05/21, May 21st In Civil War History

Jimklag

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

May 21, 1787 - Delegates from 7 states arrive in Philadelphia. Work on the Constitution begins

May 21, 1832 - Democratic-Republicans hold a convention in Baltimore, nominating Andrew Jackson for President and Martin Van Buren for Vice-President.

May 21, 1838 - Congress rescinds the Specie Circular.

May 21, 1856 - Samuel Jones, a pro-slavery sheriff leads a band of border ruffians on a raid against Lawrence, Kansas.

May 21, 1861 - Missouri declares its neutrality in the Civil War.

May 21, 1861 - Confederate Congress votes to move its capital from Montgomery to Richmond, Virginia.

May 21, 1861 - Col. John B. Magruder, Provisional Army of VA, is assigned to the command at Yorktown, VA.

May 21, 1861 - Brig. Gen. M. L. Bonham, CS A, is assigned to the command on the "Alexandria Line," VA.

May 21, 1861 - The convention and proclamation between Brig. Gen. Harney, USA, and Maj. Gen. Sterling Price, the Missouri State Guard, whereby Harney agreed not to bring any Federal troops into the state if Price can maintain law and order, effectively giving control to the Pro-southern force.

May 21, 1862 - Skirmish at Village Creek, AR.

May 21, 1862 - Skirmish at Widow Serratt's, near Corinth, MS, with Maj. Gen. Henry Wager Halleck, USA.

May 21, 1862 - Affair at Paraje, the New Mexico Territory.

May 21, 1862 - Affair near Battery Island, SC.

May 21, 1862 - The Union Army advances across Bottom's Bridge, on the Chickahominy River, VA.

May 21, 1862 - Confederate reconnaissance from Front Royal to Browntown, VA, as Maj. Gen. Richard S. Ewell, CSA, combines his forces under Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Jackson, CSA.

May 21, 1863 - Federal scout from Cassville, AR, into Jasper and Newton Counties, MO, including skirmishes (May 22) at Bentonville, and (May 26) near Carthage. (May 21-30)

May 21, 1863 - The Siege of Port Hudson, LA, as Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks advances from Baton Rouge on the Clinton Road. (May 21-Jul 8)

May 21, 1863 - Action at Plains Store, LA.

May 21, 1863 - Federal operations on the Teche Road, between Barre's Landing and Berwick, LA, as the Federals search for the plantation owner who shot and killed a Union private searching for sugar. The Federals run into a band of guerrillas with casualties. (May 21-26)

May 21, 1863 - Federal guerrilla operations on the Sante Fe Road, near Kansas City, MO.

May 21, 1863 - Federal expedition from La Grange, TN, to Senatobia (Swamp), MS, and skirmish (May 23). (May 21-26)

May 21, 1863 - Federal expedition from Murfreesboro to Middleton, TN, and skirmish. (May 21-22)

May 21, 1864 - Brig. Gen. Albert Gallatin Jenkins, CSA, dies near Dublin, GA, from wounds received at the Battle of Cloyd's Mountain, GA, on May 9

May 21, 1864 - Bushrod Rust Johnson, C.S.A., is promoted to Maj. Gen.
May 21, 1864 - Skirmish at Pine Bluff, AR.

May 21, 1864 - Affair on the Blue River, MO, where bushwhackers ambush the Federal escort team transporting a prisoner to Kansas City.

May 21, 1864 - The detachment from the Army of the Tennessee, that had participated in the Red River Campaign, re-embarks for Vicksburg, MS. (May 21-22)

May 21, 1864 - Federal demonstration on James Island, near Charleston, SC. (May 21-23)

May 21, 1864 - Skirmish at Fort Powhatan, VA, with the Federal Army of the James under the command of Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, USA.

May 21, 1864 - Skirmish at Newtown, VA.

May 21, 1864 - Maj. Gen. David Hunter, USA, supersedes Maj. Gen. Franz Sigel, USA, in the command of the Dept. of West Virginia, due to Sigel's setbacks in the Shenandoah Valley dealt by Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge, CSA.

