Civil War

This Week in the Civil War

00000174-b11b-ddc3-a1fc-bfdbb1a20000The Schreiner University Department of History is honoring the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War with a series of short vignettes focusing on events from 1861 through 1865. The Civil War was the most destructive conflict in American history, but it was also one of our most defining moments as a people and as a nation. Let us know what you think about "This Week in the Civil War." E-mail your comments to Dr. John Huddleston at jhuddles@schreiner.edu.Airs: Weekdays at 5:19 a.m., 8:19 a.m., 4:19 p.m. on KTXI and 4:49 a.m., 9:29 p.m. on KSTX.

This Week in the Civil War - 567

Texas Public Radio | By Texas Public Radio

Published May 10, 2013 at 2:45 PM CDT

On May 7, 1863 scandal rocked the Confederate States of America when Major General Earl Van Dorn in his headquarters at Spring Hill, Tennessee was shot once in the back of the head, killing him instantly.

The gunman, Dr. James Bodie Peters, claimed that Van Dorn had carried on an affair with his wife, Jessie McKissack Peters. A blatant womanizer, Van Dorn was dubbed "the terror of ugly husbands" by a reporter shortly before his death.

Peters was arrested by Confederate authorities but was never brought to trial for the killing. In defense of his actions, Dr. Peters stated that Van Dorn had "violated the sanctity of his home” and that his honor compelled him to act. Van Dorn was buried next to his father at Wintergreen Cemetery, Port Gibson. Mississippi.