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On this day in the Civil War, Confederate forces under General James Longstreet attack Federal positions at Fort Sanders near Knoxville, Tennessee. The attack fails and Federal troops occupy Knoxville to the end of the war.
General James Longstreet
(Photo Credit: Library of Congress)
On this day in the Civil War, Union troops commanded by General James Blunt attack Confederate positions at Cane Hill, Arkansas.
Union losses total 40 men, while the Southern total is 435.
General James Blunt
(Photo Credit: Library of Congress)
On this day in the Civil War, Federal General Benjamin Butler’s floating headquarters, the steamer Greyhound, blows up on the James River. This act is apparently Southern sabotage against the Union.
General Benjamin Butler
(Photo Credit: Library of Congress)
On this day in the Civil War, a convention in Wheeling, Virginia adopts a new state constitution for the formation of the state of West Virginia, after that area’s secession from the rest of the state.
On this day in the Civil War, Federal troops under General George Thomas, with oversight by General U.S. Grant, attack Confederate forces on Missionary Ridge. The Union troops fiercely assault the middle of the Rebel line, turning the battle into a rout. General Grant states, “Our men drove the troops in front of the lower line of rifle pits so rapidly, and followed them so closely, that the Rebel and Union troops went over the first line of works almost at the same time.”
Union casualties totaled 5,800 soldiers and Southern losses totaled 6,600.
The Civil War Book 