Monthly Archives: September 2011

September 30, 1861: Southern response to the fall of Lexington

Posted on September 30, 2011 by Allen Gathman

John C. Fremont The Richmond Daily Dispatch rejoiced over the Confederate victory at Lexington, MO . Their estimation of its significance was a bit overblown, but the prediction of Fremont’s downfall wasn’t far off the mark. The great victory in … Continue reading →

Posted in John C. Fremont, Missouri | Leave a comment

September 29, 1861: Black Jack Logan in Illinois

Posted on September 29, 2011 by Allen Gathman

From the New York Times: THE WAR IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS. An Illinois paper referring to the movement of the population of the Southern counties of that State, in support of the war, makes this revelation: “We are informed by a … Continue reading →

Posted in Illinois | Leave a comment

September 28, 1861: Preparing to defend Jefferson City

Posted on September 28, 2011 by Allen Gathman

Benjamin McCulloch After the surrender of Lexington, the Union forces in Missouri were keenly aware of the vulnerability of the state Capitol at Jefferson City. They had to prepare to repel the Confederate forces under Price and McCulloch. From the … Continue reading →

Posted in Benjamin McCulloch, Missouri, Sterling Price | Leave a comment

September 27, 1861: Skirmish near Columbus, KY

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Allen Gathman

While Union troops were clashing with secessionists on the Missouri side of the river, similar encounters were happening on the Kentucky side as well. It had to be clear to both Union and Confederacy that more serious battles were in … Continue reading →

Posted in Kentucky, Missouri | Leave a comment

September 26, 1861: Skirmish near Belmont, MO

Posted on September 26, 2011 by Allen Gathman

Richard J. Oglesby The Confederate troops under Pillow were ensconced in Columbus, KY. Union troops under Grant having reinforced the Mississippi river port of Cape Girardeau, MO, Jeff Thompson’s Missouri secessionist guerrillas had retreated southward to the Belmont, MO area … Continue reading →

Posted in Kentucky, Missouri, Richard J. Oglesby, Ulysses S. Grant | Leave a comment

September 25, 1861: Breckinridge’s Treason

Posted on September 25, 2011 by Allen Gathman

Illustrated Civil War “Union Envelopes”: portrait of John Cabell Breckinridge labelled “Traitor” The New York Times weighs in on Breckinridge. THE FLIGHT OF SENATOR BRECKINRIDGE. When the Government laid its hand upon Ex-Gov. MOREHEAD, of Kentucky, and removed him from … Continue reading →

Posted in John C. Breckinridge | Leave a comment

September 24, 1861: New York Times publishes Magoffin veto message

Posted on September 24, 2011 by Allen Gathman

Beriah Magoffin From the New York Times: ANOTHER VETO MESSAGE FROM GOV. MAGOFFIN. The following message was sent in to the Kentucky House of Representatives on Sept. 20: Gentlemen of the House of Representatives: I lose no time in returning … Continue reading →

Posted in Beriah Magoffin, Kentucky | Leave a comment

September 23, 1861: Breckinridge flees south

Posted on September 23, 2011 by Allen Gathman

John Cabell Breckinridge John Cabell Breckinridge had been the Southern Democratic nominee running against Lincoln. He swept the lower south, losing only Virginia and Tennessee of the future Confederate states. He had been vice president under Buchanan and now was … Continue reading →

Posted in John C. Breckinridge, Kentucky, Virginia | Leave a comment

September 22, 1861: Breckinridge and Magoffin

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Allen Gathman

John Cabell Breckinridge The New York Times editorial for September 22 targets two Kentuckians with secessionist sympathies. Magoffin was busily vetoing bills passed by (and then having his vetoes overridden by) the increasingly unionist Kentucky legislature. Breckinridge gave a controversial … Continue reading →

Posted in Beriah Magoffin, John C. Breckinridge, Kentucky | Leave a comment

September 21, 1861: Yom Kippur

Posted on September 21, 2011 by Allen Gathman

Many Jewish southerners fought for the Confederacy. By September, 1861, Judah Benjamin had become the Secretary of War of the Confederacy — a Louisianan, he had been the first Jewish U.S. Senator before. Jewish soldiers in the ranks observed Yom … Continue reading →

Posted in Confederacy, Florida | 1 Comment