United States Civil War (1861 – 1865) in Real Time

Day 99 of the United States Civil War, July 19th 1861

District of Columbia

Orders from Washington, D.C. prohibit harboring of fugitive slaves in military camps or permitting such slaves to accompany troops on the march.

The following are appointed Brigadier Generals in the United States Army:

- James Streshly Jackson.
- John Smith Phelps.

The United States House of Representatives passed the Crittenden–Johnson Resolution (also known as the Crittenden Resolution and the War Aims Resolution) by a vote of 121–2, declaring the object of the war to be the preservation of the United States rather than the end of slavery. Two congressmen voted against it, Henry C. Burnett (Kentucky) and John W. Reid (Missouri).

Virginia

Robert Augustus Toombs is appointed Brigadier General in the Confederate States Army.

Incidents at New Market Bridge and Back River Road.

Missouri

Incident at Parkersville.

Confederate States Army, Brigadier-General Thomas Jonathan Jackson’s brigade boarded trains at Piedmont, as the first element of the reinforcements heading from the Shenandoah Valley for Manassas Junction.

The United States Army of the Northeastern Virginia at Centreville continued to correct supply weaknesses and began to make reconnaissances towards Bull Run Creek.

A United States Army patrol of six officers was ambushed near Hampton on the Yorktown peninsula. One man was killed and two others were wounded and captured.

Texas

The USS ALBATROSS, a screw steamer rigged as a three-masted schooner under the command of United States Navy, Commander George A. Prentiss exchanged fire with the North Carolina steamer BEAUFORT lying off Bodie Island and forced the Southern ship to retire through Oregon Inlet to safety in Pamlico Sound.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania State Militia, Major General Robert Patterson was honourably discharged from Federal service and United States Army, Major General Nathaniel Prentiss Banks was appointed in his place to command operations in the Shenandoah Valley. The authorities were disappointed by Patterson’s timid advance into the Shenandoah Valley and his subsequent withdrawal to Harper’s Ferry.

Cuba

The Captain-General of Cuba, Francisco Serrano, liberated all the prize ships brought into Cuban ports by the commerce raider CSS SUMTER under the command of Confederate States Navy, Commander Raphael Semmes.

Day 101 of the United States Civil War, July 21st 1861

District of Columbia

James Brewerton Ricketts is appointed Brigadier General in the United States Army.

The United States House of Representatives passes a resolution that asserts the current conflict is meant to preserve the United States, not to interfere with slavery or for the subjugation of the South.

Virginia

The following are appointed Brigadier Generals in the Confederate States Army:

- Jubal Anderson Early.
- Samuel Jones.
- William Henry Chase Whiting.

United States forces under United States Army, Brigadier General Jacob Dolson Cox encountered Confederates from the command of Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Henry Alexander Wise near Charlestown.

Virginia - Special Orders, No.

Confederate States Army, General Joseph E. Johnston issued an unnumbered special order approving Confederate States Army, Brigadier General P. G. T. Beauregard's plan of attack for the First Battle of Bull Run:

Special Orders, No. – .

HDQRS. Army of the Potomac,
July 21, 1861 – 4.30 a. m.

The plan of attack given by Brigadier-General Beauregard in the above order is approved, and will be executed accordingly.

J. E. Johnston,
General, C. S. Army

(Virginia) Manassas campaign - First Battle of Bull Run

YouTube (First Manassas: Animated Battle Map)



United States Army, Brigadier General, Irvin McDowell sent the divisions of United States Army, Colonel David Hunter and United States Army, Samuel P. Heintzelman (about 12,000 men) from Centreville at 2:30 a.m., marching southwest on the Warrenton Turnpike and then turning northwest toward Sudley Springs to get around the Confederates' left. United States Army, Brigadier General, Daniel Tyler's division (about 8,000) marched directly toward the Stone Bridge. The inexperienced units immediately developed logistical problems. Tyler's division blocked the advance of the main flanking column on the turnpike. The later units found the approach roads to Sudley Springs were inadequate, little more than a cart path in some places, and did not begin fording Bull Run until 9:30 a.m. Tyler's men reached the Stone Bridge around 6 a.m.

