” 10—Three Federal regiments defeated. 16 killed, 41 wounded.” 11—Skirmish at Romney. Wheeling Convention meets.” 14—Harper’s Ferry evacuated and burnt by Southern forces.” 15—Confederate privateer, Savannah, brought, a prize, to New York.” 17—Wheeling Convention of Unionists determine to make West Virginia an independent State.” 18—Battle of Booneville, Mo. Gen. Lyon defeats Confederate Gen. Price.” 20—At Cole Camp, Mo., Union men defeated; at Liberty, Mo., Southerners overcome.” 23—Forty-eight locomotives of Baltimore and Ohio R. R. destroyed by Southern forces; value, $400,000.” 26—President Lincoln recognizes the Wheeling government as that of Virginia.” 29—Southern privateer, Sumter, escapes through blockade at New Orleans.July 2—Battle near Martinsburg, Va., Gen. Patterson, Union, and Gen. Jackson, Confederate.” 3—Southern men captured at Neosho, Mo. Consisted of 94 men.” 4—Southern forces seize Louisville and Nashville railroad.” 5—Congress assemble at Washington. President calls for 400,000 volunteers, and $400,000,000 to put down the rebellion.Battle of Carthage, between Sigel, Union, and Gen. Jackson, Southern. Gen. Sigel retreated.” 11—Nine Southern Senators expelled from U. S. Congress.” 12—Battle of Rich Mountain, Va. Col. Rosecrans, Union, defeated Col. Pegram, taking 800 prisoners and his camp stores.” 13—Confederates under Gen. Garnett, defeated at Carrick’s Ford, by Gen. Morris. Gen. Garnett killed.” 15—Col. Stuart, commanding Confederate cavalry, attacks Union forces at Bunker Hill, Va., and is defeated.” 16—Skirmishes at Millville, Mo., and Barboursville, Va.” 18—Outposts of the two armies fight at Blackburn’s Ford, on Bull Run, some 20 miles from Washington. Southern troops withdraw.
” 10—Three Federal regiments defeated. 16 killed, 41 wounded.
” 11—Skirmish at Romney. Wheeling Convention meets.
” 14—Harper’s Ferry evacuated and burnt by Southern forces.
” 15—Confederate privateer, Savannah, brought, a prize, to New York.
” 17—Wheeling Convention of Unionists determine to make West Virginia an independent State.
” 18—Battle of Booneville, Mo. Gen. Lyon defeats Confederate Gen. Price.
” 20—At Cole Camp, Mo., Union men defeated; at Liberty, Mo., Southerners overcome.
” 23—Forty-eight locomotives of Baltimore and Ohio R. R. destroyed by Southern forces; value, $400,000.
” 26—President Lincoln recognizes the Wheeling government as that of Virginia.
” 29—Southern privateer, Sumter, escapes through blockade at New Orleans.
July 2—Battle near Martinsburg, Va., Gen. Patterson, Union, and Gen. Jackson, Confederate.
” 3—Southern men captured at Neosho, Mo. Consisted of 94 men.
” 4—Southern forces seize Louisville and Nashville railroad.
” 5—Congress assemble at Washington. President calls for 400,000 volunteers, and $400,000,000 to put down the rebellion.
Battle of Carthage, between Sigel, Union, and Gen. Jackson, Southern. Gen. Sigel retreated.
” 11—Nine Southern Senators expelled from U. S. Congress.
” 12—Battle of Rich Mountain, Va. Col. Rosecrans, Union, defeated Col. Pegram, taking 800 prisoners and his camp stores.
” 13—Confederates under Gen. Garnett, defeated at Carrick’s Ford, by Gen. Morris. Gen. Garnett killed.
” 15—Col. Stuart, commanding Confederate cavalry, attacks Union forces at Bunker Hill, Va., and is defeated.
” 16—Skirmishes at Millville, Mo., and Barboursville, Va.
” 18—Outposts of the two armies fight at Blackburn’s Ford, on Bull Run, some 20 miles from Washington. Southern troops withdraw.
” 21—This was the first great battle. The Confederate government aims at the capture of Washington. Their forces, under Gen. Beauregard, about 22,000, afterwards strengthened by 6,000, are attacked by Union army under Gen. McDowell, with 28,000 men. It turns in favor of McDowell until arrival of Confederate reinforcement of 6,000, when Union army was totally defeated, the fugitives flying in great disorder to the defenses of Washington. Yet Confederates lost more in wounded, and failed to take the National Capital, the preservation of which was the supreme point to the Union forces. The South gained thebattle, and the Union gained thecause.” 25—Gen. McClellan takes command of the Army of the Potomac.Aug. 1—Confederate forces at Harpers Ferry retreat to Leesburg.” 2—Congress authorized the raising of 500,000 men and $500,000,000 to suppress the insurrection, providing for the last by tax and tariff.Gen. Lyon repulses the Confederates at Dug Spring, Mo.” 5—Commodore Allen bombarded Galveston, Texas.” 7—Hampton, Va., burned by Southern forces.
” 21—This was the first great battle. The Confederate government aims at the capture of Washington. Their forces, under Gen. Beauregard, about 22,000, afterwards strengthened by 6,000, are attacked by Union army under Gen. McDowell, with 28,000 men. It turns in favor of McDowell until arrival of Confederate reinforcement of 6,000, when Union army was totally defeated, the fugitives flying in great disorder to the defenses of Washington. Yet Confederates lost more in wounded, and failed to take the National Capital, the preservation of which was the supreme point to the Union forces. The South gained thebattle, and the Union gained thecause.
” 25—Gen. McClellan takes command of the Army of the Potomac.
Aug. 1—Confederate forces at Harpers Ferry retreat to Leesburg.
” 2—Congress authorized the raising of 500,000 men and $500,000,000 to suppress the insurrection, providing for the last by tax and tariff.
Gen. Lyon repulses the Confederates at Dug Spring, Mo.
” 5—Commodore Allen bombarded Galveston, Texas.
” 7—Hampton, Va., burned by Southern forces.
” 10—Gen. Lyon, (Union,) with about 5,000 men, attacked Gen. McCullough, (Confederate,) with over 10,000. Gen. Lyon killed. Federal losses in killed, wounded, and missing, 1,211; Southern losses over 1,600. Union forces retreated to Springfield. McCullough too much shattered to follow.” 12—President Lincoln proclaimed Sept. 30, a Fast Day.” 14—Gen. Fremont declared martial law in St. Louis.” 15—President Davis ordered all northern men to leave the South in 40 days.” 16—President Lincoln forbids commercial intercourse with the South.” 23—Cherokee Indians take part with the South.” 28—Capture of Forts Hatteras and Clark, N. C., by Gen. Butler and Com. Stringham.” 31—Gen. Fremont proclaims freedom of slaves and confiscates property of disunionists in Missouri. President Lincoln countermands it.Sept. 1—Southerners defeated at Boonville, Va., and town destroyed.” 4—Confederate Gen. Polk occupies Columbus, Ky. Southern forces, attempting to cross Potomac at Great Falls, repulsed.” 10—Gen. Banks attacks Confederate Gen. Floyd, in intrenched camp, at Carnifex Ferry. Gen. Floyd retreats in the night.” 12—Battle of Cheat Mountain, a Union victory. Col. J. A. Washington killed.” 18—Secession members of Maryland Legislature imprisoned.” 19—Arrest of Gov. Morehead and others for treason, in Louisville, Ky.” 20—Col. Morehead, Union, besieged, at Lexington, Mo., and compelled to surrender with over 2,000 men, after a fight of four days.Oct. 2—Battle of Chapmanville, Va. Confederates defeated.” 3—Battle of Greenbriar, Va. Federal success.” 4—Confederate success at Chicamacomico, Va. Federals retreated.” 5—Steamer Monticello drives Southern forces from Chicamacomico.” 7—Confederate Iron Clad Merrimac appears at Fortress Monroe.” 11—Confederate Commissioners Slidell and Mason escape from Charleston, S. C.” 16—U. S. troops recapture Lexington, Mo. Battle of Pilot Knob, Mo. Unionists successful.” 21—Battle of Balls Bluff. U. S. forces under Col. Baker, member of Congress, 1,900 strong, defeated with loss of 918 men. Col. Baker killed.Gen. Zollicoffer defeated by U. S. troops at Camp Wild Cat, Ky.” 25—Gen. Kelly gains a battle against Confederates at Romney, Va.” 29—U. S. naval and military force of 27,000 men and 75 vessels leave Fortress Monroe for the South.Nov. 1—Gen. Scott retires from command of the Union army. Gen. McClellan appointed Gen. in Chief. Gen. Floyd fails in his attack on Gen. Rosencranz, at Gauley, Va.” 2—Gen. Fremont superseded by Gen. Hunter in Mo.” 4—Houston, Mo., taken by Union troops.” 7—Com. Dupont and Gen. Sherman capture Forts Walker and Beauregard, S. C., and occupy Beaufort and Hilton Island.Gen. Grant captured Confederate camp at Belmont, Mo., opposite Columbus. Reinforcements arriving he retired.” 8—Mason and Slidell, Confederate Commissioners to Europe, were taken from British steamer Trent, by U. S. ship San Jacinto. On subsequent demand of the English government they were given up.” 10—Union soldiers having been killed by inhabitants of Guyandotte, Va., the town was burnt in retaliation.” 15—The San Jacinto arrived at Fortress Monroe with Slidell and Mason.” 28—Bombardment of Pensacola, Fla., by Ft. Pickens and U. S. war vessels.” 27—Gen. McClellan orders observance of the Sabbath in the army.” 29—Skirmish at Warsaw, Mo. Town partly destroyed.” 30—Fight at Salem, Mo. Southern forces defeated.Dec. 3—Congress met at Washington.” 4—Two Congressmen and Senator Breckenridge of Ky., expelled for treason.” 5—Naval engagement at Cape Hatteras.Forces of U. S. army and navy reported very near 700,000 men.” 9—Confederate Congress declares Kentucky a State in the Southern Confederacy.” 13—Gen. Milroy defeats Confederate Col. Johnson, at Camp Alleghany.” 16—Platte City, Mo., burnt by Southern forces.” 17—More than 20 vessels, filled with stone, sunk at the entrance of Charleston and Savannah harbors.” 18—Gen. Pope captured 1,300 Southerners and 1,000 stand of arms at Millford, Mo.” 31—U. S. navy increased from 42 vessels at beginning of the war to 246, of all kinds, up to this date.
