American Civil War Game Club (ACWGC)

February 15, 1862 Saturday
At 5 AM of a cold morning the Confederate division of Gideon Pillow moved forward to assault the enclosing Federal lines at Fort Donelson. Pillow was aided by Buckner’s division and after a morning’s hot fighting the Federal line of McClernand on the right was broken and the way of escape to Nashville open. A victory had been won. But nothing was done. Floyd, after considerable argument, ordered his army to return to their fortifications. Vastly perturbed, Grant ordered his left under C.F. Smith forward, but his advance was checked. McClernand’s division, aided by Lew Wallace’s, reclosed the gap on the right. By evening the troops were in nearly their old positions. The day’s fighting was for nought for the Confederates, while for the Federals it had been a near defeat. That night in an inn at Dover there was another momentous conference of Confederate generals. It was agreed they must surrender Fort Donelson, but who was to do it was the question. Floyd, allegedly fearing crimination against him for his Washington career, decided to flee, as did Pillow, next in command, leaving the surrender job to Gen Buckner. In the battle lines that night “Mother” Mary Ann Bickerdyke administered to the wounded, self-appointed but with the blessings of all. Gen Albert Sidney Johnston arrived personally in Nashville ahead of Hardee’s forces. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fort_Donelson and http://americancivilwar.com/statepic/tn/tn002.html

From Cairo a Federal expedition moved down the Tennessee River to Eastport, Mississippi, Feb 15-22; there was a skirmish near Flat Creek, Missouri; and action at Venus Point, Georgia (Four Confederate gunboats under Commodore Tattnall attacked Union batteries at Venus Point, on Savannah River, Georgia, but were forced back to Savannah. Tattnall was attempting to effect the passage of steamer Ida from Fort Pulaski to Savannah.). In St Louis Brig Gen John M. Schofield assumed command of the District of St Louis. William Wing Loring, CSA, was appointed to Major General.

Here is an example of a letter to a widow of a soldier that died this day: http://genforum.genealogy.com/mace/messages/1763.html .

_________________
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

February 16, 1862 Sunday
At daybreak Southern boats pulled up at Fort Donelson bringing four hundred reinforcements – but too late. During the night, Nathan Bedford Forrest and his cavalry fled to the southeast rather than surrender. Generals Floyd and Pillow boated across the Cumberland River and made their somewhat ignominious getaway. A few others here and there simply walked away. But the major Confederate force under Gen Buckner stayed behind. Buckner asked for terms and Grant sent back his famous reply that made him a hero in the North: “No terms except unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted. I propose to move immediately upon your works.” It was take it or leave it, and Buckner took it. The siege of Fort Donelson was over, and with it a Confederate army surrendered. No one will ever know with accuracy how many surrendered that day – estimates fun from 5,000 to 15,000 but probably it was somewhere around 12,000. Confederate casualties are estimated at up to 1,500. For the Federals, Grant had some 27,000 men plus the gunboats, and lost 500 killed, 2108 wounded, and 224 missing for 2832. The fall of Forts Henry and Donelson was a catastrophe for the South. The whole state of Tennessee was wide-open, Kentucky was lost, and two important rivers were in Federal hands. The victory received the acclaim it deserved in the North and the despair it deserved in the South. Winter was coming to a gloomy conclusion for the Confederacy; it was ending with signs of hope in the ever anxious North, at least in the West.

On the Cumberland River, the gunboat St Louis destroyed the Tennessee ironworks, and over in Arkansas there was short action at Pott’s Hill on Sugar Creek ( http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/e ... ntryID=509 ). In Nashville, Tennessee Governor Isham Harris packed up the state papers and left, as Hardee’s retreating Confederate troops came in. The capital of the state was in terror at the thought of the approaching Yankees.

