Posted on Jun 29, 2016
What was the most significant event on June 26 during the U.S. Civil War?
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BATTLE OF BEAVER DAM CREEK: A FIGHT TO THE LAST - North & South: American Civil War Mod
BATTLE OF BEAVER DAM CREEK: A FIGHT TO THE LAST - North & South: American Civil War Mod - The Historical Battle of Beaver Dam Creek. Enjoy!Ivacy VPN - https:...
Second of the Seven Days’ Battles in 1862: Battle of Beaver Dam Creek, Mechanicsville. “The Battle of Oak Grove the day before drew George McClellan’s attention to his left flank, thus missing the sure signs of Robert E. Lee’s intended attack on his right, as deserters and escaped slaves have been telling Little Mac’s intelligence service.”
Stonewall Jackson was “uncharacteristically sluggish” and his tired forces are six hours behind schedule. Therefore, CSA Maj Gen A.P. Hill launched the attack on his own at 3 PM.
“A clear tactical victory for the Union, the Battle of Beaver Dam Creek saw Maj. Gen. Fitz John Porter’s V Corps men inflict 1,484 killed and wounded on Lee's army while sustaining only 361 killed and wounded. Despite this triumph, the over-cautious McClellan, who believed Lee to possess around 200,000 men, directed Porter to retreat to a new position at Gaines' Mill that night. In addition, he shifted his supply base south the James River. By giving up the railroad, McClellan effectively lost his ability to mount and maintain a siege of Richmond. As a result of this decision, he effectively defeated his own campaign. Though beaten at Beaver Dam Creek, the initiative passed to Lee who would attack McClellan again the next day at the Battle of Gaines' Mill.”
1863: Rear Admiral Andrew H. Foote dies in New York City. He had worked closely with Maj gen Grant in the joint Army-navy campaigns against Fort Henry and Donelson on the Mississippi. He suffered apparently minor injuries during the battle for Fort Donelson on February 12, 1862 when the Federal gunboat St. Louis was hit.
1863: CSA Gen Jubal Early is marching to York, Pennsylvania. He marches through Gettysburg on the way. Meanwhile to the west on Chambersburg Pike, rebel cavalry is moving northwards. “
Skirmish at Marsh Creek: Confederate veterans overwhelm raw Union recruits in the opening salvo to the war's largest battle.
“At 8:00 a.m. on the morning of Friday, June 26, a cold rain fell as Early’s men marched toward Gettysburg. Two miles from their camp, they burned Thaddeus Stevens’ Caledonia Furnace Iron Works. A few miles west of Cashtown, Jubal Early received information that local militia were at Gettysburg. Early sent the 1,900 men of Gordon’s Brigade and White’s troopers on the straight path to Gettysburg, the Cashtown Pike, while Early led the balance of his division and French’s cavalry on a road to the north known as the Hilltown Road. Gordon had orders to engage any enemy troops on his front, while the rest of Early’s men approached Gettysburg from what was thought to be the rear of the right flank of the militia.
A local cavalry unit, Capt. Robert Bell’s Adams County Cavalry Company, was comprised of approximately 50 locals mounted on their own horses and without uniforms. Unaware of Early’s approach, at 10:30 a.m. Maj. Granville O. Haller of the 7th U. S. Infantry ordered 24-year-old Col. William W. Jennings to march west on the Chambersburg Pike and take up a position to delay any Southern advance into Adams County. Jennings balked at the order, citing the inexperience of his troops, but Haller insisted. After detailing one company of the 26th Pennsylvania and Randall’s cavalry to remain in town and protect the regimental baggage, Jennings marched off through a fog and drizzling rain, with Bell’s cavalry leading the way.
The column halted at a bridge over Marsh Creek, and Jennings detailed forty of his “best” men from the 26th Pennsylvania and some of Bell’s troopers across the creek to form a picket line. Other cavaliers advanced 200 yards west to watch the road, while the rest of the militia set up camp on the north side of the road in a clover field east of the creek. Unaware that Early was marching straight at them, many pitched tents to shelter themselves from the rain.
Jennings and Bell rode a few hundred yards to get a better westward view atop a rise today called Knoxlyn or Wisler Ridge. Reports that Rebels were in force to their front began arriving, and they soon spotted White’s cavalry descending a slight slope in the road about two miles away. One of Bell’s cavalrymen rode into the camp yelling that the enemy was “quite near.” Jennings had no illusion of holding back the Confederate troopers, especially if they were leading a large column of Southern infantry. He and Bell rode back to the camp and ordered the soldiers to strike tents, roll their packs, and retreat east in the direction of Gettysburg.
The militiamen quickly gathered their gear and began marching northeast through farm fields. Bell’s cavalry and Jenning’s pickets, however, held their ground and were soon spotted by White’s battalion of Virginia Cavalry. Led by Methodist preacher turned- warrior Lt. Harrison M. Strickler and his Co. E, White’s troopers raised an ear-piercing Rebel Yell and charged down the road. “They came with barbarian yells and smoking pistols, in such a desperate dash,” Capt. Frank Myers, the regimental historian of White’s cavalry, wrote of his comrades’ charge, “that the blue-coated troopers wheeled their horses and departed ... without firing a shot.... Of course, ‘nobody was hurt,’ if we except one fat militia Captain, who, in his exertion to be first to surrender, managed to get himself run over by one of Company E’s horses, and was bruised somewhat.” White’s cavalrymen captured nearly three dozen prisoners. While a few pursued Bell’s galloped retreat, most of White’s troopers raided the hastily abandoned infantry camp in the field.
Jenning’s militiamen ran through the fields east of Marsh Creek until they reached today’s Belmont Road, which they followed to the Mummasburg Road. From there, Jennings intended to reach the Gettysburg railroad station and then follow the tracks to Harrisburg.
The uncaptured remnants of Bell’s cavalry galloped east on the pike toward Gettysburg. After galloping through town, Bell gathered the remainder of his men near Rock Creek on the Hanover Road and, declaring, “Every man for himself,” ordered them to their homes. Bell and some of his men, along with Maj. Haller and Randall’s cavalry, rode on to Hanover, then to York and Wrightsville.
After being dismissed by Bell, Pvts. George Washington Sandoe and William Lightner rode the low land along Rock Creek west of town to reach the Baltimore Pike at about 4:00 p.m. Unseen behind the scrub trees that lined the road, a few of White’s Confederate cavalry made their way down the pike and, upon seeing the mounted troopers, ordered them to surrender. Sandoe quickly pulled his revolver and fired at the Southerners. Lightner’s horse was able to jump a fence and carry him to safety, but his companion’s steed balked at the fence. Sandoe was shot in the head and left breast by one of White’s men, fell from his horse, and lay dead in the road. Sandoe is often referred to as the first Federal casualty at Gettysburg, although the battle proper would not start for another few days.
The Confederates took Sandoe’s horse and rode back toward town, leaving the young cavalryman where he lay. Later, one of White’s men told a local, “the ---- shot at me, but he did not hit me, and I shot at him and blowed him down like nothing, and here I got his horse and he lays down the pike.”
Early that evening, local miller James McAllister came upon Sandoe’s body, but didn’t recognize the young man. He placed the body in his wagon, and a neighbor identified the corpse. After learning he lived south of Mt. Joy Church (in an area called Barlow today) a few miles south of Gettysburg, McAllister took Sandoe there, where his wife awaited his return from assignment in Gettysburg. George and Diana Sandoe had only been married a few months.
Back in the town square, White’s cavalry looted and ransacked many of the homes while terrified citizens tried to hide their horses and valuables. Gordon’s foot soldiers, escorting the captured militiamen, entered along Chambersburg Street and filed into the square.”
Pictures: 1862-06-26 Battle of Beaver Dam Creek map; 1862-06-26 Battle of Beaver Dam Creek - Charge of Confederates Under Ripley and Pender at Beaver Dam; 1862-06 seven days’ battles map; Rear Admiral Andrew Hull Foote
A. 1862: Battle of Beaver Dam Creek (Mechanicsville), Virginia. Union Victory. The Confederates Attack: Despite Robert E. Lee's efforts, his plan quickly went awry the next day. Badly fatigued from their efforts in the Valley and the march to Richmond, CSA Maj Gen Thomas Jackson's men were not in position at the appointed hour. With Jackson running several hours behind, A.P. Hill became increasingly frustrated. At 3:00 PM, he still had not heard from Jackson and elected to initiate the battle on his own. Ordering his men forward, they swept Union forces from Mechanicsville. Alerted to the Confederate advance, Porter was willing to cede the town in favor of his position along Beaver Dam Creek. Charging forward, Confederate troops waded the creek in an effort to break the Union line.
Though elements of Brigadier General George A. McCall's division wavered, prompt reinforcement by FitzJohn Porter saw V Corps throwback CSA Maj Gen A.P. Hill's attack with heavy losses. Fighting from a strong position near Ellerson's Mills, Porter also worked to extend his right to protect against being flanked. As Hill conducted assaults against the Beaver Dam Creek Line, Jackson approached the area around 5:00 PM. Unable to make contact with the other Confederate commanders, Jackson elected to make camp rather than press on to locate the enemy. Aided by Longstreet and D.H. Hill, A.P. Hill continued attacking Porter into the evening. Taking additional losses, the Confederates halted their efforts after nightfall. Losses: Union 361; Confederate 1,484
B. 1863: Gettysburg Campaign. Confederate General Jubal Early marches into Gettysburg as the vanguard of the Army of Northern Virginia's invasion of Pennsylvania. Early and his corps marched into Gettysburg today, but no battle broke out as there were no Union troops to speak of anywhere around. A militia unit put up a brief and feeble attempt at a fight but were hopelessly outnumbered and forced to make tracks out of town, with several of their number captured. Pennsylvania had contributed a great many men to the war, but now that their own state was invaded, they could do nothing. The man who could, Army of the Potomac commander Joseph Hooker, was only as far as Frederick, Maryland, where he counseled the evacuation of parts of Harpers Ferry. Pennsylvania Gov. Andrew Curtin ordered the raising of 60,000 state militia to repel the invasion themselves, but it was impossible to accomplish such a thing in time.
Gettysburg wasn’t Early's actual destination. His troops were on their way to York, Pennsylvania, to seize the bridge spanning the Susquehanna River. But Early and other commanders had established a pattern of moving into a town and making demands on the town council for money and supplies. It was a way not only of potentially securing provisions for their troops, but of instilling uneasiness into the local population at the same time. At about 4 pm, Early – who had sent advance word to the borough council that he would be wanting to meet with them to “make a requisition” – rode to the Diamond, seeking Robert Martin, the Burgess of Gettysburg.
Upon learning that Burgess Martin had left the area, along with most of the council members, Early was directed to speak to David Kendlehart, president of the town council. Kendlehart would come out to meet with General Early, but in the end the Confederate commander received little of what he was demanding; most of the available supplies had already been moved to safer locations away from town. Even so, Gettysburg resident Sarah Broadhead felt the impact of the occupation that day: “The Rebel band were (sic) playing Southern tunes in the Diamond. I cannot tell how bad I felt to hear them, and to see the traitor’s flag flying overhead.” Another resident, Sallie Myers, added, “We were not afraid, but it is exasperating that we are now under the control of armed traitors.”
C. 1863: Battle of Hoover’s Gap, Tennessee. Union Victory. After more skirmishing, Maj. Gen Alexander P. Stewart of Bragg’s army orders Brig. Gen. William B. Bate and Brig. Gen. Bushrod Johnson to withdraw from the Gap, along with the rest of Stewart’s division. John T. Wilder’s brigade immediately sets out in pursuit, harassing the Rebels as CSA Gen Braxton Bragg’s army falls back to Tullahoma.
CSA Gen Braxton Bragg became aware of the significant fighting on his right flank and that the actions on his left were a feint. He ordered CSA Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk to take his corps on a night march toward Murfreesboro through Guy's Gap and attack the Union force at Liberty Gap from the rear, while CSA Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee pressed them in front. Polk objected to the difficulty of the assignment and Bragg eventually called off the attack as he came to realize the threat from Thomas. Meanwhile, Rosecrans ordered McCook to withdraw from Liberty Gap to the north, skirt around the upper reaches of the Highland Rim, and exploit Thomas's breakout at Hoover's Gap.
D. 1864: Siege of Petersburg, Virginia. Federal cavalry captured critical rebel supplies as Maj Gen Sheridan rejoins Lt Gen Grant at Petersburg. “Gen. Phil Sheridan had captured a supply depot at White House, Va., north of the James River, and loaded the booty onto wagons. Ever since, he had been pursued by the Confederate cavalry, desperate to recover the irreplaceable goods to sustain the siege of Petersburg. They had crossed the Chickahominy River under fire, and been harassed daily along the route. Things became safer today as they neared the main body of the Army of the Potomac. They recrossed the James by loading the wagons onto ferryboats at a place called Couthard’s Landing.”
Battle of Beaver Dam Creek (Mechanicsville), Virginia June 26, 1862
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RRieJtN_3M
FYI PV2 Larry Sellnow SFC Ralph E Kelley SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth Sgt William Biggs SPC Michael Oles SR Maj Marty Hogan COL (Join to see) SPC Michael Terrell COL Lisandro Murphy SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL] LTC Trent Klug]SSgt David M. MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. SPC Maurice Evans SSG Bill McCoy
Stonewall Jackson was “uncharacteristically sluggish” and his tired forces are six hours behind schedule. Therefore, CSA Maj Gen A.P. Hill launched the attack on his own at 3 PM.
