Barre’s Landing and Berwick, Louisiana took place May 21-26. A Federal scout from Cassville through northwestern Arkansas, into Newton and Jasper counties, Missouri lasted until May 30 and included several skirmishes.

President Lincoln calls upon Sec Welles with a protest that American vessels are annoying neutral shipping off the coast of Cuba.

U.S.S. Union, commanded by Acting Lieutenant Edward Conroy, seized blockade running British schooner Linnit in the Gulf of Mexico, West of Charlotte Harbor, Florida.

U.S.S. Currituck, commanded by Acting Master Linnekin, U.S.S. Anacostia, commanded by Acting Master Nelson Provost, and U.S.S. Satellite, commanded by Acting Master John F. D. Robinson, captured schooner Emily at the mouth of the Rappahannock 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

May 22, 1863 Friday
Grant attacked a three-mile section of the crescent-shaped defenses of Vicksburg with all the power he could muster. At 10AM the Federals surged forward against the Confederate lines extending from Stockade Redan on the north to Fort Garrott ( http://fortwiki.com/Fort_Garrott and http://www.civilwaralbum.com/vicksburg/fort_garrott.htm ) on the south. The charge over deep, narrow ravines that added to the man-made defenses of the city was against six strong points and a line of high breastworks protected by dirt and logs. Sherman’s troops reached the top of the wall but failed to hold it. McClernand’s men likewise managed to gain the barricades here and there, but to no avail. One breakthrough at Railroad Redoubt ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railroad_Redoubt and http://www.civilwaralbum.com/vicksburg/ ... edoubt.htm ) was briefly successful, but counterattacks closed the breach. Strong Confederate defenses beat back continued charges. Federal gunboats and mortars bombarded. Later, Grant regretted making the suicidal attack. Losses were heavy. It created further antagonism between Grant and McClernand. Of 45,000 Federals, 502 were killed, 2550 wounded, and 147 missing for 3199 casualties. Confederate losses were under 500. Grant never again tried to assault Vicksburg. Instead the Federals began the siege in earnest, digging approach trenches and building artillery positions. Union and Confederate soldiers alike soon knew the tedium as well as the dangers of a siege.

In Washington President Lincoln had just heard of Grant’s successful campaign in approaching Vicksburg. In Richmond President Davis wired Gen Braxton Bragg at Tullahoma, Tennessee, “The vital issue of handling the Missi. at Vicksburg is dependent on the success of Genl. Johnston in an attack on the investing force. The intelligence from there is discouraging. Can you aid him?...”

Skirmishes occurred at Fort Gibson, Indian Territory; on Yellow Creek, Tennessee; near Barre’s Landing, Bayou Teche, and at Bayou Courtableau, Louisiana. Banks’ army neared Port Hudson.

President Lincoln greeted a group at the White House known as the “One-Legged Brigade.” He told the convalescent veterans that there was no need for a speech “as the men upon their crutches were orators; their very appearance spoke louder than tongues.” The War Department of the United States established a bureau in the Adjutant General’s Office to organize Negro troops. Brig Gen Alfred Pleasonton ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Pleasonton ) assumed command of the Cavalry Corps of Hooker’s Army of the Potomac, replacing Stoneman. Major General Winfield Scott Hancock ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_S._Hancock ), USA, assumes command of the 2nd Army Corps, Federal Army of the Potomac. William Birney, USA, was appointed to Brigadier General. The British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society held an anniversary meeting in London, and expressed strong support for the Union.

Small boats from U.S.S. Fort Henry, commanded by Lieutenant Commander McCauley, captured sloop Isabella in Waccassassa Bay, Florida.

Union Army steamer Allison destroyed schooner Sea Bird after seizing her cargo of coal near New Bern, 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 23, 1863 Saturday
Near Bayou Sara, Gen Banks’ main Federal force crossed the Mississippi River at night and in a heavy storm headed for Port Hudson. In front of Port Hudson there was skirmishing on the Springfield and Plains Store roads. At Vicksburg Grant’s army began to set up supply lines and to receive reinforcements. There was a brief skirmish at Haynes’ Bluff.

Other fighting broke out at Hartville, Missouri; Warrenton, Virginia; and West Creek, West Virginia. Two Federal expeditions, lasting several days, operated from Helena to near Napoleon, Arkansas and from Memphis to Hernando, Mississippi. Federals countered guerrilla activities and Confederate raids in Union-occupied Southern territory with almost continuous expeditions, scouts, and reconnaissances.

