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On this day in the Civil War, Federal troops under the leadership of General Benjamin Butler continue to occupy the city of Baltimore. On the prior day, General Butler moved his troops into Baltimore without official authorization.
Later in the war, General Butler was nicknamed “Spoons Butler” by Southerners due to his supposed improprieties pertaining to Southern property.
General Benjamin Butler
(Photo Credit: Library of Congress)
On this day in the Civil War, the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia (Merrimack) is destroyed by the Confederate navy.
Two months earlier, the CSS Virginia and USS Monitor clashed in the first sea battle of ironclad ships, revolutionizing naval warfare.
On this day in the Civil War, Confederate General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson dies of pneumonia at Guinea Station, Virginia. Several days earlier, Jackson was wounded at the Battle of Chancellorsville. His dying words are: “Let us pass over the river and rest under the shade of the trees.”
General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson
(Photo Credit: Library of Congress)
On this day in the Civil War, Federal troops entrench at Spotsylvania. Confederate snipers harass the Federals as the entrenchments are being built. Union General John Sedgwick attempts to calm his men, saying: “Don’t duck, they couldn’t hit an elephant at this distance!” A few moments later, a Rebel bullet strikes the general under his left eye and kills him. The shot is fired by a Confederate marksman from nearly half a mile away.
General John Sedgwick
(Photo Credit: Library of Congress)
On this day in the Civil War, the Federal army’s flanking move after the Battle of the Wilderness, is stopped by Confederates. This action starts the bloody Battle of Spotsylvania.
The Civil War Book 