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 February 11, 1863
The Confederate commissioner to Great Britain James M. Mason addressed a Lord Mayor’s banquet in London in his continuing drive for British recognition of the Confederacy.
Thursday February 12, 1863
Action remained limited except for skirmishes near Smithfield and Charles Town, West Virginia.
On the Red River, the U.S.S. Queen of the West destroyed a train of twelve army wagons plus seventy barrels of beef and ammunition and stores from another wagon train. The U.S.S. Conestoga captured two steamers on the White River, Arkansas. The C.S.S. Florida captured and later destroyed the clipper ship Jacob Bell in the West Indies. The cargo was valued at over $2 million.
Friday February 13, 1863
The U.S.S. Indianola gunboat under George Brown passed Vicksburg batteries at night with two barges, without being struck, despite efforts of the Confederates.
At the White House, Mrs. Lincoln entertained the famous midget Tom Thumb and his bride.
Saturday February 14, 1863
On the Red River, the U.S.S. Queen of the West captured the Confederate New Era No. 5. A few hours later, while engaging Confederate batteries, the Queen of the West went aground. The steam pipe was severed and the vessel had to be abandoned. The men escaped mainly by floating to the U.S. Army steamer De Soto on cotton bales. The commander, Charles Ellet, put his crew on the captured New Era No. 5 and burned De Soto. Ellet blamed the loss of the Queen of the West on a disloyal pilot.
Sunday February 15, 1863
Skirmishing occurred at Arkadelphia, Arkansas; and at Auburn, Cainsville and Nolensville, Tennessee.
In Washington, President Lincoln was worried about the expedition being planned to attack Charleston, South Carolina.
Monday February 16, 1863
The U.S. Senate passed the Conscription Act.
Skirmishing broke out at Bradyville, Tennessee; Yazoo Pass, Mississippi; and near Romney, West Virginia. At Yazoo Pass, the action was part of the delaying operations of Confederates opposing Major General Ulysses Grant’s plan to move gunboats and men down the Yazoo River and to the rear of Vicksburg by the back door.
Tuesday February 17, 1863
The U.S.S. Indianola posted itself at the mouth of the Red River on the Mississippi River below Vicksburg, Mississippi, in its operations against Confederate riverboats. Confederate guerrillas attacked the Federal boat U.S.S. Hercules, and Federals burned Hopefield, Arkansas, near Memphis, in retaliation.
In Chicago, the order restricting circulation of the Chicago Times for it’s allegedly Copperhead sentiments was rescinded by Major General Ulysses Grant.
In Virginia, the armies along the Rappahannock River were plagued with heavy snow.
Where Minnesota Regiments were the week of February 11-17, 1863
1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – In camp near Falmouth, Virginia until April 1863.
2nd Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On duty at Nolensville, Tennessee.
3rd Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – In camp at Columbus, Kentucky until March 14, 1863.
4th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – Duty at White’s Station and Memphis, Tennessee until February 24, 1863.
5th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – Companies B and C had rejoined the regiment, which was on duty at Jackson, Tennessee, until mid-March 1863. Company D was the only regiment remaining in Minnesota in detached service and rejoined the regiment in mid-February 1863.
6th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On garrison duty at Fort Snelling, Glencoe, Forest City and Kingston until February 1863.
7th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On garrison duty in Mankato and other points in Minnesota until June 1863.
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.
9th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On garrison duty in various frontier Minnesota communities until June 1863.
10th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – Regiment on detached service for garrison duty at various outposts in frontier Minnesota until June 1863.
1st Regiment Minnesota Cavalry “Mounted Rangers” – Organized at St. Cloud, St. Peter and Fort Snelling for frontier duty against Indians until June 1863.
Brackett’s Battalion of Minnesota Cavalry – On duty at Fort Donelson, Tennessee.
1st Minnesota Light Artillery Battery – On march to Lake Providence, Louisiana for duty.
2nd Independent Battery, Minnesota Light Artillery – On duty at Murfreesboro Tennessee until June 4, 1863.
2nd United States Sharpshooters, Company A – In camp at Falmouth, Virginia.
