Chronological History of the American Civil War

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Mosby. Today, Antonia was rewarded by Stuart with a commission as an honorary aide-de- camp. Confederate government signs a treaty with the Cherokee Indians. Tuesday, October 8, 1861 : General Robert Anderson (pictured), his health had been declining both

mentally and physically, requests for medical leave was granted today as he had suffered a complete nervous breakdown. William T Sherman (U.S.) was appointed commander of the Union’s Army of the Cumberland. Skirmish at Rogersville, Alabama. Nathan Bedford Forrest concludes his series of raids, having killed and wounded nearly 1,000 men captured 2,360 more men and officers, and appropriated artillery, ordnance, provisions, horses and

livestock. The Memphis Daily Appeal reports: Female Recruits — During the past week no less than four female recruits have been discovered in companies enlisted for the war at Cleveland. They will probably be placed in the infantry. Hardeman County plantation owner/planter, merchant, and civic leader, John Houston Bills (The Pillars) wrote in his diary: “Start 4 of my men at the “Call” of Gen. Polk to on fortifications at Fort Pillow. A most villainous Call, one he has no right to make & is the beginning of a despotism (government rules with absolute power) worst than any European Monarchy. We talk of “fighting for liberty,” when we had more “Liberty” & prosperity 18 months ago, than we shall ever see again, I apprehend.” Wednesday, October 9, 1861 : Santa Rosa Island is a 40-mile barrier island located in Florida, 30 miles from the Alabama state border, at the western end stood Fort Pickens. Under the command of General Richard H. Anderson (CSA) 1,000 Confederate troops land and assault Union batteries at Santa Rosa Island, in Pensacola Bay, Florida. Union reinforcements from Fort Pickens force the Confederates to withdraw. Thursday, October 10, 1861 : Jefferson Davis, while discussing the fact that the South has a smaller population when compared to the North, ruled out using slaves in the Confederate Army. Friday, October 11, 1861 : Memphis Daily Appeal tell us: “The Huntsville Advocate learns that Gov. Moore has promised to send to the Ladies' Aid Society there cloth enough to make 300 overcoats for our soldiers, and that the society will make them up. These coats are to be given to the destitute soldiers in the service who have no one at home to provide for their wants. Those who are able to buy overcoats for their sons or relatives in the army are expected to do so. It is only the destitute ones that the State authorities are now trying to provide for against the severity of winter.” Saturday, October 12, 1861 : John Houston Bills writes again; “Cool & pleasant: one of our soldiers, Carpenter died at our Hospital. Carpenter was a good looking young man, lived in Tunica County on Cold Water. He was buried at 4PM with martial honors. News from Our Army in Western Kentucky, our Cavalry had a skirmish with Lincoln’s pickets & James D. Fleming badly wounded & taken prisoner by the enemy.” Under cover of storm and darkness blockade runner Theodora (CSA) carried John Slidell of Louisiana and James Mason of Virginia, Commissioners of the Confederacy to France and Britain respectively. Their mission was to be to persuade the governments to which they were being sent to recognize the existence of the Confederate States of America as a sovereign and independent nation.