October 29, 1944 - Sunday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) - Seeadler Harbor

October 26th:.  Patrolling in Leyte Gulf all day.  Fueling in afternoon.  Enemy aircraft attacked in the evening, no damage. Temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

October 27th:  Patrolling in Leyte Gulf all day.  Searching for sonar contacts in the morning.  Rescued downed pilot in the afternoon.    Temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

October 28th:  On patrol all day in Leyte Gulf, fueling in afternoon. Temperatures 70s, moderate breezes.

October 29th:   On patrol all day in Leyte Gulf.  Temperatures 70s-80s, light breezes changing to gale force winds up to 40 knots late evening with heavy weather and rain squalls.  

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

The Battle of Leyte Gulf concluded on October 26th.  Japanese losses are severe; 4 carriers (including Zuikaku, the last carrier from the Pearl Harbor raid), 3 battleships, 10 cruisers and 9 destroyers.  More Japanese ships are damaged and some are sunk in the following days.

US Navy losses are 3 small carriers, 2 destroyers, 1 destroyer escort and 1 PT boat.  However, a new and terrifying phenomenon begins as the Japanese send Kamikaze aircraft against US Navy ships, and sink light carrier St. Lo.  The danger from these attacks will get much worse and last for the rest of the war.

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

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 565-568.
• Leyte, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 148-312.
  
• Events of October, 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, October 1944

NEXT POST: NOVEMBER 2ND

October 29, 1864 - Saturday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Stanley's Corps - Wagner's Division - Lane's Brigade

On the 26th, General Sherman orders Stanley's entire corps back to Chattanooga and to report to General Thomas in the defense of Tennessee.  As noted below, Wagner's division has almost reached Trenton, GA with some long marches on the 28th and 29th.  This order was somewhat fortuitous for John Baer, as his enlistment was up soon and he might be able to return home.  If he had been with Sherman in Georgia, this would not have been possible.  

Sherman also sent the Army of the Ohio, under General Schofield, back to Tennessee as well.  This would ensure a solid defense against a Confederate advance into Tennessee.

General Hood ended up near Tuscumbia, AL with his army, and paused there while he awaited his cavalry under Forrest to join his army.  Forrest was causing his usual havoc in Tennessee, capturing and destroying Union gunboats on the river.  He would soon bring his cavalry back to the army and the Confederate advance into Tennessee would begin.

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John Baer Diary Entries - text in white, comments in blue. - October 26th to 29th.

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DIARY ENTRY - Wednesday, October 26th, 1864

Sent out a forage train.  Got orders to move before it returned.  Moved camp about an mile.  Provost took up quarters in a house.  Rained during the night.  Forage train returned with a fine lot of potatoes.

 

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DIARY ENTRY - Thursday, October 27th, 1864

Weather cloudy.  Nothing going on of importance.  Remained in quarters pretty much all day.  Received marching orders, destination Whitesides or Wahatchie.  Battery and supply train came up - made preparations to run a couple of miles but marching put a check to it.

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DIARY ENTRY - Friday, October 28th, 1864

Reveille at 5 o’clock A.M.  Breakfast at 6 o’clock, struck tents, loaded baggage, drew rations and were on the march by seven-thirty.  Ascended Lookout Mountain, crossed Little river and halted for dinner.  Move four miles and crossed Big Little river at Little Falls.  The water falls about 80 feet over a cliff.  Moved on to the foot of the mountain, into Wills Valley and camped at the valley head.

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DIARY ENTRY - Saturday, October 29th, 1864

Marched from the valley head at 7 A.M. and went to within 4 miles of Trenton where we camped for the night, having made a march of 21 miles.  In the afternoon we had to take charge of the battery by direction of General Grose.

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

 

The division moves back north toward Chattanooga and would rejoin General Thomas instead of going on Sherman's march through Georgia.

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More Information:

•  Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXIX, Chapter LI, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 439-509.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 182-183.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1II, Red River to Appomattox, Shelby Foote, p. 618-619.
  
• Shrouds of Glory: From Atlanta to Nashville, Winston Groom, pp 99-101.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, p. 641.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 634-642.
  
