December 30, 1943 - Thursday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) -New Guinea

December 27th: Landings being completed at Borgen Bay, New Britain, Daly, with the Brownson survivors still aboard,  moves into the Vitiaz Strait and down the east coast of New Guinea, escorting the returning troop landing ships.  Two men from Brownson who survived the initial attack died of their wounds and were buried at sea at 4:49 PM.  Convoy arrived at Buna, New Guinea, about 11 PM.

December 28th: Left at 10:20 AM and sailed to Milne Bay, New Guinea, reaching there at around 8 PM and moored for the night.

December 29th:  In port all day.

December 30th:  In port morning and afternoon, fueling and receiving ammunition.  Underway at 1 PM. steering various courses and speeds, anchored about 10 PM.

 Several of the Brownson wounded were transferred to one of the LSTs on the 28th.  The uninjured survivors were transferred to other ships on the 28th also.

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Summary of 1943 - USS Daly

(From Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships):

Daly (DD-519) was launched 24 October 1942 by Bethlehem Steel Co., Staten Island, N.Y.; sponsored by Mrs. A. Ransweiler, niece of Sergeant Major Daly, USMC; and commissioned 10 March 1943, Commander R. G. Visser in command.

Between 14 May and 21 June 1943 Daly screened Ranger (CV-4) on exercises and patrol off Argentia, Newfoundland. She sailed from New York a week later screening Lexington (CV-16) and arrived at San Diego 4 August. The next day she was underway for Alaska, arriving at Adak 11 August. She escorted transports to the invasion of Kiska from 15 to 21 August, then patrolled and had escort duty between Kiska and Attu until 18 November when she sailed for Pearl Harbor, arriving 23 November.

Daly left Pearl Harbor 9 December 1943 and arrived at Milne Bay. New Guinea, 18 December. Four days later she sortied to escort landing craft during the assault on Cape Gloucester, New Britain on 26 December. She splashed two attacking Japanese bombers, then aided survivors from Brownson (DD-518) rescuing 168 of her crew despite exploding depth charges from the sinking ship which caused temporary loss of power on Daly.

 --------------------

Mary McLaughlin continued working at Dun & Bradstreet in 1943.  Although she had only had one year of college, this was still somewhat unusual for the young women of the time, and made her very valuable for the office work at the company.  She had become the secretary for one of the executives at the company's Boston location.  

If Mary had time off, she would vacation at York Beach in Maine with her friends.  Otherwise, she was busy with the social events at the USO, taking care of her eight younger brothers and sisters, and helping with dinner each night after coming home from work.

Her father was still working as the projectionist at the theater, and here are some of the popular movies that she would have seen during 1943: Movies of 1943

At the USO, there were still many dances and social functions. This link lists the new hit songs from the year: Music of 1943

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

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 422-424. 
• Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 187-212.
• Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 366-390.
• War at the End of the World, James P. Duffy, pp, 275-278.
  
• Events of December, 1943 
  
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, December 1943

NEXT POST:  JANUARY 3RD

December 30, 1863 - Wednesday - 160 years ago today

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

By the 30th, General Grant has come to Knoxville and will soon go to the front east of the city, where there have been several cavalry engagements but no large battles.  Longstreet is reported to be at Morristown, TN.

General Sherman continues to plan his attack into central Mississippi, and is preparing to move down the Mississippi River in the next few days.

40th Indiana 1863 Summary

At the beginning of the year, the Battle of Stones River had just concluded; John Baer was recovering from an arm wound suffered during the battle. 

The army remained in the Murfreesboro area for several months before moving on toward Chattanooga.  Wagner's brigade was part of the force that surveilled and shelled the city from the north side of the Tennessee River, while the rest of the army made its way into Georgia.  Once the Confederate army left Chattanooga, Wagner's Brigade occupied the city.  

This caused them to miss the gigantic Battle of Chickamauga where, if they had been in their normal position, they would have been right at the point where the Union army was split in two.  With the Union army forced back into Chattanooga, there were several weeks of half rations until Grant arrived and the "cracker line" for supplies was established.  

Late November saw the chaotic assault on Missionary Ridge, where Confederate forces were unexpectedly routed and forced back into Georgia.  Immediately after the battle, Granger's forces (including the 40th Indiana) were sent to relieve Knoxville, and that is where they remain at the close of the year.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXI, Chapter XLIII, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 509-541.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 137.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 862-922.
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 1-19.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 442-462.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-417.
  
• Events: 1863
  

NEXT POST:  JANUARY 3RD

December 26, 1943 - Sunday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) - Milne Bay, New Guinea

December 23rd: Underway 8 AM to 5 PM, otherwise moored; mid 80s, light winds.

