April 18 In Civil War History

[Jim Klag]

On this day in Civil War history
Compiled by Mitchell Werksman and Jim Klag

April 18 Birthdays

None

April 18 Antebellum Events

1847 - Battle of Cerro Gordo - Mexican American War.

Thursday April 18 1861

• The US Army subsistence stores are seized at Pine Bluff, AR.
• Maj. Gen. William B. Taliaferro is assigned to the command of the Virginia forces at Norfolk, VA.
• The US Armory at Harper's Ferry, WV, is abandoned and burned by its garrison.
• Lieut. Col. Robert Edward Lee USA, turns down an offer by President Abraham Lincoln to command the Union forces.

Friday April 18 1862

• Brig. Gen. Joseph Finegan, CSA, assumes the command of the Confederate Dept. of Middle and East Florida.
• The Federal Bombardment and Capture of Forts Jackson and Saint Philip, LA, by Flag Officer David Farragut's gunboats and Commander David Porter's mortar fleet. (Apr 18-28)
• Col. Justus Steinberger, 1st Washington Territory Infantry, is assigned to command of the District of the Oregon Territory.
• Skirmish at, and the occupation of, Falmouth, VA, across from Fredericksburg, VA, by Maj. Gen. Irvin McDowell, USA.
• Federal reconnaissance to the Rappahannock River, VA, under Brig. Gen. John J. Abercrombie, USA.
• Skirmish at Chapmanville, WV.

Saturday April 18 1863

• Skirmish at Fayetteville, AR, with Brig. Gen. John S. Marmaduke's, CSA, raiding party being repulsed.
• The destruction of the CSA salt-works near New Iberia, LA.
• Skirmishes at New Albany, MS, with Col. Benjamin H. Grierson, USA. (Apr 18-19)
• Federal scout through Shannon County, MO.
• Federal scout from Salem to Sinking Creek, the Current River, and the Big Creek, MO. (Apr 18-22)
• Skirmish at Hartsville, TN, as the Rebels capture much needed beef cattle.
• Federal expedition from Memphis, TN, to the Coldwater, MS, including action: (Apr 18) at Hernando, and skirmish (Apr 19) at Perry's Ferry. (Apr 18-24)
• Affair at Sabine Pass, TX, as the Confederates rout the Union landing party.
• Affair near Johnstown, Harrison County, WV, with the Federals.

Monday April 18 1864

• Samuel Bell Maxey, C.S.A., is appointed Maj. Gen.
• Skirmish near Decatur, AL, where the Confederates repel a Union advance.
• Engagement at Poison Spring, about 8 miles from Camden, AR, with Maj. Gen. Sterling Price, CSA, forcing a Union retreat, the Camden (AR) Campaign.
• Federal expedition from Burkesville, KY, to Obey's River, TN, with prisoners including one Rebel accused of murdering a Union soldier. (Apr 18-20)
• Affair at Hunnewell, MO, as local citizens attempt to fend off some plundering bushwackers with mortalities on both sides.
• Gen. P. G. T. Beauregard, CSA, is assigned to the command of the Dept. of North Carolina and Southern Virginia.
• Skirmish at Boyken's Mills, SC.

Tuesday April 18 1865

• Skirmish at the Double Bridges, over the Flint River, GA, as Brig. Gen. James H. Wilson, USA, and his Union Cavalry presses on.
• Skirmish at Pleasant Hill, GA, with Brig. Gen. James H. Wilson, USA.
• Skirmish near Taylorsville, KY.
• Hostilities between the armies of Generals William T. Sherman, USA, and of Joseph E. Johnston, CSA, are suspended, NC, as a broad agreement is reached that attempts to cross military boundaries and borders on a political plan that will have to be approved by the US Government. (Apr 18-26)
• Skirmish 6 miles from Germantown, TN.