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Thanksgiving at Fort Pulaski, November 1862

Thanksgiving at Fort Pulaski, November 1862

I’ve always been fascinated with stories of how soldiers marked Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Those being holidays with religious backdrops, lacking the civic tones seen with some other holidays, the observances tend to move individuals away from soldierly thoughts.  Thanksgiving, in particular, asks the soldier to think about what he (or now days, she) is thankful for.  Away from home; in…

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April 21, 1865: "... making fair contracts in writing with the people to cultivate the land..." in South Carolina

On April 21, 1865, there were several matters competing for Major-General Quincy Gillmore’s attention. The day before Gillmore received word of Major-General William T. Sherman’s truce with General Joseph E. Johnston, which thus governed operations in the Department of the South.  Also arriving was news of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination.  The former prompted adjustments to Gillmore’s active…

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Emancipation: The lasting legacy of Sherman's March

Emancipation: The lasting legacy of Sherman’s March

Often when historians offer a “wrap-up” of Sherman’s March to the Sea, there is focus, for good reasons, on this letter to President Abraham Lincoln:

It is the numbers – 150 guns and 25,000 bales of cotton – which often get some play as representative of the damage to the Confederate war effort.  Facts are, however, both numbers are incorrect.   The number of guns captured at Savannah alone was…

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"Obliged to reduce the fire so as to almost entirely stop it": End of focused bombardments of Fort Sumter

"Obliged to reduce the fire so as to almost entirely stop it": Ending bombardments of Ft Sumter #CharlestonSiege150

Warren Ripley, historian and newspaper writer who chronicled the history of the Charleston siege concurrent with the Centennial of the Civil War, considered September 18, 1864 as the last day of the last “minor” bombardment of Fort Sumter.  After that time, as Confederate engineer Captain John Johnson described, “No firing upon the fort but such as may be termed desultory occurred.…”

There are…

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"The Yankees have done no work to-day... because of our sharpshooters": A real skirmish at Fort Sumter

"The Yankees have done no work to-day because of our sharpshooters": A real skirmish at Ft Sumter #CharlestonSiege150

Most of the time, when I discuss the fighting around Charleston harbor during the Civil War, the actions involved very large caliber artillery – indeed the largest weapons of the war.  I have referred to it as skirmishing with Parrotts, columbiads, and mortars.  But on September 17, 1864, the “skirmishing” involved weapons most often seen on other battlefields – rifled muskets.

Two reports from…

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"In case of an alarm...": Instructions for a Morris Island QRF in the event of Confederate attack

“In case of an alarm…”: Instructions for a Morris Island QRF in the event of Confederate attack

With the draw-down of forces on Morris Island in August 1864, the Federals assigned there assumed somewhat a “garrison” stance, but one in direct contact with Confederate forces.  In spite of living in well established camps, with accompanying liberties, the troops shared picket duties, supported the artillery, and guarded the 600 Confederate prisoners.  With that last assignment, the risk of a…

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A shot into Charleston every 15 minutes: Foster's orders to Morris Island, September 12, 1864

A shot into Charleston every 15 minutes: Foster's orders to Morris Island, September 12, 1864 #CharlestonSiege150

On September 12, 1864, Major-General John Foster issued a lengthy order to Brigadier-General Rufus Saxton, commanding the Northern District (Morris and Folly Islands) of the Department of the South.  These orders began with a set of instructions about ongoing bombardments of Confederate positions, to include the city of Charleston:

I send you a recapitulation of the verbal orders you received…

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"Charleston is at your mercy": Saxton proposes a major bombardment of the city

"Charleston is at your mercy": Saxton proposes a major bombardment of the city #CharlestonSiege150

On the same day he reported arrival of 600 Confederate prisoners on Morris Island, Brigadier-General Rufus Saxton sent a proposal to Major-General John Foster.  In this proposal, Saxton urged his superior to increase the bombardment of Charlestson beyond just harassing fires:

General: In accordance with your directions, I have since my arrival here been endeavoring to make myself master of my…

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