“A clear tactical victory for the Union, the Battle of Beaver Dam Creek saw Maj. Gen. Fitz John Porter’s V Corps men inflict 1,484 killed and wounded on Lee's army while sustaining only 361 killed and wounded. Despite this triumph, the over-cautious McClellan, who believed Lee to possess around 200,000 men, directed Porter to retreat to a new position at Gaines' Mill that night. In addition, he shifted his supply base south the James River. By giving up the railroad, McClellan effectively lost his ability to mount and maintain a siege of Richmond. As a result of this decision, he effectively defeated his own campaign. Though beaten at Beaver Dam Creek, the initiative passed to Lee who would attack McClellan again the next day at the Battle of Gaines' Mill.”
1863: Rear Admiral Andrew H. Foote dies in New York City. He had worked closely with Maj gen Grant in the joint Army-navy campaigns against Fort Henry and Donelson on the Mississippi. He suffered apparently minor injuries during the battle for Fort Donelson on February 12, 1862 when the Federal gunboat St. Louis was hit.
1863: CSA Gen Jubal Early is marching to York, Pennsylvania. He marches through Gettysburg on the way. Meanwhile to the west on Chambersburg Pike, rebel cavalry is moving northwards. “
Skirmish at Marsh Creek: Confederate veterans overwhelm raw Union recruits in the opening salvo to the war's largest battle.
“At 8:00 a.m. on the morning of Friday, June 26, a cold rain fell as Early’s men marched toward Gettysburg. Two miles from their camp, they burned Thaddeus Stevens’ Caledonia Furnace Iron Works. A few miles west of Cashtown, Jubal Early received information that local militia were at Gettysburg. Early sent the 1,900 men of Gordon’s Brigade and White’s troopers on the straight path to Gettysburg, the Cashtown Pike, while Early led the balance of his division and French’s cavalry on a road to the north known as the Hilltown Road. Gordon had orders to engage any enemy troops on his front, while the rest of Early’s men approached Gettysburg from what was thought to be the rear of the right flank of the militia.
A local cavalry unit, Capt. Robert Bell’s Adams County Cavalry Company, was comprised of approximately 50 locals mounted on their own horses and without uniforms. Unaware of Early’s approach, at 10:30 a.m. Maj. Granville O. Haller of the 7th U. S. Infantry ordered 24-year-old Col. William W. Jennings to march west on the Chambersburg Pike and take up a position to delay any Southern advance into Adams County. Jennings balked at the order, citing the inexperience of his troops, but Haller insisted. After detailing one company of the 26th Pennsylvania and Randall’s cavalry to remain in town and protect the regimental baggage, Jennings marched off through a fog and drizzling rain, with Bell’s cavalry leading the way.
The column halted at a bridge over Marsh Creek, and Jennings detailed forty of his “best” men from the 26th Pennsylvania and some of Bell’s troopers across the creek to form a picket line. Other cavaliers advanced 200 yards west to watch the road, while the rest of the militia set up camp on the north side of the road in a clover field east of the creek. Unaware that Early was marching straight at them, many pitched tents to shelter themselves from the rain.
Jennings and Bell rode a few hundred yards to get a better westward view atop a rise today called Knoxlyn or Wisler Ridge. Reports that Rebels were in force to their front began arriving, and they soon spotted White’s cavalry descending a slight slope in the road about two miles away. One of Bell’s cavalrymen rode into the camp yelling that the enemy was “quite near.” Jennings had no illusion of holding back the Confederate troopers, especially if they were leading a large column of Southern infantry. He and Bell rode back to the camp and ordered the soldiers to strike tents, roll their packs, and retreat east in the direction of Gettysburg.
The militiamen quickly gathered their gear and began marching northeast through farm fields. Bell’s cavalry and Jenning’s pickets, however, held their ground and were soon spotted by White’s battalion of Virginia Cavalry. Led by Methodist preacher turned- warrior Lt. Harrison M. Strickler and his Co. E, White’s troopers raised an ear-piercing Rebel Yell and charged down the road. “They came with barbarian yells and smoking pistols, in such a desperate dash,” Capt. Frank Myers, the regimental historian of White’s cavalry, wrote of his comrades’ charge, “that the blue-coated troopers wheeled their horses and departed ... without firing a shot.... Of course, ‘nobody was hurt,’ if we except one fat militia Captain, who, in his exertion to be first to surrender, managed to get himself run over by one of Company E’s horses, and was bruised somewhat.” White’s cavalrymen captured nearly three dozen prisoners. While a few pursued Bell’s galloped retreat, most of White’s troopers raided the hastily abandoned infantry camp in the field.
Jenning’s militiamen ran through the fields east of Marsh Creek until they reached today’s Belmont Road, which they followed to the Mummasburg Road. From there, Jennings intended to reach the Gettysburg railroad station and then follow the tracks to Harrisburg.
The uncaptured remnants of Bell’s cavalry galloped east on the pike toward Gettysburg. After galloping through town, Bell gathered the remainder of his men near Rock Creek on the Hanover Road and, declaring, “Every man for himself,” ordered them to their homes. Bell and some of his men, along with Maj. Haller and Randall’s cavalry, rode on to Hanover, then to York and Wrightsville.
After being dismissed by Bell, Pvts. George Washington Sandoe and William Lightner rode the low land along Rock Creek west of town to reach the Baltimore Pike at about 4:00 p.m. Unseen behind the scrub trees that lined the road, a few of White’s Confederate cavalry made their way down the pike and, upon seeing the mounted troopers, ordered them to surrender. Sandoe quickly pulled his revolver and fired at the Southerners. Lightner’s horse was able to jump a fence and carry him to safety, but his companion’s steed balked at the fence. Sandoe was shot in the head and left breast by one of White’s men, fell from his horse, and lay dead in the road. Sandoe is often referred to as the first Federal casualty at Gettysburg, although the battle proper would not start for another few days.
The Confederates took Sandoe’s horse and rode back toward town, leaving the young cavalryman where he lay. Later, one of White’s men told a local, “the ---- shot at me, but he did not hit me, and I shot at him and blowed him down like nothing, and here I got his horse and he lays down the pike.”
Early that evening, local miller James McAllister came upon Sandoe’s body, but didn’t recognize the young man. He placed the body in his wagon, and a neighbor identified the corpse. After learning he lived south of Mt. Joy Church (in an area called Barlow today) a few miles south of Gettysburg, McAllister took Sandoe there, where his wife awaited his return from assignment in Gettysburg. George and Diana Sandoe had only been married a few months.
Back in the town square, White’s cavalry looted and ransacked many of the homes while terrified citizens tried to hide their horses and valuables. Gordon’s foot soldiers, escorting the captured militiamen, entered along Chambersburg Street and filed into the square.”
Pictures: 1862-06-26 Battle of Beaver Dam Creek map; 1862-06-26 Battle of Beaver Dam Creek - Charge of Confederates Under Ripley and Pender at Beaver Dam; 1862-06 seven days’ battles map; Rear Admiral Andrew Hull Foote
A. 1862: Battle of Beaver Dam Creek (Mechanicsville), Virginia. Union Victory. The Confederates Attack: Despite Robert E. Lee's efforts, his plan quickly went awry the next day. Badly fatigued from their efforts in the Valley and the march to Richmond, CSA Maj Gen Thomas Jackson's men were not in position at the appointed hour. With Jackson running several hours behind, A.P. Hill became increasingly frustrated. At 3:00 PM, he still had not heard from Jackson and elected to initiate the battle on his own. Ordering his men forward, they swept Union forces from Mechanicsville. Alerted to the Confederate advance, Porter was willing to cede the town in favor of his position along Beaver Dam Creek. Charging forward, Confederate troops waded the creek in an effort to break the Union line.
Though elements of Brigadier General George A. McCall's division wavered, prompt reinforcement by FitzJohn Porter saw V Corps throwback CSA Maj Gen A.P. Hill's attack with heavy losses. Fighting from a strong position near Ellerson's Mills, Porter also worked to extend his right to protect against being flanked. As Hill conducted assaults against the Beaver Dam Creek Line, Jackson approached the area around 5:00 PM. Unable to make contact with the other Confederate commanders, Jackson elected to make camp rather than press on to locate the enemy. Aided by Longstreet and D.H. Hill, A.P. Hill continued attacking Porter into the evening. Taking additional losses, the Confederates halted their efforts after nightfall. Losses: Union 361; Confederate 1,484
B. 1863: Gettysburg Campaign. Confederate General Jubal Early marches into Gettysburg as the vanguard of the Army of Northern Virginia's invasion of Pennsylvania. Early and his corps marched into Gettysburg today, but no battle broke out as there were no Union troops to speak of anywhere around. A militia unit put up a brief and feeble attempt at a fight but were hopelessly outnumbered and forced to make tracks out of town, with several of their number captured. Pennsylvania had contributed a great many men to the war, but now that their own state was invaded, they could do nothing. The man who could, Army of the Potomac commander Joseph Hooker, was only as far as Frederick, Maryland, where he counseled the evacuation of parts of Harpers Ferry. Pennsylvania Gov. Andrew Curtin ordered the raising of 60,000 state militia to repel the invasion themselves, but it was impossible to accomplish such a thing in time.
Gettysburg wasn’t Early's actual destination. His troops were on their way to York, Pennsylvania, to seize the bridge spanning the Susquehanna River. But Early and other commanders had established a pattern of moving into a town and making demands on the town council for money and supplies. It was a way not only of potentially securing provisions for their troops, but of instilling uneasiness into the local population at the same time. At about 4 pm, Early – who had sent advance word to the borough council that he would be wanting to meet with them to “make a requisition” – rode to the Diamond, seeking Robert Martin, the Burgess of Gettysburg.
Upon learning that Burgess Martin had left the area, along with most of the council members, Early was directed to speak to David Kendlehart, president of the town council. Kendlehart would come out to meet with General Early, but in the end the Confederate commander received little of what he was demanding; most of the available supplies had already been moved to safer locations away from town. Even so, Gettysburg resident Sarah Broadhead felt the impact of the occupation that day: “The Rebel band were (sic) playing Southern tunes in the Diamond. I cannot tell how bad I felt to hear them, and to see the traitor’s flag flying overhead.” Another resident, Sallie Myers, added, “We were not afraid, but it is exasperating that we are now under the control of armed traitors.”
C. 1863: Battle of Hoover’s Gap, Tennessee. Union Victory. After more skirmishing, Maj. Gen Alexander P. Stewart of Bragg’s army orders Brig. Gen. William B. Bate and Brig. Gen. Bushrod Johnson to withdraw from the Gap, along with the rest of Stewart’s division. John T. Wilder’s brigade immediately sets out in pursuit, harassing the Rebels as CSA Gen Braxton Bragg’s army falls back to Tullahoma.
CSA Gen Braxton Bragg became aware of the significant fighting on his right flank and that the actions on his left were a feint. He ordered CSA Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk to take his corps on a night march toward Murfreesboro through Guy's Gap and attack the Union force at Liberty Gap from the rear, while CSA Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee pressed them in front. Polk objected to the difficulty of the assignment and Bragg eventually called off the attack as he came to realize the threat from Thomas. Meanwhile, Rosecrans ordered McCook to withdraw from Liberty Gap to the north, skirt around the upper reaches of the Highland Rim, and exploit Thomas's breakout at Hoover's Gap.
D. 1864: Siege of Petersburg, Virginia. Federal cavalry captured critical rebel supplies as Maj Gen Sheridan rejoins Lt Gen Grant at Petersburg. “Gen. Phil Sheridan had captured a supply depot at White House, Va., north of the James River, and loaded the booty onto wagons. Ever since, he had been pursued by the Confederate cavalry, desperate to recover the irreplaceable goods to sustain the siege of Petersburg. They had crossed the Chickahominy River under fire, and been harassed daily along the route. Things became safer today as they neared the main body of the Army of the Potomac. They recrossed the James by loading the wagons onto ferryboats at a place called Couthard’s Landing.”
Battle of Beaver Dam Creek (Mechanicsville), Virginia June 26, 1862
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RRieJtN_3M
FYI PV2 Larry Sellnow SFC Ralph E Kelley SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth Sgt William Biggs SPC Michael Oles SR Maj Marty Hogan COL (Join to see) SPC Michael Terrell COL Lisandro Murphy SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL] LTC Trent Klug]SSgt David M. MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. SPC Maurice Evans SSG Bill McCoy
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Federal and Confederate cavalry “made hay” generally in the springs, summers and fall of the Civil War in the open areas of the south and the border states. The exception being Nathan Bedford Forrest’s cavalry was delayed from rain/flooding in the west in 1863 and Hunter’s raid was paused because Hunter was ill and he ordered “his men to stop at Gauley, West Virginia, for a couple of days to allow stragglers to catch up. There, 70,000 rations reach them.”
1863: Seasoned confederate troops versus raw Pennsylvania militia recruits in the fields around Gettysburg led to predictable results. CSA Gen Jubal Early demanded supplies from the leadership of Gettysburg; but, the residents had wisely moved all critical supplies safely away.
Chance encounters resulted in skirmishes on most day of the Civil War with ambushes occurring less frequently except for cavalry formations and raiders. Gettysburg was chock full of skirmishes: Chambersburg, Gallagher's Knob, Rock Creek, Greencastle, and the Witmer farm in Pennsylvania
Mistrust among the general officers of the Confederate Army of Tennessee in 1863: Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee also contributed to Gen Braxton Bragg 's difficulties. The mistrust among the general officers of the Confederate Army of Tennessee for the past months led to little direct communication about strategy and neither Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk nor Hardee had a firm understanding of Bragg's plans. Hardee complained about the unsuitability of the Tullahoma position, but rather than assuming that Bragg and Joseph E. Johnston understood the strategic situation and that he had insufficient knowledge of their plans, as historian Steven E. Woodworth described it, "He simply took the situation as further proof of his long-held notion that Bragg was an idiot" and pursued the course "he deemed best for saving an army whose commander was an idiot."
Below are a number of journal entries from 1862 and 1863 which shed light on what life was like for soldiers and civilians – the good, the bad and the ugly.
