What was the most significant event on June 2 during the U.S. Civil War?

2016-06-04T18:26:08-04:00

Cleaning up the battlefield. In pitched battles, the side which held the terrain usually went about the business of identifying the dead as much as possible and burying them by unit. When remains were identifiable and next of kin known a note would be sent to tell them about the death of their son, husband, etc.
In fluid battles, raids and chance encounters many of the dead lay where they fell and decayed. In some cases, foraging parties discovered the dead and buried them and crudely marked where they fell.
Primitive dog tags. Before an assault was to take place, by 1863 many infantrymen wrote their names and hometowns on slips of paper and sewed them into jackets in expectation they might not survive the attack.
Overwhelmed by flood of wounded confederate soldiers in1862: Judith White McGuire of Richmond writes in her journal of the mass of wounded flooding in to Richmond after the Battle of Seven Pines: “The battle continued yesterday near the field of the day before. We gained the day! For this victory we are most thankful. The enemy were repulsed with fearful loss; but our loss was great. The wounded were brought until a late hour last night, and to-day the hospitals have been crowded with ladies, offering their services to nurse, and the streets are filled with servants darting about, with waiters covered with snowy napkins, carrying refreshments of all kinds to the wounded. Many of the sick, wounded, and weary are in private houses. The roar of the cannon has ceased. Can we hope that the enemy will now retire? General Pettigrew is missing—it is thought captured. So many others “missing,” never, never to be found! Oh, Lord, how long! How long are we to be a prey to the most heartless of foes? Thousands are slain, and yet we seem no nearer the end than when we began!!”
Federal nickname for the enemy is “secesh” short for secessionist 1862: Oliver Willcox Norton, a Union private in the 83rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, writes in a letter home an interesting vignette of soldier life as he and his comrades, after a battle, forage items left by Rebels on the fields in the aftermath of battle: Secesh knapsacks were scattered everywhere, and our boys, if they could have carried away the things, would have got a good many comforts, but we could not. We got a good many love letters, etc., bowie knives and pistols, and I got a great bowie but I threw it away, I couldn’t carry it. I send you a letter that I got in a knapsack, and a secesh stamp. The letter is an excellent specimen of secesh literature and love. I almost wish I had as fond a sweetheart.
1864: St. Louis’s Mississippi Valley Sanitary Fair raised money for the Western Sanitary Commission to buy hospital supplies for sick and wounded soldiers. The fair opened on May 17, 1864, closed a few weeks later, and raised over $550,000.
1865: On June 2, 1865, Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith who was the commander of the Confederate forces west of the Mississippi, signs the surrender terms. With this signing, the last Confederate army ceased to exist and the bloodiest four years in U.S. History came to a close.
Pictures: 1862 east large; 1864 Cold Harbor Union line; 1864 Light fighting occurred throughout the night, having little effect on the main battle to come. Burnside at one point was advised to attack Early's; 1864 western theater civil war

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Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jun 4 at 2016 6:28 PM

2016-06-04T18:28:38-04:00

Monday, June 2, 1862: James Andrews of Andrews Raiders fame escapes Swims Jail, Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is recaptured the next day. Eventually he will be hung on June 9, 1862. Since he was a civilian he was not eligible for the newly authorized Medal of Honor. The 19 military raiders would be awarded the Medal of Honor including the first posthumous ones.
Thursday, June 2, 1864: Civil War Love Letters: In this letter, James again mentions Molly’s “grand fair,” a reference to St. Louis’s Mississippi Valley Sanitary Fair, which raised money for the Western Sanitary Commission to buy hospital supplies for sick and wounded soldiers. The fair opened on May 17, 1864, closed a few weeks later, and raised over $550,000. Molly and her sister Sallie were in the Floral Department.
From Camp Oglethorpe, Macon Georgia to Miss E. M. Wilson, Box 1573 P.O., St. Louis Mo.
“Molly Dear; I wish to write, but what can I say. I am in as good health as usual, getting well. Sunburnt again and as much unlike the pale stout Libby Prisoner of a month ago as possible. If we had boxes coming in freely we would be better off than in Libby. We have built ourselves comfortable Summer quarters sheds or shanties. We are crowded for room of course, but can have a game of ball or wicket when we please – and some do please to keep the balls in motion all day.
I have not heard from you since I left Richmond – but hope to soon – if mails are allowed to come to us. I hope you continue to enjoy good health – have had a grand fair – and are determined enjoying the prairie breezes same as last summer. I fear I shall have to content myself here this summer. We do not expect any Genl. Exchange during the campaign though there may be Special Exch so it is no use fretting; and when ever any news is to be had regarding us you have the chance to see it first. My dear girl must not get despondent. There is no cause and I promise I will not. When I banished the blues in Libby two months ago – it was for at least a year. A thousand loving words to you. Love to Sis, Mother, Aunt, Mrs. R. and all friends. I am, Sincerely yours, James E. Love. Capt. 8th K.V.”

