Almanac History - July 1862

July 1st, 1862

The defeat of Confederate troops after a short battle at Malvern Hill spells the end of the Seven Days' Campaign in Virginia. Throughout the Sevens Days' Campaign there are thousands of casualties -- the North tallying nearly 16,000 dead, injured and missing. Confederate estimates total more than 20,000 casualties.

July 2nd, 1862

McClellan's goal is now Harrison's Landing in Virginia as his army retreats from its recent battle at Malvern Hill. Some minor skirmishing breaks out as the Union forces pull away.

July 4th, 1862

In Kentucky, Confederate Colonel John Hunt Morgan begins a series of raids which later earn him recognition from the Confederate Congress for his "varied, heroic and invaluable services in Tennessee and Kentucky."

July 7th, 1862

McClellan gives President Lincoln a letter in which he points out what he perceives as weaknesses in Lincoln's current military and political strategies. He tries to persuade the President to maintain a more conservative approach to conducting the war.

July 9th, 1862

Confederate John Hunt Morgan seizes Tompkinsville, Kentucky. He and his cavalry continue their raids against Federal positions.

July 10th, 1862

General John Pope's command of the Northern Army of Virginia is positioned in the Shenandoah Valley. He prescribes harsh treatment in response to any civilian resistance in the Valley.

July 11th, 1862

Halleck has proven himself an able and far-sighted leader and President Lincoln appoints him to the position of General-in-Chief of the Federal Army.

July 13th, 1862

Movement of General Lee's Confederates away from Richmond, suggests the beginning of another campaign against the threatening Northern forces. A bridge near Rapidan Station, Virginia is destroyed by Northern troops as they skirmish with Confederates at this point on the Rapidan River.

July 14th, 1862

Lincoln asks Congress to approve a law which will compensate "any state which may abolish slavery within its limits." The congressional approval, however, is not forthcoming as 20 border states disagree with the President's plan.

July 17th, 1862

Confederate raiders under Colonel John Hunt Morgan make a surprise attack on Northern troops at Cynthiana, Kentucky. After several hours of fighting to defend their positions there, the Federals are overcome and Southern troops occupy the town.

July 20th, 1862

Colonel Morgan's Confederate raiders are surprised by Union cavalry near Owensville, Kentucky. The Southern soldiers are dispersed and horses and equipment are confiscated.

July 22nd, 1862

President Lincoln presents his Emancipation Proclamation to his Cabinet. This action produces surprise in most quarters. The War Department announces that the military is empowered to employ persons of African descent as paid laborers.

July 23rd, 1862

In Northern Virginia, General John Pope announces that all disloyal citizens within his jurisdiction are to be arrested. Federal cavalry attack Confederates near Carmel Church, Virginia.

July 27th, 1862

Skirmishing takes place at various points near Brown's Spring, Missouri; in Carroll, Ray and Livingston counties in that state; and near Fort Gibson in Indian territory.

July 28th, 1862

Confederates lose 10 men near Bollinger's Mills, Missouri as Federal forces make a successful assault on the Southern position there.

July 29th, 1862

Confederates are routed by Union guerillas at Moore's Mills in Missouri. Southern losses tally at 62 dead and 100 wounded; Federals lose 16 men and sustain 30 injuries.