04/12, April 12th In Civil War History

Jimklag

Lt. Colonel
Joined
Mar 3, 2017
Location
Chicagoland
This date in Civil War history
Compiled by Mitchell Werksman and Jim Klag

April 12, 1787 - Philadelphia's Free African Society forms

April 12, 1844 - Texan envoys sign Treaty of Annexation with the United States

April 12, 1861 - April 13, 1861 - Beginning at 4:30 am on the 12th and continuing until the morning of the 13th, Confederate batteries along the shore of Charleston Harbor under P.G.T. Beauregard fire on Fort Sumter under the command of Major Robert Anderson. Anderson arranges a surrender with Texas Senator Louis Wigfall on the morning of the 13th.

April 12. 1861 - The reinforcements from Fortress Monroe, VA, and a detachment of marines, land on Santa Rosa Island, at Fort Pickens, Pensacola, FL.

April 12, 1861 - May 10, 1865 - The American Civil War

April 12, 1862 - Brig. Gen. Adley Hogan Gladden, CSA, dies near Corinth, MS, from complications of his wound received at the Battle of Shiloh, TN, on Apr 6

April 12, 1862 - William Yarnel Slack, CSA, is appointed Brig. Gen.

April 12, 1862 - Federal expedition to Bear Creek, AL, by Brig. Gen. William T. Sherman, USA. (Apr 12-13)

April 12, 1862 - The Great Locomotive Chase begins at Marietta, GA, as Mr. James J. Andrews commandeers the Confederate locomotive, General, is pursued and finally caught by the locomotive, Texas, north of Ringgold, GA. 8 were executed, Andrews included; 8 escaped from prison, and 6 were paroled.

April 12, 1862 - Skirmish at the Little Blue River, MO.

April 12, 1862 - Skirmish at Monterey, VA, with Brig. Gen. Robert Milroy, USA.

April 12, 1862 - The command of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, CSA, is extended over the Depts. of Norfolk and the Peninsula, VA.

April 12, 1862 - Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Prentiss Banks, USA, assumes the command of the Dept. of the Shenandoah, VA.

April 12.1962 - Federal raid from Fairmont to Valley River and Boothsville, Marion County, WV, sent by Brig. Gen. Benjamin F. Kelley, USA, to capture or kill certain individuals in the area trying to raise companies of volunteers for the Confederate cause; the raid being successful with most of the men killed.

April 12, 1862 - Combining the Confederate Army of the Potomac with John Magruder's Army of the Peninsula and a large garrison at Norfolk, President Jefferson Davis creates the Army of Northern Virginia.

April 12, 1863 - Federal expedition from Camp Babbitt to Keysville, CA, against Indians, thought to be Tehachapie and Owen's River Indians, were surrounded; the old men and boys were released while the other bucks (about 35) were either shot or sabered to death. (Apr 12-24)

April 12, 1863 - Affair on the Amite River, LA, where the Confederates attempt to recover guns, etc. from the scuttled Union gunboat there.

April 12, 1863 - Engagement at Fort Bisland (Bethel Place or Bayou Teche), near Centreville, LA, including the destruction of the Queen of the West, (Apr 14) which was captured and in Confederate use. (Apr 12-13)

April 12, 1862 - Destruction of the Confederate steamer, the Stonewall Jackson, just from Nassau, by her own crew who feared capture, near Long Island, SC.

April 12, 1863 - Skirmish at Stewartsboro, TN, with a Confederate rout.

April 12, 1863 - Skirmishes on the Edenton, Providence Church, and Somerton Roads, VA, as Lieut. Gen. James Longstreet, CSA, moves on Suffolk, VA. (Apr 12-13)

April 12, 1863 - Federal reconnaissance from Gloucester Point to the vicinity of Hickory Forks, VA, and the burning of a civilian grain mill.

April 12, 1863 - Federal reconnaissance from Winchester up Cedar Creek Valley, VA. 4/12-13/1863.

