Answers to MCCWRT Prisons Quiz-- Part 2: Fort Fisher and a Great Lakes Warship

9.  Enlisted Confederates captured at Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865, were mostly sent to Elmira Prison Camp in New York.

10.  The Confederate nickname for this prison was "Hellmira" because of the horrific conditions.

11.  Two of the main prisons to which Confederate officers were sent during the war were  both in bodies of water.  One was Fort Columbus in New York Harbor.  The other was Johnson's Island in Lake Erie.

12.  Who was the highest ranking Confederate officer to die while a prisoner?  Maj. Gen. W.H.C. Whiting.  He was wounded at Fort Fisher, recovered from the wound, but died from dysentery.

13.What U.S. warship was the target of a Confederate plot to free officers held at Johnson's Island in Lake Erie?    USS Michigan

14.  The USS Michigan served for a long time but near the end of its career, its name was changed to the USS Wolverine.  Why?  So the name Michigan could be given to the battleship USS Michigan (BB-27).

How'd You Do?  --Old Secesh

Answers to the MCCWRT Prison Quiz (Or Was That a Test?)-- Part 1

1.   There were 4 prisons in Illinois for Confederates.

2.  Their names were:  Alton Penitentiary, Camp Butler, Camp Douglas and Rock Island Prison.

3.  The Alton Military Prison was replaced by the Joliet Correctional Center. 

4.  Camp Butler was not named after Benjamin Butler, but William Butler who was Illinois' Secretary of the Treasury.

5 and 7.  William Butler was a member of the Lincoln's  Long Nine.  (I later found out that he wasn't a member of the Long Nine, but Lincoln stayed at William Butler's house.)

6.  The Joliet Prison later was featured in the movies "White Heat" with James Cagney and "The Blues Brothers" with John Belluchi.

8.  The "Long Nine" got their name because they were all tall and weighed around 200 pounds.  They were state representatives and senators and largely responsible for moving the state capital from Vandalia to Springfield.

Okay, questions 5,6,7 and 8 were a bit off topic.  But, of course our discussion groups have NEVER EVER gotten off topic.

--Old Secesh

MCCWRT Discussion Group Civil War Prisons-- Part 2:

Some more prison questions:

7.  William Butler, for whom Camp Butler was named, was a member of what famous Illinois group of politicians which included Abraham Lincoln?

8.  How did this group get their name?

9.  Enlisted Confederates captured at Fort Fisher, North Carolina, on January 15, 1865, were mostly sent to what prison in New York.

10.  What was the nickname Confederates held at this prison gave it?

11.   Two of the prisons in which Confederate officers were sent were in New York Harbor and Lake Erie.  What were the names of these two prisons?

12.  Who was the highest ranking Confederate officer to die while a prisoner?

13.  What was the name of the U.S. ship which was the target of a clandestine operation to free Confederate officers held in the Lake Erie prison?

14.  Why was this ship later renamed the USS Wolverine?

Answers in Next Post.  --Old Secesh

MCCWRT Discussion Meeting 3/27/21: Civil War Prisons, North and South

Four members of our McHenry County (Illinois)  Civil War Round Table met yesterday at Stucky's in Johnsburg, Illinois, for our monthly discussion group.  Stucky's had a nice layout of fresh fruit, pastries and plenty of coffee.  Thanks, Stucky's.

This was a hybrid meeting in that we also had Zoom going, with another four joining us, including one of out members in Florida.  How about that.  This was the first time I had had first-hand experience with Zoom and I was impressed.  Not enough to get it going for myself yet, anyway, nut nonetheless.  I'm thinking all of our discussion group meetings will also be Zoom in the future.

Something good coming from trying times indeed.

Much of our discussion was on prisons in Illinois, though many others were mentioned.  I'll have more on that later.

The last discussion group meeting we had was in October and at Stucky's again (our usual month meetings are in a room at Panera Bread in Crystal Lake but, of course, the room has been closed since last March).

Anyway, it is good to talk Civil War with like-minded folk.

I'll also have the answers to yesterday's prison questions (and some more questions) in tomorrow's post.

--Old SeceshZoomer

McHenry Civil War Round Table Discussion Group Meeting Today: Here's Your Quiz

We'll be trying a hybrid live and Zoom meeting at 10 a.m. at Stucky's in Johnsburg, Illinois.

Today's topic:  Civil War Prisons North and South.

