American Civil War Game Club (ACWGC)

July 15, 1863 Wednesday
The violent action of the past two weeks was dissipating now. The draft riots, in their third day at New York, were becoming less virulent. Skirmishing broke out at Halltown and Shepherdstown, West Virginia as Lee’s army slowly moved south up the Shenandoah Valley, where it remained most of the rest of the month. Other skirmishing occurred near Jackson, on Forked Deer River, and at Pulaski, Tennessee; and Federals occupied Hickman, Kentucky. Sherman pressed Joseph E. Johnston at Jackson, Mississippi. The pursuit of Morgan increased in strength as the raider moved east from the area of Cincinnati toward the Ohio River. President Davis wrote Lt Gen T.H. Holmes in the Trans-Mississippi, “The clouds are truly dark over us.” Davis also wrote a long letter to Joseph E. Johnston, with whom he had been bickering over military command and decisions. President Lincoln issued a proclamation of thanksgiving for the recent victories and set aside Aug 6 as a day of praise and prayer. The Federal Department of North Carolina and the Department of Virginia are consolidated.

Boat crews from U.S.S. Stars and Stripes and Somerset, under Lieutenant Commander Crosman landed at Marsh's Island, Florida, and destroyed some 60 bushels of salt and 50 salt boilers.

U.S.S. Yankee, commanded by Acting Ensign Turner, captured schooner Nanjemoy in the Coan River, Virginia.

U.S.S. Santiago de Cuba, under Commander Wyman, captured steamer Lizzie east of the Florida coast.

_________________
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

July 16, 1863 Thursday
Thousands of miles from the fighting fronts occurred one of the strangest battles of the Civil War period. U.S.S. Wyoming under David Stockton McDougal was one of several vessels searching for the Confederate raider C.S.S. Alabama. Putting in at Yokohama, McDougal found the foreign colony huddled about the dock and terrified by a recent order of the Japanese lords to expel all foreigners and cut off the oft-used passage known as the Straits of Shimononseki. McDougal moved into the straits and took on the Japanese fleet and shore batteries. Junks and steamers swarmed around him, but he managed to sink some and destroy a few of the batteries. The engagement was fierce but short, and McDougal was victorious. U.S.S. Wyoming suffered some damage and had five dead and six wounded. Later an international squadron forced the revocation of the oppressive measures. However, the United States had won its first naval battle with Japan ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_ ... ki_Straits ).

Back home Joseph E. Johnston, outnumbered and outmaneuvered, abandoned Jackson, Mississippi to Sherman’s Federals. As part of the campaigning, skirmishing occurred at Clinton, at Grant’s Ferry on Pearl River, and at Bolton Depot, Mississippi. In the aftermath of Gettysburg there was also skirmishing at Shepherdstown and Shanghai, West Virginia. Morgan continued to roam in Ohio, but the pursuers were closing in. On James Island, South Carolina, Union troops and war vessels beat off a Confederate assault in an engagement near Grimball’s Landing. In Tennessee Federals scouted for a couple of days from Germantown.

From Bunker Hill, north of Winchester, Virginia, Gen Lee wrote President Davis that “The men are in good health and spirits, but want shoes and clothing badly…. As soon as these necessary articles are obtained, we shall be prepared to resume operations.”

The steamer Imperial tied up at New Orleans, Louisiana having come down the Mississippi River from St Louis. It was the first boat to travel between the two great river ports in more than two years. In New York City the draft riots had run their bloody course.

Commander Bulloch awarded a contract to Lucien Arman, a naval constructor at Bordeaux, France, for the construction of "two steam rams, hulls of wood and iron, 300 horsepower, two propellers, with two armored turrets. . . ." The general plans had been drawn up by Commander M. F. Maury and approved by Secretary Mallory. The Confederate agent also specified that the ships would have to have a speed of "not less than 12 knots" in a calm sea. Only one of the rams, later commissioned C.S.S. Stonewall, ever reached Confederate hands. She arrived in Havana late in the war and was eventually surrendered to the Union. Without the material and industrial capacity to fill their naval needs at home, the South turned with increasing frequency to Europe in hopes of building a Navy capable of breaking the North's stranglehold.

