Posted on Aug 6, 2016
What was the most significant event on July 26 during the U.S. Civil War?
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Humor in the Civil War in 1862 as the Confederate Richmond Times ponders the origin of “skedaddle.” The Richmond Daily Dispatch publishes this rather dry but witty discourse on the origins of the Yankee term “skedaddle” (i.e., retreat), while playing on popular Southern prejudices on the subject of education amongst the Yankees (which is odd, considering that the literacy rate amongst Southerners was much lower than amongst Northerners). Notice also the witty allusion to the recent Union defeats and the now-notorious military euphemism coined by McClellan on the occasion of his retreat from Richmond: “A friend of ours says that this phrase, apparently invented by the Yankees, in a prophetic spirit, to describe their own predestined performances in that part of the drill which is inaugurated by the command “right about face,” is certainly derived from “skedase,” the future tense of the Greek verb “skedonnumi,” signifying “to disperse. ” This verb, in some of its tenses, is frequently used by Homer to describe that manoeuvre called by McClellan”a change of base,” or “a strategic movement,” and known by others, not so conversant in military operations, as “a headlong flight.”
We found some difficulty in accounting for the manner in which the Yankee soldiers had contrived to pick up so much Greek; but our classical friend had a solution ready for the occasion. He thinks the phrase was not invented by the soldiers, but by some wild college boy, who used it to express the scattering of a company of boys engaged in some mischievous prank when a professor suddenly appears in their midst. From the college it passed into multitude and was thus drawn into general use. The genealogical tree of “skedaddle” is quite respectable, if such be the proposetus. Whether it be or not, we leave to the consideration of scholars and antiquaries. The theory has at least the merit of being very ingenious.”
South Carolina governor Bonham demanded the free negroes taken on Morris Island be executed according to the State law in 1863: The Diary of John B. Jones. South Carolina's Governor Milledge L. Bonham.
On this day 150 years ago, Confederate war clerk John B. Jones wrote the news from Charleston, South Carolina in his journal. After early gains, the Union advance on Charleston had bogged down after the two disastrous attempts to storm Fort Wagner. South Carolina's Governor Milledge L. Bonham was demanding the execution of the black soldiers of the 54th Massachusetts who had been taken prisoner on the night of July 18-19, 1863.
July 26th.—Letters were received to-day from Gens. Beauregard, Mercer, Whitney, and S. Jones.
It appears that Beauregard has some 6000 men of all arms, and that the enemy’s force is estimated to be, or to have been (before losing some 3000), about 10,000. It is true the enemy has the benefit of his floating batteries, but we have our stationary ones. I think Charleston safe.
Gen. Mercer squeaks for the fate of Savannah, unless the government impresses slaves to work on the fortifications. All our generals squeak when an attack is apprehended, for the purpose of alarming the government, and procuring more men and material, so as to make success doubly sure.
And Gen. Whiting is squeaking loudly for the impressment of a thousand slaves, to complete his preparations for defense; and if he does not get them, he thinks the fall of Wilmington a pretty sure thing.
And Gen. Jones squeaks from the West, asking that the 3000 infantry he was at last compelled to send to Gen. Lee, near Winchester, be returned to him to oppose the enemy’s raids. But what were they sent to Lee for, unless he meant to give battle? Such may be his intention, and a victory now is demanded of him to place him rectus in curio.
Beauregard says Fort Wagner, which has made such a successful defense on Morris Island, was located by Gen. Pemberton, and this is evidence of some military skill. But all the waters of Lethe will not obliterate the conviction of the people that he gave his army in the West to the enemy. If he had not been Northern born, they would have deemed him merely incompetent. Hence the impolicy of the government elevating Northern over Southern generals. All generals are judged by the degree of success they achieve, for success alone is considered the proof of merit, and one disaster may obliterate the memory of a dozen victories. Even Lee’s great name is dimmed somewhat in the estimation of fools. He must beat Meade before Grant comes up, or suffer in reputation.
Pictures: 1861-07-26 mounted officers and dismounted soldiers; 1863-07-26 contraband slaves; 1863 Morgan’s raid route; 1863-07-26 John Hunt Morgan
A. 1861: Mesilla, New Mexico Territory - On July 26, during the night through the early morning on July 27, Maj. Isaac Lynde, 7th U.S. Infantry, abandoned Fort Fillmore near Mesilla, New Mexico Territory, in the face of Confederates under the command of Capt. John R. Baylor. Although Lynde's troops outnumbered the Confederates by a 2-to-1 margin, Lynde pulled out. He took his army and headed for Fort Stanton. Baylor pursued Lynde and caught up with his army later that day. After giving up Fort Fillmore without a fight, Lynde surrendered his 10 companies to Baylor at San Augustine Springs without firing a shot. The surrender left a large part of New Mexico open to Confederate invasion.
B. 1862: In Patten, Missouri, troops of the 10th Battalion of state militia fight a close-fought skirmish with about 200 Rebel bushwhackers, or irregular cavalry. The Rebels are beaten and driven off, suffering 25 killed and wounded. The Unionists incur only 3 men wounded.
C. 1863: John Hunt Morgan is captured at New Lisbon, Ohio. Most of his command had already been apprehended. --- End of Morgan’s Raid: Pursued by several Federal columns, and close to getting pinned, Morgan rides his men toward New Lisbon and finds his way blocked by militia. He demands their surrender; they in turn demand it of him. He surrenders officially to a Capt. Burbick, a militia officer who had been Morgan’s prisoner. Morgan’s Great Raid comes to an end when he and his remaining men are captured in eastern Ohio near Salineville. Burbick paroles Morgan, but Gen. Shackleford soon arrives and makes Morgan and his 700 men prisoners, and remands them to the custody of the Ohio State Penitentiary.
D. 1863: Battle of Dead Buffalo Lake. Kidder County, North Dakota. Brig. Gen. Henry Hastings Sibley marched to Dead Buffalo Lake and about noon camped near the shores of the small lake. Mounted Sioux appeared shortly on the hills surrounding the lake and Sibley's camp, threatening an attack. Sibley advanced his artillery, two companies of infantry, and his pioneers to a position about 600 yards in advance of his camp and opened fire at long range on the Indians. The Indians withdrew to a safe distance. The objective of the Sioux seems to have been to capture the army’s pack train of horses and mules and immobilize Sibley. They first attempted an assault on Sibley's left flank, but were checked by a company of mounted rangers and two companies of infantry. The Indians then disappeared into the hills. Several muleteers in Sibley's camp assumed the engagement was over and took the livestock out of the defense lines to graze. The Sioux re-appeared in force on the right flank and made another effort to capture the stock, but were repulsed in a brief close-quarter fight by two companies of cavalry and 6 companies of infantry. Sitting Bull, armed with only a whip, was said to have counted coup on a muleteer and captured his mule. Failing in their mission to capture most of the horses and mules, the Indians then retired from the field and the battle was over.
One soldier was killed. The soldiers estimated they had killed 15 Sioux. The number of Indian combatants and Indian casualties were often overestimated by the army.
We found some difficulty in accounting for the manner in which the Yankee soldiers had contrived to pick up so much Greek; but our classical friend had a solution ready for the occasion. He thinks the phrase was not invented by the soldiers, but by some wild college boy, who used it to express the scattering of a company of boys engaged in some mischievous prank when a professor suddenly appears in their midst. From the college it passed into multitude and was thus drawn into general use. The genealogical tree of “skedaddle” is quite respectable, if such be the proposetus. Whether it be or not, we leave to the consideration of scholars and antiquaries. The theory has at least the merit of being very ingenious.”
South Carolina governor Bonham demanded the free negroes taken on Morris Island be executed according to the State law in 1863: The Diary of John B. Jones. South Carolina's Governor Milledge L. Bonham.
On this day 150 years ago, Confederate war clerk John B. Jones wrote the news from Charleston, South Carolina in his journal. After early gains, the Union advance on Charleston had bogged down after the two disastrous attempts to storm Fort Wagner. South Carolina's Governor Milledge L. Bonham was demanding the execution of the black soldiers of the 54th Massachusetts who had been taken prisoner on the night of July 18-19, 1863.
July 26th.—Letters were received to-day from Gens. Beauregard, Mercer, Whitney, and S. Jones.
It appears that Beauregard has some 6000 men of all arms, and that the enemy’s force is estimated to be, or to have been (before losing some 3000), about 10,000. It is true the enemy has the benefit of his floating batteries, but we have our stationary ones. I think Charleston safe.
Gen. Mercer squeaks for the fate of Savannah, unless the government impresses slaves to work on the fortifications. All our generals squeak when an attack is apprehended, for the purpose of alarming the government, and procuring more men and material, so as to make success doubly sure.
And Gen. Whiting is squeaking loudly for the impressment of a thousand slaves, to complete his preparations for defense; and if he does not get them, he thinks the fall of Wilmington a pretty sure thing.
And Gen. Jones squeaks from the West, asking that the 3000 infantry he was at last compelled to send to Gen. Lee, near Winchester, be returned to him to oppose the enemy’s raids. But what were they sent to Lee for, unless he meant to give battle? Such may be his intention, and a victory now is demanded of him to place him rectus in curio.
Beauregard says Fort Wagner, which has made such a successful defense on Morris Island, was located by Gen. Pemberton, and this is evidence of some military skill. But all the waters of Lethe will not obliterate the conviction of the people that he gave his army in the West to the enemy. If he had not been Northern born, they would have deemed him merely incompetent. Hence the impolicy of the government elevating Northern over Southern generals. All generals are judged by the degree of success they achieve, for success alone is considered the proof of merit, and one disaster may obliterate the memory of a dozen victories. Even Lee’s great name is dimmed somewhat in the estimation of fools. He must beat Meade before Grant comes up, or suffer in reputation.