April 12, 1863 - President Lincoln receives a letter from Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker, USA, who suggests a movement around Gen. Robert E. Lee's flank to Richmond, VA, which is contrary to their discussions just held where Lincoln reminded Hooker that Lee's Army must be Hooker's main goal.

April 12, 1863 -The siege of Suffolk - General James Longstreet surrounds Suffolk in southeastern Virginia.

April 12, 1864 - Skirmish at Van Buren, AR.

April 12, 1864 - Skirmish near Fremont's Orchard, on the north side of the Platte River, the Colorado Territory, where the Federals attack and kill many Indians purported to have been harassing the ranchers there. From the arrows sticking in some of the Yankees, it appears they are Cheyenne.

April 12, 1864 - The Engagement at Blair's (or Pleasant Hill) Landing, LA, including the participation of the Union gunboats, Lexington, and the Osage, the Red River (LA) Campaign. (Apr 12-13) Brig. Gen. Thomas Green, CSA, is mortally wounded at the engagement at Blair's Landing, LA, by an exploding shell fired from the Federal Gunboats that accompanied Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks', USA, Red River Campaign Expedition.

April 12, 1864 - Skirmish at Fort Bisland, LA.

April 12, 1864 - Federal expedition from Point Lookout, MD, to Westmoreland County, VA, to search for Rebel contraband goods; 3 Union gunboats as well as the 36th US Colored Infantry participating. (Apr 12-14)

April 12, 1864 - Maj. Gen. Simon B. Buckner, CSA, assumes the command of the Confederate Dept. of East Tennessee.

April 12, 1864 - Skirmish at Pleasant Hill Landing, TN.

April 12, 1864 - The Confederate capture of Fort Pillow, TN, by Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, CSA, and the reported massacre of Union troops, the majority of whom were black.

April 12, 1865 - The Union forces, under Maj. Gen. Eward R. S. Canby, USA, occupy Mobile, AL, the Mobile, AL, Campaign.

April 12, 1865 - Skirmish on the Columbus Road, near Montgomery, AL, with Brig. Gen. James H. Wilson, USA.

April 12, 1865 - The Union forces, under Brig. Gen. James H. Wilson, USA, occupy Montgomery, AL.

April 12, 1865 - Federal scout from Tallahassa Mission, the Indian Territory, in the direction of Concharty, with a long range skirmish with outlaws. (Apr 12-13)

April 12, 1865 - Federal expedition from Port Hudson to Jackson, LA, with the Union capture of various Confederate officers and men. (Apr 12-13)

April 12, 1865 - Federal scout against Indians, from Dakota City, the Nebraska Territory, to Elk Creek, the West Fork of Badger Creek, westerly toward the South Fork of the Elk Creek, thence up to the Chalk Branch, finding and capturing some Omaha Indians, probably from the Omaha Indian Reserve. (Apr 12-16)

April 12, 1865 - Federal scout from Fort Stanton, the New Mexico Territory, in pursuit of 4 Indians who stole a few head of cattle from a ranch on the Carrizo and Ruidoso Creeks. The Yankees pursue; the Indians split up; the Federals track one lone Indian for days on end, through canons, brush, mountains, etc. He was able to evade them until the Yankees give up and return to their Fort. (Apr 12-25)

April 12, 1865 - President Jefferson Davis meets with Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, CSA, at Greensborough, NC, and permits Johnston to meet with Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman, USA, to discuss the issue of surrender.

April 12, 1865 - Action near Raleigh.NC, with Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman, USA, and Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, CSA.

April 12, 1865 - Skirmish near Raleigh, NC, with Sherman and Johnston.

April 12, 1865 - The Union forces under Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman, USA, occupy Raleigh, NC, the capital of North Carolina.

April 12, 1865 - Skirmish at Grant's Creek, near Salisbury, NC, with Maj. Gen. George Stoneman, USA.

April 12, 1865 - Engagement at Salisbury, NC, with Maj. Gen. George Stoneman. The Union forces, under Maj. Gen. George Stoneman, USA, occupy Salisbury, NC, capturing over 1,300 Confederate prisoners.

