MAP ROOM    (Bull Run Mountains)


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Jul 26 1863 (Sunday)

The fresh horses of Major Rue's Ninth Kentucky Cavalry catch up to John Morgan's raiders outside of Salineville, Ohio. Fearing harsh treatment at the hands of his pursuers, Morgan asks his guide, a local man named James Burbick, to accept his surrender and parole. Burbick reports, "[Morgan] said he had been traveling for forty days, and had a fight every day, and would surrender to me arms, equipments, and horses if I would let them go home. I agreed to do so....He...asked if I would accept a surrender of his whole force. I asked him on what ground he wanted to surrender. He said on the ground that his men and officers should be paroled to go home....He said he had a right to surrender to any one. He said he wanted an answer right off, yes or no. I told him I would accept of his surrender. He then took his pocket handkerchief out of his pocket, and tied it on to a stick that I was using as a riding stick, and told me to ride to his rear as fast as I could ride; that our men were right upon them....I...met our men forming in battle line, Major Rue in front....He asked me...what the amount of our forces were. I told him I had no force; that I was only a guide, piloting him (Morgan) through the country." Rue holds Morgan until General Shackelford can come up and assess the situation. When Morgan learns that his surrender to Burbick will not be recognized, he demands that he and his men be released to continue the fight. Shackelford refuses the request and announces the end of Morgan's Ohio raid. "By the blessing of Almighty God, I have succeeded in capturing General John H. Morgan, Colonel Cluke, and the balance of the command."

HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., SECOND DIV., TWENTY-THIRD A. C., Russellville, Ky. - Lieut. Col. G. B. DRAKE, Assistant Adjutant-General. - COLONEL: A flag came from the enemy, the bearer stating that General Morgan wanted a personal interview with me. I caused the firing to cease, and moved around to where Morgan and his staff were standing in the road. Morgan claimed that he had surrendered to a militia captain....He...claimed that he had surrendered to a militia captain, and that the captain had agreed to parole him, his officers and men. I stated that we had followed him thirty days and nights; that we had met and defeated him a number of times; we had captured nearly all of his command; that...we were on the field; that...he had acknowledged that the militia captain was no impediment in his way...; that I regarded his surrender to the militia captain, under such circumstances, as not only absurd and ridiculous, but unfair and illegal, and that I would not recognize it at all. He then demanded to be placed back upon the field as I found him. I stated to him that his demand would not be considered for a moment; that he, together with his officers and men, would be delivered to Major-General Burnside, at Cincinnati, Ohio, and that he would take such action in the premises as he might think proper....I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. M. SHACKELFORD, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

A marked increase in straggling and desertion in the Army of Northern Virginia began shortly after Gettysburg. R.E. Lee reports, "The day after the last battle at Gettysburg..., it was reported that about 5,000 well men started back at night....I fear most of these were captured by the enemy's cavalry and armed citizens, who beset their route." As an inducement to get some of these men to return, Lee issues a proclamation to the army. "All officers and soldiers now absent from this army, who are able to do duty..., are ordered to return immediately....While you proudly boast that you belong to the Army of Northern Virginia, let it not be said that you deserted your comrades in a contest in which everything you hold dear is at stake." Now, after the army has safely returned to Virginia, many North Carolinians are deserting. Colonel Lowrance reports, "I am pained...to inform you that last night brought another slur on our old brigade, and consequently on our State....About 50 deserted--42 from the Twenty-second, and 5 from the Thirty-eighth [North Carolina Regiments.]" Lowerance blames the recent spate of desertions on newspaper editor William Holden and "that disgraceful 'peace' sentiment spoken of by the [Raleigh] Standard." He continues, "Something should be done; every effort should be made to overhaul them, and every one should be shot...If this should pass by unnoticed, many more will very soon follow." When apprised of the situation, Jefferson Davis asks Governor Zebulon Vance for help. "This is not the first intimation I have received that Holden is engaged in the treasonable purpose of exciting the people of North...The case is quite grave enough for me to consult with you on the subject, and to solicit from you such information and advice as you may be able to give me." Holden has been an ardent supporter of Vance, but has recently printed editorials demanding a "honorable peace" for North Carolina.

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Raleigh, July 26, 1863. - His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS: - MY DEAR SIR: I do not believe there is any reconstruction party in North Carolina, or that there exists any reason whatever to fear that this State will put herself in opposition to the Confederate Government. Neither does there exist any reason for taking steps against Holden, the editor of the Standard. On the contrary, it would be impolitic in the very highest degree to interfere with him or his paper. I regard public sentiment and the known patriotism of our people as amply sufficient as heretofore to dispose of him should he undertake the course indicated by your informant....Nevertheless, I will not deny but there is a bad state of feeling here toward the Confederate Government, of which I have endeavored to make you sensible by various long communications, and which I have been unable to correct without your co-operation more cordially given than heretofore....Very respectfully and truly, yours, Z.B. VANCE.

