What was the most significant event on July 28 during the U.S. Civil War?

Fortunes or misfortunes of war. In 1863 a US gunboat surprises a party of Confederates who have nearly raised the rebel ironclad steamer CSS Hart at Bayou Teche, Louisiana which had been sunk to avoid capture at Bayou Teche, 14 Apr 1863. The Confederates sink her again when Federal gunboat shows up.
Below are a number of journal entries from 1862 and 1863 which shed light on what life was like for soldiers and civilians – the good, the bad and the ugly. In 1862, President Lincoln wrote a Cuthbert Bullitt discussing the state of Louisiana’s re-admission, contraband slaves, and the cost of the war. In 1863, Walt Whitman wrote to a friend about his nursing of wounded, sick and dying soldiers in Washington, D.C.
Monday, July 28, 1862: In a letter to Cuthbert Bullitt, Pres. Lincoln says this: “The truth is, that what is done, and omitted, about slaves, is done and omitted on the same military necessity. It is a military necessity to have men and money; and we can get neither, in sufficient numbers, or amounts, if we keep from, or drive from, our lines, slaves coming to them. . . .
The people of Louisiana who wish protection to person and property, have but to reach forth their hands and take it. Let them, in good faith, reinaugurate the national authority, and set up a State Government conforming thereto under. . . . This is very simple and easy.
If they will not do this, . . . it is for them to consider whether it is probable I will surrender the government to save them from losing all. If they decline what I suggest, you scarcely need to ask what I will do. What would you do in my position? Would you drop the war where it is? Or, would you prosecute it in future, with elder-stalk squirts, charged with rose water? Would you deal lighter blows rather than heavier ones? Would you give up the contest, leaving any available means unapplied.
I am in no boastful mood. I shall not do more than I can, and I shall do all I can to save the government, which is my sworn duty as well as my personal inclination. I shall do nothing in malice. What I deal with is too vast for malicious dealing.”
Monday, July 28, 1862: William Lyon, a Union army officer, answers in a letter home his wife’s concerns about his morale: “Camp Clear Creek, Miss., July 28, 1862.—So you fear my good spirits are assumed. Nary a bit of it. With an appetite that enables me to eat two rations. with physical vigor that keeps me free from an ache or a pain and lets me sleep on the hard earth as soundly and sweetly as I ever did on the softest bed, with a tolerably good looking, middle aged wife and two cute children ‘up North,’ with the consciousness of doing my duty, and an increasing habitual reliance upon the protection of Divine Providence, why shouldn’t I be in good spirits!”
Monday, July 28, 1862: John Houston Bills continues in his diary: “We expected to be awake by the terrible sound of Artillery and Musketry, but find all silent. No approach of Confederates, either Infantry or Cavalry. No one allowed to pass out. Much trouble with our servants. No government. No work going on.” In Brig. Gen. Grenville M. Dodge’s (U. S) reports from Trenton, Tenn. “The attack was made early this morning about 8 miles south of Humboldt on two companies of my cavalry. They attacked in front and rear, and I have no doubt but our cavalry behaved badly, scattered and ran. Bryant immediately made preparation for them, and is now pushing through to connect with the Jackson forces. There is no doubt of there being a large body of the enemy south of the Hatchie, and that these attacks are made by parties from that force. They took Brownsville two or three days ago and are destroying immense quantities of cotton. I am posted on all their movements so far, but I cannot get a satisfactory account of the strength of the band north of the Hatchie. All my cavalry are under Bryant, and have gone with instructions to open the road to Jackson at all hazards. Loss this morning 10.”
Tuesday, July 28, 1863: Walt Whitman wrote to a friend about his nursing in Washington, D.C. Washington, July 28, 1863.Dear M., “I am writing this in the hospital, sitting by the side of a soldier, I do not expect to last many hours. His fate has been a hard one—he seems to be only about 19 or 20—Erastus Haskell, company K, 141st N. Y.—has been out about a year, and sick or half-sick more than half that time—has been down on the peninsula—was detail'd to go in the band as fifer-boy. While sick, the surgeon told him to keep up with the rest—(probably work'd and march'd too long.) He is a shy, and seems to me a very sensible boy—has fine manners—never complains—was sick down on the peninsula in old storehouse—typhoid fever. The first week this July was brought up here—journey very bad, no accommodations, no nourishment, nothing but hard jolting, and exposure enough to make a well man sick; (these fearful journeys do the job for many)—arrived here July 11th—a silent dark-skinn'd Spanish-looking youth, with large very dark blue eyes, peculiar looking. Doctor F. here made light of his sickness—said he would recover soon, &c.; but I thought very different, and told F. so repeatedly; (I came near quarreling with him about it from the first)—but he laugh'd, and would not listen to me. About four days ago, I told Doctor he would in my opinion lose the boy without doubt—but F. again laugh'd at me. The next day he changed his opinion—I brought the head surgeon of the post—he said the boy would probably die, but they would make a hard fight for him.