April 12, 1865 - Action at Swift Creek, NC, with Gen. Joseph E. Johnston and Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman.

April 12, 1865 - Maj. Gen. Joshua Chamberlain, USA, receives the official surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia by Maj. Gen. John Brown Gordon, CSA, at Appomattox Court-House (or Clover Hill).
 
Busy day on this day. Fort Sumter, Great Locomotive Chase, ANV created, Fort Bisland, Blair's Landing, Thomas Green killed, Fort Pillow, Mobile, Montgomery AL and Raleigh NC occupied...
 
April 12, 1865 - Maj. Gen. Joshua Chamberlain, USA, receives the official surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia by Maj. Gen. John Brown Gordon, CSA, at Appomattox Court-House (or Clover Hill).
Love this moment in the narrative. 2 officers, mere civilians prewar, who rose through the ranks due to talent for command, seeing their respective armies march one final time. Chamberlain and Gordon both give great accounts of this moment.
Will admit to being a fanboy of those 2, not going to lie.
 
Articles about the Great Locomotive Chase and Andrews Raiders.

Great Locomotive Chase.jpg


Great Locomotive Chase 1.jpg


Great Locomotive Chase 2.jpg
 
Battle of Fort Pillow:
Today marks the 158th​ anniversary of the Battle of Fort Pillow. This battle took place on April 12th​, 1864. Location of the battle was Lauderdale County, Tennessee.



Result of Battle: Confederate Victory :CSA1stNat:


Confederate Army Commander:
Major General Nathan Bedford Forrest (Tennessee) 1821 – 1877

Brig. General James R. Chalmers (Tennessee) 1831 – 1898

Confederate Army Strength – (around 1,500 – 2,500)

Confederate Army Casualties and losses:
Killed: 14
Wounded: 86



Union Army Commander:


Major Lionel F. Booth 1838 – 1864 – (Killed)

Major William Frederick Bradford 1827 – 1864 – (Mortally Wounded)


Union Army Strength – (around 600)


Union Army casualties and losses:
Killed: 221
Wounded: 130

Fort Pillow.jpg
 
Battle of Blair's Landing:
Today marks the start of the two – day 158th​ anniversary of the Battle of Blair's landing. This battle took place on April 12th​ thru 13th​, 1864. Location of the battle was Red River Parish, Louisiana.



Result of Battle: Union Victory :us34stars:



Union Army Commander:
Brig. General Thomas Kilby Smith (Ohio) 1820 – 1887

Union Navy Commander: Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter (Pennsylvania) 1813 – 1891

Union Casualties and losses: 7



Confederate Army Commander:
Brig. General Thomas Green (Texas) 1814 – 1864 - (Killed)

Confederate Army casualties and losses: around 200

Blair.jpg


Blair 1.jpg
 
Battle of Fort Sumter:
Today marks the 161st​ anniversary of the Battle of Fort Sumter. The battle was a two – day battle that marked the beginning of the war. The battle was fought on April 12th​ thru 13th​, 1861. Location of Fort Sumter is in Charleston South Carolina.



Result of Battle: Confederate Victory :CSA1stNat:



Confederate Army Commander:
Brig. General P. G. T. Beauregard (Louisiana) 1818 – 1893


Confederate Army Strength
– (between 500 – 6,000 estimated)

Confederate Army casualties and losses: 0



United States Army Commander:
Major Robert Anderson (Kentucky) 1805 – 1871

United States Army strength – (85)

United States Army casualties and losses: 0

Fort Sumter.jpg
 
Battle of Fort Bisland:
Today marks the 159th​ anniversary of the Battle of Fort Bisland. The battle of Fort Bisland was a two – day battle fought on April 12th​ thru 13th​, 1863. Location of the Battle of Fort Bisland was St. Mary Parish, Louisiana.