After having successfully dispersed Standing Buffalo's Sissetons and Wahpetons, General Sibley turns his attention to the large group of Hunkpapa and Blackfeet Teton Sioux hunting buffalo near the Missouri River. Believing that his warriors are strong enough to defeat the bluecoated soldiers, Inkpaduta, the Indian leader, launches an attack near Dead Buffalo Lake. Lieutenant-Colonel William Marshall reports, "When the column was halted at the Dead Buffalo Lake, and the Indians made a demonstration in front....I had but just dismissed the battalion from the color line to pitch tents, when the bold attack of the mounted Indians was made on the teams and animals, in the meadow on the north side of the camp." Deftly using his artillery, Sibley beats off a series of mounted charges and forces Inkpaduta's warriors to withdraw to the safety of the prairie.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA, Camp Carter, Bank of James River, - Maj. J. F. MELINE, Assistant Adjutant-General, Department of the Northwest. - MAJOR: Upon arriving at the camp from which the Indians had been driven in such hot haste, vast quantities of dried meat, tallow, and buffalo robes, cooking utensils, and other indispensable articles were found concealed in the long reeds around the lake all of which were by my directions collected and burned. For miles along the route the prairie was strewn with like evidences of a hasty flight....I...established my camp on the border of that lake, and very soon afterward parties of Indians made their appearance, threatening an attack.....An engagement ensued at long range, the Indians being too wary to attempt to close, although greatly superior in numbers. The spherical case from the 6-pounders soon caused a hasty retreat....The increasing numbers of the Indians, who were well mounted, enabled them by a circuitous route to dash toward the extreme left of the camp, evidently with a view to stampede the mules herded on the shore of the lake. This daring attempt was frustrated by the rapid motions of the companies of mounted rangers....The savages, again foiled in their design, fled with precipitation, leaving a number of their dead upon the prairie, and the battle of "Dead Buffalo Lake" was ended....I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. H. SIBLEY, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Other activity on this date: A skirmish at London, Kentucky (Scott's raid). A skirmish at Salineville, Ohio. The surrender of remnant of Morgan's command near New Lisbon (about 35 miles E of Canton).

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Jul 27 1863 (Monday)

George Meade's advance of the Army of the Potomac into Northern Virginia forces him to rely upon the oft-damaged Orange and Alexandria Railroad to supply the army. He reports, "My plan is to advance on the railroad to Culpeper and as far beyond as the enemy's position will permit, to detach sufficient force to hold and guard the railroad from Manassas Junction, and thus test the question which has been raised of the capacity of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad to supply the army and the practicability of maintaining open such a long line of communication." Despite Meade's efforts to protect his lifeline, small groups of partisan rangers continue to damage the railroad. Meade responds by proclaiming that citizens living within ten miles of the railroad will be "held responsible...for any injury done to the road, trains, depots, or stations." Meade continues, "The numerous depredations committed by citizens, or rebel soldiers in disguise, harbored and concealed by citizens, along the Orange and Alexandria Railroad and within our lines, call for prompt and exemplary punishment....If these measures should not stop such depredations, it will become the unpleasant duty of the undersigned..., to direct that the entire inhabitants of the district of country along the railroad be put across the lines, and their property taken for Government uses."

WASHINGTON, July 27, 1863. (Received 10.20 a.m.) - General R. INGALLS, Headquarters Army of the Potomac: Another attempt was made to throw off and capture our trains near Burke's yesterday. Rails were taken out and horseshoes placed on track. Fortunately, the rails were taken up on the inside instead of the outside of the curve, and the train was not thrown off. Twelve rebels, in gray and blue costumes, armed with guns, made their appearance, and were chased by the train guard, but none captured. These attempts to throw off trains are made daily, and unless the practice can be broken up, there is no security in your communications. To operate the road with reasonable security, we must have the gaps of the Blue Ridge so occupied that Lee's cavalry cannot get through, the fords of the Occoquan guarded, the country patrolled by cavalry, and notice given the inhabitants that, in case of any further attempts to disturb track or telegraph, all able-bodied residents within a circle of 10 miles will be arrested and placed under guard....If the offenders can be discovered, their punishment will be death....Would it be well to search houses and seize arms? This I know is an extreme measure, but I am confident that those who appear to be farmers during the day are the parties who injure us at night. H. HAUPT.

In response to an erroneous report that Abel Streight and his command of mule riding raiders, captured last May by Nathan Bedford Forrest, are being held in a prison, Henry Halleck orders that John Morgan and his officers be similarly confined. Ambrose Burnside sends the request to Ohio Governor David Tod. "General Halleck wants all Morgan's officers put in the penitentiary of your State. What is your opinion, and have you room? Tod approves of Halleck's order and agrees to hold the raiders in the Ohio State Penitentiary in Columbus.

Other activity on this date: An attack on the Confederate steamer Paint Rock near Bridgeport, Alabama. A skirmish near Rogersville, Kentucky (Scott's raid). An affair near Cassville, Missouri.


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Jul 28 1863 (Tuesday)

Hoping to take advantage of the attention being paid to John Morgan's troops, Colonel J. Scott leads a small brigade on a raid into Kentucky. General Burnside reports, "The indications are that a considerable force of the enemy is advancing into Kentucky. Will...do the best we can with the force at hand." Before "Old Burn" can get his forces concentrated, Scott advances through Richmond towards the Kentucky River. General Hartsuff reports, "Direct [Colonel] Sanders to gather up what he can, and fall back, if forced, toward Lexington. Direct General Hascall to assume direction of the defense with what force he has."

