ACWS - On This Day in the American Civil War 6th February

The US steamer, Brooklyn, arrives off Pensacola, FL, with Federal re-inforcements for Fort Pickens

Federal naval expedition to Florence, AL, by the gunboats, USS Conestoga, USS Lexington, and the USS Tyler, led by Lieut. Commander S.L. Phelps, USN. (Feb 6-10)
Reconnaissance to Wright River, SC.
The Capture of Fort Henry, TN, by the Union naval forces under Flag Officer Andrew Foote. Brig. Gen. Lloyd Tilghman, CSA surrenders the fort of about 90 men, sending the majority of his forces to Fort Donelson, TN, ten miles away on the Cumberland River, prior to surrendering, with the following Federal gunboats participating in the attack:
- USS Carondelet
- USS Cincinnati
- USS Conestoga
- USS Essex
- USS Lexington
- USS Saint Louis
- USS Tyler.

Federal scout in the vicinity of Fort Pillow, TN.
Skirmish at Dranesville, VA.
Skirmish at and near Millwood, VA, after the stage coach running between Martinsburg and Winchester was captured by guerrillas, who in turn were captured by the Yankees.
Skirmish at Wiggenton's Mills, Aquia Creek, VA.
The 9th US Army Corps, encamped around Falmouth and Aquia Creek, VA, Maj. Gen. William Farrar Smith, USA, commanding, is transferred aboard railroad cars and water transports, from the Army of the Potomac to Newport News, VA. (Feb 6-21)
The Federal Government officially turns down the offer by France's Napoleon III to mediate between the North & South.

Col. Henry M. Black, 6th California Infantry, is assigned to the command the District of Humboldt, CA.
Skirmish at Hillsborough, MS, the Meridian, MS, Expedition.
Federal scout in the Sni Hills, MO, after bushwackers. (Feb 6-10)
Skirmish near Newport Barracks, NC, as this effectively ends Maj. Gen. George E. Pickett's, CSA, advance on New Berne, NC.
Federal expedition to John's and James Islands and skirmishes (Feb 9-11) near Bugbee Bridge, Charleston Harbor, SC, and vicinity. (Feb 6-14)
Affair at Bolivar, TN, with Union foragers.
Expedition from Memphis, TN, to Wyatt, MS, the Meridian, MS, Expedition. (Feb 6-18)
Maj. Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren, USA, is placed temporarily in command of the 2nd US Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, VA.
Demonstration on the Rapidan, including engagement at Norton's Ford and skirmishes at Barnett's and Culpeper's Fords, VA, with the Federals forced to retreat back across the Rapidan. (Feb 6-7)
Federal expedition from Yorktown against Richmond, VA, including skirmishes at Bottom's Bridge and near Baltimore Store, ordered by Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, USA, to release the Union prisoners held there. This moves meets with failure and the Confederates under Brig. Gen. Eppa Hunton, CSA, force a Union withdrawal. Hunton then sends his best wagon train teams to King and Queen county for pork. The army must be fed. (Feb 6-8)

Brig. Gen. John Pegram, CSA, is mortally wounded at Hatcher's Run, or Dabney's Mill, VA, instantly killed by a Federal minie ball through his heart as he led his troops against the Federal positions of Maj. Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren's, USA, 5th US Army Corps, with the Confederates being repulsed.
Federal operations in Ozark County, MO, as the Yankees move to remove yet another guerrilla from this area. (Feb 6-8)
Skirmish near Barnwell, SC.
Skirmish at Cowpen Ford, Little Salkehatchie River, SC, as Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman, USA, presses onward.
Action at Fishburn's Plantation, near Lane's Bridge, Little Salkehatchie River, SC.
Affair at Corn's Farm, Franklin County, 12 miles from Hillsborough, as a Confederate is shot as he tried to flee from the Corn's barn where he had been sleeping for the night.
Federal scout from Fairfax Court-House to Brentsville, VA, where the Yankees had a hard time crossing Bull Run as it was frozen over. (Feb 6-7)
President Jefferson Davis appoints Maj. Gen. John Cabell Breckinridge, CSA, as the new Confederate Secretary of War.
Maj. Gen. Edward O.C. Ord, USA, is assigned to the command of the Dept. of Virginia, the Richmond, VA, Campaign.
Gen. Robert E. Lee, CSA, assumes the position of General-in-Chief of all the Confederate armies.

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