• Events: 1864   
  

 

NEXT POST:  NOVEMBER 2ND

October 25, 1944 - Wednesday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) - Seeadler Harbor

October 22nd:. At sea all day supporting operations in Leyte Gulf.  Temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

October 23rd:  Again operating in Leyte Gulf.  Fueling in afternoon.  Temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

October 24th:  In Leyte Gulf.  Late evening deployed for battle against approaching Japanese fleet.  Temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

October 25th:  Japanese fleet approaching about 2:30 AM.  PT boats attack first, followed by destroyers.  Daly with 4 other destroyers commenced torpedo attack at about 3:30 AM, then fired on enemy ships.  Temperatures 70s-80s, light breezes.  

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

Daly took part in the Battle of Surigao Strait as part of the destroyer attacks.  Three Japanese battleships and three destroyers were sunk during the action.   This was part of the larger battle all around the Philippines in which many Japanese ships were sunk, including Musashi (with sister ship Yamato the most powerful battleships in the world), and three Japanese carriers.

A mistake or miscommunication in the fleet left the landing areas uncovered except for a few destroyers, destroyer escorts and small carriers.  The Japanese Central Force, thought to have turned back after losing Musashi, reversed course and could have devastated the troops in the landing zone at Leyte.  The heroism of this handful of small ships in turning back this large battleship/heavy cruiser fleet is told in the book The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors.

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

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 559-565.
• Leyte, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 148-312.
  
• Events of October, 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, October 1944
• The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors, James D. Hornfischer

NEXT POST: OCTOBER 29TH

October 25, 1864 - Tuesday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Stanley's Corps - Wagner's Division - Lane's Brigade

The Union army remains mostly in place during these days, and is unaware that General Hood has started a march to the north in an attempt to cross into Tennessee and attack Union forces there.  Hood diverts his army west at Guntersville, AL as he finds he cannot cross the Tennessee river there.

Sherman,while making preparations for the march across Georgia, keeps the army in place for the moment as he feels the current location allow him to block any Confederate advance on Chattanooga or Atlanta.

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John Baer Diary Entries - text in white, comments in blue. - October 22nd to 25th.

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DIARY ENTRY - Saturday, October 22nd, 1864

Marched at 6 o’clock A.M. and proceeded up the mountain - saw three houses in going a distance of 12 miles.  Reached the valley about 1 o’clock P.M. and went into camp.

 

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DIARY ENTRY -  Sunday, October 23rd, 1864

Remained in camp all day.  Forage train went out - brought in potatoes, turnips, onions and apples.  Party brought cattle, sheep and hogs.  Hogs and sheep slaughtered for the brigade.

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DIARY ENTRY - Monday, October 24th, 1864

General began to grow uneasy on account of our exposed positions and we were ordered to be ready to march at 12 o’clock P.M. to recross the mountain.  We were making headquarters at rebels’ houses.  The old Gentleman’s name was Winster and he owned about 30 Negroes big and little, and when they got wind that we were going back, the broke through the weeds like a flock of quails with the intention of going along, but were nearly all sent back as we had no means of subsisting them.  Did not get down the mountain until after dark - lost part of our cattle, all of our hogs, and two or three sheep.  One wagon upset - all but the hogs were recovered the next day.

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DIARY ENTRY - Tuesday, October 25th, 1864

Remained in camp at the foot of the mountain - sent out foragers but they returned bringing nothing but potatoes.  Received mail - only a few letters for the company, none for me.  Some talk of a move, but no move.

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

 

The regiment remains in the Alpine, AL area during this time.

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More Information:

•  Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXIX, Chapter LI, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 394-439.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 182.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1II, Red River to Appomattox, Shelby Foote, p. 616-618.
  
• Shrouds of Glory: From Atlanta to Nashville, Winston Groom, pp 99-100.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 641-.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 634-.
  
• Events: 1864   
  

 

NEXT POST:  OCTOBER 29TH

October 21, 1944 - Saturday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) - Seeadler Harbor

October 18th:. At sea all day with fleet proceeding toward the Philippines. Temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

October 19th:  Another day at sea with the fleet.  By night time, fleet has reached the area near the Philippines.  Temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

October 20th:  Operated in Leyte Gulf all day.  Bombarded shore positions, and supported landings on Dio Island and the main landings on Leyte.  Some Japanese aircraft attacking the fleet. Temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

October 21st:  Supporting operations in Leyte Gulf, including shore bombardments.  Some air attacks during the day, one cruiser damaged.  Temperatures 70s-80s, light breezes.  

