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Oct 18 1863 (Sunday)

George Meade reports to Henry Halleck that Lee's army has retreated. "The cavalry report the enemy as having withdrawn from Bristoe, supposed toward the Rappahannock....It is impossible to move this army until I know something more definite of position of the enemy." Meade's inherent cautiousness irritates Halleck. The General-in-Chief writes: "If Lee has turned his back on you..., he certainly has seriously exposed himself to your blows, unless his army can move 2 miles to your 1....Fight him before he again draws you at such a distance from your base as to expose your communications to his raids." When Meade replies that, "it is too late for me to overtake him in any short time," Halleck explodes. "Lee is unquestionably bullying you....If you pursue and fight him, I think you will find out where he is. I know of no other way." Halleck's verbal blast causes Meade, for the second time, to tender his resignation.

OCTOBER 18, 1863--8.30 p.m. (Received 10 p.m.) - Major-General HALLECK: I must insist on being spared the infliction of such truisms in the guise of opinions as you have recently honored me with, particularly as they were not asked for. I take this occasion to repeat what I have before stated, that if my course, based on my own judgment, does not meet with approval, I ought to be, and I desire to be, relieved from command. GEO. G. MEADE, Major-General, Commanding.

Responding to Lee's request that he distract the enemy in his front, John Imboden, operating in the lower Shenandoah Valley, attacks the vulnerable Union detachment at Charlestown, West Virginia. Imboden reports, "The surprise was complete, the enemy having no suspicion of our approach until I had the town entirely surrounded....To my demand for a surrender Colonel Simpson requested an hour for consideration. I offered him five minutes, to which he replied, 'Take us if you can' I immediately opened on the buildings with artillery at less than 200 yards, and with half a dozen shells drove out the enemy into the streets, when he formed and fled toward Harper's Ferry." General Sullivan sends a rescue column from nearby Harper's Ferry and drives Imboden back up the valley. Sullivan reports, "The cavalry came up with the enemy this side of Charlestown, and drove them through the town. Artillery coming up, drove them about 4 miles. A portion of infantry force..., reaching them, the enemy were driven from every position they took, to near Berryville."

CHARLESTOWN, W. VA., October 18, 1863. - Lieut. SAML. F. WOODS, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. - SIR: At ten minutes past 5 o'clock this morning the enemy commenced driving in my pickets....I at once mustered my force and occupied the court-house, my number being some 300 men. The enemy sent in a flag of truce demanding an unconditional surrender of the forces at Charlestown. I replied that if they wanted Charlestown to come and take it. I sent out a cavalry force to feel the enemy, and they found the place surrounded by the rebels....After...finding that every shot took effect upon the court-house, I ordered the officers to form their men in column in the street, but with all my efforts and the officers assisting me, it was impossible to do it. The men broke and ran in every direction....Very respectfully, your obedient servant, B. L. SIMPSON, Colonel, Commanding Ninth Maryland Regiment.

Charles Dana continues his seemingly endless stream of discouraging dispatches to the Secretary of War from Chattanooga. He writes: "Our condition and prospects grow worse and worse....It does not seem possible to hold out here another week without a new avenue of supplies. General Smith says that as he passed among the men working on the fortifications yesterday several shouted 'crackers' at him." Unbeknownst to Dana, Edwin Stanton is in Nashville, Tennessee, tracking down Ulysses Grant. Stanton has taken the unusual step of delivering Grant's orders in person to insure that Grant sacks William Rosecrans. President Lincoln's instructions regarding "Old Rosy" are discretionary, but it does not take long for Stanton to convince Grant that George Thomas is the man to command the Army of the Tennessee.

SPECIAL ORDERS No. 1. - HDQRS. DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Louisville, October 18, 1863. Major-General Rosecrans having been relieved from the command of the Department of the Cumberland by direction of the President of the United States, per General Orders, No. 337..., Major-General Thomas is hereby assigned to the command, and will at once assume its duties. General Rosecrans will turn over all books, papers, maps, and other property pertaining to the command to Major-General Thomas. All staff officers, except the aide-de-camp authorized by law now on duty with General Rosecrans, will report to General Thomas for assignment as soon as relieved. General Rosecrans will proceed to Cincinnati, Ohio, and report to the Adjutant-General of the Army by letter for orders. By order of Major-General Grant: ELY S. PARKER, Assistant Adjutant-General.

Other activity reported on this date:
Affair near Annandale, VA.
Confederate attack on Charlestown, WV.
Skirmishes on the road to Berryville, VA.
Skirmish on the Livingston Road near Clinton, MS.
Skirmish at Carthage, MO.
Two Union ships bombarded Fort Brooke, FL., while a landing party disembarked and captured several Rebel steamers, a blockade runner, and a sloop in the Hillsborough River.
William Price Sanders, USA, is appointed brigadier-general.