Pictures: 1861-07-26 mounted officers and dismounted soldiers; 1863-07-26 contraband slaves; 1863 Morgan’s raid route; 1863-07-26 John Hunt Morgan
A. 1861: Mesilla, New Mexico Territory - On July 26, during the night through the early morning on July 27, Maj. Isaac Lynde, 7th U.S. Infantry, abandoned Fort Fillmore near Mesilla, New Mexico Territory, in the face of Confederates under the command of Capt. John R. Baylor. Although Lynde's troops outnumbered the Confederates by a 2-to-1 margin, Lynde pulled out. He took his army and headed for Fort Stanton. Baylor pursued Lynde and caught up with his army later that day. After giving up Fort Fillmore without a fight, Lynde surrendered his 10 companies to Baylor at San Augustine Springs without firing a shot. The surrender left a large part of New Mexico open to Confederate invasion.
B. 1862: In Patten, Missouri, troops of the 10th Battalion of state militia fight a close-fought skirmish with about 200 Rebel bushwhackers, or irregular cavalry. The Rebels are beaten and driven off, suffering 25 killed and wounded. The Unionists incur only 3 men wounded.
C. 1863: John Hunt Morgan is captured at New Lisbon, Ohio. Most of his command had already been apprehended. --- End of Morgan’s Raid: Pursued by several Federal columns, and close to getting pinned, Morgan rides his men toward New Lisbon and finds his way blocked by militia. He demands their surrender; they in turn demand it of him. He surrenders officially to a Capt. Burbick, a militia officer who had been Morgan’s prisoner. Morgan’s Great Raid comes to an end when he and his remaining men are captured in eastern Ohio near Salineville. Burbick paroles Morgan, but Gen. Shackleford soon arrives and makes Morgan and his 700 men prisoners, and remands them to the custody of the Ohio State Penitentiary.
D. 1863: Battle of Dead Buffalo Lake. Kidder County, North Dakota. Brig. Gen. Henry Hastings Sibley marched to Dead Buffalo Lake and about noon camped near the shores of the small lake. Mounted Sioux appeared shortly on the hills surrounding the lake and Sibley's camp, threatening an attack. Sibley advanced his artillery, two companies of infantry, and his pioneers to a position about 600 yards in advance of his camp and opened fire at long range on the Indians. The Indians withdrew to a safe distance. The objective of the Sioux seems to have been to capture the army’s pack train of horses and mules and immobilize Sibley. They first attempted an assault on Sibley's left flank, but were checked by a company of mounted rangers and two companies of infantry. The Indians then disappeared into the hills. Several muleteers in Sibley's camp assumed the engagement was over and took the livestock out of the defense lines to graze. The Sioux re-appeared in force on the right flank and made another effort to capture the stock, but were repulsed in a brief close-quarter fight by two companies of cavalry and 6 companies of infantry. Sitting Bull, armed with only a whip, was said to have counted coup on a muleteer and captured his mule. Failing in their mission to capture most of the horses and mules, the Indians then retired from the field and the battle was over.
One soldier was killed. The soldiers estimated they had killed 15 Sioux. The number of Indian combatants and Indian casualties were often overestimated by the army.
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Skirmish’s with bushwhackers in the western border states in 1861 to 1863; Siege artillery including massive mortars encircle ¾ of the Petersburg defenses in 1864. Changes of command seemed to happen on a weekly basis during the active operational periods of spring, summer and fall as battle were won and lost and commanders and senior officers were killed or wounded.
Saturday, July 26, 1862: "Two hundred dollars’ reward"
From Richmond's Daily Dispatch: The above reward, or a proportionate rate for any of them, will be paid for the apprehension of the following slaves and their confinement in jail so that I get them again, or their delivery to me, at Petersburg or Maiden's Adventure, Powhatan county:
(a) Daniel about 30 years old; black; about 5 feet inches high; no marks recollected.
(b) Charles, about 25 years old; black; about 6 feet high; no marks recollected.
(c) (c) Ned, about 21 years old; black; about 5 feet 8 inches; no marks.
(d) David, about 40 years old; black; about 5 feet 6 inches; no marks.
(e) (e) Ann, about 32 years old; black; about 5 feet 2 inches; no marks.
(f) Eliza, about 14 years old; black.
(g) Matthew, about 25 years old; black; 5 feet 8 inches.
(h) Richard, black; about 5 feet 8 inches; no marks recollected.
(i) Gilbert, black; about 5 feet 6 inches; no marks recollected.
(j) Eliza, about 14 years old; black.
(k) Matthew, about 25 years old; black; 5 feet 8 inches.
(l) Richard, black; about 5 feet 8 inches; no marks recollected.
(m) Gilbert, black; about 5 feet 6 inches; no marks recollected.
All except two of the above negroes having lived in Surry county, at Hog Island, were removed to Maiden's Adventure, Powhatan county, and are doubtless endeavoring to make their way back to Hog Island, with a view to escaping to the enemy.
Also, Joe, hired at the American Hotel, Richmond.
R,y. Jones.”
1864: Siege of Petersburg: During the night of July 26-27, the US Second Corps and two divisions of Sheridan’s cavalry under command of General Winfield Scott Hancock cross to the north side of James River to threaten Richmond. CS General Lee has heard about the movement and ordered Richmond’s lines reinforced to 16,500 men. CS Generals Joseph Kershaw and Cadmus Wilcox take positions on New Market Heights.
Below are a number of journal entries from 1861 and 1862 which shed light on what life was like for soldiers and civilians – the good, the bad and the ugly. In 1861 President Lincoln and Secretary Seward visit W.T. Sherman's brigade
Friday, July 26, 1861: Lincoln and Seward visit Sherman's brigade. On July 26, 1861, the Union Army was back in the defenses around Washington, DC licking its wounds from the Battle of Bull Run. Morale had suffered badly, and Lincoln and Seward rode out to visit the troops. One of the units they visited was William Tecumseh Sherman's brigade, quartered around Fort Corcoran.
That same day, which must have been about July 26th, I was near the river-bank, looking at a block-house which had been built for the defense of the aqueduct, when I saw a carriage coming by the road that crossed the Potomac River at Georgetown by a ferry. I thought I recognized in the carriage the person of President Lincoln. I hurried across a bend, so as to stand by the road-side as the carriage passed. I was in uniform, with a sword on, and was recognized by Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Seward, who rode side by side in an open hack. I inquired if they were going to my camps, and Mr. Lincoln said: "Yes; we heard that you had got over the big scare, and we thought we would come over and see the 'boys.'" The roads had been much changed and were rough. I asked if I might give directions to his coachman, he promptly invited me to jump in and to tell the coachman which way to drive. Intending to begin on the right and follow round to the left, I turned the driver into a side-road which led up a very steep hill, and, seeing a soldier, called to him and sent him up hurriedly to announce to the colonel (Bennett, I think) that the President was coming: As we slowly ascended the hill, I discovered that Mr. Lincoln was full of feeling, and wanted to encourage our men. I asked if he intended to speak to them, and he said he would like to. I asked him then to please discourage all cheering, noise, or any sort of confusion; that we had had enough of it before Bull Run to ruin any set of men, and that what we needed were cool, thoughtful, hard-fighting soldiers—no more hurrahing, no more humbug. He took my remarks in the most perfect good-nature. Before we had reached the first camp, I heard the drum beating the "assembly," saw the men running for their tents, and in a few minutes the regiment was in line, arms presented, and then brought to an order and "parade rest!"
Mr. Lincoln stood up in the carriage, and made one of the neatest, best, and most feeling addresses I ever listened to, referring to our late disaster at Bull Run, the high duties that still devolved on us, and the brighter days yet to come. At one or two points the soldiers began to cheer, but he promptly checked them, saying: "Don't cheer, boys. I confess I rather like it myself, but Colonel Sherman here says it is not military; and I guess we had better defer to his opinion." In winding up, he explained that, as President, he was commander-in-chief; that he was resolved that the soldiers should have everything that the law allowed; and he called on one and all to appeal to him personally in case they were wronged. The effect of this speech was excellent.
We passed along in the same manner to all the camps of my brigade; and Mr. Lincoln complimented me highly for the order, cleanliness, and discipline, that he observed. Indeed, he and Mr. Seward both assured me that it was the first bright moment they had experienced since the battle.
At last we reached Fort Corcoran. The carriage could not enter, so I ordered the regiment, without arms, to come outside, and gather about Mr. Lincoln, who would speak to them. He made to them the same feeling address, with more personal allusions, because of their special gallantry in the battle under Corcoran, who was still a prisoner in the hands of the enemy; and he concluded with the same general offer of redress in case of grievances. In the crowd I saw the officer with whom I had had the passage at reveille that morning. His face was pale, and lips compressed. I foresaw a scene, but sat on the front seat of the carriage as quiet as a lamb. This officer forced his way through the crowd to the carriage, and said: "Mr. President, I have a cause of grievance. This morning I went to speak to Colonel Sherman, and he threatened to shoot me." Mr. Lincoln, who was still standing, said, "Threatened to shoot you?" "Yes, sir, he threatened to shoot me." Mr. Lincoln looked at him, then at me, and stooping his tall, spare form toward the officer, said to him in a loud stage-whisper, easily heard for some yards around: "Well, if I were you, and he threatened to shoot, I would not trust him, for I believe he would do it." The officer turned about and disappeared, and the men laughed at him. Soon the carriage drove on, and, as we descended the hill, I explained the facts to the President, who answered, "Of course I didn't know anything about it, but I thought you knew your own business best." I thanked him for his confidence, and assured him that what he had done would go far to enable me to maintain good discipline, and it did.
By this time the day was well spent. I asked to take my leave, and the President and Mr. Seward drove back to Washington. This spirit of mutiny was common to the whole army, and was not subdued till several regiments or parts of regiments had been ordered to Fort Jefferson, Florida, as punishment.
