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Thursday, June 18, 1863
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Army Events:
Skirmish: Aldie, VA June 18, 1863 Expedition from: Batesville, AR May 30 - February 3, 1864 Skirmish: Belmont, MS June 18, 1863 Skirmish: Big Black River, MS June 18, 1863 Scout: Big Coal River, WV June 18 - 19, 1863 Skirmish: Birdsong Ferry, MS June 18, 1863 Expedition to: Blackwater River, VA June 12 - 18, 1863 Skirmish: Blue River, MO June 18, 1863 Skirmish: Brownsville, MS June 18, 1863 Skirmish: Coldwater Bridge, MS June 18, 1863 Scout: Core Creek, NC June 17 - 18, 1863 Expedition to: Deer Creek, MS June 1863 Scout: Dover, NC June 17 - 18, 1863 Operation: Eastern Kentucky June 13 - 23, 1863 Skirmish: Edisto Island, SC June 18, 1863 Operation: Everett's Raid, in KY June 13 - 23, 1863 Operation: Fort Gibson, Indian Territory June 6 - 20, 1863 Campaign: Gettysburg, PA June 3 - August 11, 1863 Affairs: Holmes County, OH June 16 - 20, 1863 Expedition from: La Grange, TN June 16 - 24, 1863 Scout: Little Coal River, WV June 18 - 19, 1863 Attack: Memphis, TN June 17 - 18, 1863 Skirmish: Middleburg, VA June 18, 1863 Operation: Northeastern Mississippi June 13 - 22, 1863 Operation: Northwestern Mississippi June 15 - 22, 1863 Expedition to: Panola, MS June 16 - 24, 1863 Skirmish: Plaquemine, LA June 18, 1863 Siege: Port Hudson, LA May 21 - July 8, 1863 Skirmish: Rocheport, MO June 18, 1863 Scout: Rocky Run, NC June 17 - 18, 1863 Expedition: Sioux Expedition, Dakota Territory June 16 - September 13, 1863 Expedition against: Snake Indians, Idaho Territory May 4 - October 26, 1863 Siege: Vicksburg, MS May 18 - July 4, 1863 Operation: Vicksburg, MS January 20 - July 4, 1863 Skirmish: Winchester, VA June 18, 1863
(Source: Compendium of the War of the Rebellion Vol. I, p. 660-991. Frederick H. Dyer.)
Naval Events:
Rear Admiral Farragut in U.S.S. Monongahela steamed down river from Port Hudson to Plaquemine, Louisiana, where a raid by a company of Confederate cavalry had burned two Army transports. It was feared that the Confederate intent was to capture Donaldsonville, Louisiana, cutting off the flow of supplies between New Orleans and General Banks before Port Hudson. U.S.S. Winona, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Aaron W. Weaver, shelled the Confederate cavalrymen from the town. The Admiral reported: "The moral effect of our force gathering about them so quickly was very good both against the enemy and in favor of the soldiers and ourselves." Farragut concentrated three or four gunboats at Donaldsonville, and General Banks wrote several days later: "The result at Donaldsonville was very gratifying, and I feel greatly indebted to the officers of the Navy for the assistance they gave, and the distinguished part they played in this most creditable affair."(Source: Civil War Naval Chronology 1861-1865. pp. I:1-41; II:1-117; III:1-170; IV:1-152; V:1-134. 1971: Naval History Division, Navy Department.)U.S.S. General Sterling Price, Commander Woodworth, and U.S.S. Mound City, commanded by Lieutenant Wilson, returned to their positions below Vicksburg after a 3-day reconnaissance down the Mississippi River as far as Cole's Creek. During the expedition, some 60 to 70 barges, skiffs, and boats were destroyed which could have been used to transport Confederate troops. Meanwhile, U.S.S. Benton, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Greer, supplied Major General Francis J. Herron with two 32-pounders, complete with ammunition and equipment and a crew to man them. Of this battery, General Herron later wrote: "The battery, under the command of Acting Master J. Frank Reed, of the Benton, did excellent service, and I can not speak too highly of the bravery and energy of this young officer. Indeed, during the whole of my operations, I received valuable assistance and a hearty cooperation from the Navy."
U.S.S. Tahoma, commanded by Lieutenant Commander A. A. Semmes, captured British blockade runner Harriet near Anclote Keys, Florida; Tahoma chased British blockade runner Mary Jane ashore and destroyed her at Clearwater.
U.S.S. James S. Chambers, commanded by Acting Master L. Nickerson, captured schooner Rebekah off Tampa Bay.
Additional Information:
The Battle of Vicksburg, Mississippi. (MS011) (Grant's Operations Against Vicksburg [March-July 1863]).
The Battle of Port Hudson, Louisiana. (LA010) (Siege of Port Hudson [May-July 1863]).
The Battle of Middleburg, Virginia. (VA037) (Gettysburg Campaign [June-July 1863]).
(Source: Civil War Sites Advisory Commission Report: Battle Summaries. National Park Service. In The Civil War Battlefield Guide, 2nd ed., 1998. Edited by Frances H. Kennedy.)