Today in History (general history)/ On This Day in Confederate History/ Confederate General History, April 26.

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ON THIS DAY IN CONFEDERATE HISTORY, April 26.

1862: New Orleans Defiant: At New Orleans, Federal warships, with the guns of the fleet intimidating the helpless citizens of the city, are still waiting for surrender from the local authorities. Captain Henry W. Morris orders Marines from the USS Pensacola to go ashore and raise the U.S. flag over the former U.S. Mint building in the city. The Marines carry out the orders to the disgust of local citizens. But William Bruce Mumford and six other men take it down and raise the Louisiana State Flag over the building.

The Louisiana Republic Flag of the type lowered

by the Northern invaders in New Orleans to the jeers

of the public. (M.D. Jones Collection)

Angry citizens of New Orleans watch as a Northern invader

lowers the Louisiana Republic Flag from City Hall.

Confederate Fort Macon, North Carolina surrendered to the Federals after a month-long siege. The small garrison, under Colonel Moses White, suffered 8 killed, 16 wounded, and 400 captured. The Federals lost 2 killed, wounded, and 8 captured. 

1863: Confederate raiders under Brig. Gen. John Marmaduke fights the Battle of Cape Girardeau, Mo. against the Federal garrison under Brig. Gen. John McNeil. The Confederates attack the strong fortifications there, but each attack is driven back. Confederate casualties total 325 when the Federals have 12.

1864: Red River Campaign: The Federal fleet on the Red River in Louisiana suffers several setbacks on this day. Unable to free the grounded USS Eastport, a powerful gunboat, the Federals blow it up. The Confederates forces then ambushed vessels involved in the failed salvage attempt, the gunboat Cricket, the steam pump boat Champion No. 5, and two transport vessels. The Confederate forces included a four-gun battery commanded by Captain Florian Cornay supported by 200 infantrymen of the 28th Louisiana Infantry of Mouton's brigade. Set up near the mouth of the Cane River, the Confederates opened fire and shelled and riddled the Cricket being hit 38 times. But it makes it by the ambush safely. However, Champion No. 5. and two transports are sunk. Tragically, on Champion No. 5, 175 African American laborers died when its boiler exploded. The Federals also lost about 100 crewmen killed on the various vessels and about as many captured. The Confederates lost only one man, Captain Cornay, who was killed in action.

1865: General Joseph E. Johnston's Army of Tennessee surrendered to Sherman in North Carolina. The Confederates still have other armies in the field further west.

CONFEDERATE GENERAL BIRTHDAYS, April 26.

Major General Ambrose Ransom Wright was born on this day in 1826 in Louisville, Georgia. A prewar lawyer and politician, Wright failed in runs for the Georgia legislature and U.S. Congress. However, he was successful at becoming a presidential elector for Millard Fillmore in 1856. Wright was a supporter of the Bell-Everett ticket in the 1860 presidential election. In the War for Southern Independence, he served as colonel of the 3rd Georgia Infantry and was promoted to brigadier general. He received his promotion to major general on Nov. 26, 1862. His battles included South Mills, Seven Pines, the Seven Days Battles, Sharpsburg (wounded), Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. When he was promoted to major general he was given a command in Georgia. Following the war, he became a newspaper publisher and was defeated in a run for the U.S. Senate. However, Wright was elected to a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives but died before he could be seated. Wright died Dec. 21, 1872, and was buried at Magnolia Cemetery in Augusta, Ga.

Maj. Gen. Ambrose R. Wright

Today in History (general history)/ On This Day in Confederate History/ Confederate General Birthdays, April 25.

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ON THIS DAY IN CONFEDERATE HISTORY, April 25.

1862: New Orleans Defiant: Confederate Maj. Gen. Mansfield Lovell with a garrison of 4,000, in New Orleans, realizes that his position is no longer tenable with the passage of the Federal fleet at Forts Jackson and St. Phillip. He withdraws his forces to Camp Moore about 80 miles to the north. Rear Admiral David G. Farragut arrived with his powerful fleet to demand the surrender of the city. Naval Captain Theodorus Bailey and Lieutenant George Perkins were sent into the city to make the demand of the New Orleans mayor. In spite of being surrounded by protesting, but mostly peaceful citizens, they arrived safely at city hall. They demanded that Mayor John Monroe surrender the city and raise the U.S. flag over city hall and the former U.S. mint and customhouse. Monroe refused and noted that he had no such authority to do so. The Federal officers then made it safely back to their ship. 

The people were defiant when Northern sailors

arrived in New Orleans on April 25, 1862, to

demand the city surrender.

Capt. Theodorus Bailey and

Lt. George H. Perkins who were harassed,

but not harmed by angry citizens.

