Hanging of 38 Dakota Indians
 1862 Calendar
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[Sunday] [Monday] [Tuesday] [Wednesday] [Thursday] [Friday] [Saturday]

Dec 21 1862 (Sunday)

U.S. Grant sends orders to General McPherson to "fall back...to the north bank of the Tallahatchie [River], by which time facts enough will be developed to determine our further course." While Grant ponders his next move, "Cump" Sherman continues to press forward with his expedition down the Mississippi River. "Already...two of my Memphis divisions have passed down to the first rendezvous, Friar's Point, ... By tomorrow morning my whole command will be embarked and under way....I will be at [the] mouth of the Yazoo [by] Christmas." In light of Grant's retreat, General Pemberton shifts some of his forces. "Direct General Price to put himself and corps in readiness to move at once to Vicksburg." Jefferson Davis, after inspecting Pemberton's works at the river fortress, renews his efforts to get General Theophilus Holmes to send reinforcements from the Trans-Mississippi Department to bolster the Vicksburg defenses.

VICKSBURG, MISS., December 21 [?], 1862. - General T. H. HOLMES, Comdg. Trans-Mississippi Dept., Little Rock, Ark.: - GENERAL: To prevent the enemy getting control of the Mississippi and dismembering the Confederacy, we must mainly rely upon maintaining the points already occupied by defensive works, to wit, Vicksburg and Port Hudson....It seems to be, then, unquestionably best that you should re-enforce General Johnston, so as to enable you successfully to meet the enemy, and by his defeat to destroy his power for such future operations against you....We cannot hope at all points to meet the enemy with a force equal to his own, and must find our security in the concentration and rapid movement of troops. Nothing will...diminish our capacity to defend the Trans. Mississippi States as the loss of communication between the States on the eastern and western sides of the river. I have thus presented to you my views, and trusting alike in your patriotism and discretion, leave you to make the application of them which circumstances will permit. Whatever may be done should be done with all possible dispatch. Very respectfully and truly, your friend, JEFFERSON DAVIS.

Knowing that Confederate forces in Middle Tennessee have been weakened by the detachments of one full infantry division and two cavalry regiments, Brigadier-General John Wharton becomes alarmed when William Rosecrans begins to concentrate his 80,000 man army in and around Nashville.

HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY BRIGADE, Nolensville, December 21, 1862--9.30 a.m. - Lieut. Gen. LEONIDAS POLK, Commanding Polk's Corps, Army of Tennessee: - GENERAL: General Thomas' corps arrived in Nashville yesterday and day before, and is encamped on the Charlotte and Franklin pikes....There are no indications of evacuating Nashville. On the contrary, the entire force is now on the Nashville side of the river....Most respectfully, your obedient servant, JNO. A. WHARTON, Brigadier-General.


[Sunday] [Monday] [Tuesday] [Wednesday] [Thursday] [Friday] [Saturday]
Dec 22 1862 (Monday)

Wade Hampton returns after leading a 400 man cavalry detachment on a scouting mission across the Rappahannock River. "The...march brought me safely home without the loss of a man. I brought back about 150 prisoners..., 20 wagons with valuable stores..., 30 stand of infantry arms, and 1 stand of colors." Lacking sufficient cavalry to mount his own raids, Ambrose Burnside must rely upon the observations of his aeronaut, Thaddeus Lowe. "The enemy's position [is] very clearly defined. Their main camps are opposite to our left, and extend down to the river....Earth-works appear to be thrown upon the next range of hills beyond the first line of woods." Seeking to salve some of the wounds of his battered Army of the Potomac, President Lincoln issues a message, publicly thanking the men for their sacrifices at Fredericksburg.

Message from President Lincoln to the Army of the Potomac. - EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, December 22, 1862. - To the Army of the Potomac: The courage with which you, in an open field, maintained the contest against an intrenched foe, and the consummate skill and success with which you crossed and recrossed the river, in the face of the enemy, show that you possess all the qualities of a great army, which will yet give victory to the cause of the country and of popular government. Condoling with the mourners for the dead, and sympathizing with the severely wounded, I congratulate you that the number of both is comparatively so small. I tender to you, officers and soldiers, the thanks of the nation. A. LINCOLN.

