Holly Springs-- Part 5: The Expedition Begins

Colonel John S. Griffith wanted to lead th  raid on Holly Springs, but the command went to Earl Van Dorn.

Colonel Theophilus Lyle Dickey commanded the 4th Illinois Cavalry and was to attack the Mobil & Corinth Railroad.

The raid was to be planned and begun in total secrecy.  Van Dorn had 3,500 men.  It began on December 16, 1862,   He took along no artillery or wagons and had orders not to engage in the opening days.  His column covered 45 miles the first day.  On December 17, they headed north.

Colonel Dickey caught sight of the Confederates on December 18. On December 19, Van Dorn was at Cotton Plantation then he moved northwest to Holly Springs.

In the meantime, Mrs. Grant and a son were in Holly Springs at the Walter Place House and had to leave quickly.

Old Secesh

Murphy's Law & the Peter Principle-- Part 4: Murphy Returns to Command

This was the topic of the presentation given to the McHenry County (Illinois) Round Table in June 2022.

On November 29, 1862, U.S. Grant established his headquarters at Walter Place.  In early December, Colonel Robert  Murphy returned to duty.  Grant hates Rosecrans and Rosecrans hates Murphy.

Grant promoted Murphy and posts him in charge of the huge Union supply base at Holly Springs.  Murphy's command, however, did not include his regiment, the 8th Wisconsin.

It did include:

six companies of the 2nd Illinois Cavalry

eight companies of the 29th Illinois Infantry

200 men of the 62nd Illinois Infantry

101st Illinois Infantry

--Old Secesh

Murphy's Law & the Peter Principle-- Part 3: Earl Van Doren

THE BATTLE OF CORINTH  (October 3-4, 1862)

Confederate General Earl Van Dorn's force was attacked and defeated.  Van Dorn was originally well-liked by the Confederacy, but his popularity was declining because of scandal, inpropriety and professional misconduct.  He was a bit of a wild man.  

As a result, he was replaced in command in the area by John C. Pemberton.  Now he faced a Court of Inquiry  by November 28.  Every allegation against him was fully disproved.  That despite Sen.James Phelan of Mississippi accusing him of whoring and drunkeness.

Jefferson Davis decided to keep Van Dorn in Mississippi.

--Old Secesh

McHenry Co. CW Round Table: Battle of Holly Springs

Of interest, the Spires-Boling House is located in Holly Springs,  Mississippi.  Famed Ida B. Wells was born there.

Robert Murphy, the colonel of the 8th Wisconsin was into Wisconsin politics and his family was well-connected to presidents.  He had, however, little military experience and didn't learn on the job either.  He was promoted to command of the 2nd Brigade  of Gen. Rosecran's Army of Mississippi.

George Driggs, a sergeant with the 8th Wisconsin kept a journal and said that Murphy was generally well-liked by his men.

At Iuka, Mississippi, Murphy was arrested for abandoning his post at the September 19, Battle of Iuka.  The Union Army retook Iuka, but the Confederates were able to get away. Grant blamed Rosecrans for it.  As a result, Grant and Rosecrans now disliked each other.

A court martial was held for Murphy and Murphy covered himself and was acquited.

--Old Secesh

MCCWRT June Meeting: 'Murphy's Law & the Peter Principle'

The McHenry County Civil War Round Table met Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at the Woodstock, Illinois, library and heard a talk onte Battle of Holly Springs by Jerry Allen.  We had earlier heard him give a talk about the 8th Wisconsin  The commander of the 8th Wisconsin was Colonel Robert Murphy.  He played a part in the Union disaster at Holly Springs, Mississippi, on December 20, 1862.

This caused General Grant's planned attack on Vicksburg to be delayed until the next spring.  Grant was depending the supplies at Holly Springs to support his advance on that city.

And, Murphy went far beyond his level of competence.

Earlier in 1862, the Union forces made great strides coming up the Mississippi River from New Orleans.  By April 29, 1862, New Orleans was in their control, followed by Baton Rouge on May 9 and Natchez on May12.  Union naval commander S.P. Lee even went to Vicksburg to demand its surrender.  James Autry refused to do so.

Then, came Holly Springs.

--Old Secesh

Something Else Maybe You Didn't Know About the Civil War: Elvis' 'Love Me Tender'

From the August 14, 2022, Parade Magazine "Elvis!" by Jim Farber.

One of Presley's most beloved ballads has its roots in America's Civil War.  The tune borrowed the plaintive melody of "Aura Lee," which had become popular during that period of American history.

Elvis sang the song in his film debut, also called "Love Me Tender," in which he played the sibling of three Confederate soldiers.

"Tender" is one of the few Elvis hits in that era that didn't feature his regular band.  Instead, it showcased the Ken Darby Singers, led by the man who wrote the lyrics.

--Old Secesh

Something Maybe You Didn't Know About the Civil War

From the August 14, 29022, Chicago Tribune.