1863: Jones-Imboden Raid: Brig. Gens. William E. "Grumble" Jones and John D. Imboden staged a raid into western Virginia to disrupt the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and to stop a growing separatist movement in the area. Their forces include infantry, cavalry, and artillery totaling about 7,000 men. Federal defenders in the area included the command of Brig. Gen. Benjamin S. Roberts, reinforced by Brig. Robert C. Schenck with between 1,500 and 4,000 men. The first battle, the Battle of Greenland Gap occurs on this day with the 23rd Illinois Infantry. They lasted about four hours before the bluecoats surrendered, and the Confederates under Jones went on their way.

1864: Red River Campaign: Defeated Federals in the Red River Campaign begin arriving at their supply base at Alexandria. But with the river level so low, the fleet remains trapped for the time being. Meanwhile, the Confederates have additional traps set for the fleet on the river.

1865: Generals Sherman and Johnston, after their peace agreement is rejected by the Northern government, agree to meet again to arrange the surrender of the Army of Tennessee. Other Confederate armies still in the field are the Army of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana, and the Army of the Trans-Mississippi.

CONFEDERATE GENERAL BIRTHDAYS, April 25.

Brigadier General James Dearing was born on this day in Campbell County, Virginia. Dearing was a student at West Point in 1861 when he resigned on April 22, 1861, after Virginia seceded. He joined the Virginia Militia and then accepted a commission as second lieutenant to the Washington Artillery of New Orleans and fought in the First Battle of Manassas, Va. He rose rapidly in rank in the Virginia artillery. By 1864 he was given a promotion to colonel of cavalry and to brigadier general (not confirmed of cavalry).  His other battles and campaigns included the Peninsular Campaign, Second Manassas, Fredericksburg, Siege of Suffolk, Gettysburg, Bermuda Hundred Campaign, Plymouth, Petersburg Campaign, Boydton Plank Road, and the Appomattox Campaign. After a brilliant combat record throughout the war, he was mortally wounded in one of the last battles, the Battle of High Bridge on April 6, 1865, and died April 22, 1865, at Lynchburg, Va. Dearing was buried at Springhill Cemetery.

                                                                 Brig. Gen. James Dearing 

Today in History (general history)/ On This Day in Confederate History/ Confederate General Birthdays, April 24.

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ON THIS DAY IN CONFEDERATE HISTORY, April 24.

1862: Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip: Confederate Forts Jackson and St. Philip on the Mississippi River south of New Orleans fiercely defend against the Federal fleet, but it slips by them and encounters the Confederate River fleet led by the ironclad ram CSS Manassas. The Manassas rammed the USS Mississippi and USS Brooklyn, but neither was disabled. The Confederate ironclad eventually went aground and was mercilessly bombarded but the crew escaped. The vessel broke loose and drifted but exploded and sank. The Federals continued on toward New Orleans.

The nighttime Battle of Forts Jackson and Philips was

intense and deadly, as well as spectacular visually.

(Library of Congress)

CSS MANASSAS

(Naval History & Heritage Command)

1865: President Davis gives his approval of the peace agreement worked out by Sherman and Johnston. However, Grant brings word to Sherman that the Lincoln government doesn't accept it and tells Sherman he exceeded his authority. Sherman notifies Johnston the truce will end within 48 hours.

CONFEDERATE GENERAL BIRTHDAYS, April 24.

Brigadier General James Edward Harrison was born on this day in 1815 in Greenville District, South Carolina. Harrison moved to near Waco, Texas in 1857 and in 1861, became a commissioner to Texas Indian tribes to persuade them into joining the Confederacy. He then became a member of the Texas secession convention. During the War for Southern Independence, Harrison served in the 15th Texas Infantry regiment and fought in the Bayou Teche Campaign in Louisiana and operations against the Federals along the Atchafalaya River in 1863. Harrison also was promoted to colonel in 1864 and served in the Red River Campaign. He was promoted to brigadier general by President Davis to take effect as of December 22, 1864, and commanded a brigade in the last days of the war. Following the war, he returned to Waco and became a trustee for Baylor University. Harrison died on Feb. 23, 1875, in Waco and was buried there in the First Street Cemetery.

Brig. Gen. James E. Harrison

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Brigadier General Robert Brank Vance was born on this day in 1828 in Buncombe County, North Carolina. The brother of North Carolina Governor Zebulon Vance, he was a Whig politician and merchant in Ashville before the war. In the war, he was elected colonel of the 29th North Carolina Infantry and fought in the Kentucky Campaign of 1862 and the Battle of Murfreesboro, from Dec. 31, 1862, to Jan. 4, 1863. After surviving a bout with typhoid fever, Vance was promoted to brigadier general on March 4, 1863. He was captured and incarcerated at Fort Delaware. Vance received special parole to buy clothing for Confederate P.O.W.s, on the stipulation he would not participate further in the war. Following the war, Vance became a U.S. Congressman and assistant commissioner of patents. He also served a term in the North Carolina legislature. Vance died Nov. 28, 1899, near Ashville and was buried in Riverside Cemetery in Ashville.