President Lincoln conferred with military and naval officials about the unsuccessful attack on Charleston, South Carolina. President Davis wired Gen J.E. Johnston, who was outside Vicksburg and unable to aid Pemberton, that he was “hopeful of junction of your forces and defeat of the enemy.” To Pemberton, President Davis wired, “Sympathizing with you for the reverse sustained.”

In Ohio petitions circulated protesting the “arbitrary arrest, illegal trial, and inhuman imprisonment of Hon. C.L. Vallandigham.”

Richard Stoddert Ewell, CSA, was appointed to Lieutenant General. William Henry Talbot Walker, CSA, was appointed to Major General. Gustavus Adolphus De Russy, USA, and Rufus Ingalls, 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

May 24, 1863 Sunday
After a month of major military activity, the war entered a period of comparative quiet. The lesser actions continued, as always, but on principal fronts the armies rested and waited. In Virginia Hooker faced Lee at Fredericksburg; in Tennessee Rosecrans’ Federals regrouped at Murfreesboro while their opponent, Bragg, remained near Tullahoma, Sparta, and Wartrace. And of course at Vicksburg the siege was only beginning. At Port Hudson various units of Banks’ army joined for another siege.

Skirmishing occurred at Woodbury, Tennessee; Mill Springs, Kentucky; Mechanicsburg, Mississippi; and at Mound Plantation near Lake Providence, Louisiana. A Federal expedition operated May 24-31 up the Yazoo and Big Sunflower rivers of Mississippi (see below). Federal marines burned Austin, Mississippi in reprisal for Confederate firing on their boat.

Maj Gen John A. Schofield ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_A._Schofield ) was ordered to supercede Samuel R. Curtis in command of the Federal Department of Missouri. President Lincoln spent the day visiting hospitals in and near Washington. A newspaper reports, "The President expressed his gratification at the excellent condition of the hospitals and the comfortable condition of the patients. He shook hands with over one thousand soldiers, nearly all of whom were able to stand up. The soldiers seemed highly delighted as the President grasped them by the hand." J. R. Gilmore reports to President Lincoln on his recent trip to Gen Rosecrans' headquarters in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The trip was made at the behest of Horace Greeley to measure Rosecrans' fitness to succeed Lincoln as President.

President Davis wired Johnston that he knew Pemberton would hang on tenaciously at Vicksburg, “but the disparity of numbers renders prolonged defence dangerous. I hope you will soon be able to break the investment, make a junction and carry in munitions.” Ambrose Powell Hill, CSA, was appointed to Lieutenant General and Henry Heth, CSA, was appointed to Major General.

A boat expedition under Acting Master Edgar Van Slyck from U.S.S. Port Royal, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Morris, captured sloop Fashion above Apalachicola, Florida, with cargo of cotton. Van Slyck also burned the facility at Devil's Elbow where the sloop had been previously repaired and destroyed a barge near Fashion.

Lieutenant Commander J. G. Walker ascended the Yazoo River with U.S.S. Baron De Kalb, Forest Rose, Linden, Signal, and Petrel to capture transports and to break up Confederate movements. Fifteen miles below Fort Pemberton, Walker found and burned four steamers which were sunk on a bar blocking the river. Fire was exchanged with Confederate sharp shooters as the Union gunboats returned downriver. A landing party destroyed a large sawmill, and at Yazoo City brought away a large quantity of bar, round, and flat iron from the navy yard." Walker next penetrated the Sunflower River for about 150 miles, destroying shipping and grain before returning to the mouth of the Yazoo River. Admiral Porter reported to Secretary Welles: "Steamers to the amount of $700,000 were destroyed by the late expedition--9 in all."

_________________
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 25, 1863 Monday
Confederates failed to evacuate Port Hudson and Federal efforts to surround the post got fully under way. There was a skirmish at Thompson’s Creek near Port Hudson and Federals captured the Confederate steamers Starlight and Red Chief on the Mississippi River.

Other fighting was at Polk’s Plantation near Helena, Arkansas; Centreville, Louisiana; and Woodbury, Tennessee. C.S.S. Alabama, commanded by Captain Semmes, captured and burned ship Gildersleeve and bonded Justina off Bahia, Brazil. John Stevens Bowen, CSA, was appointed to Major General.

Federal military authorities in Tennessee turned over former Ohio congressman Clement L. Vallandigham to the Confederates. His prison sentence had been changed by President Lincoln to banishment from the U.S. after his conviction of expressing alleged pro-Confederate sentiments.

