12/07, December 7th 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

December 7, 1857 - Free-state congress calls for a third option in voting on the Lecompton Constitution - rejection of the document.

December 7, 1861 - The USS Santiago de Cuba stops the English vessel, the Eugenia Smith, capturing Confederate agent, Mr. James W. Zacharie, off New Orleans, LA, which is similar to the Trent incident and the Slidell and Mason captures.

December 7, 1861 - Stonewall Jackson destroys the West Virginia side of Dam Number 5 on the Potomac River, disrupting the C&O Canal and impacting the Union's ability to repair the B&O Railroad.

December 7, 1862 - Battle of Prairie Grove - Battle of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Thomas Hindman [CS] attacks Francis "Frank" Herron [US] advancing from Wilson's Creek in an attempt to defeat him before joining James Blunt's [US] men. Blunt reached the Confederate line just as Herron was considering withdrawal, resulting in a Union victory.

December 7, 1862 - John Hunt Morgan captures a federal garrison in Hartsville, killing and wounding 1000 before 1800 men surrendered.

December 7, 1862 - Affair at Padre Island, TX, where Confederates, testing the depth of the channel, is pursued by Federal ships, go ashore; they fire on and deal death upon the Federals, who retreat; later the same Confederates capture some Federal launches.

December 7, 1862 - The Confederate Dept. of Mississippi and East Louisiana is reorganized as follows:
1st Confederate Army Corp - Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn, CSA
2nd Confederate Army Corp - Maj. Gen. Sterling Price, CSA

December 7, 1863 - Skirmish at Independence, MS.

December 7, 1863 - Skirmish at Rutledge, TN, the Knoxville, TN, Campaign.

December 7, 1863 - Skirmish at Eagleville, TN.

December 7, 1863 - Federal scout in Hampshire, Hardy, Frederick, and Shenandoah Counties, and the destruction of the Columbian Iron Works, WV, which are 15 miles west of Woodstock and an equal distance from Mount Jackson, VA. (Dec 7-11)

December 7, 1863 - President Jefferson Davis addresses the 4th session of the 1st Confederate Congress, Richmond,, VA.

December 7, 1863 - The 38th US Congress convenes in Washington, DC.

December 7, 1864 - The siege of Petersburg is ongoing.

December 7, 1864 - Skirmish near Paint Rock Bridge, AL.

December 7, 1864 - Federal expedition from Brownsville to Arkansas Post, AR. (Dec 7-13)

December 7, 1864 - Federal expedition from Devall's Bluff to Augusta, AR. (Dec 7-8)

December 7, 1864 - Action at Buck Creek, GA, as Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman, USA, creeps closer to Savannah, GA, with skirmishes at:
Cypress Swamp, near Sister's Ferry, GA.
Jenks' Bridge, Ogeechee River, GA.

December 7, 1864 - Affair at Moselle Bridge, on the Southwest Branch Pacific Railroad, near Franklin, MO, as a lone Confederate is instantly killed, shot dead with 6 rifle balls passing through him, as he tried to burn the bridge.

December 7, 1864 - Federal operations to and operations against Fort Fisher, NC. (Dec 7-27)

December 7, 1864 - Federal expedition to Hicksford, and skirmishes, the Richmond, VA, Campaign. (Dec 7-12)
 
A little surprised The battle of the Cedars ( third Murfreesboro / Wilkinson Pike) not included. Dec. 7th 1864.

Minor engagement, but notable as Forrest wasn't routed very often :hungry:



On the morning of December 7, Maj. Gen. Lovell Rousseau, commanding all of the forces at Murfreesboro, sent two brigades out under Brig. Gen. Robert H. Milroy on the Salem Pike to feel out the enemy. These brigades were led by Col. Minor T. Thomas, a veteran of the Dakota War, and Col. Edward Anderson.[4] With Thomas' brigade forming the first line of battle and Anderson forming the second, Milroy engaged the Confederates and fighting continued. At one point some of Bate's troops broke and ran. Forrest "seized the colors of the retreating troops and endeavored to rally them". Bate was equally unsuccessful.[5] The rest of Forrest's command conducted an orderly retreat from the field and encamped for the night outside Murfreesboro. Forrest had destroyed railroad track, blockhouses, and some homes and generally disrupted Union operations in the area. More importantly, he succeeded in keeping Rousseau confined to Murfreesboro and kept the important supply line and retreat route open.[6]
 
A little surprised The battle of the Cedars ( third Murfreesboro / Wilkinson Pike) not included. Dec. 7th 1864.

Minor engagement, but notable as Forrest wasn't routed very often :hungry:



On the morning of December 7, Maj. Gen. Lovell Rousseau, commanding all of the forces at Murfreesboro, sent two brigades out under Brig. Gen. Robert H. Milroy on the Salem Pike to feel out the enemy. These brigades were led by Col. Minor T. Thomas, a veteran of the Dakota War, and Col. Edward Anderson.[4] With Thomas' brigade forming the first line of battle and Anderson forming the second, Milroy engaged the Confederates and fighting continued. At one point some of Bate's troops broke and ran. Forrest "seized the colors of the retreating troops and endeavored to rally them". Bate was equally unsuccessful.[5] The rest of Forrest's command conducted an orderly retreat from the field and encamped for the night outside Murfreesboro. Forrest had destroyed railroad track, blockhouses, and some homes and generally disrupted Union operations in the area. More importantly, he succeeded in keeping Rousseau confined to Murfreesboro and kept the important supply line and retreat route open.[6]
It's on the post for December 5.
 
Well I learned about the Eugenia Smith capture by the USS Santiago de Cuba (surprising name by the way) and it was similar to the Trent Affair occurring only one month after the capture of the RMS Trent by the USS San Jacinto. Both incidents really had the potential to spark war.
 
It still amazes me,compared to later wars, that most of the troops spent the winters in winter quarters and did little fighting. I understand why,but it still amazes me. Transportation and supply and troop movement logistics otherwise in winter were so difficult.
 
Battle of Prairie Grove:
Today marks the 159th​ anniversary of the Battle of Prairie Grove. This battle took place in Prairie Grove Arkansas. The result of the battle was a union strategic victory. Union army commander was Major General James G. Blunt commanding the Union Army of the Frontier. Confederate army commander was Major General Thomas Hindman.

Prairie Grove.jpg
 
Battle of Hartsville:
Today marks the 159th​ anniversary of the Battle of Hartsville. This battle took place in Hartsville Tennessee. The result of the battle was a Confederate victory. Confederate army commander was Brig. General John Hunt Morgan. Confederate army casualties and losses were 139. Union Army commander was Absalom M. Moore. Union Army casualties and losses were 2,096.

Hartsville.jpg
 
Back
Top