American Civil War Game Club (ACWGC)

June 29, 1864 Wednesday
President Davis told Gov Brown of Georgia that he had sent Johnston “all available reinforcements, detaching troops even from points that remain exposed to the enemy.” He did not see how he could do more. Skirmishes marked the day at Charles Town and Duffield’s Station, West Virginia; La Fayette, Tennessee; Davis’ Bend, Louisiana; and Meffleton Lodge, Arkansas. Amos Beebe Eaton, USA, is appointed to Brigadier General. Brigadier General Joseph Pannell Taylor ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Pannell_Taylor ), USA, dies in Washington, D. C., from natural causes.

_________________
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

June 30, 1864 Thursday
Sec of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase, who obviously had dreams of the presidency and was backed by some Radical Republicans, resigned once more. This time President Lincoln accepted. “You and I have reached a point of mutual embarrassment in our official relation which it seems can not be overcome, or longer sustained, consistently with the public service,” President Lincoln wrote. Asst Sec George Harrington assumed the duties temporarily. Former Gov David Tod of Ohio was nominated for the post but declined because of poor health. The ostensible cause of Chase’s resignation was dispute over an appointment, but it had been brewing for some time. Chase appeared surprised at the acceptance, for several times before his resignation had been refused; this time President Lincoln had had enough. The President also signed several acts increasing duties, providing for more revenue, and broadening the base of the income tax. President Lincoln abandons the colonization (Chiriqui) idea. [Plan to send 500 able-bodied Negroes as first colony on Isthmus of Chiriqui was opposed by Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica]( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linconia ).

Gen Early and his advancing Confederates in the Shenandoah Valley arrived at New Market. Skirmishes occurred in Georgia at La Fayette, Allatoona, and Acworth. Actions also took place at Four-Mile Creek and Deep Bottom, Virginia.

Immediately upon returning to command of the West Gulf Blockading Squadron, Rear Admiral Farragut moved to obtain monitors for the inevitable engagement with C.S.S. Tennessee in Mobile Bay. Earlier in June Secretary Welles had written to Rear Admiral Porter of the matter: "It is of the greatest importance that some of the new ironclads building on the Mississippi should be sent without fail to Rear Admiral Farragut. Are not some of them ready? If not, can you not hurry them forward?" Porter responded that light-draft monitors U.S.S. Winnebago and Chickasaw were completed, and this date issued orders for the two vessels, which were to play an important part in the Battle of Mobile Bay, to report to Farragut at New Orleans.

Acting Ensign Edward H. Watkeys, commanding a launch from U.S.S. Roebuck, captured sloop Last Resort off Indian River Inlet, Florida, with cargo of cotton.

U.S.S. Glasgow, commanded by Acting Master N. Mayo Dyer, forced blockade running steamer Ivanhoe to run aground near Fort Morgan at Mobile Bay. Because the steamer was protected by the fort's guns, Rear Admiral Farragut unsuccessfully attempted to destroy her by long-range fire from U.S.S. Metacomet and Monongahela.

_________________
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

July 1, 1864 Friday
President Lincoln appointed William Pitt Fessenden, long-time senator from Maine, Secretary of the Treasury in place of Chase. The appointment was immediately confirmed. Fessenden had extensive experience on the Finance Committee, opposed inflation, and believed in heavier taxation. Although he took the job reluctantly and considered it temporary, Fessenden in less than a year in office operated the wartime Treasury efficiently and soundly.

Sporadic fighting occurred on the Georgia front at Howell’s Ferry, Allatoona, and Lost Mountain. The Petersburg lines remained quiet, for the most part. There was a skirmish near Fayette, Missouri. For the entire month scouts and relatively minor actions took place in Arkansas and along the west coast of Florida. Federal troops operated against Indians in Minnesota. Maj Gen Irvin McDowell ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irvin_McDowell ) assumed command of the Department of the Pacific, a post far from the war for the Federal commander at First Bull Run. The U.S. Senate passed the House-approved Wade-Davis reconstruction bill 26 to 3, with 20 absent. George Henry Chapman, USA, and John Thomas Croxton, USA, were appointed to Brigadier General. Brigadier General George Wright ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Wright_(general) ), USA, is assigned command of the Federal District of California.

