Campaigns and Battles - J

J:  Jacksboro, Tennessee, to Julesburg, Colorado Territory

Source: The Union Army, Vol. VI. Madison, Wisconsin: Federal Publishing Company, 1908.


Jacksboro, Tennessee, March 14, 1862. (See Big Creek Gap.) Jack's Fork, Missouri, August 14, 1863. Detachment of 5th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. Sergt. Thomas J. McDowell with 26 men started in pursuit of a band of guerrillas who had taken 3 Union men prisoners. After a chase of two days the band was overtaken and 2 of its members captured, but the captured prisoners were not released. Jackson, Louisiana, August 3, 1863. Detachments of 3d Massachusetts Cavalry, 2nd Vermont Battery, 1st, 3d and 6th U. S. Colored Infantry. On Sunday, August 2, Lieut. M. Hanham with about 325 men left Port Hudson for the purpose of collecting negroes for the 12th regiment of infantry, Corps d'Afrique, then being mustered. On Monday, after collecting about 50, his command was attacked by the Confederates under Logan. After several hours of fighting, Hanham started to withdraw, but the loss of a guide caused him to take a wrong road and he was obliged to abandon his artillery. The enemy followed closely for some hours. The Federal loss was 78 in killed, wounded and missing, 6 wagons and 24 mules. The enemy lost 12 in killed and wounded and 6 prisoners.


Jackson, Louisiana, March 3, 1864. Detachment of 2nd Brigade, Cavalry Division, Department of the Gulf. The record of events for this brigade states that on the 3d "a small force went to Jackson; had a skirmish at that place; killed 1 rebel and took 1 prisoner. In the afternoon the same party encountered a superior force, and in charging them lost 3 men prisoners."


Jackson, Louisiana, October 5, 1864. (See Thompson's Creek.)


Jackson, Louisiana, November 21, 1864.


Jackson, Mississippi, May 14, 1863. 15th and 17th Army Corps. After the occupation of Raymond the Federals moved on Jackson, Sherman's corps (the 15th) moving by way of Mississippi Springs and McPherson's (the 17th) advancing on the Clinton road. During the early morning the rain came down in torrents, making the roads heavy and in some places almost impassable. By 10 a. m. Sherman was within 3 miles of the city and the sound of McPherson's guns was heard on the left. The enemy was discovered in the front of Sherman at a small bridge, and as the head of the Federal column appeared opened with art1llery. The 2nd and 3d brigades of Tuttle's Page 517 division were deployed to the right and left of the road and Waterhouse's and Spoor's batteries, placed on commanding ground, soon silenced the enemy's pieces, the whole Confederate force retiring about half a mile into a skirt of woods in front of Jackson. Mower's brigade (2nd) followed closely until the enemy took refuge in his intrenchments. The banks of the stream at this point were high bluffs, and the river could be crossed only at the bridge which the enemy did not attempt to destroy. As far as could be seen on either side were the Confederate intrenchments and a steady artillery fire which enfiladed the road was kept up from all points. The 95th Ohio was taken from the reserve and sent to feel the enemy's flanks. It was soon discovered that the intrenchments were abandoned where they crossed the railroad and Steele's division was pushed into the city that way, the rest of the column following on the main road. McPherson, meantime, had also been fighting severely, but entered the city almost simultaneously with Sherman. The Federal loss was 42 killed, 251 wounded and 7 captured or missing. Brigadier-General John Gregg, commanding the Confederate forces at Jackson, roughly estimates his loss at 200 killed, wounded and missing; Union reports make it over 800.