December 24th: Moored until 10 PM, then underway; mid 80s, light winds. 

December 25th: At sea all day; at noon, off New Guinea coast, currently steering course toward Arawe area.  After nightfall, course changed toward west end of New Britain.

December 26th:  Covering the landings near Borgen Bay, New Britain.

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

On the 26th, a group of destroyers, including Daly, escorted troop landing ships to Borgen Bay, New Britain for beach landings.  These landings started at 1:15 PM and the destroyers began patrols to protect the beach.

Here we come to a story that John told many times.  When forming the line of destroyers for the patrol, the story goes that Daly was ordered into a certain position in line and Captain Visser refused to go.  Another ship, the Brownson, was ordered in its place, and the Daly went in behind Brownson.  

NOTE: This seems a surprising story as it implies disobeying an order; but the reason for the refusal (if it occurred) is unknown and may have been legitimate.  I cannot find any indication that there was any controversy over this, and Captain Visser was a decorated officer who captained the ship until the end of 1944.  If this incident did happen, it seems that the Navy had no concern over it.  But it was significant to the crew, due to what happened next.

Here is the ship's deck log from noon to 4 PM for this day:

12-16.  Patrolling as before on base course 083 (t), 085 (psc), at 14 kts. (134 rpm).  

1315  Left LST's as the stood into BORGEN BAY;  commenced patrolling independently on a north to south line 10 miles north of BORGEN BAY.  

1415  Radar contact on unidentified planes bearing 090 (t) at 60 miles.

1430 Planes identified as JAPANESE.  Maneuvering at various courses form in column astern of HUTCHINS and BROWNSON at 25 kts. (250 rpm).

1434  Commenced firing with all batteries on JAPANESE dive bombers (VALS) diving out of the sun.  Maneuvering independently on various courses.  One bomb fell to starboard, distance 400 yards.

1435  BROWNSON hid amidships by several bombs.  Several bombs fell in wake, distance 50 yards.

1437  Ceased firing having shot down two JAPANESE DIVE BOMBERS (VALS).  

1442  Commenced circling BROWNSON on various courses at various speeds.  

1451  BROWNSON sank.  Both boats in the water rescueing BROWNSON personnel. 

1452 BROWNSON depth charges went off .  Knocked main battery out of alignment; lost all electrical power.

1454  All power back.

1455  JAPANESE dive bombers sighted to southward but driven off by our fighters.

1500  All engines stopped, picking up survivors. 

1510 LAMSON stopped close aboard picking up survivors.

1545  All suvivors aboard.  Picked up 168 survivors including Commanding Officer and 10 officers.  Commenced making way standing by to eastward to join HUTCHENS at 20 kts. (196 rpm).

 Brownson appeared to have to have taken a bomb down the smokestack, but it was actually two separate large bombs near the number two stack.  Now destroyers are called "tin cans" for a reason, and these two bombs touched off a huge explosion that blew off most of the main deck, after which Brownson sank quickly.  As the story noted above later spread among the crew, they began to believe that the bombs that destroyed Brownson actually had the Daly's name on them.  John used to say he felt like he was living on borrowed time, mostly due to this incident.

Below is a picture of the explosion of the Brownson after being hit by two bombs.  Note how the ships are very small on the horizon and how high the smoke went from the explosion.  Patrols continued after the sinking and rescue of the crew.

 

 

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 420-422. 
• Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 187-212.
• Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 366-386.
• War at the End of the World, James P. Duffy, pp, 275-277.
  
• Events of December, 1943 
  
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, December 1943

NEXT POST:  DECEMBER 30TH

December 26, 1863 - Saturday - 160 years ago today

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

Some of the needed supplies are sent to Granger's divisions by wagon train on the 24th.  General Grant is hurrying forward supplies for all the troops in East Tennessee, and is planning a visit in person soon.  There is still concern at Washington that East Tennessee not be lost and that Knoxville remains secure; the desire is that Longstreet's Confederates are driven out of the state completely.

Railroads are under repair in Tennessee to ensure sufficient supplies for Chattanooga and East Tennessee, and to create stockpiles for the coming summer advance into Georgia. 

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXI, Chapter XLIII, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 472-509.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 137.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 862-869.
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 1-18.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 442-462.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-413.
  
• Events: 1863
  

NEXT POST:  DECEMBER 30TH

 

December 22, 1943 - Wednesday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) - Milne Bay, New Guinea

December 19th: Reached Milne Bay, New Guinea; underway until the afternoon, anchored rest of day.

