06/21, June 21st In Civil War History

Jimklag

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This date in Civil War history
Compiled by Mitchell Werksman and Jim Klag

June 21, 1848 - The Ohio Mass Free Territory Convention dissolves the Liberty Party and agrees to join a Freesoil Convention in Buffalo.

June 21, 1861 - North Carolina Secession Convention votes to unfurl a new flag, a blue field with red and white bars with an insignia and two dates: May 20th, 1775 (Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence) and May 20th, 1861.

June 21, 1862 - Ulysses S. Grant ordered to Memphis to become district commander.

June 21, 1862 - Federal expedition to Hernando, MS, with skirmish at Coldwater Station, MS, as the Union attempt to ambush M. Jeff Thompson's Confederate guerrillas, meets with limited success.

June 21, 1862 - Engagement at Simmons' Bluff, SC, with Federal gunboats.

June 21, 1862 - Skirmish at Rankin's Ferry, near Jasper, TN.

June 21, 1862 - Skirmish at Battle Creek, TN.

June 21, 1862 - The Confederate Dept. of North Carolina is extended to the south bank of the James River, VA.

June 21, 1862 - Skirmish near Fair Oaks Station, VA.

June 21, 1863 - The siege of Petersburg is ongoing.

June 21, 1863 - The siege of Port Hudson is ongoing.

June 21, 1863 - Skirmish at Brashear City, LA.

June 21, 1863 - Skirmish at Frederick, MD, with Gen. Robert E. Lee's Confederate advance.

June 21, 1863 - Skirmish on the Helena Road, MS.

June 21, 1863 - Skirmish at Hudsonville, MS.

June 21, 1863 - Affair on Dixon's Island, SC, with a Confederate movement on the Union cavalry pickets, who retire when fired upon.

June 21, 1863 - Skirmish at Powder Springs Gap, TN, with Col. William Sanders, USA.

June 21, 1863 - Skirmish near Gainesville, VA.

June 21, 1863 - Skirmishes at and about Thoroughfare Gap and Hay Market, VA. with Gen. Robert E. Lee's Confederate advance. (Jun 21-25)

June 21, 1863 - Engagement at Upperville, VA, with Robert E. Lee's, CSA advance, and Brig. Gen. H. Judson Kilpatrick, USA, Cavalry.

June 21, 1864 - June 22, 1864 - Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road. On June 21, the Union II Corps, supported by the VI Corps, attempted to cut the Weldon Railroad, one of the major supply lines into Petersburg. The movement was preceded by Wilson’s cavalry division which began destroying tracks. On June 22, troops from Lt. Gen. A.P. Hill’s corps led by Brig. Gen. William Mahone counterattacked, forcing the II Corps away from the railroad to positions on the Jerusalem Plank Road. Although the Federals were driven from their advanced positions, they were able to extend their siege lines farther to the west.

June 21, 1864 - The siege of Petersburg is ongoing.

June 21, 1864 - Skirmish in Decatur County, TN.

June 21, 1864 - Action at Hewlett's Bluff, VA, the Richmond, VA, Campaign.

June 21, 1864 - President Abraham Lincoln tours the Petersburg, VA, siege lines on horseback with Lieut. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, USA.

June 21, 1864 - Skirmishes at White House or Saint Peter's Church and Black Creek, or Tunstall's Station, VA, the Richmond, VA, Campaign.

June 21, 1864 - Confederate Secretary of the Treasury, Christopher G. Memminger, resigns due to criticism of his handling the Confederate Treasury, Richmond, VA.

June 21, 1865 - Brig. Gen. James C. Veatch, USA, is assigned to the command of the Union forces in West Louisiana.
 
  • June 21st​ Civil War Events:
  • June 21st​, 1861 (This Day fell on a Friday):
  • There was criticism of the U.S. War Department had not prevented Confederates batteries on the Potomac River.
  • A Convention was held in Greenville Tennessee that declared a preference for the Union and United States Constitution.
  • June 21, 1862 (This Day fell on a Saturday):
  • Battle of Simmon’s Bluff was fought at Meggett South Carolina on this day. The Battle was part of 1862 Operations against Charleston in the lower seaboard theater. The result of the battle was a Union Victory. Union Commander was USN Lt. Commander Alexander C. Rhind commanding a force which consisted of the U.S.S. Crusader and the 55th​ Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment. 0 Casualties and Losses were reported. Confederate Army Commander was Colonel James McCullough of the 16th​ South Carolina Infantry Regiment also called the Greenville Regiment. The Artillery for this fight was the Marion Artillery. 0 Casualties and Losses were reported for the Confederate Army.
  • There was reported Skirmishing on the Chickahominy near Richmond Virginia.
  • The Skirmish at Rankin’s Ferry occurred today in Tennessee near Jasper Tennessee.
  • Two other skirmishes happened in Tennessee on this day Shelbyville and Battle Creek.

