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Wednesday June12 1861
MISSOURI MILITIA MOSTLY MOBILIZED
There were some states that were solidly for or against
secession--and then there were the border states where the issue
could easily have gone either way. In Missouri a meeting had been
held yesterday between the governor, Claiborne Jackson, and the head
of Federal forces in the state, Nathaniel Lyon. Lyon declared that
Jackson would have no say in the disposition of his men. Jackson
broke off the conference and headed home for Jefferson City. Today
he issued a call for 50,000 militia, saying that the Federals were
trying to take over the state.
Thursday June 12 1862
PONIES PERAMBULATE POTOMAC PERSONNEL
One of the classic maneuvers of the early war began today as the
cavalry of Gen. J.E.B. Stuart set forth on their march around the
Army of the Potomac. Setting out at 2 a.m. from their camp near Port
Republic, Va., with 1200 men, Stuart actually accomplished little of
a military nature, but did succeed in
hugely humiliating the Union commander, Gen. George McClellan, and
his force. It also reinforced the idea that the Southern cavalry was
inherently superior to that of the North.
Friday June 12 1863
INCREDIBLE INERTIA INFESTS INFANTRY
With the corps of Gen. James Ewell still in the lead, the entire
Army of Northern Virginia was on the move--northwards. They were
passing behind the Blue Ridge Mountains, and approaching the fords
and bridges of the Potomac River. Minor skirmishing occurred
in Cedarville, Middletown and Newtown. Larger fighting did not occur
because, incredibly, Army of the Potomac commander Gen. Joseph
Hooker had not yet bestirred his men to pursue.
Sunday June 12 1864
PETERSBURG PONTOON PASSAGE PERFECTED
The Army of the Potomac appeared to give up after several days of
bloody but inconclusive fighting at Cold Harbor, Va. They had a very
slick surprise in mind, though. After pulling back in apparent
dejection, they went on a very fast march towards the James River.
There, in an operation long planned, they immediately crossed the
bridgeless river on pontoons which had been previously placed. The
entire army, except for Warren’s corps which was covering the
movement, was soon in place near Petersburg.
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