The Civil War Book

On this day in the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln formally establishes Thanksgiving as a national holiday.

On this day in the Civil War, the Confederate army under General Jubal Early attacks the Federal army commanded by General Philip Sheridan. During the initial onslaught by the Confederates, General Sheridan is attending a meeting in Washington. The Federal troops are initially pushed back, however; General Sheridan rallies the troops as he returns at full gallop.

The Federal troops win the battle and General Sheridan and his horse Rienzi gain national fame by their ride to the battlefield.

Rienzi is on display at the National Museum of American History in Washington D.C.

On this day in the Civil War, President Lincoln meets with his cabinet to discuss the future military service of General Winfield Scott.

On this day in the Civil War, General U. S. Grant replaces General William Rosecrans with General George Thomas as head of the Army of the Cumberland. Grant’s decision is based on Rosecran’s handling of the Battle of Chickamauga and its aftermath.

President Lincoln commented that he (Rosecrans) acted “confused and stunned, like a duck hit on the head.”

General George Thomas

(Photo Credit: Library of Congress) 

On this day in the Civil War, the Union army is reorganized, with western armies to be commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant.

Statue of Ulysses S. Grant

Washington D.C.