HEADQUARTERS SCOTT'S CAVALRY BRIGADE, Near Concord, Tenn. - Maj. V. VON SHELIHA, Chief of Staff. - MAJOR: My advance reached Williamsburg..., finding about 100 of the Forty-fourth Ohio Mounted Infantry as pickets at that place, and drove them rapidly toward London....We left London...and advanced on Richmond, via Big Hill, with picket fighting almost the entire way, and a heavy skirmish with the enemy's advance near Rogersville, 5 miles from Richmond....On Tuesday morning..., about 6 a.m., we met the enemy..., amounting to about 1,200 men, in line of battle 1½ miles this side of Richmond. After thirty minutes' fighting, we charged and drove the enemy in disorder from their position, pursuing them as rapidly as the jaded condition of my horses would permit. In the town the enemy again attempted to form, but were again routed and driven across the river in the direction of Lexington....Here I learned of the capture of General Morgan and his command, and that the troops engaged in his pursuit were being returned by railroad, and fresh horses collected to remount them. My own stock was completely exhausted--fed with little but green food before starting, and the corn furnished for the trip so rotten as to be worse than useless; my horses were broken down. It was imperative for me to remount my men before attempting a return. At the news of our advance, all animals suitable for cavalry had been removed north of the Kentucky River....I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. S. SCOTT, Colonel, Commanding Cavalry Brigade.

Inkpaduta gathers his warriors for another attack against General Sibley's advancing column. Lieutenant-Colonel Marshall reports, "The rear of the wagon train was just filing out of camp...when the alarm was given. Quickly the Indians appeared south of the lake, and circled around to the rear....The fire of my line of skirmishers..., and a few well-directed shots from Lieutenant Western's [howitzers], discouraged the Indians from attempting to avail themselves of the cover of the small hills near us, dislodged the few that had got in, and drove the whole of them in that quarter to a very respectful distance, quite out of range....The Indians galloped back and forth just outside the range of the howitzers and our rifles of almost equal range, until the order came to close up the train and continue the march....As the column moved forward the Indians withdrew out of sight." Finding his warriors again defeated by the superior firepower of the white soldiers, Inkpaduta is forced to withdraw across the Missouri River. Afterwards, the victorious Federals burn vast quantities of dried buffalo meat and other provisions which the Indians have gathered to survive the winter.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA, Camp Carter, Bank of James River. - Maj. J. F. MELINE, Assistant Adjutant-General, Department of the Northwest. - MAJOR: There took place the greatest conflict between our troops and the Indians, so far as the numbers were concerned, which I have named the battle of "Stony Lake." The Tenth Regiment...was in the advance and leading the column, as the train toiled up the long hill....I perceived a large force of mounted Indians moving rapidly upon us. I immediately sent orders to the several commands promptly to assume their positions, in accordance with the programme of the line of march....The Tenth gallantly checked the advance of the enemy in front...; while the 6-pounders and two sections of mountain howitzers..., poured a rapid and destructive fire from as many different points. The vast number of the Indians enabled them to form two-thirds of a circle, 5 or 6 miles in extent, along the whole line of which they were seeking for some weak point upon which to precipitate themselves. The firing was incessant and rapid from each side; but as soon as I had completed the details of the designated order of march, and closed up the train..., I resumed my march without any delay.....With yells of disappointment and rage, they fired a few parting volleys, and then retreated with all expedition. It was not possible, with our jaded horses, to overtake their fleet and comparatively fresh ponies....It would be difficult to estimate the number of warriors, but no cool and dispassionate observer would probably have placed it at a less figure than from 2,200 to 2,500. No such concentration of force has, so far as my information extends, ever been made by the savages of the American continent. It is rendered certain...that...the Sissetons, the Cut-heads, and finally the Chank-ton-ais, the most powerful single band of the Dakotas...had formed an enormous camp of nearly, or quite, 10,000 souls....Now that they have been thus met, and their utmost force defied, resisted, and utterly broken and routed, the lesson will be a valuable one, not only in its effect upon these particular bands, but upon all the tribes of the Northwest....I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. H. SIBLEY, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Other activity on this date. A skirmish at Fayetteville, West Virginia. The action at Richmond, Kentucky (Scott's raid). A skirmish near High Grove, Missouri. An action [with Indians] at Stony Lake, North Dakota (WSW of Camp Shoeneman).

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Jul 29 1863 (Wednesday)