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Oct 19 1863 (Monday)

Robert E. Lee's disappointment at not being able to strike a blow against Meade's retreating army is magnified by his continuing supply problems. Lee writes to the Quartermaster-General in Richmond: "The want of the supplies of shoes, clothing, overcoats, and blankets is very great. Nothing but my unwillingness to expose the men to the hardships that would have resulted from moving them...in their present condition induced me to return to the Rappahannock....I was averse to marching them over the rough roads...when frosts are certain and snows probable, unless they were better provided to encounter them without suffering. I should otherwise have endeavored to detain General Meade near the Potomac, if I could not throw him to the north side." However, Lee retains his commitment to resuming the offensive. He reports, "I think it highly important to keep our troops as active as possible, and to strike the enemy at every vulnerable point, and should be very glad to use this army wherever it can be of most service."

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, October 19, 1863. - Hon. JAMES A. SEDDON, Secretary of War, Richmond, Va. - SIR: I am doubtful as yet whether General Meade will remain on the defensive or again make a movement upon Richmond. I left him fortifying his line along Bull Run....Before a permanent advance on his part can be made, he will be obliged to reconstruct the Orange and Alexandria Railroad from Cub Run to the Rappahannock....Nothing prevented my continuing in his front but the destitute condition of the men, thousands of whom are barefooted, a greater number partially shod, and nearly all without overcoats, blankets, or warm clothing. I think the sublimest sight of the war was the cheerfulness and alacrity exhibited by this army in the pursuit of the enemy under all the trials and privations to which it was exposed. I now occupy the line of the Rappahannock....Very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. E. LEE, General.

By the time William Rosecrans receives a warning telegram from his old chief-of-staff James Garfield, he already knows he has been relieved of command. Garfield reports, "It is rumored here that General Grant and the Secretary of War are at Louisville and start for this place by special train to-morrow morning. What does it mean?" Rosecrans immediately sends a telegram to Washington. "General Orders, War Department, No. 337, by telegraph, just received. Will be executed immediately. I leave to-morrow." Rosecrans calls General Thomas to his tent and turns over command of the army. Thomas, who had turned down the command of the Army of the Cumberland during the Perryville campaign, had been passed over when the command was given to Rosecrans in the wake of Don Carlos Buell's dismissal last October. U.S. Grant's instructions for Thomas are clear. "Hold Chattanooga at all hazards. I will be there as soon as possible." After spending most of the night briefing Thomas, "Old Rosy" issues a farewell address and quietly departs.

GENERAL ORDERS No. 242. - HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE CUMBERLAND, Chattanooga, Tenn., October 19, 1863. The general commanding announces to the officers and soldiers of the Army of the Cumberland that he leaves them under orders from the President. Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas...will assume the command of this army and department.....The general commanding doubts not you will be as true to yourselves and your country in the future as you have been in the past. To the division and brigade commanders, he tenders his cordial thanks for their valuable aid and hearty co-operation in all he has undertaken. To the chiefs of the staff departments and their subordinates, whom he leaves behind, he owes a debt of gratitude for their fidelity and untiring devotion to duty. Companions in arms, officers and soldiers, farewell, and may God bless you. W. S. ROSECRANS, Major-General.

Jeb Stuart is skirmishing with Union cavalry near Gainesville when Fitz Lee proposes a plan for springing a trap on the aggressive blue horsemen. Lee reports, "By a preconcerted plan, I marched against the rear and flank of Kilpatrick at Buckland, General Stuart, in accordance with the same plan, [fell] back to within 2 ½ miles of Warrenton, in order to draw Kilpatrick on." George Armstrong Custer reports the surprising ease in which his men are able to secure a crossing over Broad Run. "My brigade took the advance and skirmished with the enemy's cavalry....I found him strongly posted upon the south bank of Broad Run....After a fruitless attempt to effect a crossing in his front, I succeeded in turning his left flank so completely as to force him from his position." However, instead of rapidly pursuing the retreating Rebels, Custer give his troopers time to prepare their dinner. "I learned that the forces of the enemy...were commanded by General J. E. B. Stuart in person, who, at the time of our arrival at that point, was seated at the dinner-table eating, but owing to my successful advance, he was compelled to leave his dinner untouched, a circumstance not regretted by that portion of my command into whose hands it fell." General Kilpatrick impatiently presses forward only to be routed when Fitz Lee springs his trap near Buckland. Custer's delay saves his command from the trap and gives him time to delay the attacking Rebels long enough for most of the Union cavalrymen to make their escape. He reports, "I was preparing to follow [Kilpatrick] when information reached me that the enemy were advancing on my left...After completing his dispositions for attack the enemy advanced upon me....[We were compelled to] retire to the north bank of Broad Run. The other portions of the command followed. The First Michigan Cavalry was entrusted with the duty of covering the movement, a task which was gallantly performed."

