What was the most significant event on July 24 during the U.S. Civil War?

LTC Stephen F. — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 00:38:37 -0400

In 1861 Richmond exalted as CSA President Jefferson Davis returns triumphantly from 1st Bull Run. In 1862 two slaves are executed for encouraging other slaves to rebel. In 1863 the Spencer repeating rifle is introduced at Murfreesboro, Tennessee with devastating effect on the Confederates.
In 1862, Richmond's Daily Dispatch reported the following story: “Execution of negroes. At Kinston, N. C., on Friday last, two slaves, owned by Rev. W. P. Middle and Ellaba Coward, were executed by the order of Col. Sol. Williams, Military Commandant, for communicating with the Federal at Newborn and enticing slaves from their masters. Jack, one of them, said he was recruiting for Burnside, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. He plead the old John Brown excuse.”
In 1861 Robert E. Lee wrote to advise Henry Wise on how to proceed in northwestern Virginia. “Lee was in an awkward position--a professional soldier trying to advise political generals. Lee was not in command, all he could do is offer advice and forward troops and ordnance where he thought it would help most.
HEADQUARTERS, Richmond, Va., July 24, 1861. To General H. A. WISE, Commanding, Kanawha Valley, Va.: “GENERAL: Your letter of the 17th has just been received and communicated to the President. He is much gratified at your success, and particularly at the handsome repulse given to the enemy at Scarey Creek and his subsequent ejection to the Pocotaligo. You will have learned of the disastrous retreat of General Garnett's command, and the death of that gallant officer. It is reported that General McClellan occupied Cheat Mountain Pass, on the road to Monterey, and the Middle Mountain, on the road to Huntersville. Should he reach the latter point, the road is open to him to Lewisburg, to turn upon you or to seize at Millborough the Virginia Central Railroad. An effort is making to prevent his advance, and troops are being forwarded to occupy Elk Mountain, north of Huntersville, and the Alleghany Ridge, on the routes from Huttonsville to Staunton. General W. W. Loring has been ordered to the command of the Army of the Northwest, and it is hoped he will be able to check the advance of the enemy. A concentration of all the forces in that region may be necessary for that purpose, and it becomes necessary that you should look to the security of your rear. Keep your command concentrated, and be prepared to unite with general Loring or operate as circumstances on your line of communication may distate. You have been already written on this subject by the Adjutant and Inspector General of the Army. There is no objection to your increasing the strength of the Legion, but you will perceive that at this time re-enforcements cannot be sent to you from here, from the necessity of restricting strengthening the armies of the Potomac, which have won a glorious victory in front of Manassas. It was hoped that the good citizens of Kanawha Valley would by this time have rallied under your standard and given you the force you desired. The late proclamation of the governor, authorizing the mobilization of the militia of the State, a copy of which is inclosed, will, I trust, yet give you the troops you desire. Ammunition has been sent you. More will be forwarded. Arms cannot be forwarded except under an escort of troops and on requisitions. The inventory you refer to in your letter was not inclosed. The difficulties that surround you are fully appreciated, but great reliance is placed on your wisdom, energy, and valor. At this time there are no 12-pounder howitzers for issue. If any can be procured they will be forwarded, with a supply of ammunition. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. E. LEE, General, Commanding.
P. S.-A field battery of three iron 6-pounders and one 12-pounder howitzer, Captain Kirby, is almost ready to be sent to you, and will be forwarded with all dispatch.”
In 1863, Gen. Henry Halleck writes to Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans, commander of the Army of the Cumberland, whose inaction since the Battle of Stones River has prompted Halleck to be frank with Rosecrans’ precarious position: PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL. HDQRS. OF THE ARMY, Washington, D. C., July 24, 1863. Major-General ROSECRANS, Nashville: GENERAL: The tone of some of your replies to my dispatches lately would indicate that you thought I was unnecessarily urging you forward. On the contrary, I have deemed it absolutely necessary, not only for the country but also for your own reputation, that your army should remain no longer inactive. The patience of the authorities here has been completely exhausted, and if I had not repeatedly promised to urge you forward, and begged for delay, you would have been removed from the command. It has been said that you are as inactive as was General Buell, and the pressure for your removal has been almost as strong as it has been in his case. I am well aware that people at a distance do not appreciate the obstacles and difficulties which they would see if nearer by; but, whether well founded or without any foundation at all, the dissatisfaction really exists, and I deem it my duty, as a friend, to represent it to you truly and fairly; and I think I ought to do so, if for no other reason, because it was at my earnest solicitations that you were given the command. Yours, truly, H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief.”
Family vacation by the Sherman family in 1863: Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman, his corps spread along the west bank of the Big Black River in Mississippi and taking their ease after the arduous labors of the Vicksburg siege, brings his family down from Ohio to stay with him. In an unusually sunny mood, the general writes in his journal of a visit from some Confederate cavalry officers who are delivering under a flag of truce a dispatch from their government to General Grant: “One day a flag of truce, borne by a Captain B...., of Louisville, Kentucky, escorted by about twenty-five men, was reported at Messinger's Ferry, and I sent orders to let them come right into my tent. This brought them through the camps of the Fourth Division, and part of the Second; and as they drew up in front of my tent, I invited Captain B.... and another officer with him (a major from Mobile) to dismount, to enter my tent, and to make themselves at home. Their escort was sent to join mine, with orders to furnish them forage and every thing they wanted. B.... had brought a sealed letter for General Grant at Vicksburg, which was dispatched to him. In the evening we had a good supper, with wine and cigars, and, as we sat talking, B.... spoke of his father and mother, in Louisville, got leave to write them a long letter without its being read by any one, and then we talked about the war. He said: "What is the use of your persevering? It is simply impossible to subdue eight millions of people;" asserting that "the feeling in the South had become so embittered that a reconciliation was impossible." I answered that, "sitting as we then were, we appeared very comfortable, and surely there was no trouble in our becoming friends." "Yes," said he, "that is very true of us, but we are gentlemen of education, and can easily adapt ourselves to any condition of things; but this would not apply equally well to the common people, or to the common soldiers." I took him out to the camp-fires behind the tent, and there were the men of his escort and mine mingled together, drinking their coffee, and happy as soldiers always seem. I asked B.... what he thought of that, and he admitted that I had the best of the argument. Before I dismissed this flag of truce, his companion consulted me confidentially as to what disposition he ought to make of his family, then in Mobile, and I frankly gave him the best advice I could.”

Pictures: 1864-07-24 Kernstown Battlefield on Pritchard-Grim Farm; 1862-07 swamp-hunters-attacking-union-mortar-boats-on-mississippi-river-battle-BJWB0X; 1862-04 to 08 KENTUCKY_CAMPAIGN_MAP1; flood of Turners at Camp Hamilton

A. 1861: “Minor” Battle at Tyler Mountain, Western Virginia. Union victory secured Union occupation of western Virginia. Brig. Gen. Jacob Cox's 3,000-man strong force attacked the Confederates in the area, commanded by CSA Brig. Gen. Henry Wise. The Federals forced the Confederates 4,000-man force to retreat from the area around Charleston. Wise led his force back to Gauley Bridge.
One key Union advantage was that they had control of the Ohio River, which forms the north and western borders of the state. This allowed them to mount expeditions in different parts of the state with great ease. Thus when General McClellan learnt that there was a Confederate force under General Henry A. Wise in the Kanawha Valley in the south of the state, he was able to dispatch an expedition to the junction of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers with orders to occupy the lower reaches of the valley.
B. 1862: Mississippi River: With the river at very low levels and difficult to navigate, Admiral Farragut has received orders to return downriver at his discretion. He gets underway this date, leaving the river to tend to his blockaders out in the Gulf. Four gunboats – smaller ships that can navigate despite the reduced flow – remain to protect army units in New Orleans and Baton Rouge and to police the river.
C. 1863: Battle of Big Mound, Dakota Territory: Brig. Gen. Henry Hastings Sibley, with a force of over 2,000 Federal troops, advances from Minnesota into what is now central North Dakota, to confront Chief Standing Buffalo and about 1,500 warriors of a coalition of the Santee (or Eastern), Yankton, Yantonai, and Teton Sioux (Lakota). Sibley finds the encampment after a long march, and asks for peace talks. Some of the scouts took up a position some four hundred yards south of the main camp, where they were approached by Dakota Indians who asked to parley with General Sibley. Dr. Josiah S. Weiser, chief surgeon, 1st Regiment of the Minnesota Mounted Rangers, spoke Dakota and was assisting in the discussions when he was unexpectedly shot by one of the Dakotas. Both parties scurried for cover while exchanging gunfire and retreating to defensible positions. Several chiefs and elders caught in the open, were killed by the soldiers. The chance of a peaceful outcome was gone.Mounted Rangers then pursue the fleeing Indians, while Sibley's infantry destroy the Sioux supplies and equipment.
D. 1864: Second battle of Kernstown. CSA Lt Gen Jubal Early's [move to the Shenandoah Valley is blocked by Brig. Gen George Crook for a while. After a violent assault on the Union left by CSA Maj Gen John Breckinridge the federal line broke and pulled back to Harpers Ferry
Details: At first light, the CS infantry left their encampments near Strasburg and advanced down the Valley Pike. At Bartonsville, Ramseur's division was directed west on side roads to the Middle Road. Gordon, Wharton, and Rodes continued ahead on the pike. Early sent two columns of cavalry to the east and west on a wide- ranging maneuver to converge on Winchester and the Federal rear. Cavalry led the advance down the pike, coming up against the main US force at Kernstown about 1000 hours. About noon, the vanguard of the CS infantry reached Kernstown. Gordon deployed to the left of the Valley Pike, Wharton to the right. Ramseur deployed across the Middle Road at Mrs. Massie's house. Rodes moved east from the Pike, following a ravine.
FYI PV2 Larry Sellnow GySgt Jack Wallace Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. PO3 Edward Riddle SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL Maj William W. 'Bill' Price COL Lisandro Murphy SPC Maurice Evans SPC Jon O.SGT Mark Anderson Ryan Callahan Amn Dale Preisach SPC Mike Bennett ] SFC Derrick Harris PO3 Phyllis Maynard SFC George Smith SrA Ronald Moore
Ask Alabama: The Alabama men who fought against the Confederacy in the Civil War]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7zR6APaIoU

Alabama in the Civil War

Tom Moore of the American Battlefield Trust talks about the events that took place in Alabama during the Civil War, as well as the Alabamians who fought far ...

