1861 August 26

[from the diary of Wesley Hammond]

Today, remarkably pretty.
Received the news that Gen.
Johnson gained a victory
over the Northern forces
in Loudoun Co. took 1700
prisoners, of the enemy.
England acknowledged
the Independence of the
Southern republic – Also
some prospect for peace.
Nothing took place in camp
of interest.

Confederate soldier in the Dixie Greys, Co. E of the 42nd Virginia

There was a Confederate victory on August 26 at Kessler's Cross Lanes in Nicholas County West Virginia. General John Floyd, not Johnson, was the Confederate commander.
England did not acknowledge the independence of the Confederacy on this or any other date (though on another diplomatic front on August 26 King Kamehameha IV did proclaim the neutrality of the Hawaiian Islands)

MSS 5526