Friday, November 22, 2013

May 6 - 12, 186

Compiled by Jim Hachtel, President 

Gen. William T. Sherman Memorial Civil War Roundtable 


Special Note... May 5, 1862... The day now celebrated as Cinco de Mayo in Mexico had little to do with the American Civil War. However, on this date in 1862 (150 years ago today) the French were defeated by the Mexican Militia led by Beneto Juarez and especially by the fork and shovel armed Mexican farmers. That victory for Mexico is the reason for the celebration on this date. Juarez asked for help from the United States but the Civil War prevented any aid. The French eventually defeated the Mexicans and installed Maximilian as the Emperor two years later.

May 6, 1862 - At Harrisonburg, Virginia, General Thomas J. Jackson's Southern force defeats General Nathaniel P. Banks' Union troops with minor losses on both sides. General Jackson marches his skirmishers 35 miles through the mountains toward McDowell while General Banks moves his confused group to New Market, Virginia.

May 6, 1862 - Williamsburg continues to be the encampment of a large number of General McClellan's Union troops.

May 7, 1862 - On the road from Yorktown toward Richmond, both northern and southern troops continue to harass each other. At Eltham's Landing, Virginia, General William B. Franklin lands part of his division of Union forces to attack the flank of the Confederate Troops moving north. General Gustavus W. Smith, in charge of moving the Confederate baggage train, is aware of the danger and orders General John B. Hood's Texas Brigade to push the Union troops back toward the river. The move works until the guns from the river transports cause Hood to stop the pursuit. The wagon train moves on without damage and the Union force does not follow.

May 7, 1862 - President Lincoln inspects the USS Monitor near Fortress Monroe.

May 7, 1862 - General Jackson continues to push his 10,000 footsore soldiers toward McDowell in Western Virginia. As Jackson's forces prepare to engage General Robert H. Milroy's Federal Forces, General Robert C. Schenk's brigade arrives, bringing the Union Force up to about 6,000.

May 8, 1862 - Union forces occupy Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

May 8, 1862 - Generals Milroy and Jackson engage at McDowell in a relatively major battle. After a stiff fight lasting over four hours, Union General Milroy retreats with Confederate Cavalry Colonel Turner Ashby in pursuit. This is the first battle of Jackson's Valley Campaign and Jackson's losses are about twice the north's loss. General Edward Johnston is severely wounded in this battle and requires a lengthy convalescence.

May 8, 1862 - At Sewell's Point, Virginia, the USS Monitor, Dacotah, Seminole, Susquehanna, and Naugatuck bombard Confederate batteries. This encounter is under the direction of President Lincoln who also orders the USS Galena up the James River to support General McClellan.

May 8, 1862 - A landing party from the USS Iroquois strengthens the hold on Baton Rouge and seizes the local arsenal.

May 9, 1862 - President Lincoln uses diplomatic terms to again admonish General McClellan for his slow move toward Richmond.

May 9, 1862 - Confederate forces complete the evacuation of Norfolk, leaving behind vast quantities of supplies.

May 9, 1862 - General David Hunter, commanding the Department of the South (Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina) declares all slaves emancipated and plans to arm and use them in the military.

May 9, 1862 - As General Halleck moves slowly toward Corinth, Mississippi, General P.G.T. Beauregard begins to send skirmishers to further delay the Northern Army.

May 9, 1862 - Confederate forces abandon Pensacola, Florida navy yard and destroy the unfinished ironclad CSS Fulton.

May 9, 1862 - Captain Charles H. Davis relieves Commodore Andrew Foote. Commodore Foote was injured at the capture of Fort Donelson and is finally replaced.

May 10, 1862 - Gosport Navy Yard at Norfolk is occupied by Union Troops under General John Wool. This occupation was directed by President Lincoln from his offshore vessel.

May 10, 1862 - Hearing of the fall of New Orleans, the Confederates evacuate the city of Pensacola, Florida. Union troops move into the town and promptly reclaim the base and navy yard. This is quickly turned into a Union Blockading Force supply depot.

May 10, 1862 - The USS New Ironsides is launched at Philadelphia.

May 10, 1862 - In a rare squadron action in the Civil War the Confederate River Defense Fleet with eight converted steam rams moves into the Mississippi River just north of Fort Pillow. The seven Union ironclads under Captain Charles H. Davis outgun the southern force but are not as maneuverable in cramped water. The lightly armed but cotton bale-protected vessels of Captain James Montgomery give the ironclads a rough time, sinking two. The USS Carondelet, heavily clad and outfitted with rifled cannon, drives Montgomery back to Fort Pillow. Captain Davis asks for new speedy Ellet rams.

May 11, 1862 - The CSS Virginia, saved by the Confederate Navy when Gosport Navy Base was abandoned, is now scuttled because it draws too much water to hide up the James River. The Northern Blockading Fleet can now operate all the way to Drewry's Bluff, below Richmond on the James River.

May 12, 1862 - President Lincoln declares the Ports of Beaufort, North Carolina; Port Royal, South Carolina; and New Orleans open for trade. The president hopes commercial activity in the ports will strengthen political bonds between South and North.

May 12, 1862 - General McClellan moves to White House, Virginia, just 22 miles from Richmond.

May 12, 1862 - The crew of the CSS Virginia is assigned to man an artillery battery near Drewry's Bluff which rises about 100 feet above the river just seven miles down river from Richmond. General George C. W. Lee, engineering officer and eldest son of Robert E. Lee, supervises the installation of redoubts and other blocks in the river.