What was the most significant event on September 2 during the U.S. Civil War?

Cancelation of Confederate orders for ironclads in 1863: Lord Russell (Great Britain) orders two ironclad Laird Rams bound for the Confederacy to be detained.
Surrenders of cities. In 1863 Knoxville surrendered without a fight to Maj Gen Ambrose E. Burnside. In 1864 Mayor James Calhoun surrendered Atlanta to General Sherman after a long and bloody siege - 31,687 Union killed, wounded or missing/captured and 34,979 Confederate killed, wounded or missing/captured.
In 1862, McClellan is in command again! Three Cheers! On Tuesday September 2, 1862 the troops favorite was placed in command once again. “While John Pope’s Union Army of Virginia beat a hasty path back into the defenses of Washington, the Federal capital was abuzz with rumors – some apparently spread by Pope’s rival, George McClellan. As McClellan’s Army of the Potomac was returning from their ill-fated tramp up and back down the Virginia Peninsula, Confederates under Robert E. Lee moved north, defeating Pope’s Army on the plains of Manassas.
For that fight, McClellan’s Army was given to Pope in the field. During the battle, McClellan, who was without a command, asked General-in-Chief Henry Halleck if he could be with his troops. He was denied such a privilege and specifically forbidden to have any control over any of Pope’s troops, including the units from his own Army of the Potomac.
This was due in part to a growing rift between McClellan and pretty much everyone in Washington. Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, specifically had it out for him. When McClellan made an offhand suggestion that Lincoln “leave Pope to get out of his own scrape” at the Battle of Second Manassas, Stanton flew into a fury. He wanted McClellan gone.
Immediately, Stanton went to Halleck and asked him if McClellan acted too slowly in following the orders to remove his men from the Peninsula. Halleck conceded that his order “was not obeyed with the promptness I expected and the national safety, in my opinion, required.”
When Stanton received Halleck’s opinion, the battle had ended and McClellan was getting much of the blame. According to his detractors, he had withheld troops that should have gone to Pope’s aid. Additionally, McClellan was spreading the rumor that there were 20,000 of Pope’s stragglers between Centreville and Washington. Pope and McClellan’s adversaries in Washington, insisted otherwise. When Stanton received Halleck’s opinion, the battle had ended and McClellan was getting much of the blame. According to his detractors, he had withheld troops that should have gone to Pope’s aid. Additionally, McClellan was spreading the rumor that there were 20,000 of Pope’s stragglers between Centreville and Washington. Pope insisted otherwise.
Stanton, armed with Halleck’s opinion, helped draft a plea to President Lincoln, urging him not to put McClellan back in command of anything as he was a disloyal traitor. The letter was drafted by Stanton, with help from Treasury Secretary Salmon Chase. Soon, Secretary of the Interior Caleb Smith was on board. When Attorney General Edward Bates saw the missive, he agreed with it, but thought it too loud and penned his own version omitting the bits about disloyalty.
Naval Secretary Gideon Welles liked it better than Stanton’s draft, but refused to sign it. William Seward, Secretary of State, was suspiciously absent, probably trying to avoid this whole fiasco. Nevertheless, Stanton and Chase planned to present the written protest to Lincoln at the Cabinet meeting held on this date.
But word was flowing into Washington that Pope was whipped, and Stanton knew that he had lost his ground. If Pope would have been victorious, McClellan’s ouster would have been an easy decision. But with the defeat came the fear that Washington would be taken by the Rebels. The city flew into a frenzy. Thousand left town, while many more packed their bags just in case. Even Stanton gathered his papers in preparation to flee. All of this, according to Stanton, was McClellan’s fault. It was he who refused to reinforce Pope.
Stanton’s clerk, A.E.H. Johnson, later wrote “that if McClellan had been present when the news of Pope’s defeat came in, the Secretary would have assaulted him.” At breakfast on this date, Lincoln met with Halleck and McClellan. Halleck, at McClellan’s request, had sent a member of his staff on General Pope’s retreating army to ascertain the rumors of 20,000 stragglers. When Halleck received the confirmation, McClellan was proven right, while Stanton, Chase and the rest were proven wrong. And though it was merely one point of many, it suddenly clouded all.
In Lincoln and Halleck’s eyes, Pope was clearly the braggart and liar many had accused him of being. It would do nobody any good to keep him in command of the army. Since McClellan was a fine organizer, he was the man to take command of the troops coming into Washington.
This order gave McClellan command of both the Army of the Potomac and the Army of Virginia. Before long, everyone, including Secretary of War Stanton, knew that McClellan was back in command.
Stanton’s plan to present the written protest at the Cabinet meeting was foiled and pointless. Just as it was opening, Lincoln had to leave for a bit. The discussion quickly turned to Pope’s recent failures. For this, McClellan and others from the Army of the Potomac, got much of the blame, though Pope was hardly held in high regard.
Then, in a quiet voice, Stanton took over. He was absolutely livid over the news that McClellan was given command of all the troops. Those who had not yet heard were equally shocked. During this talk, Lincoln returned. When he caught wind of what was being said, he interjected.
