05/15, May 15th In Civil War History

Jimklag

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This date in Civil War history
Compiled by Mitchell Werksman and Jim Klag

May 15, 1861 - Robert Anderson promoted to Brigadier General

May 15, 1861 - Nathaniel Lyons [US] occupies Jefferson City, capital of Missouri. George Archibald McCall, USA, is appointed Brig. Gen.

May 15, 1861 - Bvt. Maj. Gen. George Cadwalader, PA Militia, supersedes Brig. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, USA, in the Dept. of Annapolis, MD. Brig. Gen. Butler is ordered to the command at Fortress Monroe, Hampton Roads, VA.

May 15, 1861 - The Federal expedition from Saint Louis to Potosi, MO, by order of Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Lyon, USA, to assist Pro-Union citizens.

May 15, 1861 - Brig. Gen. Joseph Eggleston Johnston, CSA, is assigned to the command of troops near Harper's Ferry, VA.

May 15, 1862 - James Green Martin, CSA, is appointed Brig. Gen.

May 15, 1862 - Skirmish at Chalk Bluff, AR, with the ferry there seized by the Federals.

May 15, 1862 - Col. James H. Carleton, 1st CA Infantry, relinquishes command of the District of Southern California.

May 15, 1862 - Federal expedition from California to the Arizona and New Mexico Territories, is organized as the Column from California, Col. James H. Carleton, 1st California Infantry, commanding.

May 15, 1862 - The CSS Alabama, is launched from its' berth at Liverpool, England.

May 15, 1862 - Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, USA, issues Order No. 28, which accuses any woman of pandering her profession who verbally insults any Federal soldier stationed at New Orleans, LA.

May 15, 1862 - Skirmish near Butler, Bates County, MO.

May 15, 1862 - Federal scout to Little Blue and skirmish near Independence, MO, with a Confederate ambush. (May 15-17)

May 15, 1862 - Skirmishes near Trenton Bridge, at Young's Cross-Roads, and Pollocksville, NC, with Col. Thomas J. C. Amory, 17th MA Infantry, commanding 1st Brigade, 1st Division. (May 15-16)

May 15, 1862 - Federal naval demonstration upon Galveston, TX.

May 15, 1862 - Federal reconnaissance toward the Memphis and Charleston Railroad and skirmish, TN.

May 15, 1862 - The engagement at Fort Darling, James River, VA, near Drewry's Bluffs, about 8 miles south of Richmond, VA, with Confederate defenses repulsing the following Union ironclads: Aroostook, Galena, Maratanza, Monitor, and the Port Royal, under Commander William Smith, USN, who is aboard the steamer USS Wachusett.

May 15, 1862 - Skirmish at Games' Cross-Roads, Rappahannock County, VA, as Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, CSA, withdraws his forces to within 3 miles of his nation's capital, Richmond, VA.

May 15, 1862 - Operations in the Shenandoah Valley, VA. (May 15-Jun 17) Maj. Gen. Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson's, CSA, Confederate command returns from McDowell to the Shenandoah Valley, VA.

May 15, 1862 - Skirmish at Linden, VA, as Confederate guerrillas attack Brig. Gen. Jonathan Geary, USA.

May 15, 1862 - Actions at and in the vicinity of Princeton, and Ravenswood, WV, with Maj. Gen. John C. Fremont, USA. (May 15-17)

May 15, 1862 - Action at Wolf Creek, WV, as Brig. Gen. Humphrey Marshall, CSA, under Brig. Gen. Henry Heth, CSA, is routed; Heth falls back to Jackson's River Depot.

May 15, 1863 - John Marshall Jones, CSA, is appointed Brig. Gen. James Alexander Walker, CSA, is appointed Brig. Gen.

May 15, 1863 - Skirmish at Fort Smith, AR.

May 15, 1863 - Skirmish at Big Creek, near Pleasant Hill, MO, with the guerrillas, under William Clarke Quantrill.

May 15, 1863 - The Confederate capture of the steamers, Emily and Arrow at Currituck Canal, near Elizabeth City, NC.

May 15, 1863 - Federal operations on the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad, and skirmishes:
(May 17) near Providence Church, and
(May 23) at Antioch Church and Barber's Crossroads,

May 15, 1863 - Federal expedition from West Point, aboard the US gunboat, Morse, to Robinson's Plantation, King and Queen County, VA, where the Union burn his barn full of grain suspected of being used by the Confederates.

May 15, 1863 - Federal scout from Parkersburg into Calhoun County, WV. (May 15-22)

May 15, 1863 - A portion of the Tredegar Iron Works and a nearby flour mill burn. Richmond, Virginia.

May 15, 1863 - Joe Johnston orders John Pemberton to break out of Grant's tightening noose. Pemberton refuses the order.

May 15, 1864 - Battle of Spotsylvania - Torrential rains bring active combat to a temporary, muddy pause.

