Union - Government
Washington, DC
Early in the morning, President Lincoln confers with Edwin Stanton and others and issues new orders. Fremont in western Virginia is instructed to head for the Shenandoah to cut off Jackson from retreat.
McDowell, near Fredericksburg, is instructed to lay aside the movement on Richmond and send 20,000 men toward the Shenandoah: "Your object will be to capture the forces of Jackson & Ewell."
In two messages to McClellan, Lincoln explains that the defeat in the valley was due to thinning the line to get troops for elsewhere. "In consequence of GE. Banks critical position I have been compelled to suspend Gen. McDowell's movement to join you." [This diversion of troops gives McClellan another excuse to blame the Administration for his delays and failures on the Peninsula, and to say he was undermined, despite having more than 100,000 troops.]
Confederacy - Military
Virginia
There is significant skirmishing at Berryville, Strasburg, Middletown and elsewhere in the Shenandoah. Stonewall Jackson and his troops attempt to cut off Banks' retreat route to Winchester on the Valley Pike. Most of the Union soldiers get away in time, however, and Jackson's troops move on Winchester itself.
Union - Military
Meanwhile, in Winchester, Banks orders his wagon trains north toward Williamsport on the Potomac.
There is fighting at New Bridge, Seven Pines, Mechanicsville and Hanover Court House, (as part of the main campaign against Richmond.)
Mississippi
Skirmishing takes place near Corinth.
Missouri
There is a skirmish near Spring Hill.
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Bibliography
The Civil War Day By Day: An Almanac 1861-1865. E.B. Long with Barbara Long, De Capo, 1971
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