August 30 In Civil War History

Jim Klag

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On this day in Civil War history
Compiled by Mitchell Werksman and Jim Klag

August 30 Antebellum Events

1843 - Meeting in Buffalo, New York, the Liberty Party again selects James Birney as its presidential candidate.
1856 - Battle at Osawatomie, Kansas - 12 Free-staters under Capt. John Brown are attacked by 250 pro-slavery men.

Friday August 30 1861
  • The Honorable Montgomery Blair recommends that certain Baltimore, MD, newspapers be suppressed.
  • Operations in Northeastern Missouri. (Aug 30-Sep 7)
  • In an action that President Abraham Lincoln calls "dictatorial," and totally without any authorization, Maj. Gen. John Charles Fremont, USA, declares all of the following:
    • The "Emancipation Proclamation,"
    • proclaims martial law in Missouri and his purpose is to confiscate the property and liberate the slaves of disloyal owners.
    • orders the arrest of all disloyal persons found within the Union lines to be armed.
    • directs the extreme penalty of the law be inflicted on the destroyers of railroad and telegraph lines, bridges, etc.
Saturday August 30 1862
  • John Calvin Brown, CSA, is promoted Brig. Gen.
  • Robert Gumming Schenck, U.S.A., is appointed Maj. Gen.
  • Skirmish near Larkinsville, AL.
  • The District of Arizona is constituted to comprise of all the territory from Fort Thorn, the New Mexico Territory, along the north bank of the Rio Grande River to Fort Quitman, TX.
  • The Battle of Richmond, KY, or the Engagements at the Mount Zion Church, White's Farm, and at Richmond, KY, as the advancing Maj. Gen. E. Kirby Smith, CSA, forces a Union retreat toward Louisville, KY.
  • Skirmish near Plymouth, NC.
  • Skirmish at Altamont, TN.
  • Operations on the Mississippi Central Railroad. (Aug 30-Sep 1)
  • Skirmish near Bolivar, TN, on the Mississippi Central Railroad.
  • The Battle of Bull Run, Groveton Heights, or the Battle of Second Manassas, VA, results in an overwhelming Confederate victory by Gen. Robert E. Lee, CSA, as the Federals retreat toward Centreville, VA, being pushed back by Maj. Gens. Jackson and Longstreet, CSA; Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, USA, failing to reinforce Maj. Gen. John Pope, USA; Richmond, VA, is relieved from any Union advance at a total cost of about 25,000 casualties on both sides.
  • Brig. Gen. George William Taylor, USA, is mortally wounded at the Second Battle of Bull Run, VA, by a Confederate artillery canister shot, while leading his men against the entrenched position of Brig. Gen. Isaac Ridgeway Trimble, CSA's Confederate troops.
  • Skirmishes at Lewis' Ford and Waterloo Bridge, VA.
  • Maj. Gen. Gustavus W. Smith, CSA, assumes the command of the defenses of Richmond, VA.
  • Skirmish at Buckhannon, WV.
Sunday August 30 1863
  • Skirmish at Shallow Ford, Bayou Meto, AR.
  • Due to the constant Union bombardment of Fort Sumter, the Confederates dig batteries out from under the rubble and start transferring them to Charleston, SC.
  • Federal reconnaissance from Shellmound toward Chattanooga, TN, the Chickamauga Campaign. (Aug 30-31)
  • Federal expeditions to Leesburg, VA, as they root out a few Confederate stragglers from local farmhouses. (Aug 30-Sep 2)
Tuesday August 30 1864
  • Skirmish near Dardanelle, AR, where the Yankees rout the Rebels, the Rebs making good their escape by swimming Betty's Mill Creek.
  • Skirmish near East Point, GA, as the Federals capture the West Point-Atlanta Railroad, leaving only the Macon Railroad line open into Atlanta, GA.
  • Action at Flint River Bridge, GA.
  • The Democratic National Convention meeting in Chicago, IL, nominates Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan as their candidate for the Presidency in the upcoming election, who is running on a peace platform.
  • Federal expedition to Natchez Bayou, LA, with skirmish near Gentilly's Plantation, near Bay Natchez, which is below Lake Natchez. (Sep 1), as the Confederates surprise and capture some of the Yankee Cavalry. (Aug 30-Sep 2)
  • Brig. Gen. George Crook, USA, is assigned to the command of the the Dept. of West Virginia, vice Maj. Gen. David Hunter, USA, is relieved.
  • Skirmish near Smithfield, WV, the Shenandoah Valley, Campaign.
August 30 Deaths

1877 - Raphael Semmes, American Rear Admiral (Confederate Navy), dies at 67 in Mobile, AL.
1879 - John B Hood, confederate general (lost Atlanta), dies at 48 in New Orleans, LA.
1908 - Alexander P. Stewart, American Lieutenant General (Confederate Army), dies at 86 in Biloxi, MS.
 
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