Secretary Mallory wrote President Davis that due to a shortage of mechanics the ordnance works at Selma, Alabama, could not "make more than one gun in a week, whereas with a proper number of mechanics it could manufacture with carriages and equipments complete, three in a week, and in a few months one every day. . . ." Shortage of skilled craftsmen was a handicap the South could never overcome. The manpower and material shortages at Selma specifically crippled the progress of the ironclad squadron Admiral Buchanan was desperately trying to develop in Mobile Bay. Only ram Tennessee was ready when the critical moment arrived on 5 August.

C.S.S. Florida, commanded by Lieutenant Morris, captured and burned bark Harriet Stevens at sea southwest of Bermuda with cargo of lumber, cement, and gum opium; Morris sent the opium in a blockade runner for hospital use.

U.S.S. Merrimac, commanded by Acting Lieutenant W. Budd, captured blockade running sloop Henrietta at sea west of Tampa, Florida, 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

July 2, 1864 Saturday
Joseph E. Johnston evacuated his entrenchments on Kennesaw Mountain in Georgia during the night and pulled back the entire front to still another prepared line below Marietta. Johnston moved in response to Sherman’s shifting armies, recognizing that otherwise his flanks would be turned. At Charleston Harbor Federal troops landed on James Island and were checked at first, but the Confederate defenders fell back. Other action occurred near Secessionville, South Carolina.

In Virginia Early’s Confederate column, heading north toward the Potomac River, reached Winchester with little opposition. At Bolivar Heights, West Virginia Early’s outposts were active in driving in Federals. In Mississippi skirmishing occurred on the Byhalia Road near the state line south of Collierville, Tennessee. Farther south in Mississippi a Federal expedition moved from Vicksburg to the Pearl River and engaged in several skirmishes en route; the affair ended July 10.

The Federal Congress granted public land in the Pacific Northwest for railroad and telegraph lines to Puget Sound, and also chartered the Northern Pacific Railroad. President Lincoln signed this bill, which also opened land for settlement from Lake Superior to the Pacific. He also discussed the Treasury with Sec Fessenden and the congressional proposal to confiscate Confederate estates with Representative George W. Julian of Indiana. President Lincoln and family begin summer residence at Soldiers' Home. Martin Davis Hardin, USA, was appointed to Brigadier General.

U.S.S. Keystone State, under Commander Crosby, captured blockade running British steamer Rouen at sea off Wilmington. The steamer had thrown her cargo of cotton overboard during the four hour chase, and was not brought to until Keystone had fired 22 shots at her, "all of them falling quite near and some directly over her."

_________________
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

July 3, 1864 Sunday
Confederates moved into the Harper’s Ferry area once again. Early’s men, marching northward from Winchester, drove Sigel’s Federals before them, with skirmishing at Leetown, Darkesville, Martinsburg, North Mountain, North River Mills, West Virginia and Buckton, Virginia. The small Union force escaped across the Potomac River into Maryland at Shepherdstown. Citizens north of the Potomac River were in an uproar and even Washington was apprehensive. Was it only a raid or a serious invasion?

In the Charleston Harbor area Federals renewed their efforts against the city and forts. Landing in barges, a Federal assault force failed in a dawn attack on Fort Johnson from Morris Island, and lost 140 as prisoners. James Island was also invaded by a strong column of 5000 but driven back to the Stono River by July 5, where they were covered by the Federal Navy.

