What was the most significant event on August 21 during the U.S. Civil War?

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$100 reward in 1861 for an escaped slave named Beverly in Virginia unless he is caught within 50 miles of Fredericksburg when the reward would be reduced to $59. “The outbreak of war made escape easier for Southern slaves. Before the war, escaping slaves were not completely safe until they reached Canada. Even if a slave reached the North, he would have been subject to the Fugitive Slave Act. The outbreak of war all but ended the enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act. Now all a slave had to do was reach Union lines. On August 21, 1861, the Daily Dispatch carried an advertisement for a reward for a slave named "Beverly." “$100 reward --For the delivery to me of my Carriage Driver, Beverly. He is twenty-seven years old; color, black; six feet high; face covered with short beard, and moustache; large eye-brows and curling eye-lashes. He probably travels in a dark grey mixed summer coat, or blue cloth with brace buttons, and carpet-bag. He says he has read Shakespeare, and may travel with a forged pass, and shave off his beard when he reads this. He has relatives at Dr. R. H. Steward's, in King George, and at Mrs. Dr. Frank Taliaferro's, in Orange, with whom he has been recently corresponding by letter. His object being evidently to escape, he is doubtless lurking about the shore of the Potomac, or making his way Northward, and may be about our encampments. The above reward will be paid if caught over fifty miles from Fredericksburg; otherwise, $59.”
In 1862, CSA President Jefferson Davis issued order, in reference to Brig. General John W. Phelps and Maj. Gen. David Hunter that they were to “be treated as outlaws, and if captured should be held as felons” rather than treated under the protocol of prisoners of war. Davis believed they had been organizing escaped slaves into regiments for service in the Union Army.
The Lawrence, Kansas Massacre in 1863 – war crime. Between 300 and 400 Confederate guerrillas under the command of Captain William Quantrill, C.S.A. rode into Lawrence, Kansas and murdered between 185 and 200 civilians--most after they had surrendered--perpetrating one of the more notorious war crimes of the Civil War. The following account of the raid is from a description published after the war in 1884 using an earlier account from a survivor of the massacre. Note that throughout this account.
“THE LAWRENCE MASSACRE BY A BAND OF MISSOURI RUFFIANS UNDER QUANTRILL
150 MEN KILLED EIGHTY WOMEN MADE WIDOWS AND 250 CHILDREN MADE ORPHANS
PRICE TEN CENTS; J. S. BROUGHTON PUBLISHER; LAWRENCE, KANSAS
INTRODUCTION.
It is a fact not generally known that no complete account of this massacre has ever been published. The letter furnished by Rev. R. Cordley to the "Congressional Record" a few days after the event and before all the facts and incidents had become known, and which was republished in Boughton & McAllister's Directory of Lawrence 1865, is about all the literature we can find in regard to it. Mr. Cordley's letter is made the basis of this history, to which is added the personal experience and observations of a number of residents who providentially escaped the general slaughter and who now recall the terrible events of those few hours as though they occurred yesterday.
We would like to give the personal experience of every one of the survivors and especially record in detail the deeds of heroism enacted by the brave women of Lawrence who in that fearful hour saved many a precious life, and extinguished the flames in nearly a hundred burning dwellings. But volumes would be required for such an undertaking.
THREATENINGS.
The destruction of Lawrence had no doubt been long contemplated by the rebels of the border. Ever since the war had commenced rumors had been constantly circulating of the maturing of such a purpose. Each rumor called forth efforts for defence. The people had become so accustomed to alarms as to be almost unaffected by them. At several times the prospect had been absolutely threatening. This was especially the case after the battle of Springfield, and again after the capture of Lexington by the rebels. The people had never felt more secure than for a few months preceding the raid of August, 1863. The power of the rebellion was broken in Missouri, and the Federal force on the border, while it could prevent depravations by small gangs, seemed to be sufficiently vigilant to prevent the gathering of any large force. No rumors of danger had been received for several months.
Still many of the citizens did not feel that the place was entirely safe. Mayor Collamore, early in the summer, prevailed upon the military authorities to station a squad of soldiers in Lawrence. These soldiers were under the command of Lieut. Hadley, a very efficient officer. Lieut. Hadley had a brother on Gen. Ewing's staff. About the first of August this brother wrote him that his spies had been in Quantrill’s camp--had mingled freely with his men--and had learned from Quantrill’s clerk, that they proposed to make a raid on Lawrence about the full of the moon, which would be three weeks before the actual raid. He told his brother to do all he could for the defense of the town, to fight them to the last, and never be taken prisoner, for Quantrill killed all prisoners. Lieut. Hadley showed the letter to Mayor Collamore, who at once set about the work of putting the town in a state of defense. The militia was called out, pickets detailed, the cannon got in readiness, and the country warned. Had Quantrill’s gang come according to promise, they would have been "welcomed with bloody hands and hospitable graves." Someone asked Quantrill, when in Lawrence, why he did not come before when he said he would. He replied "You were expecting me then--but I have caught you napping now."
It may be asked, why the people of Lawrence relaxed their vigilance so soon after receiving such authentic evidence of Quantrill’s intentions? The city and military authorities made the fatal mistake of keeping the ground of apprehension a profound secret. Nobody knew the reason of the preparations. Rumors were afloat, but they could not be traced to any reliable source. Companies came in from the country, but could not ascertain why they were sent for, and went home to be laughed at by their neighbors. Unable to find any ground of alarm, people soon began to think that the rumors were like the other false alarms by which they had been periodically disturbed for the last two years. The course of the military authorities tended to strengthen this view.
Mayor Collamore sent to Fort Leavenworth for cannon and troops. They were at once sent over, but were met at Lawrence by a dispatch from Kansas City, ordering them back. A few days after, the squad of soldiers under Lieut. Hadley was ordered away. It was evident, therefore, that the military authorities at Kansas City, who ought to know, did not consider the place in danger. The usual sense of security soon returned. Citizens were assured that Quantrill could not penetrate the military line on the border without detection. They felt sure, too, that he could not travel fifty miles through a loyal county without their being informed of the approach of danger. The people never felt more secure, and were never less prepared, than the night before the raid.
THE APPROACH.
Quantrill assembled his gang about noon the day before the raid, and started towards Kansas about two o'clock. They crossed the border between five and six o'clock, and struck directly across the prairie toward Lawrence. He passed through Gardner, on the old Sante Fe wagon road, about 11 o'clock at night. Here they burned a few houses and killed one or two citizens. They passed through Hesper, ten miles southeast of Lawrence, between two and three o'clock. The moon was now down and the night was very dark and the road doubtful. They took a little boy from a house on Captain's Creek, near by, and compelled him to guide them into Lawrence. They kept the boy during their work in Lawrence, and then Quantrill dressed him in a new suit of clothes, gave him a horse and sent him home. They entered Franklin about the first glimmer of day. They passed quietly through, lying upon their horses, so as to attract as little attention as possible. The command, however, was distinctly--"Rush on, boys, it will be daylight before we are there! We ought to have been there an hour ago." From here it began to grow light, and they travelled faster. When they first came in sight of the town they stopped. Many were inclined to waver. They said: "They would be cut to pieces and it was madness to go on." Quantrill finally declared that HE was going in, and they might follow who would. Two horsemen were sent ahead to see that all was quiet in town. Those horsemen rode through the town and back without attracting attention. They were seen going through Main street, but their appearance there at that hour was nothing unusual. At the house of the Rev. S. S. Snyder a gang turned aside from the main body, entered his yard and shot him. Mr. Snyder was a prominent minister among the United Brethren. He held a commission as lieutenant in the Second Colored Regiment, which probably accounts for their malignity.
Their progress from here was quite rapid but cautious. Every now and then they checked up their horses as if fearful to proceed. They were seen approaching by several persons in the outskirts of the town, but in the dimness of the morning and the distance, they were supposed to be Union troops. They passed on in a body till they came to the high ground facing Main street, when the command was given--"Rush on to the town!" Instantly they rushed forward with the yell of demons. The attack was perfectly planned. Every man knew his place. Detachments scattered to every section of the town, and it was done with such promptness and speed that before people could gather the meaning of their first yell, every part of the town was full of them. They flowed into every street. Eleven rushed up to Mount Oread, from which all the roads leading into town could be seen for several miles out. These were to keep watch of the country round about, least the people should gather and come in on them unawares. Another and larger squad, struck for the west part of the town, while the main body, by two or three converging streets, made for the hotel. They first came upon a group of recruits for the Kansas Fourteenth. On these they fired as they passed killing seventeen out of twenty-two. This attack did not in the least check the speed of the general advance. A few turned aside to run down and shoot fugitive soldiers, but the company rushed on at the command--"To the hotel!" which could be heard all over the town. In all the bloody scenes which followed, nothing equalled, in wildness and terror, that which now presented itself. The horsemanship of the guerrillas was perfect. They rode with that ease and abandon which are acquired only by a life spent in the saddle amid desperate scenes. Their horses scarcely seemed to touch the ground, and the riders, sat with bodies and arms perfectly free, with revolvers on full cock, shooting at every house and man they passed, and yelling like demons at every bound. On each side of this stream of fire, as it poured toward the street, were men falling dead and wounded, and women and children half dressed, running and screaming--some trying to escape from danger and some rushing to the side of their murdered friends.
THE CAPTURE OF THE HOTEL.
They dashed along the main street, shooting at every straggler on the sidewalk, and into almost every window. They halted in front of the Eldridge House. The firing had ceased and all was quiet for a few minutes. They evidently expected resistance here, and sat gazing at the windows above them, apparently in fearful suspense. In a few moments, Captain Banks, Provost Marshal of the State, opened a window and displayed a white flag, and called for Quantrill. Quantrill rode forward, and Banks, as Provost Marshal, surrendered the house, stipulating the safety of its inmates. At this moment the big gong in the hotel began to sound through the house to arouse the sleepers. At this the whole column fell back, evidently thinking this the signal for an attack from the hotel. In a few moments, meeting with no resistance, they pressed forward again, and commenced the work of plunder and destruction. They ransacked the hotel, robbing the rooms and their inmates. These inmates they gathered together at the head of the stairs, and when the plundering was done, marched them across the street on to Winthrop street under a guard. When they had proceeded a little distance, a ruffian rode up, and ordered a young man out of the ranks, and fired two shots at him, but with no effect. One of the guards at once interposed, and threatened to kill the ruffian if one of the prisoners was molested. Quantrill then rode up and told them the City Hotel, on the river bank, would be protected, because he had boarded there some years ago and had been well treated. He ordered the prisoners to go there, and stay in, and they would be safe. The prisoners were as obedient to orders as any of Quantrill’s own men and lost no time in gaining the house of refuge. This treatment of the prisoners of the Eldridge house shows that they expected resistance from that point, and were relieved by the offer of surrender. They not only promised protection, but were as good as their word. Other hotels received no such favors, and had no such experience of rebel honor.
At the Johnson House they shot at all that showed themselves, and the prisoners that were finally taken and marched off, were shot a few rods of the house, some of them among the fires of the burning buildings. Such was the common fate of those who surrendered themselves as prisoners, Mr. R. C. Dix was one of these. His house was the next door to the Johnson House, and being fired at in his own house, he escaped to the Johnson House. All the men were ordered to surrender. "All we want," said a rebel, "is for the men to give themselves up, and we will spare them and burn the house." Mr. Dix and other gave themselves up. They marched them towards town, and when they had gone about two hundred feet, the guards shot them all, one after another. Mr. Hampson, one of the number fell wounded, and lay as if dead till he could escape unseen. A brother of Mr. Dix remained in the shop, and was shot four times through the window, and fell almost helpless. The building was burning over his head, and he was compelled to drag himself out into the next building, which fortunately was not burned. The air was so still that one building did not catch from another.
THE CARNAGE--"HELL LET LOOSE."
After the Eldridge House surrendered, and all fears of resistance were removed, the ruffians scattered in small gangs to all parts of the town in search of plunder and blood. The order was "to burn every house, and kill every man." Almost every house was visited and robbed, and the men found in them killed or left, according to the character or whim of the captors. Some of these seemed completely brutalized, while others showed some signs of remaining humanity. One lady said that as gang after gang came to her house, she always met them herself, and tried to get them talking. If she only got them to talking, she could get at what little humanity was left in them. Those ladies who faced them boldly, fared the best.
It is doubtful whether the world has ever witnessed such a scene of horror--certainly not outside the annals of savage warfare. History gives no parallel, where an equal number of such desperate men, so heavily armed, were let perfectly loose in an unsuspecting community. The carnage was much worse from the fact that the citizens could not believe that men could be such fiends. No one expected an indiscriminate slaughter. When it was known that the town was in their possession, everybody expected they would rob and burn the town, kill all military men they could find, and a few marked characters. But few expected a wholesale murder. Many who could have escaped, therefore, remained and were slain. For this reason the colored people fared better than the whites. They knew the men which slavery had made, and they ran to the bush at the first alarm.

