The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1912-12-20
735e
CIVIL WAR
FIFTY YEARS AGO
THIS WEEK
December 16, 1862.

December is, 1862.
The Army of the Potomac, which,
since the battle of Fredericksburg, !
lad been lying between the Confeder-
tie entertainments on the hill and the
Rappahannock river in it's rear, was
withdrawn during the night to the
north side of the river, General Burnside
1t last realizing the hopelessness OF
sndeavoring again to carry the Con-
tederate 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 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 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
stand at the Neuse by the Confeder-
ates under General Evans. The Con-
federate artillery made good practice
during the day.
December II, 1862.
Four hundred and sixty Union sol
diers, taken prisoners at Fredericks-
burg, reached Richmond, Va
Baton Rouge, La, was occupied by
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 stop at
Goldsboro, N. c., in front of the Con-
federate force of General Evans. He
succeeded in destroying the Goldsboro
| bridge, but was compelled to re-
tire, after two hours fighting.
| December 18, 1862.
The Confederate cavalry leader For
| rest entered and occupied Lexington,
! KY, with arge 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
burned by Union expedition consisting
! Of the gunboat Juliet and transport
| City Belle, carrying detachment. 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 casual
! band of Confederate cavalry. When
the Mill 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, 1862.
Colonel Dickey, in command of de-
| 30 oh ~ mi rnfn Cd
to the Union lines at Oxford, Miss,
J 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
q Confederate force outnumbering
them nine to one.
Twelve wagons of train of twenty
/ six that had been captured by de-
taehment of General Stuart's Confed-
crate cavalry the day before at
| Occocquan, Va, were recovered by a
squadron of Union cavalry after a
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 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-
stroyed. The garrison surrendered af-
ter very short resistance.
In a skirmish between Union troops
and Confederate irregulars near Hall
town, Va, the irregulars retired after
doing much mischief. Three of their
| number were captured.
General Forrest entered Trenton
and Humboldt. Tenn, with his force
of Confederate cavalry. They burned
the depots and all the government
stores they could not carry OF.
Twenty-seven wagons loaded with