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#1
The Tailgate / Today in history 6-30
Last post by remrogers - Today at 09:25:00 AM1905
June 30
Einstein publishes his groundbreaking theory of relativity
On June 30, 1905, Albert Einstein publishes "Zur Elektrodynamik bewegter Körper (On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies)," a paper that sets out his theory of special relativity, in the German physics journal Annalen der Physik. Einstein's groundbreaking work shatters the foundations of physics.
After attending the Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, Switzerland, Einstein worked at the Swiss patent office in Bern from 1902 to 1909. He was employed as a "third- class technical expert," examining inventions for their patentability, most likely among them a gravel sorting machine and a weather indicator. In a letter to his friend Michele Besso, Einstein regarded the patent office as "that secular cloister where I hatched my most beautiful ideas."
The most profound of these ideas emerged in five theoretical papers written in quick succession in 1905 that would revolutionize 20th- century scientific thought. Historians would later refer to this period as Einstein's annus mirabilis, or "miracle year." His first paper described the particle theory of light, which would later earn him the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics. His second created a new method for determining molecular sizes, and his third examined Brownian motion, offering a mathematical explanation for the movement of particles suspended in a fluid.
Einstein's fourth paper, often regarded as one of the most important papers ever published in the field of physics, presented his special theory of relativity, overturning long-established views of the universe that had prevailed since Isaac Newton introduced his laws of motion. "Time," Newton wrote, "flows equably without relation to anything external," while space "remains always similar and immovable." Einstein's radical theory, however, posited that time and space are not absolute, but relative to the motion of the observer.
Suppose there were two observers; one stood still along a train track, while the other traveled by train at a constant speed, seated in the middle of the train. If lightning struck both ends of the train just as the train's midpoint passed the stationary observer, then it would take the same amount of time for the light from each strike to reach the observer. He would correctly assume that the lightning strikes had occurred simultaneously. The train passenger, however, would view the events differently. With the speed of light remaining constant, light from the rear strike would appear later than light from the front strike. This is because light from the rear strike had to travel a greater distance to reach the passenger since she was moving away from where the rear strike occurred and towards where the front strike happened. Therefore, the passenger would perceive that the two lightning strikes were not simultaneous, and would also have been correct.
In September, Einstein published a fifth paper with a mathematical exploration of special relativity: E=mc2, with energy (E) equal to mass (m) times the speed of light (c) squared (2). What would become the most famous equation in the world posited that mass and energy are interchangeable and are different ways of measuring the same thing. This discovery had far-reaching consequences, and set the stage for nuclear power and the eventual development of the atomic bomb, for which Einstein had no direct involvement. In fact, while initially a supporter of America developing an atomic bomb, Einstein came to wholeheartedly renounce that support.
June 30
Einstein publishes his groundbreaking theory of relativity
On June 30, 1905, Albert Einstein publishes "Zur Elektrodynamik bewegter Körper (On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies)," a paper that sets out his theory of special relativity, in the German physics journal Annalen der Physik. Einstein's groundbreaking work shatters the foundations of physics.
After attending the Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, Switzerland, Einstein worked at the Swiss patent office in Bern from 1902 to 1909. He was employed as a "third- class technical expert," examining inventions for their patentability, most likely among them a gravel sorting machine and a weather indicator. In a letter to his friend Michele Besso, Einstein regarded the patent office as "that secular cloister where I hatched my most beautiful ideas."
The most profound of these ideas emerged in five theoretical papers written in quick succession in 1905 that would revolutionize 20th- century scientific thought. Historians would later refer to this period as Einstein's annus mirabilis, or "miracle year." His first paper described the particle theory of light, which would later earn him the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics. His second created a new method for determining molecular sizes, and his third examined Brownian motion, offering a mathematical explanation for the movement of particles suspended in a fluid.