A gentleman who was concealed where he could see the whole, said the scene presented was the most perfect realization of the slang phrase, "Hell let loose," that ever could be imagined. Most of the men had the look of wild beasts, they dressed roughly and swore terribly. They were mostly armed with a carbine and with from two to six revolvers strapped around them.
The surprise was so complete that no organized resistance was possible. Before people could fully comprehend the real state of the case, every part of the town was full of the rebels, and there was no possibility of rallying. Even the recruits in camp were so taken by surprise that they were not in their places. The attack could scarcely have been made at a worse hour. The soldiers had just taken in their camp guard, and people were just waking from sleep. By some fatal mistake, the authorities had kept the arms of the city in the public armor, instead of in each man's house. There could be no general resistance, therefore, from the houses. When the rebels gained possession of the main street, the armory was inaccessible to the citizens, and the judicious disposition of squads of rebels in other parts of the town, prevented even a partial rally at any point. There was no time nor opportunity for consultation or concert of action, and every man had to do the best he could for himself. A large number, however, did actually start with what arms they had towards the street. Most saw at once that the street could not be reached, and turned back. Some went forward and perished. Mr. Levi Gates lived about a mile in the country, in the opposite from that by which the rebels had entered. As soon as he heard the firing in the town, he started with his rifle, supposing that a stand would be made by the citizens. When he got to town, he saw at once that the rebels had possession. He was an excellent marksman, and could not leave without trying his rifle. The first shot he made the rebel jumped in the saddle, but did not kill him; and when he was dead brutally beat his head in pieces.
Mr. G. W. Bell, County Clerk, lived on the side hill overlooking the town. He saw the rebels before they made their charge. He seized his musket and cartridge box with the hope of reaching the main street before them. His family endeavored to dissuade him, telling him he would certainly be killed. "They may kill me, but they cannot kill the principals I fight for. If they take Lawrence, they must do it over my dead body." With a prayer for courage and help he started. But he was too late. The street was occupied before he could reach it. He endeavored then to get round by the back way, and come to the ravine west of the street. Here he met other citizens. He asked, "Where shall we meet?" They assured him it was to late to meet anywhere, and urged him to save himself. He turned back, apparently intending to get home again. The rebels were no scattered in all directions, and he was in the midst of them. A friend urged him to throw his musket away, which he did. Finding escape impossible, he went into an unfinished brick house, and got up on the joists above, together with another man. A rebel came in and began shooting at them. He interceded for his friend, and soon found that the rebel was an old acquaintance who had often eaten at his table. He appealed to him in such a way that he promised to spare both their lives, for old acquaintance sake, if they would come down. They came down, and the rebel took them out to about twenty of his companions outside. "Shoot him! Shoot him!" was the cry at once. He asked for a moment to pray, which they granted, and then shot him with four balls. His companion was wounded and lay for dead, but afterwards recovered. The treacherous rebel who deceived and murdered him afterwards went to his house, and said to his wife, who was ignorant of her husbands fate: "We have killed your husband and now we come to burn his house." They fired it, but the family saved it. Mr. Bell was a man of excellent character, and left a wife and six children to miss and mourn him.
What little resistance was offered to the rebels, developed their cowardice, as much as their general license given them developed their brutality. On the opposite bank of the river twelve soldiers were stationed. When the rebels first came into town, they filled Massachusetts street. They even attempted to cut the rope to the ferry. But these brave boys on the opposite side made free use of their rifles, firing at every butternut that came in sight. Their minnie balls went screaming up the street, and it was not many minutes before that section of the town was pretty much deserted; and if one of the ruffians by chance passed along that way, he was careful not to expose himself to the bullets from across the river. The result was, all that section of the town which stretched along the river bank was saved. In this section stood Governor Robinson's house, which was inquired for. Here was the armory, which they took possession of early, but left it with the most of its guns unharmed.
Another evidence of their cowardice was shown in the fact, that very few stone houses were molested. They shunned almost all houses which were closed tightly, so that they could not see in, when the inmates did not show themselves. There is a deep ravine, wooded but narrow, which runs almost through the center of town. In this many citizens escaped. They often chased men into this ravine, shooting at them all the way. But they never followed one into the ravine itself, and seldom followed up to the brink. Whenever they came near to it, they would shy off as if expecting a stray shot. The corn-field west of the town was full of refugees. The rebels rode up to the edge often, as if longing to go in and butcher those who had escaped them, but a wholesome fear that it might be a double game, restrained them. A Mrs. Hindman lived on the edge of this corn-field. They came repeatedly to her house for water. The gang insisted on knowing what "was in the corn-field?" She brave woman, replied, "Go in and see. You will find it the hottest place you have been in to-day." Having been to carry drink to the refugees, she could testify to the heat. The rebels took her word and left. So every little ravine and thicket around the outskirts of the town were shunned as if a viper had been in it. Thus scores of lives were saved that would otherwise have been destroyed.
In almost every case where a determined resistance was offered, the rebels withdrew. Mr. A. K. Allen lives in a large brick house. A gang came to his door and ordered him out. "No!" replied the old gentleman, "if you want anything of me, come where I am. I am good for five of you." They took his word for it, and he and his house were thenceforth unmolested. The two Messrs. Rankin were out in the street trying to gain a certain house, when they were overtaken by six of the ruffians. They at once faced their foes, drew their revolvers, and began to fire, when the whole six broke and fled. The cowards evidently did not come to fight, but to murder and steal.
SCENES AND INCIDENTS.
We can only give a few incidents of the massacre as specimens of the whole. The scenes of horror we describe must be multiplied till the amount reaches one hundred and eighty, the number of killed and wounded.
Gen. Collamore, Mayor of the city, was awakened by their shouts around the house. His house was evidently well known, and they struck for it to prevent his taking measures for defense. When he looked out, the house was surrounded. Escape was impossible. There was but one hiding place--the well. He at once went into the well. The enemy went into the house and searched for the owner, swearing and threatening all the while. Failing to find him, they fired the house and waited round to see it burn. Mrs. Collamore went out and spoke to her husband while the fire was burning. But the house was so near the well that when the flames burst out they shot over the well, and the fire fell in. When the flames subsided, so that the well could be approached, nothing could be seen of Mr. Collamore or the man who had descended into the well with him. After the rebels had gone, Mr. Lowe, an intimate friend of Gen. Collamore, went at once down the well to seek for him. The rope supporting him broke, and he also died in the well--and three bodies were drawn from its cold water.
At Dr. Griswold's there were four families. The doctor and his lady had just returned the evening before from a visit east. Hon. S. M. Thorp, State Senator, Mr. J. C. Trask, Editor of State Journal, Mr. H. W. Baker, grocer, with their wives, were boarding in Dr. Griswold's family. The house was attacked about the same time as Gen. Collamore's. They called for the men to come out. When they did not obey very readily, they assured them "they should not be harmed--if the citizens quietly surrender it might save the town." This idea brought them out at once. Mr. Trask said, "if it will help save the town, let us go." They went down stairs and out the doors. The ruffians ordered them to get in line, and to march before them towards town. They had scarcely gone twenty feet from the yard before the whole four were shot down. Dr. Griswold and Mr. Trask were killed at once. Mr. Thorp and Mr. Baker wounded, but apparently dead. The ladies attempted to reach their husbands from the house, but were driven back. A guard was stationed just below, and every time any of the ladies attempted to go from the house to their dying friends, this guard would dash up at full speed, and with oaths and threats, drive them back. After the bodies had lain about half an hour, a gang rode up, rolled them over, and shot them again. Mr. Baker received his only dangerous wound at this shot. After shooting the men, the ruffians went in and robbed the house. They demanded even the personal jewelry of the ladies. Mrs. Trask begged for the privilege of retaining her wedding ring. "You have killed my husband let me keep his ring." "No matter," replied the heartless fiend, and snatched the relic from her hand. Dr. Griswold was one of the principal druggists of the place, Mr. Thorp was State Senator, Mr. Trask Editor of the State Journal, and Mr. Baker one of the leading grocers of the place. Mr. Thorp lingered in great pain till the next day, when he died. Mr. Baker, after long suspense, recovered. He was shot through the lungs.
