October 31, 1943 - Sunday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) - Pacific Ocean - Aleutian Islands, Alaska

October 28th: Moored all day.  Temperatures mid-40s, moderate to strong breezes in the evening.

October 29th:  Moored all day.  Temperatures mid-40s, light breezes.

October 30th: Moored all day.  Temperatures mid-40s, light breezes.

October 31st: Moored all day.  Temperatures mid-40s, light breezes.

These appear to be routine patrols near Allied bases in the Aleutians.

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

In the Solomons, the invasion of the Treasury Islands was ongoing.  These four days also included final preparations for the landings on Bougainville Island at Empress Augusta Bay and Cape Torokina on the southwest side of the island.

Plans for Operation Galvanic (invasion of Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands) continued in the Central Pacific.  It would be a few weeks before the operation was ready.

Soviet forces continued their advance across Ukraine, fully cutting off German access to Crimea and trapping German forces there.

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 400-401. 
• Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 92-113.
• Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 279-296.
• Events of October, 1943
  
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, October, 1943

 NEXT POST:  NOVEMBER 4TH

October 31, 1863 - Saturday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Granger's Corps - Sheridan's Division - Wagner's Brigade 

A Confederate corps under General Longstreet attempted on the 29th to disrupt the new Union "cracker line".  The attack took place at the north end of the Lookout Valley, which was just west of Lookout Mountain.  Though the Confederate force was superior in numbers, the confused nighttime battle resulted in a stalemate and the Confederate forces withdrew.  After that point the cracker line into the city was not again threatened.

Sherman had been attempting to rebuild the railroad across Tennessee as he came east toward Chattanooga.  This was proving fruitless as the surrounding country was not sympathetic to the Union.  Grant therefore ordered it stopped, and instead ordered one of Sherman's divisions to rebuild the railroad from Nashville south the Decatur, AL.  This created another supply line, which was desperately needed due to the concentration of Union troops in the Chattanooga area.

The advance northward of part of Bragg's force ended at Cleveland, TN.  Grant had feared that they would go toward Nashville, necessitating a Union evacuation of Chattanooga (see previous entry).  It turned out this was not necessary as the Confederates advanced no further for now..

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXI, Chapter XLIII, Part I, Correspondence, pp. 766-852.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 131-132.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 802-826. 
• The Chickamauga Campaign, Vol 3: Barren Victory, David A. Powell. 
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 418-425.
  
• Events: 1863
  

NEXT POST:  NOVEMBER 4TH

 

 

October 27, 1943 - Wednesday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) - Pacific Ocean - Aleutian Islands, Alaska

October 24th: At sea at 9 AM for the rest of the day.  At noon, near Unalaska Island.  Temperatures low-50s, light winds.

October 25th:  At sea until 3 PM.  At noon, near Unalaska Island.  Temperatures high-40s, light winds.

October 26th: Moored all day.  Temperatures high-40s, light winds.

October 27th: Moored all day. Temperatures low-40s, light winds.  Money received onboard to pay the crew.

These appear to be routine patrols near Allied bases in the Aleutians.

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

In the Solomons, landings on Mono Island (Treasury Islands) and on Choiseul Island commenced on the 27th.  Resistance was not heavy during the invasion and Mono Island was fully captured by November 7th.  The Japanese believed this to be a prelude to attacking their base in the Shortland Islands, but the Navy would leapfrog directly to Bougainville.

Plans for Operation Galvanic (invasion of Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands) continued in the Central Pacific.  It would be a few weeks before the operation was ready.

Finschafen, on the eastern edge of the Huon Peninsula in New Guinea, was captured by Allied troops.  This was one of the last maneuvers before the Allies began the advance across the north shore of New Guinea toward the Philippines.

Soviet forces continued their advance across Ukraine, taking the city of Dnipropetrovsk (now Dnipro).

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 399-400. 
• Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 92-113.
• Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 279-296.
• Events of October, 1943
  
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, October, 1943

 

NEXT POST:  OCTOBER 31ST 

October 27, 1863 - Tuesday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Granger's Corps - Sheridan's Division - Wagner's Brigade 

General Grant, on arrival in Chattanooga, inspected the army's troops and positions.  The effects on the troops of being on half-rations for several weeks were noticeable.  In the last days of General Rosecrans' command, a plan had been developed to create a more reliable supply line into the city. 

