What was the most significant event on September 4 during the U.S. Civil War?

The Cruise of the CSS Florida in 1862: Ever since being commissioned, the Florida had found refuge in Cuban ports, her crew being ravaged by the Yellow Fever, including her captain, John Newland Maffitt. To get help and more crew, on this date, Maffitt, nearly prostrate with fever himself and ran the Florida through a storm of Federal shot and shell and past the Yankee blockade into Mobile Bay until the ship was protected by the guns of Fort Gaines.
In New Orleans to review US General Banks’ troops in 1863, Maj Gen U.S. Grant’s horse was spooked by a trolley whistle and contact with the trolley and it became uncontrollable. The horse fell and pinned Grant’s right leg. No bones were broken, but the excruciating pain and massive swelling soon extended all through the leg and up to Grant’s armpit. He couldn’t even turn over in bed without assistance.
Below are a number of journal entries from 1862, 1863 and 1864 which shed light on what life was like for soldiers and civilians – the good, the bad and the ugly. In 1864, Maj Gen William T. Sherman send a message to Gen Halleck about operations in Georgia.
Thursday, September 4, 1862: The Richmond Daily Dispatch publishes news about the battle at Manassas (Bull Run) with some errors as to McClellan’s involvement: “Our information is such as to give encouragement to the hope that the sacred soil of Virginia will soon be rescued from the hands land divested of the polluting tread, of the Yankee invader. The great battle of Saturday last, fought on the memorable and classic ground of Manassas, resulted in the overthrow of the combined armies of the Federal Government, with a loss that is perhaps unequalled in the annals of the present war. We write without particulars; but the dispatches received by the President, and now given to the public, warrants the belief that our triumph is complete and glorious, and that the Confederate army is probably to-day within hauling distance of the Federal capital.
The first dispatch received yesterday morning represented that the enemy had made several attempts to break through our lines, which intercepted their retreat towards Alexandria, but were repulsed each time with heavy loss. No mention of the casualties on our side was made, except that Gens. Ewell and Trimble were badly wounded, but not mortally, and Gen. Taliaferro slightly wounded. A large number of prisoners were said to have been captured by our troops. . . . Late in the afternoon, a dispatch was received by the President from Gen. Lee, conveying information which left no grounds to question the glorious success of our arms. This dispatch stated that on Thursday Gen. Jackson's corps repulsed Gen. Pope; Gen. Longstreet repulsed McClellan on Friday, and that on Saturday Gen. Lee attacked the combined forces of McClellan and Pope, utterly routing them with immense loss. Our army, it was stated, was still pursuing them, but in what direction we did not learn. . . .”
Thursday, September 4, 1862: Gen. John Pope reports to the President, and reads his report to Pres. Lincoln and Sec. of the Navy Gideon Welles. Later that day, Lincoln meets with Stanton and other Cabinet members to review whether or not McClellan is the man to depend on. On this occasion, Secretary Welles notes in his journal: “When with the President this A.M., heard Pope read his statement of what had taken place in Virginia during the last few weeks, commencing at or before the battle of Cedar Mountain. It was not exactly a bulletin nor a report, but a manifesto, a narrative, tinged with wounded pride and a keen sense of injustice and wrong. The draft, he said, was rough. It certainly needs modifying before it goes out, or there will be war among the generals, who are now more ready to fight each other than the enemy. No one was present but the President, Pope, and myself.”
Thursday, September 4, 1862: George Templeton Strong writes in his journal about the news that McClellan is restored to command: “It is certain now that the army has fallen back to its old burrows around Washington. It will probably hibernate there. So, after all this waste of life and money and material, we are at best where we were a year ago. McClellan is chief under Halleck. Many grumble at this, but whom can we find that is proved his superior? He is certainly as respectable as any of the mediocrities that make up our long muster roll of generals. The army believes in him, undoubtingly; that is a material fact. And I suppose him very eminently fitted for a campaign of redoubts and redans, though incapable of vigorous offensive operations.”
Thursday, September 4, 1862: Stephen Minot Weld, an officer in the 18th Massachusetts Inf. Regiment, and clearly a McClellan partisan, has a somewhat different view of McClellan and the recent campaign: “Headquarters 5th Army Corps, Camp at Hall’s Hill, Va., Sept. 4, 1862. Dear Father, — We have at length, after fighting over a year, reached Washington, and are as badly off as we were a. year ago. Here we are encamped in the identical spot we were last March when we started off on our way to Richmond. And now what is this owing to? Simply to the interference of the Abolitionists and politicians with McClellan. They bothered him, and interfered with him until they compelled him to retreat from his near position to Richmond, and finally made him come up here, when he offered to take Richmond with 25,000 more men. He, however, pushed his troops on to Pope’s assistance with all the rapidity he could. . . .”
Friday, September 4, 1863: Sergeant Alexander G. Downing, of the 11th Iowa Infantry, on the march in Mississippi, ruefully remarks in his journal on the grim effect on the soldiers to be marching in the heat in a malarial region: “Friday, 4th—The weather today is intensely hot. Those who are not sick spent the day in washing their clothing. Over half of the boys in our regiment are sick with the fever and ague, all because of the very poor water we had to drink while on the march, the weather being very hot and sultry.
The results accomplished by this expedition were meager indeed, While the suffering endured by the men engaged in it was very great. Many died from the effects of the hardships to which they were subjected, and many never fully recovered from the diseases contracted while passing through that malarious region, and that during the hottest days of the summer.—A. G. D.”
