Category Archives: 1860s

Former U.S. President Martin Van Buren, 79, dies in Kinderhook, New York 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 24 1862)

1860s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'American President #8: Martin Van Buren (1837-1841)'

(Thursday, July 24, 1862, 2:00 a.m. local time) — Martin Van Buren, the 8th president of the United States from 1837 to 1841 and the first to have been born after the American Revolution, died this morning of bronchial asthma and heart failure at his Lindenwald estate in Kinderhook, New York, the town where he was born in 1782. Van Buren was 79. Continue reading Former U.S. President Martin Van Buren, 79, dies in Kinderhook, New York 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 24 1862) →

President Abraham Lincoln presents preliminary draft of Emancipation Proclamation to cabinet 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 22 1862)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Abraham Lincoln's Cabinet Review on the Emancipation Proclamation'

(Tuesday, July 22, 1862, during the American Civil War) — U.S. President Abraham Lincoln presented a preliminary draft of the Emancipation Proclamation to his entire cabinet today proposing to free more than 3.5 million enslaved African Americans in the secessionist Confederate states. Continue reading President Abraham Lincoln presents preliminary draft of Emancipation Proclamation to cabinet 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 22 1862) →

U.S. President Abraham Lincoln signs bill authorizing the Army Medal of Honor 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 12 1862)

1860s, American Civil War, U.S. Presidents


Video: '12th July 1862: Creation of the Congressional Medal of Honor'

(Saturday, July 12, 1862; during the American Civil War) — U.S. President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill today authorizing the Army Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration for valor against an enemy. Continue reading U.S. President Abraham Lincoln signs bill authorizing the Army Medal of Honor 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 12 1862) →

U.S. President Lincoln confers with Union General McClellan at Harrison’s Landing 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 8 1862)

1860s, American Civil War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.3of9.Forever.Free.' (July 8, 1862, at 23:26)

(Tuesday, July 8, 1862, Lincoln arrives at Harrison’s landing at 6:00 p.m. local time; during the American Civil War) — Six days after Army of the Potomac retreated to the safety of Harrison’s Landing on the James River in Virginia, following the Seven Days Battles, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln visited Maj. Gen. George McClellan tonight aboard USS Ariel to assess the Union strategy. Continue reading U.S. President Lincoln confers with Union General McClellan at Harrison’s Landing 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 8 1862) →

Union wins tactical victory in Battle of Malvern Hill 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 1 1862)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Malvern Hill: Richmond Animated Battle Map'

(Tuesday, July 1, 1862, around 1:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. local time; part of the Seven Days Battles during the Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War (Eastern Theater)) — The Battle of Malvern Hill,  taking place near the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia, was fought today between the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia and the Union Army of the Potomac,  resulting in a Confederate defeat. Continue reading Union wins tactical victory in Battle of Malvern Hill 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 1 1862) →

American Civil War ‘Battle of Seven Pines’ ends with both sides claiming victory 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 1 1862)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'American Civil War: Battle of Seven Pines - "Battle of Fair Oaks" - All Parts'

(Sunday, June 1, 1862, mid-morning local time; part of the Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War) — The two-day Battle of Seven Pines, the culmination of an offensive up the Virginia Peninsula by Union Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, in which the Army of the Potomac reached the outskirts of Richmond, ended today with both sides claiming victory. Continue reading American Civil War ‘Battle of Seven Pines’ ends with both sides claiming victory 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 1 1862) →

Mexican troops defeat invading French forces in Battle of Puebla 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 5 1862)

1860s


Video: 'THE BATTLE OF PUEBLA 1862 | The battle behind Cinco De Mayo'

(Monday, May 5, 1862, 11:45 a.m. local time; during the Battle of Puebla, part of the Second French intervention in Mexico) — Mexican troops loyal to Benito Juarez, outnumbered 3-1, defeated invading French forces of Napoleon III today near Puebla City. Continue reading Mexican troops defeat invading French forces in Battle of Puebla 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 5 1862) →

Siege of Yorktown ends after Confederate troops slip away during night 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 4 1862)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'American Civil War: Siege of Yorktown - "Magruder's Spectacle" - All Parts'

(Sunday, May 4, 1862, Union troops begin occupying Yorktown at dawn; during the Siege of Yorktown, part of the Peninsula campaign of the American Civil War) — Union forces under Gen. George B. McClellan were preparing to unleash a massive bombardment at dawn tomorrow (May 5, 1862) against Confederate troops after a month-long siege at Yorktown, Virginia, only to discover early this morning that the Confederates had slipped away during the night toward Williamsburg. Continue reading Siege of Yorktown ends after Confederate troops slip away during night 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 4 1862) →

New Orleans falls to Union fleet commanded by Flag Officer David Farragut 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 25 1862)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: '[1862] The Battle of New Orleans'

(Friday, April 25, 1862, 2:00 p.m. local time, during the Capture of New Orleans, part of the American Civil War) — A Union fleet commanded by Flag Officer David G. Farragut captured the city of New Orleans today, which had been left defenseless after Confederate Gen. Mansfield Lovell and his 4,000 troops withdrew. Continue reading New Orleans falls to Union fleet commanded by Flag Officer David Farragut 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 25 1862) →

U.S. President Abraham Lincoln signs bill ending slavery in District of Columbia 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 16 1862)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'The Act That Bought Slaves Freedom in D.C.'

(Wednesday, April 16, 1862; during the American Civil War) — U.S. President Abraham Lincoln today signed into law the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act ending slavery in the District of Columbia; Congress also provided compensation to former slave owners. Continue reading U.S. President Abraham Lincoln signs bill ending slavery in District of Columbia 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 16 1862) →