He took full responsibility for whatever travesty might happen next, but added that Halleck agreed to it. He then built his case. McClellan knew well the ground around Washington. He was a find defensive commander, engineer, and organizer. This task would draw upon all of this good qualities, while avoiding his worst, which Lincoln referred to as “the slows.”
There was little the Cabinet could do but acquiesce, and even with that, some believed McClellan’s appointment would prove a national calamity.
For General Pope, this was a very bad day. As he and his army marched towards Washington, he was engaged in a conversation with Irvin McDowell, one of his corps commanders. As they approached Munson’s Hill, they came across General George McClellan, bedecked in a new, clean uniform.
McClellan explained to Pope that he (McClellan) had been put in command of the troops entering Washington, and gave Pope orders where to place which units. Pope said nothing, but gave a salute in return.
General John Hatch, however, could hardly contain himself. He had been bitter since Pope had demoted him from the cavalry to infantry. Hatch was leading a column of his troops past where McClellan and Pope were meeting. As McClellan took command, effectively relieving Pope of his duty, Hatch rode to the front of his column.
“Boys!” bellowed Hatch, “McClellan is in command again! Three cheers!” The men all around them erupted into spirited huzzahs, while bands struck up jaunty tunes in celebration.”
[civilwardailygazette.com/mcclellan-is-in-command-again-three-cheers/]

Below are a number of journal entries from 1862 and xx which shed light on what life was like for soldiers and civilians – the good, the bad and the ugly. Maj Gen William T. Sherman provides a daily update on the siege of Atlanta in 1864 – this morning the Mayor of Atlanta surrendered.
Tuesday, September 2, 1862: Sec. of the Navy, Gideon Welles, records some of the events of this Cabinet meeting: “September 2, Tuesday. At Cabinet-meeting all but Seward were present. I think there was design in his absence. It was stated that Pope, without consultation or advice, was falling back, intending to retreat within the Washington intrenchments. No one seems to have had any knowledge of his movements, or plans, if he had any. Those who have favored Pope are disturbed and disappointed. . . . The general conviction is that he is a failure here, and there is a belief and admission on all hands that he has not been seconded and sustained as he should have been by McClellan, Franklin, Fitz John Porter, and perhaps some others. Personal jealousies and professional rivalries, the bane and curse of all armies, have entered deeply into ours.
Stanton said, in a suppressed voice, trembling with excitement, he was informed McClellan had been ordered to take command of the forces in Washington. General surprise was expressed. When the President came in and heard the subject-matter of our conversation, he said he had done what seemed to him best and would be responsible for what he had done to the country. Halleck had agreed to it. McClellan knows this whole ground; his specialty is to defend; he is a good engineer, all admit; there is no better organizer; he can be trusted to act on the defensive; but he is troubled with the “slows” and good for nothing for an onward movement. . . . There was a more disturbed and desponding feeling than I have ever witnessed in council; the President was greatly distressed. . . .
Tuesday, September 2, 1862: Gen. Robert E. Lee sends this letter, along with Gen. Kearney’s body, through Union lines: HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, September 2, 1862.
Major General JOHN POPE, U. S. Army: SIR: The body of General Philip Kearny was brought from the field last night and he was reported dead. I send if forward under a flag of truce, thinking the possession of his remains may be a consolation to his family.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, R. E. LEE, General.”
Tuesday, September 2, 1862: 1st Lieut. William Penn Lloyd, of the 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry records in his diary his assessment of what went wrong for the Federals during the late campaign: “Tuesday 2nd. Marched through Alexandria, and encamped near the Long Bridge. We are safe I suppose now from the pursuit of the enemy, who has driven us 80 miles [?] the last 20 days, as we are huddled beneath the forts which surround Washington. It is enough to arrose the honest indignation of not only the soldier, who has born the privations of the fruitless campaign; but of every loyal citizen, to see the present condition of an army and know the cause from which it resulted.
Now that the enemy has fully accomplished his designs thus far, it is easy to see, by tracing his movements for the last few weeks, what his plan of operations were.
It is evident now that Jackson’s retreat from Cedar Mountain, was merely to draw our forces farther after him, and where he failed in this and advanced on us, and forced us to fall back beyond the Rappahannock, that he never intended crossing the river at the station; or the various fords at which he made the feints; but left a force along the river merely to draw our attention, and engaged us, while he marched with the main body of his army he pushed up the Culpepper and Luray pike, through Thoroughfare Gap and down to Manassas, in our rear, thus completely out witting our Generals.”
Tuesday, September 2, 1862: The Rev. Dr. Alexander Davis Betts, chaplain in the 30th North Carolina Inf. Reg., writes in his journal of their march across the Bull Run battlefield this day: “Sept. 2 - Pass down to Groveton, where fearful fighting was done last week, August 28, 29 and 30. Horrid scenes! Many dead Federals still on the field, though a squad of their men, under flag of truce, has been some days caring for wounded and burying dead.