May 21, 1865 - Charles Hale Morgan, USA, is appointed Brig. Gen.
 
This date in Civil War history
Compiled by Mitchell Werksman and Jim Klag

May 21, 1787 - Delegates from 7 states arrive in Philadelphia. Work on the Constitution begins

May 21, 1832 - Democratic-Republicans hold a convention in Baltimore, nominating Andrew Jackson for President and Martin Van Buren for Vice-President.

May 21, 1838 - Congress rescinds the Specie Circular.

May 21, 1856 - Samuel Jones, a pro-slavery sheriff leads a band of border ruffians on a raid against Lawrence, Kansas.

May 21, 1861 - Missouri declares its neutrality in the Civil War.

May 21, 1861 - Confederate Congress votes to move its capital from Montgomery to Richmond, Virginia.

May 21, 1861 - Col. John B. Magruder, Provisional Army of VA, is assigned to the command at Yorktown, VA.

May 21, 1861 - Brig. Gen. M. L. Bonham, CS A, is assigned to the command on the "Alexandria Line," VA.

May 21, 1861 - The convention and proclamation between Brig. Gen. Harney, USA, and Maj. Gen. Sterling Price, the Missouri State Guard, whereby Harney agreed not to bring any Federal troops into the state if Price can maintain law and order, effectively giving control to the Pro-southern force.

May 21, 1862 - Skirmish at Village Creek, AR.

May 21, 1862 - Skirmish at Widow Serratt's, near Corinth, MS, with Maj. Gen. Henry Wager Halleck, USA.

May 21, 1862 - Affair at Paraje, the New Mexico Territory.

May 21, 1862 - Affair near Battery Island, SC.

May 21, 1862 - The Union Army advances across Bottom's Bridge, on the Chickahominy River, VA.

May 21, 1862 - Confederate reconnaissance from Front Royal to Browntown, VA, as Maj. Gen. Richard S. Ewell, CSA, combines his forces under Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Jackson, CSA.

May 21, 1863 - Federal scout from Cassville, AR, into Jasper and Newton Counties, MO, including skirmishes (May 22) at Bentonville, and (May 26) near Carthage. (May 21-30)

May 21, 1863 - The Siege of Port Hudson, LA, as Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks advances from Baton Rouge on the Clinton Road. (May 21-Jul 8)

May 21, 1863 - Action at Plains Store, LA.

May 21, 1863 - Federal operations on the Teche Road, between Barre's Landing and Berwick, LA, as the Federals search for the plantation owner who shot and killed a Union private searching for sugar. The Federals run into a band of guerrillas with casualties. (May 21-26)

May 21, 1863 - Federal guerrilla operations on the Sante Fe Road, near Kansas City, MO.

May 21, 1863 - Federal expedition from La Grange, TN, to Senatobia (Swamp), MS, and skirmish (May 23). (May 21-26)

May 21, 1863 - Federal expedition from Murfreesboro to Middleton, TN, and skirmish. (May 21-22)

May 21, 1864 - Brig. Gen. Albert Gallatin Jenkins, CSA, dies near Dublin, GA, from wounds received at the Battle of Cloyd's Mountain, GA, on May 9

May 21, 1864 - Bushrod Rust Johnson, C.S.A., is promoted to Maj. Gen.
May 21, 1864 - Skirmish at Pine Bluff, AR.

May 21, 1864 - Affair on the Blue River, MO, where bushwhackers ambush the Federal escort team transporting a prisoner to Kansas City.

May 21, 1864 - The detachment from the Army of the Tennessee, that had participated in the Red River Campaign, re-embarks for Vicksburg, MS. (May 21-22)

May 21, 1864 - Federal demonstration on James Island, near Charleston, SC. (May 21-23)

May 21, 1864 - Skirmish at Fort Powhatan, VA, with the Federal Army of the James under the command of Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, USA.

May 21, 1864 - Skirmish at Newtown, VA.

May 21, 1864 - Maj. Gen. David Hunter, USA, supersedes Maj. Gen. Franz Sigel, USA, in the command of the Dept. of West Virginia, due to Sigel's setbacks in the Shenandoah Valley dealt by Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge, CSA.