At 5:15 a.m., Richardson's brigade fired a few artillery rounds across Mitchell's Ford on the Confederate right, some of which hit Confederate States Army, General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard's headquarters in the Wilmer McLean house as he was eating breakfast, alerting him to the fact that his offensive battle plan had been preempted. Nevertheless, he ordered demonstration attacks north toward the United States left at Centreville. Bungled orders and poor communications prevented their execution. Although he intended for Confederate States Army, Brigadier General, Richard S. Ewell to lead the attack, Ewell, at Union Mills Ford, was simply ordered to "hold ... in readiness to advance at a moment's notice". Confederate States Army, Brigadier General, David R. Jones was supposed to attack in support of Ewell, but found himself moving forward alone. Confederate States Army, Brigadier General, H. Holmes was also supposed to support, but received no orders at all.

Map: Situation at 05:30–06:00 (July 21, 1861)



All that stood in the path of the 20,000 United States soldiers converging on the Confederate left flank were Confederate States Army, Colonel Nathan "Shanks" Evans and his reduced brigade of 1,100 men. Evans had moved some of his men to intercept the direct threat from Tyler at the bridge, but he began to suspect that the weak attacks from the United States brigade of United States Army, Brigadier General, Robert C. Schenck were merely feints. He was informed of the main United States flanking movement through Sudley Springs by Confederate States Army, Captain Edward Porter Alexander, Beauregard's signal officer, observing from 8 miles (13 km) southwest on Signal Hill. In the first use of wig-wag semaphore signaling in combat, Alexander sent the message "Look out for your left, your position is turned." Evans hastily led 900 of his men from their position fronting the Stone Bridge to a new location on the slopes of Matthews Hill, a low rise to the northwest of his previous position.

The Confederate delaying action on Matthews Hill included a spoiling attack launched by Confederate States Army, Major Roberdeau Wheat's 1st Louisiana "Wheat's Tigers" Special Battalion (Confederate States). After Wheat's command was thrown back, and Wheat seriously wounded, Evans received reinforcement from two other brigades under Confederate States Army, Brigadier General, Barnard Bee and Confederate States Army, Colonel Francis S. Bartow, bringing the force on the flank to 2,800 men. They successfully slowed Hunter's lead brigade (United States Army, Brigadier General, Ambrose Burnside) in its attempts to ford Bull Run and advance across Young's Branch, at the northern end of Henry House Hill. One of Tyler's brigade commanders, United States Army, Colonel William Tecumseh Sherman, moved forward from the stone bridge around 10:00 a.m., and crossed at an unguarded ford and struck the right flank of the Confederate defenders. This surprise attack, coupled with pressure from Burnside and Maj. George Sykes, collapsed the Confederate line shortly after 11:30 a.m., sending them in a disorderly retreat to Henry House Hill.

Map: Situation at 11:00-11:30 (July 21, 1861)



As they retreated from their Matthews Hill position, the remainder of Evans's, Bee's, and Bartow's commands received some cover from Confederate States Army, Captain John D. Imboden and his battery of four 6-pounder guns, who held off the United States advance while the Confederates attempted to regroup on Henry House Hill. They were met by generals Johnston and Beauregard, who had just arrived from Johnston's headquarters at the M. Lewis Farm, "Portici". Fortunately for the Confederates, McDowell did not press his advantage and attempt to seize the strategic ground immediately, choosing to bombard the hill with the batteries of United States Army, Captain James B. Ricketts (Battery I, 1st U.S. Artillery) and Charles Griffin (Battery D, 5th U.S.) from Dogan's Ridge.