The last two days he has been lying panting for breath—a pitiful sight. I have been with him some every day or night since he arrived. He suffers a great deal with the heat—says little or nothing—is flighty the last three days, at times—knows me always, however—calls me "Walter"—(sometimes calls the name over and over and over again, musingly, abstractly, to himself.) His father lives at Breesport, Chemung county, N. Y., is a mechanic with large family—is a steady, religious man; his mother too is living. I have written to them, and shall write again to-day—Erastus has not receiv'd a word from home for months.
As I sit here writing to you, M., I wish you could see the whole scene. This young man lies within reach of me, flat on his back, his hands clasp'd across his breast, his thick hair cut close; he is dozing, breathing hard, every breath a spasm—it looks so cruel. He is a noble youngster,—I consider him past all hope. Often there is no one with him for a long while. I am here as much as possible.”

Pictures: 1861 Pony Express Map William Henry Jackson; 2nd-MD-Infantry; 1864-07-28 First Deep Bottom CWPT Map; Clinch Rifles, Georgia Militia 1861

A. Sunday, July 28, 1861: Predator privateer becomes the prey. As the Confederate privateer Petrel closed in on her prey, Petrel's captain finally got a good look at the men on the big sailing ship's quarterdeck: they were obviously U.S. Navy officers. The Petrel turned to make a run for it, but it was too late--the U.S.S. St. Lawrence, a 1,726 ton sailing frigate armed with 50 cannon, was too close and too quick for the Confederates. The Confederates managed to get two or three shots off at the big warship, which ran out twelve of her guns--32 pounders and 8-inch shell guns--and gave the little Petrel a broadside. At least two of the St. Lawrence's shots hit the Petrel, including an 8-inch shell which crushed the little ship's bow. The Petrel immediately began sinking and her crew jumped overboard.
The St. Lawrence launched her own boats, which rowed over and rescued the survivors--36 out of a crew of 44--and then promptly clapped the men in irons as suspected pirates.
B. Thursday, July 28, 1864: Battle of Killdeer Mountain breaks the battle of the Sioux resistance. General Alfred Sully leads 2,200 men into western Dakota Territory and defeats about 1,600 Sioux warriors at the Battle of Killdeer Mountain. The Indians leave all their possessions, and in a running fight of almost nine miles scatters the warriors who were not wounded or killed. After the battle the Sioux, along with their women and children, scattered into the Badlands west of Killdeer Mountain. Low on supplies, Sully will continue to follow them.
C. Thursday, July 28, 1864: Siege of Petersburg: First battle of Deep Bottom. On July 28, both sides received reinforcements from the Petersburg sector. Having initiated the battle with an eye towards thinning the Petersburg defenses, Grant was no doubt pleased to hear that more Confederates, two more divisions, had arrived on the Deep Bottom battlefield.
Winfield Scott Hancock’s II Corps received one brigade from Petersburg, which he used to replace John Gibbon’s elite division along Bailey’s Creek. Gibbon’s men had not yet redeployed when Phil Sheridan ordered his horsemen forward to attack Gravel Hill once again.
The Union cavalry ran headlong into three Confederate brigades that were in the middle of launching an assault of their own. The Confederates gained the initial advantage, but were ultimately driven back by a determined line of dismounted cavalry firing their repeaters from the crest of a gentle slope. The Union men remounted and pursued, capturing nearly 200 prisoners and ending major fighting on the 28th.
D. Thursday, July 28, 1864: Battle of Ezra Church, Georgia. Union defensive victory.
The third battle within nine days as General Sherman closed in on Atlanta (American Civil War). The previous two battles (Peachtree Creek and Atlanta) had been launched by the Confederate General Hood in an attempt to take advantage of perceived weaknesses in Sherman’s deployment. In contrast, the fighting at Ezra Church was triggered by an attempt by Sherman to cut the last railroad into Atlanta.
General McPherson having been killed during the Battle of Atlanta, his army had taken over by General Howard. Under his command, the army was moved from the Federal left to the far right, in an attempt to cut the railroad fairly close to the city.
The problem with doing this was that Hood could use that very railroad to rush troops to the danger point. On this occasion he moved two corps (S. D. Lee’s and Stewart’s) to intercept the Federal movement. The two forces clashed at Ezra Church, some way short of the threatened railroad. The battle started at two in the afternoon and continued for the rest of the day, with Hood’s Confederates attacking increasingly entrenched Federals.
The battle was something of a draw. Sherman’s men were unable to reach the railroad, and so failed in their objective. However, the Confederates lost 4,100 killed and wound, compared to only 732 on the Federal side, and were unable to push Howard’s men back from their initial position. Hood could not afford many such battles.
Luckily for him, Sherman now settled down to conduct a regular siege of Atlanta. Safe behind the impressive defences of the city, Hood was able to hold on for another month, before finally been forced to abandon the city after Sherman launched yet another outflanking manoeuvre (see Battle of Jonesborough).