President Lincoln announces that public safety renders it necessary to withhold reasons for arresting members of the Maryland Legislature. President Lincoln writes Gen Halleck that Gen Grant can hold Fort Donelson unless overwhelmed from outside. To prevent this disaster enemy forces from Bowling Green. Kentucky could be cut off by having gunboats destroy the railroad bridge at Clarksville, Tennessee. In the event Nashville is defended by forces from all South, "Could not a cavalry force from Gen. Thomas on the upper Cumberland, dash across, almost unresisted, and cut the Railroad at or near Knoxville, Tenn.?"

_________________
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

February 17, 1862 Monday
News of the fall of Fort Donelson was sensational, to both the U.S.A. and C.S.A. The North had a new hero in “Unconditional Surrender” Grant, while the South had wounds to lick and much to worry about. Generals Floyd and Pillow, refugees from their command at Donelson, came into Nashville, followed the next day by Forrest and his cavalry. Attempts were made to bring order to the Tennessee capital, but the citizenry was alarmed, many leaving as best they could. Fighting continued at Sugar Creek, Arkansas.

In Washington Grant was promoted to Major General of Volunteers. In Richmond the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States adjourned. David Bell Birney, USA, was appointed to Brigadier General.

Ironclad C.S.S. Virginia (ex-U.S.S. Merrimack) was commissioned, Captain Franklin Buchanan commanding.
Flag Officer Foote informed Secretary of the Navy Welles: "I leave immediately with a view of proceeding to Clarksville with eight mortar boats and two ironclad boats, with the Conestoga. wooden boat, as the river is rapidly falling. The other ironclad boats are badly cut up an require extensive repairs. I have sent one of the boats already since my return and ordered a second to follow me, which, with eight mortars, hope to carry Clarksville."

_________________
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

February 18, 1862 Tuesday
In Richmond the First Congress of the Confederate States of America opened. Heretofore the old, unicameral secession convention had been the Provisional Congress, but the elections of the fall had established a formal two-house legislature ( http://www.csawardept.com/history/Congr ... index.html ). There was skirmishing at Independence, Missouri; Bentonville, Arkansas ( http://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyc ... ntryID=510 ); and Mount Vernon, Missouri; while a Federal expedition operated around Winton, North Carolina. President Lincoln proclaimed that the people should celebrate Washington’s Birthday.

U.S.S. Ethan Allen, Acting Lieutenant Eaton, entered Clearwater harbor, Florida, and captured schooner Spitfire and sloops Atlanta and Caroline.

_________________
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

February 19, 1862 Wednesday
Federal forces of Gen C.F. Smith from Grant’s command occupied Clarksville, Tennessee as Confederates evacuated the town. Colonel W. H. Allen, CSA, reported to General Floyd: "Gunboats are coming; they are just below point; can see steamer here. Will try and see how many troops they have before I leave. Lieutenant Brady set bridge on fire, but it is burning very slowly and will probably go out before it falls." Asking in a postscript that any orders for him be sent "promptly," Allen noted that "I will have to go in a huffy when I go." Union forces under Flag Officer Foote occupied Fort Defiance and took possession of the town. Foote urged an immediate move on Nashville and notified Army headquarters in Cairo: "The Cumberland is in a good stage of water and General Grant and I believe we can take Nashville."

While Grant was looking toward Nashville there was an interarmy squabble brewing. Grant’s men were accused of entering the territory of Gen Don Carlos Buell, who also was advancing slowly south toward Nashville from the Bowling Green, Kentucky area. A skirmish at West Plains, Missouri marked the day. President Davis wrote Gen Joseph E. Johnston that “Events have cast on our arms and our hopes the gloomiest shadows, and at such a time we must show redoubled energy and resolution.” Meanwhile, the new Confederate Congress counted the electoral vote and ordered the release of 2,000 Federal prisoners of war.

Willie Lincoln continues to be critically ill though somewhat easier than yesterday. President Lincoln writes to the Superintendent in the Office of U.S. Army Nurses Dorothea Dix. Earlier in the day, Dix wrote to Lincoln, presumably to offer her assistance in caring for the Lincolns' eleven-year-old son, Willie, who is seriously ill. Lincoln writes, "The President's & Mrs L's thanks to Miss Dix for her kind inquiry by note of this morning. They do not, just now, need the nurse, but will preserve Miss Dix note, and call on her if occasion hereafter shall require."

