American Civil War Game Club (ACWGC)

June 15, 1862 Sunday
A triumphant Jeb Stuart arrived in Richmond to report personally to Gen Lee on his successful ride around McClellan. Meanwhile his troopers were drawing near the Confederate capital. Daring, startling, a great morale-booster to the South, a draught of chagrin to the North, it is certain that Stuart furnished Lee with valuable information on terrain, Federal dispositions, and the condition of the country. On the other hand, it may well have alerted McClellan to the danger on his flanks and made him better prepared to resist the attack that came later in the month. At any rate, it was an exploit that brought Stuart and his cavalrymen the plaudits of fame as dashing cavaliers of Dixie. Meanwhile, there was a skirmish near Seven Pines and a Federal reconnaissance near New Market, Virginia. There was fighting at Big Creek Gap in the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee. President Lincoln wrote Fremont in the Shenandoah that Jackson “is much more likely to go to Richmond than Richmond is to come to him.” The President divined that Confederate moves were to make it appear that they were reinforcing the valley when their intention was to move Jackson from the valley to Lee. U.S.S. Corwin, commanded by Lieutenant T. S. Phelps, captured schooner Starlight on Potopotank Creek, Virginia. U.S.S. Tahoma, commanded by Lieutenant John C. Howell, and U.S.S. Somerset, commanded by Lieutenant English, crossed the bar of St. Marks River, Florida, and shelled the Confederate fort near the lighthouse for forty minutes. The artillery company stationed there withdrew, and the sailors landed destroyed the battery, and burned the buildings used as barracks.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

June 16, 1862 Monday
Federal troops of Brig Gen H.W. Benham from James Island near Charleston assaulted Confederate works at Secessionville, South Carolina, a hamlet on the low lying island, defended by men under N.G. Evans. Benham’s assaults failed completely, and he disobeyed orders and advice in making the drive. Eventually he was relieved of his command. The outcome of the engagement seriously retarded Federal operations aimed at controlling Charleston Harbor. In this nearly forgotten struggle the Union force of some 6600 suffered 107 killed, 487 wounded, and 89 missing for 683 casualties. For the Confederates losses were 52 killed, 144 wounded, and 8 missing for 204 out of about 2500 engaged.

Elsewhere there was skirmishing in the Shenandoah at Mount Jackson; and at Winchester, Tennessee; plus some scouting from Batesville to Fairview and other communities in Arkansas. President Lincoln orders Gen R.E. Lee's house at Arlington Heights converted into a hospital.

C.S.S. Maurepas and steamers Eliza G. and Mary Patterson were sunk in White River, Arkansas, to obstruct the advance of Union gunboats. U.S.S. Somerset, commanded by Lieutenant English, captured blockade running schooner Curlew off Cedar Keys, Florida.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

June 17, 1862 Tuesday
Stonewall Jackson was leaving the valley of the Shenandoah. After attempts to fool the Federals by sending reinforcements, the Confederates began shipping Jackson’s men rapidly east toward Richmond and a hoped-for offensive on the Peninsula of Virginia against McClellan. Other fighting was minor; skirmishes at Eminence, and near Warrensburg, Missouri; near Smithville, Arkansas; and Pass Manchac, Louisiana.

In command changes Maj Gen John Charles Fremont resigned his post when ordered to serve under Maj Gen John Pope. Pope was being brought east from the Mississippi Valley to command a new Army of Virginia which would consist primarily of Fremont’s and Banks’ Federal commands. Franz Sigel was given Fremont’s position.

There was an even more important change for the Confederates. Gen Braxton Bragg was named commander of the Western Department of the Confederate Army, now mainly in and around Tupelo, Mississippi. He succeeded the ailing and disgruntled Gen Beauregard. With the rise of Bragg to major command, Beauregard’s most active days were over for a considerable time. Bragg, never a popular commander, was given an opportunity to see what he could do with the precarious military situation in the West.

A joint expedition, made at the request of Major General Halleck to open Army communications on the White River, under Commander Kilty in U.S.S. Mound City, with U.S.S. St. Louis, Lexington, and Conestoga, and a regiment of troops, engaged Confederate batteries at St. Charles, Arkansas. Mound City took a direct hit at close range, exploding her steam drum and causing heavy casualties. Covered by the gunboats, the troops landed and successfully stormed the earthworks. This action gave control of the White River to the Union fleet.