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Aug 5 at 2016 12:41 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 00:41:56 -0400

Soldiers on both sides endured flooded camps in the spring, summer and fall and frozen camps in the winter. They fought in the rain, sleet and snow as well as the sunshine. They fought through swamps and swollen rivers and in fields of wildflowers. They lived, fought and died individually in countless skirmishes and were killed by the hundreds and thousands in pitched battles. Many more died of wounds and diseases than were killed in battle.
Below are a number of journal entries from 1861 and 1863 which shed light on what life was like for soldiers and civilians – the good, the bad and the ugly.
Wednesday, July 24, 1861: “Davis returns to Richmond from Manassas. The July 24, 1861 edition of Richmond's Daily Dispatch described Confederate President Jefferson Davis' triumphant return to Richmond after the First Battle of Bull Run, or the Battle of First Manassas, as it would become known in Southern literature. President Davis returned to Richmond last evening. An immense concourse of people assembled in front of the Spotswood House, and vociferously called for his appearance. He finally presented himself, and addressed the multitude in glowing and eloquent allusions to the brilliant occurrences of Sunday.
He described the brilliant movement of Gen. Johnston from Winchester to Manassas, and with fervid feeling drew a graphic picture of the struggle of the wearied soldiers of that gallant command for seven hours with the heavy columns of the enemy. --After paying a most honorable tribute to Gen. Johnston, who seized the colors of a regiment and rallied them to the flag of the Confederacy, he alluded to the glorious manner in which Gen. Beauregard came to the support of his comrade in arms, and at a late hour relieved him of the odds against which he was contending. Each of these two able and consummate commanders, though not imprudently or idly exposing their persons where it was unnecessary, yet, when their presence was demanded, gallantly dashed before the lines, and by their personal courage and example reanimated the ranks whenever they were shaken.
The President, in a delicate manner, alluded to his own appearance upon the field, in order to pay a tribute to the devotion of the soldiers to the Confederacy. Men, he said, who lay upon their backs, wounded, bleeding and exhausted, when they saw him pass, though they could do nothing else, waved their hats as they lay, and cheered for Jeff. Davis and the South. Where the ranks had been broken and the men were somewhat scattered, when they saw the President of the South in their midst, shouted that they would follow him to the death, and rallied once more for the last and the successful onslaught.
The President alluded also to the immensity and extravagance of the outfit which the enemy had provided for their invasion. Provisions for many days; knapsacks provided with every comfort; arms the most perfect; trains of wagons in numbers which the mind could scarcely comprehend, and ambulances for the officers stored with luxuries that would astonish our frugal people whom these minions of the North had taxed for seventy years, attended their marching columns. But the columns themselves were scattered and chased, like hares, from the battle ground, throwing away and leaving behind everything they could get rid of, and leaving us all the equipments we have described as the trophies of victory.
The President concluded with a glowing tribute to the gallantry of the soldiers of our army, invoking the praise and blessing of the country upon them. He reminded the people, however, that the enemy was still in strong force, and that much hard fighting was yet before us, urging the country to unremitted diligence in pushing on the war.”
Friday, July 24, 1863: Edmund Strother Dargan, a representative from Alabama in the Confederate Congress, writes this heart-felt letter to Sec. of War James A Seddon, expressing his view that the abolition of slavery be offered to Britain and France in exchange for their intervention, since he sees no chance of victory otherwise: MOBILE, July 24, 1863. DEAR SEDDON: The disastrous movement of Lee into Pennsylvania and the fall of Vicksburg, the latter especially, will end in the ruin of the South without foreign aid in some shape. Mississippi is very nearly subdued and Alabama is nearly exhausted. By winter both States will be overrun. The policy of Grant burning and destroying all before him calculated to support life will end in starvation, and at an early day. We are without doubt gone up; no help can be had. I have ever believed that England and France would interfere to make the separation complete on condition that slavery was abolished; not without. If we are overrun, slavery will be abolished and we ourselves destroyed. Now, I greatly prefer the former to the latter condition. So would the country. It may be that England and France will not interfere on any terms, but all as yet do not know that. It may be that they will. All efforts ought to be made to ward off the disastrous fate that will follow their success over us, and it is high time this effort was made, for I assure you that the loss of the Mississippi River, separating us entirely from the West; their immense army, with power now to increase it, owing to their success, to any amount, while ours is not only diminished but poorly fed, will end in our overthrow. The failure of the Government to re-enforce Vicksburg, but allowing the strength and flower of our Army to go North when there could be but one fate attending them, has so broken down the hopes of our people that even the little strength yet remaining can only be exerted in despair, and a slight change in the policy of Lincoln would end our revolution and hopes. If anything can be done on any terms in Europe, delay not the effort. If nothing can be, God only knows what is left for us. I write you this from no other reason than to exhibit to you the true condition of things here. I would not have you to speak of this to any one except the President. You may show it to him if you think proper. Yours, truly, E.S. DARGAN.”
June 24-26, 1863: Hoover's Gap and the debut of the Spencer Rifle. Union Colonel John T. Wilder had the vision to arm his men with the revolutionary Spencer Repeating Rifle.
While Grant besieged Vicksburg and Lee's army marched into Pennsylvania, in middle Tennessee a small force of Union troops armed with revolutionary new weapons lunged forward. Union Colonel John T. Wilder's account of the Battle of Hoover's Gap is exciting, but it omits an important detail: Wilder's men were armed with the advanced Spencer Repeating Rifle, a repeater which used a tube magazine containing seven self-contained cartridges. The Spencer Rifle dramatically increased the firepower Wilder's men could produce, and they dominated their Confederate opponents in this battle as a result. Hoover's Gap was the first battle in which Confederate troops encountered massed repeaters with terrible results, but it would not be the last.
Report of Colonel John T. Wilder, Seventeenth Indiana Infantry, commanding First Brigade. HDQRS. 1ST BRIGADE, 4TH DIVISION, 14TH ARMY CORPS, Camp near Duck River Bridge, July 11, 1863. MAJOR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my command in the late movements, resulting in driving the rebel forces under General Bragg south across the Tennessee River: “On the morning of June 24, 1863, at 3 o'clock, my command moved from camp, 6 miles north from Murfreesboro and taking the advance of the Fourteenth Army Corps, on the Manchester pike moved forward to Big Spring Branch, 7 miles from Murfreesboro. Here my scouts gave notice of the proximity of rebel pickets. The command was halted until the infantry closed up, when we immediately moved forward, the Seventy-second Indiana, Colonel Miller, being in advance, with five companies, under Lieutenant-Colonel Kirkpatrick, thrown out as an advance guard, and a party of 25 scouts, of the Seventeenth and Seventy-second, as an extreme advance guard. One mile from the creek we came upon the rebel pickets, who opened fire on the advance, which was returned by our men, driving the rebels to a hill thickly covered with cedars, where the rebel reserves were drawn up under cover of the hill, and opened a rapid fire upon our men, who advanced rapidly to the foot of the hill, when Colonel Kirkpatrick deployed one company on each side of the road, and, without halting, drove the rebels from their position, capturing 2 prisoners, without loss on our part. I directed the advance to push speedily forward and take possession of Hoover's Gap, and, if possible, to prevent the enemy from occupying their fortifications, which I learned were situated at a narrow point of the gap, 16 miles from Murfreesboro.
The orders were handsomely executed by Colonel Kirkpatrick, who dashed forward along the pike, pushing the enemy so fast that they had not time to deploy into their works before he had possession, the rebels breaking and scattering through the hills, with a loss of their battle-flag (a beautiful stand of embroidered silk colors, presented to the regiment, First Kentucky, by the sister of General Ben. Hardin Helm, while in Kentucky, under Morgan, last year) and several prisoners. Learning that a regiment of cavalry (Third Confederate) were stationed at the Garrison Fork of Duck River, 1 mile farther on, and that a brigade of infantry were encamped 2 miles to the right, I determined to take the entire gap, and, if possible, hold it until the arrival of the infantry column, now some 6 miles behind us, believing that it would cost us at least a thousand men to retake the ground we now held, if it was reasonably contested by the rebel force close at hand. My whole command was rapidly moved forward to the southern extremity of the gap, and while being placed in position we heard the long-roll sounded in the rebel camp at our right, 2 miles down the Garrison Fork.
The advance pushed on 2 miles farther, and captured 7 wagons belonging to the rebels. They were soon recalled, and were hardly in position before our pickets were driven in by a large force of rebel infantry from the direction of Fairfield. My dispositions were: The Seventy-second Indiana, Colonel Miller, stationed to the right side of the gap, and thrown forward to a hillock on which there was a graveyard; two mountain howitzers at their front, on the point of the hillock; four pieces of 10-pounder rifled Rodmans, of Captain Lilly's Eighteenth Indiana Battery, stationed on a secondary hill, facing toward Fairfield, on the right side of the gap, supported by the One hundred and twenty-third Illinois. Colonel Monroe; the Seventeenth Indiana, Lieutenant-Colonel Jordan, and the Ninety-eighth Illinois, Colonel Funkhouser, in rear of a high hill in reserve. I ordered two companies of the Ninety-eighth Illinois to take position on the hill at the left of the gap, and four companies of the Seventeenth Indiana to take possession of a high wooded hill about a quarter of a mile to our right, and to throw skirmishers forward to some cleared hills to their front, both for the purpose of observation and to prevent a sudden attack from that quarter. The enemy in the mean time advanced rapidly, and opened on our left from two batteries a rapid cross-fire, which killed 2 gunners and the animals of one of the mountain howitzers. They were promptly replied to by Captain Lilly, who dismounted one of their pieces and compelled both of their batteries to change position several times. In the mean time I observed a column of the enemy moving behind some hills toward our right, and immediately ordered the remainder of the Seventeenth Indiana to take position on the wooded hill before spoken of, with orders to look well to their right, and send me word if any attempt was made to flank them. They had hardly reached the hill when a heavy and rapid fire was opened from both sides, the rebels charging boldly up the hill and cheering loudly. Not hearing from Colonel Jordan, but seeing that he was hard pressed, I sent Colonel Funkhouser with the remainder of the Ninety-eighth Illinois to his assistance. He reached the ground just as the rebels has succeeded in turning Colonel Jordan's right flank. Colonel Funkhouser immediately deployed his command to the right, thus outflanking the rebel left, and opened a rapid, raking fire upon them, caused them to break in disorder down the hill. The fighting for a few moments had been desperate, most of it at a distance of not over 20 yards between the combatants. In the mean time, on the left, two rebel regiments attempted to take our battery. Colonel Monroe, by my direction, ordered three companies, under Lieutenant-Colonel Biggs, forward to a ravine about 75 yards in front of Captain Lilly's position. They had hardly got in position before the rebels came over the hill in their front. They delivered a cautious and deliberate fire upon them, and Captain Lilly gave them a few rounds of double-shotted canister from his guns, while Colonel Miller, of the Seventy-second Indiana, opened an enfilading fire upon them, which caused them to first fall to the ground to escape the tornado of death which was being poured into their ranks. But finding no cessation of our leaden hail, they crawled back as best they could, under cover of the hills, and made no further attempt to take our left. They, however, made another attempt with five regiments on our right, but were easily driven back by Colonels Funkhouser and Jordan, with not over 700 men of the Seventeenth Indiana and Ninety-eighth Illinois engaged. The rebels now fell back all along the line, and opened a furious cannonading upon our battery, without doing much harm or receiving harm in return, they being under cover of the hills.
General Reynolds now arrived with two brigades of infantry, and placed one of them in support of and on a prolongation of our right. About dark we were relieved by a brigade of Rousseau's division, and at 2 o'clock next morning were again in line, and were held in reserve all day. Our entire loss in the action of the 24th of June is 1 commissioned officer killed (J. R. Eddy, chaplain Seventy-Second Indiana), 1 commissioned officer mortally wounded (Lieutenant James T. Moreland, Seventeenth Indiana), and 12 enlisted men killed and 47 wounded.
The conduct of both officers and men was all that the most sanguine could ask. To speak of individuals when all did their whole duty would be unfair. Each officer seemed to appreciate the importance of taking and holding the very strong position of Hoover's Gap, and the men were cager to obey and sustain their officers. Their conduct was the same whether in driving in the rebel outposts or defending their position against fearful odds, or when lying in support of our battery, exposed to a terrible cross-fire of shot and shell, or when advancing against the rebel columns; always earnest, cool, determined, ready, and brave, seeming best pleased when necessarily in greatest dangers.
On the morning of the 26th, we again moved forward, my command, on horseback, debouching into the valley of Garrison Fork, and filing over the chain of hills between that stream and McBride's Creek, flanking the rebel left, and causing it to hastily fall back before the infantry column of General Reynolds, who was advancing on the line of the Manchester pike. We then moved up McBride's Creek to the table-land, and marched rapidly around the head of Noah's Fork for the purpose of turning the strong position of Matt's Hollow; but on arriving at the Manchester pike, after it reaches the table- land, we found that the infantry column was passing, having met no enemy, they having retreated in the direction of Fairfield. We camped that night 6 miles from Manchester, and at daylight next morning moved forward, cutting off a rebel picket post, and were in Manchester before the few rebels there knew of our approach. We captured about 40 prisoners, including 1 captain and 3 lieutenants. Pickets were immediately thrown out, and, on the arrival of General Reynolds, I dispatched Major Jones, with four companies of the Seventeenth Indiana, and Captain [Lawson S.] Kilborn, with a detachment of pioneers, to destroy the trestle-work on the McMinnville Railroad, 4 miles from Tullahoma. Their object was fully accomplished, and they returned to camp that night. The next morning we started to get in the rear of Tullahoma, to destroy the rebel communications. We moved rapidly to Hillsborough, leaving two companies of the One hundred and twenty-third at that place, until relieved by a brigade of infantry, under General Beatty, and from thence toward Decherd; but, on arriving at Elk River, found that the incessant rains had so swollen that stream that we could neither ford nor swim it, the current being so rapid that our horses were washed down stream. There was a bridge at Pelham, 6 miles farther up. We turned our course for that place, sending Colonel Monroe, with eight companies of the One hundred and twenty-third Illinois down Elk River, to destroy, if possible, hundred the road and railroad bridges over Elk River at Estill Springs, with orders, if successful, to come down the railroad and join me at Decherd, or below. On his arrival at the railroad, he found a division of infantry guarding the bridges and a large wagon train. He immediately fell back to Hillsborough, finding it impossible to accomplish anything further, being pursued by a force of rebel cavalry, without any loss to himself, although skirmishing with and holding them in check for several miles. The next morning he moved forward, and safely joined us on the top of Cumberland Mountains.
On leaving the direct road to Decherd, and going in the direction of Pelham, we were compelled to ford streams that swam our smallest horses, and compelled us to carry our howitzers' ammunition on the men's shoulders across the streams. When near Pelham, we learned that a party of rebels were at the bridge, with the intention of destroying it on our approach. I immediately ordered the advance, under Lieutenant-Colonel Kitchell, Ninety-eighth Illinois, and about 30 scouts of the different regiments, to go forward on a run and prevent the destruction of the bridge. They dashed forward, not only saving the bridge, but taking 2 of the party prisoners, and capturing a drove of 78 mules, which were sent back to Hillsborough in charge of a company. We soon reached the South Fork of Elk River, and found the water deep enough to swim our tallest horses. The stream, though rapid, could, by crossing diagonally, be swum; and, by tearing down an old mill, we made a raft that, by being towed with our picket ropes floated our two mountain howitzers over. The crossing occupied about three hours. We immediately moved forward toward Decherd, half fording and half swimming another stream on the way. We reached the railroad at 8 o'clock in the evening, and immediately attacked the garrison of about 80 men, who, protected by a stockade and the railroad cut, made a pretty good resistance. We soon dislodged them, however, when they took a position in a deep ravine, with timber in it, completely protecting them, while our men had to approach over a bare hill to attack them, exposing themselves to sharp fire at 60 yards' range. I ordered up our howitzers, and a couple of rounds of canister silenced them and drove them out. We immediately commenced destroying the railroad track and water-tanks on the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, and blowing up the trestle-work on the branch road to Winchester. The railroad depot was well filled with commissary stores, which we burned. We also destroyed the telegraph instruments. A large force was by this time approaching from the north side, and, having destroyed about 300 yards of track, we left, after skirmishing with their advance guard and capturing some 4 or 5 prisoners, who, on being questioned separately, stated that six regiments of infantry were about to attack us. Believing that I would have but little chance of success in a fight with them, on account of the darkness and our total ignorance of the ground, we moved off in the direction of Pelham, and, after going about 6 miles, went off the road into the woods at 2 o'clock and bivouacked without fires until daylight.
When we started again up the Cumberland Mountains, on the Brakefield Point road, I determined to break the road, if possible, below Cowan. When partly up the mountain we could plainly see a considerable force of infantry and cavalry near Decherd. We moved forward to the Southern University, and there destroyed the Tracy Railroad track. From there I sent a detachment of 450 men, under Colonel Funkhouser, of the Ninety-eighth Illinois, to destroy the railroad at Tantalon, and went forward myself in the direction of Anderson, intending to strike the railroad at that place. Colonel Funkhouser reporter to me that three railroad trains lay at Tantalon, loaded with troops, and my scouts reported two more trains at Anderson. Both places being approachable only by a bridle-path, I deemed it impossible to accomplish anything further; besides, the picket force left at the railroad, near the university, were driven in by cavalry, who preceded a railroad train loaded with infantry. They were now on my track and in our rear. I collected my force, and determined to extricate them. Leaving a rear guard to skirmish with and draw them down the mountain, I started on the road toward Chattanooga. When about 8 miles from the university, during a tremendous rain, which obliterated our trail, I moved the entire command from the road about 2 miles eastward into the woods, leaving the rear guard to draw them forward down the mountain, which they did, and then escaped through the woods and joined us, some not coming up until next morning. As soon as the rebel column had passed us, we struck through the mountains, without guides, in the direction of Pelham, and came out at the place we intended to strike, and reached the foot of the mountain, at Gilham's Cove, over a very rocky and steep road. We bivouacked at 10 p.m., and next morning at daylight started for Manchester, just getting ahead of Forrest, who, with nine regiments of cavalry and two pieces of artillery, aimed to intercept us at Pelham.
We reached Manchester at noon, having been in the saddle or fighting about twenty hours out of each twenty-four eleven days, and all the time drenched with rain, our men half starved and our horses almost entirely without forage, yet our officers and men seemed willing and cheerful, and are now only anxious for another expedition, if by such they can accomplish any good. We did not lose a single man in our expedition to the rear of Tullahoma. If our course had not been impeded by the streams flooded beyond all precedent, we must have captured one or two railroad trains, one of them having General Buckner and staff on board; we should have had ample time to have thoroughly torn up the railroad in daylight at several points, whilst on account of the darkness we were compelled to follow the main roads and the time lost in going via Pelham enabled the rebels to throw a large force in pursuit of us.
I am, very respectfully, J. T. WILDER, Colonel Seventeenth Indiana Infantry, Commanding Brigade.”

