American Civil War Game Club (ACWGC)

September 13, 1862 Saturday
In the morning at Frederick, Maryland two lounging Union soldiers picked up a paper wrapped around a few cigars. It was a lost copy of Lee’s orders for the Maryland campaign. The “Lost Order of Antietam” was rushed to McClellan and he began to move accordingly and a little more rapidly, though not entirely trusting his fortuitous intelligence. How the order was lost has never been fully explained. By evening McClellan was pushing west toward the mountains beyond Frederick. Lee had Stuart and his cavalry at South Mountain and other troops nearby. Longstreet was near Hagerstown, Jackson near Harper’s Ferry. That night Stuart learned of the lost order and informed Lee that it was in McClellan’s possession. Battle was looming ( http://antietam.aotw.org/maps_campaign.php?map_date=13 ). Already there had been skirmishes at Catoctin Mountain, Middletown, Jefferson, and South Mountain.

Down in western Virginia Federals evacuated Charleston, after some fighting, in the face of the Confederate offensive under W.W. Loring ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_W._Loring ) in the Kanawha Valley ( http://www.wvculture.org/history/sesqui ... 0910b.html ). In Missouri skirmishing broke out anew at Newtonia, at Bragg’s Farm near Whaley’s Mill, and at Strother Fork of Black River in Iron County. Other fighting was at Iuka, Mississippi; and there were operations in Flour Bluffs, Texas; and a Union expedition to Pass Manchac and Ponchatoula, Louisiana. C.S.S. Alabama, commanded by Captain Semmes, seized and burned whaling ship Altamaha near the Azores. Major General John Sedgwick, USA, is assigned command of the 12th Army Corps, Federal Army of the Potomac. Calvin Edward Pratt, USA, was appointed to Brigadier General.

In New Orleans Gen Butler ordered all foreigners to register with his occupation authorities. President Lincoln sprained his wrist checking his run-away horse during the morning ride from the Soldiers' Home to the White House.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

September 14, 1862 Sunday
The left wing of McClellan’s army under Maj Gen William B. Franklin moved toward Crampton’s Gap in an effort to relieve the Harper’s Ferry garrison and to cut off Confederates advancing on that stronghold. Franklin carried the pass against Lafayette McLaws, but, believing he was outnumbered, Franklin entrenched and did not push on from Pleasant Valley toward Harper’s Ferry. At South Mountain, at Fox’s and Turner’s gaps, Federal cavalry under Pleasonton fought with D.H. Hill’s Confederates until the two Federal corps of Reno and Hooker of the right wing under Burnside came up. After severe battling the Confederates withdrew late in the evening, both flanks enveloped. Federal Maj Gen Jesse L. Reno ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_L._Reno ) is mortally wounded leading an attack against Confederate forces at Fox's Gap and dies on the battlefield. Brigadier General Jacob D. Cox ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Dolson_Cox ), USA, assumes command of the 9th Army Corps, Federal Army of the Potomac. Brigadier General Samuel Garland, Jr. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Garland ), CSA, is mortally wounded defending Fox's Gap and dies on the battlefield. Federal casualties for the day are put at 443 killed, 1807 wounded, and 75 missing, a total of 2325 of more than 28,000. An estimated 325 Confederates were killed, 1560 wounded, 800 missing for a total of 2685 of about 18,000 engaged, but casualties may have been higher. These battles are known as South Mountain, Boonsborough, Boonsborough Gap, Turner’s Gap, and Crampton’s Gap or Crampton’s Pass ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_South_Mountain and http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/so ... apmap.html and http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/so ... psmap.html ). There also was a skirmish near Petersville, Maryland. Meanwhile, Jackson and McLaws besieged the Federal garrison at Harper’s Ferry ( http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/ha ... ferry.html ).

In the West Bragg’s Confederate forces moved on Munfordville, Kentucky and advance units were repulsed ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Munfordville ). There was fighting at Henderson, Kentucky as Federal Gen Don Carlos Buell, marching rapidly north from Tennessee to head off Bragg, reached Bowling Green, Kentucky. To the south in Mississippi the third prong of the Confederate offensive was in operation, with Sterling Price occupying Iuka, Mississippi near Corinth. C.S.S. Alabama, commanded by Captain Semmes, seized and burned whaling ship Benjamin Tucker near the Azores.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