Friday, September 4, 1863: On this date, the Richmond Daily Dispatch, one of the two large newspapers in the Confederate capital, publishes this passionate editorial on the excellence of the men in the army, on loyalty, and on the Cause: “The spirit of the army.
Every letter that appears from Gen. Lee’s army breathes the highest spirit. There is something affecting, grand, and sublime in the magnificent courage of these heroes — a courage which not only scorns the perils of the battle-field, but is proof against the unmanly croaking at home of men who have never yet heard a bullet whistle, but have been living in security and plenty during the whole of the war. It is a humiliating truth that the only sections of the country in which repining, disloyalty, and treason have found utterance are the most remote from the seat of hostility and danger, whose people have never been disturbed even by raids. . . . But, of all classes of our countrymen, none are so uncompromising as the men of the army — the men who have made the most sacrifices, and endured all the hardships and perils of the war. The Southern army is in fact the Southern people. It contains the cream of the chivalry, the patriotism, the physical stamina, and the moral worth of the land. If we desire to find the only infallible exponent of the spirit and purpose of the Southern Confederacy, we must look to the army, and its universal voice is that it would prefer death to the last man to life and subjugation.
. . . The army — the always valiant and always victorious army — which has suffered and dared so much, proclaims itself ready to suffer and dare a thousand fold more rather than discolor its bright banners with the shame of submission and conquest. It has fought a hundred battles; it has endured hunger, heat, cold, and raggedness; it has beaten the foe over and over again, and all it asks of those who have never fired a gun, or endured a pang of hunger, or suffered a single discomfort of life, is not to discourage with their dismal croaking the spirits of the men who are fighting for their security, comfort, and independence. . . .
The North has made some nine or ten enterprises of “On to Richmond,” in each and all of which it has been signally defeated, and yet, after all their failures, it renews its efforts with unabated perseverance. What shall be said of Southern men who have not as much confidence and determination after ten victories as the North after ten defeats? If they were a fair specimen of Southern manhood the subjugation of the South would be no longer a question. . . .
We invoke the soldiers of the South to turn a deaf ear to the raven-croaking which come up from in their rear from these unfortunate mortals whose unbalanced minds and disordered livers prevent them from forming an intelligent and dispassionate judgement of public affairs. The great heart of the country . . . keeps time with the inspiring pulsations in the hearts of its heroes. Noble, generous, devoted men — men of whom the world is not worthy — men whose deeds have never been surpassed in all Greek, all Roman fame — your countrymen and country-women are not only grateful for your Fast, but full of Hope and Faith in your Future. They are proud of your courage, proud of your humility, proud above all, of the lofty spirit which has resolved, with God’s help, to deliver this land from an accursed tyrant, and to light in every hill and in every valley beacons of glory and victory, which shall blaze till the stars have ceased to shine.”
Friday, September 4, 1863: Through his foggy confusion, General Bragg wrote D.H. Hill on this date, laying it all out. “There is no doubt of the enemy’s position now,” he began, stating that one corps was opposite Hill, upriver from Chattanooga, while the other two had crossed downriver. “Wheeler is gone to develop them,” he said of his cavalry, “and Walker goes to railroad to Rome to head them off from our communications.” Gen. W.H.T. Walker’s Division had arrived the previous week, sent as reinforcements from Joe Johnston in Mississippi.
“If you can cross the river,” he continued to Hill, “now is our time to crush the corps opposite. What say you?” Of course, if Hill were to cross, he would have found far less than a corps to crush. “The crushing of this corps would give us a great victory and redeem Tennessee.” This made quite a bit of sense. If the bulk of Rosecrans’ Army was bypassing Chattanooga, he had some time to destroy it in detail, starting with Crittenden’s Corps.
But the problem wasn’t just with the complete absence of the Federal corps opposite D.H. Hill, it was with Braxton Bragg himself. For so many days, he had been in complete darkness over Rosecrans’ whereabouts. It had driven him to near breaking. He was now erratic and manic, having little idea what he should do.
Soon after telling D.H. Hill to seriously consider an attack across the river, he wrote a message to President Davis in Richmond, revealing his fears over doing just that. After explaining why, he regretfully withdrew his troops from Knoxville, he delved into his mind.
“With our present dispositions we are prepared to meet the enemy at any point he may assail,” wrote Bragg, “either with a portion or with the whole of his forces, and should he present us an opportunity we shall not fail to strike him.” So far, it sounded as if Bragg was hedging his bets. He was going on the defensive while keeping one eye open for a possible opportunity. But then he continued.
“My position is to some extent embarrassing in regard to offensive movements,” he admitted. “In a country so utterly destitute we cannot for a moment abandon our line of communications, and unable to detach a sufficient force to guard it, we must necessarily maneuver between the enemy and our supplies. The approach of his right column (the heaviest, it will be observed) is directly on our left flank and seriously threatens our railroad. No effort will be spared to bring him to an engagement whenever the chances shall favor us.”
Sunday, September 4, 1864: Sherman to Halleck: From Headquarters. Mil. Department of the Miss. In the Field near Lovejoys Ga. Sept. 4th 64. To General Halleck, Washington “The 20th Corps now occupies Atlanta & the Chattahoochee bridges. The main Army is now here, grouped below Jonesboro. The Enemy hold a Line facing us with front well covered by parapets, & flanks by Walnut Creek on the Right & a Confluent of Flint River on his Left. His position is too strong to attack in front & to turn it would carry me too far from our base at this time. Besides there is no commensurate object, as there is no valueable [sic] point to is Rear till we reach Macon 103 miles from Atlanta.” We are not prepared for that & I will gradually fall back & occupy Atlanta which was & is our grand objective point already secure.
