Today in South Carolina’s Lexington County just south of Columbia, the Battle of Conagree Creek takes place. Beginning at 7:30 a.m., the contest pits a portion of the remainder of the Confederate’s Army of the Tennessee against the Union’s Army of the Tennessee, part of the forces of General William T. Sherman. Rebel defenders attempt…
Elijah J. Marrs of Company L, 12th U.S. Colored Artillery, is keeping a written record of his time in the service. Born a slave in January 1840 in Shelby County, Kentucky, in his youth Marrs converted to the Baptist faith, the denominational choice of most Christianized slaves in the South. Learning to read and write…
Today in the Battle of Cool Springs, Virginia, a still-retreating Confederate Lt. General Jubal Early, following an unsuccessful attempt to invade Washington, D.C., is confronted by a contingent of Union forces. Significantly outnumbering the Federals by some 8,000 to5 5,000, the Rebels engage their foes for two days. While the Union loses this battle,the Federals…