Here are a few questions to get you started:

1.  How many prisons were in Illinois?

2.  Where were these prisons?

3.  The Alton Military Prison was replaced by what Illinois prison?

4.  Who was Camp Butler named after?

5.  William Butler was a member of what famous Illinois Lincoln group? 

6.  The Joliet Prison was featured in two movies.  Name one of them.

--Old Secesh

Why 19th Century Presidents Feared Seeing Robert Todd Lincoln Around + Something About That July 4th You Might Not Have Known

For sure, if you were a president of the United States back in the 1800s, you should worry some if you happened to see Abraham Lincoln's son, Robert Todd Lincoln.

Yo can find out why by going to my Cooter's History Thing blog.  Go to My Blog list to the right of this and scroll down to the site.

Also, you can find out why the nation's birthday on July 4 is also not a good day for U.S. presidents.

They are the March 22 and 23 blog entries. 

Check It Out.  --Old SePres

159th Anniversary of Siege of Fort Macon-- Part 2: Over a Month-Long Siege

In mid-April, Gen. Ambrose Burnside arrived  with reinforcements and took command of the siege.  On April 25, 1862, the fort was bombarded from both land and sea.  Although the fire from the Union fleet did little damage to the fort because of its strengthened seaward defenses, the land bombardment did major damage.

Col. White surrendered the next day, April 26.

The fall of Fort Macon gave the Union control of both Beaufort and Morehead City, strengthening heir control over the Eastern North Carolina coast.  Beaufort also became a major Union naval base and was used a lot for the duration of the war.  This is where the Union blockaders received supplies of coal and ammunition and  where the Union fleet operated from during the two attacks on Fort Fisher.

Fort Macon was constructed by the Federal government from 1826 to 1834 and was named after a North Carolina U.S. Senator, Nathaniel Macon and designed by Brig. Gen. Simon  Bernard, who also designed Fort Monroe.  It also featured an 1840s design of erosion control that was prepared by one Robert E. Lee.

It was seized by North Carolina militia just two days after Fort Sumter was fired upon.

Fort Macon is now one of 39 state parks.  The park will commemorate the siege and battle this coming April.

--Old Secesh

159th Anniversary of Beginning of Fort Macon's Siege-- Part 1: Roanoke and New Fall, Then On to the Fort

From Mar. 18, 2021, Chowan(NC) Herald "Week in NC history."

THE SIEGE OF FORT MACON

On March 23, 1862,  U.S. forces under  Brig. Gen.   John G. Parke began the siege of Confederate-held Fort Macon.  At the time, the fort was commanded by Col. Moses J. White of Mississippi, and was defended by  54 pieces of artillery and a garrison of five companies.

In January 1962,  a Federal force  commanded by Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside arrived off the North Carolina coast. After taking Roanoke Island in February and New Bern in March, Burnside's next objective was Fort Macon.

White refused Parke's order to surrender causing the Union forces to lay siege on the fort.  They were aided by the Union Navy who bombarded the masonry fort.

--Old Secesh

The Booth Who Saved a Lincoln

During the Civil War, there was an instance when a Booth might actually saved the life of a Lincoln.

Read about it in my Cooter's History Thing blog.

Go to the right and scroll down to My Blogs and go to the Cooter's History Thing Blog and click on it.  Then go to the March 22 blog entry.

--Old Secesh

156th Anniversary End of Battle of Bentonville Today-- Part 2

Sherman's 60,000-man army  was divided into two wings:  half were in the left wing marching through Aversaboro and Bentonville and the other half, the right wing were marching on a parallel route to the southeast of Slocum's wing.

Sherman's objective was Goldsboro, where he was going to meet an additional 40,000 troops and supplies.  Union forces had no idea that Johnston had been able to scrape together any sort of resistance, but he had.

Johnston's force numbered some 21,000, including what was left of the shattered Army of Tennessee after Hood's Nashville Campaign.  

After their initial success on March 19,  the Confederates were unable to beat the Union Army and early on March 22 they began to withdraw toward Raleigh.  The Union Army did not pursue them.  The action was the largest battle to be fought on North Carolina soil during the war.

--Old Secesh

156th Anniversary End of Battle of Bentonville-- Part 1: Last Stand in the Carolinas

From the March 18, 2021, Chowan (NC) Herald  "Week in NC History."

On March 19, 1865,  at Bentonville in North Carolina near Goldsboro,  a Confederate army led by Gen. Joseph Johnston attacked the left wing of  Union Gen. William  Sherman's army.  General Lee directed Confederates to make a stand in North Carolina to prevent  Sherman from linking up with General Grant's army in front of Petersburg, Virginia.

