09/02, September 2nd 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

September 2, 1837 - Samuel F. B. Morse demonstrates a crude version of the telegraph.

September 2, 1861 - James McKinstry, USA, is appointed Brig. Gen.

September 2, 1861 - Destruction of the US dry-dock at Pensacola, FL.

September 2, 1861 - Gen. M. Jeff. Thompson, CSA, issues a proclamation threatening retaliation, in Missouri, because of Maj. Gen. John Charles Fremont's, USA, proclamation.

September 2, 1861 - Expeditions toward Columbia, Boone County, and Iberia, MO.
Skirmish at Dallas, MO.

September 2, 1861 - Action at Dry Wood Creek, or Fort Scott, MO.

September 2, 1861 - Arkansas and all the military operations in Missouri is placed under the command of Maj. Gen. Leonidas Polk, CSA, commanding the Confederate Dept. Number Two, which already includes Confederate operations along the Mississippi River and in Tennessee.

September 2, 1861 - Skirmish at Seller's Mill, near Harper's Ferry, WV.

September 2, 1861 - Skirmish near the Hawk's Nest, WV, with Brig. Gen. Henry A. Wise, CSA.

September 2, 1861 - Skirmish at Worthington, WV.

September 2, 1861 - Battle of the Mules [Confederate] - Battle of Dry Wood Creek [Union].

September 2, 1862 - Abraham Buford, CSA, is promoted Brig. Gen.

September 2, 1862 - Lexington, KY, is occupied by Maj. Gen. E. Kirby Smith, CSA, as Gen. Braxton Bragg, CSA, Marches north from Chattanooga, TN.

September 2, 1862 - Action with the Sioux Indians at Acton, MN.

September 2, 1862 - Action with the Sioux Indians at Birch Cooley, MN.

September 2, 1862 - Raid into Ohio, by Jenkins' Confederate Cavalry command.

September 2, 1862 - Skirmish near Memphis, TN.

September 2, 1862 - Skirmish near Nashville, TN.

September 2, 1862 - The Army of Virginia is merged into the Army of the Potomac, under the command of Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, USA, leaving Maj. Gen. John Pope, USA, without a command.

September 2, 1862 - Skirmishes near Fairfax Court-House, Falls Church, and Vienna, VA, as Maj. Gen. Pope, USA, retreats to Washington, DC.

September 2, 1862 - Affair at Flint Hill, VA.

September 2, 1862 - Skirmish near Leesburg, VA, results in a rout of the Federals.

September 2, 1862 - Federal expedition from Suffolk, VA, to cut off some Rebel recruits on their way to Richmond, VA. (Sep 2-3)

September 2, 1862 - Winchester, VA, is evacuated by Brig. Gen. Julius White, USA.

September 2, 1862 - Surrender of Union forces at Spencer Court-House, WV, to Brig. Gen. Albert G. Jenkins', CSA, Cavalry Raid.

September 2, 1863 - Skirmish near Shallow Ford, Bayou Meto, AR.

September 2, 1863 - Confederate affair with, and the rout of, Zapata's banditti, near Mier, Mexico.

September 2, 1863 - Knoxville, TN, is occupied by the Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside, USA, cutting the direct Confederate railway between Chattanooga and Virginia.

September 2, 1863 - Skirmish near Oak Shade, VA, near to Utz's Ford, Stark's Ford, Rixeyville Ford, and Corbin's Cross-Roads.

September 2, 1863 - The federal expedition against and the destruction of the captured Union gunboats, Satellite, and the Reliance at Port Conway, VA, by Brig. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick's, USA, cavalry.

September 2, 1863 - Affair near Rixey's Ford, VA, with Maj. Gen. JEB Stuart, CSA.

September 2, 1863 - Federal Cavalry expeditions from Martinsburg, WV, including affairs (Sep 15 & Sep 19) at Smithfield, WV, and at Strasburg, VA, with the capture of Confederate supplies, stragglers, etc. (Sep 2-23)

September 2, 1863 - Ambrose Burnside occupies Knoxville, Tennessee.

September 2, 1864 - The siege of Petersburg is ongoing.

September 2, 1864 - Fall of Atlanta - The city is surrendered to Union forces by Mayor James Calhoun.

