Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Shenandoah Valley (#2)


The Shenandoah Valley

The Shenandoah Valley from Waynesboro to Luray.  This valley bounded on East by the Blue Ridge Mountains and on the West by the Appalacian Mountain Chain was the "bread-basket" of the Confederacy during the first years of the Civil War.  It was only after the destruction of the farms in this valley by Union forces, that the Confeerate Atrmy began to feel the pinchof the lack of food supplies.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Brown's Ferry and Environs

Map of the country in the vicinity of Brown's Ferry made to accompany a report of Brigadier Wm. F. Smith, Chief Engineer, Dept. of the Cumberland

Fox's Gap / Turner's Gap (South Mountain)

Fox's Gap
The Federal's held the advantage in the morning fighting, but John Hood's stand at the Daniel Wise Farm prevented a breakthrough.  The death of Jesse Reno, shot while reconnoitering the field, was a blow to Union fortunes.

Turner's Gap
The difficult terrain along this section of the battlefield made the fighting especially treacherous.  With Joe Hooker's Federals holding the high ground at the end of the day, Robert E. Lee ordered a retreat towards Boonsboro.

Island #10 - New Madrid

Map of the Confederate Fortifications on the Mississippi River  at Island
# 10 and New Madrid, the operations of General John Pope; original
drawing by Capt. W. Hieneke, Adj. / Aide

note #1 -- Final position of U. S. Forces resulting in the capture of the Confederates;
note #2 -- Passable for small steamers;
note #3 -- A Batt. 5 guns;
                  B Batt. 4 guns;
                  C Batt. 6 guns.
note #4 -- Slough made navigable by cutting trees below the level of the water;
note #5 -- Fort - 24 and 32 pdrs., 14 guns.