Trial run of two-gun ironclad U.S.S. Monitor in New York harbor. Chief Engineer Alban C. Stimers, USN, reported on the various difficulties that were presented during the trial run of Monitor and concluded that her speed would be approximately 6 knots, "though Captain Ericsson feels confident of 8."

U.S.S. Delaware, under Commander Rowan, and U.S.S. Commodore Perry, commanded by Lieutenant Flusser, on a reconnaissance of the Chowan River, engaged Confederate troops at Winton, North Carolina. The following day Rowan's force covered the landing of Union troops who entered the town, destroying military stores and Confederate troop quarters before re-embarking.

U.S.S. Brooklyn, commanded by Captain T. T. Craven, and U.S.S. South Carolina, commanded by Lieutenant Hopkins, captured steamer Magnolia in the Gulf of Mexico with large cargo of cotton.

General Robert E. Lee, harassed by the Confederate inability to cope with the guns of the Union fleet, wrote Brigadier General Trapier regarding the defenses of Florida: "In looking at the whole defense of Florida, it becomes important to ascertain what points can probably be held and what points had better be relinquished. The force that the enemy can bring against any position where he can concentrate his floating batteries renders it prudent and proper to withdraw from the islands to the main-land and be prepared to contest his advance into the interior. Where an island offers the best point of defense, and is so connected with the main that its communications cannot be cut off, it may be retained. Otherwise it should be abandoned."

_________________
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

February 20, 1862 Thursday
In late afternoon at the White House William Wallace “Willie” Lincoln died, dies from typhoid fever, probably caused by polluted drinking water in the White House, throwing personal tragedy upon the victories from the West ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_Lincoln ). A weeping President tried to console his distraught wife. The President stops in his secretary's office and says: "Well, Nicolay, my boy is gone—he is actually gone," and bursting into tears turns and goes into his own office. At the same time casualty lists from Fort Donelson were spread on bulletin boards North and South – more personal tragedy.

On the Mississippi River the Confederate bastion of Columbus, Kentucky was to be no more; the fall of the forts on the rivers had ordained its evacuation and orders were given from Richmond. Withdrawal into the middle South was a necessity for the Confederacy, and Kentucky was nearly devoid of organized Confederate troops. In North Carolina there was an expedition by Federals in Currituck Sound. Governor Isham Harris announced the removal of Tennessee’s capital from Nashville to Memphis. The Confederate Army, reassembling at Nashville, was pulling back to Murfreesboro, southeast of the city, at command of Gen Albert Sidney Johnston.

Flag Officer Farragut arrived at Ship Island to begin what Secretary of the Navy Welles termed the "most important operation of the war"--the assault on New Orleans. In his instruction of 10 February to the Flag Officer, Welles observed: "If successful, you open the way to the sea for the great West, never again to be closed. The rebellion will be riven in the center, and the flag to which you have been so faithful will recover its supremacy in every State." For some weeks prior to Farragut's arrival, Union forces had been gathering at the Ship Island staging area. As early as 30 December, General Bragg, CSA, had written from Mobile: "The enemy's vessels, some twenty, are below, landing supplies and large bodies of troops on Ship Island." With an inadequate naval force, however, the Confederates were unable to contest the steady build-up of Northern strength.

Major General John E. Wool at Fort Monroe, on hearing a report that Newport News was to be attacked by Virginia, wrote Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton: "We want a larger naval force than we have at present." Meanwhile, the same day, Secretary of the Navy Welles was writing Lieutenant Worden: "Proceed with the U.S.S. Monitor, under your command, to Hampton Roads, Virginia . . . "

Brigadier General George W. Cullum, General Halleck's Chief of Staff at Cairo, relayed an urgent message from General McClellan regarding the gunboats to Lieutenant S. L. Phelps: "General McClellan gives most emphatic order to have gun and mortar boats here ready by Monday morning. Must move on Columbus with at least four serviceable gunboats and mortar boats. Only two gunboats at all serviceable here, and but one mortar boat, three being ashore."