September 15, 1862 Monday
Harper’s Ferry fell to Stonewall Jackson’s command after short resistance ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Harpers_Ferry ). The Confederates captured about 12,000 prisoners. The Federal defense, led by Dixon S. Miles ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dixon_S._Miles ), who was mortally wounded, was generally considered inadequate and there was great argument over whether the strategic point should have been held at all. Confederates at South Mountain, faced by McClellan’s army, fell back to Sharpsburg, Maryland. Lee was concentrating his scattered force at the small village preparatory to withdrawing across the Potomac. But hearing Harper’s Ferry had fallen, he reversed his plan and established a line to the west of Antietam Creek. Lafayette McLaws ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lafayette_McLaws ) withdrew his division from Maryland Heights, crossed the Potomac, and joined Jackson at Harper’s Ferry. Meanwhile, the Union Army of the Potomac pushed through South Mountain Passes to Keedysville, with a small skirmish ensuing, and another at Boonsborough.

In the West E. Kirby Smith appeared before Covington, Kentucky on the Ohio across from Cincinnati, but retired rapidly. Bragg was besieging Munfordville, Kentucky to the south. Sept 15-20 there was a Union scout in Ralls County, Missouri. Lieutenant Commander Samuel Magaw, commander of U.S.S. Thomas Freeborn, reported the seizure and burning of schooner Arctic in Great Wicomico River, Maryland. Major General Joseph King Fenno Mansfield ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_K._Mansfield ), USA, assumes command of the 12th Army Corps, Federal Army of the Potomac. President Lincoln declines the offer of three Negro regiments raised in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. President Lincoln writes J. K. Dubois: "I now consider it safe to say that Gen. McClellan has gained a great victory over the great rebel army in Maryland between Fredericktown and Hagerstown. He is now pursuing the flying foe." The following appointments were made to Brigadier General: Joseph Robert Davis, CSA; William Henry Fitzhugh Lee, CSA; and Henry Jackson Hunt, USA.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

September 16, 1862 Tuesday
Along the quiet Antietam Creek Lee gathered his forces and formed his lines. A hard night march had brought Jackson from Harper’s Ferry and McLaws was on his way. A division under A.P. Hill remained at the Harper Ferry to complete surrender arrangements. Union forces moved cautiously forward from Keedysville; there was some desultory firing, but no major attack by McClellan and his Army of the Potomac ( http://www.civilwar.com/battles/officia ... -1862.html ). Many said later that a great opportunity was lost by the Federals. Down in Virginia there was a Federal reconnaissance toward Thoroughfare Gap and Aldie, and from this day to the nineteenth a Union reconnaissance from Upton’s Hill to Leesburg. C.S.S. Alabama, commanded by Captain Semmes, captured and burned whaling ship Courser near the Azores.

In Kentucky some 4,000 Federals were surrounded at Munfordville by Bragg. There was skirmishing near Oakland Station, Kentucky; another fight in Monroe County, Missouri; and there were minor operations around Iuka, Mississippi. Kirby Smith’s Confederates continued their withdrawal from the Ohio River near Cincinnati back toward Lexington.

The still-worried President Lincoln wired Gov Andrew Curtin of Pennsylvania, “What do you hear from Gen. McClellan’s army?” and later "Since telegraphing you, despatch came from Gen. McClellan, dated 7 o'clock this morning. Nothing of importance happened with him yesterday. This morning he was up with the enemy at Sharpsburg, and was waiting for heavy fog to rise."

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

September 17, 1862 Wednesday
This September day along Antietam Creek was one of the bloodiest of the Civil War ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Antietam and http://www.nps.gov/ancm/index.htm ). Badly outnumbered, Lee made his stand in Maryland and McClellan attacked, throwing in his corps piecemeal and failing to use his very strong reserve. At first the fight raged on the Confederate left against Jackson in the woods, the cornfield, the Bloody Lane, and the Dunkard Church. Federal gains were small and costly. The roar of battle moved south, with uncoordinated Northern attacks on the center. Then Burnside with the Federal left finally drove in against the Confederate right at what became known as Burnside Bridge, crossed the Antietam, and headed for the town. At the critical moment, A.P. Hill’s “Light Division” arrived at Antietam after a hurried march from Harper’s Ferry and the Federal advance was halted. Thus ended a savage day of five main Federal drives with dreadful losses. Federal casualties were put at 2010 killed, 9416 wounded, and 1043 missing for a total of 12,469 out of over 75,000 estimated effectives. Confederate casualties were estimated at 2700 killed, 9024 wounded, and about 2000 missing for a total of 13,724 out of around 40,000 engaged, although the exact figures are uncertain. Nightfall found the Confederate army holding its position in the face of an overpowering enemy.