Union General Henry Slocum, initially not realizing her faced  an entire army, pushed forward, but was driven back in the afternoon.  Confederates led by Gen. Daniel H. Hill were able to flank Slocum's troops, pouring a devastating fire into them.

Johnston continued his assaults throughout the evening but pulled back once he realized  that the right wing of Sherman's army, which was marching from Fayetteville to Goldsboro, would arrive soon.

--Old Secesh

David H. Budlong-- Part 2: On to Missouri, Idaho and Montana and GAR and Woman's Relief Corps (His Wife)

From the 1894 Journal of the Grand Army of the Republic.

David H. Budlong from Couer d' Alene, Idaho.

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Montana Territory  1885

David H. Budlong  from Cooke in Gallatin County.  Notary Public

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Report of U.S. Secretary of the Treasury  1882

David H. Budlong, 5th Missouri District had collected $15,454. 84.

$145,571.72   1881

He must have left Missouri in 1882 which is why his collection was lower.  Bryan S. Langston was also listed in 1882 with the 5th Missouri District and he collected $138,281.62

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From the Journal of the Annual Convention of the Woman's Relief Corps National Convention 1893.

1893, Mattie B. Budlong of the C.C. McReynolds Corps of Couer d' Alene, Idaho, named president.  Installed by David H. Budlong.  (White Corps)

--Old Secesh

David H. Budlong-- Part 1: Postwar Career

From The Journal of  Proceedings  of the United States Senate in Executive Session.

On March 3, 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt  nominated David H. Budlong, of Idaho,  to be register of  the land office at  Coeur d' Alene, Idaho, his term having expired.

The U.S. Senate agreed..

He was appointed and paid $1,177.

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From the Minutes of the Presbyterian Church.

May 21, 1903

There was a David H. Budlong  as a Ruling Elder  of the Synod of Washington.  (There was no Synod of Idaho so that probably was a part of the Synod of Washington at the time.)

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The 1860  Methodist Episcopal Church listed a David H. Budlong.

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From The First reunion of the Army of the Tennessee in 1892

135th USCT

Colonel:  John E. Gurley

Lieut.-Col: David H. Budlong

Major:  David Dixon

Alpheus T. Budlong and David H. Budlong

Well, I was unable to find out any more about the little run-in that Alpheus had with William T. Sherman before the First Battle of Bull Run, but evidently he served his penitence or was forgiven or something else because he was back in the ranks by the time of the Battle of South Mountain in September 1862, where he was wounded badly enough that his military career was over.

And, of course, later in the war, Sherman wasn't exactly against foraging.

But, obviously Alpheus was a very tall man for that time, standing over six feet tall.  And, so was David H. Budlong as I mentioned in the War Reminiscence posts earlier this month.  Maybe that is a family trait?

--Old Secesh

Alpheus T. Budlong and Some Other Budlongs

At some point after the war, he was living in Ash Grove, Missouri, and receiving a $4 pension, probably for the wound.  Ash Grove is near Springfield, Missouri.

From THE SECOND WISCONSIN INFANTRY

BUDLONG, ALPHEUS T. Born:  New York, Age 23,   Wagon maker, , Mineral Point, Wisconsin.   Discharged for disability  March 28, 1863.

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BUDLONG GRADUATES FROM YALE  who were officers

James Budlong, Class of 1851

Morris M. Budlong  Class of 1865

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At Battle of Fredericksburg

Private Benjamin Budlong killed.    Co. C, 7th Rhode Island.

I don't know if these last three Budlongs were related to the family in Wisconsin.

--Old Secesh

Some More on Alpheus T. Budlong-- Part 3: 'Gen. Sherman Orders Me to Report'

I did find out some more information about him.  And this was kind of a follow up to his unfortunate run-in with William T. Sherman shortly before the First Battle of Bull Run. 

From

One observer of Alpheus' company, the last to join his regiment,  was   on average, shorter than the others.  That is, other than Alpheus T. Budlong, who was six feet six inches tall.

In the midafternoon,  Corporal Budlong, who at six feet six inches was the tallest one in the whole regiment, reported to Tom Allen, saying , "Captain, General Sherman orders me  to report to you under arrest."

Allen, who knew  that Budlong had been missing for several hours, asked, "Why?  What have you been doing?"

I am unable to find out more about him in this source.

--Old Secesh

A War Reminiscence-- Part 4: 'Budlong This Is the Second Time I Am Glad to See You'

David Budlong and John Potter met again at Vicksburg after the latter's wound had healed and he was again on active duty. 

