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 February 10, 1864
Six horses and ponies died in a fire in the White House stables in Washington. The President attempted to get the animals out, but to no avail.
The Confederate raider Florida came out of Brest, France, after being laid up since August, and evaded the watching U.S.S. Kearsarge. Two blockade-runners were destroyed by the U.S.S. Florida off Masonborough Inlet, North Carolina.
Thursday February 11, 1864
Federal Major General William T. Sherman continued to move upon Meridian, Mississippi.
Fighting broke out near Madisonville, Louisiana, and Lamar, Texas. Meanwhile, a Confederate raid under Major H.W. Gilmor attacked the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad near Kerneysville, West Virginia, throwing a train off the tracks and robbing the crew and passengers.
Friday February 12, 1864
In Missouri, fighting occurred near California House and at Macon. In Arkansas, a skirmish broke out at Caddo Gap, while skirmishes occurred at Wall Hill and Holly Springs, Mississippi as part of Major General William T. Sherman’s Federal Meridian Campaign.
Saturday February 13, 1864
In the Meridian Campaign, fighting flared between Chunky Creek and Meridian and at Wyatt, Mississippi, as Major General William T. Sherman’s men neared the important Mississippi waypoint.
Sunday February 14, 1864
MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI FALLS TO FEDERAL FORCES
Federal troops under Major General William T. Sherman entered Meridian, Mississippi, after a march from Vicksburg. General Leonidas Polk’s Confederates continued to fall back. The Federals would spend the next week in the Meridian area destroying railroads and supplies in the area.
Monday February 15, 1864
Confederate President Jefferson Davis was now concerned that Federal Major General William T. Sherman’s forces, which he originally thought was headed towards Mobile, Alabama, might, instead be marching towards Montgomery, Alabama, the former Confederate Capitol. Sherman’s troops were at Meridian.
Tuesday February 16, 1864
Confederate President Jefferson Davis, still concerned over supplies of food and other material his armies needed, solicited suggestions on how to remedy defects in the logistics.
Fighting took place at Lauderdale Springs, Mississippi; Fairfield, North Carolina; and at Indian Bay and Caddo Gap, Arkansas.
Two blockade-runners were halted near Wilmington, North Carolina. The Pet was captured by the blockade while the Spunky was chased ashore and destroyed.
Where Minnesota Regiments were the week of February 10-16, 1864
1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – En route to Fort Snelling for duty and mustering out of Federal service.
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.
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 - On duty at Fort Snelling and at frontier posts throughout Minnesota until May 24, 1864.
Brackett’s Battalion of Minnesota Cavalry – Battalion veteranized and detached from the 5th Iowa Cavalry, left Alabama and headed to Minnesota, where it arrived on February 25 for duty at Fort Snelling.
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.
