Chronological History of the American Civil War

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Tuesday, January 14, 1862 : CSA’s 'Stonewall' Jackson's men continue marching toward Romney, West Virginia in the rain and sleet. Although probably not a hurricane, since it was winter; General Ambrose Burnside (U.S.) was supposed to be leading an invasion force of nearly 100 ships to Hatteras Inlet, North Carolina. Instead, he spent his time on continuous rescue missions as the ships of his fleet were torn by fierce winds and storm. Wednesday, January 15, 1862 : The Senate confirms Edwin Stanton as Secretary of War. Confederate General Jackson's troops reach Romney, in western Virginia. General Grant (U.S.) moves his infantry into the Kentucky-Tennessee area, while gunboats on the Tennessee River approach Fort Henry. Grant's force gathers information about enemy positions. Thursday, January 16, 1862 : General Felix Coffer positions his Confederate troops north of the Cumberland River, contrary to the orders of General Crittendon (CSA). Union troops approach Coffer's encampment. At Cedar Keys, Florida, the U.S.S. Hatteras destroys a Confederate battery, seven small ships prepared to run the blockade, the railroad depot, a wharf, and the telegraph office. In the west, Union Flag Officer Foote reports that seven of the gunboats under construction are ready for service. Friday, January 17, 1862 : New York Times reports; “Gunboat demonstrations on Fort Henry, the first challenges to the Fort as Union regiments from Illinois and Indiana begin to move into Kentucky. Word comes that General Grant (U.S.) is en route from Illinois. Confederate troops in Kentucky begin killing cattle in the ponds and watering places on the route of the Federal army in order to render the water unfit for drinking.” Saturday, January 18, 1862 : Union troops close in on Confederates at Mill Springs and Somerset on the Cumberland River in Kentucky. Confederate Territory of Arizona is formed. John Tyler, 10th U.S. President (1841-45), dies in Richmond, Virginia at the age of 71. Confederate General Jackson orders his troops into winter quarters at Bath (Berkeley Springs) and Moorefield in what is now West Virginia. Bolivar, planter and businessman John Houston Bills writes in his diary; “I go to Holly Springs where I pay W Goodman Agt. Amn. Land. Co. $505.00 bal due for Chicot Land. Take up my last note with currency, fearful that when due 16 Oct. 1863 our paper will be so bad no one can pay with it.” Sunday, January 19, 1862 : Just a few days before, General George Bibb Crittendon (CSA) had arrived at Confederate General Zollicoffer's camp in Kentucky and assumed command. General Zollicoffer had positioned his men north and south of the Cumberland River to guard the “Cumberland Gap.” Crittenden hearing of the arrival of General George H. Thomas (U.S.) in the area is determined to attack him before all his forces should come up. With this purpose in mind, he advanced, and today he makes the attack. Monday, January 20, 1862 : The attack failed but General Zollicoffer (CSA) was killed, when he mistakenly rode into the Federal lines thinking the troops were his own men, even though most of his

command managed to escape to the south bank of the river. General George Bibb Crittendon takes the blame for losing control over the positioning of his troops. The Confederate retreat creates a gap in their line of defense in the Tennessee-Kentucky region. The Battle of Mill Springs, Kentucky results in great losses; the Confederates, lose 439 men, equipment, arms, and 1,000 horses. The Union lost 232 men. This will become the second most deadly battle fought in Kentucky. Union General Thomas' main force the Confederates to retreat across the Cumberland River and retakes control of eastern Kentucky. Felix Zollicoffer (pictured) was a Maury County newspaperman, three- term United States Congressman from Tennessee, officer in the United States Army, and a Confederate brigadier general during the American Civil War. Now, he would become the first Confederate general to perish in the Western Theater. J. W. Wilder was a British schooner was captured about 15 miles east of Mobile Bay by Union steamer Cuyler .