_________________
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 26, 1863 Tuesday
Federal troops under Gen Banks completed setting up siege operations at Port Hudson below Vicksburg on the Mississippi River. A Federal expedition from Haynes’ Bluff to Mechanicsburg, Mississippi May 26-June 4 included skirmishing. Other Federal expeditions moved from Corinth, Mississippi to Florence, Alabama May 26-31 and from Bolivar to Wesley Camp, Somerville, and Antioch Church, Tennessee May 26-29. Both involved skirmishing. A Federal scout from Fort Heiman, Kentucky lasted until June 2. In Missouri fighting erupted at Mountain Store and Bush Creek; and a Federal expedition moved from Memphis, Tennessee toward Hernando, Mississippi. Robert Ransom, Jr., CSA, was appointed to Major General and Alexander Shaler, USA, to Brigadier General.

Commander Davenport reported the assistance rendered the Army in the occupation of Wilkinson's Point, North. Carolina. U.S.S. Ceres, Shawsheen, and Brinker reconnoitered the area along the Neuse River, capturing and destroying a number of small schooners and boats. The gunboats then covered the landing of the troops and remained on station until the Army was solidly entrenched in its position.

In Alder Gulch, in what became Montana, gold had been discovered and, despite the war, a wild boom followed. Alder Gulch, renamed Virginia City, became the epitome of a frontier mining town. The spectacular strike relieved Federal authorities, who had feared a threat to the California gold mines.

President Davis, discussing army problems and command changes with Lee, also wrote him that “Pemberton is stoutly defending the entrenchments at Vicksburg, and Johnston has an army outside, which I suppose will be able to raise the siege, and combined with Pemberton’s forces may win a victory.”

_________________
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 27, 1863 Wednesday
In the rolling, ravine-cut, heavy-timbered country near Port Hudson, Louisiana Gen Banks’ Federal army of about 13,000 effectives, made its first assault on the estimated 4500 Confederates under Maj Gen Franklin Gardner ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin_Gardner ) within the beleaguered post ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Port_ ... ck_One.svg ). In a somewhat disorganized attack, the Federals, including some Negro troops, got close to the Confederate parapets. But the disjointed movements failed along the entire lines, with heavy losses. Federal casualties were 293 killed, 1545 wounded, and 157 missing for a total of 1995. Confederate killed and wounded together were about 235. Assaults on fortified Confederate areas had again proved costly ( http://ozarkscivilwar.org/photographs/2 ... hudson-la/ ). Brigadier General Edward Payson Chapin ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_P._Chapin ), USA, is killed while leading his men during the assault on Port Hudson, Louisiana.

In the Vicksburg theater Confederates attacked Union gunboats near Greenwood, Mississippi and skirmished near Lake Providence, Louisiana. On the Mississippi River itself Gen Sherman decided to attempt to reduce a Confederate strong point, Fort Hill, with the aid of the gunboats. U.S.S. Cincinnati, commanded by Lieutenant Bache, ". . . in accordance with Generals Grant's and Sherman's urgent request," moved to enfilade some rifle pits which had barred the Army's progress before Vicksburg. Though Porter took great precautions for the ship's safety by packing her with logs and hay, a shot entered Cincinnati's magazine, "and she commenced filling rapidly." Bache reported: "Before and after this time the enemy fired with great accuracy, hitting us almost every time. We were especially annoyed by plunging shots from the hills, an 8-inch rifle and a 10-inch smoothbore doing us much damage. The shots went entirely through our protection--hay, wood, and iron." Cincinnati, suffering 25 killed or wounded and 15 probable drownings, went down with her colors nailed to the mast. General Sherman wrote: "The style in which the Cincinnati engaged the battery elicited universal praise." And Secretary Welles expressed "the Department's appreciation of your brave conduct."
A Federal scout moved from Memphis toward Hernando, Mississippi and May 27-28 a Federal reconnaissance operated from Murfreesboro on the Manchester Pike in Tennessee. In Virginia Federals scouted May 27-28 from Snicker’s Ferry to Aldie, Fairfax Court House, and Leesburg. William Dorsey Pender, CSA, was appointed to Major General and Edward Payson Chapin, USA, to Brigadier General.

An anxious President Lincoln wired Hooker at the Rappahannock, “what news?” and to Rosecrans at Murfreesboro, “Have you any thing from Grant? Where is Forrest’s Head-Quarters?”

C.S.S. Chattahoochee, commanded by Lieutenant John J. Guthrie, was accidentally sunk with what one Southern newspaper termed "terrible loss of life" by an explosion in her boilers. Occurring while the gunboat was at anchor in the Chattahoochee River, Georgia, the accident cost the lives of some 18 men and injured others. She was later raised but never put to sea and was ultimately destroyed at war's end by the Confederates.