May 21, 1865 - Charles Hale Morgan, USA, is appointed Brig. Gen.
1796-Reverdy Johnson is born
1822-Dabny Herndon Maury M.G.,CSA, is born
Mosby Monroe Parsons B.G.,CSA., Is born.
1825-6 West Point Cadets are found at Benny Havens Pub without permission,among them is Jefferson Davis.
George Lafayette Beal,Bvt.M.G.,USA., isborn.
1835-Newton Martin Curtis,Bvt.M.G.,USA., is born.
1894- Gen.Philip Cook,CSA.,dies.mustered in as a private in Aug.1861.
1932- Rock City opens atop Lookout Mountain.
 
Today marks the 158th Anniversary of the Battle of Plains Store Louisiana. This battle was part of the Siege of Port Hudson. This battle took place in East Baton Rouge Parish Louisiana. The result was a Union Army Victory. Union Army Commanders were Major General Christopher C. Augur and Brig. General Benjamin H. Grierson. The Union force consisted of the Union Army XIX Army Corps and Cavalry. the force strength was 1 division of infantry and 1 cavalry brigade. Casualties and losses for the Union Army were 150. On the Confederate side the Commanders were Colonel Frank P. Powers 1836 - dead by 1900 and Colonel William Raphael Miles 1817 - 1900. a strength of about 600 and casualties and losses of 100.
 
This weekend marks the anniversary of the start of the Siege of Port Hudson Louisiana. This will be a Union Victory and will last from May until July of 1863. Union Army Commander was Major General Nathaniel P. Banks Commanding the XIX Army Corps of the Union Army of the Gulf. a force of 30,000 - 40,000 in this Siege the casualties and losses will be around 5,000 for the Union and another 5,000 will die of disease. Major General Franklin Gardner will be the Commander of the Confederate force with a force of 7,500. casualties and losses will be 750 killed and wounded. 250 will die of disease and 6,500 will surrender when Major General Gardner surrenders.
 
Though several assaults were made on the Fort it was more of a siege wasn't it?
Yes. It is properly referred to as the Seige of Port Hudson.
It was not merely a fort, but a much larger defensive complex, similar to, but smaller in size than, Vicksburg.
There are many similarities between the two.
Condederate bluff mounted river batteries vs. US Naval vessels. And at both sites, US Naval artillery pieces were moved ashore and bombarded the Confederate works. Use of "hand grenades" is another of many similarities.
Two massive assaults were also initially made at Vicksburg, May 19th and May 22nd. Grant hoped that these would succeed in capturing Vicksburg. Therefore the case can be made that they were before the seige began. However the ORs and nearly every account uses the dates May 19th to July 4th for the seige.
Among the differences is that African American troops participated in the seige of Port Hudson, while no such units fought in the Vicksburg seige.
 
From the New York Tribune, July 16, 1898:
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The men of the Port Hudson Forlorn Hope campaigned for years for their promised medals, but their hope of recognition was forlorn indeed. Personally, I think Banks should have sprung for a special medal himself, like Butler did for the colored troops of the Army of the James.

An excellent 348-page LSU dissertation is available online: "They Fought Splendidly: the struggle for Port Hudson"
 
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The 2019 Baton Rouge Civil War Round Table Symposium offered an optional tour of the Port Hudson defenses which are not part of the State Historic Site. Most of the locations we visited are on private land and not open to the public. We were able to see remnants of the earthworks and cannon positions in several places, the railroad bed, the hospital area, old homes, and the areas shown in a few of the many pictures taken. My wife's g-g-grandfather was a member of the 18th Arkansas Infantry during the siege.

