A Week In The War

On September 28, 1864 Philip wrote in his diary “Glorius news from the front and every place else.” However, he doesn’t elaborate on the “glorius news.” In researching events in the days leading up to the 28th, I found a site that summarizes daily events of the war. Some of the events for the dates September 19th through the 28th are as follows…

September 19, 1864: Confederate agents captured and burned two steamers on Lake Erie. Confederate Captain Charles H. Cole’s goal was to capture the USS Michigan which was guarding Confederate prisoners near Sandusky, Ohio. Cole’s accomplices. Acting Master John Yates Beall and 19 co-conspirators boarded and captured the steamer Philo Parsons and subsequently captured and burned the steamer Island Queen. Beall put the passengers and cargo of the two steamers ashore and proceeded to the planned rendezvous with the Michigan in Sandusky Bay. Meanwhile the Union Commander of the Michigan discovered and arrested Cole. Beall realized the plan was foiled when he did not see the pre-arranged signals as they approached the bay. They took the Philo Parsons to Canada where it was stripped and burned.

The Island Queen
Source: Lost To The Lake: The Story of the Island Queen

The Philo Parsons
Source: Lost To The Lake: The Story of the Island Queen

Also on the 19th the Union scored a decisive victory in the Shenandoah Valley at the Battle of Opequon Creek also known as the Third Battle of Winchester.

September 21 to 22, 1864: The Union Army of the Shenandoah led by Major General Philip Sheridan defeated the Confederate army of Lieutenant General Jubal Early at the Battle of Fisher’s Hill near Strasburg, Virginia.

September 23, 1864: Six of Confederate raider Lieutenant-Colonel John S. Mosby’s men were captured by a Union calvary brigade and taken to Front Royal. Four of the men were shot and two were strangled. Their bodies were left with a placard on one of their chests that read, “Such is the fate of all Mosby’s men.”

September 24, 1864: Union Major-General commenced his “Burning of the Shenandoah Valley.” He intended to destroy all provisions and the ability to produce them throughout the Shenandoah Valley.

Source:
________

SEPTEMBER 19TH
Our battery is still in the old fort. Yet twenty five of our men are down with the fever and again I have the ague very badly but am getting better. No word from home. The pay master will visit us on the last day of this week. I hope so.

SEPTEMBER 24TH
Was on picket last eve. While on guard, orders came to march to Fort Scott at which place we arrived at 1 o’clock pm. Went in the bomb proof room and relieved the 104th Pennsylvania Regiment, their time having expired. When we came in the fort we found it to be very dirty and the barracks the same way. We was taken by surprise…the pay master coming and paying us off. We received four months pay, $114 and the 2nd installment money.  We have a better fort here than our old one by repairing it. The fort is situated two miles from Washington and three miles from Alexandria. We have a beautiful view of both places and also the Potomac.

SEPTEMBER 25TH
Went down to town. Had a good time with some of the boys. Came back Sunday morning. Found orders to move to Fort Ward. Stayed about camp all day.

SEPTEMBER 27TH
This morning we packed up and marched to Fort Ward, Virginia which is a very strong fort. Our Corporal was put in command of this post. This fort has twenty-one guns and 8 mortars and a 100 pound parrott gun. John Wilsy died at 1:00 pm this day.

SEPTEMBER 28TH
Was sent out on picket this morning. Stayed out all day and night. Glorius news from the front and every place else.

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