For the future I propose that of the drafted men I receive my due share, say 50,000. That an equal or greater number go to Genl. Canby who should now proceed with all energy to Montgomery & the Reach of the Alabama River above Selma-that when I know he can move on Columbus Georgia, I move form junction repair Roads to Montgomery & open up the Apalachicola & Macon. This Campaign can be made in the winter, & we can safely rely on the Corn of the Flint and Chattahoochee to supply forage.
If the Tensas Channel of the Alabama River can be used, Genl. Gardner with his Rebel Garrison could continue to hold Mobile for our use when we want it.
I propose to remove all the Inhabitants of Atlanta, sending those committed to our cause to the Rear & the Rebel families to the front. I will allow no trade, manufactories or any citizens there at all, so that we will have the entire use of Railroad back as also such corn & forage as may be reached by our troops.
If the people raise a howl against my barbarity & cruelty, I will answer that War is War & not popularity seeking. If they want peace, they & their relations must stop War.
W.T. Sherman, Maj. Genl. Comdg.”

Pictures: 1863-09-03 WILLIAM TRAVIS painting of the Federals crossing the TENNESSEE River near Stevenson, Alabama. Rosecrans is shown on horseback, pointing his sword; 1864-09 Federal Army built this trestle bridge across the Tennessee River during the Chattanooga campaign; 1862-09-04 Rebels begin crossing the Potomac River; 1863-09 Army transport boats bringing supplies up the Tennessee River to relieve the Union forces


A. Wednesday, September 4, 1861: CSA Brig Gen Gideon Pillow forces seized Columbus, Kentucky on the Mississippi River before Union forces could do so. Maj Gen Leonidas Polk was justifying his invasion of Kentucky with a Confederate army by claiming that the Union was “concentrating forces” across the river from Columbus, KY, and that he had just invaded the state to “protect it.”
B. Thursday, September 4, 1862: The Maryland Campaign of 1862. On this date, the first of Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia crossed the Potomac River into Maryland beginning the Confederacy’s first invasion of the North. Many Southerners were conflicted over this move, since they swore that the South only wanted to defend her own. Scouting reports from Union scouts along the Potomac reported the passing of large numbers of Confederate troops under Gen. Longstreet through Leesburg, and that the scouts have "counted sixty pieces of artillery." Gen. D. H. Hill begins crossing his division over the Potomac into Maryland on this date, near Edwards Ferry and Balls Bluff.
On September 4, advance elements of the army crossed the Potomac into Maryland near Leesburg, Virginia. Over the next three days the main body of the army forded the river and advanced without opposition to Frederick.
In Washington, news that the Confederates were pouring into Maryland in large numbers created a crisis for President Lincoln. The defeat at Manassas had resulted in ugly accusations and finger pointing. Pope claimed that McClellan and the Army of the Potomac had not sustained him as they should have, and he even levied charges against several key officers. Lincoln understood that the army had lost confidence in Pope and he needed to go, but he hoped to have some breathing space to select a new field commander. As a temporary measure he placed McClellan in command of all the troops within the capital’s fortifications. Feelings against McClellan were so strong among members of Lincoln’s cabinet, that several of them presented a declaration for the President stating that they did not believe it was safe to entrust McClellan with the command of “any of the armies of the United States.” But Lee gave Lincoln no respite and the Confederate invasion of Maryland forced him to place an army in the field. Given the pace of events, Lincoln had no choice but to place McClellan in command. McClellan had the army’s confidence. As one of his soldiers put it, “the effect of this man’s presence upon the Army of the Potomac – in sunshine or rain, in darkness or in daylight, in victory or defeat – was electrical.”
C. Friday, September 4, 1863: Most of Maj Gen William Rosecrans’ Federal Army of the Cumberland crossed the Tennessee River both north and south of Chattanooga, thereby threatening both of Bragg’s flanks. Days earlier Thomas Crittenden’s XXI Corps had feigned a crossing on Bragg’s right drawing significant confer ate forces away from the actual crossing sites.
Details: ‘My position is to some extent embarrassing’ – Delay and confusion near Chattanooga: “Lookout Mountain was over them; not so much towering as looming. Its sharp slopes may as well have been walls which William Rosecrans’ Federal Army of the Cumberland had to scale. By the morning of this date, nearly all of his force had crossed the Tennessee River. They had clawed and scrambled their way along too-narrow paths, up and over Sand Mountain, which seemed equal parts sand and boulders. It was toil and hellish labor to reach the top, and though it was more or less level, the ground turned almost purely to deep sand. Before their descent, the troops took in the beautiful sight of Lookout Mountain, but knew they must conquer it as well. Only then could they fall upon the left flank of Braxton Bragg’s Confederate Army of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Though most of Rosecrans’ Army had crossed the river, they were not all massed in one column. Several days past and forty miles up the Tennessee, Thomas Crittenden’s XXI Corps had feigned a crossing on Bragg’s right. This ruse drew attention away from the actual crossing, far downriver from Chattanooga, and allowed the remaining two corps of Rosecrans’ force to cross without much resistance or notice. Now, however, it was time for Crittenden to break off the charade and join the rest of the army.
