American Civil War Game Club (ACWGC)

May 31, 1863 Sunday
A turbulent month drew quietly to a close. Chancellorsville had been fought in Virginia but the armies of Lee and Hooker remained on the Rappahannock River. In the West Rosecrans faced Bragg north of Tullahoma, and on the Mississippi River the sieges continued at Vicksburg and Port Hudson. There was a small affair on James Island, South Carolina and a skirmish at Warrenton, Virginia. West Point, Virginia on the Peninsula, was evacuated by the Union May 31-June 1. President Davis discussed army appointments and dispositions of units with Lee and at the same time stated that “Genl. Johnston did not, as you thought advisable, attack Grant promptly, and I fear the result is that which you anticipated if time was given.” He was less and less hopeful over affairs at Vicksburg.

U.S.S. Carondelet, commanded by Lieutenant Murphy, patrolling the Mississippi River below Vicksburg, proceeded to Perkins Landing, Louisiana, where Army troops were found cut off from the Union headquarters. Murphy "shelled the woods . . . and thus prevented the enemy from advancing and throwing an enfilading fire on the troops ashore," while awaiting the arrival of a transport which could rescue the soldiers. As Forest Queen arrived and the Union troops began to board her, a large force of Confederates pressed an attack. Carondelet's guns laid down a heavy fire, saving the troops and forcing the Southerners eventually to break off the assault. Carondelet remained at Perkins' Landing after Forest Queen departed, saved those stores and material which it was possible to take on board, and destroyed the rest to prevent its capture by Confederates.

U.S.S. Sunflower, commanded by Acting Master Edward Van Sice, seized schooner Echo off the Marquesas Keys with cargo of cotton.

_________________
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

June 1, 1863 Monday
Gen Burnside, now in command of the Department of the Ohio, issued a general order: “On account of the repeated expression of disloyal and incendiary sentiments, the publication of the newspaper known as the Chicago Times is hereby suppressed.” Suppression of the anti-Administration paper aroused immediate excitement in Chicago and elsewhere. A group of Chicago’s leading citizens, including Mayor F.C. Sherman, asked the President to rescind the order. Lincoln conferred with Stanton on the problem of shutting down various newspapers. In Philadelphia a meeting protested the treatment of C.L. Vallandigham.

Heavy bombardment continued at Vicksburg and Port Hudson, while fighting elsewhere was limited to skirmishes near Rocheport, Doniphan, and Waverly, Missouri; Snicker’s Gap, Virginia; and Berwick, Louisiana.

The Confederate Navy Department assumed complete control of the Selma, Alabama, Iron Works. Under the command of Commander Catesby ap R. Jones, the iron works became a naval ordnance works where naval guns were cast. Between June 1863 and April 1864, nearly 200 guns were cast there, most of them 6.4-inch and 7-inch Brooke rifles.

U.S. Consul Seth C. Hawley at Nassau wrote Assistant Secretary of State Frederick W. Seward, commenting on the continued attempts to run the blockade despite the danger of capture or destruction. Naming 28 ships that had run or attempted to run the blockade since 10 March, Hawley observed that 13 had not been successful. "This proportion of loss seems too large to allow the business to be profitable, but this view is deceptive. The number of successful and unsuccessful voyages must be compared to make a sound conclusion. . . . To arrive at the probable profits of the business, I made an estimate in the case of the Ella and Annie. She came into the business in April, has made two successful voyages and is now absent on the third venture.
........................One voyage outward cargo, say ...............$100,000
........................One voyage expense, etc .............................$ 15,000
..................................................................................................-------------
...................................................................................................$115,000
.
She returns with 1,300 bales of cotton,
weighing an average of 400 pounds per bale,
equal to 45 cents per pound, or .........................................$234,000
From which deduct the cost ...............................................$115,000
..................................................................................................-------------
Leaves profit ...........................................................................$119,000
"Assume that she makes the average four voyages and is lost on the fifth with her cargo, the account would stand thus: Four voyages, profit at $119,000 each, is $476,000; deduct cost of steamer, $100,000, and cargo, $100,000, equal $200,000, leaves as profit on four voyages, $276,000. This estimate of profits is far less; it is not half as great as the figures made by those engaged in the business." Thus patriotism and the great profit realized from a successful run through the blockade combined to induce adventurous Southerners to risk the perils posed by the Union fleet.