Background: After the Battle of Atlanta, with the Georgia Railroad cut, Gen. William T. Sherman turned his attention to the Macon & Western Railroad, running southwest out of the city. He ordered the Army of the Tennessee, now under Maj. Gen. Oliver O. Howard, to swing around from the Union left to the right, west of Atlanta, and bear down on the Rebel railroad. Early in the morning of July 27, Howard's troops set out. Confederate cavalry was alert. At 4:15a.m., with Howard's march just a few hours in progress, Gen. John B. Hood's headquarters warned Gen. Joseph Wheeler that "indications are that the enemy will attack our left."
Howard's troops made good progress on July 27. Dodge's Sixteenth Corps was first to deploy on a ridge running southward from the end of Maj. Gen. George Thomas' line. Then division after division extended the position of Maj. Gen. John A. Logan's Fifteenth Corps. By nightfall, the Army of the Tennessee had pushed Sherman's flank almost two miles to the south. Sherman, expecting Hood to react to this threat, directed one of Thomas' divisions to march to Logan's assistance on the morning of the 28th. Along Howard's line, soldiers dug in and brought up artillery. Logan, who had held the extreme right, ordered two of his division to refuse to the west in preparation for a possible attack. Logan's men piled rails and logs in impromptu breastworks. The Illinoisan also ordered plenty of ammunition brought forward, a hundred rounds per man. The Federals were getting ready for a fight.
CSA Plan: Hood planned to give it to them. To S.D. Lee, his youngest (30 years old) and newest corps commander, he issued these orders: march west out of the city along Lick Skillet Road, and take position near Ezra Church three miles from town. The church lay at a key crossroads, for bisecting Lick Skillet was the north-south thoroughfare which the Yankees would be using in their march. Lee was to seize this important crossroads and entrench to the north. Stewart's corps was also involved. Stewart was to lead two divisions via Lick Skillet to the western edge of Atlanta's defenses and wait for Lee to get into position at Ezra Church on the 28th; then, on the next morning, "we were to move out on that road, turn to the right, pass in rear of the enemy, and attack," presumably against the Federals' right rear, after marching beyond Lee's divisions holding the front.
There was a hitch, though.
Battle: Logan's Union infantry already held Ezra Church and the vital Lick Skillet junction. S.D. Lee did not know that, however, as he sent two of his divisions, John C. Brown's and Henry Clayton's marching west out of Atlanta's works around 10a.m. on the 28th. After a mile or so, Gen. Brown, in the lead, came upon William H. "Red" Jackson's cavalry, who reported the Yankees in their front. This threw off Hood's whole plan. Gone was the hope of Lee's corps taking a defensive position at Ezra Church while Stewart posted on the left for a flank attack. The Yankees were already there. Young S.D. Lee consequently exercised field discretion, and determined to attack the enemy straightaway.
Lee formed Brown's division and sent it in around noon. Through thick woods Brown's brigades advanced. The Federals opened up, and from their hastily piled works of log and stone delivered cruel, effective fire. Brown's attack began to fall apart. With an enemy counterattack, the division commander sadly watched his men "driven with great slaughter."
Ten minutes after Brown had begun, Clayton's division arrived, which Lee promptly ordered to advance. Unfortunately for the Southerners, Lee's battle was becoming one of uncoordinated attacks by troops as they arrived. The bluecoats heard the fire to their right (the attack of Brown's division) and stood ready in their makeshift works of rails and trenches. The men of Woods' right brigade, Hugo Wangelin's, had gone into Ezra Church and pulled out the pews to reinforce their parapets. Gen. Howard had hurried assistance to Logan's threatened line. A dozen regiments were ordered from the Sixteenth and Seventeenth corps, and some rushed into the fight in time to help beat back Clayton's assault. Clayton had had enough. He posted his reserve brigade against possible Yankee counterattack and awaited orders.
The two divisions of Lee's corps were through for the day, but not so for Stewart's corps. Having marched west on Lick Skillet to the line of the city's defensive fortifications, Stewart learned that Lee had already joined battle, so he hastened forward with Walthall's division, then Loring's. Lee, believing the enemy had just barely beaten him to the Ezra Church crossroads and therefore had only slight defensive works, determined to continue the attack when Walthall arrived. And so the slaughter continued as Walthall's brigade advanced shortly after 2p.m. over the same ground previously covered by Brown. Fierce musketry dropped Rebels by the hundreds before they fell back, seeking what shelter they could. Walthall ordered no more charges. The Battle of Ezra Church was over. Skirmishing rattled throughout the rest of the day until the Confederates withdrew under cover of nightfall.
The Northerners, fighting on the defensive, suffered fewer casualties at Ezra Church. Howard's Army of the Tennessee closed the battle with fewer than 650 men lost. Confederate casualties at Ezra Church will never be confirmed, but a reasonable estimate would be more than 2,800 men, potentially surpassing 3,000.

