What was the most significant event on July 25 during the U.S. Civil War - with Survey?

2016-09-13T11:41:14-04:00

In 1862, slave hunters post rewards for escaped slaves making their way to union held territory. In 1863, wealthy Richmond draftees post Substitute wanted notices in the newspapers. In 1864, the siege of Petersburg, VA was the focus of the Army of the Potamc because US Grant knew that unless Petersburg was taken the lines of communication for an attack on Richmond would be too vulnerable to exploitation by Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia.
“The big, famous battles of the War of the Rebellion get all the attention and most of the books, but it is worth remembering that one is just as dead if killed in an unnamed skirmish as in the Pickett-Pettigrew-Trimble Charge at Gettysburg. Small actions known as operations and skirmishes took place today at Summerville, Va; Courtland and Trinity, Alabama, Clinton Ferry, Tenn., Mountain Store, Mo, Holly Springs Miss., on Pearl River and Lake Ponchartrain, La, and in Pass Manchac nearby.”
In 1862 Gen. John Pope issues an infamous order to the effect that Federal troops would no longer be used to protect the property of Virginians (which, to most observers, was tantamount to giving the Federal soldiers free hand at foraging and looting): “GENERAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF VIRGINIA, No. 13. Hereafter no guards will be placed over private houses or private property of any description whatever. Commanding officers are responsible for the conduct of the troops under their command, and the Articles of War and Regulations of the Army provide ample means for restraining them to the full extent required for discipline and efficiency.
Soldiers were called into the field to do battle against the enemy, and it is not expected that their force and energy shall be wasted in protecting private property of those most hostile to the Government.
No soldier serving in this army shall hereafter be employed in such service.”
The year after the Civil War ended Congress established "general of the armies" and Ulysses S. Grant was immediately promoted to 4-star general and put in this position. William Tecumseh Sherman assumed the rank of Lt. General. In a separate bill, Congress created the rank of Admiral. David Farragut was appointed to that rank.
In 1862, Nathaniel Hawthorne, noted novelist and former U.S. Consul in Liverpool, published "Chiefly on War Matters," an essay of his only visit to the war front in the July issue of Atlantic Monthly: “While we drove onward, a young officer on horseback looked earnestly into the carriage, and recognized some faces that he had seen before; so he rode along by our side, and we pestered him with queries and observations, to which he responded more civilly than they deserved. He was on General McClellan's staff, and a gallant cavalier, high-booted, with a revolver in his belt, and mounted on a noble horse, which trotted hard and high without disturbing the rider in his accustomed seat. His face had a healthy hue of exposure and an expression of careless hardihood; and, as I looked at him, it seemed to me that the war had brought good fortune to the youth of this epoch, if to none beside; since they now make it their daily business to ride a horse and handle a sword, instead of lounging listlessly through the duties, occupations, pleasures—all tedious alike—to which the artificial state of society limits a peaceful generation. The atmosphere of the camp and the smoke of the battlefield are morally invigorating; the hardy virtues flourish in them; the nonsense dies like a wilted weed. The enervating effects of centuries of civilization vanish at once and leave these young men to enjoy a life of hardship, and the exhilarating sense of danger. . . .”
In 1862 "Two hundred dollars’ reward" for turning in escaped slaves from Petersburg, VA area.
“The above reward, or a proportionate rate for any of them, will be paid for the apprehension of the following slaves and their confinement in jail so that I get them again, or their delivery to me, at Petersburg or Maiden's Adventure, Powhatan county:
Daniel about 30 years old; black; about 5 feet inches high; no marks recollected.
Charles, about 25 years old; black; about 6 feet high; no marks recollected.
Ned, about 21 years old; black; about 5 feet 8 inches; no marks.
David, about 40 years old; black; about 5 feet 6 inches; no marks.
Ann, about 32 years old; black; about 5 feet 2 inches; no marks.
Eliza, about 14 years old; black.
Matthew, about 25 years old; black; 5 feet 8 inches.
Richard, black; about 5 feet 8 inches; no marks recollected.
Gilbert, black; about 5 feet 6 inches; no marks recollected.
All except two of the above negroes having lived in Surry county, at Hog Island, were removed to Maiden's Adventure, Powhatan county, and are doubtless endeavoring to make their way back to Hog Island, with a view to escaping to the enemy.
Also, Joe, hired at the American Hotel, Richmond.
R,y. Jones.”
"Substitute Wanted" in 1863, Conscription created a demand for substitutes in wartime Richmond. From the Daily Dispatch. Substitute wanted.
(a) A farm of two hundred and thirty acres, in Hanover, near Peak's Turn-out on the Central Railroad, or the highest price in Confederate money, will be paid for a suitable man to go as a Substitute in the army. Apply at the store of Geo I Heering, 56 Main street.
(b) Any person wishing to get a Substitute can get one at the New Market Hotel, who can bring good recommendations. --Would prefer to go in the cavalry, but would go in any other branch of the service.
(c) One of good character and 45 years of age. Call for four days at No. 113 Main street.
(d) An able bodied man, over the age of 45; none need apply unless native born; a liberal price will be paid. Apply for the next three days to "A B C, " Congress Hall, Franklin st, near Ballard House.
(e) $4,000 will be paid for one who will suit. Address "P." at the Dispatch office, to-day or to-morrow.”