” 10—Gen. Lyon, (Union,) with about 5,000 men, attacked Gen. McCullough, (Confederate,) with over 10,000. Gen. Lyon killed. Federal losses in killed, wounded, and missing, 1,211; Southern losses over 1,600. Union forces retreated to Springfield. McCullough too much shattered to follow.
” 12—President Lincoln proclaimed Sept. 30, a Fast Day.
” 14—Gen. Fremont declared martial law in St. Louis.
” 15—President Davis ordered all northern men to leave the South in 40 days.
” 16—President Lincoln forbids commercial intercourse with the South.
” 23—Cherokee Indians take part with the South.
” 28—Capture of Forts Hatteras and Clark, N. C., by Gen. Butler and Com. Stringham.
” 31—Gen. Fremont proclaims freedom of slaves and confiscates property of disunionists in Missouri. President Lincoln countermands it.
Sept. 1—Southerners defeated at Boonville, Va., and town destroyed.
” 4—Confederate Gen. Polk occupies Columbus, Ky. Southern forces, attempting to cross Potomac at Great Falls, repulsed.
” 10—Gen. Banks attacks Confederate Gen. Floyd, in intrenched camp, at Carnifex Ferry. Gen. Floyd retreats in the night.
” 12—Battle of Cheat Mountain, a Union victory. Col. J. A. Washington killed.
” 18—Secession members of Maryland Legislature imprisoned.
” 19—Arrest of Gov. Morehead and others for treason, in Louisville, Ky.
” 20—Col. Morehead, Union, besieged, at Lexington, Mo., and compelled to surrender with over 2,000 men, after a fight of four days.
Oct. 2—Battle of Chapmanville, Va. Confederates defeated.
” 3—Battle of Greenbriar, Va. Federal success.
” 4—Confederate success at Chicamacomico, Va. Federals retreated.
” 5—Steamer Monticello drives Southern forces from Chicamacomico.
” 7—Confederate Iron Clad Merrimac appears at Fortress Monroe.
” 11—Confederate Commissioners Slidell and Mason escape from Charleston, S. C.
” 16—U. S. troops recapture Lexington, Mo. Battle of Pilot Knob, Mo. Unionists successful.
” 21—Battle of Balls Bluff. U. S. forces under Col. Baker, member of Congress, 1,900 strong, defeated with loss of 918 men. Col. Baker killed.
Gen. Zollicoffer defeated by U. S. troops at Camp Wild Cat, Ky.
” 25—Gen. Kelly gains a battle against Confederates at Romney, Va.
” 29—U. S. naval and military force of 27,000 men and 75 vessels leave Fortress Monroe for the South.
Nov. 1—Gen. Scott retires from command of the Union army. Gen. McClellan appointed Gen. in Chief. Gen. Floyd fails in his attack on Gen. Rosencranz, at Gauley, Va.
” 2—Gen. Fremont superseded by Gen. Hunter in Mo.
” 4—Houston, Mo., taken by Union troops.
” 7—Com. Dupont and Gen. Sherman capture Forts Walker and Beauregard, S. C., and occupy Beaufort and Hilton Island.
Gen. Grant captured Confederate camp at Belmont, Mo., opposite Columbus. Reinforcements arriving he retired.
” 8—Mason and Slidell, Confederate Commissioners to Europe, were taken from British steamer Trent, by U. S. ship San Jacinto. On subsequent demand of the English government they were given up.
” 10—Union soldiers having been killed by inhabitants of Guyandotte, Va., the town was burnt in retaliation.
” 15—The San Jacinto arrived at Fortress Monroe with Slidell and Mason.
” 28—Bombardment of Pensacola, Fla., by Ft. Pickens and U. S. war vessels.
” 27—Gen. McClellan orders observance of the Sabbath in the army.
” 29—Skirmish at Warsaw, Mo. Town partly destroyed.
” 30—Fight at Salem, Mo. Southern forces defeated.
Dec. 3—Congress met at Washington.
” 4—Two Congressmen and Senator Breckenridge of Ky., expelled for treason.
” 5—Naval engagement at Cape Hatteras.
Forces of U. S. army and navy reported very near 700,000 men.
” 9—Confederate Congress declares Kentucky a State in the Southern Confederacy.
” 13—Gen. Milroy defeats Confederate Col. Johnson, at Camp Alleghany.
” 16—Platte City, Mo., burnt by Southern forces.
” 17—More than 20 vessels, filled with stone, sunk at the entrance of Charleston and Savannah harbors.
” 18—Gen. Pope captured 1,300 Southerners and 1,000 stand of arms at Millford, Mo.
” 31—U. S. navy increased from 42 vessels at beginning of the war to 246, of all kinds, up to this date.
Jan. 1—Mason and Slidell leave Ft. Warren, Boston Harbor, for England.” 2—Success of Unionists on Port Royal Island, near Charleston, S. C.” 4—Gen. Milroy defeats Confederates at Huntersville, Va.” 7—Confederate defeat at Romney. U. S. troops capture stores in Tucker Co., Va.” 8—Union victory by Gen. Palmer at Silver Creek, Mo.” 10—Humphrey Marshall defeated by Union troops in Kentucky.Senators Johnson and Polk of Mo., expelled from the U. S. Senate.” 11—Simon Cameron, U. S. Sec. of War, resigned; E. M. Stanton appointed.Naval engagement on the Mississippi near the mouth of the Ohio; Union vessels superior.” 12—125 vessels and 15,000 troops, under Gen. Burnside, sail for the South.” 18—Ex-President Tyler dies.” 19—Union victory at Mill Spring, Ky., by Gen. Shoepf over Gen. Zollicoffer and Gen. Crittenden. Much spoil taken; Gen. Zollicoffer killed.” 27—Bishop Ames and Gov. Fish of New York appointed to visit prisons in the South, to look after the interests of Union prisoners. Confederate authorities refuse to receive them.
Jan. 1—Mason and Slidell leave Ft. Warren, Boston Harbor, for England.
” 2—Success of Unionists on Port Royal Island, near Charleston, S. C.
” 4—Gen. Milroy defeats Confederates at Huntersville, Va.
” 7—Confederate defeat at Romney. U. S. troops capture stores in Tucker Co., Va.
” 8—Union victory by Gen. Palmer at Silver Creek, Mo.
” 10—Humphrey Marshall defeated by Union troops in Kentucky.
Senators Johnson and Polk of Mo., expelled from the U. S. Senate.
” 11—Simon Cameron, U. S. Sec. of War, resigned; E. M. Stanton appointed.
Naval engagement on the Mississippi near the mouth of the Ohio; Union vessels superior.
” 12—125 vessels and 15,000 troops, under Gen. Burnside, sail for the South.
” 18—Ex-President Tyler dies.
” 19—Union victory at Mill Spring, Ky., by Gen. Shoepf over Gen. Zollicoffer and Gen. Crittenden. Much spoil taken; Gen. Zollicoffer killed.
” 27—Bishop Ames and Gov. Fish of New York appointed to visit prisons in the South, to look after the interests of Union prisoners. Confederate authorities refuse to receive them.
The previous period, though abounding in battles, so-called, were really skirmishes of detached bodies without any well defined plan. It covered much of the surface of all the Border States, but especially Virginia and Missouri, and was a trial of bravery and strategy in which both parties learned how to fight, and of what metal their opponents were made.
The Second Period covered about eleven months—from the advance of the Federal armies on the South in West and East, in Feb., to the close of the year.
This period is defined in its commencement, by the surrounding of the southern territory on nearly all sides by the Union forces, both naval and military; and the inauguration of aggressive movements both by sea and land; and in its close by the failure of the two southern Generals, Bragg in the West, and Lee in the East, in the endeavor to break through this beleaguering line. It was an immense and desperate conflict.
