January 28, 1943 - Thursday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Fullam: 

John was on duty at his new destroyer, the USS Fullam, at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston.  

Casablanca (Movie)

As the niece of the theater owner, and daughter of the projectionist, Mary McLaughlin would have seen many of the films discussed in the last blog entry.  At this time there was another film that she was probably looking forward to seeing; Casablanca was released to theaters on January 23rd.  As with many major feature films, it had premiered late in 1942 and had won Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

The film had been released at the perfect time, as Operation Torch (the invasion of North Africa), had as one landing point the city of Casablanca, and Casablanca had been recently the meeting place for President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill.

Although the story was purely fiction (no war refugees were using Casablanca to escape Nazi Europe), the movie had memorable lines that touched on the themes of the European war.  This has made it a memorable film ever since its release.

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 300-302.
• The Struggle for Guadalcanal, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 316-337.
  

 

NEXT POST:  FEBRUARY 1ST

 

 

 

January 28, 1863 - Wednesday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Crittenden's Corps - Wood's Division - Wagner's Brigade 

The loss of a brigade wagon train due to carelessness has General Rosecrans issuing a general order that all trains' escort soldiers must be armed at all times.  No stowing of arms in the wagons is allowed.  Rosecrans is still seeking more cavalry before he considers moving forward.

In the east, President Lincoln is dissatisfied after a conversation with General Burnside, and decides to remove him from command, promoting General Joseph Hooker in his place.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXIII, Chapter XXXV, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 14-20.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 95-96.
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, pp. 166-174. 

 

NEXT POST:  FEBRUARY 1ST    

 

 

 

January 24, 1943 - Sunday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Fullam: 

John was on duty at his new destroyer, the USS Fullam, at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston. 

Movies of 1942

Production of films did not slow during 1942 and were vital to boosting morale on the home front as the war initially seemed to be going badly (with a few bright spots here and there).  The highest grossing movie was Mrs. Miniver, a war drama about a housewife in Britain during the beginning of the war. The drama Random Harvest was second.

Films about the war so far were popular as well.  Wake Island described the fierce resistance of the Marine garrison in the weeks after the Pearl Harbor attack.

The musical Holiday Inn did well and also included several of the popular songs of the year.  The Pride of the Yankees was a biography of Lou Gehrig, who had recently passed away from ALS.

The below link lists the highlights of movies in 1942:

1942 in film

 

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 300-302.
• The Struggle for Guadalcanal, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 316-337.
  

 

NEXT POST:  JANUARY 24TH

 

January 24, 1863 - Saturday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Crittenden's Corps - Wood's Division - Wagner's Brigade 

There is little to report at this time from the Army of the Cumberland.  Confederate cavalry and river transportation continue to be the main concerns.  More troops are coming from Kentucky in a few days.

In the east, Burnside is stalled in front of Fredericksburg, but still determined to attack again after a recent repulse in that area.  Further west, General Grant is attempting to find a way into Vicksburg, MS.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXIII, Chapter XXXV, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 1-14.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 95.
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, pp. 166-174. 

 

NEXT POST:  JANUARY 28TH

January 20, 1943 - Wednesday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Fullam: 

John was on duty at his new destroyer, the USS Fullam, at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston. 

Music of 1942

Dances and other events sponsored by the USO would have featured the popular music of the time.  Below is a Wikipedia page listing some of the popular music in 1942:

1942 in Music

Glenn Miller, who was at the height of his popularity, has 5 songs on the list, and most of the popular songs were from the noted swing bands; Kay Kyser, Harry James, Jimmy Dorsey, and Benny Goodman also feature prominently.  Glenn Miller in 1942 had joined the Army Air Corps and began an orchestra and marching band associated with the Army.

Bing Crosby had performed White Christmas on Christmas Day in 1941, and the single had been released in May.  It had been written for the musical picture Holiday Inn that was released in August.  It remained popular throughout 1942 and has remained so to this day.

Der Fuehrer's Face, a comical song from Spike Jones mocking Nazi leadership, was also popular in late 1942 and early 1943.  There was also a short film of the same name featuring Donald Duck. This treatment of the Nazis was understandable, especially with the war fully on, but shows that the world knew very little of the horror that was happening in the concentration camps.

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 298-300.
• The Struggle for Guadalcanal, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 316-337.
  

