American Civil War Game Club (ACWGC)

March 17, 1863 Tuesday
Federal cavalry under William Woods Averell, ordered to operate against the Confederates around Culpeper, crossed the Rappahannock at Kelly’s Ford, Virginia and were strongly engaged by Confederates who rushed up to halt the Federal troops. In the bush-covered county and on the Wheatley Farm a small but hard-fought contest resulted in Averell’s withdrawal late in the afternoon. Casualties were 78 for the Federals and 133 for the Confederates. Young John Pelham ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Pelham_(officer) ), “the gallant Pelham,” was killed, although he was merely a Southern observer at the fight. Mourned by the South, Pelham had been heroic at Fredericksburg and was marked as a rising soldier.

There were skirmishes at Bealeton Station, Herndon Station, and near Franklin, Virginia. On the Mississippi River Farragut was off Natchez with U.S.S. Hartford and Albatross. Carl Schurz, USA, and Julius Stahel, USA, were appointed to Major General. Major General Ambrose E. Burnside, USA, assumes command of the 9th Army Corps, Federal Army of the Potomac, currently positioned at Suffolk, Virginia.

President Lincoln answered a complaining telegram from Gen Rosecrans, “… you wrong both yourself and us, when you even suspect there is not the best disposition on the part of us all here to oblige you.” http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/te ... oln6%3A301

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

March 18, 1863 Wednesday
President Lincoln writes to Congressman Henry W. Davis, of Maryland. Davis seeks Lincoln's "opinion" regarding the "organization of the House—on the election of Speaker." Lincoln writes, "[T]he supporters of the war should send no man to congress who will not go into caucus with the unconditional supporters of the war, and abide the action of such caucus, and support in the House, the person therein nominated for Speaker. Let the friends of the government first save the government, and then administer it to their own liking." In Paris, France the house of Erlanger opened a loan of three million pounds to the Confederacy based on 7 per cent bonds for twenty years. Lieut Gen Theophilus H. Holmes assumed command of the Confederate District of Arkansas. Congressman Julian (Indiana) confers with President Lincoln about appointments and refers to unemployment of Gen Fremont. Lincoln admits that he does not know where to put him.

U.S.S. Wissahickon, commanded by Lieutenant Commander John L. Davis, seized and destroyed steamer Georgiana attempting to run the blockade into Charleston with a valuable cargo including rifled guns. Georgiana was said to be pierced for 14 guns and earlier consular reports indicated that "she is an armed vessel intended for a cruise against our merchantmen." Described as a swift vessel, she was termed "another confederate to the pirate Alabama." Upon hearing of her fate, Secretary Welles wrote Rear Admiral Du Pont: "I am exceedingly gratified with the confirmation of the destruction of the Georgiana. It would have been better would she have been captured but the fact that she is disposed of is a relief. We had serious apprehensions in regard to her. In disposing of both her and the Nashville you have rendered great service to our commerce, for had they got abroad they would have made sad havoc with our shipping. We shall have an account to settle with John Bull one of these days for this war which is being carried on against us by British capital and by Englishmen under the Confederate flag."

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

March 19, 1863 Thursday
Farragut’s Hartford and Albatross ran past the Grand Gulf, Mississippi batteries just below Vicksburg. Skirmishing increased on the various fronts with action near Winchester, Virginia; at Frog Bayou, Arkansas; Mount Sterling and Hazle Green, Kentucky; and Richland Station, Spring Hill, Liberty, and College Grove, Tennessee. In Missouri from this day to the twenty-third there was a Federal scout toward Doniphan. Two divisions of the Federal Ninth Army Corps embarked at Newport News, Virginia headed for the Department of the Ohio, arriving at Bardstown, Kentucky, and Lexington, Kentucky, via railroad cars through Pennsylvania and Ohio. Major General John G. Parke, USA, assumes command of the 9th Army Corps, Federal Army of the Potomac, at Newport News, Virginia, with Major General Ambrose E. Burnside, USA, as his superior officer. U.S.S. Octorara, under Commander Collins, seized blockade running British schooner John Williams near the Bahamas.