The most brutal murder was that of Judge Carpenter. Several gangs called at his house and robbed him of all he had--but his genial manner was too much for them, and they all left him alive and his house standing. Towards the last, another gang came, more brutal than the rest. They asked him where he was from. He replied "New York." "It is you New York fellows that are doing all the mischief," one replied, and drew his revolver to shot him. Mr. Carpenter ran into the house, up stairs, then down again, the ruffian after him and firing at every turn. He finally eluded them and slipped into the cellar. He was badly wounded, so that the blood lay in pools in the cellar where he stood for a few minutes. His hiding place was soon discovered, and he was driven out of the cellar into the yard and shot again. He fell mortally wounded. His wife threw herself onto him and covered him with her person to shield him from further violence. The ruffian deliberately walked around her to find a place to shoot under her, and finally raised her arm and put his revolver under it, and fired so she could see the ball enter his head. They then fired the house, but through the energy of the wife's sister, the fire was extinguished. The Judge had been married less than a year. He was a young man, but had already won considerable distinction in his profession. He had held the office of Probate Judge for Douglas county, and a year before was candidate for Attorney General of the State.
Mr. Fitch was called downstairs and instantly shot. Although the second ball was probably fatal, they continued to fire until they lodged six or eight balls in his lifeless body. They then began to fire the house. Mrs. Fitch endeavored to drag the remains of her husband from the house, but was forbidden. She then endeavored to save his miniature, but was forbidden to do this. Stupefied by the scene, and the brutality exhibited toward her, she stood there gazing at the strange work going on around her, utterly unconscious of her position or her danger. Finally one of the ruffians compelled her to leave the house, or she would probably have been consumed with the rest. Driven out, she went and sat down with her three little ones in front, and watched the house consumed over the remains of her husband. Mr. Fitch was a young man of excellent character and spirit. He was one of the "first settlers" of Lawrence, and taught the first school in the place.
James Perine and James Eldridge were clerks in the "County Store." They were sleeping in the store when the attack was made and could not escape. The rebels came into the store and ordered them to open the safe, promising to spare their lives. The moment the safe door flew open, they shot both of them dead, and left them on the floor. They were both very promising young men, about seventeen years of age.
Mr. Burt was standing by a fence, when one of the rebels rode up to him and demanded his money. He handed up his pocket book, and as the rebel took the pocket-book with one hand, he shot Mr. Burt with the other. Mr. Murphy, a short distance up the same street, was asked for a drink of water, and as the fiend took the cup with his left hand he shot his benefactor with his right. Mr. Murphy was over sixty years of age. Mr. Ellis, a German blacksmith, ran into the corn in the park, taking his little child with him. For some time he remained concealed, but the child growing weary began to cry. The rebels outside, hearing the cries, ran in and killed the father, leaving the child in its dead father's arms. Mr. Albach, a German, was sick in his bed. They ordered the house cleared that they might burn it. The family carried out the sick man on the mattress, and laid him in the yard, when the rebels came out and killed him on his bed, unable to rise. These are species of cruelty to which savages have never yet attained.
One of the guerrillas went to the stable of J. G. Sands, corner of Pinckney and Tennessee streets--stole his carriage horse and the pet pony "Freddie." While engaged in this, four others came up the alley, one of them was heard to say, "why in h___ are not these houses burnt." Dismounting to execute their threat, they were met by "Freddie" running past them, who had escaped from his captor, they were urged to assist in securing the runaway, at once remounting they all followed him, who lead them away from this part of town and before he was again secured they were engaged in other scenes of murder. This providential escape of the pony undoubtedly saved, not only the houses, but also the lives of Dr. Fuller, B.W. Woodward and J.G. Sands.
G.H. Sargeant's was on New Hampshire street between Winthrop and Henry. Early in the day the guerrillas entered the house and robbed the inmates of all their valuables. Notice was given them to remove furniture as the house would be burnt. Before applying the torch one of the party assisted in carrying out the piano. During the burning Mr. Sargeant, Charley Palmer and a Mr. Young, a printer, were in the yard, also Mrs. Sargeant, a sister of J.G. Sands Esq., and Mrs. Mary Hanom. A squad of ruffians fired a volley into the men killing Mr. Palmer, wounding Mr. Sargeant, but missing Mr. Young, who dropped and feigned death. Noticing life in Mr. Sargeant one of the men coolly reloaded his pistol saying he "would soon finish him." Mrs. Sargeant at once fell on her husband's prostrate body, begging for his life, but the murderer placed the pistol above her shoulder and sent a ball crashing through his head. Mr. Sargeant survived eleven days. By this time the body of Mr. Young was terribly scorched by his nearness to the burning building, but his presence of mind saved him. The ladies dragged him into the weeds, in line with the other bodies, covered them with sheets and were no more molested.
The courage shown by these ladies is seldom matched by the soldier's in the excitement of a battle. On every side men were falling, close to them Mr. Williamson was killed, near them Mr. Hay was shot down. Bullets were flying all about them, but they stood guard over the dead and dying.
The residence of F. W. Read was probably visited by more squads than any other place, as it is situated in the heart of the city. Seven different bands called there that morning. Mr. Read had been drilled with his company the day before and had left his gun in the store, he started for it but was met at the door by robbers and retreated back into his house. He ran up stairs and raised his head up to look out of the window, when a bullet struck the window sill within six inches of his right eye, the squad piled bedding and books at the foot of the stairs and set it on fire to burn him out but Mrs. Read put the fire out. The next squad were for stealing, after demanding as they all did fire arms at first, they wanted money next and then helped themselves to whatever they could find. They found in the back side of a bureau drawer a little box containing a pair of gold and coral armlets used to loop up the dress at the shoulder of their little girl Addie who had died a few months before. Mrs. Read begged very hard that he would please not take them as they had been her little dead child's and she wanted them to remember her by, the brute replied with an oath "Damn your dead baby, she'll never need them again." The next squad went in the bed-room, turned the clothes all down, one took out a big bowie knife and cut the mattress for a yard while another lit a match to set it on fire, it proved to be a hair mattress and would not burn, they set the clothing on fire but it was put out. The next squad that rode up, only came in the house, he looked and seemed satisfied that there was not much left in the house worth carrying off, on looking around he coolly said "this is all I want Madame" and stepped up to the piano and with one jerk pulled off the piano cover which was a new and very nice one, walked out took the saddle from his horse and put it on for a saddle blanket. The next squad were half drunk and demanded with an oath who had put the fire out, Mrs. Read told them she did and would do it again, the order was given to hold that woman, a villain grabbed her by the wrists and held her in a vice like grasp, while the others piled up bedding and books on a cotton lounge under a window and set it on fire and remained inside until the smoke drove them all on the porch where Mrs. Read was dragged and held till the casing, curtains and lounge were burning up and out of the top of the window, when they let her go and said, "Damn you, you can have your home now, if you will put it out," and went away. Mrs. Read rushed through the smoke into the bed-room, grabbed a pillow in each hand, and thus protected, shoved against the window which was so burned that it fell out on the ground and the home was saved. The next squad was commanded by an officer who inquired for Mr. Read, and was told that he had gone east for goods. "Where was your store?" She pointed to where Woodward's Drug Store now is, corner Massachusetts and Henry street, and replied there it is all burning up. One man in his squad immediately replied yes there has some one gone east from that store, there had, it was P.R. Brooks who was then clerking for Mr. Read, which showed how well posted they were and that their spies had been here and done their work only too well. Mrs. Read said "you seem to be an officer, look at this house and at that burning store and say if you have not punished us enough." The officer turned to his men and gave the command, "men go away from here and tell all the other squads not to molest these premises any more to-day, this family has been punished enough," and he remained on the porch for one half hour. He was the only one Mrs. Read saw that day that did not act the brute, and is believed to be a man who is of high respectability now living in Missouri.”
http://www.civilwar-online.com/search?q=August+21%2C+1863

