Today the 13th Amendment passes in the House of Representative, thus clearing the United States Congress. The amendment abolishes slavery, declaring “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” Now, the…
Today begins the second phase of Union General William T. Sherman‘s march through the South. One month ago Sherman and his Federals completed phase one, the March to the Sea, by taking Savannah. While the capture of the Georgia port city was important psychologically, politically and economically, the city also provides a base of operations…
The fall of Savannah continues to ripple throughout the North and South. News of the event reaches the West coast this week, whereupon this day a group of citizens in Los Angeles assembles to organize a Soldier’s Aid Society to assist injured Union soldiers. Additional chapters are formed on both coasts in the weeks following,…