What happened on March 2 during the U.S. Civil War?

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 19:30:51 -0500

On this day many events occurred including the death of Gen Dahlgren and 109 of his troops in the Richmond raid in 1864 and in 1865 Gen Robert E. Lee began communication with Grant to end the war. The most significant was the establishment of US rail gauge at 4 foot, 8 and one-half inches’ against Lincoln desire for a 5 Foot gauge.
http://historynewsnetwork.org/article/158670

Debunking the Civil War Tariff Myth

Dr. Marc-William Palen islecturer in imperial history at the University of Exeter, and research associate at the U.S. Studies Centre, University of Sydney. He is the author of “The Great Civil War Lie,”New York Times, 5 June 2013; “The Civil War’s Forgotten Transatlantic Tariff Debate and the Confederacy’s Free Trade Diplomacy,”Journal of the Civil War Era(March 2013).

Response by SSG Leo Bell made Mar 2 at 2016 7:45 PM

SSG Leo Bell — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 19:45:32 -0500

Very good history lesson and interesting how Britian had something to say about the government actions and laws they came out with.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Mar 2 at 2016 8:07 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 20:07:34 -0500

I think the most significant event was the establishment of the US railroad gauge standard at 4 foot, 8 and 1/2 inches. I was interested that in the distant past some people believed tat the Morill Tariff Act was the primary cause of the Civil War. The fact that the Dahlgren raid ended in failure in 1864 helped to drag out the war for over a year longer. If that raid had been successful in killing or capturing Jefferson Davis the war might have been over much sooner.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Mar 3 at 2016 3:22 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 15:22:44 -0500

LTC Stephen F. being that railroad was such a major player in U.S. westward expansion, and is still a major means of transporting freight inland, the rail gauge is my choice. Additionally, control of the rails during the Civil war would have meant a huge advantage in moving people and materiel, much like control of the skies in and area does today. Setting a default gauge was the first step in dominating the rails.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Mar 4 at 2016 10:44 AM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 10:44:55 -0500

LTC Stephen F. These are great posts. I've just behind - sorry for the delay!