December 31, 1864
The Confederate sharpshooter battalions of Scales’ and McGowan’s Brigades attack the Union Sixth Corps skirmish line to procure clothes and other supplies for the winter.
President Abraham Lincoln contemplates removing Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, USA from command for the botched assault on Fort Fisher, Wilmington, NC.
Major General Gouverneur Warren, commander of Fifth Corps, Army of the Potomac, is granted a 15 day leave of absence.
Note: All “Today In The Petersburg Campaign” blog entries are used with permission from Ronald A. Mosocco’s Chronological Tracking of the American Civil War per the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion. Order the book HERE.
Copyright © 1993, 1994 by Ronald A. Mosocco
Mentions of This Date at The Siege of Petersburg Online:
- 150 Years Ago Today: Scales and McGowan’s Sharpshooters vs. Sixth Corps: December 31, 1864
- EXCERPT: McGowan’s/Scales’ Sharpshooter Battalions vs. Sixth Corps, December 31, 1864 (Blackwood Benson)
- MAP: Scales and McGowan’s Sharpshooters vs. Sixth Corps: December 31, 1864
- OR XLII P1 #6: Itinerary of the Army of the Potomac and Army of the James, August 1-December 31, 1864
- OR XLII P1 #7: Number 7. Return of Casualties in the Union Forces, Aug. 13-20, 18-21, 25, Sep. 29-30, Oct. 7, 13, 27-28, Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov. Dec. 1864
- OR XLII P1 #9: Reports of Major General James C. Duane, Corps of Engineers, November 13-December 31, 1864
- OR XLII P1 #231: Report of Asst. Surg. Elias J. Marsh, Surgeon-in-Chief, 2/Cav/AotP, July 30-Dec 12, 1864
- OR XLII P1 #248: Report of Lieut. William R. King, Corps of Engineers, Acting Chief Engineer, AotJ, December 24-31, 1864
- OR XLII P1 #359: Return of Casualties in Bratton’s, Law’s, Anderson’s, and Benning’s Brigades, First/ANV, Aug 1 to Dec 31, 1864
- OR XLII P1 #362: Reports of Major General Bushrod R. Johnson, commanding Johnson/DNCSV, Aug 2-Dec 31, 1864