Category Archives: American Civil War

Lincoln accepts Cameron’s resignation as Sec. of War 150 years ago today (1861)

Video: Lincoln fires Cameron (at 9:02)

(Saturday, January 11, 1862, during the American Civil War) — U.S. President Abraham Lincoln today accepted the resignation of Secretary of War Simon Cameron and indicated that he would name him Minister to Russia (Cameron would continue to serve as Secretary of War until Tuesday, Jan. 14, 1862).

Cameron and his department have been under considerable criticism for fraudulent actions and general incompetence.

General Sherman judged ‘insane’ by newspaper 150 years ago today (1861)


Video: Sherman relieved (@ 1:29:52)

(Thursday, December 12, 1861) — Union General William Tecumseh today picked up a copy of the Cincinnati Daily Commercial and read, “General W.T. Sherman, late commander of the Department of the Cumberland, is insane. It appears that he was at times when commanding in Kentucky, stark mad…”

After other newspapers parroted the claim, Sherman, by his own admission, sank “into a perfect ‘slough of despond,” and even contemplated suicide.

General Sherman relieved 150 years ago today (1861)


Video: Sherman relieved (@ 1:29:28)

(Friday, November 15, 1861) — Union General William Tecumseh Sherman, commander of the Department of the Cumberland, was replaced today by Don Carlos Buell at the head of the reorganized Department of Ohio after Secretary of War Cameron reported that Sherman required 200,000 men to finish the war in Kentucky during the American Civil War.