Chronological History of the American Civil War

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Nathan B. Forrest and his Confederate cavalry and mounted infantry. While the two sides, were fighting each other, Baird was reinforced by Col. Ferdinand Van Derveer (U.S.) and some more cavalry. The Confederates were soon forced to flee the area. Friday, June 5, 1863 : A rearguard Confederate force at Fredericksburg clashed with probing Union forces in what was called the ‘Battle of Franklin’s Crossing’. The Union force learned that the defences of Fredericksburg were strong, while the Confederate force, commanded by General Stuart, decided that the ‘attack’ was merely a demonstration of strength to unsettle the remaining Confederate defenders. Saturday, June 6, 1863 : President Lincoln has Major General Ambrose E. Burnside's order revoked regarding the seizure of a Chicago newspaper. General Hooker (U.S.) is still trying to figure out why and where did Lee take his troops. Lincoln, wanted Hooker to follow and attack, (as did Lee also) while Hooker still wanted Richmond. Sunday, June 7, 1863 : General Grant had Vicksburg surrounded, but Southern re-enforcements with General Edmund Kirby Smith, (CSA) commander of the South's Trans-Mississippi Department, dispatched a force under Richard Taylor to attack Federal supply lines on the western side of the river. Taylor aimed the assault at Milliken's Bend, Louisiana. Confederates encountered Union pickets, and began driving them back toward the river. But once the Yankee defenders were backed up to the Mississippi, Union gunboats began blasting the Rebels with grapeshot and canister. The Confederates withdrew, while Federal gunboats broke up nearby attacks before they could materialize. Confederate losses stood at 44 killed, 131 wounded, and 10 missing; the Union suffered much heavier losses: 101 killed, 285 wounded, and 266 missing. Hardest hit were the newly formed African-American regiments that were made up of freed slaves from captured areas in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. The 9th Louisiana lost 45 percent of its force. Monday, June 8, 1863 : In Tennessee, the railroad bridge over the Little Harpeth River at Brentwood is slightly burned but is repaired within a day. Two spies are caught and hanged at Murfreesboro; one is a cousin of Robert E. Lee. A Federal expedition from Pocahontas, Tennessee, to Ripley, Mississippi results with the Union capture of forage, mules, horses, sheep and 38 head of cattle. Tuesday, June 9, 1863 : The Battle of Brandy Station, Virginia also called the Battle of Fleetwood Hill, was the largest predominantly cavalry engagement of the American Civil War, as well as the largest to take place ever on American soil. The battle pitted Major General Alfred Pleasonton (U.S.) (pictured) 11,000 against Major General J.E.B. Stuart's (CSA) Confederate cavalry of 9,500. The battle continued until late afternoon, with many spectacular cavalry charges and saber fights in addition to hand-to-hand combat by dismounted cavalry. This battle marked the end of the Confederate cavalry's lopsided dominance in the East. From this point in the war, the Federal cavalry gained strength and confidence. Unions losses were at 907, while the South won, their losses were 523. Wednesday, June 10, 1863 : At Seneca Mills, Maryland, Major John S. Mosby (CSA) and his Virginia Partisan Rangers surprise, and burn the Federal camp there before, retiring back across the Potomac. 97 Rebel prisoners overpowered the Federals aboard the Union steamer, U.S.S. Maple Leaf , off the coast of Cape Henry, Virginia, after leaving Fort Delaware and captured it. Lt. General Richard S. Swell's, (CSA), Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia leaves Culpeper, Virginia, and heads northwest towards Maryland. General Hooker (U.S.) thought this was a great chance to take Richmond. Lincoln suggested he take Lee, instead. John Houston Bills, Bolivar, Tennessee settler and planter writes in his diary: “ Last night we had much excitement, except for the burning of the soldiers barracks, we have no fires. Early this morning Col. Hunt [U.S.] Cavalry departs. Some soldiers forcefully take away my horse, Cert. At 6 pm, 50th departs on 2 trains. Our place now evacuated after 368 day of Military Federal Rule. To us is have seem a oppression all the time. In a word military law is domination & trannary one man power making law & executing it.”