Einstein's fourth paper, often regarded as one of the most important papers ever published in the field of physics, presented his special theory of relativity, overturning long-established views of the universe that had prevailed since Isaac Newton introduced his laws of motion. "Time," Newton wrote, "flows equably without relation to anything external," while space "remains always similar and immovable." Einstein's radical theory, however, posited that time and space are not absolute, but relative to the motion of the observer.
Suppose there were two observers; one stood still along a train track, while the other traveled by train at a constant speed, seated in the middle of the train. If lightning struck both ends of the train just as the train's midpoint passed the stationary observer, then it would take the same amount of time for the light from each strike to reach the observer. He would correctly assume that the lightning strikes had occurred simultaneously. The train passenger, however, would view the events differently. With the speed of light remaining constant, light from the rear strike would appear later than light from the front strike. This is because light from the rear strike had to travel a greater distance to reach the passenger since she was moving away from where the rear strike occurred and towards where the front strike happened. Therefore, the passenger would perceive that the two lightning strikes were not simultaneous, and would also have been correct.
In September, Einstein published a fifth paper with a mathematical exploration of special relativity: E=mc2, with energy (E) equal to mass (m) times the speed of light (c) squared (2). What would become the most famous equation in the world posited that mass and energy are interchangeable and are different ways of measuring the same thing. This discovery had far-reaching consequences, and set the stage for nuclear power and the eventual development of the atomic bomb, for which Einstein had no direct involvement. In fact, while initially a supporter of America developing an atomic bomb, Einstein came to wholeheartedly renounce that support.
#2
The Tailgate / Today in history 6-29
Last post by remrogers - Yesterday at 12:12:03 PM1974
June 29
Isabel Perón takes office as Argentine president
With Argentine President Juan Perón on his deathbed, Isabel Martinez de Perón, his wife and vice president, is sworn in as the leader of the South American country. President Isabel Perón, a former dancer and Perón's third wife, became the Western Hemisphere's first female head of government.
Two days later, Juan died from heart disease, and Isabel was left alone as leader of a nation suffering from serious economic and political strife.
In 1943, as an army officer, Juan Domingo Perón joined a military coup against Argentina's ineffectual civilian government. Appointed secretary of labor, his influence grew, and in 1944 he also became vice president and minister of war. In October 1945, Perón was ousted from his positions by a coup of constitutionally minded civilians and officers, and he was imprisoned, but appeals from workers and his charismatic mistress, Eva Duarte, soon forced his release. The night of his release, October 17, he addressed a crowd of some 300,000 people from the balcony of the presidential palace and promised to lead the people to victory in the coming presidential election. Four days later, Perón, a widower, married Eva Duarte, or "Evita," as she became affectionately known.
As president, Perón constructed an impressive populist alliance, and his vision of self-sufficiency for Argentina won him wide support. However, he also became increasingly authoritarian, jailing political opponents and restricting freedom of the press. In 1952, his greatest political resource, Evita, died, and support for him dissolved. Three years later, he was ousted in a military coup. In 1973, after 18 years of exile, he returned to Argentina and won the presidency again. His third wife, Isabel Martinez de Perón, was elected as vice president and in 1974 succeeded him upon his death.
President Isabel Perón was unable to command the support of any powerful group, let alone construct a necessary coalition, and the political and economic situation in Argentina worsened. On March 24, 1976, following a sharp rise in political terrorism and guerrilla activity, the military deposed Isabel Perón and instituted one of the bloodiest regimes in South American history. Isabel Perón was imprisoned for five years on a charge of abuse of property and upon her release in 1981 settled in Madrid. In 2007, she was arrested in Spain in connection with the disappearance of an Argentinian activist in 1976, but the case was later dismissed.
June 29
Isabel Perón takes office as Argentine president
With Argentine President Juan Perón on his deathbed, Isabel Martinez de Perón, his wife and vice president, is sworn in as the leader of the South American country. President Isabel Perón, a former dancer and Perón's third wife, became the Western Hemisphere's first female head of government.
Two days later, Juan died from heart disease, and Isabel was left alone as leader of a nation suffering from serious economic and political strife.