Budlong afterwards became a lieutenant-colonel of engineers in Sherman's service.  Both retired from the  military service at the close of the war and their paths were thenceforth divergent until last winter they met in a Helena hotel (in Montana).

Potter recognized Budlong as his gallant rescuer before Jackson, and introduced himself with the words "Budlong this is the second time I am glad to see you."  They then related the story of their first meeting  to an admiring crowd of  auditors.

A Great Story.  --Old Secesh

A War Reminiscence-- Part 3: Lt. Budlong to the Rescue

Col. D.H. Budlong, of Livingston (Montana), was then a First Lieutenant  in the 33rd Wisconsin on staff duty as one of Gen. Lauman's aides.    After Pugh's terribly fatal charge, Col. Budlong was sent out to drive in stragglers.  He was then as now a very tall man  and was mounted on a monstrous white horse that stood nineteen hands high.

As he rode upon the field and looked over its ghastly occupants, he saw Captain Potter's efforts to get back to his own lines and recognized the fact that the wounded officer had something of the sympathy  of the southern soldiers who were watching.  Col. Budlong rode forward slowly until within 150 yards of Potter's sheltering stump.

He then scanned the rebel lines  with his glass, and seeing no movement to interfere with him, put his horse to a gallop, rode up to Potter, threw him across the saddle, wheeled his horse and rode back to cover.

Not a shot was fired but as they retired the rebels stood up in their entrenchments and gave a round of cheer for the two brave Union officers.

--Old Secesh

A War Reminiscence-- Part 2: The Second Battle of Jackson and David H. Budlong

Continued from March 8, 2021.

From the time they emerged from cover when the first shot was fired till they advanced within less than ten rods of the confederate works and fell back to their original position was only 10 minutes.  But in that terrible charge four men more than half of  all Pugh's brigade fell upon the field before the terrible fire  of artillery and musketry which they so gallantly confronted.

Col. Earle of the 53rd Illinois went down at the head of his regiment within a 150 feet of Breckenridge's line.

Captain John Potter, now of Potter, Moe, & Co. bankers at White Sulphur Springs, Montana,  who was in charge of his company of that regiment, received a shot in the thigh and was left on the field  at a point not 10 rods (165 feet)  from the rebel works.  When his brigade fell back he painfully arose on his uninjured leg and tried to hop back to his line but soon fell to the ground.

He then crawled a little way to  a small stump not 20  feet from where he fell and there partially  sheltered himself.  The rebels had watched  his movements but, as they were about to evacuate their position did not want the encumbrance of  wounded prisoners, made no movement to capture him.

--Old Secesh

Seven Critical Civil War Battles-- Part 2

4.  CHANCELLORSVILLE

Decisive battle for Confederacy, but the loss of Stonewall Jackson offset the victory.

5.  VICKSBURG

Union gained control of the entire Mississippi River after the surrender of Port Hudson as well.

6.  GETTYSBURG

Crushing defeat for Confederacy, especially when the fall of Vicksburg took place a day later.  Major 1-2 punch.

7.  ATLANTA

Crippled Confederate war effort.  The victory helped tremendously in Lincoln's re-election in 1864.

--Old Secesh

Seven Critical Civil War Battles-- Part 1

From March 5, 2021, History by Patrick J. Kiger.

These battles were among the most pivotal of the war.

There is more information than I have written, but I am summing up why it was pivotal.

1.  FIRST BATTLE OF BULL RUN:  Both sides became aware  that the struggle would be longer and more grisly.

2.  FORT DONELSON:  The victory here and at nearby Fort Henry opened up the state of Tennessee to Union invasion.  Also brought U.S. Grant to national attention.

3.  BATTLE OF ANTIETAM:  Stymied Lee's invasion,  gave Lincoln the confidence to go ahead with the Emancipation Proclamation which redefined the war.  Matthew Brady's photographs of the battlefield brought the horror of war to the home front.

--Old Secesh

Some More on Alpheus T. Budlong-- Part 2: 'I Was Hungry, and It Was Rebel Mutton Anyhow'

The Union commander, Irvin McDowell was under huge pressure from Lincoln to move his army against the Confederates as part of the "On to  Richmond"  clamor of the press.  

On July 15, the Union Army left its camps around Washington and marched west  toward Centreville, Virginia, about 25 miles away.  This march was exactly the disorganized procedure that Sherman had feared from undisciplined volunteers.

