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 June 10, 1863
Citizens north of the Potomac River were already alarmed about an impending Confederate advance, even though the Confederate army was not on their soil. Major General Joseph Hooker, commanding the Federal Army of the Potomac, wrote to Lincoln that it was now the time to march on Richmond, Virginia. Lincoln replied, “I think Lee’s Army, and not Richmond, is your true objective point.”
Thursday June 11, 1863
Skirmishing occurred at Smith’s Bridge near Corinth, Mississippi; Scottsville, Kentucky; Jacksonport, Arkansas; and at Darien, Georgia.
In Ohio, Congressman Clement L. Vallandigham was nominated for governor by the Peace Democrats, although he was absent from the state. Although sent to the Confederacy by the order of President Abraham Lincoln, he was also unwelcome in the South and shipped off to Canada.
Friday June 12, 1863
The head of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s army crossed the Blue Ridge Mountains into the Shenandoah Valley towards Winchester, and engaged in skirmishes at Newtown, Cedarville and Middletown, Virginia.
Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens offered to President Jefferson Davis to take part in a mission to affect “a correct understanding and agreement between the two governments.”
In Washington, President Abraham Lincoln visited the War Department, greatly concerned over Lee’s movements.
Saturday June 13, 1863
The advance corps of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia drove in the Federal outposts at Winchester in the Shenandoah Valley and occupied Berryville, Virginia. Federal Major General Joseph Hooker’s Army of the Potomac began to move northward towards the Potomac River during the night, after nearly seven months in position on the Rappahannock River opposite Fredericksburg.
Fighting broke out at Opequon Creek, Bunker hill, and White Post, near Winchester, Virginia.
Sunday June 14, 1863
SECOND BATTLE OF WINCHESTER, VA
The 6,900-strong Federal garrison at Winchester, Virginia under Major General R.H. Miloy was attacked by two divisions of Confederate Lieutenant General Richard Ewell’s corps. Losses were small in the first day of fighting.
At Port Hudson, above Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Major General Nathaniel Banks called on the Confederates to surrender. When they refused, Banks ordered an assault at dawn. Two main spearheads advanced, gained some ground, but failed to break the lines. About 6,000 Federals advanced against 3,750 Confederates. Banks suffered 203 killed; 1,401 wounded and 188 missing for an aggregate total of 1,792. Confederate losses were light - 22 killed and 25 wounded for a total of 47. The siege continued at Port Hudson, and in Vicksburg, Mississippi.
Monday June 15, 1863
Major General R.H. Miloy’s troops began to withdraw from the Federal garrison at Winchester, Virginia, around 1 a.m. They were stopped by Confederates at Stephenson’s Depot, about four miles north of Winchester. After a sharp fight, some Federal units managed to escape towards Harper’s Ferry. Losses were heavy with 4,000 men reported captured or missing. There were 95 Federal dead and 348 wounded. The Confederates also seized 23 guns, 300 loaded wagons, over 300 horses, and large quantities of commissary and quartermaster’s stores. Confederates suffered 47 killed, 219 wounded and 3 missing for a combined loss of 269. The Confederate advance north continued.
Tuesday June 16, 1863
As the Confederates began to cross the Potomac River on their northward operation, with the Army of Northern Virginia strung out across a large part of Virginia, Federal Major General Joseph Hooker moved most of his Army of the Potomac to Fairfax Court house. He now became involved in an argument with his superior, Major General Henry W. Halleck, in Washington.
At Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, a reporter described the scene as a “perfect panic.” “Every woman in the place seemed anxious to leave,” and people loaded down with luggage crowded the trains. At the state capitol, books, papers, painting and valuables were packed for evacuation.
Where Minnesota Regiments were the week of June 10-16, 1863
1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – Left Banks Ford, Virginia on June 12, en route to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
2nd Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On duty at Franklin, Tennessee until June 23, 1863.
3rd Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – Participated in Siege of Vicksburg until July 4, 1863.
4th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – Participated in Siege of Vicksburg until July 4, 1863.
5th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – Participated in the Siege of Vicksburg until July 4, 1863.
6th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On duty at Camp Pope near Iowa City, Iowa until June 16, 1863.
7th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On garrison duty in Mankato and other points in Minnesota until June 16, 1863.
8th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – Marched to Fort Ridgely for duty until June 5, 1864.
9th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On garrison duty in various frontier Minnesota communities until June 16, 1863.
10th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – Regiment on detached service for garrison duty at various outposts in frontier Minnesota until June 16, 1863.
1st Regiment Minnesota Cavalry “Mounted Rangers” – Organized at St. Cloud, St. Peter and Fort Snelling for frontier duty against Indians until June 16, 1863.
Brackett’s Battalion of Minnesota Cavalry – On expedition to Lebanon, Tennessee.
1st Minnesota Light Artillery Battery – On duty during siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi, until July 4, 1863.
2nd Independent Battery, Minnesota Light Artillery – Participated in operations around the Edgeville Pike, Tennessee until June 23, 1863.
3rd Battery, Minnesota Light Artillery - Organized at Fort Snelling, Minnesota from the enlisted men of the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiments. On duty at Fort Snelling until June 16, 1863.
2nd United States Sharpshooters, Company A – Left Falmouth, Virginia on June 11, en route to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