In 1943, as an army officer, Juan Domingo Perón joined a military coup against Argentina's ineffectual civilian government. Appointed secretary of labor, his influence grew, and in 1944 he also became vice president and minister of war. In October 1945, Perón was ousted from his positions by a coup of constitutionally minded civilians and officers, and he was imprisoned, but appeals from workers and his charismatic mistress, Eva Duarte, soon forced his release. The night of his release, October 17, he addressed a crowd of some 300,000 people from the balcony of the presidential palace and promised to lead the people to victory in the coming presidential election. Four days later, Perón, a widower, married Eva Duarte, or "Evita," as she became affectionately known.
As president, Perón constructed an impressive populist alliance, and his vision of self-sufficiency for Argentina won him wide support. However, he also became increasingly authoritarian, jailing political opponents and restricting freedom of the press. In 1952, his greatest political resource, Evita, died, and support for him dissolved. Three years later, he was ousted in a military coup. In 1973, after 18 years of exile, he returned to Argentina and won the presidency again. His third wife, Isabel Martinez de Perón, was elected as vice president and in 1974 succeeded him upon his death.
President Isabel Perón was unable to command the support of any powerful group, let alone construct a necessary coalition, and the political and economic situation in Argentina worsened. On March 24, 1976, following a sharp rise in political terrorism and guerrilla activity, the military deposed Isabel Perón and instituted one of the bloodiest regimes in South American history. Isabel Perón was imprisoned for five years on a charge of abuse of property and upon her release in 1981 settled in Madrid. In 2007, she was arrested in Spain in connection with the disappearance of an Argentinian activist in 1976, but the case was later dismissed.
#3
The Tailgate / Today in history 6-28
Last post by remrogers - June 28, 2025, 11:19:22 AM1836
June 28
Former President James Madison dies
On June 28, 1836, James Madison, drafter of the Constitution, recorder of the Constitutional Convention, author of the "Federalist Papers" and fourth president of the United States, dies on his tobacco plantation in Virginia.
Madison first distinguished himself as a student at the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), where he successfully completed a four-year course of study in two years and, in 1769, helped found the American Whig Society, the second literary and debate society at Princeton (and the world), to rival the previously established Cliosophic Society.
Madison returned to Virginia with intellectual accolades but poor health in 1771. By 1776, he was sufficiently recovered to serve for three years in the legislature of the new state of Virginia, where he came to know and admire Thomas Jefferson. In this capacity, he assisted with the drafting of the Virginia Declaration of Religious Freedom and the critical decision for Virginia to cede its western claims to the Continental Congress.
Madison is best remembered for his critical role in the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where he presented the Virginia Plan to the assembled delegates in Philadelphia and oversaw the difficult process of negotiation and compromise that led to the drafting of the final Constitution. Madison's published "Notes on the Convention" are considered the most detailed and accurate account of what occurred in the closed-session debates. (Madison forbade the publishing of his notes until all the participants were deceased.) After the Constitution was submitted to the people for ratification, Madison collaborated with John Jay and Alexander Hamilton on "The Federalist Papers," a series of pamphlets that argued for the acceptance of the new government. Madison penned the most famous of the pamphlets, "Federalist No. 10," which made an incisive argument for the ability of a large federation to preserve individual rights.
In 1794, Madison married a young widow, Dolley Payne Todd, who would prove to be Washington, D.C.'s finest hostess during Madison's years as secretary of state to the widowed Thomas Jefferson and then as the fourth president of the United States from 1809 to 1817. Dolley Madison earned a special place in the nation's memory for saving a portrait of George Washington before fleeing the burning White House during the War of 1812.
The War of 1812 tested Madison's presidency. The Federalists staunchly opposed Madison's declaration of war against the British and threatened to secede from the Union during the Hartford Convention. When the new nation managed to muster a tenuous victory, the Federalist Party was destroyed as America's status as a nation apart from Britain was secured.