 Grant adopted this plan and ordered it to be carried out.  By the 27th it was successful, and opened a path by which all the needed supplies could enter the city from the west.  The supply line became known as the Cracker Line.  Though long, it avoided the Confederate presence on Lookout Mountain and became a stable source of supply for the army.

Grant has also become concerned that the Confederate army could move back into Tennessee toward Nashville, forcing the Union army to follow.  He sends a message to Sherman to bring his army quickly across Tennessee, so that he might block any Confederate advance toward Nashville.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXI, Chapter XLIII, Part I, Correspondence, pp. 712-766.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 131.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 710-785. 
• The Chickamauga Campaign, Vol 3: Barren Victory, David A. Powell. 
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 413-418.
  
• Events: 1863
  

NEXT POST:  OCTOBER 31ST

 

October 23, 1943 - Saturday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) - Pacific Ocean - Aleutian Islands, Alaska

October 20th: Deck log does not indicate location for this day.  Temperatures low 50s, light winds.

October 21st:  Anchored after 8 AM.  Position not in log.  Temperatures mid 40s, light winds.

October 22nd: Moored all day, mid-40s, light winds.

October 23rd: Underway 9 AM to 3 PM, moored otherwise.  At noon, near Unalaska Island, Aleutians.

These appear to be routine patrols near Allied bases in the Aleutians.

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

The Allied Invasion of Italy became stalled approaching the Gustav Line.

A large bomber attack was conducted by the RAF on the German city of Kassel  and caused a firestorm that in some ways was worse than the more well-known fire bombing of Hamburg a few months before.

Soviet troops took Melitopol, Ukraine, in a continuation of an offensive designed to cut off and isolate a German force in Crimea. 

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 398-399. 
• Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 92-113.
• Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 279-293.
• Events of October, 1943
  
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, October, 1943

 

NEXT POST:  OCTOBER 27TH 

October 23, 1863 - Friday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Granger's Corps - Sheridan's Division - Wagner's Brigade 

General Rosecrans left the army on the 19th, and had reached Stevenson, AL by the 21st.  Here he met Grant on his way into the city.  Grant writes:

"On the morning of the 21st we took the train for the front, reaching Stevenson, Alabama after dark.  Rosecrans was there on his way north.  He came into my car and we held a brief interview, in which he described very clearly the situation at Chattanooga, and made some excellent suggestions as to what should be done.  My only wonder was that he had not carried them out.  We then proceeded to Bridgeport, where we stopped for the night.  From here we took horses and made our way by Jasper and over Waldron's Ridge to Chattanooga.

"There had been much rain, and the roads were almost impassable from mud, knee-deep in places, and from wash-outs on the mountain side.  I had been on crutches since the time of my fall in New Orleans, and had to be carried over places where it was not safe to cross on horseback.  The roads were strewn with the debris of broken wagons and the carcasses of thousands of starved mules and horses.  At Jasper, some ten or twelve miles from Bridgeport, there was a halt.  General O. O. Howard had his headquarters there.  From this point I telegraphed Burnside to make every effort to secure five hundred rounds of ammunition for his artillery and small-arms.  We stopped for the night at a little hamlet some ten or twelve miles farther on.  The next day we reached Chattanooga a little before dark. I went directly to General Thomas's headquarters, and remaining there a few days, until I could establish my own."

--- Grant, Personal Memoirs, pp. 410-411.

Grant sent a telegram to General Halleck in Washington, announcing his arrival, and asking that General Sherman be appointed commander of the Army of the Tennessee, which was soon granted.  Sherman at that time was still bringing this army across Tennessee toward the city.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXI, Chapter XLIII, Part I, Correspondence, pp. 666-712.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 131.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 710-785. 
• The Chickamauga Campaign, Vol 3: Barren Victory, David A. Powell.
  
• Events: 1863 - July to September   
  

NEXT POST:  OCTOBER 27TH

 

 

October 19, 1943 - Tuesday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) - Pacific Ocean - Aleutian Islands, Alaska

October 16th: At sea all day; at noon, near Kiska Island.  At anchor for a short time mid-day.  Temperatures mid-40s, light winds.

October 17th:  At sea all day; at noon, northwest of Semisopochnoi Island, Aleutians. Temperatures mid-40s, light winds.

October 18th: At sea until 10 AM, anchored rest of day.  At noon, southeast of Atka Island, Aleutians.  Temperatures mid-40s, light to moderate winds.