Expedition from U.S.S. Port Royal, commanded by Lieutenant Commander G. U. Morris, captured cotton ready to be run through the blockade at Apalachicola, Florida.

C.S.S. Georgia, commanded by Lieutenant W. L. Maury, captured ship Prince of Wales, of Bath, Maine, in the mid-South Atlantic; Maury released her 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

July 17, 1863 Friday
A day of lesser engagements included a cavalry fight at Wytheville, Virginia in the southwest; skirmishes near North Mountain Station, West Virginia and at Snicker’s Gap, Virginia; skirmishing on Stone’s River, Tennessee; and at Bear Creek, near Canton, Mississippi. At Elk Creek near Honey Springs in Indian Territory ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Honey_Springs ) Union Gen James G. Blunt attacked Brig Gen Douglas H. Cooper’s command. In this, the largest engagement in the territory, the Confederates were forced to retire for lack of ammunition. Included in the combatants were Federal Negro soldiers opposed to Confederate Indians. Federals operated for four days from New Berne to Swift Creek Village, North Carolina. In Ohio Morgan ran into more resistance and faced serious trouble as his raiders fought near Hamden and Berlin. John Converse Starkweather, USA, and William Denison Whipple, USA, were appointed to Brigadier General. Major General James Johnston Pettigrew ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Johnston_Pettigrew ), CSA, dies from his wounds fighting a rear guard action on July 14, 1863, with Federal cavalry at Falling Waters, Maryland, following the Confederate retreat after the Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

_________________
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

July 18, 1863 Saturday
Shot and shell arched in fiery chorus at Battery Wagner on Morris Island in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. After pounding the Confederate earthworks with mortars, ironclads, and some thirty-six guns, Brig Gen Truman Seymour’s six thousand Federals made a frontal charge that failed. One small angle of the earthwork fort was seized momentarily, but the attack was repulsed in the dusk of evening. At the head of the Federal dash was the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, Colored Infantry, which suffered frightful losses, including the death of its colonel and organizer, Robert Gould Shaw ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Gould_Shaw ). For the Federals, 246 died, 880 were wounded, and 389 were missing for a total of 1515, more than 25 per cent of the 6000 involved; compared to 36 killed, 133 wounded, and 5 missing for 174 Confederate casualties out of a garrison of about 1785 men. George Crockett Strong, USA, was appointed to Major General. Major General George Crockett Strong ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Crockett_Strong ), USA, is mortally wounded by a minie ball to his thigh, while leading the Federal assault on Battery (Fort) Wagner, Morris Island, South Carolina. He dies in a New York City hospital on July 30, 1863.

The failure against a stubborn and courageous defense caused the Federals (under the over-all command of Quincy Adams Gillmore) to change their whole concept of taking Charleston. A siege must be undertaken. Meanwhile, the Confederates transferred guns from Fort Sumter to other points in the harbor. For nearly a month the preparations continued, with Gillmore’s artillery setting up heavy batteries on Morris Island, including the huge “Swamp Angel” which fired a two-hundred-pound shot ( http://www.scencyclopedia.org/swamp_angel.htm and http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/ba ... angel.html ).

In Ohio John Hunt Morgan was in serious trouble; pursuers closed in on his weary column. Morgan passed through Pomeroy and Chester, Ohio and then headed for Buffington on the Ohio River, intending to recross into Kentucky. But a Federal redoubt barred their crossing and Morgan had to await daylight. Skirmishing increased as the adventure became a nightmare.

