Chronological History of the American Civil War

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earth-and-timber fortress. A Union force appeared from the north. It was General James G. Blunt (U.S.) commander of the forces in Kansas, who was in the process of moving his headquarters from Fort Scott, Kansas, to Fort Smith, Arkansas. Blunt spotted Quantrill's men, but mistook them for Union troops, because many were dressed in captured Yankee uniforms. Quantrill attacked, and the scene turned into a massacre. The Yankees quickly scattered, and Quantrill's partisans hunted them down. Estimated Casualties: 106 total (U.S. 103; CSA 3). Quantrill and his men continued, south to Texas, raiding homesteads and attacking Native American communities along the way. In Chattanooga, most of the wooden houses and buildings were destroyed, leaving 2,500 citizens to cram themselves into a few stone buildings still standing. Major General Joseph Wheeler and his Confederate raiders, entered the town of Christiana, Tennessee. They managed to capture 2 trains and destroyed railroad track, bridges, and Union supplies. In the town of Shelbyville, Wheeler’s raiders, destroyed the Union supply facilities. President Davis (CSA) heads south from Richmond on a trip to South Carolina and North Georgia. Wednesday, October 7, 1863 : A patrol from Mount Pleasant, Mississippi, reports “Enemy divided his forces 11 miles south of LaGrange last night about dark. Main force going east on Salem road. Col. Hurst captured 1 captain and several other prisoners from rear guard.” President Davis speaks in Atlanta. Thursday, October 8, 1863 : The lack of food in Chattanooga started to take a hold with many Union soldiers falling ill due to malnourishment. The soldiers in the town had slaughtered most of their animals in an effort to feed themselves, but by now even these had run out. Friday, October 9, 1863 : Confederate cavalry attacked a major Union supply column bound for Chattanooga. Hundreds of supply wagons – along with their contents – were lost. In Virginia, Robert E. Lee (CSA) and the Army of Northern Virginia crossed the Rapidan River in an attempt to outflank Major General George G. Meade, (U.S.) to get to Washington, D.C., since the Army of the Potomac (U.S.) has been weakened by sending troops to Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Confederate cavalry, commanded by Col. Jo Shelby, surrounded the town of Tipton, Missouri. Tipton was located just west of Jefferson City. Inside the town was 100 local Union militia. The Confederates drove out the militia and captured the town. While at Tipton, the Confederates destroyed a nearby railway bridge at La Mine Bridge. They then headed off towards Syracuse. Saturday, October 10, 1863 : President Jefferson Davis (CSA) arrives at Chattanooga, Tennessee, to discuss strategy with Confederate General Braxton Bragg, and quiet the unrest with Bragg's subordinates, as General Longstreet (CSA) and other want Bragg to be replaced. Blue Springs in Greene County, Tennessee, Union defeat Confederate soldiers defending the area. Losses for the unnecessary fight totaled 216 Confederates and 100 Federals. Sunday, October 11, 1863 : General Longstreet (CSA), who played such an significant part in the victory at Chickamauga, again asked President Davis to replace General Bragg (CSA). Once again, Davis refused. Brig. General James R. Chalmers (CSA) attacks the train at Collierville, Tennessee with U.S. General William Tecumseh Sherman on board. After a short battle, Chalmers retired late in the afternoon as Union General John M. Corse (U.S.) approached from Memphis with his brigade of Union troops, keeping the railroad in Union hands. General Chalmers (CSA) men did manage to steal General Sherman’s (U.S.) horse. They also rummaged the General’s train car, taking from it his coat and a number of articles of baggage belonging to the members of his staff.