MAP ROOM    (Bull Run Mountains)


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Aug 30 1863 (Sunday)

The impatience of General Quincy Gillmore for Admiral Dahlgren to launch an attack against Charleston is apparent in a dispatch to Henry Halleck. Gillmore writes: "I reopened fire on Sumter this morning at the request of Admiral Dahlgren, whose chief pilot reported that he saw some guns in position there last evening, a report which, whether correct or otherwise, prevented the monitors from operating as they intended to do....I can discern no guns on Sumter from my batteries, and none have been fired for the last five days." Meanwhile, a Rebel steamer is sunk by friendly fire on it's return voyage from ferrying troops to Battery Wagner. Fort Moultrie's commander, Major De Treville reports, "I saw a low, black steamer coming in from the direction of the enemy's fleet. As soon as she was in easy range, I ordered fire opened, and she apparently stopped her course. I supposed it might be one of our own boats, and waited for a signal of some kind, but seeing none, fired again." De Treville explains the error: "Not a word of warning was given to any one of the batteries that a steamer laden with our own men would be coming in at that hour from the very direction from which we momentarily expected the approach of an enemy. Not only could the disaster have been prevented by the exhibition of lights, but a telegraphic signal from Cumming's Point, five minutes before the boat left, would have warned us of her approach."

INSPECTOR-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Charleston, S.C. - James R. Riley, captain of the steamer Sumter, sunk during the night of August 30, 1863, by the firing of Fort Moultrie, makes the following statement: It was low tide when he left Morris Island with the troops that had been relieved. The steamer...had to go round the channel way, which is at Cumming's Point buoy. As he rounded that buoy, and at about 50 yards from it, Fort Moultrie opened fire upon the steamer. The first shot fell short, the second went over the steamer, and the third struck her hull under the starboard water wheel....After the third shot, he steered his boat ashore on the east end of fort reef. He then lowered his small boat and went to Fort Moultrie, to stop the firing. The fort kept firing until he landed on the beach. When he did so he begged the officers to stop their firing....A light, called bull's-eye light, was shown on the steamer after the first shot was fired....Besides the light, the whistle was blown also, immediately after the first shot. It was blown in the usual way, three blasts in succession, as when signals are made to Fort Sumter....Small boats, nine or ten in all..., came to assist the troops. It was about 5 a.m. Several trips were made from the steamer to Fort Sumter, and as the enemy's batteries had begun to open on the fort, the troops rescued from the steamer were transferred from Fort Sumter to Sullivan's Island....The steamer was a perfect wreck, with about 4 feet water on the lower deck. JAMES R. RILEY.

General Rosecrans explains his strategy for crossing the Tennessee River. He reports, "It was very desirable to conceal to the last moment the points of crossing, but as the mountains on the south side of the Tennessee rise in precipitous rocky bluffs..., completely overlooking the whole valley and its coves, this was next to impossible. Not having pontoons for two bridges across the river, General Sheridan began trestlework for parts of one at Bridgeport, while General Reynolds' division..., captured some boats, and from these and material picked up prepared the means of crossing at that point, and General Brannan prepared rafts for crossing his troops at the mouth of Battle Creek." By feinting to the north, while moving the bulk of his troops across the river to the south, "Old Rosy" catches Braxton Bragg by surprise. Bragg reports, "The enemy commenced a movement in force against our left and rear....He was now as near our main depot of supplies as we were, and our whole line of communication was exposed, while his was partially secured by mountains and the river." Bragg immediately sends a dispatch to Richmond. "We cannot possibly hold our long line from Virginia to Georgia. We shall accordingly concentrate as far as necessary in front of our supplies."

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Stevenson, Ala., August 30, 1863. - Major-General BURNSIDE, Chitwood's, Tenn.: We are crossing at Bridgeport; shall flank the enemy's position at Chattanooga and even at Dalton, if not south, depending on his movements. Our present indications are that he will retreat toward Atlanta. This will clear your flank and front, and probably leave Forrest between us....Should the rebels evacuate Chattanooga, Crittenden will close above or at that place. The main force will move down and join our left, moving day after to-morrow....W. S. ROSECRANS, Major-General.

Other activity on this date:
A skirmish at Shoal Ford, Arkansas (at crossing of bayou by Memphis & Little Rock RR).