Robert E. Lee struggles to reorganize the Army of Northern Virginia after the devastating casualties it absorbed in the Gettysburg campaign. Lee reports, "The list of our wounded and missing I know will be large....As far as I can judge, the [number of] killed, wounded, and missing...will not fall short of 20,000....After recrossing the Potomac, I commenced to consolidate the troops..., and united Archer's and Heth's (Field's) former brigade under General H. H. Walker, and Pender's and Heth's divisions under General Heth....As regards General Davis brigade, I think it will be better to attach the three Mississippi regiments to Posey's brigade, in Anderson's division....The North Carolina regiment of this brigade I suggest be attached to Pettigrew's old brigade....The enemy now seems to be content to remain quiescent, prepared to oppose any offensive movement on our part....We have experienced no trouble from the enemy in crossing the Blue Ridge." In light of the recent emergence of the Northern cavalry as a formidable fighting force, Jeb Stuart is busy whipping his cavalry back into shape. He reports, "Too much importance cannot be given to the shock of the charge, the furious impact of horse against horse, for in that will consist the success of the charge....The habit..., which is becoming so prevalent...of charging as soon as within a quarter of a mile of the foe, up to the range of pistol-shot, and there halting to deliver fire, is highly injudicious and entirely destructive of success. The pistol should never be used in a charge, excepting when the enemy is beyond an impassable barrier near at hand....Should the charge be repulsed, the skirmishers on the flanks will, instead of retiring with the column, direct a concentrated fire on the advancing column of the enemy, endeavoring to hold it in check till fresh troops move up....That individuality of action which so strongly characterizes the conduct of our troops in battle, if unguided or misdirected, can but produce confusion."

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 25. - HDQRS, CAVALRY DIV., ARMY OF N. VA., July 29, 1863. The nondescript, irregular body of men, known as Company Q, which has so long disgraced the cavalry service, and degraded the individuals resorting to it, is hereby abolished. The sick or disabled men, requiring hospital treatment, will be sent...to the general division hospital....Those horses likely to remain in unserviceable condition for some time will be assembled on Monday in each week, and sent...to division headquarters, where they will...proceed to the camp of disabled horses of the division....Efficient provost guards will be organized without delay, to remain with each train, to prevent the members of the command from be-taking themselves to the trains under any pretense whatever....A provost guard will also be organized for duty with each brigade, or detached command, whose general duties will be to prevent straggling and disorders of every kind....The major-general commanding is convinced that unless a more sure means of detecting and punishing the guilty and preserving the strength of this command can be devised, all discipline is gone, and with it the efficiency of the cavalry division....Let the straggler be disgraced in the eyes of all honest and patriotic men; let the artful dodger on the battle-field receive the retributive bullet of his gallant comrade; let every man recognize his duty to his oppressed country as his sole motive, and vengeance on a ruthless invader his constant aim. By command of Maj, Gen. J. E. B. Stuart: H. B. McCLELLAN, Major, and Assistant Adjutant-General.

The unofficial Confederate embargo of cotton from European ports has long since given way to an all out effort to export cotton through the ever tightening naval blockade to pay for imported supplies. However, the necessarily small and fast blockade runners, despite having a high success rate, cannot carry enough cotton to adequately supply the needs of the Confederate war economy. This is exacerbated by the penchant for captains of blockade runners to reserve a large portion of their cargo space for high-value consumer goods at the expense of war materiel. According to a Southern naval officer, the blockade "shut the Confederacy out from the world, deprived it of supplies, [and] weakened its military and naval strength."

JULY 29, 1863. - Hon. JAMES A. SEDDON, Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.: - SIR: The pressing demands for funds in Europe to purchase the necessary supplies for this department have induced me to analyze the present means adopted to insure the same. The...steamers owned by the Government...will not be able to carry...the amount of cotton (7,670 bales) required to meet the wants of [the Ordnance] Bureau and the Medical Department....They can carry about 800 bales of cotton each, and make one trip each in about six weeks; which, if no accident occur, will secure the delivery of about 15,000 bales of cotton by the 1st of January, 1864....The orders for quartermaster's supplies now outstanding in Europe..., amount to $5,137,000...To supply this demand there will be required 37,200 bales of cotton, and should all the available transportation facilities...be accorded to this department, half the quantity required cannot be transported between this date and the 1st of January next....Believing that the funds necessary to purchase these supplies cannot be furnished from the source above referred to, I beg to suggest that as Congress at its last session authorized the issue of $250,000,000 bonds, to be paid in cotton, with coupons attached (the interest payable in cotton or specie), that application be made to have the amount of $5,000,000 in these bonds issued to me, and that I be empowered to send them by a special agent to Europe to be sold, and the proceeds applied to the purchase of the needed supplies. If this proposition be accepted, I hope to be able, even at this late day, to provide for the pressing wants of the Army; if not, I cannot but abandon the hope of doing so. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. C. MYERS, Quartermaster. General.

Other activity on this date: A skirmish near Bridgeport, Alabama. A skirmish at Paris, Kentucky (Scott's raid). A skirmish near Winchester, Kentucky (Scott's raid). A skirmish near Fort Donelson, Tennessee.


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Jul 30 1863 (Thursday)


After ignoring Jefferson Davis' proclamation promising to reenslave or execute captured black soldiers and their officers for seven months, Abraham Lincoln issues a proclamation promising retaliation for such a course of action. However, even Lincoln realizes that "the difficulty is not in stating the principle, but in practically applying it." If the Federal government resorts to a policy of active retaliation, it would necessarily entail executing innocent men for the crimes of the guilty and, as Lincoln acknowledges, "if once begun, there was no telling where it would end."

