June 20 In Civil War History

[Jim Klag]

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

June 20 Birthdays

1823 - Jesse Lee Reno, American Major General (Union Army), born in Wheeling, West Virginia (d. 1862)
1824 - John Tyler Morgan, American Brigadier General (Confederate Army), born in Athens, Tennessee (d. 1907)

Thursday June 20 1861

No events on this date.

Friday June 20 1862

• Affairs in Owen County, KY, and skirmish near Lusby's Mill, with Confederate guerrillas. (Jun 20-23)
• Skirmish at Bayou des Allemands, LA.
• 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)
• Maj. Gen. John P. McCown, CSA, assumes the command of the Army of the West, MS.
• 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.
• Affair at Gill's Bluff, James River, VA.
• Artillery affair near New Bridge, VA.

Saturday June 20 1863

• Engagement at La Fourchie Crossing, LA. (Jun 20-21)
• The Confederate capture of Thibodeaux, LA.
• Skirmish at Middletown, MD.
• 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.
• Skirmish at Matthew's Ferry, on the Coldwater, MS.
• Skirmish near Senatobia, MS.
• Federal scout from Waynesville, MO, to Robideaux and Gasconade and near the Laclede County line. (Jun 20-23)
• Skirmish at Dixon Springs, TN.
• Skirmish at Rogers'Gap, TN, with Col. William Sanders, USA.
• Skirmish at Strawberry Plains, TN, with Col. William Sanders, USA.
• Skirmish near Government Springs, the Utah Territory, with the Ute Indians who are threatening soldiers and the overland mail.
• Skirmish at Diascund Bridge, VA.
• West Virginia is admitted as the 35th state to the Union.

Monday June 20 1864

• William Francis Bartlett, USA, is appointed Brig. Gen.
• 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)
• Operations on the White River, AR. (Jun 20-29)
• Federal scout from Cassville, MO, to Cross Hollow, AR, with yet another guerrilla death. (Jun 20-24)
• 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)
• 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 a schooner loaded with salt at Swansborough. (Jun 20-25)
• Skirmish at White's Station, TN.
• Skirmish at King and Queen Court-House, VA, with Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan, USA, Cavalry, the Richmond, VA, Campaign.
• Skirmish at White House, VA, the Richmond, VA, Campaign.

Tuesday 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 bushwackers lying down their weapons.. (Jun 20-Oct 7)
• Brig. Gen. James A. Williamson, USA, is assigned to the command of the District of Saint Louis, MO.
• Maj. Gen. Jacob D. Cox, USA, is temporary in command of the Dept. of North Carolina.
• Bvt. Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Ruger, USA, is in temporary command of the 23rd US Army Corps, NC.
• Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas, USA, assumes the command of the Military Division of the Tennessee.
• 1867 - US President Andrew Johnson announces purchase of Alaska.