September 2, 1864 - Brig. Gen. John Herbert Kelly, CSA, is mortally wounded at the Battle of Franklin, TN.

September 2, 1864 - Skirmish at the Tannery, near Little Rock, AR, where the Confederate attack on the tannery is repulsed with losses.

September 2, 1864 - Skirmish 8 miles from Quitman, AR.

September 2, 1864 - Actions at Lovejoy's Station, southeast of Atlanta, GA, as Lieut. Gen. John Bell Hood, regroups his remaining forces which have been weakened by losses sustained in the recent fighting and attacks on Union positions in front of Atlanta. (Sep 2-5)

September 2, 1864 - Guerrilla raid on Owensboro, KY, who are reported to have murdered 3 Union soldiers and 1 civilian after they surrendered.

September 2, 1864 - Federal scouts on the Little Blue River, in Jackson County, MO, where bushwhackers try to surprise the Federals by stringing wire across the road between two trees which the Yankee horses ran into. (Sep 2-10)

September 2, 1864 - Skirmish near Mount Vernon, MO, with Union cavalry.

September 2, 1864 - Federal expedition from Sedalia, MO, to Scott's Ford, on the Blackwater, patrolling for Confederates. (Sep 2-4)

September 2, 1864 - Skirmishes at and near Union City, TN.

September 2, 1864 - Federal scout from Whiteside's, TN, to Sulphur Springs, GA. (Sep 2-5)

September 2, 1864 - Federal reconnaissance beyond Yellow Tavern, on the Weldon Railroad, south of Petersburg, VA, the Richmond, VA, Campaign.

September 2, 1864 - Action at Bunker Hill, WV, the Shenandoah Valley, Campaign.

September 2, 1864 - Skirmish at Darkesville, WV, the Shenandoah Valley, Campaign.

September 2, 1865 - Skirmish with Indians at Powder River, the Montana Territory.
 
September 2nd​ Civil War Events:
September 2, 1861 (This Day fell on a Monday):
  • Today marks the 160th​ Anniversary of the Battle of Dry Woods also called the Battle of the Mules. This battle took place in Vernon County Missouri. The result was a Confederate victory. Commander was Major General Sterling Price of Missouri State Guard. Casualties and losses were 2 killed and 23 wounded. Union Army commander was Brig. General James Henry Lane. Union Army casualties and losses were 5 killed and 6 wounded.
  • President Lincoln requested Major General John C. Fremont to “modify” his proclamation of August 30th​ which had ordained freedom for slaves if rebellious owners.
  • Major General Leonidas Polk commanding Confederates along the Mississippi River and in Tennessee was also given control over Arkansas and Missouri.
  • The fighting picked up in western Virginia with skirmishing at Hawk’s nest, Worthington, and Beller’s Mill near Harpers Ferry.
September 2, 1862 (This Day fell on a Tuesday):
  • Today marks the start of the two-day Battle of Birch Coulee. This battle took place in Morton Minnesota. The result of this battle was a Santee Sioux Victory. Santee Sioux leaders were Gray Bird, Mankato, Big Eagle, and Red Legs. Casualties and losses were 2 killed. United States Army Commanders were Captains Hiram P. Grant and Joseph Anderson as well as Major Joseph R. Brown commanding a force of 150. Casualties and losses were 13 killed, 47 wounded and 90 horses killed.
  • Major General John Pope ordered his beaten but not routed Army of Virginia to pull back into Washington DC entrenchments,
  • President Lincoln restored Major General George B. McClellan to full command in Virginia and around Washington D.C. This move was opposed by Secretary of war Edwin M. Stanton and Secretary of Treasury Salmon P. Chase.
  • Major General John Pope was left without a command.
  • Union forces evacuated Winchester in the Shenandoah Valley.
  • President Lincoln penned a “Meditation on the Divine Will”
  • Business was suspended and citizens began drilling in Cincinnati Ohio and in Covington and Newport Kentucky after learning Confederates forces were nearby. Martial law was declared.
September 2, 1863 (This Day fell on a Wednesday):
  • Federal soldiers under Major General Ambrose E. Burnside entered Knoxville Tennessee The fall of Knoxville effectively cut the fairly direct railroad link between Chattanooga and Virginia.
  • At Charleston artillery fire died to desultory proportions but Federals entrenched within eighty yards of Battery Wagner’s earthworks on Morris Island.
September 2, 1864 (This Day fell on a Friday):
  • “Fairly won” were the words Sherman used to inform Washington that his army had taken Atlanta.
  • General John Bell Hood had fought and lost and was gathering together his army around Lovejoy’s Station southeast of Atlanta.
  • Northwest of Macon Georgia Major General Henry W. Slocum hastened the word of the city’s capitulation to Sherman who was moving toward Lovejoy’s Station and Hood. There was action for several days around Lovejoy’s but Sherman pulled back to Atlanta to reorganize, breathe and plan.
  • General John B. Hood had to reorganize his shattered elements rest the strong ones, and plan. Back on the Union supply lines there was skirmishing at Glass Bridge and Big Shanty Georgia.
  • Fighting was light at Drakesville and Bunker Hill West Virginia a would soon be different Sheridan obviously planned an offensive toward the Shenandoah.
  • General Lee pressed Lt. General Jubal Early to return troops loaned to him as Lee felt their absence at Petersburg.
  • President Lincoln talked with various observers and political leaders to get the “feel” of the nation in respect to the coming election.
 
