Tag Archive for This Day

This Day - June 24

Monday June 24 1861 WILLARD WITNESSES WEAPONS WONDER In a hayloft across the street from the Willard Hotel a wonder weapon, called by its salesman “an Army in six feet square” was demonstrated for President Lincoln today.

This Day - June 23

Sunday June 23 1861 AERONAUT ACHIEVES AMAZING ACCOMPLISHMENT Today the Union Army acquired an air force. One Thaddeus S.C. Lowe, who called himself “professor” although his academic affiliation is unclear,

This Day in the War - June 10

Monday June 10 1861 BUTLER BUNGLES BIG BETHEL BADLY Seven Federal regiments-about 2500 soldiers-marched away from Fort Monroe near Washington D.C. today. Their mission: attack the Confederate units near Big Bethel Church.

This Day - June 9

Sunday June 9 1861 NIGHTTIME NASTINESS NAGS NEWPORT NEWS Soldiering is not an occupation that comes naturally to most people, and the almost brand-new Federal forces moving out of Newport News and Fort Monroe tonight were no exception.

This Day - June 6

June 6 1861 Thursday FEDERAL FINANCIAL FINAGLING FIXED The United States had never maintained a large standing army; since the days of the Revolution this had been an article of faith and policy.

This Day - June 5

Wednesday June 5 1861 BEAUREGARD BOMBAST BLASTS BOOTY BANDITS Gen. P.T.G. Beauregard, new to the command of what was not yet called the Army of Northern Virginia, issued a proclamation to get the populace fired up today.

This Day - June 4

Tuesday June 4 1861 PIG POINT PROJECTILES POUND PASSERSBY As difficult as it was to organize landbound military units, it was perhaps even more difficult for both sides to put together naval forces, and means to combat same.