Jackson, Mississippi, July 10-17, 1863. Sherman's Expeditionary Army. After the capitulation of Vicksburg, General Grant ordered Major-General William Sherman to take part of the army and move against General J. E. Johnston, who had been marching to Pemberton's relief. Sherman's forces consisted of the 9th corps, under Major-General John G. Parke and composed of the divisions of Welsh and Potter; the 13th corps, commanded by Major-General E. O. C. Ord, including the infantry divisions of Osterhaus, A. J. Smith and Hovey, and Fullerton's cavalry brigade; the 15th corps, under Major-General Frederick Steele and consisting of the divisions of Thayer, Blair and Tuttle. W. S. Smith's division (1st) of the 16th corps and Bussey's cavalry brigade were temporarily attached to Parke's command, and Lauman's division (4th) of the same corps was attached to Ord's. Sherman marched from Vicksburg on the night of July 4th, crossed Big Black river at Messinger's and Birdsong ferries and on the railroad bridge on the 6th, and gradually forced Johnston to take refuge in the intrenchments at Jackson. Sherman approached the city in three columns, Ord on the right, Steele in the center and Parke on the left, and disposed his troops to hold the Confederates in their works while detachments could destroy the Great Central railroad. At the same time Ord was directed to extend his line across the railroad and threaten Pearl river south of the city, while Parke on the left extended his line to approach the river on that flank, thus threatening the enemy's only line of communication to the rear. One brigade of each corps was kept constantly employed in destroying the railroad; Bussey was dispatched to Canton, 26 miles north, to burn cars and tear up the track; and Fullerton was sent to the south to burn the railroad bridges for a distance of 15 miles. The remainder of the army was set to work constructing parapets and rifle-pits, and by the 11th the city was fairly invested. In his report Sherman says: "It was no part of the plan to assault the enemy's works, so that the main bodies of infantry were kept well in reserve, under cover, whilst the skirmishers were pushed forward as close as possible, leading to many brisk skirmishes, which usually resulted in the enemy taking refuge within his works." On the morning of the 12th, through some misunderstanding of orders, Lauman assaulted the enemy's works with Pugh's brigade and one regiment, followed by another regiment and a battery. Page 518 Ord reported that the point of attack was not selected by any reconnaissance or previous examination, and that the attack itself was unsupported and unknown to the other division commanders until after it had been made. Of the 880 men in Pugh's brigade, 465 were killed, wounded or captured, besides nearly all the men and horses belonging to the battery, the guns being brought off by hand by the 53d Indiana infantry. Ord relieved Lauman and placed the division under command of General Hovey, and a fresh brigade was sent to occupy that part of the line. That night two batteries were planted on the hill and the position thus made secure. During the 12th and 13th the batteries of 10 and 20-pounder Parrott guns and 12-pounder Napoleons threw about 3,000 rounds into the city, all of which did great execution. On the 14th Sherman was reinforced by McArthur's division of McPherson's corps, the lines were strengthened and pushed forward at all points, but the cannonading was lessened, owing to the short supply of ammunition. Ord pushed a strong party to the river on the morning of the 15th, the Confederates there retiring into their works. The trenches and skirmishers were then advanced and batteries brought up to hold the new position. During the day the enemy made sallies against each of Ord's divisions, but all were repulsed, and toward evening Osterhaus planted a battery of 20-pounder Parrotts which covered his advance and held the Confederates to their trenches. The next day Parke advanced his whole line with a view of ascertaining the location and strength of the Confederate batteries. The movement was executed in gallant style, but was attended by severe losses, especially in W. S. Smith's division. During the night of the 16th it was noticed that the enemy was busy with a movement of some sort, and when the line again advanced, early on the morning of the 17th, it was discovered that Johnston had evacuated the city. Ferrero's brigade of Potter's division moved into town and established guards and patrols, capturing a lieutenant and 137 men. By the 19th over 15 miles of railroad track was rendered totally unfit for service; 20 platform cars and about 50 box and passenger cars were burned in the city, and all the wheels broken; 4,000 bales of cotton were burned; 2 heavy rifled-guns and a large quantity of ammunition were thrown into Pearl river; Steele moved to Brandon. 13 miles east of the city, where he tore up about 3 miles of track; during the siege Fullerton made two raids to the south, destroying about 2 miles of track, 4 locomotives and 52 cars and burning the depots at Byram, Byhalia, Crystal Springs, Gallatin and Hazlehurst. Jackson was evacuated just in time, as Sherman's ammunition train came up late on the 16th and arrangements were made to open a furious cannonade on the city, when it was learned that the Confederates had retired, burning the bridges behind him to avoid pursuit. The Union loss in the operations about Jackson was 129 killed, 762 wounded and 231 captured or missing. The Confederate casualties were not officially reported.


Jackson, Mississippi, February 5, 1864. 16th and 17th Army Corps. After the 17th corps had driven the Confederates through Clinton, orders were received to move by a plantation road on Jackson while the 16th corps advanced on the main Jackson and Clinton road. The cavalry of the 17th corps, under Winslow, came upon the enemy's cavalry flank as it was slowly retiring before Hurlbut's (16th corps) advance. A charge was made by the 11th Illinois cavalry which resulted in the capture of a gun, caisson and limber. A disposition was shown by the Confederates to make a stand in the center of the Page 519 town, but a few shots from the artillery supporting the cavalry dispersed them and they retreated across Pearl river.


Jackson, Mississippi, July 7, 1864. U. S. Forces of District of Vicksburg. On the 2nd of July Major-General Henry W. Slocum with 2,200 infantry, 600 cavalry and 6 pieces of artillery left Vicksburg for the purpose of destroying the bridge over the Pearl river. This was accomplished and Slocum entered Jackson on the 6th. While there the enemy took position about 3 miles from Jackson, on the road leading to Clinton, and when Slocum left the town next day for Vicksburg he encountered the Confederates at 4 a. m. disput1ng the passage of the road. After a sanguinary engagement which lasted over two hours the enemy was compelled to retire and Slocum moved on toward Clinton, being unable to pursue the retreating foe because of a scarcity of supplies. The Union troops lost 33 men killed, about 156 wounded and 30 captured or missing. The Confederate loss was not reported.


Jackson, Missouri, April 26-27, 1863. 2nd Division, Army of the Frontier. As the Confederates under General Marmaduke fell back from Cape Girardeau after their attack on that place, they were closely pursued by the division, commanded by Brigadier-General William Vandever. About 9 p. m. on the 26th Vandever came up with the enemy near Jackson. The 1st la. cavalry charged the camp and drove the enemy through the town. killing and wounding several and capturing a large number of horses and other property, without casualty. At 6 o'clock the next morning the division occupied the town and soon discovered the enemy in force posted about a mile out on the Bloomington road. Vandever opened fire with his artillery, to which Marmaduke did not reply, but hastened off in the direction of the White Water river with the Federals in close pursuit. (See White Water.) Jackson, Tennessee, December 19, 1862. Detachments of 11th Illinois, 5th Ohio and 2nd West Tennessee Cavalry, 43d and 61st Illinois Infantry. On the morning of this day Brigadier-General Mason Brayman sent out the cavalry detachments to a point about three and a half miles from Jackson, where the enemy attacked in force. Colonel A. Engelmann, commanding, ordered the cavalry to fall back slowly toward Jackson. At the Salem cemetery the 43d and 61 st Illinois infantry, under Lieut.-Colonel Dengler and Major Ohr, were concealed and when the Confederates came within close range they were met with a deadly fire, which killed and wounded a large number of horses and men, threw the column into confusion, and before it could be rallied it was driven from the field by the Federal cavalry. The losses were not reported. Jackson, Tennessee, July 13, 1863. (See Forked Deer River, same date.)