After retiring from official political positions, Madison served Thomas Jefferson's beloved University of Virginia first as a member of the board of visitors and then as rector. In 1938, the State Teachers College at Harrisonburg, Virginia, was renamed in Madison's honor as Madison College; in 1976, it became James Madison University.
June 28
Former President James Madison dies
On June 28, 1836, James Madison, drafter of the Constitution, recorder of the Constitutional Convention, author of the "Federalist Papers" and fourth president of the United States, dies on his tobacco plantation in Virginia.
Madison first distinguished himself as a student at the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), where he successfully completed a four-year course of study in two years and, in 1769, helped found the American Whig Society, the second literary and debate society at Princeton (and the world), to rival the previously established Cliosophic Society.
Madison returned to Virginia with intellectual accolades but poor health in 1771. By 1776, he was sufficiently recovered to serve for three years in the legislature of the new state of Virginia, where he came to know and admire Thomas Jefferson. In this capacity, he assisted with the drafting of the Virginia Declaration of Religious Freedom and the critical decision for Virginia to cede its western claims to the Continental Congress.
Madison is best remembered for his critical role in the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where he presented the Virginia Plan to the assembled delegates in Philadelphia and oversaw the difficult process of negotiation and compromise that led to the drafting of the final Constitution. Madison's published "Notes on the Convention" are considered the most detailed and accurate account of what occurred in the closed-session debates. (Madison forbade the publishing of his notes until all the participants were deceased.) After the Constitution was submitted to the people for ratification, Madison collaborated with John Jay and Alexander Hamilton on "The Federalist Papers," a series of pamphlets that argued for the acceptance of the new government. Madison penned the most famous of the pamphlets, "Federalist No. 10," which made an incisive argument for the ability of a large federation to preserve individual rights.
In 1794, Madison married a young widow, Dolley Payne Todd, who would prove to be Washington, D.C.'s finest hostess during Madison's years as secretary of state to the widowed Thomas Jefferson and then as the fourth president of the United States from 1809 to 1817. Dolley Madison earned a special place in the nation's memory for saving a portrait of George Washington before fleeing the burning White House during the War of 1812.
The War of 1812 tested Madison's presidency. The Federalists staunchly opposed Madison's declaration of war against the British and threatened to secede from the Union during the Hartford Convention. When the new nation managed to muster a tenuous victory, the Federalist Party was destroyed as America's status as a nation apart from Britain was secured.
After retiring from official political positions, Madison served Thomas Jefferson's beloved University of Virginia first as a member of the board of visitors and then as rector. In 1938, the State Teachers College at Harrisonburg, Virginia, was renamed in Madison's honor as Madison College; in 1976, it became James Madison University.
#4
Firearms / Re: Big beautiful bill and sil...
Last post by KySongDog - June 28, 2025, 07:28:18 AMI have one on a 10/22. It's nice when squirrel hunting. You basically just hear the bolt running. It doesn't scare off nearby tree rats. I use CCI standard ammo, sub sonic.
I also use it on a bolt gun for coons in a dp trap. It's very quiet.
I also use it on a bolt gun for coons in a dp trap. It's very quiet.
#5
Firearms / Re: Big beautiful bill and sil...
Last post by nastygunz - June 28, 2025, 06:06:48 AMMy nephew has a .22 bolt action rifle with a sparrow silencer and shooting subsonic .22 rounds is quieter than the pellet guns. I have one rifle that's threaded for a silencer and if they make them legal without all the paperwork and tax I'm definitely going to slap one on there. speaking of momentous changes after a violent public battle for months New Hampshire finally did away with their motor vehicle inspections.
#6
Firearms / Re: Big beautiful bill and sil...
Last post by FinsnFur - June 27, 2025, 10:13:48 PMHow quiet would a 22 be with a can on it? I feel like their pretty quiet now.
Would it knock it down to about the sound of our Crosman pumps?
Would it knock it down to about the sound of our Crosman pumps?
