United States Civil War (1861 – 1865) in Real Time

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Day 565 of the United States Civil War, October 26th 1862

District of Columbia

(United States) President Abraham Lincoln replies to a query from United States Army, Major General John Dix at Fort Monroe regarding the Emancipation Proclamation: “It would be dangerous for me now to begin construing, and making specific applications of, the Proclamation. . . . I left my self at liberty to exempt parts of states.”

Virginia

Operation in Loudoun, County, Fauquier County, and Rappahannock County began.

Mississippi

The United States Army of the Mississippi is discontinued.

Expedition to Chapel Hill, Greenton, Hopewell, and Independence ended.

Utah Territory

The United States Regular Army had evacuated its posts in Utah Territory early in 1861 to concentrate its forces for the Civil War. In October 1861, the First Transcontinental Telegraph was completed, with Salt Lake City being the last link. As the United States army grew larger in 1862, the United States government was able to reoccupy the Utah Territory. It was particularly important to protect the overland mail route and telegraph lines along what later became known as the California Trail. United States Army, Colonel Patrick Edward Connor marched into Utah with the 3rd California Infantry Regiment (United States) and constructed a small garrison three miles east of the Mormon stronghold of Salt Lake City. The new post, named Camp Douglas for former Illinois presidential candidate and congressman Stephen Arnold Douglas, was established on October 26th 1862. Connor engaged in an acrimonious and bitter cold war with Brigham Young and the Mormon settlers, whom he accused of being disloyal and immoral. During the rest of the war, the fort served as the headquarters of the District of Utah. The District of Utah had been established on August 6th 1862. The district was also defended by detachments from the 6th Ohio Cavalry Regiment (United States), 11th Ohio Cavalry Regiment (United States), elements of the 4th Cavalry Regiment (United States), and the 1st Nevada Cavalry Battalion (United States) .

Nova Scotia

The screw sloop-of-war CSS ALABAMA under the command of Confederate States Navy, Captain Raphael Semmes, captured and burned the schooner CRENSHAW south of Halifax.

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Day 566 of the United States Civil War, October 27th 1862

District of Columbia

United States Army, Major General Samuel P. Heintzelman, supersedes United States Army, Major General Nathaniel P. Banks, in the command of the Defenses of Washington, DC.

Virginia

William Henry Forney is appointed Major General in the Confederate States Army.

Preston Smith is appointed Brigadier General in the Confederate States Army.

Confederate States Army, Colonel J. D. Imboden, partisan rangers, was authorized to organize his cavalry into a battalion and raise additional infantry:

Special Orders,
No. 251.

Adjt. And Insp. General's Office,
Richmond, October 27, 1862.

XII. Col. J. D. Imboden, First Regiment Virginia Partisan Rangers, is authorized to organize his cavalry into a battalion, commanded by a major, and to raise four additional companies of infantry, and by uniting them with his present infantry force to complete a regiment of ten companies of infantry. He is also authorized to organize and muster into the service such other companies of infantry as he may be able to organize, &c., before the 1st of December next, all the new companies to be raised on the same conditions as those already mustered into the service.

By command of the Secretary of War:

Jno. Withers,
Assistant Adjutant-General

From his post in Virginia, Alvin Voris tells his wife: “I see in the papers talk of a rebel proposition of peace. They are all delusive. Neither party are yet prepared for peace. The scale of success between the contending parties is too evenly ballanced to make either side yield much. Those having the administration of both governments personally have not felt the pressure of the war. . . . If the mothers, wives & sisters of the land could say, the war would be ended instantly. But the pride, ambition and passion of the authors of this war will not be broken till they feel the terrible weight of the war.”

A brief skirmish at Snicker’s Gap occurred while part of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia moved away from the Shenandoah Valley towards lower Virginia.

United States troops from Harper’s Ferry occupied Halltown as they began to probe up the Shenandoah Valley.

Tennessee

United States Army, Brigadier General William S. Rosecrans, assumes the command of the 14th United States Army Corps, TN.

South Carolina

United States Army, Brigadier General John M. Brannan, temporarily assumes the command of the Department of the South, vice Mitchel, deceased, SC.

Boat crews from the gunboat USS FLAG (6 × 8 in (203 mm) Parrott rifles) under the command of United States Navy, Lieutenant-Commander Charles C Carpenter, captured the British steamer ANGLIA at Bull’s Bay.

Missouri

United States Army, Captain Richard G Ward’s 170-man battalion and United States Army, Captain Henry C Seaman’s 70-man battalion of the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry Regiment (United States) were ordered by United States Army, Major B S Henning to proceed to Bates County. They were accompanied by several members of the 5th Kansas Cavalry Regiment (United States) serving as scouts. The objective was to break up a Confederate guerrilla force near the Toothman homestead, about nine miles across the Kansas-Missouri border. As the Kansans approached the scouts identified a large party ahead as local Confederate mounted guerrillas under Bill Truman and Dick Hancock, as well as Missouri State Guard recruits under Confederate States Army, Colonel Jeremiah Vard Cockrell. The guerrillas and recruits had been using nearby Hog Island as a base of operations. Finding the enemy in greater force than anticipated, the Kansans fortified the Toothman homestead and used fence rails to create breastworks. The soldiers dubbed the works Fort Africa.