Flag Officer L. M. Goldsborough wrote Assistant Secretary of the Navy Fox: ''At Washington, and also at Newberne [North Carolina] the obstructions in the river are very formidable, and admirably placed. : They consist of a double row of piles thoroughly well driven by steam, and sunken vessels. The rows are at right angles to the shore and parallel with each other. One stretches all the way from the right bank nearly over to the left, and the other all the way from the left bank nearly over to the right, and there is a battery of considerable force on either bank between them; so that attacking vessels must first go bows on to one, and then after passing it, be raked aft by one and forward by the other at the same time." The Confederates sought to reduce the Union Navy's effectiveness by well-placed obstructions, making passage of shore batteries difficult and costly.

Armed boat expedition from U.S.S. New London, commanded by Lieutenant A. Read, captured 12 small sloops and schooners at Cat Island, Mississippi, suspected of being used as pilot vessels by blockade runners.

U.S.S. Portsmouth, under Commander Swartwout, captured sloop Pioneer off Boca Chica, Texas, with cargo of tobacco.

_________________
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

February 21, 1862 Friday
Up the valley of the Rio Grande in New Mexico Territory some 2600 Confederates of Brig Gen H.H. Sibley toiled toward Fort Craig, held by Federals under Col E.R.S. Canby. The engagement of Valverde resulted from a contest over a ford by which the Confederates intended to cut off the fort on the west side of the Rio Grande. After brisk fighting the Federals withdrew to the fort, and the victorious Confederate column moved on north toward Santa Fe, bypassing Fort Craig. Canby’s Federals had about 3810 men and lost 68 killed, 160 wounded, and 35 missing, while the Confederates lost 31 killed, 154 wounded, and 1 missing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Valverde and http://americancivilwar.com/statepic/nm/nm001.html

In Tangier, Morocco, U.S. consul James De Long seized two officers of the Confederate cruiser C.S.S. Sumter, John Smith and T.T. Tunstall. After a long furor the pair were released. In New York City convicted slave trader Nathaniel Gordon was hanged.

Flag Officer Farragut formally relieved Flag Officer McKean as Commander, Western Gulf Blockading Squadron. As his other ships arrived, he assembled them at the Southeast Pass and sent those whose draft permitted over the bar to conduct the blockade "in the river." Secretary of the Navy Welles had sent Farragut supplementary confidential instructions, spelling out what had been discussed in conference: "When the Hartford is in all respects ready for sea, you will proceed to the Gulf of Mexico with all possible dispatch . . . There will be attached to your squadron a fleet of bomb-vessels and armed steamers, enough to manage them," under Commander D. D. Porter. Key West, preserved for the Union by the energy and foresight of naval commanders, would play the key role it has played throughout the United States' history as a naval base, rendezvous and training center for operations cast, west, and south. He instructed Farragut to "proceed up the Mississippi River and reduce the defenses which guard the approaches to New Orleans, when you will appear off that city and take possession of it under the guns of your squadron, and hoist the American flag therein, keeping possession until troops can be sent to you . . . There are other operations of minor importance which we'll commend themselves to your judgment and skill, but which must not be allowed to interfere with the great object in view--the certain capture of the city of New Orleans."

The U.S. Cabinet meets at 11 AM in the State Dept; but President Lincoln does not attend. Sec Seward confers with President Lincoln about England's disapproval of U.S. proposals in the Mason-Slidell case. Lincoln confers with Gen Butler about the New Orleans expedition.