Pictures: 1863-07-24 Sibley Battle of Big Mound; Indian Scouts; 1864-07-24 second battle of Kernstown map; 1863-07-24 Morgan Raids Washington, Ohio

A. Wednesday, July 24, 1861: “Minor” Battle at Tyler Mountain, Western Virginia - At Tyler Mountain, Brig. Gen. Jacob Cox's force attacked the Confederates in the area, commanded by CSA Brig. Gen. Henry Wise. The Federals forced the Confederates to retreat from the area around Charleston. Wise led his force back to Gauley Bridge.
A minor battle during the military campaign that secured Union occupation of West Virginia at the start of the American Civil War. One key Union advantage was that they had control of the Ohio River, which forms the north and western borders of the state. This allowed them to mount expeditions in different parts of the state with great ease. Thus when General McClellan learnt that there was a Confederate force under General Henry A. Wise in the Kanawha Valley in the south of the state, he was able to dispatch an expedition to the junction of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers with orders to occupy the lower reaches of the valley.
Command of this expedition was given to General Jacob Cox. He was given a force 3,000 strong. Wise had slightly more men, beginning the campaign with 3,500 and finishing it with 4,000, but from the start he acted very defensively. When Cox began to move on 11 July, Wise was based at Tyler Mountain, west of Charleston, the main town in the valley. On 24 July Cox managed to get behind Wise’s position, and the Confederate force fled back into Charleston, and then on the same night abandoned the town and pulled back further into the mountains.
B. Thursday, July 24, 1862: Mississippi River: With the river at very low levels and difficult to navigate, Admiral Farragut has received orders to return downriver at his discretion. He gets underway this date, leaving the river to tend to his blockaders out in the Gulf. Four gunboats – smaller ships that can navigate despite the reduced flow – remain to protect army units in New Orleans and Baton Rouge and to police the river.
C. Friday, July 24, 1863: Battle of Big Mound, Dakota Territory -- Brig. Gen. Henry Hastings Sibley, with a force of over 2,000 Federal troops, advances from Minnesota into what is now central North Dakota, to confront Chief Standing Buffalo and about 1,500 warriors of a coalition of the Santee (or Eastern), Yankton, Yantonai, and Teton Sioux (Lakota). Also present is Inkpaduta, chief of the Santee, who bears implacable hatred of the whites. Sibley finds the encampment after a long march, and asks for peace talks. Fighting breaks out before this can happen, however, between warriors of Inkpaduta and the Sioux scouts with Sibley; and the Mounted Rangers then pursue the fleeing Indians, while Sibley's infantry destroy the Sioux supplies and equipment
Friday, July 24, 1863: Battle of Big Mound, Dakota Territory. As Sibley’s column approached the village on July 24, warriors and leaders from the village approached for a conference. Many of the Dakota people who had not been involved in the conflict in Minnesota wanted to discuss surrender. Others did not wish to do so, but a military clash did not appear eminent.
By noon, scouts had informed General Sibley that there were many Indians a few miles away. Sibley ordered the troops to set up camp (later named Camp Sibley) and to prepare trenches and breastworks (temporary fortifications) for defense.
Some of the scouts took up a position some four hundred yards south of the main camp, where they were approached by Dakota Indians who asked to parley with General Sibley. Dr. Josiah S. Weiser, chief surgeon, 1st Regiment of the Minnesota Mounted Rangers, spoke Dakota and was assisting in the discussions when he was unexpectedly shot by one of the Dakotas. Both parties scurried for cover while exchanging gunfire and retreating to defensible positions. Several chiefs and elders caught in the open, were killed by the soldiers. The chance of a peaceful outcome was gone.
The troops setting up camp formed into battle lines. Heavy fighting broke out in a large ravine running from the top of the surrounding plateau down to the campsite. Sibley moved up the hillside on the east side of the ravine to establish a command post on high ground, accompanied by a battery of six-pound field cannons. From several progressively higher gun positions, the artillery shelled people concealed in the ravine, until the pressure of the artillery and advancing infantry forced them to retreat toward the top of the plateau.
On the eastern side of the battlefield, the Sixth Minnesota Infantry was advancing uphill against lighter opposition. When they topped the bluff line they turned south, driving the Sioux before them. On the west, McPhail’s Rangers circled west out of Camp Sibley, cutting off attack from the exposed side of the camp. The cavalry established an effective blockade, preventing the Indians from slipping off the plateau to the west. The Seventh Infantry reached the top of the plateau and sandwiched the Sioux between themselves and McPhail on the west (see McPhail’s Butte Overlook).
McPhail’s troops pursued the Sioux to Dead Buffalo Lake, one mile north of the present-day town of Dawson. Receiving orders to return to the main camp, the troops marched most of the night to return to Camp Sibley. Sibley’s men had fought their first major battle with no food and little water; some had covered nearly fifty miles during the engagement.
For their part, the Sioux warriors, by conducting a fighting retreat, had delayed the soldier’s advance until their village could be evacuated. This successful retreat continued until they crossed the Missouri River. Included in the flight west was the Dakota family of Charles A. Eastman, who was four years old at the time. His later description of how the men fought to gain time for their families to cross the river is applicable to the whole journey: “The Washechu (white men) were coming in great numbers with their big guns, and while most of our men were fighting them to gain time, the women and the old men made and equipped the temporary boats, braced with ribs of willow. Some of these were towed by two or three women or men swimming in the water and some by ponies. It was not an easy matter to keep them right side up, with their helpless freight of little children and such goods as we possessed.”
D. Sunday, July 24, 1864: Second battle of Kernstown. CSA Lt Gen Jubal Early's [move to the Shenandoah Valley is blocked by Brig. Gen George Crook for a while. After a violent assault on the Union left by CSA Maj Gen John Breckinridge the federal line broke and pulled back to Harpers Ferry
Details: At first light, the CS infantry left their encampments near Strasburg and advanced down the Valley Pike. At Bartonsville, Ramseur's division was directed west on side roads to the Middle Road. Gordon, Wharton, and Rodes continued ahead on the pike. Early sent two columns of cavalry to the east and west on a wide- ranging maneuver to converge on Winchester and the Federal rear. Cavalry led the advance down the pike, coming up against the main US force at Kernstown about 1000 hours. About noon, the vanguard of the CS infantry reached Kernstown. Gordon deployed to the left of the Valley Pike, Wharton to the right. Ramseur deployed across the Middle Road at Mrs. Massie's house. Rodes moved east from the Pike, following a ravine.
Phase Three. US Deployment on Pritchard's Hill: Crook received information that Early's army was approaching and brought two of his three divisions into line just north of Hoge's Run at Kernstown. Mulligan's division held the US center behind a stone fence at the Pritchard House, supported by Capt. Henry DuPont's artillery massed on Pritchard's Hill to his rear. Duval's two brigades were separated and posted on Mulligan's flanks with Hayes' brigade extending the US line east of the Valley Pike. A strong skirmish line was posted near Opequon Church. Thoburn's division was held in reserve on Pritchard's Hill to the right rear of the main US line. Cavalry protected both flanks.
Phase Four. CS Attack on Center: About noon, Gordon's division advanced in line west of the pike, driving back the skirmishers and closing with the main US line in the vicinity of Opequon Church. Mulligan's division counterattacked, supported by Hayes on his left and took possession of the churchyard. Soldiers sheltered there from the intense firing behind stone fences and headstones in the cemetery. Gordon regrouped and again advanced, compelling Mulligan to fall back 250 yards to the stone fence along Pritchard's Lane. Gordon reached Opequon Church but could make no further headway. CS artillery was brought up south of the church to engage US artillery on Pritchard's Hill. One of Wharton's brigades came into line on Gordon's right. Crook repositioned his forces. Duval's right flank brigade was moved west, astride Middle Road. Thoburn's division was brought forward to fill the gap between Mulligan and Duval. Elements of Duffi‚'s cavalry supported the right flank on the Middle Road and picketed Cedar Creek Grade to the west.
Phase Five. CS Attack on Left: Ramseur's division came into line from the Middle Road on Gordon's left and advanced. Gordon shifted a brigade to the open ground west of Opequon Church and advanced against Thoburn in conjunction with Ramseur. Without orders Gordon's brigade attacked and dislodged US troops sheltering behind two stone fences. Thoburn withdrew to the base of Pritchard's Hill, bending his line back to the north and exposing Mulligan's right flank. Ramseur advanced in force, wheeling right to confront Thoburn's line and bringing a heavy enfilade fire against Mulligan's line.
Phase Six. CS Attack on Right: Wharton's division moved along the ridge east of the Pike to threaten the US left flank held by Hayes. Elements of Averell's cavalry division were in position to delay this maneuver but withdrew without engaging. In conjunction with Ramseur's advance on the CS left, Wharton attacked about 1500 hours and quickly turned the US left. Hayes retreated to the stone walls that lined the Valley Pike and rallied his brigade, facing east at right angles to the center held by Mulligan.
Phase Seven. US Retreat: Three CS divisions now moved in concert to envelope the US center. Mulligan's division was under fire from three directions. While trying to direct the defense, Mulligan himself was pierced by five mini‚ balls and fell mortally wounded. ``Lay me down and save the colors!'' he snapped at the officers who tried to assist him. The US center collapsed, and soldiers began streaming to the rear. Hayes' brigade stood long enough on the crest of Pritchard's Hill to allow the US artillery to escape. Elements of Duffi‚'s cavalry made a brief counterattack along the Middle Road, buying time for Thoburn's division to retire in relatively good order.

