April 26, 1943 - Monday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) - Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

April 23rd: Left port at 8 AM, returned 5 PM.  General Quarters, Drills.  Some men off ship for gunnery and radar training.

April 24th: Left port at 8 AM, returned 3 PM.  General Quarters, Drills.  Some men off ship for gunnery training.

April 25st:  Left port at 8 AM, returned 3 PM.  General Quarters, Drills.  Some men off ship for gunnery and torpedo training.

April 26th: Left port at 8 AM.  Some men off ship for training.

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

 In Africa, remaining Axis forces in Tunisia were barely holding out as the Allies used a two-army pincer movement to force them off the continent.  By mid-May, all the Axis forces had surrendered in Africa.  This would lead to the invasion of Sicily in July.

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

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 332-333. 
• Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 22-39.
• Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 120-127.
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, April, 1943
    
  
  

NEXT POST:  APRIL 30TH

April 26, 1863 - Sunday - 160 years ago today

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

No word as of the 26th of the status of troops under General Reynolds or the forces sent to support them.  Dispatches are about obtaining horses, division and brigade flags, etc.  

There is some movement in Kentucky and some small actions there.            

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXIII, Chapter XXXV, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 268-281.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 103-104.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 166-175. 
• This Terrible Sound, The Battle of Chickamauga,  Peter Cozzens, pp. 1-22.
  

NEXT POST:  APRIL 30TH

April 22, 1943 - Thursday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) - Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

April 19th: Reached Guantanamo Bay.

April 20th: Left port in midday, moored by 4 PM.  A few men transferred ashore to hospital.  More fuel taken aboard in the afternoon.

April 21st:  Left port in midday, moored by 3 PM. Signal drills.  Some sailors ashore for training.

April 22nd: Left port in midday, moored by 7 PM. Signal drills.

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

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 331-332. 
• Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 22-39.
• Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 120-127.
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, April, 1943
    
  
  

NEXT POST:  APRIL 26TH

April 22, 1863 - Wednesday - 160 years ago today

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

The force under General Reynolds, including the 40th Indiana, continue to operate in the designated area but have not engaged by the 22nd.  Several other Union brigades have been sent to the area to cooperate against the rebels.  

There is also some action along the Tennessee River in Tennessee and Alabama.  This is a continuing effort to clear Confederate forces from this area.              

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXIII, Chapter XXXV, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 251-268.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 103.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 166-175. 
• This Terrible Sound, The Battle of Chickamauga,  Peter Cozzens, pp. 1-22.
  

NEXT POST:  APRIL 26TH

April 18, 1943 - Sunday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) - En route to Guantanamo Bay,  Cuba

April 15th: Left port at 3 PM, destination Guantanamo Bay.  8 PM, 40 deg N, 70 deg W, SE of Nantucket.

April 16th: En route to Guantanamo Bay, 8 PM, 35 deg N, 68 deg W,  West of Cape Hatteras.

April 17th:  En route to Guantanamo Bay, 8 PM, 28 deg N, 67 deg W, SE of Bermuda

April 18th: En route to Guantanamo Bay, 8 PM, 22 deg N, 67 deg W, North of Domincan Republic.

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

The Navy had continued to be successful in breaking Japanese Naval codes.  At this time, code breakers were able to determine that a visit by Admiral Yamamoto was planned on April 18th to the area of the island of Bougainville.  Operation Vengeance was executed to attack the transporting aircraft using P-38 Lightning fighter planes.

The attack was successful and Admiral Yamamoto was killed, crashing on Bougainville.   The news was not published in the United States until May 21st.

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

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 330-331. 
• Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 22-39.
• Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 120-127.
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, April, 1943
    
  
  

NEXT POST:  APRIL 22ND

April 18, 1863 - Saturday - 160 years ago today

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

General Crittenden having returned and relieved General Wood of temporary command, receives this dispatch on the 15th:

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

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,

Murfreesborough, April 15, 1863.