When Crittenden arrived at the crossings, he found both to be in use by the two previous corps’ supply wagons. Rosecrans’ Army had fallen woefully behind schedule, and was strung from Lookout Mountain to beyond the Tennessee River. Even within the corps and divisions themselves, the troops fell behind. For example, Philip Sheridan’s Division of Alexander McCook’s XX Corps was held up by the wagons of James Negly’s Division from George Thomas’ XIV Corps.
D. Sunday, September 4, 1864: CSA Brig Gen John Hunt Morgan is shot dead by federal troops fleeing the home of a woman who had betrayed him in Greenville, Tennessee. Some Union troops entered the town and upon discovering Morgan's presence there, they quickly found Morgan. Morgan dashed into a garden before the Federals opened fire, hitting Morgan in the chest and back and he died instantly.
Details: Brig. General John H. Morgan, the famed Confederate raider, was inside the town of Greenville preparing for a raid through the Union-sympathizing territory of east Tennessee. When he is shot by federal troops fleeing the home of a woman, who had betrayed him. Morgan dies instantly. Some have disputed that Morgan was killed in the Greeneville incident and escaped to the west where he remarried and lived under the assumed name of Dr. Jack Hunt Cole. On his deathbed in November 1899, with only his wife and eldest son at his side, Dr. Cole handed his wife the piece of paper and said: “This is who I really am.” The name on the paper was John Hunt Morgan. While the deathbed confession was disputed by Morgan’s brother and family, enough circumstantial evidence has been produced that leads some historical officials to give the doctor’s claims a second look. It is still in question today.
1. September 4, 1841: The Distribution Preemption Act passed Congress, giving settlers 160 acres of land in the West for $1.25 per acre.
2. Wednesday, September 4, 1861: Three days after being appointed command at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Gen. U.S. Grant set up in business in Cairo, Illinois.
https://sites.google.com/site/civilwarhardemancotn/departments/department-a/part-twenty-one
3. Wednesday, September 4, 1861: Memphis Daily Appeal states: “Feminine Nuisances.—Officer Sullivan arrested Moll Rose, Mary Daniels, Jo Moore, and Mary Cole, who were yesterday, fined by Recorder Moore on the charge of being a nuisance to their neighborhood in various ways, but especially by occasionally appearing in the street in a single garment, and that one not a gown.”
https://sites.google.com/site/civilwarhardemancotn/departments/department-a/part-twenty-one
4. Wednesday, September 4, 1861: Shelbina, Missouri - On September 4, a Confederate force entered the town of Shelbina. They engaged the local Union force, commanded by Brig. Gen. Stephen A. Hurlbut. The Federals were soon forced to leave the town, leaving it to the Confederates to occupy.
http://www.mycivilwar.com/battles/1861s.html
5. Thursday, September 4, 1862: War for Southern Independence had been clear, at least to the Southerners: they were an independent nation, and any battle fought was forced on them by the North’s attempts to force them back into an unwanted union. Today, Robert E. Lee decided to take the battle north to Union States. He begins his march north.
https://sites.google.com/site/civilwarhardemancotn/departments/department-b/part-seventy-three
6. Thursday, September 4, 1862: The Governor of Kentucky, James F. Robinson, is concerned about the Confederate invasion, and asks Gen. Horatio Wright to send troops to protect Frankfort, the capital of the state. But Wright replies that the "true principle" at this moment is Concentration: his priority is to gather as many troops together as possible to meet the Rebel armies.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=September+4%2C+1862
7. Thursday, September 4, 1862: The Cruise of the CSS Florida: Ever since being commissioned, the Florida has been finding refuge in Cuban ports, her crew being ravaged by the Yellow Fever, including her captain, John Newland Maffitt. To get help and more crew, on this date, Maffitt, nearly prostrate with fever himself, runs the Florida through a storm of Federal shot and shell and past the Yankee blockade into Mobile Bay, and is protected by the guns of Fort Gaines.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=September+4%2C+1862
8. Thursday, September 4, 1862: The Richmond Daily Dispatch publishes news about the battle at Manassas (Bull Run) with some errors as to McClellan’s involvement: “Our information is such as to give encouragement to the hope that the sacred soil of Virginia will soon be rescued from the hands land divested of the polluting tread, of the Yankee invader. The great battle of Saturday last, fought on the memorable and classic ground of Manassas, resulted in the overthrow of the combined armies of the Federal Government, with a loss that is perhaps unequalled in the annals of the present war. We write without particulars; but the dispatches received by the President, and now given to the public, warrants the belief that our triumph is complete and glorious, and that the Confederate army is probably to-day within hauling distance of the Federal capital.
The first dispatch received yesterday morning represented that the enemy had made several attempts to break through our lines, which intercepted their retreat towards Alexandria, but were repulsed each time with heavy loss. No mention of the casualties on our side was made, except that Gens. Ewell and Trimble were badly wounded, but not mortally, and Gen. Taliaferro slightly wounded.--A large number of prisoners were said to have been captured by our troops. . . . Late in the afternoon, a dispatch was received by the President from Gen. Lee, conveying information which left no grounds to question the glorious success of our arms. This dispatch stated that on Thursday Gen. Jackson's corps repulsed Gen. Pope; Gen. Longstreet repulsed McClellan on Friday, and that on Saturday Gen. Lee attacked the combined forces of McClellan and Pope, utterly routing them with immense loss. Our army, it was stated, was still pursuing them, but in what direction we did not learn. . . .”