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Aug 31 1863 (Monday)

As Rosecrans' army continues to cross the Tennessee River, General Ambrose Burnside pushes his army into East Tennessee. The conduct of some of his troops causes Burnside to issue orders against excessive foraging. "The cowardly and infamous practice which prevails to some extent in this command of stealing from the defenseless and peaceable inhabitants...requires a severe and speedy check..., and the commanding general directs that any person found guilty of such disgraceful conduct that he be stripped of his uniform, his head shaved, then branded on the left cheek with the letter T as a thief, and drummed out of the service." Severely outnumbered, General Simon Buckner orders the evacuation of Knoxville and Cumberland Gap. He reports, "I am concentrating entire force at Charleston, E. Tenn. Battle expected to be below the Hiwassee. Burnside seems to be moving behind the mountains to join Rosecrans." General Bragg explains: "In view of the great superiority of numbers brought against him General Buckner concluded to evacuate Knoxville, and with a force of about 5,000 infantry and artillery and his cavalry took position in the vicinity of Loudon....The enemy having already obtained a lodgment in East Tennessee by another route, the continued occupation of Cumberland Gap became very hazardous to the garrison and comparatively unimportant to us. Its evacuation was accordingly ordered." When the Confederate commander at Cumberland Gap, General J.W. Frazier, expresses confidence in his ability to hold his position, "I have over forty days' rations, and believe I can hold out that time," Buckner rescinds the order and directs Frazier to hold the gap as long as possible.

MONTGOMERY, TENN., August 31, 1863. (Via Somerset, Ky., September 1. Received 7.48 p.m.) - Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief: Our advance arrived at this place yesterday, and the main columns are just coming in. I have thrown out forces some 14 miles on the Kingston and Knoxville roads. Skirmishing commenced near the forks of the roads, and has been going on ever since, our people driving the enemy before them. Up to this point the opposition of the enemy has been trifling, but the natural obstacles have been very serious. Men in fine spirits, but the teams much jaded. Enemy concentrating at Loudon. We hope to drive them from that place soon. A. E. BURNSIDE, Major-General.

Since being called to Richmond by President Davis several days ago, Robert E. Lee has been involved in a series of discussions about the best way to respond to the new Federal threat in Tennessee. As usual, Lee favors strengthening his army for another thrust against General Meade's army in Virginia. However, pressure is beginning to mount for Lee to detach some of his inactive troops to bolster Braxton Bragg's army. Given Bragg's ineffectiveness and the reported lack of morale amongst his men, James Longstreet hopes that he will be chosen to lead the reinforcing troops to Tennessee and supplant Bragg as commander of the Army of Tennessee. In a letter to Lee, Longstreet writes: " I do not know that we can reasonably hope to accomplish much here by offensive operations....If we could hold the defensive here with two corps, and send the other to operate in Tennessee with that army, I think that we could accomplish more than by an advance from here.....I know of no other means of acting..., excepting to depend upon our fortifications in Virginia, and concentrate with one corps of this army, and such as may be drawn from others, in Tennessee, and destroy Rosecrans' army. I feel assured that this is practicable, and that greater advantage will be gained than by any operations from here."

CONFIDENTIAL.- RICHMOND, VA., August 31, 1863. - Lieut. Gen. J. LONGSTREET. - Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia: - GENERAL: I have wished for several days past to return to the army, but have been detained by the President. He will not listen to my proposition to leave to-morrow. I hope you will use every exertion to prepare the army for offensive operations and improve the condition of men and animals. I can see nothing better to be done than to endeavor to bring General Meade out and use our efforts to crush his army while in its present condition. The Quartermaster's Department promises to send up 3,000 bushels of corn per day, provided the cars can be unloaded and returned without delay. I hope you will be able to arrange so that the cars will not be detained. With this supply of corn, if it can be maintained, the condition of our animals should improve. Very respectfully and truly, yours, R. E. LEE, General.

Other activity reported on this date:
A skirmish in Will's Valley, Alabama (between Sand and Lookout Mountains).
A skirmish at Winchester, Tennessee.
A skirmish on Marais des Cygnes (N of Fort Scott on Kansas-Missouri border). Pvt. Josiah Davis was killed by guerrillas.