(Louisiana) Operations in LaFourche District - Battle of Georgia Landing

United States Army, Brigadier General Godfrey Weitzel sent four regiments and four small gunboats to Bayou des Allemands to recapture a small post that had been lost to the Confederates early in September. The Confederates under the command of Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Jean Jacques Alfred Alexandre Alfred Mouton had abandoned Donaldsonville and concentrated nearly 1,400 men to meet the threat. They occupied a position on the bayou above Labadieville with a little more than half the force on the east bank while the rest of the men were on the west bank near Georgia Landing. There was no means of crossing to concentrate on one side or the other.

As the United States troops continued down the east bank, they encountered the Confederates at about 11 am and began skirmishing. The Confederates fell back quickly. Weitzel then began crossing his men to the west bank to attack the Confederate troops there also. These Confederate troops fought resolutely and brought the Union assault to a standstill. However, when the Confederates ran out of artillery ammunition, they had to withdraw to Labadieville, opening up this portion of Bayou La Fourche to the United States.

United States casualties were reported as 86 and Confederate as 229.

Arkansas

Skirmishes at Oxford Bend and Pitman’s Ferry on the White River.

After a skirmish near Fayetteville, Confederate advanced forces began to withdraw towards the Boston Mountains, pursued by United States forces.

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Day 567 of the United States Civil War, October 28th 1862

Virginia

United States Army, Major General John Adams Dix explains that he had asked for clarification in order to be able to “induce the people of the Congress District, of which Norfolk is a part, to return to their allegiance and send a loyal member to the House. . . . I am about to call on them . . . to take the oath of allegiance, and I wish to give them the assurance, if I can, [that] by complying with the conditions of your Proclamation of the 22nd of Sept. they will avoid the penalties of disloyalty.”

Incident at Snicker’s Gap.

A Confederate boat party led by Confederate States Navy, Lieutenant John Taylor Wood boarded, captured, and burned the ship ALLEGHANIAN which lay at anchor in the Chesapeake Bay off the mouth of the Rappahannock River. The ship was destroyed along with its cargo of guano bound from Baltimore for London.

West Virginia

A saloon keeper was arrested in Wheeling for selling liquor to enlisted men.

Tennessee

Confederate States Army, Major General John C. Breckinridge, assumes the command of the Army of Middle Tennessee.

(Missouri) Operations North of Boston Mountains - Skirmish at Island Mound

The first occasion of black troops being engaged in combat occurred when a detachment of 1st Kansas Colored Infantry Regiment (United States) kept Confederate guerrillas at bay throughout the day from the Toothman Ranch at Island Mounds, near Butler. Even before the Emancipation Proclamation, United States Army, Captain (later Colonel) James M Williams had been forming a regiment in Kansas made up of former slaves from Missouri and Arkansas. These men were mustered into Kansas State service in August 1862 as the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry Regiment (United States).

Harper's Weekly: A woodcut depicting the battle published



Tennessee

Skirmish near Waverly.

Arkansas

Skirmish at McGuire’s

Incidents at Clarksville, Fayetteville, and Pitman’s Ferry.

Skirmish at Oxford Bend on the White River. United States troops from United States Army, Major General Samuel Ryan Curtis’ army reached Oxford Bend near Fayetteville as they marched alongside the White River. They encountered Confederate troops and forced them to retreat.

Florida

The wooden screw steamer USS MONTGOMERY under the command of United States Navy, Commander C Hunter, captured the blockade-running steamer CAROLINE near Pensacola.

The UNADILLA-class gunboat USS SAGAMORE under the command of United States Navy, Lieutenant-Commander George A Bigelow, captured the blockade-running British schooner Trier off Indian River Inlet

Missouri

Incident at Clarkson.

Nova Scotia

The screw sloop-of-war CSS ALABAMA under the command of Confederate States Navy, Captain Raphael Semmes, captured and burned the bark LAURAETTA south of Halifax.

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Day 568 of the United States Civil War, October 29th 1862

Virginia

Alfred Cumming is appointed Brigadier General in the Confederate States Army.

(Confederate States) President Jefferson Davis has long held the politically expedient position of defending as much of the Confederacy as possible. But he admits to the governor of Alabama that the difficulties are perplexing: “Our only alternatives are to abandon important points or to use our limited resources as effectively as the circumstances will permit.”

Skirmish on the Blackwater River.

Skirmishes at Upperville and Ridgeville Road.

A United States force caught up with Confederate raiders who were driving 200 stolen cattle near Petersburg. The cattle had been seized earlier by the Confederate but they were all recovered.

Maryland

A small United States detachment crossed the Potomac River at Williamsport and captured a group of Confederate pickets.

North Carolina

A landing party from the gunboat USS ELLIS destroyed a large Confederate salt works at New Topsail Inlet.

Texas

USS Dan exchanged fire with Confederate troops near Sabine Pass and shelled the town.

Utah Territory

Expedition to Camp Douglas ended.

Nevada Territory

Expedition to Fort Ruby ended.

Nova Scotia

The screw sloop-of-war CSS ALABAMA under the command of Confederate States Navy, Captain Raphael Semmes seized the brigantine BARON DE CASTINE south of Nova Scotia. The vessel was released on ransom bond and carried away forty-five imprisoned crewmen that had been acquired from the three last ships burned.

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Day 569 of the United States Civil War, October 30th 1862

(YouTube) Civil War Week By Week - The U.S Colored Troops Strike (24th - 30th October 1862)



District of Columbia

United States Army, Brigadier General George Stoneman, supersedes United States Army, Major General Samuel Heintzelman in the command of the 3rd United States Army Corps, the Army of the Potomac.