Pictures: the-skirmish-line-gilbert-gaul; 1864-07 Mining operations, siege of Petersburg, Virginia; 1864-07-25 Railroad mortar at Petersburg, Va.; Union Sentry on Guard
A. 1862: Courtland, Alabama. Confederate victory. A Confederate force arrived at the Courtland Bridge. They spotted a Union force and managed to make a surprise attack. The Federals were surprised and was soon routed by the Confederates.
1862: Clinton Ferry, Tennessee. Union victory. A Confederate force at the Clinton Ferry spotted a Union foraging party nearby. The Confederates attacked the party, but were soon forced to retreat.
B. 1862: Summerville, West Virginia. A Confederate cavalry force rode into Summerville. They soon discovered a Union post nearby. In the middle of the night, the cavalry made a surprise attack on the post, forcing the Federals to withdraw.
C. 1862: Mississippi River: With Vicksburg still in Confederate hands, the small Union garrison at Natchez is overexposed and so is withdrawn to New Orleans.
D. 1864: Siege of Petersburg: General Grant plans a two-pronged offensive at Petersburg operating north of the James River to draw Confederates away from the Federal mine operation area which was south of the city. The Federal forces had been working on these mining operations for some time. The operation would culminate in the Battle of the Crater on July 30.

FYI PV2 Larry Sellnow SFC Dr. Jesus Garcia-Arce, Psy.D SFC Ralph E Kelley Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. PO3 Edward Riddle SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL COL Lisandro Murphy SSgt David M. MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. SPC Maurice Evans SPC Jon O. SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SSG Trevor S. 1SG Steven Imerman ~803621:Ryan Callahan]Amn Dale Preisach LTC Thomas Tennant COL Randall C.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 13 at 2016 11:43 AM

2016-09-13T11:43:22-04:00

In 1861, what will be known as the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia was the “Army Potomac” under P.G.T. Beauregard: Here is the order of battle of that organization. Many names should seem familiar in this list:
“SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. FIRST CORPS, ARMY POTOMAC,
Numbers 169. Manassas Junction, Va., July 25, 1861.
I. The subdivisions of this army corps will be organized at once as follows:
First Brigade, General M. L. Bonham, commanding: Second South Carolina Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel J. B. Kershaw; Third South Carolina Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel J. H. Williams; Seventh South Carolina Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel Thomas G. Bacon, and Eighth South Carolina Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel E. B. C. Cash.
Second Brigade, General R. S. Ewell, commanding: Fifth Alabama Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel R. E. Rodes; Sixth Alabama Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel J. J. Seibels, Thirteenth [12th?] Alabama Regiment of Volunteers, Lieutenant Colonel Theodore O'Hara, and Twelfth Mississippi Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel Richard Griffith.
Third Brigade, General D. R. Jones, commanding: Fourth South Carolina Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel J. B. E. Sloan; Fifth South Carolina Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel M. Jenkins; Sixth South Carolina Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel C. S. Winder, and Ninth South Carolina Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel J. D. Blanding.
Fourth Brigade, General James Longstreet, commanding: First Virginia Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel P. T. Moore; Seventh Virginia Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel J. L. Kemper; Eleventh Virginia Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel S. Garland, jr., and Seventeenth Virginia Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel M. D. Corse.
Fifth Brigade, General Philip St. George Cocke, commanding: Eighteenth Virginia Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel R. E. Withers; Nineteenth Virginia of Regiment of Volunteers, Lieutenant Colonel J. B. Strange; Twenty-eighth Virginia Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel R. T. Preston, and Forty-ninth Virginia Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel William Smith.
Sixth Brigade, Colonel J. A. Early, commanding: Fifth North Carolina Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel D. K. McRae; Eleventh North Carolina Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel J. F. Hoke, and Twenty-fourth Virginia Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel J. A. Early.
Seventh Brigade, Colonel N. G. Evans, commanding: Thirteenth Mississippi Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel William Barksdale; Seventeenth Mississippi Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel W. S. Featherston, and Eighteenth Mississippi Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel E. R. Burt.
Eighth Brigade: Sixth Louisiana Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel J. G. Seymour; Seventh Louisiana Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel Harry T. Hays; Eighth Louisiana Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel H. B. Kelly, and Ninth Louisiana Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel Richard Taylor.
Special battalion, Colonel C. R. Wheat.
Separate command, Eighth Virginia Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel Eppa Hunton, Leesburg, Va., Hampton's Legion.
II. The horse artillery, for the present, will be place: Kemper's battery with the First Brigade, Shields' battery with the Fourth Brigade, and Latham's battery with the Fifth Brigade. Walton's battery will concentrate at or about the left of Mithcell's Ford, for the purposes of instruction.
III. The cavalry, for the present, will be distributed in the following manner: Colonel Radford, with six companies, will be on duty with the First Brigade while in advance. The remaining four companies of Radford's regiment, with Lieutenant Colonel Munford, will report for service with the Fourth Brigade.
IV. Such changes as are involved in these orders will be made without delay.
By command of General Beauregard: THOMAS JORDAN, Assistant Adjutant-General.”