1. Friday, July 28, 1854: First settlers arrive in Kansas under the New England Emigrant Society charter. They set up tents on the Kansas River, west of its confluence with the Missouri.
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186207
2. Sunday, July 28, 1861: Confederate forces, many of whom had been Texas cowboys and ranch hands just weeks ago continued their triumphant sweep through what in later years would be known as New Mexico, today taking a fort at St. Augustine Springs, NM, from Capt. John R. Baylor without a shot being fired. Rebel troops also occupied New Madrid, Mo., an important chokepoint on the Mississippi River.
https://sites.google.com/site/civilwarhardemancotn/departments/department-a/part-sixteen
3. Monday, July 28, 1862: Railroads introduce the mail car, allowing mail to be sorted as a train travels.
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186207
4. Monday, July 28, 1862 --- In a letter to Cuthbert Bullitt, Pres. Lincoln says this, in discussing the state of Louisiana’s re-admission, contraband slaves, and the cost of the war: “The truth is, that what is done, and omitted, about slaves, is done and omitted on the same military necessity. It is a military necessity to have men and money; and we can get neither, in sufficient numbers, or amounts, if we keep from, or drive from, our lines, slaves coming to them. . . .
The people of Louisiana who wish protection to person and property, have but to reach forth their hands and take it. Let them, in good faith, reinaugurate the national authority, and set up a State Government conforming thereto under. . . . This is very simple and easy.
If they will not do this, . . . it is for them to consider whether it is probable I will surrender the government to save them from losing all. If they decline what I suggest, you scarcely need to ask what I will do. What would you do in my position? Would you drop the war where it is? Or, would you prosecute it in future, with elder-stalk squirts, charged with rose water? Would you deal lighter blows rather than heavier ones? Would you give up the contest, leaving any available means unapplied.
I am in no boastful mood. I shall not do more than I can, and I shall do all I can to save the government, which is my sworn duty as well as my personal inclination. I shall do nothing in malice. What I deal with is too vast for malicious dealing.”
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=July+28%2C+1862
5. Monday, July 28, 1862 --- Governor Lubbock of Texas, along with Rector of Arkansas, Moore of Louisiana, and Jackson of Missouri, write a letter to Pres. Davis reaffirming their commitment to the Confederate cause, and pleading for troops and war materiel to help them beat back Yankee invasions.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=July+28%2C+1862
6. Monday, July 28, 1862 --- In St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada, a pro-secession mob attacks and destroys the newspaper offices of the pro-Union St. Croix Herald. St. Stephen lies on the border between Canada and Maine.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=July+28%2C+1862
7. Monday, July 28, 1862 --- William Lyon, a Union army officer, answers in a letter home his wife’s concerns about his morale: “Camp Clear Creek, Miss., July 28, 1862.—So you fear my good spirits are assumed. Nary a bit of it. With an appetite that enables me to eat two rations. with physical vigor that keeps me free from an ache or a pain and lets me sleep on the hard earth as soundly and sweetly as I ever did on the softest bed, with a tolerably good looking, middle aged wife and two cute children ‘up North,’ with the consciousness of doing my duty, and an increasing habitual reliance upon the protection of Divine Providence, why shouldn’t I be in good spirits!”
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=July+28%2C+1862
8. Monday, July 28, 1862: John Houston Bills continues in his diary: “We expected to be awake by the terrible sound of Artillery and Musketry, but find all silent. No approach of Confederates, either Infantry or Cavalry. No one allowed to pass out. Much trouble with our servants. No government. No work going on.” In Brig. Gen. Grenville M. Dodge’s (U. S) reports from Trenton, Tenn. “The attack was made early this morning about 8 miles south of Humboldt on two companies of my cavalry. They attacked in front and rear, and I have no doubt but our cavalry behaved badly, scattered and ran. Bryant immediately made preparation for them, and is now pushing through to connect with the Jackson forces. There is no doubt of there being a large body of the enemy south of the Hatchie, and that these attacks are made by parties from that force. They took Brownsville two or three days ago and are destroying immense quantities of cotton. I am posted on all their movements so far, but I cannot get a satisfactory account of the strength of the band north of the Hatchie. All my cavalry are under Bryant, and have gone with instructions to open the road to Jackson at all hazards. Loss this morning 10.”
https://sites.google.com/site/civilwarhardemancotn/departments/department-b/part-sixty-eight
9. Monday, July 28, 1862 --- Col. John Hunt Morgan of the Confederate Cavalry reports on his successful raid throughout Kentucky, detailed the several actions fought by his men. Morgan points out that although he began the raid with 900 men, and suffered some casualties, he returns with over 1,200 men. He apparently has garnered recruits from Southern-leaning Kentuckians.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=July+28%2C+1862
10. Monday July 28, 1862: John Hunt Morgan’s First Kentucky Raid ends as the Raiders return to the Sparta area in East Tennessee.