Charles H. Davis was appointed Flag Officer and Commander of U.S. Naval Forces on the Mississippi, relieving Flag Officer Foote. Davis had been in actual command since the departure of Foote on 9 May. Secretary of the Navy Welles congratulated Foote for the "series of successful actions which have contributed so largely to the suppression of the rebellion throughout the Southwest."

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

June 18, 1862 Wednesday
Northern troops under Brig Gen George W. Morgan occupied Cumberland Gap, an important trail through the rugged mountains where Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia join. The Confederates withdrew because of the Federal threats, but only after destroying stores. The occupation had a stimulating influence on the alleged pre-Union sentiments of many of the residents of the area. At the same time there was skirmishing at nearby Wilson’s Gap.

Below Vicksburg on the Mississippi River, Farragut was assembling his Federal flotilla, including the mortar fleet, preparatory to a move northward past the batteries. In Vicksburg the Confederates were hastily building extensive fortifications, long neglected, and were preparing themselves for eventual attack. There was a skirmish at Hambright’s Station, Missouri. In Virginia another skirmish occurred at Fair Oaks east of Richmond, and there was light skirmishing near Winchester this day and June 19.

President Lincoln asked McClellan when he could attack Richmond. President and Vice President Hamlin ride horseback to Soldiers' Home for the evening meal. After dinner they retire to the library and behind locked doors Lincoln reads his draft of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Brigadier General Samuel D. Sturgis, USA, is assigned command of the newly created Reserve Army Corps, USA.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

June 19, 1862 Thursday
In Washington President Lincoln signed into law a measure prohibiting slavery in the territories of the United States. Near Richmond there was a skirmish on the Charles City Road, while other fighting took place at Knight’s Cove, Arkansas. In Richmond President Davis wrote Gov John J. Pettus of Mississippi, “My efforts to provide for the military wants of your section have been sadly frustrated.”

U.S. sloop Florida, tender to U.S.S. Morning Light, commanded by Acting Lieutenant Henry T. Moore, captured sloop Ventura off Grant's Pass, Mobile Bay, with cargo of rice and flour.

Commander Maury, CSN, reported to Secretary of the Navy Mallory on his mining operations near Chaffin's Bluff in the James River. Electric torpedoes (mines) made of boiler plate encased in water-tight wooden casks were planted with the assistance of C.S.S. Teaser, commanded by Lieutenant Davidson. Maury noted that one of the galvanic batteries had been loaned for this service by the University of Virginia.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

June 20, 1862 Friday
From Baton Rouge, Louisiana a Federal expedition was under way toward Vicksburg. By boat some 3,000 men under Brig Gen Thomas Williams traveled north. The objects of this movement, aided by Farragut’s gunboats, were to establish a base at Swampy Toe on the west side of the Mississippi river opposite Vicksburg and to attempt to dig a canal by which small vessels could bypass the ever increasing batteries on the east side. Maj Gen Earl Van Dorn assumed command of the Confederate Department of Southern Mississippi and East Louisiana, charged with the defense of the Mississippi River. There was a skirmish at Bayou des Allemands, Louisiana; and in Virginia near New Bridge and at Gill’s Bluff on the James; while there were several days of guerrilla activities in Owen County, Kentucky.

Commander Semmes wrote Confederate Secretary of the Navy Mallory: "It will doubtless be a matter of delicacy and management to get the Alabama safely out of British waters without suspicion, as Mr. [Charles F.] Adams, the Northern envoy, and his numerous satellites are exceedingly vigilant in their espionage. We can not, of course, think of arming her in a British port. This must be done at some concerted rendezvous, to which her battery and most of her crew must be sent in a merchant vessel . . . I think well of your suggestion of the East Indies as a cruising ground, and hope to be in the track of the enemy's commerce in those seas as early as October or November next, when I shall doubtless be able to make other rich 'burnt offerings' upon the altar of our country's liberties . . ."

Lieutenant Hunter Davidson, commanding C.S.S. Teaser, the first mine-layer, ordered to relieve Commander Matthew F. Maury "in the charge of devising, placing, and superintending submarine batteries in the James River, and you will exercise your discretion as to the ways and means of placing obstacles of this and of any other character to oppose the enemy's passage of the river."

