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Where were Confederate artillery batteries placed to harass Union shipping on the Potomac River?
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
In late 1861 Confederate batteries just a few miles south of Washington made navigation of the Potomac too dangerous for unarmed vessels with out heavy Naval escort.
In September 1862 Secretary of the Navy Gideon Wells recorded he had been disappointed with General McClellan, commander of the Army of the Potomac as early as December 1861 because McClellan had failed to make any move to block rebels from setting up these batteries.. Wells also quoted Salmon Chase, Secretary of the Treasury as saying "McClellan ought to be shot."
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoAs late as February 1862, Confederate artillery batteries overlooking the Potomac River were a threat to Union shipping. The Confederates found their ideal positions for their cannons in two particular places. One was the location of Cockpit Point and the other was further south at the mouth of Quantico Creek which flowed into the Potomac River.
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What caused the Union Navy to declare in October of 1861 that the Potomac River was effectively closed to unescorted vessels?
By the beginning of October, Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston had built artillery stations on the south side of the Potomac River. For a time this blocked Washington DC's main water route. Nothing is ever 100% effective, so the US navy forbid Union shipping on the Potomac to only be allowed provided they had Navy escorts to protect them.
What caused Confederate General Lee to not consider an advance on Washington DC in September of 1862?
Confederate General Robert E. Lee understood and informed President Jefferson Davis that an assault on Washington DC was not practical. The enemy capitol was well fortified and had artillery batteries that vastly outnumbered his own. He also believed that a destruction of the Army of the Potomac in detail would be very unlikely.
What became an annoying problem for Union General George B McClellan as he organized and drilled his Army of the Potomac in Washington DC?
The semi-blockade of the lower Potomac River set by Confederate artillery banks seemed to elude McClellan's attention. This problem was basically solved when Confederate General Longstreet, abandoned the "blockade" as he was sure he would not be able to sustain it.
Who lead Confederate cavalry operations that pinpoints the position of the Army of the Potomac in the Peninsula campaign?
General J.E.B. Stuart led a task force of about 1,200 men and 2 pieces of horse artillery around the Union Army of the Potomac to pinpoint the enemy positions. The action began on the night of June 12, 1862 and was carried out on June 15th.
Where is the 5Th Mass Battery E Light Artillery Army Of Potomac Inc in Reading Massachusetts located?
The address of the 5Th Mass Battery E Light Artillery Army Of Potomac Inc is: Po Box 861, Reading, MA 01867-0407
Why was the Potomac River important in the US Civil War?
The Potomac River insulated Washington DC from artillery batteries that could have at some point in the war been mounted to actually shell the capital from the shores of Virginia. For a time, early in the war, Southern artillery batteries did slow down sea traffic that would use the river to bring supplies to Washington DC. This opportunity, however, did not last long, and with Alexandria, Virginia soon occupied by the North. The Potomac River, however, did have fording points northwest of the city that did allow raiding forces from the South to cross and recross it multiple times during the four years of the war. By and large, however, the river did not effect the outcome of the US Civil War.
Who fought at the Battle of Gettysburg?
The Union Army of the Potomac, and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia.
Did lee command the army of the potomac during civil war?
No, he didn't. He was a Confederate general.
Was George Meade a Confederate?
George Meade was the Commander of the Union Army of the Potomac from 30 June 1863 to the Surrender at Appomattox in April of 1865. He was never a Confederate.
What was the original name of the Confederate army called the Army of Northern Virginia?
The Confederate army that fought at the First Battle of Bull Run was called the Confederate Army of the Potomac. Later it was renamed to the Army of Northern Virginia.
Was the Army of the Potomac Union or Confederate?
"The Army of the Potomac was a Union defense force. The Southern army was commonly referred to as the Army of Northern Virginia. " Bad answer. There were several Armies on each side. The Potomac Army and the ANV were large forces, but both sides had other independently maneuvering armies.
Who was involved with the seven days battle?
McClellan's Union Army of the Potomac and Lee's Confederate Army were involved in the Seven Days Battle.
