11-22-21

[Trivia Master]

Decoration Day

Question: Civil War General and Grand Army of the Republic Commander John A. Logan issued General Order # 11 in March, 1868, calling for a national day of remembrance, for the purpose of "strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating" the graves of Civil War dead. Once the idea took hold, Logan specified that the date should be May 30. He originally called it Decoration Day, though it is now commonly referred to as Memorial Day and is commonly celebrated on the last Monday of May, even if that isn't the 30th.

May 30 is the anniversary of which Civil War battle?

credit: @hoosier

 

[hughes]

No specific battle that would arouse one set of veterans against the other. A day to commemorate veterans from both sides

 

[Brenal]

Battle of Old Church. May 30th 1864.

also, Battle of Aquia Creek. May 29th to June 1st 1861
Battle of Totopotomoy Creek. May 28th to May 30th 1864

 

[bayouace]

Battle of Old Church, also called Matadequin Creek, part of the Overland Campaign.
Other multi-day engagements included May 30, such as Chancellorsville, but this is all I could find standing alone on that day.

 

[neyankee61]

The Battle of Totopotomoy Creek was ending in VA. This battle may be considered the opening phase of the Cold Harbor battle. Hancock's II Corps was continuing the AoP slide south and around Lee's right.

 

[JOHN42768]

The Battle of Old Church, also known as Matadequin Creek, was fought on May 30, 1864
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_Civil_War_battles

 

[gentlemanrob]

Siege of Corinth Mississippi was fought April 29th - May 30th 1862

 

[sarladaise]

Logan chose this date, because May 30 wasn't the anniversary of any Civil War battle.

The History of Memorial Day | Airborne and Special Operations Museum

As many people know, Memorial Day is an American holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May, and honors the men and women who sacrificed their lives ...

www.asomf.org

 

[DBF]

The Battle of Old Church, also known as Matadequin Creek, was fought on May 30, 1864.
https://www.mycivilwar.com/battles/640530a.html

Battle of Beaver Dam Creek, 30 May 1864
https://16thinfassn.org/history/regimental-maps/civil-war-maps-1861-1865/battle-of-beaver-dam-creek-30-may-1864/

Although I found the two battles (above) that appear to be fought exclusively on a May 30th, - I did find this little bit of information that claims:

"According to legend, Logan chose May 30 because it was a rare day that didn't fall on the anniversary of a Civil War battle, [and then continues] though some historians believe the date was selected to ensure that flowers across the country would be in full bloom."
https://www.history.com/news/8-things-you-may-not-know-about-memorial-day

So once again I have more answers than questions.

 

[WJC]

Decoration Day

Question: Civil War General and Grand Army of the Republic Commander John A. Logan issued General Order # 11 in March, 1868, calling for a national day of remembrance, for the purpose of "strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating" the graves of Civil War dead. Once the idea took hold, Logan specified that the date should be May 30. He originally called it Decoration Day, though it is now commonly referred to as Memorial Day and is commonly celebrated on the last Monday of May, even if that isn't the 30th.

May 30 is the anniversary of which Civil War battle?

credit: @hoosier

The Battle of Bethesda Church (aka Battle of Totopotomoy Creek, Battle of Crumps Creek, Battle of Shady Grove Road, and Battle of Hanovertown) fought May 28-30, 1864.
However, at least one source states Logan chose May 30 because "there had been no known battle during the Civil War to have been fought on that date in the month of May."
May 30 also marks the end of the Siege of Corinth, Mississippi, in 1862. In addition, there were a number of minor battles or skirmishes that occurred on May 30, 1862, 1863, 1864.
Source: "Totopotomoy Creek Bethesda Church", American Battlefield Trust, https://www.battlefields.org/learn/civil-war/battles/totopotomoy-creek
Source: "Why is Memorial Day on May 30th?", Answers, https://www.answers.com/Q/Why_is_Memorial_Day_on_May_30th

 

[Pollaco]

Bethesda Church .

 

[19thOhio]

No Civil War battles are recorded as being on May 30. Thus it recognizes the killed of all Civil War battles.

 

[ErnieMac]

Battle of Bethesda Church, May 30, 1864.

Battle of Totopotomoy Creek - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

The battle of Bethesda Church, VA, part of the Overland Battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania Courthouse

Source: https://civilwartalk.com/threads/05-30-may-30th-in-civil-war-history.146475/

 

[streetwiseprof]

The Battle of Bethesda Church, 30 May 1864. The Battle of Old Church (Matadequin Church) occurred the same day. The Sieges of Vicksburg and Port Hudson continued on 30 May 1863.

 

[Ole Miss]

Battle of Old Church May 30, 1864
Regards
David

 

[ami]

Answer: This is a bit of a trick question. The correct answer is - May 30 is not the anniversary of any Civil War battle.

Some historians say that Logan chose the date specifically because it wasn't the anniversary of a particular battle, so that no one would be offended if they thought he was singling out one battle as being more deserving of commemoration than any other. Other historians say that Logan chose the date because he wanted to be sure that flowers would be in bloom in all the states.

Whichever was the reason for Logan's choice, I believe it is true that May 30 is not the anniversary of any Civil War battle. I know from experience that our players often find answers that I didn't anticipate, so if anyone names a battle and provides a source supporting the contention that May 30 is the anniversary of that battle, I will give credit for that answer.

Sources: https://armyhistory.org/general-john-a-logan-memorial-day-founder/

https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/memorial-day-history

Edit - I thought perhaps that the name of John Logan and references to Decoration Day and Memorial Day would lead players to the answer I was hoping for, but clearly our intrepid players forged ahead and found some lesser-known battles that occurred on May 30. It's questionable whether the continuation of a siege should be considered to be a "battle," but I won't argue that point. All the answers that were submitted are supported by sources, so everyone who responded gets credit.

hoosier

 

[bayouace]

My source for Old Church on May 30 was Wikipedia.com.