1863 – January 1 — Battle of Stones River, Second Day
1863 – January 1 — President Lincoln issues Emancipation Proclamation
1863 – January 2 — Battle of Stones River, Third Day
1863 – January 4 — Confederate General Braxton Bragg begins withdrawing the Army of Tennessee from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, ending the Stones River Campaign
1863 – January 9 — Battle of Arkansas Post, First Day
1863 – January 10 — Battle of Arkansas Post, Second Day
1863 – January 11 — Battle of Arkansas Post, Third Day
1863 – January 26 — General Joseph Hooker Named Commander of the Army of the Potomac
1863 – March 3 — Congress enacts the Conscription Act
On March 1, 1863, Congress enacted the Conscription Act establishing a national draft in all Northern states.
1863 – April 30 — Battle of Chancellorsville Begins
The Battle of Chancellorsville was fought in and around the town of Chancellorsville, Virginia, from April 30 to May 6, 1863.
The Battle of Chancellorsville was fought in and around the town of Chancellorsville, Virginia, from April 30 to May 6, 1863. In what many historians believe to be Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s greatest victory, the Army of Northern Virginia defeated Major General Joseph Hooker’s Army of the Potomac, despite being out-manned nearly 2 to 1. The South, however, suffered a devastating blow when General Stonewall Jackson was mortally wounded by friendly fire during the battle.<br />
1863 – May 2 — Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson is Shot
On the night of May 2, 1863, during the Battle of Chancellorsville, Jackson rode out on a personal reconnaissance mission beyond his own lines. As he and his staff returned in the dark, they were mistakenly identified as Yankees and fired upon by Confederate pickets.
On the night of May 2, 1863, during the Battle of Chancellorsville, Jackson rode out on a personal reconnaissance mission beyond his own lines. As he and his staff returned in the dark, they were mistakenly identified as Yankees and fired upon by Confederate pickets. Jackson received three bullet wounds, none of which were considered as life threatening. Doctor’s had to amputate Jackson’s left arm and he was evacuated to a local plantation where he developed pneumonia and died on May 10. Reportedly, on the night that Lee learned of Jackson’s death he said, “I have lost my right arm and I’m bleeding at the heart.” Jackson’s body was taken to Richmond for public mourning before he was buried at the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery, Lexington, Virginia.
1863 – May 3 — Second Battle of Fredericksburg
The Second Battle of Fredericksburg, also known as the Second Battle of Marye’s Heights, was fought on May 3, 1663, as a part of the battle of Chancellorsville.
The Second Battle of Fredericksburg, also known as the Second Battle of Marye’s Heights, was fought on May 3, 1663, as a part of the battle of Chancellorsville.
1863 – May 5 — Clement Vallandigham Arrested for Violating General Order Number 38
On May 5, 1863, a company of Union soldiers arrested Vallandigham at his home in Dayton and brought him to Cincinnati to stand trial for violating Union General Ambrose Burnside’s General order Number 38.
On May 5, 1863, a company of Union soldiers arrested Vallandigham at his home in Dayton and brought him to Cincinnati to stand trial for violating Union General Ambrose Burnside’s General order Number 38.<br />
1863 – May 6 — Battle of Chancellorsville Ends
The Battle of Chancellorsville was fought in and around the town of Chancellorsville, Virginia, from April 30 to May 6, 1863.
The Battle of Chancellorsville was fought in and around the town of Chancellorsville, Virginia, from April 30 to May 6, 1863. In what many historians believe to be Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s greatest victory, the Army of Northern Virginia defeated Major General Joseph Hooker’s Army of the Potomac, despite being out-manned nearly 2 to 1. The South, however, suffered a devastating blow when General Stonewall Jackson was mortally wounded by friendly fire during the battle.
1863 – May 6 — Clement Vallandigham Goes on Trial for Violating General Order Number 38
On May 5, 1863, a company of Union soldiers arrested Vallandigham at his home in Dayton and brought him to Cincinnati to stand trial for violating Union General Ambrose Burnside’s General order Number 38.
Former Ohio Congressman and leading Peace Democrat, Clement Vallandigham was arrested on May 5, 1863 for violating Union General Ambrose Burnside’s General Order Number 38. On May 6, Vallandigham was brought before a military tribunal in Cincinnati, where he was denied a writ of habeas corpus.
1863 – May 7 — Military Tribunal Finds Clement Vallandigham Guilty of Violating General Order Number 38
On May 7, a military court found leading Peace Democrat Clement Vallandigham guilty of “uttering disloyal sentiments” and attempting to hinder the prosecution of the war, and sentenced him to 2 years’ confinement in a military prison.
Former Ohio Congressman and leading Peace Democrat, Clement Vallandigham was arrested on May 5, 1863 for violating Union General Ambrose Burnside’s General Order Number 38. On May 6, Vallandigham was brought before a military tribunal in Cincinnati, where he was denied a writ of habeas corpus. On May 7, the military court found Vallandigham guilty of “uttering disloyal sentiments” and attempting to hinder the prosecution of the war, and sentenced him to 2 years’ confinement in a military prison.
1863 – May 10 — Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson Dies
Doctor’s had to amputate Jackson’s left arm and he was evacuated to a local plantation where he developed pneumonia and died on May 10.
