Information courtesy of the
Minnesota Civil War Commemoration Task Force
(www.mncivilwar150.com and “Minnesota Civil War 150” on Facebook)
Major Highlights for the Week
Wednesday August 6, 1862
The Federal ironclad Essex and four other vessels attacked the C.S.S. Arkansas at Baton Rouge. As had happened the day before, the Arkansas’s engines failed making her an easy target. The badly damaged vessel fought back despite a raging fire on board. The crew was ordered to abandon ship and she was blown up. The Confederates did not attempt to put formidable warships on the Mississippi River ever again.
More skirmishing occurred in Virginia around Malvern Hill, Thornburg, Beech Creek, Pack’s Ferry and in Kirksville, Missouri.
Federal Brigadier General Robert L. McCook, of the famous McCook clan of Ohio, died from wounds after being attacked by a party of Confederate guerrilla while he was ill and riding in an ambulance from Athens, Alabama to Decherd, Tennessee.
Thursday August 7, 1862
A public meeting in Blackburn, England advocated the recognition of the Confederate States of America because it was “impossible for the North to vanquish the South.”
Federal forces on Virginia’s Peninsula again withdrew from Malvern Hill.
Friday August 8, 1862
Despite the previous day’s meeting in Blackburn, British Prime Minister Lord Palmerston stated at a banquet that Britain would continue to preserve a “strict and rigid neutrality.”
After a series of firings into trains by Confederate guerrillas in Huntsville, Alabama, Federal authorities ordered that ministers and leading churchmen who had been active secessionists be arrested and one each day be placed on board the trains.
Skirmishing continued from Missouri to Virginia with fighting on Panther Creek, near Newtonia, Missouri; Slaughter’s House and Madison Court House in Virginia.
The Federal War Department issued orders to prevent evasion of military duty and for suppression of disloyal activities. At Baltimore, Maryland, arrests were made to prevent those seeking to evade the draft from leaving the area.
Saturday August 9, 1862
BATTLE OF CEDAR MOUNTAIN
The Federal Army of Virginia under Major General John Pope advanced from the area of Culpeper, Virginia, and headed south towards Orange Court House and Gordonsville. Major General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson’s corps was posted south of Culpeper with the intention of attacking a separate Union corps. Federal Major General Nathaniel Banks struck the first blow in the Battle of Cedar Mountain against two of Jackson’s divisions. When Confederate Major General Ambrose P. Hill brought up the third of Jackson’s divisions, Banks withdrew. Federal casualties were 314 killed, 1,445 wounded and 622 missing for a loss of 2,381 out of 8,000 engaged. Confederates suffered 1,341 total casualties out of approximately 17,000 engaged.
Sunday August 10, 1862
Skirmishing continued near Cedar Mountain, Virginia on this quiet Sunday. The Confederate steamer General Lee was captured near Fort Pulaski, Savannah, Georgia. Other fighting occurred at Switzler’s Mill and Linn Creek, Missouri; Nueces River near Fort Clark, Texas; along with Bayou Sara and Donaldsonville, Louisiana.
Monday August 11, 1862
Confederate guerrillas captured Independence, Missouri in a daring raid.
Major General Ulysses Grant ordered that fugitive slaves coming into his lines be employed in various departments.
Tuesday August 12, 1862
Confederate Colonel John Hunt Morgan was active again, capturing a Union garrison at Gallatin, Tennessee.
The U.S.S. Arthur captured the Confederate vessel Breaker at Aransas Pass, and the vessels Elma and Hannah were burned off the coast of Corpus Christi, Texas, to avoid capture by the Federals.
Where Minnesota Regiments were the week of August 6-12, 1862
1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – In camp at Malvern Hill, Virginia.
2nd Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – In camp at Athens, Alabama and then on to Winchester, Tennessee.
3rd Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – At Murfreesboro, Tennessee after receiving their parole.
4th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – At Jacinto, Mississippi for garrison duty.
5th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – Companies B, C and D remained in Minnesota and Dakota Territory on garrison duty while the remaining companies were moved to Rienzi, Mississippi.
8th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On frontier duty at various points in Minnesota: Anoka, Princeton, Monticello, Kingston, Manannah, Paynesville, Fort Ripley, Sauk Center, Pomme de Terre, Alexandria and Fort Abercrombie until May 1864.
Brackett’s Battalion of Minnesota Cavalry – On duty at Humboldt, Tenn., scouting and protecting the railroad.
1st Minnesota Light Artillery Battery – On garrison duty at Corinth, Miss.
2nd Independent Battery, Minnesota Light Artillery – On garrison duty at Ripley, Mississippi.
2nd United States Sharpshooters, Company A – On duty at Falmouth, Virginia.