Jacksonboro, Georgia, December 10, 1864. Detachment of the 8th Indiana Cavalry. Lieut. McManaman, with a small foraging party, met and charged a detachment of Confederate cavalry near Jacksonboro, causing them to seek safety in the swamps. McManaman captured 12 horses and destroyed 12 stands of arms. The affair was an incident of the Federal advance upon Savannah in the march to the sea. Jackson County, Missouri, September 15, 1863. Detachment of 9th Kansas Cavalry. Captain C. F. Coleman. commanding a portion of a Federal force scouting in Jackson county, came upon the camp of one of Quantrill's bands and attacked it. The result was the dispersal of the guerrillas with a loss of 2 men killed, 40 horses and an amount of commissary stores captured.


Jackson Cross Roads, Louisiana, June 20, 1863. Detachments of the 6th and 7th Illinois and 2nd Rhode Island Cavalry, 52nd Massachusetts Infantry, and a section of Artillery.


Jacksonport, Arkansas, November 21, 1863. Detachment of 3d Missouri Cavalry. During a scout of the 3d Missouri cavalry a detachment was sent forward to get possession of the ferry-boat at Jacksonport. When the Federal troops appeared on the opposite bank of the river a fire was immediately opened upon them and a rush was made for the boat which was on the Jacksonport side. The fire of the Federals kept the enemy away from the boat, however, while two non-comm1ssioned officers of Company C crossed in a yawl and brought the boat over. The whole detachment was then crossed and the Confederates driven from the town with a loss of 3 wounded.


Jacksonport, Arkansas, December 23, 1863. 3d Missouri Cavalry.


Jacksonport, Arkansas, April 24, 1864. Squadron M, 11th Missouri Cavalry. On the return of an expedition to Augusta, the 11th Missouri cavalry, commanded by Captain George W. Weber, having the advance, met a body of Confederates who opened fire on them. A charge led by Weber caused the enemy to break and flee, Weber pursuing for 7 miles and capturing 4 men. The Confederates also lost 1 man killed. The Union force suffered no loss.


Jackson Ford, Alabama, July 13, 1864. 8th Indiana Cavalry. Clanton's brigade of Confederate cavalry and the 8th Indiana came together at Jackson's ford, on the Coosa river, the enemy losing 21 killed, a number wounded and 25 captured. The affair was an incident of the raid on the West Point & Montgomery railroad. The Federal loss was not reported.


Jackson's River, Virginia, December 19, 1863. Expedition under Brigadier-General William W. Averell. As an incident of the expedition to destroy or cut the line of the Virginia & Tennessee railroad General Averell with the 2nd, 3d and 8th West Virginia mounted infantry, the 14th Pennsylvania and Gibson's battalion of cavalry, and Ewing's battery, attacked the Confederate force under Jackson and drove it so rapidly across two bridges over Jackson's river, one about 5 miles from Covington and the other near that town, that there was no time to set fire to the structures. Later the enemy attempted to retake one of the bridges but was repulsed. As a measure of safety Averell destroyed the bridges, swam his force across the stream and the next day made his way across the mountains. Averell's loss was 6 men drowned, 5 wounded and 93 missing. The prisoners taken by the Confederates were mostly the sick in the ambulances. The enemy's loss was not reported.


Jacksonville, Florida, Expedition to, March 23-31, 1863. 8th Maine, detachments of 6th Connecticut and Higginson's Colored Troops. On March 13 the expedition embarked at Beaufort for Jacksonville on board the transports Delaware and General Meigs and ten days later landed at Jacksonville, having been delayed by rough weather. On their arrival a Confederate battery mounted on a platform car was shelling the town, but was soon forced to retire by the gunboat Norwich, which accompanied the expedition. The following night the enemy again approached with the same battery and shelled the city. On Wednesday, the 25th, a portion of the troops made a reconnaissance in force for about 4 miles along the railroad, driving in the Confederate pickets. On the same day the platform car battery appeared a third time and shelled the city, killing 2 men and wounding 1, the only casualties suffered by the Union troops during the operations. Colonel Montgomery with 120 men, accompanied by gunboat Paul Jones, made a successful expedition, 75 miles up the Page 521 river to Palatka, capturing 15 prisoners and a quantity of cotton, rifles, horses, etc., and on the 31st the expedition re-embarked on the transports and left Jacksonville. A portion of the city was fired before the troops left.


Jacksonville, Florida, May 1, 1864. 7th U. S. Colored Troops.


Jacksonville, Florida, May 28, 1864. 7th U. S. Colored Troops. Jacksonville, North Carolina, January 20, 1862. 3d New York Cavalry. While on a reconnaissance from New Berne to Pollocksville this regiment, under Colonel Simon H. Mix, found its progress checked at Big Northeast run, five miles from Jacksonville, by the destruction of the bridge. On the opposite side and about 100 yards from the stream was a stockade from which the Confederates poured a volley on the Federal advance. A howitzer was brought to bear, the stockade was cleared, the bridge repaired and the command crossed. The Union loss in the affair was 1 killed and 1 wounded.


James City, Virginia, October 10, 1863. (See Russell's Ford, same date.) James Creek, Missouri, April 27, 1865. Detachment of 15th Missouri Cavalry. Lieut . J. P. Boyd with 13 men started in pursuit of 2 guerrillas who had robbed a citizen. Four miles west of James creek he located them and after a brisk skirmish killed both of them.


James Island, South Carolina, June 3, 1862. (See Legare's Point, same date.)


James Island, South Carolina, June 10, 1862. Detachments of 97th Pennsylvania, 45th Pennsylvania, 47th New York Infantry and Company E, 3d U. S. Artillery. While six companies of the 47th New York were doing picket duty on the afternoon of the 10th they were attacked by a superior force of the enemy and compelled to retire. A few minutes later a picket guard consisting of the 97th Pennsylvania and two companies of the 47th New York were attacked, but held the enemy in check until the arrival of the artillery and reinforcements. The Federal loss was 3 killed and 13 wounded. The Confederate casualties were not reported, but the Union troops buried 16 of their dead and captured 6 of their wounded.


