This Day in the Civil War

Wednesday Aug. 14 1861

Various constitutional rights took a beating on both sides of the War for Southern Independence today. In the city and county of St. Louis, Mo., US. Maj. Gen. John Charles Fremont declared martial law. The city, which had been fairly calm since the riots in the spring, had suffered renewed disorder since the Confederate victory at the Battle of Wilson’s Creek. Fremont also ordered two newspapers closed for allegedly pro-Southern editorials. In Richmond, meanwhile, Jefferson Davis ordered the banishment of all foreign nationals whose home countries did not recognize the Confederate government.

Thursday Aug. 14, 1862

Abraham Lincoln was adamantly opposed to the institution of slavery, but was not a believer in equality as it would be understood in later days. He was constantly coming up with plans and ploys to relocate all blacks out of America. He received a delegation of free Negroes at the White House today whom he told “But for your race among us there could not be war..it is better for us both, therefore, that we be separated.” His current plan involved colonization of blacks in Central America.

Friday Aug. 14 1863

There was little going on in the eastern war beyond more test firing of the Union guns in Charleston Harbor. More holes were inflicted on Ft. Sumter. In the west the action was a little more intense. Various skirmishes, actions, expeditions and other nastiness occurred in West Point, Arkansas, and numerous places in Missouri including Sherwood, Wellington, and the greater metropolitan area of Jack’s Ford.

Sunday Aug. 14, 1864

U.S. Gen. A. J Smith had been given an assignment: track, find, capture or kill Nathan Bedford Forrest. Although known as a cavalryman, Forrest’s force was structurally more of a dismounted infantry unit. A brilliant tactician, Forrest was more of a nuisance than a serious military threat--but a very serious nuisance he was, and a great embarrassment to the Union commanders. Again today though, Smith’s efforts came to nothing in the miniscule burg of Lamar, Mississippi. Forrest and his merry men whupped them in a skirmish and departed, with the sound of laughter hanging in the air.

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