The stubborn adherence to the Mississippi River as a boundary between military departments by Jefferson Davis has already resulted in the resignation of George Randolph as his Secretary of War. Now, it is disconcerting Joe Johnston, who sees the Confederate troops in the Trans-Mississippi as the only salvation for Vicksburg. Johnston commands the troops defending Vicksburg and all the troops in Tennessee, but cannot issue orders to any troops west of the Mississippi River.

VICKSBURG, MISS., December 22, 1862. - Mr. PRESIDENT: I think that we shall require, to hold this department and the Mississippi River, an active army of about 40,000 men to oppose the troops of Grant and Banks....For the active force we have now 21,000 men near the Yalabusha. About 9,000 have been ordered to this department from Lieutenant-General Smith....The 8,000 or 10,000 men which are essential to safety ought therefore, I respectfully suggest, to be taken from Arkansas....I firmly believe, however, that our true system of warfare would be to concentrate the forces of the two departments on this side of the Mississippi, beat the enemy here, and then reconquer the country beyond it which he might have gained in the mean time....Most respectfully, your obedient servant, J. E JOHNSTON, General.

Five days after Nathan Bedford Forrest's raiders cut the telegraph lines and sacked Trenton, Tennessee, U.S. Grant's army remains out of touch with the Federal high command. With Forrest and Earl Van Dorn still on the loose, repair crews are struggling to restore the severed communication lines.

COLUMBUS, KY., December 22, 1862---11 p.m. (Received December 23, 4 p.m.) - Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General-in Chief, U. S. Army: Things are still unsettled....No connection south. No intelligence south of Trenton....Trenton and the railroad to Union City in hands of the enemy....Shall push down and repair railroad and fight....Have sent couriers through to urge up the forces from south to join me. Think things will be right in a few days. THOS. A. DAVIES.


[Sunday] [Monday] [Tuesday] [Wednesday] [Thursday] [Friday] [Saturday]
Dec 23 1862 (Tuesday)

John McClernand, despite being given command over the Vicksburg expedition last week, is still in Springfield, Illinois. "I am not relieved form duty here so that I may go forward and receive orders from General Grant." Edwin Stanton quickly sends McClernand on his way. "It has not been my understanding that you should remain...a single hour beyond your own pleasure and judgment...You are relieved of duty at Springfield." Unfortunately for McClernand, the force he is to command is already heading down the Mississippi River with General Sherman at its head. "I propose...to proceed...to Milliken's Bend...[and] then the mouth of the Yazoo..., to land our whole force on the Mississippi side and then reach the point where the Vicksburg and Jackson Railroad crosses the Big Black [River], after which to attack Vicksburg by land while the gunboats assail it by water." Meanwhile General Grant, who was supposed to meet Sherman at the gates of Vicksburg, has been forced to call off his advance and his army is subsisting on food which can be procured from nearby farms. "Collect all the forage, beef cattle, and fat hogs...belonging to secessionists, and have them issued by the commissary and quartermaster." Realizing his withdrawal puts the Mississippi expeditionary force in jeopardy, Grant sends out a courier to deliver the news that he is unable to continue his advance up the Mississippi Central Railroad.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE, Holly Springs, Miss., December 23, 1862. - COMMANDING OFFICER EXPEDITION DOWN MISSISSIPPI: Raids made upon the railroad to my rear by Forrest northward from Jackson, and by Van Dorn northward from the Tallahatchie, have cut me off from supplies, so that farther advance by this route is perfectly impracticable. The country does not afford supplies for troops, and but a limited supply of forage. I have fallen back to the Tallahatchie, and will be only able to hold the enemy at Yalabusha....These raids have cut off communication, so that I have had nothing from the north for over a week. Telegraph will probably be working through by to-morrow and railroad within five days. U.S. GRANT, Major-general.

