American Civil War Game Club (ACWGC)

September 27, 1864 Tuesday
While action in Virginia continued against Early at Port Republic and Weyer’s Cave, Forrest fought in the Pulaski, Tennessee area. The invasion of Missouri by Sterling Price was developing rapidly with skirmishing at Arcadia, Ironton, and Mineral Point. At Fort Davidson at Pilot Knob some 1200 Federals held off a full charge. During the night Brig Gen Thomas Ewing, Jr evacuated the fort secretly. St Louis was becoming concerned ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fort_Davidson ). A thirty-man Confederate guerrilla force of Bloody Hill Anderson ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_T._Anderson ), including George Todd ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_M._Todd ) and the James boys ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_James ), looted and burned Centralia, Missouri. Twenty-four unarmed soldiers were killed. Federal troops came to the rescue and were ambushed near Centralia, with 116 killed ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centralia_ ... _(Missouri) ). In addition there were isolated skirmishes at Lobelville and Beardstown, Tennessee.

U.S.S. Arkansas, commanded by Acting Lieutenant David Cate, captured schooner Watchful in the Gulf of Mexico south of Barataria Bay, Louisiana. Watchful carried a cargo of lumber and arms.

Acting Ensign Semon made his second reconnaissance expedition to Masonboro Inlet and Wilmington. Semon again gained important information concerning Confederate blockade runners, the defensive dispositions of forces in the area, and made arrangements to procure pilots for the operation against Wilmington. He learned for the first time that C.S.S. North Carolina, one of the ironclads built for the defense of Wilmington, had sunk at her pier at Smithville, her bottom eaten out by worms. North Carolina drew too much water to pass over the bars at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, and had spent virtually her entire career at Smithville. Concerned about the state of Wilmington's defenses, Major General Whiting wrote Secretary Mallory on 6 October: "It is men and guns that are wanted as well as the ships, not only to man the naval batteries now being substituted for the North Carolina and the Raleigh [beached on 7 May 1864], which were to defend the inner bars, but to guard or picket the entrance and river, a duty devolving upon the Navy, and for which there are neither forts nor vessels here." An additional ironclad was laid down but was never finished because of lack of armor.

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

September 28, 1864 Wednesday
The lull continued on the principal fronts at Petersburg and Atlanta. A skirmish was fought near Decatur, Georgia. Sheridan fell back briefly toward Harrisonburg in the Shenandoah Valley after more secondary action against Early’s outposts at Port Republic and Rockfish Gap. Price skirmished in Polk County, Missouri and at Caledonia while continuing his advance into Missouri despite the repulse at Pilot Knob. Fighting also occurred at Brownsville, Mississippi; Wells Hill, Tennessee; and near Rheatown, Tennessee.

From West Point, Georgia, President Davis wired Hood to relieve Lieut Gen Hardee ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_J._Hardee ) from the Army of Tennessee and send him to command the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Hardee and Hood had long had their difficulties and such a move seemed necessary if the President was to support Hood. Writing of their talks, Davis raised the possibility of putting Beauregard in charge of an over-all Western Department. The whole trip was an effort by the President to prop up the dangerously penetrated western portion of the Confederacy.

Federal Major General William T. Sherman, USA, sends Major General George H. Thomas, USA, to Nashville, Tennessee, to contain Confederate Brigadier General Nathan Bedford Forrest, CSA, and to command defensive forces against any possible invasion by Hood.

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

September 29, 1864 Thursday
The Petersburg-Richmond front exploded with a two-pronged Federal drive – one north of the James River against the Richmond defenses and one west of Petersburg seeking to extend the lines and penetrate to the South Side Railroad and the Appomattox River.

Worried about possible Confederate reinforcements to Early, Grant dispatched the Tenth and Eighteenth Corps under David Birney and E.O.C. Ord north of the James River to attack the outer Richmond defenses. Advancing rapidly, George Stannard’s division stormed Fort Harrison, capturing a major Confederate bastion and nearby works. To the north, however, the Tenth Corps’ attack against Fort Gilmer on the New Market Road failed ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Chaffin%27s_Farm ). The Federals promptly rebuilt Fort Harrison as a Union bastion. Fort Harrison was considered so important that both Lee and Grant personally directed operations in the battle. Brigadier General Hiram Burnham ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiram_Burnham ), USA, is killed while leading his command against the Confederate's outer defenses at Fort Harrison, Richmond, Virginia.

