ACWS - On This Day in the American Civil War 18th May

Arkansas is admitted to the Confederacy.
Engagement between the US steamer, Monticello, and the battery at Sewell's Point, VA. (May 18-19)
The US Navy essentially seals off Northern Virginia with the naval blockade of the Rappahannock River.

Brig. Gen. William High Keim, USA, dies at Harrisburg, PA, from camp fever developed during the Peninsula Campaign, VA.
Operations about Vicksburg, MS, and Baton Rouge, LA. (May 18-Aug 6)
The surrender of Vicksburg, MS, is demanded by Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, USA, and by Flag Officer Daniel Farragut and refused by Brig. Gen. Martin Luther Smith, CSA.
Federal reconnaissance toward Old Church and Cold Harbor, VA. (May 18-19)
Maj. Gen. William Buel Franklin, USA, assumes the command of the 6th US Army Corps, the Army of the Potomac, the Peninsula Campaign, VA.
Brig. Gen. Fitz John Porter, USA, assumes the command of the 5th US Army Corps, the Peninsula Campaign, VA.
Skirmish at Woodstock, VA, with Maj. Gen. Stonewall Jackson, CSA, and Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Prentiss Banks, USA.

Affair near Cheney ville, LA, with Confederate Cavalry.
Operations about Merritt's Plantation, and on the Bayou Sara Road, LA, with Confederate Cavalry. (May 18-19)
The Federal capture of Haynes' Bluff, MS.
Skirmish near Island No. 82, about 15 miles from Greenville, MS, including the Federal vessel, Crescent City.
Affair at Hog Island, Bates County, MO, with the destruction of Confederate food supplies, and the rebels fleeing to Henry County.
Torpedo operations in Skull Creek and skirmish on Pope's Island, SC. (May 18-21)
Skirmish on Horn Lake Creek, TN, about 4 miles from Nonconnah.
Skirmishes at and about Fayetteville, WV. (May 18-20)

Brig. Gen. Byron Gordon, CSA, dies in Richmond, VA, from his death wounds received on May 12 at the combat at Meadow Bridge, the Battle of the Wilderness, VA.
Joseph Brevard Kershaw, C.S.A., is appointed Maj. Gen.
John McCausland, CSA, is appointed Brig. Gen.
Skirmish at Fletcher's Ferry, AL.
Skirmish at Clarksville, AR.
Affair near Searcy, AR, where the Yankees seize 80 good horses.
Combats near Cassville, GA, as Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman, USA, continues to pursue the retreating Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, CSA. (May 18-19)
Combats near Kingston, GA. (May 18-19)
Skirmish at Pine Log Creek, GA.
Skirmish in Pike County, KY.
Skirmish at Wolf River, KY, as the Yankees moving from Glasgow, kill a few Rebs, losing a couple men themselves.
Engagement at Yellow Bayou (Bayou De Glaize, Calhoun Station, Norwood's Plantation, or Old Oaks), LA, the Red River (LA) Campaign.
Federal scouts near Neosho and Carthage, MO, where no Rebels are found in force. The Yankees scout into Arkansas where small bands of guerrillas are operating, stealing and robbing the citizens. (May 18-23)
Skirmish at City Point, VA, with Maj. Gen. Benjamin F.Butler.
Skirmish at Foster's Plantation, VA, with Maj. Gen. Benjamin F.Butler, USA.

Federal expedition against the Sioux Indians in the Dakota Territory, where the Yankees rescue a white woman prisoner and her little daughter, who had been purchased from the Cheyenne Indians when they killed her husband. The Federals capture 2 Sioux Indians chief, Two Face and Black Foot. (May 18-27)
Skirmish with Indians on the Coteau, Minnesota, as a party of Union Indian Scouts with the assistance of some half-breeds attack a war party of Sioux Indians.
Federal scout against guerrillas from Lebanon to Warsaw, MO. (May 18-20)
Skirmish with Indians near Fort Kearny, the Nebraska Territory, as many Union soldiers receive arrow wounds.
The 25th US Army Corps is ordered to be held in readiness for transportation to Texas.

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