Pictures: 1864 Cold Harbor Battlefield Map, June 2; 1864 Mississippi Valley Sanitary Fair; 1862 Jackson valley campaign 1862 May 21-June 9; James J Andrews
Since RallyPoint truncates survey selection text I am posting events that were not included and then the full text of each survey choice below:
A. Monday, June 2, 1862: Union forces pursued CSA Maj Gen Tomas Stonewall Jackson. Maj. Gen. Irvin McDowell up the Luray Valley and Maj. Gen. John C. Frémont up the main Valley (west of Massanutten Mountain). Jackson starts his troops on the road, heading south at a quick pace, heading up the Shenandoah Valley in order to escape the Federal dragnet trying to scoop him up. Jackson's men made good time on the Valley Pike, marching more than 40 miles in one 36-hour period, but heavy rains and deep mud delayed their pursuers. Fremont’s men finally kick into motion, nipping at the Rebels’ heels. CSA Brig Gen. Steuart’s two cavalry regiments do poorly at holding back the Yankee attacks at the Rebel rearguard, so the next day Jackson relieved Steuart of command and transfers the troops to CSA Col Ashby’s command and he is promoted to Brig Gen.
B. Thursday, June 2, 1864: Major-General William Sherman grew concerned the brazen CSA Major-General Nathan Forrest might move his Confederate cavalry force out of North Mississippi into Middle Tennessee, strike the supply lines, and perhaps jeopardize the entire Federal effort. Sherman ordered Brigadier-General Samuel Sturgis to keep Forrest occupied and, if possible, destroy the Confederate cavalry force that Forrest commanded. The Federal expedition marched out of Memphis on June 1. Sturgis had a great deal of discretion in his movements, but was generally expected to "proceed to Corinth, Mississippi, by way of Salem and Ruckersville, capture any force that may be there, then proceed south, destroying the Mobile and Ohio Railroad to Tupelo and Okolona, and as far as possible toward Macon and Columbus."
C. Thursday, June 2, 1864: The opposing armies had formed a seven-mile front that extended from Bethesda Church to the Chickahominy River. Lt Gen U.S. Grant was poised for a major assault on CSA General Robert E. Lee’s right flank and cut off the Confederates off from Richmond. Grant ordered Maj gen Meade to follow a now-common pattern: to hold with the V Corps (Warren) and move the II (Hancock) and the VI (Wright) to steal a flanking march on the Rebels, but when Maj. General Hancock's Second Corps arrived after a midnight march too fatigued to support the Union left flank, Grant postponed the operation until the following day.
The Union delays gave Lee precious hours, time he used to strengthen his defenses. The Confederates had built simple trenches by daybreak of June 2. Under Lee's personal supervision, these works were expanded and strengthened throughout the day. By nightfall the Confederates occupied an interlocking series of trenches with overlapping fields of fire. Confederate reinforcements under Major General John Breckinridge and Lieutenant General Ambrose Hill arrived and fortified the Confederate right. Lee was ready.
Day 2: Things begin badly today for the Union army, once again bedeviled by poor communications on the field and ambiguous command structure. Grant ordered Meade to follow a now-common pattern: to hold with the V Corps (Warren) and move the II (Hancock) and the VI (Wright) to steal a flanking march on the Rebels. The problem: they had never caught Lee flat-footed. Hancock and Wright are ordered to march to Cold Harbor to participate in a morning attack. In theory, the Union left, by then the strongest flank for the Army of the Potomac, would be ready for Meade to make an attack with 3 corps, numbering well over 30,000 men. However, poor roads and disjointed staff work means that the march is slow and plagued with misdirection and the results of exhausted troops in constant contact with the enemy for nearly a month. As Hancock withdraws from the line, Burnside—whose IX Corps’ right flank was covered by Hancock—is not even informed of the move.
Lee is not fooled by the move, and sends Breckinridge’s fairly fresh division over to the Confederate left to reinforce Anderson’s First Corps. Lee also detaches Mahone’s and Wilcox’s divisions from A.P. Hill (whose ill health still plagues him) to send over to join Breckinridge. Lee’s new line is anchored on the two rivers, and therefore no longer has any vulnerable flank. There is skirmishing all along the line throughout the evening, as the Confederates put the finishing touches on an amazingly intricate line, with converging fields of fire, flanking trenches, and enfilading lines.
