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| T.J. "Stonewall" Jackson |
- Following the disaster for United States forces at Manassas (Bull Run), Virginia, yesterday, the Lincoln Administration has an easy scapegoat. Gen. Irvin McDowell is out and George B. McClellan is in, due to his mastery of the art of self-promotion. McClellan reports to Lincoln at Washington to receive his orders and becomes commander of the Department of Washington and Northeastern Virginia. On the Southern side, Beauregard becomes a full general in the Confederate States Army as a reward for a stunning victory. Meanwhile, Thomas J. Jackson, now being called “Stonewall,” for his actions yesterday on the field at Manassas Junction, writes to his wife, Mary Anna Jackson, “Yesterday we fought a great battle and gained a great victory, for which all the glory is due to God alone. Although under a heavy fire for several continuous hours I received only one wound, the breaking of the longest finger of my left hand; but the doctor says the finger may be saved. It was broken about midway between the hand and knuckle, the ball passing on the side next to the forefinger. Had it struck the centre, I should have lost the finger. My horse was wounded, but not killed. Your coat got an ugly wound near the hip, but my servant, who is very handy, has so far repaired it that it doesn't show very much. My preservation was entirely due, as was the glorious victory, to our God, to whom be all the honor, praise, and glory. The battle was the hardest that I have ever been in, but not near so hot in its fire.” Then Jackson writes to his pastor in Lexington, Virginia, “My dear pastor, in my tent last night, after a fatiguing day's service, I remembered that I failed to send a contribution for our colored Sunday school. Enclosed you will find a check for that object, which please acknowledge at your earliest convenience and oblige yours faithfully.”/1861
- Union admiral David Farragut’s gunboats move into position to threaten any steamers on the Mississippi River./1861
- The U.S. House of Representatives passes a resolution declaring the War is being waged to preserve the Union rather than to end slavery. The Senate will vote on the measure on July 25./1861
- The three-months US volunteers begin to return home as their enlistments come to an end. These enlistments ending are the reason why Lincoln pushed McDowell into a fight. Now McDowell is out of a job because his commander in chief pushed him prematurely into a battle his men were not prepared to fight./1861
- Confusion continues to reign in Missouri. The State Convention meeting at Jefferson City votes to support the Union cause and provides for a new pro-Union government to meet at St. Louis. Pro-Southern Governor Claiborne F. Jackson continues to claim that his administration is the only legal body in Missouri. Meanwhile, US Brigadier General Thomas W. Sweeny marches 45 miles through thunderstorms and skirmishes in the evening with 150 Missouri State Guardsmen at Forsyth, Missouri, taking possession of the town in about an hour, along with a quantity of munitions and supplies left in the courthouse./1861
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