1 May, 1862: Thursday

Confederacy - Government/Military
President Davis writes to General Joseph E. Johnston at Yorktown. "accepting your conclusion that you must soon retire, arrangements are commenced for the abandonment of Navy Yard and removal of public property both from Norfolk and Peninsula." But the plan to withdraw so soon did take Davis by surprise.

Union - Government/Military
President Lincoln wires McClellan on the Peninsula that the general's call for heavy guns "alarms me - chiefly because it argues indefinite procrastimation. Is anything to be done?"

Union - Military
Virginia
McClellan's forces continue the siege of Yorkrtown. Siefge guns are mounted on this day.

Should Yorkrown be taken, the Confederates would lose Norfolk, the Naval Yard, and other important points along the James River.

There are skirmishes at Rapidan Station.

There are skirmishes at Clark's Hollow and Camp Creek in Stone River Valley, western Virginia.

Tennessee
There is skirmishing near Pulaski, Tennesee.

Alabama
Union troops begin two days of operations around Athens, Mooresville, Limestone Bridge and Elk River.

Louisiana
Major General Benjamin Butler, and his troops, officially take over New Orleans, "beginning a reign of efficiency in sanitary and other conditions, corruption in administration, and suppression of the people."

Kansas
Union Brigadier General James G. Blunt assumes command of the Department of Kansas.



Bibliography
The Civil War Day By Day: An Almanac 1861-1865. E.B. Long with Barbara Long, De Capo, 1971