In the West it began by the attack of Grant on Fts. Henry and Donelson, followed up by the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and various other operations in Tennessee and Mississippi; the advance of McClellan on Richmond, and his campaign in the Peninsula, his failure and return to Washington; the strengthening of the Southern Army, and the advance of Lee northward into Maryland and his defeat there. The disasters to the Union army in Virginia served to check the successes of the Western Army under Grant, Sherman, Buell, Rosecranz and others; the Confederate forces in the West were increased under Bragg, who checked the advance of U. S. troops eastward at Chattanooga, and he himself assumed the offensive, by invading Kentucky. He was compelled to retreat again to Chattanooga. Thus there was an alternation of great successes and great reverses on both sides.
The Union Army commenced with about 600,000 men, and the Southern with about 400,000. They both largely added to these during the campaign.
Meanwhile the navy was not idle. A foothold was gained in South Carolina, and in North Carolina, as well as at Norfolk, Virginia, the mouth of the Mississippi was opened by Admiral Farragut, and New Orleans captured. The compression of a vast naval and land force was applied in all directions, even west of the Mississippi. Missouri had been quieted by driving the organized forces into the border of Arkansas, and inflicting on them a heavy blow at Pea Ridge. This, however, was not followed up; the disasters to the Union cause in Virginia, and the rebound of the Confederates in East Tennessee, requiring concentration.
The South had shown the most determined bravery, and great steadiness in disaster; and activity, and ability in making the most of circumstances.The speed with which she collected other levies and armies and used them within the campaign greatly impressed the authorities and people of the Federal government. They were convinced that the blacks left at home to till the ground, or employed in the fortifications and other labor of the war, contributed much to the strength of the South; enabling them to concentrate all their resources on a given point with extreme rapidity, and to use all their best fighting material. After so vast an outlay, to see their immense armies defied and the Northern States threatened with invasion was discouraging. Hitherto slavery had not been interfered with much, in deference to the sentiment in the Border States, and the views of the democratic party. The Union administration determined to weaken the South by abstracting as much as possible of the slave element from it and to use it themselves. The issue of the Proclamation of Emancipation marks a Third Phase of the War.
Feb. 3—The Federal government decides to treat crews of privateers taken in arms, not as pirates, but as prisoners of war.” 5—Jesse D. Bright, of Indiana, expelled from the U. S. Senate.” 6—Com. Foote, acting in concert with Gen. Grant, advances up the Tennessee river in Ky., and captures Fort Henry.” 8—Gen. Burnside and Com. Goldsborough capture forts, forces and war material on Roanoke Island, in Albemarle Sound, N. C.” 10—Gunboats of Confederate government taken or destroyed.” 12—Gen. Grant invests Ft. Donelson, on Cumberland river, Ky.” 13—Gen. Curtis advances to Springfield, Mo.U. S. Congress determine to construct 20 iron clad gunboats.” 15—Bowling Green, Ky., evacuated by Southern forces.” 16—Gen. Grant captures Ft. Donelson, with 13,300 prisoners.” 18—Gen. Curtis drives Confederates out of Missouri into Arkansas.Confederate Congress assemble at Richmond Va.” 19—Jefferson Davis and A. H. Stevens elected permanent President and Vice-President of Confederate States for six years.” 21—Defeat of Union forces at Clarksville, New Mexico.” 23—Nashville, Tenn., occupied by Union forces.” 27—Columbus, on the Mississippi, in Ky., evacuated by Confederates.Mar. 2—Severe encounter between Union gunboats and Confederate battery at Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee. Union success.” 3—Gen. Beauregard assumes command of Southern army in Mississippi.” 6-8—Gen. Curtis defeats Gen. McCullough at Pea Ridge, Ark. Curtis’ army 22,000, McCullough’s 35,000. McCullough killed.” 9—First trial of Monitors. The formidable Merrimac, a Confederate iron clad vessel, conquered by the Monitor.” 11—Gen. McClellan’s command confined to the army of the Potomac.” 12—Com. Dupont takes possession of Jacksonville, Florida.” 13—Confederates evacuate New Madrid, Mo., in haste, leaving $1,000,000 of military stores.” 14—Newburn, N. C., captured by Gen. Burnside. Immense stores taken.” 18—Confederate fortifications at Acquia Creek, Va., evacuated.” 23—Battle of Winchester, Va. Southern forces defeated.” 28—Fight at Union Ranch, New Mexico. Union troops 3,000, Texans 1,100. Result undecided.Apr. 6-7—Battle of Pittsburg Landing, or Shiloh. First day’s battle fought by Beauregard and Johnston, Confederate Generals, with 40,000 available troops, by Gen. Grant with 33,000. He was supported by gunboats in the Tennessee river. Attack and defense desperate, and the slaughter fearful. The second day Beauregard had no more than 20,000 effective men. Grant was reinforced by Buell, and his effective force was 45,000. It was great honor to Union troops not to recognize defeat on the 6th, and highly creditable to Confederates to make a desperate stand and inflict an immense loss on Federals on the 7th. They were almost annihilated but retreated without immediate pursuit.” 8—Island No. 10, Mississippi river, captured.” 11—Ft. Pulaski captured by Gen. Hunter, commands entrance to Savannah, Geo. Gen. Mitchell occupies Huntsville, Ala.” 12—Gen. Mitchell captures 2,000 prisoners at Chattanooga, East Tennessee.” 16—Slavery abolished in the District of Columbia, by U. S. Congress.” 18—Gen. McClellan’s advance attacked on the Peninsula, Va.” 19—Successes of Union Gens. Burnside and Reno, in North Carolina.” 25—Com. Farragut, passing the forts, captures New Orleans.” 28—Forts Jackson and St. Philip, at mouth of Mississippi below New Orleans, surrender.” 29—Gen. Mitchell defeats Confederates at Bridgport, Ala.May 1—Union cavalry captured at Pulaski, Tenn.” 3—Yorktown evacuated by Southern troops. Occupied by McClellan.” 5—Battle of Williamsburg, Va. Lasts all day. Unionists successful.” 7—Southern Gen. Lee attacks McClellan’s army but is repulsed.” 8—Union Gen. Milroy repulsed at McDowell’s, Va., after a five hour’s fight.” 9—Pensacola, Fla. evacuated by Southern forces.” 10—Norfolk, Va., occupied by Union forces. The Merrimac, Gosport Navy Yard, and vast quantities of stores destroyed by retreating Confederates.” 15—The Agricultural Department created by Congress.” 12—Natchez, on the Mississippi river, surrendered to Farragut.” 17—Union forces drive Confederates over the Chickahominy, Va.” 24—Southern success at Front Royal, Va., over Col. Kenley.” 25—Gen. Banks, defeated at Winchester, Va., retreats across the Potomac.” 27—Confederates defeated at Hanover, Va.” 30—Union troops occupy Corinth, Mississippi.” 31—Battle of Fair Oaks. Union troops repulsed.June 1—Battle of Fair Oaks renewed. Southern forces repulsed with heavy loss.” 6—Gunboats capture Memphis, Tenn., and Confederate vessels.” 8—Battle of Cross Keys, Va. Gen. Fremont defeats Stonewall Jackson.” 14—Union forces defeated on James Island, near Charleston, S. C.” 18—Union troops occupy Cumberland Gap, Tenn.” 19—Congress prohibits slavery in the Territories.” 26—Six days fight before Richmond commenced at Mechanicsville. Union forces repulsed.” 27—Bombardment of Vicksburg. Gen. Fremont relieved of command. Battle before Richmond renewed.” 28—Severe battles before Richmond; enemy repulsed at night. Unionists fall back.” 29—Battles of Peach Orchard and Savage’s Station, Va. Federal repulse.” 30—Battle of White Oak Swamp. McClellan continues to retreat toward James river. Confederates repulsed with loss.July 1—Battle of Malvern Hill. Southern forces repulsed. End of 6 days fight.President Lincoln calls for 600,000 volunteers.Internal Revenue Bill passed Congress. Polygamy forbidden in the United States.Union Pacific Railroad chartered by Congress.” 7—Fight at Bayou Cache, Ark. Gen. Curtis, Union, defeats Gen. Pike, Southern.” 9—Hamilton, N. C., captured by Federal troops.” 11—Southern Gen. Morgan enters Glasgow, Ky. Gen. Halleck appointed Commander-in-Chief of the U. S. armies.” 13—Southern forces capture Murfreesborough, Tenn. Stores and prisoners taken.” 17—Cynthiana, Kentucky, captured.” 18—Southern raid into Indiana. Gen. Twiggs died.” 22—Siege of Vicksburg abandoned by U. S. forces.This month is generally disastrous to eastern and western Union armies. Confederate armies become strongly aggressive, and advance north into Ky., and toward Maryland.Aug. 3—Gen. Jeff. Thompson, Confederate, defeated near Memphis, Tenn.” 4—U. S. Sec. of War ordered a draft of 300,000 men to serve for nine months.” 