GENERAL ORDERS No. 252. The following order of the President is published for the information and government of all concerned: EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, D.C., July 30, 1863. It is the duty of every government to give protection to its citizens of whatever class, color, or condition, and especially to those who are duly organized as soldiers in the public service. The law of nations...and customs of war...permit no distinction as to color in the treatment of prisoners of war as public enemies. To sell or enslave any captured person on account of his color, and for no offense..., is a relapse into barbarism and a crime against the civilization of the age. The Government of the United States will give the same protection to all its soldiers; and if the enemy shall sell or enslave any one because of his color, the offense shall be punished by retaliation upon the enemy's prisoners in our possession. It is therefore ordered, that for every soldier of the United States killed in violation of the laws of war a rebel soldier shall be executed; and for every one enslaved by the enemy, or sold into slavery, a rebel soldier shall be placed at hard labor on the public works and continued at such labor until the other shall be released and receive the treatment due to a prisoner of war. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. By order of the Secretary of War: E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant-General.

Acknowledging that Lee's army, weakened and disorganized after Gettysburg, has escaped his grasp, President Lincoln eases the pressure he has been applying on Henry Halleck and George Meade to advance and engage the enemy as swiftly as possible. Lincoln writes: "Seeing General Meade's dispatch of yesterday..., causes me to fear that he supposes the Government here is demanding of him to bring on a general engagement with Lee as soon as possible....In fact, my judgment is against it....If he could not safely engage Lee at Williamsport, it seems absurd to suppose he can safely engage him now....I am unwilling he should now get into a general engagement on the impression that we here are pressing him." In addition Halleck offers his own words of encouragement to ease Meade's worried mind. "Your fight at Gettysburg met with the universal approbation of all military men here....You should not have been surprised or vexed at the President's disappointment at the escape of Lee's army....He thought that Lee's defeat was so certain that he felt no little impatience at his unexpected escape....I need not assure you, general, that I have lost none of the confidence which I felt in you when I recommended you for the command"

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, July 30, 1863--1 p.m. (Received 3 p.m.) - Major-General HALLECK, General-in-Chief: The impression of the President is correct. I have been acting under the belief...that it was his and your wish that I should pursue Lee and bring him to a general engagement, if practicable....[However], I did not fail to attack Lee at Williamsport because I could not do so safely. I simply delayed the attack until...I could do so with some reasonable degree of probability that the attack would be successful. He withdrew before that information could be obtained....I am of the opinion that..., owing to the losses sustained by [Lee] in his recent campaign, I ought still to be able to cope with him....With my pontoon bridges, the probabilities are, that, avoiding the fords..., I shall be able to find some point where the commanding heights being on my side, with my artillery in position, I can force a passage; and the river once passed, his line becomes untenable. To do this, however, will require the whole force I have at present....To conclude, therefore, in my judgment..., I should favor an advance. Of course, you and the President will be governed by such other considerations as may exist, and your decision, when communicated, will be promptly and strictly complied with....I shall not make any movement under existing circumstances till your views and wishes are sent to me. GEO. G. MEADE, Major-General.

Having suffered heavy losses in the two assaults on Battery Wagner, General Gillmore requests additional reinforcements from Henry Halleck. An angry Halleck responds: "It was known when you proposed to resume the operations against Charleston that...our armies would in the months of June, July, and August be reduced....You were distinctly informed that you could not have any additional troops, and it was only on the understanding that none would be required that I consented to your undertaking operations on Morris Island....And now, at this critical juncture, comes your urgent but unexpected application for 8,000 additional troops for Morris Island. It is, to say the least, seriously embarrassing. I deeply regret that its occupation was attempted until the draft had furnished more troops." Despite Halleck's denial, Gillmore continues to push his siege lines closer to the Rebel fortifications on Morris Island. General Colquitt reports, "The enemy have been busily engaged, day and night, upon works in our front....My impression is, that they will open the bombardment as soon as their land batteries are ready. With fire from these and gunboats, they expect to crush us....While I shall hold out as long as possible, it is well to have an eye to the rear in case of disaster."

CHARLESTON, S.C. - Capt. W. F. NANCE, Assistant Adjutant-General. - CAPTAIN: I desire respectfully to present the following report: Thursday, July 30.--Enemy again opened a little before daylight from their mortars. I discovered that they had progressed considerably during the night with their approaches, and were still working, whereupon I opened with five guns, throwing shell, and effectually stopped their working parties and drove them off....During the morning, they opened with Coehorn mortars, throwing a shell about the size of a 32-pounder from a distance of about 500 yards in front of the battery. The Ironsides and one monitor approached at 10.30 o'clock, and opened a heavy shelling upon the infantry lying behind the sand-hills...At 4 p.m. one monitor came up alone and again shelled the sand-hills As she lay about 1,000 yards in front of the battery, I opened upon her with the only remaining gun on the sea face, a 32-pounder smooth-bore, firing about 12 shots at her, hitting her several times and causing her to move off. Received word that there would be a spare carriage on the steamboat for the 10-inch columbiad, and also an additional 10-inch columbiad, with chassis and carriage, to go upon the platform, which had been ready for several days....On the arrival of the steamer, I did everything I could to expedite the work....We put up the gin, reeved the blocks, and commenced raising the gun, when the hook of the block straightened out and broke, rendering all other attempts to-night impossible. We then took down the gin and put the working force at getting up the other chassis and carriage....During the night, Major Warley arrived and relieved me as chief of artillery....Now that the effort of a strong will was no longer required to keep in operation the physical powers, I found myself sinking under my recent severe labors. With the utmost difficulty I reached my home, in a perfectly prostrate condition, and was kept from fainting away solely by the vigorous application of water and stimulant; was finally carried to bed, where rest and quiet will speedily restore me sufficiently to enable me to return to the battery. I have the honor to remain, your obedient servant, C. E. CHICHESTER, Captain, No. 64, Church Street, Charleston.