Brig. Gen. Robert B. Vance

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Today in History (general history)/ On This Day in Confederate History/ Confederate General Birthdays, April 23.

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ON THIS DAY IN CONFEDERATE HISTORY, April 23.

1862: Battle of Forts Jackson & St. Philip, La.: Confederate-held Forts Jackson and St. Phillip under Brig. Gen. Johnson K. Duncan is intensely bombarded by Commander David D. Porter's 21 mortar schooners under the overall command of Admiral David G. Farragut south of New Orleans. The city was the Confederacy's largest and one of the great ports in the world. It was in the process of becoming and wartime industrial powerhouse for the C.S.A. A fierce artillery duel developed between the Southern forts and the Nothern steam warships, which had the advantage of speed and maneuverability.

Confederate cannoneer

(6th Plate Ambrotype, M.D. Jones Collection)

One of Porter's mortar schooners shows what

a 13-inch mortar looked like. 

(click on image for enlargement)

(Library of Congress)

1864: Red River Campaign: The Battle of Monett's Ferry, La. occurred on this day in the Red River Campaign. About 2,500 to 3,000 Confederate cavalry under Brig. Gen. Hamilton Bee holds back 25,000 to 30,000 Federals under Maj. Gen. N.P. Banks. But the Federals eventually outflank Bee's force causing him to order a retreat. Maj. Gen. Richard Taylor, commander of the Army of Western Louisiana, blamed Bee and removed him from command. Taylor kept up the pressure on the Federals.

Brig. Gen. Hamilton P. Bee

(DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University)

1865: Fighting between blue and gray continues at Henderson, North Carolina, and at Munford, Alabama. Johnston's Army of Tennessee has not yet surrendered.

CONFEDERATE GENERAL HISTORY, April 23.

None.

Today in History (general history)/ On This Day in Confederate History/ Confederate General Birthdays, April 22.

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ON THIS DAY IN CONFEDERATE HISTORY, April 22.

1861: ARKANSAS SECESSION: Arkansas Gov. H.M. Rector refuses Lincoln's demand to contribute Arkansas men to his call for  75,000 volunteers, nationwide, to subjugate the seceded Southern states. The reaction to Lincoln's war was similar in Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina--SECESSION. 

Maj. Micajah R. Wilson

1st Battalion Arkansaw Infantry

1863: VICKSBURG CAMPAIGN: At Vicksburg, Miss., 18 Federal vessels run past the Confederate guns but 7 are sunk (one transport and 6 barges), and 11 make it and bring supplies to Grant's army. President Davis suggested to Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton that he send fire rafts downriver to obstruct Federal river traffic.

1864:  Red River Campaign: At Natchitoches, La., Confederate cavalry under Brig. Gen. William Steele saves the town from being burned down by retreating Federals of A.J. Smith's division from Sherman's army. Steele reported he had only one regiment available to him that morning, the 19th Texas Cavalry of Parson's brigade, and he ordered them to press the retreating bluecoats. The Northern arsonists lit several fires but before they could burn the town, the Confederate horse soldiers drove them out and saved the community. The Federals, further down the road to Alexandria, burned Magnolia Plantation's main house and killed the overseer on the front porch.

Brig. Gen. William Steele

(Colorized)

CONFEDERATE GENERAL BIRTHDAYS, April 22.

None.

Today in History (general history)/ On This Day in Confederate History/ Confederate General Birthdays, April 21.

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ON THIS DAY IN CONFEDERATE HISTORY, April 21.

1864: Red River Campaign: Maj. Gen. N.P. Banks orders the Army of the Gulf to retreat from Grand Ecore through Natchitoches and to Alexandria. The demoralized Yankees began burning every building in their reach along the way. A soldier in the 114th New York Infantry wrote, "At night, the burning buildings mark our pathway." The Louisiana soldiers were fighting to defend and avenge their families that were being terrorized, and the Texas soldiers were fighting to keep the Northmen out of Texas, which accounts for their great fierceness in battle.

Cpl. Paul Thibodaux,

Consolidated 18th La. Inf. Reg't.of

Mouton's Brigade. The Louisiana

soldiers were fighting in defense of

their homes and families in the Red

River Campaign. (Courtesy of C.J. Knobloch, grandson)

1865: The famous "Gray Ghost," Colonel John Singleton Mosby disbanded his 43rd Va. Cavalry Battalion (Mosby's Rangers, Mosby's Raiders, and Mosby's Men) at Salem, Virginia. While some of his men to the Federals were paroled, Mosby moved south with other officers planning to continue the fight with General Johnston in North Carolina. 

Col. John S. Mosby

CONFEDERATE GENERAL BIRTHDAYS, April 21.

