June 6, 1862---The First Battle of Memphis, Tennessee

JUNE 6, 1862:            

 The First Battle of Memphis, Tennessee. With the abandonment of Fort Pillow, the River Road to Memphis, Tennessee lay wide open, and Union gunboats descended on the city. The engagement was witnessed by many of the citizens of Memphis. It resulted in a crushing defeat for the Rebels, and marked the virtual eradication of a Confederate naval presence on the river. With no Confederate protection, Memphis surrendered.

June 5, 1862---The Battle of Tranter's Creek

JUNE 5, 1862:            

 The Battle of Tranter’s Creek, North Carolina. A Union force decimates a Confederate force near Washington, North Carolina. Colonel George Singletary C.S.A. is killed.

June 4, 1862---Confederates evacuate Fort Pillow, TN

JUNE 4, 1862:             

Fort Pillow is abandoned by the Confederacy. 

June 3, 1862---"The King of Spades"

JUNE 3, 1862:             

After Seven Pines, Confederate wounded stream into Richmond. Robert E. Lee orders defensive earthworks around Richmond. His nickname now changes from “Granny Lee” to “The King of Spades.”

On this same day, the last bridge over the Shenandoah River is burned. Captain Edward H. MacDonald C.S.A. finds himself on the wrong end of the burning bridge:

“The river was swollen and swift, and I knew that if I attempted to swim it in the face of the enemy I would be shot…I determined to ride through the burning bridge. As my horse touched the planks the smoke of burning straw and powder blinded me and my horse hesitated, but urged with my spurs he dashed through, while one or two of the shells exploded.”

June 2, 1862---The Foot Cavalry hoofs it while the Union crawls

JUNE 2, 1862:             

Union troops in the Luray Valley almost cut off Stonewall Jackson’s men, but are slowed to a crawl. The Valley Pike is ankle deep in mud from recent rains, and Jackson manages to successfully fight several delaying actions. Union troops trying to flank Jackson discover that they cannot move around and ahead of him, since the Confederates have burned all the bridge crossings over the Shenandoah except on their own main route.