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 24, 1864
Confederate General Braxton Bragg was charged with the conduct of military operations in the Armies of the Confederacy, thus becoming in effect, chief-of-staff. Bragg, though still controversial, still enjoyed the trust of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, but his reputation had suffered from his defeat at Missionary Ridge and the constant conflicts with his generals.
The U.S. Senate passed a measure to revive the rank of lieutenant general, with Major General Ulysses Grant being clearly in mind. President Abraham Lincoln approved an act of Congress to compensate every Union master whose slaves enlisted in the Army, with the sum not to exceed $300 and the volunteer was to become free. The act also increased bounties for volunteers, redefined quota credits, increased penalties for draft resistance, subjected Negroes to the draft, provided that those who opposed bearing arms for religious reasons should be assigned non-combatant tasks with freedmen or in hospitals, and gave the President authority to call for such men as required.
Thursday February 25, 1864
Federal forces under Major General J.M. Palmer made their main effort at Buzzard Roost in the Demonstration on Dalton, Georgia. General Joseph E. Johnston’s Confederate positions proved too strong for the limited probing attack, and Palmer withdrew his forces to the main line of the Army of the Cumberland.
Confederate Major General John C. Breckinridge was assigned to command the Trans-Allegheny Department or Western Department of Virginia, relieving Major General Samuel Jones.
Friday February 26, 1864
Federal Major General William T. Sherman’s troops skirmished near Canton, Mississippi as their withdrawal after the successful Meridian Campaign neared completion.
A memorandum from President Abraham Lincoln confirmed his confidence in Major General Benjamin Butler and asked that the controversial general be sustained in his efforts. Lincoln also ordered that the death sentence of all deserters be commuted to imprisonment during the war, thus continuing his policy of leniency. The U.S. Senate completed passage of the bill that revived the rank of lieutenant general.
Saturday February 27, 1864
Near the town of Americus, Georgia, Federal prisoners of war began arriving at an unfinished prison camp, officially Camp Sumter, but known to history as Andersonville. Insufficient food, shelter, clothing, and accommodations soon made the prison notorious.
Sunday February 28, 1864
After preliminary planning in Washington, D.C., a 3,500-trooper strong Federal cavalry force under Brigadier General Judson Kilpatrick left the Rapidan River, intent on penetrating weakly held Richmond, Virginia and releasing Federal prisoners there.
Monday February 29, 1864
President Abraham Lincoln approved the congressional act reviving the grade of lieutenant general. It was clear that Congress and the President had Major General Ulysses S. Grant in mind for this promotion, the highest rank in the U.S. Army since George Washington’s time. Now retired, Winfield Scott was lieutenant general by brevet only.
Tuesday March 1, 1864
Both branches of the Federal cavalry raid on Richmond, Virginia were within a few miles of the Confederate capital. Wounded, veterans, office and factory workers, and home guards rallied to defend their city. Brigadier General Judson Kilpatrick approached with the larger Union force but decided against assault as the outer fortifications were too well manned. Kilpatrick turned east toward the Chickahominy River and the Peninsula. Colonel Ulric Dahlgren and his five hundred men coming from the west approached to within a little over two miles of Richmond by nightfall. Realizing that Kilpatrick had failed, Dahlgren withdrew in the dark, wet night.
As expected, President Abraham Lincoln nominated Major General Ulysses S. Grant for the newly created rank of lieutenant general.
Where Minnesota Regiments were the week of February 24-March 1, 1864
1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On duty at Fort Snelling prior to 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 – At Black River Bridge, Mississippi, for duty during the Meridian Campaign.
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 – The veteranized battalion arrived in Minnesota from Alabama and was on 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.