_________________
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

February 22, 1862 Saturday
“The tyranny of an unbridled majority, the most odious and least responsible form of despotism, has denied us both the right and the remedy. Therefore we are in arms to renew such sacrifices as our fathers made to the holy cause of constitutional liberty,” spoke Jefferson Davis, newly inaugurated President of the Confederate States of America. In the pouring rain in the yard of the Confederate Capitol at Richmond, Davis took the oath of office as the regularly elected President and asked divine blessing on their cause. “Civil War there cannot be between States held together by their volition only,” he said in going over the reasons for the present difficulty. http://www.civilwarinteractive.com/Docs ... ugural.htm

Meanwhile, there was a brief brush at Aransas Bay, Texas; in Virginia a Federal expedition operated to Vienna and Flint Hill; there was a skirmish at Independence, Missouri. In Kentucky Buell’s Federals began moving in force from Bowling Green, Kentucky toward Nashville. Brigadier General Lewis Golding Arnold, USA, supersedes Colonel Harvey Brown, U.S. Artillery, in command of the Department of Florida. Union naval vessels entered Savannah River through Wall's Cut, isolating Fort Pulaski. Flag Officer Farragut ordered Coast Survey team to sound the Mississippi River passes and to mark out the safest channel.

At the Federal capital on this Washington’s Birthday it was observed that the Army of the Potomac, ordered forth on or before this date by the President, had not moved, although operations aplenty had occurred in the West. Lincoln, sorrowing for the death of one son and concerned over the illness of another, Tad, did not attend the Washington’s Birthday observances.

_________________
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

February 23, 1862 Sunday
Citizens and soldiers were evacuating Nashville, Tennessee more rapidly than ever, as Federal soldiers and gunboats began to draw nearer. President Lincoln named Andrew Johnson as military governor of Tennessee, to be confirmed March 4 by the Senate. In other command changes the Department of the Gulf was constituted under Maj Gen Benjamin F. Butler, and John Pope assumed command of the Army of the Mississippi at Commerce, Missouri.

Federal troops occupied Fayetteville, Arkansas in the northwestern part of the state, and there was fighting around Pea Ridge Prairie, Missouri to the north. Federals carried out reconnaissances of several days from Greenville to Little River, Missouri and on Bull River and Schooner Channel, South Carolina.

Flag Officer Du Pont wrote Senator James W. Grimes from Iowa, a member of the Committee on Naval Affairs of his departure for continued operations on the South Atlantic Coast: "I am off tomorrow with a large division of my squadron to complete my work on the lower coast, and if God is with us, in some three weeks I hope to hold everything by and inside or outside blockade from Cape Canaveral to Georgetown, S.C." The Confederacy would withdraw inland as a result of Du Pont's efforts.

Flag Officer Foote, with Brigadier General Cullum, reconnoitered the Mississippi River down to Columbus, the anchor of the powerful Confederate defenses. He reported proceeding "with four ironclad boats, two mortar boats and three transports containing 1,000 men." Lieutenant Gwin, in U.S.S. Tyler, conducted a reconnaissance of the Tennessee River to Eastport, Mississippi. At Clifton, Tennessee, Gwin seized 1,100 sacks and barrels of flour and some 6,000 bushels of wheat.

_________________
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

February 24, 1862 Monday
Northern troops under Gen Don Carlos Buell reached the north bank of the Cumberland River at Nashville as troop transports began arriving. Forrest’s cavalry formed the Confederate rear guard, retreating to the southeast. Other Federal troops under Gen Nathaniel Banks occupied Harper’s Ferry, western Virginia strategically situated at the junction of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. There was fighting at Mingo Creek, near St Francisville, at New Madrid, and in St Clair and Henry counties, Missouri; as well as a small affair at Lewis Chapel, near Pohick Church, Virginia. Funeral services were held in Washington for Willie Lincoln, while his brother Tad showed improvement.