To the west of Petersburg, about 16000 men of the Army of the Potomac under Meade pressed to increase the encirclement of Petersburg west of the Weldon Railroad and take the vital South Side Railroad. Near Peebles’ Farm the fighting began and continued for four days. These engagements included combats at Wyatt’s, Peebles’, and Pegram’s farms, the Chappell House, Poplar Spring Church, and Vaughan Road. Fighting was mainly by the vanguard ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Peebles%27s_Farm ).

This day saw action on all fronts. Men of Early and Sheridan fought at Waynesborough, Virginia; Price’s raiders clashed with Federals at Leasburg or Harrison, and at Cuba, Missouri. Forrest was carrying out his raid, with action near Lynchburg, Tennessee. In addition, skirmishes occurred at Centreville and Moore’s Bluff, Tennessee. An expedition by Federals moved from Vicksburg to beyond Port Gibson, Mississippi. Operations also took place in northwestern Tennessee around Jonesborough and the Watuga River; at Scuppernong River, North Carolina; and Plum Creek, Nebraska Territory.

Steamer Roanoke, bound for New York from Havana, was captured by Confederates under Acting Master John C. Braine, CSN, just off the Cuban coast. Braine's actions caused the Richmond government concern and embarrassment, since his expedition was organized and carried out from the neutral port of Havana. The resourceful and audacious Braine had outlined his idea to Secretary Mallory earlier in the year, and the Secretary had given his approval, with the stipulation that neutral rights were to be strictly observed. With that understanding, Braine was commissioned a temporary Acting Master. Instead of boarding the vessel as a passenger in New York, however, he chose to capture her on the Havana end of the voyage. With a small group of Confederates, he was able to overwhelm the ship's officers and take over the ship, steering her for Bermuda. After attempting to smuggle supplies and coal from that island, unsuccessfully, he determined that the fine steamer could not be brought through the blockade to the Confederacy and she was burned off Bermuda. Braine was held by the British but subsequently released, and was to be heard from again.

U.S.S. Niphon, commanded by Acting Master Kemble, forced blockade running British steamer Night Hawk aground off Fort Fisher and burned her. Late on 29 September, Niphon fired upon Night Hawk as she attempted to run into New Inlet, and observed her go aground. A boat crew led by Acting Ensign Semon boarded the steamer, and under the fire of Fort Fisher set her ablaze and brought off the crew as prisoners. Ensign Semon's conduct on this occasion became the subject of a diplomatic note from the British Ambassador, the latter alleging cruel treatment of the officers of Night Hawk and a premature burning of the ship. Semon was subsequently cleared of all implications of misconduct by a court of inquiry.

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

September 30, 1864 Friday
After losing Fort Harrison north of the James River on the previous day, Lee directed vigorous counterattacks. But the Federals, having virtually turned the earthwork around, beat off the Southern assaults. This ended major Federal attempts against Richmond from north of the James River. The Confederates constructed new outer works between the Fort Harrison line and Richmond, while the Federals built up and manned siege lines east of the Confederate capital. The North lost 383 killed, 2299 wounded, and 645 missing for 3327 out of about 20,000. Losses for the more than 10,000 Southerners are uncertain.

At Peebles’ Farm, southwest of Petersburg, Warren’s Fifth Corps moved out toward Poplar Spring Church, followed by John G. Parke’s Ninth Corps. Warren was successful at first, but Confederates under A.P. Hill counterattacked strongly and a division of Parke’s corps was forced back when the enemy drove in between the two corps. The Federal troops formed a new line and entrenched on Squirrel Level Road and near Peebles’ Farm, with the Fifth and Ninth Corps merging, in effect, to extend the siege lines and thus oblige the Confederate defenders to spread out. The two-pronged Federal attack north and south of the James River had strained the Confederates to the utmost, and forced rapid shifting of troops from one threatened front to the other.

While most of the fighting was in Virginia, skirmishing did break out at Waynesville, Missouri; Camp Creek, Georgia; and Carter’s Station, Tennessee. The U.S. Cabinet meets. Admission of Nevada into the Union is discussed.