Battle of Dry Wood Creek:
Today marks the 161st​ anniversary of the Battle of Dry Wood Creek. This battle was part of the operations to control Missouri. The battle is also called the Battle of the Mules. The battle was fought on September 2, 1861. Location of the battle was Vernon County Missouri.



Result of Battle: Confederate Victory :CSA1stNat:



Confederate Army (Missouri State Guard) Commander:
Major General Sterling Price (Missouri) 1809 – 1867

Missouri State Guard Strength: between 6,000 and 10,000

Missouri State Guard Casualties and Losses:
Killed: 2
Wounded: 23



Union Army Commander:
Brig. General James H. Lane (Kansas) 1814 – 1866

Union Army Strength: between 600 and 1,200

Union Army Casualties and Losses:
Killed: 5
Wounded: 6
 
Battle of Birch Coulee:
Today marks the 160th​ anniversary of the start of the Battle of Birch Coulee. This battle was not fought between the North and South but it was fought during the time of the Civil War and was fought between the United States Army and Santee Sioux Native Americans. The battle took place on September 2nd​ thru September 3rd​, 1862. Location of the battle was Morton Minnesota.



Result of Battle: Santee Sioux Victory



Santee Sioux Leaders:

Gray Bird
Mankato Unknown – 1862
Big Eagle 1827 – 1906
Red Legs



Santee Sioux Strength:
around 200

Santee Sioux Casualties and Losses:
Killed: 2



United States Army Commanders:

Captain Hiram P. Grant
Captain Joseph Anderson
Major Joseph R. Brown


United States Army Strength:
around 150


United States Army Casualties and losses:
Killed: 13
Wounded: 47
Horse Killed: 90 plus
 
September 2, 1837: Today marks the birthday of Major General James Harrison Wilson. General Wilson was born in Shawneetown Illinois. Wilson graduated from West Point Military Academy in 1860 standing 6th​ in the class. Before the Civil War Wilson served in the United States Army Topographical Engineers rising to the rank of 1st​ Lt. At the start of the Civil War Wilson served as Topographical Engineer and as Aide on the staff of Major General George B. McClellan. From 1862 thru 1863 Wilson was Chief Topographical Engineer for the Union Army of the Tennessee. In 1862 thru 1863 he was Lt. Colonel in Union Army Volunteers. In 1863 thru 1865 he served as Brigadier General in the Union Army. From 1865 thru 1866 he would serve as Major General in the Union Army. In 1865 his cavalrymen would capture Confederate President Jefferson Davis. From 1866 thru 1869 Wilson served as Lt. Colonel of United States Army 35th​ Infantry Regiment. He would resign from the United States Army in 1870. Wilson would serve as Railroad Vice President, Railroad receiver, Railroad Chief Engineer, Author and Writer after his resignation. He would return to the United States Army in 1898 and serve as Brigadier General. He retired from the United States Army in 1901. General Wilson died on February 23, 1925 in Wilmington Delaware at the age of 87 years old. Wilson is buried at Old Swedes Churchyard Cemetery in Wilmington Delaware.

Wilson.jpg
 
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