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Sep 01 1863 (Tuesday)

After falling back out of range of General Blunt's advancing force in the Indian Territory, William Steele sends reinforcements to Fort Smith, Arkansas. He reports, "Not having a force to resist with any prospect of success, I commenced falling back in the direction of Perryville, on the Texas road....The Federals followed persistently...when, having forced me [to a point] beyond Perryville, where there was no water for 20 miles nor grass for 16 miles farther, he [then] discontinued the pursuit." With his position now safe, Steele orders General Bankhead to, "Proceed with your command in the direction of Fort Smith, with a view to re-enforce Brigadier-General Cabell, should he be hard pressed by the enemy." However, Bankhead is too late as Blunt, for the third time in the war, occupies Fort Smith.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE FRONTIER, Fort Smith. - Maj. Gen. JOHN M. SCHOFIELD, Commanding Department of the Missouri. - GENERAL: I returned from the pursuit of Steele and Cooper, and marched with Colonel Cloud's brigade in the direction of this place....I...learned that Cabell was strongly posted near the ford, on the right bank of the creek, and had obstructed with fallen trees all the other roads leading this way....I advanced to attack his position, but found that he had retreated during the night a short distance toward Fort Smith....I then detached Colonel Cloud, with the Second Kansas and Sixth Missouri Cavalry and two sections of Rabb's battery, in pursuit of the fleeing enemy. He followed them closely 16 miles, when he engaged their rear, killing and wounding from 20 to 30, and capturing 40 prisoners.....After detaching Colonel Cloud, I marched with my staff and body guard and the First Arkansas Infantry to this place, and possessed the fort and city without opposition....I have the honor to be, general, your obedient servant, JAS. G. BLUNT, Major-general.

General William B. Franklin receives orders to prepare to embark his men on an expedition into Texas. General Banks sends the orders. "Embark the First Brigade, First Division, and the Third Division, Nineteenth Army Corps, with the artillery..., at Baton Rouge....You will proceed to Sabine Pass, Tex., and...disembark your whole force as speedily as possible, occupy the strongest position to be found....After making your landing, you will...proceed as far as the railroad from Houston to Beaumont, you will seize and hold some point on that line." Even as Franklin is preparing his men, rumors of his impending movement reach General Bankhead Magruder. Kirby Smith reports, "General Magruder reports the enemy's fleet, twenty-seven in number, as...preparing for the attack....Their plan is not yet fully developed; it may be the occupation of Sabine Pass and Bay as a base of operations, or an invasion of Texas, with Houston and its system of railroads for the objective points." Magruder quickly issues a call for volunteers to bolster his defenses.

GENERAL ORDERS No. 149. - HDQRS. DIST. OF TEX., N. MEX., AND ARIZ., Houston, Tex., September 1, 1863. The State of Texas, which has hitherto been almost entirely free from the presence of the enemy, is now threatened with invasion by four columns-one from the Indian Territory, one from Arkansas, and two from Louisiana---and the presence of every man capable of bearing arms is needed in the field. The desolation and ruin which have marked the track of our foes in Louisiana should teach Texans what they have to expect from the presence of the enemy, and the major-general commanding earnestly enjoins upon all those who have formed minute companies to perfect their organization and arm themselves at once, sending their muster rolls as soon as completed to these headquarters, and those who have not as yet organized themselves, to do so without delay, so that we may rush forward, young and old, to give them battle and save our State from the impending danger. Now is the hour for Texans to prove themselves worthy of their sires, and the major-general commanding hopes that throughout the State this call will be obeyed with alacrity. By command of Maj. Gen. J. Bankhead Magruder: STEPHEN D. YANCEY, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

The Union cavalry of Judson Kilpatrick is sent to Port Conway in an attempt to recapture the two gunboats lost to Confederate forces last week. After failing in his endeavor, Kilpatrick reports, "The enemy have abandoned the boats....I cannot effectually destroy the boats. If the iron-clad was here, both boats could be recaptured." While on the road, a detachment of Kilpatrick's men is ambushed by Colonel E.V. White's cavalry battalion. He reports, " I attacked...a portion of Kilpatrick's command on the Barbee and Orleans road. Killed 6, wounded 10; captured 24 prisoners, 30 horses, arms, equipments, &c." Colonel Devin is then sent out with a cavalry brigade to find any Rebel cavalry operating in the area. After he is unsuccessful, he reports, "No trace of the enemy could be found....There is no question that a party of White's cavalry are scouring Loudoun County, impressing conscripts, but on the appearance of any force they disappear. Mosby is reported to have been wounded in the thigh and side, and to have been sent to Lynchburg. We searched for him in vain." Colonel Horace Sargent complains about the hit and run tactics used by White and Mosby. "A policy of extermination alone can achieve the end expected....Regiments of the line can do nothing with this furtive population, soldiers to-day, farmers to-morrow, acquainted with every wood-path, and finding a friend in every house....The rebels never patrol roads in column, and we are not safe in bands of 3 or 4; every one betrays us....I can clear this country with fire and sword, and no mortal can do it in any other way. The attempt to discriminate nicely between the just and the unjust is fatal to our safety; every house is a vedette post, and every hill a picket and signal station."