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

March 20, 1863 Friday
President Lincoln, concerned over Vicksburg, asked Maj Gen Stephen A. Hurlbut at Memphis, “What news have you? What from Vicksburg? What from Yazoo Pass? What from Lake Providence? What generally?” Hurlbut told him of the various unsuccessful efforts to reach Vicksburg.

There was a small engagement at Vaught’s Hill near Milton, Tennessee and an affair in St Andrew’s Bay, Florida. U.S.S. Ethan Allen, commanded by Acting Master Pennell, seized blockade running British schooner Gypsy off St. Joseph's Bay, Florida, with cargo including merchants' tools.

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

March 21, 1863 Saturday
On Steele’s Bayou the gunboats, backed up by Sherman’s troops, were harassed by sharpshooting Confederates along the banks. A skirmish was fought on Deer Creek, Mississippi. Other fighting was in Tennessee; skirmishing at Salem and Triune, a Confederate guerrilla attack on a railroad train between Bolivar and Grand Junction, and a two-day Union scout from La Grange to Saulsbury. For the last part of the month, there were two Federal expeditions operating; one from New Orleans to Ponchatoula, Louisiana and another from Bonnet Carre to the Jackson Railroad and Amite River, Louisiana. Farragut’s gunboats anchored just below Vicksburg on the Mississippi River.

Federal Maj Gen Edwin Vose Sumner ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_Vose_Sumner ), an aged yet sturdy fighter, who had done well in the Peninsula and at Antietam, died at Syracuse, New York while he was travelling to his new assignment as the commander of the Federal Department of Missouri.

U.S.S. Victoria, commanded by Acting Lieutenant Hooker, and U.S. schooner William Bacon, captured blockade running British steamer Nicolai I in "thick and rainy" weather off Cape Fear. The steamer was carrying a cargo of dry goods, arms, and ammunition, and had been turned back 2 days earlier in an attempt to run into 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

March 22, 1863 Sunday
Confederates under Basil Duke of Morgan’s cavalry began a new campaign with the capture of a Federal garrison at Mount Sterling, Kentucky ( http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM2E ... t_Sterling ). Other Confederates under John Pegram operated in Kentucky until April 1.

There was a skirmish at Blue Springs near Independence, Missouri; another near the head of White River, Arkansas; yet another near Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Affairs occurred at Seleeman’s Ford and Mrs Violett’s near Occoquan, Virginia. U.S.S. Tioga, under Commander Clary, captured blockade running British steamer Granite City at sea off Eleuthera Island and British schooner Brothers off Abaco. Both carried assorted cargoes including medicines and liquor.

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

March 23, 1863 Monday
Federal troops carried out operations near Jacksonville, Florida. The Federal ships Hartford and Albatross attacked the Confederate batteries at Warrenton on the Mississippi River below Vicksburg. Other fighting was at Winfield, North Carolina; Thompson’s Station, Tennessee; and Little River Turnpike near Chantilly, Virginia.

A Confederate act provided for the funding of treasury notes issued previous to Dec 1, 1862, and for further issuance of treasury notes for not less than $5 nor more than $50 each.

President Lincoln wrote Gov Horatio Seymour of New York, sometime opponent of the Administration but seeking his support for the war effort, “there can not be a difference of purpose between you and me. If we should differ as to the means, it is important that such difference should be as small as possible – that it should not be enhanced by unjust suspicions on one side or the other.”

