Posted on Jul 1, 2016
What was the most significant event on June 29 during the U.S. Civil War?
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Civil War Feature Film "No Retreat From Destiny: The Battle That Rescued Washington"
Civil War Docu-Drama "No Retreat From Destiny" - Directed by Kevin R. Hershberger and filmed in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Telling the story behind...
Fire-eaters was a term for confederates who were consumed with desires for vengeance for the desolation of the south including those who seemingly lost much of their own. As the Army of Northern Virginia moved north through the border state of Maryland to the Free state of Pennsylvania, Gen Robert E. Lee tried to restrain his forces from raping, killing and looting the northern towns they marched through.
Rebel cavalry versus Union Gunship in 1862 on the Pamunkey River in Virginia. “Confederate cavalry commander Jeb Stuart received information that there were 5,000 Union soldiers guarding a nearby depot and decided to attack. As the sun rose the following day, Stuart’s troopers arrived at the location, only to find that the enemy had already departed.
Less than a mile away, the rebel cavalry discovered the Union gunship U.S.S. Marblehead, anchored on the nearby Pamunkey River, close to the shoreline. Stuart immediately ordered a detachment of his men to attack the ship and prevent its escape. As they neared, Federal troops disembarked and began firing on the horsemen.
Major John Pelham, a gifted Confederate officer, positioned his horse-drawn artillery along the shoreline and was able to fire several shots that exploded above the Union ship. What followed was a highly unique melée in which cavalry, naval and artillery units engaged one another.
As the gunboat gathered steam, its defenders were called back on board and the ship quickly withdrew downstream. Pelham’s men continued to follow it along the water’s edge, firing at the retreating vessel for as long as their horses could keep pace with it.”
Southern troops execute vengeance on freedman plantations in 1863: “Lake Providence, Louisiana. After Union forces began occupying the Louisiana river parishes, thousands of escaped slaves flocked to them. The Federals, therefore, leased some plantations and put the freedmen to work growing cotton or other crops; the proceeds from the sale of the crops helped defray expenses for food, clothing, etc. African-American troops were assigned to protect these plantations, releasing other troops to fight. Confederates, determined to recapture some of these freedmen and destroy the crops, undertook an expedition from Gaines's Landing, Arkansas, to Lake Providence.
The Federals had constructed a fort on an Indian mound to protect some of these leased plantations. The Confederates prepared to attack the fort on the 29th but decided to demand unconditional surrender first, which the Union forces accepted. Later in the day, Col. W.H. Parsons fought companies of the 1st Kansas Mounted Infantry. The Confederates then began burning and destroying the surrounding plantations, especially those that the Federals leased.
By the next morning, Union boats had landed the Mississippi Marine Brigade, under the command of Brig. Gen. Alfred W. Ellet, at Goodrich's Landing. At dawn, he set out with Col. William F. Wood's African-American units to find the Rebels. Ellet's cavalry found the Confederates first and began skirmishing. The fight became more intense as Ellet's other forces approached. Parsons eventually disengaged and fell back. Ellet's cavalry lost 120 killed & wounded.
Although the Confederates disrupted these operations, destroyed much property, and captured many supplies and weapons, the raid was a minor setback for the Union. The Confederates could cause momentary disturbances, but they were unable to effect any lasting changes.”
Monday, June 29, 1863: Lt. Col. Arthur Fremantle of the Royal Army writes in his journal of the good discipline in Lee’s troops to prevent plundering: “We are still at Chambersburg. Lee has issued a remarkably good order on non-retaliation, which is generally well received; but I have heard of complaints from fire-eaters, who want vengeance for their wrongs; and when one considers the numbers of officers and soldiers with this army who have been totally ruined by the devastations of Northern troops, one cannot be much surprised at this feeling.
I went into Chambersburg again, and witnessed the singularly good behaviour of the troops towards the citizens. I heard soldiers saying to one another, that they did not like being in a town in which they were very naturally detested. To any one who has seen as I have the ravages of the Northern troops in Southern towns, this forbearance seems most commendable and surprising. Yet these Pennsylvanian Dutch don’t seem the least thankful, and really appear to be unaware that their own troops have been for two years treating Southern towns with ten times more harshness. They are the most unpatriotic people I ever saw, and openly state that they don’t care which side wins provided they are left alone. They abuse Lincoln tremendously.
Of course, in such a large army as this there must be many instances of bad characters, who are always ready to plunder and pillage whenever they can do so without being caught: the stragglers, also, who remain behind when the army has left, will doubtless do much harm.”
Pictures: 1862-06-29 JEB Stuart versus the USS Marblehead; 1863-06-29 Stuart's troopers push on by night; 1863 gettysburg-campaign-map-925; Confederate 32-pounder Brooke naval rifle railway gun used in the Civil War
A. 1862: Battle of Savage's Station, Virginia. Stalemate - marginal tactical victory for the North, the subsequent Union retreat make it a strategic victory for the South. With the bitter taste of their defeat at Gaines' Mill still in their mouths, the main body of the Army of the Potomac began a general withdrawal toward the James River on June 29, 1862. General John B. Magruder's Confederates pursued along the Richmond and York River railroad, and made contact with the Federal rearguard near Savage’s Station of a couple of Pennsylvania regiments put there by Maj Gen. Edwin Sumner, commander of the Federal II Corps. After a brief skirmish in the morning, Magruder found his 14,000 troops facing 26,000 Yankees from the Union II and VI Corps. With Stonewall Jackson's men stalled north of the Chickahominy, Magruder had no significant reinforcements with which to tip the balance in his favor. Rather than risk an all-out assault, "Prince John" sent forward less than half of his force to hold the Yankees in check.
Union Second Corps chief "Bull" Sumner, who had recently been deprived of reinforcements himself, was equally cautious and deployed only ten of his twenty-six regiments to meet the Rebel attack. As the battle raged, a 32-pounder naval rifle mounted on a railway car lobbed massive shells at the Yankees near Savage's Station. The show of Southern firepower was impressive, but was of little help to the outnumbered Confederates. While Lee tries to unsnarl the problem of Jackson’s orders, he directs Magruder to not delay and to attack the Federals wherever he can find them. So Magruder’s troops go forward, Kershaw’ and Semmes’ brigades pushing the Federals. Kershaw pierces the Union line, but for lack of support has to abandon his advantage: Union reinforcements dislodge his troops, and the Rebel attack collapses. The fighting dies out with the day’s light, with little being accomplished except for a large bill of casualties for so limited an action. The two sides fought one another until darkness ended the battle in a stalemate. In a bloody coda to the day's fighting, the Vermont Brigade made a charge to protect the Federal left flank, suffering 439 casualties, nearly half of them from the 5th Vermont.
After nightfall, the Army of the Potomac continued to withdraw across White Oak Swamp, abandoning supplies and more than 2,500 wounded soldiers in a field hospital.
B. 1862: J.E.B Stuart versus the USS Marblehead. Federal victory as vessel escapes unscathed. At daylight, Stuart's Confederate force entered within sight of the White House landing on the Pamunkey River and found that the reported 5,000 Union soldiers had gone. About 1/4 mile away, the Confederates discovered the Union gunboat, USS Marblehead anchored on the nearby Pamunkey River, close to the shoreline. Stuart ordered a 75-man detachment to attack the ship. When they were close to the ship, the ship opened fire on them. Some Federals disembarked and opened fire on the Confederates, also. Maj. John Pelham positioned his horse-drawn artillery along the shoreline and was able to fire several shots that exploded above the Union ship. One of the shots exploded above the ship. The Marblehead began to gather steam and called in its skirmishers. Pelham’s men continued to follow it along the water’s edge, firing at the retreating vessel for as long as their horses could keep pace with it. The Marblehead finally managed to escape from its pursuers.
C. 1863: "Corbit's Charge" at Westminster, Maryland delayed J.E.B. Stuart’s cavalry division. Many encounters preceded the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart and his 4,000 or so trooper cavalry division are operating due west of Baltimore, and are moving quickly now to effect a rendezvous with Lee. Stuart senses that he is behind schedule. His troopers destroy the telegraph line between Washington and the Union army, and ride on.
Westminster remained quiet until about 4 p.m. on June 29, when the report of approaching Confederates was brought to the Union troops. In Major Knight's absence, Captain Corbit led a charge of 95 troopers of the 1st Delaware Cavalry through the streets of Westminster to Washington Road. Expecting to overcome a small unit of Confederates, they found themselves facing a large body of General Stuart's veteran cavalry. The sheer shock of the attack, however, throws Stuart’s brigades back on their heels: the Rebels retreat, and finally re-group to charge the tiny force of Yankees. Fitzhugh Lee’s brigade charges once, twice, and are beaten back by the entrenched Delaware men. On the third charge, the Federals are overwhelmed, and flee. The gray riders catch up with them, and capture over 60 of them. including Captain Corbit and Lieutenant Churchman. 2 union troopers died and 11 were wounded. 2 prominent Confederate officers were killed, of which one - Lt. John William Murray, Co. E, 4th Virginia cavalry, C.S.A. 10 other Confederates were badly wounded. Instead of proceeding into Pennsylvania to inform General Robert E. Lee about the major Union troop movements, Stuart's cavalry was delayed long enough, as the result of the skirmish, to make it advisable to spend the night in the Westminster area. Historians have often wondered whether the results of the Battle of Gettysburg might have been different if Stuart arrived before July 2.
D. 1864: Battle of Ream’s Station, Virginia. Confederate victory. Early in the morning, Brig. Gen. August Kautz’s cavalry division reached Ream’s Station on the Weldon Railroad, which was thought to be held by Union infantry. Instead, Kautz found the road barred by CSA Maj. Gen. William Mahone’s Confederate infantry division. Maj. Gen. James Wilson’s division, fighting against elements of CSA William H.F. Rooney Lee’s cavalry, joined Kautz’s near Ream’s Station, where they were virtually surrounded. About noon, Mahone’s infantry assaulted their front while CSA Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee’s cavalry division threatened the Union left flank.
The raiders burned their wagons and abandoned their artillery. Separated by the Confederate attacks, Wilson and his men cut their way through and fled south on the Stage Road to cross Nottoway River, while Kautz went cross-country, reaching Federal lines at Petersburg about dark. Wilson continued east to the Blackwater River before turning north, eventually reaching Union lines at Light House Point on July 2. The Wilson-Kautz raid tore up more than 60 miles of track, temporarily disrupting rail traffic into Petersburg, but at a great cost in men and mounts.
Estimated Casualties: 600 total (1,817 for entire raid)
Civil War Feature Film "No Retreat From Destiny: The Battle That Rescued Washington"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fYlMusFwBY
FYI CWO4 Terrence Clark SPC Michael Terrell COL Lisandro Murphy LTC Trent Klug CWO3 Dennis M. CPT Kevin McComas]SSgt David M. SrA Ronald Moore SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D PV2 Larry Sellnow SFC Randy Purham SPC Maurice Evans SFC Ralph E Kelley SSG Ed Mikus SSG Michael Scott SPC Michael Oles SR Maj Marty Hogan COL Randall C.
Rebel cavalry versus Union Gunship in 1862 on the Pamunkey River in Virginia. “Confederate cavalry commander Jeb Stuart received information that there were 5,000 Union soldiers guarding a nearby depot and decided to attack. As the sun rose the following day, Stuart’s troopers arrived at the location, only to find that the enemy had already departed.
Less than a mile away, the rebel cavalry discovered the Union gunship U.S.S. Marblehead, anchored on the nearby Pamunkey River, close to the shoreline. Stuart immediately ordered a detachment of his men to attack the ship and prevent its escape. As they neared, Federal troops disembarked and began firing on the horsemen.