Confederate States Army, Brigadier General, Thomas J. Jackson's Virginia Brigade came up in support of the disorganized Confederates around noon, accompanied by Confederate States Army, Colonel Wade Hampton and his Hampton's Legion, and Confederate States Army, Colonel J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry along with a contingent of 6-pounder guns. The Hampton Legion, some 600 men strong, managed to buy Jackson time to construct a defensive line on Henry House Hill by firing repeated volleys at Sherman's advancing brigade. The 79th New York Infantry Regiment (United States) was thoroughly decimated by Hampton's musket fire and began to disintegrate. Wade Hampton gestured towards their colonel, James Cameron, and remarked "Look at that brave officer trying to lead his men and they won't follow him." Shortly afterwards, Cameron, the brother of (United States) Secretary of War Simon Cameron, was fatally wounded. It has been claimed that Hampton deliberately targeted officers of the 79th New York in revenge for the death of his nephew earlier in the day, although he had in fact been killed by soldiers of the 69th New York Infantry Regiment (United States).

Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Thomas J. Jackson posted his five regiments on the reverse slope of the hill, where they were shielded from direct fire, and was able to assemble 13 guns for the defensive line, which he posted on the crest of the hill; as the guns fired, their recoil moved them down the reverse slope, where they could be safely reloaded. Meanwhile, McDowell ordered the batteries of Ricketts and Griffin to move from Dogan's Ridge to the hill for close infantry support. Their 11 guns engaged in a fierce artillery duel across 300 yards (270 m) against Jackson's 13.

Map: Situation at 12:00-12:30 (July 21, 1861)



As his men were pushed back towards Henry House Hill, Bee exclaimed to Jackson, "The Enemy are driving us." Jackson, a former United States Army officer and professor at the Virginia Military Institute, is said to have replied, "Then, Sir, we will give them the bayonet." Bee is then said to have exhorted his own troops to re-form by shouting, "There is Jackson standing like a stone wall. Let us determine to die here, and we will conquer. Rally behind the Virginians." This exclamation is often held to be the source for Jackson's (and his brigade's) nickname, "Stonewall". Bee was shot through the stomach shortly afterwards and died the next day, thus it is unclear exactly what he said or meant. Moreover none of his subordinates wrote reports of the battle, so there is no first-hand account of the exchange. After Bee's wounding, Confederate States Army, colonel States Rights Gist, serving as Bee's aide-de-camp, took command of the brigade.

United States Army, Artillery commander Griffin decided to move two of his guns to the southern end of his line, hoping to provide enfilade fire against the Confederates. At approximately 3 p.m., these guns were overrun by the 33rd Virginia Infantry Regiment (Confederate States), whose men were outfitted in blue uniforms, causing Griffin's commander, Major William F. Barry, to mistake them for United States troops and to order Griffin not to fire on them. Close range volleys from the 33rd Virginia Infantry Regiment (Confederate States) followed by Confederate States Army, Colonel J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry attack against the flank of the 11th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment (United States), which was supporting the battery, killed many of the gunners and scattered the infantry. Capitalizing on this success, Jackson ordered two regiments to charge Ricketts's guns and they were captured as well. As additional Federal infantry engaged, the Confederates were pushed back and they reformed and the guns changed hands several times.

United States losses are set at 460 killed, 1,124 wounded, and 1,312 missing or captured to the 387 killed, 1,598 wounded and 13 missing for the Confederates.

Map: Situation at 13:00 (July 21, 1861)



Map: Situation at 14:30-15:00 (July 21, 1861)



Map: Situation at 15:00 (July 21, 1861)



Map: Situation at 15:30 (July 21, 1861)



The capture of the United States guns turned the tide of battle. Although McDowell had brought 15 regiments into the fight on the hill, outnumbering the Confederates two to one, no more than two were ever engaged simultaneously. Jackson continued to press his attacks, telling soldiers of the 4th Virginia Infantry Regiment (Confederate States), "Reserve your fire until they come within 50 yards! Then fire and give them the bayonet! And when you charge, yell like furies!" For the first time, Union troops heard the disturbing sound of the Rebel yell. At about 4 p.m., the last Union troops were pushed off Henry House Hill by a charge of two regiments from Col. Philip St. George Cocke's brigade.