1. Wednesday, July 24, 1861: Davis returns to Richmond from Manassas. The July 24, 1861 edition of Richmond's Daily Dispatch described Confederate President Jefferson Davis' triumphant return to Richmond after the First Battle of Bull Run, or the Battle of First Manassas, as it would become known in Southern literature. On July 21, 1861, Davis--hearing of a battle about to be fought near Manassas--had dropped everything and rushed to the battlefield, for what purpose it is unclear. Late on the 23rd, he returned to Richmond and began to exploit the battle for political purposes, rallying the Southern nation after its first big victory.
The President's Return.
President Davis returned to Richmond last evening. An immense concourse of people assembled in front of the Spotswood House, and vociferously called for his appearance. He finally presented himself, and addressed the multitude in glowing and eloquent allusions to the brilliant occurrences of Sunday.
He described the brilliant movement of Gen. Johnston from Winchester to Manassas, and with fervid feeling drew a graphic picture of the struggle of the wearied soldiers of that gallant command for seven hours with the heavy columns of the enemy. --After paying a most honorable tribute to Gen. Johnston, who seized the colors of a regiment and rallied them to the flag of the Confederacy, he alluded to the glorious manner in which Gen. Beauregard came to the support of his comrade in arms, and at a late hour relieved him of the odds against which he was contending. Each of these two able and consummate commanders, though not imprudently or idly exposing their persons where it was unnecessary, yet, when their presence was demanded, gallantly dashed before the lines, and by their personal courage and example reanimated the ranks whenever they were shaken.
The President, in a delicate manner, alluded to his own appearance upon the field, in order to pay a tribute to the devotion of the soldiers to the Confederacy. Men, he said, who lay upon their backs, wounded, bleeding and exhausted, when they saw him pass, though they could do nothing else, waved their hats as they lay, and cheered for Jeff. Davis and the South. Where the ranks had been broken and the men were somewhat scattered, when they saw the President of the South in their midst, shouted that they would follow him to the death, and rallied once more for the last and the successful onslaught.
The President alluded also to the immensity and extravagance of the outfit which the enemy had provided for their invasion. Provisions for many days; knapsacks provided with every comfort; arms the most perfect; trains of wagons in numbers which the mind could scarcely comprehend, and ambulances for the officers stored with luxuries that would astonish our frugal people whom these minions of the North had taxed for seventy years, attended their marching columns. But the columns themselves were scattered and chased, like hares, from the battle ground, throwing away and leaving behind everything they could get rid of, and leaving us all the equipments we have described as the trophies of victory.
The President concluded with a glowing tribute to the gallantry of the soldiers of our army, invoking the praise and blessing of the country upon them. He reminded the people, however, that the enemy was still in strong force, and that much hard fighting was yet before us, urging the country to unremitted diligence in pushing on the war.
http://www.civilwar-online.com/search?q=July+24%2C+1861
2. Wednesday, July 24, 1861: On this day in 1861, Robert E. Lee wrote to advise Henry Wise on how to proceed in northwestern Virginia. Lee was in an awkward position--a professional soldier trying to advise political generals. Lee was not in command, all he could do is offer advice and forward troops and ordnance where he thought it would help most.
HEADQUARTERS, Richmond, Va., July 24, 1861. To General H. A. WISE, Commanding, Kanawha Valley, Va.: “GENERAL: Your letter of the 17th has just been received and communicated to the President. He is much gratified at your success, and particularly at the handsome repulse given to the enemy at Scarey Creek and his subsequent ejection to the Pocotaligo. You will have learned of the disastrous retreat of General Garnett's command, and the death of that gallant officer. It is reported that General McClellan occupied Cheat Mountain Pass, on the road to Monterey, and the Middle Mountain, on the road to Huntersville. Should he reach the latter point, the road is open to him to Lewisburg, to turn upon you or to seize at Millborough the Virginia Central Railroad. An effort is making to prevent his advance, and troops are being forwarded to occupy Elk Mountain, north of Huntersville, and the Alleghany Ridge, on the routes from Huttonsville to Staunton. General W. W. Loring has been ordered to the command of the Army of the Northwest, and it is hoped he will be able to check the advance of the enemy. A concentration of all the forces in that region may be necessary for that purpose, and it becomes necessary that you should look to the security of your rear. Keep your command concentrated, and be prepared to unite with general Loring or operate as circumstances on your line of communication may distate. You have been already written on this subject by the Adjutant and Inspector General of the Army. There is no objection to your increasing the strength of the Legion, but you will perceive that at this time re-enforcements cannot be sent to you from here, from the necessity of restricting strengthening the armies of the Potomac, which have won a glorious victory in front of Manassas. It was hoped that the good citizens of Kanawha Valley would by this time have rallied under your standard and given you the force you desired. The late proclamation of the governor, authorizing the mobilization of the militia of the State, a copy of which is inclosed, will, I trust, yet give you the troops you desire. Ammunition has been sent you. More will be forwarded. Arms cannot be forwarded except under an escort of troops and on requisitions. The inventory you refer to in your letter was not inclosed. The difficulties that surround you are fully appreciated, but great reliance is placed on your wisdom, energy, and valor. At this time there are no 12-pounder howitzers for issue. If any can be procured they will be forwarded, with a supply of ammunition. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. E. LEE, General, Commanding.
P. S.-A field battery of three iron 6-pounders and one 12-pounder howitzer, Captain Kirby, is almost ready to be sent to you, and will be forwarded with all dispatch.”
http://www.civilwar-online.com/search?q=July+24%2C+1861
3. Wednesday, July 24, 1861: The Confederates evacuated the area around Charleston after they were attacked by Union forces.
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/the-american-civil-war/american-civil-war-july-1861/
4. Thursday, July 24, 1862: On July 24, 1862, Richmond's Daily Dispatch reported the following story: Execution of negroes. At Kinston, N. C., on Friday last, two slaves, owned by Rev. W. P. Middle and Ellaba Coward, were executed by the order of Col. Sol. Williams, Military Commandant, for communicating with the Federal at Newborn and enticing slaves from their masters. Jack, one of them, said he was recruiting for Burnside, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. He plead the old John Brown excuse.
http://www.civilwar-online.com/search?q=July+24%2C+1862
5. Thursday, July 24, 1862: General-in-chief Halleck and General Burnside make a quick trip by steamer to Harrison’s Landing to meet with General McClellan. Of that meeting, Halleck later said, “General McClellan received me kindly, but our interview was from its nature necessarily somewhat embarrassing, especially as I was obliged to disagree with him as to the feasibility of his plans.” McClellan told him that he did indeed intend (as Davis and Lee feared) to cross the James River, cut Richmond’s lines of supply from the south and capture the city, but that he needed 20,000 more men. Halleck reserves judgment on that. While Halleck and McClellan are meeting, General Burnside meets with some of McClellan’s corps commanders to discuss withdrawal of the Army of the Potomac from the Peninsula to some point from which it can travel by water to reinforce General Pope’s Army of Virginia.
https://bjdeming.com/2012/07/23/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-july-23-29-1862/
6. Thursday, July 24, 1862: at the Amite River, Louisiana - On July 24, a Union force was travelling along the Amite River. When they neared Benton's Ferry, they discovered a small group of Confederates. The Federals made a surprise attack on the Confederates, managing to overwhelm them. The Confederates were forced to retreat.
http://www.mycivilwar.com/battles/1862s.html
7. Friday, July 24, 1863 --- Morgan’s Raiders pass through Washington, Ohio, pursued by Union troops under Gen. Shackleford, with Gen. Lew Wallace moving to block possible crossings over the Ohio River. Morgan moves on toward Cadiz and---it appears---Steubenville.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=July+24%2C+1863
8. Friday, July 24, 1863 --- On this date, Gen. Henry Halleck writes to Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans, commander of the Army of the Cumberland, whose inaction since the Battle of Stones River has prompted Halleck to be frank with Rosecrans’ precarious position: PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL.] HDQRS. OF THE ARMY, Washington, D. C., July 24, 1863. Major-General ROSECRANS, Nashville: GENERAL: The tone of some of your replies to my dispatches lately would indicate that you thought I was unnecessarily urging you forward. On the contrary, I have deemed it absolutely necessary, not only for the country but also for your own reputation, that your army should remain no longer inactive. The patience of the authorities here has been completely exhausted, and if I had not repeatedly promised to urge you forward, and begged for delay, you would have been removed from the command. It has been said that you are as inactive as was General Buell, and the pressure for your removal has been almost as strong as it has been in his case. I am well aware that people at a distance do not appreciate the obstacles and difficulties which they would see if nearer by; but, whether well founded or without any foundation at all, the dissatisfaction really exists, and I deem it my duty, as a friend, to represent it to you truly and fairly; and I think I ought to do so, if for no other reason, because it was at my earnest solicitations that you were given the command. Yours, truly, H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief.”
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=July+24%2C+1863
9. Friday, July 24, 1863 --- Edmund Strother Dargan, a representative from Alabama in the Confederate Congress, writes this heart-felt letter to Sec. of War James A Seddon, expressing his view that the abolition of slavery be offered to Britain and France in exchange for their intervention, since he sees no chance of victory otherwise: MOBILE, July 24, 1863. DEAR SEDDON: The disastrous movement of Lee into Pennsylvania and the fall of Vicksburg, the latter especially, will end in the ruin of the South without foreign aid in some shape. Mississippi is very nearly subdued and Alabama is nearly exhausted. By winter both States will be overrun. The policy of Grant burning and destroying all before him calculated to support life will end in starvation, and at an early day. We are without doubt gone up; no help can be had. I have ever believed that England and France would interfere to make the separation complete on condition that slavery was abolished; not without. If we are overrun, slavery will be abolished and we ourselves destroyed. Now, I greatly prefer the former to the latter condition. So would the country. It may be that England and France will not interfere on any terms, but all as yet do not know that. It may be that they will. All efforts ought to be made to ward off the disastrous fate that will follow their success over us, and it is high time this effort was made, for I assure you that the loss of the Mississippi River, separating us entirely from the West; their immense army, with power now to increase it, owing to their success, to any amount, while ours is not only diminished but poorly fed, will end in our overthrow. The failure of the Government to re-enforce Vicksburg, but allowing the strength and flower of our Army to go North when there could be but one fate attending them, has so broken down the hopes of our people that even the little strength yet remaining can only be exerted in despair, and a slight change in the policy of Lincoln would end our revolution and hopes. If anything can be done on any terms in Europe, delay not the effort. If nothing can be, God only knows what is left for us. I write you this from no other reason than to exhibit to you the true condition of things here. I would not have you to speak of this to any one except the President. You may show it to him if you think proper. Yours, truly, E.S. DARGAN.”