A Pennsylvania soldier walked over the battlefield after the battle. “No tongue can tell, no mind conceive, no pen portray the horrible sights I witnessed this morning. God grant these things may soon end and peace be restored. Of this war I am heartily sick and tired.” A Wisconsin man called the fearful battle “a great tumbling together of all heaven and earth.”

Major General Joseph King Fenno Mansfield ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_K._Mansfield ), USA, is mortally wounded during the Battle of Antietam, Maryland, shot in the stomach while leading his troops out of the East Woods towards Confederate positions in the West Woods. He died the next day. Major General Israel Bush Richardson ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_B._Richardson ), USA, is mortally wounded during the Battle of Antietam, Maryland, while leading his troops near the Sunken Road. He dies from his wounds on November 3, 1862. Brigadier General Isaac Peace Rodman ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Rodman ), USA, is mortally wounded during the Battle of Antietam, Maryland, wounded in the chest by a musket ball while leading his troops across Antietam Creek above "Burnside's Bridge". He dies from his wounds on September 30, 1862. Brigadier General Lawrence O'Bryan Branch ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Branch ), CSA, is killed instantly by a Federal sharpshooter during the Battle of Antietam, Maryland. He was meeting with his commanding officer, Major General Ambrose P. Hill, along with Hill's other brigade commanders. Brigadier General William Edwin Starke ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Starke ), CSA, is mortally wounded by three musket balls during the Battle of Antietam, Maryland, dying a few hours later. Brigadier General George Burgwyn Anderson ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_B._Anderson ), CSA, is mortally wounded during the Battle of Antietam, Maryland, shot in the foot which required amputation at Raleigh, North Carolina. He dies on October 16, 1862.

The Federal garrison of slightly over 4,000 men under Col John T. Wilder at Munfordville, Kentucky surrendered to Bragg’s Confederates ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Munfordville ). Also in Kentucky there was skirmishing near Falmouth and on Bowling Green Road and at Merry Oaks. There was an engagement at St John’s Bluff, Florida and operations around Shiloh, North Carolina.

Maj Gen Ormsby M. Mitchel ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ormsby_M._Mitchel ), U.S. Army, assumed command of the Department of the South stationed along the southeast coast. Major General George G. Meade ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Meade ), USA, assumes command of the 1st Army Corps, Federal Army of the Potomac. Brigadier General Alpheus S. Williams ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpheus_Williams ), USA, assumes command of the 12th Army Corps, Federal Army of the Potomac. The following appointments are made to Major General: Gordon Granger, USA; Schuyler Hamilton, USA; and Stephen Augustus Hurlbut, USA.

Pro-unionists in the Tennessee mountains suffered a setback when Brig Gen George W. Morgan ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_W._Morgan ) was forced to evacuate Cumberland Gap due to Confederate invasion of Kentucky. U.S.S. W. G. Anderson, commanded by Acting Master D'Oyley, seized schooner Reindeer in the Gulf of Mexico (27N, 93W) with cargo of cotton. C.S.S. Alabama, commanded by Captain Semmes, captured and burned whaling ship Virginia near the Azores.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

September 18, 1862 Thursday
Confederate officers advised Lee to withdraw across the Potomac River on the night of the seventeenth but he remained in Sharpsburg, finally pulling out of Maryland the night of Sept 18-19 at Boteler’s or Blackford’s Ford. McClellan, despite arrival of 12,000 men plus some 24,000 other who had seen little or no action, allowed the day to pass without attack. Even with his greatly superior numbers, McClellan feared the consequences of defeat. Lee’s Maryland Campaign was over, but the aftermaths were many. Major General Joseph King Fenno Mansfield, USA, dies near Sharpsburg, Maryland, from his wounds inflicted the previous day during the Battle of Antietam, Maryland

Elsewhere across the active battle fronts, there was fighting at Glasgow, Florence, Owensborough, and Cave City, Kentucky; a skirmish at Rienze, Mississippi; and operations about Forts Henry and Donelson, Tennessee which continued until the twenty-third. In a Federal command change Brig Gen James H. Carleton took over for Brig Gen E.R.S. Canby in command of the Department of New Mexico.