September 1, 1863. - Capt. A. WRIGHT, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. - CAPTAIN: The force under Major Cryer, Sixth Ohio Cavalry, which was attacked...consisted of about 50 men. They were attacked by about 150 men when within about 1 ½ miles of Barbee's Cross-Roads. The enemy were in ambush, and were deployed out the whole length of the column. The attack was made simultaneously from both sides of the road. On falling back they were attacked by another party of about 100, who came through the field and attempted to cut off their retreat. They cut their way through, however, losing in all 15 or 20 men. The major reports that previous to the attack his attention was attracted by another force of about 100 men, which he saw drawn up in line about 1 ½ miles this side of Chester Gap. Major Chamberlain, who pursued the enemy toward Manassas Gap, reports that the inhabitants deny having had any knowledge of the approach of the enemy....Very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. W. WARDELL, Lieutenant, and Acting Adjutant.

Other activity reported on this date:
A skirmish at Barbee's Cross-Roads, Virginia.
A skirmish at Corbin's Cross-Roads, Virginia (near Amissville). A patrol of four men was captured while the regt. was picketing at Amissville.
A skirmish at Lamb's Creek Church, near Port Conway, Virginia.
A skirmish at Will's Creek, Alabama.
A skirmish at Neal's Gap, Georgia (SE face of Lookout Mountain).
An action Devil's Backbone or Backbone Mountain, Arkansas (about 16 miles SE of Fort Smith).
A skirmish at Jenny Lind, Arkansas (town10 miles SE of Fort Smith).
Occupation by Union forces of Fort Smith.

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Sep 02 1863 (Wednesday)

The French army of General Elie-Frederic Forey, since taking control of Mexico City last June, has been effective in controling most of the major productive regions of Mexico. However, the region along the Rio Grande River remains the domain of an assortment of outlaw groups who prey upon the traffic crossing the border. Colonel Edmund J. Davis has taken advantage of the confusion by recruiting many of these men from his headquarters in Matamoros. When a group of bandits led by Zapata abushes a detachment of Confederate troops, Major Santos Benavides heads across the border for revenge. General Bee reports, "We shall be no more troubled with this emissary of the Lincoln Government, who has for so long disturbed the peace of this frontier, and...actually crossed the Rio Grande into Texas with the flag of the United States....Should E. J. Davis ever invade the Rio Grande with his regiment of refugees and outlaws, he will miss his friend Zapata, who had the power to do us great injury."

HEADQUARTERS LINE OF THE RIO GRANDE, Carrizo, Tex. - Lieut. Col. WILLIAM O. YAGER, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, C. S. Provisional Army. - SIR: I received an official communication stating that a detachment of troops from [Guererro] had been attacked and routed by a party of outlaws, under lead of Zapata. I at once set out from this post..., and crossed the Rio Grande, and went to the point where the Guerrero soldiers and banditti had their skirmish, and, finding nobody there, took the trail of Zapata's party, and followed it to within a short distance of Mier, when..., I found the camp of the banditti. I directed the non-commissioned officers...to select the leaders of the banditti, all of whom were known to them, and without delay attack the scoundrels. After a short fight they were all dispersed, and on account of the thickness of the chaparral, and our want of knowledge of the country, many escaped.....Natividad Hererra, of Company H, deserves especial mention for his courage and gallantry, for that after his carbine was discharged, finding that there was danger of the escape of Zapata before he could reload, attacked him, and gave him his death-blow with the butt of his gun, although Zapata had a loaded pistol and was firing at the corporal all the time. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, SANTOS BENAVIDES, Major Thirty-third Texas Cavalry, Commanding.

