Information courtesy of the Minnesota Civil War Commemoration Task Force
Major Highlights for the week
Wednesday April 16, 1862
Confederate President Jefferson Davis approved an act of the Confederate Congress calling for the conscription of every white male between the ages of 18 and 35 for three years’ service. Exemptions included government officials, ferrymen, riverboat pilots, employees in iron mines and foundries, telegraph operators, ministers, printers, educators, hospital employees and druggists.
In Washington, President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill ending the practice of slavery in the District of Columbia.
Thursday April 17, 1862
The build-up of Federal troops on Ship Island, Mississippi, had been observed, and now in the passes and river below Forts Jackson and St. Philip there was the large fleet of Flag Officer David Glasgow Farragut, plus the mortar fleet of David Dixon Porter and transports with Benjamin F. Butler’s troops.
Friday April 18, 1862
In Virginia, Federal General Irvin McDowell, marching overland towards Major General George B. McClellan’s forces near Yorktown, occupied Falmouth near Fredericksburg. McDowell was between the Confederate Army and Washington, respecting the wishes of President Lincoln.
Saturday April 19, 1862
While the mortars boomed in the waterways of the Mississippi below New Orleans, Federal ponderously put pressure on Yorktown, Virginia. Henry Halleck was enlarging and reorganizing his army at Pittsburg Landing. There was less important fighting elsewhere. Edisto Island, South Carolina, saw another skirmish, as did Talbot’s Ferry, Arkansas; South Mills and Trent Road, North Carolina.
Sunday April 20, 1862
During the night, parties from the U.S.S. Itasca and Pinola tackled the troublesome river obstructions near Forts Jackson and St. Philip on the Mississippi river in a daring operation. Although explosives failed to work, the Federals managed to weaken and force a break in the barricade of old hulks and chains that blocked the Mississippi.
At Aquia Creek near Fredericksburg, Virginia, General Irvin McDowell met with President Lincoln and Secretaries Stanton and Chase, then escorted them back to Washington.
Monday April 21, 1862
The regular Confederate Congress adjourned after declaring certain classes of people exempt from military conscription. The only new fighting that occurred was a skirmish at Pocahontas, Arkansas.
Tuesday April 22, 1862
Additional Federal reinforcements swelled Federal General George B. McClellan’s already mighty ranks near Yorktown, Virginia, as the siege against Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston’s forces continued. In Arkansas Bay, Texas, daring Confederate raiders captured several Union launches.
Where Minnesota Regiments were the week of April 16-22, 1862
1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – Participated in the Siege of Yorktown, Virginia as part of McClellan’s Peninsula Campaign.
2nd Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On duty around Pittsburg Landing, Tenn.
3rd Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On garrison duty in Nashville, Tenn.
4th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – Began their movement to Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, Missouri, on April 20, 1862, arriving there on April 23.
5th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On garrison duty at Fort Snelling, Minn., with the exception of companies B, C and D which were detached for garrison duty elsewhere. Company B at Fort Ridgely, Minn., Company C at Fort Ripley, Minn., and Company D at Fort Abercrombie, Dakota Territory. The detached companies would serve in their outposts until November 1862.
Brackett’s Battalion of Minnesota Cavalry – Repaired roads and erected telegraph lines around Nashville, Tenn.
1st Minnesota Light Artillery Battery – In camp near Pittsburg Landing, Tenn.
2nd Independent Battery, Minnesota Light Artillery – Commenced move to St. Louis, Missouri on April 20, arriving there on April 25.
1st United States Sharpshooters, Company I – On garrison duty at Fort Snelling, Minn., until April 20, then moved to Washington, D.C.
2nd United States Sharpshooters, Company A – April 15-19, moved from Bristoe Station to Falmouth, Virginia, for duty.