#7
The Tailgate / Today in history 6-27
Last post by remrogers - June 27, 2025, 06:31:22 AM1864
June 27
Colorado governor orders 'friendly Indians' to report to Army forts for sanctuary
On June 27, 1864, Colorado Governor John Evans issues a proclamation warning that all peaceful Native Americans in the region must report or risk being attacked, creating the conditions that will lead to the Sand Creek Massacre.
Evans' offer of sanctuary was at best halfhearted. His primary goal in 1864 was to eliminate all Native American activity in eastern Colorado Territory, an accomplishment he hoped would increase his popularity and eventually win him a U.S. Senate seat. Immediately after ordering the local Native Americans to the reservation, Evans issued a second proclamation that invited white settlers to indiscriminately "kill and destroy all...hostile Indians." At the same time, Evans began creating a temporary 100-day militia force to wage war on the Native Americans. He placed the new regiment under the command of Colonel John Chivington, another ambitious man who hoped to gain high political office by fighting Native Americans.
The Sioux, Cheyenne and Arapahoe peoples of eastern Colorado were unaware of these duplicitous political maneuverings. Although some bands had violently resisted white settlers in years past, by the autumn of 1864 many Native Americans were becoming more receptive to Cheyenne Chief Black Kettle's argument that they must make peace. Black Kettle had recently returned from a visit to Washington, D.C., where President Abraham Lincoln had given him a huge American flag of which Black Kettle was very proud. He had seen the vast numbers of the white people and their powerful machines. The Native Americans, Black Kettle argued, must make peace or be crushed.
When word of Governor Evans' June 27 offer of sanctuary reached the Native Americans, however, most of the Indians remained distrustful and were unwilling to give up the fight. Only Black Kettle and a few lesser chiefs took Evans up on his offer of amnesty. In truth, Evans and Chivington were reluctant to see hostilities further abate before they had won a glorious victory, but they grudgingly promised Black Kettle his people would be safe if they came to Fort Lyon in eastern Colorado. In November 1864, the Indians reported to the fort as requested. Major Edward Wynkoop, the commanding federal officer, told Black Kettle to settle his band about 40 miles away on Sand Creek, where he promised they would be safe.
Wynkoop, however, could not control John Chivington. By November, the 100-day enlistment of the soldiers in his Colorado militia was nearly up, and Chivington had seen no action. His political stock was rapidly falling, and he seems to have become almost insane in his desire to kill Native Americans. "I long to be wading in gore!" he is said to have proclaimed at a dinner party. In this demented state, Chivington apparently concluded that it did not matter whether he killed peaceful or hostile Indians. In his mind, Black Kettle's village on Sand Creek became a legitimate and easy target.
At daybreak on November 29, 1864, Chivington led 700 men, many of them drunk, in a savage assault on Black Kettle's peaceful village. Most of the Cheyenne warriors were away hunting. In the awful hours that followed, Chivington and his men brutally slaughtered 105 women and children and killed 28 men. The soldiers scalped and mutilated the corpses, carrying body parts back to display in Denver as trophies. Amazingly, Black Kettle and a number of other Cheyenne managed to escape.
In the following months, the nation learned of Chivington's treachery at Sand Creek, and many Americans reacted with horror and disgust. By then, Chivington and his soldiers had left the military and were beyond reach of a court-martial. Chivington's political ambitions, however, were ruined, and he spent the rest of his inconsequential life wandering the West. The scandal over Sand Creek also forced Evans to resign and dashed his hopes of holding political office. Evans did, however, go on to a successful and lucrative career building and operating Colorado railroads.
June 27
Colorado governor orders 'friendly Indians' to report to Army forts for sanctuary
On June 27, 1864, Colorado Governor John Evans issues a proclamation warning that all peaceful Native Americans in the region must report or risk being attacked, creating the conditions that will lead to the Sand Creek Massacre.