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=September+4%2C+1862
9. Thursday, September 4, 1862: Gen. John Pope reports to the President, and reads his report to Pres. Lincoln and Sec. of the Navy Gideon Welles. Later that day, Lincoln meets with Stanton and other Cabinet members to review whether or not McClellan is the man to depend on. On this occasion, Secretary Welles notes in his journal: “When with the President this A.M., heard Pope read his statement of what had taken place in Virginia during the last few weeks, commencing at or before the battle of Cedar Mountain. It was not exactly a bulletin nor a report, but a manifesto, a narrative, tinged with wounded pride and a keen sense of injustice and wrong. The draft, he said, was rough. It certainly needs modifying before it goes out, or there will be war among the generals, who are now more ready to fight each other than the enemy. No one was present but the President, Pope, and myself.”
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=September+4%2C+1862
10. Thursday, September 4, 1862: George Templeton Strong writes in his journal about the news that McClellan is restored to command: “It is certain now that the army has fallen back to its old burrows around Washington. It will probably hibernate there. So, after all this waste of life and money and material, we are at best where we were a year ago. McClellan is chief under Halleck. Many grumble at this, but whom can we find that is proved his superior? He is certainly as respectable as any of the mediocrities that make up our long muster roll of generals. The army believes in him, undoubtingly; that is a material fact. And I suppose him very eminently fitted for a campaign of redoubts and redans, though incapable of vigorous offensive operations.”
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=September+4%2C+1862
11. Thursday, September 4, 1862: Stephen Minot Weld, an officer in the 18th Massachusetts Inf. Regiment, and clearly a McClellan partisan, has a somewhat different view of McClellan and the recent campaign: “Headquarters 5th Army Corps, Camp at Hall’s Hill, Va., Sept. 4, 1862. Dear Father, — We have at length, after fighting over a year, reached Washington, and are as badly off as we were a. year ago. Here we are encamped in the identical spot we were last March when we started off on our way to Richmond. And now what is this owing to? Simply to the interference of the Abolitionists and politicians with McClellan. They bothered him, and interfered with him until they compelled him to retreat from his near position to Richmond, and finally made him come up here, when he offered to take Richmond with 25,000 more men. He, however, pushed his troops on to Pope’s assistance with all the rapidity he could. . . .”
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=September+4%2C+1862
12. Friday, September 4, 1863: In New Orleans to review US General Banks’ troops, General Grant’s horse is spooked by a trolley whistle and contact with the trolley, becoming uncontrollable. The horse falls, pinning Grant’s right leg. No bones are broken, but the pain is excruciating and massive swelling soon extends all through the leg and up to Grant’s armpit. He can’t even turn over in bed without assistance.
https://bjdeming.com/2013/09/02/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-september-2-8-1863/
13. Friday, September 4, 1863: Today, in Mobile, Alabama, a large crowd of women march downtown armed with knives and hatchets, bearing signs that say “Bread or Blood” or “Bread and Peace.” Many of them break into shops along the street, taking things they need.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=September+4%2C+1863
14. Friday, September 4, 1863: Sergeant Alexander G. Downing, of the 11th Iowa Infantry, on the march in Mississippi, ruefully remarks in his journal on the grim effect on the soldiers to be marching in the heat in a malarial region: “Friday, 4th—The weather today is intensely hot. Those who are not sick spent the day in washing their clothing. Over half of the boys in our regiment are sick with the fever and ague, all because of the very poor water we had to drink while on the march, the weather being very hot and sultry.
The results accomplished by this expedition were meager indeed, While the suffering endured by the men engaged in it was very great. Many died from the effects of the hardships to which they were subjected, and many never fully recovered from the diseases contracted while passing through that malarious region, and that during the hottest days of the summer.—A. G. D.”
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=September+4%2C+1863
15. Friday, September 4, 1863: On this date, the Richmond Daily Dispatch, one of the two large newspapers in the Confederate capital, publishes this passionate editorial on the excellence of the men in the army, on loyalty, and on the Cause: “The spirit of the army.
Every letter that appears from Gen. Lee’s army breathes the highest spirit. There is something affecting, grand, and sublime in the magnificent courage of these heroes — a courage which not only scorns the perils of the battle-field, but is proof against the unmanly croaking at home of men who have never yet heard a bullet whistle, but have been living in security and plenty during the whole of the war. It is a humiliating truth that the only sections of the country in which repining, disloyalty, and treason have found utterance are the most remote from the seat of hostility and danger, whose people have never been disturbed even by raids. . . . But, of all classes of our countrymen, none are so uncompromising as the men of the army — the men who have made the most sacrifices, and endured all the hardships and perils of the war. The Southern army is in fact the Southern people. It contains the cream of the chivalry, the patriotism, the physical stamina, and the moral worth of the land. If we desire to find the only infallible exponent of the spirit and purpose of the Southern Confederacy, we must look to the army, and its universal voice is that it would prefer death to the last man to life and subjugation.
. . . The army — the always valiant and always victorious army — which has suffered and dared so much, proclaims itself ready to suffer and dare a thousand fold more rather than discolor its bright banners with the shame of submission and conquest. It has fought a hundred battles; it has endured hunger, heat, cold, and raggedness; it has beaten the foe over and over again, and all it asks of those who have never fired a gun, or endured a pang of hunger, or suffered a single discomfort of life, is not to discourage with their dismal croaking the spirits of the men who are fighting for their security, comfort, and independence. . . .