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

On the 20th, General MacArthur fulfilled his promise to return to the Philippines, as he strode onshore at Leyte.  The main force of troops was landed on the 20th, with landings continuing the next day.  

The bulk of the Japanese fleet was moving toward Leyte to contest the invasion.  The US carriers continued to attack all around the islands, and sank a number of Japanese ships.  Several US Navy ships were damaged during this time.

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

Allied forces captured Belgrade, Yugoslavia on the 20th.  The Battle of Aachen concluded on the 21st as the Allies occupied the city.  The Greek government in exile returned to Athens.

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

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 557-559.
• Leyte, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 122-148.
  
• Events of October, 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, October 1944

NEXT POST: OCTOBER 25TH

October 21, 1864 - Friday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Stanley's Corps - Wagner's Division - Lane's Brigade 

By the 22nd, General Hood has moved the Confederate army to Gadsden, AL, and has conferred with his new department commander, General P. G. T. Beauregard.  He has gotten approval from the general for his proposed attack into Tennessee.  He is preparing to move north toward Tennessee soon.

General Sherman has moved most of his army toward Gadsden but has not approached the town.  Sherman has realized that Hood is no longer interested in cutting his supply lines.  Sherman now commands his armies to prepare for the march through Georgia, planned to start on November 1st.  As part of this, he decides that the 4th army corps (with Wagner's division including 40th Indiana) will move to Tennessee, and report to General Thomas, who has been tasked with defending the state with the troops not taken south by Sherman.

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John Baer Diary Entries - text in white, comments in blue. - October 18th to 21st.

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DIARY ENTRY - Tuesday, October 18th, 1864

Was aroused at 5 A.M. with orders to be ready to march at 6:00.  Marched to the depot and was informed that our destination was Chattanooga, with orders to march there.  Arrived at Chattanooga about 12:00.  Received a letter before I got off the train - the first one in over four months.  Went to Blake’s restaurant and took dinner.  Thence to Brigade Headquarters - drew one day’s rations and about 3:00 P.M. marched out without knowing where we were going.  Some supposed to Rossville, others to Gorden Mills.  Marched 11 miles and went into camp about 8 o’clock with orders to march at 8 o’clock A.M. the following morning - this settled the question in regard to Rossville and Gorden Mills as we had passed the one and were within a mile and a half of the other, and we had also brought out a drove of cattle destined for the army.

 

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DIARY ENTRY -  Wednesday, October 19th, 1864

Breakfasted at a reasonable hour, struck tents and loaded baggage and were ready to march at the appointed hour, but the order was countermanded, and we rested a couple of hours.  Marched a few miles and rested for dinner.  Continued our march in the afternoon and arrived within a mile of Lafayette, Georgia, and went into camp.

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DIARY ENTRY -  Thursday, October 20th, 1864

Continued the march at daylight - destination some miles.  Went to take a nearer route about noon and ran into Schofield column - returned to the old route.  Halted for dinner, marched about a mile and a half and camped for the night.  Drew two days’ rations, had sweet potatoes, fresh pork, and honey for supper.  Orders to march at 6 o’clock A.M. tomorrow morning, returned to rest after having roasted some pork for breakfast.

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DIARY ENTRY - Friday, October 21st, 1864

Marched at 6 o’clock A.M. in the direction of Alpine, Alabama.  Arrived at Alpine about 12:00 P.M.  Here we struck the route of the army and halted for dinner.  The 1st Brigade remained there and our Brigade was ordered to Williams Valley.  Marched about 3 miles and camped at the foot of Lookout Mountain.

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

 

Wagner's brigade is ordered to rejoin Sherman's army, and they march out through LaFayette, GA to Alpine, AL which is near the current DeSoto State Park.  They then march a few miles west to Wills Valley and camp,  The remain there on the lookout for any movements of the Confederate army.  They have marched 40 miles or so since leaving Chattanooga.

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More Information:

•  Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXIX, Chapter LI, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 346-394.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 181-182.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1II, Red River to Appomattox, Shelby Foote, p. 616.
  
• Shrouds of Glory: From Atlanta to Nashville, Winston Groom, pp 96-100.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 640-641.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 633-634.
  