Result of Battle: Union Victory :us34stars:


Union Army Commander:
Major General Nathaniel P. Banks (Massachusetts) 1816 – 1894

Union Army casualties and losses: 234



Confederate Army Commander:
Major General Richard "Dick" Taylor (Louisiana) 1826 – 1879

Confederate Army casualties and losses: 450

Fort Bisland.jpg
 
Battle of Fort Pillow:
Today marks the 158th anniversary of the Battle of Fort Pillow. This battle took place on April 12th, 1864. Location of the battle was Lauderdale County, Tennessee.


Confederate Army Casualties and losses:
Killed: 14
Wounded: 86
Some may not know but the State Park erected a Honor Roll of names of soldiers killed in the Battle. This was installed in the Interpretive Center just prior to the 150th Anniversary. Some of the names on the list are who I would classify as Mortally Wounded

The wall plaque is difficult to photograph as it is a very shiny board in a dark room.
The BLACK section of the plaque are the African-American soldiers and their White officers who were KIA's.
However, this list includes names of a few who were taken Prisoner.
FTPillow Honor Roll.JPG


The Light Blue section are the white soldiers of the Bradford's (13th) Tennessee Cavalry.
The Red section are the Confederate KIA's out of 100 total casualties. It accurately omits Lt-Col. Wiley Reed as he was Morally Wounded.
FTPillow Honor Roll CS.JPG
 
Some may not know but the State Park erected a Honor Roll of names of soldiers killed in the Battle. This was installed in the Interpretive Center just prior to the 150th Anniversary. Some of the names on the list are who I would classify as Mortally Wounded

The wall plaque is difficult to photograph as it is a very shiny board in a dark room.
The BLACK section of the plaque are the African-American soldiers and their White officers who were KIA's.
However, this list includes names of a few who were taken Prisoner.
View attachment 437265

The Light Blue section are the white soldiers of the Bradford's (13th) Tennessee Cavalry.
The Red section are the Confederate KIA's out of 100 total casualties. It accurately omits Lt-Col. Wiley Reed as he was Morally Wounded.
View attachment 437266
Steve,

You recognize that plaque as being inaccurate. It should be taken down because of its inaccuracies. I don't even look at it when I visit.

I was at Fort Pillow on April 9, 2022, to place two wreaths (one inside the fortification and at the other at the VC flag pole), scatter rosemary and white carnations and place three flags. It was a nice, sunny and silent day that allowed me, my two friends and mom to reflect on what happened there 158 years ago. It is always a sad occasion. I try to picture where my great grandfather was before he was lost consciousness. I leave it to God for sparing his life while others surrounding him died horrible deaths. Sad. And then the visit at the Memphis National Cemetery where I placed a wreath on April 12, 2022, was a sad, sunny and silent day. All the unknown graves surrounded by Captain Carson. It is just and right that he is buried with the hundreds men he recruited and mustered in to service at Corinth. But, this is what I do. There is a need to remember these men as something other than unknowns.

-Yulie
 
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And then the visit at the Memphis National Cemetery where I placed a wreath on April 13, 2022, was a sad, sunny and silent day.
That is today! Right?

I made a quick visit to Fort Pillow State Park on Tuesday, the Anniversary. I have not bern able to get up there but once this last year and I missed the Anniversary last year. It was time for a visit.

BTW, as I understand the Tennessee state law, no city can remove a statue, monument and maybe marker without approval by the State Historical Commission or they loose State funding. That may not apply to State Parks.
 
That is today! Right?

I made a quick visit to Fort Pillow State Park on Tuesday, the Anniversary. I have not bern able to get up there but once this last year and I missed the Anniversary last year. It was time for a visit.

BTW, as I understand the Tennessee state law, no city can remove a statue, monument and maybe marker without approval by the State Historical Commission or they loose State funding. That may not apply to State Parks.
No. There was nothing held at the Memphis National Cemetery in the Fort Pillow section. I understand that something is planned for in June. I stopped on my way back home on April 12, 2022, and placed a wreath. I had a another nice visit with Calvin Jackson, the Program Specialist. He is a wealth of information. He had to help me again find the headstone for Captain Delos Carson. It only reads "Capt. Carson." That bothers me. I think there is a need to correct that.

