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Showing posts from September, 2014

Sept. 29, 1864 - New Market Heights [draft]

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Sept. 29, 1864 New Market Heights * Sgt. Hilton holds this place until I visit the Battlefield. Like Grant, we will get there eventually. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=219760 Sergeant Alfred B. Hilton Memorial Alfred B. Hilton was born between 1837 and 1842, in the area then known as Hopewell Crossroads (now Level, Maryland). He was the son of Isaac and Harriet Hilton, free citizens who were formerly enslaved in Harford County. Alfred grew up in a large family a few miles outside of Havre de Grace on Gravel Hill Road. In May of 1862, the United States Army established the Bureau of Colored Troops to oversee the active recruitment of Black soldiers, both enslaved and free. Alfred and two of his brothers, Henry and Aaron, along with other free Blacks from the area, enlisted in the 4th Regiment, USCT at a recruiting office in Havre de Grace. The Hiltons were mustered into service on August 11, 1863 in Baltimore, Maryland. Due to his aptitude and 5'10" stature, regimental officers ...

Sept. 23, 1864 - Execution of [and by] Mosby's Men

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Sept. 23, 1864 Execution of [and by] Mosby's Men Front Royal, VA https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=2447 On 23 Sept. 1864 in a fight south of town, some of Lt. Col. John S. Mosby’s Rangers mortally wounded Lt. Charles McMaster, 2nd U. S. Cavalry, after he allegedly surrendered. Union Gen. Alfred T. A. Torbert’s cavalrymen retaliated by executing six captured Rangers nearby. They shot David L. Jones and Lucien Love behind the Methodist Church, Thomas E. Anderson beneath an Elm Tree, and Front Royal Resident Henry Rhodes in a field in front of Rose Hill. They hanged William Thomas Overby and a Ranger named Carter at the W. E. Carson house. Mosby, believing Gen. George A. Custer responsible, on 6 Nov. ordered an equal number of his men executed near Berryville. And it goes on like that...

September 19, 1864 - Third Winchester

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September 19, 1864 Third Winchester (AKA the  Battle of Opequon) Winchester, VA (Frederick County) US- Sheridan: ( Wright's  VI Corps and Brig. Gen. William Emory's XIX Corps; VIII Corps under  Brig. Gen. George Crook  and a cavalry division under  Brig. Gen. Alfred T. A. Torbert ) vs. CSA- Jubal Early: Breckinridge, F. Lee * Significant but costly Union victory after Early left behind limited defenses while raiding Maryland  * THE bloodiest battle of the Shenandoah Valley: more died at this battle then in the entire 1862 campaign  *    Confederate generals Robert Rodes and Archibald Goodwin were killed, and generals Fitzhugh Lee, William Terry and William Wharton were wounded. Union Brig. Gen. David Russell was killed, and generals John McIntosh, Emory Upton, and George Chapman were wounded. Yikes.  * Visiting this well-preserved battlefield entails...a lot. On my first pass through I just saw that one marker at the cemetery and ca...