The North has made some nine or ten enterprises of “On to Richmond,” in each and all of which it has been signally defeated, and yet, after all their failures, it renews its efforts with unabated perseverance. What shall be said of Southern men who have not as much confidence and determination after ten victories as the North after ten defeats? If they were a fair specimen of Southern manhood the subjugation of the South would be no longer a question. . . .
We invoke the soldiers of the South to turn a deaf ear to the raven-croaking which come up from in their rear from these unfortunate mortals whose unbalanced minds and disordered livers prevent them from forming an intelligent and dispassionate judgement of public affairs. The great heart of the country . . . keeps time with the inspiring pulsations in the hearts of its heroes. Noble, generous, devoted men — men of whom the world is not worthy — men whose deeds have never been surpassed in all Greek, all Roman fame — your countrymen and country-women are not only grateful for your Fast, but full of Hope and Faith in your Future. They are proud of your courage, proud of your humility, proud above all, of the lofty spirit which has resolved, with God’s help, to deliver this land from an accursed tyrant, and to light in every hill and in every valley beacons of glory and victory, which shall blaze till the stars have ceased to shine.”
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=September+4%2C+1863
16. Sunday, September 4, 1864: Sherman to Halleck: H’d Qrts. Mil. D. of the Miss. In the Field near Lovejoys Ga. Sept. 4th 64. To General Halleck, Washington “The 20th Corps now occupies Atlanta & the Chattahoochee bridges. The main Army is now here, grouped below Jonesboro. The Enemy hold a Line facing us with front well covered by parapets, & flanks by Walnut Creek on the Right & a Confluent of Flint River on his Left. His position is too strong to attack in front & to turn it would carry me too far from our base at this time. Besides there is no commensurate object, as there is no valueable [sic] point to is Rear till we reach Macon 103 miles from Atlanta.” We are not prepared for that & I will gradually fall back & occupy Atlanta which was & is our grand objective point already secure.
For the future I propose that of the drafted men I receive my due share, say 50,000. That an equal or greater number go to Genl. Canby who should now proceed with all energy to Montgomery & the Reach of the Alabama River above Selma-that when I know he can move on Columbus Georgia, I move form junction repair Roads to Montgomery & open up the Apalachicola & Macon. This Campaign can be made in the winter, & we can safely rely on the Corn of the Flint and Chattahoochee to supply forage.
If the Tensas Channel of the Alabama River can be used, Genl. Gardner with his Rebel Garrison could continue to hold Mobile for our use when we want it.
I propose to remove all the Inhabitants of Atlanta, sending those committed to our cause to the Rear & the Rebel families to the front. I will allow no trade, manufactories or any citizens there at all, so that we will have the entire use of Railroad back as also such corn & forage as may be reached by our troops.
If the people raise a howl against my barbarity & cruelty, I will answer that War is War & not popularity seeking. If they want peace, they & their relations must stop War.
W.T. Sherman, Maj. Genl. Comdg.”
https://bjdeming.com/2014/09/01/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-september-1-7-1864/
17. Sunday, September 4, 1864: After two straight months, the Yankees end their 3rd massive bombardment of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, without the fort succumbing. This is after almost 15,000 shells fired into the fort. With the bay now in Union control, frustrations led to bread riots in Mobile, Alabama.
https://sites.google.com/site/civilwarhardemancotn/departments/1864/week-178
18. Sunday, September 4, 1864: Shenandoah operations: Battle of Berryville ends.
https://bjdeming.com/2014/09/01/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-september-1-7-1864/
19. Sunday, September 4, 1864: Mississippi operations: Forrest puts General Buford on notice to move immediately. Forrest then leaves his Grenada headquarters with his force, intending to come to Mobile’s aid via Jackson and Meridian. However, his superior, General Maury, telegraphs him to stay put.
https://bjdeming.com/2014/09/01/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-september-1-7-1864/
20. Sunday, September 4, 1864: “John Hunt Morgan is shot dead by federal troops fleeing the home of a woman who had betrayed him (Greenville, Tennessee)” (5, including quote)
https://bjdeming.com/2014/09/01/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-september-1-7-1864/
21. Sunday, September 4, 1864: From U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General, CITY POINT VIRGINIA, September 4, 1864-9 P.M. to Major-General SHERMAN: I have just received your dispatch announcing the capture of Atlanta. In honor of your great victory, I have ordered a salute to be fired with shotted guns from every battery bearing upon the enemy. The salute will be fired within an hour, amid great rejoicing.
U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General.”
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/union-generals/sherman/memoirs/general-sherman-burning-atlanta.htm
22. Sunday, September 4, 1864: September 2-6, 1864 Lovejoy, Georgia - On September 2, the Confederate force, under Maj. Gen. William Hardee, had arrived at Lovejoy after retreating from Jonesboro. They immediately started to dig in and put up breastworks. They knew that Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman's Union army would be right behind them.
Later that day, The Union IV and XXIII Corps arrived at Lovejoy and discovered Hardee's force. At 12:00 P.M., the Federals started their attack. They had pushed the Confederate outposts back to the main defensive line. The Federals had gained a foothold in part of the breastworks that were not completed and attempted to force their way in. The Confederates finally pushed them back and forced the Federals to withdraw.