5—Battle of Baton Rouge, La. Gen. Breckinridge defeated.” 10—Battle of Cedar Mountain. Gen. Jackson fails to drive Gen. Banks.” 16—Gen. McClellan evacuates the Peninsula.” 21—Gen. Sigel obtains an important and bloody advantage on the Rappahannock.” 26—Confederate Gen. Ewell drives Unionists from Manassas, Va.Union expedition up the Yazoo river, Mississippi, is successful.” 27—Gen. Pope defeats Gen. Ewell at Haymarket, Va.” 28—Battle of Centreville. Gen. Jackson repulsed.” 29—Battle of Groveton, near Bull Run, Va. Confederates repulsed, but renewed the fight next day and Gen. Pope withdrew.” 30—Battle near Richmond, Ky. Union Gen. Nelson defeated with heavy loss.” 31—Battle of Weldon, Va., a Union victory. The general operations of this month by the main armies east and west largely in favor of the South, notwithstanding heavy losses inflicted and successes gained in detached engagements by the U. S. troops. The armies under Lee and Bragg pressed on northward with incredible vigor. No repulses or defeats could stop their headlong rush.Sept. 1—The last of Gen. Pope’s battles in Va., near Washington. Two of his generals were killed, Kearney and Stevens. The enemy retired, leaving their dead and wounded. In 6 days Pope had lost near 10,000 in killed and wounded.Battle at Britton’s Lane, Tenn. Confederates fled.Union Army evacuate Lexington, Ky. Fight at Jackson, Tenn.” 2—McClellan put in command of army for the defense of Washington.” 5—Confederate army cross the Potomac to Frederick, Maryland.Attack on Union troops at Washington, N. C. It is repulsed.” 6—Col. Lowe recaptured Clarksville, Tenn.” 8—Gen. Lee issues a proclamation to the Marylanders.” 9—Col. Grierson overcomes Southern forces at Coldwater, Miss.Union forces repel the enemy at Williamsburgh, Va.Fredericksburg, Va., evacuated by Southern forces.” 10—Great fears of invasion in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Philadelphia and Cincinnati begin to prepare for an attack.” 11—Ganby, Va., Maysville, Ky., and Bloomfield, Mo., taken by Southern forces.” 12—Charleston, S. C., bombarded and partially burnt. Fight on Elk river, Va., and at Middletown, Maryland.” 13—Harper’s Ferry, Va., besieged. It surrendered on the 15th with 11,500 men.” 14—McClellan engages Lee’s army at South Mountain, Md. Leeretired toward the Potomac. The invasion of the North was stopped, for this time, in the East.” 16—Munfordsville, Ky., captured by Confederates and 4,000 prisoners taken.” 17—Lee unwilling to give up his plan of invasion, makes another stand at Antietam creek, and a great battle was fought. Near 100,000 men on each side. The result was indecisive, the losses nearly equal, both in the neighborhood of 13,000. Lee retreated across the Potomac in the night, and Harper’s Ferry was evacuated.” 20—Gen. Rosecrans defeats the Southerners with great loss at Iuka, Miss.” 22—President Lincoln issues an Emancipation Proclamation, declaring all the slaves free, unless the Southern States discontinued the war within 100 days.” 27—U. S. garrison at Augusta, Ky., surrender after a very gallant fight.Oct. 3—Battle of Corinth, Miss. Confederates defeated with great loss.” 8-9—Battle of Perryville, Ky. Southern army having been arrested in its advance and obliged to retreat before Gen. Buell, turned on his advance and inflicted a severe blow, but are forced to resume their retreat.” 10—Confederate cavalry, under Stuart, make a raid on Chambersburg, Penn. They capture 500 horses and many stores and hastily return to Virginia.” 14—One hundred thousand dollars sent to Sanitary Commission from San Francisco.” 15—Battle near Richmond, Ky.” 19—Gen. Forrest defeated by Union forces, near Gallatin, Texas.” 22—Southern defeat at Maysville, Ark., by Gen. Blunt.” 24—An English steamer bringing military stores to the South, captured.” 28—Confederates defeated by Gen. Herron, at Fayetteville, Ark.” 30—Gen. Rosecrans supersedes Buell in Kentucky. Gen. Mitchell, the astronomer, died in S. C.Nov. 5—Gen. McClellan relieved of command in Va. by Gen. Burnside.Attack on Nashville by Confederates. They are repulsed.” 11—Southern defeat at Garrettsburg, Ky., by Gen. Ransom.Exchange of prisoners effected.” 16—President Lincoln enjoins on soldiers in camp and garrison observance of the Sabbath.” 17—Cavalry fight near Kingston, N. C. Southerners beaten.” 22—All political State prisoners released by U. S. government.” 25—Newbern, N. C. attacked by Southern troops. They soon retire.” 28—Battle of Cane Hill, Ark. A Union victory.Dec. 1—The Pittsburg Battery, captured on the Peninsula, retaken by a Union force sent from Suffolk, Va.” 5—Battle of Coffeeville, Miss. Southern loss was heavy.” 6—Gen. Banks’ expedition for the South sailed for New Orleans.” 7—At Prairie Grove, Ark., Gens. Blunt and Herron defeated Confederates.Confederate Gen. Morgan captured several regiments of Western troops.” 8—Steamer Lake City destroyed by Southerners.” 9—U. S. troops burn Concordia, on the Mississippi.” 13—Battle of Fredericksburg. A severe repulse to the Union army.Gen. Foster makes a cavalry raid into the interior of N. C., a success.Commodore Parker destroys Confederate salt works, five schooners and two sloops.” 17—Gen. Banks captures Baton Rouge, the capital of Louisiana.” 19—Confederates retake Holly Springs, Miss., and large stores with 4,000 bales of cotton.” 26—Indians, engaged in the Minnesota massacre, hung—38 in number.” 27—Vicksburg attacked by Gen. Sherman and gunboats, unsuccessfully.” 31—Battle of Murfreesboro, or Stone River, commenced with a Federal repulse.The Monitor that conquered the Merrimac, foundered at sea.Act of Congress admitting West Virginia into the Union as a sovereign State. This was to take effect 60 days after the President’s proclamation making this announcement.
Feb. 3—The Federal government decides to treat crews of privateers taken in arms, not as pirates, but as prisoners of war.
” 5—Jesse D. Bright, of Indiana, expelled from the U. S. Senate.
” 6—Com. Foote, acting in concert with Gen. Grant, advances up the Tennessee river in Ky., and captures Fort Henry.
” 8—Gen. Burnside and Com. Goldsborough capture forts, forces and war material on Roanoke Island, in Albemarle Sound, N. C.
” 10—Gunboats of Confederate government taken or destroyed.
” 12—Gen. Grant invests Ft. Donelson, on Cumberland river, Ky.
” 13—Gen. Curtis advances to Springfield, Mo.
U. S. Congress determine to construct 20 iron clad gunboats.
” 15—Bowling Green, Ky., evacuated by Southern forces.
” 16—Gen. Grant captures Ft. Donelson, with 13,300 prisoners.
” 18—Gen. Curtis drives Confederates out of Missouri into Arkansas.
Confederate Congress assemble at Richmond Va.
” 19—Jefferson Davis and A. H. Stevens elected permanent President and Vice-President of Confederate States for six years.
” 21—Defeat of Union forces at Clarksville, New Mexico.
” 23—Nashville, Tenn., occupied by Union forces.
” 27—Columbus, on the Mississippi, in Ky., evacuated by Confederates.
Mar. 2—Severe encounter between Union gunboats and Confederate battery at Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee. Union success.
” 3—Gen. Beauregard assumes command of Southern army in Mississippi.
” 6-8—Gen. Curtis defeats Gen. McCullough at Pea Ridge, Ark. Curtis’ army 22,000, McCullough’s 35,000. McCullough killed.
” 9—First trial of Monitors. The formidable Merrimac, a Confederate iron clad vessel, conquered by the Monitor.
” 11—Gen. McClellan’s command confined to the army of the Potomac.
” 12—Com. Dupont takes possession of Jacksonville, Florida.
” 13—Confederates evacuate New Madrid, Mo., in haste, leaving $1,000,000 of military stores.
” 14—Newburn, N. C., captured by Gen. Burnside. Immense stores taken.
” 18—Confederate fortifications at Acquia Creek, Va., evacuated.
” 23—Battle of Winchester, Va. Southern forces defeated.
” 28—Fight at Union Ranch, New Mexico. Union troops 3,000, Texans 1,100. Result undecided.
Apr. 6-7—Battle of Pittsburg Landing, or Shiloh. First day’s battle fought by Beauregard and Johnston, Confederate Generals, with 40,000 available troops, by Gen. Grant with 33,000. He was supported by gunboats in the Tennessee river. Attack and defense desperate, and the slaughter fearful. The second day Beauregard had no more than 20,000 effective men. Grant was reinforced by Buell, and his effective force was 45,000. It was great honor to Union troops not to recognize defeat on the 6th, and highly creditable to Confederates to make a desperate stand and inflict an immense loss on Federals on the 7th. They were almost annihilated but retreated without immediate pursuit.