Virginia

The following are appointed Brigadier Generals in the Confederate States Army:

- William Stephen Walker.
- Joseph Wheeler.

Confederate cavalry approached Mountsville, where they found the camp of three companies of the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry Regiment (United States). By circling on a back road, the 9th Virginia Cavalry Regiment (Confederate States) was able to take the United States camp by surprise, taking 50 prisoners and scattering the majority of the United States command.

South Carolina

United States Army, Major General Ormsby MacKnight Mitchel, dies at Beaufort, SC, from yellow fever contracted while commanding the Federal Department of the South, based out of Hilton Head, SC.

Tennessee

United States Army, Major General William S. Rosecrans assumes the command of the Dept. of the Cumberland, superseding United States Army, Major General Don Carlos Buell, TN.

Texas

USS DAN landed a party under the protection of the ship’s guns at Sabine Pass. They burned a mill and several buildings in the town.

The gunboat USS CONNECTICUT under the command of United States Navy, Lieutenant-Commander Milton Haxtun, captured the blockade-running British schooner Hermosa off the mouth of the Sabine River.

North Carolina

The steamship USS DAYLIGHT under the command of United States Navy, Acting Master Warren, captured schooner RACER between Stump Inlet and New Topsail Inlet with a cargo of salt.

Oregon Territory

Expedition to Portland ended.

France

The French Emperor Napoleon III sent dispatches to his ambassadors in Russia and Britain for them to unveil proposals for the three countries to broker an armistice between the United States and the Confederacy. Britain declined the suggestion and progress stalled in the Confederate diplomatic mission to gain European recognition.

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Day 570 of the United States Civil War, October 31st 1862

Virginia

Finally having crossed back into Virginia from Kentucky, Ned Guerrant observes: “October dies today! Life-like, its days have been part sunny, part sorrowful.”

Skirmish at Aldie.

Skirmish near Mountville.

Skirmish at Snickersville

Skirmish at Kanawha Falls on the Kanawha River

Skirmish at Franklin.

The gunboat USS RELIANCE under the command of United States Navy, Acting Master Andrew J Frank, captured the sloop POINTER at Alexandria with an undeclared cargo of groceries, dry goods, and whisky.

A landing party from the gunboat USS MAHASKA (1 × 100-pounder Parrott rifle, 1 × 9 in (230 mm) gun and 4 × 24-pounder guns) under the command of United States Navy, Commander Foxhall Alexander Parker, began a three-day attack to destroy Confederate gun positions on Wormley’s Creek and at West Point.

The Confederate Congress formalised the creation of a Torpedo Bureau in Richmond under Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Gabriel James Rains. Their task was to devise and develop uses for shore-based “torpedoes” or land mines, and other innovative explosive devices.

The Confederate Naval Submarine Battery Service was also formed under Confederate States Navy, Lieutenant Hunter Davidson. The purpose was to organise and improve methods in marine torpedo warfare, which Confederate States Navy, Commander Matthew Fontaine Maury had pioneered. The Confederacy developed a wide range of underwater torpedoes, to obstruct access to its navigable rivers and harbours. Ultimately, torpedoes became more destructive to United States naval vessels than all other weapons combined. The service primarily employed electrically-detonated torpedoes (known in later years as naval mines) to protect Southern waterways.

Texas

United States naval bombardment of Lavaca.

Missouri

United States reconnaissance in Monroe County.

Mississippi

Operations began along the Mississippi Central Railroad. United States forces began to move forward from Bolivar and Corinth along the Mississippi Central Railroad towards Grand Junction. A separate force left Bolivar and headed towards Coffeeville.

North Carolina

A naval expedition under United States Navy, Commander Davenport, comprising the gunboats USS HETZEL, USS COMMODORE PERRY, USS HUNCHBACK (3 × 9 in (230 mm) guns and 1 × 100-pounder Parrott rifle), USS VALLEY CITY and the Army gunboat VIDETTE, opened fire on an enemy encampment at Plymouth, forcing the Confederate troops to withdraw.

South Carolina

The gunboat USS RESTLESS under the command of United States Navy, Acting Lieutenant Conroy, captured the sloop SUSAN MCPHERSON off the coast.

Alabama

The Confederate States Lighthouse Bureau had dwindled in its activity until October 1862, when the last known Confederate lighthouse was extinguished on Choctaw Point at Mobile. On releasing the last keeper, Eliza Michold, the Bureau was reduced to only one employee: Thomas Martin. He continued in service, keeping track, when he could, of where lighthouse apparatus was stored, until the fall of Richmond until 1865.

Kentucky

Following the reorganisation of the Army of the Cumberland and its absorption of the Army of the Ohio, each Corps was restructured. This included the former III Corps (Ohio) or Army of Kentucky.

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Day 571 of the United States Civil War, November 1st 1862

District of Columbia

The Lincoln administration continues to grapple with the ways and means of waging and winning the war, prompting a memorandum to address the question of army furloughs: “The Army is constantly depleted by company officers who give their men leave of absence in the very face of the enemy, and on the eve of an engagement, which is almost as bad as desertion. At this very moment there are between seventy and one hundred thousand men absent on furlough from the Army of the Potomac. The army, like the nation, has become demoralized by the idea that the war is to be ended, the nation united, and peace restored, by strategy, and not by hard desperate fighting. Why, then, should not the soldiers have furloughs?”