Sherman’s armies moved forward, past Kennesaw Mountain and through Marietta, toward Johnston’s new Confederate line along Nickajack Creek. Skirmishes erupted at Kingston, Ruff’s Mills, Big Shanty, and Sweetwater Bridge as cavalry operated in the rear of Federal lines. Other fighting occurred in Platte County, Missouri; and for the rest of July Federals operated around Baton Rouge and along the Amite River, Louisiana.

Sec of the Treasury Fessenden tried to decline his new Cabinet post but President Lincoln refused.

Brigadier General George Crook ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Crook ), USA, assumes command of all U.S. forces in the Federal Department of West Virginia west of the Alleghanies and south of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad.

_________________
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

July 4, 1864 Monday
The first session of the Thirty-Eighth Congress of the Unites States adjourned amid new tensions over what would be the policy of reconstruction of the seceded states and who would control it – Congress or the President. President Lincoln signed many bills, including one setting up the office of Commissioner of Immigration, and one repealing certain exemption clauses of the Enrollment Act. But he did not sign the controversial Wade-Davis reconstruction bill, to the chagrin of ultraradical members of Congress. Frantic pressure was applied even at this late hour, but the President pocket-vetoed the bill backed by Sen Benjamin Wade of Ohio and Representative Henry Winter Davis of Maryland. The bill called for reorganization of a seceded state only after a majority of the enrolled white male citizens had taken an oath of allegiance and adopted a constitution acceptable to Congress and the President. No one who had held any Confederate state or national office or who had voluntarily borne arms for the South would be able to vote on or serve as a delegate to the convention whether he took the oath or not. The measure also called for complete emancipation of slaves through congressional action rather than a constitutional amendment, plus further restrictions on officeholding and voting, as well as repudiation of all Confederate debts. In effect it called for Congress rather than the President to control reconstruction. Provisions of the bill as to voting would obviously make it extremely difficult to reconstruct a state and would lead to control by the Radicals of Congress. The President had already instituted much more lenient reconstruction in Louisiana and Arkansas, where 10 per cent of the previous voters could restore a state, and the oath called merely for future support of the Union.

General Early’s Confederates operated near Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia preparatory to crossing the Potomac River, and fighting broke out at South Branch Bridge, Patterson’s Creek Bridge, and Frankford, West Virginia. Sporadic action continued on James Island in Charleston Harbor. Federal lines continued to move forward toward Johnston in Georgia. Sherman’s right flank, under McPherson, was now closer to Atlanta than Johnston, actually touching the Chattahoochee River. So yet again the Confederates pulled back during the night to new prepared fortifications on the Chattahoochee River. Action was at Burnt Hickory, Rottenwood Creek, Campbellton, Ruff’s Mills, Neal Dow Station, and Mitchell’s Crossroads. An especially heavy engagement took place at Vining’s Station as Federals pressed ahead ( http://www.mycivilwar.com/battles/640704a.html ). Other action of the day occurred in Clay County, Missouri; Cross Bayou, Louisiana; and in Searcy County, Arkansas. For most of July a Federal expedition operated from Memphis to Grand Gulf, Mississippi with several skirmishes. Charles Jackson Paine, USA, was appointed to Brigadier General.

U.S.S. Magnolia, commanded by Acting Lieutenant William S. Cheesman, captured three boats at sea several hundred miles east of Florida with small cargo of cotton and turpentine. The intrepid Southern boatsmen had been at sea for some 40 days attempting to reach Nassau. The attempt to run the blockade in small boats, powered by sail and oars, was an extreme measure even for the South's struggling economy.

_________________
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

July 5, 1864 Tuesday
Early began crossing the Potomac River into Maryland at Shepherdstown after finding Harper’s Ferry too strong to take. As a result Confederates and Federals fought at Keedysville, Noland’s Ferry, Point of Rocks, and Solomon’s Gap, Maryland. Meanwhile, the call went out for 24,000 militia from New York and Pennsylvania to help defend Maryland and the North. Washington and nearby areas were seriously alarmed now.

