On This Day - 4th February Prev / Next
Monday February 4 1861
- The Peace Convention, headed by former President John Tyler, convenes in Washington, DC, in their attempt to head off hostilities. 20 Northern states are represented; the Southern states are do not attend.
Tuesday February 4 1862
- Federal gunboat reconnaissance to Fort Henry, TN, on the Tennessee River, while transport ships leave Cairo, IL, for Paducah, KY, under Brig. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, USA, who is aboard the USS Cincinnati.
Wednesday February 4 1863
- Skirmish at Batesville, AR, forces a retreat by Brig. Gen. John S. Marmaduke, CSA.
- Union troops are routed at Lake Providence, LA.
- Skirmish near Murfreesborough, TN, as the Rebel cavalry attack a Union foraging party.
- Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick, USA, supersedes Maj. Gen. William Farrar Smith, USA, in the command of the 6th US Army Corps, the Army of the Potomac, VA.
Thursday February 4 1864
- Alien Thomas, CSA, is appointed Brig. Gen.
- Federal expedition from Helena up White River, AR, aboard the steamers, Cheek, Emerald and Rike. Among other events, the Negro Soldiers present seize some "secesh" chickens that had not "taken the oath of allegiance." (Feb 4-8)
- Skirmish at Mountain Fork, AR.
- Skirmish at Hot Springs, AR.
- Skirmish at Rolling Prairie, AR.
- Skirmish at Columbia, LA.
- Skirmish near Bolton Depot, MS, and following as Lieut. Gen. Leonidas Polk, CSA, falls back, the Meridian, MS, Expedition.
- Skirmish at Champion's Hill, MS, as Maj. Gen. James McPherson, USA, joins up with Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman, USA, the Meridian, MS, Expedition.
- Skirmish at Edwards'Ferry, MS, the Meridian, MS, Expedition.
- Skirmish opposite Liverpool Heights, the Meridian, MS, Expedition.
- Skirmish at Queen's Hill, MS, the Meridian, MS, Expedition.
- Skirmish at Moorefield, WV, as the Confederates under Maj. Gen. Jubal Early, CSA, commanding the Valley District, retreat over the mountains with their wagon train captured at Medley, in addition to 1,250 head of cattle, 550 sheep, 80 prisoners, etc.
Saturday February 4 1865
- Robert Lowry, CSA, is appointed Brig. Gen.
- Action with Indians at Mud Springs, a telegraph station 105 miles east of Fort Laramie, in the Nebraska Territory, where the Indians attack this outpost. (Feb 4-6)
- Skirmish at Angley's Post-Office, SC, as Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman, USA, and his 4 US Army Corps press on northward.
- Skirmish at Buford's Bridge, SC.
- Maj. Gen. John Pope, USA, assumes the command of the Military Division of the Missouri.
- Federal expedition from Winchester, VA, to Moorefield, WV, where the Cavalry forces continue to spar with each other. (Feb 4-6)
- President Abraham Lincoln returns to Washington, DC, believing nothing was accomplished the previous day.
On This Day information kindly provided by Martin Cross, 2nd U.S. Artillery, Bty B.