December 8 In Civil War History

Jimklag

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

December 8, 1765 - Eli Whitney, American inventor (Cotton Gin), born in Westborough, Massachusetts (d. 1825)

December 8, 1857 - James Buchanan announces he supports the Lecompton Constitution in a message to the Senate.

December 8, 1860 - Governor Isham Harris calls for a special session of the Tennessee legislature to consider secession.

December 8, 1861 - The CSS Sumter captures the whaler vessel, the Eben Dodge, in the Atlantic Ocean.

December 8, 1861 - Skirmish at Fishing Creek, near Somerset, KY.

December 8, 1861 - Skirmish at Dam No. 5, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, on the Potomac River, VA.

December 8, 1861 - Skirmish near Romney, WV.

December 8, 1862 - Federal reconnaissance from Suffolk to the Blackwater and skirmishes at and about Zuni, VA. (Dec 8-12)

December 8, 1863 - Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction offers a full pardon to any Southerner who participated in the rebellion as long as they took a "prescribed oath."

December 8, 1863 - Confederate senator Henry S. Foote of Mississippi severely criticizes President Jefferson Davis for both his military and civilian policies.

December 8, 1863 - Skirmish near Scottsville, KY, as the attacking Confederates capture the town, along with the Union garrison there, with commissary stores, etc.

December 8, 1863 - The Federal merchant vessel, Chesapeake, is seized by a group of Northern Copperheads, off the coast of Cape Cod, MA.

December 8, 1863 - The Federal Raid on the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, and demonstrations up the Shenandoah Valley from the Kanawha Valley, WV. (Dec 8-25)

December 8, 1863 - Brig. Gen. Eliakim P. Scammon's, USA, command advances from the Kanawha Valley, WV.

December 8, 1863 - Brig. Gen. William W. Averell's, USA, command advances from New Creek, WV.

December 8, 1864 - The siege of Petersburg is ongoing.

December 8, 1864 - Skirmish near Bryan Court-House, GA, the "March to the Sea, Campaign by Maj. Gen. Wm Sherman.

December 8, 1864 - Skirmish at Ebenezer Creek, GA, the "March to the Sea," Campaign by Maj. Gen. Wm Sherman.

December 8, 1864 - Affair at Tuscumbia, MO, where Confederate Cavalry captures the town and disarmed and paroled 25 Yankees stationed there.

December 8, 1864 - Maj. Gen. Napoleon J. T. Dana, USA, assumes the command of the Dept. of Mississippi.

December 8, 1864 - Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, USA, and 6,500 Union men are transported down the James River to Fortress Monroe, VA, to join the naval expeditionary force assembling there for the planned assault on Fort Fisher, to close the last remaining open Confederate port at Wilmington, NC.

December 8, 1864 - Skirmish at Hatcher's Run, south of Petersburg, VA, the Richmond, VA, campaign.
 
In regards to Thursday - December 8, 1864 in front of Nashville.

“The weather at Nashville is very cold. About two inches of snow fell on Thursday.”
_____

“Reconnoisances [sic] were made at several points yesterday (Thursday) along our lines, and there was every evidence that a strong line was established at every post.

At several places the rebels made demonstrations, driving in our pickets. A number of houses immediately in our front, were set on fire by the rebels, to give them a better view of our works. We are unable to give the names of the property holders who have suffered from these depredations, but know that the houses consumed were some of the costliest in the vicinity.

The rebel pickets, at a number of places, are nearer than before, which would indicate that Hood was intending to make an assault upon our works.

It is said that Jeff Davis instructed Hood to go into Nashville or to hell; but this is only rumor, and we do not vouch for its truth.

Our gunboats have been engaging the rebel batteries on the river, occasionally, but no serious demonstration has been made against them as yet. Hood evidently thinks it is quite important that the river should be blockaded. The principal batteries are some fifteen miles below the city by water, and seven or eight by land.

The cannonading yesterday, did not amount to much, and elicited few replies. It was all done at long range, and merely intended as a feeler.”
____

"Lieutenant General Lee made a demonstration on his extreme left today, driving in the enemy's pickets without any show of resistance, and establishing his own line in the pits from which he had driven the pickets of the enemy. General Forrest was ordered to drive the enemy back to Murfreesboro, and then give him an opportunity to leave the town in the direction of Lebanon, if he chose. He was also directed to return Bate's division and Sears' brigade to the army, keeping Palmer's (Brown's old) brigade and Mercer's, which was ordered to him today, and what artillery he might deem necessary, another division to be sent to him to supply the place of Bate's when the latter shall have joined the army."
 
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