Pictures: 1862 Morgan's Raid by Clyde Heron Attacking the L&N RR; 1863-08-21 The ruins of Lawrence, Kansas as depicted in Harper's Weekly; 1862-08 Fort Ridgely; 1863 Union Swamp Angel Cannon

A. 1862: Minnesota Dakota Uprising - Battle of Fort Ridgely, Day 2 - With ranks swelled to nearly 800 warriors, Chief Little Crow once again attacks the fort, where only 175 soldiers and less than 200 settlers have holed up. This time, the Dakota do not flinch at the cannon, and their charge captures several of the buildings, from which the warriors keep up a hot fire; but they are unable to maintain their position, and finally retreat. Many braves have been killed, but the Army has lost only seven men. Since the basis of the Dakotas’ grievances are with the U.S. Government—failure to live up to their treaty, to deliver food, or the money promised to pay for the taken lands—Little Crow sees the U.S. Army as their true enemy.
B. 1862: Morgan’s raid on Hartsville, Tennessee. CSA raider Col. John H. Morgan and arrived at Hartsville, Tennessee just 17 miles east of Gallatin. Morgan’s raiders struck the Louisville & Nashville Railroad and tore up some tracks, thus keeping the Federals from using the railroad for a little while. Brig. Gen. Richard W. Johnson (US) and 640 Union cavalry try to head off the Confederate raiders. Johnson left McMinnville and arrived at Hartsville, only to find the Confederates old camp. Upon hearing reports that Col. Nathan B. Forrest was heading towards Hartsville, the Federals left. They encountered the Confederates near Gallatin and attacked them.
After a brisk fight, the Federals fell back for 3 miles, reformed, and made another attack. The Confederates overpowered the Federals, causing Johnson to surrender to Morgan.
C. 1863: Quantrill's massacre of Lawrenceville, Kansas. After kidnapping 10 farmers in order to guide them to Lawrence, Kansas, Quantrill's Raiders murdered each of them. As Quantrill's men rode into Lawrence, they systematically hunted down every male over the age of 14 that they could find, eventually dragging out and killing some 182 men from their homes, many in front of their families; killing them in cold blood. Some women managed to save their husbands and sons by hiding them in outbuildings, closets, under floors or in fields of tall crops. They burned 185 buildings in Lawrence, then rode back to Missouri with Union cavalry in hot pursuit. This incident incited the North and led to even more killing by both sides along the Kansas-Missouri border.
D. 1864: Second Battle of Memphis. At 3 a.m., CSA General Nathan Bedford Forrest reached US-held Memphis with 1,500 cavalry troops (500 horses have given out along the way and they’re down to two artillery pieces now). In silence, he deployed his men. At daybreak, they moved out. In the general confusion, the three US generals escape. The Confederates attempt to release Southern prisoners from Irving Block Prison but US forces hold them off. Forrest withdraws with supplies, horses, and 500 Federal prisoners (and General Washburn’s uniform, which he later returns under flag of truce). Upon reaching Hernando, Forrest paroles his prisoners.

FYI Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. PO3 Edward Riddle Maj William W. 'Bill' Price COL Lisandro Murphy SSgt David M. SPC Maurice Evans SPC Jon O. SGT Jim Arnold Amn Dale Preisach CW4 Private RallyPoint Member Sgt Jerry Genesio SSG Private RallyPoint Member COL Private RallyPoint Member CWO4 Terrence Clark CSM Charles Hayden PO1 John Johnson TSgt George Rodriguez SFC Randy Purham SMSgt David A Asbury CPL Ronald Keyes Jr

The American Civil War

The American Civil War presented day by day as it happened 150 years ago.

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Sep 22 at 2016 12:35 AM

2016-09-22T00:35:57-04:00

Thanks for my daily fix of Civil War trivia LTC Stephen F.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 22 at 2016 12:37 AM

2016-09-22T00:37:22-04:00

After the union defeats at Battle of Bull Run and Wilson Creek, Missouri in 1861, “Cherokee Chief Ross and the Executive Council called a general assembly of the tribe at Tahlequah, OK. By a voice vote, approximately 4000 men attending the convention voted to join the South. Soon after, Ross called up volunteers to form a mounted regiment for the South under command of Colonel John Drew.”
In 1862, the Dakota nation that revolted in Minnesota was part of the Santee or Eastern Dakota. It consisted of four tribes - Mdewakantons, Sissetons, Wahpekutes and Wahpetons.
In 1863, during the siege of Charleston Harbor, Confederates unsuccessfully attack the USS New Ironsides with a David-class torpedo boat for the first time. Additionally, the “Swamp Angel” was ready for use and the North demanded that the South had to evacuate Battery Wagner or that they would fire on Charleston.