Sherman’s Federals pressed Johnston’s line on the Chattahoochee River, seeking a soft spot and investigating possible openings on the flanks. Skirmishes flared at Pace’s Ferry ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Pace%27s_Ferry ), Howell’s Ferry, Turner’s Ferry, and Isham’s Ford, Georgia.

Federal cavalry moved out of La Grange, Tennessee and headed for northern Mississippi. Yankees, now under A.J. Smith, were hunting Forrest again, attempting to bring him to bay and halt any planned depredations against Sherman’s lengthening supply line. Otherwise there were operations in western Missouri, a six-day Union expedition from New Madrid to Caruthersville, and Federal scouts along the Big Piney, Missouri.

President Lincoln suspended the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Kentucky and proclaimed martial law ( http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/te ... oln7%3A939 ). The President stated that many Kentucky citizens had joined or helped the “forces of the insurgents.” New York Tribune editor Horace Greeley, long discontented with the Administration, received a letter from Canada alleging that two emissaries of the Confederacy with powers to negotiate peace were in the country. Greeley urged the President to investigate the emissaries’ offer of a meeting.

_________________
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

July 6, 1864 Wednesday
Early’s Confederates in Maryland captured Hagerstown, skirmished at Sir John’s Run and Big Cacapon Bridge, West Virginia and at Antietam, Maryland. Early himself and the rest of the Confederate force completed crossing the Potomac River at Shepherdstown. John McCausland, commanding Confederates at Hagerstown, levied $20,000 on the population in retribution for Hunter’s depredations in the Shenandoah Valley. In Washington Federal authorities conferred on reinforcing the defenses of the capital.

Cavalry operations and reconnaissances continued on the Atlanta front, with skirmishing at Sandtown and Nickajack Creek. The Petersburg lines were sluggish, but some forces skirmished at Mount Zion Church near Aldie, Virginia. Other action included a skirmish near Benton, Arkansas; operations the rest of the month in western Missouri; Federal scouting in southeastern Arizona Territory; and a skirmish on the Little Blue, Jackson County, Missouri. Edward Cary Walthall, CSA, was appointed to Major General. Brigadier General Samuel Allen Rice ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_A._Rice ), USA, dies at his home in Oskaloosa, Iowa, from complications resulting from a shattered ankle received during the Battle of Jenkins' Ferry, Arkansas, April 30, 1864.

_________________
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

July 7, 1864 Thursday
Federal troops and militia hurried toward Washington and Maryland to protect the North and its capital from Early’s “invading army.” The Third Division of the Sixth Army Corps arrived at Baltimore from the Army of the Potomac at Petersburg. Fighting occurred at Middletown, Brownsville, and Hager’s or Catoctin Mountain, Maryland.

In Charleston Harbor Confederates attacked Federal entrenchments on James Island and carried them by the ninth. The Northern troops fell back, withdrawing from the islands and from the Stono River. Federal losses in the ten days’ fighting, 330; Confederate, 163. A third major bombardment of the sadly battered Fort Sumter began. Federal guns threw 784 rounds at the mound of rubble that was the fort; four times the flag was shot away and four times restored.

At Ripley, Mississippi Union troops heading out from Memphis after Forrest again skirmished with Confederates. In east Tennessee a series of Federal scouts lasted several days each. Across the Mississippi River, fighting broke out at Parkville, Missouri and Van Buren, Arkansas. Sherman’s troops near Atlanta, but with the Chattahoochee River between them and their goal, continued investigating crossing places. Reconnaissance and raids on their lines of communications brought fighting at Adairsville, Dark Corners, Vining’s Station, and Summerville, Georgia. July 7-12 there were small sea-land raids by the Union at Brookville and Bayport, Florida. The following appointments were made: Henry Delmar Clayton, CSA, to Major General; John Carpenter Carter, CSA, and James Thadeus Holtzclaw, CSA, to Brigadier General.