Saturday, July 26, 1862: Alexander G. Downing, an infantryman in the 11th Iowa Infantry Regiment, Army of the Tennessee, writes in his diary about the issuing and quality of rations: “During this hot weather the regular army rations are drawn, but the men use very little of the salt bacon. But the bacon being issued, the company cook takes care of it and now has a wagon load of it stacked up beside his tent, anyone being permitted to go and help himself to it. At noon the company cook prepares the bean soup and cooks the pickled beef, after which he calls out for every man to come and get his portion. All the other rations are issued every five days, each man carrying his portion in his haversack. We haven [sic] had no Irish potatoes issued for eight months now, but fresh beef we draw, sometimes twice a week, and it is cooked for us by the company cook. The rations are all of good quality with the exception of crackers, which at times are a little worm-eaten.”
Saturday, July 26, 1862: In answer to his family’s inquiries, Oliver Willcox Norton of the 83rd Pennsylvania Infantry tries to describe to them his feelings and thoughts while in battle: “At other times I would have been horror-struck and could not have moved, but then I jumped over dead men with as little feeling as I would over a log. The feeling that was uppermost in my mind was a desire to kill as many rebels as I could. The loss of comrades maddened me, the balls flew past me hissing in the air, they knocked my guns to splinters, but the closer they came they seemed to make me more insensible to fear. I had no time to think of anything but my duty to do all I could to drive back the enemy, and it was not duty that kept me there either, but a feeling that I had a chance then to help put down secession and a determination to do my best. My heart was in the fight, and I couldn’t be anywhere else. I told you it was hard to describe one’s feeling in a battle, and it is. No one can ever know exactly till he has been through it.”
Pictures: 1863-07 General-Sibley's-Indian-Expedition-Crossing-the-James-Rive; Red_cloud_and_other_souix [Red Cloud and Indians. Standing - Red Bear (Sons Are?), Young Man Afraid of his Horse, Good Voice, Ring Thunder, Iron Crow, White Tail, Young Spotted Tail]; 1864 Dictatorcrop; Confederate guerrillas on the Missouri-Kansas border
A. Friday, July 26, 1861: July 26-27, 1861 in Mesilla, New Mexico Territory - On July 26, during the night through the early morning on July 27, Maj. Isaac Lynde, 7th U.S. Infantry, abandoned Fort Fillmore near Mesilla, New Mexico Territory, in the face of Confederates under the command of Capt. John R. Baylor. Although Lynde's troops outnumbered the Confederates by a 2-to-1 margin, Lynde pulled out. He took his army and headed for Fort Stanton. Baylor pursued Lynde and caught up with his army later that day. After giving up Fort Fillmore without a fight, Lynde surrendered his 10 companies to Baylor at San Augustine Springs without firing a shot. The surrender left a large part of New Mexico open to Confederate invasion.
B. Saturday, July 26, 1862: In Patten, Missouri, troops of the 10th Battalion of state militia fight a close-fought skirmish with about 200 Rebel bushwhackers, or irregular cavalry. The Rebels are beaten and driven off, suffering 25 killed and wounded. The Unionists incur only 3 men wounded.
C. Sunday, July 26, 1863: John Hunt Morgan is captured at New Lisbon, Ohio. Most of his command had already been apprehended. --- End of Morgan’s Raid: Pursued by several Federal columns, and close to getting pinned, Morgan rides his men toward New Lisbon and finds his way blocked by militia. He demands their surrender; they in turn demand it of him. He surrenders officially to a Capt. Burbick, a militia officer who had been Morgan’s prisoner. Morgan’s Great Raid comes to an end when he and his remaining men are captured in eastern Ohio near Salineville. Burbick paroles Morgan, but Gen. Shackleford soon arrives and makes Morgan and his 700 men prisoners, and remands them to the custody of the Ohio State Penitentiary.
D. Sunday, July 26, 1863: Battle of Dead Buffalo Lake. Kidder County, North Dakota. Brig. Gen. Henry Hastings Sibley marched to Dead Buffalo Lake and about noon camped near the shores of the small lake. Mounted Sioux appeared shortly on the hills surrounding the lake and Sibley's camp, threatening an attack. Sibley advanced his artillery, two companies of infantry, and his pioneers to a position about 600 yards in advance of his camp and opened fire at long range on the Indians. The Indians withdrew to a safe distance. The objective of the Sioux seems to have been to capture the army’s pack train of horses and mules and immobilize Sibley. They first attempted an assault on Sibley's left flank, but were checked by a company of mounted rangers and two companies of infantry. The Indians then disappeared into the hills. Several muleteers in Sibley's camp assumed the engagement was over and took the livestock out of the defense lines to graze. The Sioux re-appeared in force on the right flank and made another effort to capture the stock, but were repulsed in a brief close-quarter fight by two companies of cavalry and 6 companies of infantry. Sitting Bull, armed with only a whip, was said to have counted coup on a muleteer and captured his mule. Failing in their mission to capture most of the horses and mules, the Indians then retired from the field and the battle was over.
One soldier was killed. The soldiers estimated they had killed 15 Sioux. The number of Indian combatants and Indian casualties were often overestimated by the army.
Following the Battle of Big Mound on July 24, 1863, Brig. Gen. Henry Hastings Sibley and his men moved their camp about four miles and then rested till the next day. The morning of the 26th they set out and after marching about 14 miles, found the 3,000 Sioux, commanded by Chief Inkpaduta, ready for battle. At first, the fighting was long range because the Native Americans refrained from closing with the soldiers. The Native Americans did attempt to flank the left side of the camp and run off the mules.
The Mounted Rangers and infantry, though, after heavy fighting, compelled the Native Americans to abandon their intentions. Following this setback, the Sioux retreated, ending the battle. Sibley resumed his march after the Native Americans the next day. This was called the Battle of Dead Buffalo Lake. The Sioux were on the run.
1. Friday, July 26, 1861: George McClellan appointed commander, Army of the Potomac, replacing Irvin McDowell. Some sources give the date as July 27, the day he received the orders.
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186107
2. Friday, July 26, 1861: Lincoln and Seward visit Sherman's brigade. On July 26, 1861, the Union Army was back in the defenses around Washington, DC licking its wounds from the Battle of Bull Run. Morale had suffered badly, and Lincoln and Seward rode out to visit the troops. One of the units they visited was William Tecumseh Sherman's brigade, quartered around Fort Corcoran.
That same day, which must have been about July 26th, I was near the river-bank, looking at a block-house which had been built for the defense of the aqueduct, when I saw a carriage coming by the road that crossed the Potomac River at Georgetown by a ferry. I thought I recognized in the carriage the person of President Lincoln. I hurried across a bend, so as to stand by the road-side as the carriage passed. I was in uniform, with a sword on, and was recognized by Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Seward, who rode side by side in an open hack. I inquired if they were going to my camps, and Mr. Lincoln said: "Yes; we heard that you had got over the big scare, and we thought we would come over and see the 'boys.'" The roads had been much changed and were rough. I asked if I might give directions to his coachman, he promptly invited me to jump in and to tell the coachman which way to drive. Intending to begin on the right and follow round to the left, I turned the driver into a side-road which led up a very steep hill, and, seeing a soldier, called to him and sent him up hurriedly to announce to the colonel (Bennett, I think) that the President was coming: As we slowly ascended the hill, I discovered that Mr. Lincoln was full of feeling, and wanted to encourage our men. I asked if he intended to speak to them, and he said he would like to. I asked him then to please discourage all cheering, noise, or any sort of confusion; that we had had enough of it before Bull Run to ruin any set of men, and that what we needed were cool, thoughtful, hard-fighting soldiers—no more hurrahing, no more humbug. He took my remarks in the most perfect good-nature. Before we had reached the first camp, I heard the drum beating the "assembly," saw the men running for their tents, and in a few minutes the regiment was in line, arms presented, and then brought to an order and "parade rest!"
Mr. Lincoln stood up in the carriage, and made one of the neatest, best, and most feeling addresses I ever listened to, referring to our late disaster at Bull Run, the high duties that still devolved on us, and the brighter days yet to come. At one or two points the soldiers began to cheer, but he promptly checked them, saying: "Don't cheer, boys. I confess I rather like it myself, but Colonel Sherman here says it is not military; and I guess we had better defer to his opinion." In winding up, he explained that, as President, he was commander-in-chief; that he was resolved that the soldiers should have everything that the law allowed; and he called on one and all to appeal to him personally in case they were wronged. The effect of this speech was excellent.
We passed along in the same manner to all the camps of my brigade; and Mr. Lincoln complimented me highly for the order, cleanliness, and discipline, that he observed. Indeed, he and Mr. Seward both assured me that it was the first bright moment they had experienced since the battle.
At last we reached Fort Corcoran. The carriage could not enter, so I ordered the regiment, without arms, to come outside, and gather about Mr. Lincoln, who would speak to them. He made to them the same feeling address, with more personal allusions, because of their special gallantry in the battle under Corcoran, who was still a prisoner in the hands of the enemy; and he concluded with the same general offer of redress in case of grievances. In the crowd I saw the officer with whom I had had the passage at reveille that morning. His face was pale, and lips compressed. I foresaw a scene, but sat on the front seat of the carriage as quiet as a lamb. This officer forced his way through the crowd to the carriage, and said: "Mr. President, I have a cause of grievance. This morning I went to speak to Colonel Sherman, and he threatened to shoot me." Mr. Lincoln, who was still standing, said, "Threatened to shoot you?" "Yes, sir, he threatened to shoot me." Mr. Lincoln looked at him, then at me, and stooping his tall, spare form toward the officer, said to him in a loud stage-whisper, easily heard for some yards around: "Well, if I were you, and he threatened to shoot, I would not trust him, for I believe he would do it." The officer turned about and disappeared, and the men laughed at him. Soon the carriage drove on, and, as we descended the hill, I explained the facts to the President, who answered, "Of course I didn't know anything about it, but I thought you knew your own business best." I thanked him for his confidence, and assured him that what he had done would go far to enable me to maintain good discipline, and it did.