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Jul 31 1863 (Friday)

Learning the large Union forces are converging on his position, Colonel Scott begins his retreat southwards. He reports, "I learned that troops were pouring into Lexington from Hickman Bridge, Louisville, and Cincinnati, and were rapidly being mounted. At 4 p.m. I moved the command toward Irvine, hoping to capture the Fourteenth Kentucky Cavalry, stationed at that place. At 5 o'clock I received a dispatch...that two heavy columns of mounted men, with artillery were...within 8 miles of [Winchester]." Scott quickly does an about face and marches rapidly towards Lancaster. Colonel Sanders reports, "After 48 miles marching in twenty-two hours, over very rough and muddy roads. We fought the rear of the enemy, and drove them all the way from Winchester....The enemy had crossed all their stock and men [over the Kentucky River], except the rear guard, before we got here." General Burnside informs Washington of his success in short-circuiting the raid. "The rebel force under Scott...is now in fall retreat, in the direction of Somerset, with Colonel Sanders in close pursuit....They came into Kentucky to make a diversion in favor of Morgan, and will probably be much damaged before getting out." Scott explains: "Had this movement been made a few days earlier, or the capture of General Morgan, which released the large force in his pursuit, been delayed, we could have accomplished everything to be desired."

HEADQUARTERS SCOTT'S CAVALRY BRIGADE, Near Concord, Tenn. - Maj. V. VON SHELIHA, Chief of Staff. - MAJOR: We crossed the Richmond and Big Hill road, and reached Paint Lick Bridge early on the morning of the 31st, taking the road toward Lancaster. Shortly after daylight, the enemy, who had been fighting my rear all night, came up in considerable force, but were repulsed and driven back a mile, with considerable loss. Knowing their object to be to delay until their forces could come up, we moved on, passing through Lancaster about 1 p.m. Lieutenant-Colonel Nixon was at that time in the rear, with six companies of the First Louisiana, and...was attacked by the enemy in force. He turned and gave them battle, and, I fear, was captured....At about 3.30 o'clock my advance reached Stanford, and found at that place a train of about 200 wagons, guarded by a battalion of infantry. Marshall's battery with the howitzers of Robinson's were run forward, and the town cleared. The wagons...were destroyed. Resting my utterly exhausted men and horses an hour or two at Hall's Gap, we pressed on toward Somerset....I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. S. SCOTT, Colonel, Commanding Cavalry Brigade.

As General Meade advances the Army of the Potomac to the Rappahannock River crossings, he takes the time to write to Henry Halleck. "I thank you most sincerely and heartily for your kind and generous letter....I take this occasion to say to you, and through you to the President, that I have no pretensions to any superior capacity for the post he has assigned me to...; but that the moment those who have a right to judge my actions think...that I am wanting or that another would do better, that moment I earnestly desire to be relieved, not on my own account, but on account of the country and the cause." General Slocum reports his position. "My command reached [Kelly's Ford] about 6 p.m.; found the enemy's pickets on the opposite side of the river....The Sixty-sixth Ohio Volunteers crossed the river in boats, and drove them away. The bridge has since been constructed, and a brigade of infantry now occupies the opposite bank. Two more brigades will cross at daylight, and such works as may be necessary will be constructed....We have eight days' forage and ten days' subsistence on hand." Meade's concentration causes Robert E. Lee to begin planning another withdrawal. Lee reports, "The enemy massed his army in the vicinity of Warrenton, and, on the night of July 31, his cavalry, with a large supporting force of infantry, crossed the Rappahannock at Rappahannock Station and Kelly's Ford.....It was now determined to place the army in a position to enable it more readily to oppose the enemy should he attempt to move southward, that near Culpeper Court-House being one that he could easily avoid."

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, July 31, 1863. - Major-General NEWTON, Commanding First Corps: A bridge will be thrown across the river to-night at Kelly's Ford, and that, as soon as completed, the cavalry will cross, sweep up the river, and clear the country on the opposite bank of the enemy, and to say that as soon as that is done, and the vicinity of Rappahannock Station clear, a bridge will be thrown across at that point, and such dispositions as may be necessary to cover this operation and hold the bridge be made by you; that, when the bridge is finished, you will throw over a sufficient force to hold any near commanding point that will serve as a bridge-head. The railroad bridge will then be repaired, under the cover afforded by you. Working parties to aid inlaying the bridge will be detailed from your command. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General, Chief of Staff.