Many fell out of the ranks of their own accord to rest, sight see or forage, which is  confiscating food from civilians.  Foraging  was allowed by the laws and customs of war, but when it was carried on in a disorganized manner, such as was happening at this point, it tended to further disorganize and demoralize the army.

Plus, Federal authorities were still trying to woo the South back into the Union, so wanted these people to be treated as  friendly rather than enemy civilians.

Sherman strove to suppress foraging in his command.

Catching Alpheus  T. Budlong of the Second Wisconsin with a quarter of freshly butchered mutton, Sherman had the meat confiscated and the man arrested.  He was unmoved by Budlong's excuse:  "I was hungry, and it was rebel mutton anyhow."

I did not find any follow up to this story.

--Old Secesh

Some More on Alpheus T. Budlong-- Part 1: Sherman Takes Command Before Bull Run

From the book "Sherman:  Lessons in Leadership" by Steven E. Woodworth.

General William T. Sherman, while still a colonel and before the First Battle of Bull Run, found himself appointed to command the newly formed   13th U.S. Infantry Regiment on May 14, 1861.    By June 11, he was in Washington, D.C.,  and by the end of the month, commanded  the Third Brigade  of Brigadier general  Daniel Tyler's 1st Division of the field army of Gen.  Irvin McDowell, who was preparing for the march on Richmond to end the war.

One of the regiments of his brigade was the 2nd Wisconsin which included Alpheus T. Budlong.  The 2nd was not a part of the famed Iron Brigade at this juncture of the war.  The other three regiments were from New York 13th, 69th and 79th Militia.

The 69th Mew York was an Irish Regiment which was supposedly dubbed by none other than Robert E. Lee as "The Fighting Sixty-Ninth."

Three of the four regiments of his new brigade were composed of volunteers.  And, it became his job to turn them into soldiers.  Not an easy task, especially since he didn't exactly look to be an officer.  His uniform, when he bothered to wear one,  was old and ill-fitting, his appearance gangly and  disheveled.  Under a broad-brimmed hat, he looked more agrarian than martial.

--Old Secesh

A War Reminiscence-- Part 1: Lt. Budlong and the Second Battle of Jackson, Mississippi

The Lt. Col. of the 135th  USCT was David H. Budlong, who lived in a lot of places after the war, including Montana, where this story is told.

From the Potter Album  Page 46  An article from  the Livingstone Enterprise  (Montana).

The following  interesting narrative of one of the many heroic minor incidents of the late fratricidal struggle is related to the Enterprise by one of the audience who heard the two, principal characters call up the memories  of the thrilling  episode:

It was in Lauman's celebrated  charge at Jackson, Mississippi, July 12, 1863.  The rebels under Joe Johnston held Jackson.  Breckenridge's division, comprising the rebel left, occupied  the south side, entrenched in rifle pits and redoubts with 30 pieces of artillery and 4200 muskets.

The 3rd Iowa, 28th, 31st and 53rd Illinois  regiments formed a brigade in command of Col. Pugh of the 41st, holding the extreme right of the Union line between the Pearl River and the New Orleans road.  The brigade was ordered to charge Breckenridge's position.

The brigade formed under the cover of the woods, a little force of under 1,100 men.  Their charge lay across a cornfield half a mile to the rebel works.  The corn had been cut down by sabres so that as soon as the men came out  of the woods they were in full view of the enemy.

--Old Secesh

Delos Budlong, 11th Wisconsin, Co. E

Company E, 11th Wisconsin was called the Farmers Guards.

It had two captains during the war:

Luther H. Whittlesey from Mineral Point, Wi. who served from  Sept. 20, 1861, until promoted to Lt. Col. on June 7, 1863.

Abner Powell from Mineral Point promoted  July 12, 1863 to end of war.

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DELOS BUDLONG from Mineral Point, Wisconsin

Enlisted August 31, 1861.

Veteran, Corporal; Mustered out July 9, 1865.

Delos Budlong was born in 1835 in New York, to Green Budlong and Cynthia Budlong (Gridley)

He had one brother named Alpheus Budlong.

Married twice.  The first time was in Illinois.

In 1850, lived in Ohio.  In 1900 in Iowa.    Died in 1900, at age 65, and buried in Iowa.

--Old Secesh

Alpheus T. Budlong

From the Warriors of the Rebellion site.

Residence:  Mineral Point, Wisconsin  (Shullsburg is 27 miles from Mineral Point, David H. Budlong of the 33rd Wisconsin was from there.  They were likely related.)