This rifled 6-pounder Sawyer 3.67" Cannon was part of the 2nd Vermont Light Artillery Battery. Not only did this cannon see action at Port Hudson, but a projectile found by relic hunters inside the earthworks match the rifling of this cannon. The brick building in the picture was the CW era detached kitchen for the Gibbon Home.
2019_Sawyer 3.67 In Rifle Used @ PH.jpg


A most interesting part of the tour was being able to hike down the trail to the Devil's Elbow on the most southern end of the fortifications. Earthworks and firing platforms for cannon are still visible.
2019 _Devils Elbow Trail on Port Hickery Rd_Display 1.jpg


This photo taken at the Devil's Elbow is view from the top of the earthworks showing the steepness of the ravine which Federal troops would have tried to scale. A gun emplacement is on the right.
2019_Devils Elbow Trail_Earthworks Lkg Over Fontania Creek.jpg


The Surrender Tree where Major General Franklin Gardner surrendered the last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi on July 9, 1863 after a 3-1/2 month siege.
2019 _Surrender Tree on Port Hickey Rd.jpg


The BRCWRT Symposium is normally in April. Now that the pandemic seems to be under control, they are contemplating having their symposium at Port Hudson this fall. Hopefully, everything works out.
 
So many stories from Port Hudson that don't get told enough.

The USS Mississippi, a veteran of the Mexican-American War and Matthew Perry's flagship during his expedition to Japan, running aground under the guns of Port Hudson on March 14, 1863 while trying to pass the forts. Despite heroic efforts to save her, she was eventually abandoned, with one of the last to leave the ship a 26-year-old executive lieutenant named George Dewey.

Captain Andre Cailloux, Color Sergeant Anselmas Planciancois, and the 1st Louisiana Native Guard's desperate assault of May 27, 1863. When presented with the colors of the regiment several months prior, Planciancois declared, "Colonel, I will bring these colors to you in honor or report to God the reason why." He was killed during the attack. Cailloux led the charge despite a minie ball shattering his right arm early in the fight. "Around 1:00 P.M., just before the final retreat, Cailloux was still at the head of his company, his voice hoarse and his body weak, leading his men onward, when a shell struck him down permanently" (Glatthaar, Forged in Battle, 129).

And many others.
 
The 2019 Baton Rouge Civil War Round Table Symposium offered an optional tour of the Port Hudson defenses which are not part of the State Historic Site. Most of the locations we visited are on private land and not open to the public. We were able to see remnants of the earthworks and cannon positions in several places, the railroad bed, the hospital area, old homes, and the areas shown in a few of the many pictures taken. My wife's g-g-grandfather was a member of the 18th Arkansas Infantry during the siege.

This rifled 6-pounder Sawyer 3.67" Cannon was part of the 2nd Vermont Light Artillery Battery. Not only did this cannon see action at Port Hudson, but a projectile found by relic hunters inside the earthworks match the rifling of this cannon. The brick building in the picture was the CW era detached kitchen for the Gibbon Home.
View attachment 401517

A most interesting part of the tour was being able to hike down the trail to the Devil's Elbow on the most southern end of the fortifications. Earthworks and firing platforms for cannon are still visible.
View attachment 401518

This photo taken at the Devil's Elbow is view from the top of the earthworks showing the steepness of the ravine which Federal troops would have tried to scale. A gun emplacement is on the right.
View attachment 401519

The Surrender Tree where Major General Franklin Gardner surrendered the last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi on July 9, 1863 after a 3-1/2 month siege.
View attachment 401520

The BRCWRT Symposium is normally in April. Now that the pandemic seems to be under control, they are contemplating having their symposium at Port Hudson this fall. Hopefully, everything works out.
I'm so jealous you got to see this! I've been to the historic site but would love to see more.
 
Battle of Plains Store:
Today marks the 159th​ anniversary of the Battle of Plains Store. This battle is also called the Battle of Springfield Road. The battle was part of the Siege of Port Hudson. The battle was fought on May 21st​, 1863. Location of the battle was East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana.



Result of Battle: Union Victory :us34stars:



Union Army Commander:
Major General Christopher C. Augur (New York) 1821 – 1898

Union Army Strength: - (1 Infantry Division and 1 Cavalry Brigade)

Union Army casualties and losses: around 150



Confederate Army Commander:


Colonel Frank P. Powers (Arkansas) 1836 –

Colonel William Raphael Miles (Louisiana) 1817 – 1900

Confederate Army Strength:
- (around 600)

Confederate Army casualties and losses: around 100
 
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