_________________
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

June 2, 1863 Tuesday
President Lincoln, uncertain about Hooker’s ability to command the Federal Army of the Potomac properly, is said to have conferred with Maj Gen John F. Reynolds regarding that command and possibly even offered it to Reynolds. Equally concerned with events in the West, President Lincoln wired Grant, “Are you in communication with Gen. Banks? Is he coming toward you, or going further off?” Washington had urged the two forces to join up. However, Banks wisely continued his siege of Port Hudson and Grant was fully occupied at Vicksburg.

President Davis ordered C.L. Vallandigham sent to Wilmington, North Carolina and put under guard as an “alien enemy.”

Federals raided Confederate property and stores on the Combahee River, South Carolina. Skirmishing occurred at Upperville and Strasburg, Virginia and at Jamestown, Kentucky. A Federal expedition operated from Haynes’ Bluff to Satartia and Mechanicsville, Mississippi, June 2-8. Alexander Peter Stewart, CSA, was appointed to Major General.

C.S.S. Alabama, commanded by Captain Semmes, after a chase of 8 hours in the South Atlantic, captured and burned bark Amazonian, bound from New York to Montevideo with cargo including commercial mail.

U.S.S. Anacostia, commanded by Acting Master Provost, and U.S.S. Primrose, commanded by Acting Master Street, took sloop Flying Cloud at Tapp's Creek, Virginia.

_________________
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

June 3, 1863 Wednesday
Gen Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia was on the move. First elements of the Confederate army of about 75,000 men left the Fredericksburg area in a westerly direction. McLaws’ ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McLaws ) division of Longstreets’ corps was in the van. Other units prepared to follow. The decision to invade the North a second time had been made. The Gettysburg Campaign, which would last nearly two months, was under way. One of the first actions was a minor skirmish near Fayetteville, Virginia.

The Ninth Army Corps from Kentucky was ordered to Vicksburg to augment Grant’s army. There were operations during the week in northern Louisiana and a Federal expedition to Clinton, Louisiana as part of the Port Hudson campaign. In Tennessee action included a small Federal expedition from Jackson and skirmishing at Murfreesboro; fighting also occurred near Simsport, Louisiana. Benjamin Henry Grierson, USA, was appointed to Brigadier General.

Democrats, led by Mayor Fernando Wood, met at the Cooper Institute in New York to urge peace. At Sheffield, England, a meeting honored Confederate Gen Stonewall Jackson. The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, a Negro regiment under Col Robert Gould Shaw, arrived at Port Royal, South Carolina.

U.S.S. Stars and Stripes, commanded by Acting Master Charles L. Willcomb, captured sloop Florida at St. Marks Bay, Florida, with cargo of cotton and tar.

Ram U.S.S. Switzerland, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel J. Ellet, reconnoitered the Atchafalaya River as far as Simmesport, Louisiana, upon hearing reports that Confederate General Kirby Smith might be advancing to engage the Union position above Port Hudson. Half a mile above Simmesport, heavy rifle fire was opened on the ram. "Strongly. posted behind the levee and heavy earthworks, within 100 yards of the channel of the river," Ellet reported, "they poured a perfect storm of Minie balls upon us as we passed in front of the town. The fire of the artillery was also very severe." After a vigorous exchange in which Switzerland sustained seven hits, the ram withdrew. Next day, U.S.S. Lafayette and Pittsburg "proceeded to Simmesport and shelled the rebels away from their breastworks, fired their camp and the houses which had been occupied as their quarters. The gunboats then returned to their positions at the mouth of the Red River.

_________________
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

June 4, 1863 Thursday
Lee, moving out from Fredericksburg toward Culpeper Court House, sent Ewell’s corps to follow Longstreet’s, leaving only A.P. Hill at Fredericksburg. Hooker, on the Falmouth side of the Rappahannock River, was not sure whether it was a major movement or just a change of camps.

In Tennessee Confederates operated on the Shelbyville Pike near Murfreesboro. Fighting broke out at Snow Hill and Franklin, and Federals scouted around Smithville. Skirmishes occurred on Lawyer’s Road near Fairfax Court House and at Frying Pan. Other action included a Federal expedition from Fort Pulaski, Georgia to Bluffton, South Carolina; skirmishing at Fayetteville, Arkansas; at Atchafalaya and at Lake Saint Joseph, Louisiana.