I found a wounded Federal sitting on the field - a broken thigh, a rifle ball through his arm and a bruised shoulder made him right helpless. His undressed wounds were sore. He asked me if I thought our surgeons would care for him. I assurred him they would. He said he had a wife and two little children in his northern home. His parents were pious and had raised him piously, but he had neglected his own soul. I said: "Brother, Jesus loves you. You came down here to kill my brothers, but I love you." He broke down and sobbed aloud: "You don't talk like one man that came here. He upbraided me." He told me our men had been very good to him during the three or four days he had been there. As one hurried by he would give him water and food, and raise him up to rest certain tired muscles. Another would stop to give him more food and water and lay him down.
They had just taken the last Confederate wounded from that part of the field. He was on the surgeon's table a few yards away. I trust this Federal was soon taken to that table. As I was about to hurry away to overtake my regiment he asked me to lay him down! How could I? Where could I take hold? I did the best I could. As I took him by the hand and commended him to God, I think my heart was as tender as it ever was. His bones may be in that field now. I hope to meet his soul in Heaven in a few years. Hurry on ten miles and overtake our regiment. Sleep cold and take cold. Frost next morning.”
Wednesday, September 2, 1863: Louis Leon writes in his journal: “September 2—On a hunt to-day several of my comrades with myself came to a house, and the first thing we heard was, “Is there a Jew in your detachment that caught a deserter yesterday?” They would like to see him, etc. At last one of the boys told them that I was the Jew. After that I had a very good time there, and in fact wherever I went I was received very kindly, and was very sorry to see on the 4th that orders came for us to return to our brigade.”
Wednesday, September 2, 1863: George Templeton Strong writes in his journal with some skepticism about the jubilant tone of the Northern newspapers assuming that the Rebellion was on its last legs: “Newspapers gabble about the “backbone of the Rebellion” being “broken at last” is abundant and nauseating. I dread premature, insolent jubilations as a tempting of Providence. We have gained most important results since the first of July, of course, and God be praised for them, but the Herald and other journals talk in a strain that would be reasonable if we had taken Charlestown, Mobile, and Wilmington, dispersed Lee’s army, and occupied Texas, and if Jefferson Davis and one hundred of his chief rajahs had been severally committed to await the action of the grand jury.”
Friday, September 2, 1864: Memoirs of Maj Gen William T. Sherman: “[In the morning,] General Hardee was gone, and we all pushed forward along the railroad south, in close pursuit, till we ran up against his lines at a point just above Lovejoy's Station. While bringing forward troops and feeling the new position of our adversary, rumors came from the rear that the enemy had evacuated Atlanta, and that General Slocum was in the city. Later in the day I received a note in Slocum's own handwriting, stating that he had heard during the night the very sounds that I have referred to; that he had moved rapidly up from the bridge about daylight, and had entered Atlanta unopposed. His letter was dated inside the city, so there was no doubt of the fact. General Thomas's bivouac was but a short distance from mine, and, before giving notice to the army in general orders, I sent one of my staff-officers to show him the note. In a few minutes the officer returned, soon followed by Thomas himself, who again examined the note, so as to be perfectly certain that it was genuine. The news seemed to him too good to be true. He snapped his fingers, whistled, and almost danced, and, as the news spread to the army, the shouts that arose from our men, the wild hallooing and glorious laughter, were to us a full recompense for the labor and toils and hardships through which we had passed in the previous three months.
A courier-line was at once organized, messages were sent back and forth from our camp at Lovejoy's to Atlanta, and to our telegraph-station at the Chattahoochee bridge. Of course, the glad tidings flew on the wings of electricity to all parts of the North, where the people had patiently awaited news of their husbands, sons, and brothers, away down in "Dixie Land;" and congratulations came pouring back full of good-will and patriotism. This victory was most opportune; Mr. Lincoln himself told me afterward that even he had previously felt in doubt, for the summer was fast passing away; that General Grant seemed to be checkmated about Richmond and Petersburg, and my army seemed to have run up against an impassable barrier, when, suddenly and unexpectedly, came the news that "Atlanta was ours, and fairly won." On this text many a fine speech was made, but none more eloquent than that by Edward Everett, in Boston. A presidential election then agitated the North. Mr. Lincoln represented the national cause, and General McClellan had accepted the nomination of the Democratic party, whose platform was that the war was a failure, and that it was better to allow the South to go free to establish a separate government, whose corner-stone should be slavery. Success to our arms at that instant was therefore a political necessity; and it was all-important that something startling in our interest should occur before the election in November. The brilliant success at Atlanta filled that requirement, and made the election of Mr. Lincoln certain.”


