12/20, December 20th In Civil War History

Jimklag

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

December 20, 1783 - Virginia cedes its claim on western land to the United States.

December 20, 1803 - French flag lowered in New Orleans to mark the formal transfer of the territory of the Louisiana Purchase from France to USA for $27M.

December 20, 1833 - Samuel Mudd, American physician (imprisoned for conspiring with John Wilkes Booth), born in Charles Country, Maryland (d. 1833)

December 20, 1860 - South Carolina's convention officially approves the Ordinance of Secession

December 20, 1860 - Governor Francis Pickens of South Carolina demands President Buchanan relinquish control of Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie.

December 20, 1860 - Governor Francis W. Pickens takes office in South Carolina.

December 20, 1860 - Edwin Stanton becomes Attorney-General in the Buchanan administration.

December 20, 1860 - Secretary of War John Floyd orders 113 Columbiad cannon and 11 32-pounders from the Pittsburgh arsenal to Ship Island, Mississippi, and Galveston, TX.

December 20, 1860 - The following are the Four General Officers in the Union Regular Army on the eve of the Civil War:
Brevet Lieutenant General Winfield Scott. U.S.A.
Brevet Major General David E. Twiggs, U.S.A.
Brevet Major General John Ellis Wool, U.S.A.
Brigadier General William Selby Harney, USA

December 20, 1861 - The congressional Select Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War is seated.

December 20, 1861 - Battle of Dranesville, Virginia.

December 20, 1861 - William High Keim, USA, is appointed Brig. Gen.

December 20, 1861 - John McCauley Palmer, USA, is appointed Brig. Gen.

December 20, 1861 - Two warships of the British Royal Navy convoy troops to Canada in case a satisfactory solution to the "Trent" affair is not achieved.

December 20, 1861 - A stone fleet, consisting of old whaling vessels, are sunk by the Federal Navy in an attempt to prevent Confederate blockade runners from entering Charleston Harbor, SC.

December 20, 1862 - General Earl Van Dorn [CS] strikes a federal supply depot at Holly Springs, Mississippi, capturing 1500 prisoners and destroying 1.5 million dollars of military supplies.

December 20, 1862 - U. S. 15th Corps under William Tecumseh Sherman boards transports at Memphis to sail down the Mississippi to Chickasaw Bayou. Ulysses S. Grant called off a supporting campaign over land because of continued Rebel raids.

December 20, 1862 - Salmon Chase offers his resignation. Lincoln rejects both Seward's and Chase's resignations.

December 20, 1862 - Skirmish at Cane Hill, AR.

December 20, 1862 - Skirmish at Cold Water, MS.

December 20, 1862 - Brig. Gen. Samuel P. Carter's, USA, Raid into East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. (Dec 20-Jan 5)

December 20, 1862 - The Confederate capture of Humboldt, TN, by Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, CSA.

December 20, 1862 - Skirmish at Railroad Crossing, Forked Deer River, TN, with Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, CSA.

December 20, 1862 - The Confederate capture of Trenton, TN, by Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, CSA.

December 20, 1862 - Skirmishes at Kelly's Ford, VA. (Dec 20-22)

December 20, 1862 - Skirmish near Occoquan, VA.

December 20, 1862 - Skirmish near Halltown, WV.

December 20, 1863 - Federal scout from Lexington, MO.

December 20, 1864 - The siege of Petersburg is ongoing.

December 20, 1864 - John McArthur, U.S.A., is appointed Maj. Gen.

December 20, 1864 - The Confederate evacuation of Savannah, GA, by Lieut. Gen. William Hardee, CSA, is complete.

December 20, 1864 - Federal expeditions from Cape Girardeau and Dallas, MO, to Cherokee Bay, AR, and the Saint Francis River, with skirmishes, with guerrillas. (Dec 20-Jan 4)

December 20, 1864 - The USS Hartford, and its commander, Admiral David G. Farragut, arrives in New York City Harbor for repairs.

December 20, 1864 - Engagement at Poplar Point, NC. (Dec 20-22)

December 20, 1864 - Skirmish near the Pocotaligo Road, SC, as the 33rd US Colored Infantry drives off the 300+ plus Rebels contesting their advance near the Tullifmny Creek, capturing men and supplies.

December 20, 1864 - Skirmish at Columbia, TN.

December 20, 1864 - The capture and the destruction of the salt-works at Saltville, VA, by Maj. Gen. George Stoneman, USA. (Dec 20-21)

December 20, 1866 - On the 6th anniversary of secession, South Carolina rejects the 14th Amendment.

December 20, 1869 - President Grant appoints Edwin Stanton a justice of the US Supreme Court.
 
December 20 was a fateful day in Civil War history as you pointed out when South Carolina became the first Southern state to secede from the Union just a few says before Christmas Eve/Christmas followed by 10 other states (Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina, Tennessee) including two provisional claimant governments (Kentucky and Missouri).
 
Battle of Dranesville:
Today marks the 160th​ anniversary of the Battle of Dranesville. This battle took place in Fairfax County Virginia. The result of the battle was a union victory. Union Army commander was Brig. General Edward O.C. Ord. Union Army casualties and losses were 71. Confederate army commander was Brig. General JEB Stuart. Confederate army casualties and losses were 230.
 
Second Battle of Saltville:
Today marks the start of the two – day 157th​ anniversary of the Second Battle of Saltville. This battle took place in Saltville Virginia. The battle was fought December 20 – 21. The result of the battle was a union victory. Union Army commander was Major General George Stoneman. Confederate Army commander was Major General John C. Breckinridge.
 
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