"How to dine like a local in New Orleans" by Alan Behr.

"It was not until I arrived at Cafe Du Mond that I realized you now have to stand in line to get your beignets and coffee with chicory.  The beignet -- a puffy, fried doughnut swimming in powdered sugar -- has been a New Orleans tradition since the city was French.

"Cutting Columbian coffee with chicory has been a New Orleans practice since the Union blockade during the Civil War made it a necessity."

Well, considering that the city fell in April 1862, it wasn't long under the Union blockade.  But, it does make for an interesting jolt in your coffee.

Those Beignets and Chicory Coffee.   Mighty Good!!   --Old Secesh

Saving Battlefields: Wilson's Creek, Missouri

From the American Battlefield Trust 2022 Calendar.

WILSON'S CREEK, Mo.

278 acres saved.

More than 2,500 Union and Confederate soldiers were killed, wounded, missing or captured after the Battle of Wilson's Creek on August 10, 1861, in the first major battle west of the Mississippi River.

The Trust and its partners, including the Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Foundation and Ozark Greenways Incorporated, have preserved 278 acres of the battlefield near Springfield in southwest Missouri.

--Old Secesh

Anthony Eugene Stocker, MD

From Find-A-Grave.

BIRTH:  5 March 1819

DEATH:  23 May 1897 (aged 78)

BURIAL:  Saint James the Less Episcopal Churchyard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

PARENTS: 

John Clements Stocker (1786-1833)

Louise Francoise Caroline, De Tousard Stocker (1788-1877)  (Daughter of Anne-Louis de Tousard, if American Revolution fame (see my Not So Forgotten: War of 1812 blog).

Lt. Col. Anthony Eugene Stocker, MD-- Part 3

Medical Director, District of Key West, FL to 8 Dec 1863.  Medical Director of the District of Key West and Tortugas, FL. to Nov 1864 and there  contracted Yellow Fever.

In charge of  Prisoners Hospital, Elmira, NY until mustered out.  This would have been during the time that the prisoners captured at Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865, would have started arriving.

Brevet Lieutenant Colonel US  Volunteers June  1, 1865.  Honorably discharged September 15, 1865.

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University of Pennsylvania MD degree 1840.

Companion Member:  Militay Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.

Freemason and Master of Franklin Lodge #134.  Royal Arch Mason in Chapter #91 and charter member of Philadelphia Chapter #169 and High Priest in 1852.

Knights Templar in St. Johns Commandery #4 then in Philadelphia #5.  Grand Master of Knights Templar in  Philadelphia 1856.  Scottish Rite 33 and Commander  in Chief of Philadelphia Consistory 1868-1896.

Married  Jane Randolph in 1845.

--Old Secesh

Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Eugene Stocker, MD-- Part 2: Lots of Duty Stations

Major and Surgeon in US Volunteers 3 August 1861.  At the Battle of Drainsville Dec 1861.  Attached to 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 1st Corps Army of the Potomac.  In the Department of the Rappahannock to May 1862.

Then Medical Director of  of the 3rd Division, 5th Corps until 30 June 1862, when wounded in the right wrist by bullet fragments in the Battle of New Market  Cross Roads.  Was in the battles of the Seven Days  Retreat.  In charge of the Field Hospital at  Harrison Landing and was the last officer to leave when it was evacuated.

In charge of the Hospital at Craney Island, VA.  On inspection  duty in the Department of Virginia 5 Nov 1862 to 5 Jan 1863.

In charge of  Chesapeake General Hospital, Fortress Monroe to 14 Oct 1863.

We Be RoadTrippin'.   --Old Secesh

Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Eugene Stocker, MD-- Part 1

From the Society of Cincinnati in the State of New Jersey.

I like to do RoadTrippin' Through History in these blogs and here is an example of it.  I was writing about a man named Anne-Louis Toussard (or Tousard) in my War of 1812 blog.  He was French consul in New Orleans in 1812 when a strong hurricane hit.  Further research on him showed that he played a major role fighting for the colonists in the American Revolution and because of it became a member of the Society of Cincinnati.

Go to my Not So Forgotten: War of 1812 blog July and August to read about Anne-Louis Toussard.

He had a grandson who fought in the Civil War and because of his relationship to Toussard, he also became a member of the Society of Cincinnati.

He was classified as a Hereditary Member, Admitted in 1888.

Grandson of propositus Anne-Louis de Toussard.  Born in Philadelphis, PA, on  5 March 1819 and died in Philadelphia, PA on 23 May 1897.

He began his Civil War service in the Army of the Potomac, 2nd Brigade of General McCall's Divivion from August 1861 to March 1862.

More.  --Old Secesh

McHenry County CW Round Table Meets Today: USS Merrimack

The McHenry County (Illinois) Civil War Round Table (MCCWRT) will meet tomorrow, Tuesday, August 9, at the Woodstock Library at 7, both in person and via Zoom.