Captain Buchanan, CSN, ordered to command James River, Virginia, naval defenses, and to fly his flag on board C.S.S. Virginia; the squadron consisted of C.S.S. Virginia; the small gunboats C.S.S. Patrick Henry, Jamestown, Teaser, Raleigh, and Beaufort. In his orders to Buchanan, Secretary of the Navy Mallory added: "The Virginia is a novelty in naval construction, is untried, and her powers unknown; and hence the department will not give specific orders as to her attack upon the enemy. Her powers as a ram are regarded as very formidable, and it is hoped you will be able to test them. Like the bayonet charge of infantry, this mode of attack, while the most destructive, will commend itself to you in the present scarcity of ammunition. It is one also that may be rendered destructive at night against the enemy at anchor. Even without guns the ship would, it is believed, be formidable as a ram. Could you pass Old Point and make a dashing cruise in the Potomac as far as Washington, its effect upon the public mind would be important to our cause. The condition of our country, and the painful reverses we have just suffered, demand our utmost exertions; and convinced as I am that the opportunity and the means for striking a decisive blow for our navy are now, for the first time, presented, I congratulate you upon it, and know that your judgment and gallantry will meet all just expectations. Action, prompt and successful just now, would be of serious importance to our cause."

U.S.S. Harriet Lane, commanded by Lieutenant Jonathan M. Wainwright, captured schooner Joanna Ward off the coast of Florida. Wainwright was the grandfather of the General of the same name who was compelled to surrender Bataan in World War II.

_________________
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

February 25, 1862 Tuesday
Federal troops moved into Nashville in full force. The capital of Tennessee, C.S.A., was again capital of Tennessee, U.S.A., and a vital base for the Union, to be held throughout the remainder of the war. Its capture without bloodshed had been made possible by Grant’s victory at Fort Donelson, although it was formally occupied by troops of Gen Buell. Elsewhere there were minor operations in Loudoun County, Virginia and at Keetsville in Barry County, Missouri ( http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ances ... rry03.html ). Confederate Maj Gen E. Kirby Smith was assigned to command in east Tennessee.

The Federal War Department ordered control of all telegraph lines by the department to facilitate military moves. In Richmond President Davis sent a message to the Confederate Congress reviewing the war, calling for sterner measures, and stating, “we have been so exposed as recently to encounter serious disasters.” Davis thought the financial system was adequate and the postal department was improving. He desired to establish a Supreme Court. Naval construction was proceeding despite limited resources, the need for more soldiers was being met, and strenuous efforts were being made to reinforce armies in the threatened West. It was not wholly a dark picture, although the military situation led to sobering thoughts.

President Lincoln approves the Treasury Note (Legal Tender) Bill that results in the issuance of "Greenbacks." ( http://www.yamaguchy.com/library/spauld ... 25_20.html ) Lincoln consults with the Committee on the Conduct of the War in the evening and hears its recommendations that the Army of the Potomac be divided into corps.

U.S.S. Monitor commissioned in New York, Lieutenant John L. Worden commanding. Captain Dahlgren described Monitor as "a mere speck, like a hat on the surface." U.S.S. Monitor muster roll http://www.tfoenander.com/ussmonitor.htm

U.S.S. Cairo, commanded by Lieutenant Nathaniel Bryant, arrived at Nashville, convoying seven steam transports with troops under Brigadier General William Nelson, one of two ex-naval officers assigned to duty with the Army. Troops were landed and occupied the Tennessee capital, an important base on the Cumberland River, without opposition. Meanwhile, the demand for the gunboats mounted steadily. From President Lincoln to widely separated field commanders, everyone recognized their importance. General McClellan wired Major General Halleck: "I learn from telegraph of Commodore Foote to the Navy Department that you have ordered that no gunboats go above Nashville. I think it may greatly facilitate Buell's operations to send a couple at least of the lighter ones to Nashville. Captain Maynadier, Tenth Infantry, will be ordered to Commodore Foote, at his request, as his ordnance officer for mortar boats." With the fall of Forts Henry and Donelson the Confederates retreated precipitously, abandoning strong positions, valuable ordnance, and supplies Moreover, at Nashville and elsewhere on the river they lost badly needed manufacturing facilities. Flag Officer Foote quoted a Nashville paper as stating: "we had nothing to fear from a land attack, but the gunboats are the devil."

U.S.S. Kingfisher, commanded by Acting Lieutenant Couthouy, captured blockade runner Lion in the Gulf of Mexico after a three day chase.

U.S.S. Mohican, under Commander Godon, and U.S.S. Bienville, under Commander Steedman, captured blockade running British schooner Arrow off Fernandina, Florida.