Pictures: 1864-09-02 William T. Sherman (center, with arm on cannon) surveys the field during siege of Atlanta; 1863-09-02 Knoxville seen from south bank of Tennessee River, East Tennessee University in middle distance, George N. Barnard, about 1864; 1862-09 Movements at the Battle of Antietam Sep. 3-17, 1962 Map; 1863-09-02 Knoxville Unionists welcoming General Ambrose Burnside into the city in September 1863

A. Monday, September 2, 1861: Confederate victory at Big Dry Wood Creek, Missouri. Col. J.H. Lane’s Kansas Cavalry Brigade, comprising about 600 men, set out from Fort Scott to learn the whereabouts of a rumored Confederate force. They encountered a Missouri State Guard commanded by CSA Maj. Gen. Sterling Price and Brig. Gen. James S. Rains about 6,000-strong, near Big Dry Wood Creek. The Union cavalry surprised the Confederates, but their numerical superiority soon determined the encounter’s outcome. They forced the Union cavalry to retire and captured their mules, and the Confederates continued on towards Lexington. The Confederates were forcing the Federals to abandon southwestern Missouri and to concentrate on holding the Missouri Valley. Total unknown (US 14; CS unknown)
B. Tuesday, September 2, 1862: General Lee has concluded that an attack on Washington will not succeed and that campaign ends. “Although Lee had gained another victory, it was unclear as to the best way to press his advantage. His forces could not stay in this area of northern Virginia, but to fall back would be to negate the advantages of his recent victory. His decision, therefore, was to invade Maryland. He hoped to gain support from the local populace of the state, and he also saw an opportunity to sway foreign opinion if he could win another victory on Northern soil. Washington, D.C. itself Lee knew was too strong to attack, but he hoped to be able to capture the 12,000-man Federal garrison at Harper’s Ferry during his advance. To do so, he would have to take the risk to divide his army in enemy territory, but he felt that the Army of the Potomac was still demoralized from its recent defeats and McClellan, if remaining true to form, would react with all the speed of a tortoise. The Army of the Potomac however, was not demoralized; it was to the contrary, still full of fight. Maryland did not welcome the Confederates with open arms, as had been hoped, and worst of all, . . . McClellan was capable of moving fairly quickly.”
C. Wednesday, September 2, 1863: Maj Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside occupies Knoxville, Tennessee. The population in Knoxville mostly welcomed General Burnside’s men as they occupied Knoxville, Tennessee. There wasn’t even a battle first, as the city had been essentially conceded to the opposition, and Burnside’s men just walked in. Knoxville had controlled a major Confederate railway between Chattanooga and Virginia.
C++ Wednesday, September 2, 1863: East Tennessee operations/Knoxville Campaign: US General Ambrose Burnside enters and occupies Knoxville uncontested. Federal forces press Scott’s Brigade hard all the way from Big Creek Gap to Loudon. Scott’s rearguard delays US forces long enough for the rest of the Confederates to cross the river, and they set fire to the railroad bridge while crossing, thus severely hampering Burnside’s ability to link up with Rosecrans and supply his men from Chattanooga.
D. Friday, September 2, 1864: Atlanta, Georgia falls to Maj Gen William T. Sherman and his Union troops, as General Hood’s only hope was get away to fight another day. Mayor James Calhoun surrenders Atlanta to General Sherman. Hood leaves Atlanta in flames. Sherman sends a message to President Lincoln, “Atlanta is ours, and fairly won.” Sherman now has to contain the city and his men. Both sides have fought a hard battle. Casualties for the campaign were roughly equal in absolute numbers: 31,687 Union (4,423 killed, 22,822 wounded, 4,442 missing/captured) and 34,979 Confederate (3,044 killed, 18,952 wounded, 12,983 missing/captured.) But Hood's army will leave the area with approximately 30,000 men, whereas Sherman still has 81,000.


1. Monday, September 2, 1861: General Fremont’s Plan Derided By Both North And South “General John C. Fremont took it upon himself to be the nation’s first great emancipator by freeing all the slaves owned by secessionists in Missouri. He acted without orders and also threatened to kill any secessionist with a gun, but, he felt, his heart was in the right place. Though Unionists and secessionists agreed on few things, Fremont’s August 30 proclamation received scorn from both camps.
President Lincoln heard about Fremont freeing the slaves like most other Americans did: he read it in the newspapers. On this date, he shot off a letter to the General, asking him to cut it out.
“Two points in your proclamation of August 30th give me some anxiety,” began Lincoln. He first addressed Fremont’s plan to shoot any secessionist in possession of a firearm, believing if he executed someone for such a crime,” the Confederates would very certainly shoot our best man in their hands in retaliation; and so, man for man, indefinitely.” Taking the reigns, Lincoln ordered that Fremont “allow no man to be shot, under the proclamation, without first having my approbation or consent.”
As for the emancipation of the slaves, Lincoln feared that it would “alarm our Southern Union friends, and turn them against us—perhaps ruin our rather fair prospect for Kentucky.” He then asked Fremont to bring his policy around to the Confiscation Act, decided upon by Congress, that liberated the slaves from their owners, but kept them under the jurisdiction of the Federal government.
On the other side of the table was General Jeff Thompson of the Missouri State Guards, also having something to say about the proclamation made by General Fremont, “commanding the minions of Abraham Lincoln.” Almost as if Lincoln had read his mind, Thompson promised “that for every member of the Missouri State Guard, or soldier of our allies, the armies of the Confederate States, who shall be put to death in pursuance of this said order of General Fremont, I will hang, draw, and quarter a minion of said Abraham Lincoln.”
Not only that, but Thompson wrote that he intended “to exceed General Fremont in his excesses, and will make all tories that come within my reach rue the day that a different policy was adopted by their leader.” Already, wrote Thompson, “mills, barns, warehouses, and other private property has been wastefully destroyed by the enemy in this district.”
