The American Civil War - Chronologically

Dec. 5, 1863 Wild's African Brigade liberates coastal North Carolina  Currituck, North Carolina, in Currituck County * Awesome "bonus" material here: I was on my 1861 Completist Trip [Summer 2025] and therefore seeking South Mills (ok, yes - that's 1862), but was delighted to hear this story for the first time by stumbling upon this NC Civil War Trails marker. #IBrakeForBugles  * Always nice to see the USCT in action and even better if they are terrorizing their former enslavers! * Gen. Wild is an interesting figure, as covered well here . Severely injured at South Mountain , he takes command of his USCT with gusto * Apparently this is "the first of any magnitude undertaken by (N)egro troops since their enlistment was authorized by Congress, and by it the question of their efficiency in any branch of the service has been practically set at rest," according to Tewksbury, writing for the New York Times , grasping that the raid was more than a military success...

Nov. 18, 1863 Lincoln's train stop visits on the way to/from the Gettysburg Address Hanover, PA https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=173820   Abraham Lincoln, on November 18, 1863 addressed the citizens of Hanover from the rear platform of a Hanover Branch Railroad Coach when the train bearing him to Gettysburg for the dedication of the National Cemetery came down a switch to the station which stood at the site. At the request of Captain A. W. Eichelberger, President of the Railroad, several hundred persons assembled to greet Mr. Lincoln. When Pastor M.J. Alleman of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church cried out, "Father Abraham, your children want to hear you." The president removing his hat and bending his six feet four inches of height stepped into view through the low door way. A few grasped his hand. Jackie (or John A.) Melsheimer, held up by his father, reached him an apple which he smilingly accepted. Referring to the battle fought here June 30, he said, "I trust when the en...

Nov. 7, 1863  Rappahannock Station Remington, Virginia, in Fauquier County * I came here in search of the first battle of Rappahannock Station, Aug. 23, 1862. I guess this counts because it says "frequently was used as a strategic line of defense by the opposing armies." Brandy Station and Kelly's Ford are not too far away, but no other markers in present-day Remington commemorate anything besides the grist mill.  * I object to the maker declaring this to be "Mosby's Confederacy," but I also saw his grave on this same trip.  Still a station....sorta https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=2525 Rappahannock Station A Rare Night Attack on the River — Mosby’s Confederacy — The hamlet of Mill View, present-day Remington, became known as Rappahannock Station to the Civil War armies which campaigned in this area. Here the vital Orange & Alexandria railroad (to your left) crossed the Rappahannock River just behind the low hills you are facing, near a grist mill. This...

Nov. 3-5, 1863 "Mudwall" Jackson anticipates Averell's Raid Hillsboro, West[ern] Virginia, Pocahontas County * Far from home and completely out of context: I wasn't looking for this sign when I was tracing The First Campaign in West Virginia (2024) - and I can't even read it, but here we are. My own trip was also characterized by rumors of Averell's Raid. I hope to return for more....but one year at a time.  * I stopped short of Droop Mountain because I was in unfamiliar territory and running out of daylight, but this is some of the farthest-from-home I have ever driven to. Actually, the map tells me this is even further West than Buckhannon, WV, which I thought was the winner. But no, my point furthest West is actually here: the Union camp at the Pearl S. Buck house - not quite Droop Mt.  https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=34333 William L. "Mudwall" Jackson 19th & 20th Virginia Cavalry C.S.A. —November 3-5, 1863— William L. "Mudwall" Jackso...

October 7, 1863 Skirmish at White House Farm Summit Point, WV, Jefferson County Col. Benjamin L. Simpson (9th MD Infantry) > Capt. George Dent Summers (2nd MD Potomac Home Brigade Infantry) vs. Gilmore's Raiders (7th VA Cavalry at this point) * It's one thing to run across an unexpected historical marker while driving to another one. However, not only was this surprise marker about the Civil War, it also featured my arch-nemesis, Harry Gilmor, being a bastard as usual. What a find!  * Gilmore's already been arrested once in Baltimore at this point, spent 5 months in jail, and will be captured and released again before really making trouble in Maryland in 1864. Later still, he gets caught yet again and is held in Boston until after Appomattox, but after the war continues to hassle the good people of Baltimore as their police chief, including famously firing upon some railroad union protesters.  * Someone said the oldest surviving barn in WV is here but IDK https://www.hmd...