On the night of May 2, 1863, during the Battle of Chancellorsville, Jackson rode out on a personal reconnaissance mission beyond his own lines. As he and his staff returned in the dark, they were mistakenly identified as Yankees and fired upon by Confederate pickets. Jackson received three bullet wounds, none of which were considered as life threatening. Doctor’s had to amputate Jackson’s left arm and he was evacuated to a local plantation where he developed pneumonia and died on May 10. Reportedly, on the night that Lee learned of Jackson’s death he said, “I have lost my right arm and I’m bleeding at the heart.” Jackson’s body was taken to Richmond for public mourning before he was buried at the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery, Lexington, Virginia.
1863 – May 19 — President Lincoln Commutes Clement Vallandigham’s Prison Sentence
On May 19, 1863, President Lincoln commuted Clement Vallandigham’s prison sentence and directed Ambrose Burnside to send Vallandigham to the headquarters of General Rosecrans, then in Tennessee, from where he was to be sent beyond Union lines into the area occupied by the Confederacy.
On May 19, 1863, President Lincoln commuted Clement Vallandigham’s prison sentence and directed Ambrose Burnside to send Vallandigham to the headquarters of General Rosecrans, then in Tennessee, from where he was to be sent beyond Union lines into the area occupied by the Confederacy.
1863 – 6 29 — President Lincoln Issues “Birchard Letter”
On June 29, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued a public letter to M. Birchard and eighteen other Ohio Democrats in which defended the administration’s treatment of antiwar agitators.
On June 29, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued a public letter to M. Birchard and eighteen other Ohio Democrats in which defended the administration’s treatment of antiwar agitators. Lincoln offered to release former Ohio Congressman, and leading Peace Democrat,Clement Vallandigham from prison if a majority of those to whom the letter was addressed would make pledges in connection with the prosecution of the Civil War.
1863 – July 1 — Battle of Gettysburg, First Day
1863 – July 2 — Battle of Gettysburg, Second Day
1863 – July 3 — Battle of Gettysburg, Third Day
1863 – July 8 — Morgan’s Raiders enter Indiana.
Brigadier-General John Hunt Morgan led about 2,500 Confederate cavalrymen across the Ohio River into southern Indiana.
Brigadier-General John Hunt Morgan led about 2,500 Confederate cavalrymen across the Ohio River into southern Indiana.
1863 – July 12 — Ohio Governor David Tod calls out the Ohio militia.
Ohio Governor David Tod called out the Ohio militia to protect the southern counties from Confederate Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan’s Raiders. The militia was slow to organize and did not offer any real resistance to Morgan until July 18.
1863 – July 13 — Morgan’s Raiders enter Ohio.
Brigadier-General John Hunt Morgan and about two thousand Confederate cavalrymen entered Ohio from Indiana, near the Hamilton-Butler County line. Morgan’s men destroyed bridges, railroads, and government stores in their path.
1863 – July 14 — Morgan’s Raiders scatter across southwestern Ohio.
Confederate Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan divided his cavalrymen invading Ohio into two groups. The main force traveled through Clermont, Brown, Highland, Pike, and Jackson Counties. A smaller group passed through Warren, Clinton, Fayette, Ross, and Jackson Counties.
1863 – July 18 — Morgan’s Raiders are denied access to the Ohio River at Pomeroy, Ohio.
Confederate Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan led his cavalry toward Pomeroy, Ohio, near the Eight Mile Island Ford, where he intended to cross into West Virginia. The Rebels were denied access to the river and Morgan headed toward the next ford upstream at Buffington Island, some 20 miles to the southeast.
1863 – July 18 — Morgan’s Raiders blocked at Buffington Island.
Seeking to cross the river into Kentucky, Confederate Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan’s Raiders approached a ford of the Ohio River near Buffington Island. The Rebels found that several hundred Ohio militiamen behind a hastily constructed earthwork blocked their path. Instead of pushing forward, Morgan decided to camp for the night to enable his men and horses to rest.
1863 – July 19 — Battle of Buffington Island
After camping near the ford of the Ohio River near Buffington Island on July 18, Confederate Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan planned to cross the river into Kentucky the next day. During the night Federal forces on land and gunboats on the river caught up with Morgan. Surrounded, the Rebels were forced to fight their way out. During the battle around half of Morgan’s cavalry was captured. Morgan and about 700 of his men escaped and headed northeast. About 300 of the Rebels managed to cross the river upstream at an unguarded ford opposite Belleville, West Virginia before Federal gunboats arrived. Morgan led the remaining 400 men into eastern Ohio in quest of an avenue of escape.
1863 – July 26 — Battle of Salineville
After eluding Union forces at the Battle of Buffington Island on July 19, 1863, Confederate Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan and about 400 of his cavalrymen headed into eastern Ohio in search of an escape route back to the South. On July 26, a combined force of about 3,000 Federals caught up with Morgan near Salineville in Columbiana County, Ohio. Morgan tried to fight his way out, but was overwhelmed, losing most of his men. Twenty-three were killed and about 300 were captured. Morgan himself briefly eluded capture until he surrendered near West Point, Ohio, about eight miles from Salineville, at 2 p.m.
1863 – July 26 — Morgan’s Surrender
Confederate Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan surrendered near West Point, Ohio, about eight miles from Salineville, at 2 p.m. on July 26.
1863 – November 27 — John Hunt Morgan escapes from Ohio Penitentiary.
On July 26, 1863, Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan and about 400 Confederate cavalrymen were captured in Columbiana County after a daring raid across southern Ohio. Most of Morgan’s men were sent to Cincinnati as prisoners of war. Morgan and several officers, however, were imprisoned in the Ohio Penitentiary in Columbus. On November 27, Morgan and six of his officers escaped from the prison and made their way by train to Cincinnati where Confederate sympathizers helped them cross the Ohio River to safety in Kentucky.