“Should these things be repeated,” vowed Thompson, underscoring his point, “I will retaliate tenfold, so help me God!”
Somewhat riding an extreme middle position, Col. Frank Blair, brother of Lincoln’s Postmaster General, had just the day before written to his brother with the opinion that General Fremont “should be relieved of his command.” Blair, a long time abolitionist, agreed with Fremont’s proclamation. What he didn’t agree with, however, was the way Fremont ran things.
Since taking command, the Rebels had greatly increased in number through the General’s “gross and inexcusable negligence.” The disorganized camps around St. Louis, wrote Blair, were similar to the camps around Washington before the debacle at Bull Run.
Even though both Blair brothers were responsible for Fremont’s appointment to the Western Department and even though both had been close friends in years past, it was clear that General Fremont had to go.
[civilwardailygazette.com/general-fremonts-plan-derided-by-both-north-and-south/]
2. Monday, September, 2, 1861: President Lincoln orders Gen. John Charles Fremont in MO, who just days before promised death and property confiscation for Southern sympathizers: "It is therefore my order that you allow no man to be shot, under the proclamation [issued by Fremont August 30], without first having my approbation or consent. Secondly, in relation to the confiscation of property, and the liberating slaves, allow me to ask, that you will modify that paragraph so as to conform to the act of Congress, approved August 6th, 1861.” (law giving freedom to only slaves employed by Confederates in carrying on war efforts)
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3. Monday, September 2, 1861: Pensacola, Florida - On September 2, a Confederate force entered Pensacola. After Union forces had earlier abandoned the U.S. dry-dock, the Confederates proceeded to destroy the docks, denying use of them by the Union naval forces.
[mycivilwar.com/battles/1861s.html]
4. Tuesday, September 2, 1862: In Washington, despite the efforts of Sec. of War Stanton and Sec. of the Treasury Chase to get McClellan sacked, Pres. Lincoln decides not to remove the Young Napoleon from his command. At a Cabinet meeting on this date, Stanton presents the letter that he and Chase have been circulating amongst the Cabinet members. He argues how McClellan had withheld reinforcements from Pope, and points that when he asked Gen. Halleck, the general-in-chief said, “was not obeyed with the promptness I expected and the national safety, in my opinion, required.” However, Lincoln responds that he has decided to keep McClellan in command of the Army of the Potomac and the Army of Virginia combined. He and Halleck have already agreed that McClellan was the man of the hour, and that his skills as an engineer and at organizing the army would be most needed now, to counter what the Confederates will do next.
[civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=September+2%2C+1862]
5. Tuesday, September 2, 1862: Gen. Edmund Kirby-Smith and his Confederate army have marched into Lexington and taken possession of the city. The governors of Ohio and Indiana send off panicked messages to Washington requesting artillery and troops.
[civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=September+2%2C+1862]
6. Tuesday, September 2, 1862: Sec. of the Navy, Gideon Welles, records some of the events of this Cabinet meeting: “September 2, Tuesday. At Cabinet-meeting all but Seward were present. I think there was design in his absence. It was stated that Pope, without consultation or advice, was falling back, intending to retreat within the Washington intrenchments. No one seems to have had any knowledge of his movements, or plans, if he had any. Those who have favored Pope are disturbed and disappointed. . . . The general conviction is that he is a failure here, and there is a belief and admission on all hands that he has not been seconded and sustained as he should have been by McClellan, Franklin, Fitz John Porter, and perhaps some others. Personal jealousies and professional rivalries, the bane and curse of all armies, have entered deeply into ours.
Stanton said, in a suppressed voice, trembling with excitement, he was informed McClellan had been ordered to take command of the forces in Washington. General surprise was expressed. When the President came in and heard the subject-matter of our conversation, he said he had done what seemed to him best and would be responsible for what he had done to the country. Halleck had agreed to it. McClellan knows this whole ground; his specialty is to defend; he is a good engineer, all admit; there is no better organizer; he can be trusted to act on the defensive; but he is troubled with the “slows” and good for nothing for an onward movement. . . . There was a more disturbed and desponding feeling than I have ever witnessed in council; the President was greatly distressed. . . .
[civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=September+2%2C+1862]
7. Tuesday, September 2, 1862: Lincoln said of General McClellan ~ “If he can’t fight himself, he excels in making others ready to fight.” Lincoln recalls General McClellan (US) to Washington DC to take charge of the capital’s defenses. General John Pope was therefore relieved of command and both armies were now under McClellan’s command.
[civilwarhardemancotn/departments/department-b/part-seventy-three]
8. Tuesday, September 2, 1862: Confederate Invasion of Kentucky. E. Kirby Smith enters Lexington, Kentucky.
[blueandgraytrail.com/year/186209]
9. Tuesday, September 2, 1862: Confederate Heartland Offensive: CS General Kirby Smith occupies an undefended Lexington to the cheers of its residents, prompting him to telegraph President Davis: “”They have proven to us that the heart of Kentucky is with the South in this struggle.” Smith then sends General Harry Heth (not a misspelling) to demonstrate against Cincinnati with more than half a division, while Colonel John Scott’s cavalry pursues Union troops who are retreating toward Louisville.