Thursday, June 26, 1862: John Beauchamp Jones, of the C.S. War Department, records in his journal of the sounds of battle heard in the capital---and perhaps hastily interprets what he hears as the successful execution of the Lee’s plan: “. . . Hill was so near us as to be almost in sight. The drums and fifes of his regiments, as they marched up to the point of attack, could be easily heard; how distinctly, then, sounded his cannon in our ears! And the enemy’s guns, pointed in the direction of the city, were as plainly discerned. I think McClellan is taken by surprise. . . . Another hour, and the reports come with the rapidity of seconds, or 3600 per hour! And now, for the first time, we hear the rattle of small arms. And lo! two guns farther to the right,—from Longstreet’s division, I suppose. And they were followed by others. This is Lee’s grand plan of battle: Jackson first, then Hill, then Longstreet—time and distance computed with mathematical precision! The enemy’s balloons are not up now. They know what is going on, without further investigations up in the air. The business is upon earth, where many a Yankee will breathe his last this night! McClellan must be thunderstruck at this unexpected opening of a decisive battle. . . .”
Friday, June 26, 1863: HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE WEST, Jackson, MISS., June 26, 1863. Lieutenant General E. KIRBY SMITH, Command., &c., Trans-Miss. DEPT.: “GENERAL: You have probably learned before this reaches you of the critical aspect of affairs at Vicksburg. General Pemberton is closely invested with his garrison, numbering about 18,000 effectives. It is impossible with the force the Government has put at my disposal to raise the siege of the city. The most that I can do is possibly to extricate the army, leaving the place in possession of the enemy. If forced to the alternative, this is what I shall be completed to do, however reluctantly. Our only hope of saving Vicksburg now depends on the operations of your troops on the other side of the river. General Pemberton Says he has provisions for a fortnight; perhaps he has them for a longer time. Now, if you can contrive either to plant artillery on the Mississippi banks, drive beef into Vicksburg, or join the garrison, should it be practicable or expedient, we may be able to save the city. Your troops up to this time have done nothing. Placing the highest confidence in your intelligence, skill, enthusiasm, and appreciation of the mighty stake involved in the great issue now pending, I have earnestly to suggest that you will all possible dispatch in person to the scene of action, and do whatsoever in your judgment you may deem best to accomplish the immense result of saving Vicksburg and our communications with your department. J. E. Johnston.
[P. S.]- An intelligent officer, who brought dispatches from General Pemberton, expresses confidence that if your troops could send in abundance of cattle, and themselves (8,000) join the garrison, the place would be saved.”
Friday, June 26, 1863: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is occupied by confederate troops to the indignation of the residents. “Upon learning that Burgess Martin had left the area, along with most of the council members, Early was directed to speak to David Kendlehart, president of the town council. Kendlehart would come out to meet with General Early, but in the end the Confederate commander received little of what he was demanding; most of the available supplies had already been moved to safer locations away from town. Even so, Gettysburg resident Sarah Broadhead felt the impact of the occupation that day: “The Rebel band were (sic) playing Southern tunes in the Diamond. I cannot tell how bad I felt to hear them, and to see the traitor’s flag flying overhead.” Another resident, Sallie Myers, added, “We were not afraid, but it is exasperating that we are now under the control of armed traitors.”
Pictures: 1863-06-26 Gettysburg Campaign June 26, 1863 by Mort Kunstler; 1863-06-25 Skirmishes near Liberty Gap Tenn Map; 1863-06-26 skirmish at Witmar Farm by Marsh Creek Map; 1864-06 Sheridan's Trevilian Station Raid return Map
A. Thursday, June 26, 1862: Battle of Beaver Dam Creek (Mechanicsville), Virginia. Union Victory.
Battle of Beaver Dam Creek - The Confederates Attack: Despite Robert E. Lee's efforts, his plan quickly went awry the next day. Badly fatigued from their efforts in the Valley and the march to Richmond, CSA Maj Gen Thomas Jackson's men were not in position at the appointed hour. With Jackson running several hours behind, A.P. Hill became increasingly frustrated. At 3:00 PM, he still had not heard from Jackson and elected to initiate the battle on his own. Ordering his men forward, they swept Union forces from Mechanicsville. Alerted to the Confederate advance, Porter was willing to cede the town in favor of his position along Beaver Dam Creek. Charging forward, Confederate troops waded the creek in an effort to break the Union line (Map).
Though elements of Brigadier General George A. McCall's division wavered, prompt reinforcement by FitzJohn Porter saw V Corps throwback CSA Maj Gen A.P. Hill's attack with heavy losses. Fighting from a strong position near Ellerson's Mills, Porter also worked to extend his right to protect against being flanked. As Hill conducted assaults against the Beaver Dam Creek Line, Jackson approached the area around 5:00 PM. Unable to make contact with the other Confederate commanders, Jackson elected to make camp rather than press on to locate the enemy. Aided by Longstreet and D.H. Hill, A.P. Hill continued attacking Porter into the evening. Taking additional losses, the Confederates halted their efforts after nightfall.
Losses: Union 361; Confederate 1,484
Background: Opening Moves: CSA Gen Robert E. Lee's plan called for the bulk of his army to operate above the Chickahominy. To guard the Richmond defenses, he left the divisions of CSA Maj Gen Benjamin Huger and CSA Maj Gen John Magruder to face the bulk of the Army of the Potomac. With the expected arrival of CSA Maj Gen Thomas Jackson's command on June 25, Lee intended to begin his assault the next day. On June 25, Maj Gen George McClellan stirred and directed the divisions of Brigadier Generals Joseph Hooker and Philip Kearny to attack up the Williamsburg Road. The resulting Battle of Oak Grove saw the Union thrust blocked by Huger. With the Union effort contained, Lee continued with his plans for June 26.
Aftermath: Jackson’s Shenandoah Valley divisions, however, were approaching from the northwest, forcing Porter to withdraw the next morning to a position behind Boatswain Creek just beyond Gaines’ Mill.
As a result of the action near Mechanicsville, McClellan is convinced that his right flank is threatened, and that in fact his supply line by rail to White House on the York River is threatened, and therefore decides to move his supply base to the opposite side of the Peninsula, to the James River. The presence of Jackson’s men on Porter’s flank also prompts McClellan to order him to withdraw his Corps to Gaines Mill, where there are strong prepared defensive lines behind Boatswain’s Creek. McClellan sends a message to Washington, asserting that he faces over 200,000 Confederates, and requests reinforcements.
B. Friday, June 26, 1863: Gettysburg Campaign. Confederate General Jubal Early marches into Gettysburg as the vanguard of the Army of Northern Virginia's invasion of Pennsylvania. Early and his corps marched into Gettysburg today, but no battle broke out as there were no Union troops to speak of anywhere around. A militia unit put up a brief and feeble attempt at a fight but were hopelessly outnumbered and forced to make tracks out of town, with several of their number captured. Pennsylvania had contributed a great many men to the war, but now that their own state was invaded, they could do nothing. The man who could, Army of the Potomac commander Joseph Hooker, was only as far as Frederick, Maryland, where he counseled the evacuation of parts of Harpers Ferry. Pennsylvania Gov. Andrew Curtin ordered the raising of 60,000 state militia to repel the invasion themselves, but it was impossible to accomplish such a thing in time.
Gettysburg wasn’t Early's actual destination. His troops were on their way to York, Pennsylvania, to seize the bridge spanning the Susquehanna River. But Early and other commanders had established a pattern of moving into a town and making demands on the town council for money and supplies. It was a way not only of potentially securing provisions for their troops, but of instilling uneasiness into the local population at the same time. At about 4 pm, Early – who had sent advance word to the borough council that he would be wanting to meet with them to “make a requisition” – rode to the Diamond, seeking Robert Martin, the Burgess of Gettysburg.
Upon learning that Burgess Martin had left the area, along with most of the council members, Early was directed to speak to David Kendlehart, president of the town council. Kendlehart would come out to meet with General Early, but in the end the Confederate commander received little of what he was demanding; most of the available supplies had already been moved to safer locations away from town. Even so, Gettysburg resident Sarah Broadhead felt the impact of the occupation that day: “The Rebel band were (sic) playing Southern tunes in the Diamond. I cannot tell how bad I felt to hear them, and to see the traitor’s flag flying overhead.” Another resident, Sallie Myers, added, “We were not afraid, but it is exasperating that we are now under the control of armed traitors.”
Early’s men camped in town overnight before heading toward York.
C. Friday, June 26, 1863: Battle of Hoover’s Gap, Tennessee. Union Victory. After more skirmishing, Maj. Gen Alexander P. Stewart of Bragg’s army orders Brig. Gen. William B. Bate and Brig. Gen. Bushrod Johnson to withdraw from the Gap, along with the rest of Stewart’s division. John T. Wilder’s brigade immediately sets out in pursuit, harassing the Rebels as CSA Gen Braxton Bragg’s army falls back to Tullahoma.
CSA Gen Braxton Bragg became aware of the significant fighting on his right flank and that the actions on his left were a feint. He ordered CSA Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk to take his corps on a night march toward Murfreesboro through Guy's Gap and attack the Union force at Liberty Gap from the rear, while CSA Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee pressed them in front. Polk objected to the difficulty of the assignment and Bragg eventually called off the attack as he came to realize the threat from Thomas. Meanwhile, Rosecrans ordered McCook to withdraw from Liberty Gap to the north, skirt around the upper reaches of the Highland Rim, and exploit Thomas's breakout at Hoover's Gap.
CSA Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee also contributed to CSA Gen Braxton Bragg 's difficulties. The mistrust among the general officers of the Confederate Army of Tennessee for the past months led to little direct communication about strategy and neither Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk nor Hardee had a firm understanding of Bragg's plans. Hardee complained about the unsuitability of the Tullahoma position, but rather than assuming that Bragg and Joseph E. Johnston understood the strategic situation and that he had insufficient knowledge of their plans, as historian Steven E. Woodworth described it, "He simply took the situation as further proof of his long-held notion that Bragg was an idiot" and pursued the course "he deemed best for saving an army whose commander was an idiot." That course was to order his force under Maj. Gen Alexander P. Stewart at Hoover's Gap to retreat towards Wartrace. If he had withdrawn in the direction of Manchester, he might have used the successive defensive positions along that route to delay Rosecrans enough for Bragg to implement a successful counterattack, but he simply made Thomas's breakout more effective, leaving Bragg with no alternatives than to order Polk and Hardee to withdraw to Tullahoma on June 27.
D. Sunday, June 26, 1864: Siege of Petersburg, Virginia. Maj Gen Sheridan rejoins Lt Gen Grant at Petersburg. “Gen. Phil Sheridan had captured a supply depot at White House, Va., north of the James River, and loaded the booty onto wagons. Ever since, he had been pursued by the Confederate cavalry, desperate to recover the irreplaceable goods to sustain the siege of Petersburg. They had crossed the Chickahominy River under fire, and been harassed daily along the route. Things became safer today as they neared the main body of the Army of the Potomac. They recrossed the James by loading the wagons onto ferryboats at a place called Couthard’s Landing.”
1. Wednesday, June 26, 1861:
2. Thursday, June 26, 1862: Battle of Beaver Dam Creek, Mechanicsville. Second of the Seven Days’ Battles. Gen. Robert E. Lee initiated his offensive against McClellan’s right flank north of the Chickahominy River. A.P. Hill threw his division, reinforced by one of D.H. Hill’s brigades, into a series of futile assaults against Brig. Gen. Fitz John Porter’s V Corps, which was drawn up behind Beaver Dam Creek. Confederate attacks were driven back with heavy casualties. Jackson’s Shenandoah Valley divisions, however, were approaching from the northwest, forcing Porter to withdraw the next morning to a position behind Boatswain Creek just beyond Gaines’ Mill.
http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/beaver-dam-creek.html
3. Thursday, June 26, 1862: Battle of Beaver Dam Creek [US]
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186206
4. Thursday, June 26, 1862: Battle of Mechanicsville [CS]
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186206
5. Thursday, June 26, 1862: Battle of Mechanicsville Lee attacked Unionist forces outside Richmond at Mechanicsville. Lee had decided that attack was his best form of defence. However, an accurate and severe Unionist artillery bombardment threw back the Confederates. Lee withdrew his forces. McClellan remained very cautious and feared that a second attack would be more successful. Despite arguments to the contrary from his in-the-field commanders, McClellan ordered his forward troops to withdraw from their entrenched lines.
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/the-american-civil-war/american-civil-war-june-1862/
6. Thursday, June 26, 1862: Battle of Ellerson's Mill [Alternate Battle of Ellison's Mill]
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186206
7. Thursday, June 26, 1862: Daniel Harvey Hill [CS] attacks Fitz-John Porter [US]. Virginia
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186206
8. Seven Days Retreat; George McClellan; Fitz-John Porter; A. P. Hill; George Meade; John Reynolds
9. Thursday, June 26, 1862: Major General John Pope assumes command of all Union forces in the state of Virginia with the exception of the Army of the Potomac. This is simply called the Army of Virginia
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186206
10. Friday, June 26, 1863: Rear Admiral Andrew H. Foote [US] dies in New York City
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186306
11. Thursday, June 26, 1862 --- As a result of the action near Mechanicsville, McClellan is convinced that his right flank is threatened, and that in fact his supply line by rail to White House on the York River is threatened, and therefore decides to move his supply base to the opposite side of the Peninsula, to the James River. The presence of Jackson’s men on Porter’s flank also prompts McClellan to order him to withdraw his Corps to Gaines Mill, where there are strong prepared defensive lines behind Boatswain’s Creek. McClellan sends a message to Washington, asserting that he faces over 200,000 Confederates, and requests reinforcements.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=June+26%2C+1862
12. Thursday, June 26, 1862 --- John Beauchamp Jones, of the C.S. War Department, records in his journal of the sounds of battle heard in the capital---and perhaps hastily interprets what he hears as the successful execution of the Lee’s plan: “. . . Hill was so near us as to be almost in sight. The drums and fifes of his regiments, as they marched up to the point of attack, could be easily heard; how distinctly, then, sounded his cannon in our ears! And the enemy’s guns, pointed in the direction of the city, were as plainly discerned. I think McClellan is taken by surprise. . . . Another hour, and the reports come with the rapidity of seconds, or 3600 per hour! And now, for the first time, we hear the rattle of small arms. And lo! two guns farther to the right,—from Longstreet’s division, I suppose. And they were followed by others. This is Lee’s grand plan of battle: Jackson first, then Hill, then Longstreet—time and distance computed with mathematical precision! The enemy’s balloons are not up now. They know what is going on, without further investigations up in the air. The business is upon earth, where many a Yankee will breathe his last this night! McClellan must be thunderstruck at this unexpected opening of a decisive battle. . . .”