 

NEXT POST:  JANUARY 24TH

 

 

 

January 20, 1863 - Tuesday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Crittenden's Corps - Wood's Division - Wagner's Brigade 

Little appears to have come of Wagner's expedition with the two brigades as it is not mentioned in correspondence during this time.  The main focus is on river transportation; securing the reinforced steamers, and clearing the rivers of Confederate forces.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XX, Chapter XXXII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 334-345.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 95.
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, pp. 166-174. 

 

NEXT POST:  JANUARY 24TH

 

January 16, 1943 - Saturday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Fullam: 

John was on duty at his new destroyer, the USS Fullam, at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston. 

Casablanca Conference

There was discussion of opening a second front in western Europe during the conference.  The British were hesitant as they felt that the time was not ripe for a successful invasion.  One concern was supply, as the Allies were still losing more ships than they could build.  General Marshall was in favor of a 1943 invasion, but President Roosevelt was concerned about the war in the Pacific and how to balance both of the theaters.

The British preferred an invasion of Sicily, leading to an invasion of Italy proper.  Eventually, Roosevelt was not ready to commit to an invasion of France, and agreed to the Sicily plan.  

The leader of French Forces in North Africa, General Giraud, and General de Gaulle reluctantly agreed to joint leadership of the Free French.  There was a dinner meeting with the Sultan of Morocco as well.

The Casablanca Declaration, a product of the conference, stated that the Allies would continue the war until the unconditional surrender of the three main Axis powers, Germany, Italy, and Japan. 

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, p. 297-299.
• The Struggle for Guadalcanal, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 316-337.
• No Ordinary Time,Doris Kearns Goodwin, pp. 401-410.
  

 

NEXT POST:  JANUARY 20TH

January 16, 1863 - Friday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Crittenden's Corps - Wood's Division - Wagner's Brigade 

Wagner's two brigades had gone to Nolensville by the 13th, and then were ordered back to Wilkinson Pike, near the site of the late battle.  

General Rosecrans was becoming frustrated with trying to track the various units of Confederate cavalry using infantry.  He is appealing to Washington to provide horses and gear to mount infantry regiments; about 3,000 horses are on the way to him.

The Confederate cavalry is also harassing river traffic; many of the boats have no armor or guns.  Rosecrans requests river boats that have bullet-proof boiler rooms and pilot houses.  These also are promised to him as soon as available.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XX, Chapter XXXII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 322-334.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 95.
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, pp. 166-174. 

 

NEXT POST:  JANUARY 20TH

 

January 12, 1943 - Tuesday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Fullam: 

John was on duty at his new destroyer, the USS Fullam, at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston. 

Casablanca Summit

Roosevelt and Churchill had decided to meet at Casablanca, Morocco to further discuss the war effort.  The Conference would began in the 14th.  Due to security concerns, both leader took several days to arrive in Morocco. Stalin was unable to leave the Soviet Union at this time, as the Battle of Stalingrad was coming to a head.  The fighting around the city had already resulted in over a million Soviet casualties.  The German Sixth Army, however, had been trapped in a pocket since late November, and faced starvation or surrender.  

The agenda was to discuss (among other items) the progress in North Africa, the future of a western front in Europe, and how to unite French forces.

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, p. 296-297.
• The Struggle for Guadalcanal, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 316-337.
• No Ordinary Time,Doris Kearns Goodwin, pp. 401-410.
  

 

NEXT POST:  JANUARY 16TH

 

January 12, 1863 - Monday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Crittenden's Corps - Wood's Division - Wagner's Brigade 

On the 9th, the three wings of the army are made into Army Corps, as requested by General Rosecrans.  The center (Thomas) is the 14th Corps, the Left (McCook) is the 20th, and the Right (Crittenden) is the 21st.  The internal organization of the Army of the Cumberland remains the same.

Colonel Wagner receives the following order on January 12th for his brigade's expedition:

-------------------------------------------    

HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,

Murfreesborough, January 12, 1863.

