defeat Taiping forces. July 2 – Ivan Kasatkin lands on Hakodate, and introduces the Eastern Orthodox Church into Japan. July 12 – The Confederate States sign a Treaty with Choctaws and Chickasaws in Indian Territory. July 13 – American Civil War: The Battle of Corrick's Ford takes place in western Virginia. July 21 – American Civil War: First Battle of Bull Run: At Manassas Junction, Virginia, the first major battle of the war ends in a Confederate victory. July 25 – American Civil War: The Crittenden–Johnson Resolution is passed by the U.S. Congress, stating that the war is being fought to preserve the Union, and not to end slavery. July 26 – American Civil War: George B. McClellan assumes command of the Army of the Potomac, following the disastrous Union defeat at the First Battle of Bull Run. August 1 – The first public weather forecast: measured and predicted correctly by Admiral Robert FitzRoy August 5 American Civil War: In order to help pay for the war effort, the United States government issues the first income tax as part of the Revenue Act of 1861 (3% of all incomes over US$800; rescinded in 1872). The U.S. Army abolishes flogging. August 10 – American Civil War: The first major battle west of the Mississippi River, the Battle of Wilson's Creek, is fought, with a Confederate victory. August 15 – First description of Archaeopteryx, based on a feather found in Bavaria; in September the first complete identified skeleton is found near Langenaltheim in Germany. August 19 – Weisshorn, the fifth highest summit in the Alps, is first ascended. August 20–22 – The first modern Welsh National Eisteddfod takes place in Aberdare. August 27 – Martin Doyle's is the last execution in Britain for attempted murder. September 3 – American Civil War: Confederate General Leonidas Polk invades neutral Kentucky, prompting the state legislature to ask for Union assistance. September 6 – American Civil War: Forces under Union General Ulysses S. Grant bloodlessly capture Paducah, Kentucky, which gives the Union control of the mouth of the Tennessee River. September 17; Argentine Civil War: Battle of Pavón: Victory of Buenos Aires over the Argentine Confederation, and the re-unification of Argentina. October–December October 9 – American Civil War: Battle of Santa Rosa Island – Confederate forces are defeated in their effort to take the island. October 21 – American Civil War: Battle of Ball's Bluff –