Out in the Atlantic the Confederate cruiser Alabama was marauding – capturing and burning the New Bedford, Massachusetts whaler Elisha Dunbar. At Glasgow, Kentucky Bragg proclaimed that his Confederate army had come to Kentucky to free the people from tyranny and not as conquerors and despoilers.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

September 19, 1862 Friday
The scene of action swung quickly southwestward from Maryland to Mississippi, where Confederates had been attempting to prevent the Federals under Grant from reinforcing Buell, who was opposing Bragg in Kentucky. Sterling Price ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterling_Price ) had moved his Southern force to Iuka Sept 14 from Tupelo, Mississippi and was awaiting the arrival of Earl Van Dorn’s men. Grant, with William S. Rosecrans leading the main advance, drove at Iuka from Corinth ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Iuka ). Rosecrans ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Rosecrans ), after a hard fight, bested Price, who, knowing that Grant with a column under E.O.C. Ord was nearby, pulled out southward during the night. Federal casualties were 141 killed, 613 wounded, and 36 missing for a total of 790 out of about 17,000 in the area; Confederates lost 263 killed, 692 wounded, 561 captured for 1516 out of a total of 14,000. However, indications are that about 4500 Federals opposed about 3200 Confederates in the actual fighting. Brigadier General Lewis Henry Little ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Henry_Little ), CSA, is killed instantly by a musketball to the forehead, while sitting on his horse talking to Confederate Major General Sterling Price, and other officers, during the Battle of Iuka, Mississippi. Elsewhere in Mississippi there was fighting at Barnett’s Corners, Peyton’s Mill, and Prentiss, and there was an attack by Confederate infantry and artillery on the Federal gunboat Queen of the West above Bolivar while she was escorting two troop transports.

In Missouri there was skirmishing at Hickory Grove and an affair at Mount Vernon; in Kentucky skirmishing was at Horse Cave, Southerland’s Farm, and Bear Wallow. There was action near Helena, Arkansas and Brentwood, Tennessee. The Federal Department of the Missouri was reestablished and the Department of Kansas discontinued. Major General Gustavus W. Smith, CSA, assumes command of the newly created Confederate Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia. West Virginia is transferred to the Federal Department of the Ohio. Charles Smith Hamilton, USA, was appointed to Major General and the following appointments were made to Brigadier General: William Edwin Baldwin, CSA; William Edmondson Jones, CSA; Francis Channing Barlow, USA; Gustavus Adolphus Smith, USA; and Francis Laurens Vinton, USA.

Along the Potomac McClellan’s cavalry pursued the retreating Confederates but were halted by Southern batteries. Fitz John Porter also pushed forward and by evening had crossed the Potomac to gain a foothold on the southern shore. There was skirmishing at Sharpsburg, Shepherdstown ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Shepherdstown and http://civilwarscholars.com/2012/08/und ... mber-1862/ ), and near Williamsport, Maryland.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

September 20, 1862 Saturday
McClellan sent two divisions across the Potomac in a mild pursuit of Lee. Opposed by A.P. Hill, the Federals fell back and Lee’s army withdrew to the valley of Opequon Creek. The active part of the campaign had ended with fighting near Shepherdstown ( http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/in ... er-20.html ), Hagerstown, Williamsport, and Ashby’s Gap.

In the West there was skirmishing on Fulton Road south of Iuka, Mississippi; at Munfordville, Kentucky; and Shirley’s Ford on Spring River near Carthage, Missouri. From this day to the twenty-second there was a Union expedition from Bolivar to Grand Junction and LaGrange, Tennessee.

In the White House President Lincoln prepared the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, long discussed by Cabinet and President.

Answering a letter in which Assistant Secretary of the Navy Fox had written, "We must have Charleston. . . . ", Rear Admiral Du Pont replied: "Do not go it half cocked about Charleston--it is a bigger job than Port Royal . . . failure now at Charleston is ten times the failure elsewhere. . . ." The same day, Du Pont wrote Senator Grimes in Iowa: "The thorn in my flesh is Charleston, they have been allowed seventeen months to prepare its defenses--and in no part of the wretched Confederacy has there been more industry, energy, and intelligent zeal, and science displayed--It is a cul de sac and resembles more a porcupine's hide turned outside in than anything else, with no outlet--you go into a bag--no running the forts as at New Orleans. We have to do what never has been done, take regular forts by gunboats--this must be done, but it is no ordinary work . . . One thing only oppresses us, that just in proportion to the extent of the honor and glory of the success, and the prestige gained at home and abroad--so will be the deep mortification and moral injury if we fail at this wicked seat of the rebellion--hence we want quiet calm preparation of plans." Du Pont's estimate of the stubbornness of the Confederate defenses at Charleston, as well as his appreciation of the probable effect on the North of a Union failure in his particular quarter proved correct. Throughout the fall of 1862 the ironclads were being built which Du Pont would command against the symbol of the Confederacy.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

September 21, 1862 Sunday
In Kentucky Bragg’s Confederate army marched to Bardstown in order to make connection with Kirby Smith’s command, but the move left the road open for Buell to beat the Confederates to Louisville. Federal troops reoccupied Munfordville, Kentucky.