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=June+26%2C+1862
13. Friday, June 26, 1863: HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE WEST, Jackson, MISS., June 26, 1863. Lieutenant General E. KIRBY SMITH, Command., &c., Trans-Miss. DEPT.: “GENERAL: You have probably learned before this reaches you of the critical aspect of affairs at Vicksburg. General Pemberton is closely invested with his garrison, numbering about 18,000 effectives. It is impossible with the force the Government has put at my disposal to raise the siege of the city. The most that I can do is possibly to extricate the army, leaving the place in possession of the enemy. If forced to the alternative, this is what I shall be completed to do, however reluctantly. Our only hope of saving Vicksburg now depends on the operations of your troops on the other side of the river. General Pemberton Says he has provisions for a fortnight; perhaps he has them for a longer time. Now, if you can contrive either to plant artillery on the Mississippi banks, drive beef into Vicksburg, or join the garrison, should it be practicable or expedient, we may be able to save the city. Your troops up to this time have done nothing. Placing the highest confidence in your intelligence, skill, enthusiasm, and appreciation of the mighty stake involved in the great issue now pending, I have earnestly to suggest that you will all possible dispatch in person to the scene of action, and do whatsoever in your judgment you may deem best to accomplish the immense result of saving Vicksburg and our communications with your department. J. E. Johnston.
[P. S.]- An intelligent officer, who brought dispatches from General Pemberton, expresses confidence that if your troops could send in abundance of cattle, and themselves (8,000) join the garrison, the place would be saved.”
https://bjdeming.com/2013/06/27/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-june-24-30-1863/
14. Friday, June 26, 1863: Gettysburg Campaign. Skirmish at Lighter House, Pennsylvania
http://www.emmitsburg.net/archive_list/articles/history/civil_war/engagements_in_the_emmitsburg_area.htm
15. Friday, June 26, 1863: Gettysburg Campaign. Skirmish at Witmer's Farm, Pennsylvania (Bailey’s Hill)
http://www.emmitsburg.net/archive_list/articles/history/civil_war/engagements_in_the_emmitsburg_area.htm
16. Friday, June 26, 1863: Gettysburg Campaign. Skirmish at Witmer's Farm, Pennsylvania. At 8:00 a.m. on the morning of Friday, June 26, a cold rain fell as Early’s men marched toward Gettysburg. Two miles from their camp, they burned Thaddeus Stevens’ Caledonia Furnace Iron Works. A few miles west of Cashtown. Early received information that local militia were at Gettysburg. He decided the best way to approach the potential threat was to divide his force and arrive from two angles — just in case he met a stubborn resistance. Early sent the 1,900 men of Gordon’s Brigade and White’s troopers on the straight path to Gettysburg, the Cashtown Pike, while Early led the balance of his division and French’s cavalry on a road to the north known as the Hilltown Road. Gordon had orders to engage any enemy troops on his front, while the rest of Early’s men approached Gettysburg from what was thought to be the rear of the right flank of the militia.
In answer to Lee’s threatened invasion of the North, several Pennsylvania militia troops were mobilized in late June to protect the Cashtown Pass area and the Cumberland Valley. On June 18, the 26th Pennsylvania Emergency Militia mustered into duty with 743 officers and men. The commander of the Department of the Susquehanna, Maj. Gen. Darius N. Couch, dispatched the green regiment to Gettysburg, where it arrived by train at about 9:00 a.m. on June 26. The regiment was commanded by 24-year-old Col. William W. Jennings, and was made up mostly of soldiers from the central part of the state, including one company of 56 students from Pennsylvania (now Gettysburg) College. Capt. Samuel J. Randall’s First Troop, Philadelphia City Cavalry, was already in town, having arrived five days earlier.
A local cavalry unit, Capt. Robert Bell’s Adams County Cavalry Company, was comprised of approximately 50 locals mounted on their own horses and without uniforms. Bell, a 33-year-old farmer, had formed the company on June 16. Bell’s troopers joined the militia, and all were under the command of Maj. Granville O. Haller of the 7th U. S. Infantry, whom Couch had designated to organize the defense of the area.
Unaware of Early’s approach, at 10:30 a.m. Haller ordered Jennings to march west on the Chambersburg Pike and take up a position to delay any Southern advance into Adams County. Jennings balked at the order, citing the inexperience of his troops, but Haller insisted. After detailing one company of the 26th Pennsylvania and Randall’s cavalry to remain in town and protect the regimental baggage, Jennings marched off through a fog and drizzling rain, with Bell’s cavalry leading the way.
The column halted at a bridge over Marsh Creek, and Jennings detailed forty of his “best” men from the 26th Pennsylvania and some of Bell’s troopers across the creek to form a picket line. Other cavaliers advanced 200 yards west to watch the road, while the rest of the militia set up camp on the north side of the road in a clover field east of the creek. Unaware that Early was marching straight at them, many pitched tents to shelter themselves from the rain.
Skirmish at Marsh Creek: Confederate veterans overwhelm raw Union recruits in the opening salvo to the war's largest battle.
Jennings and Bell rode a few hundred yards to get a better westward view atop a rise today called Knoxlyn or Wisler Ridge. Reports that Rebels were in force to their front began arriving, and they soon spotted White’s cavalry descending a slight slope in the road about two miles away. One of Bell’s cavalrymen rode into the camp yelling that the enemy was “quite near.” Jennings had no illusion of holding back the Confederate troopers, especially if they were leading a large column of Southern infantry. He and Bell rode back to the camp and ordered the soldiers to strike tents, roll their packs, and retreat east in the direction of Gettysburg.
The militiamen quickly gathered their gear and began marching northeast through farm fields. Bell’s cavalry and Jenning’s pickets, however, held their ground and were soon spotted by White’s battalion of Virginia Cavalry. Led by Methodist preacher turned- warrior Lt. Harrison M. Strickler and his Co. E, White’s troopers raised an ear-piercing Rebel Yell and charged down the road. “They came with barbarian yells and smoking pistols, in such a desperate dash,” Capt. Frank Myers, the regimental historian of White’s cavalry, wrote of his comrades’ charge, “that the blue-coated troopers wheeled their horses and departed ... without firing a shot.... Of course, ‘nobody was hurt,’ if we except one fat militia Captain, who, in his exertion to be first to surrender, managed to get himself run over by one of Company E’s horses, and was bruised somewhat.” White’s cavalrymen captured nearly three dozen prisoners. While a few pursued Bell’s galloped retreat, most of White’s troopers raided the hastily abandoned infantry camp in the field.
Jenning’s militiamen ran through the fields east of Marsh Creek until they reached today’s Belmont Road, which they followed to the Mummasburg Road. From there, Jennings intended to reach the Gettysburg railroad station and then follow the tracks to Harrisburg.
The uncaptured remnants of Bell’s cavalry galloped east on the pike toward Gettysburg. After galloping through town, Bell gathered the remainder of his men near Rock Creek on the Hanover Road and, declaring, “Every man for himself,” ordered them to their homes. Bell and some of his men, along with Maj. Haller and Randall’s cavalry, rode on to Hanover, then to York and Wrightsville.
After being dismissed by Bell, Pvts. George Washington Sandoe and William Lightner rode the low land along Rock Creek west of town to reach the Baltimore Pike at about 4:00 p.m. Unseen behind the scrub trees that lined the road, a few of White’s Confederate cavalry made their way down the pike and, upon seeing the mounted troopers, ordered them to surrender. Sandoe quickly pulled his revolver and fired at the Southerners. Lightner’s horse was able to jump a fence and carry him to safety, but his companion’s steed balked at the fence. Sandoe was shot in the head and left breast by one of White’s men, fell from his horse, and lay dead in the road. Sandoe is often referred to as the first Federal casualty at Gettysburg, although the battle proper would not start for another few days.
The Confederates took Sandoe’s horse and rode back toward town, leaving the young cavalryman where he lay. Later, one of White’s men told a local, “the ---- shot at me, but he did not hit me, and I shot at him and blowed him down like nothing, and here I got his horse and he lays down the pike.”
Early that evening, local miller James McAllister came upon Sandoe’s body, but didn’t recognize the young man. He placed the body in his wagon, and a neighbor identified the corpse. After learning he lived south of Mt. Joy Church (in an area called Barlow today) a few miles south of Gettysburg, McAllister took Sandoe there, where his wife awaited his return from assignment in Gettysburg. George and Diana Sandoe had only been married a few months.
Back in the town square, White’s cavalry looted and ransacked many of the homes while terrified citizens tried to hide their horses and valuables. Gordon’s foot soldiers, escorting the captured militiamen, entered along Chambersburg Street and filed into the square.
French’s 17th Virginia Cavalry tailed Jennings’ militia about three and a half miles northeast of Gettysburg to the farm of Henry Witmer, where the militia had stopped briefly to rest and get food and water. The Confederates formed on Bayly’s Hill to attack the Pennsylvanians formed along the road.
Skirmish at Bayley's Hill: After retreating under Confederate fire, Pennsylvania militiamen found their way back to Harrisburg. (Map: Steve Stanley)
Some of Bell’s cavalry were with the militia as well, and Jennings had approximately 600 men total. Near the bottom of the valley, at a wooden bridge that crossed a small stream, Jennings placed a rear guard of about 80 men of Company B under Capt. Warner H. Carnahan. French’s cavalrymen formed a battle line, sounded their bugles, and slowly advanced at the militia skirmish line and camp beyond. Seeing the Confederate advance, Jennings broke his men’s respite and deployed them along a fence behind the skirmish line.
Jennings ordered his men to fire a volley, which unhorsed some of the Southern cavalry. French’s horsemen fired a volley of their own, which wounded and killed several of the militia. Jennings again decided that further resistance was futile and ordered his men to retreat east through the fields. Jennings tried to form another battle line beyond the hill southeast of Witmer’s farmhouse but was relieved that French did not pursue; the Confederates were happy enough to round up Capt. Carnahan’s rear guard and another 100 of the militia as prisoners, about 175 men in all. French stripped his captives of their new guns and shoes, and held them prisoner at the Witmer farm.
Early gathered his men and left east on the York Pike. Several of Gordon’s men chopped down the flagpole in the center of the square, and the railroad bridge spanning Rock Creek was torched as the Confederates left town. Most of Early’s men camped near Mummasburg, northeast of Gettysburg, before proceeding toward York at daybreak. They would return a few days later to take part in a battle foreshadowed by the skirmishes of June 26.
http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/gettysburg/gettysburg-history-articles/they-came-with-barbarian.html
17. Friday, June 26, 1863: Gettysburg campaign: CS General Jubal Early passes through Gettysburg on his way to York, Pennsylvania. He is met by Federal militia who skirmish but then either flee or are captured.
https://bjdeming.com/2013/06/27/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-june-24-30-1863/
18. Friday, June 26, 1863 --- Gen. Jubal Early’s division of Confederates burns the Caledonia Iron Works, a mill with workers’ housing belonging to Rep. Thaddeau Stevens of the U.S. Congress, probably the most implacable of all abolitionists. His troops also march into Gettysburg, chasing out a regiment of home guard troops, and finally dispersing them east of town in a sharp skirmish.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=June+26%2C+1863
19. Friday, June 26, 1863: Gettysburg Campaign. Skirmish at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
http://www.emmitsburg.net/archive_list/articles/history/civil_war/engagements_in_the_emmitsburg_area.htm
20. Friday, June 26, 1863: Gettysburg Campaign. Minor dispute at Gallagher's Knob, Pennsylvania
http://www.emmitsburg.net/archive_list/articles/history/civil_war/engagements_in_the_emmitsburg_area.htm
21. Friday, June 26, 1863: Gettysburg Campaign. Engagement at Rock Creek, Pennsylvania
http://www.emmitsburg.net/archive_list/articles/history/civil_war/engagements_in_the_emmitsburg_area.htm
22. Friday, June 26, 1863: Gettysburg Campaign. Skirmish at Greencastle, Pennsylvania
http://www.emmitsburg.net/archive_list/articles/history/civil_war/engagements_in_the_emmitsburg_area.htm
23. Friday, June 26, 1863 --- On this date, Pres. Lincoln commutes the death sentences for six soldiers in the Union army.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=June+26%2C+1863
24. Friday, June 26, 1863: Tennessee operations/Tullahoma campaign: General Forrest’s cavalry is delayed for 12 hours by floods, and in the meantime Forrest receives an order from General Wheeler to intercept other cavalry on the turnpike from Murfreesboro to Shelbyville.
https://bjdeming.com/2013/06/27/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-june-24-30-1863/
25. Friday, June 26, 1863: Vicksburg campaign/Siege of Port Hudson: Union outposts are captured near Port Hudson.
https://bjdeming.com/2013/06/27/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-june-24-30-1863/
26.
