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 - 681

Texas Public Radio | By Texas Public Radio

Published October 17, 2013 at 1:06 PM CDT

On Friday, October 16, 1863 the Union War Department created the Military Division of the Mississippi, combining the former Departments of the Ohio, Cumberland, and the Tennessee, under the command of General Ullyses Grant, the conqueror of Vicksburg, Mississippi.

Grant was given command from the Mississippi River east to the mountains. On the following day, Grant, in route to Louisville, Kentucky, accidentally met Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, who was journeying to Louisville to see Grant. Stanton gave Grant word of his new command and allowed him to appoint his subordinate commanders.

Grant acted immediately replacing William Rosecrans at Chattanooga with General George Thomas. General William Tecumseh Sherman was given command in the Department of Tennessee, and Ambrose Burnside was retained to command in the Department of Ohio.