Confederate forces abandoned Ship Island, on the Gulf Coast, in the autumn and the area was under the control of U.S. Marines and Navy shore parties. Massachusetts and Connecticut volunteer infantry units, the advanced guard of the force General Benjamin Butler would use to take New Orleans, around sixty miles away, arrived under the command of Vermont-born Brigiadier-General John Wolcott Phelps. (By John Osborne)
During the night of November 8-9, 1861, Unionist insurrectionists in Eastern Tennessee burned five railroad bridges on the East Tennessee Railroad between Knoxville and Charleston. Richmond deployed troops with orders to crush the rebellion and hang all traitors. Harrison Self was convicted of burning the Lick Creek Bridge and sentenced to hang. In the morning, his daughter telegraphed President Davis begging clemency and, at two p.m., two hours before the scheduled execution, received an answer commuting the sentence. (By John Osborne)
During the night of November 8-9, 1861, Unionist insurrectionists in Eastern Tennessee burned five railroad bridges on the East Tennessee Railroad between Knoxville and Charleston. Confederate response was swift. Richmond deployed troops to crush the rebellion and hang all traitors Jacob M. Hensie and Henry Fry were hanged immediately after being found guilty of involved in military court. Their bodies were displayed for twenty-four hours from a tree limb overlooking the railroad. Three other Unionists were also later hanged. (By John Osborne)
During the autumn of 1861 in eastern Tennessee, Unionist opposition to secession resulted in public meetings, organizing, and the arming of a resistance. During the night of November 8-9, 1861, insurrectionists burned five railroad bridges over the Tennessee, the Chickamauga, and other rivers on the East Tennessee Railroad between Knoxville and Charleston. Confederate response was swift. Richmond deployed troops to crush the rebellion. Order was restored and hundreds of Unionists fled to federal lines. (By John Osborne)