After the success of Wade Hampton's cavalry raids, Robert E. Lee decides to up the ante. This time he will send Jeb Stuart and 1,800 cavalrymen against Burnside's supply line. "Proceed with a portion of the cavalry across the Rappahannock, penetrate the enemy's rear, ascertain...his position and movements, and inflict...such damage as circumstances will permit." With the stalemate along the river persisting, members of the Army of Northern Virginia turn their attention to the poor, unfortunate citizens of Fredericksburg.

HEADQUARTERS BATTALION WASHINGTON ARTILLERY, Near Fredericksburg, Va., December 23, 1862. - Lieut. Gen. JAMES LONGSTREET, Commanding First Army Corps, Army of Northern Virginia: - GENERAL: The officers, rank and file, of this battalion..., have unanimously agreed to contribute for the relief of the heroic and suffering citizens of that city....The condition of the sacked, pillaged, and destroyed city of Fredericksburg warrants...the diversion of this fund..., and I am therefore requested by them to pay over to you the sum of $1,391..., that such disposition may be made of it as may best accomplish the object of your benevolent invitation. I have the honor to be, general, your obedient servant, J. B. WALTON, Colonel, Commanding, and Chief of Artillery, First Army Corps.

Nathan Bedford Forrest's troopers descend upon Union City, Tennessee. As they approach the town, Forrest finds that "Lieutenant-Colonel Collins...protecting Federal prisoners from Trenton," has already secured a flag of truce from the Union post commander. Ignoring this, Forrest sends in his own white flag demanding immediate surrender and is surprised when it is answered by a civilian sutler. After taking the town, Forrest is pleased to welcome Colonel T.A. Napier and 400 new recruits to his command.

COLUMBUS, KY. - The ADJUTANT-GENERAL: My men needing my attention for a moment I sent Sutler R. W. Jones to meet the flag....When I arrived at the flag of truce of General Forrest, Jones was stoutly claiming...that it was utterly contrary to honorable warfare to demand that I should surrender my forces....The flag of truce which protected the Federal prisoners, then in fall view, was pointed to and a definite explanation was given of how and when it made my lines, by whom borne, and now flying within my quarters. While this colloquy was being held General Forrest rode up....The general again demanded an immediate and unconditional surrender. Deeming it to be extreme folly to fight so unequal a force I surrendered my command of 94 men....Respectfully submitted. S. B. LOGAN, Captain, Commanding Post, Union City.



[Sunday] [Monday] [Tuesday] [Wednesday] [Thursday] [Friday] [Saturday]
Dec 24 1862 (Wednesday) Christmas Eve

Aware that President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation is only days away, Jefferson Davis takes the opportunity to issue a proclamation of his own. "I...do pronounce and declare...Benjamin F. Butler to be a felon, deserving of capital punishment. I do order that he be considered...as an outlaw and common enemy of mankind, and...in the event of his capture...[he is] to be immediately executed by hanging." After dealing with the "Beast," Davis turns his attention to Lincoln's impending proclamation.

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES. - A PROCLAMATION. The African slaves have not only been excited to insurrection by every license and encouragement, but numbers of them have actually been armed for a servile war--a war in its nature far exceeding in horrors the most merciless atrocities of the savages....And whereas the President of the United States has, by public and official declaration, signified not only his approval of the effort to excite servile war within the Confederacy, but his intention to give aid and encouragement thereto...after the first day of January next....Now, therefore, I, Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America...reluctantly yield to the solemn duty of repressing...crimes of which their citizens are the victims, do issue this my proclamation, and by virtue of my authority Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of the Confederate States do order--That all negro slaves captured in arms be at once delivered over to the executive authorities of the respective States to which they belong, to be dealt with according to the laws of said States....That the like orders be executed in all cases with respect to all commissioned officers of the United States when found serving in company with armed slaves in insurrection against the authorities of the different States of this Confederacy....JEFFERSON DAVIS. [L. s.] By the President.