BUCKLAND, VA. - General R.E. LEE. - GENERAL: In accordance with the suggestion of Major-General Lee, I retired with Hampton's division slowly before the enemy until within 2 ½ miles of Warrenton, in order that Major-General Lee, coming from Auburn, might have an opportunity to attack the enemy in flank and rear. The plan proved successful. The enemy followed slowly and cautiously after Hampton's division, when, on hearing Major-General Lee's guns on their flank, I pressed upon them vigorously in front. They at first resisted my attack stubbornly, but once broken the rout was complete. I pursued them from within 3 miles of Warrenton to Buckland, the horses at full speed the whole distance, the enemy retreating in great confusion. Major-General Lee had attacked them in flank just below Buckland....The rout was the most complete that any cavalry has ever suffered during this war. Crossing at Buckland, General Fitz. Lee pushed down the pike toward Gainesville, while I..., moved around to our left and pressed down toward Hay Market....The pursuit was continued until after dusk....Most respectfully, J. E. B. STUART, Major-General.

To offset the large number of units will finish their term of service in the army later in the year, President Lincoln issues a call for 300,000 more volunteers. "I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States and Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy..., do issue this my proclamation, calling upon the Governors of the different States to raise and have enlisted into the United States service, for the various companies and regiments in the field from their respective States, their quotas of three hundred thousand men." As was the case this summer, those states not furnishing enough volunteers will be compelled to hold another draft to fill their quota. Lincoln continues, "I further proclaim that if any State shall fail to raise the quota assigned to it by the War Department under this call, then a draft for the deficiency in said quota shall be made on said State..., for their due proportion of said quota; and the said draft shall commence on the fifth day of January, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four." It is not long before each state receives it's quota of men to be raised.

WAR DEPT., PROVOST-MARSHAL-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, D.C., October 19, 1863. - His Excellency WILLIAM A. BUCKINGHAM, Governor of Connecticut, Hartford, Conn.: - SIR: I have the honor to inform you that Connecticut's quota of the 300,000 volunteers called for by the President's proclamation...is as follows: First District, 1,527; Second District, 1,369; Third District, 1,108; Fourth District, 1,428; total, 5,432....The quota of Connecticut for the present draft was...2,508, leaving on present draft...a deficiency of 5,183. On all calls previous to the present draft the deficiency of Connecticut was 1,748; total deficiency, 6,931. The total quota, therefore, of Connecticut for the next draft, in case another is rendered necessary by a failure to raise volunteers...would be 5,432, the quota of 300,000 herein assigned, and the deficiencies up to date specified, that is, 6,931; total quota, 12,363. But this total deficiency (6,931) will of course be reduced by all held to service under the present draft..., and by all volunteers not heretofore credited, as well as by all the State may raise in excess of 5,432, her quota of 300,000 as called for by the President's proclamation....The provost-marshal-general of your State and the boards of enrollment in the different districts will give you all the aid in their power in this and all other matters connected with raising troops. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAS. B. FRY, Provost-Marshal-General.

Casualties at Chestnut Hills, VA. (also known as the Buckland Races): Approximately 230 total.

Other activity reported on this date:
Action at Buckland Mills, VA.
Skirmishes at Gainesville, New Baltimore, Hay Market and Catlett's Station, VA.
Skirmish at Grand Coteau, LA.
Skirmish at Smith's Bridge, MS.
Skirmish at Spurgeon's Mill, TN.
Skirmish at Zollicoffer, TN. Five men from the 8th Tenn. Cav. captured while scouting.
Lucius Fairchild, USA, appointed brigadier-general.



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Oct 20 1863 (Tuesday)

After leading most of his men south for the winter, William Quantrill leaves Lieutenant Wedington is command of the guerillas who chose to remain along the Kansas-Missouri border. The change is noticed immediately when two Federal prisoners are released instead of being immediately killed. Major Doudna reports, "Two men of Company M, Sixth Kansas Volunteers, came in and reported that they were taken prisoners....They were permitted to bring their horses in with them; their greatcoats, boots, arms, and money were taken from them." If Quantrill had hoped that his exploits at Lawrence, Kansas, would bring him prestige, he is sadly mistaken. General McCulloch, commander of the Northern District of Texas reports, "A good many of Colonel Quantrill's command have come into this sub-district....I do not know as much about his mode of warfare as others seem to know; but, from all I can learn, it is but little, if at all, removed from that of the wildest savage....We cannot, as a Christian people, sanction a savage, inhuman warfare, in which men are to be shot down like dogs, after throwing down their arms and holding up their hands supplicating for mercy."

NEAR HARRISONVILLE, October 20, 1863. - Colonel CLARK, Commanding Ninth Kansas: - SIR: I this morning have captured two of your soldiers, and, in accordance with the custom heretofore, they would be executed, but I release them from two considerations: One is that they are boys, and again, whereas Colonel Quantrill, commanding the Confederate guerrillas, is absent, the command is given to me during his absence. I heartily regret the inhuman treatment of prisoners here on the border, but, by this act, propose carrying it on in entirely a different way. I have released your men, and am willing to do it hereafter. Now, let us conduct the war in a way in which we will not be ashamed of in after years. Yours, &c., WEDINGTON, Lieutenant, Confederate Guerrillas.