Major John Pelham, a gifted Confederate officer, positioned his horse-drawn artillery along the shoreline and was able to fire several shots that exploded above the Union ship. What followed was a highly unique melée in which cavalry, naval and artillery units engaged one another.
As the gunboat gathered steam, its defenders were called back on board and the ship quickly withdrew downstream. Pelham’s men continued to follow it along the water’s edge, firing at the retreating vessel for as long as their horses could keep pace with it.”
Southern troops execute vengeance on freedman plantations in 1863: “Lake Providence, Louisiana. After Union forces began occupying the Louisiana river parishes, thousands of escaped slaves flocked to them. The Federals, therefore, leased some plantations and put the freedmen to work growing cotton or other crops; the proceeds from the sale of the crops helped defray expenses for food, clothing, etc. African-American troops were assigned to protect these plantations, releasing other troops to fight. Confederates, determined to recapture some of these freedmen and destroy the crops, undertook an expedition from Gaines's Landing, Arkansas, to Lake Providence.
The Federals had constructed a fort on an Indian mound to protect some of these leased plantations. The Confederates prepared to attack the fort on the 29th but decided to demand unconditional surrender first, which the Union forces accepted. Later in the day, Col. W.H. Parsons fought companies of the 1st Kansas Mounted Infantry. The Confederates then began burning and destroying the surrounding plantations, especially those that the Federals leased.
By the next morning, Union boats had landed the Mississippi Marine Brigade, under the command of Brig. Gen. Alfred W. Ellet, at Goodrich's Landing. At dawn, he set out with Col. William F. Wood's African-American units to find the Rebels. Ellet's cavalry found the Confederates first and began skirmishing. The fight became more intense as Ellet's other forces approached. Parsons eventually disengaged and fell back. Ellet's cavalry lost 120 killed & wounded.
Although the Confederates disrupted these operations, destroyed much property, and captured many supplies and weapons, the raid was a minor setback for the Union. The Confederates could cause momentary disturbances, but they were unable to effect any lasting changes.”
Monday, June 29, 1863: Lt. Col. Arthur Fremantle of the Royal Army writes in his journal of the good discipline in Lee’s troops to prevent plundering: “We are still at Chambersburg. Lee has issued a remarkably good order on non-retaliation, which is generally well received; but I have heard of complaints from fire-eaters, who want vengeance for their wrongs; and when one considers the numbers of officers and soldiers with this army who have been totally ruined by the devastations of Northern troops, one cannot be much surprised at this feeling.
I went into Chambersburg again, and witnessed the singularly good behaviour of the troops towards the citizens. I heard soldiers saying to one another, that they did not like being in a town in which they were very naturally detested. To any one who has seen as I have the ravages of the Northern troops in Southern towns, this forbearance seems most commendable and surprising. Yet these Pennsylvanian Dutch don’t seem the least thankful, and really appear to be unaware that their own troops have been for two years treating Southern towns with ten times more harshness. They are the most unpatriotic people I ever saw, and openly state that they don’t care which side wins provided they are left alone. They abuse Lincoln tremendously.
Of course, in such a large army as this there must be many instances of bad characters, who are always ready to plunder and pillage whenever they can do so without being caught: the stragglers, also, who remain behind when the army has left, will doubtless do much harm.”
Pictures: 1862-06-29 JEB Stuart versus the USS Marblehead; 1863-06-29 Stuart's troopers push on by night; 1863 gettysburg-campaign-map-925; Confederate 32-pounder Brooke naval rifle railway gun used in the Civil War
A. 1862: Battle of Savage's Station, Virginia. Stalemate - marginal tactical victory for the North, the subsequent Union retreat make it a strategic victory for the South. With the bitter taste of their defeat at Gaines' Mill still in their mouths, the main body of the Army of the Potomac began a general withdrawal toward the James River on June 29, 1862. General John B. Magruder's Confederates pursued along the Richmond and York River railroad, and made contact with the Federal rearguard near Savage’s Station of a couple of Pennsylvania regiments put there by Maj Gen. Edwin Sumner, commander of the Federal II Corps. After a brief skirmish in the morning, Magruder found his 14,000 troops facing 26,000 Yankees from the Union II and VI Corps. With Stonewall Jackson's men stalled north of the Chickahominy, Magruder had no significant reinforcements with which to tip the balance in his favor. Rather than risk an all-out assault, "Prince John" sent forward less than half of his force to hold the Yankees in check.
Union Second Corps chief "Bull" Sumner, who had recently been deprived of reinforcements himself, was equally cautious and deployed only ten of his twenty-six regiments to meet the Rebel attack. As the battle raged, a 32-pounder naval rifle mounted on a railway car lobbed massive shells at the Yankees near Savage's Station. The show of Southern firepower was impressive, but was of little help to the outnumbered Confederates. While Lee tries to unsnarl the problem of Jackson’s orders, he directs Magruder to not delay and to attack the Federals wherever he can find them. So Magruder’s troops go forward, Kershaw’ and Semmes’ brigades pushing the Federals. Kershaw pierces the Union line, but for lack of support has to abandon his advantage: Union reinforcements dislodge his troops, and the Rebel attack collapses. The fighting dies out with the day’s light, with little being accomplished except for a large bill of casualties for so limited an action. The two sides fought one another until darkness ended the battle in a stalemate. In a bloody coda to the day's fighting, the Vermont Brigade made a charge to protect the Federal left flank, suffering 439 casualties, nearly half of them from the 5th Vermont.
After nightfall, the Army of the Potomac continued to withdraw across White Oak Swamp, abandoning supplies and more than 2,500 wounded soldiers in a field hospital.
B. 1862: J.E.B Stuart versus the USS Marblehead. Federal victory as vessel escapes unscathed. At daylight, Stuart's Confederate force entered within sight of the White House landing on the Pamunkey River and found that the reported 5,000 Union soldiers had gone. About 1/4 mile away, the Confederates discovered the Union gunboat, USS Marblehead anchored on the nearby Pamunkey River, close to the shoreline. Stuart ordered a 75-man detachment to attack the ship. When they were close to the ship, the ship opened fire on them. Some Federals disembarked and opened fire on the Confederates, also. Maj. John Pelham positioned his horse-drawn artillery along the shoreline and was able to fire several shots that exploded above the Union ship. One of the shots exploded above the ship. The Marblehead began to gather steam and called in its skirmishers. Pelham’s men continued to follow it along the water’s edge, firing at the retreating vessel for as long as their horses could keep pace with it. The Marblehead finally managed to escape from its pursuers.
C. 1863: "Corbit's Charge" at Westminster, Maryland delayed J.E.B. Stuart’s cavalry division. Many encounters preceded the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart and his 4,000 or so trooper cavalry division are operating due west of Baltimore, and are moving quickly now to effect a rendezvous with Lee. Stuart senses that he is behind schedule. His troopers destroy the telegraph line between Washington and the Union army, and ride on.
Westminster remained quiet until about 4 p.m. on June 29, when the report of approaching Confederates was brought to the Union troops. In Major Knight's absence, Captain Corbit led a charge of 95 troopers of the 1st Delaware Cavalry through the streets of Westminster to Washington Road. Expecting to overcome a small unit of Confederates, they found themselves facing a large body of General Stuart's veteran cavalry. The sheer shock of the attack, however, throws Stuart’s brigades back on their heels: the Rebels retreat, and finally re-group to charge the tiny force of Yankees. Fitzhugh Lee’s brigade charges once, twice, and are beaten back by the entrenched Delaware men. On the third charge, the Federals are overwhelmed, and flee. The gray riders catch up with them, and capture over 60 of them. including Captain Corbit and Lieutenant Churchman. 2 union troopers died and 11 were wounded. 2 prominent Confederate officers were killed, of which one - Lt. John William Murray, Co. E, 4th Virginia cavalry, C.S.A. 10 other Confederates were badly wounded. Instead of proceeding into Pennsylvania to inform General Robert E. Lee about the major Union troop movements, Stuart's cavalry was delayed long enough, as the result of the skirmish, to make it advisable to spend the night in the Westminster area. Historians have often wondered whether the results of the Battle of Gettysburg might have been different if Stuart arrived before July 2.
D. 1864: Battle of Ream’s Station, Virginia. Confederate victory. Early in the morning, Brig. Gen. August Kautz’s cavalry division reached Ream’s Station on the Weldon Railroad, which was thought to be held by Union infantry. Instead, Kautz found the road barred by CSA Maj. Gen. William Mahone’s Confederate infantry division. Maj. Gen. James Wilson’s division, fighting against elements of CSA William H.F. Rooney Lee’s cavalry, joined Kautz’s near Ream’s Station, where they were virtually surrounded. About noon, Mahone’s infantry assaulted their front while CSA Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee’s cavalry division threatened the Union left flank.
The raiders burned their wagons and abandoned their artillery. Separated by the Confederate attacks, Wilson and his men cut their way through and fled south on the Stage Road to cross Nottoway River, while Kautz went cross-country, reaching Federal lines at Petersburg about dark. Wilson continued east to the Blackwater River before turning north, eventually reaching Union lines at Light House Point on July 2. The Wilson-Kautz raid tore up more than 60 miles of track, temporarily disrupting rail traffic into Petersburg, but at a great cost in men and mounts.
Estimated Casualties: 600 total (1,817 for entire raid)
Civil War Feature Film "No Retreat From Destiny: The Battle That Rescued Washington"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fYlMusFwBY
FYI CWO4 Terrence Clark SPC Michael Terrell COL Lisandro Murphy LTC Trent Klug CWO3 Dennis M. CPT Kevin McComas]SSgt David M. SrA Ronald Moore SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D PV2 Larry Sellnow SFC Randy Purham SPC Maurice Evans SFC Ralph E Kelley SSG Ed Mikus SSG Michael Scott SPC Michael Oles SR Maj Marty Hogan COL Randall C.
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"June 28, 1863: A Critical Day!" Battle of Gettysburg Podcast S1E2
Jim Hessler and Eric Lindblade take a deep dive look at June 28, 1863: one of the most critical days in the Gettysburg campaign! We deal with the circumstanc...
Confederate General killed by artillery blast in 1862: During the Battle of Peach Orchard Confederate Brigadier General Richard Griffith is killed by an artillery blast.
In 1863, citizens of Baltimore are jittery about the news that the Army of Northern Virginia has moved north and are apparently roaming around the countryside. Barricades are built in Baltimore, Maryland.
Citizens in Pennsylvania had been moving supplies and the underground railroad helped move freedman to safer areas after word got out that Confederates were taking black people back south whether they were escaped slaves or freedman.
Below are a number of journal entries from 1862 and 1863 which shed light on what life was like for soldiers and civilians – the good, the bad and the ugly.
Sunday, June 29, 1862: In Baton Rouge, Sarah Morgan writes in her journal about the hated Federal occupation, especially under the tyranny and military rule of the even more hated Gen. Benjamin Butler: “Ah, truly! this is the bitterness of slavery, to be insulted and reviled by cowards who are safe at home and enjoy the protection of the laws, while we, captive and overpowered, dare not raise our voices to throw back the insult, and are governed by the despotism of one man, whose word is our law! And that man, they tell us, “is the right man in the right place. He will develop a Union sentiment among the people, if the thing can be done!” Come and see if he can! Hear the curse that arises from thousands of hearts at that man’s name, and say if he will “speedily bring us to our senses.” Will he accomplish it by love, tenderness, mercy, compassion? He might have done it; but did he try?”