27. Sunday, June 26, 1864: Virginia/West Virginia operations: Hunter’s Raid. Hunter is ill and orders his men to stop at Gauley, West Virginia, for a couple of days to allow stragglers to catch up. There, 70,000 rations reach them. Jubal Early, meantime, is heading down the Shenandoah Valley (that is, northward) toward the Potomac. https://bjdeming.com/2014/06/22/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-june-23-29-1864/
28.
Wednesday, June 26, 1861: An article in the ‘New York Tribune’ became popular in Washington. It declared that the Confederate Congress must not be allowed to meet in Richmond on July 20th and that a Unionist army should be in Richmond by that day. Militarily this was highly risky but the article, entitled “Forward to Richmond” caught the public mood in the capital.
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/the-american-civil-war/american-civil-war-june-1861/
A Thursday, June 26, 1862: Battle of Beaver Dam Creek - Background: McClellan began planning his advance on Richmond for the spring of 1862. To capture the Confederate capital, he sought to move his army down the Chesapeake Bay to Union-held Fortress Monroe. From there, it would move up the Peninsula between the York and James Rivers to Richmond. Such a move would allow him to bypass Confederate forces in northern Virginia.
It was his intention that US Navy warships would steam up both rivers to aid in expediting the advance. This element of the plan was blocked in early March 1862 when the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia attacked Union naval forces at the Battle of Hampton Roads. Though the threat of Virginia was mitigated by the arrival of the ironclad USS Monitor, efforts to contain the Confederate vessel drew off Union warships.
Pushing up the Peninsula in April, McClellan was tricked by Confederate forces into conducting the Siege of Yorktown for much of the month. Finally resuming the advance in early May, Union forces engaged the enemy at Williamsburg before slowly driving on Richmond. As his men neared the city, McClellan was attacked by General Joseph E. Johnston at Seven Pines on May 31.
Though the battle was inconclusive, it resulted in Johnston being severely wounded and command of Confederate forces ultimately passed to General Robert E. Lee. For the next several weeks, McClellan remained idle in front of Richmond. This allowed Lee to enhance the city's defenses and plan a counterstrike.
Battle of Beaver Dam Creek - Lee's Plan: Understanding that his army could not win a protracted siege at Richmond, Lee began making plans to attack Union forces with the goal of pushing them back from the city. Assessing McClellan's position, he found that Brigadier General Fitz John Porter's V Corps was isolated north of the Chickahominy River near Mechanicsville. This formation was tasked with guarding the Army of the Potomac's supply line, the Richmond and York River Railroad, which ran back to White House Landing on the Pamunkey River. Seeing an opportunity, Lee planned to strike while the bulk of McClellan's men were south of the river. Additional intelligence regarding Porter's position was provided by Brigadier General J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry which conducted a daring ride around the Union army in mid-June.
For the attack, Lee intended to have Major General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson's troops, which had just completed their successful Valley Campaign in the Shenandoah, strike Porter's northern flank. Once this effort had commenced, Major General A.P. Hill would move east through Mechanicsville and advance towards Beaver Dam Creek. To aid in these attacks, Major General D.H. Hill's division was assigned to support Jackson while Major General James Longstreet's division reinforced A.P. Hill. The goal of the plan was to have Jackson's flank attack force Porter from his strong position behind Beaver Dam Creek. With Porter dislodged, Confederate forces could then sever the Union supply line and force McClellan to fall back.
Battle of Beaver Dam Creek - Opening Moves: Lee's plan called for the bulk of his army to operate above the Chickahominy. To guard the Richmond defenses, he left the divisions of Major General Benjamin Huger and John Magruder to face the bulk of the Army of the Potomac. With the expected arrival of Jackson's command on June 25, Lee intended to begin his assault the next day. On June 25, McClellan stirred and directed the divisions of Brigadier Generals Joseph Hooker and Philip Kearny to attack up the Williamsburg Road. The resulting Battle of Oak Grove saw the Union thrust blocked by Huger. With the Union effort contained, Lee continued with his plans for June 26.
Battle of Beaver Dam Creek - The Confederates Attack: Despite Lee's efforts, his plan quickly went awry the next day. Badly fatigued from their efforts in the Valley and the march to Richmond, Jackson's men were not in position at the appointed hour. With Jackson running several hours behind, A.P. Hill became increasingly frustrated. At 3:00 PM, he still had not heard from Jackson and elected to initiate the battle on his own. Ordering his men forward, they swept Union forces from Mechanicsville. Alerted to the Confederate advance, Porter was willing to cede the town in favor of his position along Beaver Dam Creek. Charging forward, Confederate troops waded the creek in an effort to break the Union line (Map).
Though elements of Brigadier General George A. McCall's division wavered, prompt reinforcement by Porter saw V Corps throw back Hill's attack with heavy losses. Fighting from a strong position near Ellerson's Mills, Porter also worked to extend his right to protect against being flanked. As Hill conducted assaults against the Beaver Dam Creek Line, Jackson approached the area around 5:00 PM. Unable to make contact with the other Confederate commanders, Jackson elected to make camp rather than press on to locate the enemy. Aided by Longstreet and D.H. Hill, A.P. Hill continued attacking Porter into the evening. Taking additional losses, the Confederates halted their efforts after nightfall.
Battle of Beaver Dam Creek - Aftermath: A clear tactical victory for the Union, the Battle of Beaver Dam Creek saw Porter's men inflict 1,484 killed and wounded on Lee's army while sustaining only 361 killed and wounded. Despite this triumph, the over-cautious McClellan, who believed Lee to possess around 200,000 men, directed Porter to retreat to a new position at Gaines' Mill that night. In addition, he shifted his supply base south the James River. By giving up the railroad, McClellan effectively lost his ability to mount and maintain a siege of Richmond. As a result of this decision, he effectively defeated his own campaign. Though beaten at Beaver Dam Creek, the initiative passed to Lee who would attack McClellan again the next day at the Battle of Gaines' Mill.
http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/CivilWarEast1862/p/American-Civil-War-Battle-Of-Beaver-Dam-Creek.htm
A+ Thursday, June 26, 1862 --- Battle of Mechanicsville (Beaver Dam Creek): The Battle of Oak Grove the day before draws McClellan’s attention to his left flank, thus missing the sure signs of Lee’s intended attack on his right, as deserters and escaped slaves have been telling Little Mac’s intelligence service. Lee’s step-off movement of this series of attacks to cripple the Union right essentially fails because Stonewall Jackson, uncharacteristically sluggish, does not descend upon the Union flank of Gen. FitzJohn Porter’s V Corps, isolated from the rest of McClellan’s army north of the Chickahominy River. Lee’s plan calls for A.P. Hill to strike Porter’s front while Jackson threatens Porter’s exposed flank; then, Longstreet and D.H. Hill will cross the Chickahominy and join in Hill’s attack. But although Jackson’s men are in motion, they are six hours behind schedule. A.P. Hill waits for the sounds of Jackson’s guns, and by 3:00 PM, finally attacks alone. Porter pulls his blue line back to Beaver Dam Creek and, with 14,000 men in a strong position, and 32 guns, deflects Hill’s attack with his 11,000. Jackson arrives, but does not attack; his exhausted troops go into bivouac. In spite of Lee ordering him to stand his ground and not attack any more, Hill is joined by some of Longstreet’s and D.H. Hill’s troops later, and tries more attacks with un-encouraging results. Meanwhile, Huger and Magruder’s men south of the Chickahominy maneuver menacingly, inflating Union report of their numbers. Union Victory.
Losses: Union 361; Confederate 1,484
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=June+26%2C+1862
B Friday, June 26, 1863: Gettysburg Campaign. General Jubal Early [CS] passes through Gettysburg on his way to York, Pennsylvania.
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186306
B+ Friday, June 26, 1863: Gettysburg Campaign. Confederate General Jubal Early marches into Gettysburg as the vanguard of the Army of Northern Virginia's invasion of Pennsylvania.
Early and his corps marched into Gettysburg today, but no battle broke out as there were no Union troops to speak of anywhere around. A militia unit put up a brief and feeble attempt at a fight but were hopelessly outnumbered and forced to make tracks out of town, with several of their number captured. Pennsylvania had contributed a great many men to the war, but now that their own state was invaded, they could do nothing. The man who could, Army of the Potomac commander Joseph Hooker, was only as far as Frederick, Maryland, where he counseled the evacuation of parts of Harpers Ferry. Pennsylvania Gov. Andrew Curtin ordered the raising of 60,000 state militia to repel the invasion themselves, but it was impossible to accomplish such a thing in time.
Gettysburg wasn’t Early's actual destination. His troops were on their way to York, Pennsylvania, to seize the bridge spanning the Susquehanna River. But Early and other commanders had established a pattern of moving into a town and making demands on the town council for money and supplies. It was a way not only of potentially securing provisions for their troops, but of instilling uneasiness into the local population at the same time. At about 4 pm, Early – who had sent advance word to the borough council that he would be wanting to meet with them to “make a requisition” – rode to the Diamond, seeking Robert Martin, the Burgess of Gettysburg.
Upon learning that Burgess Martin had left the area, along with most of the council members, Early was directed to speak to David Kendlehart, president of the town council. Kendlehart would come out to meet with General Early, but in the end the Confederate commander received little of what he was demanding; most of the available supplies had already been moved to safer locations away from town. Even so, Gettysburg resident Sarah Broadhead felt the impact of the occupation that day: “The Rebel band were (sic) playing Southern tunes in the Diamond. I cannot tell how bad I felt to hear them, and to see the traitor’s flag flying overhead.” Another resident, Sallie Myers, added, “We were not afraid, but it is exasperating that we are now under the control of armed traitors.”
Early’s men camped in town overnight before heading toward York.
http://civilwartalk.com/threads/june-26-1863-confederate-general-jubal-early-marches-into-gettysburg.101149/
C Friday, June 26, 1863 --- Battle of Hoover’s Gap, Day 3: After more skirmishing, Gen. Stewart of Bragg’s army orders Bate and Johnson to withdraw from the Gap, along with the rest of Stewart’s division. Wilder immediately sets out in pursuit, harassing the Rebels as Bragg’s army falls back to Tullahoma. Union Victory.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=June+26%2C+1863
C+ Friday, June 26, 1863: Bragg became aware on June 26 of the significant fighting on his right flank and that the actions on his left were a feint. He ordered Polk to take his corps on a night march toward Murfreesboro through Guy's Gap and attack the Union force at Liberty Gap from the rear, while Hardee pressed them in front. Polk objected to the difficulty of the assignment and Bragg eventually called off the attack as he came to realize the threat from Thomas. Meanwhile, Rosecrans ordered McCook to withdraw from Liberty Gap to the north, skirt around the upper reaches of the Highland Rim, and exploit Thomas's breakout at Hoover's Gap.
Hardee also contributed to Bragg's difficulties. The mistrust among the general officers of the Army of Tennessee for the past months led to little direct communication about strategy and neither Polk nor Hardee had a firm understanding of Bragg's plans. Hardee complained about the unsuitability of the Tullahoma position, but rather than assuming that Bragg and Joseph E. Johnston understood the strategic situation and that he had insufficient knowledge of their plans, as historian Steven E. Woodworth described it, "He simply took the situation as further proof of his long-held notion that Bragg was an idiot" and pursued the course "he deemed best for saving an army whose commander was an idiot." That course was to order his force under Maj. Gen Alexander P. Stewart at Hoover's Gap to retreat towards Wartrace. If he had withdrawn in the direction of Manchester, he might have used the successive defensive positions along that route to delay Rosecrans enough for Bragg to implement a successful counterattack, but he simply made Thomas's breakout more effective, leaving Bragg with no alternatives than to order Polk and Hardee to withdraw to Tullahoma on June 27.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tullahoma_Campaign
D Sunday, June 26, 1864: Siege of Petersburg: US General Sheridan rejoins General Grant at Petersburg. “Gen. Phil Sheridan had captured a supply depot at White House, Va., north of the James River, and loaded the booty onto wagons. Ever since, he had been pursued by the Confederate cavalry, desperate to recover the irreplaceable goods to sustain the siege of Petersburg. They had crossed the Chickahominy River under fire, and been harassed daily along the route. Things became safer today as they neared the main body of the Army of the Potomac. They recrossed the James by loading the wagons onto ferryboats at a place called Couthard’s Landing.”
https://bjdeming.com/2014/06/22/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-june-23-29-1864/
FYI SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D MAJ Roland McDonald SSG Franklin BriantCPO William Glen (W.G.) Powell1stSgt Eugene Harless MSG Greg KellyLTC Thomas Tennant GySgt Jack Wallace LTC (Join to see)SPC (Join to see) SSG (Join to see) Sgt Axel Hasting Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. SPC Jon O. SGT (Join to see) SSG Michael Noll SSG William Jones SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
1863: Seasoned confederate troops versus raw Pennsylvania militia recruits in the fields around Gettysburg led to predictable results. CSA Gen Jubal Early demanded supplies from the leadership of Gettysburg; but, the residents had wisely moved all critical supplies safely away.
Chance encounters resulted in skirmishes on most day of the Civil War with ambushes occurring less frequently except for cavalry formations and raiders. Gettysburg was chock full of skirmishes: Chambersburg, Gallagher's Knob, Rock Creek, Greencastle, and the Witmer farm in Pennsylvania
Mistrust among the general officers of the Confederate Army of Tennessee in 1863: Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee also contributed to Gen Braxton Bragg 's difficulties. The mistrust among the general officers of the Confederate Army of Tennessee for the past months led to little direct communication about strategy and neither Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk nor Hardee had a firm understanding of Bragg's plans. Hardee complained about the unsuitability of the Tullahoma position, but rather than assuming that Bragg and Joseph E. Johnston understood the strategic situation and that he had insufficient knowledge of their plans, as historian Steven E. Woodworth described it, "He simply took the situation as further proof of his long-held notion that Bragg was an idiot" and pursued the course "he deemed best for saving an army whose commander was an idiot."
