The Van Buren press., 1912-05-04
75e
CIVIL WAR
FIFTY YEARS AGO
THIS WEEK
AprII %. 1862.

ApTli lOO&s
The Union gunboat Hale OF Com
modore DuPont's squadron, captured
a Confederate battery on Grimballs
Plantation, near the junction of the
Dawho. Powpow and South Edisto riy
ers, In South Carolina. Fire was open
ed on the gunboat from distance oil
eighteen hundred yards as she ad
vanced. and continued until she pass
ed the last intervening bend, when
the Confederates in charge OF the bat
terry retreated. The battery was armed
with only two guns against the su-
perior weight of metal Of the enemy
The work was destroyed by a landing
party.
Gen. Pope lead his National forces
into Monterey, Tennessee, driving out
the small body Of Confederates sta
toned there. Fifteen prisoners were
captured, and a quantity of baggage
and supplies seized
Timothy Webster, the first spy to be
condemned by the Confederate govern
ment, was executed at Richmond Vir-
ginia.
The National forces under Gen. o.
NJ. Mitchell met a Confederate army
under Gen. E. Kirby Smith in battle
at Bridgeport, Alabama. The Confed'
crates were defeated with a loss OF "
killed and $50 taken prisoners.
I IL n
ihe United States senate in. reply to
resolution of enquiry concerning the
authority for the arrest OF Gen
Charles p. Stone, In which he assumed
responsibility for the arrest and
stated the trial would be held as soon
rs certain witnesses could be spared
from their activities In the field.
The Montgomery (Alabama) Adver-
User warned its readers against agents
Of the French government reported to
be In the city authorized to purchase
cotton for shipment to France under
the French flag, scentng collusion be-
tween the Federals and the French for
supplying cotton to France, to quiet
he foreign clamor for Intervention.
April 80, 1862.
A reconnaissance in force was made
by the right wing Of the National army
from Pittsburg, Tennessee, toward
Purdy. The Nationals drove force
of Confederate cavalry upon Purdy,
which place they occupied temporar-
ly. The Union troops burned two rail-
road bridges on the Memphis and Ohio
railroad, and threw locomotive into
the river. Three prisoners were Ia
ken, and the troops returned, having
cut off all railroad communication be-
tween Corinth and the north.
A resolution Of censure on Simeon
Cameron. late secretary Of war, was
passed by the United States house OF
representatives, as follows:
Resolved, That Simeon Cameron,
late secretary OF war, by investing
Alexander Cummings with the control
OF large sums of the public money,
and authority to purchase military sup
plies without restriction, without re-
Quiring from him any guarantee Tor
the faithful performance OF his duties,
when the services OF competent pub
lie officials were available, and by In
yolylng the government In vast num-
ber OF contracts with persons not legi'
timately engaged in the business per
tanning to the subject matter OF such
contracts-es In the purchase
of arms for future delivery, has adopt
ed a policy highly injurious to the
public service, and deserving the CEN
sure OF the house
May 4, 1862.
The Confederate Colonel Morgan at
tackled the train Of General Mitchell
with his squadron near Pulaski,
Giles county, Tennessee, and captured
sixty wagons and about 27O men, who
were released on parole.
General Grant was superseded In
command Of the army near Corinth by
General Thomas by an order transfer
ing General Thomas division from
the Army OF the Ohio to the Army OF
the Tennessee
The Confederate schooner Sarah,
attempting to run the blockade be-
fore Bulls Bay, South Dakota, was
was driven ashore by a party from the
Union blockader onward
Four hundred Germans from Con
federate Louisiana regiment went into
the Union lines at Corinth and sur
rendered as deserters,
Rumor reported that band OF Tex
ans had been defeated by Union
force under General Candy at Poralto,
Tex, on April rs,
General Butler began the debarka'
ton Of his Union troops at New Or
leans, and issued q proclamation de-
olarng the intention Of the United
States government 70 restore order
maintain public tranquility, and en-
force peace and quiet"
The Union siege batteries opened
flre on the defenses before Yorktown
Skirmlshes occurred near Horizons
Mills, ten miles from Newburn, N, G.,
on the pollockville road, and NJ
Clark's Hollow, Va, In which the
Tedorals claimed tho victory
May 2, 1862.
Secretary Steward informed the for.
eign ministers that the post routes
had been reopenod at New Orleans.
that n collector Of the port had been
appointed, and that the rules OF block.
ado would be modified TO apply 10 the
port,