The following are appointed Brigadier Generals in the United States Army:

- Richard Arnold.
- William Passmore Carlin.
- Alfred Washington Ellet.

Virginia

From the Confederate war department, John B. Jones notes: “Gen. Lee has made his appearance at the department to-day, and was hardly recognizable, for his beard, now quite white, has been suffered to grow all over his face. But he is quite robust from his exercises in the field.”

The following are appointed Brigadier Generals in the Confederate States Army:

- George Thomas Anderson.
- Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb.
- John Rogers Cooke.
- Montgomery Dent Corse.
- George Pierce Doles.
- John Brown Gordon,.
- Alfred Iverson Jr.
- James Henry Lane.
- Elisha Franklin Paxton.
- Carnot Posey.
- Stephen Dodson Ramseur.
- Jerome Bonaparte Robertson.
- Edward Lloyd Thomas.

Skirmish at Berry’s Ford Gap.

Skirmish at Philomont involving the cavalry of Union Brigadier-General Alfred Pleasonton.

The gunboat USS THOMAS FREEBORN under the command of United States Navy, Lieutenant-Commander Samuel Magaw, captured three unnamed boats at Maryland Point on the Potomac River, while the boats were attempting to run contraband goods across from Maryland to Virginia.

United States Army, Major General George Brinton McClellan completed his crossing of the Potomac River into Virginia with his Army of the Potomac. McClellan’s intention was to march along the eastern side of the Blue Ridge and to concentrate at Warrenton.

The Confederate Army of Northern Virginia completed its relocation from Winchester in the Shenandoah Valley to Culpeper.

Tennessee

The command of Confederate States Army, General Braxton Bragg, is extended over the troops in the Department of East Tennessee.

(Confederate States) President Jefferson Finis Davis invited Confederate States Army, Lieutenant General Edmund Kirby Smith to Richmond to discuss his acerbic criticisms of Confederate States Army, General Braxton Bragg. Smith had requested a transfer elsewhere so that he could no longer be required to cooperate with Bragg or serve under him. Smith was mollified that the matter was in hand and was asked to send reinforcements to Bragg to strengthen operations in middle Tennessee.

Texas

United States naval bombardment of Lavaca. Lavaca held a Confederate garrison protecting a large Confederate arsenal and small-arms manufactory. United States gunboats bombarded the port but it was defended by two waterfront batteries and the gunboats withdrew.

Missouri

Operations in Boone County began.

Operation in Jackson County began in pursuit of the Confederate guerrillas of Confederate States Army, Captain William Clarke Quantrill.

North Carolina

Expedition from New Bern began.

Arkansas

Skirmish at La Grange.

Kentucky

Skirmish in Henderson County.

Louisiana

United States operations began at Berwick Bay.

Mississippi

The CITY-class ironclad gunboat USS LOUISVILLE under the command of United States Navy, Lieutenant-Commander Meade, captured the steamer EVANSVILLE in the Mississippi River above Island No 36.

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Day 572 of the United States Civil War, November 2nd 1862

Virginia

Operations in Loudoun, Fauquier, and Rappahannock Counties. Skirmish at Castleman’s Ferry near Snicker’s Gap, involving detachments from United States Army, Lieutenant Colonel Horace B Sargent’s 1st Massachusetts Cavalry Regiment (United States) and United States Army, Captain John D O’Connell 14th Infantry Regiment (United States). Skirmishes at Union and Upperville involving United States Army, Lieutenant Colonel J William Hofmann’s 56th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment (United States).

Tennessee

In Memphis, United States Army, Major General William T. Sherman pauses to write letters that reflect his continuing evaluation of the war and its impact: “About 6000 Run away negros are here—we employ about 800 on the Fort, some 300 by the Quartermaster and about 1000 as cooks & teamsters. . . . It is useless to talk about Constitutional means for a condition of things never contemplated by any constitution. It is a Revolution where the strongest must prevail. They must subdue us, or we them. There is not middle Course. . . . Sooner or later, every man at the North capable of bearing arms must take part. We must become a Military nation for this war is not a temporary thing, the issues involve the lives of millions, & the property of half a continent.”

Mississippi

Capture of Orizaba and Ripley. United States Army, Brigadier General Ulysses Simpson Grant launched his campaign to advance from the Tennessee border and by an overland march through Mississippi to capture Vicksburg. Grant envisioned that he and 40,000 men would advance southwards along the Mississippi Central Railroad, while 32,000 men under United States Army, Major General William Tecumseh Sherman moved by river to Chickasaw Bluffs, a few miles north of Vicksburg. The two forces would then unite to attack Vicksburg from the north. The Union advanced guard moved forward to Ripley and Orizaba.

North Carolina

Incidents at Little Creek and Rawle’s Mill.

Bermuda

The screw sloop-of-war CSS ALABAMA under the command of Confederate States Navy, Captain Raphael Semmes captured and burned the whaling ship LEVI STARBUCK.

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Day 573 of the United States Civil War, November 3rd 1862

Virginia

United States Operations in Loudoun, Fauquier, and Rappahannock Counties

United States cavalry reconnaissance and skirmish at Snicker’s Gap.

Skirmish at Ashby’s Gap.

Skirmishes at Union, Upperville. Castleman’s Ferry. Bloomfield and Union.