U.S.S. R. B. Forbes, commanded by Acting Lieutenant William Flye, grounded in a gale near Nag's Head, North Carolina, and was ordered destroyed by her commanding officer to prevent her falling to the Confederates. She had been ordered to the mortar flotilla below New Orleans.

_________________
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

February 26, 1862 Wednesday
There was a Confederate scout toward Nashville in a day of little or no fighting. Kentucky senator William E. Simms declared in the Confederate Congress that the Confederacy would defend her rights to the last extremity. In Washington President Lincoln talked with Gen McClellan, who was about to go to Harper’s Ferry, supposedly to lead offensive operations into Virginia. President Lincoln also signed the Loan and Treasury Bill creating a national currency of United States notes and providing for sale of stock to finance the currency. President Lincoln, by military order pursuant to act of Congress, takes over all telegraph lines. Tad Lincoln was no longer on critical list. Mrs. Lincoln was improving but still confined to her room. Ambrose Powell Hill, CSA, and James Johnston Pettigrew, CSA, were appointed to Brigadier General. Major General John Porter McCown, CSA, assumes command at Madrid Bend, Missouri.

C.S.S. Nashville, commanded by Lieutenant Pegram, captured and burned schooner Robert Gilfillan, bound from Philadelphia to Haiti with cargo of provisions.

U.S.S. Bienville, under Commander Steedman, captured schooner Alert off St. John's, Florida.

New Orleans "Committee of Safety" reported to President Davis regarding the "most deplorable condition" of the finances of the Navy Department there, stating that it was preventing the enlistment of men and that the "outstanding indebtedness . . . can not be less than $600,000 or $800,000" owing to foundries and machine shops, draymen, and other suppliers, and that for months "a sign has been hanging over the paymaster's office of that department, 'No funds.' "The Committee stated that "unless the proper remedy is at once applied, workmen can no longer be had."

_________________
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

February 27, 1862 Thursday
The Confederate Congress gave President Davis the power to suspend the privilege of habeas corpus, which was sparingly used. Delayed one day by a lack of ammunition for her guns, U.S.S. Monitor, commanded by Lieutenant Worden, departed the New York Navy Yard for sea, but was compelled to turn back to the Yard because of steering failure. The same day at Norfolk, Flag Officer Forrest, CSN, commanding the Navy Yard, reported that want of gun powder, too, was delaying the readiness of Virginia to begin operations against the Union blockading ships. President Davis ordered martial law for the threatened cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth, Virginia. President Lincoln converses with Congressman William D. Kelley (Pa) at White House about Gen McClellan and Harper's Ferry, Virginia, as secretary of war arrives at 7 P.M. with dispatches from McClellan. Long conference interrupted by entrance of Gen Randolph B. Marcy, McClellan's father-in-law and chief of staff. President, obviously dissatisfied with McClellan, says: "The general impression is daily gaining ground that the General does not intend to do anything."

Danville Leadbetter, CSA; William Whann Mackall, CSA; and Carter Littlepage Stevenson, CSA, were appointed to Brigadier General.

Map of the strategic situation at the end of the Fort Donelson campaign (give it a minute to focus) http://www.emersonkent.com/map_archive/ ... son_04.htm .

The worst train wreck in American history (up to this point) occurred today http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/2012 ... -Accident- .

Stonewall Jackson’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign officially started today http://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/She ... gn_of_1862 .

_________________
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

February 28, 1862 Friday
Federal forces under John Pope moved south along the west shore of the Mississippi River from Commerce toward New Madrid, Missouri in another drive against the Confederate heartland in the West. Confederate batteries protected the Mississippi River at Island No 10 north of New Madrid on both the Missouri and eastern sides. There was an affair at Osage Springs, Arkansas near Fayetteville, where yet another Federal column was threatening. C.S.S. Nashville, commanded by Lieutenant Pegram, ran the blockade into Beaufort, North Carolina.