President Lincoln suggested to Sec of War Stanton that the order suspending publication of the Chicago Times be revoked and the Secretary so ordered.

Siege life was entering the droning stage at Vicksburg.

Joint Army-Navy expedition including U.S.S. Commodore Morris, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Gillis; U.S.S. Commodore Jones, commanded by Lieutenant Commander John G. Mitchell; Army gunboat Smith Briggs, and transport Winnissimet with 400 troops embarked, ascended the Mattapony River for the purpose of destroying a foundry above Walkerton, Virginia, where Confederate ordnance was being manufactured. The troops were landed at Walkerton and marched to the Ayletts area where the machinery, a flour mill, and a large quantity of grain were destroyed. Reembarking the troops and captured livestock, the force fell down river as the gunboats "dropped shells into many deserted houses and completely scoured the banks, and sweeping all the points on the river." Rear Admiral S. P. Lee reported that: "The vigilant dispositions of Lieutenant Commander Gillis kept the river below clear, and the rebels, attempting demonstrations at several points on the banks, were dispersed by the gunboats." Brigadier General Henry A. Wise, CSA, called the joint expedition a "daring and destructive raid." Constant destruction along the coasts and up the rivers seriously hampered the already industrially deficient South.

_________________
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

June 5, 1863 Friday
Federals from Hooker’s Army of the Potomac made a reconnaissance at Franklin’s Crossing, above Fredericksburg, and found Confederates in position. Hooker, at Falmouth, and President Lincoln and Halleck exchanged telegrams on how to counter the apparent shifting of at least part of Lee’s army. Washington indicated Hooker should try to attack the moving Confederates rather than cross the Rappahannock River and engage those still at Fredericksburg (President Lincoln wrote: "In case you find Lee coming to the North of the Rappahannock [River], I would by no means cross to the South of it. . . . In one word, I would not take any risk of being entangled upon the river, like an ox jumped half over a fence, and liable to be torn by dogs, front and rear, without a fair chance to gore one way or kick the other.". Skirmishing between Sedgwick’s Federals and A.P. Hill’s Confederates continued at Franklin’s Crossing or Deep Run for several days. But there was no real opposition to Lee’s progress.

In North Carolina a Federal reconnaissance moved through Gates County and down the Chowan River. Major General John G. Parke ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_G._Parke ), USA, resumes command of the Federal 9th Army Corps, around Vicksburg, Mississippi.

C.S.S. Alabama, commanded by Captain Semmes, captured ship Talisman in the mid-Atlantic en route Shanghai. Semmes wrote in his log: "Received on board from this ship during the day some beef and pork and bread, etc., and a couple of brass 12-pounders, mounted on ship carriages. There were four of these pieces on board, and a quantity of powder and shot, two steam boilers, etc., for fitting up a steam gunboat. . . . at nightfall set fire to the ship, a beautiful craft of 1,100 tons."

U.S.S. Wissahickon, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Davis, attacked and sank a steamer (name unknown) attempting to run the blockade out of Charleston.

_________________
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

June 6, 1863, Saturday
As Lee’s army marched from Fredericksburg toward Culpeper Court House, Hooker’s Federals sought to determine their destination. Meanwhile, at Brandy Station 8,000 sabers flashed and horsed pranced as Jeb Stuart’s cavalry spread in review along the railroad track, displaying their colorful movements to the assembled dignitaries and their ladies in carriages and in “cars” on the railroad.

But the real fighting went on, with skirmishing at Berryville, Virginia; near Richmond, Louisiana; on the Shelbyville Pike, Tennessee; at Waitsborough, Kentucky; and in Kansas at Shawneetown. From this day to the twentieth there was skirmishing about Fort Gibson, Indian Territory.

President Lincoln wondered how the investment of Vicksburg was succeeding as reports were delayed for several days. Edward Asbury O'Neal, CSA, and Stephen Hinsdale Weed, USA, were appointed to Brigadier General.