Confederate States Army, Lieutenant General James Longstreet’s Corps arrived in Culpeper while Confederate States Army, Lieutenant General Thomas Jonathan Jackson’s Corps remained in the Shenandoah Valley. The United States Army of the Potomac under United States Army, Major General George Brinton McClellan remained around Warrenton.

Tennessee

Confederate States Army, General Braxton Bragg resumes the command of the Confederate Department No. 2, TN. (On Oct 24, the command had been temporarily transferred to Confederate States Army, Lieutenant General Leonidas Polk).

North Carolina

The UNADILLA-class gunboat USS PENOBSCOT under the command of United States Navy, Commander John M B Clitz, destroyed the blockade-running British ship PATHFINDER after forcing her aground off Shallotte Inlet.

A United States expedition under United States Navy, Commander H K Davenport, comprising the gunboats USS HETZEL, USS COMMODORE PERRY, USS HUNCHBACK, USS VALLEY CITY, and the Army gunboat VIDETTE, was directed to Williamston to provide support for United States Army, Major General John Gray Foster’s intended attack on Hamilton.

South Carolina

Expedition to Beaufort Island began.

Gathering escaped and freed slaves along the South Atlantic coast, United States Army, Colonel Thomas Wentwporth Higginson enrolled the 1st South Carolina (Coloured) Infantry Regiment (United States) in the brigade of United States Army, Brigadier General Rufus Saxton.

Missouri

Skirmish at Harrisonville in Cass County as Confederate bushwhacker Confederate States Army, Captain William Clarke Quantrill’s raiders attacked and captured a United States supply train. United States Army, Colonel Edwin C Catherwood sent an oxen-drawn military train of 13 wagons toward the Pacific Railroad depot at Sedalia. United States Army, Lieutenant Newby and 22 cavalrymen were sent along as escorts. Quantrill and 150 guerrillas discovered the route of the wagon train and closed in. The Confederates captured Newby and the United States escort lost ten men killed, three wounded and four captured. Four United States soldiers managed to escape. Quantrill ordered his men to burn the wagons and then headed south. When Catherwood learned that Quantrill’s men were in the vicinity he gathered 150 men from his post and when they came nearer to Harrisonville they discovered the burning remains of the wagon train. Catherwood found the trail of the guerrillas and followed it. When they were near Rose Hill, they caught up with the Confederates. A brief firefight ensued but the Confederates managed to escape pursuit because the United States horses were exhausted. The Confederates lost eight men killed.

Louisiana

The sidewheel partial ironclad gunboat CSS J A COTTON under the command of Confederate States Navy, Lieutenant Edward W Fuller, and batteries on shore engaged the United States the approaching naval squadron of the gunboat USS CALHOUN, USS KINSMAN, USS ESTRELLA, and USS DIANA near Cornay’s Bridge in Berwick Bay. The United States squadron mounted a combined 27 guns against the two guns of CSS J A COTTON. The exchange of fire lasted one and a half hours. The Confederate ship took minor damage while all of the United States were hit. The USS KINSMAN reported fifty hits, causing two men killed and four more wounded. When the Confederate gunboat had expended all its ammunition, it was compelled to withdraw. The 21st Indiana Infantry Regiment (United States), supported by the gunboats, engaged Confederate forces onshore at Bayou Teche. The Confederate gunboat continued to engage the United States squadron over the following two days.

California

Reconnaissance to Honey Lake began.

Florida

United States expedition to Eastern Florida began. The steamer DARLINGTON passed between Simon’s Island and Fernandina, with troops aboard to destroy Confederate saltworks and the coastline picket stations.

Georgia

Expedition to Doboy River began.

Nevada Territory

United States reconnaissance began from Fort Crook and Fort Churchill to Honey Lake Valley.

Mediterranean Sea

United states Navy, Commander Henry Knox Thatcher reported the Mediterranean cruise of the USS CONSTELLATION and requested additional ships for this station to protect commerce against Confederate raiders.

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Day 574 of the United States Civil War, November 4th 1862

District of Columbia

The Republican Party suffered a setback in United States Congressional and State elections, losing seats in New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, while winning in New England, the Border States, California, and Michigan. Although the Democrat Party’s seats in Congress increased from 44 to 75, the Republicans held on to their overall majority. The Press interpreted the results as a loss of public confidence in (United States) President Abraham Lincoln.

Virginia

Martin Luther Smith is appointed Major General in the Confederate States Army.

The following are appointed Brigadier Generals in the Confederate States Army:

- William Robertson Boggs.
- William George Mackey Davis.
- Archibald Gracie, Jr.
- Evander McNair.
- James Edward Rains.

Operations in Loudoun, Fauquier, and Rappahannock Counties.

Skirmish at Manassas Gap.

Skirmish at Markham’s Station,

Incidents at New Baltimore and Thoroughfare Gap.

Skirmish at Salem.

The gunboat USS JACOB BELL under the command of United States Navy, Acting Ensign George E McConnell, captured and burned the schooner ROBERT WILBUR in Nomini Creek, off the Potomac River.

The armed side-wheeled steamer USS COEUR DE LION under the command of United States Navy, Acting Master Charles H Brown, with USS TEASER and the schooner S H POOLE, evacuated United States families and their property from Gwynn’s Island.

Arkansas

Henry M Rector, Confederate Governor of Arkansas, resigned after the four-year gubernatorial term of office was reduced to two years by the Confederate government. Thomas Fletcher served as interim Governor until November 15th when Harris Flanagin was elected.

