Chronological History of the American Civil War

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noticed this inaction as well: Antietam will be McClellan’s last battle. Today, a Union expedition leaves out of Bolivar, Tennessee heading to Grand Junction and La Grange, Tennessee. A few skirmishes are fought along the way. Sunday, September 21, 1862 : Last week, the “Bloodiest Single Day in America’s History ~ The Battle of Antietam,” was fought - left the dead, wounded or missing with Union losses: 12,401 and Confederate losses: 10,406. General Lee (CSA) pulls back across the Potomac River to Virginia. Nothing is really gained from this bloody day in our history. Lee holds most of his army close to the river. In Bolivar, a Union Expedition that left the day before, runs into skirmishes at Van Buren. Monday, September 22, 1862 : Lincoln had waited a long time for any kind of victory to make new announcements about the war effort and slavery. On June 19, 1862, Lincoln had signed into law, a measure prohibiting slavery in U.S. territories, and made it known that he planned to outlaw slavery in all states in America. Today, President Lincoln issued to his Cabinet the preliminary version of the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing slaves in states or portions of states still in rebellion on January 1, 1863. This measure did not technically free any slaves, but it expanded the Union’s war aim from just reunification to include the abolition of slavery. The proclamation was a shrewd maneuver by Lincoln to brand the Confederate States as a slave nation. and the U.S. not, thus would render foreign aid almost impossible now to the South. The measure was met by a good deal of opposition, because many Northerners were unwilling to fight for the freedom of blacks. Lincoln just wanted the war to end, regardless of the cost. Tuesday, September 23, 1862 : Lincoln's Emancipation is published in Northern Newspapers. Battles are still being raged across our land with an “Indian uprising” still simmering in the Dakota Territory, with fighting near Fort Abercrombie. On the Ohio River the steamer Emma was plundered by guerilla forces at Foster’s Landing. And on the Mississippi River, the ship Eugene was attacked in Tipton County, near Randolph, Tennessee. The ship was able to escape with minimal damage, but Union troops burned much of the town of Randolph as punishment for “harboring rebels.” General Sherman (U.S.) ordered to "destroy the place, leaving one house to mark the place". And more skirmish at Wolf Creek Bridge, near Memphis, Tennessee. Wednesday, September 24, 1862 : Abraham Lincoln announced another proclamation suspending the right of habeas corpus, this time in any area under Federal control. The particular target of this move was “all Rebels and Insurgents, their aiders and abettors within the United States, and all persons discouraging volunteer enlistments, resisting militia drafts, or guilty of any disloyal practice, affording comfort to Rebels against the authority of the United States.” 14 governors declare their support for the President and emancipation from a conference in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Thursday, September 25, 1862 : More skirmishes in Hardeman County, this time on the Hatchie River at Davis' Bridge in Tennessee. U.S.S. Kensington and Rachel Seaman and mortar schooner Henry James bombarded Sabine City, Texas, and forced Confederate troops to withdraw from the city. With Union control of Sabine Pass, the Texas coast could be invaded.

Friday, September 26, 1862 : Samuel duPont (pictured) -- yes, he was one of the Delaware duPont’s, of munitions-making and later chemical manufacturing fame had risen recently to the rank of rear admiral, had an idea of a floating fuel depot. He ordered a large “coal hulk” to be fitted with a hoist. When full, the ship would hold 1,000 tons of coal. With the hoist, it was vastly easier for other ships to simply pull up to this vessel for refueling. The first of these ships went into service today off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina, greatly increasing efficiency for both the blockade and the several campaigns of attack on the harbor and town. Saturday, September 27, 1862 : Although it is widely believed that the first

regiment of what would become known as the United States Colored Troops, was the famed 54th Massachusetts (from the movie “Glory”), in fact the first regiment of free blacks was mustered in New Orleans, Louisiana on this date. General Benjamin Butler, who had a rather direct way of dealing with