Category Archives: American Civil War

Confederate General Robert E. Lee offers to resign during American Civil War 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 8 1863)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.5of9.The Universe of Battle.' (Lee offers to resign at 46:58)

(Saturday, August 8, 1863; during the American Civil War) — One month and five days after his defeat at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Confederate General Robert E. Lee sent a letter of resignation as commander of the Army of Northern Virginia today to Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Continue reading Confederate General Robert E. Lee offers to resign during American Civil War 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 8 1863) →

New York City draft riots erupt in Manhattan during American Civil War 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 13 1863)

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


Video: 'In Search Of History - The Civil War Draft Riots (History Channel Documentary)'

(Monday, July 13, 1863, 10:00 a.m. local time; during the New York City draft riots, part of Opposition to the American Civil War) — The four-day New York City draft riots, widely regarded as the culmination of white working-class discontent with new laws passed by Congress that year to draft men to fight in the ongoing American Civil War, began today when a furious crowd of around 500, led by the volunteer firemen of Engine Company 33 (known as the “Black Joke”), attacked the assistant Ninth District provost marshal’s office, at Third Avenue and 47th Street in the city’s borough of Manhattan, where the second drawing of draft numbers was taking place. Continue reading New York City draft riots erupt in Manhattan during American Civil War 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 13 1863) →

Confederates surrender last major stronghold on Mississippi River during American Civil War 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 4 1863)

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


Video: 'Vicksburg: Animated Battle Map' (Confederate surrender at 17:00)

(Saturday, July 4, 1863, 10:00 a.m. local time; during the Siege of Vicksburg, part of the Vicksburg Campaign of the western theater of the American Civil War) — The 47-day Siege of Vicksburg in Warren County, Mississippi, ended today as Confederate Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton officially surrendered his army. Continue reading Confederates surrender last major stronghold on Mississippi River during American Civil War 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 4 1863) →

Battle of Gettysburg ends in decisive Union victory during American Civil War 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 3 1863)

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


Video:'Battle Of Gettysburg (Full Documentary)' (July 3, 1863, at 1:00:08)

(Friday, July 3, 1863, approximately 3:35 p.m. local time; during the Battle of Gettysburg, part of the Gettysburg Campaign of the American Civil War) — The three-day American Civil War Battle of Gettysburg, fought in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, ended today in a decisive victory for the North after a dramatic infantry assault by around 12,000 Confederates against the center of the Union line on Cemetery Ridge, known as Pickett’s Charge. Continue reading Battle of Gettysburg ends in decisive Union victory during American Civil War 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 3 1863) →

Fierce fighting dominates second day at Battle of Gettysburg 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 2 1863)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Battle Of Gettysburg (Full Documentary)' (July 2, 1863, at 27:01)

(Thursday, July 2, 1863, just after 4:00 p.m. local time; during the Battle of Gettysburg, part of the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War) — On the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg, fought in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia launched a heavy assault on the Union left flank, and fierce fighting raged at Little Round Top, the Wheatfield, Devil’s Den, and the Peach Orchard. Continue reading Fierce fighting dominates second day at Battle of Gettysburg 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 2 1863) →

Pivotal, three-day American Civil War Battle of Gettysburg begins in Pennsylvania 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 1 1863)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: '1st July 1863: The Battle of Gettysburg begins, resulting in a decisive Union'

(Wednesday, July 1, 1863, 7:30 a.m. local time; during the Battle of Gettysburg, part of the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War) — The Battle of Gettysburg, fought in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, by Union Major General George Meade’s Army of the Potomac and Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia during the American Civil War, began today when two Confederate brigades met light resistance from vedettes of Union cavalry, and deployed into line. Continue reading Pivotal, three-day American Civil War Battle of Gettysburg begins in Pennsylvania 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 1 1863) →

U.S. President Abraham Lincoln appoints Maj. Gen. George G. Meade commander of the Army of the Potomac 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 28 1863)

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


Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.5of9.The Universe of Battle.' (Meade appointed at 8:49)

(Sunday, June 28, 1863, early morning; during the American Civil War) — U.S. President Abraham Lincoln appointed Maj. Gen. George Meade as commander of the Army of the Potomac today, following the resignation of Maj. Gen. Joseph Hoooker and his disappointing performance in the Battle of Chancellorsville. Continue reading U.S. President Abraham Lincoln appoints Maj. Gen. George G. Meade commander of the Army of the Potomac 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 28 1863) →

West Virginia admitted as the 35th State in the Union 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 20 1863)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'West Virginia: The Road to Statehood - New'

(Saturday, June 20, 1863; during the American Civil War) — West Virginia, formed by seceding from Virginia, a Confederate state currently in rebellion against the United States, became the 35th state admitted to the Union today. Continue reading West Virginia admitted as the 35th State in the Union 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 20 1863) →

Largest predominantly cavalry engagement of American Civil War begins near Brandy Station, Virginia 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 9 1863)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Brandy Station: The Largest Cavalry Battle Of The American Civil War | History Of Warfare | Timeline'

(Tuesday, June 9, 1863, 4:30 a.m. local time; during the American Civil War) — The Battle of Brandy Station, the largest predominantly cavalry engagement of the American Civil War, as well as the largest ever to take place on American soil, began early today as Brig. Gen. John Buford’s column crossed the Rappahannock River in a dense fog, pushing aside the Confederate pickets at Beverly’s Ford, two miles northeast of Brandy Station, Virginia. Continue reading Largest predominantly cavalry engagement of American Civil War begins near Brandy Station, Virginia 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 9 1863) →

Battle of Chancellorsville ends in a significant Confederate victory 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 6 1863)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'The Battle Of Chancellorsville | Civil War Combat (S1, E7) | Full Episode'

(Wednesday, May 6, 1863; during the Battle of Chancellorsville, part of the American Civil War) — The Battle of Chancellorsville — a major battle of the American Civil War fought in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, near the village of Chancellorsville, — ended today in a significant Confederate victory over Union forces. Continue reading Battle of Chancellorsville ends in a significant Confederate victory 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 6 1863) →