Florida

The gunboat USS HALE under the command of United States Navy, Captain Alfred T Snell, captured the pilot boat WAVE and an unnamed schooner in Nassau Sound.

Georgia

United States troops were landed to destroy a Confederate salt works at Kingsbury.

Mississippi

United States Army, Major General Ulysses Simpson Grant’s Army of the Tennessee occupied La Grange and Grand Junction.

North Carolina

United States Navy, Commander H K Davenport was ordered to support United States Army, Brigadier General John Gray Foster’s advance to Hamilton. At 11 am, USS HETZEL, USS COMMODORE PERRY, USS HUNCHBACK, USS VALLEY CITY, and the Army gunboat VIDETTE, and the newly arrived steamer USS SEYMOUR (1 × 30-pounder parrott rifle
and 1 × 20-pounder parrott rifle) proceeded up the river from Williamston. Hamilton was evacuated by the Confederates and United States troops took possession of the town. Davenport’s gunboats proceeded a few miles farther up the river to divert the Confederates while the army continued its march to Tarboro.

The steamship USS DAYLIGHT under the command of United States Navy, Acting Master Warren, and the gunboat USS MOUNT VERNON under the command of United States Navy, Acting Lieutenant Trathen, forced the blockade-running British bark SOPHIA aground and destroyed her near Masonboro Inlet.

Tennessee

United States troops occupied Grand Junction.

United States reconnaissance to and occupation of La Grange.

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Day 575 of the United States Civil War, November 5th 1862

District of Columbia

Edwin Henry Stoughton is appointed Brigadier General in the Confederate States Army.

District of Columbia

(United States) President Abraham Lincoln issues a Executive Order — Relieving General G. B. McClellan and Making Other Changes:

November 05, 1862
By direction of the President, it is ordered that Major-General McClellan be relieved from the command of the Army of the Potomac, and that Major-General Burnside take the command of that army; also that Major-General Hunter take command of the corps in said army which is now commanded by General Burnside; that Major-General Fitz John Porter be relieved from the command of the corps he now commands in said army, and that Major-General Hooker take command of said corps.

The General in Chief is authorized, in (his) discretion, to issue an order substantially as the above forthwith, or so soon as he may deem proper.

A. Lincoln.

Virginia

Operation in Bath County, Highland County, and Augusta County began.

Operations in Loudoun County, Fauquier County, and Rappahannock County.

Reconnaissance to Manassas Gap began.

Skirmish near Warrenton.

Expedition to Pendleton County began.

The following are appointed Brigadier Generals in the Confederate States Army:

- Dandridge McRae.
- Mosby Monroe Parsons.
- James Camp Tappan.

(Virginia) Battle of Barbee’s Crossroads

United States Army, Brigadier General Alfred Pleasonton led 1,500 cavalrymen in an attack on Confederate States Army, Major General Wade Hampton with about 3,000 men near Manassas Gap. The Confederates included Confederate States Army, Colonel James B Gordon’s 1st North Carolina Cavalry Regiment (Confederate States). United States Army, Colonel David McMurtrie Gregg led the 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment (United States) and the 6th Cavalry Regiment (United States) around the enemy’s right while United States Army, Colonel Benjamin Franklin Davis and the 8th New York Cavalry Regiment (United States) attacked their left. United States Army, Colonel Elon John Farnsworth and the 8th Illinois Cavalry Regiment (United States) attacked the centre. The Confederates withdrew without being pursued.

The United States forces lost 15 casualties and the Confederates had 36 casualties.

Missouri

A United States garrison at Clark’s Mill, Missouri, confronts a larger approaching Confederate cavalry force before retreating into a nearby blockhouse for protection. The Southern horsemen surround the structure, compelling 113 bluecoat defenders to surrender and burning it to the ground before departing, at a cost of 34 casualties of their own.

Operation in Jackson County ended.

At 10 am, Confederate States Army, Colonel William Clarke Quantrill and Confederate States Army, Colonel Warner Lewis led over three hundred guerrillas to Lamar. Quantrill’s men entered Lamar from the north and Lewis’ men from the south to attack the United States outpost. They rode down the streets to the courthouse and encountered United States Army, Captain Martin Breeden and a company of the 8th Missouri Militia Cavalry Regiment (United States) who were lying in wait for the Confederates. A firefight lasted for one and a half hours. The Confederates were forced out of town but not before setting on fire a third of the town’s houses. The Confederates lost six men killed and at least 20 wounded.

Tennessee

United States reconnaissance from La Grange towards Somerville.

Incident at Mitchellsville.

Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Nathan Bedford Forrest made a cavalry attack on the defences of Nashville held by United States Army, Brigadier General James Scott Negley.

United States Army, Major General George Henry Thomas succeeded United States Army, Brigadier-General Charles Champion Gilbert in command of the Centre XIV Corps (Cumberland). Thomas had been second-in-command to United States Army, Major General Don Carlos Buell in the Army of the Ohio and also of United States Army, Major General William Starke Rosecrans in the Army of the Cumberland. He now received a field command commensurate with his experience and seniority in the Army of the Cumberland, which now numbered over 74,500 men. Furthermore, Gilbert’s commission as general had not yet been confirmed and his experience lay more in the realm of staff than field command.