Hancock’s men, having marched all night, are in no condition or position to make a morning attack. Gen. Grant agrees to delay the attack until 5:00 PM., and begins shifting his lines to prepare for this assault: Burnside and Warren form a new line to withstand increasing pressure from Early’s Second Corps. Several Rebel attacks on Burnside’s and Warren’s lines yield several hundred Yankee prisoners for the attackers. Finally, Grant agrees to a general attack the next morning, June 3. A number of brigade and division commanders protest, having seen the ground in front of them, and the Southerners in their positions. Several observers take notice of infantrymen who, being advised of the attack on the Confederate works in the morning, are writing their names and hometowns on slips of paper and sewing them to their jackets; they do not expect to survive the attack.
D. Friday, June 2, 1865: Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith who was the commander of the Confederate forces west of the Mississippi, signs the surrender terms. On May 26, 1865 General Simon Bolivar Buckner had entered into terms for surrender of the Army of the Trans-Mississippi. 1865.With this signing, the last Confederate army ceased to exist and the bloodiest four years in U.S. History came to a close.
1. Monday, June 2, 1862: James Andrews escapes Swims Jail, Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is recaptured the next day.
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186206
2. Monday, June 2, 1862 --- Judith White McGuire of Richmond writes in her journal of the mass of wounded flooding in to Richmond after the Battle of Seven Pines: The battle continued yesterday near the field of the day before. We gained the day! For this victory we are most thankful. The enemy were repulsed with fearful loss; but our loss was great. The wounded were brought until a late hour last night, and to-day the hospitals have been crowded with ladies, offering their services to nurse, and the streets are filled with servants darting about, with waiters covered with snowy napkins, carrying refreshments of all kinds to the wounded. Many of the sick, wounded, and weary are in private houses. The roar of the cannon has ceased. Can we hope that the enemy will now retire? General Pettigrew is missing—it is thought captured. So many others “missing,” never, never to be found! Oh, Lord, how long! How long are we to be a prey to the most heartless of foes? Thousands are slain, and yet we seem no nearer the end than when we began!!
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=June+2%2C+1862
3. Monday, June 2, 1862 --- Oliver Willcox Norton, a Union private in the 83rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, writes in a letter home an interesting vignette of soldier life as he and his comrades, after a battle, forage items left by Rebels on the fields in the aftermath of battle: Secesh knapsacks were scattered everywhere, and our boys, if they could have carried away the things, would have got a good many comforts, but we could not. We got a good many love letters, etc., bowie knives and pistols, and I got a great bowie but I threw it away, I couldn’t carry it. I send you a letter that I got in a knapsack, and a secesh stamp. The letter is an excellent specimen of secesh literature and love. I almost wish I had as fond a sweetheart.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=June+2%2C+1862
4. Thursday, June 2, 1864: Civil War Love Letters: In this letter, James again mentions Molly’s “grand fair,” a reference to St. Louis’s Mississippi Valley Sanitary Fair, which raised money for the Western Sanitary Commission to buy hospital supplies for sick and wounded soldiers. The fair opened on May 17, 1864, closed a few weeks later, and raised over $550,000. Molly and her sister Sallie were in the Floral Department.
From Camp Oglethorpe, Macon Georgia to Miss E. M. Wilson, Box 1573 P.O., St. Louis Mo.
“Molly Dear; I wish to write, but what can I say. I am in as good health as usual, getting well. Sunburnt again and as much unlike the pale stout Libby Prisoner of a month ago as possible. If we had boxes coming in freely we would be better off than in Libby. We have built ourselves comfortable Summer quarters sheds or shanties. We are crowded for room of course, but can have a game of ball or wicket when we please – and some do please to keep the balls in motion all day.
I have not heard from you since I left Richmond – but hope to soon – if mails are allowed to come to us. I hope you continue to enjoy good health – have had a grand fair – and are determined enjoying the prairie breezes same as last summer. I fear I shall have to content myself here this summer. We do not expect any Genl. Exchange during the campaign though there may be Special Exch so it is no use fretting; and when ever any news is to be had regarding us you have the chance to see it first. My dear girl must not get despondent. There is no cause and I promise I will not. When I banished the blues in Libby two months ago – it was for at least a year.
A thousand loving words to you. Love to Sis, Mother, Aunt, Mrs. R. and all friends.
I am, Sincerely yours, James E. Love. Capt. 8th K.V.
http://www.historyhappenshere.org/node/7547
5. Friday, June 2, 1865: The last Confederate surrender in the Trans-Mississippi Theater
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186506