With Burnside's army remaining at Stafford Heights, R.E. Lee struggles to feed his army, which he is forced to keep concentrated at Fredericksburg. Finding adequate forage for his artillery and draft horses has been particularly difficult. To ease this burden, Lee orders most of his artillery to positions behind the front lines.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, December 24, 1862. - The difficulty experienced in obtaining forage renders it necessary to send to more convenient positions all the artillery, except the batteries hereinafter designated....General Longstreet's...will be sent...to a point on the Telegraph road, about midway between the Mattapony and the North Anna Rivers....General Jackson's...will be sent...to a point within about 5 miles of Bowling Green....The commanding officer of each camp is required to give his particular and earnest attention to the proper care of the horses, seeing that they are placed in position as much sheltered as possible, and that they are properly groomed and fed. The horses will not be used, except when required for Government service; and every effort will be made to resuscitate and restore them to proper condition for the spring campaign. Unless successful in this object, the want of animals, it is feared, will render necessary the disbandment of many of the batteries. By command of General R. E. Lee: W. H. TAYLOR, Assistant Adjutant-General.

Receiving information, "deemed reliable, confirming previous rumor," that a division of Bragg's army has been sent to Vicksburg, and knowing that at least two cavalry regiments have also been detached, William Rosecrans decides that the time is ripe for an advance. Accordingly, he sends out a circular to his generals advising them that, "The movement will...be made at daylight to-morrow."

NASHVILLE, TENN., December 24, 1862-5.30 p.m. - Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief: I think the enemy as far committed to stand at Murfreesborough, to protect the raid into Kentucky, as they will be; and, having now the essentials of ammunition and twenty days' rations in Nashville, shall move on them to-morrow morning at daylight. If they meet us, we shall fight to-morrow; if they wait for us, next day. If we beat them, I shall try to drive them to the wall. The detachment of Forrest to West Tennessee, and of Morgan, will materially aid us in our movement. W. S. ROSECRANS, Major-General.



[Sunday] [Monday] [Tuesday] [Wednesday] [Thursday] [Friday] [Saturday]

Dec 25 1862 (Thursday) Christmas Day

The route of Sherman's expedition down the Mississippi is "lined by burning dwellings and plantations" in response to guerrilla fire from the shore. Christmas Eve includes "songs and speeches, tobacco and some whiskey punch," to keep the officers and men distracted from their homesickness. The festivities end at 3 a.m. on Christmas morning when they reach Milliken's Bend and spend the day tearing up the Vicksburg, Shreveport, and Texas Railroad. U.S. Grant spends Christmas Day preparing a "large wagon train to Memphis after supplies, and...the opportunity (the first now for over a week) to communicate with the authorities at Washington."

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE, Holly Springs, Miss., December 25, 1862. - Col. J. C. KELTON, Washington, D. C.: I learned of the rebel cavalry passing north from Pontotoc....I immediately notified all commanders...of this move of the enemy, and to be prepared to meet them, and to hold their respective posts at all hazards. Except at this place all have done well....This place was taken while the troops were quietly in their beds. The commanding officer of the post took no steps to protect the place, not having notified a single officer of his command of the approaching danger, although he himself had received warning....I am now occupying the line of the Tallahatchie...waiting for communication to be opened, to know what move next to make. It is perfectly impracticable to go farther south by this route, depending on the road for supplies, and the country does not afford them. Our immense train has so far been fed entirely off of the country....U.S. GRANT, Major-general.

Jefferson Davis celebrates Christmas in the capital of his home state. "After an absence of nearly two years...I again find myself among those who...have ever been the trusted object of my affection." As the President delivers his remarks, he is joined by Governor J.J. Pettus, and General Joe Johnston and is surprised by the loud calls for "Johnston!" emanating from the audience. Recognizing the acclaim, Johnston remarks, "Fellow citizens, my only regret is that I have done so little to merit such a greeting." The Christmas celebration in Vicksburg features a gala ball at Dr. William Balfour's Greek Revival mansion. When General Martin Luther Smith is given a message that a Union flotilla has been spotted 65 miles upriver he exclaims, "This ball is at an end." All available forces are ordered out into the stormy night to man the Vicksburg fortifications.

