March 31, 1944 - Friday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) -New Guinea 

March 28th:  Entered dry dock for repairs;; temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

March 29th: Remained in dry dock all day; temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

March 30th: Remained in dry dock all day; temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

March 31st: Remained in dry dock all day; temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

In dry dock due to collision with dock damaging starboard side.

------------------------- 

Eight Navy aircraft carriers carry out an attack on the Palau Islands, sinking and damaging many auxiliary vessels, including three tankers.  Mines were laid in the islands by carrier aircraft as well.

Fighting continues in Italy at Anzio and at Monte Cassino. Soviet forces continue advancing in Ukraine.

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

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 464-466. 
• New Guinea and the Marianas, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 58-63, 157.
• War at the End of the World, James P. Duffy, pp, 281-293.
  
• Events of March, 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, March 1944

NEXT POST: APRIL 4TH

March 31, 1864 - Thursday - 160 years ago today

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

The 40th Indiana is likely still on furlough during this time.

Confederate cavalry under Forrest are still in Kentucky, moving west toward the Mississippi River after leaving Paducah, KY.  Union forces are searching for them on all their possible lines of movement.

All indications are that the Confederate army in East Tennessee is leaving and going back to Virginia.  This will free up Union troops from duty near Knoxville and allow them to return to Chattanooga.  Wagner's men remain at Loudon, TN.

General Sherman is spending his time getting the railroads in order so that supplies can be carried to Chattanooga for the spring and summer campaign into Georgia.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXII, Chapter XLIV, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 171-213.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 148.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1II, Red River to Appomattox, Shelby Foote, pp. 318-320.
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Retreat With Honor, pp. 247-292.
  
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 79-89.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 462-474.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-466.
  
• Events: 1864
  

NEXT POST:  APRIL 4TH

 

March 27, 1944 - Monday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) -New Guinea 

March 24th: .Anchored most of the day; temperatures 70s-80, breezy mid-day.  Gunnery drills late morning.

March 25th: Anchored all day, temperatures 70s-80, mild winds.

March 26th: Anchored all day, temperatures 70s-80, mild winds.

March 27th: Anchored all day, temperatures 70s-80, mild winds.

Routine days at anchor in Milne Bay, waiting for next assignment.

------------------------- 

Final plans and initial orders are now in place for the operations against Hollandia (Jayapura area) in New Guinea, and for the invasion of the Mariana Islands in the Central Pacific.  The Hollandia operation is set for April, and the Marianas invasion for June. 

Fighting continues in Papua, in New Britain, and in the northern part of the Solomon Islands. Further landings in the Bismarcks continue the surrounding of Rabaul.  Minor islands in the Marshalls are being occupied also.

Fighting continues in Italy at Anzio and at Monte Cassino. 

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

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 463-464. 
• New Guinea and the Marianas, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 58-63, 157.
• War at the End of the World, James P. Duffy, pp, 281-293.
  
• Events of March, 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, March 1944

NEXT POST: MARCH 31ST

March 27, 1864 - Sunday - 160 years ago today

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

On March 24th, John Baer was married to Jeanette (Jenny) Johnson. Jenny was 19 and had been born and lived up to this time in Sheffield Township.  Sheffield Township is north of Stockwell and includes Dayton, IN.  John's age on this day is not recorded; he was orphaned as a young child, so no records can be found that give the date of his birth.

They had decided to marry although John would soon return to the war.  Jenny would live on their farm until John's return. 

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

John's return to the war was perilous; Sherman and Grant had decided to attack continuously, until Confederate forces were broken.  Sherman would advance directly into the western Confederate army and attempt to push it back until Atlanta was won.  This would entail several large battles and numerous skirmishes as Union troops advanced.  The 40th Indiana would be part of this Atlanta campaign.

Confederate cavalry under Nathan Bedford Forrest capture Union City, TN and move toward Paducah, KY.  At Paducah, Forrest captures the town but not the fortifications, and the town is burned as Union troops push Forrest's men out.   Forrest's raids in the west will be constant for the remainder of the war.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXII, Chapter XLIV, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 135-171.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 147-148.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1II, Red River to Appomattox, Shelby Foote, pp. 1-24.
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Retreat With Honor, pp. 247-292.
  
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 79-85.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 462-474.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-466.
  
