Courtesy of the Minnesota Civil War Commemoration Task Force
Major Highlights for the week
Wednesday March 12, 1862
Federal naval forces under Lieutenant T.H. Stevens occupied Jacksonville, Fla. A skirmish occurred near Aubrey, Kansas; and a combined Army-Navy expedition sailed from Roanoke Island, N.C. to the mouth of the Neuse River near New Berne, N.C.
Confederate President Jefferson Davis wrote a hasty letter to General Albert Sidney Johnston bemoaning the Confederate losses in Kentucky and Tennessee and predicted that the Federals would make either the Tennessee or Mississippi River the next objective. Davis urged Johnston to concentrate his forces to thwart either attempt.
Thursday March 13, 1862
Union Major General George B. McClellan held a conference at Fairfax Court House, Va., to discuss his plans for the Peninsula campaign with his corps commanders. Major General Henry W. Halleck assumed command of the new Department of the Mississippi. Federal forces of John Pope bombarded the Confederate works at New Madrid, Mo. Fighting occurred at Spring River, Arkansas, and Beach Creek Bridge, Tennessee. Federal forces under Ambrose Burnside landed on the west bank of the Neuse River near New Berne, North Carolina.
Confederate President Jefferson Davis charged General Robert E. Lee with the conduct of military operations in the armies of the Confederacy, an advisory post that was never clearly defined.
Friday March 14, 1862
Federal forces under Ambrose Burnside capture New Berne, N.C. Federal casualties amounted to 471 total with 90 killed in action, while the Confederates sustained nearly 600 losses including 64 dead.
After severe Union cannonading, the Confederates evacuated the works at New Madrid, Mo., and fled to Island No. 10.
Confederate Major General John C. Pemberton was assigned to the Department of South Carolina and Georgia.
Saturday March 15, 1862
The Federal divisions of William T. Sherman and Stephen Hurlbut arrived at Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, while Major General Don Carlos Buell was ordered by General Henry W. Halleck to head from Nashville to Savannah, Tennessee, where he was to assist Grant’s army. Halleck exonerated Major General Ulysses Grant of the superficial charges stemming from the Fort Donelson campaign and restored him to field command replacing Brigadier General Charles F. Smith who was incapacitated by a leg injury. The Federal Department of Florida was merged into the Department of the South with Major General David Hunter in command from Hilton Head, South Carolina.
John Hunt Morgan carried out Confederate field operations near Gallatin, Tennessee.
Sunday March 16, 1862
There was light skirmishing in the Pittsburg Landing area of Tennessee as the Confederates attempted to find out what the Federals were up to. Other action occurred at Pound Gap, Kentucky, and Marshall, Missouri. San Francisco, California was under martial law and city defenses were increased due to rumors of a possible attack.
Monday March 17, 1862
General George B. McClellan began embarking his huge Federal Army of the Potomac en route to what later became known as the Peninsula Campaign. In Tennessee, Major General Ulysses Grant regained his active command as two additional divisions arrived. He set up his headquarters in a mansion at Savannah, north of the army concentration at Pittsburg Landing on the Tennessee River. Skirmishing occurred at Riddle’s Point, Missouri.
Tuesday March 18, 1862
In a major shakeup of the Confederate cabinet, Judah P. Benjamin was named Secretary of State to replace R.M.T. Hunter, who resigned and went to the Confederate Senate. George W. Randolph was appointed Secretary of War. Attorney General Thomas Bragg stepped down and was replaced by Thomas H. Watts.
The first units of Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston’s command began arriving into Corinth, Tennessee. A skirmish occurred at Middletown, Virginia; and Point Pleasant, Missouri.
Where Minnesota Regiments were the week of March 12-18, 1862
1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On the march from Leesburg to Winchester, Va. (12-15); in camp at Bolivar Heights, Va. (15-18)
2nd Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – Advance to Pittsburg Landing, Tenn.
3rd Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On the march to Nashville, Tenn.
4th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry - On garrison duty at Fort Snelling, Minn., Fort Ridgely, Minn., and Fort Abercrombie, Dakota Territory.
5th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – Began organizing at Fort Snelling, Minn. (15-18)
Brackett’s Battalion of Minnesota Cavalry - On patrol duty at Fort Henry, Tenn.
1st Minnesota Light Artillery Battery - On garrison duty at St. Louis, Mo.
1st United States Sharpshooters, Company I – Organized at St. Paul, Minn.
2nd United States Sharpshooters, Company A - Training at Colonel Hiram Berdan’s “Camp of Instruction”