_________________
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

October 1, 1864 Saturday
Forrest’s Confederates, fully active now, skirmished with Union garrisons at Athens and Huntsville, Alabama and captured blockhouses at Carter’s Creek Station, Tennessee. In Missouri the other major Southern raiders under Price also skirmished with Union forces at Union, Franklin, and Lake Springs. In southwest Virginia and Tennessee Federal raiders skirmished at Clinch Mountain and Laurel Creek Gap, Tennessee. In Georgia, where Hood was moving around south of Atlanta toward Sherman’s railroad supply line, a skirmish occurred at Salt Springs. The Shenandoah Valley was quiet as Sheridan prepared to pull back north toward Cedar Creek from Harrisonburg. At Petersburg the siege ground on, punctuated by fighting in the rain around Peebles’ Farm. A lengthy expedition by Federals went out from Fort Craig, New Mexico Territory to Fort Goodwin, Arizona Territory. Brigadier General John Dunovant ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Dunovant ), CSA, is killed while fighting on the Vaughn Road, south of the James River, following the Federal capture of Fort Harrison, Richmond, Virginia. John Henry Ketcham, USA, and Thomas Alfred Smyth, USA, are appointed to Brigadier General.

The British blockade-runner Condor, being pursued by U.S.S. Niphon, went aground off New Inlet, near Fort Fisher, North Carolina. Fearing capture because of dispatches and $2000 in gold she was carrying, the famed Confederate spy Mrs Rose O’Neal Greenhow ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_O%27Neal_Greenhow ) left Condor in a small boat. The surf overturned the boat, the gold weighed her down, and she drowned.

Major General John G. Walker, CSA, reported to the Confederate States War Department that 10 sailors and marines under Captain W. F. Brown, CSMC, and Lieutenant Marcus J. Beebee, CSN, had disguised themselves as passengers on board steamer Ike Davis and had captured her off Brazos, Texas. After overpowering the crew and imprisoning them below, the Confederates took Ike Davis into Matagorda Bay, Texas.

_________________
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

October 2, 1864 Sunday
Troops of the Army of Tennessee reached Sherman’s supply line. Skirmishing ensued at Big Shanty and Kennesaw Water Tank, Georgia where Hood’s men broke the Western and Atlantic Railroad and interrupted the Federal link between Atlanta and Chattanooga. Other action in the area occurred near Fairburn and Sand Mountain, and at the Sweet Water and Noyes’ creeks near Powder Springs, Georgia.

Four days of action around Peebles’ Farm, southwest of Petersburg, ended when advancing Federals encountered only limited opposition. The main Confederate force of infantry and cavalry had withdrawn to their entrenched lines. Meade’s men had managed from Sept 30 through Oct 2 to advance the left flank of the Union siege lines about three miles west. The cost for Sept 30 alone was put at 187 killed, 900 wounded, and 1802 missing or captured for 2889. Southern figures are uncertain.

A Federal expedition aimed at the salt-mining operations in southwest Virginia was repulsed at Saltville, Virginia ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Battle_of_Saltville ). In the Shenandoah Valley skirmishing erupted at Mount Crawford and Bridgewater, Virginia. Farther west, Forrest’s raiders fought Federals near Columbia, Tennessee. Price’s Confederate expedition occupied Washington, Missouri on the Missouri River, some fifty miles west of St Louis. Other minor actions occurred at Marianna, Florida; and there were ten days of Federal movements in southwest Mississippi and east Louisiana, along with expeditions to the Amite River, New River, and Bayou Manchac, Louisiana.

At Augusta, Georgia President Davis told Beauregard to assume command of the two western departments now under Genls Hood and Richard Taylor. Beauregard would have the top command, but he was not to interfere with field operations except when personally present. Davis thereby hoped to coordinate the deteriorating defenses of the Confederacy in Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, and to resume the offensive.

_________________
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

October 3, 1864 Monday
Hood’s Army of Tennessee was squarely on the Chattanooga-Atlanta railroad in Sherman’s rear and seized Big Shanty, Kennesaw Water Tank, and the nearby area, breaking the track even more. Sherman, forced to take notice of Hood’s operations, began sending troops back from Atlanta to cope with what had become far more than nuisance raids. George H. Thomas arrived in Nashville, sent by Sherman to command defensive forces against any possible invasion by Hood.

Confederate troops under Price still operated to the west of St Louis along the Missouri River at Hermann and Miller’s Station, Missouri. There was Union action from Morganza to Bayou Sara, Louisiana and a skirmish near Mount Elba, Arkansas. In the Shenandoah Valley fighting broke out at Mount Jackson and North River, Virginia as Confederates harassed Sheridan’s troops in the Harrisonburg area.