Map: Situation at 16:00 (July 21, 1861)



To the west, Chinn Ridge had been occupied by United States Army, colonel Oliver Otis Howard's brigade from Heintzelman's division. But at 4 p.m., two Confederate brigades, Confederate States Army, colonel Jubal Early's, which had moved from the Confederate right, and Confederate States Army, Brigadier General, Edmund Kirby Smith's (commanded by Confederate States Army, colonel Arnold Elzey after Smith was wounded), which had just arrived from the Shenandoah Valley, moved forward and crushed Howard's brigade. Beauregard ordered his entire line forward, and the United States troops began to panic in retreat. At 5 p.m. everywhere McDowell's army was disintegrating. Thousands, in large and small groups or as individuals, began to leave the battlefield and head for Centreville in a rout. McDowell rode around the field trying to rally regiments and groups of soldiers, but most had had enough. Unable to stop the mass exodus, McDowell gave orders for Porter's regular infantry battalion, near the intersection of the turnpike and Manassas-Sudley Road, to act as a rear guard as his army withdrew. The unit briefly held the crossroads, then retreated eastward with the rest of the army. McDowell's force crumbled and began to retreat.

Map: Situation at 16:30-17:30 (July 21, 1861)



The retreat was relatively orderly up to the Bull Run crossings, but was poorly managed by the United States officers. A United States wagon was overturned by artillery fire on a bridge spanning Cub Run Creek, inciting panic in McDowell's force. As the soldiers streamed uncontrollably toward Centreville, discarding their arms and equipment, McDowell ordered United States States Army, colonel Dixon S. Miles's division to act as a rear guard, but it was impossible to rally the army short of Washington. In the disorder that followed, hundreds of United States troops were taken prisoner. Wagons and artillery were abandoned, including the 30-pounder Parrott rifle, which had opened the battle with such fanfare. Expecting an easy United States victory, the wealthy elite of nearby Washington, including congressmen and their families, had come to picnic and watch the battle. When the United States army was driven back in a running disorder, the roads back to Washington were blocked by panicked civilians attempting to flee in their carriages. The pell-mell retreat became known in the Southern press as “The Great Skedaddle.”

Since their combined army had been left highly disorganized as well, Beauregard and Johnston did not fully press their advantage, despite urging from (Confederate States) President Jefferson Finis Davis, who had arrived on the battlefield to see the United States soldiers retreating. An attempt by Johnston to intercept the United States troops from his right flank, using the brigades of Confederate States Army, Brigadier General, Milledge L. Bonham and James Longstreet, was a failure. The two commanders squabbled with each other and when Bonham's men received some artillery fire from the United States rear guard, and found that Richardson's brigade blocked the road to Centreville, he called off the pursuit.

In Washington, D.C. (United States) President Abraham Lincoln and members of the cabinet waited for news of a United States victory. Instead, a telegram arrived stating "General McDowell's army in full retreat through Centreville. The day is lost. Save Washington and the remnants of this army." The tidings were happier in the Confederate capital. From the battlefield (Confederate States) President Jefferson Finis Davis telegraphed Richmond, "We have won a glorious but dear-bought victory. Night closed on the enemy in full flight and closely pursued.

Later in the night (Confederate States) President Jefferson Finis Davis consulted with Confederate States Army, Major General Joseph E. Johnston and Confederate States Army, Brigadier General P.G.T. Beauregard, commanding the victorious Armies of the Shenandoah and the Potomac respectively. Both commanders disagreed with Davis and argued against any pursuit at all. Johnston explained that the troops were “more disorganized by victory than that of the United States in defeat.” They were exhausted after seven hours of heavy combat in scorching heat, and they could not be expected to make a forced march through heavy rain and mud. And even if they did manage to reach Washington, they did not have enough food or ammunition to fight another battle, and they lacked the equipment needed for what could be a long campaign against such a heavily fortified city. Moreover, the Davis administration had maintained that the Confederacy would fight only to secure independence, not to conquer the United States. The generals presented intelligence showing that Washington’s defenses were too strong to penetrate. Davis, not wanting to override the commanders who knew the situation best, relented. Meanwhile, Confederates continued gathering their wounded, burying their dead, and rounding up prisoners. The captured Federals and civilians would be sent to Richmond and confined as prisoners of war; they would also be used as leverage against threats by the Lincoln administration to execute Confederate captives as traitors or pirates.