James Island, South Carolina, June 13, 1862. Organizations not recorded,


James' Plantation, Louisiana, April 6-8, 1863. Portion of the 9th Division, 13th Army Corps. While advancing on New Carthage it became necessary for the troops under Brigadier-General P. J. Osterhaus to dislodge the enemy from the gin-house on James' plantation. The grounds, 20 acres in all, were the only dry land for several miles outside of the levee, and the levee was commanded by the gin-house. An attack was made and in about an hour the building was in Federal hands, the enemy leaving 1 man dead on the field! On the 8th at 11 a. m. the Confederates attacked, bringing two 12-pounder howitzers within 800 yards and cannonading for three-quarters of an hour, but without inflicting any injury on the Union troops or forcing them from their position. James River, Virginia. During the Peninsular campaign of 1862 and the siege of Richmond and Petersburg in 1864-5 the Union gunboats were frequently engaged, sometimes in cooperation with the land forces and sometimes in shelling the Confederate fortifications along the river. For a full account of these operations see the Naval Volume.


Jamestown, Kentucky, June 2, 1863. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 9th Army Corps. While on a march the brigade had just stacked arms to make breakfast, when the cavalry picket was driven in, closely pursued by the Confederate cavalry. The infantry was immediately put under arms and the enemy, seeing these preparations, broke and fled across the Cumberland river. No casualties are mentioned in the report.


Jarratt's Station, Virginia, May 8, 1864. (See Kautz's raid in Virginia, May S to 17, 1864.)


Jasper, Tennessee, June 4, 1862. (See Sweeden's Cove.)


Jeffcoat's Bridge, South Carolina, February 12, 1865. 2nd Division, 20th Army Corps. As Sherman's army was advancing upon Columbia the head of the 20th corps reached Jeffcoat's bridge over the north Edisto river at 2 p. m. on the 12th and found the bridge destroyed, while on the north bank was stationed a force of the enemy with a section of a battery, which opened fire as soon as the Federals appeared. The 2nd division, commanded by Bvt. Major-General John W. Geary, was in the advance and had been skirmishing with some of the enemy's pickets for some distance. Geary now pushed forward the 5th Ohio and 147th Pennsylvania as skirmishers, who made their way with great difficulty through the dense, swampy thickets, and drove the enemy away from the river bank. On the opposite side was a causeway leading through a swamp to the bridge, and the Confederates took up a position at the farther end of this causeway, from which their artillery commanded the bridge, and swept the road with frequent discharges of grape and canister. Geary's troops threw up a small earthwork at the bridge-site and held their position until after dark, when the enemy ceased firing and the 1st Michigan engineers went to work on a bridge to take the place of the one that had been burned. Shortly after midnight this bridge was finished and the skirmishers were pushed forward to find that the enemy had evacuated his position and taken up a new one at a bridge across a small mill stream about three-fourths of a mile from the river. Here a sharp skirmish ensued, which resulted in the complete defeat of the Confederates. Geary reported a loss in these two engagements of 3 killed and 10 wounded. The enemy's loss was not ascertained. Jefferson, Tennessee, December 30, 1862. 3d Brigade, 1st Division, 14th Army Corps. Just as a train of 64 wagons, loaded with camp equipage, stores, officers' baggage, knapsacks, etc., was entering Jefferson it was attacked in the rear and center by a portion of Wheeler's Confederate cavalry, while the remainder advanced on both sides of the highway to attack the brigade stationed there under the command of Colonel John C. Starkweather. The pickets, however, were able to hold the enemy in check until Starkweather formed his brigade in line of battle the 21st Wisconsin being sent to the front and rear of the train and the 1st Wisconsin deploying as skirmishers. The 24th Illinois moved to the bridge and 79th Pennsylvania with 2 sections of the 1st Kentucky battery was pushed to the front. The 21st Wisconsin soon became hotly engaged and took shelter in a number of log houses on a hill to the right. The 2nd Kentucky cavalry was advanced to the left to feel the enemy and was not long in becoming engaged. After a fight lasting over two hours the enemy was repulsed, the brigade following for a mile and a half. The casualties were 1 killed, 8 wounded and 113 missing on the Federal side, most of the missing being captured when the rear of the train was attacked. The Confederate loss was not reported.


Jefferson Pike, Tennessee, December 27, 1862. Left Wing, Army of the Cumberland. As an incident of the Stone's river campaign General Crittenden, commanding the left wing, sent Hazen's brigade of Palmer's division, supported by a battalion of cavalry and a battery, to secure the bridge over Stuart's creek on the Jefferson pike. Near the creek Hazen encountered a force of some 300 Confederates. After a slight skirmish the enemy fell back across the bridge, closely followed by the cavalry, which turned the retreat into a rout. Several of the enemy were killed and wounded and a few were captured. Hazen reported a loss of 3 men missing.


Jeffersonton, Virginia, October 12, 1863. 4th and 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry. At 10 a. m. Colonel J. Irvin Gregg, commanding the 2nd brigade, 2nd cavalry division, learned that the picket guard of the 13th 'a. cavalry, which had been left at Jeffersonton, was being driven back by a superior force of the enemy and the 4th Pennsylvania was immediately sent to reinforce the retreating regiment. One squadron, under command of Major Kerwin charged the enemy and reoccupied the town. About 3 p. m. Gregg gave the order to retire. On his retreat to the river he was attacked on the Bank and rear and it was only with great difficulty that the crossing was effected. The casualties were not reported.


