Friday, May 3, 2024

Today in History (general history)/ On This Day in Confederate History/ Confederate General Birthdays, May 3.

Click 👉Today in History (general history) May 3,

On This Day in Confederate History, May 3.

1863: The third day of the Battle of Chancellorsville sees the Confederates still on the offensive pounding the Federals at Hazel Grove. Federal Gen. Hooker orders an advance at Fredericksburg, but Gen. Lee stops it with a counterattack at Salem Church, Va. The North lost one of his top generals, Major General Hiram G. Berry who was the III Corps, Second Division commander. He was killed in action by the fire of Confederate infantry. Mary's Heights was being defended by Barksdale's Mississippi Brigade reinforced by Hays' 1st Louisiana Tiger Brigade.

Sgt. James Reeves
Co. K., 10th La. Inf.
KIA at Chancellorsville
May 3, 1863.
(Courtesy Anna Belle Reeves Morris)

FEDERAL ADVANCE IN MISSISSIPPI: Confederates evacuate Grand Gulf, Miss. because of the Federal advance through Mississippi in the Vicksburg Campaign. The Northern army was breaking and advancing toward Raymond in a grand flanking maneuver. Pemberton's army with little cavalry which he had been trying to obtain from Gen. J.E. Johnston, department commander, who had been hoarding it. Mississippi militia was attempting to provide some defense but to little avail. 

1864: Skirmishing continues in the Red River Campaign around Alexandria, La. while the Federals continue building a dam there to save their stranded navy. In Arkansas, Gen. Steele's Federals limp back to Little Rock after being soundly whipped in the Camden Expedition. Meanwhile, Confederate infantry and artillery fire on the Federal steamer City Belle carrying the 120th Ohio Infantry. The Federals lost 225 casualties in killed, wounded, and missing. About half escaped and are reported on the left bank of the Red River near Alexandria. Another skirmishing occurs at Olive Branch Church near Baton Rouge, another action at Gov. Thomas Moore's Plantation, and a skirmish on Red River Road.

1865: President Davis's party continues toward Texas while Secretary of State Judah P. Benjamin leaves the party and eventually succeeds in getting to London, England, and a successful postwar life there.

Confederate General Birthdays, May 3.

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