In Sherman’s campaign against Jackson, Mississippi skirmishing broke out at Brookhaven. Other fighting occurred near Germantown and Memphis, Tennessee and Des Allemands, Louisiana. Federals skirmished with Indians on the Rio Hondo, New Mexico Territory. There was skirmishing at and near Hedgesville and Martinsburg, West Virginia. Major General William Dorsey Pender ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_D._Pender ), CSA, dies from infection after the amputation of his leg, received during the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Federals Maj Gen John G. Foster ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_G._Foster ) assumed command of the Department of Virginia and North Carolina, and Maj Gen John A. Dix ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Adams_Dix ) took over the Department of the East. Federal scouts and expeditions lasting for several days moved from Cassville, Missouri to Huntsville, Arkansas; and from New Berne to Tarborough and Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Federal forces entered Wytheville, Virginia in the southwestern part of the state. At New Albany, Indiana, George W.L. Bickley, one of the leaders of the Knights of the Golden Circle, was arrested. President Lincoln commuted a number of sentences of soldiers found guilty of various crimes. President Lincoln was averse to the death sentence for cowardice. Lincoln remarks on the case of Capt James M. Cutts, Jr, charged with furtively watching a woman undress, that Cutts should be elevated to "peerage" with the title of "Count Peeper." President Davis called for enrollment in the Confederate Army of those coming under jurisdiction of the Conscription Act. Francis Marion Cockrell, CSA, was appointed to Brigadier General.

U.S.S. De Soto, commanded by Captain W. M. Walker; U.S.S. Ossipee, commanded by Captain Gillis; and U.S.S. Kennebec, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Russell, seized steamers James Battle and William Bagley in the Gulf of Mexico. The cargo of the former was cotton and rosin, and she was described by Rear Admiral Bailey as "the finest packet on the Alabama River and was altered to suit her for a blockade runner, at a large expense." William Bagley, too, carried a cargo of cotton from Mobile.

Boat crews from U.S.S. Vincennes, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Henry A. Adams, Jr., and U.S.S. Clifton, commanded by Acting Lieutenant Frederick Crocker, captured barge H. McGuin in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

U.S.S. Jacob Bell, commanded by Acting Master Schulze, with U.S.S. Resolute and Racer in company, drove off Confederate troops firing on ship George Peabody, aground at Mathias Point, 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

July 19, 1863 Sunday
Meade’s Army of the Potomac completed crossing the Potomac River in pursuit of Lee at Harper’s Ferry and Berlin (now Brunswick), Maryland. Moving rapidly, the Federal army headed south into Virginia and toward the passes in the Blue Ridge, beyond which lay the Army of Northern Virginia.

In an engagement at Buffington Island ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_ ... ton_Island ) on the Ohio River, John Hunt Morgan was foiled by Federal troops, militia, and gunboats in another attempt to cross the river to safety in Kentucky. Morgan suffered about 820 casualties, including 700 captured. Federal casualties were light. The Confederate remnant of about 300 turned north and headed along the Ohio River toward Pennsylvania.

Elsewhere there was action at Brandon, Mississippi, a part of Sherman’s Jackson Campaign. Indians and Federals skirmished on the Rio de las Animas, New Mexico Territory. Federals scouted from Danville, Mississippi; and operations in the vicinity of Trenton, Tennessee lasted several days. D.H. Hill ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Harvey_Hill ) replaced William Hardee ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Hardee ) in command of the Second Corps in Bragg’s Confederate army.

Feeling that "Morris Island must be held at all cost," Brigadier General Thomas Jordan, General Beauregard's chief of staff, asked for reinforcements from Fort Sumter. Brigadier General Roswell S. Ripley replied that he had reinforcements but doubted that they could be transported to Morris Island. "The Sumter is here with [Colonel] Graham's regiment, but it is broad daylight, and she can not land within 2,000 yards of the Ironsides and monitors."

Despite his disappointments over the Gettysburg follow-up, President Lincoln was in such good humor that he wrote a little doggerel for secretary John Hay.

U.S.S. Canandaigua, commanded by Captain Green, sighted sidewheel steamer Raccoon attempting to run the blockade into Charleston and headed her off. The blockade runner, going aground near Moultrie House, was destroyed next day by her crew to prevent capture.

_________________
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

July 20, 1863 Monday
In Virginia skirmishing flared near Berry’s Ferry and at Ashby’s Gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains as Meade’s Federal Army of the Potomac moved southward from the Potomac River and began to send troops to cover the passes of the Blue Ridge. Meanwhile, Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia began to move southward in the Shenandoah Valley from the area around Bunker Hill north of Winchester.

