The South responded by building small, fast ships that could outmaneuver Union vessels. Near Ball's Bluff, Virginia, Confederate defenders all but annihilated a Federal scouting force. Seven U.S. congressmen made up this investigating body. Although not one had had army training, they continually inquired into the military affairs of every Federal Army and often embarrassed Generals in the field. Federal amphibious force capture PortRoyal, South Carolina.
Federal troops gain a beachhead on the South Atlantic coast.
Yet on that same day, another Federal army suffered defeat at Belmont, Missouri. The losing General was an unknown officer from Illinois, and this was his first Civil War battle. His name was Ulysses S. Grant.