Rear Admiral Lee reported to Secretary Welles regarding the urgent need of additional vessels on the blockade: "The two entrances to Cape Fear River make the blockade of Wilmington very difficult. The vessels on one side cannot support those on the other, and each side, particularly the New Inlet side, requires a large blockading force. Two vessels like the New Ironsides are required to protect this blockade against the enemy's ironclads. . . . swift and suitably armed schooners are needed to capture the blockade runners. The fact that these last now go together adds to the difficulty of capturing them, and requires additional strength for this purpose. The blockade requires more and better vessels and must eventually fail without them." The North's industrial strength and free access to the world's markets, assured by control of the seas, made the necessary naval buildup possible. The exact opposite was true of the Confederacy. Secretary Mallory, writing Commander Bulloch in Liverpool on 8 June, lamented: "We need ironclads, ironclads, ironclads. . . ."

C.S.S. Clarence (prize of C.S.S. Florida), Lieutenant Read, launched a brief but highly successful cruise against Union commerce by capturing and burning bark Whistling Wind with cargo of coal in the Atlantic cast of Cape Romain, South Carolina. Read reported: "She was insured by the U.S. Government for the sum of $14,000. "

C.S.S. Florida, commanded by Lieutenant Maffitt, captured and burned ship Southern Cross, bound from Mexico to New York with cargo of wood.

U.S.S. Tahoma, commanded by Lieutenant Commander A. A. Semmes, seized schooner Statesman, aground at Gadsen's Point, Florida, with cargo of cotton.

Steamer Lady Walton surrendered to U.S.S. Tyler, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Prichett, at the mouth of White River, Arkansas.

_________________
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

June 7, 1863 Sunday
Confederate forces attacked the Federal garrison at Milliken’s Bend ( http://www.nps.gov/vick/historyculture/ ... 7-1863.htm ), Louisiana near Vicksburg, pushing through the works and forcing the Federals, which included the African Brigade, to the Mississippi riverbank. The tide was turned by Union gunboats Lexington and Choctaw, and the Confederates fell back. Federals suffered 652 casualties and the Confederates 185. Below Vicksburg, Federals burned and sacked the Brierfield Plantation of Jefferson Davis and his brother Joseph. Other action included a skirmish near Edmonton, Kentucky and an expedition from Gainsville, Virginia, June 7-8.

C.S.S. Clarence, commanded by Lieutenant Read, seized schooner Alfred H. Partridge bound from New York to Matamoras with cargo of arms and clothing. "I took the captain's bond for the sum of $5,000 for the delivery of the cargo to loyal citizens of the Confederate states," Read wrote.

_________________
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

June 8, 1863 Monday
Lee, with Longstreet’s and Ewell’s corps, arrived in the area of Culpeper Court House, the first stopping point in their new invasion route. Again Stuart held a review of his cavalry, this time for Gen Lee, other officers and dignitaries, and Gen John Bell Hood and “his people.” The latter turned out to be his whole division and there was some high jocularity between the infantry and cavalry.

Fighting included an affair near Brunswick, Georgia; skirmishes at Camp Cole, Missouri; Fort Scott, Kansas; Triune, Tennessee; and a Federal scout from Suffolk, Virginia to South Mills, North Carolina. In the West Federal expeditions operated from Glasgow, Kentucky to Burkesville, and from Pocahontas, Tennessee to Ripley, Mississippi.

President Lincoln wrote Gen John A. Dix that all was going well at Vicksburg and that there was nothing new from Port Hudson. A resident of Vicksburg wrote of the bombardment: “Twenty-four hours of each day these preachers of the Union made their touching remarks to the town. All night long their deadly hail of iron dropped through roofs and tore up the deserted and denuded streets.” Some residents stayed in their homes; others lived at least part of the time in hillside caves.

Crew from a Confederate launch commanded by Master James Duke, CSN, boarded and captured steam tug Boston at Pass a l'Outre, Mississippi River, and put to sea, then capturing and burning Union barks Lenox and Texana. Duke carried Boston safely into Mobile on 11 June. This bold action caused Rear Admiral Farragut considerable concern. Recalling a similar event on 12 April, he wrote the blockade commander off Mobile: "She is the second vessel that has been captured off the mouth of the Mississippi and carried through our blockading squadron into Mobile. I cannot understand how the blockade is run with such ease when you have so strong a numerical force."

C.S.S. Georgia, commanded by Lieutenant W. L. Maury, captured ship George Griswold with cargo of coal off Rio de Janeiro. Maury released the prize on bond.

