Compiled by Jim Hachtel, President
Gen. William T. Sherman Memorial Civil War Roundtable
June 9, 1863 - Union mortar boats fire about 175 explosive shells into Vicksburg daily while residents occupy caves and newly dug caverns. The continuous shelling cuts supply lines and has an effect on civilian morale.
June 9, 1863 - The largest mounted engagement of the Civil War takes place at Brandy Station, Virginia. General John Buford crosses the Rappahannock River at Beverly while General David Gregg crosses at Kelly's Ford. Confederate pickets are pushed back or captured and the Union Cavalry quickly moves to Brandy Station. General J.E.B. Stuart rallies his cavalry and the Confederates score a tactical victory. The Union Cavalry displays progress achieved under capable leadership and are capable adversaries through the end of the war. General Pleasanton, Union Cavalry commander, informs General Joseph Hooker that the Army of Northern Virginia is indeed moving north.
June 10, 1863 - General Richard Ewell's II Corps departs Culpepper, Virginia and moves toward Maryland. The Gettysburg Campaign is underway.
June 10, 1863 - The new CSS Atlanta, a heavy ram that is a threat to all wooden vessels, enters service. Admiral Samuel F. DuPont moves the USS Weehawken and the USS Nahant, both ironclads, to Wassaw Sound, Georgia from Port Royal, South Carolina.
June 10, 1863 - General Braxton Bragg is confirmed in the Episcopalian Church. He begins regular religious services for his men.
June 11, 1863 - Clement Vallandigham has been shipped off to Canada by Confederate officials. Ohio Peace Democrats nominate Vallandigham as their candidate for Ohio Governor.
June 11, 1863 - The 54th Massachusetts takes part in the burning of Darien, Georgia.
June 12, 1863 - Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtin calls out the state militia as the Confederate forces advance toward his state.
June 12, 1863 - General Ewell's Confederate II Corps crosses the Blue Ridge Mountains into the Shenandoah Valley. Marching toward Martinsburg, Ewell plans an attack on Union forces commanded by Colonel Andrew T. McReynolds but McReynolds moves to Summit Point in Western Virginia and then to Winchester. The combined Union forces at Winchester are ordered to move to Harper's Ferry to delay the Confederate move into Pennsylvania but telegraph lines are cut and the orders are not received.
June 13, 1863 - At Winchester, the Union garrison is unaware that the Confederate forces of Generals Ewell, Jubal Early, and Edward Johnson plan to encircle the town from three directions.
June 13, 1863 - Federal gunboats resume their bombardment of Port Hudson, Louisiana, softening the position for a Union assault planned for the next day.
June 14, 1863 - President Lincoln urges General Hooker to take some action against the Confederate forces moving north. The President's message said, "If the head of Lee's Army is at Martinsburg and the tail of it on the Plank Road between Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, the animal must be very slim somewhere. Could you not break him?"
June 14, 1863 - General Nathaniel Banks sends an entire infantry division against Confederate defenses at Port Hudson, Louisiana. The Confederates are well placed and hold off the assault with minor causalities while Banks' losses total 1,805. Banks decides to continue his siege as no food or supplies are reaching the Confederate garrison.
June 14, 1863 - At Martinsburg, Virginia, Union forces, using artillery and skirmishers, hold off a large Confederate force. At 5:00 PM, the Union forces load equipment and supplies on waiting trains and elude a larger Confederate force for the second time in two days.
June 14, 1863 - At Winchester, Union General Robert Milroy prepares to meet a "raiding party" but actually encounters the entire Army of Northern Virginia. By evening, 22 Confederate cannon begin a bombardment, and Milroy holds a war council and decides to spike his cannons, burn all baggage and supply trains, and evacuate Winchester early in the morning.
June 15, 1863 - Four miles north of Winchester at Stevenson's Point, Virginia, the Confederate force of General Edward Johnson prepares an ambush. General Milroy leaves at 1:00 AM and encounters Johnson's forces at 3:00 AM. Only 2,700 Union soldiers escape with 2,500 prisoners taken, 905 dead, 384 wounded, and 300 horses and wagons taken. The way is clear for General Robert E. Lee's army to invade Pennsylvania.
June 15, 1863 - President Lincoln calls for 100,000 militia to muster in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Western Virginia to stop the invasion of the Confederates.