Joe Wheeler's impulsive raid into Tennessee not only ended in failure, but his decision not to join forces with the other Confederate cavalry units ordered to the area has left Generals Stephen D. Lee and Philip Roddey in limbo. Roddey reports, "There are no boats of any value on the river above Guntersville....There are no fords passable now, and will not be again this winter....I have made no guess at the enemy's strength or probable moves....Many citizens near the railroad seem to think they are moving forces from Chattanooga toward Murfreesborough. My horses are in a terrible condition for want of shoes and with sore backs." Stephen Lee vents his frustration in a letter to Joe Johnston. "I fear my expedition will be of no avail, as the enemy certainly are aware of the presence of so large a cavalry force in this vicinity by this time. General Wheeler's command was much demoralized by plunder, and officers and men behaved unbecomingly on the trip, thinking more of their plunder than of fighting the enemy. "

HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY IN MISSISSIPPI, Camp 19 Miles East of Tuscumbia, October 20, 1863. - Col. B. S. EWELL, Asst. Adjt. Gen. to General Johnston, Meridian, Miss. - COLONEL: For the information of General Johnston, I have the honor to report that...General Wheeler declined to cross the Tennessee River with me, not deeming his command in condition to do so and feeling it incumbent on him to await instructions from General Bragg....I feel it incumbent on me to remain here some days longer till something more is heard from General Bragg, as General Wheeler feels confident the general intends an offensive move. The river is now too high for fording, but is falling slowly, though I fear will not fall sufficient for fording for six or eight days, if at all this season.....General Roddey is over the river, and cannot cross to this side....The enemy are certainly repairing the road from Corinth in this direction, and have repaired beyond Iuka. They have made several offensive moves across Bear Creek, but have been repulsed. I hope to report soon having crossed the river on my return to Mississippi....I am, colonel, yours, respectfully, STEPHEN D. LEE, Major-General.

En route to Chattanooga, U.S. Grant sends instructions to Ambrose Burnside. "All roads that can be used to get to supplies should be put in order as fast as possible....Important points in East Tennessee should be put in condition to be held by the smallest number of men as soon as possible." Before he can respond, Burnside learns that his outposts near Loudon are being threatened by Rebel cavalry. Burnside reports, "Colonel Wolford's cavalry brigade, at Philadelphia, was surprised by enemy's cavalry and driven back to Loudon, with a loss of six mountain howitzers and a considerable number of men....The enemy has been driven back again beyond Philadelphia, and are said to be concentrating at Sweet Water a heavy force of infantry, cavalry, and artillery....I have re-enforced the garrison of Loudon, and shall leave for there at once."

HEADQUARTERS SECOND CAVALRY BRIGADE, Philadelphia, October 20, 1863--5 p.m. - Major-General STEVENSON. - DEAR SIR: The colonel commanding instructs me to say that he engaged the enemy in front of this place at 1 o'clock to-day. After a sharp artillery duel of an hour or more the guns of Colonel Morrison's brigade were heard in the enemy's rear. Colonel Dibrell immediately charged into the town. The enemy was completely routed. We captured all his wagons, ambulances, tents, and cooking utensils, all his artillery, about 400 prisoners, and at least that number of small-arms....By order of Col. G. G. Dibrell, commanding Second Cavalry Brigade: DIXON A. ALLISON, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

Other activity reported on this date:
Skirmish at Warm Springs, NC.
Union reconnaissance toward Opelousas, LA.
Skirmishes at Dickson's Station, Cane Creek, and Barton's Station (on Memphis and Charleston RR), AL.
Union reconnaissance toward Trenton, GA, from Bridgeport, AL.
Skirmish at Treadwell's Plantation, MS.
Action at Philadelphia, TN.
Affair near Warsaw, MO.


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Oct 21 1863 (Wednesday)

James Blunt's affiliation with Jim Lane and the abolitionist firebrands in Kansas has repeatedly put him at odds with the conservative General Schofield. On several different occasions Schofield has tried to have Blunt arrested and relieved of command only to be thwarted by Blunt's continued successes on the battlefield. After Schofield demanded his removal last July, Blunt fought back. To Secretary Stanton, Blunt wrote: "I send you copy of a letter from General J. M. Schofield to General Halleck, Commander-in-Chief, charging 'abuses and irregularities,' and demanding my removal from command, which I do not propose to let pass unnoticed....I know full well the sources and motives of all these persecutions. It is a combination composed of traitors. Government peculators, and Copperheads....I am satisfied that there has been a determined purpose to sacrifice this command by withholding troops for the purpose of sacrificing and getting rid of me. I have borne their insults and abuse as long as could be reasonably expected, and I think it no more than justice that the President should grant me a court of inquiry, that my accusers may meet me face to face." However, Blunt's ignominious defeat at the hands of Quantrill's men at Baxter Springs gives Schofield the opportunity he has been waiting for. Rather that relieving Blunt outright, President Lincoln reassigns the popular general to recruiting duty along the Kansas border.