In 1863, “Gen. Quincy Gillmore, commander of Union troops besieging Charleston, sends a message to Gen. Beauregard, the Rebel commander, that Morris Island and Fort Sumter must be surrendered, or the Yankees will open fire with guns that can reach the center of the city. The “Swamp Angel”, an 8-inch Parrott Rifle, could throw an incendiary shell over 4 miles from its battery location into the center of the city, which it began to do this day. Gen. Beauregard sends a message to Gillmore, condemning the act of the Federal commander for “turning your guns against the old men, the women, and children, and the hospitals of a sleep city, an act of inexcusable barbarity. . . .” However, the Swamp Angel blew out its own breech with its 36th shot.”

Below are a number of journal entries from 1862 which shed light on what life was like for soldiers and civilians – the good, the bad and the ugly.

Thursday, August 21, 1862: Capt. William L. Bolton, of the 51st Penn. Infantry, writes in his journal of the initial fighting at the ford at Rappahannock Station: “Hostilities opened this morning in dead earnest at 10 ½ o’clock A.M. near the Rappahannock Station, by the enemy driving in our pickets, and about one hour later it began in our immediate front. The 51st P.V. ordered to repel the attack, and was about to move off, when the cavalry was ordered instead. Reno ordered to send three regiments of cavalry under Buford, and two pieces of artillery, to make a strong reconnaisance towards Stevensburg, and to advance three regiments fo infantry and a battery three miles south of the Rappahannock to support him. The fighting continued all day. . . . The fighting ended for the day at 6 o’clock P.M. favorable to the Union cause, [Gen.] Sigel having captured 19 guns.”
Thursday, August 21, 1862: George Michael Neese, a Rebel artilleryman with Jackson’s troops, wrote in his journal of the fighting at Rappahannock Station: “At dusk this evening we heard heavy cannonading and some musketry down the Rappahannock. The whole country around here seems to be full of Yankees. We will tree some of them before long; perhaps tomorrow.”
Thursday, August 21, 1862: George Michael Neese, a Rebel artilleryman with Jackson’s troops, wrote in his journal of the fighting at Rappahannock Station: “At dusk this evening we heard heavy cannonading and some musketry down the Rappahannock. The whole country around here seems to be full of Yankees. We will tree some of them before long; perhaps tomorrow.”
Thursday, August 21, 1862: Robert Know Sneden, of the III Corps staff with McClellans’ army, records in his journal his mixes feelings about leaving the Peninsula campaign defeated: “Fine day. I went swimming in the York River at 6:30 a.m. Several hundred soldiers, with some officers were in the water at the same time. The bugle sounded "pack up" at 7:30 and our headquarter tents were struck by 9 o’clock. Long lines of troops moved from the town to the dreary looking wharf and began embarking on steamboats. . . . A dozen or more steamers, all laden with troops were now steaming down river, and our boat soon overhauled the fleet as she was a fast river steamer. Bands were playing and men cheering, flags flying, and the show was grand. But our spirits were not so buoyant as when another much larger fleet, filled with expectant troops left Alexandria in March last, "On to Richmond" then being the universal song.”
Thursday, August 21, 1862: Josiah Marshall Favill, a young officer with the 57th New York Infantry, records his regiment’s R &R at Yorktown: “August 21st. Marched bright and early, arriving at Yorktown about noon and put up our tents on the identical spot occupied by us while awaiting shipment to West Point, in the spring; felt quite at home. As soon as the camp was established, all hands were dismissed for a swim, and the waves were quickly whispering lullabys in the ears of the dusty and weary warriors of the first division. . . . After a capital swim, several of us rode through the quaint, slow, old town, which we found just as dirty as ever, the pigs still running at large, feeding on the filth from the tumble down houses; received orders to be ready to march early in the morning for Newport News, as transports were awaiting us; weather magnificent.”
Thursday, August 21, 1862: Alfred L. Castleman, a Union Army surgeon with McClellans’ retreating army on the Peninsula, records his impressions when his brigade comes into sight of the harbor at Hampton (Newport News), where they are to embark for Washington: “21st.—Camped last night in sight of Big Bethel, and left this morning at 5 o’clock. After a brisk march of four hours, we reached Hampton, (12 miles.) As we reached the summit of a ridge and the Roads, and the shipping two miles off suddenly burst upon the view, how intensely did I realize the feeling of a scarred leader in a ten year’s war, when, on his return he caught the first glimpse of his native land.”

Pictures: Summers – Rebel Raiders; 1864-08-21 Forrest Raid into Memphis—The Rebels at the Gayoso House; 1863-08 Swamp Angel in the Marsh Battery; 1864-08 The Globe Tavern near Petersburg during the war

A. Thursday, August 21, 1862: Minnesota Dakota Uprising - Battle of Fort Ridgely, Day 2 - With ranks swelled to nearly 800 warriors, Chief Little Crow once again attacks the fort, where only 175 soldiers and less than 200 settlers have holed up. This time, the Dakota do not flinch at the cannon, and their charge captures several of the buildings, from which the warriors keep up a hot fire; but they are unable to maintain their position, and finally retreat. Many braves have been killed, but the Army has lost only seven men. Since the basis of the Dakotas’ grievances are with the U.S. Government—failure to live up to their treaty, to deliver food, or the money promised to pay for the taken lands—Little Crow sees the U.S. Army as their true enemy. But the attacks on the fort are futile, so he plans to join the warriors who are still laying siege to the town of New Ulm tomorrow.
B. Thursday, August 21, 1862: Morgan’s raid on Hartsville, Tennessee. CSA raider Col. John H. Morgan and arrived at Hartsville, Tennessee just 17 miles east of Gallatin. Morgan’s raiders struck the Louisville & Nashville Railroad and tore up some tracks, thus keeping the Federals from using the railroad for a little while. Brig. Gen. Richard W. Johnson (US) and 640 Union cavalry try to head off the Confederate raiders. Johnson left McMinnville and arrived at Hartsville, only to find the Confederates old camp. Upon hearing reports that Col. Nathan B. Forrest was heading towards Hartsville, the Federals left. They encountered the Confederates near Gallatin and attacked them.
After a brisk fight, the Federals fell back for 3 miles, reformed, and made another attack. The Confederates overpowered the Federals, causing Johnson to surrender to Morgan.
C. Friday, August 21, 1863: Quantrill's massacre of Lawrenceville, Kansas. After kidnapping 10 farmers in order to guide them to Lawrence, Kansas, Quantrill's Raiders murdered each of them. As Quantrill's men rode into Lawrence, they systematically hunted down every male over the age of 14 that they could find, eventually dragging out and killing some 182 men from their homes, many in front of their families; killing them in cold blood. Some women managed to save their husbands and sons by hiding them in outbuildings, closets, under floors or in fields of tall crops. They burned 185 buildings in Lawrence, then rode back to Missouri with Union cavalry in hot pursuit. This incident incited the North and led to even more killing by both sides along the Kansas-Missouri border.
D. Sunday, August 21, 1864: Second Battle of Memphis. At 3 a.m., CSA General Nathan Bedford Forrest reached US-held Memphis with 1,500 cavalry troops (500 horses have given out along the way and they’re down to two artillery pieces now). In silence, he deployed his men. At daybreak, they moved out. In the general confusion, the three US generals escape. The Confederates attempt to release Southern prisoners from Irving Block Prison but US forces hold them off. Forrest withdraws with supplies, horses, and 500 Federal prisoners (and General Washburn’s uniform, which he later returns under flag of truce). Upon reaching Hernando, Forrest paroles his prisoners.
Details: At precisely 8:00 AM, Union General A. J. Smith, having surrounded Oxford, Mississippi, marches into town to surprise General Nathan Bedford Forrest (CSA) and finally put an end to his “devilish” ways. But upon entering town, General Smith, himself was disappointingly surprised. The wily Confederate general had departed from Oxford, leaving a rather large note written in charcoal on the courthouse wall saying, “General Forrest is in Memphis today.” True to his word Forrest, at 4:00 AM was in Memphis. Forrest did not attempt to capture the city occupied by 6,000 Federal troops. The raid had three objectives: to capture three Union generals posted there; to release Southern prisoners from Irving Block Prison; and to cause the recall of Union forces from Northern Mississippi. With 2,000 cavalry, Forrest loses about a quarter of his strength because of exhausted horses. Surprise was essential. Taking advantage of a thick dawn fog and claiming to be a Union patrol returning with prisoners, the Confederates eliminate the sentries. Galloping through the streets and exchanging shots with other Union troops and arriving at Beale Street, the rebels divided off in several squads to pursue separate missions. One Union general was not at his quarters and another escaped to Fort Pickering dressed in his night-shirt. According to Memphis legend, Confederate cavalrymen rode into the lobby of the luxurious Gayoso House Hotel seeking the Yankee officers. A street in Memphis is named “General Washburn's Escape Alley” in commemoration of the ordeal. The attack on Irving Block Prison also fails, when Union troops stall the main body at the State Female College. After two hours, Forrest decided to withdraw, cutting telegraph wires, taking 500 prisoners and large quantities of supplies, including many horses. Although Forrest fails in Memphis, his raid influences Union forces to return there from northern Mississippi, and provide additional protection. This leaves Forrest free to roam as he pleases.