Despite the heavy Union presence in his home territory of Loudoun County, John Mosby continues to harass and annoy enemy outposts. General King reports, "Mosby with 50 or 60 men made a raid into Fairfax CourtHouse...and captured a number of sutlers and their teams. I sent out my cavalry..., hearing that Mosby was in the vicinity, and have some hopes of intercepting him." As Mosby attempts to escape into the mountains he comes across a large caravan of supply wagons which he quickly captures. However, a Union cavalry detachment catches up to Mosby's column near Aldie and Mosby and his men are forced to head for the hills. He reports, "I captured 29 loaded sutlers' wagons, about 100 prisoners, and 140 horses. I had brought all off safely near Aldie, where I fell in with a large force of the enemy's cavalry, who recaptured them. The enemy had several hundred. I had only 27 men." General King explains Mosby's escape: "Everything was recovered that the guerrillas had taken, and they themselves owed their escape to their intimate knowledge of the country."

CENTREVILLE, VA., July 31, 1863. - Capt. R. CHANDLER, Assistant Adjutant-General. - CAPTAIN: Immediately upon receiving from you the information that Mosby had been seen upon the Little River pike, I ordered Captain Manning, with 30 men, to proceed by Old Road to Aldie....At daybreak I was roused by firing to the eastward. Moved out upon the road in time to meet my pickets..., pursued by 20 or 25 rebels. Started after the rebels immediately. They scattered, 4 or 5 going down the road, the rest taking to the fields....After 3 miles' ride, came up to the wagon train where the first firing had occurred. Mosby, however, had made off when we appeared on the top of the most distant hill. Followed 3 miles farther, taking road to the south, and then sent a detachment, but could not overtake him, though he was embarrassed by prisoners. It seems that Mosby, with about 75 men and the sutler train captured at Fairfax, moving west along the Little River pike, reached the junction with the Gum Springs road, 4 miles from Aldie, just as Lieutenant Manning from the north. Lieutenant Manning at once attacked....Mosby's advance, on recovering from their surprise, and seeing the small force, attacked the rest of Lieutenant Manning s men, and followed them till met by the other force advancing as above. After getting the ambulances and sutler's train started for Centreville under a guard, I took the turnpike westward, and then the old Carolina road southward, till I struck Mosby's trail running up into Bull Run Mountains. Followed it over the ridge, and came upon all the prisoners (taken at Fairfax Court-House); also took about 20 of Mosby's horses....They took to the woods, which are very thick on the mountains....I am, sir, your obedient servant, C. R. LOWELL, JR., Colonel Second Massachusetts Cavalry.

John Morgan is officially notified by Ohio Governor David Tod that his claim of surrendering to, and being paroled by, a militia captain will not be honored. "I have delayed until this time replying to your...claim that you surrendered to one Captain Burbridge [Burbick], of the Ohio State Militia....I have now investigated the facts, and find them to be substantially as follows: That a private citizen of New Lisbon by the name of Burbick went out with some 15 or 16 others to meet your forces...; that said Burbick is not, and never was, a militia officer in the service of this State; that he was captured by you and traveled with you some considerable distance before your surrender; that upon his discovering the regular military forces...to be in your advance..., you surrendered to said Burbick, then your prisoner....I must, therefore, treat your surrender or yielding up as having been made to the forces under the command of the United States officers, and therefore, as Chief Executive of this State, I can claim no control over you." Despite the fact that Morgan and his officers have suffered the indignity of having their heads shaved and are currently being held in close confinement in the OhioState Penitentiary, there are some who believe that the treatment the rest of his infamous raiders are receiving at Camp Morton is too lenient.

INDIANAPOLIS, IND., July 31, 1863. - Col. WILLIAM HOFFMAN, Commissary. General of Prisoners: - SIR: I am a loyal man and love my country and her free institutions and cannot consent to see such favors extended to rebels as are constantly done at Camp Morton and remain silent. I understand you have entire control of all matters pertaining to prisoners of war and for that reason address you. A short time since John H. Morgan...was captured with most of his men. About 1,000 of his men were sent to Camp Morton. Hardly had they reached there until their friends crowded to see them, furnishing them with money and clothing and various articles of food, treating and talking to them as martyrs and heroes, and confirming them in their rebel sentiments. Such things are occurring at Camp Morton every day, and any one who will take the trouble to visit headquarters at Camp Morton between 10 and 12 a.m. and 3 to 4 p.m. of every day can see from three to six rebels conversing with their friends, laughing and enjoying themselves and sneering at the Yankees, and boasting of their rebel raid and of what they will do when exchanged. When I remember the cruel treatment our own brave soldiers have always received from the rebels when so unfortunate as to fall into their hands as prisoners I confess it makes my blood boil to see the extreme privileges granted to Morgan's thieves....These are facts, colonel, as you can ascertain by examination personally or by writing to this place. Captain Hamilton, commanding the camp, Lieutenant Robinson, commissary of prisoners, dare not deny the truth of the statement. As far as Camp Morton is concerned they are both at the post and know that such things are occurring there daily. I could give you my name, but do not care to be mixed up in this affair; but I trust that you will investigate this matter even though this letter is ANONYMOUS.

Other action on this date: A skirmish at Morris' Mills, W. Va. A skirmish at Lancaster, Kentucky (Scott's raid) . A skirmish at Paint Lick Bridge, across Paint Lick Creek (Scott's raid). A skirmish at Stanford, Kentucky (Scott's raid). A skirmish near Natchez, Mississippi, on Saint Catherine's Creek (unnamed stream W and S of Natchez, flowing into the Mississippi River near St. Catherine's Bend).