[bjdeming.com/2012/10/12/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-august-27-to-september-2-1862/]
10. Tuesday, September 2, 1862: CS General John Hunt Morgan’s 2nd Kentucky Cavalry Brigade gets a new regiment, the 7th Kentucky, commanded by Colonel R. M. Gano.
[bjdeming.com/2012/10/12/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-august-27-to-september-2-1862/]
11. Tuesday, September 2, 1862: General John Pope is replaced by Ambrose Burnside, following the disaster at Second Bull Run, combining the Army of Virginia with the Army of the Potomac under George McClellan.
[blueandgraytrail.com/year/186209]
12. Tuesday, September 2, 1862: General Pope is relieved of command (note: some say this happened on September 6th – see next week’s timeline), replaced by General Burnside. General McClellan assumes command of all forces around Washington, including the Army of Virginia.
[bjdeming.com/2012/10/12/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-august-27-to-september-2-1862/]
13. Tuesday, September 2, 1862: Western Theater: General Halleck orders General Grant to send a division commanded by General Gordon Granger to Louisville, Kentucky. General Grant orders General Stephen Hurlbut’s division from Memphis to Bolivar.
[bjdeming.com/2012/10/12/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-august-27-to-september-2-1862/]
14. Tuesday, September 2, 1862: near Leesburg, Virginia - On September 2, a Confederate force was near Leesburg when they discovered a nearby Union force. The Confederates attacked the Federals, routing them along the way.
[mycivilwar.com/battles/1862s.html]
15. Tuesday, September 2, 1862: Spencer Court House, West Virginia - On September 2, a Confederate cavalry raid, commanded by Brig. Gen. Albert G. Jenkins, arrived at the Spencer Court House. There, they discovered a Union force nearby. The cavalry attacked the Federals, forcing them to surrender.
[mycivilwar.com/battles/1862s.html]
16. Tuesday, September 2, 1862: Gen. Robert E. Lee sends this letter, along with Gen. Kearney’s body, through Union lines: HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, September 2, 1862.
Major General JOHN POPE, U. S. Army: SIR: The body of General Philip Kearny was brought from the field last night and he was reported dead. I send if forward under a flag of truce, thinking the possession of his remains may be a consolation to his family.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, R. E. LEE, General.”
[civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=September+2%2C+1862]
17. Tuesday, September 2, 1862: 1st Lieut. William Penn Lloyd, of the 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry records in his diary his assessment of what went wrong for the Federals during the late campaign: “Tuesday 2nd. Marched through Alexandria, and encamped near the Long Bridge. We are safe I suppose now from the pursuit of the enemy, who has driven us 80 miles [?] the last 20 days, as we are huddled beneath the forts which surround Washington. It is enough to arrose the honest indignation of not only the soldier, who has born the privations of the fruitless campaign; but of every loyal citizen, to see the present condition of an army and know the cause from which it resulted.
Now that the enemy has fully accomplished his designs thus far, it is easy to see, by tracing his movements for the last few weeks, what his plan of operations were.
It is evident now that Jackson’s retreat from Cedar Mountain, was merely to draw our forces farther after him, and where he failed in this and advanced on us, and forced us to fall back beyond the Rappahannock, that he never intended crossing the river at the station; or the various fords at which he made the feints; but left a force along the river merely to draw our attention, and engaged us, while he marched with the main body of his army he pushed up the Culpepper and Luray pike, through Thoroughfare Gap and down to Manassas, in our rear, thus completely out witting our Generals.”
[civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=September+2%2C+1862]
18. Tuesday, September 2, 1862: The Rev. Dr. Alexander Davis Betts, chaplain in the 30th North Carolina Inf. Reg., writes in his journal of their march across the Bull Run battlefield this day: “Sept. 2 - Pass down to Groveton, where fearful fighting was done last week, August 28, 29 and 30. Horrid scenes! Many dead Federals still on the field, though a squad of their men, under flag of truce, has been some days caring for wounded and burying dead.
I found a wounded Federal sitting on the field - a broken thigh, a rifle ball through his arm and a bruised shoulder made him right helpless. His undressed wounds were sore. He asked me if I thought our surgeons would care for him. I assurred him they would. He said he had a wife and two little children in his northern home. His parents were pious and had raised him piously, but he had neglected his own soul. I said: "Brother, Jesus loves you. You came down here to kill my brothers, but I love you." He broke down and sobbed aloud: "You don't talk like one man that came here. He upbraided me." He told me our men had been very good to him during the three or four days he had been there. As one hurried by he would give him water and food, and raise him up to rest certain tired muscles. Another would stop to give him more food and water and lay him down.
They had just taken the last Confederate wounded from that part of the field. He was on the surgeon's table a few yards away. I trust this Federal was soon taken to that table. As I was about to hurry away to overtake my regiment he asked me to lay him down! How could I? Where could I take hold? I did the best I could. As I took him by the hand and commended him to God, I think my heart was as tender as it ever was. His bones may be in that field now. I hope to meet his soul in Heaven in a few years. Hurry on ten miles and overtake our regiment. Sleep cold and take cold. Frost next morning.”
[civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=September+2%2C+1862]
19. Wednesday, September 2, 1863: Louis Leon writes in his journal: “September 2—On a hunt to-day several of my comrades with myself came to a house, and the first thing we heard was, “Is there a Jew in your detachment that caught a deserter yesterday?” They would like to see him, etc. At last one of the boys told them that I was the Jew. After that I had a very good time there, and in fact wherever I went I was received very kindly, and was very sorry to see on the 4th that orders came for us to return to our brigade.”
[civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=September+2%2C+1863]
20. Wednesday, September 2, 1863: George Templeton Strong writes in his journal with some skepticism about the jubilant tone of the Northern newspapers assuming that the Rebellion was on its last legs: “Newspapers gabble about the “backbone of the Rebellion” being “broken at last” is abundant and nauseating. I dread premature, insolent jubilations as a tempting of Providence. We have gained most important results since the first of July, of course, and God be praised for them, but the Herald and other journals talk in a strain that would be reasonable if we had taken Charlestown, Mobile, and Wilmington, dispersed Lee’s army, and occupied Texas, and if Jefferson Davis and one hundred of his chief rajahs had been severally committed to await the action of the grand jury.”
[civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=September+2%2C+1863]
21. Wednesday, September 2, 1863: Federal forces press Scott’s Brigade hard all the way from Big Creek Gap to Loudon. Scott’s rearguard delays US forces long enough for the rest of the Confederates to cross the river, and they set fire to the railroad bridge while crossing, thus severely hampering Burnside’s ability to link up with Rosecrans and supply his men from Chattanooga.
[bjdeming.com/2013/08/26/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-august-26-september-2-1863/]
22. Wednesday, September 2, 1863: Troops under Ambrose Burnside’s command occupy Kingston, Tennessee, near the Virginia state line.
[civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=September+2%2C+1863]
23. Wednesday, September 2, 1863: Lord Russell (Great Britain) orders two ironclad Laird Rams bound for the Confederacy to be detained.
[blueandgraytrail.com/year/186309]
24. Friday, September 2, 1864: Memoirs of Maj Gen William T. Sherman: [In the morning,] General Hardee was gone, and we all pushed forward along the railroad south, in close pursuit, till we ran up against his lines at a point just above Lovejoy's Station. While bringing forward troops and feeling the new position of our adversary, rumors came from the rear that the enemy had evacuated Atlanta, and that General Slocum was in the city. Later in the day I received a note in Slocum's own handwriting, stating that he had heard during the night the very sounds that I have referred to; that he had moved rapidly up from the bridge about daylight, and had entered Atlanta unopposed. His letter was dated inside the city, so there was no doubt of the fact. General Thomas's bivouac was but a short distance from mine, and, before giving notice to the army in general orders, I sent one of my staff-officers to show him the note. In a few minutes the officer returned, soon followed by Thomas himself, who again examined the note, so as to be perfectly certain that it was genuine. The news seemed to him too good to be true. He snapped his fingers, whistled, and almost danced, and, as the news spread to the army, the shouts that arose from our men, the wild hallooing and glorious laughter, were to us a full recompense for the labor and toils and hardships through which we had passed in the previous three months.
A courier-line was at once organized, messages were sent back and forth from our camp at Lovejoy's to Atlanta, and to our telegraph-station at the Chattahoochee bridge. Of course, the glad tidings flew on the wings of electricity to all parts of the North, where the people had patiently awaited news of their husbands, sons, and brothers, away down in "Dixie Land;" and congratulations came pouring back full of good-will and patriotism. This victory was most opportune; Mr. Lincoln himself told me afterward that even he had previously felt in doubt, for the summer was fast passing away; that General Grant seemed to be checkmated about Richmond and Petersburg, and my army seemed to have run up against an impassable barrier, when, suddenly and unexpectedly, came the news that "Atlanta was ours, and fairly won." On this text many a fine speech was made, but none more eloquent than that by Edward Everett, in Boston. A presidential election then agitated the North. Mr. Lincoln represented the national cause, and General McClellan had accepted the nomination of the Democratic party, whose platform was that the war was a failure, and that it was better to allow the South to go free to establish a separate government, whose corner-stone should be slavery. Success to our arms at that instant was therefore a political necessity; and it was all-important that something startling in our interest should occur before the election in November. The brilliant success at Atlanta filled that requirement, and made the election of Mr. Lincoln certain.
[sonofthesouth.net/union-generals/sherman/memoirs/general-sherman-burning-atlanta.htm]
25. Friday, September 2, 1864: General Lee (CSA) suggested that slaves could be used for the laboring tasks done by the Army of Virginia. This would free up non-slave laborers for combat. Fighting continues in Missouri, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi. War is long from over.
[/site/civilwarhardemancotn/departments/1864/week-177]

A Monday, September 2, 1861: Battle of the Mules [Confederate]; Battle of Dry Wood Creek [Union]
[blueandgraytrail.com/year/186109]
A+ Monday, September 2, 1861: Confederate victory Battle of Dry Wood Creek [Union]. Colonel J.H. Lane's cavalry, comprising about 600 men, set out from Fort Scott to learn the whereabouts of a rumored Confederate force. They encountered a Confederate force, about 6,000-strong, near Big Dry Wood Creek.