Evans' offer of sanctuary was at best halfhearted. His primary goal in 1864 was to eliminate all Native American activity in eastern Colorado Territory, an accomplishment he hoped would increase his popularity and eventually win him a U.S. Senate seat. Immediately after ordering the local Native Americans to the reservation, Evans issued a second proclamation that invited white settlers to indiscriminately "kill and destroy all...hostile Indians." At the same time, Evans began creating a temporary 100-day militia force to wage war on the Native Americans. He placed the new regiment under the command of Colonel John Chivington, another ambitious man who hoped to gain high political office by fighting Native Americans.
The Sioux, Cheyenne and Arapahoe peoples of eastern Colorado were unaware of these duplicitous political maneuverings. Although some bands had violently resisted white settlers in years past, by the autumn of 1864 many Native Americans were becoming more receptive to Cheyenne Chief Black Kettle's argument that they must make peace. Black Kettle had recently returned from a visit to Washington, D.C., where President Abraham Lincoln had given him a huge American flag of which Black Kettle was very proud. He had seen the vast numbers of the white people and their powerful machines. The Native Americans, Black Kettle argued, must make peace or be crushed.
When word of Governor Evans' June 27 offer of sanctuary reached the Native Americans, however, most of the Indians remained distrustful and were unwilling to give up the fight. Only Black Kettle and a few lesser chiefs took Evans up on his offer of amnesty. In truth, Evans and Chivington were reluctant to see hostilities further abate before they had won a glorious victory, but they grudgingly promised Black Kettle his people would be safe if they came to Fort Lyon in eastern Colorado. In November 1864, the Indians reported to the fort as requested. Major Edward Wynkoop, the commanding federal officer, told Black Kettle to settle his band about 40 miles away on Sand Creek, where he promised they would be safe.
Wynkoop, however, could not control John Chivington. By November, the 100-day enlistment of the soldiers in his Colorado militia was nearly up, and Chivington had seen no action. His political stock was rapidly falling, and he seems to have become almost insane in his desire to kill Native Americans. "I long to be wading in gore!" he is said to have proclaimed at a dinner party. In this demented state, Chivington apparently concluded that it did not matter whether he killed peaceful or hostile Indians. In his mind, Black Kettle's village on Sand Creek became a legitimate and easy target.
At daybreak on November 29, 1864, Chivington led 700 men, many of them drunk, in a savage assault on Black Kettle's peaceful village. Most of the Cheyenne warriors were away hunting. In the awful hours that followed, Chivington and his men brutally slaughtered 105 women and children and killed 28 men. The soldiers scalped and mutilated the corpses, carrying body parts back to display in Denver as trophies. Amazingly, Black Kettle and a number of other Cheyenne managed to escape.
In the following months, the nation learned of Chivington's treachery at Sand Creek, and many Americans reacted with horror and disgust. By then, Chivington and his soldiers had left the military and were beyond reach of a court-martial. Chivington's political ambitions, however, were ruined, and he spent the rest of his inconsequential life wandering the West. The scandal over Sand Creek also forced Evans to resign and dashed his hopes of holding political office. Evans did, however, go on to a successful and lucrative career building and operating Colorado railroads.
#8
Firearms / Re: Big beautiful bill and sil...
Last post by nastygunz - June 27, 2025, 01:29:46 AMWhat neighbors 😉.... I might get one for my .22 rifle, always wanted one but refused to do the paperwork and pay the $200 tax.
#9
Firearms / Re: Big beautiful bill and sil...
Last post by FinsnFur - June 26, 2025, 08:17:01 PMYou plan on doing something you dont want the neighbors to hear?
#10
The Tailgate / Today in history 6-26
Last post by remrogers - June 26, 2025, 09:18:20 AM1862
June 26
Rebels strike Union at the Battle of Mechanicsville
At the Battle of Mechanicsville, Virginia, Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia strikes Union General George B. McClellan's Army of the Potomac, beginning the Seven Days' Battles. Although the Confederates sustained heavy losses and did not succeed in decisively defeating the Yankees, the battle had unnerved McClellan. During the next week, Lee drove him from the outskirts of Richmond, Virginia, back to his base on the James River.