En route to Richmond, President Davis arrived at Columbus, capital of South Carolina, to an enthusiastic welcome. He offered encouragement to the people and said of Hood, “His eye is now fixed upon a point far beyond that where he was assailed by the enemy….And if but a half, nay, one-fourth, of the men to whom the service has a right, will give him their strength, I see no chance for Sherman to escape from a defeat or a disgraceful retreat.”

Captain Semmes, commander of the famous raider C.S.S. Alabama, embarked from England in steamer Tasmanian for Havana, from where he hoped to return to the Confederacy and report to President Davis for further assignment. The gallant Captain later recalled: "I considered my career upon the high seas closed by the loss of my ship, and had so informed Commodore Barron, who was our Chief of Bureau in Paris." While his most celebrated deeds were behind him, Semmes was to play an able part in the final naval efforts of the Confederacy.

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

October 4, 1864 Tuesday
Hood’s troops increased their grip on the Chattanooga-Atlanta railroad and engaged in skirmishes at Acworth, Moon’s Station, and near Lost Mountain. Sherman, however, leaving one corps in Atlanta, was on the way to rescue his various beleaguered garrisons along the railroad. He set up his headquarters at Kennesaw Mountain.

Out in Missouri a skirmish took place near Richwoods as Price began to shy away from St Louis, unable actually to threaten the city. Other skirmishes occurred near Memphis, Tennessee and near Bayou Sara, Louisiana. Ferdinand Van Derveer, USA, is appointed to Brigadier General.

In Washington the newly appointed Postmaster General William Dennison joined the Cabinet. C.S.S. Florida, commanded by Lieutenant Morris, arrived in Bahia, Brazil, for provisions and coal. Within three days Florida's brilliant career as commerce raider would be closed.

_________________
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

October 5, 1864 Wednesday
From his perch on Kennesaw Mountain, Sherman saw the smoke along the railroad to the north toward Chattanooga, indicating the destruction wreaked by Hood’s army during the last few days. About eighteen miles away Sherman could barely espy a combat of major proportions at Allatoona, the site of a railroad pass garrisoned now by Federals under Brig Gen John M. Corse. During the night of the fourth, Maj Gen S.G. French’s Confederate division had got slowly into position. After a cannonade at dawn, French demanded surrender; Corse refused. The Confederates assaulted, gained some ground and positions, but did not take Allatoona. Overlooked in the dramatic heroics of the day were the high figures: the Federals had nearly 2000 men, and lost 142 killed, 352 wounded, and 212 missing for 706; Confederates lost 122 killed, 443 wounded, 234 missing for 799 out of a little over 2000 men. French received reports that Gen Jacob D. Cox and a huge Federal force was on its way to cut him off. Out pulled French, Cox was not on his way despite Sherman’s message sent to Allatoona the day before: “General Sherman says hold fast. We are coming.” Corse held brilliantly ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Allatoona ). From it all an inspired evangelist, P.P. Bliss, wrote the hymn “Hold the Fort, For We Are Coming,” which echoed in camp meetings long after Allatoona was forgotten. Also, in the area, skirmishing flared near New Hope Church.

There was considerable secondary action in Louisiana, with skirmishing at Thompson’s Creek near Jackson, Alexander’s Creek near St Francisville, Atchafalaya, and Saint Charles. In addition Federal expeditions of several days each operated from Tunica Landing to Fort Adams, and from Natchez to Homochitto River, Mississippi; from Baton Rouge to Clinton and Camp Moore, Louisiana. To the north Price’s Confederate Missouri expedition skirmished with Federals along the Osage River.

President Lincoln conferred with navy officials in regard to naval prisoners. His secretary, John Nicolay, went west to plumb the sympathies of pro-Union men in Missouri in regard to the election.

Surrounded by Beauregard, Hardee, and other generals, President Davis told a cheering crowd at Augusta, Georgia, “Never before was I so confident that energy, harmony and determination would rid the country of its enemy and give to the women of the land that peace their good deeds have so well deserved.” He proclaimed that the Confederacy was a “free and independent people.” Georgia had been invaded but “We must beat Sherman, we must march into Tennessee … we must push the enemy back to the banks of the Ohio.”

In Indiana military authorities arrested Copperhead Lambdin P. Milligan for conspiring against the United States, giving aid and comfort to the rebels, and inciting to insurrection. In December, 1864, he was convicted by a military commission and, on June 2, 1865, sentenced to be hanged. President Johnson issued a reprieve and in December, 1866, the Supreme Court freed Milligan, ruling in the case (ex parte Milligan) that military authorities had no power to try a civilian on such charges outside the actual theater of war.