By this time the day was well spent. I asked to take my leave, and the President and Mr. Seward drove back to Washington. This spirit of mutiny was common to the whole army, and was not subdued till several regiments or parts of regiments had been ordered to Fort Jefferson, Florida, as punishment.
http://www.civilwar-online.com/search?q=July+26%2C+1861
3. Saturday, July 26, 1862 --- Alexander G. Downing, an infantryman in the 11th Iowa Infantry Regiment, Army of the Tennessee, writes in his diary about the issuing and quality of rations: “During this hot weather the regular army rations are drawn, but the men use very little of the salt bacon. But the bacon being issued, the company cook takes care of it and now has a wagon load of it stacked up beside his tent, anyone being permitted to go and help himself to it. At noon the company cook prepares the bean soup and cooks the pickled beef, after which he calls out for every man to come and get his portion. All the other rations are issued every five days, each man carrying his portion in his haversack. We haven [sic] had no Irish potatoes issued for eight months now, but fresh beef we draw, sometimes twice a week, and it is cooked for us by the company cook. The rations are all of good quality with the exception of crackers, which at times are a little worm-eaten.”
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=July+26%2C+1862
4. Saturday, July 26, 1862 --- In answer to his family’s inquiries, Oliver Willcox Norton of the 83rd Pennsylvania Infantry tries to describe to them his feelings and thoughts while in battle: “At other times I would have been horror-struck and could not have moved, but then I jumped over dead men with as little feeling as I would over a log. The feeling that was uppermost in my mind was a desire to kill as many rebels as I could. The loss of comrades maddened me, the balls flew past me hissing in the air, they knocked my guns to splinters, but the closer they came they seemed to make me more insensible to fear. I had no time to think of anything but my duty to do all I could to drive back the enemy, and it was not duty that kept me there either, but a feeling that I had a chance then to help put down secession and a determination to do my best. My heart was in the fight, and I couldn’t be anywhere else. I told you it was hard to describe one’s feeling in a battle, and it is. No one can ever know exactly till he has been through it.”
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=July+26%2C+1862
5. Saturday, July 26, 1862 --- The Richmond Daily Dispatch publishes this rather dry but witty discourse on the origins of the Yankee term “skedaddle” (i.e., retreat), while playing on popular Southern prejudices on the subject of education amongst the Yankees (which is odd, considering that the literacy rate amongst Southerners was much lower than amongst Northerners). Notice also the witty allusion to the recent Union defeats and the now-notorious military euphemism coined by McClellan on the occasion of his retreat from Richmond: “A friend of ours says that this phrase, apparently invented by the Yankees, in a prophetic spirit, to describe their own predestined performances in that part of the drill which is inaugurated by the command “right about face,” is certainly derived from “skedase,” the future tense of the Greek verb “skedonnumi,” signifying “to disperse. ” This verb, in some of its tenses, is frequently used by Homer to describe that manoeuvre called by McClellan”a change of base,” or “a strategic movement,” and known by others, not so conversant in military operations, as “a headlong flight.”
We found some difficulty in accounting for the manner in which the Yankee soldiers had contrived to pick up so much Greek; but our classical friend had a solution ready for the occasion. He thinks the phrase was not invented by the soldiers, but by some wild college boy, who used it to express the scattering of a company of boys engaged in some mischievous prank when a professor suddenly appears in their midst. From the college it passed into multitude and was thus drawn into general use. The genealogical tree of “skedaddle” is quite respectable, if such be the proposetus. Whether it be or not, we leave to the consideration of scholars and antiquaries. The theory has at least the merit of being very ingenious.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=July+26%2C+1862
6. Saturday, July 26, 1862: "Two hundred dollars reward"
From Richmond's Daily Dispatch: The above reward, or a proportionate rate for any of them, will be paid for the apprehension of the following slaves and their confinement in jail so that I get them again, or their delivery to me, at Petersburg or Maiden's Adventure, Powhatan county:
(k) Daniel about 30 years old; black; about 5 feet inches high; no marks recollected.
(l) Charles, about 25 years old; black; about 6 feet high; no marks recollected.
(m) (c) Ned, about 21 years old; black; about 5 feet 8 inches; no marks.
(n) David, about 40 years old; black; about 5 feet 6 inches; no marks.
(o) (e) Ann, about 32 years old; black; about 5 feet 2 inches; no marks.
(p) Eliza, about 14 years old; black.
(q) Matthew, about 25 years old; black; 5 feet 8 inches.
(r) Richard, black; about 5 feet 8 inches; no marks recollected.
(s) Gilbert, black; about 5 feet 6 inches; no marks recollected.
(t) Eliza, about 14 years old; black.
(k) Matthew, about 25 years old; black; 5 feet 8 inches.
(l) Richard, black; about 5 feet 8 inches; no marks recollected.
(m) Gilbert, black; about 5 feet 6 inches; no marks recollected.
All except two of the above negroes having lived in Surry county, at Hog Island, were removed to Maiden's Adventure, Powhatan county, and are doubtless endeavoring to make their way back to Hog Island, with a view to escaping to the enemy.
Also, Joe, hired at the American Hotel, Richmond.
R,y. Jones.”
All except two of the above negroes having lived in Surry county, at Hog Island, were removed to Maiden's Adventure, Powhatan county, and are doubtless endeavoring to make their way back to Hog Island, with a view to escaping to the enemy.
Also, Joe, hired at the American Hotel, Richmond. R. Y. Jones.
http://www.civilwar-online.com/search?q=July+26%2C+1862
7. Saturday, July 26, 1862: near Jonesborough, Alabama - On July 26, a Confederate force, commanded by Gen. Braxton Bragg, was near Jonesborough. The Confederates spotted a Union force, commanded by Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, at Spangler's Mill. The Confederates attacked the Federals and forced them to retreat from the area.
http://www.mycivilwar.com/battles/1862s.html
8. Saturday, July 26, 1862: Gen. Halleck consents to send Gen. McClellan the 20,000 reinforcements that Little Mac has requested, but now McClellan asks for 55,000 more troops.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=July+26%2C+1862
9. Saturday, July 26, 1862 --- In General Franz Sigel’s advance, near Madison Court House, Virginia, the 1st Connecticut Cavalry Regiment skirmishes with Rebel cavalry under Beverley Robertson, and drives the Rebels from the town.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=July+26%2C+1862
10. Saturday, July 26, 1862: “Orange Court House, Virginia was the scene of a minor activity today. Other small disturbances of the peace took place at Tazewell, Tenn.; Mill Creek, near Pollocksville, N.C., and Spangler’s Mill near Jonesbrough, Ala. An “operation”, which was more of an exploration expedition than an excursion intended to lead to battle, began today in southeastern Missouri.”
https://bjdeming.com/2012/07/23/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-july-23-29-1862/
11. Saturday, July 26, 1862: Northern Virginia campaign. General Pope sends word to General Halleck: “The enemy is massing in large force at Louisa Court-House and Gordonsville. The divisions of Jackson, Ewell, Hill, and Longstreet are already there. The strength of these divisions cannot be ascertained. The whole force of the enemy now in the neighborhood will not fall short of 35,000. They have as yet made no forward movement, but probably will attempt one soon. As soon as the troops under Burnside and Stevens are brought to Acquia Creek, if they should be brought, I will unite the division at Fredericksburg with the other division of McDowell’s corps on the Upper Rappahannock.”
https://bjdeming.com/2012/07/23/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-july-23-29-1862/
12. Sunday, July 26, 1863: John Crittenden dies, Frankfurt, KY.
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186307
13. July 26, 1863: The Diary of John B. Jones. South Carolina's Governor Milledge L. Bonham.
On this day 150 years ago, Confederate war clerk John B. Jones wrote the news from Charleston, South Carolina in his journal. After early gains, the Union advance on Charleston had bogged down after the two disastrous attempts to storm Fort Wagner. South Carolina's Governor Milledge L. Bonham was demanding the execution of the black soldiers of the 54th Massachusetts who had been taken prisoner on the night of July 18-19, 1863.
July 26th.—Letters were received to-day from Gens. Beauregard, Mercer, Whitney, and S. Jones.
It appears that Beauregard has some 6000 men of all arms, and that the enemy’s force is estimated to be, or to have been (before losing some 3000), about 10,000. It is true the enemy has the benefit of his floating batteries, but we have our stationary ones. I think Charleston safe.
Gen. Mercer squeaks for the fate of Savannah, unless the government impresses slaves to work on the fortifications. All our generals squeak when an attack is apprehended, for the purpose of alarming the government, and procuring more men and material, so as to make success doubly sure.
And Gen. Whiting is squeaking loudly for the impressment of a thousand slaves, to complete his preparations for defense; and if he does not get them, he thinks the fall of Wilmington a pretty sure thing.
And Gen. Jones squeaks from the West, asking that the 3000 infantry he was at last compelled to send to Gen. Lee, near Winchester, be returned to him to oppose the enemy’s raids. But what were they sent to Lee for, unless he meant to give battle? Such may be his intention, and a victory now is demanded of him to place him rectus in curio.
