Category Archives: 1860s

John Wilkes Booth acts in ‘Julius Caesar’ benefit performance in New York City 150 years ago tonight (Nov 25 1864)

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


Image: John Wilkes Booth, Edwin Booth and Junius Booth, Jr. (from left to right) in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar in 1864.

(Friday, November 25, 1864, evening local time; during American Civil War) — Actor John Wilkes Booth (later the assassin of U.S. president Abraham Lincoln) played Mark Antony today in a benefit performance of Julius Caesar at the Winter Garden Theater in New York City (with his brothers Junius, Jr. and Edwin). This landmark production raised funds to erect a statue of Shakespeare in Central Park, which remains to this day. Continue reading John Wilkes Booth acts in ‘Julius Caesar’ benefit performance in New York City 150 years ago tonight (Nov 25 1864) →

President Lincoln signs Bixby letter 150 years ago today (Nov 21 1864)

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


Video: 'George C. Marshall reads Abraham Lincoln's letter to Mrs. Bixbey'

(Monday, November 21, 1864; during American Civil War) — A letter was signed tdoay by President Abraham Lincoln expressing condolences to Lydia Bixby, a widow in Boston whose five sons supposedly died while fighting in the Civil War.

As it turned out, only two of Mrs. Bixby’s sons had been killed in battle. Also, historians are not certain that Lincoln actually wrote the letter.

Still, the text has been widely praised as one of Lincoln’s finest works of writing alongside the Gettysburg Address and his second inaugural address

Pro-Confederate guerrilla Bloody Bill killed by Union soldiers 150 years ago today (Oct 26 1864)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Bloody Dawn: Bloody Bill teaser'

(Wednesday, October 26, 1864; during American Civil War) — William T. Anderson, better known as Bloody Bill, one of the deadliest and most brutal pro-Confederate guerrilla leaders in the American Civil War, was killed today in Albany, Missouri, by a group of Union soldiers led by Lieutenant Colonel Samuel P. Cox.

Federals victorious at Battle of Westport 150 years ago today (Oct 23 1864)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'The Battle of Westport'

(Sunday, October 23, 1864; during American Civil War) — Union forces under Major General Samuel R. Curtis decisively defeated an outnumbered Confederate force under Major General Sterling Price today in the Battle of Westport in Westport (now a part of Kansas City, Missouri).

Yanks victorious at the Battle of Cedar Creek 150 years ago this hour (Oct 19 1864)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'The Battle of Cedar Creek 2011'

(Wednesday, October 19, 1864, 4:00 p.m. local time; the culminating battle of the Valley Campaigns of 1864 during American Civil War) — Union General Philip Sheridan averted a near disaster today in the Shenandoah Valley when he rallied his troops after a surprise attack by Confederate General Jubal Early, scoring a major victory at the Battle of Cedar Creek northeast of Strasburg, Virginia.

Farragut leads Union victory at Battle of Mobile Bay Alabama 150 years ago this hour (Aug 5 1864)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Stamp unveiled for 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Mobile Bay'

(Saturday, August 5, 1864, 6:47 a.m. local time; during the Battle of Mobile Bay, part of the American Civil War) — Union Admiral David G. Farragut led a Union flotilla through Confederate defenses today in the Battle of Mobile Bay, Alabama, sealing one of the last major Southern ports.

Federals blow up a tunnel to break Confederate lines at Petersburg, Virginia 150 years ago this hour (July 30 1864)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Voices of the Civil War Episode 30: "Battle of the Crater"'

(Saturday, July 30, 1864, 4:44 a.m. local time; during the Battle of the Crater, part of the American Civil War) — Union forces tried to take Petersburg, Virginia, today by exploding a gunpowder-laden mine shaft that had been dug out beneath Confederate defense lines; the attack failed.

Yanks defeat Rebs in Battle of Atlanta 150 years ago today (July 22 1864)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'The Battle of Atlanta'

(Friday, July 22, 1864; during the Atlanta Campaign, part of the American Civil War) — Confederate General John Bell Hood led an failed attack on Union troops today under General William T. Sherman on Bald Hill in the Battle of Atlanta in Fulton County, Georgia.

Confederates defeat Federals in Battle of Kennesaw Mountain 150 years ago this hour (June 27 1864)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Civil War: Battle at Kennesaw Mountain'

(Monday, June 27, 1864, 8:00-10:45 a.m.local time; during the Atlanta Campaign of the American Civil War) — Confederate forces repelled a frontal assault by Union troops today in the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain in Cobb County, Georgia.

Arlington National Cemetery established around General Lee’s former mansion 150 years ago today (June 15 1864)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'History of Arlington National Cemetery - Preview'

(Wednesday, June 15, 1864; during the American Civil War) — Arlington National Cemetery was established today when 200 acres around Arlington Mansion (formerly owned by Confederate General Robert E. Lee) were officially set aside as a military cemetery by U.S. Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton.