February 28, 1863---Jackson insists on autonomy

FEBRUARY 28, 1863:         

Stonewall Jackson debates Robert E. Lee regarding the promotion of officers in his Command:

 "…I desire the interest of the service, and no other interest, to determine who shall be selected to fill vacancies. Guided by this principle, I cannot go outside of my command for persons to fill vacancies in it, unless by so doing a more competent officer is secured. This same principle leads me to oppose having officers, who have never served with me, and of whose qualifications I have no knowledge, forced upon me by promoting them to fill vacancies in my command, and advancing them over meritorious officers well qualified for the positions, and of whose qualifications I have had ample opportunity of judging from their having served with me…"

February 27, 1863---"A Solemn Warning To Wives"

FEBRUARY 27, 1863:          

The Richmond Daily Dispatch publishes A Solemn Warning To Wives:

“…A few weeks ago a soldier was tried and convicted of the crime of desertion, and sentenced to be shot. The day for the execution arrived, and at the appointed hour this brave man, who had fought many battles and endured every kind of hardship, fell a bloody corpse at the hands of his comrades. Upon inquiry it was ascertained he was as true as steel to our cause, and that it was on account of his wife that he deserted. He received a letter from her full of complaints. Looking alone upon the dark side of the picture, she had magnified her troubles and sufferings, and earnestly entreated her husband to return home. He became restless, discontented, unhappy. He ceased to make any interest in the discharge of his military duties, and thought only of how he could get home…and, shutting his eyes to the consequences, he deserted and for this crime he suffered a bloody and ignominious death. His wife, now a widow, has known no peace of mind, but is constantly haunted with the thought that her exaggerated representations of her trials and sufferings caused her husband's death. Let this case be a lesson to all wives and mothers. When you write to the soldier speak words of encouragement; cheer their hearts; fire their souls, and arouse their patriotism. Say nothing that will embitter their thoughts, or swerve them from the path of patriotic duty.”

February 26, 1863---The U.S. passes its first National Banking Act

FEBRUARY 26, 1863:         

Congress passes the National Banking Act, establishing a uniform system of currency backed by specie for the entire country. The management of money is given over to the Federal Reserve.

February 25, 1863---The U.S.S. BLACK TERROR

FEBRUARY 25, 1863:         

In an attempt to intimidate the Rebels, Admiral David Dixon Porter launches a Quaker Gunboat the U.S.S. BLACK TERROR downriver. At 300 feet she is over 100 feet longer than the C.S.S. QUEEN OF THE WEST, the largest ship on the river. Smaller Confederate ships flee the monster, some run aground, and some are abandoned rather than be destroyed by a pile of logs dressed up as a battleship. Admiral Porter is grimly amused and satisfied.

February 24, 1863---The destruction of the U.S.S. INDIANOLA

FEBRUARY 24, 1863:         

The captured U.S.S. QUEEN OF THE WEST is rechristened the C.S.S. QUEEN OF THE WEST and attacks its old comrade U.S.S. INDIANOLA, sinking her. 

On this same day, Congress passes the first National Conscription Act, instituting a Draft.