Jeffersonville, Virginia, May 8, 1864. (See Abb's Valley.) Jenkins' Ferry, Arkansas, April 30, 1864. (See Camden, Arkansas, Expedition to.)


Jenks' Bridge, Georgia, December 7, 1864. 15th and 17th Army Corps. When the Federal advance on Savannah reached the Ogeechee river on December 7, 1864, they found the bridge destroyed and the passage of the river disputed by a small force of Confederates on the east bank. The 19th Illinois infantry was left at the crossing, while the remainder of Hazen's division made a diversion in the direction of the Cannouchee river and Bryan Court House. When General Corse arrived at the river he found the 19th Illinois in a line of rifle-pits keeping up a hot fire on the Confederates on the other bank, but the fire was as hotly returned and every time a head appeared above the slight earthworks it was greeted by a Confederate bullet. Corse ordered up a battery and opened fire with artillery. Under protection of the guns a pontoon bridge was constructed and in the face of a galling fire some of the men made a dash across the bridge and gained the opposite side. Finding the numbers too strong to cope with, the Confederates fell back toward Eden and Pooler s Stations.


Jennie's Creek, Kentucky, January 7, 1862. Detachment of the 2nd Virginia Cavalry. Colonel James A. Garfield, in command of the Union forces in eastern Kentucky, sent Colonel Boiles with 300 of his cavalry to attack the enemy on Jennie's creek, while he. with 1,000 men, moved against Humphrey Marshall at Paintville. Garfield discovered that Marshall had evacuated his camp, and moved to join Bolles, whose advance of 60 men had in the meantime attacked and routed 200 Confederate cavalry, killing 6 and wounding several, with a loss to the Union forces of 2 killed and 1 wounded. The whole command then went in pursuit of Marshall. (See Middlecreek and Prestonburg.)


Jericho Bridge, Virginia, May 25, 1864. (See North Anna River.) Jerusalem Plank Road, Virginia, June 22, 1864. 2nd and 6th Army Corps. On the 21st,while the army was extending its lines around Petersburg, the two corps were moved to the west side of the plank road. The next day, in taking a more advanced position, the 6th corps failed to move promptly, leaving a gap in the line on the left of the 2nd. Into this opening the enemy pushed a considerable force, turning the left of Barlow s division and attacking Gibbon's in the rear. In the confusion 4 pieces of McKnight's battery and some prisoners were captured. The men were quickly rallied, however, and Colonel Blaidsell was sent forward with his brigade to recapture the guns. He was met by a galling fire from behind the breastworks lately held by the Union troops, but held his ground and the firing continued until 11 p. m. Blaidsell's men lay on their arms until daylight, when they advanced upon the works and captured a few prisoners, but found that most of the force had retired to the main line of intrenchments during the night, taking the captured guns with them.


Jetersville, Virginia, April 5, 1865. (See Amelia Springs.)


John's Island, South Carolina, July 4-10, 1864. U. S. Troops of the Department of the South under Brigadier-General John P. Hatch. During the day of the 4th Hatch moved to a point on Aberpoolie creek. The following day he marched to a point opposite Battery Pringle. leaving four battalions of the 26th U. S. colored infantry at the camp of the night before and two companies at the forks of the Bugbee bridge and Legareville roads. The last named companies were attacked and driven back on the four battalions guarding the camp. On the 6th the enemy appeared on the Federal front with 3 guns and shelled their camp, but the next day the tables were turned, as Brigadier-General Rufus Saxton, with the 26th, attacked the enemy's line of rifle-pits and drove both the artillery and the infantry from the field. The Confederates were strongly reinforced and shelled the Union camp with an 8-inch and a 10-inch columbiad during the day of the 8th. At daylight on Saturday morning (the 9th) the enemy drove in the Federal pickets and at 5:45 a. m. attacked the line, but was easily repulsed. At 6:30 a. m. he attacked with a larger force, but was again repulsed. During the remainder of the day the Confederates kept quiet. The Federal loss was 11 killed and 71 wounded. The Confederate casualties amounted to over 100 killed and wounded. Hatch withdrew his forces from the island on the 10th.


Johnson County, Missouri, April 28, 1864. Detachments of 1st Cavalry, Missouri State Militia. A party under Lieut. James E. Couch was surprised by a band of guerrillas on the 28th, with the result that Couch and 2 of his men were killed and another wounded. Later in the day another portion of the same regiment ran upon the guerrillas and after a sharp skirmish dispersed and pursued them, but without any signal success. Johnson Depot, Tennessee, September 22, 1863. 8th Tennessee Volunteers,


Johnson's Crook, Georgia, February 10, 1865. 68th New York Infantry. Colonel Felix Prince Salm with his regiment surprised Witherspoon's company of Confederates in Johnson's crook at 2 a. m., killed 3 of the enemy, wounded 5, and captured 16, besides 30 stands of arms and 23 horses. The Federals suffered no loss. Johnson's Farm, Virginia, October 7, 1864. (See Darbytown Road, same date.)


Johnson's Farm, Virginia, October 29, 1864. 3d Brigade, 1st Division, 10th Army Corps, and West's Cavalry. Johnson's farm was on the Darbytown road, about 5 miles southeast of Richmond. The Federal cavalry had been driven from a line of intrenchments on this farm and General Ames, commanding the 1st division of the 10th corps, ordered Colonel H. M. Plaisted to move out with his brigade and recapture the works. Plaisted formed his line of battle with the 10th Conn. on the right, the 100th New York in the center and the 11th Maine on the left. A heavy skirmish line was thrown forward to the edge of a piece of woods, diagonal to the line of works, the left being about 100 and the right 500 yards distant. Under cover of the sharp-shooters the left advanced and the skirmishers carried the works in their immediate front, when the entire line swung in on the double-quick, Colonel West with his cavalry at the same time dashing across the farm on the right of the infantry. In his report of the affair Plaisted says: "The rebels turned their backs and fled, giving the boys an opportunity of firing into them, which they improved with evident satisfaction. Skirmishing was kept up along the line of works and to the right along the Darbytown road, the cavalry taking the right until dark. The cavalry pickets having been reestablished in the1r old position, the infantry was withdrawn after dark and returned to camp." The casualties were slight.