https://bjdeming.com/2012/07/23/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-july-23-29-1862/
11. Monday July 28, 1862: President Lincoln and Secretary of War Stanton meet with General Halleck and General Burnside to discuss the recommendation of General Keyes, one of McClellan’s corps commanders, that the Army of the Potomac be withdrawn from the peninsula if it isn’t reinforced with 100,000 men.
https://bjdeming.com/2012/07/23/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-july-23-29-1862/
12. Monday July 28, 1862: General Pope relieves General Hatch from duty for having twice called off a mission, transferring him to General King’s unit at Fredericksburg. Hatch is replaced by General John Buford, Jr. (*that* John Buford, if you’ve seen Gettysburg).
https://bjdeming.com/2012/07/23/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-july-23-29-1862/
13. Tuesday, July 28, 1863 --- Battle of Stony Lake, Dakota Territory – Gen. Sibley and his Federal troops have pursued the Sioux for several days after Big Mound. After a brief fight at Dead Buffalo Lake on July 26, Sibley marches west to Stony Lake. On the morning of this date, Sibley’s column is attacked by nearly 2,500 Sioux under Chief Inkpaduta, who are dispersed in a wide arc of hills in front of the Federal troops, nearly surrounding them. As the Sioux attempt to find a weak point, the 10th Minnesota Infantry, with the 6th and 7th to guard the supply train, deploys against the Indians. Few of the Sioux have weapons better than muskets, and they give way before the blue soldiers, with few casualties on either side. Apparently, the Sioux attacked as s delaying action until they are able to get their women and children across the Missouri River. Sibley pronounces the campaign a success, and marches back east to Minnesota.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=July+28%2C+1863
14. Monday, July 27, 1863: Burleigh County, North Dakota - Following the Battle of Dead Buffalo Lake, Brig. Gen. Henry Hastings Sibley continued his march after the retreating Sioux until he reached Stony Lake, where his animals' exhaustion compelled him to encamp. On the 28th, the force had started out in pursuit again when Sibley discovered that a large number of Sioux was moving upon him. He ordered the men to make defensive preparations, which many had already accomplished.
In the face of the Indians, Sibley now resumed his march. The Sioux searched for weak points in the soldiers’ position. Finding none, the Sioux rode off at great speed, preventing pursuit. The Sioux had hoped to halt Sibley's advance but were unable to do so. Sibley remarked in his report that Stony Lake was "the greatest conflict between our troops and the Indians, so far as the numbers were concerned."
http://www.mycivilwar.com/battles/1863s.html
15. Tuesday, July 28, 1863: The Confederacy issues instructions for the arrest of deserters, stragglers, and evaders of conscription. Much was made in the Southern press at the time about the New York Draft Riots of July 1863, but the Confederacy was struggling with a severe shortage of men coupled with increasing rates of desertion. CIRCULAR.] BUREAU OF CONSCRIPTION, Richmond, Va., July 28, 1863.
In addition to the matters set forth in the letter from this Bureau to the Adjutant and Inspector General of June 24, and approved by the War Department, for the arrest of deserters, stragglers, and evaders of conscription, commandants of conscripts in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia will so arrange in receiving from the State authorities the portions of organized militia liable to conscription as to employ these forces before being brought to any camp or rendezvous, forthwith and simultaneously, in their respective districts or counties in gathering up deserters, stragglers, and evaders of conscription. Care will be taken in executing these instructions to prevent the escape of such parties into one county while the search is being prosecuted in another. The commandants will apply to the State authorities to facilitate this object by turning over the parties of militia, each in their respective county or district, simultaneously in all parts of the State. G.W. LAY, Lieut. Col., Asst. Adjt. Gen., Acting Chief of Bureau. (To Commandants of Conscripts.)
http://www.civilwar-online.com/search?q=July+28%2C+1863
16. Tuesday, July 28, 1863: Walt Whitman wrote to a friend about his nursing in Washington, D.C. Washington, July 28, 1863.Dear M., “I am writing this in the hospital, sitting by the side of a soldier, I do not expect to last many hours. His fate has been a hard one—he seems to be only about 19 or 20—Erastus Haskell, company K, 141st N. Y.—has been out about a year, and sick or half-sick more than half that time—has been down on the peninsula—was detail'd to go in the band as fifer-boy. While sick, the surgeon told him to keep up with the rest—(probably work'd and march'd too long.) He is a shy, and seems to me a very sensible boy—has fine manners—never complains—was sick down on the peninsula in old storehouse—typhoid fever. The first week this July was brought up here—journey very bad, no accommodations, no nourishment, nothing but hard jolting, and exposure enough to make a well man sick; (these fearful journeys do the job for many)—arrived here July 11th—a silent dark-skinn'd Spanish-looking youth, with large very dark blue eyes, peculiar looking. Doctor F. here made light of his sickness—said he would recover soon, &c.; but I thought very different, and told F. so repeatedly; (I came near quarreling with him about it from the first)—but he laugh'd, and would not listen to me. About four days ago, I told Doctor he would in my opinion lose the boy without doubt—but F. again laugh'd at me. The next day he changed his opinion—I brought the head surgeon of the post—he said the boy would probably die, but they would make a hard fight for him.
