The Elbert County tribune., 1912-12-20
735e
CIVIL WAR
FIFTY YEARS AGO
THIS WEEK
December is, 1862.

The Army of the Potomac, which.
since the battle OF Fredericksburg.
had been lying between the Confeder-
ate entrenchments on the hill and the
Rappahannock river In its rear, was
withdrawn during the night to the
north side of the river. General Burnside
at last realizing the hopelessness of
endeavoring again to carry the Con-
federate line. and the danger OF re-
naming where he was. A repulse of
another attack. or an attack from the
enemy. would have been fatal to the
army.
A detachment of Union troops. while
on a reconnaissance, entered the vii
lage OF Wardensville and captured the
entire Confederate mail, consisting OF
several hundred letters and news
papers. from the postmaster.
MaJor-General Banks issued a pro-
clamation assuming command of the
Department of the Gulf.
A large body of Confederate troops.
encamped in the vicinity of New
Haven. KY. were surprised and cap
tured by the First Kentucky Union
cavalry
General Fosters Union column in
vading North Carolina was brought to
a stand at the Neuse by the Confeder-
ntes under General Evans. The Con-
federate artillery made good practice
during the day.
December IL, 1862.
Four hundred and sixty Union sol
diers, taken prisoners at Fredericks-
burg, reached Richmond, Va.
Baton Rouge, La, was occupied by
a portion of General Banks Union
command
Major-General Grant, commanding
the Department of the Tennessee, is
sued an order from his headquarters
At Oxford, Miss, expelling every Jew
within his department within twenty
four hours from the issuance of the
order.
General Fosters expeditionary force
in North Carolina came to a stop at
Goldsboro. N c., in front OF the Con-
lederate force of General Evans. He
succeeded in destroying the Goldsboro
bridge. but was compelled to re-
lire, after two hours fighting.
December 1s, 1862.
The Confederate cavalry leader For
'est entered and occupied Lexington.
KY, with large force; body of Union
troops. under Col. R. G. Ingersoll. of
the Eleventh Illinois cavalry, resisted
for three hours. but was finally driven
off, leaving prisoners and two pieces
Of artillery.
The town of Commerce, Miss, was
surned by Union expedition consisting
Of the gunboat Juliet and transport
City Belle, carrying detachments of the
Eleventh and Forty-seventh Indiana.
On the previous day the steamer Mill
Boy, lying In the river IN front of the
town, had been fired into by a casual
band of Confederate cavalry. When
the Mil Boy reported the incident at
Helena, Ark. the expedition was sent
to destroy the town in punishment
for the thing that had been done by
the passing troopers. Not satisfied with
that vegeance, the Union troops pro-
ceeded to destroy the plantations for
distance OF five miles about the town
December 10. 1852.
Colonel Dickey, In command OF a de-
tachment OF Union cavalry, returned
to the Union lines at Oxford. Miss,
from raid on the railroads. In which
his force marched two hundred miles
In six days. destroyed forty miles of
the Mobile and Ohio. captured one
hundred and fifty prisoners, large
amount of stores, and escaped from
a Confederate force outnumbering
them nine to one.
Twelve wagons OF s train OF twenty
six that had been captured by a de-
tachment of General Stuart's Confed-
crate cavalry the day before at
Occocquan. Va, were recovered by
squadron OF Union cavalry after
hard fight. The remaining fourteen
wagons were destroyed by the Con-
federates during the fight.
Rev. DR.. McPheters. of st. Louis,
Mo-. was ordered by the provost
marhal to leave the state within ten
days for encouraging the rebellion
and sustaining disloyalty in his
church"
A general dissolution OF President
Lincoln's cabinet was announced.
The legislature of Connecticut
adopted a resolution declaring its conf
dence in the president of the United
States, and pledging itself to support
him in the prosecution of all measures
which might be found necessary to
suppress the rebellion.
December 20, 1862.
Holly Springs. Miss. was entered
and captured by the Confederate
cavalry under General Forrest An
immense amount of public and priv
ate property was carried off or de-