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 26, 1863
In a second effort, Federals captured the Confederate rifle pits in front of Battery Wagner on Morris Island, South Carolina. Other fighting took place at Rock Gap, near White Sulphur Springs, Moorefield and Sutton, West Virginia; Bayou Meto, Arkansas; and at Perryville, Indian Territory.
Former U.S. Secretary of War and Confederate general John B. Floyd died at Abingdon, Virginia.
Thursday August 27, 1863
At least ten separate skirmishes marked the day: Bayou Meto, Arkansas; Mount Pleasant near Vicksburg, Mississippi; Carter County and Clark’s Neck, Kentucky; Elk River, Glenville and Ball’s Mill, West Virginia; Edwards Ferry, Maryland; along with Little Washington and Weaverville, Virginia.
Friday August 28, 1863
Fighting occurred at Hartwood Church, Virginia; the Narrows near Shellmound, Tennessee; and at Jacksborough, Tennessee.
Saturday August 29, 1863
Operations against the Navajo Indians in New Mexico Territory intensified, and skirmishing occurred at Texas Prairie, Missouri. Activity mounted along the Tennessee River west of Chattanooga with a skirmish at Caperton’s Ferry, Alabama, as Federal Major General William Rosecrans army slowly and methodically moved south below Chattanooga to flank the Confederate-held city.
In Charleston Harbor, the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley was sunk with five men lost.
Sunday August 30, 1863
The breeching batteries once more inflicted heavy damage on Fort Sumter. Meanwhile, the Confederates continued to dig out guns from the rubble and move them to the city. A small transport steamer with troops on board was fired upon from Fort Moultrie by mistake and sank.
There was further skirmishing in Arkansas as part of the Little Rock Campaign at Washington and at Shallow Ford on Bayou Meto.
Monday August 31, 1863
Minor fighting marked the end of August with action on the Marais des Cygnes, Kansas; at Winter’s Gap, Tennessee; and Will’s Valley, Alabama.
Tuesday September 1, 1863
Fort Smith, on the western border of Arkansas, fell to Union forces, while in the eastern part of the state, operations proceeded against Little Rock. Fighting also broke out at Jenny Lind and Devil’s Backbone or Backbone Mountain, Arkansas.
In Charleston Harbor, mortar fire smote Battery Wagner on Morris Island, and heavy Parrott rifles and ironclads hammered Fort Sumter once more. Firing of 627 shots ended the second phase of the first major bombardment. Once more, Fort Sumter crumbled, and its magazine was threatened, but the garrison continued to shore up the ruins and remained defiant.
Federal Major General William Rosecrans Army of the Cumberland was crossing the Tennessee River, preparatory to moving on Chattanooga and General Braxton Bragg’s Confederate Army of Tennessee. The crossing, which lasted everal days, was largely unopposed.
Confederate President Jefferson Davis told Tennessee Governor Isham G. Harris that reinforcements and arms were being sent to Chattanooga and Bragg’s threatened army.
Where Minnesota Regiments were the week of August 26-September 1, 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.