Below are a number of journal entries from 1861 and 1862 which shed light on what life was like for soldiers and civilians – the good, the bad and the ugly.
Thursday, July 25, 1861: In two diary entries dated July 24 and July 25, 1861, Confederate war clerk John B. Jones recorded the reaction in Richmond to the death of Georgian Francis S. Bartow, killed while leading a brigade of Georgia troops at the Battle of First Bull Run (First Manassas). “July 24th — Yesterday we received a letter from Col. Bartow, written just before the battle (in which he fell, his letter being received after the announcement of his death), urging the appointment of his gallant young friend Lamar to a lieutenancy. I noted these facts on the back of his letter, with the Secretary’s approbation, and also that the request had been granted, and placed the letter, perhaps the last he ever wrote, in the archives for preservation.
July 25th — Bartow’s body has arrived, and lies in state at the Capitol. Among the chief mourners was his young friend Barton, who loved him as a son loves his father. From Lamar I learned some interesting particulars of the battle. He said when Bartow’s horse was killed, he, Lamar, was sent to another part of the field for another, and also to order up certain regiments, Bartow then being in command of a brigade. Lamar galloped through a hot cross-fire to the regiments and delivered the order, but got no horse. He galloped back, however, through the terrible fire, with the intention of giving his own horse to Bartow, if none other could be had. On his return he encountered Col. Jones, of the 4th Alabama, wounded, his arms being around the necks of two friends, who were endeavoring to support him in a standing attitude. One of these called to Lamar, and asked for his horse, hoping that Col. Jones might be able to ride (his thigh-bone was terribly shattered), and thus get off the field. Lamar paused, and promised as soon as he could report to Bartow he would return with that or another horse. Col. Jones thanked him kindly, but cautioned him against any neglect of Bartow’s orders, saying he probably could not ride. Lamar promised to return immediately; and putting spurs to his noble steed, started off in a gallop. He had not gone fifty yards before his horse fell, throwing him over his head. He saw that the noble animal had been pierced by as many as eight balls, from a single volley. He paused a moment and turned away, when the poor horse endeavored to rise and follow, but could not. He returned and patted the groaning and tearful steed on his neck; and, while doing this, five more balls struck him, and he died instantly. Lamar then proceeded on foot through a storm of bullets, and, untouched, rejoined Bartow in time to witness his fall.
Our prisons are filled with Yankees, and Brig.-Gen. Winder has employment. There is a great pressure for passports to visit the battle-field. At my suggestion, all physicians taking amputating instruments, and relatives of the wounded and slain, have been permitted by the Secretary to go thither.
Friday, July 25, 1862: A Wisconsin officer with Buell’s army in northern Alabama writes home to his wife, showing how the Confiscation Acts had not yet permeated the consciousness of certain Federal commanders, who were still following the letter of the Fugitive Slave Law: Alabama, July 25, 1862. That infernal Slave order is enough to make one curse the government that allows it to be issued. A few days ago a rebel came here with an order to take away his slave–The order was given by Gen. Rousseau who now commands our Division– I was away from camp at the time, but the captain in command allowed the master to take his slave away–
To-day, a notorious rebel lawyer came here, wishing to hunt through camp for his slave — but I refused to allow him to do so, and told him, if the slave were in camp, he should not have have him, if, as I supposed, we had received informations from him.
He told me he had been assured that he could go through our lines and into our camps to find his property– I assured him he could not go through mine. He will go to Huntsville, and probably report me, when I may be arrested. If so, I will give the whole pro-slavery, hunting crew a fight– I will appeal to the President. If not arrested, I will resign, rather than disobey orders.
Poor Miles, who was so badly wounded about three weeks ago, died day before yesterday — and yet, one of the gang that killed him and Capt. Moore, whom we arrested and sent to Huntsville, was released by Gen. Buell, and an order given for his horse– Oh, such conduct makes my blood boil!”
Friday, July 25, 1862 --- Daniel L. Day, of the 25th Massachusetts Infantry, is still in garrison duty in coastal North Carolina. He writes of one of the incidents that cheer up a soldier’s heart from the drudgery of the daily routine: “Gen. Foster has his wife and daughter with him here, which must make it very agreeable for him. Mrs. Foster is engaged in works of love and mercy around the hospitals, while Miss Foster, a young lady of some 16 or 17 years, is pretty much engaged in horseback ridding and having a good time generally. She is quite a military character, as we notice that when she and the general ride past here, she always returns the salutes from the sentinels as gracefully as the general. She frequently rides past here alone, and the sentinels along the street take great pride in honoring her with a present arms, a compliment which she never fails to acknowledge, by a graceful wave of her hand and her face wreathed with smiles.”

Pictures: 1863 Berdan's SharpShooter; Union Soldiers playing cards; 1864-07 Petersburg Siege; My Friend, my enemy

A. Friday, July 25, 1862: Courtland, Alabama. Confederate victory. A Confederate force arrived at the Courtland Bridge. They spotted a Union force and managed to make a surprise attack. The Federals were surprised and was soon routed by the Confederates.
1862: Clinton Ferry, Tennessee. Union victory. A Confederate force at the Clinton Ferry spotted a Union foraging party nearby. The Confederates attacked the party, but were soon forced to retreat.
B. Friday, July 25, 1862: Summerville, West Virginia. A Confederate cavalry force rode into Summerville. They soon discovered a Union post nearby. In the middle of the night, the cavalry made a surprise attack on the post, forcing the Federals to withdraw.
C. Friday, July 25, 1862: Mississippi River: With Vicksburg still in Confederate hands, the small Union garrison at Natchez is overexposed and so is withdrawn to New Orleans.
D. Monday, July 25, 1864: Siege of Petersburg: General Grant plans a two-pronged offensive at Petersburg operating north of the James River to draw Confederates away from the Federal mine operation area which was south of the city. The Federal forces had been working on these mining operations for some time. The operation would culminate in the Battle of the Crater on July 30.

