Today in History (general History)/ On This Day in Confederate History/ Confederate General Birthdays, March 19.

CLICK👉Today in History (general history) March 19.

ON THIS DAY IN CONFEDERATE HISTORY

1861-Northern President Lincoln sent Gustavus Vasa Fox to Charleston, SC, to evaluate the situation with Forts Sumter, which had become the focus of the tension between the two nations. It was under the command of Major Robert Anderson. Fox reached Charleston, SC, and met with Gov. Francis Pickens and Gen. PGT Beauregard and was given permission to meet with Anderson at Fort Sumter. While meeting with Anderson, he hinted that Lincoln would send reinforcements. 

1862-At New Orleans, the Confederacy's largest and most industrialized city, while the Confederate Army and Navy and Louisiana's State Militia are busy building up their forts and river fleet, Cmdr. D.D. Porter arrived with his mortar ships to reinforce Rear Admiral David Farragut's West Gulf Blockade Squadron in preparation for their attack of Forts St.Philip and Jackson. The forts had protected New Orleans from the British fleet in 1815, and the Confederates were gambling they could do the same in  1863. However, Gen. Beauregard had warned authorities they probably could not do it this time. The Confederates were also gambling on two powerful ironclads they were building to back up the forts, but would they be ready in time?

1863-The CSS Georgiana, built in Scotland to be a power cruiser with an iron hull steam propeller, was on its maiden voyage when it was approached by a Federal Navy blockader. It was supposed to be fitted out with its guns and receive its full crew in Charleston. Rather than be captured, the captain of the ship scuttled her. The wreck was found in 1965 in shallow water just outside the harbor.

1864-The Battle of Laredo, Texas, took place on this day on the Texas-Mexico border when a contingent of Federal infantry, cavalry, and artillery, totaling 200 men, tried to capture a Confederate stockpile of cotton guarded by Colonel Santos Benavidas's command of cavalry and local militia, totaling 72 men. Although outnumbered, the Confederates put up a determined defense, and the Federals withdrew. The victory secured 5,000 bales of cotton, which were shipped through Mexico. The only casualties were 2 Federals killed.

Col. Santos Benavidas

33rd Texas Cavalry

Cofederate officers of the 33rd Texas Cavalry,

Refugio Benavides, left, Atanacio Vidaurri, Cristobal 

Benavides and John Z. Leyendecker. 

(University of Texas at San Antonio Library)

CONFEDERATE GENERAL BIRTHDAYS

Brigadier General Johnson Duncan was born on this day in Chanceford, York County, PA, in 1827. He was appointed to West Point on July 1, 1845, and graduated in June 1849 was ranking 5th in a class of 43 cadets. Duncan was brevetted a second lieutenant in the 2nd U.S. Artillery and promoted to second lieutenant on Oct. 31, 1849. He saw action in the Seminole War in Florida. He was assigned to Fort Sullivan, Maine and received a promotion to first lieutenant in 1853. He resigned from the U.S. Army in 1855. He moved to New Orleans, where he was employed as an engineer on the staff of Major P.G. Beauregard, who was then the head of the Army Corps of Engineers, as well as being appointed the Chief Engineer for Louisiana. He married a local girl and started a family. Duncan also became involved in local politics. He was also active with the State Militia and was appointed by the governor to be a captain in the 1st Louisiana Heavy Artillery, which manned the various forts around the city. Promoted to colonel in the Confederate Army, he was put in command of all the forts with headquarters at Fort Jackson. He was promoted to brigadier general on January 7, 1862. While he commanded with distinction, during the Battle of New Orleans, in April, 1862, he had to surrender when the Federal Navy got past the forts and many of the men at Fort Jackson mutinied. After being exchanged, he was assigned to be chief of staff for General Braxton Bragg. But on Dec. 18, 1862, he died of malaria and was buried at McGavock Cemetery on Carnton Plantation, in Franklin, Tennessee. His son, who was named in his honor, later wrote a history of the New Orleans Campaign of 1862 that was published in the Battles and Leaders series for Century Magazine,

Brig. Gen. Johnson Kelly Duncan