Thursday May 23, 2013
Commissioned in 1895, USS Indiana (BB-1) (right) was the US Navy's first modern battleship. The lead ship of its class, Indiana saw service with the North Atlantic Squadron and was at Key West when the Spanish-American War began. Part of RAdm. William T. Sampson's squadron, it took part in the bombardment of San Juan, PR in May 1898 before playing a role in the Battle of Santiago de Cuba in early July. Following the war, Indiana was quickly eclipsed by newer and more powerful battleships. Largely serving in a reserve role, the battleship was re-commissioned in 1917 and used as a gunnery training vessel during World War I. Three years later, Indiana was sunk during aerial bombardment tests in the Chesapeake Bay.
Spanish-American War:
Photograph Courtesy of the US Naval History & Heritage Command
Tuesday May 21, 2013
May 22, 1863 - Union forces under Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Banks begins the siege of Port Hudson (right). Advancing in support of Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's Vicksburg Campaign, Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Banks was tasked with capturing Confederate stronghold at Port Hudson, LA. Investing the town on May 22, 1863, he launched a massive assault against its defenses five days later. This was repulsed with heavy losses and Banks began siege operations. Eager to break the deadlock, he again attacked the town on June 14 with similar results. Settling into a siege, his army slowly starved Maj. Gen. Franklin Gardner's garrison. Upon learning of Vicksburg's fall, Gardner, seeing that nothing could be gained by continuing, surrendered on July 9. The two victories opened the entire length of the Mississippi to Union traffic and split the Confederacy in two.
Photograph Courtesy of the National Archives & Records Administration
Sunday May 19, 2013
May 19, 1643 - French troops defeat the Spanish at the Battle of Rocroi. In early 1643, a 27,000-man Spanish-Imperial army crossed the French border from Flanders. Moving through the Ardennes, the Spanish troops, led by Francisco de Melo, laid siege to the town of Rocroi. Advancing to meet this invasion were 23,000 men led by the Duc d'Enghien (the future Prince of Conde). On May 18, 1643, d'Enghien deployed his troops on a ridge south of Rocroi with his infantry in the center and cavalry on the flanks. Moving to meet this threat, de Melo formed his men in a similar fashion. The following morning, d'Enghien advanced. As the armies met, the Spanish infantry began to get the better of the French. A similar situation developed on the French left where de Melo's German cavalry blocked a French thrust. Counterattacking, the Germans were stopped by the French infantry reserve. On the right, d'Enghien's cavalry, supported by musketeers, was able to rout its Spanish counterparts. Turning, they next attacked the flank and rear of the Spanish infantry. As the fighting raged, the Spanish army was reduced to the core of their infantry. Though fighting valiantly they were forced to surrender. The Battle of Rocroi was the first major defeat for the Spanish in nearly a century.
Friday May 17, 2013
May 18 ,1863 - Union forces begin the Siege of Vicksburg (right). Crossing the Mississippi River at Bruinsburg on April 29-30, 1863, Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's Army of the Tennessee embarked on a stunning campaign which saw it win several battles before driving Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton's forces back into the Vicksburg defenses. A fortress that commanded the Mississippi, holding the city was key if the Confederates wished to deny use of the river to the Union. Attacking on May 19, Grant's army was repulsed by the Vicksburg defenses. Trying again on the 22nd, the result proved no better. Unwilling to suffer more casualties, Grant elected to lay siege. Reinforced over the next month, he compelled Vicksburg to surrender on July 4, 1863. Coming a day a after the Union victory at Gettysburg, the fall of Vicksburg, and Port Hudson fours days later, opened the river to Union traffic and marked the turning point of the Civil War.
Civil War Battles - 1863 in the West
Photograph Source: Public Domain