The fallback of Joseph E. Johnston to the Chattahoochee River rendered President Davis “more apprehensive for the future.” He wrote his general that he was fearful of Johnston having the river in back of him but felt to cross it would give the enemy too much opportunity. Davis added that he could send him no further reinforcements.

_________________
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

July 8, 1864 Friday
President Lincoln proclaimed his backing of a constitutional amendment abolishing slavery, but declared that he was not prepared to support the idea that Congress had the authority to eradicate the institution. The proclamation was a statement of his pocket veto July 4 of the Wade-Davis reconstruction bill. He said he could not be inflexible on any one plan of reconstruction or to set aside the new Federal governments in Arkansas and Louisiana, but if people of a state wished to choose the system of restoration in the bill, that would be proper.

One division of the Federal Sixth Corps had reached Baltimore from the Petersburg lines, and was preparing to move out against Early’s invading Confederates. Early’s men fought at Antietam Bridge, Frederick, and Sandy Hook, Maryland. Near Frederick miscellaneous Federal units gathered under Lew Wallace in an effort to halt what looked like a move on Washington. Major General Franz Sigel ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Sigel ), USA, is removed as Federal commander of Harper's Ferry, West Virginia and Brigadier General Albion P. Howe ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albion_P._Howe ), USA, assumes command.

Schofield’s army, on the left of Sherman’s forces in Georgia, crossed the Chattahoochee River near the mouth of Soap Creek, against little opposition. McPherson on the Union right feinted at Turner’s Ferry. This surprise move around Johnston’s right flank made the Confederate position on the northwest side of the Chattahoochee River untenable and Johnston was obviously going to be forced to pull back across the river, closer to Atlanta. Skirmishes were recorded at Cove Springs and Isham’s Ford. Elsewhere, troops fought at Vienna, Alabama; near Richmond, Missouri; and near Kelly’s Mill, Mississippi.

U.S.S. Fort Jackson, commanded by Captain Sands, captured blockade running British steamer Boston at sea off the South Carolina coast with cargo of copperas, salt, and soap. U.S.S. Kanawha, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Bushrod B. Taylor, forced blockade running steamer Matagorda aground near Galveston. Kanawha, joined by U.S.S. Penguin and Aroostook, opened fire and destroyed the steamer, which carried cargo including cotton. C.S.S. Florida, commanded by Lieutenant Morris, captured whaling bark Golconda at sea southwest of Bermuda with 1,800 barrels of whale oil. "After taking what supplies of oil we required," Morris reported, "I burned her." U.S.S. Sonoma, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Edmund O. Matthews, captured steamer Ida off the Stono River, South Carolina, with cargo of cotton. U.S.S. Azalea, commanded by Acting Master Frederick W. Strong, and U.S.S. Sweet Brier, commanded by Acting Ensign J. D. Dexter, captured blockade running schooner Pocahontas off Charleston with cargo of cotton. Weak at sea, the South could not protect by convoy the daring merchantmen that sought to run the blockade.

_________________
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

July 9, 1864 Saturday
Some 6000 men of the Federal army, gathered from various sources, stood directly in the way of Jubal Early’s Confederate advance upon Washington from Frederick, Maryland. Early’s 10,000 infantry moved forward to the Monocacy River southeast of Frederick. Many of the Federals were inexperienced, untrained, and short-term men. After a stubborn fight, Lew Wallace’s pickup force was routed and the march onward was clear for Early. The Confederates suffered around 700 casualties and the Federals nearly 2000, over 1200 of whom were missing. While not a major battle, it did delay the progress toward Washington at least a day and provided a little more time for defensive measures in Northern cities ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Monocacy and http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/monocacy.html ). At Frederick the Confederates imposed a levy of $200,000 on city officials. Early moved on with his total force, which probably did not exceed 18,000. The dry heat of the past few weeks was telling upon the armies throughout Virginia and Maryland and upon civilians, too. Near-panic held sway in Baltimore as home defenders of various kinds hurried to the fortifications. In Washington there was apprehension, too, and preparations were being rushed. Two divisions of the Federal Sixth Corps left City Point, Virginia bound for the capital.

