Chronological History of the American Civil War

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River) “My Old Kentucky Home,” “Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair,” and “Old Black Joe.” Due in part to the limited scope of music copyrights and composer royalties at the time, Foster realized very little of the profits from his works. One of his most beloved works, “Beautiful Dreamer,” was published shortly after his death. Thursday, January 14, 1864 : Captain Semmes and his Rebel crew aboard the C.S.S. Alabama captures and burns the Emma Jane off the coast of Malabar in southwest India; now having destroyed over 60 Union vessels. More skirmishes are in Tennessee at Dandridge and at Schultz’s Mill on Cosby Creek, and in western Tennessee at Middleton, and also in Alabama at Shoal Creek. Friday, January 15, 1864 : Commander James Cooke, (CSN) is picked to command the massive new warship C.S.S. Albemarle. Still being built at Edwards Ferry, North Carolina, the ship’s extra reinforced hull of iron plate with a bow shape like an axe designed to split ships like firewood. Saturday, January 16, 1864 : Wanting to push the Confederates out of their winter headquarters near Dandridge in east Tennessee, more Union forces under Major General John G. Parke (U.S.) advanced on Dandridge. As the Union cavalry neared the Kimbrough’s Crossroads, they discovered an enemy infantry division with artillery that had arrived the day before. The Union cavalry could not dislodge these Rebels, and was compelled to retire to Dandridge. Sunday, January 17, 1864 : Brig. General Samuel D. Sturgis, (U.S.) receives information that the Confederates were preparing for an attack, so he formed his men into lines of battle. About 4:00 p.m., the Confederates advanced towards Dandridge, Tennessee and the battle quickly turned to general fighting that continues past dark. General Parke (U.S.) ordered the Federals to retreat to New Market and Strawberry Plains during the night. The Confederates pursued, but due to the lack of cannons, ammunition, and shoes, broke off and fell back to Dandridge. For the time being, the Union forces left the area. Casualties for the Union were 150 and unknown for the Confederates. Monday, January 18, 186 4: Protest meetings were held in North Carolina regarding the conscription policy of the Confederacy. All white males between 18 and 45 were required to enlist, this would shortly increase to all males between 17 and 60. At Big Springs, near Tazewell, Tennessee, General Longstreet (CSA) with 100 men attack 150 Yankees, killed and wounded 6, captured 3 lieutenants, 64 privates, 60 or 70 horses, 50 stand of arms, 6 wagons, and 1 ambulance. Tuesday, January 19, 1864 : The Confederate secret service agent was nearing completion of

the “coal torpedo.” Thomas E. Courtenay (CSA) (pictured) states, “The castings have all been completed some time and the coal is so perfect, that the most critical eye could not detect it.” These devices, really powder filled cast iron bombs, shaped and painted to resemble pieces of coal, were to be deposited in Federal naval coal depots, from where they would eventually reach and explode ships’ boilers. Not enough were made to have much of an effect, although one would come close next year in City Point, Virginia. Pro-Union supporters meet at Little Rock, Arkansas to discuss reinstatement plans. Wednesday, January 20, 1864 : Two Confederate cavalry units arrive at Altamont, Tennessee, dressed in Union uniform, call a Union captain out

of the house he was in. They then shoot and kill the Union officer when he comes out. They proceed to Tracy City, where they overrun the Federals there and shoot another Union captain