Rosecrans' crossing of the Tennessee River is slowed when a bridge collapses at Bridgeport, Alabama. He reports, "Our trestles gave way...this afternoon, and 700 feet of bridge fell into the water." Braxton Bragg reports the movement to Richmond. "Rosecrans' main force has crossed the Tennessee below Bridgeport opposite Stevenson. He is 60 miles from us, with two ranges of barren mountains interposed....Burnside was 60 miles from Knoxville at last accounts. We shall assail either party, or both, whenever practicable." Meanwhile, Ambrose Burnside's army triumphantly advances into Knoxville. General Buckner reports, "Have concentrated [at Charleston, Tennessee]....My force of about 9,000..., constitute now the Right Wing of General Bragg's army....Burnside's cavalry appeared on the river, north of Loudon, this morning....The present concentration gives up temporarily the country between this place and Bristol."

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE OHIO, Near Loudon Bridge, Tenn., Via Somerset, Ky. - (Received 12 p.m., 5th.) - Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General-in- Chief: I have the honor to inform you that our forces now occupy Knoxville, Kingston, and other important points....General Carter's cavalry division of that corps preceded the corps in three columns; one under command of General Shackelford, on Loudon Bridge; one under Colonel Byrd, on Kingston; one under Colonel Foster, on Knoxville. The last-named places were taken without material opposition, but at Loudon the enemy--was strongly posted. After a brisk skirmish they were driven back by Shackelford's command. They fired the bridge before they retreated, and it is now in ruins....Colonel Foster captured at Knoxville two locomotives and a number of cars, and a very considerable amount of army stores were captured by the different brigades of Carter's division....I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. E. BURNSIDE, Major-General.

Other activity on this date:
A skirmish at Edward's Ferry, Maryland.
Union expedition to Leesburg, Virginia.
A skirmish near Oak Shade, Virginia (SW of Warrenton near Hazel River).
Union expedition from Vicksburg, Mississippi to Monroe, Louisiana.
A skirmish at Floyd, Louisiana.
A skirmish at Bayou Macon, Louisiana.
Union occupation of Knoxville, Tennessee.
Confederate affair with Zapata's banditti near Mier, Mexico (near Rio Grande, between 26th and 27th parallels).


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Sep 03 1863 (Thursday)

Kansas Senator Jim Lane, "The Grim Chieftain," is out for blood after Quantrill's sacking of his hometown of Lawrence. An ardent Jayhawker and abolitionist before the war, Lane returns to the stump to rally the men of Kansas. Two loyal Republicans from Lawrence write to President Lincoln for assistance. "General Lane has returned to Lawrence....[He] is organizing forces, and says he will go into Missouri on the 9th of September....Up to this morning 183 bodies were buried in Lawrence....There are 85 widows and 240 orphans made by Quantrill's raid." After receiving instructions from Secretary of War Stanton, District Commander John Schofield, seeking to forestall any independent action planned by Lane, cracks down on the activities of the local militia. He orders: "The militia of Kansas and Missouri...will be used only for the defense of their respective States. They will not be permitted to pass from one State into the other....No armed bodies of men, not belonging to the United States troops...will be permitted, under any pretext whatever, to pass from one State to the other."

KANSAS CITY, MO., September 3, 1863. - Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief: The people of Kansas, who are to meet at Paola on the 8th instant, for the purpose of entering Missouri, are under the guidance and control of Senator Lane. I shall not permit them to enter Missouri. Senator Lane informs me he will appeal to the President. I do not apprehend any hostile collision, but a dispatch from the President or Secretary of War to Mr. Lane would aid me much in preventing trouble. If such dispatch be sent, I respectfully request to be informed of its purport. J. M. SCHOFIELD, Major-General.

Unable to send the artillery or manpower that General Beauregard deems necessary to protect Charleston, President Davis does the next best thing. He sends Jeremy Gilmer and Gabriel Rains to the embattled city. Gilmer taught engineering at West Point and was the Chief of the Engineering Bureau of the Confederacy before being promoted to major-general and installed as Beauregard's second-in-command. Rains is the Confederacy's leading expert and proponent of the use of torpedoes. Beauregard quickly puts them to use by ordering that, "Brig. Gen. G. J. Rains...will assume special charge of the preparation and location of torpedoes in the harbor and water approaches to this city, conferring with and reporting specially to Major-General Gilmer." With the Union lines coming ever closer to Battery Wagner, torpedoes are being used on land as well as to deter the Union gunboats from advancing into the harbor. Admiral Dahlgren writes to General Gillmore: "I understood you to say...that your trenches were within 70 yards of Wagner, which intervening space had been filled with torpedoes to destroy your storming column. When you are ready to move on the work, I propose to bring in the iron-clads and maintain a steady fire until you ask me to cease."