At Petersburg Gen Meade ordered the Army of the Potomac to start regular siege approach lines to increase pressure on Lee’s army. On John’s Island in Charleston Harbor there was action on Burden’s Causeway. Federals also operated around Wellington, Missouri.

During the night Joseph E. Johnston took his Army of Tennessee across the Chattahoochee River, retreating once more – this time to the gates of Atlanta. The Confederates carefully destroyed all bridges as they retired into previously prepared fortifications. Severe skirmishing had occurred during the day along the river and at Vining’s Station and Nickajack Creek. Sherman, with Schofield’s whole force already across the Chattahoochee River to the north, built up supplies and prepared for a full press forward. President Davis instructed Gen Bragg to go to Georgia and consult with Gen Johnston about Johnston’s plans.

In Washington the President told Horace Greeley that if anyone had a peace proposition in writing that included the restoration of the Union and the ending of slavery, he should come to Lincoln.

Major John Tyler, CSA, Assistant Adjutant General, wrote Major General Sterling Price regarding a proposed attack on Point Lookout, Maryland, to release Confederate prisoners: "The plan is that he [Lieutenant General Jubal Early] shall seize Baltimore and hold it with his infantry while his cavalry proceeds to Point Lookout to liberate our prisoners there concentrated to the extent of nearly 30,000. In the meantime Captain [John Taylor] Wood, of the Navy, proceeds from Wilmington with 5 gunboats and 20,000 stand of arms for the same point by water. If successful in thus liberating and arming our imprisoned soldiers, Washington will be assaulted and no doubt carried. This I regard as decidedly the most brilliant idea of the war." Rumors of this daring plan reached Lieutenant Stuyvesant, U.S.S. Minnesota, on 18 July and he warned the Navy Department and Rear Admiral Lee that Wood was reported to have left Richmond with 800 volunteers on the 7th and 8th. While the projected expedition caused considerable excitement among the Union authorities, President Davis had already, on 10 July, advised against the attempt. Wood reported that he was ready to run the blockade out of Wilmington on 9 July, but the Confederate President replied: "The object and destination of the expedition have somehow become so generally known that I fear your operations will meet unexpected obstacles." The idea was abandoned, but illustrated the bold and daring measures considered by the South during the last year of the war.

C.S.S. Florida, commanded by Lieutenant Morris, captured and burned bark Greenland, with cargo of coal, and schooner Margaret Y. Davis, in ballast, at sea off Cape Henry, Virginia. U.S.S. Gettysburg, commanded by Acting Master William M. Gloin, captured blockade running steamer Little Ada at sea off Cape Romain with cargo of pig lead and potash after a lengthy chase.

_________________
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

July 10, 1864 Sunday
Early’s Confederates moved on, a bit more slowly now, fighting at Rockville and Gunpowder Bridge, very near the capital. In Mississippi A.J. Smith’s Federal expedition skirmished at Cherry Creek and Plentytude. Also in Mississippi a skirmish took place in Issaquena County, and a week-long Federal expedition moved from Vicksburg to Grand Gulf with some skirmishing against roving bands of Confederates.

Sherman was laying his plans to invest Atlanta and keep after Johnston’s army. Lovell Harrison Rousseau ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lovell_Rousseau ), Federal cavalry commander, led some 2500 men from Decatur, Georgia northeast of Atlanta to operate against the railroad line between Columbus, Georgia and Montgomery, Alabama. By July 22 he was back in Marietta after wrecking a considerable amount of Southern rail line. Fighting in Georgia took place at Alpharetta and Campbellton. In the West skirmishes erupted at Little Rock and near Petit Jean, Arkansas and at Platte City, Missouri. Federals unsuccessfully attacked Fort Johnson and Battery Simkins in Charleston Harbor.

