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 December 30, 1863
Skirmishing occurred near St. Augustine, Florida and Greenville, North Carolina. Otherwise it was a day of rest along all fronts.
Thursday December 31, 1863
The last day of 1863 recorded a skirmish in Searcy County, Arkansas as the only fighting on this day.
Confederate President Jefferson Davis nominated Confederate Senator George Davis of North Carolina as attorney general, succeeding Wade Keyes, ad interim appointee.
Friday January 1, 1864
Extreme cold swept across much of the country with sub-zero temperatures as far south as Memphis, Tennessee and Cairo, Illinois as the New Year began. Even though the deep freeze caused much suffering among the soldiers of the armies, New Year’s Day ceremonies occurred at both White Houses.
Despite the cold, skirmishing broke out at Dandridge, Tennessee and Bunker Hill, West Virginia.
Saturday January 2, 1864
The Confederate Senate confirmed George Davis of North Carolina as the Attorney General for the Confederacy, succeeding Wade Keyes, who had served ad interim since September. Davis, formerly a pro-Union Whig, eventually supported secession.
Sunday January 3, 1864
Union cavalry entered Jonesville, in southwestern Virginia, driving out Confederates, marking yet another day of light fighting in the New Year.
Monday January 4, 1864
A minor affair occurred at Lockwood’s Folly Inlet, North Carolina, the only fighting marking the day. Confederate President Jefferson Davis was attempting to obtain needed food for General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. Meanwhile, the price of gold continued to rise steadily in the New York market.
Tuesday January 5, 1864
President Abraham Lincoln suggested to Congress that bounties to volunteers be continued for at least a month and that the subject be reconsidered despite a resolution of Congress prohibiting the payment of the $300.
Fighting continued to be of minimal significance with skirmishing occurring at Lawrence’s Mill, Tennessee and on the Pecos River near Fort Sumner, New Mexico Territory.
Where Minnesota Regiments were the week of December 30, 1863 - January 5, 1864
1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – In camp at Stevensburg, Virginia until February 5, 1864.
2nd Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On duty at Ringgold, Georgia until April 29, 1864.
3rd Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On garrison duty in Little Rock, Arkansas until April 28, 1864.
4th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On duty in Huntsville, Alabama until June 22, 1864.
5th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On duty in LaGrange, Tennessee to guard Memphis & Charleston Railroad until January 26, 1864.
6th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On duty at various Minnesota outposts for garrison duty until June 9, 1864.
7th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On duty in St. Louis, Missouri until April 20, 1864.
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 – Stationed at Rolla, Jefferson City, LaMine Bridge, Warrensburg, Independence, Knob Noster, Kansas City, Waynesville and Franklin with headquarters in Jefferson City until April 14, 1864.
10th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On garrison and provost duty at Benton Barracks, Missouri until April 21, 1864.
1st Regiment Minnesota Cavalry “Mounted Rangers” – Formally mustered out of service on December 7, 1863. Inactive.
2nd Regiment Minnesota Cavalry - Organized at Fort Snelling between December 5, 1863 and January 5, 1864.
Brackett’s Battalion of Minnesota Cavalry – Outpost duty on line of Tennessee River from south of Huntsville to Bellefonte, Alabama.
Hatch’s Independent Battalion of Cavalry - Companies A,B,C and D on frontier duty in Pembina until May 5, 1864.
1st Minnesota Light Artillery Battery – On duty at Vicksburg, Mississippi until April 4, 1864.
2nd Independent Battery Minnesota Light Artillery – On duty at Rossville, Georgia until March 21, 1864.
3rd Independent Battery Minnesota Light Artillery - Various sections of the battery were stationed at Fort Snelling, Fort Ridgely, Fort Ripley and Pembina until June 5, 1864.
2nd United States Sharpshooters, Company A – On duty around the Rapidan River, Virginia until May 4, 1864.
