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 July 29, 1863
Major military moves of midsummer tapered off, although heavy skirmishing continued. Fighting occurred near Bridgeport, Alabama; near Fort Donelson, Tennessee and at Paris and Winchester, Kentucky, brought on by Confederate raids on occupied territory. Federal forces fought against Indians at Conchas Springs, New Mexico Territory, and at the Missouri River, Dakota Territory.
Thursday July 30, 1863
President Abraham Lincoln issued orders that the government of the United States would “give the same protection to all its soldiers, and if the enemy shall sell or enslave anyone because of his color, the offense shall be punished by retaliation upon the enemy’s prisoners in our possession.”
Skirmishing occurred near Elm Springs, Arkansas; near Lexington and Marshall, Missouri; Irvine, Kentucky; Grand Junction, Tennessee; and Barnwell’s Island, South Carolina.
Friday July 31, 1863
A momentous month which had seen the fall of Vicksburg and Port Hudson, along with the Battle of Gettysburg, came to a close with skirmishing at Lancaster, Stanford and Paint Lick Bridge, Kentucky; St. Catherine’s Creek near Natchez, Mississippi; and Morris’s Mills, West Virginia. In Virginia, Federal forces pushed across the Rappahannock River with fighting at Kelly’s Ford.
Saturday August 1, 1863
A cavalry action in the oft-fought-over area of Brandy Station, south of the Rappahannock River, marked the conclusion of the Gettysburg Campaign. Federal cavalry felt out the enemy and attempted to determine Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s plans.
In South Carolina, the Federals began the build-up for an attack on Battery Wagner and Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor.
The Federal War Department formally disbanded the Fourth and Seventh Army Corps.
Rear Admiral David D. Porter assumed naval command on the Mississippi River, where the major problems were now Confederate raids and firings upon Federals. Porter encouraged legal river trade.
Sunday August 2, 1863
As reconnaissance by both sides continued on the line of the Rappahannock River in Virginia, there was skirmishing at Newtown, Virginia; and at Stumptown, Missouri.
At Cummings Point on Morris Island, South Carolina, Federal forces attacked the Confederate steamer C.S.S. Chesterfield.
Monday August 3, 1863
As events began to quiet down along the Rappahannock River in Virginia, there was only one minor action elsewhere, including skirmishing at Ripley, Mississippi and Jackson, Louisiana. A Federal scout from Fort Pillow, Tennessee, skirmished near Denmark. The Federal Ninth Army Corps left the Vicksburg, Mississippi area for service in Kentucky and eventually eastern Tennessee.
Tuesday August 4, 1863
Minor fighting continued in Virginia with another skirmish at Brandy Station, plus action near Amissville and Fairfax Courthouse.
For four days, Federal naval guns had bombarded Battery Wagner in Charleston Harbor as the Yankees prepared the infamous “Swamp Angel,” a mammoth gun, for future operations.
Where Minnesota Regiments were the week of July 29 - August 4, 1863
1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On duty at Kelly’s Ford, Virginia until August 15, 1863.
2nd Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On duty at Winchester, Tennessee until August 16, 1863.
3rd Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On duty Helena, Arkansas until August 13, 1863.
4th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On garrison duty at Vicksburg, Mississippi until September 12, 1863.
5th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On duty at Bear Creek, Mississippi until October 14, 1863.
6th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry –Participated in Brigadier General Henry H. Sibley’s expedition in Dakota Territory until September 12, 1863.
7th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry –Participated in Brigadier General Henry H. Sibley’s expedition in Dakota Territory until September 12, 1863.
8th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On duty at Fort Ridgely, Minnesota until June 5, 1864.
9th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry –Participated in Brigadier General Henry H. Sibley’s expedition in Dakota Territory until September 12, 1863.
10th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry –Participated in Brigadier General Henry H. Sibley’s expedition in Dakota Territory until September 12, 1863.
1st Regiment Minnesota Cavalry “Mounted Rangers” – Participated in Brigadier General Henry H. Sibley’s expedition in Dakota Territory until September 12, 1863.
Brackett’s Battalion of Minnesota Cavalry – Participated in the Occupation of Middle Tennessee until September 6, 1863.
1st Minnesota Light Artillery Battery – On duty at Vicksburg, Mississippi, until April 4, 1864.
2nd Independent Battery, Minnesota Light Artillery – Participated in the Occupation of Middle Tennessee until August 16, 1863.
3rd Battery, Minnesota Light Artillery - Participated in Brigadier General Henry H. Sibley’s expedition in Dakota Territory until September 12, 1863.
2nd United States Sharpshooters, Company A – On duty in Virginia until October 1863.