President Lincoln and his family came back to the White House due to possible danger at their summer residence at the Soldiers’ Home. Lincoln told a Baltimore groups that he believed Early was moving on Washington and that “They can not fly to either place. Let us be vigilant but keep cool. I hope neither Baltimore or Washington will be sacked.”

C.S.S. Florida, commanded by Lieutenant Morris, captured and burned bark General Berry with cargo of hay and straw. The action took place only 35 miles from Maryland's eastern shore as Morris continued his dashing raid on Union coastal shipping. Shortly thereafter, Morris gave chase to bark Zelinda, which he captured in ballast. He reported: "Put an officer and prize crew on board of her, with orders to follow us, went in chase of a schooner to the eastward. Found her to be the Howard . . . with a cargo of fruit belonging to English merchants. Bonded the schooner for $6,000, and put all of the prisoners (sixty-two in all) on board. . . ." Morris then removed Zelinda's provisions and burned her. Florida made yet another capture that day, the mail steamer Electric Spark; her passengers were transferred to a passing British ship, Lane. Seeking to create the impression that he had made a tender of Electric Spark, Morris scuttled her during the night rather than putting her to the torch. This prize had yielded a quantity of cash in addition to other important articles, including mail. Morris, recognizing that Union ships would by this time be in hot pursuit of him, turned Florida on an easterly course into the broad Atlantic, whose vastness provided refuge for commerce raiders.

U.S.S. Monongahela, under Commander Strong, U.S.S. Lackawanna, commanded by Captain Marchand, U.S.S. Galena, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Clark H. Wells, U.S.S. Sebago, commanded by Lieutenant Commander William E. Fitzhugh, opened fire on steamer Virgin, described as "a very large" blockade runner, aground near Fort Morgan, at Mobile Bay, Alabama. Under cover of Fort Morgan's cannon, a river steamer attempted to tow Virgin off, but was forced to withdraw by the accurate shelling from the blockaders. The next day, however, the Confederates towed Virgin into Mobile Bay.

U.S.S. Roebuck, commanded by Acting Master William L. Martine, captured blockade running British schooner Terrapin, at Jupiter Inlet, Florida, 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

July 11, 1864 Monday
Confederate soldiers were in the environs of Washington. At Silver Spring, Maryland Jubal Early’s men burned the home of the Blair family as Early tried to determine what sort of defensive troops were in the Federal capital. After a reconnaissance he ordered an assault for the next morning. Skirmishing broke out at Frederick, Maryland and Fort Stevens near Washington ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fort_Stevens ), and Confederates captured Federal trains near Magnolia, Maryland. The militia of the District of Columbia was called up, invalids organized, office personnel put under arms; units of the Nineteenth Corps from New Orleans, now under Maj Gen Q.A. Gillmore, readied for the Southern attack. Two divisions of Maj Gen Horatio Wright’s Sixth Corps from City Point arrived about noon. Over 20,000 men, many of them raw troops, now opposed Early, and the Confederate general was becoming apprehensive of being able to do more than throw Washington and Baltimore into consternation.

Skirmishing increased in northern Mississippi, with action at and near Pontotoc. Federals scouted from Gunter’s Landing to Warrenton, Alabama. The U.S. Navy destroyed salt works near Tampa, Florida. Major General Edward O. C. Ord ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Ord ), USA, is assigned command of the Federal 8th Army Corps and of the Union troops in the Federal Middle Department.

In the financial world the Federal dollar was worth only thirty-nine cents, lowest price for the dollar during the war. President Lincoln and Mrs Lincoln visited threatened Fort Stevens, where they witnessed an attack. Soldiers ordered him away from the dangerous parapets. While concerned, President Lincoln appeared more curious than worried.