This was Lee's first battle as commander of the army. On June 1, 1862, he had replaced Joseph Johnston, who was severely wounded at the Battle of Fair Oaks. McClellan's offensive had stalled just five miles from Richmond, and his army remained there until late June. During that time, General J.E.B. Stuart and his Rebel cavalry made a spectacular ride around McClellan's force, bringing back information that indicated that McClellan's right flank was "in the air," or unprotected by natural barriers. Lee informed his commanders on June 23 of his intention to attack the flank, occupied by Fitz John Porter's V corps, which was separated from the rest of the Union army by the Chickahominy River. This was a bold move–because it meant leaving a skeleton force to face the rest of McClellan's army south of the Chickahominy—and an early indication of Lee's audacious style.
But the attack did not go as planned. McClellan, alerted to the vulnerability of his flanks by Stuart's ride two weeks prior, had shored up his left, and moved Porter's men to high ground with a deep creek in front of them. Lee's plan had called for several smaller forces to overwhelm Porter's men, but it required precise timing. When the assault came, the coordination did not materialize. A major problem, among others, was General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson's corps, which was slow to move into place. Jackson was just back from his brilliant campaign in the Shenandoah Valley, but he showed none of his previous vigor and speed at Mechanicsville.
Lee planned to bring about 55,000 troops against Porter, but the mistakes made by Jackson and others meant there were only about 11,000. Lee lost 1,475 men; Union losses were only 361. But Lee had stunned McClellan, who then began to fall back away from Richmond. Lee continued to hammer on McClellan for the next week, and the Yankees retreated to the James River. McClellan did not threaten Richmond again, and he eventually sailed his army back to Washington, D.C.
June 26
Rebels strike Union at the Battle of Mechanicsville
At the Battle of Mechanicsville, Virginia, Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia strikes Union General George B. McClellan's Army of the Potomac, beginning the Seven Days' Battles. Although the Confederates sustained heavy losses and did not succeed in decisively defeating the Yankees, the battle had unnerved McClellan. During the next week, Lee drove him from the outskirts of Richmond, Virginia, back to his base on the James River.
This was Lee's first battle as commander of the army. On June 1, 1862, he had replaced Joseph Johnston, who was severely wounded at the Battle of Fair Oaks. McClellan's offensive had stalled just five miles from Richmond, and his army remained there until late June. During that time, General J.E.B. Stuart and his Rebel cavalry made a spectacular ride around McClellan's force, bringing back information that indicated that McClellan's right flank was "in the air," or unprotected by natural barriers. Lee informed his commanders on June 23 of his intention to attack the flank, occupied by Fitz John Porter's V corps, which was separated from the rest of the Union army by the Chickahominy River. This was a bold move–because it meant leaving a skeleton force to face the rest of McClellan's army south of the Chickahominy—and an early indication of Lee's audacious style.
But the attack did not go as planned. McClellan, alerted to the vulnerability of his flanks by Stuart's ride two weeks prior, had shored up his left, and moved Porter's men to high ground with a deep creek in front of them. Lee's plan had called for several smaller forces to overwhelm Porter's men, but it required precise timing. When the assault came, the coordination did not materialize. A major problem, among others, was General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson's corps, which was slow to move into place. Jackson was just back from his brilliant campaign in the Shenandoah Valley, but he showed none of his previous vigor and speed at Mechanicsville.
Lee planned to bring about 55,000 troops against Porter, but the mistakes made by Jackson and others meant there were only about 11,000. Lee lost 1,475 men; Union losses were only 361. But Lee had stunned McClellan, who then began to fall back away from Richmond. Lee continued to hammer on McClellan for the next week, and the Yankees retreated to the James River. McClellan did not threaten Richmond again, and he eventually sailed his army back to Washington, D.C.