Gen. William T. Sherman Memorial Civil War Roundtable
February 10, 1863 - The ram "USS Queen of the West" moves down the Red River, Louisiana while the ram "USS Dick Fulton" is damaged by Confederate forces at Cyrus Bend, Arkansas.
February 11, 1863 - Confederate agent James M. Mason continues to ask Britain to recognize the Confederacy, this time at the Lord Mayor's banquet in London.
February 13, 1863 - Lieutenant John N. Maffitt commanding the Confederate raider "CSS Florida" orders an attack on the Union clipper ship "Jacob Bell." The clipper is damaged and an estimated $2 million in cargo is seized.
February 13, 1863 - The "USS Queen of the West," now on the Atchafalaya River, Louisiana, destroys a Confederate wagon train. The "USS Conestoga" captures the Confederate steamers "Rose Hambleton" and the "Evansville" on White River, Arkansas.
February 14, 1863 - In more Navy news, Colonel Charles R. Ellet sails the U.S. ram "Queen of the West" up the Black River where she overtakes the "CSS New Era No.5." Moving back downstream, the "Queen of the West" is fired on from Confederate shore batteries, run aground and captured. The Union crew transfers to the "New Era No. 5" prize they control and everyone escapes.
February 14, 1863 - The "USS Tioga" captures the British blockade runner "Avon" near the Bahamas and the "USS Forest Rose" takes the Confederate steamer "Chippewa Valley" near Island No. 63 on the Mississippi River.
February 15, 1863 - General John Morgan and his Confederate raiders are turned back by Union troops near Cainsville, Tennessee.
February 15, 1863 - The "USS Sonoma" captures the "Atlantic," a Confederate brig.
February 16, 1863 - The U.S. Congress authorizes a new Conscription Act as the session continues. Volunteer soldiers are not enough to fill the quota so all men between age 20 and 45 are now eligible for military service. Substitutes can still be hired for $300.00, however.
