Thursday, March 27 1862
PRINCE PONDERS PENINSULAR PREDICAMENT

Gen. John Bankhead Magruder, CSA, was known as “Prince John” for his rather flamboyant approach to life in general and his uniform in particular. He was in charge of forces on the Peninsula, and McClellan’s Army of the Potomac was on the way. In consequence thereof, Gen. Joseph E. Johnston was ordered from Richmond to reinforce him. He was flamboyant, not stupid.



Friday, March 27 1863
FARRAGUT FLAGSHIP FORAGES FOR FUEL

Admiral Farragut’s shipping schedule on the Mississippi River was getting decidedly complicated. He had two ships near the mouth of the Red River to block Confederate traffic, but he was out of fuel. Grant floated two coal ships down to him past Vicksburg. He now had to sail upriver to join with the USS Albatross, which had snuck past Vicksburg but was now also out of coal.



Sunday, March 27 1864
IMPROMPTU ILLINOIS INSURRECTION ILL-FATED

Many times during the War there were outbreaks of fighting against the government by its own citizens who sympathized with the “other side.” One such occurred overnight and into tomorrow in Charleston, in central Illinois. “A dreadful affair took place in our town”, the local newspaper said, when a group of about 100 Copperheads attacked Federal troops who were home on leave. Five were killed and more than 20 wounded before reinforcements arrived and restored order.



Monday March 27 1865
OCEANIC OUTRAGES OFFEND OFFICIALS

Not all the naval warfare was conducted off the immediate shore of North America, or even in the Atlantic Ocean. On this day Secretary of the Navy Welles sent orders to the USS Wyoming, docked in Baltimore. Her commander, John P. Bankhead, was instructed to sail in search of the CSS Shenandoah, Lt. Waddell commanding. The last report of the location of Shenandoah had her leaving Melbourne, Australia. The report was five weeks old.

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