The Civil War Book

On this day in the Civil War, the second day’s fighting at the Battle of Nashville ends with a crushing defeat of the Confederate Army of Tennessee. The battle effectively destroys the fighting capacity of this Confederate army.

Union Flag 

Gettysburg Museum 

On this day in the Civil War, the Battle of Nashville occurs when the Federal army under General George Thomas attacks the Confederate Army of Tennessee commanded by General John B. Hood. The Confederates are outnumbered 2 to 1, but withstand the Federal onslaught. This ends the first day of fighting.

Confederate Flag

National Civil War Museum, Harrisburg Pa

On this day in the Civil War, President Lincoln gives amnesty to the widow of Confederate General B. H. Helm after she swears allegiance to the union. Mrs. Helm is the half sister of Mary Todd Lincoln, President Lincoln’s wife.

Mary Todd Lincoln

(Photo Credit: Library of Congress)

On this day in the Civil War, the Federal Army of the Potomac, commanded by General Ambrose Burnside, suffers a defeat at the hands of General Robert E. Lee’s Confederate army at the battle of Fredericksburg. Total Federal casualties exceed 12,000.

General Lee commented to a fellow officer, “It is well that war is so terrible. We should grow too fond of it.”