The treaty between the United States and Liberia was promulgated. C.S.S. Alabama, commanded by Captain Semmes, captured ship Morning Star and burned whaling schooner Kingfisher off the Brazilian coast near the equator. U.S.S. Arizona, commanded by Acting Lieutenant Daniel P. Upton, took blockade running sloop Aurelia off Mosquito Inlet, Florida, 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

March 24, 1863 Tuesday
In the watery web of Steele’s Bayou north of Vicksburg there was another skirmish, this time on Black Bayou, as the Federal expedition struggled to make its way through the swamps and lowlands. The action signified the end of the Steele’s Bayou effort as the gunboats slowly withdrew, Sherman’s troops with them. While annoying to the Confederates, the expedition proved little except the impracticability of using the inland waterways to reach Vicksburg. It was the last of a number of unsuccessful efforts to find entrance to Vicksburg, the last before the slowly mounting major effort under Grant.

Basil Duke with part of Morgan’s Confederate cavalry fought at Danville, Kentucky. There was skirmishing at Rocky Hock Creek, North Carolina; on Davis’ Mill Road near La Grange, Tennessee; and an affair in Ocklockonnee Bay, Florida. Federal scouts operated from Fayetteville, Arkansas during the last week of the month. U.S.S. Mount Vernon, commanded by Acting Lieutenant Trathen, seized British schooner Mary Jane attempting to run the blockade near New Inlet, North Carolina, with cargo of soap, salt, flour, and coffee.

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

March 25, 1863 Wednesday
There was more fighting on Black Bayou as the Federal expedition on Steele’s Bayou continued to bog down. Two Federal rams attempted to run the Vicksburg batteries from north to south. Lancaster, struck some thirty times, sank with most of the crew escaping. Switzerland, badly disabled, floated down out of firing range. Confederate Forrest raided Brentwood and Franklin, Tennessee. There was skirmishing at Jacksonville, Virginia; an affair at Norfolk, Virginia; skirmishing near Louisa, Kentucky; and a Federal expedition from Belle Plain into Westmoreland County, Virginia.

Gen Burnside, former commander of the Army of the Potomac, superceded Maj Gen Horatio G. Wright in command of the Department of the Ohio. Federal monitors were reported leaving Hilton Head for Charleston Harbor.

C.S.S. Alabama, commanded by Captain Semmes, captured ships Charles Hill and Nora near the equator off the coast of Brazil. Semmes described the capture: "It was time now for the Alabama to move. Her main yard was swung to the full, sailors might have been seen running up aloft, like so many squirrels, who thought they saw 'nuts' ahead, and pretty soon, upon a given signal the top-gallant sails and royals might have been seen fluttering in the breeze, for a moment, and then extending themselves to their respective yard-arms. A whistle or two from the boatswain and his mates, and the trysail sheets are drawn aft and the Alabama has on those seven-league boots . . . . A stride or two, and the thing is done. First, the Charles Hill, of Boston, shortens sail, and runs up the 'old flag,' and then the Nora, of the same pious city, follows her example. They were both laden with salt, and both from Liverpool."

U.S.S. Kanawha, commanded by Lieutenant Commander William K. Mayo, took schooner Clara attempting to run the blockade at Mobile. U.S.S. State of Georgia, under Commander Armstrong, and U.S.S. Mount Vernon, commanded by Acting Lieutenant Trathen, captured blockade running schooner Rising Dawn off New Inlet, North Carolina, with large cargo of salt. U.S.S. Fort Henry, commanded by Acting Lieutenant Edward Y. McCauley, captured blockade running sloop Ranger, from Havana, off Cedar Keys, Florida. U.S.S. Wachusett, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Charles E. Fleming, seized British blockade runner Dolphin between Puerto Rico and St. Thomas Island.

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

March 26, 1863 Thursday
The voters of West Virginia approved gradual emancipation of slaves. A Confederate congressional act authorized the impressments of forage or other property, including slaves, when necessary for the army in the field.

There was a Federal reconnaissance from Murfreesboro to Bradyville, Tennessee. President Lincoln wrote to Gov Andrew Johnson of Tennessee, and urges him to "rais[e] a negro military force." The move would inspire Unionists because, Lincoln explains, Johnson is an "eminent citizen of a slave-state, and himself a slave-holder." Lincoln adds, “The colored population is the great available and yet unavailed of, force for restoring the Union. The bare sight of fifty thousand armed, and drilled black soldiers on the banks of the Mississippi, would end the rebellion at once.”