The composite parts of the Army of the Cumberland – temporarily known as I Corps, II Corps, and III Corps – were formally redesignated as the Right Wing, Left Wing, and Centre of XIV Corps in the Army of the Cumberland

United States Army, Major General William Starke Rosecrans made the first attempt at creating a unified cavalry command in the western theatre by organising all of his available cavalry into a single division. This would be assigned to United States Army, Brigadier General David Sloane Stanley on November 24th 1862 but remained temporarily under United States Army, Colonel John Kennett (4th Ohio Cavalry).

North Carolina

The steamer USS SEYMOUR was sent downriver from Hamilton to destroy the Confederate works at Rainbow Bluff.

The gunboat USS LOUISIANA under the command of United States Navy, Acting Lieutenant R.T. Renshaw, captured the schooner ALICE L WEBB at Rose Bay.

Arkansas

United States expedition from Helena to Moro began.

Skirmish at Huntsville.

Kentucky

Skirmish near Piketon involving 9th Kentucky Infantry Regiment (United States).

Mississippi

Skirmish at Jumpertown.

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Day 576 of the United States Civil War, November 6th 1862

(YouTube) Civil War Week By Week - Election of 1862 (October 31st - November 6th 1862)



District of Columbia

(United States) President Abraham Lincoln confirmed the order to transfer all warships operating on the Mississippi River to the command of the United States Navy. This ended formally the semi-autonomous operation of the Army’s gunboat flotilla on Western waters in the Mississippi River Squadron.

Virginia

The gunboat USS TEASER under the command of United States Navy, Ensign Sheridan, captured the sloop GRAPESHOT in the Chesapeake Bay.

Reconnaissance to Manassas Gap ended.

Skirmish at Manassas Gap involving United States troops under Birgaider-Geenral Abram Sanders Piatt.

Skirmish at Martinsburg.

Skirmish at Warrenton.

Stephen Dill Lee is appointed Brigadier General in the Confederate States Army.

The following are officially assigned Corp Commands in the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia:

- 1st Army Corps: Confederate States Army, Lieutenant General James Longstreet.
- 2nd Army Corps: Confederate States Army, Lieutenant General Thomas J. Jackson.

Massachusetts

United States Army, Brigadier General Charles Davis Jameson, dies aboard a steamboat near Boston, MA, dying from typhoid fever contracted during the Battle of Seven Pines, VA (June 1st 1862).

Kansas

United States expedition from Fort Scott began.

Kentucky

Skirmish at Garrettsburg involving troops from the commands of United States Army, Colonel Thomas Edward Greenfield Ransom and United States Army, Brigadier General Thomas Alfred Davies.

Mississippi

United States reconnaissance from La Grange to Old Lamar.

Skirmish Worsham’s Creek involving the 41st Illinois Infantry Regiment (United States) under the command of United States Army, Colonel Isaac C Pugh.

Skirmish at Old Lamar.

Tennessee

Incidents at La Grange and Saundersville.

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Day 577 of the United States Civil War, November 7th 1862

District of Columbia

(United States) President Abraham Lincoln issues a Executive Order:

November 07, 1862
Ordered, That Brigadier-General Ellet report to Rear-Admiral Porter for instructions, and act under his direction until otherwise ordered by the War Department.

Abraham Lincoln.

Virginia

Skirmish at Waterloo Bridge.

Skirmish at Jefferson.

Skirmish at Rappahannock Bridge.

John Pegram is appointed Brigadier General in the Confederate States Army.

United States Army, Major General George B. McClellan receives official word of his removal at his headquarters at Rectortown, Virginia.

In Richmond, War Clerk Jones records: “The ‘290’ or Alabama, the ship bought in Europe, and commanded by Capt. [Raphael] Semmes, C.S.N., is playing havoc with the commerce of the United States. If we had a dozen of them, our foes would suffer incalculably, for they have an immense amount of shipping.”

Word reaches distant Southwest Virginia of the outcome of the recent elections and staffer Ned Guerrant looks for the means of assuaging the bitterness of the recent retreat from his native state of Kentucky: “Democrats carry New York, New Jersey and Illinois. Favorable signs.”

Mississippi

The Confederate Army of the Mississippi receives new commanders as follows:

- Immediate command: Confederate States Army, General Braxton Bragg.
- 1st Army Corps: Confederate States Army, Lieutenant General Leonidas Polk.
- 2nd Army Corps: Confederate States Army, Lieutenant General William J. Hardee.

Tennessee

Skirmish at White Range.

Skirmish at Tyree Springs

Skirmish at Edgefield.

Skirmish at Gallatin.

Vermont

Vermonter Rufus Kinsley records an unnecessary tragedy of war with the destruction of an ammunition train in Louisiana that kills 16 individuals, including a civilian black woman: “Two lieutenants of the 8th New Hampshire, sat smoking in a car that contained two tons of powder, and a large quantity of shells and balls, besides infantry cartridges, when the explosion took place. Six cars were demolished, and the engine and tender scattered to the four winds of heaven.”

(Missouri) Operations North of Boston Mountains - Battle of Clark's Mill

YouTube (Battle of Clark’s Mill - November 7 1862)



Reports were received that about a thousand Confederate troops were in the area of Big Beaver Creek in Douglas County. United States Army, Captain Hiram E Barstow, United States commander at Clark’s Mill, sent a detachment toward Gainesville and he led another south-eastwards. Barstow’s men ran into a Confederate force, skirmished with them, and drove them back. His column then fell back to Clark’s Mill, where he learned that another Confederate force was coming from the northeast. Unlimbering artillery to command both approach roads, Barstow was soon engaged in a five-hour fight with the enemy. Under a white flag, the Confederates demanded their surrender, and the outnumbered United States force was forced to accept. The Confederate forces were commanded by Confederate States Army, Colonel John Q Burbridge and Colonel Colton Greene. The United States troops were paroled and the Confederates departed after burning the blockhouse at Clark’s Mill. The action at Clark’s Mill helped the Confederates to maintain a toehold in southwest Missouri.