Brigadier General Louis Trezevant Wigfall was born on this day in 1816 at Edgefield District, South Carolina. He had a long political career in the South prior to the war, which included service as well as service as a lieutenant in the Second Seminole War in Florida. He also had the reputation of a duelist in South Carolina before moving to Texas in 1848 where he set up a law practice. He was also elected to the Texas House of Representatives and then the Texas Senate. He then became a leading advocate of secession. After Texas seceded from the Union, he became the colonel of the 1st Texas Infantry Regiment, which soon went to Virginia. Wigfall had also served as an aide to General Beauregard during to Fort Sumter crisis. He soon received a promotion to the brigadier general but resigned in February 1862 to serve in the Confederate Senate where he served through the duration of the war. Following the war, he first went into exile in London, England but returned to the United States in 1870 and settled in Baltimore, Maryland but moved to Galveston, Texas in January 1874. Wigfall died there on Feb. 18, 1874, and was buried in the Episcopal cemetery in Galveston.

Brig. Gen Louis T. Wigfall

Today in History (general history)/ On This Day in Confederate History/ Confederate General Birthdays, April 20.

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ON THIS DAY IN CONFEDERATE HISTORY, April 20.

1861: Robert E. Lee resigned from the U.S. Army and was commissioned as commander of the Virginia Militia two days later. General Lee was one of the first five full Confederate generals and went on to become one the greatest commanders in all history.

Robert E. Lee with son

William H.F. Lee c. 1845.

The style for men at this

was the clean-shaven look.

(Wikipedia/Public Domain)

1863: Skirmishes happen on this day at Bloomfield, Mo., Patterson, Mo., and Sandy Ridge, North Carolina.

1864: Skirmishes occur near Camden, Arkansas, and near Natchitoches, Louisiana in the Red River Campaign in those two states during the Red River Campaign, also called the Camden Expedition in Arkansas. General E. Kirby Smith commanded the Confederates and Maj. Gen. Frederick Steele the Federals. The climactic battle of the Arkansas occurred at Jenkins' Ferry on April 30, 1864.

Gen. E. Kirby Smith

The Battle of Plymouth. The Federal garrison at Plymouth, North Carolina surrendered to Confederate Major General Robert F. Hoke after a three-day battle on land and sea. The Federal casualties totaled 2,000, including captured, one ironclad ship sunk, and one ironclad ship damaged. Among the Northern casualties was Lt. Charles W. Flusser, USN, of the U.S.S. Miami. The Confederates lost a total of 800 casualties, including Col. John T. Mercer, commanding Hoke's Brigade, killed in action. This is an example of a Confederate victory that overcame the naval advantage of the  North, which had five gunboats to the South's ironclad CSS Albemarle and the CSS Cotton Plant.

1865: President Davis advocates the continuation of the struggle for Southern Independence through partisan warfare, but both General R.E. Lee and General J.E. Johnston express their opposition and want a cessation of hostilities.

CONFEDERATE GENERAL BIRTHDAYS, April 20.

Brigadier General Alfred Holt Colquitt was born this day in 1824 in Walton County, Georgia. He was a prewar attorney at law in Georgia and a veteran of the Mexican-American War. After the war, he served as a major and paymaster in the U.S. Army and one term as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1853-1855). Colquitt was a delegate in the Georgia secession convention and voted for secession. At the beginning of the War for Southern Independence, he started out as a captain in the 6th Georgia Infantry but rose to colonel of the regiment. Colquitt led his regiment in the Peninsula Campaign and then assumed command of the brigade of Brig. Gen. Gabriel Rains after Rains was wounded at the Battle of Seven Pines. He led the brigade successfully at South Mountain and Sharpsburg where he was promoted to brigadier general as of Sept. 1, 1862. His other battles included Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. Colquitt and his brigade were then transferred to Charleston, S.C. and in Feb. 1864, took part in the Confederate victory at the Battle of Olustee, Fla. Colquitt's brigade then returned to Virginia for a while and finished the war in North Carolina in 1865. Following the war, Colquitt was elected to two terms of Georgia's governor and then to the U.S. Senate. He died while still serving in the Senate on March 26, 1894, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon, Ga.

Brig. Gen. Alfred H. Colquitt

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Brigadier General John Smith Preston was born on this day in 1809 in Abingdon, Virginia. He practiced law in Columbia, S.C. served in the state senate between 1848 and 1856, and was a delegate in the South Carolina Secession Convention in 1860. With the coming of war, he was commissioned a brigadier general in the Confederate Army and headed the conscription bureau in Richmond, Va. Following the war, Preston moved to England and did not return to the U.S. until 1868. He died at Columbia, S.C. May 1, 1881, and was buried at the Trinity Cathedral Cemetery there.

Brig. Gen. John S. Preston

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