Alpheus T. Budlong was a corporal in the 2nd Wisconsin, Company I.

Enlisted on April 22, 1861.

Wounded at the Battle of South Mountain, September 14, 1862.

Discharged  on November 20, 1862, for wounds.

--Old Secesh

Some More Budlongs from Wisconsin

From Wisconsin Volunteers War of the Rebellion.

DAVID H. BUDLONG--  1ST LT.   Co. C,   33rd Wisconsin Infantry  (He went on to be Lt.Col. of the 135th USCT.)

EBER BUDLONG--  Sergeant   Co. C,   33rd Wisconsin Infantry  (Eber was the name of David Budlong's father so most likely his brother.)

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Also two other Budlongs are listed:

ALPHEUS T. BUDLONG  Corporal, Co. I,  2nd Wisconsin Infantry  (Part of the famed Iron Brigade.  He was wounded at the Battle of South Mountain.   In 1883, he was receiving a pension from the U.S. government while living in Greene County, Missouri.  His residence was listed as Ash Grove and disability was a g.s.w. left hand, which I tale to be gunshot wound, left hand.  Received $4 dating from March 1879.)

DELOS BUDLONG--     Corporal E,  11th Wisconsin Infantry

Were they brothers? Relatives?

--Old Secesh

David Huestis Budlong, Lt.Col. 135th USCT-- Part 2

From My Heritage site.

DAVID HUESTIS BUDLONG, 1831-1912

Born 1831 in New York to Eber Cole Budlong and Anna Budlong.

He had five siblings:  Charles Rose Budlong and Eber Cole Budlong and three others.

Married Nancy Ann Budlong in 1854 at age 23.

They had six children:  Hannah Clarinda  Steele, Lois Amelia Budlong and four others.

In 1880, he lived in Missouri.

Died in 1912 at age 81 in California.

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From the Political Graveyard site.

BUDLONG, DAVID H.

Of Carthage, Jaspar County, Missouri.  Born in New York.  U.S. Collector of Internal Revenue for the 5th Missouri District, 1879.  Burial location unknown.

--Old Secesh

David H. Budlong: Lt. Col. of 135th USCT

LIEUT. COL. DAVID H. BUDLONG

Born in 1829

Married Martha Gruell

Died 1912 at age 83.

Buried Greenwood Memorial Park, San Diego, California.

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From Wisconsin Geneaology Trails, 33rd Wisconsin

DAVID HUESTIS BUDLONG  Co. C,   Enlisted 10/9/1862

Commissioned   Date Out of Regt.  3/28/65  Discharged due to promotion.

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There was another Budlong in Co. C, 33rd Wisconsin.

EBER BUDLONG

Enlisted 8/21/62   Mustered out 8/9/1865

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From Idaho Civil War veterans

BUDLONG, DAVID H.  Born 1831.  Lived in Kootenai County, Idaho.  Served in Co. C, 33rd Wisconsin Infantry.

--Old Secesh

Events in March: Lincoln, Pea Ridge, Averasboro, Kelly's Ford, Bentonville, Kernstown, Glorieta Pass and White Oak Road

From the 2021 American Battlefield Trust calendar for March.

MARCH 4, 1861   

Abraham Lincoln inaugurated as 16th President of the United States of America.

MARCH 7, 1862

Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, begins.

MARCH 16m 1865

Battle of Averasboro, North Carolina, begins.

MARCH 17, 1863

Battle of Kelly's Ford, Virginia

MARCH 19, 1865

Battle of Bentonville, North Carolina, begins.

MARCH, 23m 1862

First Battle of Kernstown, Virginia, opening salvo of the Valley Campaign.

MARCH  26, 1862

Battle of Glorieta Pass, New Mexico Territory, begins.

MARCH 31, 1865

Battle of White Oak Road, Virginia.

--Old Secesh

White Oak Road, Va.

From the 2021 American Battlefield Trust calendar for March.

WHITE OAK ROAD, Virginia

951 acres saved

Photo of White Oak Battlefield in Dinwiddie County, Va. by Kristi A. Gordon.

On March 31, 1865, Major General Gouverneur Warren's Union V Corps assaulted entrenched Confederates along White Oak Road.

Visitors to the battlefield today can still see the remains of these Confederate earthworks along a 0.64-mile interpretive trail managed by the Trust.

The more than 900 acres the Trust has saved here, including 48 acres in 2020, will eventually be a part of the Petersburg National Battlefield. 

--Old Secesh