1. Thursday, July 25, 1861: With his troops enlistment expiring, Robert Patterson is relieved of duty in the Shenandoah Valley. He had failed to hold Joseph Johnston in Winchester to prevent Johnston from moving east to support Beauregard at Bull Run.
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186107
2. Thursday, July 25, 1861: The U. S. Congress approves the use of volunteers to put down the rebellion.
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186107
3. Thursday, July 25, 1861: The Crittenden Resolution passes in Congress. This states the Preservation of the Union is the reason for the Civil War.
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186107
4. Thursday, July 25, 1861: Congress passed the Crittenden Resolution, which declared that the war was being fought to preserve the Union and not to abolish slavery.
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/the-american-civil-war/american-civil-war-july-1861/
5. Thursday, July 25, 1861: The Confederate order of battle in Northern Virginia. On this day in 1861, P.G.T. Beauregard announced the following order of battle for the Confederate forces under his command, styled the "Army Potomac." Many of the names and formations will be familiar to Civil War history buffs. These troops were the hard core of what would later become known as the Army of Northern Virginia under Robert E. Lee, but that transformation still lay about eleven months in the future.
A couple of interesting things to note: the army isn't organized into any larger subdivisions than brigades. It would be some time before divisions and corps appeared, along with the leaders necessary for such formations. The other thing that jumps out is the absence of Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson and his brigade, presumably on their way back to the Valley just days after First Manassas.
SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. FIRST CORPS, ARMY POTOMAC,
Numbers 169. Manassas Junction, Va., July 25, 1861.
I. The subdivisions of this army corps will be organized at once as follows:
First Brigade, General M. L. Bonham, commanding: Second South Carolina Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel J. B. Kershaw; Third South Carolina Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel J. H. Williams; Seventh South Carolina Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel Thomas G. Bacon, and Eighth South Carolina Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel E. B. C. Cash.
Second Brigade, General R. S. Ewell, commanding: Fifth Alabama Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel R. E. Rodes; Sixth Alabama Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel J. J. Seibels, Thirteenth [12th?] Alabama Regiment of Volunteers, Lieutenant Colonel Theodore O'Hara, and Twelfth Mississippi Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel Richard Griffith.
Third Brigade, General D. R. Jones, commanding: Fourth South Carolina Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel J. B. E. Sloan; Fifth South Carolina Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel M. Jenkins; Sixth South Carolina Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel C. S. Winder, and Ninth South Carolina Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel J. D. Blanding.
Fourth Brigade, General James Longstreet, commanding: First Virginia Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel P. T. Moore; Seventh Virginia Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel J. L. Kemper; Eleventh Virginia Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel S. Garland, jr., and Seventeenth Virginia Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel M. D. Corse.
Fifth Brigade, General Philip St. George Cocke, commanding: Eighteenth Virginia Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel R. E. Withers; Nineteenth Virginia of Regiment of Volunteers, Lieutenant Colonel J. B. Strange; Twenty-eighth Virginia Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel R. T. Preston, and Forty-ninth Virginia Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel William Smith.
Sixth Brigade, Colonel J. A. Early, commanding: Fifth North Carolina Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel D. K. McRae; Eleventh North Carolina Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel J. F. Hoke, and Twenty-fourth Virginia Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel J. A. Early.
Seventh Brigade, Colonel N. G. Evans, commanding: Thirteenth Mississippi Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel William Barksdale; Seventeenth Mississippi Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel W. S. Featherston, and Eighteenth Mississippi Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel E. R. Burt.
Eighth Brigade: Sixth Louisiana Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel J. G. Seymour; Seventh Louisiana Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel Harry T. Hays; Eighth Louisiana Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel H. B. Kelly, and Ninth Louisiana Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel Richard Taylor.
Special battalion, Colonel C. R. Wheat.
Separate command, Eighth Virginia Regiment of Volunteers, Colonel Eppa Hunton, Leesburg, Va., Hampton's Legion.
II. The horse artillery, for the present, will be place: Kemper's battery with the First Brigade, Shields' battery with the Fourth Brigade, and Latham's battery with the Fifth Brigade. Walton's battery will concentrate at or about the left of Mithcell's Ford, for the purposes of instruction.
III. The cavalry, for the present, will be distributed in the following manner: Colonel Radford, with six companies, will be on duty with the First Brigade while in advance. The remaining four companies of Radford's regiment, with Lieutenant Colonel Munford, will report for service with the Fourth Brigade.
IV. Such changes as are involved in these orders will be mad without delay.
By command of General Beauregard: THOMAS JORDAN, Assistant Adjutant-General.
http://www.civilwar-online.com/search?q=July+25%2C+1861
6. Thursday, July 25, 1861: William Tecumseh Sherman's report on the Battle of Bull Run. On July 25, 1861, William Tecumseh Sherman filed his report regarding his brigade's role in the Battle of Bull Run. HEADQUARTERS THIRD BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION, FORT CORCORAN, July 25, 1861
To Captain A. BAIRD, Assistant Adjutant-General, First Division (General Tyler's). “Sir: I have the honor to submit this my report of the operations of my brigade during the action of the 21st instant. The brigade is composed of the Thirteenth New York Volunteers, Colonel Quinby's Sixty-ninth New York, Colonel Corcoran; Seventy-ninth New York, Colonel Cameron; Second Wisconsin, Lieutenant-Colonel Peck; and Company E, Third Artillery, under command of Captain R. B. Ayres, Fifth Artillery.
We left our camp near Centreville, pursuant to orders, at half-past 2 A. M., taking place in your column, next to the brigade of General Schenck, and proceeded as far as the halt, before the enemy's position, near the stone bridge across Bull Run. Here the brigade was deployed in line along the skirt of timber to the right of the Warrenton road, and remained quietly in position till after 10 a.m. The enemy remained very quiet, but about that time we saw a rebel regiment leave its cover in our front, and proceed in double-quick time on the road toward Sudley Springs, by which we knew the columns of Colonels Hunter and Heintzelman were approaching. About the same time we observed in motion a large mass of the enemy, below and on the other side of the stone bridge. I directed Captain Ayres to take position with his battery near our right, and to open fire on this mass; but you had previously detached the two rifle-guns belonging to this battery, and, finding that the smooth-bore guns did not reach the enemy's position, we ceased firing, and I sent a request that you would send to me the thirty-pounder rifle-gun attached to Captain Carlisle's battery. At the same time I shifted the New York Sixty-ninth to the extreme right of the brigade. Thus we remained till we heard the musketry-fire across Bull Run, showing that the head of Colonel Hunter's column was engaged. This firing was brisk, and showed that Hunter was driving before him the enemy, till about noon, when it became certain the enemy had come to a stand, and that our forces on the other side of Bull Run were all engaged, artillery and infantry.