HDQRS. DEPT. SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND FLORIDA, Charleston, S.C., September 3, 1863. - J. R. TUCKER, Flag-Officer, Commanding, &c.: - SIR: I have respectfully to inform you that torpedoes have been established in Hog Island Channel, west end of Sullivan's Island. Respectfully, your obedient servant. THOMAS JORDAN, Chief of Staff.

Other activity reported on this date:
A skirmish near Alpine, Georgia.
A skirmish with Indians in Hoopa Valley in the Humboldt Military District, California.
Action with Indians in the Dakota Territory near White Stone Hill (on 99th meridian).


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Sep 04 1863 (Friday)

Quincy Gillmore reports on his progress to General Halleck. "We are gradually creeping up to Fort Wagner. If my plans succeed, I shall have possession of all of this island in four or five days. The two days' firing at Sumter resulted in knocking down five guns that may have been partially serviceable before that...I deem it safe to say that Sumter is perfectly silenced." Gillmore's advances force General Beauregard to call a meeting of "general officers and the chief engineer of the department, to assist me in determining how much longer the Confederate forces should attempt to hold Batteries Wagner and Gregg and the north end of Morris Island." After deciding that Morris is going to be held to the last extremity, Beauregard begins preparations to withdraw the men from the garrison should it become necessary. He reports, "To...secure means of withdrawing garrison--flower of my force--in emergency, which can only be done with row-boats, which I have, but no oarsmen; the latter...must be sent me within four days." Beauregard also gives orders to "the commanding officer on Morris Island definite instructions for bursting all guns in Batteries Gregg and Wagner damaging their carriages, blowing up the magazines, &c., whenever it may become necessary to evacuate those works."

HDQRS. DEPT. OF S. CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND FLORIDA, Charleston, S.C. - General S. COOPER, Adjutant-General, Richmond, Va. - GENERAL: The rapid advance of the enemy's trenches to Battery Wagner having made it evident that before many days that work must become untenable, the following questions were propounded at the council: 1. How long do you think Fort Wagner can be held without regard to safety of garrison? 2. How long can the fort be held with a fair prospect of saving its garrison...? 3. How long after the loss or evacuation of Wagner could Fort Gregg be held? 4. Can the heavy guns (two in Wagner and three in Gregg) in those two works be removed before their evacuation without endangering the safety of the works and their garrisons? 5. Can we take the offensive suddenly, with a fair prospect of success...? These questions were thoroughly discussed, as well as the probable plan of attack by the enemy, our means of defense, of transportation, and reasons for prolonging our possession of the north end of Morris Island. It was agreed that the holding of Morris Island as long as possible was most important to the safety and free use of the harbor of Charleston....It was further decided that the five heavy guns on Morris Island were necessary, morally and physically, for the defense of the positions to the last extremity....The result was, my determination to hold Morris Island as long as communication with it could be maintained at night by means of rowboats, but for which purpose sailors or men able to handle boats and oars with efficiency were essential. Respectfully submitted. G. T. BEAUREGARD, General.

With his army now safely across the Tennessee River, William Rosecrans is ready to spring his trap on Braxton Bragg's army in Chattanooga. By crossing downstream from Chattanooga, Rosecrans plans a double envelopment of Bragg's position, with General McCook heading for Winston Gap and General Thomas for Stevens Gap. If successful, "Old Rosy" hopes to trap Bragg in his river fortress. He reports, "The troops are probably nearly in position this side of the river. Thomas near Trenton; Crittenden near Whiteside's; two divisions of McCook's at Valley Head." Worried that Bragg is receiving reinforcements from General Johnston, Rosecrans orders General Granger to bring up the reserves. Rosecrans continues, "The bulk of our force is now in Lookout Valley, reaching from Rawlingsville, via Trenton, to within 6 miles of Chattanooga....All goes well thus far....Our headquarters are en route to Cave Springs, at the foot of the mountain near the head of Island Creek." As the strung out Union army advances through the mountain passes to the south, General Bragg searches for an opportunity to strike a blow and reverse the tide. To D.H. Hill, Bragg writes: "If you can cross the river, now is our time to crush the corps opposite. What say you? Or if we could draw the enemy over. We must do something and that soon....The crushing of this corps would give us a great victory and redeem Tennessee. Can you be the instrument to do it? Consult Cleburne. He is cool, full of resources, and ever alive to a success."

