06/20, June 20th In Civil War History

Jimklag

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Mar 3, 2017
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This date in Civil War history
Compiled by Mitchell Werksman and Jim Klag

June 20, 1862 - Affairs in Owen County, KY, and skirmish near Lusby's Mill, with Confederate guerrillas. (Jun 20-23)

June 20, 1862 - Skirmish at Bayou des Allemands, LA.

June 20, 1862 - Federal expedition from Baton Rouge, LA, to Vicksburg, MS, with joint operations under Admiral Daniel Farragut and Brig. Gen. Thomas Williams, USA. (Jun 20-Jul 24)

June 20, 1862 - Maj. Gen. John P. McCown, CSA, assumes the command of the Army of the West, MS.

June 20, 1862 - Gen. Braxton Bragg, CSA, is assigned to the command of Dept. No. 2, Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn, CSA, is transferred to the command of the Dept. of Southern Mississippi and East Louisiana, which includes the defenses of Vicksburg, MS.

June 20, 1862 - Affair at Gill's Bluff, James River, VA.

June 20, 1862 - Artillery affair near New Bridge, VA.

June 20, 1863 - The siege of Vicksburg is ongoing.

June 20, 1863 - The siege of Port Hudson is ongoing.

June 20, 1863 - West Virginia becomes the 35th state to enter the United States, but the first to enter where the terms slave and free no longer mattered.

June 20, 1863 - Engagement at La Fourchie Crossing, LA. (Jun 20-21)

June 20, 1863 - The Confederate capture of Thibodeaux, LA.

June 20, 1863 - Skirmish at Middletown, MD.

June 20, 1863 - Federal reconnaissance from Young's Point to Richmond, LA, during the operations against Vicksburg, MS, as the Union batteries continue to shell the city of Vicksburg, MS.

June 20, 1863 - Skirmish at Matthew's Ferry, on the Coldwater, MS.

June 20, 1863 - Skirmish near Senatobia, MS.

June 20, 1863 - Federal scout from Waynesville, MO, to Robideaux and Gasconade and near the Laclede County line. (Jun 20-23)

June 20, 1863 - Skirmish at Dixon Springs, TN.

June 20, 1863 - Skirmish at Rogers' Gap, TN, with Col. William Sanders, USA.

June 20, 1863 - Skirmish at Strawberry Plains, TN, with Col. William Sanders, USA.

June 20, 1863 - Skirmish near Government Springs, the Utah Territory, with the Ute Indians who are threatening soldiers and the overland mail.

June 20, 1863 - Skirmish at Diascund Bridge, VA.

June 20, 1864 - The siege of Petersburg is ongoing.

June 20, 1864 - William Francis Bartlett, USA, is appointed Brig. Gen.

June 20, 1864 - Federal scouts from Lewisburg, AR, to Norristown, Dover, Glass Village, etc. as the Federals deal death to some of the guerrillas operating in this area. (Jun 20-23)

June 20, 1864 - Operations on the White River, AR. (Jun 20-29)

June 20, 1864 - Federal scout from Cassville, MO, to Cross Hollow, AR, with yet another guerrilla death. (Jun 20-24)

June 20, 1864 - Federal expedition from Batchelder's Creek to the vicinity of Kinston, NC, and skirmish (Jun 22) at Southwest Creek, where the Federals attack the strong Confederate position on Southwest Creek, 3.5 miles from Kinston, with casualties on both sides, but with the Union capturing a handful of Rebels. (Jun 20-23)

June 20, 1864 - Federal expedition against the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad, NC, to burn the large covered bridge over the Northeast Cape Fear River, by men under Maj. Gen. David B. Birney, USA. The Federals end up seizing prisoners, weapons, horses, etc, as well as destroying 2 ferry boats and ja schooner loaded with salt at Swansboro. (Jun 20-25)

June 20, 1864 - Skirmish at White's Station, TN.

June 20, 1864 - Skirmish at King and Queen Court-House, VA, with Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan, USA, Cavalry, the Richmond, VA, Campaign.

June 20, 1864 - Skirmish at White House, VA, the Richmond, VA, Campaign.

June 20, 1865 - The Powder River Indian Expedition, the Dakota Territory, with Maj. Gen. Grenville M. Dodge, USA, commanding the Dept. of the Missouri, and US Forces in Kansas and the Territories reports the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad is progressing; law and order has mostly be restored with the guerrillas and bushwhackers laying down their weapons.. (Jun 20-Oct 7)

June 20, 1865 - Brig. Gen. James A. Williamson, USA, is assigned to the command of the District of Saint Louis, MO.