• Events: 1864
  

NEXT POST:  MARCH 31ST

 

 

March 23, 1944 - Thursday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) -New Guinea 

March 20th: .At sea most of the day; at noon, in southeast part of Vitiaz Strait.  Temperatures 80s, light winds.  Returning to Milne Bay, New Guinea.

March 21st: Anchored or moored all day after 7 AM.  Temperatures 80s-90s, light winds.  Fueling late morning.

March 22nd: At anchor all day.  Temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

March 23rd: At anchor all day.  Temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

Routine days at anchor in Milne Bay, waiting for next assignment.

------------------------- 

Final plans and initial orders are now in place for the operations against Hollandia (Jayapura area) in New Guinea, and for the invasion of the Mariana Islands in the Central Pacific.  The Hollandia operation is set for April, and the Marianas invasion for June. 

Fighting continues in Papua, New Britain, and the northern part of the Solomon Islands.  In the Central Pacific, Chuuk Lagoon (Truk) remains a focus for the naval task forces.

Fighting continues in Italy at Anzio and at Monte Cassino. 

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

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 462-463. 
• New Guinea and the Marianas, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 58-63, 157.
• War at the End of the World, James P. Duffy, pp, 281-293.
  
• Events of March, 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, March 1944

NEXT POST: MARCH 27TH

March 23, 1864 - Wednesday - 160 years ago today

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

John Baer and the 40th Indiana have returned home to Indiana for a month's furlough.  John's later diary entries, which we will come to in time, indicate that he has already purchased a farm, and is no doubt working on it during his time back home.  On the 23rd, he is also anticipating his marriage on the next day, the 24th.

Grant and Sherman continue to plan their respective advances in Virginia and Georgia.  They intend to move forward simultaneously, and to continue to advance, keeping up pressure and not allowing Confederate armies to reinforce each other.  As there are still wintry conditions, the actual advances will still be delayed for several weeks.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXII, Chapter XLIV, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 96-135.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 147.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1II, Red River to Appomattox, Shelby Foote, pp. 1-24.
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Retreat With Honor, pp. 247-292.
  
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 48-79.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 462-474.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-464.
  
• Events: 1864
  

NEXT POST:  MARCH 27TH

 

March 19, 1944 - Sunday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) -New Guinea 

March 16th: .Underway at 1 PM for the rest of the day.  Temperatures 80s-90s, light winds.  Destination is Langenak Bay, New Guinea, near Finschafen.

March 17th: Moored in middle of the day, otherwise at sea.  Temperatures 80s-90s, light winds.  Reached Finschafen, fueling in afternoon.  Resumed movement up the New Guinea coast in the evening.

March 18th: At sea all day. Temperatures 80s-90s, light winds.  Reached area of Wewak, New Guinea in the late evening.

March 19th: At sea all day. Temperatures 80s, light winds.  Daly begins bombardment of land targets in Wewak area early morning; Daly fires torpedo at surface targets and notes explosion, and is credited with sinking a Japanese submarine chaser.

------------------------- 

Final plans and initial orders are now in place for the operations against Hollandia (Jayapura area) in New Guinea, and for the invasion of the Mariana Islands in the Central Pacific.  The Hollandia operation is set for April, and the Marianas invasion for June. 

Fighting continues in Papua, New Britain, and the northern part of the Solomon Islands.  In the Central Pacific, Chuuk Lagoon (Truk) remains a focus for the naval task forces.

Fighting continues in Italy at Anzio and at Monte Cassino. 

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

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 459-461. 
• New Guinea and the Marianas, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 58-63, 157.
• War at the End of the World, James P. Duffy, pp, 281-293.
  
• Events of March, 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, March 1944

NEXT POST: MARCH 23RD

March 19, 1864 - Saturday - 160 years ago today

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

An upcoming event clearly indicates that by now the 40th Indiana has re-enlisted as a veteran regiment for the duration of the war, and has returned home for a months' leave.  General Sherman wants to complete the furlough and return of all the veteran regiments as soon as possible in order to begin the spring and summer campaign.  

In East Tennessee, Schofield is prodded by the aggressive Sherman to advance toward Longstreet and block any advances into Tennessee or Kentucky that the Confederates may contemplate.

Veteran troops are also forwarded from railroad guard duty in Central Tennessee to the Chattanooga area, in order to get the maximum number of troops ready for the advance into Georgia.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXII, Chapter XLIV, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 80-96.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 147.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1II, Red River to Appomattox, Shelby Foote, pp. 1-23.
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Retreat With Honor, pp. 247-259.
  