Johnson's Mills, Tennessee, February 22, 1864. Detachment of the 5th Tennessee Cavalry; prisoners killed by Champ Ferguson's Guerrillas.


Johnson's Station, South Carolina, February 10-11, 1865. 1st Brigade, Kilpatrick's Cavalry. Johnson's station was occupied on the 10th by the brigade, under the command of Bvt. Brigadier-General T. J. Jordan, who found himself confronted by Anderson's and Young's divisions of Wheeler's cavalry. The 1st battalion of the 8th Indiana, commanded by Captain Crowell, being the advance guard, engaged the enemy and drove him from several barricades back to the ma1n body, when it was recalled by order of Jordan, because of the superior strength of the enemy. The next day, when the 2nd brigade was compelled to fall back from Aiken the brigade held its position until the defeated troops could form behind the defenses, when the 8th Indiana, 2nd Kentucky and 9th Pennsylvania met a determined charge of the Confederates, hurling them back with a heavy loss in killed and wounded. As the enemy retreated he was followed by a hail of grape and canister that greatly added to his loss and discomfiture. No report of Federal casualties.


Johnsonville, Tennessee, September 25, 1864. 13th U. S. Colored troops.


Johnsonville, Tennessee, November 2-5, 1864. Detached Troops of Department of the Cumberland and Gunboats. On the afternoon of November 2 Lieut.-Com. King proceeded down the Tennessee river from Johnsonville with the gunboats Key West and Tawah. At Davidson's ferry, 5 miles below, the gunboat Undine and the transport Venus, both of which had been captured by the Confederates a few days before, were discovered moving up the river and loaded with troops. The Venus was captured after she had been disabled by a shot from the Key West and the Undine returned down stream. On the Venus were two 20-pounder Parrott guns, 200 rounds of ammunition for the same, 100 boxes of shoes, 2 bales of blankets, 576 boxes of hard bread and other materials. On the 3d the Undine steamed up to within a mile of Johnsonville, but when the gunboats went out to engage her she withdrew to the protection of the Confederate batteries along the shore. On the morning of the 4th she was discovered lying at the head of the island a mile below the town. The 3 Federal gunboats, Key West, Elfin and Tawah, engaged her and finally compelled the crew to abandon her after she had been set on fire. About 2 p. m. of the same day the Confederates were discovered planting batteries opposite the town and the three gunboats in attempting to dislodge them were so badly disabled that they were fired and abandoned. Fearing that the Confederates would cross the river Colonel C. R. Thompson ordered the transports and barges burned, and these drifting against the wharf set fire to that building and the stores piled on the levees. Next morning Confederates shelled the warehouse for a few hours and then withdrew. The affair was an incident of a raid by Forrest's cavalry into West Tennessee. The total money value of the property destroyed was $2,200,000. The Federal loss in men during the attack on Johnsonville was 8 killed and wounded; Forrest reported his loss during the whole raid as 2 killed and 9 wounded.


Johnstown, Missouri, November 24, 1861. Missouri Home Guard.


Johnstown, Missouri, October 16, 1863. Colonel Joseph O. Shelby, (Confederate) in his report of the raid in Arkansas and Missouri mentions that when the command arrived at Johnstown it was met by a body of militia opposing an entrance into the town. Shelby soon dispersed this command and proceeded on his way. No casualties were mentioned.


Jonesboro, Arkansas, August 3. 1862. 1st Wisconsin Cavalry. At daylight Sunday morning, August 3, a detachment of this regiment, Page 526 consisting of about 130 men under Major Henry S. Eggleston, was attacked by some 600 Confederate cavalry led by Colonel W. H. Parsons, and after a fight of 30 minutes was obliged to take to the woods with a loss of 14 killed, 40 wounded and 25 missing. The enemy did not report a loss, but Eggleston's report estimates his dead at 25. Some 7 wagons were taken and the property of value destroyed.


Jonesboro, Georgia, August 19, 1864. (See Lovejoy's Station, Kilpatrick's Raid.)