Below are a number of journal entries from 1862 and 1863 which shed light on what life was like for soldiers and civilians – the good, the bad and the ugly.
Thursday, June 26, 1862: John Beauchamp Jones, of the C.S. War Department, records in his journal of the sounds of battle heard in the capital---and perhaps hastily interprets what he hears as the successful execution of the Lee’s plan: “. . . Hill was so near us as to be almost in sight. The drums and fifes of his regiments, as they marched up to the point of attack, could be easily heard; how distinctly, then, sounded his cannon in our ears! And the enemy’s guns, pointed in the direction of the city, were as plainly discerned. I think McClellan is taken by surprise. . . . Another hour, and the reports come with the rapidity of seconds, or 3600 per hour! And now, for the first time, we hear the rattle of small arms. And lo! two guns farther to the right,—from Longstreet’s division, I suppose. And they were followed by others. This is Lee’s grand plan of battle: Jackson first, then Hill, then Longstreet—time and distance computed with mathematical precision! The enemy’s balloons are not up now. They know what is going on, without further investigations up in the air. The business is upon earth, where many a Yankee will breathe his last this night! McClellan must be thunderstruck at this unexpected opening of a decisive battle. . . .”
Friday, June 26, 1863: HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE WEST, Jackson, MISS., June 26, 1863. Lieutenant General E. KIRBY SMITH, Command., &c., Trans-Miss. DEPT.: “GENERAL: You have probably learned before this reaches you of the critical aspect of affairs at Vicksburg. General Pemberton is closely invested with his garrison, numbering about 18,000 effectives. It is impossible with the force the Government has put at my disposal to raise the siege of the city. The most that I can do is possibly to extricate the army, leaving the place in possession of the enemy. If forced to the alternative, this is what I shall be completed to do, however reluctantly. Our only hope of saving Vicksburg now depends on the operations of your troops on the other side of the river. General Pemberton Says he has provisions for a fortnight; perhaps he has them for a longer time. Now, if you can contrive either to plant artillery on the Mississippi banks, drive beef into Vicksburg, or join the garrison, should it be practicable or expedient, we may be able to save the city. Your troops up to this time have done nothing. Placing the highest confidence in your intelligence, skill, enthusiasm, and appreciation of the mighty stake involved in the great issue now pending, I have earnestly to suggest that you will all possible dispatch in person to the scene of action, and do whatsoever in your judgment you may deem best to accomplish the immense result of saving Vicksburg and our communications with your department. J. E. Johnston.
[P. S.]- An intelligent officer, who brought dispatches from General Pemberton, expresses confidence that if your troops could send in abundance of cattle, and themselves (8,000) join the garrison, the place would be saved.”
Friday, June 26, 1863: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is occupied by confederate troops to the indignation of the residents. “Upon learning that Burgess Martin had left the area, along with most of the council members, Early was directed to speak to David Kendlehart, president of the town council. Kendlehart would come out to meet with General Early, but in the end the Confederate commander received little of what he was demanding; most of the available supplies had already been moved to safer locations away from town. Even so, Gettysburg resident Sarah Broadhead felt the impact of the occupation that day: “The Rebel band were (sic) playing Southern tunes in the Diamond. I cannot tell how bad I felt to hear them, and to see the traitor’s flag flying overhead.” Another resident, Sallie Myers, added, “We were not afraid, but it is exasperating that we are now under the control of armed traitors.”
Pictures: 1863-06-26 Gettysburg Campaign June 26, 1863 by Mort Kunstler; 1863-06-25 Skirmishes near Liberty Gap Tenn Map; 1863-06-26 skirmish at Witmar Farm by Marsh Creek Map; 1864-06 Sheridan's Trevilian Station Raid return Map
A. Thursday, June 26, 1862: Battle of Beaver Dam Creek (Mechanicsville), Virginia. Union Victory.
Battle of Beaver Dam Creek - The Confederates Attack: Despite Robert E. Lee's efforts, his plan quickly went awry the next day. Badly fatigued from their efforts in the Valley and the march to Richmond, CSA Maj Gen Thomas Jackson's men were not in position at the appointed hour. With Jackson running several hours behind, A.P. Hill became increasingly frustrated. At 3:00 PM, he still had not heard from Jackson and elected to initiate the battle on his own. Ordering his men forward, they swept Union forces from Mechanicsville. Alerted to the Confederate advance, Porter was willing to cede the town in favor of his position along Beaver Dam Creek. Charging forward, Confederate troops waded the creek in an effort to break the Union line (Map).
Though elements of Brigadier General George A. McCall's division wavered, prompt reinforcement by FitzJohn Porter saw V Corps throwback CSA Maj Gen A.P. Hill's attack with heavy losses. Fighting from a strong position near Ellerson's Mills, Porter also worked to extend his right to protect against being flanked. As Hill conducted assaults against the Beaver Dam Creek Line, Jackson approached the area around 5:00 PM. Unable to make contact with the other Confederate commanders, Jackson elected to make camp rather than press on to locate the enemy. Aided by Longstreet and D.H. Hill, A.P. Hill continued attacking Porter into the evening. Taking additional losses, the Confederates halted their efforts after nightfall.
Losses: Union 361; Confederate 1,484
Background: Opening Moves: CSA Gen Robert E. Lee's plan called for the bulk of his army to operate above the Chickahominy. To guard the Richmond defenses, he left the divisions of CSA Maj Gen Benjamin Huger and CSA Maj Gen John Magruder to face the bulk of the Army of the Potomac. With the expected arrival of CSA Maj Gen Thomas Jackson's command on June 25, Lee intended to begin his assault the next day. On June 25, Maj Gen George McClellan stirred and directed the divisions of Brigadier Generals Joseph Hooker and Philip Kearny to attack up the Williamsburg Road. The resulting Battle of Oak Grove saw the Union thrust blocked by Huger. With the Union effort contained, Lee continued with his plans for June 26.
Aftermath: Jackson’s Shenandoah Valley divisions, however, were approaching from the northwest, forcing Porter to withdraw the next morning to a position behind Boatswain Creek just beyond Gaines’ Mill.
As a result of the action near Mechanicsville, McClellan is convinced that his right flank is threatened, and that in fact his supply line by rail to White House on the York River is threatened, and therefore decides to move his supply base to the opposite side of the Peninsula, to the James River. The presence of Jackson’s men on Porter’s flank also prompts McClellan to order him to withdraw his Corps to Gaines Mill, where there are strong prepared defensive lines behind Boatswain’s Creek. McClellan sends a message to Washington, asserting that he faces over 200,000 Confederates, and requests reinforcements.
B. Friday, June 26, 1863: Gettysburg Campaign. Confederate General Jubal Early marches into Gettysburg as the vanguard of the Army of Northern Virginia's invasion of Pennsylvania. Early and his corps marched into Gettysburg today, but no battle broke out as there were no Union troops to speak of anywhere around. A militia unit put up a brief and feeble attempt at a fight but were hopelessly outnumbered and forced to make tracks out of town, with several of their number captured. Pennsylvania had contributed a great many men to the war, but now that their own state was invaded, they could do nothing. The man who could, Army of the Potomac commander Joseph Hooker, was only as far as Frederick, Maryland, where he counseled the evacuation of parts of Harpers Ferry. Pennsylvania Gov. Andrew Curtin ordered the raising of 60,000 state militia to repel the invasion themselves, but it was impossible to accomplish such a thing in time.
Gettysburg wasn’t Early's actual destination. His troops were on their way to York, Pennsylvania, to seize the bridge spanning the Susquehanna River. But Early and other commanders had established a pattern of moving into a town and making demands on the town council for money and supplies. It was a way not only of potentially securing provisions for their troops, but of instilling uneasiness into the local population at the same time. At about 4 pm, Early – who had sent advance word to the borough council that he would be wanting to meet with them to “make a requisition” – rode to the Diamond, seeking Robert Martin, the Burgess of Gettysburg.
Upon learning that Burgess Martin had left the area, along with most of the council members, Early was directed to speak to David Kendlehart, president of the town council. Kendlehart would come out to meet with General Early, but in the end the Confederate commander received little of what he was demanding; most of the available supplies had already been moved to safer locations away from town. Even so, Gettysburg resident Sarah Broadhead felt the impact of the occupation that day: “The Rebel band were (sic) playing Southern tunes in the Diamond. I cannot tell how bad I felt to hear them, and to see the traitor’s flag flying overhead.” Another resident, Sallie Myers, added, “We were not afraid, but it is exasperating that we are now under the control of armed traitors.”
Early’s men camped in town overnight before heading toward York.
C. Friday, June 26, 1863: Battle of Hoover’s Gap, Tennessee. Union Victory. After more skirmishing, Maj. Gen Alexander P. Stewart of Bragg’s army orders Brig. Gen. William B. Bate and Brig. Gen. Bushrod Johnson to withdraw from the Gap, along with the rest of Stewart’s division. John T. Wilder’s brigade immediately sets out in pursuit, harassing the Rebels as CSA Gen Braxton Bragg’s army falls back to Tullahoma.
CSA Gen Braxton Bragg became aware of the significant fighting on his right flank and that the actions on his left were a feint. He ordered CSA Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk to take his corps on a night march toward Murfreesboro through Guy's Gap and attack the Union force at Liberty Gap from the rear, while CSA Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee pressed them in front. Polk objected to the difficulty of the assignment and Bragg eventually called off the attack as he came to realize the threat from Thomas. Meanwhile, Rosecrans ordered McCook to withdraw from Liberty Gap to the north, skirt around the upper reaches of the Highland Rim, and exploit Thomas's breakout at Hoover's Gap.
CSA Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee also contributed to CSA Gen Braxton Bragg 's difficulties. The mistrust among the general officers of the Confederate Army of Tennessee for the past months led to little direct communication about strategy and neither Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk nor Hardee had a firm understanding of Bragg's plans. Hardee complained about the unsuitability of the Tullahoma position, but rather than assuming that Bragg and Joseph E. Johnston understood the strategic situation and that he had insufficient knowledge of their plans, as historian Steven E. Woodworth described it, "He simply took the situation as further proof of his long-held notion that Bragg was an idiot" and pursued the course "he deemed best for saving an army whose commander was an idiot." That course was to order his force under Maj. Gen Alexander P. Stewart at Hoover's Gap to retreat towards Wartrace. If he had withdrawn in the direction of Manchester, he might have used the successive defensive positions along that route to delay Rosecrans enough for Bragg to implement a successful counterattack, but he simply made Thomas's breakout more effective, leaving Bragg with no alternatives than to order Polk and Hardee to withdraw to Tullahoma on June 27.
D. Sunday, June 26, 1864: Siege of Petersburg, Virginia. Maj Gen Sheridan rejoins Lt Gen Grant at Petersburg. “Gen. Phil Sheridan had captured a supply depot at White House, Va., north of the James River, and loaded the booty onto wagons. Ever since, he had been pursued by the Confederate cavalry, desperate to recover the irreplaceable goods to sustain the siege of Petersburg. They had crossed the Chickahominy River under fire, and been harassed daily along the route. Things became safer today as they neared the main body of the Army of the Potomac. They recrossed the James by loading the wagons onto ferryboats at a place called Couthard’s Landing.”
1. Wednesday, June 26, 1861:
2. Thursday, June 26, 1862: Battle of Beaver Dam Creek, Mechanicsville. Second of the Seven Days’ Battles. Gen. Robert E. Lee initiated his offensive against McClellan’s right flank north of the Chickahominy River. A.P. Hill threw his division, reinforced by one of D.H. Hill’s brigades, into a series of futile assaults against Brig. Gen. Fitz John Porter’s V Corps, which was drawn up behind Beaver Dam Creek. Confederate attacks were driven back with heavy casualties. Jackson’s Shenandoah Valley divisions, however, were approaching from the northwest, forcing Porter to withdraw the next morning to a position behind Boatswain Creek just beyond Gaines’ Mill.
http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/beaver-dam-creek.html
3. Thursday, June 26, 1862: Battle of Beaver Dam Creek [US]
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186206
4. Thursday, June 26, 1862: Battle of Mechanicsville [CS]
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186206
5. Thursday, June 26, 1862: Battle of Mechanicsville Lee attacked Unionist forces outside Richmond at Mechanicsville. Lee had decided that attack was his best form of defence. However, an accurate and severe Unionist artillery bombardment threw back the Confederates. Lee withdrew his forces. McClellan remained very cautious and feared that a second attack would be more successful. Despite arguments to the contrary from his in-the-field commanders, McClellan ordered his forward troops to withdraw from their entrenched lines.
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/the-american-civil-war/american-civil-war-june-1862/
6. Thursday, June 26, 1862: Battle of Ellerson's Mill [Alternate Battle of Ellison's Mill]
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186206
7. Thursday, June 26, 1862: Daniel Harvey Hill [CS] attacks Fitz-John Porter [US]. Virginia
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186206
8. Seven Days Retreat; George McClellan; Fitz-John Porter; A. P. Hill; George Meade; John Reynolds
9. Thursday, June 26, 1862: Major General John Pope assumes command of all Union forces in the state of Virginia with the exception of the Army of the Potomac. This is simply called the Army of Virginia
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186206
10. Friday, June 26, 1863: Rear Admiral Andrew H. Foote [US] dies in New York City
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186306
11. Thursday, June 26, 1862 --- As a result of the action near Mechanicsville, McClellan is convinced that his right flank is threatened, and that in fact his supply line by rail to White House on the York River is threatened, and therefore decides to move his supply base to the opposite side of the Peninsula, to the James River. The presence of Jackson’s men on Porter’s flank also prompts McClellan to order him to withdraw his Corps to Gaines Mill, where there are strong prepared defensive lines behind Boatswain’s Creek. McClellan sends a message to Washington, asserting that he faces over 200,000 Confederates, and requests reinforcements.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=June+26%2C+1862
12. Thursday, June 26, 1862 --- John Beauchamp Jones, of the C.S. War Department, records in his journal of the sounds of battle heard in the capital---and perhaps hastily interprets what he hears as the successful execution of the Lee’s plan: “. . . Hill was so near us as to be almost in sight. The drums and fifes of his regiments, as they marched up to the point of attack, could be easily heard; how distinctly, then, sounded his cannon in our ears! And the enemy’s guns, pointed in the direction of the city, were as plainly discerned. I think McClellan is taken by surprise. . . . Another hour, and the reports come with the rapidity of seconds, or 3600 per hour! And now, for the first time, we hear the rattle of small arms. And lo! two guns farther to the right,—from Longstreet’s division, I suppose. And they were followed by others. This is Lee’s grand plan of battle: Jackson first, then Hill, then Longstreet—time and distance computed with mathematical precision! The enemy’s balloons are not up now. They know what is going on, without further investigations up in the air. The business is upon earth, where many a Yankee will breathe his last this night! McClellan must be thunderstruck at this unexpected opening of a decisive battle. . . .”