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 48-66.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 462-473.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-434.
  
• Events: 1864
  

NEXT POST:  MARCH 23RD

March 15, 1944 - Wednesday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) -New Guinea 

March 12th: .Underway for a few hours mid-day; otherwise moored.  Temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.  Transited to Milne Bay, New Guinea.  Fueling in the evening.

March 13th: At anchor all day.  Temperatures 70s-90s.

March 14th: At sea from 9 AM.  Temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.  Conducted training exercises in the afternoon and evening.

March 15th: Moored after 10 AM.  Temperatures 70s-90s, light winds.  Completed training exercises and returned to Milne Bay.

------------------------- 

Final plans and initial orders are now in place for the operations against Hollandia (Jayapura area) in New Guinea, and for the invasion of the Mariana Islands in the Central Pacific.  The Hollandia operation is set for April, and the Marianas invasion for June. 

Fighting continues in Papua, New Britain, and the northern part of the Solomon Islands.  In the Central Pacific, Chuuk Lagoon (Truk) remains a focus for the naval task forces.

Fighting continues in Italy at Anzio and at Monte Cassino.  The monastery atop Monte Cassino is again bombed, but an Allied advance is blunted by Axis troops.

Soviet troops capture Kherson, Ukraine. 

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

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 458-459. 
• New Guinea and the Marianas, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 58-63, 157.
• War at the End of the World, James P. Duffy, pp, 281-293.
  
• Events of March, 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, March 1944

NEXT POST: MARCH 19TH

March 15, 1864 - Tuesday - 160 years ago today

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

 East Tennessee remains static at this time; searching continues for Longstreet's Confederates.  Some troops are ordered to the east, and new regiments are expected, some coming from Indiana.

Grant and Sherman confer in Nashville about the coming campaign, and Grant then returns east to focus on the campaign there; Sherman is entrusted with the advance in Georgia.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXII, Chapter XLIV, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 58-80.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 147.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1II, Red River to Appomattox, Shelby Foote, pp. 1-23.
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Retreat With Honor, pp. 247-259.
  
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 48-66.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 462-473.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-434.
  
• Events: 1864
  

NEXT POST:  MARCH 19TH 

March 11, 1944 - Saturday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) -New Guinea 

March 8th: .At sea until 11 AM, moored rest of day.  Temperatures 80s, light winds.  Returned to Buna Roads, New Guinea.

March 9th: Moored all day, temperatures 80s, light winds.  Received ammunition of all types in the morning.

March 10th: Moored all day, temperatures 80s, light winds.

March 11th: Moored all day, temperatures 80s, light winds.

------------------------- 

Plans are being finalized for the next operations in the Central Pacific, and also in New Guinea.

 Fighting continues in Italy at Anzio and at Monte Cassino. 

Soviet troops continue advances in Russia and Ukraine. 

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

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 456-458. 
• New Guinea and the Marianas, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 1-58.
• War at the End of the World, James P. Duffy, pp, 281-293.
  
• Events of March, 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, March 1944

NEXT POST: MARCH 15TH

March 11, 1864 - Friday - 160 years ago today

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

 No news to report in East Tennessee during these few days.

General Grant goes to Washington to receive his commission as lieutenant-general and meets with the President and with General Meade, who is in command of the eastern armies.  He will remain in the east for the coming year's campaign, but returns to the west on the 3rd to confer with Sherman and the other generals there.

The Red River campaign begins as Union forces push toward Shreveport, LA.  Grant and other generals have recommended that an attack be made on Mobile, AL instead, but this expedition is begun.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXII, Chapter XLIV, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 37-58.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 146-147.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1II, Red River to Appomattox, Shelby Foote, pp. 1-20.
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 48-66.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 462-471.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-429.
  
• Events: 1864
  

NEXT POST:  MARCH 15TH 

 

March 7, 1944 - Tuesday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) -New Guinea

March 4th: .Underway all day; temperatures 80s, light winds. At noon, north of Admiralty Islands.  Daly proceeds with other ships to bombard Hauwei Island at the entrance to Seeadler Harbor.  Daly fires 5-inch guns on shore batteries at about 5 PM.  Patrolling rest of day.

