Compiled by Jim Hachtel, President
Gen. William T. Sherman Memorial Civil War Roundtable
May 26, 1863 - At Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Peace Democrat Clement L. Vallandigham is banished to the Confederacy for the duration of the war.
May 26, 1863 - Port Hudson, Louisiana is the target of General Nathaniel Bank' planned attack, beginning as a heavy naval bombardment followed by a mass infantry assault. A coordinated attack is difficult due to the rough terrain and the difficulty of maintaining close coordination of several subordinates units.
May 27, 1863 - General Banks launches his attack on Port Hudson at 6:00AM. Fighting continues for six hours with the Union force gaining some foothold but ultimately they are driven off. This is the first large scale use of African-American troops in battle with the 1st Regiment of the Louisiana Guards made up of Creole elites from New Orleans, with a black officer commanding and the 3rd Regiment made up of former slaves commanded by a white officer. Admiral Farragut's squadron is actively engaged in the reduction of Port Hudson.
May 27, 1863 - Near Vicksburg, General W.T. Sherman attacks Fort Hill and is repulsed. The USS Cincinnati, commanded by Lieutenant George Bache, is sunk by cannon fire at Fort Hill but goes down with colors flying, eliciting praise from General Sherman.
May 28, 1863 - The 54th Massachusetts Infantry passes through Boston and ships out to Hilton Head, South Carolina for siege duty at Charleston. This is the first all black unit in the field for the North.
May 29, 1863 - General Ambrose Burnside protests the release of Copperhead Vallandigham and tenders his resignation to President Lincoln in protest. It is refused by the president.
May 30, 1863 - The Army of Northern Virginia is reorganized into four Corps by General Robert E. Lee. Leaders are: General James Longstreet (I Corps), General Richard Ewell (II Corps), General Ambrose P. Hill (III Corps), and General J.E.B. Stuart (Cavalry Corps).
May 31, 1863 - President Jefferson Davis expresses his dissatisfaction with General Joseph E. Johnston's failure to handle affairs at Vicksburg. This occurs in a high level strategy meeting with General R.E. Lee at Richmond.
May 31, 1863 - Admiral David Porter offers two large naval guns for service ashore at Vicksburg, to be manned by naval personnel. This is an unusual display of inter service cooperation. General Sherman accepts the offer.
June 1, 1863 - General Ambrose Burnside closes the Chicago Times office after disloyal articles are printed. This causes an uproar and a political headache for President Lincoln.