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=July+24%2C+1863
10. Friday, July 24, 1863 --- Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman, his corps spread along the west bank of the Big Black River in Mississippi and taking their ease after the arduous labors of the Vicksburg siege, brings his family down from Ohio to stay with him. In an unusually sunny mood, the general writes in his journal of a visit from some Confederate cavalry officers who are delivering under a flag of truce a dispatch from their government to General Grant: “One day a flag of truce, borne by a Captain B...., of Louisville, Kentucky, escorted by about twenty-five men, was reported at Messinger's Ferry, and I sent orders to let them come right into my tent. This brought them through the camps of the Fourth Division, and part of the Second; and as they drew up in front of my tent, I invited Captain B.... and another officer with him (a major from Mobile) to dismount, to enter my tent, and to make themselves at home. Their escort was sent to join mine, with orders to furnish them forage and every thing they wanted. B.... had brought a sealed letter for General Grant at Vicksburg, which was dispatched to him. In the evening we had a good supper, with wine and cigars, and, as we sat talking, B.... spoke of his father and mother, in Louisville, got leave to write them a long letter without its being read by any one, and then we talked about the war. He said: "What is the use of your persevering? It is simply impossible to subdue eight millions of people;" asserting that "the feeling in the South had become so embittered that a reconciliation was impossible." I answered that, "sitting as we then were, we appeared very comfortable, and surely there was no trouble in our becoming friends." "Yes," said he, "that is very true of us, but we are gentlemen of education, and can easily adapt ourselves to any condition of things; but this would not apply equally well to the common people, or to the common soldiers." I took him out to the camp-fires behind the tent, and there were the men of his escort and mine mingled together, drinking their coffee, and happy as soldiers always seem. I asked B.... what he thought of that, and he admitted that I had the best of the argument. Before I dismissed this flag of truce, his companion consulted me confidentially as to what disposition he ought to make of his family, then in Mobile, and I frankly gave him the best advice I could.”
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=July+24%2C+1863
11. June 24-26, 1863: Hoover's Gap and the debut of the Spencer Rifle. Union Colonel John T. Wilder had the vision to arm his men with the revolutionary Spencer Repeating Rifle.
While Grant besieged Vicksburg and Lee's army marched into Pennsylvania, in middle Tennessee a small force of Union troops armed with revolutionary new weapons lunged forward. Union Colonel John T. Wilder's account of the Battle of Hoover's Gap is exciting, but it omits an important detail: Wilder's men were armed with the advanced Spencer Repeating Rifle, a repeater which used a tube magazine containing seven self-contained cartridges. The Spencer Rifle dramatically increased the firepower Wilder's men could produce, and they dominated their Confederate opponents in this battle as a result. Hoover's Gap was the first battle in which Confederate troops encountered massed repeaters with terrible results, but it would not be the last.
Numbers 20. Report of Colonel John T. Wilder, Seventeenth Indiana Infantry, commanding First Brigade. HDQRS. 1ST BRIGADE, 4TH DIVISION, 14TH ARMY CORPS, Camp near Duck River Bridge, July 11, 1863. MAJOR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my command in the late movements, resulting in driving the rebel forces under General Bragg south across the Tennessee River: “On the morning of June 24, 1863, at 3 o'clock, my command moved from camp, 6 miles north from Murfreesborough, and taking the advance of the Fourteenth Army Corps, on the Manchester pike moved forward to Big Spring Branch, 7 miles from Murfreesborough. Here my scouts gave notice of the proximity of rebel pickets. The command was halted until the infantry closed up, when we immediately moved forward, the Seventy-second Indiana, Colonel Miller, being in advance, with five companies, under Lieutenant-Colonel Kirkpatrick, thrown out as an advance guard, and a party of 25 scouts, of the Seventeenth and Seventy-second, as an extreme advance guard. One mile from the creek we came upon the rebel pickets, who opened fire on the advance, which was returned by our men, driving the rebels to a hill thickly covered with cedars, where the rebel reserves were drawn up under cover of the hill, and opened a rapid fire upon our men, who advanced rapidly to the foot of the hill, when Colonel Kirkpatrick deployed one company on each side of the road, and, without halting, drove the rebels from their position, capturing 2 prisoners, without loss on our part. I directed the advance to push speedily forward and take possession of Hoover's Gap, and, if possible, to prevent the enemy from occupying their fortifications, which I learned were situated at a narrow point of the gap, 16 miles from Murfreesborough.
The orders were handsomely executed by Colonel Kirkpatrick, who dashed forward along the pike, pushing the enemy so fast that they had not time to deploy into their works before he had possession, the rebels breaking and scattering through the hills, with a loss of their battle-flag (a beautiful stand of embroidered silk colors, presented to the regiment, First Kentucky, by the sister of General Ben. Hardin Helm, while in Kentucky, under Morgan, last year) and several prisoners. Learning that a regiment of cavalry (Third Confederate) were stationed at the Garrison Fork of Duck River, 1 mile farther on, and that a brigade of infantry were encamped 2 miles to the right, I determined to take the entire gap, and, if possible, hold it until the arrival of the infantry column, now some 6 miles behind us, believing that it would cost us at least a thousand men to retake the ground we now held, if it was reasonably contested by the rebel force close at hand. My whole command was rapidly moved forward to the southern extremity of the gap, and while being placed in position we heard the long-roll sounded in the rebel camp at our right, 2 miles down the Garrison Fork.
The advance pushed on 2 miles farther, and captured 7 wagons belonging to the rebels. They were soon recalled, and were hardly in position before our pickets were driven in by a large force of rebel infantry from the direction of Fairfield. My dispositions were: The Seventy-second Indiana, Colonel Miller, stationed to the right side of the gap, and thrown forward to a hillock on which there was a graveyard; two mountain howitzers at their front, on the point of the hillock; four pieces of 10-pounder rifled Rodmans, of Captain Lilly's Eighteenth Indiana Battery, stationed on a secondary hill, facing toward Fairfield, on the right side of the gap, supported by the One hundred and twenty-third Illinois. Colonel Monroe; the Seventeenth Indiana, Lieutenant-Colonel Jordan, and the Ninety-eighth Illinois, Colonel Funkhouser, in rear of a high hill in reserve. I ordered two companies of the Ninety-eighth Illinois to take position on the hill at the left of the gap, and four companies of the Seventeenth Indiana to take possession of a high wooded hill about a quarter of a mile to our right, and to throw skirmishers forward to some cleared hills to their front, both for the purpose of observation and to prevent a sudden attack from that quarter. The enemy in the mean time advanced rapidly, and opened on our left from two batteries a rapid cross-fire, which killed 2 gunners and the animals of one of the mountain howitzers. They were promptly replied to by Captain Lilly, who dismounted one of their pieces and compelled both of their batteries to change position several times. In the mean time I observed a column of the enemy moving behind some hills toward our right, and immediately ordered the remainder of the Seventeenth Indiana to take position on the wooded hill before spoken of, with orders to look well to their right, and send me word if any attempt was made to flank them. They had hardly reached the hill when a heavy and rapid fire was opened from both sides, the rebels charging boldly up the hill and cheering loudly. Not hearing from Colonel Jordan, but seeing that he was hard pressed, I sent Colonel Funkhouser with the remainder of the Ninety-eighth Illinois to his assistance. He reached the ground just as the rebels has succeeded in turning Colonel Jordan's right flank. Colonel Funkhouser immediately deployed his command to the right, thus outflanking the rebel left, and opened a rapid, raking fire upon them, caused them to break in disorder down the hill. The fighting for a few moments had been desperate, most of it at a distance of not over 20 yards between the combatants. In the mean time, on the left, two rebel regiments attempted to take our battery. Colonel Monroe, by my direction, ordered three companies, under Lieutenant-Colonel Biggs, forward to a ravine about 75 yards in front of Captain Lilly's position. They had hardly got in position before the rebels came over the hill in their front. They delivered a cautious and deliberate fire upon them, and Captain Lilly gave them a few rounds of double-shotted canister from his guns, while Colonel Miller, of the Seventy-second Indiana, opened an enfilading fire upon them, which caused them to first fall to the ground to escape the tornado of death which was being poured into their ranks. But finding no cessation of our leaden hail, they crawled back as best they could, under cover of the hills, and made no further attempt to take our left. They, however, made another attempt with five regiments on our right, but were easily driven back by Colonels Funkhouser and Jordan, with not over 700 men of the Seventeenth Indiana and Ninety-eighth Illinois engaged. The rebels now fell back all along the line, and opened a furious cannonading upon our battery, without doing much harm or receiving harm in return, they being under cover of the hills.
General Reynolds now arrived with two brigades of infantry, and placed one of them in support of and on a prolongation of our right. About dark we were relieved by a brigade of Rousseau's division, and at 2 o'clock next morning were again in line, and were held in reserve all day. Our entire loss in the action of the 24th of June is 1 commissioned officer killed (J. R. Eddy, chaplain Seventy-Second Indiana), 1 commissioned officer mortally wounded (Lieutenant James T. Moreland, Seventeenth Indiana), and 12 enlisted men killed and 47 wounded.
The conduct of both officers and men was all that the most sanguine could ask. To speak of individuals when all did their whole duty would be unfair. Each officer seemed to appreciate the importance of taking and holding the very strong position of Hoover's Gap, and the men were cager to obey and sustain their officers. Their conduct was the same whether in driving in the rebel outposts or defending their position against fearful odds, or when lying in support of our battery, exposed to a terrible cross-fire of shot and shell, or when advancing against the rebel columns; always earnest, cool, determined, ready, and brave, seeming best pleased when necessarily in greatest dangers.