On the Ohio River the bedraggled remainder of John Hunt Morgan’s Confederate raiders fought a skirmish near Hockingport, Ohio and at Coal Hill near Cheshire before turning northward away from the river.

Other action included fighting at Cabin Creek, Indian Territory and Tarborough and Sparta, North Carolina. Federals bombarded Legare’s Point on James Island, South Carolina. U.S.S. Shawsheen captured five schooners on the Neuse near Cedar Island, North Carolina. Federals scouted from Memphis, Tennessee, July 20-21; and Federal troops carried out operations against Indians July 20-26 in Round Valley, California. The Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce expelled thirty-three members for refusing to take the oath of allegiance. New York merchants met to take measures for relief of Negro victims of the draft riots.

_________________
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

July 21, 1863 Tuesday
Thanks Ernie. Glad that you are enjoying it.

Through the twenty-third cavalry and infantry fought at Manassas Gap, Chester Gap, Wapping Heights, Snicker’s Gap, and Gaines’ Cross Roads in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia as Federal advance units attempted to gain control of the passes into the Shenandoah Valley in order to determine Lee’s movements. Lee, for his part, had to worry about Meade’s army east of the Blue Ridge interposing itself between the Confederates and Richmond.

The Confederates named Brig Gen John D. Imboden ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_D._Imboden ) to command the Valley District. Skirmishing erupted at Street’s Ferry, North Carolina as a Federal expedition moved from New Berne to Tarborough and Rocky Mount. James Patrick Major, CSA, is appointed to Brigadier General.

In a letter to Gen O.O. Howard ( http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/te ... oln6%3A722 ), President Lincoln expressed his confidence in Gen Meade “as a brave and skilled officer, and a true man.” In addition, the President directed Sec of War Stanton to renew vigorous efforts to raise Negro troops along the Mississippi River. President Davis wrote Lee of his concern over losses resulting from Gettysburg and the problems of reorganization of the units and commands. He also told Lee of the threat to Charleston Harbor.

Boats from U.S.S. Owasco, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Madigan, and U.S.S. Cayuga, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Dana, captured and destroyed schooner Revenge at Sabine Pass.

_________________
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

July 22, 1863 Wednesday
As action increased at Manassas and Chester gaps in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Meade ordered the Federal Third Corps, under Maj Gen William H. French ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_H._French ), to move forward and attack Confederates in Manassas Gap on the twenty-third, so as to push through into the Shenandoah Valley and pierce Lee’s long column moving southward. Some of French’s men did occupy the gap during the night. Behind French were two other Federal corps. It was a bold, forthright plan that might well have worked.

In Ohio Morgan’s remnant skirmished at Eagleport as they fled northward. Federal forces reoccupied Brashear City, Louisiana; and there was skirmishing at Scupperton, North Carolina. A five-day Federal expedition operated from Clinton, Kentucky in pursuit of Confederate cavalry in the area. The New York Chamber of Commerce estimated that Confederate raiders had taken 150 Union merchant vessels valued at over $12,000,000.

_________________
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

July 23, 1863 Thursday
Federal troops of French’s Third Corps pushed into and through Manassas Gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains and then, facing a brigade of Confederates, were delayed for hours. During those hours Longstreet’s and Hill’s corps of Lee’s army moved swiftly southward through the Luray Valley of the Shenandoah to safety. Two divisions of Ewell’s corps came up and established lines of defense. One Federal brigade attacked at Wapping Heights, but French’s delays meant that Meade had failed to isolate even one corps of the Confederates or to strike a major blow at the enemy. During the night Ewell, too, pulled off, leaving only a light rear guard near Front Royal. The Confederates continued unmolested to Culpeper Court House, below the Rappahannock River. Skirmishing also broke out in the Blue Ridge Mountains at Snicker’s Gap, Chester Gap, and Gaines’ Cross Roads.

Morgan’s fast-fading force fought again at Rockville, Ohio. A Federal expedition operated from Memphis to Raleigh, Tennessee.

The following appointments were made to Brigadier General: Laurence Simmons Baker, CSA; Samuel Wragg Ferguson, CSA; Kenner Garrard, USA; and Lundsford Lindsay Lomas, CSA.

