Chronological History of the American Civil War

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Tuesday, March 14, 1865 : Military authorities have planned Capt. Marcellus Jerome Clarke’s execution, even though the trial had not started. At the brief hearing, Clarke was said to have “stood firm and spoke with perfect composure.” Captain Clarke stated, that he was a regular Confederate soldier, and that the crimes, he was being charged with he had not committed, or they had been committed by William Quantrill. During the three-hour trial, Clarke was not allowed counsel or witnesses for his defense. Even as the editor, George D. Prentice, pleaded he could not be “Sue Mundy.” Just 3 days after his capture, Union authorities scheduled Clarke for public hanging, just west of the corner of 18th and Broadway in Louisville. En route to Petersburg, Sheridan’s men fight at the South Anna Bridge in Virginia. In West Virginia, Union troops search for bands of Confederates. Union General Jacob D. Cox's (U.S.) men arrive in Kinston and continue their railway repairs. Wednesday, March 15, 1865 : Rev. J.J. Talbott visits, the 20-year-old Clarke in prison, and notified him that he would be hanged that afternoon. Reportedly, Clarke knelt and prayed, asking Talbott to baptize him. When the carriage arrived at the gallows, Clarke gave one last statement to the crowd. He said: “I am a regular Confederate soldier-not a guerrilla... I have served in the Army for nearly four years... I fought under General Buckner at Fort Donelson, and I belonged to the General Morgan’s command, when I entered Kentucky.” His last words were “I believe in and die for the Confederate cause.” By some accounts, including his own, Henry C. Magruder, another guerrilla soldier riding with Clarke, was the original Sue Mundy. Magruder, having been shot in the lungs, was allowed to recover his health, in jail before, he was hanged shortly after the war ended. Major General William T. Sherman (U.S.) is near Smith’s Mills, Black River, North Carolina and the fighting continues while General Joseph E. Johnston (CSA) attempts to assemble a respectable Confederate force to contest his advance. Thursday, March 16, 1865 : General Henry W. Slocum’s (U.S.) column of Sherman’s Army is moving towards Raleigh, as he encounters Lieut. General William J. Hardee’s (CSA) troops near Averasborough, North Carolina. Hardee retreats, during the night after holding up the Union advance, for nearly two days and re-joins General Johnston’s (CSA) forces in Bentonville. Total casualties approximate 1,550. Friday, March 17, 1865 : Sherman’s men draw closer to Goldsborough. General Edward R. Canby (U.S.) begins the mission to take Mobile, Alabama. Canby’s forces outnumber the Confederates under Brig. General Randall Lee Gibson (CSA) 30,000 to 3,000. Saturday, March 18, 1865 : At Benton’s Cross-Roads, North Carolina, General Joseph E. Johnston’s Confederate Army of 20,000, faces the total combined army of Major General William T. Sherman (U.S.) of 100,000. Johnston decides to attack the Union column of 30,000, under Major General Henry W. Slocum (U.S.) with Lieut. General Wade Hampton’s (CSA) Cavalry attacking Brig. General Judson Kilpatrick, and his Union Cavalry. A Federal expedition, leaves from Dauphin Island going toward Mobile, and the Fowl River Narrows in Alabama. Sunday, March 19, 1865 : At Morristown, Tennessee, General Longstreet (CSA) appeals to Richmond, for supplies for his men and animals. “I beg, that you will send us supplies at once, in sufficient quantity at least to enable us to march to some point, where our troops can be partially supplied, and where they may be useful.” Battle of Bentonville starts as a Confederates retreat from Greenville, North Carolina. Major General Henry W. Slocum’s Union column (U.S.) and General Hampton (CSA) Confederates fight again near Bentonville, North Carolina. This time General Joseph Johnston’s men square off in front of Major General Henry