(Monday, October 19, 1863; in the Western Theater of the American Civil War) — Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, in command of the newly formed Division of the Mississippi, replaced Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans today as Commander of the Army of the Cumberland with Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas following last month’s defeat at the Battle of Chickamauga.

(Friday, August 21, 1863; during the American Civil War) — The pro-Union town of Lawrence, Kansas, was attacked today by William Quantrill’s pro-Confederate raiders, who killed an estimated 200 men and boys. The raid became notorious in the North as one of the most vicious atrocities of the Civil War.

Video: 'Colonel Robert Gould Shaw: 54th Massachusetts Regiment'

(Saturday, July 18, 1863, 7:45-10:00 p.m. local time; during the Second Battle of Fort Wagner of the American Civil War) — The first formal African American military unit, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, unsuccessfully assaulted Confederate-held Fort Wagner on Morris Island, South Carolina, today but their valiant fighting still proves the worth of African American soldiers during the war. Continue reading First formal African-American military unit defeated at Fort Wagner 150 years ago this hour (1863) →

Video: 'History Channel Gettysburg Documentary Part 6' (July 4, 1863, at 9:05)

(Saturday, July 4, 1863, evening local time; during the Battle of Gettysburg, part of the Gettysburg Campaign of the American Civil War) — One day after the Battle of Gettysburg ended, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee began to withdraw his forces from Gettysburg to Virginia after Union Gen. George Meade decided not to attack Lee’s troops at Seminary Ridge.

Video: 'GETTYSBURG Reunion'

(Thursday, July 3, 1913) — During a 50th anniversary reunion at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Civil War veterans today re-enacted Pickett’s Charge, which ended with embraces and handshakes between the former enemies.

Video: 'American Experience: The Massachusetts 54th Colored Infantry' (May 28, 1863, at 32:55)

(Thursday, May 28, 1863; during the American Civil War) — The 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, made up of freed blacks, left Boston today to fight for the Union in the Civil War.

Video: 'Two Turning Points The Battles of Vicksburg Gettysburg'

(Monday, May 18, 1863; part of the Vicksburg Campaign in the American Civil War) — Union General Ulysses S. Grant today surrounded Vicksburg, the last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River. The forces under Confederate Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton would hold out until July 4, 1863.

(Thursday, May 14, 1863; part of the Vicksburg Campaign in the American Civil War) — Union General Ulysses S. Grant defeated Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston today in the Battle of Jackson, Mississippi, opening the way for the Siege of Vicksburg.