Order Your Copy Today
On this day in the Civil War, the USS Kearsarge under Captain John Winslow sinks the CSS Alabama under Captain Raphael Semmes, near Cherbourg, France.
During its career, the raider Alabama took 65 Federal merchant ships.
Raphael Semmes
(Photo Credit: Library of Congress)
On this day in the Civil War, Union General John McClernand is relieved of his corps command by General Ulysses S. Grant, due to repeated acts of insubordination.
General John McClernand
(Photo Credit: Library of Congress)
On this day in the Civil War, Union General John C. Fremont resigns from the Army of Virginia due to being placed under General John Pope.
General Pope did not endear himself to the troops of the Army of Virginia by stating, “I have come from the West, where we have always seen the backs of our enemies.”
On this day on the Civil War, Federal troops under General H.W. Benham loose the Battle of Secessionville on James Island, South Carolina.
The Federal force sustains casualties that are three times the number of Confederate losses.
H.W. Benham
(Photo Credit: Library of Congress)
On this day in the Civil War, Union General W.F. (Baldy) Smith’s entire corps loses an opportunity to capture Petersburg, Virginia.
The Confederates only have 5,400 soldiers defending the city against 16,000 Federals, but Smith decides not to press the attack.
W.F. (Baldy) Smith
(Photo Credit: Library of Congress)
The Civil War Book 