• Events: 1864   
  

 

NEXT POST:  OCTOBER 25TH

October 17, 1944 - Tuesday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) - Seeadler Harbor

October 14th:. At sea all day patrolling with the fleets. Temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

October 15th: For the first time the deck log entry contains the destination of Leyte, Philippines.  Daly continues with the fleet all day.  Temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

October 16th: Underway all day.  Several destroyers refueling from heavy cruisers in the fleet. Temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

October 17th: Underway all day, refueled in the morning from cruiser Phoenix.  Temperatures 70s-80s, light breezes.  

Landings are conducted on the islands at the entrance to Leyte Gulf in an attempt to keep the element of surprise; however, a warning is transmitted by a station on one of the islands gives the Japanese a forewarning of the invasion.

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

Riga, Latvia falls to the Soviets on the 15th.  Soviet forces also attempt to enter East Prussia. 

US forces begin a move toward Bologna, Italy. 

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

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 554-557.
• Leyte, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 100-122.
  
• Events of October, 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, October 1944

NEXT POST: OCTOBER 21ST

October 17, 1864 - Monday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Stanley's Corps - Wagner's Division - Lane's Brigade 

Having broken up the railroad from Resaca to Tunnel Hill, Hood has moved west and encamps for two days as Sherman's army follows him.  Hood intends to give battle to Sherman in this area; he polls his commanders, and is disappointed when they all say that the army is not ready.  He then decides to move west into Alabama, just as Sherman's force begins to arrive in the area.  Not knowing that Hood has moved west again, Sherman prepares to attack.

On the 15th, Wagner is ordered to Bridgeport, AL to protect the river between there and Chattanooga from any attacks from Hood's army.  They arrive on the 17th.  Current orders are they are to be relieved in Bridgeport, and then return to Sherman's army in central Georgia.

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John Baer Diary Entries - text in white, comments in blue. - October 14th to 17th.

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DIARY ENTRY -  Friday, October 14th, 1864

No entry.

 

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DIARY ENTRY -  Saturday, October 15th, 1864

Brigade was ordered to be ready to march at 12 o’clock - as Brigade Headquarters baggage did not go, I was left to take charge of the guard that remained behind.  Brigade went to Ringgold where it arrived about 1 o’clock P.M. and awaited orders.

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DIARY ENTRY -  Sunday, October 16th, 1864

Nothing worthy of note occurred in the forepart of the day - exciting rumors prevailed in regard to the movements of the army.  Little apprehension is felt in regard to the safety of Chattanooga.  Brigade returned from Ringgold with orders to proceed to Bridgeport.  The Lieutenant Commander of the company not being well, I was relieved from my command in Chattanooga and sent with the company.

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DIARY ENTRY -  Monday, October 17th, 1864.   

Boarded the train at day light and shoved out for Bridgeport.  At Whitesides met the trains from Nashville.  Arrived at Bridgeport about 11 o’clock A.M. and stacked arms.  Received not instructions what to do or where to go, until about sundown we received an order for a guard for horses - when I found that the staff had taken quarters in the cars accordingly.  When we had finished supper I took the company to the train and took shelter - also as it had the appearance of rain.

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

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

More Information:

•  Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXIX, Chapter LI, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 266-346.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 181.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1II, Red River to Appomattox, Shelby Foote, pp. 613-616.
  
• Shrouds of Glory: From Atlanta to Nashville, Winston Groom, pp 78-96.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, p. 640.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 630-633.
  
• Events: 1864   
  

 

NEXT POST:  OCTOBER 21ST

October 13, 1944 - Friday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) - Seeadler Harbor

October 10th:. Anchored all day at Seeadler Harbor  Temperatures 80s, light winds.

October 11th: Fleet underway toward the Philippines.  Daly in anti-submarine screen.  Temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

October 12th: Underway all day and reached Hollandia in the afternoon and anchored.  Radar exercises in the morning while at sea. Temperatures 70s-80s, light to moderate winds.

October 13th: Left port in the early afternoon; patrolling with fleet rest of day.  Temperatures 70s-80s, light breezes.  

Carrier strikes on the 10th at Okinawa and nearby result in the sinking of a number of cargo and support ships.  Similar attacks are done at Formosa on the 12th  with more japanese ships sunk.  Carrier Franklin is damaged by a kamikaze but remains on duty, and heavy cruiser Canberra is torpedoed and put under tow as the task forces retire.  Light cruiser Houston also needed to be towed.

