The American Civil War - Chronologically

May 6, 1864 U.S. Colored Troops in the Overland Campaign  C ulpeper, VA https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=280444 U.S. Colored Troops In The Overland Campaign On 5 May 1864, thousands of United States Colored Troops entered Culpeper County at Kelly's Ford, six miles southeast of here, marking the first time Black troops served alongside the Army of the Potomac. These men, including some who had escaped slavery in Culpeper and nearby counties, served in the 19th, 23rd, 27th, 30th, 39th, and 43rd USCT and the 30th Connecticut Colored Infantry, which made up the 4th Division of IX Corps. After a brief stay in Culpeper County, the troops marched south across the Rapidan River to join Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's Overland Campaign. While in Culpeper, at least three Black soldiers were captured by Confederates and summarily executed along the roadside. Erected 2021 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number F 38.)

Feb. - May 1864 Union Batteries Stafford Country, VA The dates are a bit vague, but all of these sites can be found inside the fabulous Stafford Civil War Park , which also covers the Army of the Potomac's winter quarters after Fredericksburg (for 11th Corps, 1st and 3rd Divisions)and the Mud March in 1863.  https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=65213 On 15 Feb 1863 Major-General Joseph Hooker directed that the road passing about one mile to the west of Brooke's Station and leading to Stafford Court House be put in condition to be practicable for artillery at all times, corduroying it where necessary with material of sufficient length to form a double-track roadway. A large segment of that road built by Union 11th Corps soldiers and engineers can be seen behind this sign. Nearly 150 years later, the VA Army National Guard's 276th Engineer Battalion and VA Air National Guard's 203rd Red Horse Squadron built and paved this park's roads. At the right is the order for a dual-tra...

Jan. 29, 1864 Skirmish at Gloucester Courthouse  Gloucester, Virginia https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=248726 The courthouse was built in 1766. The debtors prison is also old. A skirmish occurred near here between Confederate and Union cavalry, January 29, 1864. * Also on this date (from On this day in Civil War history  Compiled by Mitchell Werksman and Jim Klag)  Kansas admitted to the Union and The US revenue cutter, Robert McClellan, is seized by the Louisiana state troops, near New Orleans, LA. * In other words, not a lot of information on this skirmish. This says, "Affair near Gloucester Court House, VA, as Brig. Gen. Isaac J. Wistar, USA, captures a couple of Rebs today."  

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...