TOCWOC – A Civil War Blog

Month: April 2012

  • The Mobile Campaign Part 4

    Croxton’s Tuscaloosa Expedition With his mind set on beating Forrest to Selma Wilson did not forget other important targets in the area. On 30 March he detached BG John Croxton’s brigade for a strike at Tuscaloosa. Croxton’s instructions “take the most direct route to Tuscaloosato destroy the bridge, factories, mills, university (military school) and whatever […]

  • The Mobile Campaign Part 3

    Advance on Spanish Fort Delays in the march and efforts to unify his entire force required Canby to remain on the Fish River for longer than expected. The Confederate defenders used the hesitation to make some moves of their own. On March 23rd the 16th Confederate Cavalry, commanded by COL Philip Spence,moved out from the […]

  • The Mobile Campaign Part 2

    West Shore Diversion In order to create confusion and the widest possible dispersion of defending troops 1700 troops of 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, XVI Corps departed Dauphin Island on steamers and were landed at Cedar Point on the Western shore of the bay on the 18th. The small Confederate force guarding the landing site was […]

  • What Price Kindles?

    Thanks to everyone who voiced an opinion on Kindles and e-pubs in general. Sounds like the overwhelming consensus is that although it does not replace the printed book, many people prefer it. So I guess I should get with the program here. One other question. What do you readers consider a reasonable price for a […]

  • Civil War Refugees

    Civil War Refugees By Jack McGuire Until recently I rarely thought of refugees in connection to our Civil War.   The battles of Bull Run, Shiloh, Chancellorsville, Antietam and Gettysburg on the other hand were to me, powerful remembrances of that conflict.   Although once one takes into consideration battles don’t just randomly occur, that it required […]

  • The Mobile Campaign Part 1

    Introduction By early 1865 it was clear that the Confederacy was nearly dead. The primary army in the west had been smashed beyond repair, Petersburg was on the verge of collapse, Union armies were advancing on every front, and the will to maintain the struggle was disappearing even at the very top of Confederate government. […]

  • The Marching Campaign – Bristoe Conclusion

    Rappahannock Station and Kelly’s Ford Following the wild chase at Buckland Mills the Bristoe Campaign was essentially finished. By October 22nd the Confederate cavalry had retired behind the Rappahannock River. This would have been the final act but for one more seemingly poor decision by the Confederate command. General Lee, determined to leave offensive options […]