Monday, June 2, 1862: Union forces pursued CSA Maj Gen Tomas Stonewall Jackson. Maj. Gen. Irvin McDowell up the Luray Valley and Maj. Gen. John C. Frémont up the main Valley (west of Massanutten Mountain). Jackson's men made good time on the Valley Pike, marching more than 40 miles in one 36-hour period, but heavy rains and deep mud delayed their pursuers. For the next five days, frequent clashes occurred between Turner Ashby's cavalry (screening the rear of Jackson's march) and lead Union cavalry. Ashby also burned some bridges across the South Fork of the Shenandoah River, delaying the Union pursuit and keeping Shields's and Frémont's forces separated.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson%27s_Valley_Campaign
Monday, June 2, 1862 --- Shenandoah Campaign - On the night of June 1, CSA Maj Gen Thomas Stonewall Jackson starts his troops on the road, heading south at a quick pace, heading up the Shenandoah Valley in order to escape the Federal dragnet trying to scoop him up. Fremont’s men finally kick into motion, nipping at the Rebels’ heels. CSA Brig Gen. Steuart’s two cavalry regiments do poorly at holding back the Yankee attacks at the Rebel rearguard, so Jackson relieves Steuart of command and transfers the troops to CSA Brig Gen. Ashby’s command. Ashby fights a skillful delaying battle as the troops of both armies slog on through the ankle-deep mud of the Valley Pike. On a parallel road, Gen. Shields and his Union division push south along the Luray Valley, hoping to cut off Jackson at New Market, but finds that the bridges across the Shenandoah River have been destroyed by Rebel cavalry.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=June+2%2C+1862
B Thursday, June 2, 1864: Major-General William Sherman grew concerned the brazen CSA Major-General Nathan Forrest might move his Confederate cavalry force out of North Mississippi into Middle Tennessee, strike the supply lines, and perhaps jeopardize the entire Federal effort. Sherman ordered Brigadier-General Samuel Sturgis to keep Forrest occupied and, if possible, destroy the Confederate cavalry force that Forrest commanded. The Federal expedition marched out of Memphis on June 1. Sturgis had a great deal of discretion in his movements, but was generally expected to "proceed to Corinth, Mississippi, by way of Salem and Ruckersville, capture any force that may be there, then proceed south, destroying the Mobile and Ohio Railroad to Tupelo and Okolona, and as far as possible toward Macon and Columbus."
Background: In late May ordered Brigadier-General Samuel Sturgis out of Memphis and into North Mississippi with a force of just over 8,000 cavalry troopers. Sturgis's mission was to keep Forrest occupied and, if possible, destroy the Confederate cavalry force that Forrest commanded. Sherman's orders to Sturgis came just in time, as Forrest's cavalry had just left for Middle Tennessee and was forced to turn back to Mississippi to once again defend the northern part of the state.
http://www.wow.com/wiki/Battle_of_Brice's_Crossroads?s_pt=
B+ Thursday, June 2, 1864: Ordered to pursue and destroy General Nathan Bedford Forrest, General John Sturgis leaves Memphis, Tennessee with a force of 8,100 men.
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186406
C Thursday, June 2, 1864: Battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia. Disappointed by the failed attack Lt Gen U.S. Grant planned another advance for 5 a.m. on June 2. He ordered Major General Winfield Hancock's II Corps to march to the left of the VI Corps. Exhausted by a brutal night march over narrow, dusty roads, the II Corps did not arrive until 6:30 a.m. Grant postponed the attack until 5 p.m. Later that day, he approved a postponement until 4:30 a.m. of June 3 because of the spent condition of Hancock's men. The Union delays gave Lee precious hours, time he used to strengthen his defenses. The Confederates had built simple trenches by daybreak of June 2. Under Lee's personal supervision, these works were expanded and strengthened throughout the day. By nightfall the Confederates occupied an interlocking series of trenches with overlapping fields of fire. Reinforcements under Major General John Breckinridge and Lieutenant General Ambrose Hill arrived and fortified the Confederate right. Lee was ready.
https://www.nps.gov/rich/learn/historyculture/cold-harbor.htm