_________________
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

June 9, 1863 Tuesday
The Confederate cavalry under Stuart quietly watched the Rappahannock near Brandy Station. Behind them stood the bulk of Lee’s army at Culpeper. Hooker knew a movement was on, and sent Alfred Pleasonton’s cavalry, supported by some infantry, to find what he could. Pleasonton moved across the Rappahannock River in two columns, one at Beverly Ford and the other downstream at Kelly’s Ford. For ten to twelve hours horsemen charged horsemen at Brandy Station, also known as Fleetwood Hill or Beverly Ford, in the greatest cavalry battle on American soil. A surprised Stuart barely managed to stave off defeat at Fleetwood Hill and at Stevensburg near Kelly’s Ford. At day’s end the Confederates held the field, but Hooker had some information, and the underrated Federal cavalry had redeemed itself. For the first time Southern cavalry had met a match. Casualties are uncertain, but records indicate 81 Federals killed, 403 wounded, and 382 missing for a total of 866. Confederate casualties are put at 523. Each side had approximately 10,000 men engaged. No longer could the infantry jibe – “Whoever saw a dead cavalryman.” http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/br ... ?tab=facts and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Brandy_Station and http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/br ... onmap.html

Twenty Federals were killed and fourteen injured when a powder magazine exploded near Alexandria, Virginia. The Federals hanged two Southern soldiers as spies at Franklin, Tennessee. Skirmishes occurred at Triune, Tennessee; Monticello and Rocky Gap, Kentucky; Macon Ford on Big Black River, Mississippi; and near Lake Providence, Louisiana.

C.S.S. Clarence, commanded by Lieutenant Read, captured and burned brig Mary Alvina, bound from Boston to New Orleans with cargo of commissary stores. Read, upon interrogating prisoners, concluded that it would not be possible to carry out his intention to harass Union shipping in Hampton Roads. "No vessels," he wrote, "were allowed to go into Hampton Roads unless they had supplies for the U.S. Government, and then they were closely watched. . . . I determined to cruise along the coast and try to intercept a transport for Fortress Monroe and with her endeavor to carry out the orders of Commander Maffitt, and in the meantime do all possible injury to the enemy's commerce."

_________________
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

June 10, 1863 Wednesday
Ewell’s Confederate corps left Culpeper and headed northwest. Lee continued to advance. Hooker wrote President Lincoln that now was the time to march to Richmond. President Lincoln replied, “I think Lee’s Army, and not Richmond, is your true objective point….Fight him when opportunity offers. If he stays where he is, fret him, and fret him.” Citizens north of the Potomac River were already alarmed, though no Confederate army was yet on their soil. The governor of Maryland called for the people to rally in defense against invasion. Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtin calls out the state militia.

Federals scouted on the Middleton and Eagleville pikes, Tennessee. Skirmishing occurred at Edwards’ Station, Mississippi and near Suffolk and at Diascund Bridge, Virginia. Off Cape Henry, Virginia the steamer Maple Leaf, en route from Fort Monroe to Fort Delaware with rebel prisoners, was run ashore by the prisoners, who then escaped. Confederate Gen Braxton Bragg was confirmed in the Episcopal faith at Chattanooga as a wave of religious fervor moved through Southern ranks in the West.

William Thomas Harbaugh Brooks ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_T._H._Brooks ), USA, is appointed to Major General and assumes command of the Federal Department of the Monongahela, in Pennsylvania. Major General Darius Nash Couch ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darius_N._Couch ), USA, assumes command of the Federal Department of the Susquehanna, in Pennsylvania.

Rear Admiral Du Pont ordered U.S.S. Weehawken, commanded by Captain J. Rodgers, and U.S.S. Nahant, Commander Downes, to Wassaw Sound, Georgia, where it was reported that the powerful ram C.S.S. Atlanta, Commander Webb, was preparing to attack the wooden blockader U.S.S. Cimarron. A week later Du Pont's wise foresight would save the day for the Union blockade there.

_________________
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

June 11, 1863 Thursday
As the armies marched in Virginia and sullenly faced each other at Vicksburg, there were lesser happenings elsewhere. Confederate outposts were captured at Port Hudson, Louisiana. Forrest caused trouble to Federals at Triune, Tennessee. Skirmishing occurred at Smith’s Bridge near Corinth, Mississippi; at Scottsville, Kentucky; Jacksonport, Arkansas; and Darien, Georgia. June 11-13 there were operations on Little Folly Island, South Carolina and at the same time Federals patrolled the Potomac River looking for Confederate outriders.