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 118. - HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, Saint Louis, October 19, 1863. Brig. Gen. J. B. Sanborn...will repair, without delay, to Springfield, Mo., and relieve Brig. Gen. John McNeil, in command of the District of Southwestern Missouri. On being relieved, Brigadier-General McNeil will repair to Fort Smith, Ark., and relieve Maj. Gen. James G. Blunt in command of the District of the Frontier. On being relieved, Major-General Blunt will repair to Leavenworth City, Kans., and, on his arrival at that place, will report by letter to these headquarters for further orders....By order of Major-General Schofield: OLIVER D. GREENE, Assistant Adjutant-General.

General Franklin's advance in the Bayou Teche region reaches Opelousas, Louisiana. He reports, "The head of my column has arrived here. The enemy made a stand about, 3 miles out.....A little shelling drove them away. I leave at once for Barre's Landing, and shall encamp near there to-night with the infantry." General Richard Taylor directs the Rebel defense. He reports, "All conclusions point to a farther advance in this direction....The withdrawal of Lee's cavalry from Mississippi having relieved the enemy of all apprehension on the east bank of the river, I shall watch the Texas road closely, as well as Simsport and the Atchafalaya." The Federal advance only exacerbates the situation in Louisiana as Governor Moore worries that a a full fledged famine might break out very shortly.

EXECUTIVE OFFICE, Alexandria, October 21, 1863. - Lieut. Gen. E. KIRBY SMITH, Commanding Trans-Mississippi Department: - GENERAL: I shall startle you with the declaration that the whole population of Louisiana, white and black, will be without meat-food in half a month....The cause of the famine of meat is the enforcement of a military order emanating from some officer in Texas, which prohibits any beeves being sent to this State except to the army. The plantations are in a majority of cases out of meat already....You can imagine what our condition will be, with our numerous slaves living on meal and molasses....At first we attributed our scarcity, which has been a subject of anxiety for some time, to the indisposition of the Texas grazier to exchanging beef for Confederate money....If it is deemed imprudent by reason of the attitude of the enemy below that the beeves shall be sent so near the enemy's lines, I suggest that the drovers be restricted to selling them above a certain place or line, to be designated by you. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, THO. O. MOORE.

General Chalmers complains about the behavior of Sherman's men who are advancing along the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. He reports, "They made it a point to visit the houses in which I had had my headquarters..., to injure them as much as possible by destroying their furniture and clothing, and wantonly wasting their supplies of forage and provisions....In addition to this they burned the villages of Wyatt and Chulahoma, and desolated the plantations along their route, burning corn-cribs, &c., and driving off horses and cattle....I would respectfully ask whether some means of retaliation cannot be adopted to prevent the repetition of such outrages." Meanwhile, Edwin Stanton reports that U.S. Grant has received his new orders and is on his way to Chattanooga. "General Grant reached Nashville safely yesterday....He will go on to Stevenson to-day, and thence to Chattanooga, fast as possible....I expect to leave for home to-morrow, having completed all the arrangements in regard to railroad management and transportation."

NASHVILLE, TENN., October 21, 1863--9 a.m. - Hon E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War: I arrived here at 10 last night, and return south with Grant this morning. Our train narrowly escaped destruction at a point about 8 miles from here. A tie had been inserted in a cattle guard to throw the train down an embankment, but it had been calculated for a train going south, and ours broke it off without damage. The purpose apparently was to destroy Grant on his way to Bridgeport. [C. A. DANA.]

Other activity reported today:
Skirmishes at Barre's Landing and occupation of Opelousas, LA.
Action at Cherokee Station, AL (on Memphis and Charleston RR).
Skirmish at Sulpher Springs, TN.
Affair near Hopewell in Greenton Valley, MO.



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Oct 22 1863 (Thursday)

Major Samuel Montgomery, commanding the Union garrison at Bloomfield, Missouri is arrested by five of his officers. He reports, "The troops at this post are in open mutiny....The battery in command of Lieutenant Reber is planted in front of my headquarters, and the men of my battalion drawn up in line, supporting it; myself placed under arrest....Captain Crockett is commanding the mutineers, although Lieutenant Reber is, to all appearances, the principal insurgent." Montgomery's adjutant describes the situation. "I...found in Lieutenant Reber's office Captain Crockett, Captain Paynter, Lieutenant Burross, Lieutenant Reber, and Lieutenant Potter....Lieutenant Reber got up and first read a paper signed by the above-named officers, in which they had come to the conclusion that this post was in the hands of a traitor..., and stating also that they intended immediately to arrest the major by force....Captain Potter then asked the major to surrender himself, saying that Captain Crockett would now assume command of the post....We then turned around and walked toward headquarters, closely followed by a guard of 16 men, headed by Captain Paynter....Three men were then sent...to prevent the sending of dispatches, with orders to shoot the operator if he attempted to work his line....The men were not aware, as a general thing, what they were ordered out for, and a great many deserted the ranks upon finding out. The whole thing has thus far resulted in a grand fizzle."