Monday, June 29, 1863 --- Elias Brady, of the 86th Indiana Infantry, writes home to his wife Martha, telling of the Army of the Cumberland’s operations near Murfreesboro, after they took 700 prisoners---and how, after an argument with a prisoner, he was ready to fight him: “I had a long talk with some of them some of them is very saucy and others ar tired of the war one man told me that they would fight us as long as they could find a corn to eat I asked him what they would do when we drove them out of Tennessee he said we hadent drove them out yet I told him that we would drive them out befor this battle is over he was very saucy we had it prety rough for a while the guard came along and made me stand back if I had a daired I would a went for his meat house. . . .”
Brady then writes of the reasons, in his opinion, that the war is still going on, and the invasion of “Pencilvany”---and his loneliness: “Mat it is no use to grieve and fret it dont mend the mater but I would give all I expect to be worth if I could be at home injoying my self like I was a year ago there is but little time passes over but what I am thinking of and lonely Some of the boys injoy them selves here but I would rather be at home I could content my self better if they war trying to end the war but it is a speculating scheme our leading men ar making money and they dont try to stop the war their is men enough in the North to crush this rebellion in a short time why dont they bring them out I understand that the rebels ar in vading pencilvany I don’t cimpathise one bit with them if they would burn evry thing in the state it would be a good thing if as large a state as pencilvany cant protect her self she aught to suffer mabe this rade will open some of their eyes I think it will be a help to the union. . . . I whant you to write often I would like to get a letter evry mail if I could but that is out of the question we get a daily mail here cant get a letter evry male I whant to get a letter evry third mail any way write soon good bye. from your ever affectionate Husband, E Brady
write soon Mat, Brady Loney Brady
Monday, June 29, 1863: Sergeant Alexander G. Downing, of the 11th Iowa, is part of the Federal forces under Grant laying siege to Vicksburg. He writes in his journal concerning the siege and a soldier’s daily life: “Fighting is still going on and our guns around Vicksburg seem to be making a new onslaught today. Our men blew up another rebel fort, but did not attempt to rush in, since the guns from the other forts are so arranged as to defend any other point along the fortifications. Everything on the outer lines has been quiet. I came in from picket this morning. The boys of my company are all in fine spirits, and although the blackberries are getting scarce, peaches and apples, which are plentiful around here, will soon be ripe.”
Monday, June 29, 1863: Horatio Nelson Taft, a clerk in Washington, writes in his diary of the palpable anxiety in the city and of the impending battle: “The very atmosphere has been full of rumors today in reference to the movements of the rebels in P.a. & Maryland. Yesterday they captured a large wagon train (170 Six Mule Teams) within Ten Miles of this City. The train was on its way to Frederick M.D. The Rebels are probably in Harrisburg by tonight. A people which will refuse to turn out en mass to repel the invader deserves to have its capitol taken, and their Country laid waste. If nothing Else will “wake up” the inhabitants I hope that fire and plunder will. Genl Hooker has been superceded and Genl Meade is now in command of the “Army of the Potomac.” It is said today that Mr Stanton has been superceded as Sec’y of War by B. F. Butler. I hope it is so. This morning a Squad of Rebels came within six miles of Washington and came near capturing P M Genl Blair as he was coming to the City from his Country residence. They got his horse, which he was riding, he escaped in the woods. A Negro Regt (one thousand Strong) passed through the Av’e yesterday. I never saw a new Regt march better. We are expecting that communication will be cut off (with Baltimore) by tomorrow morning.”
Pictures: 1862-06-29 Battle of Savages Station Map; 1863-06-29 Citizens of Baltimore put barricades in the streets on June 29, 1863; 1864-06-29 Battle of Ream’s Station -Wilson-Kautz Raid Map; 1862 Civil War Hospital
A. Sunday, June 29, 1862: Battle of Savage's Station, Virginia. Stalemate - marginal tactical victory for the North, the subsequent Union retreat make it a strategic victory for the South. With the bitter taste of their defeat at Gaines' Mill still in their mouths, the main body of the Army of the Potomac began a general withdrawal toward the James River on June 29, 1862. General John B. Magruder's Confederates pursued along the Richmond and York River railroad, and made contact with the Federal rearguard near Savage’s Station of a couple of Pennsylvania regiments put there by Maj Gen. Edwin Sumner, commander of the Federal II Corps. After a brief skirmish in the morning, Magruder found his 14,000 troops facing 26,000 Yankees from the Union II and VI Corps. With Stonewall Jackson's men stalled north of the Chickahominy, Magruder had no significant reinforcements with which to tip the balance in his favor. Rather than risk an all-out assault, "Prince John" sent forward less than half of his force to hold the Yankees in check.
Union Second Corps chief "Bull" Sumner, who had recently been deprived of reinforcements himself, was equally cautious and deployed only ten of his twenty-six regiments to meet the Rebel attack. As the battle raged, a 32-pounder naval rifle mounted on a railway car lobbed massive shells at the Yankees near Savage's Station. The show of Southern firepower was impressive, but was of little help to the outnumbered Confederates. While Lee tries to unsnarl the problem of Jackson’s orders, he directs Magruder to not delay and to attack the Federals wherever he can find them. So Magruder’s troops go forward, Kershaw’ and Semmes’ brigades pushing the Federals. Kershaw pierces the Union line, but for lack of support has to abandon his advantage: Union reinforcements dislodge his troops, and the Rebel attack collapses. The fighting dies out with the day’s light, with little being accomplished except for a large bill of casualties for so limited an action. The two sides fought one another until darkness ended the battle in a stalemate. In a bloody coda to the day's fighting, the Vermont Brigade made a charge to protect the Federal left flank, suffering 439 casualties, nearly half of them from the 5th Vermont.
After nightfall, the Army of the Potomac continued to withdraw across White Oak Swamp, abandoning supplies and more than 2,500 wounded soldiers in a field hospital.
Background: As CSA Gen Robert E. Lee discovers the comprehensive extent and haste of Federal Maj Gen George McClellan’s Army of the Potomac retreat, he devises a plan for pursuit, so as to catch McClellan divided or at least disorganized on the tangled country roads southeast of Richmond. He puts D.H. Hill under Jackson’s command, and orders Jackson’s force (several divisions, including his own, Hill’s, and Ewell’s) to move east and cross back over the Chickahominy (hereafter referred to as “the river”), along with A.P. Hill’s Light Division (which was really a large division), and Longstreet’s force of several divisions. Lee expects that Jackson would, being closest to McClellan’s escape routes, be able to descend upon the Union flank or even the rear; A.P. Hill and Longstreet, being farther away, are not expected to catch up with the fleeing Yankees. South of the river, Huger and Magruder are expected to strike eastward at the Yankees also. Lee believes that McClellan will move slowly enough that the Confederates will be able to catch up with a large chink of the Federal army and wagon train by July 30, the next day. McClellan, however, moves faster than Lee expects. Little Mac is convinced that Lee and an army nearly twice his size are about to swallow up the Army of the Potomac, and so pushes his columns southward and then departs with his headquarters for the James River, leaving no overall commander of the corps of Heintzelman, Sumner, and Franklin that are left as a rear guard, so that his huge wagon train may pass through the White Oak Swamp safely to the James River also.
B. Sunday, June 29, 1862: J.E.B Stuart versus the USS Marblehead. Federal victory as vessel escapes unscathed. At daylight, Stuart's Confederate force entered within sight of the White House landing on the Pamunkey River and found that the reported 5,000 Union soldiers had gone. About 1/4 mile away, the Confederates discovered the Union gunboat, USS Marblehead anchored on the nearby Pamunkey River, close to the shoreline. Stuart ordered a 75-man detachment to attack the ship. When they were close to the ship, the ship opened fire on them. Some Federals disembarked and opened fire on the Confederates, also. Maj. John Pelham positioned his horse-drawn artillery along the shoreline and was able to fire several shots that exploded above the Union ship. One of the shots exploded above the ship. The Marblehead began to gather steam and called in its skirmishers. Pelham’s men continued to follow it along the water’s edge, firing at the retreating vessel for as long as their horses could keep pace with it. The Marblehead finally managed to escape from its pursuers.
Background: Confederate cavalry commander Jeb Stuart received information that there were 5,000 Union soldiers guarding a nearby depot and decided to attack. As the sun rose the following day, Stuart’s troopers arrived at the location, only to find that the enemy had already departed..
C. Monday, June 29, 1863: "Corbit's Charge" at Westminster, Maryland delayed J.E.B. Stuart’s cavalry division. Many encounters preceded the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart and his 4,000 or so trooper cavalry division are operating due west of Baltimore, and are moving quickly now to effect a rendezvous with Lee. Stuart senses that he is behind schedule. His troopers destroy the telegraph line between Washington and the Union army, and ride on.
Westminster remained quiet until about 4 p.m. on June 29, when the report of approaching Confederates was brought to the Union troops. In Major Knight's absence, Captain Corbit led a charge of 95 troopers of the 1st Delaware Cavalry through the streets of Westminster to Washington Road. Expecting to overcome a small unit of Confederates, they found themselves facing a large body of General Stuart's veteran cavalry. The sheer shock of the attack, however, throws Stuart’s brigades back on their heels: the Rebels retreat, and finally re-group to charge the tiny force of Yankees. Fitzhugh Lee’s brigade charges once, twice, and are beaten back by the entrenched Delaware men. On the third charge, the Federals are overwhelmed, and flee. The gray riders catch up with them, and capture over 60 of them. including Captain Corbit and Lieutenant Churchman. 2 union troopers died and 11 were wounded. 2 prominent Confederate officers were killed, of which one - Lt. John William Murray, Co. E, 4th Virginia cavalry, C.S.A. 10 other Confederates were badly wounded. Instead of proceeding into Pennsylvania to inform General Robert E. Lee about the major Union troop movements, Stuart's cavalry was delayed long enough, as the result of the skirmish, to make it advisable to spend the night in the Westminster area. Historians have often wondered whether the results of the Battle of Gettysburg might have been different if Stuart arrived before July 2.
Background: On June 28, 1863, Companies C and D of the 1st Delaware Cavalry arrived in Westminster from Baltimore to guard the important rail and road junction in town. Commanded by Major Napoleon B. Knight, with Captain Charles Corbit and Lieutenant Caleb Churchman as company commanders, they numbered less than 100 men. Meanwhile, General J.E.B. Stuart, who crossed the Potomac River into Maryland on June 27, with 3 brigades of Confederate cavalry, numbering nearly 6,000 men, was moving north towards Westminster after capturing a large Union supply train in Rockville.
D. Wednesday, June 29, 1864: Battle of Ream’s Station, Virginia. Confederate victory. Early in the morning, Brig. Gen. August Kautz’s cavalry division reached Ream’s Station on the Weldon Railroad, which was thought to be held by Union infantry. Instead, Kautz found the road barred by CSA Maj. Gen. William Mahone’s Confederate infantry division. Maj. Gen. James Wilson’s division, fighting against elements of CSA William H.F. Rooney Lee’s cavalry, joined Kautz’s near Ream’s Station, where they were virtually surrounded. About noon, Mahone’s infantry assaulted their front while CSA Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee’s cavalry division threatened the Union left flank.
The raiders burned their wagons and abandoned their artillery. Separated by the Confederate attacks, Wilson and his men cut their way through and fled south on the Stage Road to cross Nottoway River, while Kautz went cross-country, reaching Federal lines at Petersburg about dark. Wilson continued east to the Blackwater River before turning north, eventually reaching Union lines at Light House Point on July 2. The Wilson-Kautz raid tore up more than 60 miles of track, temporarily disrupting rail traffic into Petersburg, but at a great cost in men and mounts.