On the morning of the 26th, we again moved forward, my command, on horseback, debouching into the valley of Garrison Fork, and filing over the chain of hills between that stream and McBride's Creek, flanking the rebel left, and causing it to hastily fall back before the infantry column of General Reynolds, who was advancing on the line of the Manchester pike. We then moved up McBride's Creek to the table-land, and marched rapidly around the head of Noah's Fork for the purpose of turning the strong position of Matt's Hollow; but on arriving at the Manchester pike, after it reaches the table- land, we found that the infantry column was passing, having met no enemy, they having retreated in the direction of Fairfield. We camped that night 6 miles from Manchester, and at daylight next morning moved forward, cutting off a rebel picket post, and were in Manchester before the few rebels there knew of our approach. We captured about 40 prisoners, including 1 captain and 3 lieutenants. Pickets were immediately thrown out, and, on the arrival of General Reynolds, I dispatched Major Jones, with four companies of the Seventeenth Indiana, and Captain [Lawson S.] Kilborn, with a detachment of pioneers, to destroy the trestle-work on the McMinnville Railroad, 4 miles from Tullahoma. Their object was fully accomplished, and they returned to camp that night. The next morning we started to get in the rear of Tullahoma, to destroy the rebel communications. We moved rapidly to Hillsborough, leaving two companies of the One hundred and twenty-third at that place, until relieved by a brigade of infantry, under General Beatty, and from thence toward Decherd; but, on arriving at Elk River, found that the incessant rains had so swollen that stream that we could neither ford nor swim it, the current being so rapid that our horses were washed down stream. There was a bridge at Pelham, 6 miles farther up. We turned our course for that place, sending Colonel Monroe, with eight companies of the One hundred and twenty-third Illinois down Elk River, to destroy, if possible, hundred the road and railroad bridges over Elk River at Estill Springs, with orders, if successful, to come down the railroad and join me at Decherd, or below. On his arrival at the railroad, he found a division of infantry guarding the bridges and a large wagon train. He immediately fell back to Hillsborough, finding it impossible to accomplish anything further, being pursued by a force of rebel cavalry, without any loss to himself, although skirmishing with and holding them in check for several miles. The next morning he moved forward, and safely joined us on the top of Cumberland Mountains.
On leaving the direct road to Decherd, and going in the direction of Pelham, we were compelled to ford streams that swam our smallest horses, and compelled us to carry our howitzers' ammunition on the men's shoulders across the streams. When near Pelham, we learned that a party of rebels were at the bridge, with the intention of destroying it on our approach. I immediately ordered the advance, under Lieutenant-Colonel Kitchell, Ninety-eighth Illinois, and about 30 scouts of the different regiments, to go forward on a run and prevent the destruction of the bridge. They dashed forward, not only saving the bridge, but taking 2 of the party prisoners, and capturing a drove of 78 mules, which were sent back to Hillsborough in charge of a company. We soon reached the South Fork of Elk River, and found the water deep enough to swim our tallest horses. The stream, though rapid, could, by crossing diagonally, be swum; and, by tearing down an old mill, we made a raft that, by being towed with our picket ropes floated our two mountain howitzers over. The crossing occupied about three hours. We immediately moved forward toward Decherd, half fording and half swimming another stream on the way. We reached the railroad at 8 o'clock in the evening, and immediately attacked the garrison of about 80 men, who, protected by a stockade and the railroad cut, made a pretty good resistance. We soon dislodged them, however, when they took a position in a deep ravine, with timber in it, completely protecting them, while our men had to approach over a bare hill to attack them, exposing themselves to sharp fire at 60 yards' range. I ordered up our howitzers, and a couple of rounds of canister silenced them and drove them out. We immediately commenced destroying the railroad track and water-tanks on the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, and blowing up the trestle-work on the branch road to Winchester. The railroad depot was well filled with commissary stores, which we burned. We also destroyed the telegraph instruments. A large force was by this time approaching from the north side, and, having destroyed about 300 yards of track, we left, after skirmishing with their advance guard and capturing some 4 or 5 prisoners, who, on being questioned separately, stated that six regiments of infantry were about to attack us. Believing that I would have but little chance of success in a fight with them, on account of the darkness and our total ignorance of the ground, we moved off in the direction of Pelham, and, after going about 6 miles, went off the road into the woods at 2 o'clock and bivouacked without fires until daylight.
When we started again up the Cumberland Mountains, on the Brakefield Point road, I determined to break the road, if possible, below Cowan. When partly up the mountain we could plainly see a considerable force of infantry and cavalry near Decherd. We moved forward to the Southern University, and there destroyed the Tracy Railroad track. From there I sent a detachment of 450 men, under Colonel Funkhouser, of the Ninety-eighth Illinois, to destroy the railroad at Tantalon, and went forward myself in the direction of Anderson, intending to strike the railroad at that place. Colonel Funkhouser reporter to me that three railroad trains lay at Tantalon, loaded with troops, and my scouts reported two more trains at Anderson. Both places being approachable only by a bridle-path, I deemed it impossible to accomplish anything further; besides, the picket force left at the railroad, near the university, were driven in by cavalry, who preceded a railroad train loaded with infantry. They were now on my track and in our rear. I collected my force, and determined to extricate them. Leaving a rear guard to skirmish with and draw them down the mountain, I started on the road toward Chattanooga. When about 8 miles from the university, during a tremendous rain, which obliterated our trail, I moved the entire command from the road about 2 miles eastward into the woods, leaving the rear guard to draw them forward down the mountain, which they did, and then escaped through the woods and joined us, some not coming up until next morning. As soon as the rebel column had passed us, we struck through the mountains, without guides, in the direction of Pelham, and came out at the place we intended to strike, and reached the foot of the mountain, at Gilham's Cove, over a very rocky and steep road. We bivouacked at 10 p.m., and next morning at daylight started for Manchester, just getting ahead of Forrest, who, with nine regiments of cavalry and two pieces of artillery, aimed to intercept us at Pelham.
We reached Manchester at noon, having been in the saddle or fighting about twenty hours out of each twenty-four eleven days, and all the time drenched with rain, our men half starved and our horses almost entirely without forage, yet our officers and men seemed willing and cheerful, and are now only anxious for another expedition, if by such they can accomplish any good. We did not lose a single man in our expedition to the rear of Tullahoma. If our course had not been impeded by the streams flooded beyond all precedent, we must have captured one or two railroad trains, one of them having General Buckner and staff on board; we should have had ample time to have thoroughly torn up the railroad in daylight at several points, whilst on account of the darkness we were compelled to follow the main roads and the time lost in going via Pelham enabled the rebels to throw a large force in pursuit of us.
I am, very respectfully, J. T. WILDER, Colonel Seventeenth Indiana Infantry, Commanding Brigade.”
http://www.civilwar-online.com/search?q=July+24%2C+1863
12. Sunday, July 24, 1864: Virginia operations, Early’s Raid: Second battle of Kernstown.
https://bjdeming.com/2014/07/20/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-july-21-27-1864/
13. Sunday, July 24, 1864: Virginia operations, siege of Petersburg: General Meade tells Grant he isn’t confident that an assault on General Burnside’s front after the Federal detonate their mine will succeed. (6) However, per source 19, Meade is concerned about the reliability of General Ferrero’s black troops of the Fourth Division, Ninth Army Corps (including possibly some of the men striking the pose below, standing behind their white officers):
https://bjdeming.com/2014/07/20/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-july-21-27-1864/
14. Sunday, July 24, 1864: Second battle of Kernstown. On the morning of July 24, Early marched his army north against Crook. Confederate cavalry encountered its Union counterpart south of Kernstown in the morning and heavy skirmishing broke out. Couriers alerted Crook to the attack. Crook still believed Early's infantry had left the Valley and sent only two of his division with cavalry support to meet the attack. In the early afternoon the infantry of both armies had arrived on the field. The Confederate position extended well to each side of the Valley pike south of Kernstown, anchored on each flank on high ground and screened by cavalry. Maj. Gen. John B. Gordon's division formed the Confederate center along the Valley Turnpike. Ramseur's division formed on his left with its flank resting on Sandy Ridge to the west of Kernstown, screened by Col. William "Mudwall" Jackson's cavalry. Brig. Gen. Gabriel C. Wharton's division, led by Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge, formed the Confederate right, with its flank screened by Brig. Gen. John C. Vaughn's cavalry. Early initially concealed his infantry in a woods, sending out his cavalry and skirmish line of sharpshooters to draw the Federals into battle, thus playing into Crook's misconception that the Confederate infantry had left the Valley.
The Union infantry position remained clustered around the Valley Pike in Kernstown anchored by Col. James A. Mulligan's division on Pritchard's Hill, one of the keys to the Union success at the First Battle of Kernstown in 1862. To his right, Col. Joseph Thoburn's division formed on Sandy Ridge. To his left, future president Rutherford B. Hayes's brigade formed east of the Valley turnpike. Crook dispatched cavalry under Averell to ride around the Confederate right flank and get in its rear. As the two armies skirmishers encountered one another the battle got under way. It soon became apparent to the Federal divisional commanders that they were facing a superior Confederate force which they were hesitant to attack and relayed the information to Crook.
Crook quickly became impatient by the lack of his divisional commanders to attack the Confederate position, and distrusted their report of the Confederate strength. He ordered Mulligan to attack the Confederates with Hayes's division in support. At 1 p.m. the Union infantry reluctantly moved out, abandoning Pritchard's Hill. Mulligan's division bitterly held its ground at Opequon Church where its advance was halted by Gordon's men. As Hayes's brigade advanced in support, Breckinridge marched Wharton's division to the northeast into a deep ravine that ran perpendicular to the Valley Turnpike. He turned the division into the ravine, which screened his movement from the Federals on the turnpike. As Hayes came up the road past the ravine, Breckinridge ordered a charge and the Confederates assaulted Hayes's exposed flank and sent his division reeling in retreat, taking many casualties.
Thoburn was supposed to support Mulligan's right flank in the attack, but because of the topography of the battlefield, he became separated from Mulligan and saw little action during the battle. Gordon's Confederates exploited the gap in the Union line to get on Mulligan's right and when Hayes's division broke, Mulligan found himself caught between two Confederate divisions. Mulligan immediately ordered a withdrawal, and was mortally wounded as he tried to rally his troops and prevent a full rout during the retreat. The Confederate infantry pressed the fleeing Federals all the way back through Winchester and the cavalry kept at their heels well into West Virginia.
Averell's cavalry had attempted to flank the Confederates as ordered but ran headlong into Vaughn's cavalry on the Front Royal Pike. The shock of the unexpected Confederate cavalry attack sent the Federal cavalry racing towards Martinsburg. When the fleeing cavalry encountered the retreating wagon and artillery trains north of Winchester it incited a panic among the Federal teamsters, causing many to abandon their charges as they got caught up in retreat. Many of the wagons had to be burned to prevent them from falling into Confederate hands. As night fell the Confederate cavalry swept the countryside looking for Federals who had become lost from their units in retreat. Most of the Federals spent the night out in the rain, scattered across countryside, trying to evade capture.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Kernstown