December 20th: Moored all day, temperatures 80s, light winds.

December 21st: Moored all day, temperatures high 80s - low 90s, light winds.

December 22nd:  Moored all day, temperatures high 80s - low 90s, light winds.  

Fueling operations for other destroyers were done on the 22nd.  This was in preparation to escort transports and cover landings on the island of New Britain, at Cape Gloucester.  Departure would be on December 23rd.

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

Preparations for the invasion of Kwajalein Atoll and the Marshall Islands are continuing and the invasion will be at the end of January. 

In the Solomons, fighting continues on Bougainville Island.  The Battle of Arawe continues on the southern coast New Britain; the Japanese airstrip there is captured on the 19th.

In Italy, Allied forces continued slowly moving forward against German defensive lines, as the Battle of Ortona began.

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 420-422. 
• Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 187-212.
• Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 366-378.
• War at the End of the World, James P. Duffy, pp, 1-275.
  
• Events of December, 1943 
  
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, December 1943

NEXT POST:  DECEMBER 26TH

December 22, 1863 - Tuesday - 160 years ago today

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

General Granger now has one of his divisions east of Knoxville near Blaine, TN, about 20 mile east of Knoxville. This includes Wagner's brigade with the 40th Indiana.  In a message to General Thomas, he describes a lack of shelter, clothing, supplies and transportation for his troops - due to the hasty departure from Chattanooga for the relief of Knoxville, the division could not take most of the items they had been using.  

Granger requests that the division's wagons, baggage, and other supplies be sent to them (he suggests that his other division of the army be sent to the area with the needed items).  General Grant will not send more troops, but gives orders for the needed items to be provided using river boats from Chattanooga.

-----------

Sherman meets with Grant at his new headquarters in Nashville to discuss the campaigns for the new year.  Sherman wants to return to Mississippi to operate against Confederate forces and infrastructure there.  Sherman gives the orders for his troops to organize for the expedition.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXI, Chapter XLIII, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 444-472.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 137.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 862-869.
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 1-18.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 442-462.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-413.
  
• Events: 1863
  

NEXT POST:  DECEMBER 26TH

 

December 18, 1943 - Saturday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) - Pacific Ocean, destination New Guinea

December 15th: Underway after 7 AM.  Temperatures 80s, light winds.

December 16th: At sea all day.  Reached Espiritu Santo area around noon, refueled in afternoon. Temperatures 80s, light winds.  John was last in this area over a year before, on O'Brien as it was being repaired.

December 17th: At sea all day; at noon, about 200 miles west of Espiritu Santo. Temperatures 80s, light winds.

December 18th:  At sea all day; at noon, about 420 miles WNW of Espiritu Santo.  Destination Milne Bay, New Guinea.  Courses and speeds are being changed regularly to avoid enemy submarines. 

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

Preparations for the invasion of Kwajalein Atoll and the Marshall Islands are continuing and the invasion will be at the end of January. 

In the Solomons, fighting continues on Bougainville Island. Army forces under General MacArthur begin the Battle of Arawe as the first step in the campaign to capture New Britain.

In Italy, Allied forces continued slowly moving forward against German defensive lines, winning the Battle of San Pietro and forcing the German army out of the town.

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 418-419. 
• Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 187-206.
• Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 350-365.
• War at the End of the World, James P. Duffy, pp, 1-275.
  
• Events of December, 1943 
  
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, December 1943

NEXT POST:  DECEMBER 22ND

December 18, 1863 - Friday - 160 years ago today

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

Granger's corps has moved about 15 miles east of Knoxville (near Strawberry Plains, TN) toward Longstreet's Confederate forces.  General Sheridan is placed in charge of this force by General Granger.  Wagner's brigade arrives at Strawberry Plains on the 16th, and proceeds onward to Blain's Cross Roads the same day.

Sherman continues to slowly move his forces back to Chattanooga.  Grant is preparing to move his headquarters back to Nashville and leave General Thomas in command at Chattanooga.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXI, Chapter XLIII, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 412-444.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 137.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 862-869.
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 1-18.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 442-462.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-413.
  
• Events: 1863
  

NEXT POST:  DECEMBER 22ND

December 14, 1943 - Tuesday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) - Pacific Ocean, destination New Guinea

December 11th: At sea all day, temperatures 80s, light winds.  At noon, approximately 1120 miles southwest of Pearl Harbor.

December 12th: At sea all day, temperatures 80s, light winds.  Near equator at noon, about 500 miles north of Funafuti; crossed  equator in the afternoon.