The Union cavalry surprised the Confederates, but the confederate numerical superiority soon determined the encounter's outcome.
They forced the Union cavalry to retire and captured their mules, and the Confederates continued on towards Lexington.
The Confederates were forcing the Federals to abandon southwestern Missouri and to concentrate on holding Principal Commanders: Colonel J.H. Lane [US]; Major General Sterling Price and Brigadier General James S. Rains [CS] Forces Engaged: Kansas Cavalry Brigade (approx. 600) [US]; column of Missouri State Guard [CS]
Estimated Casualties: Total unknown (US 14; CS unknown)
[americancivilwar.com/statepic/mo/mo005.html]
B Tuesday, September 2, 1862: General Lee has concluded that an attack on Washington will not succeed and that campaign ends. “Although Lee had gained another victory, it was unclear as to the best way to press his advantage. His forces could not stay in this area of northern Virginia, but to fall back would be to negate the advantages of his recent victory. His decision, therefore, was to invade Maryland. He hoped to gain support from the local populace of the state, and he also saw an opportunity to sway foreign opinion if he could win another victory on Northern soil. Washington, D.C. itself Lee knew was too strong to attack, but he hoped to be able to capture the 12,000-man Federal garrison at Harper’s Ferry during his advance. To do so, he would have to take the risk to divide his army in enemy territory, but he felt that the Army of the Potomac was still demoralized from its recent defeats and McClellan, if remaining true to form, would react with all the speed of a tortoise. The Army of the Potomac however, was not demoralized; it was to the contrary, still full of fight. Maryland did not welcome the Confederates with open arms, as had been hoped, and worst of all, . . . McClellan was capable of moving fairly quickly.”
[bjdeming.com/2012/10/12/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-august-27-to-september-2-1862/
C Wednesday, September 2, 1863: Ambrose Burnside occupies Knoxville, Tennessee.
[blueandgraytrail.com/year/186309]
C+ Wednesday, September 2, 1863: The population in Knoxville mostly welcomed Union General Ambrose. E. Burnside’s men as they occupied Knoxville, Tennessee today. There wasn’t even a battle first, as the city had been essentially conceded to the opposition, and Burnside’s men just walked in. Knoxville had controlled a major Confederate railway between Chattanooga and Virginia.
[site/civilwarhardemancotn/departments/department-c/week-125]
C++ Wednesday, September 2, 1863: East Tennessee operations/Knoxville Campaign: US General Ambrose Burnside enters and occupies Knoxville uncontested.
[bjdeming.com/2013/08/26/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-august-26-september-2-1863/
D Friday, September 2, 1864: Atlanta falls to General Sherman and his Union troops, as General Hood’s only hope was get away to fight another day. Hood leaves Atlanta in flames. Sherman sends a message to President Lincoln, “Atlanta is ours, and fairly won.” Sherman now has to contain the city and his men. Both sides have fought a hard battle. Casualties for the campaign were roughly equal in absolute numbers: 31,687 Union (4,423 killed, 22,822 wounded, 4,442 missing/captured) and 34,979 Confederate (3,044 killed, 18,952 wounded, 12,983 missing/captured.) But Hood's army will leave the area with approximately 30,000 men, whereas Sherman still has 81,000.
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D+ Friday, September 2, 1864: Georgia operations. Mayor James Calhoun surrenders Atlanta to General Sherman.
[bjdeming.com/2014/09/01/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-september-1-7-1864/]
FYI GySgt Jack Wallace CWO4 Terrence Clark SMSgt Lawrence McCarter SFC Bernard Walko SFC Stephen King SSG Franklin Briant SFC William Farrell SPC Lyle MontgomerySPC Woody Bullard SFC Ralph E Kelley SSG Michael Noll SSG Bill McCoy LTC (Join to see) MAJ (Join to see) MAJ (Join to see) Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D.
The ships of the Laird Brothers
Laird was a shipyard in Birkenhead, England, which attempted to construct two ironclad rams for the Confederacy. The subterfuge used to try to create these powerful warships despite the rules of the British Foreign Enlistment Act is an intriguing story of secret agents and political power
In 1863, British Lord Russell ordered two ironclad Laird Rams bound for the Confederacy to be detained.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRSk1bksE0g

LTC Stephen F. thanks for the read and share, always institutive and informative going with : 1864: Atlanta, Georgia falls to Maj Gen William T. Sherman and his Union troops, as General Hood’s only hope was get away to fight another day. Mayor James Calhoun surrenders Atlanta to General Sherman. Hood leaves Atlanta in flames. Sherman sends a mess

really good History ... thanks

Has to be the Fall of Atlanta. By the end of the year Hood would have decimated his own Army by having it Butchered at Franklin then incrediblly trying to "lay siege" to Nashville, which resulted in the the only time in the war where an Army was all but destroyed in a single battle.

Great history all shared. Thank you.