June 20, 1865 - Maj. Gen. Jacob D. Cox, USA, is temporarily in command of the Dept. of North Carolina.

June 20, 1865 - Bvt. Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Ruger, USA, is in temporarily command of the 23rd US Army Corps, NC.

June 20, 1865 - Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas, USA, assumes the command of the Military Division of the Tennessee.

June 20, 1867 - US President Andrew Johnson announces purchase of Alaska.
 
Civil War Events for June 20th​:

June 20th​, 1861 (This was on a Thursday):

  • Governor of Kansas issued proclamation calling for citizens to organize military companies to repeal attacks from Secessionists in Missouri.
  • June 20th​, 1862 (This was on a Friday):
  • News was reported from Baton Rouge Louisiana that a Federal expedition was enroute towards Vicksburg Mississippi. About 3,000 men traveling north under the command of Brig. General Thomas Williams. The purpose of the mission was to establish a military base at Swampy Toe on the West side of the Mississippi.
  • Major General Earl Van Dorn assumed command of the Confederate Department of Southern Mississippi Louisiana and will oversee the defense of the Mississippi.
  • General Braxton Bragg is assigned command of Dept. No. 2
  • Fighting took place at Gill’s Bluff on the James River in Virginia.
  • Guerilla Fighting took place in Owen County Kentucky.
  • June 20, 1863 (This was on a Saturday):
  • Battle of LaFourche Crossing in LaFourche Parish Louisiana. This battle was part of the Operations in Western Louisiana. The result of this battle will be a Union Victory. Union Army Commander in this battle was Lt. Colonel Albert Stickney commanding a force of 838. Union Army Casualties and losses were reported as being 48. Confederate Army Commander was Colonel James P. Major commanding a strength of 1 cavalry brigade and having casualties and losses of 219.
  • West Virginia officially becomes part of the Union as the 35th​ state in the Union with the Presidential proclamation.
  • A reported Skirmish occurred at Middletown Maryland.
  • Skirmishing was also reported at Diascund Bridge Virginia.
  • Skirmishing was reported near Government Springs Utah.
  • Breastworks are starting to take shape in Northern Baltimore.
  • Today marks the anniversary of the Skirmish at Greencastle Pennsylvania.
  • June 20, 1864 (This was on a Monday):
  • Sherman’s forces are continuing to press toward the Kennesaw Confederate Defenses.
  • The Skirmish of Noyes Creek took place today it is reported that this skirmish had some knee – deep swampy flat terrain.
  • The Skirmish of Powder Springs/Lattimer’s Mill took place in Georgia.
  • In Virginia Petersburg remained quiet the armies were staring at each other across the entrenchments.
  • Fighting took place at Buford’s Gap in the Valley of Virginia.
  • Today also marks the anniversary of the Skirmish at White’s Station Tennessee.
  • Lincoln warned the Governor of Ohio to monitor Clement Vallandigham very closed.
  • Source: Long, E.B., The Civil War Day by Day an Almanac (1971)



Lafourche Crossing.jpg


Lafourche Crossing 1.jpg


West Virginia.jpg
 
Battle of LaFourche Crossing:
Today marks the start of the 159th​ anniversary of the two – day Battle of LaFourche Crossing. This battle was part of General Taylor's operations in western Louisiana. The battle was fought on June 20, 1863 – June 21, 1863. The location of the battle was Lafourche Parish near Thibodaux, Louisiana.



Result of Battle: Union Victory :us34stars:



Union Army Commander:
Lt. Colonel Albert Stickney (Massachusetts)


Union Army Strength:
838

Union Army Units Involved:
23rd​ Connecticut Infantry Regiment
21st​ Indiana Heavy Artillery
26th​ Maine Infantry Regiment
26th​ Massachusetts Infantry Regiment
42nd​ Massachusetts Infantry Regiment
25th​ New York Light Artillery
176th​ New York Infantry Regiment
Captain Blober's Cavalry

Union Army Casualties and losses:
48



Confederate Army Commander:
Colonel James Patrick Major (Missouri) 1836 – 1877

Confederate Army Strength:
1 Cavalry Brigade

Confederate Army Casualties and losses:
219

LaFourche Crossing.jpg
 
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