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.

Video: 'Stonewall Jackson'

(Sunday, May 10, 1863, 3:15 p.m. local time; during the American Civil War) — Confederate Lt. Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, 39, died today in Fredericksburg, Virginia, of pneumonia, a complication resulting from being hit by friendly fire eight days earlier during the Battle of Chancellorsville in Virginia.

Video: 'WVat150 1863 Statehood'

(Monday, April 20, 1863; during the American Civil War) — U.S. President Abraham Lincoln signed a proclamation today admitting West Virginia to the Union, effective in 60 days (June 20, 1863).

(Thursday, April 2, 1863; during the American Civil War) — Food shortages incited thousands of people, mostly women, to riot today in Richmond, Virginia, and demand that the Confederate government release emergency supplies. Citizens broke into shops and began seizing clothing, shoes, food and even jewelry before the Militia arrived to restore order.

(Saturday, January 31, 1863; during the American Civil War) — The First South Carolina Volunteers, an all-black Union regiment composed of escaped slaves from South Carolina and Florida, was mustered into federal service today at Beaufort, South Carolina.

Video: 'Private Chatfield wrote on 1862-12-29.avi'

(Monday, December 29, 1862; during the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou, the opening engagement of the Vicksburg Campaign during the American Civil War) — Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman ordered a frontal assault on Confederate forces under Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton at Warren County, Mississippi, today, then withdrew when it was repulsed with heavy casualties. The Confederate victory frustrated Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s attempts to take Vicksburg by direct approach.

Video: 'Fredericksburg: The Wall, December 11, 1862' (Dec. 15, 1862, at 5:35)

(Monday, December 15, 1862, during the Battle of Fredericksburg, part of the American Civil War) — Having suffered a decisive defeat, Federal forces retreated today across the Rappahannock River, ending the Battle of Fredericksburg. In all, the Union army suffered 12,653 casualties, including 1,284 killed, 9,600 wounded and 1,769 captured/missing.

Video: 'Fredericksburg: The Wall, December 11, 1862' (Dec. 14, 1862, at 5:22)

(Sunday, December 14, 1862, during the Battle of Fredericksburg, part of the American Civil War) — Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside of the Union Army of the Potomac asked General Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia for a truce today to attend to his wounded, which the latter graciously granted.