_________________
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

July 24, 1863 Friday
Longsteet’s Confederate corps arrived at Culpeper Court House south of the Rappahannock River and south of Meades’ advancing Federals. Troops of the Federal Third Corps moved into the Shenandoah Valley to Front Royal and found the Confederates gone. Meade now began concentrating at Warrenton. The only skirmishing occurred at Battle Mountain, near Newby’s Cross Roads, Virginia.

Again Morgan’s men were forced to skirmish, this time at Washington and Athens, Ohio. Other skirmishes took place in Dade County, Missouri and between Federals and Indians at Cook’s Canon, New Mexico Territory.

Gen Lee wrote President Davis that after returning to Virginia he had intended to march east of the Blue Ridge Mountains, but high water and other obstacles prevented him from doing so before the Federals also crossed the Potomac River into Loudoun County. He told President Davis of his plans to recuperate the army.

Union ironclads and gunboats bombarded Battery Wagner in Charleston Harbor. The Federal army continued to advance its siege lines.

Because of the French occupation of Mexico City some 6 weeks before and the apparently hostile attitude of Emperor Napoleon III toward the, United States, General Banks at New Orleans was ordered to prepare an expedition to Texas. For some time Secretary Welles had advocated a similar move in order to halt the extensive blockade running via Matamoras and the legally neutral Rio Grande River. "The use of the Rio Grande to evade the blockade," he recorded in his diary, "and the establishment of regular lines of steamers to Matamoras did not disturb some of our people, but certain movements and recent givings-out of the French have alarmed Seward, who says Louis Napoleon is making an effort to get Texas; he therefore urges the immediate occupation of Galveston and also some other point." The expedition could take two routes: striking by amphibious assault along the Texas coast, or via the Red River into the interior. In either case, a joint Army-Navy assault would be necessary. The expedition, after a beginning marked by delays and frustrations, got underway early in 1864.

U.S.S. Iroquois, commanded by Captain Case, captured blockade runner Merrimac off the coast of North Carolina with cargo of cotton, turpentine, and tobacco.

U.S.S. Arago, under Commander Henry A. Gadsden, captured steamer Emma off Wilmington with cargo of cotton, rosin, and turpentine.

_________________
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

July 25, 1863 Saturday
Moving farther north in Ohio, John Hunt Morgan’s men fought skirmishes near Steubenville and Springfield. In Virginia there was fighting at Barbee’s Cross Roads, and a Federal expedition to Gloucester Court House. In the West skirmishing occurred at Brownsville, Arkansas and at Williamsburg and near New Hope Station, Kentucky. The Confederate Department of East Tennessee was merged in the Department of Tennessee under Bragg’s command. Various Federal expeditions operated from Portsmouth, Virginia toward Jackson, North Carolina; from New Berne to Winton, North Carolina; and along Goose Creek, Virginia. Confederates moved into eastern Kentucky.

_________________
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

July 26, 1863 Sunday
One last skirmish remained for John Hunt Morgan. At Salineville, Ohio not far from the Ohio-Pennsylvania line, Morgan and his 364 exhausted men surrendered ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Salineville ). Morgan and his main officers were sent to the Ohio State Penitentiary in Columbus. The raid had been spectacular and had caused some consternation in the North, but it accomplished little and generally was considered a foolhardy waste of precious Southern soldiers.

Two prominent Americans died. Sam Houston, Texas patriot, soldier, and statesman, long a towering figure in American politics and Western life, died in retirement at his home at Huntsville, Texas. He had opposed secession, but knew that as long as people had turned to it they could not go back. Likewise, John J. Crittenden, who tried so futilely to bring about compromise before the resort to arms, died in Frankfort, Kentucky. After a long career in Congress and efforts to keep Kentucky in the Union, Crittenden opposed many Federal political moves, including emancipation. One son had joined the Confederacy and another the Union, and both rose to high rank.