1. Wednesday, August, 21, 1861: Cherokee Chief Ross (pictured) and the Executive Council called a general assembly of the tribe at Tahlequah, OK. With the Union forces defeated at the Battle of Bull Run and Wilson Creek, Missouri; these early confederate victories perhaps influenced Chief Ross’ decision to join the South. By a voice vote, approximately 4000 men attending the convention voted to join the South. Soon after, Ross called up volunteers to form a mounted regiment for the South under command of Colonel John Drew.
https://sites.google.com/site/civilwarhardemancotn/departments/department-a/part-nineteen-1
2. Wednesday, August, 21, 1861: "$100 reward" The outbreak of war made escape easier for Southern slaves. Before the war, escaping slaves were not completely safe until they reached Canada. Even if a slave reached the North, he would have been subject to the Fugitive Slave Act. The outbreak of war all but ended the enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act. Now all a slave had to do was reach Union lines. On August 21, 1861, the Daily Dispatch carried an advertisement for a reward for a slave named "Beverly."
$100 reward --For the delivery to me of my Carriage Driver, Beverly. He is twenty-seven years old; color, black; six feet high; face covered with short beard, and moustache; large eye-brows and curling eye-lashes. He probably travels in a dark grey mixed summer coat, or blue cloth with brace buttons, and carpet-bag. He says he has read Shakespeare, and may travel with a forged pass, and shave off his beard when he reads this. He has relatives at Dr. R. H. Steward's, in King George, and at Mrs. Dr. Frank Taliaferro's, in Orange, with whom he has been recently corresponding by letter. His object being evidently to escape, he is doubtless lurking about the shore of the Potomac, or making his way Northward, and may be about our encampments. The above reward will be paid if caught over fifty miles from Fredericksburg; otherwise, $59 [A. N. Bernard.
http://www.civilwar-online.com/search?q=August+21%2C+1861
3. Thursday, August 21, 1862: Capt. William L. Bolton, of the 51st Penn. Infantry, writes in his journal of the initial fighting at the ford at Rappahannock Station: “Hostilities opened this morning in dead earnest at 10 ½ o’clock A.M. near the Rappahannock Station, by the enemy driving in our pickets, and about one hour later it began in our immediate front. The 51st P.V. ordered to repel the attack, and was about to move off, when the cavalry was ordered instead. Reno ordered to send three regiments of cavalry under Buford, and two pieces of artillery, to make a strong reconnaisance towards Stevensburg, and to advance three regiments fo infantry and a battery three miles south of the Rappahannock to support him. The fighting continued all day. . . . The fighting ended for the day at 6 o’clock P.M. favorable to the Union cause, [Gen.] Sigel having captured 19 guns.”
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=August+21%2C+1862
4. Thursday, August 21, 1862: George Michael Neese, a Rebel artilleryman with Jackson’s troops, wrote in his journal of the fighting at Rappahannock Station: “At dusk this evening we heard heavy cannonading and some musketry down the Rappahannock. The whole country around here seems to be full of Yankees. We will tree some of them before long; perhaps tomorrow.”
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=August+21%2C+1862
5. Thursday, August 21, 1862: Robert Know Sneden, of the III Corps staff with McClellans’ army, records in his journal his mixes feelings about leaving the Peninsula campaign defeated: “Fine day. I went swimming in the York River at 6:30 a.m. Several hundred soldiers, with some officers were in the water at the same time. The bugle sounded "pack up" at 7:30 and our headquarter tents were struck by 9 o’clock. Long lines of troops moved from the town to the dreary looking wharf and began embarking on steamboats. . . . A dozen or more steamers, all laden with troops were now steaming down river, and our boat soon overhauled the fleet as she was a fast river steamer. Bands were playing and men cheering, flags flying, and the show was grand. But our spirits were not so buoyant as when another much larger fleet, filled with expectant troops left Alexandria in March last, "On to Richmond" then being the universal song.”
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=August+21%2C+1862
6. Thursday, August 21, 1862: Josiah Marshall Favill, a young officer with the 57th New York Infantry, records his regiment’s R &R at Yorktown: “August 21st. Marched bright and early, arriving at Yorktown about noon and put up our tents on the identical spot occupied by us while awaiting shipment to West Point, in the spring; felt quite at home. As soon as the camp was established, all hands were dismissed for a swim, and the waves were quickly whispering lullabys in the ears of the dusty and weary warriors of the first division. . . . After a capital swim, several of us rode through the quaint, slow, old town, which we found just as dirty as ever, the pigs still running at large, feeding on the filth from the tumble down houses; received orders to be ready to march early in the morning for Newport News, as transports were awaiting us; weather magnificent.”
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=August+21%2C+1862
7. Thursday, August 21, 1862: Alfred L. Castleman, a Union Army surgeon with McClellans’ retreating army on the Peninsula, records his impressions when his brigade comes into sight of the harbor at Hampton (Newport News), where they are to embark for Washington: “21st.—Camped last night in sight of Big Bethel, and left this morning at 5 o’clock. After a brisk march of four hours, we reached Hampton, (12 miles.) As we reached the summit of a ridge and the Roads, and the shipping two miles off suddenly burst upon the view, how intensely did I realize the feeling of a scarred leader in a ten year’s war, when, on his return he caught the first glimpse of his native land.”
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=August+21%2C+1862
8. Thursday, August 21, 1862: Gen. Henry W. Halleck, in command of all U.S. armies, writes this diplomatically-worded message to Gen. McClellan, who is still on the Peninsula in Virginia: “HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, Washington, August 20, 1862. To Major General GEORGE B. McCLELLAN, Commanding: GENERAL: I have just received yours of the 17th by General Burnside.
You can scarcely imagine the pressure on me for the last two weeks and the anxiety I have had in regard to your movements. When I felt that the safety of Washington depended on the prompt and rapid transfer of your army it is very probable that my messages to you were more urgent and pressing than guarded in their language. I certainly meant nothing harsh, but I did feel that you did not act as promptly as I thought the circumstances required. I deemed every hour a golden one, the loss of which could not be repaired. I deemed every hour a golden one, the loss of which could not be repaired. I think you did not attach so much value to the passing hours; but perhaps I was mistaken. I know that there are several little matters which have annoyed you; they could not be avoided. . . .
There is enough and more than enough for all of us to do, although none of us can do exactly what we could wish. That Lee is moving on Pope with his main army I have no doubt. Unless we can unite most of your army with Burnside and Pope, Washington is in great danger. Under these circumstances you must pardon the extreme anxiety [and perhaps a little impatience] which I feel. Every moment seems to me as important as an ordinary hour.
Yours, in haste, H. W. HALLECK.”
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=August+21%2C+1862
9. Thursday, August 21, 1862: Pickney Island, South Carolina - On August 21, a Confederate force launched a surprise attack on a Union company posted on Pickney Island. Along with the Union soldiers, there were some prisoners locked up. The attack forced the Federals to withdraw.
http://www.mycivilwar.com/battles/1862s.html
10. Thursday, August 21, 1862: Hartsville, Tennessee - On August 21, Col. John H. Morgan and his Confederate raiders arrived at Hartsville. Hartsville was located just 17 miles east of Gallitan. Morgan struck the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. They tore up some tracks, thus keeping the Federals from using the railroad for a little while.
http://www.mycivilwar.com/battles/1862s.html
11. Thursday, August 21, 1862: Also today, Jefferson Davis issued such an order, in reference to Brig. General John W. Phelps and Maj. Gen. David Hunter (US). Davis believed they were engaged in organizing escaped slaves into regiments for service in the Union Army. According to the terms of Davis’ order they were to “be treated as outlaws, and if captured should be held as felons” rather than treated under the protocol of prisoners of war.
https://sites.google.com/site/civilwarhardemancotn/departments/department-b/part-seventy-one
12. Thursday, August 21, 1862: Manassas/Second Manassas Campaign: From Gordonsville, Lee President Davis in Richmond for confirmation that McClellan’s army has left the Peninsula. All Davis can report is that McClellan has withdrawn from Harrison’s Landing at least as far as New Kent Court House. Meanwhile, General Jackson crosses a part of his force over the Rappahannock at Beverly’s Ford; but the Union army forces him back to the south bank.
https://bjdeming.com/2012/10/03/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-august-20-26-1862/
13. Thursday, August 21, 1862: A sharp battle takes place at Gallatin, Tennessee, between Col. John Hunt Morgan’s Rebel cavalry and Union troops under Gen. R.W. Johnson. The Yankees are beaten back after a severe fight.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=August+21%2C+1862
14. Thursday, August 21, 1862: Union General George Morgan (not to be confused with the Rebel cavalry officer, John Hunt Morgan), in command of troops around Cumberland Gap in Tennessee, faces overwhelming Confederate forces in his front and rear, from the armies of Kirby-Smith and Bragg. Morgan sends a dispatch to headquarters insisting that he will hold the position: "If attacked I pledge myself and command for the security of this fort. We won it and do not intend to lose it."
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=August+21%2C+1862
15. Friday, August 21, 1863: In Charleston, South Carolina harbor, the “Swamp Angel” was ready for use. The North demanded that the South had to evacuate Battery Wagner or that they would fire on Charleston.
https://sites.google.com/site/civilwarhardemancotn/departments/department-c/week-123
16. Friday, August 21, 1863: In Tennessee, Col. John T. Wilder (US) reached the Tennessee River opposite Chattanooga and ordered the 18th Indiana Light Artillery to begin shelling the town. The shells caught many soldiers and civilians in town in church observing a day of prayer and fasting. The bombardment sank 2 steamers docked at the landing and created a great deal of fear amongst the Confederates. General Braxton Bragg, (CSA) was sending increasingly hysterical telegrams to President Davis demanding reinforcements. By his calculations his 40,000 troops were facing 60,000 with General Rosecrans (US) and another 30,000 to arrive shortly under General Burnside (US).
https://sites.google.com/site/civilwarhardemancotn/departments/department-c/week-123
17. Friday, August 21, 1863: Siege of Charleston Harbor: The intense Federal barrage of Confederate positions is continuing daily. Confederates attack the USS New Ironsides with a David-class torpedo boat for the first time. The attack is unsuccessful.
https://bjdeming.com/2013/08/19/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-august-19-25-1863/
18. Friday, August 21, 1863: Near Chattanooga, Tennessee, an advance unit of Federal troops under Col. John Wilder opens up with artillery from across the river and begins shelling the city of Chattanooga. Wilder’s guns destroy two steamers at their moorings at the city wharf. Gen. Bragg returns late this evening from a trip into Georgia, apparently surprised to find the Yankees on his doorstep.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=August+21%2C+1863
19. Friday, August 21, 1863: Chattanooga, Tennessee - On August 16, Maj. General William S. Rosecrans, commander of the Army of the Cumberland, launched a campaign to take Chattanooga. Col. John T. Wilder's brigade of the Union 4th Division, XIV Army Corps marched to a location northeast of Chattanooga where the Confederates could see them, reinforcing Gen. Braxton Bragg's expectations of a Union attack on the town from that direction.
On August 21, Wilder reached the Tennessee River opposite Chattanooga and ordered the 18th Indiana Light Artillery to begin shelling the town. The shells caught many soldiers and civilians in town in church observing a day of prayer and fasting. The bombardment sank 2 steamers docked at the landing and created a great deal of consternation amongst the Confederates. Continued periodically over the next 2 weeks, the shelling helped keep Bragg's attention to the northeast while the bulk of Rosecrans's army crossed the Tennessee River well west and south of Chattanooga.
When Bragg learned on September 8 that the Union army was in force southwest of the city, he abandoned Chattanooga.
http://www.mycivilwar.com/battles/1863s.html
20. Friday, August 21, 1863: Gen. Quincy Gillmore, commander of Union troops besieging Charleston, sends a message to Gen. Beauregard, the Rebel commander, that Morris Island and Fort Sumter must be surrendered, or the Yankees will open fire with guns that can reach the center of the city. The “Swamp Angel”, an 8-inch Parrott Rifle, could throw an incendiary shell over 4 miles from its battery location into the center of the city, which it began to do this day. Gen. Beauregard sends a message to Gillmore, condemning the act of the Federal commander for “turning your guns against the old men, the women, and children, and the hospitals of a sleep city, an act of inexcusable barbarity. . . .” However, the Swamp Angel blew out its own breech with its 36th shot.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=August+21%2C+1863
21. Sunday, August 21, 1864: Summit Point in Jefferson County, West Virginia - Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan had pulled back up the Valley because of (erroneous) reports of substantial Confederate reinforcements. He also wanted to work out the kinks in his new command – troops brought together from all over who needed to grow accustomed to one another and a new HQ. But the Confederates read Sheridan’s withdrawal another way, as timidity.
Sheridan had almost twice their strength but wasn’t fighting, and Lt. Gen. Jubal Early decided to be more aggressive. As Sheridan concentrated his army near Charles Town, Early and Maj. Gen. Richard Anderson attacked the Union rearguards with converging columns on August 21. Early headed eastward, through Smithfield, against Wright’s Union VI Corps, while Anderson moved north against Wilson's cavalry at Summit Point. There was cavalry fighting near Berryville.
There were engagements between the various forces all through the day, but the Union delaying actions did the job: their rearguards were never trapped and the Confederates got little advantage. The Federals fought effective delaying actions, withdrawing to near Halltown.
The next day, Sheridan’s men were around Halltown, where he was headed anyway. This was part of Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley Campaign
http://www.mycivilwar.com/battles/1864s.html
22. Sunday, August 21, 1864: After Lieut. General A. P. Hill’s recent attack on the Federal lines fails, General Robert E. Lee, (CSA) finally concedes the Weldon Railroad, a vital railroad link of Richmond and Petersburg. This forces the South to supply the area using more wagons. The South Side Railroad was now the only railroad left to supply Petersburg and Lee's army.
https://sites.google.com/site/civilwarhardemancotn/departments/1864/week-176
23. Sunday, August 21, 1864: Shenandoah Valley operations, Early’s Raid: Summit Point.
https://bjdeming.com/2014/08/17/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-august-18-24-1864/
24. Sunday, August 21, 1864: Siege of Petersburg: Globe Tavern/Second Battle of Weldon Railroad ends.
https://bjdeming.com/2014/08/17/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-august-18-24-1864/

