28 July 1862
Skirmish near Humbolt,TN in which Federal Brigadier General Grenville M. Dodge wrote in his official report, “The attack was made early in the morning about 8 miles south of Humbolt on two companies of my cavalry. They attacked in front and rear, and I have no doubt but our cavalry behaved badly, scattered and ran…..”
The governors of Texas, Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana wrote to Confederate President Jefferson Davis requesting a commanding general, money, arms, ammunition for “without them we cannot use our strength, nor fully develop the mighty power of resistance that is in our midst.”
The bark Agrippina was ordered to rendezvous in the Azores with the steamer Enrica. Confederate agent James Bulloch had gotten the Enrica out of British waters in time to keep her from being seized by the authorities. The Agrippina served as supply ship for the Enrica whose name was changed to CSS Alabama. Under the command of Confederate Admiral Raphael Semmes CSN, the mighty CSS Alabama became the most successful commerce raider in maritime history.
The Battle of Moore’s Mill took place today in northeast Missouri along Auxvasse Creek near modern day Calwood. This engagement together with the Battle of Kirksville next week and the Battle of Compton’s Ferry will drive the main force of Confederate recruiters from northern Missouri. Following the Battle of Pea Ridge, AR Confederate recruiters were sent throughout Missouri in an attempt to rebuild the southern forces. Guerrilla warfare had plagued Missouri since the beginning of the conflict but had intensified in early 1862 as the weather warmed. Federal Major General Henry W. Halleck had issued General Order Number 2 which said that anyone joining a guerrilla band would not be treated as a war prisoner but rather would be hung as a robber or murderer. Further orders would have the effect of causing men, depending upon their sympathies, to join the Missouri State Militia or seek service in one of the guerrilla bands or the Confederate Army.
