December 29,1863-Armed boats from the USS Stars and Stripes burn the Confederate Blockade runner Caroline Gertrude near the mouth of the Ocklockonee River, Florida.
December 30,1863-Two Confederate salt works are destroyed at St. Joseph Bay, Florida by crews from the USS Pursuit.
December 31,1863-Navy Secretary Gideon Wells sums up the past year of war saying "The war has been waged with success, although there have been in some instances errors and misfortunes. But the heart of the nation is sounder and it's hopes higher".
December 31,1863-President Davis appoints North Carolina senator George Davis as interim Confederate Attorney General replacing outgoing Wade Keyes.
January 1,1864-Confederate General William "Extra Billy" Smith becomes governor of Virginia. General Smith fought at Gettysburg.
January 2,1864-Suffering manpower shortages, Confederate General Patrick L. Cleburne and other officers petition for the use of African American in the Confederate Army. President Davis ignores the petition and denies a well deserved promotion for Cleburne (to Lieutenant General) because of it.
January 2,1864-George Davis formally replaces Wade Keyes as Attorney General.
January 2,1864-Union troops occupy Santa Catalina Island, off the coast of California.
January 3,1284-General William E. Jones leads his Confederate Cavalry in a surprise attack on General Orlando Wilcox' forces near Jonesville, Virginia. Union losses are 383 prisoners, 27 wagons, and 3 cannons.
January 3,1864-General Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry seizes a large supply train and 250 head of cattle in a raid on Union General Benjamin F. Kelly's force moving in Hardy County, West Virginia.
January 4,1864-President Davis instruct General Robert E. Lee to begin requisitioning food from civilians as necessary in support of Lee's Army.
