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 12, 1863
Heavy Parrott rifles opened from the low-lying sand batteries of Morris Island, South Carolina, firing against Fort Sumter and Battery Wagner. Although just a practice to establish the range, the firing marked the opening of a new Federal offensive in Charleston Harbor.
In Mississippi, a skirmish occurred at the Big Black River Bridge, while the Federal Ninth Corp’s First Division arrived in Covington, Kentucky en route to eastern Tennessee.
President Abraham Lincoln refused to give Major General John A. McClernand a new command. McClernand was relieved of corps command at Vicksburg by Major General Ulysses S. Grant.
Thursday August 13, 1863
On Morris Island, South Carolina, Federal guns continued to practice their firing against Fort Sumter, now from both land batteries and naval guns.
Skirmishes occurred at Pineville, Missouri; and Jacinto, Mississippi.
Friday August 14, 1863
In Charleston, South Carolina, Federal guns continued their practice firing for the third day in a row.
Most of the action occurred at Sherwood, Wellington and Jack’s Fork, Missouri; but skirmishing also occurred at West Point, Arkansas; and Washington, North Carolina.
Saturday August 15, 1863
As the month wore on, skirmishing occurred at Beverly Ford and Hartwood Church along the Rappahannock line in Virginia; and at Bentonville, Arkansas.
Sunday August 16, 1863
After urging from Washington, Major General William Rosecrans and his Army of the Cumberland commenced their march toward the Tennessee River and the Chattanooga from the area south of Tullahoma. Rosecrans delayed because, he said, of the ripening crops to be harvested, repair of railroads, and need of support on both flanks.
In Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, Federal guns on Morris Island resumed their practice firing. For the past several weeks at Fort Sumter, crews of laborers were filling in damaged masonry with sand, strengthening the faces near Morris Island, and removed many of the guns, which left the garrison of five hundred with only thirty-eight artillery pieces left.
Federal Major General Gouverneur K. Morris assumed command of the Second Corps, replacing Brigadier General William Hays.
Monday August 17, 1863
BOMBARDMENT OF FORT SUMTER
With reverberating roars accelerating in frequency, the eleven guns of the Federal breeching batteries on Morris Island, aided by naval armament, fired a total of 938 shots in the first major bombardment of Fort Sumter. Batteries Wagner and Gregg were also fired upon. Sumter’s brick walls crumbled under the blows of the Parrotts, including the two-hundred-pounder “Swamp Angel.” But the rubble and sand formed an even more impregnable bulwark against the Federal fire.
Tuesday August 18, 1863
The second day of heavy bombardment at Charleston against Fort Sumter and Battery Wagner showed that the Federals were tenacious in their attempts to reduce the Confederate forts. Although severely damaged, the Confederate garrisons held on despite the pounding fire.
President Abraham Lincoln tested the new Spencer rifle in Washington by firing a few shots in Treasury Park.
Where Minnesota Regiments were the week of August 12-18, 1863
1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On detached duty in New York City until September 16, 1863.
2nd Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On the march through the Cumberland Mountains and Tennessee River for the Chickamauga Campaign.
3rd Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On the march to Little Rock, Arkansas until September 10, 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 – On the march through the Cumberland Mountains and Tennessee River for the Chickamauga Campaign.
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.