The plaque inside the Visitor's Center was paid for and gifted by the Williams' family (descendants of Pvt. Peter Williams, 6th USCHA, Co. A -- 11th USCI, Co. A). It was there when I first visited in 2006. I don't know where the primary documentation comes from. It's not correct. The Williams' family are my friends and I've spoken to them about it. I have issues with anything that is incorrect to remain in place.

-Yulie
 
The plaque inside the Visitor's Center was paid for and gifted by the Williams' family (descendants of Pvt. Peter Williams, 6th USCHA, Co. A -- 11th USCI, Co. A).
Prior to 2014, I was visiting Ft Pillow State Park 2 or 3 times a year for hikes and tours. I never saw the Honor Roll Marker until that year. That is the year they began installing the colored plaques inside and outside.

Fort Pillow State Park will have its Living History on April 23rd---the following Saturday.
 
Some may not know but the State Park erected a Honor Roll of names of soldiers killed in the Battle. This was installed in the Interpretive Center just prior to the 150th Anniversary. Some of the names on the list are who I would classify as Mortally Wounded

The wall plaque is difficult to photograph as it is a very shiny board in a dark room.
The BLACK section of the plaque are the African-American soldiers and their White officers who were KIA's.
However, this list includes names of a few who were taken Prisoner.
View attachment 437265

The Light Blue section are the white soldiers of the Bradford's (13th) Tennessee Cavalry.
The Red section are the Confederate KIA's out of 100 total casualties. It accurately omits Lt-Col. Wiley Reed as he was Morally Wounded.
View attachment 437266
At the bottom of the third row is Samuel Tangsley (Co.B, 6thHA/11thUSCT).

Here's an index card to a pension file for a Samuel Tankersley. Sometimes they reference a mother or widow as being the one who applied for the pension. I don't see that on this card.

Tankersley, Samuel.jpg
 
At the bottom of the third row is Samuel Tangsley (Co.B, 6thHA/11thUSCT).
What I am reading is: 7 U S C H A and 1 Tenn C H A (nor familiar with this unit) and 11 U S C Infy.

The name on the Plaque is Samuel Tangsley
I think this is a different soldier than the record you have.
Honor Roll Tangsley.JPG


If you check the service records of the 11th USCT(New), his records is filled under Taughsley.
You will find that they filled out a Prisoner Form that states: No Record Sub(since?) 11 April 1864.

Then there is a Death Certificate. Name looks like Thusley(?).
Tangsley Samuel  DeathCert A.JPG


missing in action since April 12, 1864 at Fort Pillow and supposed to have been killed.
Tangsley Samuel DeathCert.JPG


One of his index cards with comment.

Tangsley Samuel card.JPG


No mention of the spelling TANKERSLEY.
 
What I am reading is: 7 U S C H A and 1 Tenn C H A (nor familiar with this unit) and 11 U S C Infy.

The name on the Plaque is Samuel Tangsley
I think this is a different soldier than the record you have.
View attachment 469593

If you check the service records of the 11th USCT(New), his records is filled under Taughsley.
You will find that they filled out a Prisoner Form that states: No Record Sub(since?) 11 April 1864.

Then there is a Death Certificate. Name looks like Thusley(?).
View attachment 469595

missing in action since April 12, 1864 at Fort Pillow and supposed to have been killed.
View attachment 469594

One of his index cards with comment.

View attachment 469596

No mention of the spelling TANKERSLEY.
I'm fairly certain it's the same person. Several unit names are given on the card. They are all the same unit.

The 6th Heavy Artillery was also known at times as the 7th and then later became the 11th USCT (new).

6th.jpg



11th.jpg
 
I'm fairly certain it's the same person. Several unit names are given on the card. They are all the same unit.

The 6th Heavy Artillery was also known at times as the 7th and then later became the 11th USCT (new).
Yes, it's hard to say.
I am not good at searching pension records. I was confirming each name on the plaque by going to the service records. It is puzzling what they wrote on the Death Certificate: Thusley , Thensley.

The people who researched the plaque did use some pension files. But I'm sure they used the same records that I have used.
 
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