December 30, 1863---The Wilson Massacre

DECEMBER 30, 1863:        

Reports reach Washington and Richmond of the tragic Wilson Massacre. 

In southwestern Missouri, Unionists and Confederates had decided to declare a holiday cease-fire, and were sitting at the festive board enjoying a few moments of peace and good fellowship on Christmas Day, when local men belonging to the pro-Union State Militia descended upon the party, firing pistols and hacking at the guests indiscriminately with sabres. Of 300 attendees, 150 were killed outright, and about 100 captured. 

The purpose of the raid was to free Union troops held prisoner in the area. Many of the Union prisoners were killed by the raiders, as they had been allowed to join the revelers on this day. 

Major James Wilson, who led the raid, quickly sanitized his report. He never mentioned either the festivities, nor women and children being present, nor the fact that almost nobody at the scene was armed except his men. The truth became known when Union and Confederate survivors wrote of the incident afterward. 

Vengeful violence among the locals persisted in the area well into the 1870s.

December 29, 1863---The Battle of Mossy Creek, Tennessee

DECEMBER 29, 1863:        

The Battle of Mossy Creek, Tennessee. In this frozen winter of enforced inactivity, almost any action that involved shooting could be called a “battle,” though these “battles” that sparked and died intermittently all across the lines throughout the winter were little more than desultory firefights. Skirmishes developed primarily over supplies of food, clothes and weapons---the Confederacy had none and wanted the Union’s. At Mossy Creek, the Rebels were unsuccessful in capturing a Union supply train, and the front lapsed back into somnolence after the screams stilled on the icy air. Elsewhere, Confederates might or might not seize supplies in raids. It was never enough for the starving soldiers in Gray, and the Union merely resupplied its men in Blue from a seemingly inexhaustible supply house.

December 28, 1863---"No Substitutions Please."

DECEMBER 28, 1863:        

During the Civil War, men of means could hire substitutes to take their place in the lines. The practice of substitution was one of the direct causes of the New York Draft Riots in July. Never popular, on this day, the Confederacy abolished substitution, requiring that all (white) men now bear arms for the nation. In practice, the abolishment of substitution had little real effect in swelling Confederate ranks. Most of those who were fit to fight were already fighting, and those able-bodied men who chose not to fight were already dodging the “recruiters” sent to find them.

December 27, 1863---The U.S.S. MASSACHUSETTS

DECEMBER 27, 1863:        

The U.S.S. MASSACHUSETTS arrives at Fortress Monroe, Virginia, carrying a shipload of discharged, wounded and ill soldiers, including Confederates bound for POW camps. 

December 26, 1863---War in the Straits of Malacca

DECEMBER 26, 1863:       

The C.S.S. ALABAMA takes and burns two prizes in the Straits of Malacca. This raid, which ultimately tool ALABAMA into the Pacific Ocean, marked the furthest Captain Semmes took his ship from home.