TOCWOC – A Civil War Blog

Category: Dan O’Connell’s Campaign Series

  • Burnside Expedition Part 4

    New Berne 11-13 March 1862 With a foothold established on the mainland Burnside turned his attention to the next target on the list; New Bern. The military importance of the city was defined by the railroads that ran through it or nearby. The Atlantic and North Carolina passed through it connecting the coast to the […]

  • Burnside Expedition Part 3

    Winton – February 18-21, 1862 On February 16 Burnside called Colonel Rush Hawkins to his headquarters to issue orders for a “expedition up the Chowan” to destroy railroad bridges over the Blackwater and Nottoway Rivers. Burnside saw these spans as critical to the Confederate ability to move men and supplies into and out of the […]

  • Burnside Expedition Part 2

    The Battle of Roanoke Island At 0730 the 25th Massachusetts led the way out of the makeshift camp followed by the 23rd and 27th Massachusetts and the 10th Connecticut of the 1st Brigade. They marched north up the central road until they reached a water filled ravine in their path. As they were crossing the […]

  • Burnside Expedition Part 1

    Introduction When George McClellan assumed command of the Union army he inherited a disorganized, discouraged, and undisciplined force. To help him train his new responsibility he called upon his friend and former roommate, Ambrose Burnside. Burnside did not come without credentials. He was a 1847 graduate of West Point and a Mexican War veteran. The […]

  • Franklin’s Crossing Conclusion

    June 6-9 The Federal VI Corps troops were firmly established on the south bank of the Rappahannock by nightfall on the 5th. The assault troops were reinforced by BG Albion Howe’s 2nd Division 3rd Brigade*. On the morning of the 6th the Vermonters pushed out a strong skirmish line to meet a refreshed effort by […]

  • Franklin’s Crossing Part 2

    Engineers Lead the Way On arrival at the river the engineers found themselves alone. A glance across the Rappahannock revealed “a small fort” that was “strongly garrisoned by the Rebels.” Seeing just a small opposing force the Confederate pickets made sport of calling the over to invite the engineers to come over to enjoy the […]

  • Franklin’s Crossing Part 1

    Introduction The end of May 1863 found the opposing armies in northern Virginia separated by the Rappahannock River. North of the river MG Joseph Hooker and the Army of the Potomac were collecting themselves after their defeat at Chancellorsville. They spent the last days of spring reorganizing, resupplying, and reinforcing in preparation for future movements. […]