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=June+26%2C+1862
13. Friday, June 26, 1863: HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE WEST, Jackson, MISS., June 26, 1863. Lieutenant General E. KIRBY SMITH, Command., &c., Trans-Miss. DEPT.: “GENERAL: You have probably learned before this reaches you of the critical aspect of affairs at Vicksburg. General Pemberton is closely invested with his garrison, numbering about 18,000 effectives. It is impossible with the force the Government has put at my disposal to raise the siege of the city. The most that I can do is possibly to extricate the army, leaving the place in possession of the enemy. If forced to the alternative, this is what I shall be completed to do, however reluctantly. Our only hope of saving Vicksburg now depends on the operations of your troops on the other side of the river. General Pemberton Says he has provisions for a fortnight; perhaps he has them for a longer time. Now, if you can contrive either to plant artillery on the Mississippi banks, drive beef into Vicksburg, or join the garrison, should it be practicable or expedient, we may be able to save the city. Your troops up to this time have done nothing. Placing the highest confidence in your intelligence, skill, enthusiasm, and appreciation of the mighty stake involved in the great issue now pending, I have earnestly to suggest that you will all possible dispatch in person to the scene of action, and do whatsoever in your judgment you may deem best to accomplish the immense result of saving Vicksburg and our communications with your department. J. E. Johnston.
[P. S.]- An intelligent officer, who brought dispatches from General Pemberton, expresses confidence that if your troops could send in abundance of cattle, and themselves (8,000) join the garrison, the place would be saved.”
https://bjdeming.com/2013/06/27/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-june-24-30-1863/
14. Friday, June 26, 1863: Gettysburg Campaign. Skirmish at Lighter House, Pennsylvania
http://www.emmitsburg.net/archive_list/articles/history/civil_war/engagements_in_the_emmitsburg_area.htm
15. Friday, June 26, 1863: Gettysburg Campaign. Skirmish at Witmer's Farm, Pennsylvania (Bailey’s Hill)
http://www.emmitsburg.net/archive_list/articles/history/civil_war/engagements_in_the_emmitsburg_area.htm
16. Friday, June 26, 1863: Gettysburg Campaign. Skirmish at Witmer's Farm, Pennsylvania. At 8:00 a.m. on the morning of Friday, June 26, a cold rain fell as Early’s men marched toward Gettysburg. Two miles from their camp, they burned Thaddeus Stevens’ Caledonia Furnace Iron Works. A few miles west of Cashtown. Early received information that local militia were at Gettysburg. He decided the best way to approach the potential threat was to divide his force and arrive from two angles — just in case he met a stubborn resistance. Early sent the 1,900 men of Gordon’s Brigade and White’s troopers on the straight path to Gettysburg, the Cashtown Pike, while Early led the balance of his division and French’s cavalry on a road to the north known as the Hilltown Road. Gordon had orders to engage any enemy troops on his front, while the rest of Early’s men approached Gettysburg from what was thought to be the rear of the right flank of the militia.
In answer to Lee’s threatened invasion of the North, several Pennsylvania militia troops were mobilized in late June to protect the Cashtown Pass area and the Cumberland Valley. On June 18, the 26th Pennsylvania Emergency Militia mustered into duty with 743 officers and men. The commander of the Department of the Susquehanna, Maj. Gen. Darius N. Couch, dispatched the green regiment to Gettysburg, where it arrived by train at about 9:00 a.m. on June 26. The regiment was commanded by 24-year-old Col. William W. Jennings, and was made up mostly of soldiers from the central part of the state, including one company of 56 students from Pennsylvania (now Gettysburg) College. Capt. Samuel J. Randall’s First Troop, Philadelphia City Cavalry, was already in town, having arrived five days earlier.
A local cavalry unit, Capt. Robert Bell’s Adams County Cavalry Company, was comprised of approximately 50 locals mounted on their own horses and without uniforms. Bell, a 33-year-old farmer, had formed the company on June 16. Bell’s troopers joined the militia, and all were under the command of Maj. Granville O. Haller of the 7th U. S. Infantry, whom Couch had designated to organize the defense of the area.
Unaware of Early’s approach, at 10:30 a.m. Haller ordered Jennings to march west on the Chambersburg Pike and take up a position to delay any Southern advance into Adams County. Jennings balked at the order, citing the inexperience of his troops, but Haller insisted. After detailing one company of the 26th Pennsylvania and Randall’s cavalry to remain in town and protect the regimental baggage, Jennings marched off through a fog and drizzling rain, with Bell’s cavalry leading the way.
The column halted at a bridge over Marsh Creek, and Jennings detailed forty of his “best” men from the 26th Pennsylvania and some of Bell’s troopers across the creek to form a picket line. Other cavaliers advanced 200 yards west to watch the road, while the rest of the militia set up camp on the north side of the road in a clover field east of the creek. Unaware that Early was marching straight at them, many pitched tents to shelter themselves from the rain.
Skirmish at Marsh Creek: Confederate veterans overwhelm raw Union recruits in the opening salvo to the war's largest battle.
Jennings and Bell rode a few hundred yards to get a better westward view atop a rise today called Knoxlyn or Wisler Ridge. Reports that Rebels were in force to their front began arriving, and they soon spotted White’s cavalry descending a slight slope in the road about two miles away. One of Bell’s cavalrymen rode into the camp yelling that the enemy was “quite near.” Jennings had no illusion of holding back the Confederate troopers, especially if they were leading a large column of Southern infantry. He and Bell rode back to the camp and ordered the soldiers to strike tents, roll their packs, and retreat east in the direction of Gettysburg.
The militiamen quickly gathered their gear and began marching northeast through farm fields. Bell’s cavalry and Jenning’s pickets, however, held their ground and were soon spotted by White’s battalion of Virginia Cavalry. Led by Methodist preacher turned- warrior Lt. Harrison M. Strickler and his Co. E, White’s troopers raised an ear-piercing Rebel Yell and charged down the road. “They came with barbarian yells and smoking pistols, in such a desperate dash,” Capt. Frank Myers, the regimental historian of White’s cavalry, wrote of his comrades’ charge, “that the blue-coated troopers wheeled their horses and departed ... without firing a shot.... Of course, ‘nobody was hurt,’ if we except one fat militia Captain, who, in his exertion to be first to surrender, managed to get himself run over by one of Company E’s horses, and was bruised somewhat.” White’s cavalrymen captured nearly three dozen prisoners. While a few pursued Bell’s galloped retreat, most of White’s troopers raided the hastily abandoned infantry camp in the field.
Jenning’s militiamen ran through the fields east of Marsh Creek until they reached today’s Belmont Road, which they followed to the Mummasburg Road. From there, Jennings intended to reach the Gettysburg railroad station and then follow the tracks to Harrisburg.
The uncaptured remnants of Bell’s cavalry galloped east on the pike toward Gettysburg. After galloping through town, Bell gathered the remainder of his men near Rock Creek on the Hanover Road and, declaring, “Every man for himself,” ordered them to their homes. Bell and some of his men, along with Maj. Haller and Randall’s cavalry, rode on to Hanover, then to York and Wrightsville.
After being dismissed by Bell, Pvts. George Washington Sandoe and William Lightner rode the low land along Rock Creek west of town to reach the Baltimore Pike at about 4:00 p.m. Unseen behind the scrub trees that lined the road, a few of White’s Confederate cavalry made their way down the pike and, upon seeing the mounted troopers, ordered them to surrender. Sandoe quickly pulled his revolver and fired at the Southerners. Lightner’s horse was able to jump a fence and carry him to safety, but his companion’s steed balked at the fence. Sandoe was shot in the head and left breast by one of White’s men, fell from his horse, and lay dead in the road. Sandoe is often referred to as the first Federal casualty at Gettysburg, although the battle proper would not start for another few days.
The Confederates took Sandoe’s horse and rode back toward town, leaving the young cavalryman where he lay. Later, one of White’s men told a local, “the ---- shot at me, but he did not hit me, and I shot at him and blowed him down like nothing, and here I got his horse and he lays down the pike.”
Early that evening, local miller James McAllister came upon Sandoe’s body, but didn’t recognize the young man. He placed the body in his wagon, and a neighbor identified the corpse. After learning he lived south of Mt. Joy Church (in an area called Barlow today) a few miles south of Gettysburg, McAllister took Sandoe there, where his wife awaited his return from assignment in Gettysburg. George and Diana Sandoe had only been married a few months.
Back in the town square, White’s cavalry looted and ransacked many of the homes while terrified citizens tried to hide their horses and valuables. Gordon’s foot soldiers, escorting the captured militiamen, entered along Chambersburg Street and filed into the square.
French’s 17th Virginia Cavalry tailed Jennings’ militia about three and a half miles northeast of Gettysburg to the farm of Henry Witmer, where the militia had stopped briefly to rest and get food and water. The Confederates formed on Bayly’s Hill to attack the Pennsylvanians formed along the road.
Skirmish at Bayley's Hill: After retreating under Confederate fire, Pennsylvania militiamen found their way back to Harrisburg. (Map: Steve Stanley)
Some of Bell’s cavalry were with the militia as well, and Jennings had approximately 600 men total. Near the bottom of the valley, at a wooden bridge that crossed a small stream, Jennings placed a rear guard of about 80 men of Company B under Capt. Warner H. Carnahan. French’s cavalrymen formed a battle line, sounded their bugles, and slowly advanced at the militia skirmish line and camp beyond. Seeing the Confederate advance, Jennings broke his men’s respite and deployed them along a fence behind the skirmish line.
Jennings ordered his men to fire a volley, which unhorsed some of the Southern cavalry. French’s horsemen fired a volley of their own, which wounded and killed several of the militia. Jennings again decided that further resistance was futile and ordered his men to retreat east through the fields. Jennings tried to form another battle line beyond the hill southeast of Witmer’s farmhouse but was relieved that French did not pursue; the Confederates were happy enough to round up Capt. Carnahan’s rear guard and another 100 of the militia as prisoners, about 175 men in all. French stripped his captives of their new guns and shoes, and held them prisoner at the Witmer farm.
Early gathered his men and left east on the York Pike. Several of Gordon’s men chopped down the flagpole in the center of the square, and the railroad bridge spanning Rock Creek was torched as the Confederates left town. Most of Early’s men camped near Mummasburg, northeast of Gettysburg, before proceeding toward York at daybreak. They would return a few days later to take part in a battle foreshadowed by the skirmishes of June 26.
http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/gettysburg/gettysburg-history-articles/they-came-with-barbarian.html
17. Friday, June 26, 1863: Gettysburg campaign: CS General Jubal Early passes through Gettysburg on his way to York, Pennsylvania. He is met by Federal militia who skirmish but then either flee or are captured.
https://bjdeming.com/2013/06/27/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-june-24-30-1863/
18. Friday, June 26, 1863 --- Gen. Jubal Early’s division of Confederates burns the Caledonia Iron Works, a mill with workers’ housing belonging to Rep. Thaddeau Stevens of the U.S. Congress, probably the most implacable of all abolitionists. His troops also march into Gettysburg, chasing out a regiment of home guard troops, and finally dispersing them east of town in a sharp skirmish.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=June+26%2C+1863
19. Friday, June 26, 1863: Gettysburg Campaign. Skirmish at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
http://www.emmitsburg.net/archive_list/articles/history/civil_war/engagements_in_the_emmitsburg_area.htm
20. Friday, June 26, 1863: Gettysburg Campaign. Minor dispute at Gallagher's Knob, Pennsylvania
http://www.emmitsburg.net/archive_list/articles/history/civil_war/engagements_in_the_emmitsburg_area.htm
21. Friday, June 26, 1863: Gettysburg Campaign. Engagement at Rock Creek, Pennsylvania
http://www.emmitsburg.net/archive_list/articles/history/civil_war/engagements_in_the_emmitsburg_area.htm
22. Friday, June 26, 1863: Gettysburg Campaign. Skirmish at Greencastle, Pennsylvania
http://www.emmitsburg.net/archive_list/articles/history/civil_war/engagements_in_the_emmitsburg_area.htm
23. Friday, June 26, 1863 --- On this date, Pres. Lincoln commutes the death sentences for six soldiers in the Union army.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=June+26%2C+1863
24. Friday, June 26, 1863: Tennessee operations/Tullahoma campaign: General Forrest’s cavalry is delayed for 12 hours by floods, and in the meantime Forrest receives an order from General Wheeler to intercept other cavalry on the turnpike from Murfreesboro to Shelbyville.
https://bjdeming.com/2013/06/27/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-june-24-30-1863/
25. Friday, June 26, 1863: Vicksburg campaign/Siege of Port Hudson: Union outposts are captured near Port Hudson.
https://bjdeming.com/2013/06/27/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-june-24-30-1863/
26.
