ACWS - On This Day in the American Civil War 20th March

Fort Brown, TX, is abandoned by the Union forces, led by Lieut. Col. Electus Backus, 3rd US Infantry.
Fort Duncan, TX, is abandoned by the Union forces, led by Bvt. Maj. O. L. Shepherd, 3rd US Infantry.

States Rights Gist, CSA, is appointed Brig. Gen.
John Seldon Roane, CSA, is appointed Brig. Gen.
Marsena Rudolph Patrick, USA, is appointed Brig. Gen.
Maj. Gen. Benjamin Franklin Butler, USA, assumes the command of the Dept. of the Gulf, at Ship Island, MS, in preparation of a Federal attack on New Orleans, LA.
Federal expedition to Washington, NC, from New Berne, by Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside, USA. (Mar 20-21)
Federal operations near Bluffton, SC, including affairs at Buckingham and Hunting Island, SC.
Federal reconnaissance to Dumfries, VA. (Mar 20-21)
Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks, USA, assumes the command of the 5th Army Corps, as Banks is ordered to remove the majority of his command to the defense of Washington, DC, the remaining portion in the Shenandoah Valley is withdrawing towards Winchester from Strasburg, and is pursued by Maj. Gen. Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson, VA.
Federal reconnaissance to Gainesville, about 9 miles from Manassas Junction, VA, by Brig. Gen. Oliver O. Howard, USA.
Skirmish at Philippi, WV.

Affair in Saint Andrew's Bay, FL, where Confederates kill and capture most of a Union landing party that is up to mischief.
Action at Vaught's Hill, near Milton, TN, with Col. Hall, USA, defeating the Confederates.

Skirmish at Arkadelphia, AR.
Skirmish at Roseville Creek, AR.
Skirmish at Bayou Rapides, on the Red River, LA.
Federal scouts in Jackson and La Fayette Counties, MO, with skirmishes, inflicting guerrilla casualties. (Mar 20-30)

The advance of the Union forces (Maj. Gen. Frederick Steele's column, of Maj. Gen. Edward R. S. Canby's Army) starts from Pensacola, FL, for Mobile AL.
Skirmish at Talbot's Ferry, AR.
Skirmish at Ringgold, GA, with Union pickets and guerrillas.
Federal expedition with the 93rd US Colored Infantry from Brashear City aboard the gunboat, No. 49, to Bayou Pigeon, LA, to bring within the Union lines the family of a government employee, with skirmish (Mar 21) at Bayou Teche, LA. (Mar 20-22)
Federal scout against guerrillas from Lexington, MO, to Tabo Church, 12 miles east, Wellington, the Snibar Hills, etc. The Yankees recommend the banishment of certain widows (including the widow of the late Wilhite, killed a year ago) who are continuing to aid and abet the bushwackers in the vicinity.
Skirmish near Falling Creek, NC.
Maj. Gen. George Stoneman's US Raid in East Tennessee, Southwestern Virginia, and Western North Carolina, to aid in part, Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman's advance on the Confederate Army under Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, CSA, at Bentonville, NC. (Mar 20-Apr 27)
Federal scout from Winchester to Edenburg, VA, with skirmish (Mar 21) near Fisher's Hill, VA, the Shenandoah Valley.
Federal scout from Harper's Ferry into Loudoun County, VA, with skirmishes (Mar 21) near Hamilton and (Mar 23) at Goose Creek.
Federal scout to Kabletown, Myerstown, and Myers' Ford, WV.

On This Day information kindly provided by Martin Cross, 2nd U.S. Artillery, Bty B.