December 13th: Reached Funafuti (now Tuvalu) at 4 PM; changed to time zone GMT +11.  In port the rest of the day.  Temperatures 80s, light to moderate winds.

December 14th:  At sea at 7 AM.  At noon, about 130 mile SE of Funafuti.  Temperatures 80s. light winds.  Next destination is Espiritu Santo (now Vanuatu),

Daly now sailing for the New Guinea/Solomons theater. 

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

On December 5th, Kwajalein Atoll is designated as the main target for the invasion of the Marshall Islands.  Preparations for the invasion will take several weeks and the invasion will happen at the end of January. 

In the Solomons, fighting continues on Bougainville Island.

Soviet forces captured Cherkasy, Ukraine, which is about 90 miles SE of Kiev.

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 417-418. 
• Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 187-206.
• Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 350-360.
• War at the End of the World, James P. Duffy, pp, 1-275.
  
• Events of December, 1943 
  
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, December 1943

NEXT POST:  DECEMBER 18TH

December 14, 1863 - Monday - 160 years ago today

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

On the 11th, General Grant ordered Sherman to return all of his command, except for Granger's two divisions, to Chattanooga.  Granger's divisions (with the 40th Indiana) were to remain at Knoxville for now.  

General Foster, now commanding in Knoxville, is ordered by Grant to pursue Longstreet's Confederates as far east as possible, and to retain Granger's divisions as long as needed. 

On the 12th, Granger sends several missives detailing the reasons he wishes to move from Knoxville back to Chattanooga; his troops left Chattanooga with only scant supplies and were suffering badly as winter came to Knoxville, they had little clothing and few tents.  Nevertheless, they would remain in the city.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXI, Chapter XLIII, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 376-412.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 137.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 862-869. 
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 442-458.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-410.
  
• Events: 1863
  

NEXT POST:  DECEMBER 18TH

December 10, 1943 - Friday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) - Pearl Harbor until 12/9, then in Pacific Ocean, destination New Guinea

December 7th: Moored all day, shifted berths, temperatures 70s, light breezes.

December 8th: Moored all day, temperatures 70s, light breezes.  Several men reported aboard for duty.  Fueling and ammunition loading in afternoon.  Changed berths again, a few men transferred ashore for other assignments.

December 9th: Finished loading ammunition.  Leaving port at 11 AM, destination New Guinea.  Temperatures 70s, light to moderate breezes.  Steaming with Hutchins, Beale, and Ammen.  Changed time zone.

December 10th:  At sea all day.  Lat/Long positions not recorded.  Temperatures 70s-80s, light to moderate breezes.  Initial destination Funafuti (Tuvalu).

Daly has begun sailing for the New Guinea/Solomons theater. 

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

US Navy forces raid the island of Nauru in the South Pacific.

In the Solomons, fighting continues on Bougainville Island.  A US airstrip became operational on the island on the 10th.

Fighting intensified in Italy and continued on the eastern front in Belorussia (Belarus).  President Roosevelt completed the Cairo conference and began his return to the US on battleship Iowa.

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, p. 417. 
• Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 187-203.
• Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 350-360.
• Events of December, 1943 
  
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, December 1943

NEXT POST:  DECEMBER 14TH

December 10, 1863 - Thursday - 160 years ago today

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

Burnside has begun his pursuit of Longstreet's Confederates further east in to Tennessee, while Granger's corps is occupying Knoxville.  Sherman's command has moved part way back to Chattanooga, but is asked to pause his return to see if Longstreet might return back to Knoxville.  On the 9th, Burnside is removed as commander of the Army of the Ohio (a removal he has previously requested), and is replaced by General Foster.

General Granger does not want to remain at Knoxville, as he fears that the roads will prevent his return to Chattanooga once the winter rains have begun.  General Foster is still uncertain if he needs Granger's corps to remain, as Longstreet is rumored to be making a stand at Bristol, TN (100 miles east of Knoxville) and the Union command needs to decide whether to pursue him that far.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXI, Chapter XLIII, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 349-376.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 136-137.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 862-869. 
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 442-458.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-410.
  
• Events: 1863
  

NEXT POST:  DECEMBER 14TH

 

December 6, 1943 - Monday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) - Pearl Harbor

December 3rd: Underway 8 AM to 2 PM, otherwise moored.  Safety drills while at sea.  Temperatures 70s, light to moderate winds.

December 4th: Underway 8 AM to 2 PM, otherwise moored.  Anti-submarine drills at sea.  Temperatures 70s, light winds.

December 5th: At sea from 8 AM for the rest of the day.  Torpedo and radar drills.  Temperatures 70s, light winds.