Here you sent me the order to cross over with the whole brigade, to the assistance of Colonel Hunter. Early in the day, when reconnoitring the ground, I had seen a horseman descend from a bluff in our front, cross the stream, and show himself in the open field on this aide; and, inferring that we could cross over at the same point, I sent forward a company as skirmishers, and followed with the whole brigade, the New York Sixty-ninth leading.
We found no difficulty in crossing over, and met with no opposition in ascending the steep bluff opposite with our infantry, but it was impassable to the artillery, and I sent word back to Captain Ayres to follow if possible, otherwise to use his discretion. Captain Ayres did not cross Bull Run, but remained on that side, with the rest of your division. His report herewith describes his operations during the remainder of the day. Advancing slowly and cautiously with the head of the column, to give time for the regiments in succession to close up their ranks, we first encountered a party of the enemy retreating along a cluster of pines; Lieutenant-Colonel Haggerty, of the Sixty-ninth, without orders, rode out alone, and endeavored to intercept their retreat. One of the enemy, in full view, at short range, shot Haggerty, and he fell dead from his horse. The Sixty-ninth opened fire on this party, which was returned; but, determined to effect our junction with Hunter's division, I ordered this fire to cease, and we proceeded with caution toward the field where we then plainly saw our forces engaged. Displaying our colors conspicuously at the head of our column, we succeeded in attracting the attention of our friends, and soon formed the brigade in rear of Colonel Porter's. Here I learned that Colonel Hunter was disabled by a severe wound, and that General McDowell was on the field. I sought him out, and received his orders to join in pursuit of the enemy, who was falling back to the left of the road by which the army had approached from Sudley Springs. Placing Colonel Quinby's regiment of rifles in front, in column, by division, I directed the other regiments to follow in line of battle, in the order of the Wisconsin Second, New York Seventy-ninth, and New York Sixty-ninth. Quinby's regiment advanced steadily down the hill and up the ridge, from which he opened fire upon the enemy, who had made another stand on ground very favorable to him, and the regiment continued advancing as the enemy gave way, till the head of the column reached the point near which Rickett's battery was so severely cut up. The other regiments descended the hill in line of battle, under a severe cannonade; and, the ground affording comparative shelter from the enemy's artillery, they changed direction, by the right flank, and followed the road before mentioned. At the point where this road crosses the ridge to our left front, the ground was swept by a most severe fire of artillery, rifles, and musketry, and we saw, in succession, several regiments driven from it; among them the Zouaves and battalion of marines. Before reaching the crest of this hill, the roadway was worn deep enough to afford shelter, and I kept the several regiments in it as long as possible; but when the Wisconsin Second was abreast of the enemy, by order of Major Wadsworth, of General McDowell's staff, I ordered it to leave the roadway, by the left flank, and to attack the enemy.
This regiment ascended to the brow of the hill steadily, received the severe fire of the enemy, returned it with spirit, and advanced, delivering its fire. This regiment is uniformed in gray cloth, almost identical with that of the great bulk of the secession army; and, when the regiment fell into confusion and retreated toward the road, there was a universal cry that they were being fired on by our own men. The regiment rallied again, passed the brow of the hill a second time, but was again repulsed in disorder. By this time the New York Seventy-ninth had closed up, and in like manner it was ordered to cross the brow of, the hill, and drive the enemy from cover. It was impossible to get a good view of this ground. In it there was one battery of artillery, which poured an incessant fire upon our advancing column, and the ground was very irregular with small clusters of pines, affording shelter, of which the enemy took good advantage. The fire of rifles and musketry was very severe. The Seventy-ninth, headed by its colonel, Cameron, charged across the hill, and for a short time the contest was severe; they rallied several times under fire, but finally broke, and gained the cover of the hill.
This left the field open to the New York Sixty-ninth, Colonel Corcoran, who, in his turn, led his regiment over the crest; and had in full, open view the ground so severely contested; the fire was very severe, and the roar of cannon, musketry, and rifles, incessant; it was manifest the enemy was here in great force, far superior to us at that point. The Sixty-ninth held the ground for some time, but finally fell back in disorder.
All this time Quinby's regiment occupied another ridge, to our left, overlooking the same field of action, and similarly engaged. Here, about half-past 3 p.m., began the scene of confusion and disorder that characterized the remainder of the day. Up to that time, all had kept their places, and seemed perfectly cool, and used to the shell and shot that fell, comparatively harmless, all around us; but the short exposure to an intense fire of small-arms, at close range, had killed many, wounded more, and had produced disorder in all of the battalions that had attempted to encounter it. Men fell away from their ranks, talking, and in great confusion. Colonel Cameron had been mortally wounded, was carried to an ambulance, and reported dying. Many other officers were reported dead or missing, and many of the wounded were making their way, with more or less assistance, to the buildings used as hospitals, on the ridge to the west. We succeeded in partially reforming the regiments, but it was manifest that they would not stand, and I directed Colonel Corcoran to move along the ridge to the rear, near the position where we had first formed the brigade. General McDowell was there in person, and need all possible efforts to reassure the men. By the active exertions of Colonel Corcoran, we formed an irregular square against the cavalry which were then seen to issue from the position from which we had been driven, and we began our retreat toward the same ford of Bull Run by which we had approached the field of battle. There was no positive order to retreat, although for an hour it had been going on by the operation of the men themselves. The ranks were thin and irregular, and we found a stream of people strung from the hospital across Bull Run, and far toward Centreville. After putting in motion the irregular square in person, I pushed forward to find Captain Ayres's battery at the crossing of Bull Run. I sought it at its last position, before the brigade had crossed over, but it was not there; then passing through the woods, where, in the morning, we had first formed line, we approached the blacksmith's shop, but there found a detachment of the secession cavalry and thence made a circuit, avoiding Cub Run Bridge, into Centreville, where I found General McDowell, and from him understood that it was his purpose to rally the forces, and make a stand at Centreville.
But, about nine o'clock at night, I received from General Tyler, in person, the order to continue the retreat to the Potomac. This retreat was by night, and disorderly in the extreme. The men of different regiments mingled together, and some reached the river at Arlington, some at Long Bridge, and the greater part returned to their former camp, at or near Fort Corcoran. I reached this point at noon the next day, and found a miscellaneous crowd crossing over the aqueduct and ferries.. Conceiving this to be demoralizing, I at once commanded the guard to be increased, and all persons attempting to pass over to be stopped. This soon produced its effect; men sought their proper companies and regiments. Comparative order was restored, and all were posted to the best advantage.
I herewith inclose the official report of Captain Belly, commanding officer of the New York Sixty-ninth; also, fall lists of the killed, wounded, and missing.
