October 21, 1861 Monday
On the edge of the south bank of the Potomac River at the precipitously steep, wooded Ball’s Bluff was fought this day a battle or engagement (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ball%27s_Bluff ,
http://www.nps.gov/hps/abpp/battles/va006.htm ,
http://www.history.army.mil/StaffRide/b ... _guide.htm , and
http://www.civilwarhome.com/ballsbluff.htm ) whose repercussions far outweighed hits relatively secondary strategic value. Brig Gen Charles P. Stone (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Pomeroy_Stone ) shuttled his Federal forces across the river in inadequate boats at Ball’s Bluff and farther downstream at Edward’s Ferry. He also moved toward Leesburg as a continuation of his reconnaissance ordered from Washington. Col Edward D. Baker, senator from Oregon and friend of President Lincoln, had immediate command at Ball’s Bluff while Stone directed operations from Edward’s Ferry. Baker kept bringing more and more troops over. After light fighting in the morning the Confederates began to drive the Federals back sharply in the afternoon at Ball’s Bluff. The withdrawal became a disaster as Federals fell back to the crest of the bluff and then attempted to escape. About 4 PM Col Baker fell dead, boats swamped in the river, men drowned, were shot, surrendered, or tried to get away along the riverbank. It was a dramatic, terrible, costly Federal defeat and a well-fought Confederate victory. Forces were about equal, 1700 on each side at Ball’s Bluff, also known as Leesburg, Harrison’s Island, or Conrad’s Ferry. But in losses the Federals had 49 killed, 158 wounded, and 714 missing, many of whom drowned, for 921 casualties. Confederates lost 36 killed, 117 wounded, 2 missing for 155 casualties. Sen Baker, despite his somewhat rash advance, was made a martyr, mourned by President Lincoln and the nation. Gen Stone, stolid defender of Washington earlier in the year, was accused in the press and elsewhere of friendliness with the enemy, ineptness in command, and downright treason. His imprisonment without being formally charged had definite political overtones, and although he later returned to service, his career was forever marred by a defeat for which historians have been more and more disinclined to blame him. McClellan, despite his indefinite and perhaps erroneous orders, escaped criticism. President Lincoln visits Gen McClellan's headquarters in the War Dept and reads the dispatch announcing the death of his intimate friend, Col Baker (for whom Eddie Lincoln was named). Investigation after investigation wrote reams into the official records, but that did not matter to those who stumbled down the tree- and bush-entangled slopes to their deaths. For the Confederates, Brig Gen Nathan G. “Shanks” Evans (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan_George_Evans ) had, as at First Manassas, proved a quick-thinking soldier, but his alleged drinking was probably responsible for his never gaining the rank and reputation his obvious qualifications indicated. In the North – consternation, another defeat; in the South – jubilation, although it was clear the battle had meant little for Confederate independence.
This same day near Fredericktown, Missouri, Federals under Col J.B. Plummer pursued retreating Confederates and fought for three hours south of the town. Gradually the Confederates continued their withdrawal. Losses were moderate (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fredericktown ). There was action at Rockcastle Hills or Camp Wildcat, Kentucky (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Camp_Wildcat ), and at Young’s Mill near Newport News, Virginia. President Lincoln receives information from Asst Sec Scott that troops for expedition against Port Royal, South Carolina have sailed from Annapolis, Maryland.
In Washington in absence of law authorizing such appointments, President Lincoln nevertheless invites Archbishop John J. Hughes of New York to name chaplains to represent the Catholic Church in military hospitals. Together with the cabinet and a majority of division generals within reach of capital, President Lincoln attends evening council at General McClellan's headquarters.
Charles P. Leavitt, 2nd Virginia Regiment, wrote the Confederate Secretary of War: "I have invented an instrument of war which for a better name I have called a submarine gunboat . . . My plan is simple. A vessel is built of boiler iron of about fifty tons burden . . . but made of an oval form with the propeller behind. This is for the purpose of having as little draft of water as possible for the purpose of passing over sand-bars without being observed by the enemy. The engines are of the latest and best style so as to use as little steam as possible in proportion to the power received. The boilers are so constructed as to generate steam without a supply of air. The air for respiration is kept in a fit condition for breathing by the gradual addition of oxygen, while the carbonic acid is absorbed by a shower of lime water . . . I propose to tow out my gun-boat to sea and when within range of the enemy's guns it sinks below the water's surface so as to leave no trace on the surface of its approach, a self-acting apparatus keeping it at any depth required. When within a few rods of the enemy it leaps to surface and the two vessels come in contact before the enemy can fire a gun. Placed in the bow of the gun-boat is a small mortar containing a self-exploding shell. As it strikes the engines are reversed, the gun-boat sinks below the surface and goes noiselessly on its way toward another ship. After a few ships are sunk the enemy can scarcely have the temerity to remain in our waters . . . I have written you on this subject in order to obtain an opportunity to draft out my invention, which with the means at command in Richmond can be done in a week . . . " Although Leavitt's scheme was not adopted, it was an interesting indication of early thinking about submarines in the South. Ultimately the Confederacy built H. L. Hunley, first submarine to be used successfully in combat.
Brigadier General John Breckinridge Grayson, CSA, dies at Tallahassee, Florida, from lung disease. The following appointments were made to Brigadier General: Philip St. George Cocke, CSA; Nathan George Evans, CSA; Robert Emmett Rodes, CSA; Richard Taylor, CSA; James Heyward Trapier, CSA; Louis Trezevant Wigfall, CSA; and Cadmus Marcellus Wilcox, CSA.
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