Jonesboro, Georgia, August 31-September 1, 1864. Armies of the Tennessee, Cumberland and Ohio. The movement of Sherman's armies to the south of Atlanta began on August 25. On the morning of the 31st the Army of the Tennessee, commanded by Major-General O. O. Howard, was in position near Jonesboro; the 4th and 14th corps of the Army of the Cumberland, commanded by Major-General George H. Thomas, and the Army of the Ohio, under Major-General John M. Schofield, were along the line of the Macon & Western railroad between Jonesboro and Rough and Ready Station. Hood had learned the position of the Federal forces on the 30th, and that night he sent Hardee's and S. D. Lee's corps to Jonesboro, with orders to attack Sherman's flank the next morning. Hardee was in command of the expedition, his corps being temporarily commanded by General Cleburne. Owing to the fact that Howard occupied the road on which Hardee wanted to move, it was 2 p. m. before the Confederates were in a position to attack. Shortly after that hour a heavy artillery fire was opened along the entire line and a little later Cleburne advanced to the assault. Hardee had formed his line with Cleburne on the left and Lee on the right. The former was to turn the Union right and Lee was to attack vigorously as soon as he heard the sound of Cleburne's guns. Lee mistook the firing of the skirmishers on his left for the main attack and advanced his line before Cleburne became fairly engaged. Hazen's division, which formed the left of Logan's line, received the brunt of the attack, the enemy trying to turn the left flank and get between the Union line and the Flint river. Bryant's brigade of Blair's corps was first sent to Hazen's assistance and later all of Woods' division was moved to that part of the line with instructions to charge the Confederates if they attempted to turn the flank. At the same time Howard called on Thomas for reinforcements and Carlin's division of the 14th corps was hurried to the scene of action, but before its arrival the enemy had been repulsed. While the main engagement was in progress Kilpatrick, with his cavalry division, was at Anthony's bridge, a mile and a half below Howard. Seeing that Howard's right was in danger of being turned, Kilpatrick dismounted five regiments, posted them behind barricades on the flank of Cleburne's column. placed his batteries in good positions and directed them to open fire, while the rest of his command was ordered to attack. This diversion forced Cleburne to forego his attempt to turn Howard's flank and turn his attention to Kilpatrick. Twice he attacked the latter, but each time he was repulsed. A third effort was more successful and Kilpatrick was forced to retire across the river. This was done in good order, but with the loss of 2 of his cannon. Some of the enemy followed over the bridge, but they were met by the 92nd Illinois mounted infantry, now dismounted, and held in check. To protect his trains and assist Kilpatrick Howard ordered Blair to send Giles A. Smith's division to the bridge. The arrival of this division turned the tide of battle, the enemy was repulsed with heavy loss and the 2 guns were recaptured. Page 527The fight lasted about an hour and resulted in complete defeat for the Confederates at every point. The defeats at Peachtree creek, Bald Hill, Ezra church and Utoy creek seemed to have dampened the ardor of the Confederate soldiers, as Lee says in his report: "The attack was not made by the troops with that spirit and inflexible determination that would insure success. Several brigades behaved with great gallantry, and in each brigade many instances of gallant conduct were exhibited by regiments and individuals; but generally the troops halted in the charge when they were much exposed, and within easy range of the enemy's musketry, and when they could do but little damage to the enemy behind his works, instead of moving directly and promptly against the temporary and in formidable works in their front. The attack was a feeble one and a failure, with a loss to my corps of about 1,300 men in killed and wounded." As soon as Sherman was informed of the result of the action he knew that he was in possession of Hood's line of communications, and issued orders for a complete destruction of the railroad, in the expectation of forcing Hood to evacuate Atlanta and concentrate his forces somewhere near Jonesboro. Lee's corps was recalled during the night, leaving Hardee alone at Jonesboro, and upon learning this Sherman ordered Thomas and Schofield to unite with Howard to surround and capture Hardee before Hood could reinforce him. Stanley's corps, which was engaged in destroying the railroad near Rough and Ready, was hurried forward to Jonesboro; Davis was sent to Howard's left; two divisions of Blair's corps, with Kilpatrick's cavalry, were ordered to gain a position on the railroad south of town, and Schofield was to continue the work of destroying the track, but at the same time follow up Stanley to support him in an emergency. Hardee had formed his line to meet an attack from Howard on the west, with Cleburne's division on the right, sharply refused, Govan holding the angle, Granbury on the left of Govan, and Lewis to the right and rear. Davis reached the position assigned him about noon on September 1, and pushed forward Edie's brigade of Carlin's division to reconnoiter the ground to the railroad. Edie soon became engaged in a sharp skirmish, but succeeded in gaining a ridge that commanded the angle in Hardee's line. Prescott's battery was placed on this ridge, in a position where it could enfilade a portion of the enemy's line, and in a short time disabled a number of Hardee's guns. Davis now ordered an assault. Edie struck the salient and carried it, but owing to the uneven surface of the ground his supports did not come up in time and he was repulsed with considerable loss. About 5 p. m. a second advance was made, when Este's brigade of Baird's division carried the salient. This time the supports were at hand. Morgan's division swept in from the right and Carlin's from the left, completely surrounding the Confederates and capturing General Govan, with nearly all his command. Lewis and Granbury were forced to fall back and form a new line, though the Confederate left and center held on to their trenches. Stanley, who had reached the field about the time Davis made his second assault, now deployed on the left of Davis, but before any decisive movement could be made darkness put an end to the conflict. During the night Hardee abandoned his position and joined the main body of Hoocrs army at Lovejoy Station. The Union loss at Jonesboro was about 1,150 men. The enemy acknowledged a loss of 5,000. Jonesboro, Georgia, November 15, 1864. 1st Brigade, Kilpatrick's Cavalry. In the concentration of General Sherman's army for the march to the sea this brigade, commanded by Colonel Eli H. Murray, left camp 4 Page 528 miles southwest of Atlanta and moved toward Jonesboro. Shortly after crossing the Flint river the 5th Kentucky came upon a small force of the enemy on the McDonough road. Lieut. Baker at the head of Company E, made a dashing charge, killed 1 man, wounded 1 and scattered the rest. Later in the day this regiment effected a junction with the 8th Indiana and advanced on Jonesboro, where the enemy was found in considerable force, occupying the works recently evacuated by General Hood. After some sharp skirmishing the two regiments charged and drove the Confederates out of town, capturing 3 caissons filled with ammunition. The Union casualties were 2 men wounded.


Jonesboro, Missouri, August 21, 1861. Missouri Home Guards. Jonesboro, Missouri, October 12-13, 1863. (See Dug Ford.)


Jonesboro, Tennessee, October 10, 1863. 4th Cavalry Division, 23d Army Corps. Brigadier-General J. M. Shackelford, commanding the division, reported at 4 p. m. from a point 8 miles from Jonesboro, as follows: "After a brisk fight of one hour we drove the enemy from his position. He is retreating rapidly, and we are pursuing as rapidly as possible. Captured 1 caisson, 2 wagons, 6 horses, etc., and some rebels."