Estimated Casualties: 600 total (1,817 for entire raid)
1. Saturday, June 29, 1861: Senior military and civilian leaders met with Lincoln in Washington DC. Field command of the Union army was handed to General Irwin McDowell. He had spent the previous 12 years in administrative fields and may have been looking at ways to extract some glory from his appointment, as his first order was to march on Richmond. While this was very popular with the public, those in the Union army were less than convinced that it was a good move.
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2. Sunday, June 29, 1862: Battle of Peach Orchard [Battle of Orchard Station, Battle of Allen's Farm], Virginia. During the Battle of Peach Orchard Confederate Brigadier General Richard Griffith is killed by an artillery blast.
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3. Sunday, June 29, 1862 --- In Baton Rouge, Sarah Morgan writes in her journal about the hated Federal occupation, especially under the tyranny and military rule of the even more hated Gen. Benjamin Butler: “Ah, truly! this is the bitterness of slavery, to be insulted and reviled by cowards who are safe at home and enjoy the protection of the laws, while we, captive and overpowered, dare not raise our voices to throw back the insult, and are governed by the despotism of one man, whose word is our law! And that man, they tell us, “is the right man in the right place. He will develop a Union sentiment among the people, if the thing can be done!” Come and see if he can! Hear the curse that arises from thousands of hearts at that man’s name, and say if he will “speedily bring us to our senses.” Will he accomplish it by love, tenderness, mercy, compassion? He might have done it; but did he try?”
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4. Sunday, June 29, 1862 --- The New York Times, in an editorial, considers the problem of cotton---or rather, the lack of it, if the American cotton crop from the South is not available. In terms of American relations with Great Britain, this is an especially thorny problem, and partially explains the British tendency to favor the Confederacy up until this point in the War: “. . . But when we have silenced the political jargon of planters and demagogues in the South on this subject [slavery], we still have a profoundly important problem that all civilized nations are interested in solving. Where shall Cotton be had, abundantly and cheaply enough to meet the demand formerly, but no longer, supplied by the rebel crop?
England is more interested in the answer to this question than the United States — far more. England depends to a vastly greater extent on the prosperity of cotton manufactories, for the preservation and welfare of her population, than do the people of the United States. Hence it is that the prospect of the reduction of the rebellion by our Government gives no joy and no peace of mind in England — for it conveys no assurance of a resumption of the enormous production of cotton in the States that once supplied the English mills to repletion. On the contrary, England recognizes the blow that Slavery has received, and having adopted the Southern and secession theory of “no Slavery, no cotton,” her statesmen feel that the triumph of the Union will be a crushing blow to England’s prosperity — plunging her manufacturers into bankruptcy, and reducing millions to the verge of starvation.”
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5. A Sunday, June 29, 1862: Battle of Savage's Station, Virginia. George McClellan; Lafayette McLaws; Seven Days Retreat; Edwin Vose Sumner
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6. Monday, June 29, 1863 --- Siege of Vicksburg, Day 38
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7. Monday, June 29, 1863 --- Siege of Port Hudson, Day 33
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8. Monday, June 29, 1863 --- Elias Brady, of the 86th Indiana Infantry, writes home to his wife Martha, telling of the Army of the Cumberland’s operations near Murfreesboro, after they took 700 prisoners---and how, after an argument with a prisoner, he was ready to fight him: “I had a long talk with some of them some of them is very saucy and others ar tired of the war one man told me that they would fight us as long as they could find a corn to eat I asked him what they would do when we drove them out of Tennessee he said we hadent drove them out yet I told him that we would drive them out befor this battle is over he was very saucy we had it prety rough for a while the guard came along and made me stand back if I had a daired I would a went for his meat house. . . .”
Brady then writes of the reasons, in his opinion, that the war is still going on, and the invasion of “Pencilvany”---and his loneliness: “Mat it is no use to grieve and fret it dont mend the mater but I would give all I expect to be worth if I could be at home injoying my self like I was a year ago there is but little time passes over but what I am thinking of and lonely Some of the boys injoy them selves here but I would rather be at home I could content my self better if they war trying to end the war but it is a speculating scheme our leading men ar making money and they dont try to stop the war their is men enough in the North to crush this rebellion in a short time why dont they bring them out I understand that the rebels ar in vading pencilvany I don’t cimpathise one bit with them if they would burn evry thing in the state it would be a good thing if as large a state as pencilvany cant protect her self she aught to suffer mabe this rade will open some of their eyes I think it will be a help to the union. . . . I whant you to write often I would like to get a letter evry mail if I could but that is out of the question we get a daily mail here cant get a letter evry male I whant to get a letter evry third mail any way write soon good bye. from your ever affectionate Husband, E Brady
write soon Mat, Brady Loney Brady
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9. Monday, June 29, 1863 --- Sergeant Alexander G. Downing, of the 11th Iowa, is part of the Federal forces under Grant laying siege to Vicksburg. He writes in his journal concerning the siege and a soldier’s daily life: “Fighting is still going on and our guns around Vicksburg seem to be making a new onslaught today. Our men blew up another rebel fort, but did not attempt to rush in, since the guns from the other forts are so arranged as to defend any other point along the fortifications. Everything on the outer lines has been quiet. I came in from picket this morning. The boys of my company are all in fine spirits, and although the blackberries are getting scarce, peaches and apples, which are plentiful around here, will soon be ripe.”
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10. Monday, June 29, 1863 --- Horatio Nelson Taft, a clerk in Washington, writes in his diary of the palpable anxiety in the city and of the impending battle: “The very atmosphere has been full of rumors today in reference to the movements of the rebels in P.a. & Maryland. Yesterday they captured a large wagon train (170 Six Mule Teams) within Ten Miles of this City. The train was on its way To Frederick M.D. The Rebels are probably in Harrisburg by tonight. A people which will refuse to turn out en mass to repel the invader deserves to have its capitol taken, and their Country laid waste. If nothing Else will “wake up” the inhabitants I hope that fire and plunder will. Genl Hooker has been superceded and Genl Meade is now in command of the “Army of the Potomac.” It is said today that Mr Stanton has been superceded as Sec’y of War by B. F. Butler. I hope it is so. This morning a Squad of Rebels came within six miles of Washington and came near capturing P M Genl Blair as he was coming to the City from his Country residence. They got his horse, which he was riding, he escaped in the woods. A Negro Regt (one thousand Strong) passed through the Av’e yesterday. I never saw a new Regt march better. We are expecting that communication will be cut off (with Baltimore) by tomorrow morning.”
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11. Monday, June 29, 1863 --- Lt. Col. Arthur Fremantle of the Royal Army writes in his journal of the good discipline in Lee’s troops to prevent plundering: “We are still at Chambersburg. Lee has issued a remarkably good order on non-retaliation, which is generally well received; but I have heard of complaints from fire-eaters, who want vengeance for their wrongs; and when one considers the numbers of officers and soldiers with this army who have been totally ruined by the devastations of Northern troops, one cannot be much surprised at this feeling.
I went into Chambersburg again, and witnessed the singularly good behaviour of the troops towards the citizens. I heard soldiers saying to one another, that they did not like being in a town in which they were very naturally detested. To any one who has seen as I have the ravages of the Northern troops in Southern towns, this forbearance seems most commendable and surprising. Yet these Pennsylvanian Dutch don’t seem the least thankful, and really appear to be unaware that their own troops have been for two years treating Southern towns with ten times more harshness. They are the most unpatriotic people I ever saw, and openly state that they don’t care which side wins provided they are left alone. They abuse Lincoln tremendously.
Of course, in such a large army as this there must be many instances of bad characters, who are always ready to plunder and pillage whenever they can do so without being caught: the stragglers, also, who remain behind when the army has left, will doubtless do much harm.”
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12. Monday, June 29, 1863 --- Meade orders the I, III, and XI Corps of the Army of the Potomac to march northward, with Gen. John Buford’s cavalry out ahead, and to make for Gettysburg. Gen. John F. Reynolds of the I Corps is given command of this wing of the army. Buford’s troopers skirmish this evening with the 52nd North Carolina Infantry, near Gettysburg. The II, V, VI, and XII corps take other routes.
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13. Monday, June 29, 1863 --- Gen. Ewell makes plans for the men of his corps to attack Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania state capital, but orders from General Lee order him to re-join the rest of the army near Gettysburg.
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14. Monday, June 29, 1863: Battle of Westminster, Maryland.
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15. Monday, June 29, 1863: Encounter at Fairfield, Pennsylvania.
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16. Monday, June 29, 1863: Encounter at McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania.
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17. Monday, June 29, 1863: Skirmish at Oyster's Point, Pennsylvania.
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A Sunday, June 29, 1862: Battle of Savage's Station, Virginia. Fourth of the Seven Days’ Battles. With the bitter taste of their defeat at Gaines' Mill still in their mouths, the main body of the Army of the Potomac began a general withdrawal toward the James River on June 29, 1862. General John B. Magruder's Confederates pursued along the Richmond and York River railroad, and made contact with the Federal rearguard near Savage’s Station. After a brief skirmish in the morning, Magruder found his 14,000 troops facing 26,000 Yankees from the Union Second and Sixth Corps. With Stonewall Jackson's men stalled north of the Chickahominy, Magruder had no significant reinforcements with which to tip the balance in his favor. Rather than risk an all-out assault, "Prince John" sent forward less than half of his force to hold the Yankees in check.
Union Second Corps chief "Bull" Sumner, who had recently been deprived of reinforcements himself, was equally cautious and deployed only ten of his twenty-six regiments to meet the Rebel attack. As the battle raged, a 32-pounder naval rifle mounted on a railway car lobbed massive shells at the Yankees near Savage's Station. The show of Southern firepower was impressive, but was of little help to the outnumbered Confederates. The two sides fought one another until darkness ended the battle in a stalemate. In a bloody coda to the day's fighting, the Vermont Brigade made a charge to protect the Federal left flank, suffering 439 casualties, nearly half of them from the 5th Vermont.
After nightfall, the Army of the Potomac continued to withdraw across White Oak Swamp, abandoning supplies and more than 2,500 wounded soldiers in a field hospital.
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A+ Sunday, June 29, 1862 --- Battle of Savage’s Station: Stalemate. As Lee discovers the comprehensive extent and haste of McClellan’s retreat, he devises a plan for pursuit, so as to catch McClellan divided or at least disorganized on the tangled country roads southeast of Richmond. He puts D.H. Hill under Jackson’s command, and orders Jackson’s force (several divisions, including his own, Hill’s, and Ewell’s) to move east and cross back over the Chickahominy (hereafter referred to as “the river”), along with A.P. Hill’s Light Division (which was really a large division), and Longstreet’s force of several divisions. Lee expects that Jackson would, being closest to McClellan’s escape routes, be able to descend upon the Union flank or even the rear; A.P. Hill and Longstreet, being farther away, are not expected to catch up with the fleeing Yankees. South of the river, Huger and Magruder are expected to strike eastward at the Yankees also. Lee believes that McClellan will move slowly enough that the Confederates will be able to catch up with a large chink of the Federal army and wagon train by July 30, the next day. McClellan, however, moves faster than Lee expects. Little Mac is convinced that Lee and an army nearly twice his size are about to swallow up the Army of the Potomac, and so pushes his columns southward and then departs with his headquarters for the James River, leaving no overall commander of the corps of Heintzelman, Sumner, and Franklin that are left as a rear guard, so that his huge wagon train may pass through the White Oak Swamp safely to the James River also.