In Washington President Lincoln talked with Gen McClellan regarding the failure to institute operations at Harper’s Ferry. He learned it was because the canal boats sent north to form a pontoon bridge over the Potomac River were too large for the locks. Throughout the Confederacy it was a day of fasting and prayer, following a proclamation by President Davis. Davis wrote Gen Joseph E. Johnston, who commanded the main Confederate army in northern Virginia. Davis was aware that the enemy appeared to be concentrating in Johnston’s front, and that the general believed his position could be turned. Davis directed Johnston to make sure that the heavy guns could be removed, along with stores, and that lines of retreat be planned. “Recent disasters have depressed the weak, and are depriving us of the aid of the wavering. Traitors show the tendencies heretofore concealed, and the selfish grow clamorous for local, and personal, interests. At such an hour, the wisdom of the trained, and the steadiness of the brave, possess a double value.”

_________________
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

March 1, 1862 Saturday
Maj Gen Henry W. Halleck, commanding Federals in the West, ordered Gen Grant at Fort Donelson to proceed south up the Tennessee River to near Eastport, Mississippi continuing the advance so well begun. Grant, hurrying from Donelson to Fort Henry, set the machinery in motion for another major movement of his army. Meanwhile, two wooden gunboats went up as far as Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee and silenced a Confederate field battery already sent there by Beauregard. In charge of Confederate troops along the Mississippi River (Army of the Mississippi, based at Jackson, Tennessee), Beauregard was concentrating his units from Columbus, Kentucky and elsewhere at Island No 10, Fort Pillow, and Corinth. A.S. Johnston with the remnants of his army from Bowling Green was beginning to move from Murfreesboro, Tennessee southeast of Nashville, across country toward Corinth. Already it was fairly clear that the next Western moves would be down the Mississippi and Tennessee Rivers by the Federals. In addition, there was a fight at Sikeston, Missouri this day.

U.S.S. Tyler, commanded by Lieutenant Gwin, and U.S.S. Lexington, commanded by Lieutenant Shirk, engaged Confederate forces preparing to strongly fortify Shiloh (Pittsburg Landing), Tennessee. Under cover of the gunboats' cannon, a landing party of sailors and Army sharpshooters was put ashore from armed boats to determine Confederate strength in the area. Flag Officer Foote commended Gwin for his successful "amphibious" attack where several sailors met their death along with their Army comrades. At the same time he added: "But I must give a general order that no commander will land men to make an attack on shore. Our gunboats are to be used as forts, and as they have no more men than are necessary to man the guns, and as the Army must do the shore work, and as the enemy want nothing better than to entice our men on shore and overpower them with superior numbers, the commanders must not operate on shore, but confine themselves to their vessels."

Flag Officer Foote again requested funds to keep the captured Eastport. He telegraphed: "I have applied to the Secretary of the Navy to have the rebel gunboat, Eastport, lately captured in the Tennessee River, fitted up as a gunboat, with her machinery in and lumber. She can be fitted out for about $20,000, and in three weeks. We want such a fast and powerful boat. Do telegraph about her, as we now have carpenters and cargo ahead on her and she is just what we want. I should run about in her and save time and do good service. Our other ironclad boats are too slow. The Eastport was a steamer on the river, and she, being a good boat, would please the West. No reply yet from the Secretary and time is precious." Had the Confederates been able to complete this fine ship, over 100 feet longer than the armored gunboats, before the rise of the rivers enabled the Federal forces to move with such devastating effect, she could well have disrupted the whole series of Union victories and postponed the collapse of Confederate defenses.

U.S.S. Mount Vernon, under Commander Glisson, captured blockade running British schooner British Queen off Wilmington with cargo including salt and coffee.

President Davis proclaimed martial law in Richmond and Confederate authorities arrested Virginian John Minor Botts and other pro-Northern sympathizers accused of operating against the South.

David Hunter, USA, and Irvin McDowell, USA, were appointed to Major General; while Robert Ransom, Jr., CSA, and Charles Sidney Winder, CSA, and John McArthur, USA, were appointed to Brigadier General.

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