Chronological History of the American Civil War

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Mrs. L. G. Pickett did attempt to smuggle several articles of merchandise through the picket line in the vicinity of Memphis; (one pair of citizens boots, and six or eight wool hats). She is sentenced “to be confined in the military prison at Alton, Illinois, for the period of six months; and that she pay a fine to the United States of the sum of one thousand dollars ($1000); ($14,600 in today's money) and that she be confined in said military prison until, said fine be fully paid.” By order of Major General C. C. Washburn, (U.S.). Thursday, July 28, 1864 : General O. O. Howard (U.S.) anticipates Hoods (CSA) next move and entrenches one of his corps in the Confederates’ path at Ezra Church, and repulses Hoods (CSA) determined attack, inflicting numerous casualties. Although a Union victory, Howard (U.S.) failed to cut the railroad. This was also a major failure in the South as they lost 4,600 men, while the Union lost just 500. Leaving Memphis, General Andrew Jackson Smith (U.S.) starts another raid into Mississippi to occupy Forrest (CSA) and join up with Sherman (U.S.). General Alfred Sully (U.S.) leads 2,200 men into western Dakota Territory. Today, in the Battle of Killdeer Mountain, Sully defeats about 1,600 Sioux warriors. The Indians leave all their possessions, and in a running fight of about nine miles scatters the warriors, who were not injured or killed. Killdeer Mountain broke the back of the Sioux resistance. After the battle the Sioux, along with their women and children, scattered in the Badlands west of Killdeer Mountain. Low on supplies, Sully will continue to pursue them. Friday, July 29, 1864 : Skirmishes break out at Hagerstown, Maryland, as Lieut. General Jubal Early (CSA) orders the Confederate cavalry under Brig. General John McCausland to move back into Maryland and Pennsylvania. Saturday, July 30, 1864 : Remember that tunnel the Yankees were digging at Petersburg, Virginia? They finished it, and put in four tons of gunpowder. At dawn, the Yankees lit the fuze. It blew a hole 170 feet long, 60 to 80 feet wide, and 30 feet deep. The 15,000 attacking Union troops, under General Burnside, (U.S.) ran into the hugh crater; rather than around it. Part

of the Rebel line was captured, but the Confederates that gathered from each side fired down on the Yankees, that could not climb out of the hole. The South described it like a turkey shoot. Union casualties were 3,798, (504 killed, 1,881 wounded, 1,413 missing or captured) while the Confederate had 1,491 (361 killed, 727 wounded, 403 missing or captured). This blunder of mistakes ends the career of General Burnside (U.S.). In Macon, Georgia, townspeople burn the bridge over the Ocmulgee River to stall the advance of the Union forces of Brig. General George Stoneman (pictured) and keep them out. At Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, Lt. General Jubal A. Early (CSA)

demands the citizens of this southern Pennsylvania town $100,000 in gold or $500,000 in greenbacks as compensation for 3 Virginia houses burned by Major General David Hunter’s Union troops. The citizens refused to pay the ransom and General McCausland (CSA) orders the town burned and by 1:00 p.m., 400 buildings, 274 of them homes are smoldering in ruins. Sunday, July 31, 1864 : General Jubal Early’s Confederate cavalry are leaving Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, after demanding a ransom and not being paid, he has burned most of the town and is now on his way to Cumberland, Maryland to disrupt the B&O Railroad. President Lincoln (U.S.) meets with General Grant (U.S.) on the southern tip of the Virginia Peninsula at Fort Monroe, to discuss the war. Grant is being made aware that Lincoln’s political survival depended on how well his Union forces are doing in the field.