Jonesboro, Tennessee, September 29, 1864. (See Carter's Station, September 30.)


Jones' Bridge, Virginia, June 23, 1864. 1st Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac. As the army was moving toward the James river after the battle of Cold Harbor, Torbert's cavalry division was sent on the 22nd to secure Jones' bridge over the Chickahominy river. The bridge was secured without opposition and Devin's brigade was thrown forward to picket the Long Bridge and Charles City roads. Early on the morning of the 23d the pickets on the Long Bridge road were attacked by Chambliss' brigade of Confederate cavalry and driven in. General Getty, who had succeeded General Abercrombie in command of the force at White House, sent six companies of colored troops to reinforce the pickets and these checked the enemy's advance until Devin could bring up the remainder of his brigade, when Chambliss was driven back to a strong position behind some barricades. Devin attacked his works and again forced him back with some loss in killed and wounded. The Union loss was 6 killed. 9 wounded and 1 missing.


Jones' Ferry, Mississippi, July 6-7, 1863. 4th Brigade, 1st Division, Detachment of the 16th Army Corps. On the evening of the 6th the brigade, Colonel W. W. Sanford commanding, was ordered to Jones' ferry on the Big Black river, to effect a crossing in conjunction with the other troops of the division, who were to cross higher up. Sanford reached the ferry about 9 p. m., but waited for the 6th la., under Colonel Corse, which did not come up until some two hours later. Owing to the depth of the water and the swiftness of the current it was found impossible to wade or swim the stream. Two canoes were finally found and lashed together, with which a few men started across, but were driven back by the fire of the enemy on the opposite bank. Corse was then ordered to picket the river for 2 miles up and down and the remainder of the brigade went into bivouac. During the night Corse succeeded in getting a few men across, but the movement was discovered by the Confederates and again they opened fire. Corse managed to recross his men without loss and on the 7th the brigade kept up a continual skirmish with the enemy, thus enabling the troops above to cross and drive the Confederates from Sanford's front, after which the brigade crossed the river and joined the main body. The 6th la. suffered some slight casualties during the maneuvers.


Jones' Hay Station, Arkansas, August 24, 1864. (See Devall's Bluff, same date.)


Jones' Plantation, Georgia, November 27-29, 1864. (See Waynesboro.)


Jones' Plantation, Mississippi, June 22, 1863. Detachment of 4th Iowa Cavalry. Major A. B. Parkell with a detachment of 130 men was sent out to blockade the road leading westward from Birdsong ferry on the Big Black river. The nearest available point for the work was at Jones' plantation, a mile west of the ferry. Pickets were sent out to guard against surprise while the rest of the command set to work to effect the blockade. After two hours the pickets on the north road were driven in, when the whole command formed in line of battle and proceeded to the scene of action. The Confederates were in such superior numbers that it was impossible for Parkell's men to fall back in order and they separated and retreated. The Federal loss in this engagement was 8 killed, 16 wounded and 33 captured or missing, while the enemy lost 5 killed, 16 wounded and 1 missing.


Jonesville, Virginia, January 3-5, 1864. Detachment of the 16th Illinois Cavalry and 22nd Ohio Battery. After having driven the Confederates from Jonesville, Major Charles H. Beeres camped in that place on Friday and Saturday nights. Early Sunday morning (the 5th) his command was surprised by the enemy, under Brigadier-General William E. Jones, and driven in confusion for some distance. Beeres finally rallied his men and fought until 3 p. m., when, having had 31 men killed, he surrendered the remainder of his command, which originally consisted of about 250 men, a rifled gun and 2 mountain howitzers. The enemy lost 5 killed and 11 wounded.


Jonesville, Virginia, August 4, 1864. 1st Brigade, 4th Division, 23d Army Corps. While scouting in the vicinity of Cumberland gap the detachment under Colonel William Y. Dillard entered Jonesville half an hour after two companies of Morgan's men had left. Dillard pursued and overtook them a short distance from the town. A few shots were exchanged, when the Confederates retired, leaving 5 of their number as prisoners in Federal hands. No other casualties were reported.


Jonesville Road, Virginia, February 12, 1864. 11th Tennessee Cavalry. A foraging train of 23 wagons under escort of a detachment of the 11th Tennessee cavalry proceeded up the Mulberry road while the remainder of the Tennessee regiment moved on the Jonesville road, from which it was surmised an attack on the train might be made. The train was attacked and compelled to retreat and at the same time the command on the Jonesville road met with a superior force and was compelled to fall back below the fork of the Mulberry road, thus throwing the Confederates in the rear of the train, which was captured with 25 men. No other losses were reported.


Jordan's Store, Tennessee, May 30, 1863. Detachment of 1st East Tennessee Cavalry. A scouting party of this regiment encountered about 50 Confederate cavalry at Jordan's store on the Chapel Hill pike and drove them beyond Riggs' cross-roads. A small Federal detachment, while endeavoring to cut off a portion of the retreating enemy, came upon three of them who refused to surrender and were killed. There were no casualties on the Union side.


Jornando Del Muerto, New Mexico, June 16, 1863. One company of the 1st New Mexico Cavalry.


Jug Tavern, Georgia, August 3. 1864. (See Stoneman's Raid to Macon.)


Julesburg, Colorado Territory, January 7, 1865. One company of the 7th Iowa Cavalry. On this date the garrison of Julesburg Station repulsed an attack by a large body of Indians which had surrounded the place. The troops lost 15 killed and the Indians about 35. Julesburg was a station on the Overland route and the garrison was commanded Page 530 by Captain Nicholas J. O'Brien. The Indians went south after their repulse.