October 19th: Under way at 9 AM; at noon, near Chugul Island, Aleutians.  Temperatures mid-40s, light winds.

These appear to be routine patrols near Allied bases in the Aleutians.

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

The Allied Invasion of Italy continued;the Allies were moving toward the Gustav Line, which was directly in front of Monte Cassino.  The monastery at the top of the mountain gave the German defenders a great advantage of sight lines all around.  The Allies would be stymied here for several months.

The Japanese completed the Burma Railway from Bangkok, Thailand to Rangoon, Burma.  Many of the laborers were Allied prisoners of war.  Construction of one of the larger bridges was the subject of the movie The Bridge on the River Kwai.

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 397-398. 
• Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 92-113.
• Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 279-293.
• Events of September, 1943
• Events of October, 1943
  
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, October, 1943

 

NEXT POST:  OCTOBER 23RD 

 

October 19, 1863 - Monday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Granger's Corps - Sheridan's Division - Wagner's Brigade 

On the 17th, all of the army departments in the West are placed under the command of General Grant.  Grant is given the option of relieving General Rosecrans and immediately chooses to do so, replacing him with General Thomas on the 18th.  Grant is ordered to proceed to the Chattanooga area, take command, and secure supply lines to the army there.  

On the 19th, General Sherman is assigned to the command of the Army of the Tennessee (Grant's previous command).  The Union now has three full armies at or approaching Chattanooga: the Army of the Cumberland, in the city; the Army of the Tennessee, approaching across Tennessee; and the army recently arrived from the east, commanded by General Hooker.  General Burnside's army remains in East Tennessee, and has moved some cavalry down to the southwest near the left of the Army of the Cumberland.

The army in Chattanooga, having been reorganized, begins the process of moving the various divisions and brigades to their new positions along the line.  The army's animals have little to eat, and the malnourished ones are ordered to Nashville for recovery.  Supply lines are still limited and the army remains on partial rations.  A Confederate cavalry force was broken up north of Chattanooga, giving Union supply lines some relief.

Sherman continues to move across Tennessee, and repairing the railroad as he goes.  Heavy rains have rivers rising and roads in bad condition.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXX, Chapter XLII, Part IV, Correspondence, pp. 403-488.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 130-131.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 710-785. 
• The Chickamauga Campaign, Vol 3: Barren Victory, David A. Powell.
  
• Events: 1863 - July to September   
  

NEXT POST:  OCTOBER 23RD 

October 15, 1943 - Friday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) - Pacific Ocean - Aleutian Islands, Alaska

October 12th: In port all day, temperatures mid 40s, light breezes.

October 13th:  At sea after 8 AM.  At noon, just north of Adak Island.  Temperatures mid 40s, light breezes.

October 14th: At sea all day, at noon northeast of Attu Island.  Temperatures high 40s, moderate to strong breezes.

October 15th: At sea until 11 AM, returned to sea at 7 PM.  At noon, anchored near Attu Island.  High 40s, light breezes.

These appear to be routine patrols near Allied bases in the Aleutians.

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

The Allied Invasion of Italy continued;the Allies had breached the second defensive line of the Axis, the Barbara Line.  Heavy fighting continued at the Allies approached the third line, the Gustav Line.  The Italian government declared war on Germany.

Another raid on Schweinfurt, Germany was conducted on October 14th, again targeting the key ball bearing plant in the city.  Nearly 300 B-17 bombers attacked in a daylight raid, with 20% bomber losses.  These losses would cause a long pause in daylight raids.

In the Solomons, as the Navy prepared to move further up the island chain, a large raid was conducted on the large Japanese base at Rabaul, New Britain.

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 395-397. 
• Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 92-113.
• Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 279-286.
• Events of September, 1943
• Events of October, 1943
  
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, October, 1943

 

October 15, 1863 - Thursday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Granger's Corps - Sheridan's Division - Wagner's Brigade 

On the 13th, Wagner's brigade is to move upon being relieved.  After striking camp, they stand in the rain but are not relieved due to conflicting orders, and remain in the rain all day,  This results in Wagner sending an irritated message to headquarters.

General Grant has been ordered to come north from Mississippi to the Ohio, and meet Secretary of War Stanton.  Upon receiving the order, Grant begins to move, although he is very hobbled by a recent riding accident.  He will only understand the meaning of this order once he meets with Stanton.