U.S.S. Madgie, commanded by Acting Master Frank B. Meriam, took 3,000 bushels of rice from a vessel at Barrett's Island, near Darien, South Carolina, and captured schooner Southern Belle above that city. U.S.S. Beauregard, commanded by Acting Master David Stearns, seized blockade running British schooner Lucy off Deadman's Point Bay, Florida. U.S.S. Keystone State, under Commander LeRoy, captured blockade running British schooner Sarah with cargo of cotton off Charleston. Two boats under command of Acting Master Theodore B. DuBois of U.S.S. Albatross captured steam tug Treaty and schooner Louisa near Georgetown, South Carolina.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

June 21, 1862 Saturday
Skirmishing was slight along the battle lines on the Chickahominy River near Richmond but there was another fight near Fair Oaks Station. Elsewhere there were skirmishes at Simmons’ Bluff, South Carolina, and at Battle Creek and Rankin’s Ferry, near Jasper, Tennessee. Federals carried out an expedition to Hernando, Mississippi with skirmishing at Coldwater Station. The Confederate Department of North Carolina is extended to the south bank of the James River, Virginia.

“We are preparing and taking position for the struggle which must be near at hand. The stake is too high to permit the pulse to keep its even beat…. A total defeat of McClellan will relieve the Confederacy of its embarrassments in the East, and then we must make a desperate effort to regain what Beauregard has abandoned in the West.” So wrote a tense President Davis to his wife. At Washington President Lincoln asked by telegram that McClellan give him his views as to military affairs throughout the whole country.

Joint expedition under Lieutenant Rhind, U.S.S. Crusader, with U.S.S. Planter in company, ascended to Simmons Bluff, Wadmelaw River, South Carolina. Lieutenant Rhind landed with troops and destroyed a Confederate encampment. U.S.S. Bohio, Acting Master W. D. Gregory, captured sloop L. Rebecca bound from Biloxi to Mobile.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

June 22, 1862 Sunday
A quiet day, but it was apparent that in Virginia major action would occur soon. McClellan must move, and the Confederates must attack. The stalemate at Richmond had lasted long enough. Near White Oak Swamp there was a reconnaissance, and scattered action in the Shenandoah Valley around Strasburg. Thirty Sisters of Charity arrived at Fort Monroe to administer to the sick and wounded of the Army of the Potomac.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

June 23, 1862 Monday
Still the lesser fighting continued, at Pineville, and near Raytown, Missouri; Augusta, Arkansas; and New Kent Court House, Virginia. There were several days of operations about Sibley and Pink Hill, Missouri. President Lincoln left Washington accompanied by Gen Pope at 4 P.M. on a special train arriving in New York at 1:30 A.M. enroute to West Point, where he was to confer with Gen Winfield Scott.

A conference took place at the Dabbs’ House north of Richmond. Lee gathered his principal generals, including Stonewall Jackson, who had traveled rapidly ahead of his army coming from the Shenandoah. Although Lee had already decided to take the offensive, many details had to be worked out. Richmond could not withstand a siege; an offensive now was imperative. This counterattack must attempt to turn McClellan’s line. Stating his case, Lee withdrew, allowing the other officers to work out the decision, Jackson headed west again to hurry forward his indispensable three divisions.

Brigadier General Benjamin Alvord ( http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/benjamin-alvord.htm ), USA, is assigned command of the Federal District of Oregon. John Robert Jones, CSA, is appointed to Brigadier General.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

June 24, 1862 Tuesday
Skirmishing increased at Mechanicsville, Virginia just north of Richmond, as Confederates probed the Federal lines. In North Carolina there was a reconnaissance from Washington to Tranter’s Creek; and near Grand Gulf, Mississippi there was skirmishing at Hamilton’s Plantation. President Davis told Gen Van Dorn at Vicksburg, “The people will sustain you in your heroic determination, and may God bless you with success.”