Assistant Secretary Fox notified Rear Admiral Du Pont: "We have sent you down the semi-submarine boat 'Alligator' that may be useful in making reconnaissances." Alligator, designed by the French inventor Brutus de Villeroy and built for the government in Philadelphia, was 46 feet long, 4 1/2 feet in breadth, and carried a crew of 17 men. She was designed to be propelled by folding oars, but these were replaced at the Washington Navy Yard by a hand operated screw propeller ( http://www.navyandmarine.org/alligator/story.htm and http://www.navyandmarine.org/alligator/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_s ... ator_(1862) ).

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

March 27, 1863 Friday
There was a skirmish at Palatka, Florida and another on the Woodbury Pike, Tennessee. President Lincoln addressed representatives of a number of Indian tribes, saying, “I can see no way in which your race is to become as numerous and prosperous as the white race except by living as they do, by the cultivation of the earth.” http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/te ... oln6%3A329

U.S.S. Hartford engaged and passed below the Confederate batteries being erected at Warrenton. Two days later U.S.S. Albatross joined Rear Admiral Farragut, having waited above the batteries to obtain further coal and provisions which had been floated down on barges from the fleet above Vicksburg.

U.S.S. Pawnee, under Commander Balch, supported an Army landing on Cole's Island, South Carolina; Balch joined the Army command ashore for a reconnaissance of the island.

U.S.S. Hendrick Hudson, commanded by Lieutenant Cate, seized British schooner Pacifique at St. Mark's, Florida.

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

March 28, 1863 Saturday
There was an engagement at Pattersonville, Louisiana between Confederate land forces and Union gunboats. U.S.S. Diana, commanded by Acting Master Thomas L. Peterson, reconnoitering the Atchafalaya River, Louisiana, with troops embarked, was attacked by Confederate sharpshooters and fieldpieces. In action that lasted almost 3 hours, casualties were heavy, Diana's "tiller ropes were shot away, the engines disabled, and she finally drifted ashore when it was impossible to fight or defend her longer, and she ultimately surrendered to the enemy."

In addition to a skirmish at Hurricane Bridge, West Virginia a Federal expedition operated from La Grange to Moscow and Macon, Tennessee until April 3. Colonel Ferris Forman, 4th California Infantry, is assigned command of the Federal District of Southern California. Brigadier General James Cooper ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Cooper_(Pennsylvania) ), USA, dies from dysentery while in command of Federal prison, Camp Chase, near Columbus, Ohio.

C.S.S. Florida, commanded by Lieutenant Maffitt, captured bark Lapwing, bound from Boston to Batavia with cargo of coal. Maffitt transferred a howitzer and ammunition to the captured bark and renamed her Orete for use as a tender under Lieutenant S. N. Averett.

U.S.S. Stettin, commanded by Acting Master Edward F. Devens, seized blockade running British steamer Aries off Bull's Bay with cargo of liquor.

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

March 29, 1863 Sunday
Gen Grant ordered McClernand to march south from Milliken’s Bend on the west side of the Mississippi River to New Carthage, below Vicksburg. Sherman and McPherson were to follow. At this time Sherman’s men were digging another canal to the west of Vicksburg. Known as the Duckport Canal, it was another failure. There was skirmishing at Jacksonville, Florida; Kelly’s Ford and Williamsburg, Virginia; an affair at Moscow, Tennessee; and another at Dumfries, Virginia. Major General Carl Schurz ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Schurz ), USA, assumes command of the 11th Army Corps, Federal Army of the Potomac. U.S.S. South Carolina, under Commander John J. Almy, captured schooner Nellie off Port Royal.

