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On This Day - 4th April Prev / Next

Thursday April 4 1861
  • President Abraham Lincoln writes a letter to Maj. Robert Anderson, USA, to hold Fort Sumter, Charleston Harbor, SC.
  • The Virginia State Convention votes against holding a referendum on secession by the vote of 89-45.
Friday April 4 1862
  • Affair at Table Bluff, CA.
  • Under the cover of darkness and a severe thunderstorm, the USS Carondelet, runs the Confederate batteries at Island No. 10, passing below the fort through a canal cut by the Union forces.
  • Skirmish at Lawrenceburg, TN, with Brig. Gen. Milo S. Hascall, USA.
  • Skirmish near Pittsburg Landing, at Crump's Landing, or Adamsville, TN, as Gen. Albert S. Johnston, CSA, advances toward Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, USA.
  • Skirmish at Howard's Mills near Cockletown, VA.
  • The Advance of the Army of the Potomac, from the vicinity of Fortress Monroe, toward Yorktown, VA.
  • Skirmish at Great Bethel, VA.
  • The Depts. of the Rappahannock (under Maj. Gen. Irvin McDowell) and the Shenandoah (under Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks) are constituted, VA.
  • The 1st US Army Corps (McDowell's) is detached from the Army of the Potomac and is merged into the Dept. of the Rappahannock, VA, which places McDowell in a position to protect Washington, DC.
  • The 5th US Army Corps (Bank's) is merged into the Dept. of the Shenandoah, VA.
Saturday April 4 1863
  • Skirmish at Richmond, LA.
  • Engagement at Rodman's Point, near Washington, NC, between Union gunboats and the Confederate batteries. (Apr 4-5)
  • Skirmish on the Lewisburg Pike, TN.
  • Skirmish on Nonconnah Creek, near Memphis, TN.
  • Skirmish at Woodbury, TN.
  • Brig. Gen. Orlando B. Wilcox, USA, is temporarily in command of the 9th US Army Corps, the Dept. of the Ohio, TN.
  • President Lincoln travels to Fredericksburg, VA, to meet with Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker, USA, to discuss military strategy.
Monday April 4 1864
  • Skirmish at Charlestown, AR.
  • Skirmishes at Roseville, AR, 45 miles from Fort Smith, AR. (Apr 4-5)
  • Skirmish at Campti, LA, on the Red River.
  • The 11th and the 12th US Army Corps are consolidated as the 20th US Army Corps, under the command of Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker, USA, TN, with the following assignments: Brig. Gen. Jacob D. Cox, USA, supersedes Maj. Gen. George Stoneman, USA, in the command of the 23rd US Army Corps. Maj. Gen. John M. Schofield, USA, is then assigned to the command of the 23rd US Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, TN, superseding Brig. Gen Jacob D. Cox, USA.
  • Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan, USA, is assigned to the command of the Cavalry Corps, the Army of the Potomac, VA, superseding Brig. Gen. David McGregg, USA.
  • Maj. Gen. Quincy A. Gillmore, USA, is ordered to proceed with all available forces to Fort Monroe, VA.
  • The US House of Representatives passes a resolution denouncing any intentions by Napoleon III of France to install a monarchy in Mexico under Maximilian.
Tuesday April 4 1865
  • The Union Cavalry troops, under Brig. Gen. James Harrison Wilson, USA, occupy Tuscaloos, AL.
  • Skirmishes at East River Bridge, FL. (Apr 4-5)
  • The capture of the steamer, Harriet De Ford, near Fair Haven, Chesapeake Bay, MD, as Gen. Robert E. Lee, CSA, sends Capt. Fitzhugh, 5th VA Cavalry and some of his men, in hopes of capturing one of Lieut. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's supply vessels, using Maj. John S. Mosby's men to transport the badly needed supplies to Lee's men in the trenches around Petersburg and Richmond. Unable to capture the Eolus, Titan, or the Highland Light, Fitzhugh captures the Harriet De Ford, boarding the vessel disguised as wood choppers. Upon moving up the Chesapeake Bay, he hears the guns blasting around Petersburg, which are celebrating the Union victory there. Fitzhugh desperately attempts to get the supplies to Lee, but is pursued by Union gunboats, he runs the vessel aground, taking what supplies he could.
  • Maj. Gen. J. Bankhead Magruder, CSA, assumes the command of the Confederate District of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.
  • Skirmish at Amelia Court-House, VA, as Gen. Robert E. Lee, CSA, does not receive supplies at Richmond and Lynchburg to feed his army. Lee's route toward North Carolina is blocked as Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan, arrives at Jetersville, which is southwest of Amelia Court-House and his men block the Danville Railroad. Maj. Gen. George G. Meade, USA, is closing in from the east, the Appomattox, VA, Campaign.(Apr 4-5)
  • Skirmish at Tabernacle Church, or Beaver Pond Creek, VA, the Appomattox, VA, Campaign.
  • President Abraham Lincoln visits Richmond, VA, after arriving aboard the USS Malvern, taking time to sit in Jefferson Davis' chair in the Confederate White House.

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