Today in History for Aug. 12, 2014

William C. Maxwell

Aug. 12, 1813 – Major Daniel Beasley at Fort Mims wrote General Ferdinand Claiborne, “We are perfectly tranquil here and are progressing in our works as well as can be expected considering the want for tools. We shall probably finish the stockade tomorrow.”

Aug. 12, 1862 – During the Civil War, Confederate cavalry leader and Alabama native General John Hunt Morgan captured a small Federal garrison in Gallatin, Tenn., just north of Nashville. The incident was part of a larger operation against the army of Union General Don Carlos Buell, which was threatening Chattanooga by late summer. Morgan sought to cut Buell's supply lines with his bold strike.

Aug. 12, 1863 – During the Civil War, the H.L. Hunley submarine arrived in Charleston, S.C. by rail from Mobile, Ala.

Aug. 12, 1864 – During the Civil War, on Mobile Bay, Ala., Federal forces continued moving siege equipment to the vicinity of Confederate held Fort Morgan.

Aug. 12, 1914 – In one of the first documented car accidents in Evergreen, two cars collided at the corner of the cotton warehouse, damaging both vehicles.

Aug. 12, 1920 – Monroe County native 2nd Lt. William Calvin Maxwell of the 3rd Aero Squadron was killed in plane crash in Manila, Philippine Islands. Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery was named in his honor. He was buried in Robinsonville, six miles northeast of Atmore, on Oct. 11, 1920.

Aug. 12, 1937 - President Franklin Roosevelt appointed Alabama senator Hugo Black to the U.S. Supreme Court. Black served on the court until 1971, retiring just a few days before his death.

Aug. 12, 1959 - An earthquake centered in Huntsville, and felt over a 25-mile radius, caused minor damage. Many Huntsville residents at first believed the shock was the result of an explosion or missile test at nearby Redstone Arsenal.

Aug. 12, 1964 - Mickey Mantle set a major league baseball record when he hit home runs from both the left and ride sides of the plate in the same game.

Aug. 12, 1986 - Rod Carew became the first player in the history of the California Angels franchise to have his uniform (No. 29) retired.

Aug. 12, 1994 - Major league baseball players went on strike rather than allow team owners to limit their salaries. The strike lasted for 232 days. As a result, the World Series was wiped out for the first time in 90 years.