The last two days he has been lying panting for breath—a pitiful sight. I have been with him some every day or night since he arrived. He suffers a great deal with the heat—says little or nothing—is flighty the last three days, at times—knows me always, however—calls me "Walter"—(sometimes calls the name over and over and over again, musingly, abstractly, to himself.) His father lives at Breesport, Chemung county, N. Y., is a mechanic with large family—is a steady, religious man; his mother too is living. I have written to them, and shall write again to-day—Erastus has not receiv'd a word from home for months.
As I sit here writing to you, M., I wish you could see the whole scene. This young man lies within reach of me, flat on his back, his hands clasp'd across his breast, his thick hair cut close; he is dozing, breathing hard, every breath a spasm—it looks so cruel. He is a noble youngster,—I consider him past all hope. Often there is no one with him for a long while. I am here as much as possible.”
http://www.civilwar-online.com/search?q=July+28%2C+1863
17. Tuesday, July 28, 1863: “Hon Secretary of War Executive Mansion. My dear Sir: Washington July 28 1863. A young son of the Senator Brown of Mississippi, not yet twenty, as I understand, was wounded, and made a prisoner at Gettysburg. His mother is sister [of] Mrs P. R. Fendall, of this city. Mr Fendall, on behalf of himself and family, asks that he and they may have charge of the boy, to cure him up, being responsible [for] his person and good behavior. Would it not be rather a grateful and graceful thing to let them have him?
Yours truly A LINCOLN”
http://www.civilwar-online.com/search?q=July+28%2C+1863
18. Tuesday, July 28, 1863: Milledge L. Bonham--the Confederate Governor of South Carolina--was, at the same time as Lincoln was acting to preserve the life of Brown's son, seeking to use this resolution in order to execute the men of the 54th Massachusetts captured the night of July 18-19, 1863 during the Second Battle of Fort Wagner. Quite a contrast with Lincoln's humanitarian gesture.
http://www.civilwar-online.com/search?q=July+28%2C+1863
19. Tuesday, July 28, 1863: Louisiana operations/Bayou Teche: A US gunboat surprises a party of Confederates who have nearly raised the CSS Hart, which had been sunk back in April. The Confederates sink her again when Federal gunboats show up.
https://bjdeming.com/2013/07/22/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-july-22-28-1863/
20. Thursday, July 28, 1864: Fugitive slave laws abolished.
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186407
21. Saturday, July 28, 1866: The U. S. Secret Service begins an investigation into the Ku Klux Klan.
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/1866
22. Tuesday, July 28, 1868: The Secretary of State certifies the 14th Amendment has been approved by the required 28 of the 37 states.
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/1868
23. Thursday, July 28, 1864: Atlanta campaign: Stoneman’s raid? General O. O. Howard (US) anticipates Hoods (CSA) next move and entrenches one of his corps in the Confederates’ path at Ezra Church, and repulses Hoods (CSA) determined attack, inflicting numerous casualties. Although a Union victory, Howard (US) failed to cut the railroad. This was also a major failure for the South as they lost 4,600 men, while the Union lost just 500. Leaving Memphis, General Andrew Jackson Smith (US) starts another raid into Mississippi to occupy Forrest (CSA) and link up with Sherman (US).
https://sites.google.com/site/civilwarhardemancotn/departments/1864/week-172

A Sunday, July 28, 1861: The crew of the Confederate privateer Petrel spotted a large sailing vessel off the coast near Charleston, South Carolina. The privateers studied the big sailing ship and concluded she was an East Indiaman, a kind of large merchant vessel designed for trading with the Far East, and decided to give chase to what could be a very rich prize.
The Petrel was a small sailing schooner armed with two or three small cannon. She was an older vessel, and had seen better days. She had been the U.S. Revenue Cutter William Aiken before the war and had been seized by South Carolina on December 27, 1860. South Carolina had offered the small vessel to the Confederate Navy, who declined due to the ship's advanced age. When President Jefferson Davis announced that the Confederacy would allow privateering, a small group of wealthy investors bought the William Aiken and converted her into the privateer Petrel.
As the Petrel closed in on her prey, Petrel's captain finally got a good look at the men on the big sailing ship's quarterdeck: they were obviously U.S. Navy officers. The Petrel turned to make a run for it, but it was too late--the U.S.S. St. Lawrence, a 1,726 ton sailing frigate armed with 50 cannon, was too close and too quick for the Confederates. The Confederates managed to get two or three shots off at the big warship, which ran out twelve of her guns--32 pounders and 8-inch shell guns--and gave the little Petrel a broadside. At least two of the St. Lawrence's shots hit the Petrel, including an 8-inch shell which crushed the little ship's bow. The Petrel immediately began sinking and her crew jumped overboard.
