Photograph shows Confederate general Isaac Ridgeway Trimble (1802-1888), half-length portrait, facing front, glass, dry plate.
Posted inBiographical US Civil War

July 23, 1863 – The Capture Of General Trimble

A correspondent of the New York Tribune gives the following account of the capture of General Trimble and Staff:

The captors of the Rebel General Trimble at Gettysburg seem to have been overlooked by the prints. To Lieutenant Wm A. McDowell and Sergeant Gurnesy, of the 19th Pennsylvania cavalry belongs the honor of his capture. Lieutenant McDowell is Commissary of the regiment, and desiring to vary the routine of his official duties, proposed to Sergeant Gurnsey an expedition to the front to capture some “grey-back.” After finding nine they were informed that a Rebel officer was lying wounded in a house situated about three miles from Gettysburg and east of the Baltimore turnpike.

Admiral Andrew H. Foote
Posted inBiographical Culture & Society Maritime & Naval History US Civil War

July 22, 1863 – Letter from the King of Siam to Admiral Foote

Admiral Foote, since his experience in the Chinese and Japanese waters, had kept up a correspondence with the Second King of Siam. The letters of the latter exhibit a high degree of intelligence regarding American affairs. The following was the latest received:

This letter had been submitted by Admiral Foote to the President and his Cabinet, all of whom read it with much satisfaction; but he hesitated to communicate it to the public. Only a few days before leaving Washington, on his way to his honorable command at Charleston, he gave a copy of it to Senator Sumner, with authority to use it as he should think proper. Now that the excellent Admiral has been removed by death, it has seemed that the letter ought to be generally known on his account, as well as from its intrinsic value, and the Senator has consented to its publication.

Illustration of gunboats passing Vicksburg, firing at the fortifications and being fired upon.
Posted inUS Civil War

July 12, 1863 – Admiral Porter’s Official Report

NEW YORK, July 11,—Admiral Porter’s official report of his operations during the siege of Vicksburg has been received by Secretary Welles. The Admiral say one steamer only has been barely disabled since our operations commenced, and six or seven men killed or wounded. While the army had a troublesome enemy in front and behind them, the gunboat marine brigade, under Gen. Ellet, and a small force of troops under Gen. Dennis and Gen. Dowry have kept at bay a large force of rebels, over 12,000 strong, accompanied by a large quantity of artillery; and though offered battle several times, and engaged, they inevitably fled, and satisfied themselves by assaulting half disciplined and unarmed blacks.

Photo of General Meade, by Matthew Brady
Posted inBiographical US Civil War

July 10, 1863 – Major-General George G. Meade

This able and experienced officer, who has been promoted to the chief command of the Army of the Potomac, was born in Spain in 1863, entered the military academy at West Point from the District of Columbia, and was graduated there in 1839 and appointed 2d Lieutenant in the 3d Artillery, resigned his commission Oct. 26, 1836, was appointed 2d Lieutenant in the Topographical Engineers May 19, 1842, was breveted 1st Lieutenant for gallantry at Monterey in 1846, became 1st Lieutenant in August, 1851, Captain May 19, 1856, Major in June, 1862, and Brigadier-General of volunteers August 31, 1861.

[Editor’s Note: Meade was born in 1815 and graduated West Point in 1835.]