New York inventor George W. Beardslee developed a simple magneto-driven telegraph system for field use.  It transmitted letters rather than code and was simply enough for any soldier to use.  The Union Army used the device in conjuction with mobile wiring units to aid battlefield communications.  The first demonstrated use connected Army of the Potomac headquarters with General George Stoneman's forces three miles away in Mechanicsville, Virginia. Development of Beardslee's innovation was abandoned in 1863.  (By John Osborne)  

Belgian-borne Etienne Lenoir had developed a two-stroke internal combustion engine powered with uncompressed illuminating gas and had already used it to power a boat on the Seine in Paris.  He then installed a version in a three-wheel carriage and, around this date, took it on a six mile round trip from his factory in Paris to Joinville on the edge of the French capital, the first road vehicle not powered by steam.  The journey, however, took three hours and a massive use of gas. Practical development of the automobile had to await other advances.  (By John Osborne)

Almost five years behind the original schedule, the full span of the new Westminster Bridge was opened to traffic for the first time.  The new bridge, designed by Thomas Page, replaced the old span dating from 1750. Beset throughout its building by contractor insolvency, the bridge had only partially opened in early 1860 and was completed with full government funding.  (By John Osborne)

When Confederate General T.J. Jackson marched on Front Royal, Virginia, he learned that the Union defenders were largely the First Maryland and called up his own Confederate First Maryland, under Colonel Bradley Johnson, to head the attack. Marylander fought Marylander for the first time and the Union regiment's retreat was received with overt celebration among southern sympathizers in Baltimore and elsewhere in the state. (By John Osborne)  

After a long series of maneuvers through the Shenandoah Valley, Confederate General T.J. Jackson turned and swiftly marched on Front Royal, Virginia. In the early afternoon, he attacked a small Union garrison there under Colonel John R. Kenly. With only a single reinforced regiment, Kenly bravely attempted to delay Jackson's advance, fighting holding actions through the afternoon.  Resistance ended when Kenly was wounded and 700 Union soldiers were made prisoners.  Jackson could now march on Winchester and the main Union force.  (By John Osborne)  

West Hughes Humphreys had been appointed to the U.S. District Court of Tennessee, his home state, in March 1853.  When Tennessee seceded in 1861 he took up an appointment on the corresponding Confederate District Court.  The U.S. House of Representatives voted to impeach Humphreys on May 19, 1862.  The Senate trial took place on June 24, 1862.  Humphreys was found guilty on all seven counts against him and disqualified as a federal judge by a vote of 36-0. (By John Osborne)

West Hughes Humphreys had been appointed to the U.S. District Court of Tennessee, his home state, in March 1853.  When Tennessee seceded in 1861 he took up an appointment on the corresponding Confederate District Court.  The U.S. House of Representatives had voted to impeach Humphreys three days before and his trial was organized in the Senate.  The trial itself took place on June 24, 1862.  Humphreys was found guilty on all seven counts against him and disqualified as a federal judge by a vote of 36-0. (By John Osborne)

Barely six weeks earlier, Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton had suspended all further army recruiting efforts and returned recruiters to their regiments. Heavy fighting on several fronts during those weeks forced a reversal, however, and recruiting offices were once again opened across the North.  Considered in hindsight a serious error, this vacillation set a tone that hampered enlistment efforts for the remainder of the war.  (By John Osborne)