Video: 'Special Orders 191'

(Saturday, September 13, 1862, at about noon local time; during the American Civil War) — Two Union soldiers, Sergeant John Bloss and Corporal Barton W. Mitchell, discovered a mislaid copy of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s detailed Antietam battle plans today outside of Frederick, Maryland. Continue reading Union soldiers discover General Robert E. Lee’s orders detailing Confederates’ plan for Antietam campaign near Frederick, Maryland 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 13 1862) →

Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.3of9.Forever.Free.' (Sep. 3-4, 1862, at 40:19)

(Thursday, September 4, 1862, during the Maryland Campaign, part of the American Civil War) — The Maryland campaign (or Antietam campaign) began today as advance elements of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia crossed into Maryland from Loudoun County, taking the Civil War into Union territory for the first time. Continue reading Advance elements of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia cross into Maryland, taking American Civil War into the North 160 years ago today (Sep 4 1862) →

Video: 'Abraham Lincoln's Cabinet Review on the Emancipation Proclamation'

(Tuesday, July 22, 1862, during the American Civil War) — U.S. President Abraham Lincoln presented a preliminary draft of the Emancipation Proclamation to his entire cabinet today proposing to free more than 3.5 million enslaved African Americans in the secessionist Confederate states. Continue reading President Abraham Lincoln presents preliminary draft of Emancipation Proclamation to cabinet 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 22 1862) →

Video: 'Malvern Hill: Richmond Animated Battle Map'

(Tuesday, July 1, 1862, around 1:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. local time; part of the Seven Days Battles during the Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War (Eastern Theater)) — The Battle of Malvern Hill,  taking place near the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia, was fought today between the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia and the Union Army of the Potomac,  resulting in a Confederate defeat. Continue reading Union wins tactical victory in Battle of Malvern Hill 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 1 1862) →

Video: 'American Civil War: Battle of Seven Pines - "Battle of Fair Oaks" - All Parts'

(Sunday, June 1, 1862, mid-morning local time; part of the Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War) — The two-day Battle of Seven Pines, the culmination of an offensive up the Virginia Peninsula by Union Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, in which the Army of the Potomac reached the outskirts of Richmond, ended today with both sides claiming victory. Continue reading American Civil War ‘Battle of Seven Pines’ ends with both sides claiming victory 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 1 1862) →

Video: 'American Civil War: Siege of Yorktown - "Magruder's Spectacle" - All Parts'

(Sunday, May 4, 1862, Union troops begin occupying Yorktown at dawn; during the Siege of Yorktown, part of the Peninsula campaign of the American Civil War) — Union forces under Gen. George B. McClellan were preparing to unleash a massive bombardment at dawn tomorrow (May 5, 1862) against Confederate troops after a month-long siege at Yorktown, Virginia, only to discover early this morning that the Confederates had slipped away during the night toward Williamsburg. Continue reading Siege of Yorktown ends after Confederate troops slip away during night 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 4 1862) →

Video: '[1862] The Battle of New Orleans'

(Friday, April 25, 1862, 2:00 p.m. local time, during the Capture of New Orleans, part of the American Civil War) — A Union fleet commanded by Flag Officer David G. Farragut captured the city of New Orleans today, which had been left defenseless after Confederate Gen. Mansfield Lovell and his 4,000 troops withdrew. Continue reading New Orleans falls to Union fleet commanded by Flag Officer David Farragut 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 25 1862) →

Video: 'The Act That Bought Slaves Freedom in D.C.'

(Wednesday, April 16, 1862; during the American Civil War) — U.S. President Abraham Lincoln today signed into law the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act ending slavery in the District of Columbia; Congress also provided compensation to former slave owners. Continue reading U.S. President Abraham Lincoln signs bill ending slavery in District of Columbia 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 16 1862) →