[Sunday] [Monday] [Tuesday] [Wednesday] [Thursday] [Friday] [Saturday]
Aug 01 1863 (Saturday)

The series of defeats suffered by Confederate forces in Virginia, Tennessee, and Mississippi has caused a series of discussions focusing on the possibility of concentrating several of the Rebel armies in the field. Leonidas Polk asks: "Could there not be a better use made of Johnston's army than employing it simply in checking Grant's advance...? Suppose a small detachment be left simply to hold important places in observation..., and the whole of Johnston's force were throne to this point [Chattanooga, Tennessee]....With such a force thus concentrated, we could move upon Rosecrans....We could, in my opinion, crush him, and could move over the field in Tennessee, and repossess it." General Bragg is queried on the subject. "If we can spare Johnston's army, temporarily to reinforce you, can you attack the enemy?" He responds:"I should look for success if a fight can be had on equal terms." While the Confederates debate strategy, William Rosecrans replies to Henry Halleck's recent, surprisingly supportive dispatches.

PRIVATE.- HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Winchester, August 1, 1863. [General H. W. HALLECK] - GENERAL: I thank you for your notes..., and for your support and confidence hitherto. These letters relieve my mind from a growing apprehension that the injustice which I have experienced from the War Department was extending to you. But as my ambition is something like your own--to discharge my duty to God and our country say to you frankly that whenever the Government can replace me by a commander in whom they have more confidence, they ought to do so, and take the responsibility of the result. Meanwhile let me call your attention to the conditions of the problem before this army: 1st. Our base at Louisville is 264 miles distant from our present position. 2d. We are 83 miles from our principal depot--Nashville. 3d. We must transport all our subsistence..., and most of our forage over these distances by raft. 4th. We have before us 60 or 70 miles of barren mountain country..., traversed by a few difficult roads, over which to advance. 5th. We have to cross the difficult defile of the Tennessee, a river from 600 to 1,000 yards wide, in the face of a powerful enemy, and maneuver or fight him from an intrenched position....6th. To advance in the face of these obstacles is not the only nor even the most important point in the problem. We must so advance as never to recede....7th. Not only so, but this must be done in view of the possibility of Joe Johnston joining Bragg. These are the conditions of the first problem. The preliminaries to its successful solution are, first, to open the railroad..., and, secondly, to provide means of crossing the river and maintain communication over it. To these ends every effort is now being bent. Rest assured these things would have to be done by any commander, and I think we are doing them as rapidly as our means will admit. Very truly, yours, W. S. ROSECRANS, Major-general.

After being promised the swift return of the Ninth Corps, currently assigned to Grant's army in Vicksburg, Ambrose Burnside inquires about when he can expect it to be returned to him. President Lincoln admits that he is not sure when this will be. He explains: "General Grant is a copious worker and fighter, but a very meager writer or telegrapher. No doubt he has changed his purpose in regard to the Ninth Corps for some sufficient reason, but has forgotten to notify us of it." However, Grant's report detailing the Vicksburg campaign has been received in Washington.

WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, August 1, 1863--9.45 a.m. - Major-General GRANT, Vicksburg, Miss.: - GENERAL: Your report...of your campaign in Mississippi, ending in the capitulation of Vicksburg, was received last evening. Your narrative of this campaign, like the Operations themselves, is brief, soldierly, and in every respect creditable and satisfactory. In boldness of plan, rapidity of execution, and brilliancy of results, these Operations will compare most favorably with those of Napoleon about Ulm. You and your army have well deserved the gratitude of your country, and it will be the boast of your children that their fathers were of the heroic army which reopened the Mississippi River. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief.

Despite being delayed, John Buford's cavalry leads the Army of the Potomac across the Rappahannock River. He reports, "Through mismanagement of some kind, I was not able to cross over the division before 11 a.m....Shortly after crossing, I became engaged with Hampton's and Jones' brigades, commanded in person by Jeb Stuart. He evidently did not intend to allow me to gain any information of Lee's whereabouts, and made a most obstinate resistance." Buford tangles with Stuart's cavalry for several hours before being driven back by Confederate infantry. Again Buford, "Have arrived within 1 1/2 miles of Culpeper. Have found A.P. Hill's corps, and have to come back. I can't fight so many."

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, August 1, 1863--10 p.m. (Received 11.45 p.m.) - Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief: In compliance with your instructions to occupy the line of the Upper Rappahannock, this army has to-day been placed in position from Waterloo Crossing on the right to Ellis Ford on the left. Warrenton, New Baltimore, Brentsville, and, Morrisville are all occupied, and connected with the forces on the river by pickets and patrols....A brigade of cavalry is at White Plains, scouting Occoquan....Bridges were thrown over the river at the railroad crossing and at Kelly's Ford. Infantry was crossed at each place, and the necessary works to protect the bridges will be constructed....Buford's cavalry division crossed at the railroad crossing, and soon encountered the enemy's cavalry....He has been ordered to fall back, and hold as advanced a position in front of the Rappahannock as he can do with security. GEO. G. MEADE, Major-General.

As preparations are being made to resume the draft in New York City, Joseph Holt, Judge Advocate-General of the Army, publishes answers to some of the questions that have arisen about the exemption rule "for the information and guidance of all officers of this Bureau."

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