As Magruder advances with 14000 men, his lead column tangles with a couple of Pennsylvania regiments put there by Gen. Edwin Sumner, commander of the Federal II Corps. Magruder calls for Huger to reinforce him, and sits down to wait, having also heard that Jackson’s arrival will be delayed while he re-builds a bridge across the Chickahominy that he needs to cross on. Jackson has also received confusing orders from Lee’s staff, and this fatally delays his cooperation with Magruder. While Lee tries to unsnarl the problem of Jackson’s orders, he directs Magruder to not delay and to attack the Federals wherever he can find them. So Magruder’s troops go forward, Kershaw’ and Semmes’ brigades pushing the Federals. Kershaw pierces the Union line, but for lack of support has to abandon his advantage: Union reinforcements dislodge his troops, and the Rebel attack collapses. Magruder also orders forward a new Confederate invention: a railroad gun---and 32-pounder Brooke naval rifled cannon mounted behind an armored barricade and swiftly advanced on the railroad toward the Yankee lines—the first use of a railroad-mounted battery in war. It makes little difference, however. The fighting dies out with the day’s light, with little being accomplished except for a large bill of casualties for so limited an action. As the Federals abandon Savage’s Station, 2,500 Federal wounded, in addition to the wounded from this day’s’ fight, are abandoned to imprisonment by the Rebels. Although this is a marginal tactical victory for the North, the subsequent Union retreat make it a strategic victory for the South. Stalemate.
Losses: Union – 1,038 Confederate – 473
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Sunday, June 29, 1862: The Army of the Potomac continued its withdrawal.
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B Sunday, June 29, 1862: at daylight, Stuart's Confederate force entered within sight of the White House and found that the Union soldiers had gone. About 1/4 mile away, the Confederates discovered the Union gunboat, USS Marblehead. Stuart ordered a 75-man detachment to attack the ship. When they were close to the ship, the ship opened fire on them. Some Federals disembarked and opened fire on the Confederates, also. Maj. John Pelham opened up with a couple of cannon shots. One of the shots exploded above the ship. The Marblehead began to gather steam and called in its skirmishers. While Pelham was continuing to fire at the ship, it withdrew downstream.
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B+ The summer of 1862 witnessed one of the most unusual skirmishes of the entire American Civil War.
Confederate cavalry commander Jeb Stuart received information that there were 5,000 Union soldiers guarding a nearby depot and decided to attack. As the sun rose the following day, Stuart’s troopers arrived at the location, only to find that the enemy had already departed.
Less than a mile away, the rebel cavalry discovered the Union gunship U.S.S. Marblehead, anchored on the nearby Pamunkey River, close to the shoreline. Stuart immediately ordered a detachment of his men to attack the ship and prevent its escape. As they neared, Federal troops disembarked and began firing on the horsemen.
Major John Pelham, a gifted Confederate officer, positioned his horse-drawn artillery along the shoreline and was able to fire several shots that exploded above the Union ship. What followed was a highly unique melée in which cavalry, naval and artillery units engaged one another.
As the gunboat gathered steam, its defenders were called back on board and the ship quickly withdrew downstream. Pelham’s men continued to follow it along the water’s edge, firing at the retreating vessel for as long as their horses could keep pace with it.
The Marblehead finally managed to escape from its pursuers. Later, it was reassigned to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. There, the ship commenced to patrol the southeastern coast in search of Confederate vessels. After several reassignments, she was finally decommissioned in September of 1868.
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C Monday, June 29, 1863: Battle of Westminster, Maryland. Many encounters preceded the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863. However, a small but extremely important cavalry skirmish took place in Westminster on June 29, 1863. The clash on the edge of town, near today’s intersection of East Main Street and Washington Road, between General J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry and a small unit of the 1st Delaware cavalry was a significant factor in slowing Stuart's march to Gettysburg. The skirmish is commonly known as "Corbit's Charge" or "The Battle of Westminster."
On June 28, 1863, Companies C and D of the 1st Delaware Cavalry arrived in Westminster from Baltimore to guard the important rail and road junction in town. Commanded by Major Napoleon B. Knight, with Captain Charles Corbit and Lieutenant Caleb Churchman as company commanders, they numbered less than 100 men. Meanwhile, General J.E.B. Stuart, who crossed the Potomac River into Maryland on June 27, with 3 brigades of Confederate cavalry, numbering nearly 6,000 men, was moving north towards Westminster after capturing a large Union supply train in Rockville.
Westminster remained quiet until about 4 p.m. on June 29, when the report of approaching Confederates was brought to the Union troops. In Major Knight's absence, Captain Corbit led a charge of his men through the streets of Westminster to Washington Road. Expecting to overcome a small unit of Confederates, they found themselves facing a large body of General Stuart's veteran cavalry. A fierce skirmish ensued, but the Delaware unit was quickly overpowered. Many were captured, including Captain Corbit and Lieutenant Churchman. 2 union troopers died and 11 were wounded. 2 prominent Confederate officers were killed, of which one - Lt. John William Murray, Co. E, 4th Virginia cavalry, C.S.A. - still remains buried in Westminster's Ascension Church cemetery today. 10 other Confederates were badly wounded. Instead of proceeding into Pennsylvania to inform General Robert E. Lee about the major Union troop movements, Stuart's cavalry was delayed long enough, as the result of the skirmish, to make it advisable to spend the night in the Westminster area. Historians have often wondered whether the results of the Battle of Gettysburg might have been different if Stuart arrived before July 2.
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C+ Monday, June 29, 1863 --- Skirmish at Westminster: Gen. Stuart and his cavalry are now operating due west of Baltimore, and are moving quickly now to effect a rendezvous with Lee. Stuart senses that he is behind schedule. His troopers destroy the telegraph line between Washington and the Union army, and ride on. At Westminster, Maryland, 95 troopers of the 1st Delaware Cavalry are ordered to attack Stuart’s 4,000 plus force. The sheer shock of the attack, however, throws Stuart’s brigades back on their heels: the Rebels retreat, and finally re-group to charge the tiny force of Yankees. Fitzhugh Lee’s brigade charges once, twice, and are beaten back by the entrenched Delaware men. On the third charge, the Federals are overwhelmed, and flee. The gray riders catch up with them, and capture over 60 of them. But this action has so delayed Stuart, that he orders a bivouac there overnight.
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Monday, June 29, 1863: Lake Providence, Louisiana - After Union forces began occupying the Louisiana river parishes, thousands of escaped slaves flocked to them. The Federals, therefore, leased some plantations and put the freedmen to work growing cotton or other crops; the proceeds from the sale of the crops helped defray expenses for food, clothing, etc. African-American troops were assigned to protect these plantations, releasing other troops to fight. Confederates, determined to recapture some of these freedmen and destroy the crops, undertook an expedition from Gaines's Landing, Arkansas, to Lake Providence.
The Federals had constructed a fort on an Indian mound to protect some of these leased plantations. The Confederates prepared to attack the fort on the 29th but decided to demand unconditional surrender first, which the Union forces accepted. Later in the day, Col. W.H. Parsons fought companies of the 1st Kansas Mounted Infantry. The Confederates then began burning and destroying the surrounding plantations, especially those that the Federals leased.
By the next morning, Union boats had landed the Mississippi Marine Brigade, under the command of Brig. Gen. Alfred W. Ellet, at Goodrich's Landing. At dawn, he set out with Col. William F. Wood's African-American units to find the Rebels. Ellet's cavalry found the Confederates first and began skirmishing. The fight became more intense as Ellet's other forces approached. Parsons eventually disengaged and fell back. Ellet's cavalry lost 120 killed & wounded.
Although the Confederates disrupted these operations, destroyed much property, and captured many supplies and weapons, the raid was a minor setback for the Union. The Confederates could cause momentary disturbances, but they were unable to effect any lasting changes.
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Monday, June 29, 1863: Meade immediately ordered the Army of the Potomac to hunt out the Army of Northern Virginia. Whereas Hooker wanted to wait and see what Lee intended, Meade wanted to engage him as soon as was feasible.
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Wednesday, June 29, 1864: Battle of Ream’s Station, Virginia. Confederate victory
Location: Dinwiddie County
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. James Wilson and Brig. Gen. August Kautz [US]; Maj. Gen. William Mahone and Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee [CS]
Forces Engaged: Divisions
Estimated Casualties: 600 total (1,817 for entire raid)
Description: Early morning June 29, Brig. Gen. August Kautz’s division reached Ream’s Station on the Weldon Railroad, which was thought to be held by Union infantry. Instead, Kautz found the road barred by Mahone’s Confederate infantry division. Wilson’s division, fighting against elements of William H.F. Rooney Lee’s cavalry, joined Kautz’s near Ream’s Station, where they were virtually surrounded. About noon, Mahone’s infantry assaulted their front while Fitzhugh Lee’s cavalry division threatened the Union left flank.
The raiders burned their wagons and abandoned their artillery. Separated by the Confederate attacks, Wilson and his men cut their way through and fled south on the Stage Road to cross Nottoway River, while Kautz went cross-country, reaching Federal lines at Petersburg about dark. Wilson continued east to the Blackwater River before turning north, eventually reaching Union lines at Light House Point on July 2. The Wilson-Kautz raid tore up more than 60 miles of track, temporarily disrupting rail traffic into Petersburg, but at a great cost in men and mounts.
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"June 28, 1863: A Critical Day!" Battle of Gettysburg Podcast S1E2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTER3DX8kJg
FYI SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D SSG Franklin Briant1stSgt Eugene Harless MSG Greg KellyLTC Thomas Tennant GySgt Jack Wallace LTC (Join to see)SSG (Join to see)SSG Bill McCoy CSM Charles Hayden SSG Michael Noll SSG William Jones SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SSG Leo Bell ] SSG Jeffrey Leake SFC Randy Purham LTC John Griscom MAJ (Join to see)
In 1863, citizens of Baltimore are jittery about the news that the Army of Northern Virginia has moved north and are apparently roaming around the countryside. Barricades are built in Baltimore, Maryland.
Citizens in Pennsylvania had been moving supplies and the underground railroad helped move freedman to safer areas after word got out that Confederates were taking black people back south whether they were escaped slaves or freedman.
Below are a number of journal entries from 1862 and 1863 which shed light on what life was like for soldiers and civilians – the good, the bad and the ugly.
Sunday, June 29, 1862: In Baton Rouge, Sarah Morgan writes in her journal about the hated Federal occupation, especially under the tyranny and military rule of the even more hated Gen. Benjamin Butler: “Ah, truly! this is the bitterness of slavery, to be insulted and reviled by cowards who are safe at home and enjoy the protection of the laws, while we, captive and overpowered, dare not raise our voices to throw back the insult, and are governed by the despotism of one man, whose word is our law! And that man, they tell us, “is the right man in the right place. He will develop a Union sentiment among the people, if the thing can be done!” Come and see if he can! Hear the curse that arises from thousands of hearts at that man’s name, and say if he will “speedily bring us to our senses.” Will he accomplish it by love, tenderness, mercy, compassion? He might have done it; but did he try?”
Monday, June 29, 1863 --- Elias Brady, of the 86th Indiana Infantry, writes home to his wife Martha, telling of the Army of the Cumberland’s operations near Murfreesboro, after they took 700 prisoners---and how, after an argument with a prisoner, he was ready to fight him: “I had a long talk with some of them some of them is very saucy and others ar tired of the war one man told me that they would fight us as long as they could find a corn to eat I asked him what they would do when we drove them out of Tennessee he said we hadent drove them out yet I told him that we would drive them out befor this battle is over he was very saucy we had it prety rough for a while the guard came along and made me stand back if I had a daired I would a went for his meat house. . . .”