Beauregard says Fort Wagner, which has made such a successful defense on Morris Island, was located by Gen. Pemberton, and this is evidence of some military skill. But all the waters of Lethe will not obliterate the conviction of the people that he gave his army in the West to the enemy. If he had not been Northern born, they would have deemed him merely incompetent. Hence the impolicy of the government elevating Northern over Southern generals. All generals are judged by the degree of success they achieve, for success alone is considered the proof of merit, and one disaster may obliterate the memory of a dozen victories. Even Lee’s great name is dimmed somewhat in the estimation of fools. He must beat Meade before Grant comes up, or suffer in reputation.
Gov. Bonham has demanded the free negroes taken on Morris Island, to be punished (death) according to the State law.
http://www.civilwar-online.com/search?q=July+26%2C+1863
14. Tuesday, July 26, 1864: William Tecumseh Sherman appoints O. O. Howard commander of the Army of the Tennessee.
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186407
15. Tuesday, July 26, 1864: General George Stoneman leaves from Kennesaw Mountain to raid Macon, Georgia.
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186407
16. Sunday, July 26, 1863: Siege of Charleston: Gideon Welles, US Secretary of the Navy, confers with President Lincoln about reinforcements for General Quincy Gillmore.
https://bjdeming.com/2013/07/22/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-july-22-28-1863/
17. Tuesday, July 26, 1864:
A Friday, July 26, 1861: July 26-27, 1861 in Mesilla, New Mexico Territory - On July 26, during the night through the early morning on July 27, Maj. Isaac Lynde, 7th U.S. Infantry, abandoned Fort Fillmore near Mesilla, New Mexico Territory, in the face of Confederates under the command of Capt. John R. Baylor. Although Lynde's troops outnumbered the Confederates by a 2-to-1 margin, Lynde pulled out. He took his army and headed for Fort Stanton. Baylor pursued Lynde and caught up with his army later that day. After giving up Fort Fillmore without a fight, Lynde surrendered his 10 companies to Baylor at San Augustine Springs without firing a shot. The surrender left a large part of New Mexico open to Confederate invasion.
http://www.mycivilwar.com/battles/1861s.html
B Saturday, July 26, 1862 --- In Patten, Missouri, troops of the 10th Battalion of state militia fight a close-fought skirmish with about 200 Rebel bushwhackers, or irregular cavalry. The Rebels are beaten and driven off, suffering 25 killed and wounded. The Unionists incur only 3 men wounded.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=July+26%2C+1862
C Sunday, July 26, 1863: John Hunt Morgan is captured at New Lisbon, Ohio. Most of his command had already been apprehended.
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186307
C+ Sunday, July 26, 1863 --- End of Morgan’s Raid: Pursued by several Federal columns, and close to getting pinned, Morgan rides his men toward New Lisbon and finds his way blocked by militia. He demands their surrender; they in turn demand it of him. He surrenders officially to a Capt. Burbick, a militia officer who had been Morgan’s prisoner. Burbick paroles Morgan, but Gen. Shackleford soon arrives and makes Morgan and his 700 men prisoners, and remands them to the custody of the Ohio State Penitentiary.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=July+26%2C+1863
C++ Sunday, July 26, 1863: Morgan’s Great Raid comes to an end when he and his remaining men are captured in eastern Ohio near Salineville.
https://bjdeming.com/2013/07/22/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-july-22-28-1863/
D Sunday, July 26, 1863: Battle of Dead Buffalo Lake. Kidder County, North Dakota - Following the Battle of Big Mound on July 24, 1863, Brig. Gen. Henry Hastings Sibley and his men moved their camp about four miles and then rested till the next day. The morning of the 26th they set out and after marching about 14 miles, found the 3,000 Sioux, commanded by Chief Inkpaduta, ready for battle. At first, the fighting was long range because the Native Americans refrained from closing with the soldiers. The Native Americans did attempt to flank the left side of the camp and run off the mules.
The Mounted Rangers and infantry, though, after heavy fighting, compelled the Native Americans to abandon their intentions. Following this setback, the Sioux retreated, ending the battle. Sibley resumed his march after the Native Americans the next day. This was called the Battle of Dead Buffalo Lake. The Sioux were on the run.
http://www.mycivilwar.com/battles/1863s.html
Sunday, July 26, 1863: Battle of Dead Buffalo Lake. Brigadier general Henry Hastings Sibley marched to Dead Buffalo Lake on July 26 and about noon camped near the shores of the small lake. Mounted Sioux appeared shortly on the hills surrounding the lake and Sibley's camp, threatening an attack. Sibley advanced his artillery, two companies of infantry, and his pioneers to a position about 600 yards in advance of his camp and opened fire at long range on the Indians. The Indians withdrew to a safe distance. The objective of the Sioux seems to have been to capture the army’s pack train of horses and mules and immobilize Sibley. They first attempted an assault on Sibley's left flank, but were checked by a company of mounted rangers and two companies of infantry. The Indians then disappeared into the hills. Several muleteers in Sibley's camp assumed the engagement was over and took the livestock out of the defense lines to graze. The Sioux re-appeared in force on the right flank and made another effort to capture the stock, but were repulsed in a brief close-quarter fight by two companies of cavalry and 6 companies of infantry. Sitting Bull, armed with only a whip, was said to have counted coup on a muleteer and captured his mule. Failing in their mission to capture most of the horses and mules, the Indians then retired from the field and the battle was over.
One soldier was killed. The soldiers estimated they had killed 15 Sioux. The number of Indian combatants and Indian casualties were often overestimated by the army.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Dead_Buffalo_Lake
Tuesday, July 26, 1864: Virginia operations, Early’s raid: US General Crook, in retreat, crosses the Potomac near Williamsport.
https://bjdeming.com/2014/07/20/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-july-21-27-1864/
Tuesday, July 26, 1864: Siege of Petersburg: During the night of July 26-27, the US Second Corps and two divisions of Sheridan’s cavalry under command of General Winfield Scott Hancock cross to the north side of James River to threaten Richmond. CS General Lee has heard about the movement and ordered Richmond’s lines reinforced to 16,500 men. CS Generals Joseph Kershaw and Cadmus Wilcox take positions on New Market Heights.
https://bjdeming.com/2014/07/20/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-july-21-27-1864/
Tuesday, July 26, 1864: Atlanta campaign: Stoneman’s Raid begins. General Sherman again: “On the 26th I received from General Stoneman a note asking permission (after having accomplished his orders to break up the railroad at Jonesboro) to go on to Macon to rescue our prisoners of war known to be held there, and then to push on to Andersonville, where was the great depot of Union prisoners, in which were penned at one time as many as twenty-three thousands of our men, badly fed and harshly treated. I wrote him an answer consenting substantially to his proposition, only modifying it by requiring him to send back General Garrard’s division to its position on our left flank after he had broken up the railroad at Jonesboro.”
https://bjdeming.com/2014/07/20/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-july-21-27-1864/
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Saturday, July 26, 1862: "Two hundred dollars’ reward"
From Richmond's Daily Dispatch: The above reward, or a proportionate rate for any of them, will be paid for the apprehension of the following slaves and their confinement in jail so that I get them again, or their delivery to me, at Petersburg or Maiden's Adventure, Powhatan county:
(a) Daniel about 30 years old; black; about 5 feet inches high; no marks recollected.
(b) Charles, about 25 years old; black; about 6 feet high; no marks recollected.
(c) (c) Ned, about 21 years old; black; about 5 feet 8 inches; no marks.
(d) David, about 40 years old; black; about 5 feet 6 inches; no marks.
(e) (e) Ann, about 32 years old; black; about 5 feet 2 inches; no marks.
(f) Eliza, about 14 years old; black.
(g) Matthew, about 25 years old; black; 5 feet 8 inches.
(h) Richard, black; about 5 feet 8 inches; no marks recollected.
(i) Gilbert, black; about 5 feet 6 inches; no marks recollected.
(j) Eliza, about 14 years old; black.
(k) Matthew, about 25 years old; black; 5 feet 8 inches.
(l) Richard, black; about 5 feet 8 inches; no marks recollected.
(m) Gilbert, black; about 5 feet 6 inches; no marks recollected.
All except two of the above negroes having lived in Surry county, at Hog Island, were removed to Maiden's Adventure, Powhatan county, and are doubtless endeavoring to make their way back to Hog Island, with a view to escaping to the enemy.
Also, Joe, hired at the American Hotel, Richmond.
R,y. Jones.”
1864: Siege of Petersburg: During the night of July 26-27, the US Second Corps and two divisions of Sheridan’s cavalry under command of General Winfield Scott Hancock cross to the north side of James River to threaten Richmond. CS General Lee has heard about the movement and ordered Richmond’s lines reinforced to 16,500 men. CS Generals Joseph Kershaw and Cadmus Wilcox take positions on New Market Heights.
Below are a number of journal entries from 1861 and 1862 which shed light on what life was like for soldiers and civilians – the good, the bad and the ugly. In 1861 President Lincoln and Secretary Seward visit W.T. Sherman's brigade
Friday, July 26, 1861: Lincoln and Seward visit Sherman's brigade. On July 26, 1861, the Union Army was back in the defenses around Washington, DC licking its wounds from the Battle of Bull Run. Morale had suffered badly, and Lincoln and Seward rode out to visit the troops. One of the units they visited was William Tecumseh Sherman's brigade, quartered around Fort Corcoran.