HEADQUARTERS POST, Bloomfield, Mo., October 22, 1863. - Col. J. B. ROGERS, Commanding Post at Cape Girardeau: - SIR: The extraordinary and flagitious conduct of the major commanding this post...has of late created such a vast distrust and loss of confidence in the command, that it was and still is feared that his designs were to betray this whole command into the hands and control of rebels and rebel emissaries. Among the majority of commissioned officers stationed here it was deemed necessary that a meeting for consultation should be held..., at which meeting, after mature deliberation, the following conclusions were arrived at, viz: 1st. That, under the command of Maj. Samuel Montgomery, the holding and continued possession of the place for any time longer was a matter fraught with serious doubts. 2d. That, judging from the recent conduct of the major commanding, he has wholly lent himself and completely gone over to those who are well known by himself to be...the leading traitors in and around this place....3d. To save and hold in possession this place to the Government..., it was further agreed upon that the most imperative necessity clearly indicates that the major commanding must immediately be put under arrest, and the further exercise of his power be stayed until this fearful and disgracing condition of things can be reported to the proper authorities. 4th. That to save ourselves, as officers true and faithful in our allegiance to the Government, from the apparently impending disgrace and disaster, we proceed early by to-morrow's dawn to arrest Maj. Samuel Montgomery, commanding this post, and so hold him until our action can be reported, and further directions had thereon....Very respectfully, WILLIAM H. CROCKETT, Capt. Company D, Comdg. Second Battalion Sixth Missouri Cav., JOHN H. PAYNTER, Captain Company A, Second Battalion Sixth Missouri Cavalry, V. B. S. REBER, Lieutenant, Comdg. Section Company K, Second Missouri Artillery, LUTHER D. POTTER, Second Lieutenant, Comdg. Company L., Sixth Missouri Cavalry, E. J. BURROSS, Second Lieutenant, Comdg. Company E, Sixth Missouri Cavalry.

General Shelby continues to elude his Federal pursuers has he makes his way southward. General McNeil reports, "General Holland says he has reliable information that Shelby and Coffee passed Lamar yesterday..., traveling in the direction of Carthage and Neosho, with a force estimated at 600....I shall leave in pursuit in the morning, in the direction of Neosho." Even when he learns that most of Shelby's scattered force has reunited, McNeil is confident he can prevent "Fighting Jo's" escape. "Shelby crossed the Wire road at Cross Timbers at 2 this p.m. Hunter and Coffee crossed the Springfield road, 21 miles above here, yesterday. Brooks has moved to Huntsville, and I suppose these three bands will concentrate at that place. I shall take all the available force I can march, and try to anticipate their concentration....I can beat them combined, or drive them toward the Arkansas River."

HEADQUARTERS SHELBY'S BRIGADE, Camp Price. - MAJOR: I traveled hard, fighting once at Carthage...; all the time followed by a large force, and...was rejoined on the banks of the Little Osage, in Arkansas, by Hunter, Hooper, and Shanks, with their entire commands in fine spirit....They traveled rapidly; crossed the railroad 4 miles from Tipton...; charged a herd of 400 mules and captured them within 8 miles of Syracuse; took about 50 prisoners on the trip...; fought and defeated the Federals at Florence, Humansville, and Greenfield; crossed the Osage at Duroc; charged and destroyed a detachment of the First Arkansas Cavalry 2 miles south of the river; fought McNeil's advance of 2,000 men at Humansville, and held him in check until the rear of the column passed safely through....After uniting my command and seeing the forlorn and jaded condition of the horses, I determined to march by easy stages to the Arkansas River....I was left unmolested by the beaten and baffled enemy...I remain, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JO. O. SHELBY, Colonel, Commanding Expedition.

After putting the Army of the Potomac back in motion, General Meade reports to Washington: "The railroad from Bristoe Station, as far as examined to Catlett's Station, has been completely destroyed, and it is understood this work has been carried as far as the Rappahannock....I will immediately have an estimate made of the time it will require to put the road in repair." Once it is clear the Lee has wrecked the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, a dejected Meade reports, "To repair and put in working order the road to the Rappahannock will require the use of a considerable part of this army for guards and working parties. Under these circumstances, I do not see the practicability of an advance on this line to Gordonsville...It seems to me, therefore, that the campaign is virtually over for the present season." Meade is then called to Washington for a quick conference with President Lincoln and Henry Halleck

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. - Brig. Gen. LORENZO THOMAS, Adjutant-General, U.S. Army. - GENERAL: The army was put in motion... [and] advanced to Gainesville....The army occupied Warrenton without opposition, the enemy retiring to the south bank of the Rappahannock. It was then ascertained the enemy had completely destroyed the Orange and Alexandria Railroad from Bristoe Station to the Rappahannock.....I submitted to the General-in-Chief the project of seizing by a prompt movement the heights of Fredericksburg, and transferring the base of operations to the Fredericksburg Railroad. This...[did not meet] the approval of the General-in-Chief....Very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. G. MEADE, Major-General.