DE SOTO, December 25, 1862. - General PEMBERTON: Sixty-four boats passed Transylvania, which is 65 miles above here, at 11 o'clock last night. They ran with lights, at a rate of 18 miles an hour. There are now eighty-one boats between this and Lake Providence. PHILLIP FALL, Operator.

Robert E. Lee spends a quiet Christmas penning a letter to his wife Mary Anne Custis Lee. "What a cruel thing is war. To separate & destroy families....To fill our hearts with hatred...[and] to devastate the face of this beautiful world. I pray that on this day when "peace & good will" are preached..., that better thoughts will fill the hearts of our enemies & turn them to peace." Across the Rappahannock River, Ambrose Burnside struggles with the fall out from his defeat at Fredericksburg. To allay criticism that President Lincoln had pressured him into making the unfortunate attack, Burnside has sent a letter to the New York City papers "taking all the blame for himself." Igniting another firestorm of denunciations over his actions, Burnside draws some small comfort from Reverend Woodbury's sermon. "The parable in the Book of Matthew...defines true faithfulness as the readiness to risk what the master has entrusted when there is a promise of profit. Only the servant who sits upon the master's resources, conserving them but gaining nothing more, earns his rebuke." Only "Old Brains" Halleck can't seem to get into the holiday mood.

WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington. - Major-General BURNSIDE, Falmouth, Va.: General Kelley reports that the enemy are reappearing in large force at Strasburg and Front Royal, and it is probable that he will take advantage of the inactivity of the Army of the Potomac to make another raid on Harper's Ferry. This is certainly very disheartening. We have no forces here to send to Harper's Ferry, without again stripping Washington. I am almost at a loss what to say or do. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief.

North Carolinians enjoy the simple pleasures of a war-time Christmas.

A while before Christmas hog killing time came on, which was anticipated with almost as much pleasure as Christmas itself, especially among the little folks. You see, that meant a number of bladders to be blown up. Each child, as far as they would go, had a hog bladder, little colored children and all. These bladders were blown up with a reed quill, in when inflated to the fullest extent were tied tightly with a string and hung up somewhere till Christmas morning, when they were somehow brought in contact with heat, and then such loud reports!...I think the "Bladder Bustin" on Christmas morning was our biggest and most enjoyable thrill.


[Sunday] [Monday] [Tuesday] [Wednesday] [Thursday] [Friday] [Saturday]
Dec 26 1862 (Friday)

Jeb Stuart's raid reaches the outskirts of Dumfries, capturing a few pickets and some sutler's wagons. After some desultory shelling, Stuart pulls back from the well defended town "toward an untroubled bivouac nine miles northwest of Dumfries," to plan his next move.

DUMFRIES, VA., December 26, 1862--4 p.m. - Major ECKERT: We are attacked by a large force of cavalry and a part or whole of a battery. Line cut south. There are several dead before my door. Several bullets have passed through my office. Expect to have line cut in our rear every moment. I shall remain as long as the command holds its own. WM. E. HALL, Operator.

Jeremy Gilmer's experience as the engineering instructor at West Point has not prepared him for the difficulties he has faced as Chief of the Engineer Bureau of the C.S.A. His chief problem is a lack of qualified men, properly trained for all the tasks needed by the army. "Of the thirteen officers composing this corps..., seven have been detailed, and four of the remaining six had a very limited experience. The great and responsible labor of the military engineer in our Army has been in consequence committed to...officers..., who have been...appointed from the civil profession."