Maj. Gen. THOMAS. L. CRITTENDEN,

     Commanding Twenty-first Corps:

   GENERAL: The general commanding directs me to inform you that reports have reached here tht a considerable force of rebels intend to attack our outposts on Stone's River to-night.  The rebel force is reported to-day as being between Cainsville and Milton, and were to come in in the direction of the latter place.  The general commanding directs you to send out three brigades immediately, two on the Lebanon and the other on the Las Casas pike, to strengthen these outposts.  The cavalry will be held in readiness to go out in the morning, if necessary.  Your men should take three days' rations, and be in readiness to make an expedition against the rebels beyond Stone's River to-morrow.

   The general desires to consult with you in person as soon as the above order is delivered.

Your obedient servant,

 J. A. GARFIELD, 

Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.

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

General Rosecrans is ordering two brigades to move north toward Lebanon, TN, and another to move northeast on a different road that also goes to Lebanon.  It is believed that a large rebel force is in this area and is planning to attack Union positions.  Other Union generals receive dispatches warning of this possibility.

On the 18th, Wagner's Brigade, with the 40th Indiana, is ordered to report to General Reynolds, Fifth Division 14th corps temporarily, to engage in a push to McMinnville, TN to confront any rebel forces in that area, destroy railroads and supply depots, and then move north to Liberty, TN, and further to Lebanon, TN.  The intent is to make this area unusable for operations by Confederate forces.                  

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXIII, Chapter XXXV, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 239-251.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 102-103.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 166-175. 
• This Terrible Sound, The Battle of Chickamauga,  Peter Cozzens, pp. 1-22.
  

NEXT POST:  APRIL 22ND

 

April 14, 1943 - Wednesday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519)

April 11th: Remained in port.  4 sailors absent over leave from the 9th.  Fueling done in afternoon.

April 12th: Remained in port.  A number of officers and sailors reported aboard for temporary duty for training and observation.

April 13th:  Remained in port.  No notable activity.

April 14th: Remained in port.  More fuel taken onboard in the afternoon.

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

In New Guinea, the Japanese execute several air attacks on New Guinea, including a large attack on Port Moresby.  

Having lost the Battle of Stalingrad, the German command is planning an attack on Kursk. about 300 miles SSE of Moscow.  The operation would be approved by Hitler on April 15th.

Fighting continued in Tunisia as the Allies continued with their plan to push the Axis forces out of North Africa.  This was intended to lead to an invasion of Italy.

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

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 329-330. 
• Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 22-39.
• Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 120-127.
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, April, 1943
    
  
  

NEXT POST:  APRIL 18TH

April 14, 1863 - Tuesday - 160 years ago today

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

After the engagement at Franklin, TN, rebel General Van Dorn has moved south to his previous location.  Union generals discuss what would be the best way to go over to the attack.

General Burnside continues to organize his new department in Ohio and Kentucky.  He also issues an order that anyone aiding the Confederacy be executed or removed to the South.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXIII, Chapter XXXV, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 227-239.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 102.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 166-175. 
• This Terrible Sound, The Battle of Chickamauga,  Peter Cozzens, pp. 1-22.
  

NEXT POST:  APRIL 18TH

 

April 10, 1943 - Saturday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519)

April 7th: Remained in port.  Two sailors transferred to Naval Hospital, one with scarlet fever, one with mumps.

April 8th: Remained in port.  Refueling done in late afternoon.

April 9th:  Remained in port.  Some Naval and contractor personnel reported for temporary duty to work on the radar and sonar systems.

April 10th: Remained in port.  Three officers reported for temporary duty.

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

At Tulagi, just north of Guadalcanal, a surprise Japanese air raid sank 3 US ships, including a destroyer.  This diverted the Navy for a few days, as the Japanese prepared to execute a series of attacks in New Guinea.

