Chronological History of the American Civil War

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Saturday, July 5, 1862 : Congress was already planning for a post-war America. It authorised the building of the first trans-continental railway. Lincoln signed the Morrill Land Grant Act, which was to allow settlers to take up public land in the west to “tame the prairies”.

Sunday, July 6, 1862 : General Ambrose Burnside (U.S.) (pictured) concluded today, that his recapture of Albemarle Sound and Roanoke Island in North Carolina was essentially complete. He, along with a good part of his troops, sailed from Cape Hatteras up to the James River headquarters of General McClellan (U.S.). The battered Army of the Potomac, having just concluded the messy Seven Days campaign, badly needed the manpower. Burnside had served as governor of Rhode Island and senator there as well, but he will always be remembered for coining the word for “sideburns.” A skirmish at Devalls Bluff Arkansas, on the Arkansas River, another 106 lives were taken deciding no victor. Monday, July 7, 2012 : The President with a military party leave Washington aboard U.S.S. "Ariel" at early hour to visit General McClellan (U.S.) with Army

of Potomac at Harrison's Landing, Virginia. Union Major General Samuel R. Curtis push toward Little Rock, today slowed at Cotton Plant, Arkansas. After a successful charge by the rebels, the Union line held on the second charge. Now with Union reinforcements, the rebels retreated leaving 245 either dead or captured. Tuesday, July 8, 1862 : President Lincoln arrives at Harrison’s Landing, Virginia. General McClellan goes aboard the U.S.S. Ariel and hands Lincoln a letter, pointing out his complaints protesting, that he could not be more aggressive in his campaigning because of the President’s order that many of his soldiers be kept in Washington D.C. to protect the city. McClellan (U.S.) called for more troops and that Union troops should do nothing to interfere with the practice of slavery. General W. T. Sherman's (U.S.) command enters Holly Springs, Mississippi. Odore R Timby patents the revolving gun turret. Wednesday, July 9, 1862 : John Hunt Morgan (CSA) had had a varied career. Born in Alabama, but now a Kentuckian, he had been expelled from college, then joined the Army and served in the Mexican War, then bought a hemp factory and raised a militia group. Today, he was leading his cavalry forces against the Union, and doing so very effectively. In fact, he routed the Yankees, and captured the town of Tompkinsville, Kentucky in hopes of recruiting more troops. Mrs. M. C. Gallaway of Memphis, wife of the editor of the newspaper, “Memphis Avalanche” is arrested for "treasonable correspondence" with the enemy. She had in her possession a letter from her husband. General Grant orders her from Memphis and sent beyond Union lines. Her mansion and furnishings are looted. Thursday, July 10, 1862 : Cincinnati Commercial wrote: “When we entered Holly Springs the ladies came running out, saying, "Where are those Yankees you promised to bring?" repeating it several times. They supposed us as Jackson's cavalry. We very politely informed them that we were the Yankees, and more of them were close at hand. Several citizens had their horses saddled and bridled, ready to join Jackson, when we arrived, and when we came into the city they mounted their horses ready for a march, which they had the pleasure of taking--as prisoners of war.” Today in Guntown, Mississippi, it was supposed to be a Federal “expedition”, but a flag of truce came out and the afternoon was spent socializing, discussing issues, and trading newspapers. U.S. begins construction of Central Pacific Railroad. Friday, July 11, 1862 : Lincoln appoints General Halleck as General-in-Chief of the Federal Armies. In New Orleans, the town was under military occupation, with the commander of these forces, General Benjamin Butler, (U.S.) being reviled as a tyrant, dis-respecter of women, and general spawn of Satan. There was something absent from the town: the usual summertime epidemic of yellow fever. As it happened, Butler had ordered great improvements in public sanitation. In addition, he had, as a make- work project for the unemployed, required that ruts and holes in streets be filled in with dirt and sand. This removed so many puddles that the mosquitoes were unable to breed in their accustomed numbers, thereby reducing the disease rate immensely. As it was not known at this time that the insects were responsible for the sickness, Butler got no credit from anyone for the improvement.