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

Fighting continues on all major fronts in Europe; France, Northern Italy,  Romania, Poland and Finland. The Germans are stymied or pushed back in each area.  Athens was liberated on the 13th. 

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

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 552-554.
• Leyte, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 86-100.
  
• Events of October, 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, October 1944

NEXT POST: OCTOBER 17TH

October 13, 1864 - Thursday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Stanley's Corps - Wagner's Division - Lane's Brigade 

General Sherman was following the Confederate army as it headed north through Georgia.  Sherman reached Kingston on the 11th-12th, and continued moving units northward to help defend Resaca and Dalton.  

Hood sent his forces northward quickly; General Wagner, at Ringgold, heard news of Confederate cavalry in the area and made preparations for defense, and also for retreating back to Chattanooga in the face of a superior force.  Hood captured Dalton, GA, and tore up the railroad from Resaca to Tunnel Hill, after which he avoided a major battle by drawing back to the LaFayette, GA area.

Sherman continues northward with most of his force, but is not able to bring it to bear on Hood as of the 13th.

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John Baer Diary Entries - text in white, comments in blue - October 10 to October 13.

No diary entries during this time.

More Information:

•  Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXIX, Chapter LI, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 174-266.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 181.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1II, Red River to Appomattox, Shelby Foote, p. 613.
  
• Shrouds of Glory: From Atlanta to Nashville, Winston Groom, pp 73-.78
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, p. 640.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 628-630.
  
• Events: 1864   
  

 

NEXT POST:  OCTOBER 17TH

October 9, 1944 - Monday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) - Seeadler Harbor

October 6th:. Once again in port all day, waiting to start for Leyte Gulf.  Some torpedo detonators received in the morning.  Temperatures 80s, light winds.

October 7th: Anchored in port all day.  Carrier Midway arrived in the morning. Temperatures 80s, light to moderate breezes.

October 8th: Another uneventful day in port  Temperatures 70s-80s, moderate breezes.

October 9th: Another quiet day at Seeadler Harbor.  Temperatures 80s-90s, light breezes.  

Four large carrier task forces, acting in concert, are approaching Okinawa and nearby islands in the Ryukyu Island chain.

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

Fighting continues on all major fronts in Europe; France, Northern Italy,  Romania, Poland and Finland. The Germans are stymied or pushed back in each area.

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

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 550-552.
• Leyte, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 54-116.
  
• Events of October, 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, October 1944

NEXT POST: OCTOBER 13TH

October 9, 1864 - Sunday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Stanley's Corps - Wagner's Division - Lane's Brigade

In Georgia, the Union forces continue to search for the bulk of Hood's Confederate army.  Hood had first gone to the area around Dallas, GA and then had decided to move north.  By the 9th, Sherman is still unaware of the location of Hood's army, and has all his forces on the lookout for where it is going.

In Tennessee, General Thomas is at Nashville, and commanding several small forces in pursuit of Forrest's Confederate Cavalry, who have done much damage in Tennessee.  Forrest eventually escapes with most of his men over the Tennessee River to the south, and contact is lost by the Union forces.

The 40th Indiana remains near Chattanooga, but does not seem to be very active at this time, perhaps indicated by the lack of diary entries below.  The other main focus of the Union armies is the restoration of the railroad from Chattanooga to Atlanta. as flooding has washed out several of the main bridges on the route.

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John Baer Diary Entries - text in white, comments in blue - October 1st to October 5.

No diary entries during this time.

More Information:

•  Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXIX, Chapter LI, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 104-174.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 180-181.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1II, Red River to Appomattox, Shelby Foote, pp. 612-613.
  
• Shrouds of Glory: From Atlanta to Nashville, Winston Groom, pp 70-73.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 638-640.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 625-628.
  
• Events: 1864   
  

 

NEXT POST:  OCTOBER 13TH

October 5, 1944 - Thursday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) - Seeadler Harbor

October 2nd:. Remaining in port at Seeadler Harbor.  Temperatures 80s, moderate breezes.

October 3rd: Left port during the day for anti-submarine patrol and gunnery exercises before returning to harbor.  Temperatures 80s, light to moderate breezes.

October 4th: Again put out to sea for gunnery, making smoke, and torpedo exercises before returning to port. Temperatures 80s, moderate breezes.

October 5th: Stayed in port all day and received fuel late morning,  Temperatures 80s-90s, reached 100 mid-day, light breezes.