Col. G. D. Wagner, Commanding Expedition:

   COLONEL: The object of your expedition is to defeat the projects of the enemy's cavalry upon our trains upon the Nashville and Murfreesborough road.  A portion of Wheeler's cavalry is reported as having staid at Triune last night, having three pieces of artillery.  General Mitchell reports that at sundown this evening there was a cavalry force supposed to be from 3,000 to 4,000, some infantry possibly accompanying it, 7 miles north of Franklin, between Franklin and Hillsborough pikes, supposed to be aiming to attack, first, our river transportation.  It may be that Wheeler's force has gone to join this.  General Mitchell is preparing to march on them with eight or ten regiments of infantry and General Stanley's cavalry brigade.  Should you have reason to believe, on your arrival at Triune, that their whole force is concentrated there, then you will move toward Franklin, by the best road, to fall upon their flank and rear.  If, on the contrary, you have reason to believe that the have a considerable force toward Nolensville, between the Nolensville and Murfreesborough roads, you will move that way, seek the enemy, endeavor to engage the enemy, and cut him to pieces,  In moving it is scarcely necessary to caution you to flank your column with a kine of skirmishers parallel with the road, with a good advance guard.  Dispose of the cavalry, ordered to report to you, so as to be on the lookout against surprise and keep open communication, keeping the main body in hand to pursue small parties of the enemy.  You will take a few empty wagons with you.  Your men will carry their axes.  Take with you three days' rations, 60 rounds of ammunition, and a few spades.  Report as frequently as possible your movements, and any information you deem important to these headquarters.  The rest must be left to your discretion.  It may be well to remind you that force you have to deal with makes it necessary for you to attack with great vigor.  Take their batteries, if possible, and never leave yours without support.  Order the supports to take position to the left and right of our artillery and never behind it.

  By command of Major-General Rosecrans:

C. GODDARD, 

Assistant Adjutant-General and Chief of Staff.

  P. S. When debouching before an enemy, deploy a heavy line of skirmishers, at 5 pace intervals, and send them forward at the double-quick, deploying into line under cover of their advance.  Manage to conceal your force from the enemy, and, if possible, entrap him.

------------------------------------------ 

Wagner's brigade will move directly west about 14 miles from Murfreesboro, to Triune and try to find the enemy.  Franklin is about 12 miles north-west of Triune.  Nolensville is about 7 miles due north of Triune.

 

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XX, Chapter XXXII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 310-322.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 94-95.
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, pp. 166-174. 

 

NEXT POST:  JANUARY 16TH

 

 

January 8, 1943 - Friday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Fullam: 

John was on duty at his new destroyer, the USS Fullam, at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston. 

War Production

 In the wake of the Pearl Harbor attack, President Roosevelt had set very aggressive targets for war production.  There were many obstacles. though.  Industrial plants needed time to convert to war production, and raw materials distribution was difficult, and complicated by hoarding.

Most difficult was finding workers, and housing for the large number of workers who left home for manufacturing jobs. More and more the men were pulled into the armed forces, and new workers were needed.  Women slowly began filling almost every type of factory job. Rosie the Riveter became a popular song in 1942, and indicated the reality in many factories.

Mary McLaughlin's high school friends attended college but also worked in the summer:

Mary:

We were completely unprepared for war and it took a long time to get productive.  All women who could went to work in the factories and shipyards which ran twenty four hours a day.  My friends Irene and Colleen were attending college, but in the summer they worked at the GE plant in Lynn.

The GE factory in Lynn is now famous for building the first jet engine for the US military in 1942. It was an aviation plant and produced airplane engines and parts throughout the war.  Here are some articles about this plant:

• GE - Lynn Legacies
• First Jet Engine 
• GE - Lynn - River Works
  

Mary decided not to go to work in the factories but to stay at Dun & Bradstreet.  Although she had only gone to college for one year, that gave her an advantage and a chance for better work assignments at the company.

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, p. 294-296.
• The Struggle for Guadalcanal, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 316-337.
• The Darkest Year, The American Home Front, 1941-1942, William K. Klingaman, pp. 215-224.
• No Ordinary Time,Doris Kearns Goodwin, pp. 410-418.
  

 

NEXT POST:  JANUARY 12TH

 

 

January 8, 1863 - Thursday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Crittenden's Corps - Wood's Division - Wagner's Brigade 

John Baer continues to heal from the slight shoulder would he suffered in the Stones River battle.

-------------------

Murfreesboro has been occupied by the Union center, and this time finds General Rosecrans seeking to bring more troops and artillery to his army.  Despite losing more men, and nearly being routed during the battle, Rosecrans is perceived as the victor at Stones River and received almost universal acclamation.  Bragg, having retreated from the field, has now been designated as the loser, and the people and politicians of the North and South are acting accordingly.

Here is a dispatch from Rosecrans on the 6th:

-------------------------------------------    

HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,

Murfreesborough, January 6, 1863.

