On This Day - 6th August Prev / Next

Tuesday August 6 1861
  • Ambrose Everett Burnside, USA, is appointed Brig. Gen.
  • Federal camp "Dick Robinson" is established near Lexington, KY.
Wednesday August 6 1862
  • Brig. Gen. Robert Latimer McCook, USA, of the famous "fighting McCooks" from Ohio, dies from the excruciating stomach wound received the day before near Decherd, TN.
  • William Edwin Starke, CSA, is appointed Brig. Gen.
  • Skirmish near Fort Gaston, C A.
  • Destruction of the CSS Arkansas, about Vicksburg, MS, after attacked by the Union gunboats, the USS Cayuga, Essex, Ratahdin, Kineo, and Sumter.
  • Action at Kirksville, MO.
  • Col. P. Edward Connor, 3d California Infantry, assumes the command of the District of Utah.
  • Skirmish at Malvern Hill, VA, with a general Federal retreat.
  • Action at Thornburg, Matapony or Massaponax Church, VA.
  • Skirmish at Beech Creek, WV.
  • Skirmish at Pack's Ferry, New River, WV, with Brig. Gen. Jacob D. Cox, USA, pitted against Maj. Gen. William W. Loring, CSA.
Thursday August 6 1863
  • The Union vessel, the Sea Bride, is captured in the Atlantic Ocean, near Cape of Good Hope, by the Confederate raider, the CSS Alabama.
  • Federal scout from Greenfield to Golden Grove and Carthage, MO. (Aug 6-9)
  • Federal scout from Spring River Mills, MO, and skirmishes. (Aug 6-11)
  • Federal scout from Lexington to the vicinity of Hopewell, MO. (Aug 6-9)
  • Skirmish at Cacapon Mountain, WV, with Brig. Gen. William W.Averell, USA.
  • Skirmish at Moorefield, WV.
  • The capture and recapture of sutlers' wagons near Fairfax Court-House, VA, by Col. John Mosby, CSA.
Saturday August 6 1864
  • The affair on the Somerville road, near Decatur, Northern AL.
  • Federal expedition with men under Maj. Gen. Frederick Steele, USA, from Little Rock to Little Red River, AR, and with skirmishes with Brig. Gen. Joseph O. Shelby, CSA, at the following locations:
    • Hickory Plains (Aug 7)
    • Bull Bayou (Aug 7)
    • Hatch's Ferry (Aug 9)
    • near Augusta (Aug 10)
    • near Searcy (Aug 13)
      (Aug 6-16)
  • Federal scout in Saline County, MO, with skirmishes at Arrow Rock. (Aug 7). (Aug 6-9)
  • Skirmish at Indian Village, LA.
  • Skirmish at Plaquemine, LA.
Sunday August 6 1865
No events on this date.

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