Fleet is exercising for the upcoming invasion of the Philippines.  Many ships are arriving at the harbor, including transports. 

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

The battle for Aachen, Germany began on the Western Front. Soviet troops begin an offensive to isolate German forces in the Baltic countries.

Morotai was secured on the 4th but occasional skirmishes continued.

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

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 548-550.
• Leyte, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 85-116.
  
• Events of October, 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, October 1944

NEXT POST: OCTOBER 9TH

October 5, 1864 - Wednesday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Stanley's Corps - Wagner's Division - Lane's Brigade

General Thomas arrives in Nashville and begins to coordinate the defenses in Tennessee and northern Georgia.  Forces are sent to find Forrest's cavalry, which has entered Tennessee and is several thousand strong.  Forrest breaks some rail lines but the Union is usually able to repair these relatively quickly.  General Newton having now moved to his new command in the East, General Wagner has taken over his division near Chattanooga.

Near Atlanta, General Hood moves his Confederate army north with the intent to cut Sherman's supply lines.  Sherman sends most of his force to the northwest of the city, and re-occupies Kennesaw Mountain.  An intense battle is fought at Allatoona, GA with both sides suffering significant casualties, but the town remains in Union hands.

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John Baer Diary Entries - text in white, comments in blue - October 1st to October 5.

No diary entries during this time.

More Information:

•  Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXIX, Chapter LI, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 25-104.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 179-180.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1II, Red River to Appomattox, Shelby Foote, pp. 608-612.
  
• Shrouds of Glory: From Atlanta to Nashville, Winston Groom, pp 65-70.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 638-640.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 621-625.
  
• Events: 1864   
  

 

NEXT POST:  OCTOBER 9TH

October 1, 1944 - Sunday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) - Seeadler Harbor

September 28th:. En route from Woendi to Seeadler Harbor, New Guinea.  Fleet exercises in morning; afternoon exercises canceled due to heavy weather.  Temperatures 80s, moderate breezes.

September 29th: Reached Seeadler Harbor in early morning.  Passed through degaussing range, entered port and took on fuel.  Temperatures 70s-80s, light breezes.

September 30th: In port all day, heavy weather reducing visibility.  Temperatures 70s-80s, moderate breezes.

October 1st: Stayed in port all day with Task Forces 74 and 75.  Temperatures 80s, light to moderate breezes.

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

Soviet forces move on Belgrade.  The Germans surrender Calais to Canadian forces.  Allied forces in Italy begin to move toward Bologna. 

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

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 547-548.
• Leyte, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 54-85.
  
• Events of September, 1944
• Events of October, 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, September 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, October 1944

NEXT POST: OCTOBER 5TH

October 1, 1864 - Saturday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Stanley's Corps - Newton's Division - Wagner's Brigade

In addition to the troops (including the 40th Indiana) that were sent to Chattanooga, a division under General Thomas was sent to Nashville to protect Central Tennessee.  General Grant also sends all reserves and new regiments to Nashville to build up Thomas's army.  

The intent is that if Hood moves north that Thomas will be there, and Sherman will be free to move in Georgia, subsisting off the land until new supply lines are established from the south and west.  Hood has moved around Atlanta and is moving toward the railroad north of the city.  Sherman is preparing to give chase  with his remaining forces around Atlanta.

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John Baer Diary Entries - text in white, comments in blue. - September 28th to October 1st.

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DIARY ENTRY -  Wednesday, September 28th, 1864

Established Headquarters and made preparations to camp.  Rained all afternoon.  Went to meeting at night but took sick and went to quarters.

 

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DIARY ENTRY -  Thursday, September 29th, 1864

Moved quarters and put up camp.  Nothing important or interesting occurred.

 

Last entry until October 15th.

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DIARY ENTRY -  Friday, September 30th, 1864

 No entry.

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DIARY ENTRY -  Saturday, October 1st, 1864.   

No entry. 

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More Information:

•  Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXIX, Chapter LI, Part II, Correspondence, pp. 501-564. 
•  Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXIX, Chapter LI, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 1-25.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 179-180.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1II, Red River to Appomattox, Shelby Foote, pp. 607-608.
  
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, p, 552.
• Shrouds of Glory: From Atlanta to Nashville, Winston Groom, pp 64-65.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 637-638.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 619-621.
  
• Events: 1864   
  

 

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