General Grant wrote Rear Admiral Porter requesting gunboat assistance in an anticipated move below Vicksburg. "It looks to me, admiral," Grant wrote, "as a matter of vast importance that one or two vessels should be put below Vicksburg, both to cut off the enemy's intercourse with the west bank of the river entirely and to insure a landing on the east bank for our forces if wanted. . . . Without the aid of gunboats it will hardly be worthwhile to send troops to New Carthage or to open the passage from here there; preparatory surveys for doing this are now being made." Porter replied the same day: "I am ready to cooperate with you in the matter of landing troops on the other side. . . . If it is your intention to occupy Grand Gulf in force it will be necessary to have vessels there to protect the troops or quiet the fortifications now there. If I do send vessels below it will be the best vessels I have, and there will be nothing left to attack Haynes' Bluff, in case it should be deemed necessary to try it. . . . Before making a gunboat move I should like to get the vessels back from the Yazoo Pass Expedition."

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

March 30, 1863 Monday
It was a day of extensive skirmishing: Basil Duke of Morgan’s cavalry at Dutton’s Hill, Kentucky; Zoar Church, Virginia; Point Pleasant, West Virginia; Cross Hollow, Arkansas; Tahlequah, Indian Territory; “The Island” in Vernon County, Missouri. In North Carolina Confederates laid siege to the city of Washington, with skirmishing at Rodman’s Point on the Pamlico River and near Deep Gully.

President Lincoln set aside April 30 as a national fast and prayer day. John Newton, USA, was appointed to Major General. Patrick Edward Connor, USA, was appointed to Brigadier General.

C.S.S. Florida, commanded by Lieutenant Maffitt, seized bark M. J. Colcord, loaded with provisions, from New York and bound for Cape Town, South Africa. The provisions were taken on board Florida, the crew was put on board Danish brig Christian, and the prize was destroyed. Maffitt wrote: "Living like lords on Yankee plunder."

U.S.S. Monticello, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Braine, captured blockade running British schooner Sue off Little River, North Carolina.

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

March 31, 1863 Tuesday
Grant’s operations from Milliken’s Bend to New Carthage were well under way as he began still another attempt to capture Vicksburg. Jackonsville, Florida was evacuated by Federals. On the Mississippi River, Admiral Farragut successfully took the U.S. ships Hartford, Switzerland, and Albatross past the Grand Gulf batteries, moving below them after engaging. There was fighting at Eaglesville and Franklin, Tennessee; Clapper’s Saw Mill on Crooked Creek; and at Cross Hollow, Arkansas. Federals carried out a four-day scout from Lexington, Tennessee to the mouth of the Duck River. U.S.S. Memphis, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Watmough, captured British schooner Antelope attempting to run the blockade into Charleston with cargo of salt. U.S.S. Two Sisters, commanded by Acting Master Arthur, took schooner Agnes off Tortugas with cargo of cotton.

Confederate troops opened a sustained attack and siege of the Union position at Washington, North Carolina. The assaulting forces erected numerous batteries along the Pamlico River in an effort to check the Union Navy. Nonetheless, the senior naval officer, Commander Davenport, moved quickly to aid the beleaguered Union soldiers. He dispatched all but two gunboats guarding New Bern to Washington and left only one at Plymouth. Before the attack was broken up on 16 April, the warships' heavy gunfire support swung the balance in stopping the Confederates. In addition, small boats transported desperately needed ammunition to the troops and ultimately it was the waterborne supplies reaching the garrison that induced the Confederates to withdraw. "We were compelled to give up the siege of Washington," Major General A. P. Hill wrote, "as the Yankee supply boats ran the blockade. Two more days would have starved the garrison out." Once again the flexibility of Union naval units had preserved a vital position for the North.

In Washington a careworn President Lincoln attended a Union meeting and also authorized restricted commercial intercourse with states in insurrection under the regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury. Oliver Otis Howard, USA, was appointed to Major General.

_________________
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