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF TENNESSEE, Chattanooga, September 4, 1863. - General S. COOPER, Adjutant-General, Richmond. - SIR: With our present dispositions we are prepared to meet the enemy at any point he may assail, either with a portion or with the whole of his forces, and should he present us an opportunity we shall not fail to strike him. My position is to some extent embarrassing in regard to offensive movements. In a country so utterly destitute we cannot for a moment abandon our line of communications, and unable to detach a sufficient force to guard it, we must necessarily maneuver between the enemy and our supplies. The approach of his right column (the heaviest, it will be observed) is directly on our left flank and seriously threatens our railroad. No effort will be spared to bring him to an engagement whenever the chances shall favor us. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, BRAXTON BRAGG, General, Commanding.

Other activity reported on this date:
A skirmish at Petersburg Gap, West Virginia.
An affair at Quincy, Missouri.


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Sep 05 1863 (Saturday)

Prodded by General Pope's criticism, Alfred Sully leads his column onto the Dakota plains. Pope writes: "The peace of the whole border, and particularly the security of the frontier settlements of Minnesota and Iowa, depend upon a vigorous campaign on your part until the cold weather drives you from the plains. Your presence on the Upper Missouri in time to have co-operated with General Sibley would probably have ended Indian troubles..., but your failure to be in proper position at the proper time..., renders it necessary that you should prosecute with all vigor and dispatch the campaign I have marked out for you." Yesterday, a detachment from the Second Nebraska Cavalry spotted six hundred Indian lodges near White Stone Hill. Colonel Furnas reports, "As it was then nearly dark, I felt that time was precious, and...made up my mind to attack the enemy immediately....When within 400 yards, I ordered my men to dismount, and after advancing 100 yards nearer, ordered the Second Battalion to open the battle by a volley from their Enfields, which they did with precision and effect, creating quite a confusion in the enemy's ranks....The fight now became general, and my whole line was hotly engaged." When Major House's battalion of the 6th Iowa Cavalry attacked the encampment from the rear, the overwhelmed Indian defenders were forced to flee. Furnas continues, "I found that the enemy had abandoned all their tents, clothing, cooking utensils, valuables, supplies, and, in fact, everything they possessed was strewn over the ground of their retreat for miles. Their flight had been so precipitate that they had abandoned everything but their dead, whom they carried away as fast as they fell. Their rout was so complete and their flight so sudden that many of their children were left behind on account, as I suppose, of their being an incumbrance to their flight." After the battle, a small scouting party, sent to search for "Surgeon Bowen, Sergeant Newcomb, and 8 others missing from the Second Nebraska Cavalry," is ambushed and forced to retreat to the main camp.

HDQRS. COMPANY F, SECOND NEBRASKA CAVALRY, Camp No. 41, Dakota Territory, September --, 1863. - Capt. JOHN H. PELL, Assistant Adjutant-General. - CAPTAIN: I proceeded...with 12 men of the Second Nebraska Cavalry and 15 men from the Sixth Iowa Cavalry under my command, on a scout...after the battle of White Stone Hill....I proceeded in a northeasterly direction from the battle-field, and, when 15 miles distant therefrom, I was attacked by a party of some 300 Indians, and, seeing that I could not successfully resist their attack, I retreated slowly, returning the enemy's fire until my command was so closely pressed by the enemy that the men increased the rapidity of their retreat, without orders. I attempted to halt them several times, but unsuccessfully. The enemy all the time pressed closely on my rear, and also endeavored to cut off my retreat to camp, from which I had started in the morning, and at which I had arrived with what remained of my command about 12 m. that day, the enemy pursuing to within 4 miles of the camp. The casualties on this scout were 6 men and 4 horses killed....I discovered no trace of the missing, of whom I was in search, who, however, returned to camp a short time after my return and on the same day. The men under my command succeeded while retreating in killing 6 Indians and 4 ponies, and wounding many others, the number not known. All of which is respectfully submitted. CHARLES W. HALL, First Lieut. Co. F, Second Nebraska Cav., Comdg. Detachment.