President Lincoln changes trains in New York after 1:30 A.M. and proceeds to West Point for conference with Gen Scott. Crosses Hudson River by ferry from Garrison, N.Y., and registers at Cozzen's Hotel in West Point about 3 A.M. From breakfast at 7:30 A.M. until noon consults with Gen Scott on further dispositions of military forces. Makes inspection tour of Military Academy from noon until 3 P.M. dinner party at hotel. After dinner visits Parrott's Cold Spring Foundry three miles away and sees rifled cannon in production. From 9 to 11 P.M. receives guests in hotel parlor. Military Academy band serenades him at midnight. President Lincoln transmits an order through the State Dept to Gen Butler in New Orleans to discontinue requiring loyalty oaths of foreigners, including British consul.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

June 25, 1862 Wednesday
What became known as the Seven Days’ Campaign before Richmond began mildly enough, with the secondary engagement known as Oak Grove, King’s School-House, French’s Field, or the Orchard. Gen George B. McClellan ordered forward advance units on his left which he said were preparatory to a general forward movement. However, the main attack by men of Samuel Heintzelman’s corps was well met by Confederates of Benjamin Huger. By evening there was little change in the lines a few miles east of Richmond. Federals lost at least 51 killed, 401 wounded, and 64 missing for 516, compared to 40 killed, 263 wounded, and 13 missing for 316 for the Confederates (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Oak_Grove and http://americancivilwar.com/statepic/va ... ove-1.html ). There also was skirmishing near Ashland, Virginia. In the Confederate ranks the mild Union advance did not upset the plans for the attack scheduled for June 26, a result of the conference of war on June 23. Jackson’s forces approached from the west and north, and it was hoped all would be ready for a coordinated attack on McClellan’s right.

In other sectors there was a skirmish at Yellville, Arkansas; another at Mungo Flats, western Virginia; and an affair near La Fayette Station, Tennessee. On the Mississippi River Thomas Williams and his 3,000 Federals, escorted by Farragut’s squadron, arrived opposite Vicksburg, where they were to make rather ineffective attempts to isolate the city by digging a canal across Swampy Toe. Federal gunboats enter the South Santee River in South Carolina.

President Lincoln left West Point in the morning after his conference with Gen Scott and reached Washington in early evening. At Pekin, Illinois a group known as the Union League was organized. A patriotic and political group, it was to have considerable influence in postwar years. Its wartime purpose was to bolster Northern morale and faith.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

June 26, 1862 Thursday
Three Confederate divisions were ready to strike at McClellan’s army east of Richmond. Jackson’s force was not yet up, but Lee’s plan was clear. A.P. Hill ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A.P._Hill ) was to cross the Chickahominy River at Meadow Bridge, push the Federals out of Mechanicsville, and clear the way for D.H. Hill ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Harvey_Hill ) and Longstreet ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Longstreet ). Jackson was to come in on the left and all were to sweep backward Fitz John Porter’s ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fitz_John_Porter ) large Federal corps. The rest of the Federal army was out of reach, on the southwest side of the Chickahominy. But where was Jackson? At 3 PM A.P. Hill attacked without him. The Confederates pushed through Mechanicsville as planned and Porter fell back to Beaver Dam Creek and Ellerson’s Mill to a strong prepared position. Hill did not stop, but threw his men forward in frontal assault. The charge was a failure (http://www.nps.gov/rich/historyculture/bdcbulletin.htm and http://americancivilwar.com/statepic/va ... lle-2.html and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Mechanicsville ). Jackson did not get into things, first of several delays charged to Jackson during the Seven Days ( http://fanaticus.org/GeorgiaBrigade/Chr ... 20626.html ). Lee’s control seemed very loose. The cost for the Confederates was 1484 to 361 for the Federals. The effective forces engaged were around 14,000 Southerners and over 15,000 Federals. During the night, Porter, threatened by the bulk of the Confederate army, withdrew to another prepared position near Gaines’ Mill, behind Boatswain Swamp. His base at White House on the Pamunkey River severely threatened by the Confederate move, McClellan ordered his supplies sent to the James River, where a new base would be set up at Harrison’s Landing. Other fighting in Virginia this day included skirmishes at Hundley’s Corner, Hanover Court House, and Atlee’s Station. Also in Virginia there was fighting at Point of Rocks on the Appomattox River.

On the Mississippi River the mortar boats bombarded the Confederate gun positions at Vicksburg form the south, preparing the way for Farragut’s fleet to pass to the north and hook up with the gunboats above Vicksburg. In Missouri there was a skirmish at Cherry Grove in Schuyler County.