C. S. WAR DEPARTMENT, ENGINEER BUREAU, Richmond, Va., December 26, 1862. - Hon. JAMES A. SEDDON, Secretary of War: - SIR: To perform the engineer service throughout this extensive field there are available six officers of the Corps of Engineers, Army of the Confederate States, and ninety-three officers of the provisional corps....With the present strength of the Confederate Army there should be at least 4,000 engineer troops to perform the following duties, viz..., field forts, military trenches, parallels, saps, mines, and other works of attack, batteries, lines of infantry cover, rifle-pits, and works for obstructing rivers and harbors. The men should be selected for their skill in some mechanical branch of labor, as carpenters, masons, blacksmiths, wheelwrights, boat-builders, caulkers, saddlers, shoemakers, &c., and having the requisite skill they should receive higher pay than that allowed by law to the soldiers of the line....These troops will add vastly to the efficiency of the engineer service and facilitate the movements of our armies in the field....Respectfully submitted. Your obedient servant, J. F. GILMER, Colonel of Engineers and Chief of Bureau.

Francis Lee reports on the progress he is making in the construction of a marine torpedo ram to be used to help defend Charleston harbor.

CHARLESTON, December 26, 1862. - Brig. Gen. THOMAS JORDAN, Chief of Staff: - GENERAL: I am exceedingly anxious to commence bending the iron plating for marine torpedo ram....The hull of the boat is now nearly completed, and the workmen are now engaged in calking the seams and preparing the clamps....I have collected...a full supply of cast-iron for prow, and hope to be enabled to supply...the necessary fire-wood to work the machinery. The delay in this matter has been occasioned by want of transportation on the South Carolina Railroad...I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, FRANCIS D. LEE, Captain of Engineers.


[Sunday] [Monday] [Tuesday] [Wednesday] [Thursday] [Friday] [Saturday]
Dec 27 1862 (Saturday)

With martial law declared, and hundreds of soldiers shielding them from the angry crowd, General Sibley reports the successful hanging of 38 Dakota Indians in Mankato, Minnesota. This marks the bitter end of last summer's bloody uprising. The swaying of the hangman's noose in the frigid December air, signals the largest mass hanging in the history of the United States.

SAINT PAUL, December 27, 1862. - The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I have the honor to inform you that the thirty-eight Indians and half-breeds ordered by you for execution were hung yesterday at Mankato at 10 a.m. Everything went off quietly and the other prisoners are well secured. Respectfully, H. H. SIBLEY, Brigadier-General.

Reacting to Grant's difficulties Henry Halleck, using the repaired telegraph lines, informs the general, "I think no more troops should be at present sent against Vicksburg. I fear you have already too much weakened your own force." However, Halleck is heartened to hear of "Cump" Sherman's progress as he descends the Mississippi River.

JOHNSON'S LANDING, Yazoo River, 8 miles from its mouth, December 27, 1862. - Major-General HALLECK, Washington, D.C.: - GENERAL: Steele's, Morgan's, and M. L. Smith's divisions landed here yesterday and A. J. Smith's to-day, and all are pushing out. Some skirmishing has been going on this afternoon, and the prospect of a severe conflict soon seems decided....There is a strong battery some 12 miles above here, and believed to be supported by some 10,000 or 12,000 troops....The news came yesterday that General McClernand was soon to arrive and take command. Of course General Sherman must have felt unpleasantly, but he does not show it in the least and bears it like the true soldier he is....Very respectfully, L. B. PARSONS, Colonel and Aide-de. Camp.


John Hunt Morgan's raid reaches Elizabethtown, Kentucky. "Upon arriving within sight of the town, the following peremptory document, scrawled in pencil on the back of an envelope was handed to me...."I demand an unconditional surrender of all your forces. I have you surrounded and will compel you to surrender....H.S. Smith, Commanding U.S. Forces."" Knowing a bluff when he sees one, Morgan promptly begins shelling the town.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF KENTUCKY, Campbellsville, Ky. - Col. GEORGE WILLIAM BRENT, A. A. G. and Chief of Staff, Army of Tennessee. - COLONEL: To which I replied that I thought the positions were reversed; that it was his forces, and not mine, which were surrounded, and called upon him to surrender. He answered that it was the part of a United States officer to fight, and not to surrender....I...immediately placed my artillery in position on a hill a little to the left of the road, which completely commanded the town....After about half an hour's vigorous shelling, the place surrendered, and 652 prisoners, including 25 officers, fell into our hands....I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN H. MORGAN, Brigadier-General.

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