David Noe will speak on the USS Merrimack, the ship that was turned into the ironclad CSS Virginia by Confederates and fought the famous battle against the USS Monitor.  (Which ship were you pulling for?)

All are invited to attend.  You do not have to be a member, just have an interest in history.

There will also be several of us meeting at 3 Brothers restaurant in Woodstock (on Illinois Highway 47) at 5:30.  Come for dinner or dessert.

--Old Secesh

Kentucky Campaign, 1862, Part 3: Future WW II Generals

8.  Two officers who fought at the Battle of Perryville were fathers of significant World War II generals.  Simon Buckner commanded a third of the Confederate Army and the 24th Wisconsin Infantry had Arthur McArthur.

Simon B. Buckner, Jr. was killed in WW II and the Wisconsin regiment had the father of Douglas MacArthur.  They were the only two father/son duos to ever receive the Medal of Honor.

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9.  Perryville Battlefield has maybe the first monument dedicated to Confederate dead paid for by the U.S. government.

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10.  Perryville State Battlefield Site was established on October 8, 1954, 92 years after the battle.  By 1952, the battle site had deteriorated badly and the Perryville Lions Club rehabilitated the small Confederate cemetery and surrounding area.

They got the Kentucky State Conservation Commission to create a state park that opened on October 8, 1952.

--Old Secesh

The Kentucky Campaign, 1862-- Part 2: The Battle of Perryville

4.   A severe drought in the region drew both armies to Perryville.

5.  The Union Army greatly outnumbered the Confederates but only one corps was significantly involved in the battle.

6.  Famous Confederate diarist Sam Watkins declared that Perryville was the "hardest fighting" he  experienced during the war.

"I was in every battle,skirmish and march that was made by the First Tennessee Regiment during that war, and I do not remember of a harder contest and more evenly fought than that of Perryville."

7.  Small quantities of Henry repeating rifles were used at Perryville, probably the first time they were used in combat.  The Henry rifle was the predecessor  of the more famous Winchester lever action rifles.

--Old Secesh

Back to the Discussion Group, the Kentucky Campaign 1862-- Part 1

We've been doing a bunch of RoadTrippin' Through History on this topic when I started finding out about one of the three major Union leaders in the campaign, one Charles Champion Gilbert, whom I had never heard of.  That led to his brother, who also was breveted to a general,  Samuel A. Gilbert and then, people buried in the same cemeteries they are in.  That was quite a bit of RoadTrippin' but I found out a lot of interesting stuff.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand for the October 2021 discussion group in Crystal Lake at Panera Bread.

I based most of what I had to offer to the discussion on this list of ten facts about the Battle of Perryville from the American Battlefield Trust.

1.  The largest battle fought in Kentucky during the war.

2.   Considered the "High Water Mark" for the Confederacy in the West.

3.  At the time, it was the second bloodiest battle in the Western Theater..  The Battle of Shiloh was the first.

--Old Secesh

Also Buried at Louisville's Cave Hill Cemetery-- Part 7: A Navy MoH Recipient and the Man Who Led St. Albans Raid

These people are buried where Gen. Charles C. Gilbert is.

**  There are a lot of Union generals and some Confederate officers buried there.

**  PERRY WILKES (1830-1889)

Union Navy Medal of Honor recipient.  While the pilot aboard the Union steamer USS Signal proceeding up the Red River  5 May 1864 engaged a large force of enemy shore batteries until the ship was completely  disabled.  Wilkes remained at his station the whole time with his hands on  the ship's wheel until a bursting shell destroyed it.

After the war, he became one of the best steamboat men  between Pittsburgh and New Orleans.

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**  BENNETT HENDERSON YOUNG  (1843-1919)

Confederate Army officer and author.  As a private, he was captured in 1863 during John Hunt Morgan's Ohio raid and escaped, eventually making his way to Canada and then back to the Confederacy.  He was made a lieutenant and sent back to Canada where, on October 19,1864, he led a raid on St. Albans, Vermont.

--Old Secesh

This Month in the Civil War: Mobile Bay, Wilson's Creek, Fort Sumter, Quantrill's Raid and Second Manassas

From the American Battlefield Trust 2022 calendar.

AUGUST 5, 1864

**  Battle of Mobile Bay

AUGUST 9, 1862

**  Battle of Cedar Mountain, Virginia

AUGUST 10, 1861

**  Battle of Wilson's Creek, Missouri

AUGUST 17, 1863

**  Federals begin the great bombardment of Fort Sumter, South Carolna.

AUGUST 21, 1863

**  Quantrill's Raid on Lawrence, Kansas

AUGUST 25, 1862

**  Second Battle of Reams Station, Virginia

AUGUST 28, 1862

**  Second Battle of Manassas, Virginia, begins.

AUGUST 29, 1862

**  Battle of Richmond, Kentucky begins.

--Old Secesh