New York-born Elmer E. Ellsworth had worked with Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois and during the election campaign.  When war came, he returned to New York and helped raise his regiment , the 11th New York, the "Fire Zouaves," from the city's firemen.  In the morning, he led a patrol into Alexandria, Virginia where a large Confederate flag was flying from a hotel.  The 5 ' 6" colonel retreived the flag but was shot dead by the hotel's proprietor, James W. Jackson, who then was killed by Private Francis Brownell.  Lincoln wept on hearing the news. (By John Osborne)   

On the Potomac, the U.S.S. Thomas Freeborn opened fire on the Aquia Creek depot of the Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac Railroad.  The shelling went on over the next three days, with the U.S.S. Anacosta and other gunboats joining the action, and Confederate batteries answering. On June 1, 1861, the sloop U.S.S. Pawnee joined in a further five hours of heavy fire.  Neither side suffered serious casualties. (By John Osborne) 

The skirmish took place near the village of Belington in western Virginia as Union troops moved into the region.  Confederate troops of the Virginia Infantry under Brigadier-General Robert Seldon Garnett attempted to hold the high ground of Laurel Hill but were driven off during the late afternoon.  Casualties were light on both sides.  Garnett continued his retreat and was killed during another engagement at Carrick's Ford, Virginia, six days later, on July 14, 1861, the first general officer to die in the war.  (By John Osborne)