That same day, which must have been about July 26th, I was near the river-bank, looking at a block-house which had been built for the defense of the aqueduct, when I saw a carriage coming by the road that crossed the Potomac River at Georgetown by a ferry. I thought I recognized in the carriage the person of President Lincoln. I hurried across a bend, so as to stand by the road-side as the carriage passed. I was in uniform, with a sword on, and was recognized by Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Seward, who rode side by side in an open hack. I inquired if they were going to my camps, and Mr. Lincoln said: "Yes; we heard that you had got over the big scare, and we thought we would come over and see the 'boys.'" The roads had been much changed and were rough. I asked if I might give directions to his coachman, he promptly invited me to jump in and to tell the coachman which way to drive. Intending to begin on the right and follow round to the left, I turned the driver into a side-road which led up a very steep hill, and, seeing a soldier, called to him and sent him up hurriedly to announce to the colonel (Bennett, I think) that the President was coming: As we slowly ascended the hill, I discovered that Mr. Lincoln was full of feeling, and wanted to encourage our men. I asked if he intended to speak to them, and he said he would like to. I asked him then to please discourage all cheering, noise, or any sort of confusion; that we had had enough of it before Bull Run to ruin any set of men, and that what we needed were cool, thoughtful, hard-fighting soldiers—no more hurrahing, no more humbug. He took my remarks in the most perfect good-nature. Before we had reached the first camp, I heard the drum beating the "assembly," saw the men running for their tents, and in a few minutes the regiment was in line, arms presented, and then brought to an order and "parade rest!"
Mr. Lincoln stood up in the carriage, and made one of the neatest, best, and most feeling addresses I ever listened to, referring to our late disaster at Bull Run, the high duties that still devolved on us, and the brighter days yet to come. At one or two points the soldiers began to cheer, but he promptly checked them, saying: "Don't cheer, boys. I confess I rather like it myself, but Colonel Sherman here says it is not military; and I guess we had better defer to his opinion." In winding up, he explained that, as President, he was commander-in-chief; that he was resolved that the soldiers should have everything that the law allowed; and he called on one and all to appeal to him personally in case they were wronged. The effect of this speech was excellent.
We passed along in the same manner to all the camps of my brigade; and Mr. Lincoln complimented me highly for the order, cleanliness, and discipline, that he observed. Indeed, he and Mr. Seward both assured me that it was the first bright moment they had experienced since the battle.
At last we reached Fort Corcoran. The carriage could not enter, so I ordered the regiment, without arms, to come outside, and gather about Mr. Lincoln, who would speak to them. He made to them the same feeling address, with more personal allusions, because of their special gallantry in the battle under Corcoran, who was still a prisoner in the hands of the enemy; and he concluded with the same general offer of redress in case of grievances. In the crowd I saw the officer with whom I had had the passage at reveille that morning. His face was pale, and lips compressed. I foresaw a scene, but sat on the front seat of the carriage as quiet as a lamb. This officer forced his way through the crowd to the carriage, and said: "Mr. President, I have a cause of grievance. This morning I went to speak to Colonel Sherman, and he threatened to shoot me." Mr. Lincoln, who was still standing, said, "Threatened to shoot you?" "Yes, sir, he threatened to shoot me." Mr. Lincoln looked at him, then at me, and stooping his tall, spare form toward the officer, said to him in a loud stage-whisper, easily heard for some yards around: "Well, if I were you, and he threatened to shoot, I would not trust him, for I believe he would do it." The officer turned about and disappeared, and the men laughed at him. Soon the carriage drove on, and, as we descended the hill, I explained the facts to the President, who answered, "Of course I didn't know anything about it, but I thought you knew your own business best." I thanked him for his confidence, and assured him that what he had done would go far to enable me to maintain good discipline, and it did.
By this time the day was well spent. I asked to take my leave, and the President and Mr. Seward drove back to Washington. This spirit of mutiny was common to the whole army, and was not subdued till several regiments or parts of regiments had been ordered to Fort Jefferson, Florida, as punishment.
Saturday, July 26, 1862: Alexander G. Downing, an infantryman in the 11th Iowa Infantry Regiment, Army of the Tennessee, writes in his diary about the issuing and quality of rations: “During this hot weather the regular army rations are drawn, but the men use very little of the salt bacon. But the bacon being issued, the company cook takes care of it and now has a wagon load of it stacked up beside his tent, anyone being permitted to go and help himself to it. At noon the company cook prepares the bean soup and cooks the pickled beef, after which he calls out for every man to come and get his portion. All the other rations are issued every five days, each man carrying his portion in his haversack. We haven [sic] had no Irish potatoes issued for eight months now, but fresh beef we draw, sometimes twice a week, and it is cooked for us by the company cook. The rations are all of good quality with the exception of crackers, which at times are a little worm-eaten.”
Saturday, July 26, 1862: In answer to his family’s inquiries, Oliver Willcox Norton of the 83rd Pennsylvania Infantry tries to describe to them his feelings and thoughts while in battle: “At other times I would have been horror-struck and could not have moved, but then I jumped over dead men with as little feeling as I would over a log. The feeling that was uppermost in my mind was a desire to kill as many rebels as I could. The loss of comrades maddened me, the balls flew past me hissing in the air, they knocked my guns to splinters, but the closer they came they seemed to make me more insensible to fear. I had no time to think of anything but my duty to do all I could to drive back the enemy, and it was not duty that kept me there either, but a feeling that I had a chance then to help put down secession and a determination to do my best. My heart was in the fight, and I couldn’t be anywhere else. I told you it was hard to describe one’s feeling in a battle, and it is. No one can ever know exactly till he has been through it.”
Pictures: 1863-07 General-Sibley's-Indian-Expedition-Crossing-the-James-Rive; Red_cloud_and_other_souix [Red Cloud and Indians. Standing - Red Bear (Sons Are?), Young Man Afraid of his Horse, Good Voice, Ring Thunder, Iron Crow, White Tail, Young Spotted Tail]; 1864 Dictatorcrop; Confederate guerrillas on the Missouri-Kansas border
A. Friday, July 26, 1861: July 26-27, 1861 in Mesilla, New Mexico Territory - On July 26, during the night through the early morning on July 27, Maj. Isaac Lynde, 7th U.S. Infantry, abandoned Fort Fillmore near Mesilla, New Mexico Territory, in the face of Confederates under the command of Capt. John R. Baylor. Although Lynde's troops outnumbered the Confederates by a 2-to-1 margin, Lynde pulled out. He took his army and headed for Fort Stanton. Baylor pursued Lynde and caught up with his army later that day. After giving up Fort Fillmore without a fight, Lynde surrendered his 10 companies to Baylor at San Augustine Springs without firing a shot. The surrender left a large part of New Mexico open to Confederate invasion.
B. Saturday, July 26, 1862: In Patten, Missouri, troops of the 10th Battalion of state militia fight a close-fought skirmish with about 200 Rebel bushwhackers, or irregular cavalry. The Rebels are beaten and driven off, suffering 25 killed and wounded. The Unionists incur only 3 men wounded.
C. Sunday, July 26, 1863: John Hunt Morgan is captured at New Lisbon, Ohio. Most of his command had already been apprehended. --- End of Morgan’s Raid: Pursued by several Federal columns, and close to getting pinned, Morgan rides his men toward New Lisbon and finds his way blocked by militia. He demands their surrender; they in turn demand it of him. He surrenders officially to a Capt. Burbick, a militia officer who had been Morgan’s prisoner. Morgan’s Great Raid comes to an end when he and his remaining men are captured in eastern Ohio near Salineville. Burbick paroles Morgan, but Gen. Shackleford soon arrives and makes Morgan and his 700 men prisoners, and remands them to the custody of the Ohio State Penitentiary.
D. Sunday, July 26, 1863: Battle of Dead Buffalo Lake. Kidder County, North Dakota. Brig. Gen. Henry Hastings Sibley marched to Dead Buffalo Lake and about noon camped near the shores of the small lake. Mounted Sioux appeared shortly on the hills surrounding the lake and Sibley's camp, threatening an attack. Sibley advanced his artillery, two companies of infantry, and his pioneers to a position about 600 yards in advance of his camp and opened fire at long range on the Indians. The Indians withdrew to a safe distance. The objective of the Sioux seems to have been to capture the army’s pack train of horses and mules and immobilize Sibley. They first attempted an assault on Sibley's left flank, but were checked by a company of mounted rangers and two companies of infantry. The Indians then disappeared into the hills. Several muleteers in Sibley's camp assumed the engagement was over and took the livestock out of the defense lines to graze. The Sioux re-appeared in force on the right flank and made another effort to capture the stock, but were repulsed in a brief close-quarter fight by two companies of cavalry and 6 companies of infantry. Sitting Bull, armed with only a whip, was said to have counted coup on a muleteer and captured his mule. Failing in their mission to capture most of the horses and mules, the Indians then retired from the field and the battle was over.
One soldier was killed. The soldiers estimated they had killed 15 Sioux. The number of Indian combatants and Indian casualties were often overestimated by the army.
Following the Battle of Big Mound on July 24, 1863, Brig. Gen. Henry Hastings Sibley and his men moved their camp about four miles and then rested till the next day. The morning of the 26th they set out and after marching about 14 miles, found the 3,000 Sioux, commanded by Chief Inkpaduta, ready for battle. At first, the fighting was long range because the Native Americans refrained from closing with the soldiers. The Native Americans did attempt to flank the left side of the camp and run off the mules.
The Mounted Rangers and infantry, though, after heavy fighting, compelled the Native Americans to abandon their intentions. Following this setback, the Sioux retreated, ending the battle. Sibley resumed his march after the Native Americans the next day. This was called the Battle of Dead Buffalo Lake. The Sioux were on the run.
1. Friday, July 26, 1861: George McClellan appointed commander, Army of the Potomac, replacing Irvin McDowell. Some sources give the date as July 27, the day he received the orders.
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186107
2. Friday, July 26, 1861: Lincoln and Seward visit Sherman's brigade. On July 26, 1861, the Union Army was back in the defenses around Washington, DC licking its wounds from the Battle of Bull Run. Morale had suffered badly, and Lincoln and Seward rode out to visit the troops. One of the units they visited was William Tecumseh Sherman's brigade, quartered around Fort Corcoran.