December 6th:  Returned to port at 11 AM, moored rest of day.  Gunnery and tracking exercises.  Temperatures 70s, light to moderate winds.

Daly will be at Pearl Harbor until December 9th before sailing for the New Guinea/Solomons theater. 

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

Planning was already in progress for the next advance in the Central Pacific into the Marshall Islands, with Kwajalein Island as the focus.  Carriers attack Kwajalein on the 4th, sinking some support ships and damaging two Japanese cruisers.

In the Solomons, fighting continues on Bougainville Island.  A Navy destroyer force (including John's old ship, the Fullam) fought of an air attack from the Japanese.  On land, the perimeter was expanding, but it was slow going.

General Eisenhower is named commander for the Allied Expeditionary Force for the invasion of Europe.  In Italy, fighting continued with an Allied attack along the Moro River.  Soviet troops continued to advance in Belorussia (Belarus). 

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 415-416. 
• Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 187-203.
• Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 350-360.
• Events of December, 1943 
  
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, December 1943

NEXT POST:  DECEMBER 10TH

December 6, 1863 - Sunday - 160 years ago today

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

Sherman's troops were approaching Knoxville, and upon learning this, General Longstreet had raised the siege and moved east of the city; this allows an option to move back into Virginia, as well as back to the Chattanooga area.  Burnside's army leaves Knoxville and pursues the Confederates for 20 miles or so, but goes no further, assuming Longstreet will continue into Virginia - Longstreet did not go east, but remained in Tennessee for now.

Granger's division (including the 40th Indiana) was ordered to reach Little River on the 5th, and proceed to Knoxville to fortify the defenses in case of any Confederate attack.  Sherman would soon move his troops back toward Chattanooga, but Granger's division would remain at Knoxville for the time being.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXI, Chapter XLIII, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 314-349.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 136.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 862-869. 
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 442-458.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-410.
  
• Events: 1863
  

NEXT POST:  DECEMBER 10TH

December 2, 1943 - Thursday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) - Pearl Harbor

November 29th: In port all day.  Temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

November 30th:  In Port all day.  Temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

December 1st: In port all day.  Temperatures 70s, light winds. 

December 2nd:  Underway 8 AM to 8 PM, otherwise moored.  Executed maneuvering and gunnery drills outside of port. Temperatures 70s, light winds.

Daly will be at Pearl Harbor for just over two weeks before sailing for the New Guinea/Solomons theater.  Mild temperatures and calm winds prevailed for these 4 days.

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

John F. Skinner. Jr. was advanced in rank from Coxswain to Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class as of December 1st.  BM2c is the 3rd grade rating, and so by the 1942-46 pay charts John would be receiving $100.80 per month after his promotion.

Planning was already in progress for the next advance in the Central Pacific into the Marshall Islands, with Kwajalein Island as the focus. The invasion date was set for mid-January.  This was a bold decision as several islands occupied by the Japanese would be bypassed, or "leap-frogged" in the terminology of the time.

In the Solomons, fighting continues on Bougainville Island. 

President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill met with Stalin at Tehran, Iran, and then returned to Cairo.  The Declaration from the Cairo conference for the first time demanded unconditional surrender from the Axis powers.

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 413-415. 
• Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 120-186.
• Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 350-360.
• Events of November, 1943
• Events of December, 1943 
  
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, November, 1943 
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, December 1943

NEXT POST:  DECEMBER 6TH

December 2, 1863 - Wednesday - 160 years ago today

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

As Chattanooga had been secured, General Grant sent several forces to East Tennessee to relieve General Burnside's forces under siege at Knoxville.  Three divisions of Sherman's army are sent, as well as Granger's Corps, including Wagner's Brigade with the 40th Indiana.  Sherman has command of the whole force.

Burnside is still entrenched at Knoxville and is confident of holding out.  Union forces got the better of a battle on the previous Sunday, November 29th, against Longstreet's Confederate army.  Granger reports that early on the 3rd he will reach Philadelphia, TN,  just south of Loudon,  Sherman's divisions are further up, and look to reach the Knoxville area on the 3rd or 4th.

Bragg's Confederate forces have moved south into Georgia, and Union forces are consolidating south of Ringgold.  Bragg himself, however, was no longer in command, as he had been relieved on December 1st.  General Hardee was placed in command of the Confederate army..

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXI, Chapter XLIII, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 270-314.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 136.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 862-869. 
• The Shipwreck Of Their Hopes, The Battle Of Chattanooga, Peter Cozzens.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 442-457.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-407.
  
• Events: 1863
  

NEXT POST:  DECEMBER 6TH