Browse all Events, Entries, Images, Videos, and Audio Files in the Civil War 1863 Time Period.
Ohio Volunteer Infantry
1861–1865 Historically, British colonies utilized militia forces to defend themselves from attacks by Native Americans and other powers. Once Americans secured their independence in the American Revolution, the new states continued to rely primarily on the militia for military defense. Historically, British colonies utilized militia forces to defend themselves from attacks by Native Americans and…
Oliver Otis Howard
November 8, 1830 – October 26, 1909 Major General Oliver O. Howard, a Medal of Honor recipient, commanded Union troops in both the Eastern and Western Theaters of the American Civil War and served as the only commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau during Reconstruction. Oliver Otis Howard was born on November 30, 1830, at Leeds,…
Patrick Ronayne Cleburne
March 16 or March 17, 1828 – November 30, 1864 Major General Patrick Ronayne Cleburne was one of the Confederacy's leading general officers in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. Patrick Ronayne Cleburne was born in Ovens, County Cork, Ireland on March 16 or March 17, 1828. He was the third child and…
Patterson’s Battery of Ohio Volunteer Artillery
1863–1865 In the American Civil War, Ohio provided the federal government with 260 regiments of men, including infantry, artillery, and cavalry units. Ohioans also served in several other regiments from other states, most notably from Kentucky, West Virginia, and Massachusetts, as well as in federal units. In the American Civil War, Ohio provided the federal…
Pickett’s Charge
July 3, 1863 During the first two days of battle at Gettysburg (July 1 and 2, 1863), Robert E. Lee's Confederate forces tried unsuccessfully to flank each end of the Union line. Believing that Union commander General George Meade had weakened the middle of his line in support of the attacks on his flanks, Lee…
Potts’ Battery of Ohio Volunteer Artillery
1862–1865 In the American Civil War, Ohio provided the federal government with 260 regiments of men, including infantry, artillery, and cavalry units. Ohioans also served in several other regiments from other states, most notably from Kentucky, West Virginia, and Massachusetts, as well as in federal units. In the American Civil War, Ohio provided the federal…
President Lincoln’s Executive Order Mandating the Execution of Rebel Soldiers in Retaliation for the Execution of Union Soldiers
July 30, 1863 On July 30, 1863, President Lincoln issued an executive order mandating that for every U.S. soldier killed in violation of the laws of war, a Rebel soldier would be executed. It is the duty of every government to give protection to its citizens, of whatever class, color, or condition, and especially to…
President Lincoln’s Letter to Joseph Hooker
January 26, 1863 On January 26, 1863, President Lincoln wrote to Joseph Hooker, giving him advice about commanding the Army of the Potomac. Executive Mansion Washington, January 26, 1863 Major General Hooker: General. I have placed you at the head of the Army of the Potomac. Of course I have done this upon what appear…
Presidential Proclamation 108
December 8, 1863 On December 8, 1863, Abraham Lincoln issued Presidential Proclamation 108 offering amnesty and the restoration of property (except slaves) to certain people who participated in the rebellion against the U.S., upon swearing their allegiance. By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Whereas in and by the Constitution of…
Presidential Proclamation 95 (Emancipation Proclamation)
January 1, 1863 Issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation stated that people held in slavery in areas designated in rebellion against the United States to be freed from bondage. By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Whereas on the 22d day of September, A.D. 1862,…