Sherman is moving slowly across Tennessee toward Chattanooga.  His force is spread out along the Tennessee River, as he is rebuilding the railroad as he goes, in a similar way to what was required of General Buell the year before.

General Hooker is on the north side of the Tennessee near Chattanooga, and General Rosecrans has asked him to attempt to clear the river into Chattanooga, to create a better supply line into the city.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXX, Chapter XLII, Part IV, Correspondence, pp. 298-403.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 130.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 710-785. 
• The Chickamauga Campaign, Vol 3: Barren Victory, David A. Powell.
  
• Events: 1863 - July to September   
  

NEXT POST:  OCTOBER 19TH  

 

October 11, 1943 - Monday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) - Pacific Ocean - Aleutian Islands, Alaska

October 8th: At sea all day.  At noon, in Bering Sea, northeast of Kiska Island.  Temperatures mid 40s, light winds.

October 9th:  At sea until 4 PM.  At noon, near Adak Island.  Temperatures mid 40s to low 50s, light winds.

October 10th: Moored except for a few hours mid-day.  Temperatures low 40s, light winds.

October 11th: Moored all day, temperatures 40s and 50s, light winds.

These appear to be routine patrols near Allied bases in the Aleutians.

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

The Allied Invasion of Italy continued; with fighting continuing along the Volturno line.  German forces were executing a fighting retreat toward the next line (known as the Barbara line).  The Allies were making slower progress at the northeast part of the line near Termoli.

The first daylight bombing raid of Germany was conducted on October 10th, as 236 B-17 bombers attacked Munster.  30 bombers were shot down while 700 people were killed in the city.

In the Solomons, Empress Augusta Bay on the island of Bougainville was selected as the next invasion target.  This island is at the northwest end of the Solomons chain, and the invasion will bypass (leapfrog) several highly fortified Japanese positions on other islands.

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 394-395. 
• Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 92-113.
• Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 279-286.
• Events of September, 1943
• Events of October, 1943
  
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, October, 1943

 

NEXT POST:  OCTOBER 15TH

 

October 11, 1863 - Sunday - 160 years ago today

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

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Granger's Corps - Sheridan's Division - Wagner's Brigade 

On the 9th, Generals Crittenden and McCook are relieved of duty and their two corps are consolidated and added to the Fourth Army Corps commanded by General Gordon Granger.  In the re-organization, Wagner's brigade is assigned to the Second Division, Fourth Army Corps, commanded by General Phillip Sheridan (later known for his commands in the Shenandoah Valley and after the war, in the far West).   Wagner's brigade becomes Sheridan's Second Brigade.

General Wood has moved to command of the Third Division of Granger's new corps.  Wood has been commended for his actions in the recent battle, notwithstanding his obeying of the order that led directly to the Confederate breakthrough.  His further actions in the battle helped the remaining Union forces form a defensive line and eventually work their way back to Chattanooga.  Questions about his actions will become more forceful after the war.

Generals Crittenden and McCook now have no duties and will be ordered to return to Indianapolis to await a court of inquiry into their actions at the Battle of Chickamauga.

Elsewhere progress is being made in restoring communications, repairing railroads, and finding forage for animals.  Supplies into Chattanooga are still coming in slowly, and the army remains on reduced rations.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXX, Chapter XLII, Part IV, Correspondence, pp. 169-298.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 130.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 710-768. 
• This Terrible Sound, The Battle of Chickamauga,  Peter Cozzens, pp. 101-536.
• The Chickamauga Campaign, Vol 3: Barren Victory, David A. Powell.
  
• Events: 1863 - July to September   
  

NEXT POST:  OCTOBER 15TH 

 

October 7, 1943 - Thursday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) - Pacific Ocean - Aleutian Islands, Alaska

October 4th: At sea all day.  At noon, northeast of Adak Island.  Temperatures high 40s, light breezes.

October 5th:  At sea until 6 PM, then in harbor.  At noon, just northeast of Adak Harbor.  Temperatures high 40s, light breezes.

October 6th: At sea after 11 AM. Temperatures high 40s, light breezes.

October 7th: At sea all day.  At noon, near Attu Island, Aleutians.  Temperatures high 40s, moderate breezes.

These appear to be routine patrols near Allied bases in the Aleutians.

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

The Allied Invasion of Italy continued; with Naples liberated, the Allies faced 4 Axis defensive lines, each of which stretched across the county south of Rome.  The first was the Volturno line, named for the river that defined its western side.  It ran northeast from the Volturno to the city of Termoli.

