February 21 In Civil War History

Jim Klag

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

February 21 Birthdays

1802 - George Douglas Ramsay, Brevet Major general (Union Army), born in Dumfries, Virginia (d. 1882)
1829 - Johnson Hagood, Brigadier General (Confederate Army), born in Barnwell, SC. (d. 1898)

February 21 Antebellum Events

1787 - Congress calls a Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia to rewrite the Articles of Confederation, which aren't working.

Thursday February 21 1861
  • The US Property at Brazos Santiago, TX, is seized by the Texas state troops.
  • Camp Cooper, TX, is abandoned by the Union forces.
Friday February 21 1862
  • The Engagement at Valverde, the New Mexico Territory, near Fort Craig, with Brig. Gen. Henry Hopkins Sibley, CSA, routing Col. Edward Richard Sprigg Canby, USA.
  • Convicted slave trader, Nathaniel Gordon, is hung in New York City, New York.
Saturday February 21 1863
  • Skirmish at Prairie Station, MS.
  • Federal reconnaissance from Franklin, on the Lewisburg, Columbia, and Carter Creek Roads, TN.
  • Attack on the US gunboats Freeborn and Dragon, at Ware's Point, the Rappahannock River, VA.
Sunday February 21 1864
  • Skirmish at Ellis' Bridge, MS, with Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, CSA, the Meridian, MS, Expedition.
  • Skirmish near Okolona, MS, with Brig. Gen. W. S. Smith, USA, the Meridian, MS, Expedition.
  • Skirmish at Prairie Station, MS, with Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, CSA, the Meridian, MS, Expedition.
  • Skirmishes at Union, MS, the Meridian, MS, Expedition. (Feb 21-22)
  • Skirmish at West Point, MS, and with Brig. Gen. William Sooy Smith's, USA, Cavalry column retreating in the face of Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, CSA, the Meridian, MS, Expedition.
  • Skirmishes near Circleville and Dranesville, VA, as Lieut. Col. John S. Mosby attacks and disperses a Union raiding party, killing 15 and capturing 70. Mosby has 1 killed and 4 slightly wounded. (Feb 21-22)
  • Federal scout from New Creek to Moorefield, WV. (Feb 21-22)
Tuesday February 21 1865
  • William Flank Perry, CSA, is appointed Brig. Gen.
  • William Paul Roberts, CSA, is appointed Brig. Gen.
  • Brig. Gen. Elias S. Dennis, USA, assumes the command of the US forces on Dauphin Island, AL.
  • Brig. Gen. William P. Benton, USA, assumes the temporary command of the US forces at Mobile, AL.
  • Federal scout from Pine Bluff to Douglas' Plantation, AR, and skirmish with the Confederates as the rain fell in torrents. (Feb 22). (Feb 21-22)
  • Federal operations, under Maj. Gen. John Newton, USA, commanding the District of Key West and Tortugas, in the vicinity of Saint Mark's, FL, with the assistance of the Federal steamers, Fort Henry, Hibiscus, Honduras, luka, Magnolia, Mahaska, Proteus, and the Stars and Stripes, with the schooners O.H. Lee, Matthew Vasar and the Two Sisters, move against the remaining Confederate resistance in the vicinity. (Feb 21-Mar 7)
  • Brig. Gen. Douglas H. Cooper, CSA, is assigned to the command of the District of the Indian Territory.
  • The Confederate Raid on Cumberland, MD, where Lieut. Gen. Jubal A. Early's, CSA, Cavalry of Partisan Rangers under Capt. Jesse McNeill, sweeps into the well fortified town, capturing Maj. Gen. George Crook, USA, and Bvt. Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Kelley, USA. They were taken to Richmond, and eventually paroled.
  • Skirmish at Eagle Island, NC, as Maj. Gen. John Schofield's, USA, army rapidly advanced on Wilmington, NC.
  • Skirmish at Fort Strong, NC, as Gen. Braxton Bragg evacuates Wilmington at nightfall, burning vast precious Confederate supplies.
  • 1868 - President Andrew Johnson removes Edwin Stanton from office and informs the Senate of his actions.
February 21 Deaths

1919 - Mary Edwards Walker, American surgeon and feminist, only woman awarded Medal of Honor (US Civil War), dies at 86 in Oswego, NY.
 
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