California

Skirmishes with Indians at Eel River and South Fork Eel River.

Atlantic Ocean

The Confederate privateer JEFFERSON DAVIS under the command of Louis M Coxetter captured the American bark ALVARADO.

Day 103 of the United States Civil War, July 23rd 1861

Missouri

The Missouri Convention passed a resolution declaring the office of President, formerly held by pro-Confederate Missouri State Guard, Brigadier-General Sterling Price during the last session of the convention, to now be vacant. A committee of seven was appointed to report what action was advisable in the dislocated condition of the State.

New Mexico Territory

Fort Buchanan was abandoned by United States forces.

Confederate States Army, Lieutenant Colonel John R Baylor moved up the Rio Grande with 250 men towards Fort Fillmore. Fort Fillmore was currently held by 700 men of the 7th Infantry Regiment (United States) under the command of United States Army, Major Isaac Lynde.

Department of the Ohio

United States Army, Brigadier General, William Starke Rosecrans, assumes the command of the Department of the Ohio, embracing a portion of Western Virginia, and replacing United States Army, Major General, George B. McClellan.

Department of the Maryland

United States Army, Major General, John A. Dix, assumes the command of the Department of the Maryland.

Tennessee

The Nashville Union, telling the story of Bull Run from the Southern perspective, writes: “Gen. Beauregard commanded in person. The enemy was repulsed three times in great confusion and loss. The Washington Artillery of New Orleans, with s even guns, engaged Sherman’s fifteen guns, and, after making the latter change position fifteen times, silenced and forced them to retire. Large quantities of arms were taken. Our loss was trifling.” Much credit for the Southern victory is given to rebel sharp-shooters.

Day 105 of the United States Civil War, July 25th 1861

District of Columbia

The United States Senate passed the Crittenden–Johnson Resolution (also known as the Crittenden Resolution and the War Aims Resolution) by a vote of 30-5, declaring the object of the war to be the preservation of the United States rather than the end of slavery. The five senators voting against the resolution were: John C. Breckinridge (Kentucky), Waldo P. Johnson (Missouri), Trusten Polk (Missouri), Lazarus W. Powell (Kentucky), and Lyman Trumbull (Illinois).

Gunboat USS RESOLUTE brought two captured schooners and a sloop as prizes into Washington, D.C.

United States Army, Major General George B. McClellan arrived in Washington, D.C.to take command of military operations around the capital.

The United States War Department Issued General Orders No. 47 combining the departments of Washington and Northeastern Virginia into a division, with United States Army, Major General George B. McClellan commanding:

General Orders No. 47

War Dep’t, Adjutant General’s Office

Washington, July 25, 1861

There will be added to the Department of the Shenandoah, the counties of Washington and Allegheny in Maryland, and such other parts of Virginia as may be covered by the Army in its operations; and there shall be added to the Department of Washington, the counties of Prince George, Montgomery and Frederick.

The remainder of Maryland and all of Pennsylvania and Delaware will constitute the Department of Pennsylvania, Headquarters, Baltimore.

The Department of Washington and the Department of Northeastern Virginia, will constitute a geographical Division under Major General McClellan, U.S.A., Headquarters, Washington.

By Order:

L. Thomas, Adjutant General

Virginia

The aeronaut John La Mountain began to make ascensions by balloon from Fort Monroe for the observation of Confederate movements and positions.

Robert Mercer Taliaferro Hunter replaces Robert Toombs as the Confederate Secretary of State, Toombs resigning for a military appointment.

North Carolina

The Confederate privateer MARINER under the command of Captain W B Berry, captured the American schooner NATHANIEL CHASE off Ocracoke Inlet.

The Confederate privateer GORDON captured the American brig WILLIAM MGILVERY off Cape Hatteras with a cargo of molasses.

