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 - 722

Texas Public Radio | By Texas Public Radio

Published December 13, 2013 at 9:39 AM CST

In mid-December 1863 both sides in the war announced important command changes. For the Federals, on December the 9^th, General John Foster replaced Ambrose Burnside in command of the Union Army of the Ohio.

Burnside, who had been criticized for not actively supporting Rosecrans at Chattanooga, had for some time desired to leave his command. For the Confederates, on the 15^th Confederate General Jubal Early was assigned to the Shenandoah Valley District. And, on the following day, General Joseph Johnston was named to succeed General William Hardee as a permanent replacement for Braxton Bragg at the head of the Confederate Army of Tennessee.

Johnston’s transfer left General Leonidas Polk in command of the Confederate Army of Mississippi, of which he formally took charge on Tuesday, December 22, l863.