” 8—Island No. 10, Mississippi river, captured.
” 11—Ft. Pulaski captured by Gen. Hunter, commands entrance to Savannah, Geo. Gen. Mitchell occupies Huntsville, Ala.
” 12—Gen. Mitchell captures 2,000 prisoners at Chattanooga, East Tennessee.
” 16—Slavery abolished in the District of Columbia, by U. S. Congress.
” 18—Gen. McClellan’s advance attacked on the Peninsula, Va.
” 19—Successes of Union Gens. Burnside and Reno, in North Carolina.
” 25—Com. Farragut, passing the forts, captures New Orleans.
” 28—Forts Jackson and St. Philip, at mouth of Mississippi below New Orleans, surrender.
” 29—Gen. Mitchell defeats Confederates at Bridgport, Ala.
May 1—Union cavalry captured at Pulaski, Tenn.
” 3—Yorktown evacuated by Southern troops. Occupied by McClellan.
” 5—Battle of Williamsburg, Va. Lasts all day. Unionists successful.
” 7—Southern Gen. Lee attacks McClellan’s army but is repulsed.
” 8—Union Gen. Milroy repulsed at McDowell’s, Va., after a five hour’s fight.
” 9—Pensacola, Fla. evacuated by Southern forces.
” 10—Norfolk, Va., occupied by Union forces. The Merrimac, Gosport Navy Yard, and vast quantities of stores destroyed by retreating Confederates.
” 15—The Agricultural Department created by Congress.
” 12—Natchez, on the Mississippi river, surrendered to Farragut.
” 17—Union forces drive Confederates over the Chickahominy, Va.
” 24—Southern success at Front Royal, Va., over Col. Kenley.
” 25—Gen. Banks, defeated at Winchester, Va., retreats across the Potomac.
” 27—Confederates defeated at Hanover, Va.
” 30—Union troops occupy Corinth, Mississippi.
” 31—Battle of Fair Oaks. Union troops repulsed.
June 1—Battle of Fair Oaks renewed. Southern forces repulsed with heavy loss.
” 6—Gunboats capture Memphis, Tenn., and Confederate vessels.
” 8—Battle of Cross Keys, Va. Gen. Fremont defeats Stonewall Jackson.
” 14—Union forces defeated on James Island, near Charleston, S. C.
” 18—Union troops occupy Cumberland Gap, Tenn.
” 19—Congress prohibits slavery in the Territories.
” 26—Six days fight before Richmond commenced at Mechanicsville. Union forces repulsed.
” 27—Bombardment of Vicksburg. Gen. Fremont relieved of command. Battle before Richmond renewed.
” 28—Severe battles before Richmond; enemy repulsed at night. Unionists fall back.
” 29—Battles of Peach Orchard and Savage’s Station, Va. Federal repulse.
” 30—Battle of White Oak Swamp. McClellan continues to retreat toward James river. Confederates repulsed with loss.
July 1—Battle of Malvern Hill. Southern forces repulsed. End of 6 days fight.
President Lincoln calls for 600,000 volunteers.
Internal Revenue Bill passed Congress. Polygamy forbidden in the United States.
Union Pacific Railroad chartered by Congress.
” 7—Fight at Bayou Cache, Ark. Gen. Curtis, Union, defeats Gen. Pike, Southern.
” 9—Hamilton, N. C., captured by Federal troops.
” 11—Southern Gen. Morgan enters Glasgow, Ky. Gen. Halleck appointed Commander-in-Chief of the U. S. armies.
” 13—Southern forces capture Murfreesborough, Tenn. Stores and prisoners taken.
” 17—Cynthiana, Kentucky, captured.
” 18—Southern raid into Indiana. Gen. Twiggs died.
” 22—Siege of Vicksburg abandoned by U. S. forces.
This month is generally disastrous to eastern and western Union armies. Confederate armies become strongly aggressive, and advance north into Ky., and toward Maryland.
Aug. 3—Gen. Jeff. Thompson, Confederate, defeated near Memphis, Tenn.
” 4—U. S. Sec. of War ordered a draft of 300,000 men to serve for nine months.
” 5—Battle of Baton Rouge, La. Gen. Breckinridge defeated.
” 10—Battle of Cedar Mountain. Gen. Jackson fails to drive Gen. Banks.
” 16—Gen. McClellan evacuates the Peninsula.
” 21—Gen. Sigel obtains an important and bloody advantage on the Rappahannock.
” 26—Confederate Gen. Ewell drives Unionists from Manassas, Va.
Union expedition up the Yazoo river, Mississippi, is successful.
” 27—Gen. Pope defeats Gen. Ewell at Haymarket, Va.
” 28—Battle of Centreville. Gen. Jackson repulsed.
” 29—Battle of Groveton, near Bull Run, Va. Confederates repulsed, but renewed the fight next day and Gen. Pope withdrew.
” 30—Battle near Richmond, Ky. Union Gen. Nelson defeated with heavy loss.
” 31—Battle of Weldon, Va., a Union victory. The general operations of this month by the main armies east and west largely in favor of the South, notwithstanding heavy losses inflicted and successes gained in detached engagements by the U. S. troops. The armies under Lee and Bragg pressed on northward with incredible vigor. No repulses or defeats could stop their headlong rush.
Sept. 1—The last of Gen. Pope’s battles in Va., near Washington. Two of his generals were killed, Kearney and Stevens. The enemy retired, leaving their dead and wounded. In 6 days Pope had lost near 10,000 in killed and wounded.
Battle at Britton’s Lane, Tenn. Confederates fled.
Union Army evacuate Lexington, Ky. Fight at Jackson, Tenn.
” 2—McClellan put in command of army for the defense of Washington.
” 5—Confederate army cross the Potomac to Frederick, Maryland.
Attack on Union troops at Washington, N. C. It is repulsed.
” 6—Col. Lowe recaptured Clarksville, Tenn.
” 8—Gen. Lee issues a proclamation to the Marylanders.
” 9—Col. Grierson overcomes Southern forces at Coldwater, Miss.
Union forces repel the enemy at Williamsburgh, Va.
Fredericksburg, Va., evacuated by Southern forces.
” 10—Great fears of invasion in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Philadelphia and Cincinnati begin to prepare for an attack.
” 11—Ganby, Va., Maysville, Ky., and Bloomfield, Mo., taken by Southern forces.
” 12—Charleston, S. C., bombarded and partially burnt. Fight on Elk river, Va., and at Middletown, Maryland.
” 13—Harper’s Ferry, Va., besieged. It surrendered on the 15th with 11,500 men.
” 14—McClellan engages Lee’s army at South Mountain, Md. Leeretired toward the Potomac. The invasion of the North was stopped, for this time, in the East.
” 16—Munfordsville, Ky., captured by Confederates and 4,000 prisoners taken.
” 17—Lee unwilling to give up his plan of invasion, makes another stand at Antietam creek, and a great battle was fought. Near 100,000 men on each side. The result was indecisive, the losses nearly equal, both in the neighborhood of 13,000. Lee retreated across the Potomac in the night, and Harper’s Ferry was evacuated.
” 20—Gen. Rosecrans defeats the Southerners with great loss at Iuka, Miss.
” 22—President Lincoln issues an Emancipation Proclamation, declaring all the slaves free, unless the Southern States discontinued the war within 100 days.
” 27—U. S. garrison at Augusta, Ky., surrender after a very gallant fight.
Oct. 3—Battle of Corinth, Miss. Confederates defeated with great loss.
” 8-9—Battle of Perryville, Ky. Southern army having been arrested in its advance and obliged to retreat before Gen. Buell, turned on his advance and inflicted a severe blow, but are forced to resume their retreat.
” 10—Confederate cavalry, under Stuart, make a raid on Chambersburg, Penn. They capture 500 horses and many stores and hastily return to Virginia.
” 14—One hundred thousand dollars sent to Sanitary Commission from San Francisco.
” 15—Battle near Richmond, Ky.
” 19—Gen. Forrest defeated by Union forces, near Gallatin, Texas.
” 22—Southern defeat at Maysville, Ark., by Gen. Blunt.
” 24—An English steamer bringing military stores to the South, captured.
” 28—Confederates defeated by Gen. Herron, at Fayetteville, Ark.
” 30—Gen. Rosecrans supersedes Buell in Kentucky. Gen. Mitchell, the astronomer, died in S. C.
Nov. 5—Gen. McClellan relieved of command in Va. by Gen. Burnside.
Attack on Nashville by Confederates. They are repulsed.
” 11—Southern defeat at Garrettsburg, Ky., by Gen. Ransom.
Exchange of prisoners effected.
” 16—President Lincoln enjoins on soldiers in camp and garrison observance of the Sabbath.
” 17—Cavalry fight near Kingston, N. C. Southerners beaten.
” 22—All political State prisoners released by U. S. government.
” 25—Newbern, N. C. attacked by Southern troops. They soon retire.
” 28—Battle of Cane Hill, Ark. A Union victory.
Dec. 1—The Pittsburg Battery, captured on the Peninsula, retaken by a Union force sent from Suffolk, Va.