Abstract of log of U.S.S. St. Lawrence, Captain H. Y. Purviance commanding. “July 28, 1861. Off Charleston. At 6 a.m. commenced chasing sail off lee bow. At 10 came up with her, when she hoisted the Confederate flag and fired a gun. Beat to quarters and commenced firing. The schooner tried three shots, one of which passed through the main-sail and took a splinter out of the main yard. The schooner hauled down her flag after receiving two shots, one of which struck her bows, and she sunk from the effects of it at 10:30. Got out the boats and picked up the crew. She proved to be the Petrel, of Charleston.”
The St. Lawrence launched her own boats, which rowed over and rescued the survivors--36 out of a crew of 44--and then promptly clapped the men in irons as suspected pirates.
http://www.civilwar-online.com/search?q=July+28%2C+1861
B Thursday, July 28, 1864: General Alfred Sully (US) leads 2,200 men into western Dakota Territory. Today, in the Battle of Killdeer Mountain, Sully defeats about 1,600 Sioux warriors. The Indians leave all their possessions, and in a running fight of almost nine miles scatters the warriors who were not wounded or killed. Killdeer Mountain broke the back of the Sioux resistance. After the battle the Sioux, along with their women and children, scattered into the Badlands west of Killdeer Mountain. Low on supplies, Sully will continue to follow them.
https://sites.google.com/site/civilwarhardemancotn/departments/1864/week-172
C Thursday, July 28, 1864: Siege of Petersburg: First battle of Deep Bottom. On July 28, both sides received reinforcements from the Petersburg sector. Having initiated the battle with an eye towards thinning the Petersburg defenses, Grant was no doubt pleased to hear that more Confederates, two more divisions, had arrived on the Deep Bottom battlefield.
Hancock received one brigade from Petersburg, which he used to replace John Gibbon’s elite division along Bailey’s Creek. Gibbon’s men had not yet redeployed when Phil Sheridan ordered his horsemen forward to attack Gravel Hill once again.
The Union cavalry ran headlong into three Confederate brigades that were in the middle of launching an assault of their own. The Confederates gained the initial advantage, but were ultimately driven back by a determined line of dismounted cavalry firing their repeaters from the crest of a gentle slope. The Union men remounted and pursued, capturing nearly 200 prisoners and ending major fighting on the 28th.
http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/first-deep-bottom.html?tab=facts
D Thursday, July 28, 1864: Battle of Ezra Church. The third battle within nine days as General Sherman closed in on Atlanta (American Civil War). The previous two battles (Peachtree Creek and Atlanta) had been launched by the Confederate General Hood in an attempt to take advantage of perceived weaknesses in Sherman’s deployment. In contrast, the fighting at Ezra Church was triggered by an attempt by Sherman to cut the last railroad into Atlanta.
General McPherson having been killed during the Battle of Atlanta, his army had taken over by General Howard. Under his command, the army was moved from the Federal left to the far right, in an attempt to cut the railroad fairly close to the city.
The problem with doing this was that Hood could use that very railroad to rush troops to the danger point. On this occasion he moved two corps (S. D. Lee’s and Stewart’s) to intercept the Federal movement. The two forces clashed at Ezra Church, some way short of the threatened railroad. The battle started at two in the afternoon and continued for the rest of the day, with Hood’s Confederates attacking increasingly entrenched Federals.
The battle was something of a draw. Sherman’s men were unable to reach the railroad, and so failed in their objective. However, the Confederates lost 4,100 killed and wound, compared to only 732 on the Federal side, and were unable to push Howard’s men back from their initial position. Hood could not afford many such battles.
Luckily for him, Sherman now settled down to conduct a regular siege of Atlanta. Safe behind the impressive defences of the city, Hood was able to hold on for another month, before finally been forced to abandon the city after Sherman launched yet another outflanking manoeuvre (see Battle of Jonesborough).
http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/battles_ezra_church.html
D+ Thursday, July 28, 1864: Battle of Ezra Church.
Background: After the Battle of Atlanta, with the Georgia Railroad cut, Gen. William T. Sherman turned his attention to the Macon & Western Railroad, running southwest out of the city. He ordered the Army of the Tennessee, now under Maj. Gen. Oliver O. Howard, to swing around from the Union left to the right, west of Atlanta, and bear down on the Rebel railroad. Early in the morning of July 27, Howard's troops set out. Confederate cavalry was alert. At 4:15a.m., with Howard's march just a few hours in progress, Gen. John B. Hood's headquarters warned Gen. Joseph Wheeler that "indications are that the enemy will attack our left."
