Information courtesy of the Minnesota Civil War Commemoration Task Force
Major Highlights for the Week
Wednesday June 11, 1862
Union Major General John C. Fremont pulled back from the Port Republic area to Mount Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley under orders from Washington. Skirmishing occurred near Booneville, Miss.; Monterey, Ky.; Cassville, Deep Water and Pink Hill, Mo.; and at Big Creek Gap, Tenn.
Thursday June 12, 1862
Confederate Brigadier General James Ewell Brown (J.E.B.) Stuart began his ride around the Union army led by Major General George B. McClellan at 2 a.m. He led an expedition of 1,200 cavalrymen and a few artillery that developed into the famous ride around the entire Federal army on the Peninsula. The four-day reconnaissance began with a 22-mile ride from Richmond to the Winston Farm on the North Anna River.
Skirmishing occurred at Waddell’s Farm near Jacksonport, Ark., and on Hutchinson’s Island, S.C.
Friday June 13, 1862
Confederate Brigadier General J.E.B. Stuart’s cavalry continued their expedition on the Peninsula. They moved around the right flank of McClellan’s army, though Hanover Court House and skirmished with Union troops at Haw’s Shop and Old Church, Va. At Tunstall’s Station, Va., a Federal train escaped the raiders, but Stuart rode on into the night and by morning attempted to cross the Forge Bridge over the Chickahominy River.
In addition to J.E.B. Stuart’s forces skirmishing, fighting also occurred near Hilton Head, S.C., and New Market, Va. in the Shenandoah Valley.
Saturday June 14, 1862
Confederate Brigadier General J.E.B. Stuart’s cavalry worked feverously to rebuild the destroyed bridge over the Chickahominy River at the Forge Site, fearful of being cutoff by Federal forces. They were only 35 miles from Richmond and had to go around the left flank of the Union army, which they did three hours later via Charles City Court House and Malvern Hill.
A skirmish occurred at Clear Creek near Baldwyn, Miss., and a two-day Federal expedition was undertaken from Pensacola to Milton, Fla.
Sunday June 15, 1862
Confederate Brigadier General J.E.B. Stuart arrived in Richmond to personally report to General Robert E. Lee of his successful ride around the Union army. The exploit earned Stuart and his men fame as the dashing cavaliers of Dixie.
Skirmishing occurred near Seven Pines, Va., and at Big Creek Gap in the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee.
Monday June 16, 1862
The cavalry of Confederate Brigadier General J.E.B. Stuart arrived safely in Richmond after their four-day reconnaissance ride around the Union army in Virginia.
Federal troops of Brigadier General H.W. Benham from James Island near Charleston, assaulted the Confederate works at Secessionville, S.C., a hamlet on the low-lying island, defended by Confederates under command of N.G. Evans. Benham defied orders and ordered the assaults, which failed miserably. Benham was relieved of command. The Federal forces engaged 6,600 men but suffered 107 killed, 487 wounded and 89 missing for a total of 683 casualties, while the Confederate defenders lost 52 killed, 144 wounded and 8 milling for 204 out of 2,500 engaged. Secessionville would be a huge setback in Federal operations aimed at taking control of Charleston Harbor.
Skirmishing occurred at Mount Jackson in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, and at Winchester, Tenn. Federal scouts were sent around Batesville to Fairview, Arkansas.
Tuesday June 17, 1862
Federal Major General John C. Fremont resigned his commission when ordered to serve under Major General John Pope’s new Army of Virginia, which consisted of Fremont’s and Major General Nathaniel Banks commands. Major General Franz Sigel was chosen to replace Fremont.
The Confederates also made an important change on this date. General P.G.T. Beauregard was relieved of his command near Corinth, Miss., and placed in charge of the coastal defenses in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, relieving Major General John C. Pemberton, who was placed in command of the defenses at Vicksburg, Miss. This was a demotion for Beauregard, who irritated Confederate President Jefferson Davis for taking a military leave without authorization and for his withdrawal from Corinth.
Where Minnesota Regiments were the week of June 11-17, 1862
1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – In camp near Richmond, Va., as part of McClellan’s Peninsula Campaign.
2nd Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On duty at Corinth, Miss.
3rd Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – On Brigadier General Ebenezer Dumont’s expedition to Pikesville, Ky.
4th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry –Duty at Camp Clear Creek near Corinth, Miss.
5th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry – Companies B, C and D remained in Minnesota and Dakota Territory on garrison duty while the remaining companies were at Camp Clear Creek near Corinth, Mississippi.
Brackett’s Battalion of Minnesota Cavalry – On duty at Humboldt, Tenn., scouting and protecting the railroad.
1st Minnesota Light Artillery Battery – On garrison duty at Corinth, Miss.
2nd Independent Battery, Minnesota Light Artillery – On garrison duty at Corinth, Miss.
2nd United States Sharpshooters, Company A – Participated in operations against Confederate Major General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson.