” 5—Battle of Coffeeville, Miss. Southern loss was heavy.
” 6—Gen. Banks’ expedition for the South sailed for New Orleans.
” 7—At Prairie Grove, Ark., Gens. Blunt and Herron defeated Confederates.
Confederate Gen. Morgan captured several regiments of Western troops.
” 8—Steamer Lake City destroyed by Southerners.
” 9—U. S. troops burn Concordia, on the Mississippi.
” 13—Battle of Fredericksburg. A severe repulse to the Union army.
Gen. Foster makes a cavalry raid into the interior of N. C., a success.
Commodore Parker destroys Confederate salt works, five schooners and two sloops.
” 17—Gen. Banks captures Baton Rouge, the capital of Louisiana.
” 19—Confederates retake Holly Springs, Miss., and large stores with 4,000 bales of cotton.
” 26—Indians, engaged in the Minnesota massacre, hung—38 in number.
” 27—Vicksburg attacked by Gen. Sherman and gunboats, unsuccessfully.
” 31—Battle of Murfreesboro, or Stone River, commenced with a Federal repulse.
The Monitor that conquered the Merrimac, foundered at sea.
Act of Congress admitting West Virginia into the Union as a sovereign State. This was to take effect 60 days after the President’s proclamation making this announcement.
The preliminary Proclamation of Emancipation, issued Sept. 22d, 1862, was not to take effect for 100 days, or until Jan. 1st, 1863. Meanwhile the final details of the great operations, undertaken on both sides during 1862, were wound up. The bold efforts of the South, in the East and West, to transfer the war into the North, and indemnify themselves for the strict blockade of the coast by drawing supplies from the enemy, had resulted in defeat and withdrawal; not unaccompanied with booty, especially in the west, where Bragg’s train of supplies was said to have been 40 miles long. The southern people had failed in the main point, yet they had gained much. Federal reverses in the east had stopped the victories in the west in mid career, both by withdrawing from those armies to the east, and adding to the Confederates from the same region. Grant and Sherman failed at Vicksburg, and Buell at Chattanooga.
Yet these reverses to the Union arms served to stimulate the north, and to demonstrate the energy, resources, and indomitable resolution of theNational government, and to undeceive the South as to the real sentiments of the great body of the Democratic party from which they had hoped aid on an invasion in force. Several of the European Powers, who would have liked to support the South, seeing the formidable character of the General Government, drew back in fear. The South might have foreseen that her cause was really hopeless; but she was too American not to feel an unconquerable resolution to carry her point or perish. She strengthened her armies and prepared for another invasion.
The Federal armies were now (Jan. 1863,) about 800,000 strong; her navy consisted of near 450 vessels, a large number being iron-clads. The great events of the campaign were Lee’s invasion of Pennsylvania and his retreat after the battle of Gettysburg, and Grant’s success at Vicksburg and Chattanooga. The resolution of the South, enveloped in the embrace of so mighty an antagonist, was wonderful; the unfaltering spirit, and readiness of the northern people to furnish whatever was required for success was still more so. The whole South, at least every State, was the theater of many contests of more or less importance; but the main interest centered on the Mississippi river, at Chattanooga and its vicinity, and on Gen. Lee’s army in Virginia or Pennsylvania. It was a contest of giants; yet, struggle as she might, the South was doomed. At the end of this year she was still strong, her armies were veterans, her spirit unbroken. The Federal Government had gained much, but it was step by step, inch by inch; and, in some parts, as in Virginia, what had been gained many times over, in territory, had been as often lost. Her general gain over the Confederate States lay most largely in the fatal process of exhaustion to which the vast operations of the Federal government forced the South. Increase of numbers made the battles more bloody and wasteful of life. The three leading events in this campaign—the capture of Vicksburg, (the battle of Chickamauga was a Confederate victory, but balanced by that of Chattanooga,) the battle of Gettysburg, and the battle of Chattanooga—were all decisive against the Confederates, yet leaving her strength for a long and vigorous contest of more than a year and a half.
Jan. 1—The year opened with a Confederate success at Galveston, Texas. An attack by sea and land resulted in the capture of 300 troops, the destruction of one vessel with its crew, and the capture of another, the Harriet Lane. Com. Renshaw was blown up with his vessel.Confederate defeat at Lexington, Tenn., after an obstinate fight.Proclamation of Emancipation issued by President Lincoln.Long, but indecisive battle of Stone River. Federal killed and wounded, 8,000.” 3—Union army withdraws from before Vicksburg. Southern army retreats at Murfreesborough, Tenn.” 7—Springfield, Mo., successfully defended by Unionists.” 9—20,000 prisoners exchanged.” 11—A combined attack on Fts. Hindman and Arkansas Post by gunboats and land forces, resulted in Union success—over 7,000 prisoners.” 12—Three Federal transports and a gunboat captured on Cumberland river.” 13—The Southern steamer, Florida, escapes from Mobile.” 17—$100,000,000 issued by the U. S. government in notes to pay the army.” 20—Blockading vessels captured by Confederates, at Sabine City, Texas.” 22—Attack on Vicksburg resumed. Gen. Porter dismissed from U. S. army.” 25—A regiment of colored soldiers organized at Port Royal, S. C.” 26—Gen. Hooker succeeds Gen. Burnside, in command of the Union Army of the Potomac, and Gens. Sumner and Franklin are relieved from duty.The Confederate war steamer, Alabama, destroys one vessel and captures another.Feb. 1—A second unsuccessful gunboat attack on Ft. McAllister.” 5—Destruction of transports on Red River, La. Ft. Donelson repels Southern troops.” 12—The Florida captures the Union merchant vessel, Jacob Bell.” 13—The iron-clad, Indianola, runs the blockade at Vicksburg, and is captured.” 18—Vicksburg bombarded by gunboats—ineffectually.” 21—The Alabama, a Confederate cruiser, destroys two vessels on the African coast.” 25—The Bureau of Currency and National Banks established by U. S. Congress.” 26—The Cherokees return to the Union, and abolish slavery.Twenty-eight cars, with stores, destroyed by Confederates, in Kentucky.” 28—Confederate iron-clad, Nashville, destroyed in Ogeechee river, Geo.Mar. 1—Third fruitless Union attack on Ft. McAllister, Geo.” 2—U. S. Generals increased to 358.” 3—Congress authorizes loan of $900,000,000. These are calledten-forty’s.The President authorized to suspend the writ of Habeas Corpus.U. S. Assistant Treasurer provided by act of Congress.Territorial government organized in Idaho.Two U. S. gunboats destroyed.” 5—Van Dorn (Confederate) captures Springfield, Tenn., and many prisoners.” 6—Van Dorn captures a considerable Union force at Franklin, Tenn.” 7—Gen. Minty captures a Confederate cavalry force at Unionville, Tenn.” 10—Colored troops captured Jacksonville, Florida.” 14—Port Hudson, Mississippi river, attacked by the Union gunboat fleet under Com. Farragut. The flag ship disabled and burnt.” 17—Gallant and successful exploit of Union cavalry at Kelly’s Ford, Va.” 19—An English steamer with arms for the South destroyed off Charleston.” 20—Defeat of Morgan (Confederate) at Milton, Tenn.” 25—Two Union vessels lost before Vicksburg.” 28—Confederate steamer Iris captured near Charleston, S. C.Apr. 1—Admiral Farragut passes the batteries of Grand Gulf.Great scarcity of many things in the Confederacy from the strictness of the blockade, and extreme depreciation of Confederate money. No cotton could be sold.” 7—An attack on Fort Sumter by nine Union iron clads. They are worsted.The Alabama Confederate cruiser captures the U. S. ship Morning Star.” 10—Two Union gunboats destroyed on Cumberland river.Van Dorn repulsed by Union General Granger, at Franklin, Tenn.” 16—Com. Porter runs the batteries at Vicksburg successfully.” 17—Gen. Banks vanquished Southern troops at La Teche and Grand Lake, La.” 22—The Queen of the West captured on Grand Lake. Grigsby, Confederate, surprised at McMinnville, Tenn. Banks occupied Opelousas and Washington, Miss.” 23—Gen. Hunter informs Confederate authorities that colored soldiers must be treated as other prisoners of war, on pain of retaliation.” 24—Union defeat at Beverly, Va., and victories at Weber Falls, Ark., and on Iron Mountain Railroad, Mo.May 1—Gen. Grant defeated the Southern troops at Port Gibson.Gen. Pegram, Confederate, defeated at Monticello, Ky.A third defeat of Southern troops, at South Quay, Va.Unionists defeated at La Grange, Ark. Battle of Chancellorsville, Va., begins.” 