U.S.S. Mobile, commanded by Acting Lieutenant Pierre Giraud, seized blockade running British schooner Annie Virdon south of Velasco, Texas, with cargo of cotton.

Boat expedition commanded by Acting Ensign Henry Eason, U.S.S. Restless, destroyed large salt works on St. Andrew's Bay, Florida, along with 150 buildings used to house the compound and its employees. Salt works, providing as they did both a foodstuff and an invaluable preservative, were a constant target for fast-hitting Union boat expeditions aimed at drying up the source of intended supplies for Southern armies.

_________________
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

October 6, 1864 Thursday
Confederate cavalry under Thomas L. Rosser attacked two regiments of George A. Custer’s cavalry at Brock’s Gap, Virginia near Fisher’s Hill in the Shenandoah Valley. Custer repulsed the attack but it showed that the Southerners were still active in the Valley. Federal raiders in the southwest Virginia area skirmished just over the line at Kingsport, Tennessee. Other action occurred near Florence, Alabama where Federals and Forrest’s cavalry fought; and in Cole County, Missouri. The Richmond Enquirer printed an article favoring enlistment of Negro soldiers in the Confederacy, a view that was receiving increasing support.

Acting Master Charles W. Lee, U.S.S. Wamsutta, reported that blockade running steamer Constance had run aground and sunk near Long Island in Charleston harbor while trying to enter the port. Lee wrote: ". . . as she is completely submerged in about 3 fathoms water I could ascertain nothing about her except that she is a Clyde-built vessel, of the class of the Mary Bowers, and was evidently bound in."

_________________
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

October 7, 1864 Friday
In an attempt to push Federal troops back from their threatening position near Richmond north of the James River, Confederate troops attacked on the Darbytown and New Market roads with combats at Johnston’s Farm and Four-Mile Creek. After some initial success, the Confederates were repulsed. Brigadier General John Gregg ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gregg_(CSA) ), CSA, is killed while attempting to push back the Federal troops on the Darbytown Road, south of Richmond, Virginia. Elsewhere in Virginia, fighting erupted on Back Road near Strasburg, and near Columbia Furnace.

Price’s men in Missouri skirmished near Jefferson City, the state capital, and fighting also took place at Moreau Creek and at Tyler’s Mills on Big River. Farther west, Federals and Indians skirmished on Elk Creek in Nebraska Territory.

In Georgia fighting continued at Dallas as Hood’s army moved toward Alabama. There also was a skirmish at Kingston, Tennessee.

U.S.S. Wachusett, under Commander Napoleon Collins, captured C.S.S. Florida, commanded by Lieutenant Morris, in Bahia harbor, Brazil, and towed her out to sea. Collins, who had been scouring the sea lanes for the Confederate raider for many months, saw her enter Bahia on 4 October and anchored close by the next morning. Collins offered to meet Morris outside the harbor in a ship duel, but the Confederate captain wisely declined. The Brazilian authorities, recognizing the explosiveness of the situation, exacted promises from both Lieutenant Morris and the U.S. Consul, Thomas Wilson, that no attacks would be made in Brazilian waters. Collins was not to allow elusive Florida to escape, however, and plans were laid to attack her shortly after midnight on the 7th. At 3 a.m. he slipped his cable, steamed past the Brazilian gunboat anchored between his ship and Florida, and rammed the famous raider on her starboard quarter. After a brief exchange of cannon fire, Lieutenant Porter, commanding Florida in Morris's absence, surrendered the ship. By this time the harbor was alive, and as Wachusett towed her long-sought prize to sea, the coastal fort opened fire on her.

Collins' actions, though cheered in the North where Florida was a household name because of her continued "depradations", were in violation of international law, and prompt disavowal of them was made by Secretary of State Seward. Florida was taken to Hampton Roads, arriving there on 12 November. She was ordered returned to the Brazilian Government, but before she could be made ready for sea she mysteriously sank. Commander Collins was court-martialed and ordered to be dismissed from the naval service. At the trial, the dauntless captain admitted his actions had violated international law, offering in his defense only the following statement: "I respectfully request that it may be entered on the records of the court as my defense that the capture of the Florida was for the public good."

Secretary Welles concurred, especially in view of the vast damage done by C.S.S. Florida to Union commerce, and, restored Collins to his command. The furor over the capture, however, did not die down. At length, to further satisfy Brazil, a 21-gun salute as an "amende honorable" was fired by U.S.S. Nipsic in Bahia harbor, 23 July 1866.