A Wednesday, July 24, 1861: Tyler Mountain, West Virginia - At Tyler Mountain, Brig. Gen. Jacob Cox's force attacked the Confederates in the area, commanded by Brig. Gen. Henry Wise. The Federals forced the Confederates to retreat from the area around Charleston. Wise led his force back to Gauley Bridge.
http://www.mycivilwar.com/battles/1861s.html
A+ Wednesday, July 24, 1861: Tyler Mountain, West Virginia. A minor battle during the military campaign that secured Union occupation of West Virginia at the start of the American Civil War. One key Union advantage was that they had control of the Ohio River, which forms the north and western borders of the state. This allowed them to mount expeditions in different parts of the state with great ease. Thus when General McClellan learnt that there was a Confederate force under General Henry A. Wise in the Kanawha Valley in the south of the state, he was able to dispatch an expedition to the junction of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers with orders to occupy the lower reaches of the valley.
Command of this expedition was given to General Jacob Cox. He was given a force 3,000 strong. Wise had slightly more men, beginning the campaign with 3,500 and finishing it with 4,000, but from the start he acted very defensively. When Cox began to move on 11 July, Wise was based at Tyler Mountain, west of Charleston, the main town in the valley. On 24 July Cox managed to get behind Wise’s position, and the Confederate force fled back into Charleston, and then on the same night abandoned the town and pulled back further into the mountains.
http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/battles_gauley_bridge.html
B Thursday, July 24, 1862: Mississippi River: With the river at very low levels and difficult to navigate, Admiral Farragut has received orders to return downriver at his discretion. He gets underway this date, leaving the river to tend to his blockaders out in the Gulf. Four gunboats – smaller ships that can navigate despite the reduced flow – remain to protect army units in New Orleans and Baton Rouge and to police the river.
https://bjdeming.com/2012/07/23/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-july-23-29-1862/
C Friday, July 24, 1863 --- Battle of Big Mound, Dakota Territory -- Brig. Gen. Henry Hastings Sibley, with a force of over 2,000 Federal troops, advances from Minnesota into what is now central North Dakota, to confront Chief Standing Buffalo and about 1,500 warriors of a coalition of the Santee (or Eastern), Yankton, Yantonai, and Teton Sioux (Lakota). Also present is Inkpaduta, chief of the Santee, who bears implacable hatred of the whites. Sibley finds the encampment after a long march, and asks for peace talks. Fighting breaks out before this can happen, however, between warriors of Inkpaduta and the Sioux scouts with Sibley; and the Mounted Rangers then pursue the fleeing Indians, while Sibley's infantry destroy the Sioux supplies and equipment.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=July+24%2C+1863
C+ Friday, July 24, 1863: Battle of Big Mound, Dakota Territory. As Sibley’s column approached the village on July 24, warriors and leaders from the village approached for a conference. Many of the Dakota people who had not been involved in the conflict in Minnesota wanted to discuss surrender. Others did not wish to do so, but a military clash did not appear eminent.
By noon, scouts had informed General Sibley that there were many Indians a few miles away. Sibley ordered the troops to set up camp (later named Camp Sibley) and to prepare trenches and breastworks (temporary fortifications) for defense.
Some of the scouts took up a position some four hundred yards south of the main camp, where they were approached by Dakota Indians who asked to parley with General Sibley. Dr. Josiah S. Weiser, chief surgeon, 1st Regiment of the Minnesota Mounted Rangers, spoke Dakota and was assisting in the discussions when he was unexpectedly shot by one of the Dakotas. Both parties scurried for cover while exchanging gunfire and retreating to defensible positions. Several chiefs and elders caught in the open, were killed by the soldiers. The chance of a peaceful outcome was gone.
The troops setting up camp formed into battle lines. Heavy fighting broke out in a large ravine running from the top of the surrounding plateau down to the campsite. Sibley moved up the hillside on the east side of the ravine to establish a command post on high ground, accompanied by a battery of six-pound field cannons. From several progressively higher gun positions, the artillery shelled people concealed in the ravine, until the pressure of the artillery and advancing infantry forced them to retreat toward the top of the plateau.
On the eastern side of the battlefield, the Sixth Minnesota Infantry was advancing uphill against lighter opposition. When they topped the bluff line they turned south, driving the Sioux before them. On the west, McPhail’s Rangers circled west out of Camp Sibley, cutting off attack from the exposed side of the camp. The cavalry established an effective blockade, preventing the Indians from slipping off the plateau to the west. The Seventh Infantry reached the top of the plateau and sandwiched the Sioux between themselves and McPhail on the west (see McPhail’s Butte Overlook).
McPhail’s troops pursued the Sioux to Dead Buffalo Lake, one mile north of the present-day town of Dawson. Receiving orders to return to the main camp, the troops marched most of the night to return to Camp Sibley. Sibley’s men had fought their first major battle with no food and little water; some had covered nearly fifty miles during the engagement.
For their part, the Sioux warriors, by conducting a fighting retreat, had delayed the soldier’s advance until their village could be evacuated. This successful retreat continued until they crossed the Missouri River. Included in the flight west was the Dakota family of Charles A. Eastman, who was four years old at the time. His later description of how the men fought to gain time for their families to cross the river is applicable to the whole journey: “The Washechu (white men) were coming in great numbers with their big guns, and while most of our men were fighting them to gain time, the women and the old men made and equipped the temporary boats, braced with ribs of willow. Some of these were towed by two or three women or men swimming in the water and some by ponies. It was not an easy matter to keep them right side up, with their helpless freight of little children and such goods as we possessed.”
http://history.nd.gov/historicsites/sibleysully/bmb.html
D Sunday, July 24, 1864: Second battle of Kernstown. Jubal Early's [CS] move to the Shenandoah Valley is blocked by George Crook [US], at least for a while. After a violent assault on the Union left by John Breckinridge the federal line broke and pulled back to Harpers Ferry
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186407
D+ Sunday, July 24, 1864: Second battle of Kernstown. Phase Two. Advance of CS Infantry (24 July): At first light, the CS infantry left their encampments near Strasburg and advanced down the Valley Pike. At Bartonsville, Ramseur's division was directed west on side roads to the Middle Road. Gordon, Wharton, and Rodes continued ahead on the pike. Early sent two columns of cavalry to the east and west on a wide- ranging maneuver to converge on Winchester and the Federal rear. Cavalry led the advance down the pike, coming up against the main US force at Kernstown about 1000 hours. About noon, the vanguard of the CS infantry reached Kernstown. Gordon deployed to the left of the Valley Pike, Wharton to the right. Ramseur deployed across the Middle Road at Mrs. Massie's house. Rodes moved east from the Pike, following a ravine.
Phase Three. US Deployment on Pritchard's Hill: Crook received information that Early's army was approaching and brought two of his three divisions into line just north of Hoge's Run at Kernstown. Mulligan's division held the US center behind a stone fence at the Pritchard House, supported by Capt. Henry DuPont's artillery massed on Pritchard's Hill to his rear. Duval's two brigades were separated and posted on Mulligan's flanks with Hayes' brigade extending the US line east of the Valley Pike. A strong skirmish line was posted near Opequon Church. Thoburn's division was held in reserve on Pritchard's Hill to the right rear of the main US line. Cavalry protected both flanks.
Phase Four. CS Attack on Center: About noon, Gordon's division advanced in line west of the pike, driving back the skirmishers and closing with the main US line in the vicinity of Opequon Church. Mulligan's division counterattacked, supported by Hayes on his left and took possession of the churchyard. Soldiers sheltered there from the intense firing behind stone fences and headstones in the cemetery. Gordon regrouped and again advanced, compelling Mulligan to fall back 250 yards to the stone fence along Pritchard's Lane. Gordon reached Opequon Church but could make no further headway. CS artillery was brought up south of the church to engage US artillery on Pritchard's Hill. One of Wharton's brigades came into line on Gordon's right. Crook repositioned his forces. Duval's right flank brigade was moved west, astride Middle Road. Thoburn's division was brought forward to fill the gap between Mulligan and Duval. Elements of Duffi‚'s cavalry supported the right flank on the Middle Road and picketed Cedar Creek Grade to the west.
Phase Five. CS Attack on Left: Ramseur's division came into line from the Middle Road on Gordon's left and advanced. Gordon shifted a brigade to the open ground west of Opequon Church and advanced against Thoburn in conjunction with Ramseur. Without orders Gordon's brigade attacked and dislodged US troops sheltering behind two stone fences. Thoburn withdrew to the base of Pritchard's Hill, bending his line back to the north and exposing Mulligan's right flank. Ramseur advanced in force, wheeling right to confront Thoburn's line and bringing a heavy enfilade fire against Mulligan's line.
Phase Six. CS Attack on Right: Wharton's division moved along the ridge east of the Pike to threaten the US left flank held by Hayes. Elements of Averell's cavalry division were in position to delay this maneuver but withdrew without engaging. In conjunction with Ramseur's advance on the CS left, Wharton attacked about 1500 hours and quickly turned the US left. Hayes retreated to the stone walls that lined the Valley Pike and rallied his brigade, facing east at right angles to the center held by Mulligan.
Phase Seven. US Retreat: Three CS divisions now moved in concert to envelope the US center. Mulligan's division was under fire from three directions. While trying to direct the defense, Mulligan himself was pierced by five mini‚ balls and fell mortally wounded. ``Lay me down and save the colors!'' he snapped at the officers who tried to assist him. The US center collapsed, and soldiers began streaming to the rear. Hayes' brigade stood long enough on the crest of Pritchard's Hill to allow the US artillery to escape. Elements of Duffi‚'s cavalry made a brief counterattack along the Middle Road, buying time for Thoburn's division to retire in relatively good order.
https://www.nps.gov/abpp/shenandoah/svs3-11.html
FYI SPC Deb Root-White Lt Col Charlie Brown GySgt Jack Wallace CWO4 Terrence Clark SPC Michael Oles SR SPC Michael Terrell TSgt David L. PO1 John Johnson SPC Private RallyPoint Member SMSgt Lawrence McCarter SGT Paul Russo A1C Pamela G Russell LTC Trent Klug MSG Roy Cheever PO2 Russell "Russ" Lincoln SFC William Farrell SFC Bernard Walko SFC Stephen King SFC Ralph E Kelley SSG Franklin Briant