A Thursday, August 21, 1862: Minnesota Dakota Uprising - Battle of Fort Ridgely, Day 2 - With ranks swelled to nearly 800 warriors, Chief Little Crow once again attacks the fort, where only 175 soldiers and less than 200 settlers have holed up. This time, the Dakota do not flinch at the cannon, and their charge captures several of the buildings, from which the warriors keep up a hot fire; but they are unable to maintain their position, and finally retreat. Many braves have been killed, but the Army has lost only seven men. Since the basis of the Dakotas’ grievances are with the U.S. Government—failure to live up to their treaty, to deliver food, or the money promised to pay for the taken lands—Little Crow sees the U.S. Army as their true enemy. But the attacks on the fort are futile, so he plans to join the warriors who are still laying siege to the town of New Ulm tomorrow.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=August+21%2C+1862
B Thursday, August 21, 1862: Col. John H. Morgan and his Confederate raiders arrived at Hartsville, Tennessee just 17 miles east of Gallatin. Morgan struck the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. They tore up some tracks, thus keeping the Federals from using the railroad for a little while. Brig. Gen. Richard W. Johnson (US) and 640 Union cavalry try to head off the Confederate raiders. The Confederates overpowered the Federals, causing Johnson to surrender to Morgan.
https://sites.google.com/site/civilwarhardemancotn/departments/department-b/part-seventy-one
B+ Thursday, August 21, 1862: near Gallatin, Tennessee - On August 21, after learning of Col. John H. Morgan's action at Hartsville, the Union high-command decided to head off Morgan's Confederate raiders. They sent Brig. Gen. Richard W. Johnson and 640 Union cavalry to head off the Confederate raiders. Johnson left McMinnville and arrived at Hartsville, only to find the Confederates old camp. Upon hearing reports that Col. Nathan B. Forrest was heading towards Hartsville, the Federals left. They encountered the Confederates near Gallatin and attacked them.
After a brisk fight, the Federals fell back for 3 miles, reformed, and made another attack. The Confederates overpowered the Federals, causing Johnson to surrender to Morgan.
http://www.mycivilwar.com/battles/1862s.html
B Thursday, August 21, 1862: Confederate Heartland Offensive: US General Richard W. Johnson and his 800-man force who have been pursuing Morgan for a long time move to Gallatin, but Morgan is alert and at first leads his men out of town, but at his first sight of the Johnson’s cavalry decides to fight them. The Raiders dismount and break the Union charge, then advance. The Federals fall back, dig in but then panic and flee when the Raiders charge. Johnson asks for a truce so the dead can be buried, but Morgan demands his surrender. Johnson refuses and heads for Cairo, pursued by the Confederates; the Federals make a stand, but most of them break and run, with only 75 men standing firm. They, as well as Johnson, are captured by Morgan.
https://bjdeming.com/2012/10/03/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-august-20-26-1862/
C Friday, August 21, 1863: After kidnapping 10 farmers in order to guide them to Lawrence, Kansas, Quantrill's Raiders murdered each of them. As Quantrill's men rode into Lawrence, they systematically hunted down every male over the age of 14 that they could find, eventually dragging out and killing some 182 men from their homes, many in front of their families; killing them in cold blood. Some women managed to save their husbands and sons by hiding them in outbuildings, closets, under floors or in fields of tall crops. They burned 185 buildings in Lawrence, then rode back to Missouri with Union cavalry in hot pursuit. This incident incited the North and led to even more killing by both sides along the Kansas-Missouri border.
https://sites.google.com/site/civilwarhardemancotn/departments/department-c/week-123
C+ Friday, August 21, 1863: Quantrill’s raid: The Lawrence Massacre. “The attack had been perfectly planned. Every man seemed to know his place and what he was to do. So quietly were detachments made, every section of the town was occupied before the citizens comprehended what was happening. With a very few exceptions the raiders had their own way. For some four hours the town was at their mercy—and no mercy was shown.” The raiders now number over 400 men, and they kill every man they can find who is old enough to carry a gun – but not US Senator James Lane, though he is at the top of their list. The senator is hiding out in a cornfield in his nightshirt and survives.
https://bjdeming.com/2013/08/19/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-august-19-25-1863/
C++ Friday, August 21, 1863: The Lawrence Massacre – William Quantrill and 450 Confederate raiders ride into Lawrence, Kansas, equipped with lists of abolitionists and Unionists who were slated to be executed. Quantill, an Ohio native and former resident of Lawrence, rides his men into a camp of Union army recruits and tramples 17 of them to death under the hooves of their horses, and injure 5 more. Indiscriminate killing ensues, and both white and black men are murdered without mercy. By mid-morning, up to 200 men and boys were murdered, many more wounded, and over 100 buildings burned. Jim Lane, the notorious abolitionist leader of Kansas, and a killer of Southerners himself, escapes Quantrill’s dragnet. Federal troops pursue, and burn the homes of any suspected sympathizers with the Rebel guerillas.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=August+21%2C+1863
D Sunday, August 21, 1864: Mississippi operations: Second Battle of Memphis. At 3 a.m., Forrest reaches US-held Memphis with 1,500 troops (500 horses have given out along the way and they’re down to two artillery pieces now). In silence, he deploys his men. At daybreak, they move out. In the general confusion, the three US generals escape. The Confederates attempt to release Southern prisoners from Irving Block Prison but US forces hold them off. Forrest withdraws with supplies, horses, and 500 Federal prisoners (and General Washburn’s uniform, which he later returns under flag of truce). Upon reaching Hernando, Forrest paroles his prisoners.
https://bjdeming.com/2014/08/17/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-august-18-24-1864/
D+ Sunday, August 21, 1864: At precisely 8:00 AM, Union General A. J. Smith, having surrounded Oxford, Mississippi, marches into town to surprise General Nathan Bedford Forrest (CSA) and finally put an end to his “devilish” ways. But upon entering town, General Smith, himself was disappointingly surprised. The wily Confederate general had departed from Oxford, leaving a rather large note written in charcoal on the courthouse wall saying, “General Forrest is in Memphis today.” True to his word Forrest, at 4:00 AM was in Memphis. Forrest did not attempt to capture the city occupied by 6,000 Federal troops. The raid had three objectives: to capture three Union generals posted there; to release Southern prisoners from Irving Block Prison; and to cause the recall of Union forces from Northern Mississippi. With 2,000 cavalry, Forrest loses about a quarter of his strength because of exhausted horses. Surprise was essential. Taking advantage of a thick dawn fog and claiming to be a Union patrol returning with prisoners, the Confederates eliminate the sentries. Galloping through the streets and exchanging shots with other Union troops and arriving at Beale Street, the rebels divided off in several squads to pursue separate missions. One Union general was not at his quarters and another escaped to Fort Pickering dressed in his night-shirt. According to Memphis legend, Confederate cavalrymen rode into the lobby of the luxurious Gayoso House Hotel seeking the Yankee officers. A street in Memphis is named “General Washburn's Escape Alley” in commemoration of the ordeal. The attack on Irving Block Prison also fails, when Union troops stall the main body at the State Female College. After two hours, Forrest decided to withdraw, cutting telegraph wires, taking 500 prisoners and large quantities of supplies, including many horses. Although Forrest fails in Memphis, his raid influences Union forces to return there from northern Mississippi, and provide additional protection. This leaves Forrest free to roam as he pleases.
https://sites.google.com/site/civilwarhardemancotn/departments/1864/week-176
FYI GySgt Jack Wallace CWO4 Terrence Clark SPC Michael Oles SR SMSgt Lawrence McCarter A1C Pamela G Russell LTC Trent Klug SFC Bernard Walko SFC Stephen King SSG Franklin Briant SSG Byron Howard Sr CPL Ronald Keyes Jr SFC William Farrell CMDCM John F. "Doc" Bradshaw SPC Lyle Montgomery Deborah Gregson PO2 Marco Monsalve SPC Woody Bullard SSG Michael Noll SSG Bill McCoy SSG Donald H "Don" Bates

