Chronological History of the American Civil War

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most interesting name given to this engagement is Kilpatrick’s Shirttail Skedaddle. It is also known as the Battle of Kilpatrick’s Pants . Brig. General H. Judson Kilpatrick (U.S.) is camped with his division at Monroe’s Crossing, in Cumberland County, North Carolina. His force of 1,850 men, had set up a poorly guarded camp, with many of the troopers sleeping. Kilpatrick himself was in bed with a young Southern woman, he had met, while going through Columbia. The Confederate force of 3,000 cavalrymen, consisted of Lt. General Wade Hampton’s and Major General Joseph Wheeler’s Divisions, who were joined together for the first time. One of their objectives, was the capture of Kilpatrick himself. Kilpatrick managed to flee the chaotic scene only in his nightshirt, hiding for a period in a nearby swamp, before regaining his composure and reorganizing his troops. The Union cavalry was initially routed, but quickly recovered and counterattacked. They eventually forced the Confederate cavalrymen to withdraw from their camp. The Battle of Monroe’s Crossroads gained the additional time needed for the Confederate infantry, to conduct an organized crossing, of the Cape Fear River at Fayetteville, unmolested by the advancing Federals. With their troops and equipment, east of the Cape Fear, the Confederates burned the bridges, as Union forces entered the city. Saturday, March 11, 1865 : Sheridan and his men arrive at Goochland Court House outside of Richmond. Sherman's men surround Fayetteville, North Carolina. Fighting continues as the Union vessels, U.S.S. Eolus, Lenapee, U.S.S. Maratanza and U.S.S. Nyack sail up the Cape Fear River towards Fayetteville. Sunday, March 12, 1865 : Sue Mundy was a fictional guerrilla character, created by George D. Prentice, the editor of the Louisville Journal, who opposed the heavy-handed military rule of General Stephen G. Burbridge (U.S.) in Kentucky's latter part of the war. The “Sue Mundy” persona was made to portray General Burbridge as an incompetent commander, unable to protect Kentucky citizens. Now, Marcellus Jerome Clarke (pictured) at the age of 17, had joined the Confederacy in 1861. He made captain under Brig. General John Hunt Morgan’s (CSA) last raid

through Kentucky in thee summer of 1864. After Morgan’s death, he formed his own guerrilla band, and returned to Kentucky in October, 1864. He raided throughout the state, killing Union soldiers and destroying supplies. Today, Major Wilson (U.S.) and fifty Union soldiers surround a tobacco barn ten miles south of Brandenburg, Kentucky. They capture the now 20 year old Clarke, and some of his gang. Major Wilson escorts Clarke and two of his men to Brandenburg. Here they boarded a steamer for Louisville. In North Carolina, General Sherman’s (U.S.) troops destroy all of military value in Fayetteville; while Grant orders General Schofield’s (U.S.) men go to Goldsboro. There is still some fighting at Morganza Bend, Louisiana. Monday, March 13, 1865 : Congress allows for the use of Negro troops in the Confederate army. Each state must decide, whether the

soldiers should be freed. President Jefferson Davis signs the bill immediately. Sheridan’s cavalry skirmishes at Beaver Dam. In Fayetteville, the destruction continues. Military authorities keep Capt. Marcellus Jerome Clarke’s trial a secret; for the verdict has already been decided, the day before the trial. Clarke pleads to be treated as a Confederate prisoner of war, but he will be tried as a guerrilla.