That same day, which must have been about July 26th, I was near the river-bank, looking at a block-house which had been built for the defense of the aqueduct, when I saw a carriage coming by the road that crossed the Potomac River at Georgetown by a ferry. I thought I recognized in the carriage the person of President Lincoln. I hurried across a bend, so as to stand by the road-side as the carriage passed. I was in uniform, with a sword on, and was recognized by Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Seward, who rode side by side in an open hack. I inquired if they were going to my camps, and Mr. Lincoln said: "Yes; we heard that you had got over the big scare, and we thought we would come over and see the 'boys.'" The roads had been much changed and were rough. I asked if I might give directions to his coachman, he promptly invited me to jump in and to tell the coachman which way to drive. Intending to begin on the right and follow round to the left, I turned the driver into a side-road which led up a very steep hill, and, seeing a soldier, called to him and sent him up hurriedly to announce to the colonel (Bennett, I think) that the President was coming: As we slowly ascended the hill, I discovered that Mr. Lincoln was full of feeling, and wanted to encourage our men. I asked if he intended to speak to them, and he said he would like to. I asked him then to please discourage all cheering, noise, or any sort of confusion; that we had had enough of it before Bull Run to ruin any set of men, and that what we needed were cool, thoughtful, hard-fighting soldiers—no more hurrahing, no more humbug. He took my remarks in the most perfect good-nature. Before we had reached the first camp, I heard the drum beating the "assembly," saw the men running for their tents, and in a few minutes the regiment was in line, arms presented, and then brought to an order and "parade rest!"
Mr. Lincoln stood up in the carriage, and made one of the neatest, best, and most feeling addresses I ever listened to, referring to our late disaster at Bull Run, the high duties that still devolved on us, and the brighter days yet to come. At one or two points the soldiers began to cheer, but he promptly checked them, saying: "Don't cheer, boys. I confess I rather like it myself, but Colonel Sherman here says it is not military; and I guess we had better defer to his opinion." In winding up, he explained that, as President, he was commander-in-chief; that he was resolved that the soldiers should have everything that the law allowed; and he called on one and all to appeal to him personally in case they were wronged. The effect of this speech was excellent.
We passed along in the same manner to all the camps of my brigade; and Mr. Lincoln complimented me highly for the order, cleanliness, and discipline, that he observed. Indeed, he and Mr. Seward both assured me that it was the first bright moment they had experienced since the battle.
At last we reached Fort Corcoran. The carriage could not enter, so I ordered the regiment, without arms, to come outside, and gather about Mr. Lincoln, who would speak to them. He made to them the same feeling address, with more personal allusions, because of their special gallantry in the battle under Corcoran, who was still a prisoner in the hands of the enemy; and he concluded with the same general offer of redress in case of grievances. In the crowd I saw the officer with whom I had had the passage at reveille that morning. His face was pale, and lips compressed. I foresaw a scene, but sat on the front seat of the carriage as quiet as a lamb. This officer forced his way through the crowd to the carriage, and said: "Mr. President, I have a cause of grievance. This morning I went to speak to Colonel Sherman, and he threatened to shoot me." Mr. Lincoln, who was still standing, said, "Threatened to shoot you?" "Yes, sir, he threatened to shoot me." Mr. Lincoln looked at him, then at me, and stooping his tall, spare form toward the officer, said to him in a loud stage-whisper, easily heard for some yards around: "Well, if I were you, and he threatened to shoot, I would not trust him, for I believe he would do it." The officer turned about and disappeared, and the men laughed at him. Soon the carriage drove on, and, as we descended the hill, I explained the facts to the President, who answered, "Of course I didn't know anything about it, but I thought you knew your own business best." I thanked him for his confidence, and assured him that what he had done would go far to enable me to maintain good discipline, and it did.
By this time the day was well spent. I asked to take my leave, and the President and Mr. Seward drove back to Washington. This spirit of mutiny was common to the whole army, and was not subdued till several regiments or parts of regiments had been ordered to Fort Jefferson, Florida, as punishment.
http://www.civilwar-online.com/search?q=July+26%2C+1861
3. Saturday, July 26, 1862 --- Alexander G. Downing, an infantryman in the 11th Iowa Infantry Regiment, Army of the Tennessee, writes in his diary about the issuing and quality of rations: “During this hot weather the regular army rations are drawn, but the men use very little of the salt bacon. But the bacon being issued, the company cook takes care of it and now has a wagon load of it stacked up beside his tent, anyone being permitted to go and help himself to it. At noon the company cook prepares the bean soup and cooks the pickled beef, after which he calls out for every man to come and get his portion. All the other rations are issued every five days, each man carrying his portion in his haversack. We haven [sic] had no Irish potatoes issued for eight months now, but fresh beef we draw, sometimes twice a week, and it is cooked for us by the company cook. The rations are all of good quality with the exception of crackers, which at times are a little worm-eaten.”
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=July+26%2C+1862
4. Saturday, July 26, 1862 --- In answer to his family’s inquiries, Oliver Willcox Norton of the 83rd Pennsylvania Infantry tries to describe to them his feelings and thoughts while in battle: “At other times I would have been horror-struck and could not have moved, but then I jumped over dead men with as little feeling as I would over a log. The feeling that was uppermost in my mind was a desire to kill as many rebels as I could. The loss of comrades maddened me, the balls flew past me hissing in the air, they knocked my guns to splinters, but the closer they came they seemed to make me more insensible to fear. I had no time to think of anything but my duty to do all I could to drive back the enemy, and it was not duty that kept me there either, but a feeling that I had a chance then to help put down secession and a determination to do my best. My heart was in the fight, and I couldn’t be anywhere else. I told you it was hard to describe one’s feeling in a battle, and it is. No one can ever know exactly till he has been through it.”
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=July+26%2C+1862
5. Saturday, July 26, 1862 --- The Richmond Daily Dispatch publishes this rather dry but witty discourse on the origins of the Yankee term “skedaddle” (i.e., retreat), while playing on popular Southern prejudices on the subject of education amongst the Yankees (which is odd, considering that the literacy rate amongst Southerners was much lower than amongst Northerners). Notice also the witty allusion to the recent Union defeats and the now-notorious military euphemism coined by McClellan on the occasion of his retreat from Richmond: “A friend of ours says that this phrase, apparently invented by the Yankees, in a prophetic spirit, to describe their own predestined performances in that part of the drill which is inaugurated by the command “right about face,” is certainly derived from “skedase,” the future tense of the Greek verb “skedonnumi,” signifying “to disperse. ” This verb, in some of its tenses, is frequently used by Homer to describe that manoeuvre called by McClellan”a change of base,” or “a strategic movement,” and known by others, not so conversant in military operations, as “a headlong flight.”
We found some difficulty in accounting for the manner in which the Yankee soldiers had contrived to pick up so much Greek; but our classical friend had a solution ready for the occasion. He thinks the phrase was not invented by the soldiers, but by some wild college boy, who used it to express the scattering of a company of boys engaged in some mischievous prank when a professor suddenly appears in their midst. From the college it passed into multitude and was thus drawn into general use. The genealogical tree of “skedaddle” is quite respectable, if such be the proposetus. Whether it be or not, we leave to the consideration of scholars and antiquaries. The theory has at least the merit of being very ingenious.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=July+26%2C+1862
6. Saturday, July 26, 1862: "Two hundred dollars reward"
From Richmond's Daily Dispatch: The above reward, or a proportionate rate for any of them, will be paid for the apprehension of the following slaves and their confinement in jail so that I get them again, or their delivery to me, at Petersburg or Maiden's Adventure, Powhatan county:
(k) Daniel about 30 years old; black; about 5 feet inches high; no marks recollected.
(l) Charles, about 25 years old; black; about 6 feet high; no marks recollected.
(m) (c) Ned, about 21 years old; black; about 5 feet 8 inches; no marks.
(n) David, about 40 years old; black; about 5 feet 6 inches; no marks.
(o) (e) Ann, about 32 years old; black; about 5 feet 2 inches; no marks.
(p) Eliza, about 14 years old; black.
(q) Matthew, about 25 years old; black; 5 feet 8 inches.
(r) Richard, black; about 5 feet 8 inches; no marks recollected.
(s) Gilbert, black; about 5 feet 6 inches; no marks recollected.
(t) Eliza, about 14 years old; black.
(k) Matthew, about 25 years old; black; 5 feet 8 inches.
(l) Richard, black; about 5 feet 8 inches; no marks recollected.
(m) Gilbert, black; about 5 feet 6 inches; no marks recollected.
All except two of the above negroes having lived in Surry county, at Hog Island, were removed to Maiden's Adventure, Powhatan county, and are doubtless endeavoring to make their way back to Hog Island, with a view to escaping to the enemy.
Also, Joe, hired at the American Hotel, Richmond.
R,y. Jones.”
All except two of the above negroes having lived in Surry county, at Hog Island, were removed to Maiden's Adventure, Powhatan county, and are doubtless endeavoring to make their way back to Hog Island, with a view to escaping to the enemy.
