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(Opening Probes in the East)

Opening Probes in the East

As both sides organized their volunteers for war, they had little information on the other.  They could read the uncensored but unreliable newspapers.  Since the Union had to occupy the Confederate States, the burden was on them to invade - and they wanted to find out where the Southern forces were.  Virginia was the first Union target, since Richmond was a political and economic objective, and an advance would also protect Washington.  Volunteers from all along the east coast assembled at Washington, while Kentucky tried to stay neutral.  The combination of events meant there would be actions around the perimeter of the Old Dominion.

The Federals had the advantage of a navy, and while their army was still forming in Washington they probed off the Chesapeake (at SEWELL'S POINT) and along the streams branching off the Potomac, including AQUIA CREEK.  Land actions were as haphazard, wherever the local commander was more aggressive, or felt he had an edge.  Aside from the  western Virginia (not yet formed into West Virginia) operations, there was little action on land.  Ben Butler did probe from his safe base Fort Monroe, and this led to the largest battle of the lot, at BIG BETHEL.  Casualties were light, but newspapers seized on the action since little else was happening.

None of the actions were very important, but they formed the prologue to the Bull Run campaign.

Official Reports:

Sewell's Point

Aquia Creek Batteries

Big Bethel

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(Opening Probes in the East)