Chronological History of the American Civil War

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Monday, January 23, 1865 : While on a three week furlough, Confederate General Hicks Jackson of Jackson, Tennessee and Tennessee’s ex-governor Isham Harris, are dining at the home John Houston Bills, “The Pillars” in Bolivar. In February, General Jackson will be assigned to command of all cavalry from Tennessee in the force of Nathan Bedford Forrest (CSA). After dark the Confederate fleet of 11 ships, under Flag Officer John K. Mitchell, (CSA) attempts to dash down the James River, and attack General Grant’s headquarters at City Point, Virginia. This bold attack is stopped, when the heaviest of their Southern ironclads runs aground. The Rebels had 1 gunboat sunk, 1 torpedo boat sunk, 2 ironclads damaged, 3 gunboats damaged, 1 torpedo boat damaged; the others all made it back to Richmond. Lieut. General Robert Taylor (CSA) assumes command of the remnants or the Army of Tennessee (CSA), Vice Lieut. General John Bell Hood (CSA), had resigned command on January 13th. Tuesday, January 24, 1864 : Major General Nathan Bedford Forrest (CSA) assumes the command of the District of Mississippi, East Louisiana, and West Tennessee. Writing in her journal, Tennessean, Lucy Virginia French considers some of the rumors that are circulating within the state: “There is a contraband camp [near McMinnville] where … poor wretches literally freeze to death by dozens during this severe weather—they have no clothes scarcely— bedding, shelter, and food the same, while their friends the Yankees curse and abuse them for everything low and vile and no account. Of course, who expected anything else? The papers at present are full of Peace rumors. I think the Yanks are becoming quite as weary of the war as Rebs are reported to be…. A more important rumor is the old one revived—Intervention of England and France. It is stated that they will … recognize Mr. Lincoln as President only of the States which elected him—thus recognizing the Confederacy.” A Union expedition from Cape Girardeau, Missouri find many families starving. The Federals use their own funds and take money from the wealthy Rebel families, they come across to buy food for the destitute. Grant finally agrees to an exchange of prisoners. He did not believe now, that it would make any difference to the campaign, as he felt that the exchanged Southern prisoners would be less than keen to fight, and the South was still experiencing major problems with desertion. Wednesday, January 25, 1865 : General Sherman (U.S.) continues his advance through South Carolina. All his men face are a few skirmishes with Confederate troops. No major effort to stop this advance. The Confederate commerce raider, C.S.S. Shenandoah , arrives at Melbourne, Australia for repairs and provisions. Thursday, January 26, 1865 : In order to deceive the Southern forces, General Sherman (U.S.) sends an expeditionary force toward Charleston. There is skirmishing near Pocotaligo, South Carolina and Paint Rock, Alabama. Friday, January 27, 1865 : General Lee (CSA) complains to the Confederate government in Richmond, that his men are surviving on pitiable rations, and that the major cause of desertion is the poor rations. On the same day, he sends a letter to the Governor of South Carolina, that “the Confederacy was safe” as long as the civilian population continues, to give its support to the troops. Over the next two weeks on a Federal expedition from Memphis, Tennessee into Southeastern Arkansas and Northeastern Louisiana, the Yankees will lay waste to vast amounts of Confederate provisions, food, etc., including the capture of the Confederate transport, Jim Barkman , that was loading corn for the Confederates at Camden. The Federals capture and refloat the Confederate torpedo boat, C.S.S. Scorpion , on the James River, below Richmond, Virginia.