Our loss was heavy, and occurred chiefly at the point near where Rickett's battery was destroyed. Lieutenant-Colonel Haggerty was killed about noon, before we had effected a junction with Colonel Hunter's division. Colonel Cameron was mortally wounded leading his regiment in the charge, and Colonel Corcoran has been missing since the cavalry-charge near the building used as a hospital.
For names, rank, etc., of the above, I refer to the lists herewith.
Lieutenants Piper and McQuesten, of my personal staff, were under fire all day, and carried orders to and fro with as much coolness as on parade. Lieutenant Bagley, of the New York Sixty-ninth, a volunteer aide, asked leave to serve with his company, during the action, and is among those reported missing. I have intelligence that he is a prisoner, and slightly wounded.
Colonel Coon, of Wisconsin, a volunteer aide, also rendered good service during the day.
W. T. SHERMAN, Colonel commanding Brigade.
http://www.civilwar-online.com/search?q=July+25%2C+1861
7. Thursday, July 25, 1861: In two diary entries dated July 24 and July 25, 1861, Confederate war clerk John B. Jones recorded the reaction in Richmond to the death of Georgian Francis S. Bartow, killed while leading a brigade of Georgia troops at the Battle of FIrst Bull Run (First Manassas). “July 24th.—Yesterday we received a letter from Col. Bartow, written just before the battle (in which he fell, his letter being received after the announcement of his death), urging the appointment of his gallant young friend Lamar to a lieutenancy. I noted these facts on the back of his letter, with the Secretary’s approbation, and also that the request had been granted, and placed the letter, perhaps the last he ever wrote, in the archives for preservation.
July 25th.—Bartow’s body has arrived, and lies in state at the Capitol. Among the chief mourners was his young friend Barton, who loved him as a son loves his father. From Lamar I learned some interesting particulars of the battle. He said when Bartow’s horse was killed, he, Lamar, was sent to another part of the field for another, and also to order up certain regiments, Bartow then being in command of a brigade. Lamar galloped through a hot cross-fire to the regiments and delivered the order, but got no[Pg 67] horse. He galloped back, however, through the terrible fire, with the intention of giving his own horse to Bartow, if none other could be had. On his return he encountered Col. Jones, of the 4th Alabama, wounded, his arms being around the necks of two friends, who were endeavoring to support him in a standing attitude. One of these called to Lamar, and asked for his horse, hoping that Col. Jones might be able to ride (his thigh-bone was terribly shattered), and thus get off the field. Lamar paused, and promised as soon as he could report to Bartow he would return with that or another horse. Col. Jones thanked him kindly, but cautioned him against any neglect of Bartow’s orders, saying he probably could not ride. Lamar promised to return immediately; and putting spurs to his noble steed, started off in a gallop. He had not gone fifty yards before his horse fell, throwing him over his head. He saw that the noble animal had been pierced by as many as eight balls, from a single volley. He paused a moment and turned away, when the poor horse endeavored to rise and follow, but could not. He returned and patted the groaning and tearful steed on his neck; and, while doing this, five more balls struck him, and he died instantly. Lamar then proceeded on foot through a storm of bullets, and, untouched, rejoined Bartow in time to witness his fall.
Our prisons are filled with Yankees, and Brig.-Gen. Winder has employment. There is a great pressure for passports to visit the battle-field. At my suggestion, all physicians taking amputating instruments, and relatives of the wounded and slain, have been permitted by the Secretary to go thither.
http://www.civilwar-online.com/search?q=July+25%2C+1861
8. Friday, July 25, 1862 --- Gen. John Pope issues another of his infamous orders, to the effect that Federal troops would no longer be used to protect the property of Virginians (which, to most observers, was tantamount to giving the Federal soldiers free hand at foraging and looting): “GENERAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF VIRGINIA, No. 13. Washington, July 25, 1862. Hereafter no guards will be placed over private houses or private property of any description whatever. Commanding officers are responsible for the conduct of the troops under their command, and the Articles of War and Regulations of the Army provide ample means for restraining them to the full extent required for discipline and efficiency.
Soldiers were called into the field to do battle against the enemy, and it is not expected that their force and energy shall be wasted in protecting private property of those most hostile to the Government.
No soldier serving in this army shall hereafter be employed in such service.
By command of Major-General Pope: GEO. D. RUGGLES, Colonel and Chief of Staff”
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=July+25%2C+1862
9. Friday, July 25, 1862 --- In the July issue of Atlantic Monthly, Nathaniel Hawthorne, noted novelist and former U.S. Consul in Liverpool, publishes "Chiefly on War Matters," an essay of his only visit to the war front. He includes a description of a young Federal officer, and ventures some analysis of the effects of war on the youth of America: “While we drove onward, a young officer on horseback looked earnestly into the carriage, and recognized some faces that he had seen before; so he rode along by our side, and we pestered him with queries and observations, to which he responded more civilly than they deserved. He was on General McClellan's staff, and a gallant cavalier, high-booted, with a revolver in his belt, and mounted on a noble horse, which trotted hard and high without disturbing the rider in his accustomed seat. His face had a healthy hue of exposure and an expression of careless hardihood; and, as I looked at him, it seemed to me that the war had brought good fortune to the youth of this epoch, if to none beside; since they now make it their daily business to ride a horse and handle a sword, instead of lounging listlessly through the duties, occupations, pleasures—all tedious alike—to which the artificial state of society limits a peaceful generation. The atmosphere of the camp and the smoke of the battlefield are morally invigorating; the hardy virtues flourish in them, the nonsense dies like a wilted weed. The enervating effects of centuries of civilization vanish at once and leave these young men to enjoy a life of hardship, and the exhilarating sense of danger. . . .”
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=July+25%2C+1862
10. Friday, July 25, 1862 --- A Wisconsin officer with Buell’s army in northern Alabama writes home to his wife, showing how the Confiscation Acts had not yet permeated the consciousness of certain Federal commanders, who were still following the letter of the Fugitive Slave Law: Alabama, July 25, 1862. That infernal Slave order is enough to make one curse the government that allows it to be issued. A few days ago a rebel came here with an order to take away his slave–The order was given by Gen. Rousseau who now commands our Division– I was away from camp at the time, but the captain in command allowed the master to take his slave away–
To-day, a notorious rebel lawyer came here, wishing to hunt through camp for his slave — but I refused to allow him to do so, and told him, if the slave were in camp, he should not have have him, if, as I supposed, we had received informations from him.
He told me he had been assured that he could go through our lines and into our camps to find his property– I assured him he could not go through mine. He will go to Huntsville, and probably report me, when I may be arrested. If so, I will give the whole pro-slavery, hunting crew a fight– I will appeal to the President. If not arrested, I will resign, rather than disobey orders.
Poor Miles, who was so badly wounded about three weeks ago, died day before yesterday — and yet, one of the gang that killed him and Capt. Moore, whom we arrested and sent to Huntsville, was released by Gen. Buell, and an order given for his horse– Oh, such conduct makes my blood boil!”
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=July+25%2C+1862