Also, Joe, hired at the American Hotel, Richmond. R. Y. Jones.
http://www.civilwar-online.com/search?q=July+26%2C+1862
7. Saturday, July 26, 1862: near Jonesborough, Alabama - On July 26, a Confederate force, commanded by Gen. Braxton Bragg, was near Jonesborough. The Confederates spotted a Union force, commanded by Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, at Spangler's Mill. The Confederates attacked the Federals and forced them to retreat from the area.
http://www.mycivilwar.com/battles/1862s.html
8. Saturday, July 26, 1862: Gen. Halleck consents to send Gen. McClellan the 20,000 reinforcements that Little Mac has requested, but now McClellan asks for 55,000 more troops.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=July+26%2C+1862
9. Saturday, July 26, 1862 --- In General Franz Sigel’s advance, near Madison Court House, Virginia, the 1st Connecticut Cavalry Regiment skirmishes with Rebel cavalry under Beverley Robertson, and drives the Rebels from the town.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=July+26%2C+1862
10. Saturday, July 26, 1862: “Orange Court House, Virginia was the scene of a minor activity today. Other small disturbances of the peace took place at Tazewell, Tenn.; Mill Creek, near Pollocksville, N.C., and Spangler’s Mill near Jonesbrough, Ala. An “operation”, which was more of an exploration expedition than an excursion intended to lead to battle, began today in southeastern Missouri.”
https://bjdeming.com/2012/07/23/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-july-23-29-1862/
11. Saturday, July 26, 1862: Northern Virginia campaign. General Pope sends word to General Halleck: “The enemy is massing in large force at Louisa Court-House and Gordonsville. The divisions of Jackson, Ewell, Hill, and Longstreet are already there. The strength of these divisions cannot be ascertained. The whole force of the enemy now in the neighborhood will not fall short of 35,000. They have as yet made no forward movement, but probably will attempt one soon. As soon as the troops under Burnside and Stevens are brought to Acquia Creek, if they should be brought, I will unite the division at Fredericksburg with the other division of McDowell’s corps on the Upper Rappahannock.”
https://bjdeming.com/2012/07/23/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-july-23-29-1862/
12. Sunday, July 26, 1863: John Crittenden dies, Frankfurt, KY.
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186307
13. July 26, 1863: The Diary of John B. Jones. South Carolina's Governor Milledge L. Bonham.
On this day 150 years ago, Confederate war clerk John B. Jones wrote the news from Charleston, South Carolina in his journal. After early gains, the Union advance on Charleston had bogged down after the two disastrous attempts to storm Fort Wagner. South Carolina's Governor Milledge L. Bonham was demanding the execution of the black soldiers of the 54th Massachusetts who had been taken prisoner on the night of July 18-19, 1863.
July 26th.—Letters were received to-day from Gens. Beauregard, Mercer, Whitney, and S. Jones.
It appears that Beauregard has some 6000 men of all arms, and that the enemy’s force is estimated to be, or to have been (before losing some 3000), about 10,000. It is true the enemy has the benefit of his floating batteries, but we have our stationary ones. I think Charleston safe.
Gen. Mercer squeaks for the fate of Savannah, unless the government impresses slaves to work on the fortifications. All our generals squeak when an attack is apprehended, for the purpose of alarming the government, and procuring more men and material, so as to make success doubly sure.
And Gen. Whiting is squeaking loudly for the impressment of a thousand slaves, to complete his preparations for defense; and if he does not get them, he thinks the fall of Wilmington a pretty sure thing.
And Gen. Jones squeaks from the West, asking that the 3000 infantry he was at last compelled to send to Gen. Lee, near Winchester, be returned to him to oppose the enemy’s raids. But what were they sent to Lee for, unless he meant to give battle? Such may be his intention, and a victory now is demanded of him to place him rectus in curio.
Beauregard says Fort Wagner, which has made such a successful defense on Morris Island, was located by Gen. Pemberton, and this is evidence of some military skill. But all the waters of Lethe will not obliterate the conviction of the people that he gave his army in the West to the enemy. If he had not been Northern born, they would have deemed him merely incompetent. Hence the impolicy of the government elevating Northern over Southern generals. All generals are judged by the degree of success they achieve, for success alone is considered the proof of merit, and one disaster may obliterate the memory of a dozen victories. Even Lee’s great name is dimmed somewhat in the estimation of fools. He must beat Meade before Grant comes up, or suffer in reputation.
Gov. Bonham has demanded the free negroes taken on Morris Island, to be punished (death) according to the State law.
http://www.civilwar-online.com/search?q=July+26%2C+1863
14. Tuesday, July 26, 1864: William Tecumseh Sherman appoints O. O. Howard commander of the Army of the Tennessee.
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186407
15. Tuesday, July 26, 1864: General George Stoneman leaves from Kennesaw Mountain to raid Macon, Georgia.
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186407
16. Sunday, July 26, 1863: Siege of Charleston: Gideon Welles, US Secretary of the Navy, confers with President Lincoln about reinforcements for General Quincy Gillmore.
https://bjdeming.com/2013/07/22/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-july-22-28-1863/
17. Tuesday, July 26, 1864:
A Friday, July 26, 1861: July 26-27, 1861 in Mesilla, New Mexico Territory - On July 26, during the night through the early morning on July 27, Maj. Isaac Lynde, 7th U.S. Infantry, abandoned Fort Fillmore near Mesilla, New Mexico Territory, in the face of Confederates under the command of Capt. John R. Baylor. Although Lynde's troops outnumbered the Confederates by a 2-to-1 margin, Lynde pulled out. He took his army and headed for Fort Stanton. Baylor pursued Lynde and caught up with his army later that day. After giving up Fort Fillmore without a fight, Lynde surrendered his 10 companies to Baylor at San Augustine Springs without firing a shot. The surrender left a large part of New Mexico open to Confederate invasion.
http://www.mycivilwar.com/battles/1861s.html
B Saturday, July 26, 1862 --- In Patten, Missouri, troops of the 10th Battalion of state militia fight a close-fought skirmish with about 200 Rebel bushwhackers, or irregular cavalry. The Rebels are beaten and driven off, suffering 25 killed and wounded. The Unionists incur only 3 men wounded.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=July+26%2C+1862
C Sunday, July 26, 1863: John Hunt Morgan is captured at New Lisbon, Ohio. Most of his command had already been apprehended.
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186307
C+ Sunday, July 26, 1863 --- End of Morgan’s Raid: Pursued by several Federal columns, and close to getting pinned, Morgan rides his men toward New Lisbon and finds his way blocked by militia. He demands their surrender; they in turn demand it of him. He surrenders officially to a Capt. Burbick, a militia officer who had been Morgan’s prisoner. Burbick paroles Morgan, but Gen. Shackleford soon arrives and makes Morgan and his 700 men prisoners, and remands them to the custody of the Ohio State Penitentiary.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=July+26%2C+1863
C++ Sunday, July 26, 1863: Morgan’s Great Raid comes to an end when he and his remaining men are captured in eastern Ohio near Salineville.
https://bjdeming.com/2013/07/22/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-july-22-28-1863/
D Sunday, July 26, 1863: Battle of Dead Buffalo Lake. Kidder County, North Dakota - Following the Battle of Big Mound on July 24, 1863, Brig. Gen. Henry Hastings Sibley and his men moved their camp about four miles and then rested till the next day. The morning of the 26th they set out and after marching about 14 miles, found the 3,000 Sioux, commanded by Chief Inkpaduta, ready for battle. At first, the fighting was long range because the Native Americans refrained from closing with the soldiers. The Native Americans did attempt to flank the left side of the camp and run off the mules.
The Mounted Rangers and infantry, though, after heavy fighting, compelled the Native Americans to abandon their intentions. Following this setback, the Sioux retreated, ending the battle. Sibley resumed his march after the Native Americans the next day. This was called the Battle of Dead Buffalo Lake. The Sioux were on the run.
http://www.mycivilwar.com/battles/1863s.html
Sunday, July 26, 1863: Battle of Dead Buffalo Lake. Brigadier general Henry Hastings Sibley marched to Dead Buffalo Lake on July 26 and about noon camped near the shores of the small lake. Mounted Sioux appeared shortly on the hills surrounding the lake and Sibley's camp, threatening an attack. Sibley advanced his artillery, two companies of infantry, and his pioneers to a position about 600 yards in advance of his camp and opened fire at long range on the Indians. The Indians withdrew to a safe distance. The objective of the Sioux seems to have been to capture the army’s pack train of horses and mules and immobilize Sibley. They first attempted an assault on Sibley's left flank, but were checked by a company of mounted rangers and two companies of infantry. The Indians then disappeared into the hills. Several muleteers in Sibley's camp assumed the engagement was over and took the livestock out of the defense lines to graze. The Sioux re-appeared in force on the right flank and made another effort to capture the stock, but were repulsed in a brief close-quarter fight by two companies of cavalry and 6 companies of infantry. Sitting Bull, armed with only a whip, was said to have counted coup on a muleteer and captured his mule. Failing in their mission to capture most of the horses and mules, the Indians then retired from the field and the battle was over.
One soldier was killed. The soldiers estimated they had killed 15 Sioux. The number of Indian combatants and Indian casualties were often overestimated by the army.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Dead_Buffalo_Lake
Tuesday, July 26, 1864: Virginia operations, Early’s raid: US General Crook, in retreat, crosses the Potomac near Williamsport.
https://bjdeming.com/2014/07/20/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-july-21-27-1864/
Tuesday, July 26, 1864: Siege of Petersburg: During the night of July 26-27, the US Second Corps and two divisions of Sheridan’s cavalry under command of General Winfield Scott Hancock cross to the north side of James River to threaten Richmond. CS General Lee has heard about the movement and ordered Richmond’s lines reinforced to 16,500 men. CS Generals Joseph Kershaw and Cadmus Wilcox take positions on New Market Heights.
https://bjdeming.com/2014/07/20/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-july-21-27-1864/
Tuesday, July 26, 1864: Atlanta campaign: Stoneman’s Raid begins. General Sherman again: “On the 26th I received from General Stoneman a note asking permission (after having accomplished his orders to break up the railroad at Jonesboro) to go on to Macon to rescue our prisoners of war known to be held there, and then to push on to Andersonville, where was the great depot of Union prisoners, in which were penned at one time as many as twenty-three thousands of our men, badly fed and harshly treated. I wrote him an answer consenting substantially to his proposition, only modifying it by requiring him to send back General Garrard’s division to its position on our left flank after he had broken up the railroad at Jonesboro.”
https://bjdeming.com/2014/07/20/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-july-21-27-1864/
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