March 5th: Moored in the morning, at sea the rest of the day; temperatures 80s, light winds.  At noon, north of Admiralty Islands.  Patrolling north of Admiralty Islands between the islands and the equator.

March 6th: At sea all day; temperatures 80s, light winds.  At noon, north of Admiralty Islands.  Continuing patrol in assigned area.

March 7th: At sea all day; temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.  At noon, north of Admiralty Islands.  Patrolling in morning; bombardment of Ndrilo Island late afternoon.  Resumed patrol the rest of the day.

------------------------- 

Allied forces in New Guinea have completed the capture of the Huon Peninsula. Preparations begin for advances on Madang and Wewak areas

 Fighting continues in Italy at Anzio and at Monte Cassino. 

Soviet troops continue advances in Russia and Ukraine. 

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

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 455-456. 
• New Guinea and the Marianas, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 1-58.
• Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 444-448.
• War at the End of the World, James P. Duffy, pp, 281-293.
  
• Events of March, 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, March 1944

NEXT POST: MARCH 11TH

March 7, 1864 - Monday - 160 years ago today

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

Granger's corps remains at Loudon, TN as they are still needed to defend Knoxville in the event of a Confederate attack.  Granger's cavalry, however, is ordered back the Chattanooga area, and starts for Cleveland, TN.

Grant being ordered to Washington to assume command of all Union armies, Sherman heads for Tennessee where he will command the later advance into Georgia.  General McPherson takes command of the Mississippi River area in Sherman's stead.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXII, Chapter XLIV, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 13-37.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 145-146.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 923-966.
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 48-63.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 462-470.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-423.
  
• Events: 1864
  

NEXT POST:  MARCH 11TH

March 3, 1944 - Friday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) -New Guinea

February 29th: Daly is with a group of light cruisers, destroyers and transports en route to the Admiralty Islands to land troops on Los Negros island.  Shore bombardment began just before 8 AM in support of the landings.  Patrolling offshore for the rest of the day after landings completed.  Temperatures 70s-80s, mild winds.

March 1st: A Task force left the Admiralty Islands and returned to Buna Roads, New Guinea by 2 PM.  Anchored for the rest of the day.  Fueling in late afternoon. Temperatures 80s, light winds.

March 2nd: Anchored until 10 PM and the sailed out of the harbor with the task force from the Admiralty Islands invasion.  Temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

March 3rd: At sea all day, returned to the Los Negros Island area for anti-submarine and anti-aircraft patrol.  Temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

The Admiralty Islands had been on the mind General MacArthur for several months; they had land for several airstrips and an excellent harbor (Seeadler Harbor).  Although the invasion had been planned for April, MacArthur moved the action up to the end of February as overflying planes encountered only light anti-aircraft fire.  The initial invasion point was on Los Negros Island - very near the largest island in the chain, Manus Island.

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

Northeast New Guinea - the Admiralty Islands are at the top right (Lorengau is near the invasion site).

 

Los Negros Island, Admiralty Islands - initial invasion was near Momote (lower right)

 ------------------------- 

Allied forces in New Guinea have completed the capture of the Huon Peninsula.

 Fighting continues in Italy at Anzio and at Monte Cassino. 

Soviet troops continue advances in Russia and Ukraine. 

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

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 453-455. 
• New Guinea and the Marianas, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 1-58.
• Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 432-444.
• War at the End of the World, James P. Duffy, pp, 281-293.
  
• Events of February, 1944
• Events of March, 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, February 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, March 1944

NEXT POST: MARCH 7TH

 

 

 

 

 

March 3, 1864 - Thursday - 160 years ago today

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

February ends with Wagner's brigade at Loudon, TN.  There is still uncertainty as to Longstreet's position; when it is determined he has moved away from East Tennessee, Granger's corps will return to Chattanooga.  Nothing in messages regarding leave for veteran regiments as of yet.

General Grant is made Lieutenant-General by Congress on the recommendation of the President, and on the 3rd he is ordered to Washington, D. C. to assume leadership of all the Union armies.

Sherman's raid into Mississippi is completed and declared a success.  Sherman is making a short visit to New Orleans to coordinate strategy in that area before returning to Tennessee.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXII, Chapter XLIV, Part II, Correspondence, pp. 494-505.
• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXII, Chapter XLIV, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 1-13.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 144-145.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 923-966.
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 48-63.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 462-470.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-423.
  
• Events: 1864
  

NEXT POST:  MARCH 7TH