Western Department

United States Army, Major General, John C. Freemont, assumes the command of the Western Department, at St. Louis, Missouri.

Department of Pennsylvania

United States Army, Major General, John Adams Dix, assumes the command of the Department of Pennsylvania.

Florida

The Confederate privateer DIXIE captured the American schooner MARY ALICE off the eastern coast.

Missouri

The Committee appointed by the Missouri Convention on July 23rd 1861 presented its report to the Missouri Convention. It alluded to the unparalleled condition of disorder in the state, the reckless actions of secessionist members of the Missouri Government, and the flight of the governor and other state officers from the capital. The Committee declared the Missouri offices of Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, and Secretary of State to be vacant, and provided that their vacancies would be filled by the Missouri Convention, the officers so appointed to hold their positions until August 1862, at which time a special election would be held by the people of Missouri. The resolution effectively deposed the pro-Confederate Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson who had retreated with the pro-Confederate forces to the southwestern corner of the state.

Expedition to Forsyth and Springfield ended.

Incidents at Dug Springs and Harrisonville.

United States Army, Major General, John Charles Frémont gave orders for the fortification of St Louis, Cape Girardeau near Cairo, the railheads at Ironton and Rolla. and the state capital at Jefferson City. He also made plans to build two protected gunboats and 38 mortar boats to move downriver to secure Cairo, Illinois, at the confluence of the Ohio River and Mississippi River.

(New Mexico Territory) Engagements in Confederate Arizona - First Battle of Mesilla

The 2nd Battalion Texas Mounted Rifles (Confederate States) under the command of Confederate States Army, Lieutenant Colonel John R Baylor crossed the Rio Grande into Mesilla to the cheers of the local population. A company of Arizona Confederates joined Baylor and were convinced to muster into the Confederate Army. Leaving a small guard.

The United States garrison of 700 men of the 7th Infantry Regiment (United States) under the command of United States Army, Major Isaac Lynde came out from the nearby Fort Fillmore to confront Baylor’s force of 380 men. The United States force was supported by detachments from Companies B and F of the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen (United States). Lynde approached the town with his command and demanded Baylor’s surrender. When Baylor refused, Lynde deployed his men into a skirmish line and opened fire with his mountain howitzers. The infantry was ordered to advance but heavy sand and cornfields disrupted their attack. Lynde then ordered his cavalry, the two companies of the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen (United States), to charge Baylor’s men. The Confederates managed to kill four and wound seven of the United States soldiers immediately and disorganised the attack. The United States assault was repulsed and both sides began skirmishing at long range. Lynde reformed his command but decided to retreat back to the fort with the Confederates troops and armed Arizona citizens in pursuit. Lynde lost between three to thirteen killed and six wounded, while Baylor lost perhaps two killed dead and seven wounded.

Venezuela

The commerce raider CSS SUMTER under the command of Confederate States Navy, Commander Raphael Semmes, captured the schooner ABBY BRADFORD. Semmes was denied the right to enter Venezuela with prizes and he dispatched the captured vessel to enter a Confederate port instead.

Day 107 of the United States Civil War, July 27th 1861

District of Columbia

United States Army, Major General George B. McClellan issued General Orders, No. 1 (Division of the Potomac) announcing that he was assuming command of the Division of the Potomac:

Headquarters Division of the Potomac
Washington, July 27, 1861

In accordance with General Order, No.47, of July 25, 1861, from the War Department, the undersigned hereby assumes command of the Division of the Potomac, comprising the Military Departments of Washington and Northeastern Virginia, Headquarters for the present at Washington.

The following named officers are announced upon the Division staff:

Brevet Major S. Williams, Assistant Adjutant General.
Major J. G. Barnard, Corps of Engineers.
Captain S. Van Vliet, Assistant Quartermaster.
Captain H. F. Clarke, Commissary of Subsistence.
Major W. F. Barry, 5th Artillery, Chief of Artillery.

Geo. B. McClellan,
Major General U.S. Army

Missouri

Incident at Harrisonville.

