February 7 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 7 Birthdays

1817 - LeRoy Pope Walker, American lawyer and 1st Confederate States Secretary of War (1861), born in Huntsville, Alabama (d. 1884)

Thursday February 7 1861
  • The Choctaw Indian Nation declares its adherence to the Southern States.
Friday February 7 1862
  • Brig. Gen. Bushrod Rust Johnson, CSA, assumes the command at Fort Donelson, TN.
  • February 7, 1862 - February 8, 1862 - Battle of Roanoke Island. Ambrose Burnside captures Roanoke Island with an amphibious force, taking some 2,765 Confederates as prisoners.
  • Federal expedition to Flint Hill and Hunter's Mill, VA, near Fairfax Court-House, by Maj. Joseph L. Moss, 5th PA Cavalry.
  • In honor of Flag Officer Foote, Brig. Gen. John A. McClernand, USA, renames Fort Henry to Fort Foote, TN.
  • To avoid capture by the USS Conestoga, the Confederates burn the vessels, Appleton Belle, Lynn Boyd, and the Samuel Orr, on the Tennessee River.
  • Union forces reoccupy Romney, WV, as Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Jackson, CSA, withdraws to Winchester, VA.
Saturday February 7 1863
  • Lieut. Col. Harvey Lee, 4th California Infantry, assumes the command of the District of Southern California.
  • Skirmish near Edenton, NC.
  • Three blockade runners arrive safely at Charleston, SC.
  • Skirmish near Murfreesborough, TN, with a Union foraging party.
  • Confederates reopen Sabine Pass, near Galveston, TX, from the Union naval blockade.
  • Skirmish at Olive Branch Church, near Williamsburg, VA, with Brig. Gen. Henry A. Wise, CSA, who blames the Union Cavalry for the burning of the library, etc, at William & Mary College, Williamsburg, VA. (5th PA Cavalry).
  • Maj. Gen. Samuel P. Heintzelman, USA, assumes the command of the renewed Dept. of Washington, DC.
Sunday February 7 1864
  • Jacksonville, FL, is occupied by Brig. Gen. Truman Seymour, USA, Maj. Gen. Quincy A. Gillmore, USA, in overall command, commanding the Dept. of the South.
  • Skirmish at Vidalia, LA, where the 2nd MS Heavy Artillery of African descent travel from Natchez, MS, aboard the steamer, Diligent, and rout the Rebels at Vidalia, LA.
  • Skirmish at Brandon, MS, as Lieut. Gen. Leonidas Polk, CSA, offered little resistance to the advancing Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman, USA, the Meridian, MS, Expedition.
  • Skirmish at Morton, MS, the Meridian, MS, Expedition.
  • Skirmish at Satartia, MS, the Meridian, MS, Expedition.
  • Affair at Waccomo Neck, NC.
  • Affair at the mouth of Caney Bayou, TX, where the Federals fire 66 shots at the Confederate fort there "with great accuracy."
Tuesday February 7 1865
  • Brig. Gen. John Henry Winder, CSA, dies of mental fatigue of his military position that eventually had overwhelmed him, at Florence, SC.
  • Federal scouts from Morganza to Fausse River and Grossetete Bayou, LA, under Brig. Gen. Daniel Ullmann, USA. (Feb 7-10)
  • Maine and Kansas become the 7th and 8th states to ratify the 13th amendment to the US Constitution, which abolishes slavery.
  • Skirmish at Blackville, SC, as Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman, USA, Marches on basically unopposed.
  • Federal reconnaissance to Cannon's Bridge, South Edisto River, SC.
  • Skirmish at the Edisto Railroad Bridge, SC.
  • Federal scout on the Hernando Road, TN, where the Yankees are unable to catchup with several squads of Rebels belonging to Lieut. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest's Cavalry. These men were making their headquarters at the home of Mrs. Heldinbrand, about 14 miles from Memphis, between the Hernando and Hollow Ford Roads.
 
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