In Virginia military action was slight as the Federals moved in and around Warrenton and the Confederates toward Culpeper. In eastern Kentucky Confederate raiders skirmished at London; and in Dakota Territory Federal troops fought Sioux at Dead Buffalo Lake ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_ ... ffalo_Lake ). Elsewhere, a Federal expedition moved from Plymouth to Foster’s Mills, North Carolina; and Union operations from Natchez, Mississippi lasted several days.

_________________
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

July 27, 1863 Monday
Minor affairs took place near Cassville, Missouri; Rogersville, Kentucky; at the mouth of Bayou Teche, Louisiana; and near Bridgeport, Alabama. In Kansas Federals operated from Baxter Springs to Grand River. Confederate “fire-eater” William Lowndes Yancey died in Montgomery, Alabama. President Lincoln inquires of Gen Meade: "I have not thrown Gen. Hooker away; and therefore I would like to know whether, it would be agreeable to you, all things considered, for him to take a corps under you, if he himself is willing to do so." ( http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/te ... oln6%3A738 ). President Lincoln also explains to Gen Burnside that Gen Grant said he would return IX Corps. "Grant is a copious worker, and fighter, but a very meagre writer, or telegrapher. No doubt he changed his purpose in regard to the Ninth Corps, for some sufficient reason, but has forgotten to notify us of it." ( http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/te ... oln6%3A737 )

C.S.S. Florida, under Commander Maffitt, sailed from Bermuda after having coaled and refitted. Three weeks later, Maffitt put into harbor at Brest, France, for extensive repairs, which would consume 6 months and take from the seas one of the most successful of the Confederate commerce raiders. During this period, Maffitt, in poor health, asked to be relieved of his command ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Newla ... (privateer) ).

_________________
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

July 28, 1863 Tuesday
Skirmishing marked the day at Marshall and High Grove, Missouri; Stony Lake, Dakota Territory; Richmond, Kentucky; and Fayetteville, West Virginia. John S. Mosby ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_S._Mosby ) was active until Aug 3 around Fairfax Court House and Aldie, Virginia behind Meade’s Army of the Potomac. Mosby’s raiders would strike quickly and then virtually disappear. In Missouri a two-day Federal scout operated from Newtonia to Oliver’s Prairie. Four Federal vessels shelled New Smyrna, Florida after which troops landed and burned some buildings. James Deshler, CSA, and Otho French Strahl, CSA, were appointed to Brigadier General.

President Davis wrote Gen Lee at Culpeper that efforts were being made to send him convalescents and absentees, and that the Administration was trying to eradicate such problems as lack of horseshoes. Noting the difficulties on other fronts, Davis stated, “I have felt more than ever before the want of your advice during the recent period of disaster.” He spoke of the many complaints against him and added, “If a victim would secure the success of our cause I would freely offer myself.”

_________________
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

July 29, 1863 Wednesday
The major military moves of midsummer tapered off, although heavy skirmishing continued. There was a fight near Bridgeport, Alabama occupied by Federals. Skirmishes occurred near Fort Donelson, Tennessee; and at Paris near Winchester, Kentucky brought on by Confederate raids in occupied territory. Federals fought with Indians at Conchas Springs, New Mexico Territory and at the Missouri River, Dakota Territory. Brigadier General Edward Needles Kirk ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_N._Kirk ), USA, dies at home in Sterling, Illinois, from the wounds he suffered while leading his command during the Battle of Stones River (Murfreesboro), Tennessee, on December 31, 1862.

Queen Victoria told the British Parliament that she saw “no reason to depart from the strict neutrality which Her Majesty has observed from the beginning of the contest.”

President Lincoln wrote Gen Halleck that he did not demand that Meade engage Lee immediately. He opposed “pressing” Meade into offensive action.

U.S.S. Rosalie, commanded by Acting Master Peter F. Coffin, seized blockade running British schooner Georgie in the Caloosahatchee River, near Fort Myers, Florida. The schooner had been abandoned and carried no cargo.

U.S.S. Niphon, commanded by Acting Master Joseph B. Breck, seized British blockade runner Banshee at New Inlet, North Carolina.

U.S.S. Shawsheen, commanded by Acting Master Phelon, captured schooner Telegraph in Rose Bay, North Carolina. She had been abandoned after a chase of some 16 miles.

_________________
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