From September 2-5, sporadic skirmishing occurred between the two forces, with Hardee holding his ground. The Federals were finally forced to withdraw back to Atlanta to regroup.
http://www.mycivilwar.com/battles/1864s.html
23. Sunday, September 4, 1864: It is what happens in Atlanta itself, after General Sherman takes over, has remained one of the most controversial incidents of the American Civil War. He wanted the city to be a purely military zone. He also orders the destruction of any buildings that has of no use to the military other than private residences and churches. Sherman orders that any building that was of no use to the military should be destroyed and that the city was to be for the military only - not civilians.
https://sites.google.com/site/civilwarhardemancotn/departments/1864/week-178
24. Sunday, September 4, 1864: CSA Brig Gen John Hunt Morgan is shot dead by federal troops fleeing the home of a woman who had betrayed him in Greenville, Tennessee.
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186409


A Wednesday, September 4, 1861: Polk, meanwhile, was justifying his invasion of Kentucky with a Confederate army by claiming that the Union was “concentrating forces” across the river from Columbus, KY, and that he had just invaded the state to “protect it.”
https://sites.google.com/site/civilwarhardemancotn/departments/department-a/part-twenty-one
A+ Wednesday, September 4, 1861: Gideon Pillow seizes Columbus, Kentucky.
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186109
B Thursday, September 4, 1862: On this date, the first of Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia crosses the Potomac River into Maryland, thus beginning the Confederacy’s first invasion of the North. Many Southerners are conflicted over this move, since they swore that the South only wanted to defend her own. Scouting reports from Union scouts along the Potomac report the passing of large numbers of Confederate troops under Gen. Longstreet through Leesburg, and that the scouts have "counted sixty pieces of artillery." Gen. D. H. Hill begins crossing his division over the Potomac into Maryland on this date, near Edwards Ferry and Balls Bluff.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=September+4%2C+1862
B+ Thursday, September 4, 1862: The Maryland Campaign of 1862. On September 4, advance elements of the army crossed the Potomac into Maryland near Leesburg, Virginia. Over the next three days the main body of the army forded the river and advanced without opposition to Frederick.
In Washington, news that the Confederates were pouring into Maryland in large numbers created a crisis for President Lincoln. The defeat at Manassas had resulted in ugly accusations and finger pointing. Pope claimed that McClellan and the Army of the Potomac had not sustained him as they should have, and he even levied charges against several key officers. Lincoln understood that the army had lost confidence in Pope and he needed to go, but he hoped to have some breathing space to select a new field commander. As a temporary measure he placed McClellan in command of all the troops within the capital’s fortifications. Feelings against McClellan were so strong among members of Lincoln’s cabinet, that several of them presented a declaration for the President stating that they did not believe it was safe to entrust McClellan with the command of “any of the armies of the United States.” But Lee gave Lincoln no respite and the Confederate invasion of Maryland forced him to place an army in the field. Given the pace of events, Lincoln had no choice but to place McClellan in command. McClellan had the army’s confidence. As one of his soldiers put it, “the effect of this man’s presence upon the Army of the Potomac – in sunshine or rain, in darkness or in daylight, in victory or defeat – was electrical.”
http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/antietam/history/the-maryland-campaign-of-1862.html
C Friday, September 4, 1863: By this date, most of Rosecrans’ army has crossed the Tennessee River, both north and south of Chattanooga, thereby threatening both of Bragg’s flanks.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=September+4%2C+1863
C+ Friday, September 4, 1863: ‘My position is to some extent embarrassing’ – Delay and confusion near Chattanooga: “Lookout Mountain was over them; not so much towering as looming. Its sharp slopes may as well have been walls which William Rosecrans’ Federal Army of the Cumberland had to scale. By the morning of this date, nearly all of his force had crossed the Tennessee River. They had clawed and scrambled their way along too-narrow paths, up and over Sand Mountain, which seemed equal parts sand and boulders. It was toil and hellish labor to reach the top, and though it was more or less level, the ground turned almost purely to deep sand. Before their descent, the troops took in the beautiful sight of Lookout Mountain, but knew they must conquer it as well. Only then could they fall upon the left flank of Braxton Bragg’s Confederate Army of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Though most of Rosecrans’ Army had crossed the river, they were not all massed in one column. Several days past and forty miles up the Tennessee, Thomas Crittenden’s XXI Corps had feigned a crossing on Bragg’s right. This ruse drew attention away from the actual crossing, far downriver from Chattanooga, and allowed the remaining two corps of Rosecrans’ force to cross without much resistance or notice. Now, however, it was time for Crittenden to break off the charade and join the rest of the army.
When Crittenden arrived at the crossings, he found both to be in use by the two previous corps’ supply wagons. Rosecrans’ Army had fallen woefully behind schedule, and was strung from Lookout Mountain to beyond the Tennessee River. Even within the corps and divisions themselves, the troops fell behind. For example, Philip Sheridan’s Division of Alexander McCook’s XX Corps was held up by the wagons of James Negly’s Division from George Thomas’ XIV Corps.
But even if there hadn’t been delays along the poor roads and clogged crossings, Rosecrans’ schedule would likely not have been met. The commanding general had massed most of his cavalry on the extreme right flank of his shifting army. This covered General McCook’s Corps, but left Thomas’ men to grope about blindly on their own. That is, if they had been pushed forward through the gaps of Lookout Mountain.
As it now stood, General Thomas wasn’t so keen on this idea. Though James Negley’s Division was the only one of his to keep up with the schedule, he was loathe to continue on with Crittenden’s Corps still on the other side of the Tennessee. Having no cavalry at his disposal, he had little idea what might be before him and wanted not to get caught in a bind without support.
