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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 - 736

New Year’s Day, 1864 dawned with the future more clearly defined.  Hope increased in the American North, while it decreased throughout the South. Union triumphs at Vicksburg, Gettysburg, and Chattanooga had effectively held in check the Southern effort at independence. 

Southern armies were now confined to defending the Southern homeland against the relentless Federal invaders, who were more numerous and better equipped than the Confederates. In the South, hope for foreign intervention and the lifting of the Union blockade were now casualties of Southern defeat on the battlefield. 

Many on both sides anticipated a coming end to the war. Northerners rejoiced, while understanding that many sacrifices were yet to be made. The Southern people feared the worst, with many believing that failure was perhaps now inevitable despite their best efforts