Chronological History of the American Civil War

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cover the withdrawal of McClellan’s left wing as it crossed the waterway. John Houston Bills writes more in his diary: “This day full of events. Seizure and Confiscation of property or funds supposed to belong to the Rebel Government.” Saturday, August 16, 1862 : McClellan, under orders, started to move the Army of the Potomac (U.S.) to link up with General Pope’s Army of Virginia(U.S.). Their joint target was Richmond. Settler, planter, merchant, civic leader, and diarist John Houston Bills again writes: “Very cool this morning. Fanny Wood yet very sick. I am greatly troubled for the safety. Handed over to Ed Smith 4 bags of Gold, weighing 47 ½ lbs, which he had deposited in J. R. Neilson’s Safe. Witness Poyner & Dr. Wood.” In 1862, an ounce of gold was worth $20, so if 47.5 lbs in ounces equals to 760 ounces total, that would be worth $15,200. In today’s market over a 150 years later that same 760 ounces of gold is now worth ~ $12,213,320 at $1607 per ounce. Sunday, August 17, 1862 : In Minnesota, for two decades, the Dakota (Sioux) were poorly treated by the Federal government, local traders, and settlers. They saw their

hunting lands whittled down, and provisions promised by the government rarely arrived. Worse yet, a wave of white settlers surrounded them. Today, four young Dakota warriors were returning from an unsuccessful hunt, when they stopped to steal some eggs from a white settlement in Acton, Minnesota. The youths soon picked a quarrel with the hen's owner, and the encounter turned tragic, when the Dakotas killed five members of the family. Sensing that they would be attacked, Dakota leader Chief Little Crow (pictured) determined that war was at hand and seized the initiative. Confederate troops under Major General Kirby Smith (CSA) reinforced from General Braxton Bragg’s (CSA) army, contains the Federals in Cumberland Gap and moves into Kentucky. J.E.B. (Jeb) Stuart (CSA) was appointed to lead all the cavalry forces of the Army of Northern Virginia.

Monday, August 18, 1862 : Two armies were headed in General John Pope’s (U.S.) direction today. One, George McClellan’s Army of the Potomac (U.S.) the other army moving in Pope’s direction was Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia (CSA) and they had hostile intent. C.S.A. forces capture Clarksville, Tennessee. A skirmish is also reported at Dyersburg, Tennessee and the capture and burning of two steamboats in Benton County on the Tennessee River. Tuesday, August 19, 1862 : Chief Little Crow’s warriors decide not to attack heavily-defended Fort Ridgely and instead turn to the settlement of New Ulm, killing 17 white settlers. This uprising would last for two more months, before more Union troops could subdue the rebellion. More than 500 whites, were killed and 2,000 Indians captured. Finally, on December 26, 1862, 38 Dakota warriors were hung for their participation in the uprising. Three days of raids persisted all through Tennessee and Mississippi along the Louisville and Nashville Railroad trying to either get or keep control of this vital transportation route. Wednesday, August 20, 1862 : General Lee (CSA) advanced his Army of Northern Virginia to the banks of the River Rappahannock. On the opposite bank was Pope’s Army of Virginia (U.S.). Lee tried unsuccessfully to cross the river, while Pope anxiously awaited the arrival of McClellan’s men. New York Tribune editor Horace Greeley, publishes a passionate editorial, calling on President Abraham Lincoln to declare emancipation, for all slaves in Union-held territory. Lincoln did not want to upset his Union border states with this type of law. He still needed their support. Thursday, August 21, 1862 : Col. John H. Morgan (CSA) and his Confederate raiders arrived at Hartsville, Tennessee just 17 miles east of Gallatin. Morgan struck the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. They tore up some tracks, thus keeping the Federals from using the railroad for a little while. Brig. General Richard W. Johnson (U.S.) and 640 Union cavalry try to head off the Confederate raiders. The Confederates overpowered the Federals, causing Johnson to surrender to Morgan. Also today, Jefferson Davis issued an order in reference to Brig. General John W. Phelps and Major General David Hunter (U.S.). Davis believed they were engaged in organizing escaped slaves into regiments for service in the