July 21 In Civil War History

[Jim Klag]

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

July 21 Birthdays

1802 - David Hunter, American Major General (Union Army), born in Troy, New York (d. 1886)
1815 - Stewart Van Vliet, American Brevet Major General (Union Army), born in Ferrisburgh, Vermont (d. 1901)
1826 - James Gillpatrick Blunt, American physician, abolitionist, and Major General (Union Army), born in Trenton, Maine (d. 1881)
1828 - John Rutter Brooke, American Brevet Major General (Union Army), born in Pottstown, Pennsylvania (d. 1926)

July 21 Antebellum Events

1788 - New Hampshire ratifies the Constitution of the United States. Since it is the ninth state, the process of selecting senators and representatives can begin.
1823 - Lieutenant David Farragut and a landing party destroy a pirate stronghold following an attack in Cuba.

Sunday July 21 1861

• Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard. CSA. is appointed full Confederate General.
• The following are appointed Confederate Brigadier Generals:
  • Jubal Anderson Early, CSA
  • Samuel Jones, CSA
  • William Henry Chase Whiting, CSA
• James Brewerton Ricketts, USA, is appointed Brig. Gen.
• Skirmish with Indians on the South Fork of the Eel River, CA.
• The Battle of Bull Run, or Manassas, VA, with activity around Sudley Springs Ford, Matthews Hill, Henry House, Stone House, Robinson House, Stone Bridge, Cub Run Bridge, etc, which results in a resounding Federal defeat for Brig. Gen. Irvin McDowell, USA, and a victory for the joint command of Gens. Joseph E. Johnston, and P.G.T. Beauregard, CSA.
• Brig. Gen. Barnard Elliott Bee, CSA, is mortally wounded while leading is men during the Battle of Bull Run, or Manassas, VA.
• The Retreat of the Union Army from Bull Run, or Manassas, VA.
• Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks, USA, is ordered to relieve Maj. Gen. Patterson, USA, in the command of the Dept. of the Shenandoah, VA, for allowing Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, CSA, to transfer his troops unopposed to Manassas, VA, from the Shenandoah Valley.
• Skirmish at Charlestown, WV, between Brig. Gens. Jacob D. Cox, USA, and Henry A. Wise, CSA.

Monday July 21 1862

• The following are appointed Confederate Brigadier Generals:
  • Nathan Bedford Forrest, CSA
  • Martin Edwin Green, CSA
  • Johnson Hagood, CSA
• The Confederate Army of the Mississippi is ordered to Chattanooga, TN.
• Maj. Gen. Sterling Price, CSA, assumes the command of the Confederate District of the Tennessee.
• Skirmishes around Nashville, TN, with the burning of bridges and capture of Union pickets by the Confederates.
• The occupation of Luray,VA, by the Federal troops.

Tuesday July 21 1863

• James Patrick Major, CSA, is appointed Brig. Gen.
• Skirmish at Street's Ferry, NC, with Brig. Gen. Edward E. Potter, USA.
• Skirmishes at Chester Gap.VA, with Maj. Gen. JEB Stuart's, CSA, cavalry. (Jul 21-22)
• Skirmishes at Manassas Gap, VA, the Blue Ridge Mountains, with Maj. Gen. JEB Stuart, CSA. (Jul 21-22)
• Brig. Gen. John D. Imdoben, CSA, is assigned to the command of the Valley District, VA.

Thursday July 21 1864

• Federal expedition from Barrancas, FL, toward Pollard, AL, and skirmishes:
  • at Camp Gonzales, FL (Jul 22)
  • near Pollard, AL (Jul 23)
    (Jul 21-25)
• Engagement at Bald (or Leggett's) Hill, GA, as Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson's Army of the Tennessee attacks and carry the hill which overlooks the city of Atlanta, GA, and defended by Maj. Gen. Patrick Cleburne, CSA.
• Skirmish at Atchafalaya, LA.
• Guerrilla attack on Plattsburg, Western MO.

Friday July 21 1865

• Francis Trowbridge Sherman, USA, is appointed Brig. Gen.
• 1868 - Georgia ratifies the 14th Amendment.