Major-General WRIGHT, Cincinnati:

    I did not write you because I was too busy, and uncertain of the results of the battle.  It is now evident that their loss was excessive.  Their own officers and men estimate their loss at from 13,000 to 15,000.  I now wish to push them to the wall, but the pursuit will be heavy work.  Send me what force you can spare, and take care of the railroad.  I will write you soon.  I congratulate you on the success of the the Carter expedition, and the final expulsion of John H. Morgan.  I wish you would get ready a large lot of saddles and horses, and mount your infantry to pursue him the next time he makes a raid.

W. S. ROSECRANS, 

Major-General.

------------------------------------------  

 Rosecrans speaks here of a push forward, but by the 8th he has not moved.  Morgan and his cavalry during the Stones River battle had pushed into Kentucky, but was turned back from his objectives and returned to Tennessee.  Nevertheless, his raids will continue throughout the war.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XX, Chapter XXXII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 299-310.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 94.
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, pp. 104-125. 

 

NEXT POST:  JANUARY 12TH

 
 

January 4, 1943 - Monday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Fullam: 

John was on duty at his new destroyer, the USS Fullam, at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston. 

 

War In Europe

The lack of a second front in Europe, due to the Western Powers' current inability to invade France from Britain, had meant that Soviet Union faced the full power of Nazi Germany.  Germany did not have the badly needed oil resources to continue its conquests, and so made a drive for the oil fields near Grozny and Baku in the Caucasus region of the Soviet Union. 

 The city of Stalingrad (now Volgograd) was the base for the resistance to this push.  The Germans had firebombed the city and had captured a portion of it during the fall.  However, in late November, the German Sixth Army was encircled and could not be resupplied.  In early January, with no relief in sight, General Paulus had to decide whether the Sixth Army would surrender or try to fight its way out.  The advance on the oil fields had also slowed enough that the Germans could not capture it before the winter set in.

Elsewhere, the city of Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) was beginning the second wither of its siege by the Germans.  There was little heat and almost no food for the residents by this time.  Only a small supply line, an ice road over a nearby lake, was able to bring supplies.  Daily rations had been as low as 125 grams (about 4 oz) of bread per day. Planning had now begun for the first Soviet attempt to break the siege.

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, p. 294.
• The Struggle for Guadalcanal, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 316-337.
• The Darkest Year, The American Home Front, 1941-1942, William K. Klingaman.
• Leningrad, State of Siege, Michael Jones, pp. 1-276.
  

 

NEXT POST:  JANUARY 8TH

January 4, 1863 - Sunday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Crittenden's Corps - Wood's Division - Wagner's Brigade 

Battle of Stones River (Part 2)

January 1st passed quietly as both armies regrouped and tended to the wounded.  Early on the 2nd, the 40th Indiana and some other nearby regiments were shelled by Confederate artillery; this was not long lasting and "had no serious result".

General Bragg was determined to make an assault to try to break through the Union left.  Late in the day on the 2nd, this attack came, and as on the right, the Union divisions could not hold, and went over to the retreat.  However, a large gathering of Union artillery on a nearby hill fired into the advancing Rebels and stopped them cold.  The losses sent the Confederate troops into retreat and effectively ended the Battle of Stones River.  After some time of continued stalemate, General Bragg began to move the Confederate army south toward their winter quarters in Tullahoma, TN.

Losses for the 40th Indiana were 4 killed and 68 wounded.  According to this item, Stones River After Action Report, John Baer was "slightly wounded in the shoulder" during the battle.  See about 3/4 of the way down the item where the company casualties are listed.

Union casualties: 1677 killed, 7543 wounded, 3686 missing.  Total: 12906

Confederate casualties: 1294 killed, 7945 wounded, 2500 missing.  Total: 11739

In terms of casualties per men engaged, this is the bloodiest battle (highest % of casualties) of the Civil War.

Emancipation Proclamation

President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1st. 

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XX, Chapter XXXII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 292-299.
• Link: War Operations, see Volume XX, Chapter XXXII, Part I, Reports,  pp. 492-499
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 91.
  
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, pp. 97-103. 
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol 3. The Tide Shifts, pp, 600-637.
• Peter Cozzens, No Better Place to Die: The Battle of Stones River, pp. 167-218.
• 40th Indiana Infantry website, see article Stones River After Action Report.

 

NEXT POST: JANUARY 8TH