Kirby Smith approves of General Richard Taylor's troop placement in Western Louisiana. He writes to Taylor: "The disposition of your command looking to an ultimate concentration on Red River is good....I have always regarded the holding of the valley of that river as of vital importance in any plan adopted for the defense of the department; it is the enemy's true line of operations." Smith continues, "Our concentration will be somewhere in the valley of Red River, which is our ultimate line of defense, on which a stand must be made. You must control your own operations in your district..., remembering I can give you now but little or no assistance in the way of re-enforcements....My last information from Little Rock reports a suspension of the enemy's operations in that vicinity. They were checked at Bayou Meto, 12 miles from Little Rock, and have retired to White River. General Price has 9,000 effective men, and feels confident of maintaining his position....He will wait for winter and high water in the Arkansas." Smith also sends a letter to Jefferson Davis asking for additional arms for his troops. "This country has, in a great measure, been stripped of its shot-guns and rifles, which, early in the struggle, were carried east of the Mississippi. The people and the State troops which are called out, know that they cannot be armed; despondent and disheartened, they have but little hope of the result."

HEADQUARTERS TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT, Shreveport, La., September 5, 1863. - His Excellency the PRESIDENT: - SIR: The prospects of the department are presented in a gloomy light, but I do not think it a too exaggerated picture of what may occur. All information received by me since the fall of Vicksburg indicates extensive preparations for the occupation of Arkansas, Louisiana, and, possibly, of Texas this fall and winter. The concentration of heavy columns on the Arkansas frontier, in Lower Louisiana, and on the Mississippi..., point to an extensive and vigorous campaign in the States west of the Mississippi. The means at my disposal are utterly inadequate. Scarce 30,000 effective men can be found in the department. General Holmes, with about 10,000..., has 20,000 of the enemy concentrated in his front; Steele, in the Indian country, has less than 5,000 ill-armed troops to oppose Blunt; General Taylor's effective force is not over 10.000, and General Magruder's less than 6,000....Could arms be obtained this force might be doubled. Could I see any reasonable hopes of ever getting them, I might encourage the people, and plan with some hopes of success....The arms intended for us were all lost at Vicksburg....Sixty thousand rifles could, I believe, this moment be well disposed of throughout this department. I am, sir, with respect and esteem, your obedient servant, E. KIRBY SMITH, Lieutenant-General, Commanding.

After traveling to New Orleans to confer with General Banks, Ulysses Grant attends a grand review of his old 13th Corps, before they embark on the Texas expedition. Lorenzo Thomas reports, "General Grant..., in returning from a review of the Thirteenth Army Corps, met with an accident which will detain us two or three days. His horse was restive, and a carryall passing at the moment struck the horse in the shoulder. The general maintained his seat in the saddle, but the horse fell with violence on him, injuring the muscles of the right leg from the knee to the hip." An unconscious Grant is carried to nearby St. Charles Hotel, and rumors that the accident resulted from his being drunk start up almost immediately. General Banks reports, "I have seen General Grant. While his injuries are not serious, he will be unable to move for some days. May be detained here for a week." Grant's injuries do not delay William Franklin's departure, and Banks' informs Henry Halleck that the long awaited invasion of Texas has begun.

NEW ORLEANS, September 5, 1863. - Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, Commanding U.S. Army, Washington, D. C. - GENERAL: Major-General Franklin has sailed on the expedition to Sabine Pass, Tex. Owing to the limited means of transportation at my disposal..., the start has been delayed much beyond the time I had hoped and expected, but I believe...that the blow will fall on the enemy in a quarter unexpected by them. Using all our transportation, it has been impossible to send in the first line more than about 5,000 infantry, with three field batteries and two heavy Parrott batteries. Such of the navy gunboats as can enter the Pass were assembled in Berwick Bay, and telegraphic communication having now been established between the Southwest Pass of the Mississippi and Berwick Bay, the sailing of the transports from the one point and the gunboats from the other was made with such interval as to bring the two at the same time, or nearly the same, off Sabine Pass....I have reliable information to-day from Galveston, which gives the force of Magruder at that point as 2,300 men, in a very demoralized condition. The refugee is highly intelligent, and states that our attack on Texas is expected in the direction of Vermillionville, La., and Niblett's Bluff. Very respectfully, I am, general, your obedient servant, N. P. BANKS, Major-General, Commanding.

Other activity reported on this date:
Union reconnaissance from Winston's Gap into Broomtown Valley, Alabama (N of Coosa River).
A skirmish at Lebanon, Alabama.
Union destruction of salt-works at Rawlingsville, Alabama.
A skirmish near Alpine, Georgia.
A skirmish at Tazewell, Tennessee (1 man killed).

Skirmishes at Flint Creek, Hog-Eye, and Round Prairie (near Maysville, Alabama).
A skirmish with Indians near White Stone Hill, Dakota Territory.

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