Following the American Civil War Sesquicentennial with day by day writings of the time, currently 1863.

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Post image for A Diary of American Events.

A Diary of American Events.

February 3, 2013

The American Civil War,The Rebellion Record—A Diary of American Events; by Frank Moore

February 3.—A fight took place at Mingo Swamp, Missouri, between a detachment of Union troops under the command of Major Reeder, and a numerous gang of rebel guerrillas under the leadership of Dan McGee, resulting in a complete rout of the latter. McGee and eight of his men were killed, and twenty wounded.—(Doc. 117.)

—A successful reconnoissance was this day made to Liberty, Auburn, and Lebanon, Tenn., by a body of National troops under the command of General J. J. Reynolds. They obtained important information concerning the position and operations of the rebel forces; ascertained that the inhabitants of many portions of Tennessee hitherto unvisited by National troops, were loyal to the Union; obtained large material results in the capture of supplies, and in destroying rebel means of support; broke up a rebel camp, dispersing the rebels in all directions; had several skirmishes with guerrillas, routing them on each occasion with great slaughter.

—Fort Donelson, Tennessee, garrisoned by only six hundred of the Eighty-third Illinois, under the command of Colonel Harding, was attacked by a large rebel force under Generals Wheeler and Forrest, and after a desperate contest of five hours’ duration, the rebels were repulsed and retreated.— (Doc. 118.)

Capture of a Contrabandist on Lake Pontchartrain.

February 3, 2013

Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper,Miscellaneous document sources

Capture of a Contrabandist on Lake Pontchartrain

On the night of 3d February as Capt. J. G. Healy, of the 9th Connecticut volunteers, with three private was picketing the lake, he saw by the moonlight a sloop sailing towards Dixie, evidently having come from New Orleans. He immediately put off with his three men and a boat, and soon pulled up to the strange sail, the crew of which fired several shots, some of which came in close proximity to Capt. Healy. Running alongside, Capt. Healy sprang on board the sloop, and presenting his revolver to the head of one of the smugglers, demanded their surrender. They complied with his demand. When the sloop was brought ashore it was found to contain a very valuable cargo of medicines and other useful articles.

When the Union boat was nearing the lugger one of the crew was observed throw a parcel overboard; it was “fished in,” and found to contain a number of letters from many of the prominent citizens of New Orleans to some of the chief rebels. The crew, which consisted of two Jews and a Creole, were immediately committed to jail, and will be held to give evidence against some of those whose letters have been thus captured. The cargo is valued at $50,000.

From the March 14th issue of Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper.

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