U.S.S. Aster, commanded by Acting Master Samuel Hall, chased blockade runner Annie ashore at New Inlet, North Carolina, under the guns of Fort Fisher, but the 285-ton wooden steamer ran aground herself and was destroyed to prevent capture. U.S.S. Niphon, commanded by Acting Master Kemble, rescued Hall and his men and, under a hail of fire from Confederate batteries, towed out U.S.S. Berberry, which had become disabled trying to pull Aster off the shoal.

_________________
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

October 8, 1864 Saturday
The last major Confederate cruiser, Sea King or Shenandoah, left London, soon to meet her supply ship near Funchal, Madiera, where she was commissioned as a commerce destroyer by Capt James I. Waddell Oct 19.

In the Shenandoah Valley cavalry fought in the Luray Valley and at Tom’s Brook. Near Petersburg, Virginia a Federal reconnaissance probed on the Vaughan and Squirrel Level roads. In the scattered fighting in the mountains of Tennessee and Virginia there was a skirmish at Rogersville, Tennessee. Price’s Confederate forces battled Federals again near Jefferson City, Missouri and fighting also broke out in Barry County.

_________________
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

October 9, 1864 Sunday
After considerable harassment in the Shenandoah Valley by Confederates, Sheridan had A.T.A. Torbert turn on the enemy. At Tom’s Brook or Round Top Mountain near Fisher’s Hill the cavalry divisions of George A. Custer and Wesley Merritt hit Confederate cavalry under Thomas L. Rosser and L.L. Lomax. The Confederates were heavily charged and pursued many miles down the Shenandoah. Federals captured over 300 prisoners and lost 9 killed and 48 wounded ( http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/toms-brook.html and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tom%27s_Brook ).

Price’s Confederates in Missouri moved past Jefferson City and fought skirmishes at Boonville, Russellville, and California. Other action was recorded near Piedmont, Fauquier County, Virginia; Bayou Sara, Louisiana; Van Wert, Georgia; and a Federal scout in St Francois County, Missouri.

_________________
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

October 10, 1864 Monday
Federal forces under Sheridan moved north across Cedar Creek in the Shenandoah Valley and took a strong position on both sides of the Valley Pike. The Sixth Corps moved toward Washington via Front Royal. Fighting was limited to skirmishes near Rectortown, Virginia; Thorn Hill near Bean’s Station, east Tennessee; South Tunnel, near Gallatin, Tennessee; in Colorado Territory near Valley Station; and in Pemiscot County, Missouri. Hood’s men skirmished with Sherman’s supply line guards near Rome, Georgia. Federal troops carried upstream by boats attempted to attack Forrest at Eastport, Mississippi on the Tennessee River. Confederate gunfire damaged the gunboat Undine and disabled two transports. The transports pulled away, leaving most of the troops, who later escaped.

President Lincoln wrote Maryland political leader Henry W. Hoffman that he favored the new state constitution which called for an end to slavery: “I wish all men to be free. I wish the material prosperity of the already free which I feel sure the extinction of slavery would bring. I wish to see, in process of disappearing, that only thin which ever could bring this nation to civil war.”

U.S.S. Montgomery, commanded by Lieutenant Faucon, captured blockade running British steamer Bat near Wilmington with cargo of coal and machinery.

_________________
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

October 11, 1864 Tuesday
Elections in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana showed the Republicans and Lincoln supporters stronger than had been supposed. Oliver P. Morton was reelected governor of Indiana and the Republicans made sizable gains in congressional contests. An anxious Lincoln stayed at the War Department telegraph office until after midnight to get the election returns.

Price’s Confederate invaders along the Missouri River fought skirmishes near Boonville and at Brunswick. On the White River near Clarendon, Arkansas bushwhackers attacked the steamer Resolute. In the east action occurred near White Plains and there was a Federal scout around Stony Creek Station, Virginia and at Petersburg, West Virginia. A three-day Federal scout probed from Camp Palmer to Gum Swamp, North Carolina. Federal troops moved out for five days from Atlanta to Flat Creek, Georgia fighting several skirmishes. Confederate cavalry attacked a Federal Negro recruiting detachment near Fort Donelson, Tennessee but were driven off. Sherman’s forces began to concentrate at Rome, Georgia upon hearing that Hood was just below the city.

_________________
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