On this date 150 years ago, the proclamations issued by General Fremont concerning property confiscation and the emancipation of slaves in Missouri, prompted President Lincoln to write to the General. Lincoln told Fremont that the proclamations must be altered in order to align them with Federal Acts of Congress, otherwise they would remain unacceptable.

Fighting broke out at Cheat Mountain, Virginia, between General Lee's forces and those of General John Reynolds. Although Lee had planned a surprise attack on Reynolds' Union forces at Cheat Mountain and Elkwater, severe precipitation and the difficult terrain prevented Confederates from carrying out the assault as designed. Federal troops held their ground as the rebels pulled back, and this Union victory at Cheat Mountain secured the area of West Virginia for the North.