U.S.S. Coeur de Lion, commanded by Acting Master William G. Morris, burned schooners Charity, Gazelle, and Flight in the Yeocomico River, Virginia.

U.S.S. Brooklyn, under Commodore H. H. Bell, captured sloop Blazer with cargo of cotton at Pass Cavallo, Texas.

_________________
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 28, 1863 Thursday
From Boston the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteers ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/54th_Massa ... r_Infantry ) left for Hilton Head, South Carolina. It was the first Negro regiment sent from the North. There was a skirmish near Fort Gibson, Indian Territory and another near Austin, Mississippi. Isham Warren Garrott, CSA, and Edmund Kirby, USA, were appointed to Brigadier General. Brigadier General Edmund Kirby ( http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cg ... id=5892309 ), USA, dies in a Washington, D. C. hospital from his leg wound received while commanding a Federal artillery battery, near the Chancellor House, during the Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia, on May 3, 1863. Major General George L. Hartsuff ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_L._Hartsuff ), USA, assumes command of the Federal 23rd Army Corps. The Confederate Department of North Carolina is extended to include Petersburg, Virginia, and the Appomattox River. U.S.S. Brooklyn, under Commodore H. H. Bell, captured sloop Kate at Point Isabel, Texas, with cargo of cotton.


President Lincoln authorizes Gen Rosecrans to give Col Jacquess ( http://www.lincolndouglasquincydebate.c ... quess.html ) furlough to go into Confederate territory to seek out members of the Methodist Church and others opposed to war and to arrange terms for their return to allegiance which would be acceptable to the government.

_________________
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 29, 1863 Friday
Maj Gen Burnside, in command at Cincinnati, offered his resignation to President Lincoln as a result of the arrest, conviction and banishment of Vallandigham. President Lincoln, however, refused the resignation. Gov Oliver P. Morton of Indiana and others had also protested the arrest on grounds that it increased opposition to the war effort in the states on the Ohio River.

A skirmish broke out near Mill Springs, Kentucky, scene of a major battle early in 1862. Grant asked Porter: "Will you have the goodness to order the Marine Brigade to Haynes' Bluff, with directions to disembark and remain in occupation until I can relieve them by other troops? I have also to request that you put at the disposal of Major S. C. Lyford, chief of ordnance, two siege guns, ammunition, and implements complete, to be placed to the rear of Vicksburg. After they are in battery, and ready for use, I should be pleased to have them manned by crews from your fleet." Porter immediately replied that the brigade would leave early the next morning but that he had only one suitable large gun for use ashore and that one he was fitting on a mortar boat for close support" to throw shell into the [rifle] pits in front of Sherman." There were, however, six 8-inch guns on board U.S.S. Manitou, he told Grant, and he would have them landed as soon as that ship returned from Yazoo City.

C.S.S. Alabama, commanded by Captain Semmes, captured and burned Jabez Snow in the South Atlantic, bound from Cardiff to Montevideo, Uruguay, with cargo of coal.

U.S.S. Cimarron, Commander Andrew J. Drake, took blockade runner Evening Star off Wassaw Sound, Georgia, with cargo 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

May 30, 1863 Saturday
Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia was reorganized into three corps under Lieut Gen R.S. Ewell ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R.S._Ewell ), Lieut Gen A.P. Hill ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._P._Hill ), and Lieut Gen James Longstreet ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Longstreet ). Skirmishes occurred at Jordan’s Store, Tennessee; near Greenwich, Virginia; and at Port Isabel, Texas. At Newark, New Jersey a large meeting of Democrats protested the earlier arrest and conviction of Vallandigham.

U.S.S. Forest Rose, commanded by Acting Lieutenant G. W. Brown, and U.S.S. Linden, commanded by Acting Lieutenant T. E. Smith, reconnoitered Quiver River, Mississippi. A boat expedition from the two ships captured and burned Dew Drop and Emma Bett.

U.S.S. Rhode Island, Commander Stephen D. Trenchard, gave chase to blockade runner Margaret and Jessie off Eleuthera Island. Taking a shot in the boiler, the fleeing steamer was run ashore to keep from sinking with a large cargo of cotton.

Boat expedition under Lieutenant Commander Chester Hatfield captured schooner Star and sloop Victoria at Brazos Santiago, Texas; the latter was burned as she grounded in the attempt to bring her out into the Gulf.

Blockade runner A. D. Vance sailed from Great Britain to Wilmington; this was the first of 11 successful runs through the blockade for the vessel.

_________________
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