Chronological History of the American Civil War

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Monday, September 30, 1961 : Lincoln continues to wrestle with the problem of Fremont (U.S.). McClellan's lack of action irks Lincoln further and draws criticism from both civilian and military observers. Lincoln is anxious to establish firm control in Kentucky and settle matters with Fremont in Missouri. Hardeman County plantation owner/planter, merchant, and civic leader, John Houston Bills (The Pillars) wrote in his diary: “Our Civil war is assuming immense proportions. I think not less than 800,000 men in the field; say 425,000 on the Federal Side & 375,000 on the side of the South. Our governor Harris calls for 30,000 more. I can see nothing but ruin to both sides from the Wicked Course being pursued.” Tuesday, October, 1, 1861 : Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Generals Johnston, Beauregard, and Smith meet at Centreville, VA to discuss the possibility of a Southern offensive in VA. They conclude, based on lack of supplies and men, that an offensive would fail and decide to wait for spring and watch for developments on all fronts. Wednesday, October, 2, 1861 : Governor A.B. Moore of Alabama issues a proclamation against tradesmen and government suppliers overcharging for services and materials. In Richmond, Confederates prepare a list of enemy aliens for publication in the local newspapers. Union forces defeat the Confederates at Chapmanville, Virginia. Union troops disrupt a Confederate camp in Charleston, Missouri, where clashes between pro-Union and secession groups have occurred for several days. Thursday, October, 3, 1861 : The Memphis Daily Appeal reports: " The Richmond Enquirer states that a lady who gave her name as Mrs. Mary Ann Keith, of Memphis, was arrested in Lynchburg on Wednesday. When arrested she was rigged out in a full suit of soldiers' clothes, and had registered her name at the Piedmont House as Lieutenant Buford. She declared that she was all right on the southern question, and scouted the idea of being a spy. She said her reason for dressing in soldier clothes was, that she had determined to fight the battles of her country, and thought such disguise more likely to enable her to accomplish her object. She was sent on to Richmond for a further hearing." About 250 women are thought to have served in the Confederate army disguised as men, with about 400 women serving in a similar manner in the Union Army. Friday, October, 4, 1861 : New York Times reports that cotton is piling up in New Orleans’ warehouses with no place to ship; fearing that the Civil War will prevent any cotton trade, England works to develop a commercial relationship with India, which has already seen a three fold increase in its cotton exports. Later news stories report attempts to develop substantial cotton crops in Jamaica and Peru. The USS South Carolina was on patrol in the Gulf of Mexico gave chase below Southwest Pass and in short order captured both vessels Ezilda and Joseph R. Toone making for New Orleans. Together both (CSA) ships were carrying between 4,000 and 5,000 stands of arms. In securing their help, Confederate government signs treaties with the Shawnee and Seneca Indians. This reserved the right for the tribal authorities to inflict punishment on whites who illegally resided on their lands, something they had attempted to get the United States to allow them to do prior to the Civil War. Saturday, October, 5, 1861 : Union troops in California travel to Oak Grove and Temecula Ranch to root out alleged pro-Confederates. The London Times shows sympathy with the Union, while the London Post publishes an editorial in favor of the Confederacy. Sunday, October 6, 1861 : It was a great innovation in a day, when the former method of getting mail to California consisted of sailing ships around Cape Horn. But its connection with the War is slight and its significance was really rather small in the great scheme of the advancement of communications technology. Their accomplishments and personnel have lived on to this day in myth, legend, movies and memories. The pony express is officially discontinued after only 18 months of courageous service. The Confederacy started a campaign to find crossings over the Upper Potomac that, if successful, would have allowed them to outflank the Unionist force in the capital. Monday, October 7, 1861 : Fremont (U.S.) leaves St. Louis for Springfield to command the chase after Missouri Militia commander Sterling Price, who is withdrawing closer toward Lexington, Missouri. Antonia Ford, the daughter of prominent merchant and secessionist, Edward R. Ford, gathered information on Union forces and passed it to such notables as General Stuart and Colonel John S.