The Civil War Book

On this day in the Civil War, Confederate troops under General Early skirmish with Union forces at Fort Stevens outside Washington.

President Lincoln witnesses the battle and is told by a Union officer to, “Get down, you fool!” The quote is attributed to Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., a future supreme court justice.

Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.

(Photo Credit: Library of Congress)

On this day in the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln appoints General Henry Halleck as general-in-chief of the Union army.

 General Henry Halleck

(Photo Credit: Library of Congress)

On this day in the Civil War, Federal troops prepare to assault Battery Wagner, a Confederate fort located on Morris Island in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina.

On this day in the Civil War, Union troops under General Lew Wallace attempt to stop the Confederate army under General Jubal Early.

The Confederate forces are pushing toward Washington City. Union forces are pushed aside and lose the Battle of Monocacy.

On this day in the Civil War, Confederate forces surrender at Port Hudson, Louisiana, ending a 6 week siege.

One resident wrote that he and his friends consumed, “All the beef, all the dogs, and all the rats that were obtainable”.

Union General Nathaniel Banks commanded the victorious Union troops.

General Nathaniel Banks

(Photo Credit: Library of Congress)