(Sunday, April 17, 1864; during the American Civil War) — Union Army general in chief Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant today ordered all prisoner exchanges suspended until questions are answered regarding the Vicksburg and Port Hudson paroles (a number of the surrendered Confederates have simply rejoined the army, despite having given their word that they would not) and the matter of exchange of African American troops has been settled.
Video: 'Clip 1 from 'The Forgotten Battle of Fort Pillow''
(Tuesday, April 12, 1864; during the American Civil War) — Confederate troops led by Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest took Union-held Fort Pillow in Tennessee. Almost half of the Union garrison was made up of black soldiers, many of whom were slain by the Confederates. Continue reading Federal black troops massacred at end of Battle of Fort Pillow 150 years ago today (Apr 12 1864)
Video: 'Mary Edwards Walker'
(Sunday, April 10, 1864; during the American Civil War) — Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, an assistant surgeon for the 52nd Ohio Volunteers, was captured by the Confederates today and accused of being a Union spy; she was held until her release in August 1864 as part of a prisoner exchange. Continue reading Dr. Mary Edwards Walker captured by Confederates 150 years ago today (Apr 10 1864)
Video: 'The 13th Amendment'
(Friday, April 8, 1864; during the American Civil War) — The U.S. Senate today passed, 38-6, the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolishing slavery. The House of Representatives passed it in Jan. 1865 and the amendment was ratified and adopted in Dec. 1865.
(Monday, April 4, 1864; during the American Civil War) — In a letter to Kentucky newspaper editor Albert G. Hodges, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln today wrote, “I claim not to have controlled events, but confess plainly that events have controlled me.”
(Friday, March 11, 1864; during the American Civil War) — The Union Army Ambulance Corps was established today by the U.S. Congress.
Video: 'History Corner Ulysses S Grant'
(Thursday, March 10, 1864; during the American Civil War) — U.S. President Abraham Lincoln signed an order today assigning Ulysses S. Grant, who had just received his commission as lieutenant-general, to the command of the Armies of the United States. Grant assumed his new command two days later, relieving General-in-Chief Henry Halleck.
(Tuesday, March 8, 1864, at about 9:30 p.m.; during the American Civil War) — Union General Ulysses S. Grant arrived in Washington today unrecognized, but word quickly spread that he was in town, and he was warmly received at Willard’s Hotel.
Grant then proceeded to the weekly reception at the White House, where he met President Abraham Lincoln for the first time. In the East Room, Grant stood on a sofa so the cheering guests could see him.
Video: 'Andersonville Prison'
(Wednesday, February 24, 1864; during the American Civil War) — According to the National Park Service, the first Union prisoners arrived at the Confederates’ Andersonville prison camp in Georgia. During its 14 months of existence, the overcrowded camp ended up holding some 45,000 men, more than four times its intended capacity; nearly 13,000 prisoners perished from disease, starvation or exposure.
Video: ‘National Geographic: Secret Weapon Of The Confederacy’
(Wednesday, February 17, 1864, 8:45 p.m.; during the American Civil War) — The H. L. Hunley, a submarine of the Confederate States of America, became the first submarine to engage and sink a warship, the USS Housatonic, at Charleston Harbor, Charleston, South Carolina. Five Union sailors were lost. Soon after, Hunley sank, killing all eight of her third crew.