Brady then writes of the reasons, in his opinion, that the war is still going on, and the invasion of “Pencilvany”---and his loneliness: “Mat it is no use to grieve and fret it dont mend the mater but I would give all I expect to be worth if I could be at home injoying my self like I was a year ago there is but little time passes over but what I am thinking of and lonely Some of the boys injoy them selves here but I would rather be at home I could content my self better if they war trying to end the war but it is a speculating scheme our leading men ar making money and they dont try to stop the war their is men enough in the North to crush this rebellion in a short time why dont they bring them out I understand that the rebels ar in vading pencilvany I don’t cimpathise one bit with them if they would burn evry thing in the state it would be a good thing if as large a state as pencilvany cant protect her self she aught to suffer mabe this rade will open some of their eyes I think it will be a help to the union. . . . I whant you to write often I would like to get a letter evry mail if I could but that is out of the question we get a daily mail here cant get a letter evry male I whant to get a letter evry third mail any way write soon good bye. from your ever affectionate Husband, E Brady
write soon Mat, Brady Loney Brady
Monday, June 29, 1863: Sergeant Alexander G. Downing, of the 11th Iowa, is part of the Federal forces under Grant laying siege to Vicksburg. He writes in his journal concerning the siege and a soldier’s daily life: “Fighting is still going on and our guns around Vicksburg seem to be making a new onslaught today. Our men blew up another rebel fort, but did not attempt to rush in, since the guns from the other forts are so arranged as to defend any other point along the fortifications. Everything on the outer lines has been quiet. I came in from picket this morning. The boys of my company are all in fine spirits, and although the blackberries are getting scarce, peaches and apples, which are plentiful around here, will soon be ripe.”
Monday, June 29, 1863: Horatio Nelson Taft, a clerk in Washington, writes in his diary of the palpable anxiety in the city and of the impending battle: “The very atmosphere has been full of rumors today in reference to the movements of the rebels in P.a. & Maryland. Yesterday they captured a large wagon train (170 Six Mule Teams) within Ten Miles of this City. The train was on its way to Frederick M.D. The Rebels are probably in Harrisburg by tonight. A people which will refuse to turn out en mass to repel the invader deserves to have its capitol taken, and their Country laid waste. If nothing Else will “wake up” the inhabitants I hope that fire and plunder will. Genl Hooker has been superceded and Genl Meade is now in command of the “Army of the Potomac.” It is said today that Mr Stanton has been superceded as Sec’y of War by B. F. Butler. I hope it is so. This morning a Squad of Rebels came within six miles of Washington and came near capturing P M Genl Blair as he was coming to the City from his Country residence. They got his horse, which he was riding, he escaped in the woods. A Negro Regt (one thousand Strong) passed through the Av’e yesterday. I never saw a new Regt march better. We are expecting that communication will be cut off (with Baltimore) by tomorrow morning.”
Pictures: 1862-06-29 Battle of Savages Station Map; 1863-06-29 Citizens of Baltimore put barricades in the streets on June 29, 1863; 1864-06-29 Battle of Ream’s Station -Wilson-Kautz Raid Map; 1862 Civil War Hospital
A. Sunday, June 29, 1862: Battle of Savage's Station, Virginia. Stalemate - marginal tactical victory for the North, the subsequent Union retreat make it a strategic victory for the South. With the bitter taste of their defeat at Gaines' Mill still in their mouths, the main body of the Army of the Potomac began a general withdrawal toward the James River on June 29, 1862. General John B. Magruder's Confederates pursued along the Richmond and York River railroad, and made contact with the Federal rearguard near Savage’s Station of a couple of Pennsylvania regiments put there by Maj Gen. Edwin Sumner, commander of the Federal II Corps. After a brief skirmish in the morning, Magruder found his 14,000 troops facing 26,000 Yankees from the Union II and VI Corps. With Stonewall Jackson's men stalled north of the Chickahominy, Magruder had no significant reinforcements with which to tip the balance in his favor. Rather than risk an all-out assault, "Prince John" sent forward less than half of his force to hold the Yankees in check.
Union Second Corps chief "Bull" Sumner, who had recently been deprived of reinforcements himself, was equally cautious and deployed only ten of his twenty-six regiments to meet the Rebel attack. As the battle raged, a 32-pounder naval rifle mounted on a railway car lobbed massive shells at the Yankees near Savage's Station. The show of Southern firepower was impressive, but was of little help to the outnumbered Confederates. While Lee tries to unsnarl the problem of Jackson’s orders, he directs Magruder to not delay and to attack the Federals wherever he can find them. So Magruder’s troops go forward, Kershaw’ and Semmes’ brigades pushing the Federals. Kershaw pierces the Union line, but for lack of support has to abandon his advantage: Union reinforcements dislodge his troops, and the Rebel attack collapses. The fighting dies out with the day’s light, with little being accomplished except for a large bill of casualties for so limited an action. The two sides fought one another until darkness ended the battle in a stalemate. In a bloody coda to the day's fighting, the Vermont Brigade made a charge to protect the Federal left flank, suffering 439 casualties, nearly half of them from the 5th Vermont.
After nightfall, the Army of the Potomac continued to withdraw across White Oak Swamp, abandoning supplies and more than 2,500 wounded soldiers in a field hospital.
Background: As CSA Gen Robert E. Lee discovers the comprehensive extent and haste of Federal Maj Gen George McClellan’s Army of the Potomac retreat, he devises a plan for pursuit, so as to catch McClellan divided or at least disorganized on the tangled country roads southeast of Richmond. He puts D.H. Hill under Jackson’s command, and orders Jackson’s force (several divisions, including his own, Hill’s, and Ewell’s) to move east and cross back over the Chickahominy (hereafter referred to as “the river”), along with A.P. Hill’s Light Division (which was really a large division), and Longstreet’s force of several divisions. Lee expects that Jackson would, being closest to McClellan’s escape routes, be able to descend upon the Union flank or even the rear; A.P. Hill and Longstreet, being farther away, are not expected to catch up with the fleeing Yankees. South of the river, Huger and Magruder are expected to strike eastward at the Yankees also. Lee believes that McClellan will move slowly enough that the Confederates will be able to catch up with a large chink of the Federal army and wagon train by July 30, the next day. McClellan, however, moves faster than Lee expects. Little Mac is convinced that Lee and an army nearly twice his size are about to swallow up the Army of the Potomac, and so pushes his columns southward and then departs with his headquarters for the James River, leaving no overall commander of the corps of Heintzelman, Sumner, and Franklin that are left as a rear guard, so that his huge wagon train may pass through the White Oak Swamp safely to the James River also.
B. Sunday, June 29, 1862: J.E.B Stuart versus the USS Marblehead. Federal victory as vessel escapes unscathed. At daylight, Stuart's Confederate force entered within sight of the White House landing on the Pamunkey River and found that the reported 5,000 Union soldiers had gone. About 1/4 mile away, the Confederates discovered the Union gunboat, USS Marblehead anchored on the nearby Pamunkey River, close to the shoreline. Stuart ordered a 75-man detachment to attack the ship. When they were close to the ship, the ship opened fire on them. Some Federals disembarked and opened fire on the Confederates, also. Maj. John Pelham positioned his horse-drawn artillery along the shoreline and was able to fire several shots that exploded above the Union ship. One of the shots exploded above the ship. The Marblehead began to gather steam and called in its skirmishers. Pelham’s men continued to follow it along the water’s edge, firing at the retreating vessel for as long as their horses could keep pace with it. The Marblehead finally managed to escape from its pursuers.
Background: Confederate cavalry commander Jeb Stuart received information that there were 5,000 Union soldiers guarding a nearby depot and decided to attack. As the sun rose the following day, Stuart’s troopers arrived at the location, only to find that the enemy had already departed..
C. Monday, June 29, 1863: "Corbit's Charge" at Westminster, Maryland delayed J.E.B. Stuart’s cavalry division. Many encounters preceded the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart and his 4,000 or so trooper cavalry division are operating due west of Baltimore, and are moving quickly now to effect a rendezvous with Lee. Stuart senses that he is behind schedule. His troopers destroy the telegraph line between Washington and the Union army, and ride on.
Westminster remained quiet until about 4 p.m. on June 29, when the report of approaching Confederates was brought to the Union troops. In Major Knight's absence, Captain Corbit led a charge of 95 troopers of the 1st Delaware Cavalry through the streets of Westminster to Washington Road. Expecting to overcome a small unit of Confederates, they found themselves facing a large body of General Stuart's veteran cavalry. The sheer shock of the attack, however, throws Stuart’s brigades back on their heels: the Rebels retreat, and finally re-group to charge the tiny force of Yankees. Fitzhugh Lee’s brigade charges once, twice, and are beaten back by the entrenched Delaware men. On the third charge, the Federals are overwhelmed, and flee. The gray riders catch up with them, and capture over 60 of them. including Captain Corbit and Lieutenant Churchman. 2 union troopers died and 11 were wounded. 2 prominent Confederate officers were killed, of which one - Lt. John William Murray, Co. E, 4th Virginia cavalry, C.S.A. 10 other Confederates were badly wounded. Instead of proceeding into Pennsylvania to inform General Robert E. Lee about the major Union troop movements, Stuart's cavalry was delayed long enough, as the result of the skirmish, to make it advisable to spend the night in the Westminster area. Historians have often wondered whether the results of the Battle of Gettysburg might have been different if Stuart arrived before July 2.
Background: On June 28, 1863, Companies C and D of the 1st Delaware Cavalry arrived in Westminster from Baltimore to guard the important rail and road junction in town. Commanded by Major Napoleon B. Knight, with Captain Charles Corbit and Lieutenant Caleb Churchman as company commanders, they numbered less than 100 men. Meanwhile, General J.E.B. Stuart, who crossed the Potomac River into Maryland on June 27, with 3 brigades of Confederate cavalry, numbering nearly 6,000 men, was moving north towards Westminster after capturing a large Union supply train in Rockville.
D. Wednesday, June 29, 1864: Battle of Ream’s Station, Virginia. Confederate victory. Early in the morning, Brig. Gen. August Kautz’s cavalry division reached Ream’s Station on the Weldon Railroad, which was thought to be held by Union infantry. Instead, Kautz found the road barred by CSA Maj. Gen. William Mahone’s Confederate infantry division. Maj. Gen. James Wilson’s division, fighting against elements of CSA William H.F. Rooney Lee’s cavalry, joined Kautz’s near Ream’s Station, where they were virtually surrounded. About noon, Mahone’s infantry assaulted their front while CSA Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee’s cavalry division threatened the Union left flank.
The raiders burned their wagons and abandoned their artillery. Separated by the Confederate attacks, Wilson and his men cut their way through and fled south on the Stage Road to cross Nottoway River, while Kautz went cross-country, reaching Federal lines at Petersburg about dark. Wilson continued east to the Blackwater River before turning north, eventually reaching Union lines at Light House Point on July 2. The Wilson-Kautz raid tore up more than 60 miles of track, temporarily disrupting rail traffic into Petersburg, but at a great cost in men and mounts.
Estimated Casualties: 600 total (1,817 for entire raid)
1. Saturday, June 29, 1861: Senior military and civilian leaders met with Lincoln in Washington DC. Field command of the Union army was handed to General Irwin McDowell. He had spent the previous 12 years in administrative fields and may have been looking at ways to extract some glory from his appointment, as his first order was to march on Richmond. While this was very popular with the public, those in the Union army were less than convinced that it was a good move.