C+ Thursday, June 2, 1864: Battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia. By June 2, the armies had formed a seven-mile front that extended from Bethesda Church to the Chickahominy River. General Grant was poised for a major assault to General Lee’s right flank and cut off the Confederates off from Richmond, but when Maj. General Hancock's Second Corps arrived after a midnight march too fatigued to support the Union left flank, the operation was postponed until the following day.
http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/cold-harbor.html
C++ Thursday, June 2, 1864: Battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia [May 31-June 12, 1864]
Day 2: Things begin badly today for the Union army, once again bedeviled by poor communications on the field and ambiguous command structure. Grant ordered Meade to follow a now-common pattern: to hold with the V Corps (Warren) and move the II (Hancock) and the VI (Wright) to steal a flanking march on the Rebels. The problem: they had never caught Lee flat-footed. Hancock and Wright are ordered to march to Cold Harbor to participate in a morning attack. In theory, the Union left, by then the strongest flank for the Army of the Potomac, would be ready for Meade to make an attack with 3 corps, numbering well over 30,000 men. However, poor roads and disjointed staff work means that the march is slow and plagued with misdirection and the results of exhausted troops in constant contact with the enemy for nearly a month. As Hancock withdraws from the line, Burnside—whose IX Corps’ right flank was covered by Hancock—is not even informed of the move.
Lee is not fooled by the move, and sends Breckinridge’s fairly fresh division over to the Confederate left to reinforce Anderson’s First Corps. Lee also detaches Mahone’s and Wilcox’s divisions from A.P. Hill (whose ill health still plagues him) to send over to join Breckinridge. Lee’s new line is anchored on the two rivers, and therefore no longer has any vulnerable flank. There is skirmishing all along the line throughout the evening, as the Confederates put the finishing touches on an amazingly intricate line, with converging fields of fire, flanking trenches, and enfilading lines.
Hancock’s men, having marched all night, are in no condition or position to make a morning attack. Gen. Grant agrees to delay the attack until 5:00 PM., and begins shifting his lines to prepare for this assault: Burnside and Warren form a new line to withstand increasing pressure from Early’s Second Corps. Several Rebel attacks on Burnside’s and Warren’s lines yield several hundred Yankee prisoners for the attackers. Finally, Grant agrees to a general attack the next morning, June 3. A number of brigade and division commanders protest, having seen the ground in front of them, and the Southerners in their positions. Several observers take notice of infantrymen who, being advised of the attack on the Confederate works in the morning, are writing their names and hometowns on slips of paper and sewing them to their jackets; they do not expect to survive the attack.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=June+2%2C+1864
D Friday, June 2, 1865: Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith who was the commander of the Confederate forces west of the Mississippi, signs the surrender terms. With this signing, the last Confederate army ceased to exist and the bloodiest four years in U.S. History came to a close.
https://mholloway63.wordpress.com/2015/06/02/what-happened-on-june-2nd-the-american-civil-war-ends/
D+ May 26, 1865- General Simon Bolivar Buckner enters into terms for surrender of the Army of the Trans-Mississippi, which are agreed to on June 2, 1865.
https://www.nps.gov/gett/learn/historyculture/civil-war-timeline.htm
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Civil War Timeline / Chronology for June 1862

Response by CMDCM John F. "Doc" Bradshaw made Jun 2 at 2022 12:46 AM

2022-06-02T00:46:35-04:00

Another Excellent Post. Shows the need for identification of service members , especially by collecting and clearing companies. Thank You Sir for Sharing This Informative History of the Civil War! I love history. God Bless!!! Doc

What was the most significant event on June 2 during the U.S. Civil War?

What was the most significant event on June 2 during the U.S. Civil War?

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jun 4 at 2016 6:28 PM

Response by SP5 Mark Kuzinski made Jun 4 at 2016 7:39 PM

Response by CMDCM John F. "Doc" Bradshaw made Jun 2 at 2022 12:46 AM