There was skirmishing at Cassville, Missouri; Van Buren, Tennessee; and a Union expedition from Carrollton to Donaldsonville, Louisiana which lasted until the twenty-fifth. U.S.S. Albatross, under Commander Henry French, captured schooner Two Sisters off the Rio Grande River.

Citizens of San Francisco contributed $100,000 for relief of Federal sick and wounded.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

September 22, 1862 Monday
“That on the first day of January in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves, within any state, or designated part of a state, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.” Thus wrote President Lincoln in the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation ( http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/americ ... tion.html# and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emancipation_Proclamation ) presented to the Cabinet. After long contemplation the President had awaited a military victory and now, after Antietam, came the public announcement of the proclamation. He also called for restoration of the Union and congressional approval of compensated emancipation. The door was at least partially opened for the final constitutional moves to end slavery.

Federal troops reoccupied Harper’s Ferry, which had been evacuated by the Confederates. There was also a skirmish at Ashby’s Gap, Virginia. U.S.S. Wyandank, commanded by Acting Master John McGowan, Jr., captured schooner Southerner on Coan River, Virginia. John Crawford Vaughn, CSA, was appointed to Brigadier General.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

September 23, 1862 Tuesday
Indian troubles broke out again at Fort Abercrombie, Dakota Territory. At Wood Lake, near Yellow Medicine, Minnesota H.H. Sibley won an important victory over the Sioux ( http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM1TT0 ). There were skirmishes at McGuire’s Ferry, Arkansas; Wolf Creek Bridge, near Memphis, Tennessee; and a Federal expedition to Eureka, Boone County, Missouri. On the Ohio River Confederate guerrillas plundered the steamer Emma at Foster’s Landing. On the Mississippi Eugene was attacked near Randolph, Tennessee but she got away. Federal troops took revenge by burning the town of Randolph. Word of the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation was spreading over the North and soon would penetrate the South as well. Major General George H. Thomas ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Henry_Thomas ), USA, assumes command of the newly created Federal Department of the Tennessee. U.S.S. Alabama, commanded by Lieutenant Commander William T. Truxtun, captured blockade running British schooner Nelly off Ossabaw Sound, Georgia, with cargo including drugs and salt.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

September 24, 1862 Wednesday
President Lincoln issued a new proclamation suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habeas_corpus ) and providing for military trial of “all Rebels and Insurgents, their aiders and abettors within the United States, and all persons discouraging volunteer enlistments, resisting militia drafts, or guilty of any disloyal practice, affording comfort to Rebels against the authority of the United States.” Of the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation Lincoln told a crowd, “I can only trust in God I have made no mistake.” Fourteen Northern governors met at Altoona, Pennsylvania and approved emancipation, although the conference had been called earlier by those deploring the Administration’s policy on slavery and the unsatisfactory progress of the war. The Secretary of War created the office of Provost Marshall General. A special U.S. cabinet meeting considers expediency of treaties regarding the voluntary colonization of Negroes and a proper answer to treaty complaints of Cherokees.

Fighting was on Skull Creek, South Carolina and at Granby, Missouri (
http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ances ... ton39.html ). Confederate Gen P.G.T. Beauregard superseded Maj Gen John C. Pemberton in command of the Department of South Carolina and Georgia. Maj Gen Samuel R. Curtis assumed command of the Federal Department of Missouri. The Confederate Senate adopted a seal for the Confederacy. Mason Brayman, USA, and Nathaniel James Jackson, 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

September 25, 1862 Thursday
Buell’s Federal army arrived at Louisville, beating Bragg’s advancing Confederates to the vital city on the Ohio. There was fighting at Snow’s Pond and Ashbysburg, Kentucky and at Davis’ Bridge on the Hatchie River, Tennessee ( http://www.factasy.com/civil_war/2011/02/03_8 ). In the east there was a Federal reconnaissance from Shepherdstown, western Virginia and a Federal expedition from Centreville to Bristoe Station and Warrenton, Virginia. George Washington Getty, USA, was appointed to Brigadier General. U.S.S. Florida, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Robert W. Scott captured British schooner Agnes, attempting to run the blockade at St. Andrew's Sound, Georgia.