11. Friday, July 25, 1862 --- Daniel L. Day, of the 25th Massachusetts Infantry, is still in garrison duty in coastal North Carolina. He writes of one of the incidents that cheer up a soldier’s heart from the drudgery of the daily routine: “Gen. Foster has his wife and daughter with him here, which must make it very agreeable for him. Mrs. Foster is engaged in works of love and mercy around the hospitals, while Miss Foster, a young lady of some 16 or 17 years, is pretty much engaged in horseback ridding and having a good time generally. She is quite a military character, as we notice that when she and the general ride past here, she always returns the salutes from the sentinels as gracefully as the general. She frequently rides past here alone, and the sentinels along the street take great pride in honoring her with a present arms, a compliment which she never fails to acknowledge, by a graceful wave of her hand and her face wreathed with smiles.”
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=July+25%2C+1862
12. Friday, July 25, 1862: "Two hundred dollars reward"
The above reward, or a proportionate rate for any of them, will be paid for the apprehension of the following slaves and their confinement in jail so that I get them again, or their delivery to me, at Petersburg or Maiden's Adventure, Powhatan county:
Daniel about 30 years old; black; about 5 feet inches high; no marks recollected.
Charles, about 25 years old; black; about 6 feet high; no marks recollected.
Ned, about 21 years old; black; about 5 feet 8 inches; no marks.
David, about 40 years old; black; about 5 feet 6 inches; no marks.
Ann, about 32 years old; black; about 5 feet 2 inches; no marks.
Eliza, about 14 years old; black.
Matthew, about 25 years old; black; 5 feet 8 inches.
Richard, black; about 5 feet 8 inches; no marks recollected.
Gilbert, black; about 5 feet 6 inches; no marks recollected.
All except two of the above negroes having lived in Surry county, at Hog Island, were removed to Maiden's Adventure, Powhatan county, and are doubtless endeavoring to make their way back to Hog Island, with a view to escaping to the enemy.
Also, Joe, hired at the American Hotel, Richmond.
R,y. Jones.
http://www.civilwar-online.com/search?q=July+25%2C+1862
13. Friday, July 25, 1862 --- Gen. Bragg gives orders to hold a court-martial investigating Gen. George B. Crittenden’s reported drunkenness at the Battle of Mill Springs (a Southern defeat) in late March.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=July+25%2C+1862
14. Friday, July 25, 1862: “The big, famous battles of the War of the Rebellion get all the attention and most of the books, but it is worth remembering that one is just as dead if killed in an unnamed skirmish as in the Pickett-Pettigrew-Trimble Charge at Gettysburg. Small actions known as operations and skirmishes took place today at Summerville, Va; Courtland and Trinity, Alabama, Clinton Ferry, Tenn., Mountain Store, Mo, Holly Springs Miss., on Pearl River and Lake Ponchartrain, La, and in Pass Manchac nearby.”
https://bjdeming.com/2012/07/23/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-july-23-29-1862/
15. Friday, July 25, 1862 --- The Confederate armies in the Western Theater are divided up into fragmentary departments, as are the Union forces there. Braxton Bragg commands the Army of Mississippi, Earl Van Dorn commands the garrison of Vicksburg, and there are 20,000 men under Edmund Kirby-Smith at Knoxville. Bragg has sent 9,000 to garrison Mobile, 14,000 to Vicksburg, and 11,000 under Sterling Price to harass the Yankees at Corinth and Memphis, which left Bragg with only 30,000 for operations. But Bragg begins to move his troops by train down through Mobile and up to Chattanooga, to head off Buell’s Army of the Ohio. The Rebels fear Buell’s incursion toward Chattanooga, but have not quite realized that between the raids of Forrest and Morgan, and Buell’s practice of slowly repairing railroads and garrisoning every point across central Tennessee and northern Alabama, that his army has been frittered away to the point of bringing the Yankee advance to a halt.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=July+25%2C+1862
16. Saturday, July 25, 1863: "Substitute Wanted"
Conscription created a demand for substitutes in wartime Richmond. From the Daily Dispatch.
Substitute wanted. --A farm of two hundred and thirty acres, in Hanover, near Peak's Turn-out on the Central Railroad, or the highest price in Confederate money, will be paid for a suitable man to go as a Substitute in the army. Apply at the store of Geo I Heering, 56 Main street.
Substitute wanted. --Any person wishing to get a Substitute can get one at the New Market Hotel, who can bring good recommendations.--Would prefer to go in the cavalry, but would go in any other branch of the service.
Substitute wanted. --One of good character and 45 years of age. Call for four days at No. 113 Main street.
Substitute wanted. --An able bodied man, over the age of 45; none need apply unless native born; a liberal price will be paid. Apply for the next three days to "A B C, " Congress Hall, Franklin st, near Ballard House.
Substitute wanted. --$4,000 will be paid for one who will suit. Address "P." at the Dispatch office, to-day or to-morrow.
http://www.civilwar-online.com/search?q=July+25%2C+1863
17. Saturday, July 25, 1863: Department of East Tennessee, comprised of 17,800 men under Simon Bolivar Buckner, is merged into Braxton Bragg's Department of Tennessee. Major General Buckner is assign command of a corps.
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186307
18. Saturday, July 25, 1863: Union ironclads joined the assault on Battery Wagner. However, shore defences were far better than anticipated by the Unionists.
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/the-american-civil-war/american-civil-war-july-1863/
19. Monday, July 25, 1864: Virginia operations, Early’s raid: Lincoln confers with General Meigs relative to destroying fords across Potomac from Washington to Harper’s Ferry by means of dams.
https://bjdeming.com/2014/07/20/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-july-21-27-1864/
20. Monday, July 25, 1864: Atlanta campaign: General Sherman says: “On the 25th of July the army, therefore, stood thus: the Army of the Tennessee (General O. O. Howard commanding) was on the left, pretty much on the same ground it had occupied during the battle of the 22d, all ready to move rapidly by the rear to the extreme right beyond Proctor’s Creek; the Army of the Ohio (General Schofield) was next in order, with its left flank reaching the Augusta Railroad; next in order, conforming closely with the rebel intrenchments of Atlanta, was General Thomas’s Army of the Cumberland, in the order of—the Fourth Corps (Stanley’s), the Twentieth Corps (Williams’s), and the Fourteenth Corps (Palmer’s). Palmer’s right division (Jefferson C. Davis’s) was strongly refused along Proctor’s Creek. This line was about five miles long, and was intrenched as against a sally about as strong as was our enemy. The cavalry was assembled in two strong divisions; that of McCook (including the brigade of Harrison which had been brought in from Opelika by General Rousseau) numbered about thirty-five hundred effective cavalry, and was posted to our right rear, at Turner’s Ferry, where we had a good pontoon-bridge; and to our left rear, at and about Decatur, were the two cavalry divisions of Stoneman, twenty-five hundred, and Garrard, four thousand, united for the time and occasion under the command of Major-General George Stoneman, a cavalry-officer of high repute. My plan of action was to move the Army of the Tennessee to the right rapidly and boldly against the railroad below Atlanta, and at the same time to send all the cavalry around by the right and left to make a lodgment on the Macon road about Jonesboro.
All the orders were given, and the morning of the 27th was fixed for commencing the movement.
https://bjdeming.com/2014/07/20/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-july-21-27-1864/
21. Wednesday, July 25 1866: Congress establishes "general of the armies" and Ulysses S. Grant is immediately promoted to 4-star general and put in this position. William Tecumseh Sherman assumes the rank of Lt. General.
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/1866
22. Wednesday, July 25 1866: Congress creates the rank of Admiral. David Farragut is appointed to that rank.
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/1866

