Today Robert Smalls, a hero of the war, is discharged from military service. Smalls is a former slave who during the war daringly escaped from slavery in Charleston by capturing a Confederate steamer, the Planter. His heroics were celebrated throughout the North, where he conducted speaking tours. In addition, he was made captain of the…
Today is Good Friday. On the site of where the war between the states erupted, the former United States flag, the very one that had been removed by the Confederacy on April 12, 1861, is again raised over Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor in a special ceremony attended by many dignitaries. General Abner Doubleday, raised…
The month of March is approaching. His army weakened by the harsh winter, insufficient food supplies and ongoing desertions, Confederate General Robert E. Lee is worried. Charged with preventing the Federals from reaching the Confederate capital of Richmond, he recently denied the request of Texas Governor Pendelton Murrah to allow the “Texas Brigade” a leave…