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2. Sunday, June 29, 1862: Battle of Peach Orchard [Battle of Orchard Station, Battle of Allen's Farm], Virginia. During the Battle of Peach Orchard Confederate Brigadier General Richard Griffith is killed by an artillery blast.
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3. Sunday, June 29, 1862 --- In Baton Rouge, Sarah Morgan writes in her journal about the hated Federal occupation, especially under the tyranny and military rule of the even more hated Gen. Benjamin Butler: “Ah, truly! this is the bitterness of slavery, to be insulted and reviled by cowards who are safe at home and enjoy the protection of the laws, while we, captive and overpowered, dare not raise our voices to throw back the insult, and are governed by the despotism of one man, whose word is our law! And that man, they tell us, “is the right man in the right place. He will develop a Union sentiment among the people, if the thing can be done!” Come and see if he can! Hear the curse that arises from thousands of hearts at that man’s name, and say if he will “speedily bring us to our senses.” Will he accomplish it by love, tenderness, mercy, compassion? He might have done it; but did he try?”
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4. Sunday, June 29, 1862 --- The New York Times, in an editorial, considers the problem of cotton---or rather, the lack of it, if the American cotton crop from the South is not available. In terms of American relations with Great Britain, this is an especially thorny problem, and partially explains the British tendency to favor the Confederacy up until this point in the War: “. . . But when we have silenced the political jargon of planters and demagogues in the South on this subject [slavery], we still have a profoundly important problem that all civilized nations are interested in solving. Where shall Cotton be had, abundantly and cheaply enough to meet the demand formerly, but no longer, supplied by the rebel crop?
England is more interested in the answer to this question than the United States — far more. England depends to a vastly greater extent on the prosperity of cotton manufactories, for the preservation and welfare of her population, than do the people of the United States. Hence it is that the prospect of the reduction of the rebellion by our Government gives no joy and no peace of mind in England — for it conveys no assurance of a resumption of the enormous production of cotton in the States that once supplied the English mills to repletion. On the contrary, England recognizes the blow that Slavery has received, and having adopted the Southern and secession theory of “no Slavery, no cotton,” her statesmen feel that the triumph of the Union will be a crushing blow to England’s prosperity — plunging her manufacturers into bankruptcy, and reducing millions to the verge of starvation.”
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5. A Sunday, June 29, 1862: Battle of Savage's Station, Virginia. George McClellan; Lafayette McLaws; Seven Days Retreat; Edwin Vose Sumner
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6. Monday, June 29, 1863 --- Siege of Vicksburg, Day 38
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7. Monday, June 29, 1863 --- Siege of Port Hudson, Day 33
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8. Monday, June 29, 1863 --- Elias Brady, of the 86th Indiana Infantry, writes home to his wife Martha, telling of the Army of the Cumberland’s operations near Murfreesboro, after they took 700 prisoners---and how, after an argument with a prisoner, he was ready to fight him: “I had a long talk with some of them some of them is very saucy and others ar tired of the war one man told me that they would fight us as long as they could find a corn to eat I asked him what they would do when we drove them out of Tennessee he said we hadent drove them out yet I told him that we would drive them out befor this battle is over he was very saucy we had it prety rough for a while the guard came along and made me stand back if I had a daired I would a went for his meat house. . . .”
Brady then writes of the reasons, in his opinion, that the war is still going on, and the invasion of “Pencilvany”---and his loneliness: “Mat it is no use to grieve and fret it dont mend the mater but I would give all I expect to be worth if I could be at home injoying my self like I was a year ago there is but little time passes over but what I am thinking of and lonely Some of the boys injoy them selves here but I would rather be at home I could content my self better if they war trying to end the war but it is a speculating scheme our leading men ar making money and they dont try to stop the war their is men enough in the North to crush this rebellion in a short time why dont they bring them out I understand that the rebels ar in vading pencilvany I don’t cimpathise one bit with them if they would burn evry thing in the state it would be a good thing if as large a state as pencilvany cant protect her self she aught to suffer mabe this rade will open some of their eyes I think it will be a help to the union. . . . I whant you to write often I would like to get a letter evry mail if I could but that is out of the question we get a daily mail here cant get a letter evry male I whant to get a letter evry third mail any way write soon good bye. from your ever affectionate Husband, E Brady
write soon Mat, Brady Loney Brady
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9. Monday, June 29, 1863 --- Sergeant Alexander G. Downing, of the 11th Iowa, is part of the Federal forces under Grant laying siege to Vicksburg. He writes in his journal concerning the siege and a soldier’s daily life: “Fighting is still going on and our guns around Vicksburg seem to be making a new onslaught today. Our men blew up another rebel fort, but did not attempt to rush in, since the guns from the other forts are so arranged as to defend any other point along the fortifications. Everything on the outer lines has been quiet. I came in from picket this morning. The boys of my company are all in fine spirits, and although the blackberries are getting scarce, peaches and apples, which are plentiful around here, will soon be ripe.”
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10. Monday, June 29, 1863 --- Horatio Nelson Taft, a clerk in Washington, writes in his diary of the palpable anxiety in the city and of the impending battle: “The very atmosphere has been full of rumors today in reference to the movements of the rebels in P.a. & Maryland. Yesterday they captured a large wagon train (170 Six Mule Teams) within Ten Miles of this City. The train was on its way To Frederick M.D. The Rebels are probably in Harrisburg by tonight. A people which will refuse to turn out en mass to repel the invader deserves to have its capitol taken, and their Country laid waste. If nothing Else will “wake up” the inhabitants I hope that fire and plunder will. Genl Hooker has been superceded and Genl Meade is now in command of the “Army of the Potomac.” It is said today that Mr Stanton has been superceded as Sec’y of War by B. F. Butler. I hope it is so. This morning a Squad of Rebels came within six miles of Washington and came near capturing P M Genl Blair as he was coming to the City from his Country residence. They got his horse, which he was riding, he escaped in the woods. A Negro Regt (one thousand Strong) passed through the Av’e yesterday. I never saw a new Regt march better. We are expecting that communication will be cut off (with Baltimore) by tomorrow morning.”
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11. Monday, June 29, 1863 --- Lt. Col. Arthur Fremantle of the Royal Army writes in his journal of the good discipline in Lee’s troops to prevent plundering: “We are still at Chambersburg. Lee has issued a remarkably good order on non-retaliation, which is generally well received; but I have heard of complaints from fire-eaters, who want vengeance for their wrongs; and when one considers the numbers of officers and soldiers with this army who have been totally ruined by the devastations of Northern troops, one cannot be much surprised at this feeling.
I went into Chambersburg again, and witnessed the singularly good behaviour of the troops towards the citizens. I heard soldiers saying to one another, that they did not like being in a town in which they were very naturally detested. To any one who has seen as I have the ravages of the Northern troops in Southern towns, this forbearance seems most commendable and surprising. Yet these Pennsylvanian Dutch don’t seem the least thankful, and really appear to be unaware that their own troops have been for two years treating Southern towns with ten times more harshness. They are the most unpatriotic people I ever saw, and openly state that they don’t care which side wins provided they are left alone. They abuse Lincoln tremendously.
Of course, in such a large army as this there must be many instances of bad characters, who are always ready to plunder and pillage whenever they can do so without being caught: the stragglers, also, who remain behind when the army has left, will doubtless do much harm.”
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12. Monday, June 29, 1863 --- Meade orders the I, III, and XI Corps of the Army of the Potomac to march northward, with Gen. John Buford’s cavalry out ahead, and to make for Gettysburg. Gen. John F. Reynolds of the I Corps is given command of this wing of the army. Buford’s troopers skirmish this evening with the 52nd North Carolina Infantry, near Gettysburg. The II, V, VI, and XII corps take other routes.
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13. Monday, June 29, 1863 --- Gen. Ewell makes plans for the men of his corps to attack Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania state capital, but orders from General Lee order him to re-join the rest of the army near Gettysburg.
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14. Monday, June 29, 1863: Battle of Westminster, Maryland.
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15. Monday, June 29, 1863: Encounter at Fairfield, Pennsylvania.
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16. Monday, June 29, 1863: Encounter at McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania.
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17. Monday, June 29, 1863: Skirmish at Oyster's Point, Pennsylvania.
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A Sunday, June 29, 1862: Battle of Savage's Station, Virginia. Fourth of the Seven Days’ Battles. With the bitter taste of their defeat at Gaines' Mill still in their mouths, the main body of the Army of the Potomac began a general withdrawal toward the James River on June 29, 1862. General John B. Magruder's Confederates pursued along the Richmond and York River railroad, and made contact with the Federal rearguard near Savage’s Station. After a brief skirmish in the morning, Magruder found his 14,000 troops facing 26,000 Yankees from the Union Second and Sixth Corps. With Stonewall Jackson's men stalled north of the Chickahominy, Magruder had no significant reinforcements with which to tip the balance in his favor. Rather than risk an all-out assault, "Prince John" sent forward less than half of his force to hold the Yankees in check.
Union Second Corps chief "Bull" Sumner, who had recently been deprived of reinforcements himself, was equally cautious and deployed only ten of his twenty-six regiments to meet the Rebel attack. As the battle raged, a 32-pounder naval rifle mounted on a railway car lobbed massive shells at the Yankees near Savage's Station. The show of Southern firepower was impressive, but was of little help to the outnumbered Confederates. The two sides fought one another until darkness ended the battle in a stalemate. In a bloody coda to the day's fighting, the Vermont Brigade made a charge to protect the Federal left flank, suffering 439 casualties, nearly half of them from the 5th Vermont.
After nightfall, the Army of the Potomac continued to withdraw across White Oak Swamp, abandoning supplies and more than 2,500 wounded soldiers in a field hospital.
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A+ Sunday, June 29, 1862 --- Battle of Savage’s Station: Stalemate. As Lee discovers the comprehensive extent and haste of McClellan’s retreat, he devises a plan for pursuit, so as to catch McClellan divided or at least disorganized on the tangled country roads southeast of Richmond. He puts D.H. Hill under Jackson’s command, and orders Jackson’s force (several divisions, including his own, Hill’s, and Ewell’s) to move east and cross back over the Chickahominy (hereafter referred to as “the river”), along with A.P. Hill’s Light Division (which was really a large division), and Longstreet’s force of several divisions. Lee expects that Jackson would, being closest to McClellan’s escape routes, be able to descend upon the Union flank or even the rear; A.P. Hill and Longstreet, being farther away, are not expected to catch up with the fleeing Yankees. South of the river, Huger and Magruder are expected to strike eastward at the Yankees also. Lee believes that McClellan will move slowly enough that the Confederates will be able to catch up with a large chink of the Federal army and wagon train by July 30, the next day. McClellan, however, moves faster than Lee expects. Little Mac is convinced that Lee and an army nearly twice his size are about to swallow up the Army of the Potomac, and so pushes his columns southward and then departs with his headquarters for the James River, leaving no overall commander of the corps of Heintzelman, Sumner, and Franklin that are left as a rear guard, so that his huge wagon train may pass through the White Oak Swamp safely to the James River also.