While the Federals fought time and the mountains in an attempt to get to Braxton Bragg at Chattanooga, the Confederate commander had grown more and more unsure of his current position. Most of his higher officers agreed that at least two Federal corps had crossed the Tennessee downriver, though nobody seemed to want to attack them. The problem was that Bragg thought he discovered Rosecrans’ deceptive plan – and he had, though it was now out of date.
Bragg surmised that Rosecrans had split his army, sent two corps downriver and one upriver. This was, of course, true. Rosecrans had done exactly that. What Bragg failed to realize was that no longer was there an entire Federal corps upriver. Only a division or so had been left as a small sort of sub-diversion, just in case. And in this case, it worked. Bragg and his corps commander, D.H. Hill, both thought that if they attacked Rosecrans’ two corps somewhere downriver, the remaining corps supposedly upriver would swoop down and hit them from behind.
To further add to Bragg’s confusion was the Army of the Ohio under Ambrose Burnside, which had taken Knoxville, Tennessee far on the Federal left. Rumor had it that Crittenden’s mysterious corps had joined forces with Burnside. This was no where near accurate, but a fairly frightening prospect, nonetheless.
Also, Bragg was becoming convinced that since two Federal Corps had crossed so far downriver from Chattanooga, their objective must certainly be Rome or even Atlanta. This was wrong, but when looking at a map, it didn’t seem too crazy a conclusion.
Through his foggy confusion, General Bragg wrote D.H. Hill on this date, laying it all out. “There is no doubt of the enemy’s position now,” he began, stating that one corps was opposite Hill, upriver from Chattanooga, while the other two had crossed downriver. “Wheeler is gone to develop them,” he said of his cavalry, “and Walker goes to railroad to Rome to head them off from our communications.” Gen. W.H.T. Walker’s Division had arrived the previous week, sent as reinforcements from Joe Johnston in Mississippi.
“If you can cross the river,” he continued to Hill, “now is our time to crush the corps opposite. What say you?” Of course, if Hill were to cross, he would have found far less than a corps to crush. “The crushing of this corps would give us a great victory and redeem Tennessee.” This made quite a bit of sense. If the bulk of Rosecrans’ Army was bypassing Chattanooga, he had some time to destroy it in detail, starting with Crittenden’s Corps.
But the problem wasn’t just with the complete absence of the Federal corps opposite D.H. Hill, it was with Braxton Bragg himself. For so many days, he had been in complete darkness over Rosecrans’ whereabouts. It had driven him to near breaking. He was now erratic and manic, having little idea what he should do.
Soon after telling D.H. Hill to seriously consider an attack across the river, he wrote a message to President Davis in Richmond, revealing his fears over doing just that. After explaining why, he regretfully withdrew his troops from Knoxville, he delved into his mind.
“With our present dispositions we are prepared to meet the enemy at any point he may assail,” wrote Bragg, “either with a portion or with the whole of his forces, and should he present us an opportunity we shall not fail to strike him.” So far, it sounded as if Bragg was hedging his bets. He was going on the defensive while keeping one eye open for a possible opportunity. But then he continued.
“My position is to some extent embarrassing in regard to offensive movements,” he admitted. “In a country so utterly destitute we cannot for a moment abandon our line of communications, and unable to detach a sufficient force to guard it, we must necessarily maneuver between the enemy and our supplies. The approach of his right column (the heaviest, it will be observed) is directly on our left flank and seriously threatens our railroad. No effort will be spared to bring him to an engagement whenever the chances shall favor us.”
http://civilwardailygazette.com/my-position-is-to-some-extent-embarrassing-delay-and-confusion-near-chattanooga/
D Sunday, September 4, 1864: Greeneville, Tennessee - On September 4, Brig. Gen. John H. Morgan, the famed Confederate raider, was inside the town of Greenville. Some Union troops entered the town and upon discovering Morgan's presence there, they quickly found Morgan. Morgan dashed into a garden before the Federals opened fire, hitting Morgan in the chest and back. Morgan died instantly.
http://www.mycivilwar.com/battles/1864s.html
D+ Sunday, September 4, 1864: Brig. General John H. Morgan, the famed Confederate raider, was inside the town of Greenville preparing for a raid through the Union-sympathizing territory of east Tennessee. When he is shot by federal troops fleeing the home of a woman, who had betrayed him. Morgan dies instantly. Some have disputed that Morgan was killed in the Greeneville incident and escaped to the west where he remarried and lived under the assumed name of Dr. Jack Hunt Cole. On his deathbed in November 1899, with only his wife and eldest son at his side, Dr. Cole handed his wife the piece of paper and said: “This is who I really am.” The name on the paper was John Hunt Morgan. While the deathbed confession was disputed by Morgan’s brother and family, enough circumstantial evidence has been produced that leads some historical officials to give the doctor’s claims a second look. It is still in question today.
https://sites.google.com/site/civilwarhardemancotn/departments/1864/week-178
FYI GySgt Jack Wallace CWO4 Terrence Clark SMSgt Lawrence McCarter LTC Trent Klug SFC Bernard Walko SFC Stephen King SSG Franklin Briant SSG Byron Howard Sr CPL Ronald Keyes Jr SFC William Farrell CMDCM John F. "Doc" Bradshaw SPC Lyle MontgomeryDeborah GregsonPO2 Marco MonsalveSPC Woody Bullard SSG Michael Noll SSG Bill McCoy MSgt (Join to see) SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTMSgt Christopher Collins

Great history as always, thank you for sharing this great material.

thanks for the touch of history...