In Ohio C.L. Vallandigham was nominated for governor by the Peace Democrats, although absent from the state. Although sent to the Confederacy by order of President Lincoln, Vallandigham had been equally unwelcome in the South and was transshipped to Canada.

Rear Admiral Farragut wrote Major General Banks regarding the continuous bombardment of Port Hudson: "You must remember that we have been bombarding this place five weeks, and we are now upon our last 500 shells, so that it will not be in my power to bombard more than three or four hours each night, at intervals of five minutes. . . . I was under the impression that our shelling only served two purposes--to break their rest and silence their guns, when they opened in our sight; the last he has ceased to do, and they have now become indifferent to the former. After the people have been harassed to a certain extent they become indifferent to danger, I think, but we will do all in our power to aid you."

Steamer Havelock ran past U.S.S. Memphis, Stettin, and Ottawa at Charleston but was so severely battered by the blockaders' fire that she was found at daybreak aground on Folly Island and ablaze. Captain Turner, U.S.S. New Ironsides, reported that she was "a total wreck."

U.S.S. Florida, Commander Bankhead, captured blockade running steamer Calypso attempting to dash into Wilmington with cargo including drugs, provisions, and plating for ironclads.

Boat crew from U.S.S. Coeur De Lion, commanded by Acting Master W. G. Morris, seized and burned schooners Odd Fellow and Sarah Margaret in Coan River, Virginia.

_________________
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

June 12, 1863 Friday
The head of Lee’s army under Ewell crossed the Blue Ridge into the Shenandoah Valley toward Winchester, and engaged in skirmishes at Newtown, Cedarville, and Middletown, Virginia. Federals scouted on the Salem Pike, Tennessee. A Federal expedition operated from Pocahontas, Tennessee to New Albany and Ripley, Mississippi June 12-14; and included skirmishing; from this day to the eighteenth another Federal expedition moved from Suffolk to the Blackwater, Virginia. Federal Brig Gen Quincy Adams Gillmore ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quincy_Adams_Gillmore ) superseded Maj Gen David Hunter in command of the Department of the South. Robert Sanford Foster, USA, was appointed to Brigadier General.

Vice-President Alexander Stephens of the Confederacy offered to President Davis to take part in a mission to effect “a correct understanding and agreement between the two Governments.” Of course, no adjustment could be made that did not admit the right of each state “to determine its own destiny.” In Washington President Lincoln visited the War Department, concerned over Lee’s movements. In answer to a complaint about arbitrary arrests, President Lincoln stated that while he regretted such, “Still, I must continue to do so much as may seem to be required by the public safety.”

C.S.S. Clarence, commanded by Lieutenant Read, captured bark Tacony off Cape Hatteras and shortly thereafter took schooner M. A. Shindler from Port Royal to Philadelphia in ballast. Read determined to transfer his command to Tacony, she "being a better sailor than the Clarence," and was in the process of transferring the howitzer when another schooner, Kate Stewart, from Key West to Philadelphia, was sighted. "Passing near the Clarence," Read reported, "a wooden gun was pointed at her and she was commanded to heave to, which she did immediately. . . . As we were now rather short of provisions and had over fifty prisoners, I determined to bond the schooner Kate Stewart and make a cartel of her." Read then destroyed both Clarence and M. A. Shindler and stood in chase of another brig, Arabella, which he soon overhauled. She had a neutral cargo, and Read "bonded her for $30,000, payable thirty days after peace." Thus the career of C.S.S. Clarence was at an end. In a week's time she had made six prizes, three of which had been destroyed, two bonded, and her successor, C.S.S. Tacony, sailed against Union shipping under the same daring skipper and his crew, and continued raiding exploits into the north Atlantic.

_________________
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

June 13, 1863 Saturday
The advance corps of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia under Ewell drove in the Federal outposts at Winchester in the Shenandoah Valley and occupied Berryville. Hooker, with the Federal Army of the Potomac, started to move northward toward the Potomac River during the night, leaving the position held for nearly seven months on the Rappahannock River. Around Winchester fighting broke out at Opequon Creek, Bunker Hill, and White Post ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Bat ... Winchester ).