US forces fought the battle of Vella Lavella on October 6-7, with the loss of one destroyer on each side.  Vella Lavella Island is evacuated by the Japanese.

The new carriers recently arrived in the Pacific continue air strikes.  A fleet of six carriers with escorts carried out an attack and bombardment of Wake Island on the 6th and 7th.  After this attack, the remaining original US defenders of Wake were summarily executed and buried in a mass grave.

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 391-394. 
• Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 92-99.
• Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 233-252.
• Events of September, 1943
• Events of October, 1943
  
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, October, 1943

 

NEXT POST:  OCTOBER 11TH

 

October 7, 1863 - Wednesday - 160 years ago today

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

Confederate cavalry that advanced through the gap between the Union armies have now moved into Tennessee behind Rosecrans' Union army, cutting the railroad and destroying wagon trains. The Confederates successfully attacked at McMinnville, TN, and then moved to the Murfreesboro area where they cut the main railroad from Nashville to Chattanooga.  General Burnside has still not moved down from Knoxville, despite orders from General Halleck and repeated requests from Rosecrans, leaving the gap open.

The army in Chattanooga is daily monitoring the occupation of Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain by Bragg's Confederate army.  Confederate artillery on these ridges fires only sporadically as of now, only to determine the range to Union positions.  Meanwhile, the Union army is trapped in Chattanooga, and supplies are low; the army is on reduced rations, usually half rations or less.

General Hooker, with his corps fully arrived in the area, is still north of the Tennessee River, and is trying to aid in protecting the supply lines, as well as preparing to cross the river.  Sherman's troops are coming up the river from Corinth, MS as fast as possible, but have not reached the area yet.  Sherman himself is still at Memphis, TN.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXX, Chapter XLII, Part IV, Correspondence, pp. 73-169.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 130.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 710-768. 
• This Terrible Sound, The Battle of Chickamauga,  Peter Cozzens, pp. 101-536.
• The Chickamauga Campaign, Vol 3: Barren Victory, David A. Powell.
  
• Events: 1863 - July to September   
  

NEXT POST:  OCTOBER 11TH  

October 3, 1943 - Sunday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) - Pacific Ocean - Aleutian Islands, Alaska

September 30th: At sea until 4 PM, in port after. 

October 1st:  At sea 10 AM to 4 PM, otherwise in port.

October 2nd: At sea 9 AM to 3 PM, otherwise in port.

October 3rd: At sea 4 AM for the rest of the day.  At noon, west of Tanaga Island, Aleutians.

These appear to be routine patrols near Allied bases in the Aleutians.

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

The Allied Invasion of Italy continued and Naples was liberated on September 30th.  

Soviet advances continue on the Eastern Front as Smolensk is liberated.

US forces continued to advance up the Solomons chain and the Japanese plan to evacuate the island of Vella Lavella in the next few days.

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 390-391. 
• Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 94-99.
• Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 233-242.
• Events of September, 1943
• Events of October, 1943
  
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, September, 1943

 

NEXT POST:  OCTOBER 7TH

October 3, 1863 - Saturday - 160 years ago today

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

Confederate cavalry crossed the Tennessee River and destroyed a train of about 300 wagons north of Chattanooga.  This was along the only road that was available for delivering supplies to the Union army in the city.  Union cavalry is hunting for the Confederates, but in the mean time, the army in Chattanooga has gone to two-thirds or half rations as a precaution.

General Burnside has not moved down from Knoxville, and a gap remains between the Union armies.  This is the gap where the Confederate cavalry crossed the river and made the successful attack on the Union supply lines.  

However, reinforcements are being rushed to the area to support the Union army.  A corps under General Hooker has arrived at Stevenson, AL, and Sherman has started from Mississippi with another force, although he has only reached Memphis so far.  The army in Chattanooga has noticed Confederate activity on the ridges above the city. 

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXX, Chapter XLII, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 943-958.
• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXX, Chapter XLII, Part IV, Correspondence, pp. 1-73.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 129-130.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 710-768. 
• This Terrible Sound, The Battle of Chickamauga,  Peter Cozzens, pp. 101-536.
• The Chickamauga Campaign, Vol 3: Barren Victory, David A. Powell.
  
• Events: 1863 - July to September   
  

NEXT POST:  OCTOBER 7TH