Almanac History - June 1862
June 1st, 1862
General Jackson's Confederate troops meet the Union troops under General McDowell as Jackson continues to retreat to a position near Harrisonburg, Virginia.
June 3rd, 1862
The Confederate garrison at Fort Pillow, near Memphis, Tennessee, evacuates its position, leaving the city helpless in the face of advancing Union troops.
June 4th, 1862
Richmond, VA remains threatened by the Union Army of the Potomac which is resting after the Fair Oaks and Seven Pines battle earlier in the week.
June 5th, 1862
Bad weather prevents General McClellan from pushing on toward Richmond where the Confederates are shoring up for an attack. General Robert E Lee is preparing a defensive operation with the Army of Northern Virginia.
June 6th, 1862
Confederate Naval Captain James Montgomery engages the Union flotilla at a point near Memphis, Tennessee. Montgomery's forces are inadequate to those of Commodore Davis and within two hours the Confederate force has been almost completely disabled.
June 7th, 1862
As Confederates continue their retreat in the Shenandoah, skirmishing breaks out at Union Church, Virginia when they meet advancing Northern troops.
June 8th, 1862
Near Port Republic, Virginia, the battle of Cross Keys nearly causes the retreat of Confederate forces. While Jackson's troops are advancing against General Fremont's Federals, Confederate General R. S. Ewell is the commander of forces which are able to hold off the Union troops and defend General Jackson's men.
June 9th, 1862
Fighting continues at Cross Keys but the real fight today between Jackson's troops and the Union troops of Shields and Fremont occurs at Port Republic. The Confederates hold their ground and eventually force the Union troops to retreat.
June 12th, 1862
On the Peninsula, Confederate General J E B Stuart surrounds the Federal troops with cavalry and artillery, riding around the Union force. They succeed in disrupting morale, supply and communication networks, and in making the Union Army believe the Confederate army to be considerably larger than they had supposed.
June 16th, 1862
Considerable losses are reported at James Island in South Carolina when Federal troops engage in a battle at Secessionville. The position is critical to the control of Charleston Harbor. The Union force is repulsed despite its vigorous assault.
June 17th, 1862
President Lincoln begins restructuring commands in the East. General Fremont is placed under General Pope; he becomes indignant and resigns. General Franz Sigel steps into Fremont's position. Fremont goes home to New York, hoping for further orders, but receives none for the rest of the war.
June 19th, 1862
President Lincoln outlines his controversial Emancipation Proclamation which will outlaw slavery in all the states which remain in rebellion.
June 20th, 1862
General Thomas Williams begins the Federal advance against Vicksburg. Confederates, under General Van Dorn, attempt to further fortify the city.
June 21st, 1862
Richmond remains quiet as a whole, but there is skirmishing between Union and Confederate troops at the Chickahominy Creek. Both sides are anticipating major battle.
June 23rd, 1862
President Lincoln travels to New York and West Point. He plans to discuss current and planned military strategy with retired General Winfield Scott.
June 24th, 1862
White House, Virginia is evacuated as McClellan's troops press closer. Skirmishing breaks out in Mechanicsville just outside the Confederate capital.
June 25th, 1862
To deflect fighting from the Richmond area, Confederates embark on the Seven Days Campaign. In the first confrontation the Oak Grove Battle, Macgruder attempts to convince the North that the Southern Army is larger than it is. Lee, in the meantime, attacks McClellan's forces east of Richmond. McClellan grows increasingly worried.
June 27th, 1862
Lee's troops break through Federal lines and follow the Northern force as it heads for Harrison's Landing. This is the battle of Gaines' Mills. Total losses for the day are staggering: 6837 casualties for the North and 8,750 for the South.
June 28th, 1862
Fighting continues in Virginia at Garnett's and Golding's Farms. Northern troops destroy supplies and equipment at White House Landing.
June 29th, 1862
The Seven Days Campaign continues with a clash at Savage's Station. The Union withdraws east of Richmond toward the James River leaving behind more than 2000 wounded and injured.
June 30th, 1862
The sixth in the series of battles of the Seven Days Campaign takes place at White Oak Swamp. The Confederate troops under Jackson and Longstreet are confused. McClellan takes advantage of this confusion to assume a safe entrenchment on Malvern Hill.