ACWS - On This Day in the American Civil War 24th May

The Union Army advances into Virginia and occupies Arlington Heights and Alexandria, VA. In the process of removing a Confederate flag from a hotel, Col. Elmer Ephraim Ellsworth, of the llth NY Regiment, is shot dead by the inns keeper, Mr. James Jackson, who in turn, is subsequently killed by Pvt. Francis E. Brownell, some of the very first casualties of the Civil War.
Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, USA, from Fortress Monroe, Hampton, VA, announces to President Lincoln of his determination to employ in the Federal cause fugitive slaves of disloyal owners, causing a political stir as Butler looks upon slaves as contraband, refusing to release 3 Negro slaves.

Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Prentiss Banks', USA, command retreats to Williamsport, MD. May 24-26)
Skirmish near Corinth, MS.
Federal expedition to Spring Hill, MO, against Rebel jayhawkers.
Skirmish at Winchester, TN.
Skirmish at Berryville, VA, with Maj. Gen. Thomas J.Jackson, CSA.
Federal reconnaissance toward Hanover Court-House, VA, by Col. Richard H. Rush, 6th PA Cavalry.
Skirmish at Linden, VA.
Skirmish at Mechanicsville, VA.
Action at Middletown,VA, with Maj. Gen. Thomas J.Jackson, CSA.
Skirmish at New Bridge, VA, with Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, US A.
Action at Newtown, VA.
Skirmish at Seven Pines, VA, with Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, USA.
Skirmish at Strasburg, VA, with Maj. Gen. Thomas Jackson, CSA.
Maj. Gen. Irvin McDowell's, USA, orders to move upon Richmond, VA, in co-operation with the Army of Potomac, Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, USA, commanding, are suspended. Maj. Gen. Irvin McDowell is ordered to put 20,000 men in motion for the Shenandoah Valley, VA, and to capture Maj. Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson, CSA.
Maj. Gen. John Charles Fremont, USA, is ordered to move from Franklin, WV, against and to cut off Maj. Gen. Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson, CSA, who is operating in the Shenandoah Valley, VA.
Operations about Harper's Ferry, WV. (May 24-30)

Ambrose Powell Hill. C.S.A.. is appointed Lieut. Gen.
Henry Heth, C.S.A., is appointed Maj. Gen.
Skirmish at Mill Springs, KY.
Skirmish at Mound Plantation, near Lake Providence, LA.
Skirmish at Austin, MS, with the Federals burning the town.
Skirmish at Mechanicsburg, MS.
Federal expedition up the Yazoo and Big Sunflower Rivers, MS. (May 24-31)
Maj. Gen. John A. Schofield, USA, supersedes Maj. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis, USA, in command of the Dept. of Missouri.
Skirmish at Woodbury, TN.

Stephen Elliott, Jr., CSA, is appointed Brig. Gen.
Brickett Davenport Fry, CSA, is appointed Brig. Gen.
Skirmish near Little Rock, AR.
Skirmish at Burnt Hickory (or Huntsville) GA, as Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler, CSA, Cavalry attacks Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman's supply lines.
Skirmishes at Cass Station and Cassville, GA.
Skirmish near Dallas, GA.
Skirmish near Morganza, LA.
Col. Colton Greene's Confederate operations on the west bank of the Mississippi River, capturing 2 Union vessels in the process. (May 24-Jun 4)
Skirmish at Holly Springs, MS.
Skirmish near Nashville, TN.
The 9th US Army Corps is assigned to the Army of the Potomac.
Action at Wilson's Wharf, north side of the James River, below Fort Powhatan, VA, as Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee's Confederate attack is repulsed by the two all Black Federal regiments garrisoned there.
Skirmish near Charlestown, WV, as the Federals pursue some of Lieut. Col. John S. Mosby's, CSA, men towards Kabletown.
Skirmish near Lewisburg, WV.

Federal scout from Napoleonville to Bayou Saint Vincent, LA.
Skirmish 6 miles from Rocheport, MO, as the Yankees surround the house where 11 Confederate guerrillas were holed up, killing 5, wounding and capturing the rest.
Bvt. Brig. Gen. George Spalding, USA, 12th Tennessee Cavalry, is assigned to the command of the District of North Missouri, vice Fisk.
Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman's. USA. Union Army is reviewed in the city of Washington, DC, a part of the G.A.R. Grand Armies of the Republic.

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