Compiled by Jim Hachtel, President
Gen. William T. Sherman Memorial Civil War Roundtable
July 15, 1862 - The CSS Arkansas, moving from the Yazoo River into the Mississippi, is attack by the USS Carondelet, Tyler, and Queen of the West. The Arkansas inflicts damage on the Carondelet and Tyler, runs past 16 more Union vessels of Commodore Farragut's fleet, and docks below Vicksburg under the heavy guns on the bluff.
July 15, 1862 - Commodore Farragut, angered over being surprised, runs past Vicksburg in daylight and attacks the USS Arkansas. Both vessels involved are damaged but stay afloat. Farragut moves back to New Orleans due to low water in the Mississippi and to seek repairs. The Arkansas stays below Vicksburg for nearly another year.
July 16, 1862 - Confederate Agent John Slidell asks the French government to grant diplomatic recognition of the Confederate States of America. Emperor Napoleon III refuses.
July 16, 1862 - The Union's western fleet, constructed and controlled by the War Department, is transferred to the Navy Department by act of Congress.
July 16, 1862 - David G. Farragut is promoted to Rear Admiral, the first officer to hold the rank.
July 17, 1862 - Following General Halleck's move to Washington, D.C., General U.S. Grant resumes his command of the western theater.
July 17, 1862 - The Second Confiscation Act takes effect meaning all slaves reaching Union lines are free and slaves seeking assistance in immigrating to a Union State are helped.
July 18, 1862 - Colonel John H. Morgan leads Confederate Cavalry to Cynthiana, Kentucky.
July 18, 1862 - Confederate Captain Adam R. Johnson leads a raid into Newburg, Indiana. As he retreats back across the river, stovepipe cannons (fake or Quaker cannons) are erected effectively stopping any pursuit by the Indiana Home Guard. Johnson is ever after known as Stovepipe Johnson.
July 18, 1862 - Secretary of the Navy Wells directs each naval flag officer to select three candidates from their ranks to become Naval Academy candidates.
July 19, 1862 - New York Tribune editor Horace Greeley writes to President Lincoln suggesting he free all slaves as a way of weakening the Confederacy.
July 19, 1862 - Congress approves a pension bill guaranteeing lifetime subsidy to all naval personnel injured in the line of duty.
July 20, 1862 - Cavalry of Colonel Morgan's raiders are surprised and defeated by Union Cavalry at Owensville, Kentucky.
July 21, 1862 - General Sterling Price again commands The Confederate District of Tennessee. The Confederate Army of the Mississippi advances toward Chattanooga under command of General Braxton Bragg.
July 21, 1862 - In a cabinet meeting, President Lincoln discusses employment of African-Americans as soldiers with no action taken.
July 21, 1862 - Union General Sherman takes command of the District of Memphis.