May 15, 1864 - Battle of New Market - Major General John Breckinridge [CS], using a ragtag force that included VMI cadets attacked Franz Sigel's [US] line near the north fork of the Shenandoah River. Sigel eventually withdrew to Strasburg.

May 15, 1864 - Skirmish at Centre Star, AL, 14 miles from Florence, with the Federals whipping the Rebels, capturing 35, forcing the Confederates to withdraw across the Tennessee River.

May 15, 1864 - Skirmish near Dardanelle, AR, with Brig. Gen. Joseph O. Shelby, CSA.

May 15, 1864 - Skirmish at Armuchee Creek, at Tanner's Bridge, GA.

May 15, 1864 - Skirmish near Rome, GA, as Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman, USA, continues to confront Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, CSA.

May 15, 1864 - Skirmish at Avoyelles, or Marksville, Prairie, LA, the Red River (LA) Campaign.

May 15, 1864 - The Confederate attack on Mount Pleasant Landing, LA, where the Rebels capture the Union stockade there, burn the saw-mill and other buildings before being forced to skedaddle by the pursuing Federals.

May 15, 1864 - Skirmish near Strasburg, VA.

May 15, 1864 - Federal scout from Beverly through Pocahontas, Webster, and Braxton Counties, WV, captures 36 prisoners, 85 horses and 40 head of cattle. (May 15-30)

May 15, 1864 - Brig. Gens. William W. Averell's and George Crook's, USA, Cavalry commands unite at Union, WV.

May 15, 1865 - Federal scout against guerrillas from Pine Bluff to Johnson's Farm, AR, with skirmish (May 16th) on the Monticello Road. (May 15-17)

May 15, 1867 - Nebraska ratifies the 14th Amendment
 
May 15, 1862 - The engagement at Fort Darling, James River, VA, near Drewry's Bluffs, about 8 miles south of Richmond, VA, with Confederate defenses repulsing the following Union ironclads: Aroostook, Galena, Maratanza, Monitor, and the Port Royal, under Commander William Smith, USN, who is aboard the steamer USS Wachusett.

A few pix from Drewry's Bluff taken in 2013.
drewry1.jpg
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1802-Issac Ridgeway Trimble is born,M.G.,CSA.
1819-Thomas Leonidas Critterden M.G. ,USA, is born..lawyer and poltician.
1830-Lawrence Simmons Baker,B.G.,CSA,is born.
1865-Department of the South declares Browns call for a meeting of the legislature null and void.
1950-The State of Georgia presents a medal to the son of William Fuller in recognition of his fathers efforts during the "Great Locomotive Chase" -ceremony took place at the cyclorama in Atlanta.
 
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May 15, 1862 - The engagement at Fort Darling, James River, VA, near Drewry's Bluffs, about 8 miles south of Richmond, VA, with Confederate defenses repulsing the following Union ironclads: Aroostook, Galena, Maratanza, Monitor, and the Port Royal, under Commander William Smith, USN, who is aboard the steamer USS Wachusett.

A few pix from Drewry's Bluff taken in 2013.
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Thanks for taking all the time to do this. May 15th is such an interesting day. New Market, Spotsylvania, the CSS Alabama is launched! But I really like looking at all the small skirmishes.
 
Tomorrow May 15th marks the 159th Anniversary of the Battle Drewry's Bluff/Battle of Fort Darling Virginia. This battle was fought in Chesterfield County Virginia. The result was a Confederate Victory with the Confederate Commanders being CSN Commander Ebenezer Farrand/CSN Captain John Taylor Wood and Brig. General William Mahone with a force consisting of 8 artillery pieces, 1 fort and 1 shore battery. Casualties and losses will consist of 1 fort damaged and 15 killed or wounded. On the Union Side was USN Commodore John Rodgers commanding 3 ironclads and 2 gunboats. Casualties and losses will be 2 ironclads damaged, 2 gunboats damaged and 27 killed or wounded.
 
This weekend marks the 159th Anniversary of the Battle of Princeton Court House Virginia. This battle was located in what today is Mercer County West Virginia. This was a Confederate Victory. The Confederate Commander was Brig. General Humphrey Marshall with a force of Army of East Kentucky Department of Southwest Virginia. with casualties and losses of 4 killed and 12 wounded. The Union Army commander was Brig. General Jacob D. Cox with the Kanawha Division. with casualties and losses of 23 killed, 69 wounded and 21 missing.
 
Tomorrow May 15th Marks the 157th Anniversary of the Battle of New Market Virginia. This battle took place in Shenandoah County Virginia. This was the battle the Virginia Military Institute Cadets participated in which is very memorable. This battle was a Confederate Victory with Confederate Commander being Major General John C. Breckinridge with a force of 4,087. casualties and losses for the Confederacy in this battle was 531. The Union Army commander was Major General Franz Sigel commanding a force of 6,275. Union Army losses and casualties for this battle were 841.

