January 1 In Civil War History

Jimklag

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

January 1, 1808 - Importation of slaves into the United States becomes illegal.

January 1, 1836 - James Birney begins publishing The Philanthropist, an abolition newspaper named for an earlier abolition newspaper for which Birney had written. The paper was published in Cincinnati, across the Ohio River from Kentucky, a slave state.

January 1, 1853 - Wheeling, Virginia celebrates the completion of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in November, 1852. Between Christmas and New Year's almost 500 citizens of Baltimore traveled west on the railroad for the celebration.

January 1, 1861 - On New Year's Day Georgians go to the polls to elect either a pro-Union or pro-Secession slate of delegates to a state convention to be held in Milledgeville. According to Gov. Brown the results are overwhelmingly pro-secession, however, later research by the Georgia Historical Society indicates that the returns were overstated in favor of the secessionists.

January 1, 1861 - A pro-Union meeting in Parkersburg (now West Virginia) resolves that "secession is revolution."

January 1, 1862 -Minister to Great Britain John Slidell and Minister to France, James Mason are released from Fort Warren, Boston, Massachusetts and allowed to continue their journey, effectively ending the Trent Affair.

January 1, 1862 - Stonewall Jackson begins the Romney Campaign from Winchester, Virginia.

January 1, 1862 - The Federal Bombardment of Forts McRee and Barranacas, Pensacola Harbor, FL, against Maj. Gen. Braxton Bragg, CS A, commanding the Confederate Army of Pensacola, FL.

January 1, 1862 - The Federal expedition from Morristown to Dayton and Rose Hill, MO, skirmish enroute, and the destruction of Dayton, MO, by Lieut. Col. D. R. Anthony, 1st KS Cavalry. (Jan 1-3)

January 1, 1862 - Engagement at Port Royal Ferry, Coosaw River, SC, with the Confederates removing their batteries.

January 1, 1862 - 1st US income tax (3% of incomes > $600, 5% of incomes > $10,000) goes into effect.

January 1, 1863 - The Emancipation Proclamation goes into effect.

January 1, 1863 - Battle of Galveston, Texas. General John B. Magruder [CS] re-captures the city after a 4 hour battle. Confederate troops seize a federal ship and blow up another, but most of the ships escape.

January 1, 1863 - Affair at Helena, AR, as the Texas Rangers surprise and capture 30 Union pickets without firing a shot. Brig. Gen. Willis A. German, USA, commanding, is furious.

January 1, 1863 - Skirmish at Bath Springs, MS.

January 1, 1863 - Skirmish near Clifton, TN, with Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, CSA.

January 1, 1863 - Skirmishes at Stewart's Creek and La Vergne, TN.

January 1, 1863 - All is relatively quiet around Stone's River, Murfreesboro, TN.

January 1, 1863 - The first family takes up land under the Homestead Act near Beatrice, Nebraska

January 1, 1864 - The siege of Petersburg is ongoing.

January 1, 1864 - Operations in Northeastern Arkansas, including skirmishes at Lunenburg, Sylamore, and on Sylamore Creek. (Jan 1-30)

January 1, 1864 - Operations against Indians in the Humboldt Military District, CA, where a band of Indians, mostly Hoopas, attacked a miners' camp on Pony Creek, a tributary of New River, taking their winter provisions, rifles, etc., then moving on to Plummer Creek, killing 2 white and 2 Chinese men, wounding 2 other Chinese men, and robbing a store of gold dust, supplies, etc. The next day they attack citizens gathered together, killing 3 white men, wounding 2 and another Chinese men, escaping into the wilds. (Jan 1-28)

January 1, 1864 - The Dept. of Kansas is re-established, (it had been merged into merged into the Dept. of the Missouri, on Sept. 19,1862).

January 1, 1864 - Operations in Charleston Harbor and vicinity, SC. (Jan 1-Nov 13)

January 1, 1864 - Skirmish at Dandridge, TN.

January 1, 1864 - Col. John M. Hugh's, CSA, Operations in Middle Tennessee. (Jan 1-Apr 18)

January 1, 1864 - Federal expedition from Bealeton through Chester Gap, to Front Royal, VA, braving the tremendous cold weather, picking up some Confederate prisoners, horses, etc. along the way, including the destruction of a tannery and a distillery. (Jan 1-4)

January 1, 1864 - Skirmish at Rectortown, VA, where Maj. John S. Mosby, CSA, and the 43th VA Cavalry Battalion continue to harass the Federals behind their lines, attacking them at will, seizing Union property whenever possible, repeatedly receiving the gratulations of his superior, Maj. Gen. JEB Stuart, CSA.

January 1, 1864 - Affair at Bunker Hill, WV, as Maj. Gen. Jubal Early's, CSA, boys attack and drive in the Union pickets.

January 1, 1865 - Federal operations against guerrillas in Arkansas, including the 11th US Colored Infantry, and the use of the steamers, Alamo, Annie Jacobs, and the Chippewa, with actions at:
Dardanelle, (Jan. 14)
Ivey's Ford, (Jan. 17) and skirmish at
Boggs' Mills, (Jan. 14), where the Yankees destroy
Confederate supplies including 1,200 bushels of wheat
near Chickalah. (Jan 1-27)

January 1, 1865 - Skirmish at Bentonville, AR, with Confederate guerrillas.

January 1, 1865 - The Campaign of the Carolinas, by Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman, USA. (Jan 1-Apr 26)

January 1, 1865 - Federal operations on the Canyon City Road, Oregon, with skirmishes with the Snake Indians, including the killing of men and women who attempted to flee local citizens who demanded they surrender and move to a reservation. (Jan 1-Nov 30)

January 1, 1865 - The Richmond, Virginia, Campaign Continues, as the last large Confederate army remains on the siege lines at Petersburg, VA. (Jan 1-Apr 3)

January 1, 1865 - Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, USA, abandons his latest project to blow a hole at Dutch Gap, on the James River, VA, after the large explosion of gunpowder fails.
 
January 1, 1863 - Battle of Galveston, Texas. General John B. Magruder [CS] re-captures the city after a 4 hour battle. Confederate troops seize a federal ship and blow up another, but most of the ships escape.
The annual Commemoration Ceremony is this coming Saturday.
 
January 1, 1863 - Affair at Helena, AR, as the Texas Rangers surprise and capture 30 Union pickets without firing a shot. Brig. Gen. Willis A. German, USA, commanding, is furious.
Maybe the pickets were hung over from their New Year's Eve celebration. :D
 
Thanks for the link. If you look closely at the credits for the map,you will see @AndyHall who is also quoted in the article.
 
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