Category Archives: American Civil War

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.

McClellan’s war plans presented at Cabinet meeting 150 years ago today


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.

General Grant captures Paducah, Kentucky, 150 years ago today


"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.