Civil War - 150 Years ago this week - August 3-9, 1864

August 3,1864-General Jubal Early withdraws his Confederate cavalry from Maryland into West Virginia. General McCausland's Confederate raiders remain in Maryland. General David Hunter dispatches General Averell's 1,500 man Union Cavalry to find and defeat them.

August 3,1864-Mobile Bay, Alabama is made safer for Union use when armed Union boats sail into the bay at night to mark the torpedo field with bouys and disable as many of the torpedo mines as possible.

August 4,1864-General William T. Sherman continues his strategy of encircling Atlanta. He orders General Schofield's Army of the Ohio with help from General John Palmer's XIV Corps from the Army of the Tennessee to storm Confederate earthworks at Utoy Creek, moving the Union forces just two miles from the strategic East Point railroad junction.

August 4,1864-General McCausland's Confederate cavalry hits the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at New Creek, West Virginia but are repulsed. They move on to Moorefield, West Virginia.

August 5,1864-President Lincoln vetoes a bill proposed by Radical Republicans Benjamin Wade and Henry W. Davis that would allow them to actively campaign to depose Lincoln. The so-called Wade-Davis Manifesto would "check the encroachment of the Executive on the Authority of Congress". The issue is whether Lincoln or Congress will control reconstruction.

August 5,1864-General William Averell is advised of increased Confederate activity around New Creek, West Virginia. Averell's troops approach Moorefield, West Virginia.

August 5,1864-Admiral Farragut launches an all out attack to capture Mobile Bay. The ironclads lead the formation followed by the 14 wooden ships lashed together in pairs and the other supply and smaller boats lashed to the armada on the side away from Fort Morgan where Confederate heavy cannons are located. The USS Tecumseh ironclad strikes a torpedo and sinks within 30 second with 90 crewmen lost. The USS Brooklyn, second vessel in line, suddenly reverses engines and the entire squadron jams up dangerously. Admiral Farragut inquires what the problem is and when told by the Brooklyn's captain "Torpedos!!!", Farragut responds "Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead". The CSS Tennessee tries and fails to ram Farragut's flagship "Hartford" and no further ships are lost. The Tennessee retreats to the protection of Fort Morgan.

August 6,1864-The CSS Tennessee refuses to surrender and tries to attack. Speedier Union vessels surround the Tennessee and ram the ship. The smokestack and steering chains are damaged and Captain Buchannan lowers his flag around 10:00 AM. The last remaining port in the Confederacy is closed.

August 6,1864-General Averell passes through Romney, West Virginia intent on striking the Moorefield area Confederate encampments. Confederate pickets are seized as the Union force moves in.

August 6,1864-Newly appointed Army of the Shenandoah General Phil Sheridan arrives at Harper's Ferry, West Virginia.

August 7,1864-President Lincoln questions General Grant over the naming of 33 year old General Sheridan to such an important position. Grant defends the choice stating that he wants an aggressive and headstrong firebrand at the helm.

August 7,1864-General Averell surprises General Bradley T. Johnson's troopers at Moorefield, West Virginia, driving part of the 8th Virginia Cavalry into the Potomac River. General McCausland's camp is also overrun.

August 7,1864-The East Point, Georgia railroad junction is heavily fortified and General Schofield decides not to attack. He orders his men to fortify positions along Sandtown Road.

August 8,1864-Fort Gaines, Mobile Bay, Alabama is formally surrendered after prolonged naval bombardment. Fort Morgan remains in Confederate hands as the Union vessels replenish ammunition and move into position for a bombardment.

August 9,1864-A 12-pound torpedo is detonated by saboteurs on a large Union transport at City Point, Virginia. The blast triggers other stored ordnance to explode throughout the occupied city with 43 Union soldiers lost and 126 injured. The Confederate Army has finished repair on the fortifications damaged by the "Crater" mine.

August 9,1864-General Sherman directs siege guns be positioned on Bald Hill, Georgia. Several large Parrott rifles are placed and bombard Atlanta with about 5,000 shots per day for the next two weeks. The effect on morale of Atlanta occupants is as important as damage.