On This Day - 3rd February Prev / Next
Sunday February 3 1861
- Former law partners, Judah Benjamin and John Slidell, from Louisiana, leave Washington, DC, and their Senate positions, for Baton Rouge, LA.
Monday February 3 1862
- The following are appointed Union Brigadier Generals:
- John Wynn Davidson, USA
- William Scott Ketcham, USA
- Thomas Francis Meagher, USA
- The call goes out for 71,000 volunteers from the State of Missouri for Confederate service.
- Federal reconnaissance to Occoquan Village, VA, by Col. Stephen G. Champlin, 3rd MI Infantry.
Tuesday February 3 1863
- Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's, USA, forces cut a path through the levee on the Yazoo River, near Yazoo Pass, AR, for transporting troops north of Vicksburg, MS.
- The capture of the Confederate steamers Baker, Berwick Bay, and the Moro by the Union Ram Queen of the West, near Vicksburg, MS.
- Skirmish at Mingo Swamp, MO.
- Attack on Fort Donelson, TN, by Confederate Cavalry under Brig. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, CSA, and Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler, CSA, is repulsed with skirmishing at Cumberland Iron-Works, TN.
- Federal expedition from Murfreesborough to Auburn, Liberty, and Alexandria, TN. (Feb 3-5)
Wednesday February 3 1864
- Federal expedition aboard the steamers, J.M. Brown and Red Chief, from Brashear City, LA, up Grand Lake into Lac Fausse Pointe, and into Grand River, etc. The Federals confiscate Rebel supplies and food, etc. (Feb 3-6)
- The Meridian, MS, Expedition, and co-operating expeditions from Memphis, TN, and up the Yazoo River, to destroy Rebel railroads, and etc., in the vicinity. (Feb 3-Mar 6)
- Gen. William T. Sherman's, USA, column advances from Vicksburg, MS, to be joined by Brig. Gen. William S. Smith's, USA Cavalry, the start of the Meridian, MS, Expedition.
- Action at Liverpool Heights, Yazoo River, MS.
- The Confederate capture and burning of the US steamer, Levi, on the Kanawha River, at Red House Landing, WV, at 5 a.m. in the morning as everybody aboard was asleep.
Friday February 3 1865
- Skirmish at Ladd's House, Hog Jaw Valley, AL, with guerrillas, who skedaddle into the mountains. (Feb 3-4)
- Federal scout against the party of Indians suspected of being Kiowas and Comanches, from Fort Larned to South Fork of Pawnee Creek and Buckner's Branch, KS. (Feb 3-8)
- Maryland, New York, and West Virginia become the 4th, 5th, and 6th states to ratify the 13th amendment which abolishes slavery.
- The Confederate District of North Mississippi and West Tennessee is formed, and Brig. Gen. Marcus J. Wright, CSA, is assigned to its command.
- The Confederate District of South Mississippi and East Tennessee is formed, and Brig. Gen. Wirt Adams, CSA, is assigned to its command.
- The detachment Army of the Tennessee, commanded by Maj. Gen. Andrew J. Smith, USA, is ordered from the Dept. of the Cumberland to the Military Division of West Mississippi.
- The 7th Division, Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi, is ordered from the Dept. of the Cumberland to the Military Division of West Mississippi.
- Federal scouts in La Fayette County, MO, killing bushwackers and guerrillas. (Feb 3-8)
- Skirmish at Dillingham's Cross-Roads or Duck Branch, SC.
- Action at Rivers' Bridge, Salkehatchie River, SC, as Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman's, USA, 17th US Army Corps press on northward towards the state capital of Columbia.
- President Abraham Lincoln and Secretary of State William Seward meet with Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens, John A. Campbell, and R.M.T. Hunter to discuss peace proposals. Lincoln reiterates there will be no peace until the southern states recognize the Federal government as the only national government, which the southern states are a part of it.
- Affair near Harper's Ferry, WV, where a Confederate force derail a train on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. In a fit of rage, the commanding Union officer accuses the Lieut. in charge, of derelict of duty, if not drunk then full of opium all the time, feels it would be a waste of time to court martial him, and suggests a quick solution - hang him.
On This Day information kindly provided by Martin Cross, 2nd U.S. Artillery, Bty B.