The Harrison times., 1912-05-18
@
CIVIL WAR
FIFTY YEARS AGO
THIS WEEK
April IS, 1862.

~ HeS ANpOA NVu bAlll u DIlIlbu uhNdl
vessel, anchored in Hampton Roads,
refused TO receive a company OF Con-
federate gentlemen who went out to
them in a steamer The English Of.
ficers informed the visitors that they
could hold no communication with
them.
An effort to convene the court OF
Berkeley county Virginia, under a
Confederate Judge, was frustrated by
Thomas Noakes, loyal citizen, who
interfered with the sheriff. Subse-
quently, by permission of the Federal
proyost-master Of the town, three
Union magistrates were selected and
held court, transacting some neces-
sary business.
The Union steamer Sebagu carry
Ing one hundred.pound parrot gun,
stopped the activities Of Confederates
who were constructing batteries on
the Glocester side Of the York river,
two miles above Yorktown. Until the
Sebago arrived with her heavy gun
the Union gunboats could not ap-
proach, being outranged by the Con-
federate arms.
General Mcclellan continued prep.
arations for an artillery attack on
Yorktown, placing batteries A recon.
naissance by the Confederates with a
force Of 1000 infantry brought on a
heavy sklrmlsh,
Confederates cut the levee on tho
Mississippi river near Fort Wright,
An immense amount OF property was
destroyed.
April IS, 1862.
Abraham Lincoln, president OF the
United States, signed the bill for the
emancipation of slaves In the District
of Columbia, and 1t became law.
A boat containing officers and men
\ of the 18th Pennsylvania sank at Cas-
Clemens Ferry, on the Shenandoah
river, drowning number Of passen'
gers,
In an effort TO standardize the Con.
federate currency John II Binder,
Brigader General Of the Confederate
army, issued an order prohibiting the
issuance and circulation Of private
notes, Opportunity was given to trans
late those 10 hand into bankablo funds,
Confirmation OF the rumors Of a bat.
tie at Apache Pass, NJ NJ, reached
Washington, A force OF Confederates
from Texas was defeated In an encoun-
ter with United States regulars, after
n desperate fight, IN which the Texans
charged their enemy'B battery four
times.
reconnaissance and surveying party
sent by the National forces 20 VIII.
mington Island, North Carolina, was
attacked and roughly handled by q
force Of Confederates from nelghbor'
lsing batteries, The Federal soldiers
fought desperately to escape capture,
and finally held their assailNnts off,
syty-one Of Ashbys Confederate
cavalry were captured while at break
fast In church several miles beyond
Columbia Funaree, Virginia, The pris.
oners were taken into Woodstock, Va,
Troops from Rlnggold's cavalry and
the 4Gth Pennsylvania made tho cap
ture
SkIrmshes occurred near Savannah,
Tenn, and Lees Mills, Va,
April II, 1862,
The National forces under Gen,
Banks occupied Mount Jackson, Va
The ConlodeFateg, outnumbered, resist
ed the attack to gain time to destroy
bridges and railroad rolling stock, but
were driven away before they did com.
plote damage
A committee OF the House Of Rep.
rosontatyes Of Virginia, investigating
~ he Roanoke Island disaster reported
chat whatever blame or responsibility
lis Justly attributable 10 any one for
Z the defeat Of our troops at Roanoke ls.
land on the SIh Of February last
should attach 20 Gen, Huger and Mr.,
Benjamin, the late Secretary Of War"
New Market Va, was occupied by
Cen. Banks Union forces, after Il
slight resistance by tho Confederate
forco stationed there.
A heavy artillery duel, lasting In'
termIUenty for eighteen hours, en-
sued on an effort by ConrederateB to
erect d battery three miles from York
town. Tho Union artillery, In large
number, prevented tho enemy from
completing their work
The first anniversary Of the Deelara
tlon Of VIfgIniA's secession was eele
brated In the state,
Tho Union steamers Mlnnehaha and
Patton, loaded with National troops
Iwero fired into by Confoderatos 10
Whey were passing up tho Tennessee
vJtyer,
The Memphis Appeal stated that the
hnredorato losses at the battle Of
hloh (pitlaburg landing, dld not
exceed one thousand killed and five
thousand wounded The defeat on the
second day Of the hght WAS Nseribed
to whisky found IN the Federal camp
captured on tho first day
Confederation ruplurpd l7b tNlpFal