Other activity reported on this date:
Affair near Annandale, VA.
Skirmishes at Rappahannock Bridge and near Bealeton, VA.
Skirmish near Volhey, KY (SE of Russellville).
Skirmish at Brownsville, MS.
Confederate destruction of Union steamer Mist near Ship Island, MS. 20 guerrillas commanded by Dick Holland captured the ship and robbed the captain of $17,000 before burning the vessel.
Skirmish at New Madrid, TN. Capt. O. B. Farris with 20 men dashed in on five men 32d Iowa Inf., killing one and capturing three.
Mutiny at Bloomfield, MO.



[Sunday] [Monday] [Tuesday] [Wednesday] [Thursday] [Friday] [Saturday]
Oct 23 1863 (Friday)

After returning to the army, George Meade receives a dispatch from Henry Halleck. "The President desires that you will prepare to attack Lee's army, and, at all hazards, make a cavalry raid, to break the railroad at or near Lynchburg....The troops making this raid...should be provided with the proper means of destroying railroads, bridges, &c." Lincoln explains: "I think it probable that Ewell's corps has started for East Tennessee by way of Abingdon....The object of Lee's recent movement against Meade; his destruction of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, and subsequent withdrawal, without more motive..., would be explained by this hypothesis....I suggest that with all possible expedition, the Army of the Potomac get ready to attack Lee." Meade immediately disputes Lincoln's conclusions. He reports, "From all the information I can get, Lee's army is now between the Rappahannock and the Rapidan....It, would seem as if he intended to dispute the passage of the Rappahannock, and some indications that would lead to the belief of an intention to advance....I shall make every preparation with the utmost expedition to advance, and in the meantime select a cavalry command, and arrange the details for the raid ordered." Rather that withdrawing completely behind the Rappahannock River, Lee holds onto the Rappahannock Bridge. Protected by earthworks, this provides Lee with a bridgehead across the river. Colonel Gregg reports, "A staff officer, just returned from the front, reports that the enemy were met this morning at Bealeton and driven to the earth-works at Rappahannock Bridge, where they appear to be in strong force....The enemy have a large force of infantry, and more cavalry than I have."

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, October 23, 1863. - Hon. JAMES A. SEDDON, Secretary of War, Richmond: - SIR: I have not been able to ascertain the future movements of General Meade's army. Our scouts report that bridge timber and cross-ties have been brought forward to Broad Run, and that a portion of the enemy's infantry had advanced as far as Catlett's Station on the railway....It may be his intention to advance to Warrenton and bring his supplies to that point by the turnpike until the railroad is reconstructed....I hope you will endeavor to provide the army with shoes, clothing, and blankets, for the season is approaching when the want of these articles will entail great suffering and sickness on the troops, and incapacitate them for military movements. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant. R. E. LEE, General.

Upon his promotion to commander of all the Western armies, Ulysses Grant assigns "Cump" Sherman to his old position as commander of the Army of the Tennessee. Grant writes to Halleck: "Please approve order placing General Sherman in command of Department and Army of the Tennessee....I think it much preferable to leave departments as they are to consolidating the three into one." Grant also relieves Sherman of the arduous task of rebuilding the railroad along his line of march to Chattanooga. "Drop everything east of Bear Creek and move with your entire force toward Stevenson until you receive further orders....With your forces here before the enemy cross the Tennessee we could turn their position so as to force them back and save the possibility of a move northward this winter." Sherman is more that willing to accept this new assignment. He writes: "I will proceed at once to pass a division over the Tennessee to move to Florence....The railroad is now in fine order from Memphis to Bear Creek, but the break in the road beyond is serious and repairs proceed too slow....The Tennessee River is now available to us for supplies, and, if necessary, we could absolutely abandon the railroad."

HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Iuka, October 23, 1863. - Major-General HURLBUT, Commanding, Memphis: - DEAR GENERAL: I have this moment received the notice...that General Grant is to command the Armies of the Ohio, the Cumberland, and the Tennessee, and that I am to command the latter. I have striven hard to avoid large and independent commands, but am so impressed with the wisdom and importance of this change that I will undertake anything. I think my position here at the shoulder of the Tennessee is a great point for offense or defense, and I must make it tell....W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General.

Braxton Bragg turns his attention to Simon Bolivar Buckner, the general who allegedly wrote the petition calling for Bragg's removal. "The general commanding directs me to say that your Department of East Tennessee has been broken up by instructions from the President of the Confederate States....The troops now with you form a division of this army in the corps of Major-General Cheatham." Buckner is not happy with the demotion from commander of a department to that of a brigade. When he is not allowed to see a copy of the orders demoting him, Buckner complains: "I may perhaps be permitted to express my surprise that an order...affecting me so seriously as to change the whole character and location of my command, should never have been communicated to me until now, and that, even now, to say nothing of my right to see the order, I am as yet denied even the courtesy of receiving a copy of a paper so important in its character as to strip me, not only of my departmental command, but of nearly three-fourths of my troops." Bragg issues a tart response. "The case was so plain to my mind that, with the President, I supposed any educated soldier would appreciate it." In addition, the troublesome Leonidas Polk is transferred out of the Army of Tennessee. As a trade off for dropping his charges against Polk, Bragg accepts William Hardee as Polk's replacement. This is an ironic twist because Bragg originally had Hardee transferred out of the army because Hardee was perceived as undermining his authority. Now it is hoped that Hardee will be able to ease some of the tensions within the army's officer corps.

