15 May, 1862: Thursday

Union - Government
In Washington, President Lincoln approves the congressional establishment of the Department of Agriculture as a branch of the federal government (although its secretary will not receive Cabinet Status until 1889.

Union Military Government
In New Orleans, Louisiana, Major Gen Benjamin Butler issues Order #28: "As the officers and soldiers of the United States have been subject to repeated insults from the women (calling themselves ladies) of New Orleans in return for the most scrupulous non-interference and courtesy on our part, it is ordered that hereafter when any female shall by word, gesture or movement insult or show contempt for any officer or soldier of the United States she shall be regarded and held liable to be treated as a woman of the town plying her avocation."

Union - Military:Naval
Virginia
Now that the menace of the CSS Virginia (aka Merrimack) has been eliminated, five Union vessels, including the ironclad Monitor, move up the James River toward Richmond.

However, they are met at Drewry's Bluff, on the south side of the James about 8 miles below Richmond, and the guns of Fort DArling shell the ships, with the naval vessels returning fire. The Union vessels were not able to elevate their guns, and the Monitor drew too much water in the narrow, shallow river to get fully into action. The Galena was struck 18 times and badly damaged.

After four hours the Union ship withdraw, and conclude that a water-route assault on Richmond is not yet pratical.

Military - Confederate
Virginia
Joseph E. Johnston's army pulls back across the Chickahominy and at some points is within three miles of Ricchmond.

There is fighting at Gaines' Cross Roads and Linden.

Stonewall Jackson's troops reach the Shenandoah Valley once more after their excursion to McDowell and Franklin.

Western Virginia
There is fighting at Ravenswood, Wolf Creek and Princeton.

Mississippi
There is fighting near Corinth.

Texas
There is fighting near Galveston.

Missouri
There is a small skirmish on the Liitle Blue River, near Independence.

North Carolina
There is skirmishing near Trenton Bridge at Young's Cross Roads and near Pollocksville.

Foreign Countries - England
At Liverpool, a vessel known only as 290 is launched at the Laird shipyards. It is not a well-kept secret, however, that this ship is going to be sold to the Confederacy to become a raider (and will become the CSS Alabama.)

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