January 30, 1864---"It is not right to shoot a man."

JANUARY 30, 1864:  

A Confederate soldier stationed in Virginia, Joseph J. Hoyle, writes to his wife Sarah about the execution of a deserter. His letter reads in part:

 My Dear wife:

. . . Dear Sarah, I had to witness one of the most affecting sights to day, I believe I ever did in my life before. That was the shooting a man in our regiment for desertion. The whole brigade was marched out in a square to see it. Although I was out I could not look at him when they shot him, so I turned my eyes off him when they went to fire. I felt very solemn indeed, and all appeared very serious. I will agree with you now that it is not rite [sic] to shoot a man. Dear Sarah . . .  As ever yours in hope and love. My own dear Sarah. 

Joe

January 29, 1864---Frederick Douglass addresses the troops

JANUARY 29, 1864:           

At Fair Haven, Connecticut, Frederick Douglass delivered an address to the assembled men of the 29^th and 30^th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry regiments (U.S.C.T.). In part, he said,

You are the pioneers of the liberty of your race. With the United States cap on your head, the United States eagle on your belt, the United States musket on your shoulder, not all the powers of darkness can prevent you from becoming American citizens. And not for yourselves alone are you marshaled — you are pioneers — on you depends the destiny of four millions of the colored race in this country . . . If you rise and flourish, we shall rise and flourish. If you win freedom and citizenship, we shall share your freedom and citizenship.  

January 28, 1864---The "Thanks of Congress"

JANUARY 28, 1864:           

Union General Nathaniel P. Banks receives an official “Thanks of Congress” for his capture of Port Hudson in July 1863.  Altogether, 30 officers of the Union military received this honor during the Civil War.

January 27, 1864---The Battle of Fair Garden, Tennessee

JANUARY 27, 1864:   

The Battle of Fair Garden, Tennessee. After maintaining control of some Tennessee territory after the Battle of Dandridge on the 17^th, General James Longstreet had been sending out pickets in the region to extend his toehold into a bridgehead. On this day, Confederate and Union cavalry forces met on the road near Fair Garden. The battle became a classic (and bloody) 19^th Century sabre charge on horseback, in which the North lost 100 men and the South 165. The Federals chased the Confederates nearly out of the State, but the Union cavalry commander broke off the attack when he came within sight of Longstreet’s large main body.

January 26, 1864---The Battle of Athens, Alabama

JANUARY 26, 1864:           

The Battle of Athens, Alabama. 600 Confederate cavalrymen attacked the Union-fortified town of Athens. Despite being outnumbered 6-to-1, the Federals repulsed the Confederates.