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.

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.

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.

McClellan's plan @ 1:27:18 into video

(Friday, September 27, 1861) — Amid public pressure for increased action, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln and General George B. McClellan conferred today in a meeting with the Cabinet over plans for an offensive in Virginia during the American Civil War.

"The Civil War - Episode One: The Cause (1861)"

(Friday, September 6, 1861) — Forces under Union General Ulysses S. Grant today bloodlessly captured Paducah, Kentucky, which gave the Union control the mouth of the Tennessee River during the American Civil War.

"The Civil War - Episode One: The Cause (1861)"

(Friday, July 26, 1861) — President Lincoln today handed over command of the Federal Division of the Potomac to Gen. George McClellan, replacing Gen. McDowell, whose forces had been so badly beaten at Bull Run.

"The Civil War - Episode One: The Cause (1861)"

(Monday, July 22, 1861) — Reaction poured in today, one day after the First Battle of Manassas, also known as the First Battle of Bull Run (the name used by Union forces), resulted in a Confederate victory.

"The Civil War - Episode One: The Cause (1861)"

(Tuesday, July 16, 1861) — The volunteer Union Army of 37,000 men marched into Virginia to cut the railroad at Manasses and then move on to Richmond.

"The Civil War - Episode One: The Cause (1861)"

(Sunday, July 14, 1861) — A week before the Battle of Bull Run, Sullivan Ballou, a major in the 2nd Rhode Island Volunteers, wrote home to his wife in Smithfield.

"The Civil War - Episode One: The Cause (1861)"

(Wednesday, July 10, 1861) — General McClellan in West Virginia sends troops forward to meet Confederates at Rich Mountain.