A primary command change was announced in Washington. Maj Gen John Pope was formally assigned command of the newly created Army of Virginia, which included the old Mountain Department, the Department of the Rappahannock, and the Department of the Shenandoah. The main task of the new command was to protect Washington and, more importantly, to consolidate all land forces in Virginia, not including the Army of the Potomac, so that they could move overland to aid McClellan and take the pressure off his army near Richmond. At the same time President Lincoln continued to tell McClellan that he was sending the general all the men he could. The constant complaints of McClellan pained President Lincoln.

U.S.S. Kensington, commanded by Acting Master Frederick Crocker, with mortar schooners Horace Beals and Sarah Bruen, proceeding towards Vicksburg, silenced a Confederate battery near Cole's Creek, Mississippi River. U.S.S. Mount Vernon, under Commander Glisson, with U.S.S. Mystic and Victoria chased blockade runner Emily standing in for Wilmington. Emily grounded and a boat crew commanded by Acting Master W. N. Griswold from Mount Vernon boarded and destroyed her while under heavy fire from Fort Caswell.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

June 27, 1862 Friday
Lee had to strike again. Most of his army had moved away from Richmond and there was little between the capital of the Confederacy and the main Federal Army of the Potomac. But McClellan, too, was in trouble. The enemy was on his right flank and rear. Fitz John Porter north of the Chickahominy, was ordered to hold Gaines’ Mill at any cost so as to enable McClellan to prepare a change of base to the James River. Confederates attacked in midafternoon across ravines, fields, and swamps against the strong semicircle defense positions. Again there was poor coordination by Southern commanders, and again the Federals exacted great toll. Again Jackson was delayed. At dark, John Bell Hood’s ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bell_Hood ) Texas Brigade and troops of George E. Pickett ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Pickett ) broke through Porter’s line. But the disorganized Confederates could not fully exploit the success, despite confusion among the Federals. Porter withdrew the remains of his gallant corps across the Chickahominy and rejoined the main Army of the Potomac. ( http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/ga ... llmap.html and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Gaines%27_Mill and http://www.americancivilwarphotos.com/c ... aines-mill ) (reenactment of 150th anniversary http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDPZOOryRtc )

South of the river there had been only minor fighting at Fair Oaks and elsewhere as John Bankhead Magruder skillfully demonstrated with his inferior force against the bulk of the Union army ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_ ... g%27s_Farm ). Porter had perhaps 36,000 for duty with 894 killed, 3107 wounded, and a huge 2836 missing or captured – a total of 6837 casualties. Confederate effectives numbered about 57,000 with casualties around 8750. The attackers were suffering more, but the Seven Days would continue. McClellan must withdraw now and retreat to the James River in the face of the Southern drive. Some called it a strategic withdrawal, not a defeat. Others named it a “great skedaddle.” For the Confederacy, it looked as if the pressure on Richmond was to be relieved. A Confederate private spoke of “the din and the roar, and the pulse of artillery, and the cheers, and cries of Forward! Forward! And the grey smoke mixed with it all.”

At Vicksburg a mortar bombardment from the south continued and Federal troops began the active phase of their canal digging on the Louisiana side, across from the threatened fortress. Lost in the news of the day was a skirmish at Stewart’s Plantation, Arkansas.

In northern Virginia John Pope ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Pope_ ... ry_officer) ) assumed command of his new Army of Virginia. For the Confederacy, Gen Bragg ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braxton_Bragg ) assumed permanent command of the Department of the West. Down in Louisiana there were three days of Federal reconnaissance to the Amite River, with skirmishing. In Washington President Lincoln accepted Gen Fremont’s resignation, offered June 17. It was the end of the military trail for the controversial explorer, soldier, and politician.

U.S.S. Bohio, Acting Master W. D. Gregory, captured sloop Wave, bound from Mobile to Mississippi City with cargo of flour. U.S.S. Bienville, under Commander Mullany, captured schooner Morning Star off Wilmington. U.S.S. Cambridge, under Commander W. A. Parker, chased blockade runner Modern Greece ashore off Wilmington, where she was subsequently destroyed with cargo of gunpowder, rifled cannon, and other arms.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

June 28, 1862 Saturday
At 2 AM Farragut’s fleet was under way from south of Vicksburg, steaming up the Mississippi River in its attempt to force a passage past the batteries of the city. In two columns the fleet proceeded and by 4 AM the battle was joined. By 6 AM all but three vessels had made it. Fifteen men were killed and thirty wounded in the Federal fleet. Confederate casualties were negligible. The action proved two points: first, a fleet could pass powerful land batteries without excessive damage or danger, and second, it was clear that a fleet alone could not take Vicksburg. A campaign that was to last more than a year had begun. However, the last major bastion held by the Confederacy on the Mississippi was threatened.