Part Nineteen - Hardeman County Tennessee Civil War History

150th Anniversary of the Great American Civil War -Explore the coming of war, with secession and sending our young men into battle. Living in Hardeman County Tennessee during this unsettled times, surely was hardship enough, but to have war hanging over them would be harder than we can imagine today.

Response by TSgt Joe C. made Sep 22 at 2016 1:16 AM

2016-09-22T01:16:16-04:00

An interesting post today LTC Stephen F..

Response by SFC William Farrell made Sep 22 at 2016 2:37 AM

2016-09-22T02:37:19-04:00

Great photo of a canon crew LTC Stephen F. thank you.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 22 at 2016 6:33 AM

2016-09-22T06:33:59-04:00

Great Civil War history.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Sep 22 at 2016 7:37 AM

2016-09-22T07:37:30-04:00

LTC Stephen F. I am going to go with: 1862: Morgan’s raid on Hartsville, Tennessee. CSA raider Col. John H. Morgan and arrived at Hartsville, Tennessee just 17 miles east of Gallatin. Morgan’s raiders struck the Louisville & Nashville Railroad and tore up some tracks, thus keeping the Federa

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Aug 20 at 2022 4:43 AM

2022-08-20T04:43:39-04:00

I gotta say Choeg Little Crow and his warriors really caught my attention.