New Market.jpg
 
Battle of New Market:
Today marks the 158th​ anniversary of the Battle of New Market. This battle can be remembered for the field of lost shoes and for the role of the Virginia Military Institute cadets involved. The battle was fought on May 15, 1864. Location of the battle was Shenandoah County, Virginia. This battle was part of the Lynchburg campaign.



Result of Battle: Confederate Victory :CSA1stNat:



Confederate Army Commander:
Major General John C. Breckinridge (Kentucky) 1821 – 1875

Confederate Army Strength: - (4,087)

Confederate Army casualties and losses: - (531)



Union Army Commander:
Major General Franz Sigel (Germany) 1824 – 1902

Union Army Strength: - (6,275)

Union Army casualties and losses: - (841)

New Market.jpg
 
Battle of Drewry's Bluff:
Today marks the 160th​ anniversary of the Battle of Drewry's Bluff. This battle is also known as the Battle of Fort Darling and Battle of Fort Drewry. Location of the battle was Chesterfield County, Virginia. The battle was fought on May 15th​, 1862. The battle was part of the Virginia Peninsula campaign.



Result of Battle: Confederate Victory :CSA1stNat:



Confederate Navy Commander:
CSN Commander Ebenezer Farrand (New York) 1803 – 1873

CSN Captain John Taylor Wood (Michigan) 1830 – 1904

Confederate Army Commander:
Brig. General William Mahone (Virginia) 1826 – 1895

Confederate Army Strength: - (8 Artillery pieces, 1 fort, 1 shore battery)

Confederate Army casualties and losses:

1 fort damaged

Killed/wounded: 15



United States Navy Commander:
USN Commander John Rodgers (Maryland) 1812 – 1882

United States Navy Strength: - (3 ironclads and 2 gunboats)

United States Navy casualties and losses:

2 ironclads damaged

3 gunboats damaged

Killed/Wounded: 27
 
Battle of Princeton Court House:
Today marks the start of the three – day 160th​ anniversary of the Battle of Princeton Court House. This battle was fought May 15th​, 1862, thru May 17th​, 1862. Location of the battle was Mercer County, West Virginia. The battle was part of Jackson's Valley campaign.



Result of Battle: Confederate Victory :CSA1stNat:



Confederate Army Commander:
Brig. General Humphrey Marshall (Kentucky) 1812 – 1872

Confederate Army casualties and losses:

Killed:
4

Wounded: 12



Union Army Commander:
Brig. General Jacob D. Cox (Ohio) 1828 – 1900

Union Army casualties and losses:

Killed:
23

Wounded: 69

Missing: 21
 
Thanks Rob. Interesting little battle many have never heard of, also know as Battle of Pigeon Roost by the Union.
April 1862 Col Rutherford Hayes pushed Confederate forces back to Princeton
May 1st Hayes continued to advance and Confederates withdrew from Princeton, Union forces passed though the town, continued until reaching Pearisburg. I'm not sure what day Cox arrives.
May 10th Confederates drive Union forces back to Princeton.
May ? Confederate forces are reinforced by Brigadier Gen Marshall's Army of East Kentucky.
May 16th Union troops are driven out of Princeton to a ridge (Pigeon Roost)
May 17th Cox re-enters Princeton and starts boosting his troop strength. As the 37th Ohio approaches the town the 51st Va catches them killing about 20, wounding 50 or so more and 14 POW. This was the last of the fighting.
 
Battle of New Market:
Today marks the 158th​ anniversary of the Battle of New Market. This battle can be remembered for the field of lost shoes and for the role of the Virginia Military Institute cadets involved. The battle was fought on May 15, 1864. Location of the battle was Shenandoah County, Virginia. This battle was part of the Lynchburg campaign.



Result of Battle: Confederate Victory :CSA1stNat:




Confederate Army Commander: Major General John C. Breckinridge (Kentucky) 1821 – 1875

Confederate Army Strength: - (4,087)

Confederate Army casualties and losses: - (531)



Union Army Commander:
Major General Franz Sigel (Germany) 1824 – 1902

Union Army Strength: - (6,275)

Union Army casualties and losses: - (841)

View attachment 440072
Since 1866 on May 15th VMI Roll Call includes calling out the names of the 10 cadets who gave the ultimate sacrifice at New Market. A lucky cadet is chosen to reply "Died on the Field of Honor, sir". Or ma'am as the case may be. At the end you can see cadets picking up the "Lost Shoes".
 
I apologize getting this out a day late but wanted to mention a relative who fell at Spotsylvania May 12. I think it's important honoring the men themselves as well as important dates that stand out in our history. Maybe more so as they're the ones that truly sacrificed giving importance to those dates.

My first cousin on mother's side, 3rd Corporal Lewis W. Minchew fought with the 26th Georgia, K Company of Gordon's brigade. He was killed in action at the Mule Shoe or Bloody Angle. We have no idea if it was early on at the Mule Shoe itself or in the 2nd line after being overwhelmed there, rallied in part by Gen. Lee who rode into their ranks. Lewis was twenty.
 
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