_________________
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

July 12, 1864 Tuesday
Seeing Federal troops moving into the fortifications of the capital, Early gave up his plans for assault and settled for extensive skirmishing in the northern outskirts, particularly at Fort Stevens. At night they headed for the Potomac River at Leesburg. Once more President Lincoln rode out to see the action at Fort Stevens. Again he came under fire and youthful officer Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr shouted, “Get down, you fool.” Prompt reinforcement saved Washington from a major attack and, possibly, occupation. The raid had failed to be anything but a period of excitement. It did not relieve Federal pressure on Petersburg or materially change the Confederate military picture.

Elsewhere, Federals scouted in Lincoln County, Tennessee. Skirmishes flared at Campbellton, Georgia and at Warwick Swamp and Turkey Creek, north of the James River in Virginia.

Greatly disturbed over Georgia, President Davis wrote Gen Lee, “Genl. Johnston has failed and there are strong indications that he will abandon Atlanta….It seems necessary to relieve him at once. Who should succeed him? What think you of Hood for the position?” http://docsteach.org/documents/4529767/print and http://civilwartalk.com/threads/reomovi ... anta.6428/ On July 12, 1864, Robert E. Lee telegrammed his reply to Davis’s request for an opinion: “…Hood is a good fighter, very industrious on the battlefield, careless off, and I have had no opportunity of judging his action, when the whole responsibility rested upon him. I have a very high opinion of his gallantry, earnestness and zeal. General Hardee has more experience in managing an army. May God give you wisdom to decide in this momentous matter.”

U.S.S. Penobscot, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Benham, captured blockade running schooner James Williams off Galveston with cargo including medicines, coffee, and liquor.

_________________
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

July 13, 1864 Wednesday
Jubal Early’s frustrated Confederate veterans hurried toward the Potomac River at Leesburg. Grant ordered Maj Gen Horatio Wright and the Sixth and Nineteenth Corps to pursue. By evening about 15,000 Federals were on the way. A slight affair at Rockville, Maryland marked the retreat and follow-up.

In Georgia Sherman prepared to advance his whole force across the Chattahoochee River and then around the north side of Atlanta toward Decatur on the east. Federal cavalry operated against bridges and railroads, but generally failed to wreck the railroads close to Atlanta.

Union cavalry moved into Tupelo, Mississippi and fighting erupted at Camargo Cross Roads. A.J. Smith’s Federals were getting nearer Forrest’s Confederate cavalry. The Confederates moved to the attack, and there were harassing Southern forays during the day. Smith’s force of some 14,000 arrived at Harrisburg, a mile or so from Tupelo, late in the day, and took up a strong position on a low, open ridge.

Elsewhere, action occurred at Camden Point and Versailles, Missouri. Skirmishing took place near Brownsville, Arkansas. A Union reconnaissance probed from Pine Bluff, Arkansas and a four-day Federal expedition moved from Helena, Arkansas to Buck Island in the Mississippi River. In Kentucky a skirmish broke out at Bell Mines and a Union scout operated from Munfordville to Big Spring.

President Davis told Gen Lee that Gen Bragg had arrived in Atlanta to investigate what Davis believed to be Joseph E. Johnston’s failure to stop Sherman. “It is a sad alternative, but the case seems hopeless in present hands,” he wrote. “The means are surely adequate if properly employed, especially the cavalry is ample.”

Colonel Albert J. Myer, USA, forwarded intelligence regarding the naval defenses of Mobile Bay to Rear Admiral Farragut, Myer reported. "A line of piles driven under water extends from the shoal water near Fort Gaines, across Pelican Pass Channel, and to the edge of the main ship channel. One informant describes this obstruction as five rows of piles driven closely together. The other informant does not know how many are the piles or how closely driven. . . . From the western edge of the main ship channel, where the fixed obstructions terminate, a torpedo line extends eastward across that channel to a point differently estimated as at 400 yards and as at nearly one-half mile from Fort Morgan." A "torpedo party" of seven men was reported to be in charge of the underwater weapons. These torpedoes almost turned back the Admiral's assault on Mobile Bay less than a month later.

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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