As Magruder advances with 14000 men, his lead column tangles with a couple of Pennsylvania regiments put there by Gen. Edwin Sumner, commander of the Federal II Corps. Magruder calls for Huger to reinforce him, and sits down to wait, having also heard that Jackson’s arrival will be delayed while he re-builds a bridge across the Chickahominy that he needs to cross on. Jackson has also received confusing orders from Lee’s staff, and this fatally delays his cooperation with Magruder. While Lee tries to unsnarl the problem of Jackson’s orders, he directs Magruder to not delay and to attack the Federals wherever he can find them. So Magruder’s troops go forward, Kershaw’ and Semmes’ brigades pushing the Federals. Kershaw pierces the Union line, but for lack of support has to abandon his advantage: Union reinforcements dislodge his troops, and the Rebel attack collapses. Magruder also orders forward a new Confederate invention: a railroad gun---and 32-pounder Brooke naval rifled cannon mounted behind an armored barricade and swiftly advanced on the railroad toward the Yankee lines—the first use of a railroad-mounted battery in war. It makes little difference, however. The fighting dies out with the day’s light, with little being accomplished except for a large bill of casualties for so limited an action. As the Federals abandon Savage’s Station, 2,500 Federal wounded, in addition to the wounded from this day’s’ fight, are abandoned to imprisonment by the Rebels. Although this is a marginal tactical victory for the North, the subsequent Union retreat make it a strategic victory for the South. Stalemate.
Losses: Union – 1,038 Confederate – 473
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Sunday, June 29, 1862: The Army of the Potomac continued its withdrawal.
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B Sunday, June 29, 1862: at daylight, Stuart's Confederate force entered within sight of the White House and found that the Union soldiers had gone. About 1/4 mile away, the Confederates discovered the Union gunboat, USS Marblehead. Stuart ordered a 75-man detachment to attack the ship. When they were close to the ship, the ship opened fire on them. Some Federals disembarked and opened fire on the Confederates, also. Maj. John Pelham opened up with a couple of cannon shots. One of the shots exploded above the ship. The Marblehead began to gather steam and called in its skirmishers. While Pelham was continuing to fire at the ship, it withdrew downstream.
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B+ The summer of 1862 witnessed one of the most unusual skirmishes of the entire American Civil War.
Confederate cavalry commander Jeb Stuart received information that there were 5,000 Union soldiers guarding a nearby depot and decided to attack. As the sun rose the following day, Stuart’s troopers arrived at the location, only to find that the enemy had already departed.
Less than a mile away, the rebel cavalry discovered the Union gunship U.S.S. Marblehead, anchored on the nearby Pamunkey River, close to the shoreline. Stuart immediately ordered a detachment of his men to attack the ship and prevent its escape. As they neared, Federal troops disembarked and began firing on the horsemen.
Major John Pelham, a gifted Confederate officer, positioned his horse-drawn artillery along the shoreline and was able to fire several shots that exploded above the Union ship. What followed was a highly unique melée in which cavalry, naval and artillery units engaged one another.
As the gunboat gathered steam, its defenders were called back on board and the ship quickly withdrew downstream. Pelham’s men continued to follow it along the water’s edge, firing at the retreating vessel for as long as their horses could keep pace with it.
The Marblehead finally managed to escape from its pursuers. Later, it was reassigned to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. There, the ship commenced to patrol the southeastern coast in search of Confederate vessels. After several reassignments, she was finally decommissioned in September of 1868.
{[mortkunstler.com/html/store-limited-edition-prints.asp?action=view&ID=921&cat=192
C Monday, June 29, 1863: Battle of Westminster, Maryland. Many encounters preceded the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863. However, a small but extremely important cavalry skirmish took place in Westminster on June 29, 1863. The clash on the edge of town, near today’s intersection of East Main Street and Washington Road, between General J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry and a small unit of the 1st Delaware cavalry was a significant factor in slowing Stuart's march to Gettysburg. The skirmish is commonly known as "Corbit's Charge" or "The Battle of Westminster."
On June 28, 1863, Companies C and D of the 1st Delaware Cavalry arrived in Westminster from Baltimore to guard the important rail and road junction in town. Commanded by Major Napoleon B. Knight, with Captain Charles Corbit and Lieutenant Caleb Churchman as company commanders, they numbered less than 100 men. Meanwhile, General J.E.B. Stuart, who crossed the Potomac River into Maryland on June 27, with 3 brigades of Confederate cavalry, numbering nearly 6,000 men, was moving north towards Westminster after capturing a large Union supply train in Rockville.
Westminster remained quiet until about 4 p.m. on June 29, when the report of approaching Confederates was brought to the Union troops. In Major Knight's absence, Captain Corbit led a charge of his men through the streets of Westminster to Washington Road. Expecting to overcome a small unit of Confederates, they found themselves facing a large body of General Stuart's veteran cavalry. A fierce skirmish ensued, but the Delaware unit was quickly overpowered. Many were captured, including Captain Corbit and Lieutenant Churchman. 2 union troopers died and 11 were wounded. 2 prominent Confederate officers were killed, of which one - Lt. John William Murray, Co. E, 4th Virginia cavalry, C.S.A. - still remains buried in Westminster's Ascension Church cemetery today. 10 other Confederates were badly wounded. Instead of proceeding into Pennsylvania to inform General Robert E. Lee about the major Union troop movements, Stuart's cavalry was delayed long enough, as the result of the skirmish, to make it advisable to spend the night in the Westminster area. Historians have often wondered whether the results of the Battle of Gettysburg might have been different if Stuart arrived before July 2.
{[westminstermd.gov/265/Corbits-Charge
C+ Monday, June 29, 1863 --- Skirmish at Westminster: Gen. Stuart and his cavalry are now operating due west of Baltimore, and are moving quickly now to effect a rendezvous with Lee. Stuart senses that he is behind schedule. His troopers destroy the telegraph line between Washington and the Union army, and ride on. At Westminster, Maryland, 95 troopers of the 1st Delaware Cavalry are ordered to attack Stuart’s 4,000 plus force. The sheer shock of the attack, however, throws Stuart’s brigades back on their heels: the Rebels retreat, and finally re-group to charge the tiny force of Yankees. Fitzhugh Lee’s brigade charges once, twice, and are beaten back by the entrenched Delaware men. On the third charge, the Federals are overwhelmed, and flee. The gray riders catch up with them, and capture over 60 of them. But this action has so delayed Stuart, that he orders a bivouac there overnight.
{{civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=June+29%2C+1863
Monday, June 29, 1863: Lake Providence, Louisiana - After Union forces began occupying the Louisiana river parishes, thousands of escaped slaves flocked to them. The Federals, therefore, leased some plantations and put the freedmen to work growing cotton or other crops; the proceeds from the sale of the crops helped defray expenses for food, clothing, etc. African-American troops were assigned to protect these plantations, releasing other troops to fight. Confederates, determined to recapture some of these freedmen and destroy the crops, undertook an expedition from Gaines's Landing, Arkansas, to Lake Providence.
The Federals had constructed a fort on an Indian mound to protect some of these leased plantations. The Confederates prepared to attack the fort on the 29th but decided to demand unconditional surrender first, which the Union forces accepted. Later in the day, Col. W.H. Parsons fought companies of the 1st Kansas Mounted Infantry. The Confederates then began burning and destroying the surrounding plantations, especially those that the Federals leased.
By the next morning, Union boats had landed the Mississippi Marine Brigade, under the command of Brig. Gen. Alfred W. Ellet, at Goodrich's Landing. At dawn, he set out with Col. William F. Wood's African-American units to find the Rebels. Ellet's cavalry found the Confederates first and began skirmishing. The fight became more intense as Ellet's other forces approached. Parsons eventually disengaged and fell back. Ellet's cavalry lost 120 killed & wounded.
Although the Confederates disrupted these operations, destroyed much property, and captured many supplies and weapons, the raid was a minor setback for the Union. The Confederates could cause momentary disturbances, but they were unable to effect any lasting changes.
{[.mycivilwar.com/battles/1863s.html
Monday, June 29, 1863: Meade immediately ordered the Army of the Potomac to hunt out the Army of Northern Virginia. Whereas Hooker wanted to wait and see what Lee intended, Meade wanted to engage him as soon as was feasible.
[[historylearningsite.co.uk/the-american-civil-war/american-civil-war-june-1863/
Wednesday, June 29, 1864: Battle of Ream’s Station, Virginia. Confederate victory
Location: Dinwiddie County
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. James Wilson and Brig. Gen. August Kautz [US]; Maj. Gen. William Mahone and Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee [CS]
Forces Engaged: Divisions
Estimated Casualties: 600 total (1,817 for entire raid)
Description: Early morning June 29, Brig. Gen. August Kautz’s division reached Ream’s Station on the Weldon Railroad, which was thought to be held by Union infantry. Instead, Kautz found the road barred by Mahone’s Confederate infantry division. Wilson’s division, fighting against elements of William H.F. Rooney Lee’s cavalry, joined Kautz’s near Ream’s Station, where they were virtually surrounded. About noon, Mahone’s infantry assaulted their front while Fitzhugh Lee’s cavalry division threatened the Union left flank.
The raiders burned their wagons and abandoned their artillery. Separated by the Confederate attacks, Wilson and his men cut their way through and fled south on the Stage Road to cross Nottoway River, while Kautz went cross-country, reaching Federal lines at Petersburg about dark. Wilson continued east to the Blackwater River before turning north, eventually reaching Union lines at Light House Point on July 2. The Wilson-Kautz raid tore up more than 60 miles of track, temporarily disrupting rail traffic into Petersburg, but at a great cost in men and mounts.
[{civilwaracademy.com/civil-war-battles-in-virginia-1864.html
"June 28, 1863: A Critical Day!" Battle of Gettysburg Podcast S1E2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTER3DX8kJg
FYI SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D SSG Franklin Briant1stSgt Eugene Harless MSG Greg KellyLTC Thomas Tennant GySgt Jack Wallace LTC (Join to see)SSG (Join to see)SSG Bill McCoy CSM Charles Hayden SSG Michael Noll SSG William Jones SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SSG Leo Bell ] SSG Jeffrey Leake SFC Randy Purham LTC John Griscom MAJ (Join to see)
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SFC William Farrell
I wonder if Generals were more susceptible to injury and death in the Civil War than they are today LTC Stephen F.?
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SGT Robert George
Wow I look closer to the map above and see 295 and 64 intersect been through there several times cool !!!
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LTC Stephen F.
SFC William Farrell - Through WWI General and Flag officers were generally more susceptible to being killed in battle. Once the radio was in wide-spread use General officers and their staff were able to keep in contact with "front-line" leaders in WWII and the wars that followed.
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SFC William Farrell
LTC Stephen F. - Good point Colonel; I never thought of it that way. Thanks as always.
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LTC Stephen F. , I attended an Army reunion at Fort McClellan this past weekend. While there, I drove north to Jacksonville, AL to visit the grave of LTC John Pelham, CSA. Here are the photos from the visit. COL Mikel J. Burroughs COL Jean (John) F. B.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you my friend and brother-in-arms and abrother-in-Christ LTC Stephen C. for reminding us about CSA Maj John Pelham.
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GySgt Jack Wallace
What this is not torn-down yet.Good to see some of the CSA still left.Thank you Ltc. Curlee for this posting.
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LTC Stephen F. great read and share! Very informative and historical. Keep up the great job-my friend!
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LTC Stephen F.
I am glad you enjoyed this my friend and broether-in-Christ SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
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LTC Stephen F.
I am glad you enjoyed reading this civil war history post my friend and brother-in-Christ Maj Marty Hogan
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Quite unique for Cavalry to go after a boat very interesting indeed, I bet the boat was quite shocked too !
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LTC Stephen F.
Yes indeed my friend, brother-in-Christ and fellow USA history appreciating soldier SGT John " Mac " McConnell
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