The American Civil War: Search results for July 24, 1861

Response by TSgt Joe C. made Aug 5 at 2016 1:49 AM

TSgt Joe C. — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 01:49:04 -0400

All these events were significant I feel LTC Stephen F.. Excellent post my friend, I enjoy reading these!

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Aug 5 at 2016 4:20 AM

1stSgt Eugene Harless — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 04:20:44 -0400

Never heard of the battle of Big Mound, Dakota Territory. The conflicts and interaction in the west with the natives was overshadowed by War in the East. One interesting thing that occured was that some Confederates who were captured were paroled and allowed to join the regular Union Army. In order to prevent them from being captured by Confederates they served on the Fronitier fighting Natives. They were called "Galvanized Yankees", although the term was used to desbribe Union Troops who were POWS and enlisted in the Conferate Army.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Aug 5 at 2016 6:42 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 06:42:03 -0400

Thank you for all this great history LTC Stephen F.

Response by SGT John " Mac " McConnell made Aug 5 at 2016 7:22 AM

SGT John " Mac " McConnell — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 07:22:26 -0400

Game changer when the Spencer rifle was introduced. Thanks LTC Stephen F.

Response by SSgt Robert Marx made Aug 5 at 2016 12:19 PM

SSgt Robert Marx — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 12:19:29 -0400

I believe that all of the fighting finally demoralized the South enough to realize the war was useless in order to achieve Confederate independence. Even the prized retention of slavery was lost when the South incorporated black enlistments into the CSA. This happened too late to effect the fighting. The South knew having had many men who held high government offices in the US that victory would have had to come quickly in the war for attrition would have been unsustainable for the South. 1865 saw the North actually, due to immigration, having a larger population of draft-able young men while the South was in ruins.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Aug 5 at 2016 1:29 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 13:29:05 -0400

LTC Stephen F. Great Civil War History Stephen - Thanks

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Jul 23 at 2022 5:31 PM

LTC Trent Klug — Sat, 23 Jul 2022 17:31:01 -0400

And we still had actions against the Plains tribes? Geez.

Response by PO3 Edward Riddle made Jul 23 at 2022 11:11 PM

PO3 Edward Riddle — Sat, 23 Jul 2022 23:11:32 -0400

Thank You Brother Steve for this history lesson on the Civil War. It's hard to imagine still fighting an Indian battle during the Civil War.