Almanac History - August 1862

August 1st, 1862

Confederate troops assault McClellan's forces at Harrison's Landing, Virginia. Union forces are successful in stemming the attack, but only after losing six men.

August 2nd, 1862

General Pope's Army of Virginia seizes Orange Court House, Virginia which had been occupied by Southern Cavalry regiments. Malvern Hill, Virginia is retaken by troops from McClellan's Army of the Potomac.

August 3rd, 1862

In order to better provide for the defense of Washington, General-in-Chief Halleck orders McClellan's troops to be stationed at Alexandria and Aquia Landing in Virginia. Halleck and McClellan quarrel bitterly over this decision.

August 4th, 1862

Lincoln issues military orders to draft 300,000 men.

August 5th, 1862

Fort Donelson in Tennessee is attacked and the Union troops garrisoned there push the Confederates back after a fierce fight.

August 7th, 1862

Confederate troops in Virginia move toward Union positions at Culpeper Court House and Madison Court House. The Union pulls back from its recently recovered position at Malvern Hill and there is skirmishing at Wolftown, Virginia.

August 8th, 1862

Troops engage in battle in Cumberland Gap, Tennessee. The Confederacy loses 125 killed and injured; the Union loses 3 dead and 15 wounded.

August 9th, 1862

Fighting which marks the beginning of the Second Bull Run Campaign (2nd Manassas) breaks out at Cedar Mountain, Virginia. This campaign will last until September 1862.

August 11th, 1862

General Grant in Corinth, Mississippi announces that fugitive slaves in the are under his jurisdiction will be employed by the military.

August 12th, 1862

Confederate General John Hunt Morgan raids Gallatin, Tennessee. He captures the town where a Federal garrison of four companies is stationed. The takeover is short-lived, however, as Gallatin is back in Union hands within 24 hours.

August 13th, 1862

General Lee's Army of Northern Virginia begins to advance on Gordonsville. They will soon be immersed in the Second Battle of Bull Run.

August 16th, 1862

Following orders, McClellan moves out of Harrison's Landing and joins General Pope's forces near Alexandria.

August 17th, 1862

The Sioux Indians in Minnesota begin a six-week uprising. They are revolting because of living conditions on their reservation. After nearly 300 whites are massacred, General H. H. Sibley leads Federal forces to quell the rebellion.

August 18th, 1862

Clarksville, Tennessee surrenders to the Confederates. Colonel R. Mason, Union commander, puts up no resistence prior to the surrender. He is later removed from military duty "for repeated acts of cowardice."

August 19th, 1862

Horace Greeley, editor of theNew York Tribunespeaks critically against Lincoln's stance on slavery: "All attempts to put down the Rebellion and at the same time uphold its inciting cause are preposterous and futile."

August 20th, 1862

McClellan continues to advance toward Alexandria to reinforce General Pope's troops. The latter have fought with Jackson's men at various points between Culpeper and the Rappahannock.

August 21st, 1862

Confederate troops attempt to cross the Rappahannock but encounter strong resistance from the Union. Over 700 Confederates are killed and nearly 2000 are taken prisoner.

August 22nd, 1862

Lincoln responds to Greeley's criticism standing firm on his resolution to save the Union: "I would save the Union. I would save it the shortest way under the Constitution....If I could save the Union without freeinganyslave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeingallthe slaves I would do it.

August 23rd, 1862

There is a heavy exchange of artillery fire along the Rappahannock and skirmishing at Beverly Fort, Fant's Ford and Smithfield Spring, all in Virginia.

August 25th, 1862

Secretary of War Edwin Stanton issues orders providing for the enlistment and training of black soldiers "up to five thousand in number...as guards for plantations and settlements."

August 26th, 1862

2nd Manassas takes full shape as Confederates under General Jackson move in on Union General John Pope's troops. The Confederates seize Manassas Junction and the railroad line there. Jackson successfully encircles Pope while Pope does little while they move into position.

August 27th, 1862

As part of the Bull Run Campaign, General Hooker's troops rout the Confederates at Kettle Run, Virginia. Other fighting takes place at Bull Run Bridge, Buckland Bridge and Waterford. The Confederates have successfully interrupted the communication lines between Pope and Lincoln.

August 28th, 1862

2nd Bull Run continues with fierce fighting in Groveton with many casualties on both sides. Pope is operating on the mistaken assumption that Jackson is retreating with his troops to the Shenandoah Valley. Union troops evacuate Fredericksburg.

August 29th, 1862

Pope orders his troops to attack Jackson's confederates. Initially, there are 20,000 Confederates to Pope's 62,000 Federals, but the imbalance is minimized with the arrival of Longstreet's troops. Pope's forces prove to be no match for the Confederates who have been preparing for this battle for several days. Longstreet takes the opportunity to crush a portion of Pope's left flank, causing a retreat over the Bull Run.

August 31st, 1862

There is minor skirmishing after the Union defeat at Second Bull Run.