  • June 21, 1863 (This Day fell on a Sunday):
  • The Battle of Upperville Virginia occurred on this day. The battle was fought in Loudoun County Virginia. The Battle was part of the early Gettysburg Campaign. The result of the battle was inconclusive. Confederate Army Commanders were Brigadier Generals Wade Hampton and Beverly H. Robertson commanding a force of 4 Cavalry Brigade. Confederate casualties and losses were reported as 180. Union Army Commander was Major General Alfred Pleasonton and Colonel Strong Vincent. The Union Command strength was 2 cavalry divisions and 1 Infantry Brigade. Union Army casualties and losses were 209.
  • Fighting in Mississippi also occurred on this day at Hudsonville and on the Helena Road.
  • Fighting occurred in Louisiana at Brashear City this was fought by a detachment of Texas Cavalry.
  • A minor Skirmish took place at Dixon’s Island Plantation in South Carolina.

  • June 21, 1864 (This Day fell on a Tuesday):
  • Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road would start in Petersburg Virginia this battle would not be over until June 23rd​. This battle was part of the Siege of Petersburg Virginia. The battle has a result of inconclusive even though the Union Army extended their lines. Union Army Commanders were Major General David G. Birney and Major General Horatio G. Wright commanding a combined force of 27,000. Union Army casualties and losses were reported at 2,962. Confederate Army Commanders were Lt. General A.P. Hill and Brigadier General William Mahone commanding a combined strength of 8,000. Confederate Army casualties and losses were reported as 572.
  • Confederate flotilla bombarded the Union squadron on the James River at Trent’s and Varina reaches.
  • It was reported General Johnston was facing heavy pressure on his left from Sherman and shifted the corps under Hood from his right to his left of the defensive lines.
  • A skirmish broke out in Decatur County Tennessee.
  • General Grant went to visit President Lincoln aboard his steamer at City Point Virginia. General Grant and President Lincoln then went on horseback to tour Petersburg lines.
  • Confederate Secretary of Treasury Christopher G. Memminger had his resignation accepted by President Jefferson Davis.

  • June 21st​, 1865 (Wednesday):
  • Lewis E. Parsons was named the Provisional Governor of Alabama by President Andrew Johnson.


Source: Long, E.B., The Civil War Day by Day An Almanac, 1971


Greenville.jpg


Rankins Ferry.jpg


Upperville 1.jpg


Memminger.jpg


Parsons.jpg
 
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Battle of Simmon's Bluff:
Today marks the 160th​ anniversary of the Battle of Simmon's Bluff. This battle was part of the operations against Charleston South Carolina. The date of the battle was June 21st​, 1862. Location of the battle was Meggett in Charleston County, South Carolina.



Result of Battle: Union Victory :us34stars:



Union Army Commander:
USN Lt. Commander Alexander Colden Rhind (New York) 1821 -1897

Union Strength:

1 Infantry Regiment

1 gunboat

1 transport

Union Forces involved:

55th​ Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment

U.S.S. Crusader



Union Forces Casualties and losses:
0


Confederate Army Commander:
Colonel James McCullough (South Carolina) 1824 – 1892

Confederate Army Strength:

1 Infantry Regiment

Confederate Forces Involved:

16th​ South Carolina Infantry Regiment

Marion Artillery

Confederate Army Casualties and losses: 0
 
Battle of Upperville:
Today marks the 159th​ anniversary of the Battle of Upperville. This battle was part of the early part of the Gettysburg Campaign. This battle was fought on June 21, 1863. Location of the Battle was in Loudoun County, Virginia.



Result of Battle: Inconclusive :CSA1stNat::us34stars:



Confederate Army Commanders:

Brig. General Wade Hampton III (South Carolina) 1818 – 1902
Brig. General Beverly Robertson (Virginia) 1827 – 1910

Confederate Army Strength: 4 Brigades

Confederate Army Casualties and losses: 180



Union Army Commander:
Brig. General Alfred Pleasonton (Washington D.C.) 1824 – 1897

Colonel Strong Vincent (Pennsylvania) 1837 – 1863

Union Army Strength: 2 Cavalry Divisions and 1 Infantry Brigade

Union Army Casualties and losses: 209

:CSA1stNat::us34stars:

Upperville.jpg
 
Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road:
Today marks the start of the 158th​ anniversary of the three – day Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road. This battle is also called the First Battle of Weldon Railroad. The battle was part of the Richmond – Petersburg Campaign. The battle was fought on June 21, 1864, thru June 23, 1864. Location of the battle was Petersburg, Virginia.


Result of Battle: Inconclusive :CSA1stNat::us34stars:


Confederate Army Commander:
Lt. General Ambrose Powell Hill (Virginia) 1825 – 1865

Major General William Mahone (Virginia) 1826 – 1895

Confederate Army Strength: - (around 8,000)

Confederate Army Casualties and losses: 572



Union Army Commander:
Major General David B. Birney (Pennsylvania) 1825 – 1864

Major General Horatio G. Wright (Connecticut) 1820 – 1899

Union Army Strength: - (around 27,000)

Union Army Casualties and losses: 2,962
 
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