Chronological History of the American Civil War

P a g e | 41

Tuesday, January 21, 1862 : Confederate General Jackson orders the Stonewall Brigade back to Winchester. Union forces under John A. McClernand return to the Columbus, Kentucky area as a show of strength. Wednesday, January, 22, 1862 : The U.S.S. Lexington and the other union gunboats set forth to perform reconnaissance in advance of the planned attack on Fort Henry, Tennessee. They fire a few mortar rounds at Fort Henry. In other naval action, Lt. Worden (U.S.) reported to his superiors that construction of the radical new gunboat “ Monitor ” was progressing on schedule. The only delay was caused by late delivery of the 11-inch guns with which the ship would be armed. Thursday, January 23, 1862 : In St. Louis, Missouri, General Halleck (U.S.) calls for the arrest of pro- Confederates who failed to pay assessments for the aid to pro-Union refugees. 'Stonewall' Jackson (CSA) arrives in Winchester, where he is reunited with his wife. Friday, January, 24, 1862 : Union forces continue to survey Confederate defenses on the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers. Saturday, January, 25, 1862 : By this day, what was left of the Confederate force at Mill Springs had been forced 100 miles to the southwest to Gainesboro, Virginia, which resulted in the Confederate line having a large gap punched through it. The Union continues to move troops across the sandbar at Hatteras Inlet into Pamlico Sound in North Carolina. Operations against Roanoke Island cannot begin until this difficult move is complete. Mortuaries do not generally embalm the dead during this period of history, but several firms are now offering embalmment, which will grow in popularity as the war goes on. Today, the New York Times reports General Zollicoffer (CSA) was embalmed by a Union surgeon and will eventually be returned to Tennessee.

Sunday, January 26, 1862 : While life for soldiers in the field was a hard daily routine, everyone else was trying to keep life as normal as they could. Sixteen year old, Anna Haining Swan (pictured) was anything but normal. She is hired for P.T Barnum’s “American Museum” in New York. The museum offered both strange and educational attractions. Barnum agreed to ensure that she receive a good education; on top of paying her a salary of $1,000.00 a month. Well, she was the tallest women in the world at this age and only getting taller. She eventually reached the height of 7' 9" and weighed in at 509 pounds. Confederate General Pierre G.T. Beauregard, the hero of Sumter and Manassas known as the “Creole” for his Louisiana origins, was reassigned today. He is ordered to Tennessee to be second-in-command to General Albert Sydney Johnston.

Monday, January 27, 1862 : Frustrated by the inactivity of his generals, Lincoln issues General War Order Number One , declaring that on February 22, 1862, all land and sea forces will attack insurgents. Confederate Secretary of War, Judah Benjamin orders General Wise (CSA) to hold Roanoke Island at all costs. Tuesday, January 28, 1862 : Union Flag Officer Foote tells General Halleck (U.S.) that four gunboats can take Fort Henry in northern West Tennessee on the Tennessee River. In spite of Foote's recommendation to attack while the river is at flood stage, Halleck fails to act. At Hampton Roads, Virginia, the C.S.S. Virginia menaces the Union blockaders. Wednesday, January 29, 1862 : Confederates hold a dance at Occoquan, Virginia, south of Washington, D.C. The party breaks up after a brief skirmish with uninvited Union soldiers. The sandbar at Hatteras Inlet, North Carolina continues to challenge Union forces.