North Carolina

The United States troops of United States Army, Brigadier General John Gray Foster failed to reach Tarboro and returned to Hamilton. About 300 sick and wounded soldiers were placed aboard the accompanying gunboats for removal to Williamston.

Arkansas

Skirmish at Boonesborough.

Skirmish at Rhea’s Mill near Marianna.

Georgia

The gunboat USS POTOMSKA under the command of United States Navy, Acting Lieutenant W Budd, escorted an army detachment aboard the transport ship DARLINGTON up the Sapelo River but was unable to proceed far upriver because of its depth of draft. The transport was engaged by Confederates at Spaulding’s but continued undamaged up the Sapelo. At Fairhope, a landing party destroyed the salt works and destroyed or captured military material. The vessel was attacked again while returning past Spaulding’s. Troops went ashore again to destroy property and captured some arms.

Louisiana

The gunboat USS KINSMAN under the command of United States Navy, Acting Master George Wiggin, and the steamer SEGER burned the steamers OSPREY and J P SMITH in Bayou Cheval.

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Day 578 of the United States Civil War, November 8th 1862

Virginia

John George Walker is appointed Major General in the Confederate States Army.

Confederate expedition by Confederate States Army, Colonel John Daniel Imboden’s cavalry from South Fork Camp in Hardy County into Tucker County began.

Skirmish at Little Washington.

Skirmish at Rappahannock Bridge.

Skirmish at Rappahannock Station,

Skirmish near Snickersville, involving United States Army, Colonel James S Fillebrown commanding the 10th Maine Infantry Regiment (United States).

Skirmish near Warrenton,

Skirmish at Hazel Run and Hazel River.

The United States Army of the Potomac halted near Warrenton in its cautious advance east of the Blue Ridge while its new commander, United States Army, Major General Ambrose Everett Burnside, reviewed the strategy of the campaign.

Louisiana

United States Army, Major General Nathaniel P. Banks, is assigned to the command of the Department of the Gulf, LA, replacing United States Army, Major General Benjamin F. Butler, who had earned a despicable reputation for his treatment of the citizens of New Orleans, LA, as (United States) President Abraham Lincoln continues to reshuffle his high command of officers.

North Carolina

Confederate States Army, Brigadier General William Henry Chase Whiting, is assigned to the command of the defenses of the Cape Fear River, NC.

Arkansas

Expedition to Helena and Moro ended.

Skirmishes at Marianna and La Grange involving United States Army, Colonel William Vandever commanding the 9th Iowa Infantry Regiment (United States).

Skirmish at Cove Creek.

Georgia

Incident at Doboy River.

Kansas

Skirmish near Cato.

Kentucky

Skirmish at Burkesville.

Louisiana

Operation at Berwick Bay ended.

Maryland

USS RESOLUTE under the command of United States Navy, Acting Master Tole, captured the sloop CAPITOLA at Glymont, with its cargo and passengers

Mississippi

Expedition to Southern Mississippi began along the Mississippi Central Railroad from Bolivar, Tennessee, to Coffeeville.

Skirmish at Coldwater.

Skirmish at Hudsonville.

Skirmish at Old Lamar.

Tennessee

United States reconnaissance from La Grange began.

Incident on the Murfreesboro Pike

Skirmish near Gallatin on the Cumberland River.

Bermuda

The screw sloop-of-war CSS ALABAMA under the command of Confederate States Navy, Captain Raphael Semmes captured and burned the ship T B WALES southeast of Bermuda.

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Day 579 of the United States Civil War, November 9th 1862

Virginia

Reconnaissance from Bolivar Heights to Rippon.

United States expedition to Greenbrier County began.

Skirmish at Moorefield.

Skirmish at the South Fork of the Potomac River, between partisan rangers under Confederate States Army, Colonel John Daniel Imboden and United States troops under United States Army, Brigadier General Benjamin Franklin Kelley.

Capture of St George by Confederate States Army, Colonel John Daniel Imboden’s raiders.

Skirmish at Chester Gap.

Skirmish at Newby’s Cross Roads.

Skirmish at Philomont involving the capture of the town and part of a United States wagon train by Confederate partisan rangers under Confederate States Army, Major Elijah V White (35th Battalion Virginia Cavalry).

Skirmishes near Rappahannock Station.

Skirmish in Fredericksburg involving United States cavalry under United States Army, Colonel Ulric Dahlgren.

Arkansas

Skirmish between Fayetteville and Cane Hill.

Skirmish at the Boston Mountains.

Kentucky

Incident at Perry County.

Missouri

Skirmish at Dry Wood.

Skirmish at Huntsville.

North Carolina

Greenville surrendered to a joint United states Army and Navy landing force from the gunboat USS LOUISIANA under the command of United States Navy, Second Assistant Engineer J L Lay.

Tennessee

Reconnaissance from La Grange ended.

Skirmish at Lebanon.

Skirmish on the Murfreesboro Pike.

Skirmish at Silver Springs.