On the quietest of the Seven Days in Virginia, McClellan, his army, its herd of cattle and immense wagon trains began to withdraw south from near Richmond toward the James River. Lee reorganized his command for another offensive blow, for by evening he knew the Army of the Potomac was headed toward the river. White House on the Pamunkey was evacuated and burned. There was fighting at Garnett’s and Golding’s Farms, and at Dispatch Station on the Richmond and York River Railroad. Meanwhile, the navy moved up the James from Fort Monroe to open communications with McClellan’s army expected at Harrison’s Landing. Federal cavalry finished destruction of abandoned Union supplies at White House Landing.

President Lincoln received an angry telegram from distraught McClellan. “I have lost this battle because my force was too small,” he wrote, blaming the President and the Administration bitterly and disclaiming responsibility for the defeat at Gaines’ Mill despite the fact that he had not used a major part of his army. Two sentences of this message were deleted by War Department staff as unfit for President Lincoln to see. They read, “If I save this army now, I tell you plainly that I owe no thanks to you or to any other persons in Washington./ You have done your best to sacrifice this army.” President Lincoln, however, in replying to what he did see of the message, stated, “Save your Army at all events…. If you have had a drawn battle, or a repulse, it is the price we pay for the enemy not being in Washington.”

Sparta, Tennessee saw a skirmish this day, as did Blackland, Mississippi. In Charleston Harbor, Federals pulled off James Island and momentarily gave up the attempt to get at Charleston and its harbor forts from the low-lying islands.

U.S.S. Braziliera captured schooner Chance with cargo of salt off Wassaw Sound, Georgia. U.S.S. Marblehead, commanded by Lieutenant S. Nicholson, and U.S.S. Chocura, commanded by Lieutenant Thomas H. Patterson, in the Pamunkey River, supported Army withdrawal from White House, Virginia, with gunfire and transport. Other Union gunboats escorted transports and moved up the James and Chickahominy Rivers in close support of General McClellan's army.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00

June 29, 1862 Sunday
Confederate forces north of the Chickahominy River crossed the stream and followed the retreating McClellan; Confederates south of the river also gave pursuit. But McClellan’s rear guard withstood another disorganized drive that never fully materialized. Jackson again was accused of being tardy, though critics vary in their views. Again the Federals safely withdrew, but were forced to leave 2500 sick and wounded at Savage’s Station on the Richmond and York River Railroad east of Richmond (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_ ... 7s_Station and http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/se ... ne-29.html and http://americancivilwar.com/statepic/va ... ion-4.html ). Farther south skirmishing occurred on the James River Road near Willis’ Church, and other fighting at Peach Orchard or Allen’s Farm near Fair Oaks. Brigadier General Richard Griffith, CSA, ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Griffith_(general) ) is mortally wounded during the Battle of Savage Station, is moved to Richmond, Virginia, for care, but dies the same day.

On another front there was an affair at Moorefield, western Virginia. In the Shenandoah Valley there was a Federal reconnaissance from Front Royal to Luray.

U.S.S. Marblehead, commanded by Lieutenant S. Nicholson, and U.S.S. Chocura, commanded by Lieutenant Thomas H. Patterson, in the Pamunkey River, supported Army withdrawal from White House, Virginia, with gunfire and transport. Other Union gunboats escorted transports and moved up the James and Chickahominy Rivers in close support of General McClellan's army. U.S.S. Susquehanna, under Commander Hitchcock, in company with U.S.S. Kanawha, commanded by Lieutenant Commander J. C. Febiger, captured blockade running British steamer Ann near Mobile with cargo of arms and ammunition. Confederate troops fired on U.S.S. Lexington, commanded by Lieutenant Shirk, on White River between St. Charles and Clarendon, Arkansas.

_________________
Gen Ned Simms
2/XVI Corps/AotT
Blood 'n Guts hisself, a land lovin' pirate. Show me some arty tubes and we'll charge 'em.
VMI Class of '00