U.S.S. Kensington, commanded by Acting Master Crocker, U.S.S. Rachel Seaman, commanded by Acting Master Hooper, and mortar schooner Henry Janes, commanded by Acting Master Lewis Pennington, bombarded Confederate batteries at Sabine Pass, Texas ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Batt ... abine_Pass ). The action was broken off when the defending troops evacuated the fort, having spiked the guns. Though Sabine City surrendered to Acting Master Crocker the next day and a force under Acting Master Hooper severed communications between Sabine Pass and Taylor's Bayou by burning the railroad bridge and seized the mails on 27 September, the expedition sent by Rear Admiral Farragut could not occupy the area because there were no troops available for that purpose. As Rear Admiral Farragut noted some three months later, "It takes too much force to hold the places for me to take any more, or my outside fleet will be too much reduced to keep up the blockade and keep the river open--the two primary missions of the squadron. Nevertheless, the attacks were a constant drain on the Confederates and imposed widespread dispersion of strength to protect against them anytime ships hove over the horizon.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

September 26, 1862 Friday
A quiet day on the major fronts. In Alabama there were Federal expeditions from Helena to La Grange and Helena to Jeffersonville and Marianna, Tennessee; also a skirmish at Catlett’s Station, Virginia; a Federal expedition from Point Pleasant to Buffalo, western Virginia; and a skirmish at Fort Abercrombie, Dakota Territory. President Lincoln and his Cabinet conferred on colonization of the Negroes. The following appointments were made to Brigadier General: William Woods Averell, USA; Alfred Sully, USA; and Gouverneur Kemble Warren, USA. Captives from the Dakota Indian Wars were released this date ( http://athrillingnarrative.com/2012/05/ ... p-release/ ).

In answer to the question, "Why was not the rebel army bagged immediately after the battle near Sharpsburg?" Maj John J. Key is reported to have said, "The object is that neither army shall get much advantage of the other; that both shall be kept in the field till they are exhausted, when we will make a compromise and save slavery." President Lincoln asks Maj Key to prove within 24 hours that he did not make answer as reported.

U.S.S. State of Georgia, under Commander Armstrong, and U.S.S. Mystic, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Arnold, chased a blockade running schooner (name unknown) ashore at New Inlet, North Carolina, and destroyed her.

Rear Admiral Du Pont sought to extend his policy of "mobile support" logistics by requesting an afloat fuel storage in the form of a coal hulk capable of holding a thousand tons and fitted out with hoisting equipment. Coal schooners from the North unloaded into this hulk and men-of-war coaled from it as needed while on station. 'This practice antedated the modern use of fleet oilers in furthering the fleet's efficiency and effectiveness. Storeships, receiving ships, and machinery repair hulks were already being employed at this time at Port Royal.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

September 27, 1862 Saturday
The Second Conscription Act of the Confederate Congress authorized President Davis to call out men between thirty-five and forty-five. Federal troops carried out reconnaissance from Harper’s Ferry toward Charles Town, western Virginia. There was fighting at Taylor’s Bayou, Texas; and Augusta and Brookville, Kentucky; along with a skirmish near Iuka, Mississippi. U.S.S. Kittatinny, commanded by Acting Master Lamson, captured schooner Emma off the coast of Texas with cargo of cotton. Major General John P. McCown, CSA, is assigned command of the Confederate Department of East Tennessee. Major General Samuel Jones, CSA, is assigned command of the Confederate District of Middle Tennessee.

President Lincoln interrogated Maj John J. Key and ordered his dismissal from military service for allegedly saying that the object of the Battle of Antietam was “that neither army shall get much advantage of the other; that both shall be kept in the field till they are exhausted, when we will make a compromise and save slavery.” Such views had been reportedly rife in McClellan’s army ( http://www.mrlincolnswhitehouse.org/ins ... ubjectID=3 ). President Lincoln was much perturbed over McClellan’s lack of aggressive action since Antietam.

The first regiment of free Negroes was mustered in at New Orleans as the First Regiment Louisiana Native Guards ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Louisi ... Guard_(USA) ). The regiment called themselves “Chasseurs d’Afrique.” Gen Butler had authorized enlistment of free Negroes Aug 22.

_________________
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