Other action occurred at Howard’s Mills, Kentucky and near Mud Lick Springs in Bath County, Kentucky. June 13-22 there were operations in northeastern Mississippi; meanwhile, Federals probed Johnston’s forces outside Vicksburg. From this day to the twenty-third there was action in eastern Kentucky. Matt Whitaker Ransom, CSA, and Alfred Moore Scales, CSA, were appointed to Brigadier General.

C.S.S. Georgia, commanded by Lieutenant W. L. Maury, captured bark Good Hope (22º15' S., 37º01' W.) bound from Boston to Cape of Good Hope; the prize was burned at sea on 14 June after provisions and stores were removed.

U.S.S. Juniata, Commander Clitz, captured blockade running schooner Fashion off the coast of Cuba with cargo of salt and soda.

U.S.S. Sunflower, commanded by Acting Master Van Sice, captured schooner Pushmataha off Tortugas.
Confederate guerrillas fired into U.S.S. Marmora, commanded by Acting Lieutenant Getty, near Eunice, Arkansas, and on the morning of the 14th, took transport Nebraska under fire. In retaliation, Getty sent a landing party ashore and destroyed the town, "Including the railroad depot, with locomotive and car inside, also the large warehouse. . . . " The next day, 15 June, landing parties from Marmora and U.S.S. Prairie Bird, commanded by Acting Lieutenant Edward E. Brennand, destroyed the town of Gaines Landing in retaliation for a guerrilla attempt to burn the Union coal barge there and for firing on Marmora.

President Davis, concerned over reinforcements going to Grant at Vicksburg, asked Bragg at Tullahoma if he could either advance his own army or detach troops.

At 1 P.M. President and Gen Meigs board tug for trip to Army of Potomac. Gen Hooker telegraphs to postpone visit. Tug turns back at Alexandria, Va., and reaches Washington at 3:30 P.M.

_________________
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

June 14, 1863 Sunday
A nervous Washington had ordered or at least suggested strongly that Federal forces under Maj Gen R. H. Milroy ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_H._Milroy ) at Winchester retreat to Harper’s Ferry. Milroy disagreed, not believing that Lee’s army could evade Hooker on the Rappahannock River. Waiting too long, Milroy’s garrison of about 6900 effectives was attacked late in the day from the west and threatened from the south and east by two divisions of Ewell’s Confederate corps.

Early’s ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jubal_Early ) division succeeded in taking one of the earthworks and severely menaced the main forts. Fearing that Milroy would attempt to escape during the night, Ewell moved Edward Johnson’s division to the north and blocked the road toward Harper’s Ferry. Following an evening conference, Milroy decided to withdraw after destroying his wagons and guns. Losses were small in the first day’s fighting. Meanwhile, Confederates under Robert E. Rodes ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_E._Rodes ) of Ewell’s corps moved from Berryville to capture Martinsburg, along with seven hundred prisoners, five guns, and stores. At Fredericksburg A.P. Hill’s corps moved out unopposed to join Lee. Skirmishing occurred at Nine-Mile Ordinary, Virginia.

At Port Hudson, above Baton Rouge, Banks called on the Confederates to surrender. When they refused, Banks ordered an assault at dawn. Two main spearheads advanced, gained some ground, but failed to break the lines. About 6000 Federals took part in the assault against about 3750 Confederates. For the Federals 203 were killed, 1401 wounded, and 188 missing for a total of 1792 casualties; 22 Confederates were killed and 25 wounded for a total of 47. The siege continued both at Port Hudson and at Vicksburg.

A skirmish broke out at Green Hill, Tennessee. Raiding in the eastern part of that state lasted 14-24. Hugh Judson Kilpatrick, USA, was appointed to Brigadier General.

Both Hooker and the Administration in Washington were uncertain as to the whereabouts and strength of Lee’s army. Late in the afternoon President Lincoln wired Hooker, “If the head of Lee’s army is at Martinsburg and the tail of it on the Plank road between Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, the animal must be very slim somewhere. Could you not break him?”

C.S.S. Florida, commanded by Lieutenant Maffitt, captured ship Red Gauntlet in West Indian waters.

C.S.S. Georgia, commanded by Lieutenant W. L. Maury, captured at sea and bonded bark J. W. Seaver with cargo of machinery for Russia.

U.S.S. Lackawanna, commanded by Captain John B. Marchand, captured blockade running steamer Neptune, bound from Havana to Mobile.

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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