MERIDIAN, MISS., October 23, 1863. - General L. POLK, Atlanta, Ga.: You are relieved from duty with the Army of Tennessee and will relieve Lieutenant-General Hardee of the command of the troops he has been organizing in the Department of Mississippi. I leave to-night for Mobile, will remain to-morrow and next day at that place, and then proceed by railroad to Montgomery. Would be glad to meet you at either place, as may be convenient to you. JEFFERSON DAVIS.

Other activity reported on this date:
Skirmish at Warm Springs, NC.
Skirmish near Rappahannock Station, VA.
Skirmish at Sweetwater, TN.


[Sunday] [Monday] [Tuesday] [Wednesday] [Thursday] [Friday] [Saturday]
Oct 24 1863 (Saturday)

Ulysses Grant arrives in Chattanooga and immediately begins working to procure a supply route for the famished army. Charles Dana reports, "Grant arrived last night, wet, dirty, and well. He is just going to reconnoiter an important position which General Smith has discovered at the mouth of Lookout Valley, and which will be occupied from here simultaneously with Hooker's occupation of Raccoon Mountain." After investigating the plan cooked up by General "Baldy" Smith of capturing Brown's Ferry, Grant immediately orders General Hooker to begin moving his men into position. Grant reports, "One division of troops started this evening to Dave Rankin's Ferry, to seize that place, to enable Hooker to possess the roads to Mountain Creek. Once there we will have water communications to within 4 miles of here, and can supply this place with beef cattle, or have them driven here as required. Rations have been reduced." Smith explains his plan for opening a "cracker" line: "I found...a sharp range of hills, whose base was washed by the river. This range extended up the river nearly to Lookout Creek, and was broken at Brown's Ferry by a narrow gorge, through which ran the road to the old ferry....The ridge seemed thinly picketed, and the evidences were against the occupation of that part of the valley by a large force of the enemy, and it seemed quite possible to take by surprise what could not have been carried by assault, if heavily occupied by an opposing force."

HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE CUMBERLAND, OFFICE OF CHF. ENGR., Chattanooga. - GENERAL: The major-general commanding the department, visited with me [Brown's] ferry..., and...agreed as to the importance of the position by itself, and especially in connection with the movements to be made from Bridgeport to open the river, and I was directed to make the necessary arrangements for the expedition to effect the lodgment. To do this, 50 pontoons, with oars, to carry a crew and 25 armed men, were prepared, and also 2 flat-boats, carrying 40 and 75 men. The force detailed for the expedition consisted of the brigades of Brigadier-General Turchin and Brigadier-General Hazen, with three batteries, to be posted under the direction of Major Mendenhall, assistant to General Brannan, chief of artillery....Respectfully submitted. WM. F. SMITH, Brigadier-General, Chief Engineer, Comdg. Expedition.

Secretary of War Edwin Stanton issues orders codifying the treatment of blacks who come into Union controlled territory. Freed slaves will be put to work, and will not be "permitted to pass outside the Federal lines." In addition, one-quarter of the proceeds from any cotton picked by freed slaves on abandoned plantations will be used for their own benefit.

SPECIAL ORDERS No. 85. - NATCHEZ, MISS., October 24, 1863. I. All freed negroes who have sought the protection of the United States...are to be put to such labor as they may be competent to perform....II. Whenever cotton may be picked, ginned, and baled by negroes on abandoned plantations..., one-fourth of said cotton will be delivered to the commissioners, to be disposed of by them for the benefit of these negroes. III. Camps for freed negroes are to be considered simply as places of temporary refuge for such negroes incapacitated for military service as may come within our lines; and these camps are to be occupied only by such until opportunities offer to place them in position whereby they may support themselves....IV. All officers now serving in regiments of African descent who may have been mustered into the service of the United States at a date subsequent to the complete organization of their respective commands...are entitled to have their muster-roll dated from the time their commands actually numbered the minimum prescribed by law....V. The interests of the service rendering it important that the number of company officers in regiments of African descent, already organized, should be kept to the maximum number, commanders will immediately nominate such persons as may be deemed fitted to fill vacancies in their regiments....VI. The non-commissioned staff officers of the regiments of African descent will be mustered into the service of the United States from the time that the commanding officers of their regiments shall report their services as absolutely necessary. By order of the Secretary of War: L. THOMAS, Adjutant-General.

Other activity reported on this date:
Skirmish at Bealton, VA.
Skirmish at Liberty, VA.
Skirmish at Washington, LA.
Skirmish at Buffalo Mountain, AK.
Skirmish near railroad station at Harrison MO. Sergt. Mark E. Wynne was shot in the head and killed, while in the act of forcibly entering a house containing several guerrillas.

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