New Mexico Territory

Confederates under the command of Confederate State Army, Lieutenant Colonel John R Baylor’s captured dozens of straggling members of the United States garrison who had abandoned Fort Fillmore. United States Army, Major Isaac Lynde’s command was reduced from seven hundred to one hundred men in their desperate retreat. The garrison eventually ran out of water and was forced to surrender at San Augustine Springs without firing a shot.

Venezuela

The commerce raider CSS SUMTER under the command of Confederate States Navy, Commander Raphael Semmes, captured the American bark JOSEPH MAXWELL off the coast.

Day 109 of the United States Civil War, July 29th 1861

Virginia

Confederate States Navy, Commander Samuel Barron assumed command of the James River Naval Squadron. Barron had served since June 10th 1861 as chief of the Office of Naval Detail and Equipment.

The tug USS YANKEE under the command of United states Navy, Commander Thomas Tingey Craven and gunboat USS RELIANCE under the command of United states Navy, Lieutenant Mygatt engaged a Confederate battery at Marlborough Point.

Four United States Navy steamers engaged the Confederate battery at Aquia Creek for three hours but to little effect.

United States Army, Brigadier General Jacob Dolson Cox occupied Gauley Bridge after a forty-mile march from Charleston in pursuit of the Confederate brigade under the command of Confederate States Army, Brigadier General Henry Alexander Wise. Cox established a fortified camp while Wise fell back to Lewisburg where he was reinforced later by two brigades under the command of Confederate States Army, Brigadier General John Buchanan Floyd and Confederate States Army, Colonel John McCausland.

District of North Missouri

The District of North Missouri was established in the Western Department, comprising the area of Hannibal, Mexico, Warrenton, and Renick, Missouri.

Maryland

Skirmish at Edwards’ Ferry.

Missouri

United States Army, Brigadier General John Pope was ordered to command the new District of North Missouri, with instructions to protect the railroads and to suppress all local disorders instigated by pro-Confederate militants.

Tennessee

The Memphis Avalanche reports, “We are gratified to learn that Gen. Pillow will in a few days lead a brigade of Tennesseeans [sic] into some one of the fields of active service .... The known bravery and prowess of this distinguished Tennessee General ... give us the assurance that wherever his brigade shall be brought into action, feats of valor will be performed, and services rendered to our cause, which will shed imperishable glory alike on the chivalry of Tennessee and on the Southern arms.”

Day 111 of the United States Civil War, July 31st 1861

District of Columbia

The United States Congress authorised the President to appoint four Major Generals and six Brigadier Generals in the expanding United States Regular Army.

The United States Congress authorised the appointment of an Assistant Secretary of the Navy.

Tennessee

The Army of the State of Tennessee is transferred to the Confederate States of America.

Confederate States Army, Major General Leonidas Polk established his headquarters at Memphis and began to concentrate troops near Union City. Polk planned to occupy the strategic key point of Columbus, Kentucky, in order to dominate access to the Mississippi and western rivers. Polk took command of the Western Department in June 1861 and now led about 25,000 troops scattered in training camps and garrisons along the Mississippi River.

Louisiana

Confederate States Navy, Commander George Nichols Hollins assumed command of the Confederate naval defences of New Orleans and the Mississippi River.

Missouri

The pro-United States Missouri State Convention elected Hamilton Rowan Gamble as the new Provisional Governor of Missouri, replacing Claiborne Fox Jackson who had aligned himself with the Confederacy and fled the capital.

United States Army, Brigadier General John Pope issued his General Order Number 3 which stipulated his measures for the suppression of lawless elements and the permanent pacification of North Missouri. The harsh measures were resented by pro-Confederate sympathisers who were antagonised into continued resistance.

Instructions were issued for 16 9-inch guns and 30 12-inch mortars to be made and sent from Pittsburgh to Missouri, in preparation for service aboard boats on the western waters.

North Carolina

The Confederate privateer DIXIE captured the American bark GLENN and took her into Beaufort harbour.