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 328-329. 
• Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 22-39.
• Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 120-124.
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, April, 1943
    
  
  

NEXT POST:  APRIL 14TH

 

April 10, 1863 - Friday - 160 years ago today

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

At Franklin, TN, Confederate forces under General Van Dorn attacked a smaller Union force.  The town was defended with 100 Union casualties and somewhat larger casualties on the rebel side.  

Late in 1864, Franklin would be the site of one of the last large battles in the West.

Forces at Murfreesboro, including the 40th Indiana, have now been stationary for some time.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXIII, Chapter XXXV, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 218-227.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 101-102.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 166-175. 
• This Terrible Sound, The Battle of Chickamauga,  Peter Cozzens, pp. 1-22.
  

NEXT POST:  APRIL 14TH

 

 

April 6, 1943 - Tuesday - 80 years ago today

 Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

Late on April 3rd, John reported onboard the Daly.  Here is the deck log entry:

2305 - Skinner, John F. Jr. 291-61-21, Coxswain, reported aboard for duty (from Receiving Station, Casco Bay, ME), in accordance with authority contained in ComDesLant dispatch 021521. 

 See bottom entry in log.

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

It  was mentioned earlier that John had entered the Navy in 1939 as an Apprentice Seaman, with pay of $21 a month.  Now John has advanced in rank to Coxswain (grade: 4th on this chart) and was earning $81.90 per month.  

There had been raises in the enlisted pay scale in 1940, 1941 and 1942.

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

USS Daly (DD-519)

April 3rd: Engineering Division had contractors on board testing sound systems and gunnery.  John Skinner came onboard late on the 3rd, reporting for duty, as noted above.

April 4th: Remained in port.  Fuel received in the afternoon.

April 5th:  Remained in port.  Provisions (both dry and fresh) received in the late evening.

April 6th: Remained in port. No notable activity.

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 326-328. 
• Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 22-36.
•  Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 106-119.
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, April, 1943

 

NEXT POST:  APRIL 10TH

April 6, 1863 - Monday - 160 years ago today

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

Again there is little movement but also there are some plans being developed for an attack up the Tennessee River to Eastport and Florence, AL to clear that section of rebel forces.  

As the army at Nashville is supplied by boats coming up the Cumberland from Paducah, KY, there is also a focus on clearing out rebel forces that are attacking the boats at several points along the river.

Still in command of the 21st Corps, General Wood sends a long missive regarding a plan to cut Confederate army communications in their rear, in southeast Tennessee. 

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXIII, Chapter XXXV, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 204-218.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 101.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 166-175. 
• This Terrible Sound, The Battle of Chickamauga,  Peter Cozzens, pp. 1-22.
  

NEXT POST:  APRIL 10TH

April 2, 1943 - Friday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Fullam:

John was currently aboard Fullam, and would transfer to Daly in early April.

USS Daly (DD-519)

March 30th: Ship exited Buzzard's Bay, MA en route to Casco Bay, ME.  In transit conducted test firing of machine guns   Moored at Casco Bay, ME at 17:54.

March 31st: Men were coming aboard and leaving for/from temporary duty, likely for ship outfitting and testing.

April 1st:  Some new sailors transferring onboard.  Fueling done in late afternoon.

April 2nd: Some new transfers, sentencing for some sailors on courts martial for AWOL, drunkenness, and disobeying orders.

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 326-327. 
• Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 22-36.
•  Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 106-119. 
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, April, 1943
  
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, March, 1943
   
  

 

NEXT POST:  APRIL 6TH

April 2, 1863 - Thursday - 160 years ago today

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

Again there was little activity, with only small actions on General Rosecrans' left and right flank, and a small battle in Kentucky that was won by a larger Union force.

In the East, President Lincoln is preparing to visit the army and its commander, General Hooker, to discuss strategy.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXIII, Chapter XXXV, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 191-204.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 101.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 166-175. 
• This Terrible Sound, The Battle of Chickamauga,  Peter Cozzens, pp. 1-22.
  

NEXT POST:  APRIL 6TH