Category Archives: American Civil War

U.S. President Abraham Lincoln declares state of insurrection, calls for 75,000 volunteer troops 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 15 1861)

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


Video: 'The Civil War - 1 - Savasin Sebebi (1861)' (Apr. 15, 1861, at 52:54)

(Monday, April 15, 1861; during the American Civil War) — Three days after the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, South Carolina, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln declared a state of insurrection today and called on the states to provide 75,000 militiamen to retake federal property and to suppress the rebellion by seven Southern slave states.
Continue reading U.S. President Abraham Lincoln declares state of insurrection, calls for 75,000 volunteer troops 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 15 1861) →

American Civil War begins as Confederate troops fire on Fort Sumter in South Carolina’s Charleston Harbor 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 12 1861)

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


Video: 'Fort Sumter: Animated Battle Map'

(Friday, April 12, 1861, 4:30 a.m. local time; during the Battle of Fort Sumter, part of the American Civil War) — The American Civil War, a civil war fought between northern states loyal to the Union and southern states that had seceded to preserve the enslavement of black people, began early today when secessionist forces attacked Fort Sumter in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina.
Continue reading American Civil War begins as Confederate troops fire on Fort Sumter in South Carolina’s Charleston Harbor 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 12 1861) →

‘Gone with the Wind’ premiere sparks racial tension in Atlanta 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 15 1939)

1930s, African-American Civil Rights, American Civil War, movies 1930s


Video: ''Gone With the Wind' trailer

(Friday, December 15, 1939, 8:30 p.m. EST) — Gone with the Wind, an American epic historical romance film about Scarlett O’Hara’s battle to save her beloved Tara and find love during the American Civil War, premiered tonight at the Loew’s Grand Theatre at the corner of Peachtree and Forsyth Streets in downtown Atlanta. Continue reading ‘Gone with the Wind’ premiere sparks racial tension in Atlanta 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 15 1939) →

‘Glory’ premieres in New York City 30 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 10 1989)

1980s, American Civil War, Movies 1980s


Video: 'Glory' trailer

(Sunday, December 10, 1989, evening EST) — Glory, an American war film about a young, white army officer is assigned to lead an all-black unit in the American Civil War, premiered tonight at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York City. Continue reading ‘Glory’ premieres in New York City 30 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 10 1989) →

Lincoln, Grant, Sherman and Porter confer at City Point, Virginia 150 years ago this evening (Mar 27 1865)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Ken Burns - The Civil War: Episode 8 - War Is All Hell (1865) | Ken Burns Documentary' (Mar. 27, 1865, 33:50)

(Monday, March 27, 1865, evening; during the American Civil War) — U.S. President Abraham Lincoln met with union generals Ulysses S. Grant and William T. Sherman and Admiral David D. Porter onboard the passenger steamboat River Queen tonight at City Point, Virginia, to plot the final stages of the Civil War. The four met again the next day, Mar. 28, 1865.

Confederates attack Federals at Fort Stedman but forced to withdraw 150 years ago this hour (Mar 25 1865)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Ken Burns - The Civil War: Episode 8 - War Is All Hell (1865) | Ken Burns Documentary' (Mar. 25, 1865, 36:26)

(Saturday, March 25, 1865, 4:15 a.m. local time; during the American Civil War) — The Battle of Fort Stedman was fought today as the Union Army fortification in the siege lines around Petersburg, Virginia, was attacked in a pre-dawn Confederate assault by troops led by Maj. Gen. John B. Gordon.

The attack was the last serious attempt by Confederate troops to break the Siege of Petersburg. After an initial success, Gordon’s men were driven back by Union troops of the IX Corps commanded by Maj. Gen. John G. Parke.

Confederates authorize recruitment of black soldiers in arms 150 years ago today (Mar 13 1865)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'PBS The Civil War: Episode 8 - War Is All Hell 1865' (Mar. 13, 1865, at 26:30)

(Monday, March 13, 1865; during the American Civil War) — Confederate President Jefferson Davis signed a measure today allowing black slaves to enlist in the Confederate States Army with the promise they would be set free.

Sherman offers Savannah as a Christmas gift to Lincoln 150 years ago today (Dec 22 1864)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'The Conquerors - Episode 8: Sherman's March to the Sea (History Documentary)' (Dec. 22, 1864, at 22:13)

(Thursday, December 22, 1864; during the American Civil War) — One day after capturing Savannah, Georgia, and concluding his March to the Sea, Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman said today in a message to President Abraham Lincoln: “I beg to present you as a Christmas-gift the city of Savannah.”

Confederate forces evacuate Savannah, Georgia 150 years ago today (Dec 20 1864)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'The Conquerors - Episode 8: Sherman's March to the Sea (History Documentary)' (Dec. 20, 1864, at 21:29)

(Tuesday, December 20, 1864; during the American Civil War) — Confederate forces evacuated Savannah, Georgia, today as Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman nearly completed his March to the Sea.