1861:  
Union forces evacuate Fort Fillmore, New Mexico

Skirmish at McCulla's Store, Missouri

McClellan takes command of the Army of the Potomac
George McClellan assumes command of the Army of the Potomac after the disaster at Bull Run five days prior. McClellan built the army into a powerhouse in the winter of 1861-62, although he proved to be a weak, poor, and meek field commander. His goal was to be President, and many men would have to die to help feed his huge ego. Some sources give the date as July 27, the day he received the orders



1862:  
Skirmish at Mill Creek, North Carolina

Skirmish at Tazewell, Tennessee


1863:  
Skirmish at Potecasi Creek, North Carolina

John Hunt Morgan is captured
Confederate cavalry leader John Hunt Morgan and 360 of his men are captured at Salineville, Ohio, during a spectacular raid on the North. Morgan made four major raids on Northern or Northern-held territory starting in July 1862. Although they were of limited strategic significance, they served as a boost to Southern morale and captured much-needed supplies.

Morgan's fourth raid began on July 2, 1863, when he and 2,400 troopers left Tennessee and headed for the Ohio River. Morgan hoped to divert the attention of William Rosecrans, who was driving for Chattanooga. He reached the river on July 8, using stolen steamboats to ferry his force across to Indiana. For the next two and a half weeks, Morgan rampaged through Indiana and Ohio, feigning toward Cincinnati, then riding across southern Ohio. His force met little resistance, but scattered some local militias who faced them. With Union cavalry in hot pursuit, Morgan headed for Pennsylvania. For more than a week they spent 21 hours per day in the saddle. At Pomeroy, Ohio, Morgan lost over 800 men when the Yankees caught up with him and captured a large part of his force. He and the remaining members of his command were forced further north, and on July 26, the exhausted men were forced to surrender.

In the end, only 400 of Morgan's troopers made it safely back to the South. Those captured were scattered around Northern prison camps. Morgan and his officers were sent to the newly opened Ohio State Penitentiary. He and his men tunneled out on November 26, 1863, but he was killed in battle a year later.

Skirmish at Salineville, Ohio

Skirmish at London, Kentucky

Sam Houston dies
On this day, Sam Houston, who led the Texans to victory in their struggle for independence against Mexico, dies in Texas. Houston had opposed Texas' secession from the Union.

John Crittenden dies, Frankfurt, KY. His compromise had gone up long before him.



1864:  
Skirmish at Falling Water, West Virginia

Skirmish at White's Station, Tennessee

W. T. Sherman appoints O. O. Howard commander of the Army of the Tennessee

General George Stoneman leaves from Kennesaw Mountain to raid Macon, Georgia. "Till Stoneman's Cavalry came, and tore up the tracks again."


1865:  
SKirmish at Platte BRidge, Wyoming


Primary sources:
Official Records of the War of the Rebellion
A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion ; by Frederick Dyer;
The Civil War Day By Day: An Almanac 1861-1865 by E. B. Long with Barbara Long;
National Archives Guide Index