Howard's troops made good progress on July 27. Dodge's Sixteenth Corps was first to deploy on a ridge running southward from the end of Maj. Gen. George Thomas' line. Then division after division extended the position of Maj. Gen. John A. Logan's Fifteenth Corps. By nightfall, the Army of the Tennessee had pushed Sherman's flank almost two miles to the south. Sherman, expecting Hood to react to this threat, directed one of Thomas' divisions to march to Logan's assistance on the morning of the 28th. Along Howard's line, soldiers dug in and brought up artillery. Logan, who had held the extreme right, ordered two of his division to refuse to the west in preparation for a possible attack. Logan's men piled rails and logs in impromptu breastworks. The Illinoisan also ordered plenty of ammunition brought forward, a hundred rounds per man. The Federals were getting ready for a fight.
CSA Plan: Hood planned to give it to them. To S.D. Lee, his youngest (30 years old) and newest corps commander, he issued these orders: march west out of the city along Lick Skillet Road, and take position near Ezra Church three miles from town. The church lay at a key crossroads, for bisecting Lick Skillet was the north-south thoroughfare which the Yankees would be using in their march. Lee was to seize this important crossroads and entrench to the north. Stewart's corps was also involved. Stewart was to lead two divisions via Lick Skillet to the western edge of Atlanta's defenses and wait for Lee to get into position at Ezra Church on the 28th; then, on the next morning, "we were to move out on that road, turn to the right, pass in rear of the enemy, and attack," presumably against the Federals' right rear, after marching beyond Lee's divisions holding the front.
There was a hitch, though.
Battle: Logan's Union infantry already held Ezra Church and the vital Lick Skillet junction. S.D. Lee did not know that, however, as he sent two of his divisions, John C. Brown's and Henry Clayton's marching west out of Atlanta's works around 10a.m. on the 28th. After a mile or so, Gen. Brown, in the lead, came upon William H. "Red" Jackson's cavalry, who reported the Yankees in their front. This threw off Hood's whole plan. Gone was the hope of Lee's corps taking a defensive position at Ezra Church while Stewart posted on the left for a flank attack. The Yankees were already there. Young S.D. Lee consequently exercised field discretion, and determined to attack the enemy straightaway.
Lee formed Brown's division and sent it in around noon. Through thick woods Brown's brigades advanced. The Federals opened up, and from their hastily piled works of log and stone delivered cruel, effective fire. Brown's attack began to fall apart. With an enemy counterattck, the division commander sadly watched his men "driven with great slaughter."
Ten minutes after Brown had begun, Clayton's division arrived, which Lee promptly ordered to advance. Unfortunately for the Southerners, Lee's battle was becoming one of uncoordinated attacks by troops as they arrived. The bluecoats heard the fire to their right (the attack of Brown's division) and stood ready in their makeshift works of rails and trenches. The men of Woods' right brigade, Hugo Wangelin's, had gone into Ezra Church and pulled out the pews to reinforce their parapets. Gen. Howard had hurried assistance to Logan's threatened line. A dozen regiments were ordered from the Sixteenth and Seventeenth corps, and some rushed into the fight in time to help beat back Clayton's assault. Clayton had had enough. He posted his reserve brigade against possible Yankee counterattack and awaited orders.
The two divisions of Lee's corps were through for the day, but not so for Stewart's corps. Having marched west on Lick Skillet to the line of the city's defensive fortifications, Stewart learned that Lee had already joined battle, so he hastened forward with Walthall's division, then Loring's. Lee, believing the enemy had just barely beaten him to the Ezra Church crossroads and therefore had only slight defensive works, determined to continue the attack when Walthall arrived. And so the slaughter continued as Walthall's brigade advanced shortly after 2p.m. over the same ground previously covered by Brown. Fierce musketry dropped Rebels by the hundreds before they fell back, seeking what shelter they could. Walthall ordered no more charges. The Battle of Ezra Church was over. Skirmishing rattled throughout the rest of the day until the Confederates withdrew under cover of nightfall.
The Northerners, fighting on the defensive, suffered fewer casualties at Ezra Church. Howard's Army of the Tennessee closed the battle with fewer than 650 men lost. Confederate casualties at Ezra Church will never be confirmed, but a reasonable estimate would be more than 2,800 men, potentially surpassing 3,000.
http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/atlanta/atlanta-history-articles/battle-of-ezra-church.html
FYI SPC Deb Root-WhiteLt Col Charlie Brown GySgt Jack Wallace CWO4 Terrence Clark SPC Michael Oles SR SPC Michael Terrell PO1 John Johnson SPC (Join to see) SMSgt Lawrence McCarter SGT Paul RussoA1C Pamela G RussellLTC Trent KlugMSG Roy CheeverPO2 Russell "Russ" Lincoln SFC Bernard Walko SFC Stephen King SFC Ralph E Kelley SSG Franklin Briant Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth MSgt Robert C AldiSGT Paul Russo

LTC Stephen F. thanks for the Civil War significant events on 28 July, very profound significant events. I appreciate the read and share sincerely.

LTC Stephen F., keep the great knowledge coming, brother! I always learn something new from you, sir!