A Friday, July 25, 1862: Courtland, Alabama - On July 25, a Confederate force arrived at Courtland, at the Courtland Bridge. They spotted a Union force and managed to make a surprise attack. The Federals were surprised and was soon routed by the Confederates.
http://www.mycivilwar.com/battles/1862s.html
A+ Friday, July 25, 1862: Clinton Ferry, Tennessee - On July 25, a Confederate force was at the Clinton Ferry when they spotted a Union foraging party nearby. The Confederates attacked the party, but were soon forced to retreat.
http://www.mycivilwar.com/battles/1862s.html
B Friday, July 25, 1862: Summerville, West Virginia - On July 25, a Confederate cavalry force rode into Summerville. They soon discovered a Union post nearby. In the middle of the night, the cavalry made a surprise attack on the post, forcing the Federals to withdraw.
http://www.mycivilwar.com/battles/1862s.html
C Friday, July 25, 1862: Mississippi River: With Vicksburg still in Confederate hands, the small Union garrison at Natchez is overexposed and so is withdrawn to New Orleans.
https://bjdeming.com/2012/07/23/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-july-23-29-1862/
D Monday, July 25, 1864: Siege of Petersburg: General Grant plans a two-pronged offensive at Petersburg operating north of the James River to draw Confederates away from the mine area, south of the city.
https://bjdeming.com/2014/07/20/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-july-21-27-1864/

FYI SPC Deb Root-White Lt Col Charlie Brown GySgt Jack Wallace CWO4 Terrence Clark SPC Michael Oles SR SPC Michael Terrell 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 Bernard Walko SFC Stephen King SFC Ralph E Kelley SSG Franklin Briant Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth MSgt Robert C Aldi

Civil War Timeline / Chronology for July 1861

Response by SFC William Farrell made Sep 13 at 2016 11:50 AM

2016-09-13T11:50:13-04:00

Thanks for the share LTC Stephen F.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 13 at 2016 5:36 PM

2016-09-13T17:36:40-04:00

As always great history shared.

Response by SFC George Smith made Sep 13 at 2016 5:39 PM

2016-09-13T17:39:31-04:00

another History lesson thanks...

Response by TSgt Joe C. made Sep 14 at 2016 12:25 AM

2016-09-14T00:25:30-04:00

Great read today in Civil War history LTC Stephen F., I chose all events today.

Response by Amn Dale Preisach made Jul 25 at 2022 9:45 AM

2022-07-25T09:45:37-04:00

If the Western Confederacy had as commensurate, and talented a General as Lee, the War would have had a different ending.
Thank Goodness Lee was a " once in a Generation " Leader.