June 26, 1863

June 26, 1863

---Siege of Vicksburg, Day 35

---Siege of Port Hudson, Day 30

---Gen. Jubal Early’s division of Confederates burns the Caledonia Iron Works, a mill with workers’ housing belonging to Rep. Thaddeau Stevens of the U.S. Congress, probably the most implacable of all abolitionists.  His troops also march into Gettysburg, chasing out a regiment of home guard troops, and finally dispersing them east of town in a sharp skirmish.

Maj. Gen. Jubal A. Early, CSA

---Battle of Hoover’s Gap, Day 3:  After more skirmishing, Gen. Stewart of Bragg’s army orders Bate and Johnson to withdraw from the Gap, along with the rest of Stewart’s division.  Wilder immediately sets out in pursuit, harassing the Rebels as Bragg’s army falls back to Tullahoma.  Union Victory.

---On this date, Pres. Lincoln commutes the death sentences for six soldiers in the Union army.