27. Sunday, June 26, 1864: Virginia/West Virginia operations: Hunter’s Raid. Hunter is ill and orders his men to stop at Gauley, West Virginia, for a couple of days to allow stragglers to catch up. There, 70,000 rations reach them. Jubal Early, meantime, is heading down the Shenandoah Valley (that is, northward) toward the Potomac. https://bjdeming.com/2014/06/22/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-june-23-29-1864/
28.
Wednesday, June 26, 1861: An article in the ‘New York Tribune’ became popular in Washington. It declared that the Confederate Congress must not be allowed to meet in Richmond on July 20th and that a Unionist army should be in Richmond by that day. Militarily this was highly risky but the article, entitled “Forward to Richmond” caught the public mood in the capital.
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/the-american-civil-war/american-civil-war-june-1861/
A Thursday, June 26, 1862: Battle of Beaver Dam Creek - Background: McClellan began planning his advance on Richmond for the spring of 1862. To capture the Confederate capital, he sought to move his army down the Chesapeake Bay to Union-held Fortress Monroe. From there, it would move up the Peninsula between the York and James Rivers to Richmond. Such a move would allow him to bypass Confederate forces in northern Virginia.
It was his intention that US Navy warships would steam up both rivers to aid in expediting the advance. This element of the plan was blocked in early March 1862 when the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia attacked Union naval forces at the Battle of Hampton Roads. Though the threat of Virginia was mitigated by the arrival of the ironclad USS Monitor, efforts to contain the Confederate vessel drew off Union warships.
Pushing up the Peninsula in April, McClellan was tricked by Confederate forces into conducting the Siege of Yorktown for much of the month. Finally resuming the advance in early May, Union forces engaged the enemy at Williamsburg before slowly driving on Richmond. As his men neared the city, McClellan was attacked by General Joseph E. Johnston at Seven Pines on May 31.
Though the battle was inconclusive, it resulted in Johnston being severely wounded and command of Confederate forces ultimately passed to General Robert E. Lee. For the next several weeks, McClellan remained idle in front of Richmond. This allowed Lee to enhance the city's defenses and plan a counterstrike.
Battle of Beaver Dam Creek - Lee's Plan: Understanding that his army could not win a protracted siege at Richmond, Lee began making plans to attack Union forces with the goal of pushing them back from the city. Assessing McClellan's position, he found that Brigadier General Fitz John Porter's V Corps was isolated north of the Chickahominy River near Mechanicsville. This formation was tasked with guarding the Army of the Potomac's supply line, the Richmond and York River Railroad, which ran back to White House Landing on the Pamunkey River. Seeing an opportunity, Lee planned to strike while the bulk of McClellan's men were south of the river. Additional intelligence regarding Porter's position was provided by Brigadier General J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry which conducted a daring ride around the Union army in mid-June.
For the attack, Lee intended to have Major General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson's troops, which had just completed their successful Valley Campaign in the Shenandoah, strike Porter's northern flank. Once this effort had commenced, Major General A.P. Hill would move east through Mechanicsville and advance towards Beaver Dam Creek. To aid in these attacks, Major General D.H. Hill's division was assigned to support Jackson while Major General James Longstreet's division reinforced A.P. Hill. The goal of the plan was to have Jackson's flank attack force Porter from his strong position behind Beaver Dam Creek. With Porter dislodged, Confederate forces could then sever the Union supply line and force McClellan to fall back.
Battle of Beaver Dam Creek - Opening Moves: Lee's plan called for the bulk of his army to operate above the Chickahominy. To guard the Richmond defenses, he left the divisions of Major General Benjamin Huger and John Magruder to face the bulk of the Army of the Potomac. With the expected arrival of Jackson's command on June 25, Lee intended to begin his assault the next day. On June 25, McClellan stirred and directed the divisions of Brigadier Generals Joseph Hooker and Philip Kearny to attack up the Williamsburg Road. The resulting Battle of Oak Grove saw the Union thrust blocked by Huger. With the Union effort contained, Lee continued with his plans for June 26.
Battle of Beaver Dam Creek - The Confederates Attack: Despite Lee's efforts, his plan quickly went awry the next day. Badly fatigued from their efforts in the Valley and the march to Richmond, Jackson's men were not in position at the appointed hour. With Jackson running several hours behind, A.P. Hill became increasingly frustrated. At 3:00 PM, he still had not heard from Jackson and elected to initiate the battle on his own. Ordering his men forward, they swept Union forces from Mechanicsville. Alerted to the Confederate advance, Porter was willing to cede the town in favor of his position along Beaver Dam Creek. Charging forward, Confederate troops waded the creek in an effort to break the Union line (Map).
Though elements of Brigadier General George A. McCall's division wavered, prompt reinforcement by Porter saw V Corps throw back Hill's attack with heavy losses. Fighting from a strong position near Ellerson's Mills, Porter also worked to extend his right to protect against being flanked. As Hill conducted assaults against the Beaver Dam Creek Line, Jackson approached the area around 5:00 PM. Unable to make contact with the other Confederate commanders, Jackson elected to make camp rather than press on to locate the enemy. Aided by Longstreet and D.H. Hill, A.P. Hill continued attacking Porter into the evening. Taking additional losses, the Confederates halted their efforts after nightfall.
Battle of Beaver Dam Creek - Aftermath: A clear tactical victory for the Union, the Battle of Beaver Dam Creek saw Porter's men inflict 1,484 killed and wounded on Lee's army while sustaining only 361 killed and wounded. Despite this triumph, the over-cautious McClellan, who believed Lee to possess around 200,000 men, directed Porter to retreat to a new position at Gaines' Mill that night. In addition, he shifted his supply base south the James River. By giving up the railroad, McClellan effectively lost his ability to mount and maintain a siege of Richmond. As a result of this decision, he effectively defeated his own campaign. Though beaten at Beaver Dam Creek, the initiative passed to Lee who would attack McClellan again the next day at the Battle of Gaines' Mill.
http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/CivilWarEast1862/p/American-Civil-War-Battle-Of-Beaver-Dam-Creek.htm
A+ Thursday, June 26, 1862 --- Battle of Mechanicsville (Beaver Dam Creek): The Battle of Oak Grove the day before draws McClellan’s attention to his left flank, thus missing the sure signs of Lee’s intended attack on his right, as deserters and escaped slaves have been telling Little Mac’s intelligence service. Lee’s step-off movement of this series of attacks to cripple the Union right essentially fails because Stonewall Jackson, uncharacteristically sluggish, does not descend upon the Union flank of Gen. FitzJohn Porter’s V Corps, isolated from the rest of McClellan’s army north of the Chickahominy River. Lee’s plan calls for A.P. Hill to strike Porter’s front while Jackson threatens Porter’s exposed flank; then, Longstreet and D.H. Hill will cross the Chickahominy and join in Hill’s attack. But although Jackson’s men are in motion, they are six hours behind schedule. A.P. Hill waits for the sounds of Jackson’s guns, and by 3:00 PM, finally attacks alone. Porter pulls his blue line back to Beaver Dam Creek and, with 14,000 men in a strong position, and 32 guns, deflects Hill’s attack with his 11,000. Jackson arrives, but does not attack; his exhausted troops go into bivouac. In spite of Lee ordering him to stand his ground and not attack any more, Hill is joined by some of Longstreet’s and D.H. Hill’s troops later, and tries more attacks with un-encouraging results. Meanwhile, Huger and Magruder’s men south of the Chickahominy maneuver menacingly, inflating Union report of their numbers. Union Victory.
Losses: Union 361; Confederate 1,484
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=June+26%2C+1862
B Friday, June 26, 1863: Gettysburg Campaign. General Jubal Early [CS] passes through Gettysburg on his way to York, Pennsylvania.
http://blueandgraytrail.com/year/186306
B+ Friday, June 26, 1863: Gettysburg Campaign. Confederate General Jubal Early marches into Gettysburg as the vanguard of the Army of Northern Virginia's invasion of Pennsylvania.
Early and his corps marched into Gettysburg today, but no battle broke out as there were no Union troops to speak of anywhere around. A militia unit put up a brief and feeble attempt at a fight but were hopelessly outnumbered and forced to make tracks out of town, with several of their number captured. Pennsylvania had contributed a great many men to the war, but now that their own state was invaded, they could do nothing. The man who could, Army of the Potomac commander Joseph Hooker, was only as far as Frederick, Maryland, where he counseled the evacuation of parts of Harpers Ferry. Pennsylvania Gov. Andrew Curtin ordered the raising of 60,000 state militia to repel the invasion themselves, but it was impossible to accomplish such a thing in time.
Gettysburg wasn’t Early's actual destination. His troops were on their way to York, Pennsylvania, to seize the bridge spanning the Susquehanna River. But Early and other commanders had established a pattern of moving into a town and making demands on the town council for money and supplies. It was a way not only of potentially securing provisions for their troops, but of instilling uneasiness into the local population at the same time. At about 4 pm, Early – who had sent advance word to the borough council that he would be wanting to meet with them to “make a requisition” – rode to the Diamond, seeking Robert Martin, the Burgess of Gettysburg.
Upon learning that Burgess Martin had left the area, along with most of the council members, Early was directed to speak to David Kendlehart, president of the town council. Kendlehart would come out to meet with General Early, but in the end the Confederate commander received little of what he was demanding; most of the available supplies had already been moved to safer locations away from town. Even so, Gettysburg resident Sarah Broadhead felt the impact of the occupation that day: “The Rebel band were (sic) playing Southern tunes in the Diamond. I cannot tell how bad I felt to hear them, and to see the traitor’s flag flying overhead.” Another resident, Sallie Myers, added, “We were not afraid, but it is exasperating that we are now under the control of armed traitors.”
Early’s men camped in town overnight before heading toward York.
http://civilwartalk.com/threads/june-26-1863-confederate-general-jubal-early-marches-into-gettysburg.101149/
C Friday, June 26, 1863 --- Battle of Hoover’s Gap, Day 3: After more skirmishing, Gen. Stewart of Bragg’s army orders Bate and Johnson to withdraw from the Gap, along with the rest of Stewart’s division. Wilder immediately sets out in pursuit, harassing the Rebels as Bragg’s army falls back to Tullahoma. Union Victory.
http://civilwarsesquicentdaily-wolfshield.blogspot.com/search?q=June+26%2C+1863
C+ Friday, June 26, 1863: Bragg became aware on June 26 of the significant fighting on his right flank and that the actions on his left were a feint. He ordered Polk to take his corps on a night march toward Murfreesboro through Guy's Gap and attack the Union force at Liberty Gap from the rear, while Hardee pressed them in front. Polk objected to the difficulty of the assignment and Bragg eventually called off the attack as he came to realize the threat from Thomas. Meanwhile, Rosecrans ordered McCook to withdraw from Liberty Gap to the north, skirt around the upper reaches of the Highland Rim, and exploit Thomas's breakout at Hoover's Gap.
Hardee also contributed to Bragg's difficulties. The mistrust among the general officers of the Army of Tennessee for the past months led to little direct communication about strategy and neither Polk nor Hardee had a firm understanding of Bragg's plans. Hardee complained about the unsuitability of the Tullahoma position, but rather than assuming that Bragg and Joseph E. Johnston understood the strategic situation and that he had insufficient knowledge of their plans, as historian Steven E. Woodworth described it, "He simply took the situation as further proof of his long-held notion that Bragg was an idiot" and pursued the course "he deemed best for saving an army whose commander was an idiot." That course was to order his force under Maj. Gen Alexander P. Stewart at Hoover's Gap to retreat towards Wartrace. If he had withdrawn in the direction of Manchester, he might have used the successive defensive positions along that route to delay Rosecrans enough for Bragg to implement a successful counterattack, but he simply made Thomas's breakout more effective, leaving Bragg with no alternatives than to order Polk and Hardee to withdraw to Tullahoma on June 27.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tullahoma_Campaign
D Sunday, June 26, 1864: Siege of Petersburg: US General Sheridan rejoins General Grant at Petersburg. “Gen. Phil Sheridan had captured a supply depot at White House, Va., north of the James River, and loaded the booty onto wagons. Ever since, he had been pursued by the Confederate cavalry, desperate to recover the irreplaceable goods to sustain the siege of Petersburg. They had crossed the Chickahominy River under fire, and been harassed daily along the route. Things became safer today as they neared the main body of the Army of the Potomac. They recrossed the James by loading the wagons onto ferryboats at a place called Couthard’s Landing.”
https://bjdeming.com/2014/06/22/the-american-civil-war-150th-anniversary-june-23-29-1864/
FYI SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D MAJ Roland McDonald SSG Franklin BriantCPO William Glen (W.G.) Powell1stSgt Eugene Harless MSG Greg KellyLTC Thomas Tennant GySgt Jack Wallace LTC (Join to see)SPC (Join to see) SSG (Join to see) Sgt Axel Hasting Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. SPC Jon O. SGT (Join to see) SSG Michael Noll SSG William Jones SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
The Battle of Beaver Dam Creek Summary & Facts | Civilwar.org
The Battle of Beaver Dam Creek (Mechanicsville) page includes battle maps, history articles, historical facts, photos, recommending, web links, and more on this 1862 Civil War battle which was part of the Seven Days Battles.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thanks SFC William Farrell. It was challenging but significantly less challenging than yesterday. I hope to post another Civil War day question this evening.
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Good read, thanks for sharing this day in Civil War history with us LTC Stephen F.. Hoover's Gap was my selection today.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you my friend MSG Brad Sand for making us aware that you consider the start of the Gettysburg Campaign/Battle was the most significant event of June 26 during the Civil War. That campaign was the final attempt of CSA General Robert E. Lee's to attack the northern states and disrupt their lines of communications.
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