Category Archives: American Civil War

Condolence letter written for Corporal Charles Gray 150 years ago today (1862)

Video: Gray condolence letter (at 27:47)

(Thursday, March 20, 1862, during the American Civil War) — An official condolence letter was written today to the brother of Corporal Charles Gray, who was killed at the Battle of New Bern on Mar. 14, 1862. He was the first man from Deer Isle, Maine, to join the army and the first from the island to die in the war.

Lincoln removes McClellan as general-in-chief 150 years ago today (1862)


Video: Lincoln and McClellan at Antietam, Oct. 1862

(Tuesday, March 11, 1862, during the American Civil War) — President Abraham Lincoln today removed Gen. George B. McClellan as general-in-chief of the Union armies, leaving him in command of only the Army of the Potomac, ostensibly so that McClellan would be free to devote all his attention to the move on Richmond.

Ironclad Virginia wreaks havoc on wooden Union warships 150 years ago today (1862)

Video: Battle of Hampton Roads begins (at 16:36)

(Saturday, March 8, 1862, during the American Civil War) — The ironclad CSS Virginia (built from the remnants of the USS Merrimack) rammed and sank the USS Cumberland and heavily damaged the USS Congress, both frigates, off Newport News, Virginia, today in the Battle of Hampton Roads.

‘Stonewall’ Jackson’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign begins 150 years ago today (1862)

Video: Shenandoah Valley Campaign begins (at 8:06)

(Thursday, February 27, 1862, during the American Civil War) — The Shenandoah Valley Campaign, Confederate Maj. Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson’s famous spring 1862 campaign through the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, began today.

In six small engagements (through June 9), at Kernstown, McDowell, Front Royal, Winchester, Cross Keys, and Port Republic, Jackson tied down large Union forces in the Shenandoah Valley that otherwise would have been used—probably decisively, in a Union offensive against the Confederate capital at Richmond.

Medill warns Lincoln about General McClellan 150 years ago today (1862)

Video: Medill's Feb. 9, 1862, letter (at 11:49)

(Sunday, February 9, 1862, during the American Civil War)Joseph Medill, co-owner and managing editor of the Chicago Tribune, wrote to U.S. President Abraham Lincoln today, warning him that General George B. McClellan “has almost ruined your administration and the country” by “placating the rebels.”

Frustrated Lincoln orders armies to advance 150 years ago today (1862)

Video: Lincoln issues order (at 10:59)

(Monday, January 27, 1862, during the American Civil War) — Utterly fed up with the inactivity of his generals and their armies, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln today issued the extraordinary General War Order No. 1.

This order directed that all Union forces, on land as well as at sea, were to advance upon the insurgents and attack them on Feb. 22.