2—Col. Grierson, of U. S. army, finished a daring and successful raid through the interior of Miss. Traveled 800 miles in 16 days. Battle of Chancellorsville continued. It was a Federal repulse. Loss each side 15,000.” 3—Capture of Grand Gulf, Miss., by Admiral Porter.” 2—Vallandigham arrested in Ohio for treason. He was sent South. 100 Secessionists of St. Louis sent South for treason.” 10—Stonewall Jackson, an able and brilliant Southern general, died of wounds received in battle.” 11—Gen. Logan, Union, defeats Gen. Grigg at Farnden’s Creek, Miss. Each had about 5,000 men.” 12—Gen. McPherson captured Raymond, Miss., from Confederates.” 13—Yazoo City, and $2,000,000 property, captured by Union gunboats. Gen. Grant defeats Confederate army and captures Jackson, Miss.” 16—Gen. Grant defeats Pemberton at Baker’s Creek, Miss., with heavy loss. Each had about 25,000 men. Pemberton lost 4,000 men and next day 2,000 more.” 18—Grant commences siege of Vicksburg, Miss.” 26—Gen. Breckenridge, Confederate, suffered defeat in Tennessee.” 29—An immense train arrives in Gen. Banks’ lines near Port Hudson: 600 wagons, 3,000 horses and mules, 1,500 cattle, 6,000 negroes. Gen. Banks fails in several attacks on Port Hudson.June 3—A brilliant raid by a colored regiment in South Carolina.” 11—Forrest, of Confederate cavalry, defeated at Triune, Tenn.” 15—President Lincoln calls for 120,000 militia, to repel Lee’s invasion of Penn.” 18—About 100,000 Southern forces enter Penn., near Chambersburg.” 20—West Virginia admitted as a State into the Union. Missouri Legislature abolishes slavery.In this month the great events of the campaign, the taking of Vicksburg and opening the Mississippi river, and the failure of Gen. Lee’s invasion by his loss of the battle of Gettysburg, are rapidly approaching the grand crisis.July—The first days of this month formed the crisis of the war.” 3—Gen. Lee, with 100,000 men, was defeated by Gen. Meade at Gettysburg, Pa., with about equal numbers. Lee retreated into Virginia. The Union losses at Gettysburg were 23,000. Lee had lost in his 17 days in the Free States 60,000 men altogether.” 4—Vicksburg surrendered to Gen. Grant, after a siege of 41 days. In the battles immediately preceding, under Grant, and in this siege and capitulation, the South lost near 50,000 men. Grant’s losses were about 9,000.Gen. Prentice defeated a greatly superior force at Helena, Ark.” 8—Port Hudson surrenders to Gen. Banks, with 7,000 men.Morgan, of Confederate cavalry, invades Indiana and Ohio with 5,000 men. He is captured before he can return.” 13—Great riot in New York city.” 17—Gen. Sherman defeats Johnson, and occupies Jackson, Miss.” 20—Two successful Union cavalry expeditions, in N. C. and Va.” 23—Battle of Manassas Gap. Unionists defeat a superior force.A Confederate victory at Richmond, Ky.” 31—Confederates beaten in Kentucky.Aug. 1—Two cavalry battles in Va.” 4—Disastrous loss of U. S. steamer Ruth, on the Mississippi, by fire.” 12—Gen. Gilmore bombarded Ft. Sumter and Charleston most of the month.” 17—Successful cavalry raid into Mississippi to destroy stores.” 20—Lawrence, Kansas, attacked and destroyed by guerillas.A guerilla war was carried on very largely this month, both east and west of the Mississippi.Sept. 1—Knoxville, Tenn., captured by Gen. Burnside.Gen. Blunt defeated the Confederates, and captured Ft. Smith, Ark.” 6—Fts. Wagner and Gregg captured by Gen. Gilmore, Charleston, S. C.” 8—Cumberland Gap taken by Gen. Burnside. 2,000 prisoners.” 10—Little Rock occupied by Union forces.” 19-20—A terrible battle is fought at Chickamauga (in Indian the “River of Death,”) in which Gen. Rosecrans with some 50,000 to 60,000 troops is severely defeated by Bragg, with about 45,000. Federal losses about 15,000. Yet Bragg did not capture Chattanooga.” 22—Severe battle at Madison Court House, Va. Union victory.” 28—Gen. Burnside repulses Confederates at Knoxville, Tenn.Oct. 3—Union troops throw Greek fire into Charleston, S. C.” 5—Chattanooga bombarded by Bragg.” 9—Defeat of Wheeler’s Confederate cavalry, in Tenn.” 14—Battle at Bristoe Station, Va. Favorable to U. S. troops.” 16—Gen. Grant takes command of the Western armies.” 17—The President calls for 300,000 more troops.” 21—A battle in Alabama, in Mississippi, and in Tennessee.” 27—Battle of Brown’s Ferry, near Chattanooga. Confederates beaten.” 28—Gen. Hooker takes Lookout Mountain.” 31—Gen. Hooker gains the battle of Shell Mound.Nov.—The main interest of the month gathers about the great and decisive battle of Chattanooga, between Gens. Grant and Bragg. All the forces to be spared on either side were concentrated here. Chattanooga has been called, “The back door of the Confederacy.”Nov. 5—Chattanooga bombarded by the Southern forces.Gen. Avery gains a Union victory at Lewisburg, Va.” 6—The North is thrilled with indignation at barbarities ascertained to have been perpetrated in Southern prisons.” 7—Gen. Meade drives Southern army across the Rappahannock.” 11—The British government makes known an intended invasion of the North from Canada, by Confederates.” 15—Gen. Banks takes Corpus Christi, Texas.” 17—Charleston continues to be shelled.Gen. Longstreet detached from Confederate army at Chattanooga, with 15,000 men, to attack Burnside.” 19—National Cemetery consecrated, at Gettysburg.” 23-26—Battles of Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain. Southern forces about 60,000, Grant’s about 80,000. Confederate losses 10,000, Union, 5,616. It was a blow never recovered by the Confederacy.” 28—Gen. Longstreet attacks Knoxville and is repulsed with loss.
Jan. 1—The year opened with a Confederate success at Galveston, Texas. An attack by sea and land resulted in the capture of 300 troops, the destruction of one vessel with its crew, and the capture of another, the Harriet Lane. Com. Renshaw was blown up with his vessel.
Confederate defeat at Lexington, Tenn., after an obstinate fight.
Proclamation of Emancipation issued by President Lincoln.
Long, but indecisive battle of Stone River. Federal killed and wounded, 8,000.
” 3—Union army withdraws from before Vicksburg. Southern army retreats at Murfreesborough, Tenn.
” 7—Springfield, Mo., successfully defended by Unionists.
” 9—20,000 prisoners exchanged.
” 11—A combined attack on Fts. Hindman and Arkansas Post by gunboats and land forces, resulted in Union success—over 7,000 prisoners.
” 12—Three Federal transports and a gunboat captured on Cumberland river.
” 13—The Southern steamer, Florida, escapes from Mobile.
” 17—$100,000,000 issued by the U. S. government in notes to pay the army.
” 20—Blockading vessels captured by Confederates, at Sabine City, Texas.
” 22—Attack on Vicksburg resumed. Gen. Porter dismissed from U. S. army.
” 25—A regiment of colored soldiers organized at Port Royal, S. C.
” 26—Gen. Hooker succeeds Gen. Burnside, in command of the Union Army of the Potomac, and Gens. Sumner and Franklin are relieved from duty.
The Confederate war steamer, Alabama, destroys one vessel and captures another.
Feb. 1—A second unsuccessful gunboat attack on Ft. McAllister.
” 5—Destruction of transports on Red River, La. Ft. Donelson repels Southern troops.
” 12—The Florida captures the Union merchant vessel, Jacob Bell.
” 13—The iron-clad, Indianola, runs the blockade at Vicksburg, and is captured.
” 18—Vicksburg bombarded by gunboats—ineffectually.
” 21—The Alabama, a Confederate cruiser, destroys two vessels on the African coast.
” 25—The Bureau of Currency and National Banks established by U. S. Congress.
” 26—The Cherokees return to the Union, and abolish slavery.
Twenty-eight cars, with stores, destroyed by Confederates, in Kentucky.
” 28—Confederate iron-clad, Nashville, destroyed in Ogeechee river, Geo.
Mar. 1—Third fruitless Union attack on Ft. McAllister, Geo.
” 2—U. S. Generals increased to 358.
” 3—Congress authorizes loan of $900,000,000. These are calledten-forty’s.
The President authorized to suspend the writ of Habeas Corpus.
U. S. Assistant Treasurer provided by act of Congress.
Territorial government organized in Idaho.
Two U. S. gunboats destroyed.
” 5—Van Dorn (Confederate) captures Springfield, Tenn., and many prisoners.
” 6—Van Dorn captures a considerable Union force at Franklin, Tenn.
” 7—Gen. Minty captures a Confederate cavalry force at Unionville, Tenn.
” 10—Colored troops captured Jacksonville, Florida.
” 14—Port Hudson, Mississippi river, attacked by the Union gunboat fleet under Com. Farragut. The flag ship disabled and burnt.
” 17—Gallant and successful exploit of Union cavalry at Kelly’s Ford, Va.
” 19—An English steamer with arms for the South destroyed off Charleston.
” 20—Defeat of Morgan (Confederate) at Milton, Tenn.
” 25—Two Union vessels lost before Vicksburg.
” 28—Confederate steamer Iris captured near Charleston, S. C.
