Comments for Today in the Civil War

Comment on March 21, 1862: Robert E. Lee to P.G.T. Beauregard by Alicne

Alicne — Wed, 09 May 2012 19:15:18 +0000

that day (march 21) in the day I was born in 2000

Comment on August 21, 1861: Sketch of Arlington Heights by 150 years ago in Middletown, Connecticut … Week of October 2, 1861 « Middlesex County Historical Society

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 13:20:47 +0000

[...] the startling news was received that the rebels have abandoned all their entrenchments fronting Arlington Heights, and the national troops now occupy their positions. Detachments from Gens. Richardson’s, [...]

Comment on July 21, 1861: Beauregard’s Report of the Battle of Manassa by Michael Berry

Michael Berry — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 10:45:44 +0000

Following the Federal defeat at Manassas it begins to sink in on both sides that the war will be long and bloody.

Comment on May 29, 1861: Henry & Mary Warner to John Warner by Michael Berry

Michael Berry — Sun, 29 May 2011 16:03:33 +0000

President Davis arrives in the new Confederate Capital, Richmond.

US Sec. of War, Simon Cameron accepts the aid of Miss Dorothea Dix in establishing hospitals and care for the sick and wounded.

Comment on May 21, 1861: CDV of Unidentified Girl by Michael Berry

Michael Berry — Sun, 22 May 2011 11:37:52 +0000

May 20 and 21

North Carolina joins the Confederacy making it the 11th and last state.
The Confederate Congress votes to move the Confederate Capital from Montgomery, Alabama to Richmond, Virginia.

In the west important maneuvers are taking place as pro union men attempt to make sure that Missouri does not become the 12th state to join the Confederacy.

In the United Kingdom, President Lincoln instructs US Minister to Britain, Charles Francis Adams, to, in effect, sever diplomatic relations if the British Government continues to have diplomatic conversations with agents of the Confederacy.

Comment on May 18, 1861: New York Herald by Michael Berry

Michael Berry — Thu, 19 May 2011 10:13:35 +0000

Arkansas is admitted to the Confederacy.

Union ships engage a Confederate land battery at Sewell’s Point, Va. and blockade the mouth if of the Rappahannock River. This latter action makes the blockade of Virginia more effective.

Comment on May 16, 1861: Henry and Mary Warner to John Warner by Michael Berry

Michael Berry — Mon, 16 May 2011 14:31:59 +0000

Yesterday Bg. Gen. Joseph E. Johnston is named to command troops near Harper’s Ferry. The Confederate privateer Calhoun seized the bark Ocean Eagle.

May 16, 1861–Tennessee is admitted to the Confederacy, but Kentucky declares neutrality.

Comment on May 13, 1861: Henry Warner to his Parents by Michael Berry

Michael Berry — Fri, 13 May 2011 14:41:38 +0000

Federal troops under the Command of Gen. Benjamin Butler, without orders, occupy Boston.

The United Kingdom declares neutrality and accords the rights of belligerents to both sides. This actually goes beyond what the United States government which opposed the recognition of the South as a belligerent, which meant the recognition of certain rights normally accorded to recognized nations.

Gen. McClellan assumes command of the Department of the Ohio and presumes to write to Gen. Scott to offer his ideas on the grand strategy that the North should pursue against the South.

Comment on May 10, 1861: Letter from Samuel Boone to Col. Ellsworth by Michael Berry

Michael Berry — Tue, 10 May 2011 15:42:52 +0000

St. Louis, Missouri–The Civil War reaches St. Louis. Pro Union forces under Capt. Nathanael Lyons and Francis Preston Blair make plans to seize Camp Jackson which is held by elements of the pro Southern Missouri state militia. Lyons takes the camp and marches the captured militia through the city. Gunfire erupts and approximately 28 citizens are killed.

Maryland passes a resolution calling on the North to halt it’s war against the South.

Gen. R.E. Lee is placed in command of all Virginia troops.

Comment on May 3, 1861: Pass for George Williams by Michael Berry

Michael Berry — Wed, 04 May 2011 10:41:18 +0000

President Lincoln issues a call for 42,034 3 year volunteers. This contravenes the widespread belief that the war against the south will be short.

The military department of the Ohio is created to be commanded by Gen. George B. McClellan.

Confederate commissioners arrive in England seeding official recognition of the Southern Confederacy. They are received by Foreign Minister Lord John Russell.

Gen. Scott begins to implement a blockade of the South to “envelop the insurgent States and bring them to terms with less bloodshed than any other plan.” This is ridiculed in the press as the “Anaconda plan”, but as the blockade becomes evermore effective it will be instrumental in bringing the Confederacy to her knees.