Category Archives: American Civil War

Confederate General ‘Stonewall’ Jackson dies from friendly fire wounds 150 years ago this hour (1863)


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.

Angry Southern women riot over food shortages in Confederate capitol 150 years ago today (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.

Confederates repulse Federals in Battle of Chickasaw Bayou 150 years ago today (1862)


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.

Federal forces retreat from Fredericksburg 150 years ago today (1862)


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.

Lee grants truce to attend to wounded at Fredericksburg 150 years ago today (1862)


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.

Matthew Brady’s Antietam photographs on display in New York 150 years ago today (1862)


Video: Oct. 1862 (at 1:01:15)

(Monday, October 6, 1862, during the American Civil War) — A notice in the New York Times today announced that an exhibition of photographs of the Battle of Antietam taken by Mathew Brady (titled “The Dead Of Antietam”) were being displayed at the National Gallery, corner of Broadway and Tenth-street.

This was the first time that many Americans saw the realities of war in photographs as distinct from previous “artists’ impressions.”

Lincoln visits Antietam battlefield, poses for pictures 150 years ago today (1862)


Video: Oct. 3, 1862 (at 58:39)

(Friday, October 3, 1862, during the American Civil War) — U.S. President Abraham Lincoln reviewed his troops today at the Antietam battlefield in Maryland to assess the situation following the bloodiest battle in American history. Lincoln met with Gen. George McClellan and also posed for a half-dozen pictures by Alexander Gardner.