Apr. 1—Admiral Farragut passes the batteries of Grand Gulf.
Great scarcity of many things in the Confederacy from the strictness of the blockade, and extreme depreciation of Confederate money. No cotton could be sold.
” 7—An attack on Fort Sumter by nine Union iron clads. They are worsted.
The Alabama Confederate cruiser captures the U. S. ship Morning Star.
” 10—Two Union gunboats destroyed on Cumberland river.
Van Dorn repulsed by Union General Granger, at Franklin, Tenn.
” 16—Com. Porter runs the batteries at Vicksburg successfully.
” 17—Gen. Banks vanquished Southern troops at La Teche and Grand Lake, La.
” 22—The Queen of the West captured on Grand Lake. Grigsby, Confederate, surprised at McMinnville, Tenn. Banks occupied Opelousas and Washington, Miss.
” 23—Gen. Hunter informs Confederate authorities that colored soldiers must be treated as other prisoners of war, on pain of retaliation.
” 24—Union defeat at Beverly, Va., and victories at Weber Falls, Ark., and on Iron Mountain Railroad, Mo.
May 1—Gen. Grant defeated the Southern troops at Port Gibson.
Gen. Pegram, Confederate, defeated at Monticello, Ky.
A third defeat of Southern troops, at South Quay, Va.
Unionists defeated at La Grange, Ark. Battle of Chancellorsville, Va., begins.
” 2—Col. Grierson, of U. S. army, finished a daring and successful raid through the interior of Miss. Traveled 800 miles in 16 days. Battle of Chancellorsville continued. It was a Federal repulse. Loss each side 15,000.
” 3—Capture of Grand Gulf, Miss., by Admiral Porter.
” 2—Vallandigham arrested in Ohio for treason. He was sent South. 100 Secessionists of St. Louis sent South for treason.
” 10—Stonewall Jackson, an able and brilliant Southern general, died of wounds received in battle.
” 11—Gen. Logan, Union, defeats Gen. Grigg at Farnden’s Creek, Miss. Each had about 5,000 men.
” 12—Gen. McPherson captured Raymond, Miss., from Confederates.
” 13—Yazoo City, and $2,000,000 property, captured by Union gunboats. Gen. Grant defeats Confederate army and captures Jackson, Miss.
” 16—Gen. Grant defeats Pemberton at Baker’s Creek, Miss., with heavy loss. Each had about 25,000 men. Pemberton lost 4,000 men and next day 2,000 more.
” 18—Grant commences siege of Vicksburg, Miss.
” 26—Gen. Breckenridge, Confederate, suffered defeat in Tennessee.
” 29—An immense train arrives in Gen. Banks’ lines near Port Hudson: 600 wagons, 3,000 horses and mules, 1,500 cattle, 6,000 negroes. Gen. Banks fails in several attacks on Port Hudson.
June 3—A brilliant raid by a colored regiment in South Carolina.
” 11—Forrest, of Confederate cavalry, defeated at Triune, Tenn.
” 15—President Lincoln calls for 120,000 militia, to repel Lee’s invasion of Penn.
” 18—About 100,000 Southern forces enter Penn., near Chambersburg.
” 20—West Virginia admitted as a State into the Union. Missouri Legislature abolishes slavery.
In this month the great events of the campaign, the taking of Vicksburg and opening the Mississippi river, and the failure of Gen. Lee’s invasion by his loss of the battle of Gettysburg, are rapidly approaching the grand crisis.
July—The first days of this month formed the crisis of the war.
” 3—Gen. Lee, with 100,000 men, was defeated by Gen. Meade at Gettysburg, Pa., with about equal numbers. Lee retreated into Virginia. The Union losses at Gettysburg were 23,000. Lee had lost in his 17 days in the Free States 60,000 men altogether.
” 4—Vicksburg surrendered to Gen. Grant, after a siege of 41 days. In the battles immediately preceding, under Grant, and in this siege and capitulation, the South lost near 50,000 men. Grant’s losses were about 9,000.
Gen. Prentice defeated a greatly superior force at Helena, Ark.
” 8—Port Hudson surrenders to Gen. Banks, with 7,000 men.
Morgan, of Confederate cavalry, invades Indiana and Ohio with 5,000 men. He is captured before he can return.
” 13—Great riot in New York city.
” 17—Gen. Sherman defeats Johnson, and occupies Jackson, Miss.
” 20—Two successful Union cavalry expeditions, in N. C. and Va.
” 23—Battle of Manassas Gap. Unionists defeat a superior force.
A Confederate victory at Richmond, Ky.
” 31—Confederates beaten in Kentucky.
Aug. 1—Two cavalry battles in Va.
” 4—Disastrous loss of U. S. steamer Ruth, on the Mississippi, by fire.
” 12—Gen. Gilmore bombarded Ft. Sumter and Charleston most of the month.
” 17—Successful cavalry raid into Mississippi to destroy stores.
” 20—Lawrence, Kansas, attacked and destroyed by guerillas.
A guerilla war was carried on very largely this month, both east and west of the Mississippi.
Sept. 1—Knoxville, Tenn., captured by Gen. Burnside.
Gen. Blunt defeated the Confederates, and captured Ft. Smith, Ark.
” 6—Fts. Wagner and Gregg captured by Gen. Gilmore, Charleston, S. C.
” 8—Cumberland Gap taken by Gen. Burnside. 2,000 prisoners.
” 10—Little Rock occupied by Union forces.
” 19-20—A terrible battle is fought at Chickamauga (in Indian the “River of Death,”) in which Gen. Rosecrans with some 50,000 to 60,000 troops is severely defeated by Bragg, with about 45,000. Federal losses about 15,000. Yet Bragg did not capture Chattanooga.
” 22—Severe battle at Madison Court House, Va. Union victory.
” 28—Gen. Burnside repulses Confederates at Knoxville, Tenn.
Oct. 3—Union troops throw Greek fire into Charleston, S. C.
” 5—Chattanooga bombarded by Bragg.
” 9—Defeat of Wheeler’s Confederate cavalry, in Tenn.
” 14—Battle at Bristoe Station, Va. Favorable to U. S. troops.
” 16—Gen. Grant takes command of the Western armies.
” 17—The President calls for 300,000 more troops.
” 21—A battle in Alabama, in Mississippi, and in Tennessee.
” 27—Battle of Brown’s Ferry, near Chattanooga. Confederates beaten.
” 28—Gen. Hooker takes Lookout Mountain.
” 31—Gen. Hooker gains the battle of Shell Mound.
Nov.—The main interest of the month gathers about the great and decisive battle of Chattanooga, between Gens. Grant and Bragg. All the forces to be spared on either side were concentrated here. Chattanooga has been called, “The back door of the Confederacy.”
Nov. 5—Chattanooga bombarded by the Southern forces.
Gen. Avery gains a Union victory at Lewisburg, Va.
” 6—The North is thrilled with indignation at barbarities ascertained to have been perpetrated in Southern prisons.
” 7—Gen. Meade drives Southern army across the Rappahannock.
” 11—The British government makes known an intended invasion of the North from Canada, by Confederates.
” 15—Gen. Banks takes Corpus Christi, Texas.
” 17—Charleston continues to be shelled.
Gen. Longstreet detached from Confederate army at Chattanooga, with 15,000 men, to attack Burnside.
” 19—National Cemetery consecrated, at Gettysburg.
” 23-26—Battles of Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain. Southern forces about 60,000, Grant’s about 80,000. Confederate losses 10,000, Union, 5,616. It was a blow never recovered by the Confederacy.
” 28—Gen. Longstreet attacks Knoxville and is repulsed with loss.
There was a lull, for a time, in the tempest of war. The Confederate forces had lost ground that they could hardly hope to regain. The Mississippi river and Eastern Tennessee, both of supreme importance to the Confederacy, were in possession of the Union armies, which grew ever stronger. They were now about 1,000,000 men, and the navy had increased to over 600 vessels. This force was soon put in vigorous hands, that gripped fast what they once held. The misfortune of many commanders and continual changes, from political rather than military considerations, began to be well understood. Grant had gained so uniformly when others had failed, he was recognized as so tenacious and unwearied, that he received and held the confidence of the people and the government. This was a point of great importance for shortening the war; for the Southern people were still resolute, had still a vast country, were on the defensive in a smaller region than before, and could resist more effectively with a smaller army. It still made a most gallant and determined resistance which the vast resources of the national government did not enable them to overcome for a year and a half. The country was still covered with detached bodies of troops. A desultory war was maintained where strong armies failed to hold the ground, or were concentrated at a few points. The great movements were in Virginia and Georgia. The secondary in Tennessee, in Mississippi, and Texas.
It took a year to break the will of the Southern people after they were really conquered. This period covers the year 1864; 1865 furnishes only the dying struggles of the Confederacy, already mortally wounded.
The bombardment of Charleston continued during the preceding month. Some cavalry movements were made, the President of the U. S. offered amnesty to all who would take an oath of allegiance, and Gen. Butler announced that the Confederate government refused to receive any more supplies for Union prisoners from the North.